Questions and Replies

Reply:

1. Beethoven Investments has two wash plant dams that are not currently operational. The polluted water from the wash plant runs regularly into the “spook spruit” freshwater stream and then flows into the Klein Olifants River, the Groot Olifants River and finally into the Loskop dam. This is in contravention of Section 151 of the National Water Act in relation to polluting or causing harm to a water resource.

a) The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) received a complaint regarding pollution at Spookspruit and conducted an investigation on 23 January 2023. Following the findings of the investigation, DWS issued a Notice of intention to issue a Directive in terms of Sections 19(3) and 53(1) of the National Water Act to Beethoven Organics (Pty) Ltd (IPC beneficiary Pty Ltd). Beethoven Organics submitted an action plan to DWS indicating steps to be taken to remedy the pollution incident. A follow up inspection was conducted on 24 October 2023. The findings were as follows:

• The facility is authorized to take water from a borehole; however it was indicated by the facility representative that their borehole dried up and is therefore no longer in use. It was further indicated that Beethoven Organics (Pty) Ltd buys water from the neighboring mine that has a borehole. DWS officials requested Beethoven Organics to submit proof of service level agreement and borehole meter readings indicating the volume of water supplied by the mine to Beethoven.

• The facility representative, Mr Gert Swanepoel, indicated that they have one water bowser with the capacity of 15000 liters that is used to fetch water from the Pollution Control Dam (PCD) situated at Beethoven Organics (Pty) Ltd wash plant to be used for dust suppression.

b) The Department conducted inspection at Beethoven Organics and an investigation into the above allegations against Beethoven Investment on 24 October 2023 to further engage with the mine. The findings were as follows:

• The officials from DWS observed the said water Bowser with registration number KLV 396 MP conducting dust suppression on the road leading to the site. During the investigation, DWS officials could not find any evidence to support the allegation that water is being abstracted from the Spookspruit River using a Bowser for use in the coal washing plant.

• DWS officials further observed that the Coal Wash Plant Equipment has been set up on site but is not operational. The activities observed on site was coal stockpiling and blending. The facility is authorized for the activities currently taking place.

2. Beethoven has taken over from IPC Beneficiation (Pty) Ltd and operating with their Water Use Licence. The Department has communicated with Beethoven to change the Company Name on the Water Use Licence and to register their water uses. (See attached annexures A-C)

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Reply:

1. Section 5 of the Employment of Educators Act (EEA), 1998, gives the powers to create posts for public schools to the Member of Executive Council (MEC) responsible for education in that province and further gives the powers to distribute such posts to schools to the Head of Department. This is on the condition that both the creation and the distribution of the posts are effected in terms of the national norms. Section 6 of the EEA further gives the powers to appoint educators at school to the Head of Department. The Honourable Member is kindly requested to direct the question to the Mpumalanga Department of Education.

2. The Honourable Member is requested to direct the question to the Mpumalanga Department of Education.

3. Paragraph 1 of Annexure A of Collective Agreement 4 of 2018 concluded at the Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC) provides for an order of priority in terms of the appointment into vacant post-level 1 posts. It provides that the appointments in vacant posts at school level must follow the order that prioritises first-time appointments that have a contractual obligation with the employer, and this covers both the Funza Lushaka Bursary Scheme recipients and recipients of any other state bursary scheme; followed by any other first-time applicant; and lastly qualified unemployed educators. It is therefore expected that the Mpumalanga Department of Education will comply with the said collective agreement.

Reply:

The Green Drop report found 334 wastewater systems, belonging to 90 municipalities to be in a critical state of performance. It is important to note that where the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) approaches the Prosecuting Authority for criminal cases or Court for civil relief it is done on an entity or in this case a municipal basis. Reporting on criminal and civil cases will be on a municipal level, compared to where the Department reports on its administrative action (pre-directives and directives) on wastewater systems level.

Not all 90 municipalities are facing criminal charges as there is a process to be followed. The National Water Act makes provision for two types of enforcement actions namely administrative and criminal. Common law provides a third option of approaching a civil court for relief where there is imminent threat to life, property or the environment.

Upon the release of the Green Drop report all 90 municipalities was issued with a non-compliance letter for the development and submission of corrective action plans (see Table 1 below). To date the department has received 195 such plans. If an action plan is received and it is being implemented no further enforcement action is taken. Where municipalities fail to provide or to implement these action plans and where pollution or other non-compliances with the National Water Act is detected through compliance monitoring, the department will exercise its administrative regulatory authority by the issuing of Pre-Directives and where these are not adhered to the issuance of Directives.

The Department has issued, for these 90 municipalities, over the last two years, 184 pre-directives and 94 Directives (see Table 1) for its non-compliant systems. Some of these pre-dates the release of the Green Drop Report. One of the offences listed in the National Water Act is the non-adherence to an issued directive (administrative action) which is used as the basis for laying criminal charges.

Therefore the 12 criminal cases highlighted with the release of the Green Drop Watch report in June 2023 (as a measure of progress of addressing the results of the Green Drop) was as a result of the Department already having issued directives against those municipalities and not succeeding in securing compliance with its administrative tools (they remained non-compliant) and the necessity to then proceed to criminal charges and investigations with the assistance of the National Prosecuting Authority, who decides on the prosecution.

Currently, 22 municipalities are facing criminal charges for various offenses, including but not limited to, non-compliance to a directive, the unlawful commission of acts or omissions that result in water resource pollution or the likelihood thereof (the dockets for these cases are being managed by DWS and Department of Forestry, Fishery and the Environment).

Eighteen (18) of these 22 municipalities have systems that were identified as critical in the Green Drop Report. The number of cases therefore has increased from 12 in June 2023 to 18 municipalities with systems in a critical state of performance. The investigations are in various stages and upon completion of the case dockets, they are submitted to the Prosecuting Authority for prosecutorial decisions. To date, the Department has also approached the courts for civil interdicts for 17 municipalities, 9 of which were systems identified as critical in the Green Drop Report (see Table 1).

Table 1: Administrative, civil and criminal cases against the 90 municipalities with systems identified as critical in the Green Drop Report

Thus far, the Department has obtained 3 Plea Sentencing Agreements against Rand West City LM, Thaba Chweu LM and Lekwa LM for contravening NWA provisions. Fines were imposed against each Local Municipality. The Department is currently monitoring compliance with the plea sentencing agreements. Furthermore, the Department obtained one (1) court order against Msukaligwa LM. The Department will continue to monitor the implementation of the court order.

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1. Merafong Local Municipality is facing criminal charges for four of its wastewater systems which are part of the identified critical systems. ↑

2. The Department is seeking civil relief for 2 wastewater systems for Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality in the Northwest province. ↑

3. Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality is facing further criminal charges for 4 of its wastewater systems. These investigations are being led by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment ↑

4. Further civil cases against WSAs not relating to these 344 systems include 2 in Gauteng and Limpopo each, and one each in Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, Eastern Cape, and KwaZulu Natal. ↑

5. Further 3 criminal cases against WSAs not relating to these 334 systems include two in Gauteng and one in the Northern Cape province. ↑

Reply:

The Department of Basic Education has developed a 10 Point Plan that aims to address the challenges identified in several reports, including the audit report. The 10 point plan consists of the following components:

• Updated data management on current infrastructure;
• Updated and simplified Asset management Plans;
• Updated and simplified Infrastructure Programme Management Plans;
• Standardised concept designs, specification, processes and contracts,
• Procurement of framework contracts, management contractors to address procurement challenges;
• Local subcontracting;
• Use of appropriate and relevant contracts;
• Gateway reviews for appropriate monitoring;
• Project lifecycle monitoring;
• Restricting defaulting service providers.

Reply:

(1)   All Provincial Education Departments (PEDs) independently arrange matric camps to assist and support learners in various subjects. This is done in the quest to improve learner performance and results (Learning Outcomes),

(a)The number of schools or camps varies from province to province depending on the number of learners targeted for assistance. There were 2346 centres in all, in 2023.

(b) Provinces encourage schools to work with the School Governing Bodies (SGBs) when organising Matric camps. SGBs assist with the monitoring and supporting the centres, and also lend a hand by cooking for learners in the camps. The schools (including SGBs) work with the nearby SAPS to assist with monitoring and to discourage the use of drugs and carrying of illegal weapons. Furthermore, schools work with the nearby clinics to assist learners who are sick. Other stakeholders are brought on board such as NGOs to assist with psychosocial support and motivation of learners.

(2)   Matric camps are organised and approved at a Provincial level with the approved budget and needed human and capital resources. PEDs then draw schedules of the matric camps/centres which they then share with the DBE. The DBE Further Education and Training (FET) Directorate, which leads the monitoring of centres, then drafts a monitoring schedule for the Subject Specialists and other officials from the department, e.g., the Mathematics, Science and Technology (MST) Directorates. The Director General (DG) also monitors and supports the said centres.

(3)   The FET Curriculum, the Mathematics, Science and Technology (MST) Directorates, the Senior Managers and the DG, monitor and support the camps. PEDs also monitor the Matric camps. In the  current year, the DBE Subject Specialists and the DG monitored 211 Spring centres across the 9 provinces. The monitoring of camps include assessing the quality of teaching taking place at the centre as well as any challenges that might be experienced at the centre related to the availability of resources including the safety and wellbeing of learners and teachers. All the measures outlined above apply to all the centres in the rural as well as the urban areas.                 

Reply:

(a)  The question by the Honourable Member falls under purview of the MECs, not the Department of Basic Education. 

Response to question b (i)(ii) is below:

Table 1: Number of learners in ordinary schools, by grade and province, in 2023

Table 2: Number of learners in special schools by grade and province, in 2023

Reply:

(1)(a)&(b) The Department is not in the position to divulge the information pertaining to software licenses that are used in our applications for security reasons.

END

Reply:

(a) The number of Agricultural schools per province is as follows:

(b) The Provincial Education Departments have put support programmes in place to ensure that Grade 12s receive the required support to pass the NSC. These include monitoring of curriculum coverage, provision of learning materials, through the Mathematics, Science and Technology Conditional Grant (MSTCG) refurbishment and securing of resources and equipment for practical work to be conducted in the Agricultural subjects. The Grant has also been utilised to establish production enterprises at the respective schools. This has impacted positively on learner performance in the Agricultural subjects.

Reply:

The 2023 NSC examination results are scheduled to be released on 18 January 2024 by the Minister of Basic Education followed by the Provincial MECs and the release by schools to candidates on 19 January 2024.

The writing of the 2023 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations commenced on 30th October 2023 and will conclude on 6th December 2023 and marking will take place from 7 December 2023 to 20 December 2023.

It needs to be noted that the release date for the 2022 NSC examination results was not delayed but this was the planned date for the release of the 2022 NSC examination results. The DBE had a meeting with Universities South Africa (USAf) regarding the release date and there was agreement on the later release date. The later release date is directly linked to the late commencement of the writing of the examination. The late commencement of the examination was prompted by the need to extend the time available for teaching and learning so that there could be full coverage of the curriculum, given the disadvantage that this class has endured given the disruptions due to COVID-19.

The Department of Basic Education (DBE) and the nine Provincial Education Department have prepared adequately for the marking process and the final preparatory steps are currently being concluded. Markers have been appointed based on a strict adherence to the criteria articulated in the Personnel Administrative Measures (PAM) and ensuring the necessary verifications at the school, district and provincial level. The 190 marking centres across the nine PEDs have been audited and the DBE can confirm that all the marking centres are ready for the marking process. The marking will commence as per schedule across the nine PEDs and will conclude on the scheduled date. While the marking process is in progress, the capture of marks will commence and will conclude on 23rd December 2023. All processes are in place for the standardisation of the results by Umalusi that will take place on 5th January 2024 so that the Umalusi Approval meeting can take place on 12th January 2024 and the final release of the results on 19th January 2024.

It needs to be reiterated that the 2022 NSC examination processes, in no way contributed to the challenges experienced by Higher Education Institutions in terms of admission of students to the various academic institutions. It is also important to note that the results data base is made available to Higher Education institutions prior to the official release of the results to learners, so that Higher Education Institutions can proceed with its selection processes.

The DBE as done in previous years will ensure strict adherence to its scheduled time frames and there will be no delays that will contribute to the challenges of Higher Education Institutions.

Reply:

The Department has not issued a government or official credit card to the (a) Minister, (b) Deputy Minister or (c) any other official since 1 April 2019. Therefore the resultant responses are as follows:

(i) N/A

(ii) N/A

(iii) N/A

(iv) N/A

(v) N/A

(vi) N/A

(vii) N/A

Reply:

The Department monitors the appointment of educators through the PERSAL records received on a monthly basis as part of monitoring the trends in the nature of appointment of educators. The latest information is as at the end of October 2023. The table below shows the number of educators appointed who were appointed in temporary capacities as at the end of October 2023. The number excludes those that are in substitute posts.

Reply:

What is the (a) total budget allocated and (b) actual expenditure on the employment of education assistants and general school assistants in the Presidential Youth Employment Initiative for each year since its launch in 2020 up to the latest specified date for which information is available?

(Source: Provincial reports Presidential Youth Employment Initiative (PYEI)

Phase I - 2020/21 had ** SAVING OF POSTS which had a budget of R2.43 billion from the R6.998 billion allocated with spending of R1.153 billion, the unspent funds R1.254 billion.  The R1.254 billion was used to extend the job opportunities with additional one month (April 2021) in all nine provinces. The allocation for saving of posts in Phase I of 2020/21 saved 33 542 posts in schools.  

Unspent Funds of Phase III 2022/23 were utilised to commence Phase IV in February 2023.  Meaning that February and March 2023 jobs were paid using funds remaining from Phase III

Phase IV – Gauteng extended the programme to end of December using unspent funds as well as provincial funds.

Reply:

The projects, initiated by the Department in the past three financial years, are as captured in the Annual Performance Plans and the relevant implementation reports have been presented to the Portfolio Committee.

I have been informed by the Department that no projects were initiated since 1 January 2023.

Reply:

a) Current foster care grant backlog per province compared to June 2022

b) Top-up grant monthly uptake per Province

c) (i) The Children’s Act has been amended to allow relatives of orphaned children to refer this category of children for Child support grant (CGS) Top-Up grant. However, the regulations are not yet gazetted for implementation as a result Social Workers (legally) are still referring relatives of orphaned children to the Foster Care system.

It should be noted that the Department of Social Development and South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) are continuously conducting educational roadshows, stakeholder and public education about the Child Support Top - Up, including the eligibility criteria. We therefore believe that overtime, there will be tangible movement.

(ii) The Child Support Top-Up Grant is included in the report. The data is on page 45, table 27 of the attached report.

Reply:

(a) (b) The results of Census 22 were released in October 2023 and the DBE is in the process of analysing the report and its implications for both ECD and school Infrastructure. 

Reply:

I have been informed by the Department that the Tourism Transformation Fund (TTF) was officially launched in May 2018.

Since inception a total of 27 applications were approved for support under the TTF. Unfortunately, eight (8) of the approved applications were withdrawn post investment, leaving 19 active approved projects at various stages of implementation.

Based on information received from the National Empowerment Fund (NEF), the reasons for withdrawal post approval predominantly relates to the failure by the client/ applicant to meet certain requirements stipulated in the contract between the client/ applicant and the NEF.

In some cases, applications were withdrawn by the NEF and in others by the applicant/ client.

There are an additional 38 active applications at various stages of assessments in the programme pipeline.

Reply:

a) Currently, a total of thirty-two (32) municipalities (Annexure A) are still under administration across the country. Of the 32 municipalities under administration, 3 are under intervention in terms of Sec 139(7) of the Constitution (i.e. National Cabinet intervention).

b) Detailed reports have been presented before the various committees of the National Assembly and the NCOP on the progress to date in these municipalities.

The progress varies across municipalities and across provinces. Good progress continues to be registered in municipalities such as Lekwa and Govan Mbeki in Mpumalanga, Mangaung in the Free State, Makana in the Eastern Cape, Msunduzi and Mpofana in KwaZulu/Natal, Emfuleni in Gauteng and Phokwane in the Northen Cape.

However, municipalities such as Ditsobotla in the North-West, Renosterberg in the Northern Cape are still operating under precarious circumstances. We are intensifying our support in these municipalities to ensure that they return to normality.

End.

ANNEXURE A

Reply:

a) Government invested in capacity building programs to enhance the skills and capabilities of local government officials and Councillors. This includes training programs, workshops, and knowledge-sharing platforms to improve governance practices, financial management, service delivery, and community engagement. Municipal Public Accounts Committees were trained to exercise oversight over the executive functionaries of council and ensure good governance in municipalities.

b) Through the MIG, municipalities have been able to extend service coverage to underserved areas, especially in rural and informal settlements. This includes the provision of basic services like water supply, sanitation, electricity, and access to community facilities, which were previously lacking or inadequate.

c) The MIG has supported the upgrading and rehabilitation of existing infrastructure, ensuring that it is well-maintained and meets quality standards. This has resulted in improved reliability and efficiency of service delivery, reducing disruptions and enhancing the overall experience for residents.

d) Cogta implemented changes in the MIG/IUDG Framework to allow municipalities to use a portion of their MIG/IUDG allocation to buy specialised waste management vehicles servicing the poor. Some municipalities have used this opportunity and the 2022 Census data released by the Stats SA in October 2023 indicates a nominal increase to 66% (63% in 2011) in the collection of waste by municipalities.

e) In the same period 2020/2021 the Department revised the MIG/IUDG Framework to allow municipalities to use up 5% of their MIG/IUDG allocation develop Infrastructure Asset Management Plans. MISA was tasked specifically to support municipalities in this regard.

f) Municipalities with non-compliance pre-directives or directives are allowed to use up to 10% of their MIG/IUDG allocation for urgent repairs and maintenance in respect of water and sanitation. This provision has been carried over from Covid-19 special provisions.

g) Cogta has also set up the Results Management Office (RMO) to house experts in various fields (DDM, CWP, Infrastructure, Finance, Energy and Governance) to provide an additional layer of support, particularly in dysfunctional municipalities

h) The strengthening of the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent (MISA) has been ongoing. MISA has been designated by the Minister to champion the development of Infrastructure Asset Management Plans, the Schedule 6b, the deployment of more experts, trainee artisans as well as supporting the implementation of the CWP programme (particularly the municipal services aspects).

End.

Reply:

Tourism is a concurrent function with clear roles and responsibilities for each sphere of government. Beaches fall within the responsibility of local government. The Honourable Member is therefore requested to redirect this question to the relevant authority.

Reply:

I have been informed that the the Development Bank of Southern Africa manages a total of seventy (70) projects on behalf of the Department of Tourism. The status as at the 26th October 2023 is as follows:

• A total of 23 projects are complete i.e. 19 maintenance projects and four community projects.

• A total of 28 projects are in the construction stage i.e. 9 maintenance projects and 19 community projects.

• A total of 18 projects are in the concept, design and contractor procurement stages. Contractor appointment was terminated in 1 project and a new procurement process is underway for this project.

Reply:

a) The Green Drop measures to be implemented, through the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG), to improve sanitation in municipalities with poor ratings include the following:

1. The implementation of MIG funded sanitation capital projects to upgrade, repair or refurbish sanitation systems to restore functionality.
2. The utilization by municipalities of the 5%, a further 5 % as well as 10% of the MIG funding for the Project Management Unit (PMU), activities related to Asset Management Plans and Repairs and Refurbishments respectively that are provided for in the MIG Framework.
3. The implementation of the MIG Schedule 6B by identifying and implementing projects that address non-compliance notices and directives issued by both the Department of Public Works (DWS) and Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE).
4. Following the approval by Cabinet in August 2023 of the Action Plan prepared by DWS, the Department of Cooperative Governance (DCOG), the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent (MISA) to address the Green Drop Report findings in municipalities, among others, DCOG and DWS will reprioritize further portions of the Water Services Infrastructure Grant (WSIG) and the MIG funding over the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) to address the infrastructure interventions required.

b) All the Water Services Authorities that receive the MIG funding will be supported using the MIG funding to either improve on the poor results or maintain the good results in the Green Drop Report of 2022. Metropolitan Municipalities do not receive the MIG.

End.

Reply:

1. Yes, the Provincial MEC of Social Development informed me of the situation and measures taken to deal with it to date. The matter relates to allegations of sexual assault of one of the learners by the Boarding Master on 21 May 2023. The Local, District and Provincial DSD Offices conducted a fact finding visit to the school and provided appropriate support. Following the report by the School, Social Service Practitioners (Social Worker and the Child and Youth Care Worker), the following interventions were performed as mandated by the Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities:

-Empowered the Social Service Practitioners about the implementation of Section 125 of the Children’s Act No.38 of 2005 (Screening of educators and support staff against Part B of the National Child Protection Register);

-Telephone interviews were conducted with the school principal following up on the reported matter;

-The child in question interviewed and provided with psycho-social support.

-Engagements were held with school Social Service Practitioners (SSP’s) to give them support on steps to be followed in attending the case; and

-Referral to SAPS for police to open a case of sexual assault.

2. (a) The Department does not have regulations that guide the monitoring of special schools, including boarding hostels. The Norms and Standards: Partial Care; norm 12, subsection 1, paragraph C, regulates partial care facilities, as per the Children’s Act 38/2005 as amended, Chapter 5, section 87. A partial care facility is defined as a private hostel. This does not include boarding schools run by the Department of Basic Education.

(b) DSD participates in the Integrated School Health Programme. Currently, and due to lack of personnel, the Department provides services on a need basis. For example, Ikhwezi Lokusa Special School was visited on 08 August 2023 by the Social Worker, on 11 August 2023 by Local, District and Provincial Offices and on 06 September 2023 by the Local, District, Provincial Office and MEC for Social Development. Social workers at special schools are under the employ of the Department of Basic Education. Social Development provides support to special schools through awareness campaigns, psychosocial support, school uniforms and dignity packs for learners in need.

Social Development intends to roll out social behaviour programmes to special schools such as You Only Live Once (YOLO), Zazi and Chommy. The Provincial MEC has been in the forefront of efforts to ensure that the learner gets support and justice. Because of her efforts, the alleged perpetrator has been denied bail and is still in custody.

3. Refer to (1) (2) The role of Social Development is to ensure the protection of the learner from secondary victimisation. It is important for the Honourable Member to note that the alleged perpetrator is in the employ of the Department of Basic Education. Issues relating to disciplinary process are therefore the responsibility of the Department of Basic Education and the South African Council for Educators.

Reply:

1. (a) and (b) I have been informed that the Department has not opened satellite tourism offices in municipalities as Tourism is a concurrent function. It is the mandate of municipalities to manage and maintain such offices.

2. Not applicable

Reply:

In the case of Basic Education, curriculum review is cyclical in nature, and the Department has a long history of regularly reviewing the curriculum to ensure that it is relevant to the socio economic goal of the country. Currently the DBE is in the process of reviewing our curriculum with the aim of strengthening the competencies and equipping our learners with skills for the future to ensure our learners can transition effectively from school to higher education, the world of work or entrepreneurial opportunities.

In recent years , the Department has also introduced new subjects such as vocationally and occupationally orientated subjects including marine sciences, and new curricula has been developed for aviation studies, coding and robotics etc. to diversify the curriculum offerings.

These efforts are in response to the changing world, and to ensure our learners are equipped for the future.

Reply:

(a) (b) (c) (i) (ii) (iii) (aa) (bb) (cc) Not applicable to Social Development.

Reply:

I have been informed by the Department that details of suspensions are contained in the table below.

*When on suspension, it is working days that are used and not leave

** Cost to company

Reply:

1.(a) Vacancies are in the following Programmes:

I have been informed that SAT currently has 26 vacancies as at 31 March 2023, this includes 3 at the Executive level.

(b) What is the impact of these vacancies?

The impact of the vacancies has been non-achievement of targets in some cases and overall staff fatigue and burnout due to capacity constraints.

In summary, filling the executive, management, and administrative positions is crucial for SA Tourism’s effective operation, strategic development, and the delivery of high-quality services to tourists. These positions provide leadership, guidance, and support that is essential for the success in promoting tourism, managing resources, and meeting our annual performance targets goals.

• Operational Efficiency: Vacancies in executive, senior management, and management positions can lead to a lack of strategic direction and effective decision-making. This can result in operational inefficiencies, misalignment of activities, and difficulties in achieving departmental goals.
• Resource Management: With management and executive vacancies, there may be challenges in resource allocation. This can affect budget management, staff allocation, and the ability to invest in initiatives that drive tourism growth.
• Leadership and Direction: The absence of leaders in executive and senior management roles can create uncertainty and reduce the ability to adapt to changing market conditions and emerging trends. This may lead to missed opportunities for growth and innovation.
• Customer Service and Quality: Management positions play a crucial role in ensuring high-quality visitor experiences. Vacancies in these roles may impact customer service, event planning, marketing, and other critical functions that directly affect tourists' satisfaction.
• Administrative Support: Administrative positions are essential for the smooth operation of the department. Vacancies in administrative roles can lead to delays in paperwork, coordination, and customer service, impacting the department's overall effectiveness.
• Employee Morale: Filling these positions can also boost employee morale. When roles are vacant for extended periods, it can create stress, and uncertainty, and lead to work overload among staff. Filling vacancies can improve staff morale, and motivation and ensure that all tasks are completed within the given deadlines.

(c) By when will these vacancies be filled

All the Executive roles have been advertised and it is anticipated that they will be filled within 4 months with the CEO appointment process targeted for the end of November 2023. Three Executive roles reporting to the Board are at the assessment and recommendation stage and three roles are at the shortlisting stage.

(2) with two cases of corruption reported in her department ( SAT) and still under investigation, what is the progress on the investigation of these cases?

The SA Tourism Board is working with management, in conjunction with the internal audit and the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to ensure that all credible allegations are investigated in the interest of protecting accountability at the entity. Processes are underway in this regard and are conducted in a fair and unbiased manner.

Reply:

I have been informed by SAT that details of suspensions are contained in the table below.

Reply:

I have been informed by SA tourism that legal matters undertaken by the entity are as tabled below.

Reply:

In terms of Section 21(1) of the Division of revenue Act (DoRA), despite a provision to the contrary in the Public Finance Management Act or the Municipal Finance Management Act, any conditional allocation, or a portion thereof, that is not spent at the end of a financial year reverts to the National Revenue Fund, unless the roll-over of the allocation is approved in terms of subsection (2) which states that, the National Treasury may, at the request of a transferring officer, receiving officer or provincial treasury, approve a roll-over of a conditional allocation if the unspent funds are committed to identifiable projects.

For the 2022/23 financial year, an amount of R87,3 billion was allocated for the Local Government Equitable Share (LGES) grant to all 257 municipalities. A total of R83,9 billion was transferred to the municipalities, leaving a balance of R3,4 billion at the end of the financial year. The R3,4 billion was not withheld to municipalities, but was rather offset against unspent conditional grants of municipalities that failed to surrender their unspent allocations to the National Revenue Fund. The offsetting of the R3,4 billion was as per the National Treasury directive.

End.

Reply:

Response (1) No. The matter was not brought to the attention of the National Department, save for this enquiry in which the Limpopo Department of Education reveals the following:

• During the first week of October 2023, the circuit reported non-delivery of foodstuff to the district office. The service provider was immediately contacted about the situation, which led to non-feeding. The service provider informed the district about the circumstance which led to non-delivery, amongst others were the allegations that his delivery trucks were hijacked on the way to schools full of foodstuff.

Response (2)

• The breach of the service level agreement was addressed with the Director of the company; and in the second week after five days of non-delivery, food-stuff was delivered to schools.
• Currently, there is a provision of foodstuff. The DBE has confirmed with School Principals.  At Fawcett Mathebe Secondary, there has reportedly never been non-feeding since April 2023; Thabakhubedu experienced non-feeding for two weeks; however, feeding has resumed since Monday, 06 November; at Mothibedi, non-feeding for 2 weeks has been resolved, as feeding resumed on 06 November. 

Reply:

a) The DBE is represented in SACE structures and is part of policy formulation and implementation within SACE. Various interventions have been undertaken in collaboration with SACE to improve the quality of education. These are the following:

1. SACE registers teachers based on meeting minimum qualification requirements. This means that a teacher can only be employed when they meet requirements and will be allowed to practise as a teacher.
2. SACE also works with DBE to ensure that teachers being employed are properly vetted.
3. SACE is managing a code of professional ethics that promotes good professional conduct. Teachers who contravene the code of professional ethics will be held accountable under the code, and their right to practice may be forfeited.
4. DBE and SACE have developed Professional Practice Standards that will inform programmes for initial teacher training as well as Continuing Professional Development.

b) In relation to Continuing Professional Teacher Development (CPTD), the DBE is providing funding to SACE to manage a system of Continuing Professional Teacher Development in line with the policy framework of the Integrated Strategic Policy Framework for Teacher Education and Development (ISPFTED). This policy framework allows SACE to approve training providers and endorse training programmes. Endorsed training programmes are allocated professional development points. Teachers who acquire training through an endorsed programme will be credited with professional development points. Teachers are also required to accumulate 150 points over a three-year period.

DBE also convenes quarterly meetings with SACE where discussions around Continuing Professional Teacher Development (CPTD) assist teachers with the latest and most recent teaching methods and subject knowledge. 

SACE also participates in various sub-committees of the DBE where issues of teacher support and development are discussed.

Reply:

As the Honourable Member is aware, all applications for the COVID-19 SRD Grant are subjected to a means test, without any exceptions. The SRD Grant is targeted at the poor and the unemployed living below the food poverty line of R624. I take it that the Honourable Member is familiar with the eligibility criteria, which was published in the Government Gazette.

The fact that one has applied does not mean that they are automatically eligible. Vigorous checks, including bank validation and income conducted are conducted against various databases such as the Unemployment Insurance Fund to avoid double dipping and to ensure only eligible applicants receive the money.

There are various reasons as to why applications are declined or deemed not eligible, including the ones mentioned in the table below:

TABLE 1: REASONS FOR DECLINING COVID-19 SRD TO YOUNG ADULTS WHO AGED OUT OF THE CSG.

Reply:

No, the department is not responsible for keeping information and/or records regarding municipal water and electricity losses.

The monitoring of water losses is done by Department of Water and Sanitation working with Municipalities. The monitoring of electricity losses is done by National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA).

End

Reply:

BACKGROUND

The Saldanha Bay Municipality has a population of 154 635 according to Census 2022 spread over eight major towns where SASSA office was rendering its services. Prior to the onset of COVID-19, the office had 10 Grant Administrators- split into two teams to service the Vredenburg Office and linked service points. Over the past two years, the Vredenburg Office lost a total of fourteen officials due to various reasons. Unfortunately, the National Treasury placed a moratorium on the filling of vacant positions, which resulted in the closure of the office.

After noticing the growing number of applicants, SASSA decided to re-open the service point on an appointment basis, which has proven to be an effective way.

1. The SASSA policy norms and standards defines access to a service point to be within a 25-kilometre radius. To cater for the needs of the community, SASSA has negotiated with the Saldanha Bay Municipality to allow clients to utilise the Hopefield Thusong Centre to access the SASSA online application system free of charge with the assistance of the centre manager.

SASSA also does conduct home visits for frail/ sick clients who cannot access the offices. A request is generally made through the local office.

2. The Hopefield Thusong Centre serves as an access point where clients have access to use the SASSA online application free of charge. The Centre Manager also facilities the online application for clients who are not computer literate.

3.Beneficiaries in Hopefield who have switched to other banks but have not yet received their payments can still access their social grants using their Postbank card. SASSA has made arrangements for officials to visit Thusong Centre on 20 November 2023 to solve beneficiary concerns. Regarding beneficiaries who want to change to other banks, forms will be made available on the same day.

Reply:

The failure in the implementation of the Post Audit Action Plan (PAAP) is mainly related to asset management as it is a qualification area.  The asset management was previously outsourced and was taken over during the latter part of the last financial year due to poor performance of the service provider. All the Asset Management activities in the PAAP were assigned to the service provider.  These activities have now been taken over and refined in the current PAAP and are being implemented by the department and there is progress reported in the implementation of the current PAAP.

Furthermore, the department has significantly reduced the qualification items in the audit report and is only left with one item (asset management) which is putting every effort and resources to address. We have established teams to deal with assets on site. We have brought in capacity from other units to support the Asset Management Unit. We are confident that this matter will be completely resolved before the end March 2024.

End.

Reply:

I have been informed that the Department has commenced the process to renew the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Development Bank of South of Southern Africa. This renewal will be concluded before the current contract expires, thus enabling completion of projects in the pipeline.

Reply:

I have been informed that the Department has a partnership in a form of a signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the South African Police Services (SAPS) for collaboration on the prevention, investigation and combating of crimes impacting on the tourism industry and the safety and well-being of tourists.

The MoU entails working on a number of areas including:

• Identification and analysis of tourism hotspots;
• Establishment of a database of crimes committed against tourists; and
• Participation in tourist safety awareness and educational programmes.

The MoU Action Plan is currently being implemented through the Tourism Safety Technical Committee comprising of the Department of Tourism and SAPS. The MoU is currently undergoing revision to extend the MOU beyond December 2024 and to ensure that other initiatives being implemented with the private sector on safety and security are considered and strengthened.

The Minister has also launched the National Safety Forum on 29 May 2023 with, subsequent, quarterly meetings with the stakeholders.

Stakeholders include all three spheres of government, the SAPS, National Prosecuting Authority, Provincial Tourism Authorities, the private sector, Airports Company South Africa and tourism product owners.

Reply:

Allocation and spending (Source: Provincial reports Presidential Youth Employment Initiative (PYEI):

Phase I - 2020/21: The unspent funds of R1,42 billion were from funds allocated to Saving of Posts, and it was utilised by Provincial Education Departments (PEDs) to extend the job opportunities by one (1) month.  All provinces extended the job opportunities for April.  Phase I of 2020/21 also had Saving of Posts where more than 33 000 posts were saved in schools.

Phase IV – Gauteng extended the programme to the end of December using unspent funds as well as provincial funds.

Saving of Posts which had a budget of R2.43 billion from the R7 billion allocated in 2020/21 with spending of R1.153 billion, the unspent funds of R1.254 billion were used to extend the job opportunities with an additional one (1) month.

Reply:

1. Learner Transport Programme is a shared responsibility between the Department of Basic Education and the Department of Transport. The provisioning and prioritisation of learner transport programme is, however, a provincial competency and the National Departments of Basic Education and Transport monitor the provisioning of learner transport programme in provinces. Reports received from Provincial Departments of Education indicate that there is a total of 900 946 learners in 5 635 schools in need of learner’s transport

2. Learner transport programme is funded through the equitable share allocations to Provinces. As at the end of the second quarter of 2023/24 financial year, 707 069 learners in 4 196 schools were transported. This is as a result of budgetary constraints experienced by provinces. We must also note that learner transport programme at inception was an interim solution to provide access to education where there is a shortage of schools and such, provinces have been requested to collaborate with infrastructure units to build schools where there is a higher demand for learner transport programme and relief pressure on the transportation of learners.

Reply:

(1)      What are the relevant details of the current national priorities stipulated in the Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme of her department;

The National Priorities are drafted from subject priorities submitted by provinces and approved by Heads of Provincial Education Departments;  the new subjects that the department is introducing in the sector respond to the sector priorities and respond to challenges that are being addressed by the education sector, - eg. Foundation Phase: Grade 4 learners not reading for meaning, 

(2) whether she will review the specified current national priorities; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

The National Priorities subjects are determined annually, this is based on attrition (retirement, resignations, relocations, promotions) statistics per subject offered by those leaving the department, emergent subjects introduced in the sector, and issues that the department wants to address, e.g., currently, DBE wants to address challenges in the foundation phase. This gives the Funza Lushaka Programme  influence in the supply of teachers in Foundation phase, to ensure that these are relevant.          

Reply:

1. No, the the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Disaster Management Protocol has not been signed. It is necessary that the the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs first need to confirms that the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Disaster Management Protocol does adhere to legal requirements and aligns with the principles of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa before she can sign the Protocol.

2. The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs engaged the office of the State Law Advisor within the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (DoJCD) for the Legal Opinion on whether the Republic meets the protocol standards in all aspects of disaster and to further determine whether the Convention complies with the domestic laws of the Republic of South Africa. This office thoroughly examined the Disaster Management Protocol in accordance with paragraph 5.20 (a) of the Manual on the Executive Acts of the President of the Republic of South Africa, in conjunction with Chapter 5 of the Constitutional Handbook for Members of the Executive (the "Constitutional Handbook".

The relevant details are that as it stands, the Republic of South Africa, represented by either the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs or the President, cannot sign the SADC Disaster Management Protocol in its current form. Consequently, the SADC Disaster Management Protocol must be presented to Parliament, accompanied by comments from the DoJCD, to inform them of issues that prevent the Republic from proceeding with the signing process. In this context, the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs will seek to inform Parliament, gather input, and obtain Parliamentary approval before proceeding with the signing the Protocol. Signing the Protocol without first securing Parliamentary approval would constitute a violation of section 231(2) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 (“Constitution”). This is because, in its current form, the agreement becomes binding upon signature.

End.

Reply:

a) I have been informed that the Department is currently utilising 13 878.60m² of office space and requires approximately 16 948,20 m², hence the need for a building that will accommodate the needs but also to manage the costs through government ownership.

b) (i) The search commenced in 2016.

(ii) Due to current financial constraints, the process of new building is on hold.

c) Department of Public Works and Infrastructure

d) (i) and (ii) and (iii) Not applicable because the building project hasn’t commenced

Reply:

1. The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has various forums through which they can engage with institutions of Higher Learning to discuss various issues pertaining to teacher quality, support and development.

Firstly, the DBE attends meetings of the Education Deans Forum regularly, where various issues are discussed. Secondly, the DBE in collaboration with the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) convenes Provincial Teacher Education and Development Committees (PTEDC) every quarter in each province. These meetings provide opportunities for Provinces to engage with Institutions in that province and discuss matters that relate to the province. Thirdly, there are also ad-hoc meetings held with Public and Private Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), the Civil Society Supporting Teacher Preparation, South Africa Council of Teachers, the purpose being to communicate the challenges affecting learning outcomes, the strategies that DBE intends to improve the Learning outcomes and how the stakeholders and partners could support the DBE in improving the learning outcomes.

2. DBE also meets quarterly through the HEDCOM sub-committee on Human Resource Planning, where institutions of higher education might be invited to discuss or share information or research about issues of supply and demand of teachers.

Reply:

Yes we noted AGSA report. The DCoG through NDMC has already activated a team comprised of the following stakeholders namely: Eastern Cape (EC) Provincial Disaster Management Centre, EC Department of Human Settlement, EC Department of Social Development to expedite the assistance to victims of disasters. Reference can be made to the situation of Cwebeni Village floods victims. The task team include the district and local municipalities. In this case the provincial EC Department of Social Development is finalizing profiling the families, through the task team the Department of Social Development reported to continue to offer immediate relief to the affected families. The process will be finalized by the end of November 2023. Information obtained will be shared with Department of Human Settlement implementation of ‘Emergency Housing Scheme’.

The NDMC in consultation with the Provincial Disaster Management Centre coordinates the stakeholder engagement weekly meetings since the 15 November 2023.

End.

Reply:

The projects initiated South African Tourism are as captured in the Annual Performance Plans. Implementation for the first and second quarters of the current financial year has been presented to the Portfolio Committee on Tourism.

Reply:

The Department is aware of this matter.  But it needs to be clarified that the schools which sent out a notice to parents that the internal examination will be halted, was based on a notice of a protest action that was planned by a Teacher Union. The schools did not send a notice to parents, stating that the examinations would be halted until the KZN Department of Education paid the outstanding money to schools in terms of the norms and standards.

The schools were responding on the possible non-availability of teachers, owing to the announced protest action; hence the notice by schools that the internal examinations might not be administered

However, the impasse with the Teacher Union has been resolved; and the schools were able to administer the internal examinations as scheduled. There has been no disruption to the internal examinations at these schools.   

Reply:

1. There is no plan to place a freeze on all visas obtained by foreign nationals as this would result in denial of visas services for foreign nationals who have legitimate rights to be in the Republic. The Lubisi report findings are being acted on with necessary action on transgressions to be followed.
2. There are no plans to provide amnesty to foreign nationals as there needs to be a legitimate national emergency warranting such a decision.

END

Reply:

(a)(b),(c) No.

(i)(ii),(iii),(aa),(bb),(cc) Falls away.

Reply:

The department has not paid for anyone to travel to France to attend the Rugby World Cup final in France during October 2023. We are proud of the victory of the Springboks and the thrilling matches against France, England and New Zealand.

-END-