Questions and Replies

Reply:

 I have been informed by the Department that all the information requested is available online on PMG as follows:

https://pmg.org.za/committee-meeting/31113/

https://pmg.org.za/committee-meeting/32405/

https://pmg.org.za/committee-meeting/33718/

https://pmg.org.za/committee-meeting/33362/

https://pmg.org.za/committee-meeting/33885/

https://pmg.org.za/committee-meeting/35687/

https://pmg.org.za/committee-meeting/35399/

https://pmg.org.za/committee-meeting/34166/

ii) The projects and progress for quarters 1 and 2 for the current Financial Year 2023/24 have also been reported to the Portfolio Committee.

Reply:

It is important to note that Independent Power Producer (IPP) Projects procured under the Renewable Energy IPP Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) provide all the funds for the construction and operation of the power plant, and bear all the construction and site risks of the project – any delays or cost overruns are for the account of the IPP and not recoverable. At Commercial Close, IPPs further commit to a specified date to start generating power and are penalised if late.

(1)(a) and (b) the project is currently projected to reach Commercial Operation on 24th July 2024, as confirmed Eskom who has signed the Power Purchase Agreement with the Redstone Concentrated Solar Thermal Power Project Company. The project lifespan of the project will be 20- years in accordance with the Power Purchase Agreement signed by the project.

(1)(d)(i) and (ii) the Project is currently in construction. The project has committed a total of 4047 job years during construction and has achieved 11 396 job years to date (Note: A job Year refers to the equivalent of a full-time employment opportunity for one person for one year)

Of this, the breakdown of local jobs committed and achieved are as follows:

Element	Obligation	Achieved
RSA Based Employees	1456	2476
RSA- Based Employees who are citizens	1086	2138
RSA- Based Employees who are black citizens	501	2010
RSA- Based Employees who are skilled employees	590	1686
RSA- Based Employees who are Skilled Black Citizens	191	1253
RSA- Based Employees who are Citizens from Local Communities	223	906
Employees who are people with disabilities	0	0
Employees who are women	0	225
Employees who are Youth	0	701
Total	4047	11 396

(1)(c) (2) and (3)(a), the detail of the requested information resides with the developer(s) or project owners. Its also important to note that the Department is bound by confidentiality undertakings with the Project. Therefore, its proposed that these questions be referred to the developer(s) or project owners.

3(b) Eskom is designated as the Buyer in terms of the Ministerial Determination issued in terms of section 34, of the Electricity Regulation Act, of the Electricity that will be generated by all procured IPP Projects and is not a shareholder in any IPP Project.

(4) The said project is part of procurement that fell within IRP 2010, therefore in line with Government policy.

 

Reply:

1. I have been informed by the Department that no audit was undertaken on behalf of the Department.

2. Not Applicable

Reply:

Yes, since January 2023, the department has achieved the following:

TOURIST ARRIVALS:

Between January and September this year, South Africa saw a significant influx of tourists, with over 6,1 million visitors arriving in the country, more than 58.4% when compared to the 3.8million arrivals to South Africa the same period in 2022.

During this period, visitors from Africa represented 4.6million of the total arrivals to South Africa, a 60% increase in Africa land arrivals and a 35% increase in Africa air arrivals when compared to the same period in 2022.

South Africa welcomed more than 862 000 arrivals from Europe between January and September this year, a 50,9% increase on the more than 571 000 arrivals in 2022.

From Asia, we welcomed more than 148 000 visitors in the first 9 months of 2023, an increase of 82,6% compared to arrivals in the same period in 2022.

Notably, China’s year-on-year arrival figures also show a significant increase to 3060 in October 2023. This reflects a 132,5% increase when compared to the same period in 2022.

All markets saw an increase in arrivals to South Africa of between 48 and 99%.

During the first two quarters of 2023, total tourist foreign direct spend amounted to R48 billion.

DOMESTIC TOURISM:

In the first half of 2023, South Africans took 18.8 million domestic overnight trips.

This is up 23.4% when compared to the same period in 2022.

Overnight spend was also up by 21.2% to reach just over R52 billion in the same period.

AIR ACCESS:

We have also seen great growth in our Air Access with the resumption of the Direct Flight from China in February this year.

Latam also launched its inaugural flight to South Africa in September 2023.

In October, South African Airways also relaunched its direct flights from Cape Town and Johannesburg to Sao Paulo in Brazil.

In December 2023, we are expecting the direct flight will resume between Johannesburg and Jeddah in Saudi Arabia and we are working with the Saudi Arabia Air Access team to secure a direct flight from Cape Town to Jeddah.

South Africa also has six active airlines connecting over 23 cities in African countries including Nigeria, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Rwanda and Botswana.

OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS:

One month after my arrival in the Department, we scrapped the controversial R1billion Tottenham Hotspurs deal.

In the 2023/24 Financial Year, due to my intervention, an out-of-court settlement was reached, unlocking the R1.2 billion Tourism Equity Fund and the Request for Proposals opened on 6 November 2023.

Furthermore, the Green Paper on the Development and Promotion of Tourism in South Africa was gazetted for public comment in September 2023 and the Tourism Sector Masterplan was also gazetted for implementation on 13 October 2023.

All the performance reports for the previous Financial Years are as per the Department’s APP and have been reported to the Portfolio Committee and are available online on the Parliamentary Monitoring Group.

Reply:

(1) (a) Which companies are used to grade establishments

I have been informed by South African Tourism (SAT) that individuals, also referred to as Grading Assessors, and not companies, are contracted to the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa (TGCSA).

They are contracted through a Service Provider Agreement (SPA) which is valid for three (3) years, with an extension of two (2) years subject to performance.

An assessor is a natural person who:

i) is above reproach in relation to his unequivocal support and submission to the laws of the Republic of South Africa and the brand and reputation of the TGCSA;

ii) is accredited by means of an entry examination, which will form a material prerequisite condition to the execution and/or maintenance of the Service Provider Agreement;

iii) maintains their accreditation and qualification to be appointed and perform under the terms and conditions of the Service Provider Agreement, by attending each and every session of the compulsory two (2) days Annual Conference, which includes a refresher course;

iv) performs to the standard of the Agreement and as may be instructed by the TGCSA and to the satisfaction of the TGCSA objectives and brand during the twelve (12) months preceding their objectively adjudicated Performance Appraisal. The Performance Appraisal will be done no later than the 30th day of September of each calendar year, unless specifically and expressly agreed otherwise between the Parties; and

v) agrees and commits to a suspensive condition that the Agreement between the Parties only remains effective and enforceable, if they will act or will continue to act principally as an ad hoc independent service provider and brand representative of the TGCSA, yet fully self – employed.

(b) For how long has these grading companies been used in the past three financial years

For fiscal year 2020/21 until 2022/2023 we had a total of forty-seven (47) Grading Assessors.

There are currently forty-three (43) Assessors contracted to TGCSA, who have been conducting assessments since the 1st of April 2023.

(2) (a) What criterion is used to appoint these companies to grade establishments

During the recruitment process, the following are requirements for individuals wishing to be considered for the role of Independent Grading Assessor:

• A post-matric qualification in Tourism, Hospitality, or Quality Management;
• Previous quality grading experience in tourism and accommodation products would be an advantage but not strictly necessary;
• Sales and / or marketing experience;
• Tourist/guest experience in tourism accommodation establishments;
• Excellent computer literacy; and
• Proven ability to operate independently for extended periods, without close supervision.

Personal qualities required are as follows:

• High energy levels
• Excellent communication skills
• Business acumen
• High levels of personal grooming and presentation
• Strong attention to detail and an investigative nature
• Self-motivation and the ability to balance the demands of work priorities
• Excellent time management skills
• The ability to work as part of the team and to build strong relationships with wide range of people
• Good planning and organisational skills
• Highly professional and presentable at all times
• A “can do”/ passionate attitude.

It is important that Assessors have their own laptop, internet connection, mobile phone, and are mobile and have the ability to travel around the area / province where they will conduct assessments.

Upon being shortlisted for the role, they undertake training and are requested to submit a portfolio of evidence, achieving a 80% pass mark.

(b) On what basis do these companies grade establishments

To process establishments through the grading process in an accurate, credible and professional manner, the TGCSA utilizes an IT system called Total Quality in Tourism (TQiT).

The TGCSA also has key quality control measures that have been introduced. This role that is played by the Provincial Quality Assurance Specialist (PQAS) whose main function is to ensure that the submissions from the Assessors meet all quality requirements and that there is no compromise on credibility in the submission process.

Assessors are self-employed entrepreneurs that are paid a commission of the grading fee paid by the establishment to be assessed.

The current structure is as follows, as stipulated in the negotiated Service Provider Agreement with all Assessors:

(3) What amount of the funds paid by establishments to be graded is paid to

(a) The department

No funds are paid to the department by graded establishments as it is paid to TGCSA.

(b) what amount of the funds paid by establishments to be graded is paid to the TGCSA

The TGCSA relies on the grading fees paid by establishments to recover the costs of the actual quality assessments conducted on site.

(c) what total amount of grading funds has her department earned in the past five financial years as compared to the TGCSA

None / Not applicable

Reply:

The department does not have a budget allocated for compensation of liability to private citizens who have suffered losses in business operations and damage to their personal property because of load shedding. Damages, direct loss or consequential loss as a result of load shedding must be directed to ESKOM and Municipalities as they are competent authorities for the generation and maintain supply of electricity.

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:

a) There are a number of projects that are affected by the budget cuts, and these are submitted by various regions on an urgent need basis. See attached preliminary list from all our regions.

b) The locations of projects are across all 11 DPWI regions.

c) The total costs for each project are reflected in Annexure A.

d) Regions submit detail motivation for projects to be prioritised, and these are approved by the Accounting Officer.

Reply:

a) All primary schools and secondary schools started preparing for admissions of grade 1 and 8 respectively, as early as the beginning of term two in 2023. By October 2023, reports on placements from Provinces indicated that almost 65% of learners in the two grades have been placed.

b) The Department is receiving accumulative statistics on placements from provinces on a monthly basis as from October 2023. Different forms of advocacy have been employed by provinces to let parents apply for placements. There are dedicated officials per province assigned to handle learner admissions. Schools have been directed via Circulars on managing learner placements. The DBE holds meetings with provinces to deliberate on matters pertaining to learner admissions.

Reply:

No, I have not failed. Just the opposite, in fact.

Some of the targets that were not achieved in the previous Financial Year 2022/23, have all been submitted and presented to the Portfolio Committee with the remedial action.

Also just to remind you that the Financial Year 2022/23 is applicable from 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023.

The current Financial Year started on 1 April 2023 and will end on 31 March 2024.

In the current financial year the Department has achieved the following:

TOURIST ARRIVALS:

Between January and September this year, South Africa saw a significant influx of tourists, with over 6,1 million visitors arriving in the country, more than 58.4% when compared to the 3.8million arrivals to South Africa the same period in 2022.

During this period, visitors from Africa represented 4.6million of the total arrivals to South Africa, a 60% increase in Africa land arrivals and a 35% increase in Africa air arrivals when compared to the same period in 2022.

South Africa welcomed more than 862 000 arrivals from Europe between January and September this year, a 50,9% increase on the more than 571 000 arrivals in 2022.

From Asia, we welcomed more than 148 000 visitors in the first 9 months of 2023, an increase of 82,6% compared to arrivals in the same period in 2022.

Notably, China’s year-on-year arrival figures also show a significant increase to 3060 in October 2023. This reflects a 132,5% increase when compared to the same period in 2022.

All markets saw an increase in arrivals to South Africa of between 48 and 99%.

During the first two quarters of 2023, total tourist foreign direct spend amounted to R48 billion.

DOMESTIC TOURISM:

In the first half of 2023, South Africans took 18.8 million domestic overnight trips.

This is up 23.4% when compared to the same period in 2022.

Overnight spend was also up by 21.2% to reach just over R52 billion in the same period.

AIR ACCESS:

We have also seen great growth in our Air Access with the resumption of the Direct Flight from China in February this year.

Latam also launched its inaugural flight to South Africa in September 2023.

In October, South African Airways also relaunched its direct flights from Cape Town and Johannesburg to Sao Paulo in Brazil.

In December 2023, we are expecting the direct flight will resume between Johannesburg and Jeddah in Saudi Arabia and we are working with the Saudi Arabia Air Access team to secure a direct flight from Cape Town to Jeddah.

South Africa also has six active airlines connecting over 23 cities in African countries including Nigeria, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Rwanda and Botswana.

OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS:

One month after my arrival in the Department, we scrapped the controversial R1billion Tottenham Hotspurs deal.

In the 2023/24 Financial Year, due to my intervention, an out-of-court settlement was reached, unlocking the R1.2 billion Tourism Equity Fund and the Request for Proposals opened on 6 November 2023.

Furthermore, the Green Paper on the Development and Promotion of Tourism in South Africa was gazetted for public comment in September 2023 and the Tourism Sector Masterplan was also gazetted for implementation on 13 October 2023.

All the performance reports for the previous Financial Years are as per the Department’s APP and have been reported to the Portfolio Committee and are available online on the Parliamentary Monitoring Group.

 

Reply:

As stated in my response to the recommendations of the State Capture Commission submitted to Parliament on 22 October 2022, the Presidency referred all recommendations with respect to criminal investigations, possible prosecution and/or other actions to each of the entities to which recommendations were directed. This was so that the relevant entities may act on the recommendations in line with their respective mandates.

Any actions taken by the President with respect to members of the executive about whom the Commission made findings and recommendations will be informed by the outcomes of the processes undertaken by the relevant entities.

Reply:

The following are the total amounts that the Presidency spent in legal costs for all legal matters since 15 February 2018 where:

(a) The President was the Applicant: R9 097 904.05

(b) The President was the first Respondent: R23 065 362.88

Reply:

Neither the Hon Minister and the Hon Deputy Minister, nor any other official in the Department of Basic Education, attended the Rugby World Cup final in France in October 2023.

Reply:

1. The table below summarises the number of matters per year, per province over the 2019 – 2023 period, wherein the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) was a Plaintiff or a Defendant:

PROVINCE	DWS AS PLAINTIFF	DWS AS DEFENDANT	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023
Gauteng	4	18	7	1	3	5	2
Limpopo	-	3	-	1		1	1
Mpumalanga	-	3	-	1	1	1
KZN	1	6	1	2	-	2	1
Free State	-	3	-	-	-	2	1
North -West	-	4	1		1	-	2
Western Cape	-	5	-	-	1	2	2
Eastern Cape	-	5	1	2	1	1
Total	5	47	10	7	7	14	9

2. The DWS has reimbursed the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development approximately R3.5 million for the 2019-2023 period. The amount of R3.5 million is mostly occasioned where the Department is the Plaintiff, as instances in which the Department is cited as defendant include a number of matters which are purposed to interrupt prescription and there is no further action from the plaintiff against the Department, whereas in other instances the Department is cited as an interested party in an oversight capacity (Section 47 of the Water Services Act, Act 107 of 1997 and Section 68 of the National Water Act, Act 36 of 1998).

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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:

The City of Tshwane issued a media alert on 3rd November 2023 regarding the unplanned water supply interruptions that effected Mamelodi amongst other areas nearby.

The City of Tshwane’s Water and Sanitation Department Team of plumbers attended to a major leak on the bulk pipeline which supplies Mamelodi R3 and R4 Reservoirs. During repairs, water tankers were arranged to service customers in the affected areas.

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Reply:

MINISTER OF WATER AND SANITATION

The Polokwane Local Municipality (LM) receives daily water supply from the Ebenezer Water Treatment Works (WTW), Olifantspoort WTW and Dalmada WTW. The Ebenezer and Olifantspoort WTWs are operated by Lepelle Northern Water (LNW) while Dalmada WTW is operated by the municipality. The Polokwane LM is also operating about 53 boreholes around Polokwane City and Seshego to augment the water supply. For an estimated twelve months, the reservoirs supplying Polokwane have not been able to fill up to capacity, mostly averaging 30%.

The WTWs and associated infrastructure are not operating to full capacity due to challenges which include electricity supply challenges, frequent pipe bursts because of dilapidated asbestos pipelines that must be replaced and faulty pumpstations. The Greater Tzaneen Local Municipality is implementing a project to upgrade the power lines which started by July 2023 and was planned for completion in December 2023. While the project is ongoing, the GTLM cuts electricity supply to Ebenezer Plant from 6 am to 12 pm on week days. This down time results in water supply interruptions to the Polokwane City and Mankweng Area. This has resulted in water supply interruptions which have affected the town of Polokwane including Bendor, Serala view, Flora Park, Fauna Park. Sterk Park, Moregloed, Nirvana, Ivy Park Polokwane Extentions and Seshego (1,2,3,4,5,6,7 and 8).

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has provided financial support for development of ground water to augment water supply in Polokwane. The project cost is estimated to be R861 million through the Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant (RBIG). The Polokwane LM will co-fund the project R177 million through its internal funding. The project is under construction with overall progress of 95% and anticipated to be completed by June 2024. The scope of the project includes groundwater development in various wellfields around Polokwane (69 boreholes); construction of Sand River North and Seshego WTWs and associated bulk infrastructure for water conveyance.

The DWS is also funding the Ebenezer and Olifantspoort Bulk Water Supply project implemented by Lepelle Northern Water (LNW). The project is funded through blended funding including RBIG, Budget Facility for Infrastructure (BFI) and commercial funding to be facilitated by LNW with assistance of the Infrastructure Fund (IF). The project scope includes refurbishing of existing infrastructure in the Ebenezar and Olifantspoort schemes to restore capacity. The next phase of the project will be focused on upgrading the capacity of the WTWs to meet the future demand for water.

LNW appointed the contractors in November 2023. Construction is expected to start in the January 2024. The refurbishment will ensure maximum efficiency of the existing infrastructure and improve water supply to Polokwane by limiting downtime on the schemes due challenges indicated above. The refurbishment phase is expected to be completed by July 2026 with estimated project cost of R4.5 billion.

The project to upgrade infrastructure is intended to increase water provision to Polokwane form 144Ml/d to 180Ml/d and ultimately to 270Ml/d to meet future demand for water. The projects will commence once all planning processes are concluded, and all financial sources are secured to cover the overall project cost. The Department has already granted LNW water use licence of additional 90 Ml/d to cater for the upgrade of the Olifantspoort WTW as part of planning process for scheme upgrade. LNW is in the process of acquiring the servitudes which is required for approval of the IRS by end of the 2023/24 financial year.

The DWS is currently processing the IRS for the replacement of 2,2 km of the raw water pipeline which will restore the supply of raw water to 18 Ml/d at the Dalmada WTW. The project also involves the upgrade of the Dap Naude booster pump station to deliver 21 Ml/day; construction of a new 21Ml/day in-line booster pump station at Kopje Alleen; refurbishment and upgrade of the Dalmada Water Treatment Works to a capacity of 21 Ml/day. The cost of the project is estimated at R77 million.

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Reply:

There were no costs nor other related costs that were incurred by the department in relation to the Rugby World Cup final in France.

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Reply:

(1) Risk management processes to manage water supply systems effectively were introduced by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2004 and described as Water Safety Planning. A Water Safety Plan is a plan to ensure the safety of drinking water through the use of a comprehensive risk assessment and risk management approach that encompasses all steps in water supply from catchment to consumer.  

In South Africa, the Water Safety Plan is a requirement for Blue Drop Certification (incentive-based regulation) and is also a critical component of drinking water management. The development of water safety plans is not yet a regulatory requirement in the norms and standards under the Water Services Act. The current Regulations relating to compulsory national standards and measures to conserve water (Regulation 509 of 8 June 2001) require Water Services Authorities to develop and implement a suitable programme of sampling and for which substances and determinants in the water will be tested. These results are tested in terms of the South African National Standards 241 (SANS 241). Should the results indicate that the water supplied poses a health risk, the water services institution must inform the Director-General of the Department of Water and Sanitation and the Head of the relevant Provincial Department of Health. Furthermore, steps must be taken to inform consumers of the health risks, the reasons for the health risk, precautions that should be taken and the time frames if any, within which it may be expected that water that complies with SANS 241 will be provided.

In terms of the South African National Standards mentioned above, risk assessment requires that a municipality must monitor all the parameters listed in SANS 241 to ensure that risk identification is confirmed through scientific methods in the quality of water abstracted and produced as a measure to monitor risk minimisation. Thus, all drinking water systems in the country are obliged to comply with SANS 241 requirements as opposed to water safety planning principles.

(a-b) Water Services Authorities which did not comply with both microbiological and chemical quality as prescribed by SANS 241 in the past three years are listed in the table below. However, it should be noted that where the quality of compliance category reflects 0.00%, it should be interpreted as “No data submission” during the financial period, for either microbiological or chemical results to the Department.

Water Services Authority	2021	2022	2023
Municipality	Micro-biological	Chemical	Micro-biological	Chemical	Micro-biological	Chemical
Blue Crane Route LM	NC	0,00%	C	C	NC	C
Dr Beyers Naude LM	C	C	C	0,00%	C	0,00%
Joe Gqabi DM	C	C	C	C	C	0,00%
Kouga LM	C	0,00%	C	C	C	0,00%
Kou-Kamma LM	NC	C	0,00%	0,00%	NC	C
Makana LM	C	C	C	C	NC	C
Ndlambe LM	C	C	C	C	C	0,00%
Sunday`s River Valley LM	NC	0,00%	C	0,00%	NC	0,00%
Dihlabeng LM	C	C	C	C	NC	C
Kopanong LM	C	0,00%	C	0,00%	0,00%	0,00%
Mafube LM	0,00%	0,00%	0,00%	0,00%	0,00%	0,00%
Maluti a Phofung LM	0,00%	0,00%	0,00%	0,00%	0,00%	0,00%
Masilonyana LM	C	C	NC	C	0,00%	0,00%
Matjhabeng LM	0,00%	0,00%	0,00%	0,00%	C	C
Mohokare LM	NC	C	C	C	C	C
Moqhaka LM	NC	C	NC	C	C	C
Nala LM	C	0,00%	C	0,00%	C	0,00%
Nketoana LM	C	C	C	C	0,00%	0,00%
Tokologo LM	0,00%	0,00%	NC	0,00%	0,00%	0,00%
Harry Gwala DM	C	C	NC	C	NC	C
Capricorn DM	C	NC	C	C	C	C
Modimolle / Mookgophong	C	C	0,00%	0,00%	C	C
Mogalakwena LM	NC	0,00%	NC	C	NC	C
Thabazimbi LM	0,00%	0,00%	0,00%	0,00%	0,00%	0,00%
Albert Luthuli LM	NC	C	NC	C	NC	C
Dipaleseng LM	0,00%	0,00%	0,00%	0,00%	0,00%	0,00%
Dr JS Moroka LM	C	C	NC	C	C	C
Emakhazeni LM	C	0,00%	NC	0,00%	NC	0,00%
Lekwa LM	NC	C	NC	C	NC	C
Msukaligwa LM	NC	C	NC	C	NC	C
Nkomazi LM	C	C	NC	C	NC	C
Pixley Ka Seme LM	NC	C	NC	C	NC	C
Thaba Chweu LM	0,00%	0,00%	0,00%	0,00%	0,00%	C
Thembisile LM	C	C	C	C	NC	C
Dr. Ruth S Mompati DM	C	C	NC	C	0,00%	0,00%
Maquassi Hills LM	0,00%	0,00%	0,00%	0,00%	0,00%	0,00%
Moretele LM	0,00%	C	0,00%	0,00%	C	C
Ngaka Modiri Molema DM	C	C	NC	C	NC	C
!Kai! Garib LM	C	C	C	C	NC	C
Dikgatlong LM	C	0,00%	C	0,00%	0,00%	0,00%
Emthanjeni LM	NC	0,00%	NC	0,00%	0,00%	0,00%
Gamagara LM	C	C	NC	C	0,00	0,00%
Joe Morolong LM	NC	C	0,00%	0,00%	C	C
Kamiesberg LM	NC	0,00%	NC	0,00%	NC	0,00%
Khai-Ma LM	0,00%	0,00%	0,00%	0,00%	0,00%	0,00%
Magareng LM	C	0,00%	NC	0,00%	C	0,00%
Phokwane LM	C	C	NC	C	C	C
Renosterberg LM	C	0,00%	0,00%	0,00%	C	0,00%
Richtersveld LM	C	0,00%	C	0,00%	NC	0,00%
Siyancuma LM	C	C	NC	C	NC	C
Siyathemba LM	C	C	C	C	NC	C
Tsantsabane LM	C	NC	C	NC	0,00%	0,00%
Umsobomvu LM	NC	0,00%	C	0,00%	C	0,00%
Kannaland LM	C	0,00%	NC	0,00%	C	0,00%
Laingsburg LM	C	C	C	C	NC	C
Langeberg LM	C	C	C	C	NC	C
Key:	DM - District Municipality	NC - Non-Compliant
LM – Local Municipality	0.00% - no data submission	C - Compliant

(2) The Department has recommenced with the Blue Drop Certification Programme to intensify regulation and monitoring of the municipalities and ensure that all municipalities are assessed on all regulatory requirements. The intention is for municipalities to put mechanisms in place to improve compliance to microbiological and chemical requirements as prescribed by SANS 241. As a result, the Department realised some improvement of the drinking water quality management within the municipalities as far as compliance and data submission. With improved monitoring, more municipalities will ultimately improve on both microbiological and chemical compliance as required by the relevant regulation.

The water services reform process currently underway includes the review of the Water Services Act which will provide explicit regulation of drinking water quality as well as administrative enforcement powers similar to those outlined in the National Water Act. The offences under the Water Services Act will also be broadened to include failure to adhere to norms and standards. Lastly, the proposed introduction of licensing of water services providers will progressively ensure the improvement of water services provision against the norms and standards. The revision of the norms and standards as will include water safety plans and will be aligned to the amendments being made to the SANS 241.

The Department is assisting some of the worst performing municipalities with water safety planning and these activities are being undertaken in collaboration with the South African Local Government Association and the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agency.

 

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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 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

Province	Municipalities (Water Service Authorities) (WSA)	Number of Wastewater Treatment Works (<31% Green Drop score)	# (%) Corrective Action Plans Received	Non-Compliance Letters Issued	Pre-Directives	Directive	Civil Cases against WSA linked to 334 critical Systems	Current Criminal cases against WSA linked to 334 critical systems
Eastern Cape	10	48	45 (94%)	48	23	3	1	0
Free State	17	64	28(44%)	64	33	15	1	5
Gauteng	4	9	8 (89%)	9	8	8	0	2[1]
KwaZulu Natal	4	20	0 (0%)	20	8	7	0	0
Limpopo	10	50	50 (100%)	50	30	27	1	4
Mpumalanga	8	33	17 (51%)	33	31	21	3	4
Northern Cape	23	59	14 (24%)	59	26	4	1	1
Northwest	7	33	15 (45%)	33	17	6	2[2]	1[3]
Western Cape	7	18	18 (100%)	18	8	3	0	1
National Totals	90	334 (90 WSAs)	195 (58%)	334	184	94	9[4]	18[5]

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:

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:

(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:

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

PROVINCE	NUMBER OF AGRICULTURAL SCHOOLS
EC	17
FS	17
GP	7
KZN	4
LP	8
MP	8
NW	4
NC	2
WC	10
TOTAL	77

 

(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 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.

  

Province	Number of Educators
EASTERN CAPE	493
FREE STATE	1 155
GAUTENG	5 520
KWAZULU/NATAL	1 698
LIMPOPO PROVINCE	313
MPUMALANGA	1 178
NORTH WEST	2 807
NORTHERN CAPE	1 883
WESTERN CAPE	8 244
Grand Total	23 291

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:

(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:

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:

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:

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:

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:

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:

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:

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:

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:

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:

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. 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) 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:

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:

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:

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:

(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, 

Foundation Phase	Intermediate Phase	Senior  Phase	FET  Phase
Foundation Phase (with preference for speakers of African Languages). •Braille •South African Sign Language (SASL) •Neurodevelopmental Needs	Preference will be given for a teaching major in two of the following: ·Languages ·Mathematics ·Natural Sciences & Technology ·Braille ·SASL ·Neurodevelopmental Needs	Preference will be given for a teaching major in two of the following: ·Languages ·Mathematics ·Natural Sciences ·Technology ·Braille ·SASL ·Neurodevelopmental Needs	Agricultural Sciences Agricultural Technology Civil Technology Computer Applications Technology Electrical Technology Engineering Graphics and Design Information Technology Languages Life Sciences Mathematics Mechanical Technology Physical Sciences Technical Mathematics Technical Science Braille SASL Neurodevelopmental Needs

(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. 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:

(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:

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:

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:

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

Total Number per Province	Names of Municipalities	Type of intervention	Date Instituted	Status
Eastern Cape: 3	Enoch Mgijima LM	S139(7) of the Constitution (National Cabinet intervention)	April 2022	Ongoing
	Amathole LM	S139(5) of the Constitution	Jan 2021	Ongoing
	Makana LM	S139(5) of the Constitution	2019	Ongoing
Free State: 3	Mangaung Metro	S139(7) of the Constitution (National Cabinet intervention)	April 2022	Ongoing
	Mafube LM	S139(5)(a)&(c) of the Constitution	June 2022	Ongoing
	Tokologo LM	S139(5)(a)&(c) of the Constitution	June 2022	Ongoing
Gauteng: 3	Emfuleni LM	S139(5) of the Constitution	June 2018	Ongoing
	West Rand DM	S139(5) of the Constitution	Feb 2019	Ongoing
	Merafong LM	S139(5) of the Constitution	Sept 2022	Ongoing
KwaZulu Natal: 07	Umzinyathi DM	S139(1)(b) of the Constitution	Oct 2016	Ongoing
	Mpofana LM	S139(1)(b) of the Constitution	Dec 2017	Ongoing
	Inkosi Langalibalele LM	S139(1)(b) of the Constitution	Dec 2017	Ongoing
	Mtubatuba LM	S139(1)(b) of the Constitution	March 2019	Ongoing
	Msunduzi LM	S139(1)(b) of the Constitution	April 2019	Ongoing
	Uthukela DM	S139(1)(b) of the Constitution	Aug 2018	Ongoing
	Umkhanyakude DM	S139(1)(b) of the Constitution	Jan 2021	Ongoing
Mpumalanga: 5	Emalahleni LM	S139(5) of the Constitution	Oct 2018	Ongoing
	Govan Mbeki LM	S139(5) of the Constitution	Oct 2018	Ongoing
	Msukaligwa LM	S139(5) of the Constitution	Oct 2018	Ongoing
	Thaba Chweu LM	S139(5) of the Constitution	Oct 2018	Ongoing
	Lekwa LM	S139(7) of the Constitution (National Cabinet intervention)	April 2021	Ongoing
Northern Cape: 2	Phokwane LM	S139(5) of the Constitution	July 2020	Ongoing
	Renosterberg LM	S139(5) of the Constitution	Aug 2020	Ongoing
North-West (8)	Madibeng LM	S139(5) of the Constitution	Jan 2022	Ongoing
	Tswaing LM	S139(5) of the Constitution	Jan 2022	Ongoing
	Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati DM	S139(5) of the Constitution	Jan 2022	Ongoing
	Kgetleng Rivier LM	S139(5) of the Constitution	Jan 2022	Ongoing
	Mahikeng LM	S139(5) of the Constitution	Jan 2022	Ongoing
	Ramotshere LM	S139(5) of the Constitution	Jan 2022	Ongoing
	Naledi LM	S139(5) of the Constitution	Jan 2022	Ongoing
	Kagisano-Molopo LM	S139(1)(b) of the Constitution	Sept 2022	Ongoing
Western Cape:1	Beaufort West LM	S139(5)(a) of the Constitution	Aug 2021	Ongoing
Total	32

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.