Reply:

According to the information received from Eskom

1. The table below provides the Eskom OCGT diesel usage.

Financial Year	Rand value, R'm[1]	Megalitres
1 April 2019 up to Jan 2020	3 268	318.6
2018-19	3 768	384.5
2017-18	320	37.8
2016-17	340	10
2015-16	8 690	1 247.8
2014-15	9 546	1 178.6

 

2. At Eskom diesel is used as fuel to open cycle gas turbines (OCGTs) and fleet.

3. As the power stations perform better and energy availability factor (EAF) improves to a higher level, the use of diesel must reach zero level.

1. ↑

Reply:

   

	2019/20	2020/21	2021/22
(a)	59	50 (Annexure B)	152	11 (Annexure C)
				The verification process confirmed that these schools have a VIP ablutions which may require maintenance.
(b)	58 Schools allocated to Development Bank of South Africa (DBSA) 1 School to The Mvula Tank (TMT)	42 Schools allocated to TMT 8 Schools to be donated by Assupol. The 59 schools from the previous Financial Year (FY) 2019/20 to be completed in the current FY.	No Implimanting Agents (IA) has yet been allocated for these projects
(c)	See attached Annexure A DBSA- 38 Schools, Contract Awarded 20 Schools under Planning TMT: 1 School under construction	See attached Annexure B	No budget allocation	No budget allocation Annexure C
(d)	National Treasury: Schools Infrastructure Backlog Grant (SIBG)
(e)	A revised schedule will be issued by the IAs, as the lockdown period has negatively affected the progress of the Project.

Reply:

The following table reflects the details in this regard

Western Cape Districts	(a)(i) Serviceable ambulances	(a)(ii) Fully equipped ambulances	In each (aa) district, (bb) local municipality in the public health sector in the Province	(b) Area in square kilometres each ambulance service
City of Cape Town	254	115	115	2 446
Cape Winelands		40	40	21 473
Central Karoo		16	16	38 854
Garden Route		30	30	23 331
Overberg		24	24	12 239
West Coast		29	29	31 119

END.

Reply:

1. Permanent Community Corrections Social Workers as at end of February 2020

REGION	FILLED	VACANT	TOTAL
Eastern Cape	19	0	19
Free State and Northern Cape	12	1	13
Gauteng	20	1	21
KwaZulu-Natal	18	1	19
Limpopo, Mpumalanga and North West	25	1	26
Western Cape Region	22	3	25
GRAND TOTAL	116	7	123

Contract Social Workers as at end February 2020

REGION	TOTAL
Eastern Cape	4
Free State and Northern Cape	5
Gauteng	3
KwaZulu-Natal	2
Limpopo Mpumalanga and North West	3
Western Cape	4
GRAND TOTAL	21

(2) Permanent Community Corrections officers as at end of February 2020

REGION	FILLED	VACANT	TOTAL
Eastern Cape	214	30	244
Free State and Northern Cape	228	26	254
Gauteng	345	30	375
KwaZulu-Natal	249	26	275
Limpopo Mpumalanga and North West	386	25	411
Western Cape	310	50	360
GRAND TOTAL	1732	187	1919

END.

Reply:

According to the information received from Alexkor

(1)(a)

The number of employees are currently employed at ALEXKOR is 205 as at end of December 2019.

	Level	Number of employees
(1)(b)(i)	Senior Management	12
(1)(b)(ii)	Middle Management	9

(2)

	Level	Average remuneration
(a)	Senior Management	R3 323 538,75
(b)	Middle Management	R1 411 488,89

(3)

	Level	Amount Salary Spent
(a)	Senior Management	R15 617 673,20
(b)	Middle Management	R4 873 830,00

 

According to the information received from Denel:

(1)(a) As at February 2020 the total workforce of Denel is 3426.

	Level	Number of employees
(1)(b)(i)	Senior Management	45
(1)(b)(ii)	Middle Management	700

(2)

	Level	Average remuneration
(a)	Senior Management	R2,653,454m
(b)	Middle Management	R958,088m

(3)

	Level	Amount Salary Spent
(a)	Senior Management	R76,771,451m
(b)	Middle Management	R684,391,669m

REPLY:

According to the information received from Eskom

(1)(a)

The number of employees are currently employed at Eskom is 45353 as at end of December 2019.

	Level	Number of employees
(1)(b)(i)	Senior Management	372
(1)(b)(ii)	Middle Management	6734

(2)

	Level	Average remuneration
(a)	Senior Management	R1 846 032
(b)	Middle Management	R1 144 138

(3)

	Level	Amount Salary Spent
(a)	Senior Management	R686 723 910
(b)	Middle Management	R7 616 533 256

 

According to the information received from SAFCOL

(1)(a)

The number of employees are currently employed at Safcol is 1479 as at end of December 2019.

	Level	Number of employees
(1)(b)(i)	Senior Management	7
(1)(b)(ii)	Middle Management	82

(2)

	Level	Average remuneration
(a)	Senior Management	R 131 726/ 1580 712 p/a
(b)	Middle Management	R 80 977/ 971 724 p/a

(3)

	Level	Amount Salary Spent
(a)	Senior Management Middle Management	R 7 643 211/ 91 718 532/pa
(b)

 

According to the information received from SAX

(1)(a)

The number of employees are currently employed at SAX is 671 as at end of December 2019.

	Level	Number of employees
(1)(b)(i)	Senior Management	81
(1)(b)(ii)	Middle Management	43

(2)

	Level	Average remuneration
(a)	Senior Management	R1 093 485 per annum
(b)	Middle Management	R598 330 per annum

(3)

	Level	Amount Salary Spent
(a)	Senior Management Middle Management	R16 828 815.00.
(b)

 

According to the information received from Transnet:

(1)(a)

The number of employees are currently employed at Transnet is 58051 as at end of December 2019.

	Level	Number of employees
(1)(b)(i)	Senior Management	1041
(1)(b)(ii)	Middle Management	5296

(2)

	Level	Average remuneration
(a)	Senior Management	R 1 522 753
(b)	Middle Management	R 758 755

(3)

	Level	Amount Salary Spent
(a)	Senior Management Middle Management	R5.6 billion p/a
(b)

Response from SAA is still outstanding and will be submitted as soon as the information becomes available.

Reply:

(1)(a) The Position Paper on the Revised Parole System has been forwarded to the National Council of Correctional Services (NCCS) for consideration and to advise the Minister.

(1)(b) A Position Paper on the Revised Parole System was developed and consulted internally. A national consultation session was held with Parole Boards and a selected number of Case Management Committees as well as with NCCS, Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Services (JICS) and Medical Parole Advisory Board (MPAB).The NCCS hosted a round table discussion on the position paper, attended by the former Minister, former Deputy Minister, JICS, external stakeholders such as Sonke Gender Justice and Wits Justice Project. The position paper has been forwarded to the current NCCS for consideration.

(1)(c) The review process may result in some legislative amendments which will require consultation. The parole review process is receiving priority.

(2)(a) The parole review process looks at the parole process holistically and some of the matters that are considered include:

(i) Composition of the Parole Boards;

(ii) Review of the Parole Boards decision;

(iii) Minimum detention periods of offender serving for sexual and aggressive offences

(2)(b) The parole review process should allow relevant internal and external stakeholders to contribute. The outcome of the parole review process should adequately deal with all the challenges in the parole process.

(3)(a)&(b)

Fifty three (53) Parole Boards were established in terms of section 74 of the Correctional Services Act, 111 of 1998 on 1 October 2004 and it consist of:

• Chairperson – Community member
• Vice-Chairperson – Community member
• DCS Representative – also act as Secretary
• Two (2) x Community members
• Co-option of SAPS

Each Parole Board country wide consists of 5 appointed members with SAPS to be co-opted to sit in meetings. The SAPS has identified a list of offences in which cases Parole Boards must request their attendance or inputs. Three (3) members of the Board constitute a quorum. One of whom must be the Chairperson or Vice Chairperson. In bigger areas such as Johannesburg, St Albans’ Leeuwkop, Kgoši Mampuru II and Durban two Parole Boards have being established in each area to deal with daily caseloads. Dedicated parole board facilities were provided for all Parole Boards nationally.

(4)(a) The primary task of the Parole Board is the responsible consideration and approval/disapproval of placement of offenders:

• under correctional supervision;
• on day parole;
• Parole; and
• Medical parole.
• Setting of placement conditions where placement is approved
• The granting of special remission of sentence to offenders for meritorious conduct.
• Making submissions to the NCCS regarding offenders sentenced to life imprisonment.
• Making recommendations to Courts on offenders declared as dangerous criminals as well as conversions of sentence

(4)(b) The Correctional Services Act 111 of 1998 which came into effect on
31 July 2004 in which section 74 specifically deals with the composition of the Correctional Supervision and Parole Boards and section 75 with the powers, functions and duties of Correctional Supervision and Parole Boards.

END

Reply:

(1)

Government as a whole is concerned about the number of state-owned enterprises and entities, and their respective governance operational and financial status. A process of review has been discussed and the relevant departments are establishing which entities can be merged, closed or retained. This will be an on-going process with regular reports to government.

Once the Presidential SOC Council begins its work, further measures and initiatives will be put in place.

(2)

As above:

In addition, Boards as the accounting authority in terms of the PFMA, will also be responsible for ensuring operational performance and financial viability of entities.

(3)

Government, in consultation with the relevant Departments, will determine the response to financial and other issues. The example of restructuring of Eskom as a result of the governance, operational and financial challenges arising from corruption and state capture.

Government initiated a process to change the business model, restructure the generation, transmission and distribution components with a view to better transparency, and focus on operational performance and financial efficacy.

The repositioning of state owned entities will continue to receive intense focus – particularly, ensure that dependence on the fiscus is stopped.

Reply:

The following information is provided by the Business Rescue Practitioners of the SAA: see the link

https://pmg.org.za/files/1/RNW374-200608.docx

 

Reply:

The following table reflects the details in this regard.

Free State Districts	(a)(i) Serviceable ambulances	(a)(ii) Fully equipped ambulances	In each (aa) district, (bb) local municipality in the public health sector in the Province	(b) Area in square kilometres each ambulance service
Mangaung Metro	132	25	65	7 250
Xhariep		15	60	9 810
Lejweleputswa		29	45	11 880
Fezile Dabi		27	65	10 705
Thabo Mofutsanyana		36	45	12 640

END.

Reply:

Service delivery – related complaints:

The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (Department) has an approved Integrated Complaints Management Framework aimed at providing guidance and procedures in the management of complaints received from members of the public. Amongst others, the Framework states that complaints shall be finalised within fourteen (14) working days of receipt of the complaint. A dedicated e-mail account, [email protected], has also been established so as to facilitate streamlining of incoming complaints. The Department is in a process of establishing a call centre which is part of the bigger citizen-engagement strategy, and this will be finalised over the MTSF.

Ethics Management:

The Department has put controls in place in order to promote Fraud and Corruption Prevention. Amongst those is the Anti-Corruption and Ethics Management Policy as well as the Whistle Blowing Policy. The Anti-Corruption and Ethics Management Policy proposes an integrated approach to the fight against corruption and management of ethics, coupled with continuous awareness creation through sessions, information posters and leaflets, etc.

The Department has taken the stance that the management of ethics and fighting corruption activities is the responsibility of all officials, however designated key role players such as the Director-General (Acting), Ethics Champion and Ethics Committee members, Integrity Management Unit are bestowed with the responsibility to ensure the effective and efficient management of ethics.

All allegations pertaining to corruption within the Department are being investigated by the Internal Forensic Audit Unit. If the investigation reveals that there is substance in the allegation, the matter will be referred to Human Resource Management for disciplinary action. The allegation is also referred to the relevant Law Enforcement Agency for criminal investigation, i.e. the South African Police Service or the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation. The Department will follow-up on the criminal investigation until it has reached its logical conclusion.

Reply:

The following table reflects the details in this regard

(a) (i) serviceable ambulances	(a) (ii) fully equipped ambulances (aa) in each district municipality	(a) (ii) (bb) in each local municipality in the public health sector in the Province	(b) Area in square kilometres each ambulance services
134	EHLANZENI =48	Mbombela = 20	Ambulances are not restricted to a service Area
		Nkomazi = 13
		Thaba Chweu = 8
		Bushbuckridge = 7
	NKANGALA = 40	Emalahleni = 10
		Steve Tshwete = 8
		Emakhazeni = 6
		Thembisile Hani = 4
		Dr JS Moroka = 8
		Victor Khanye = 4
	GERT SIBANDE = 46	Mkhondo = 3
		Albert Luthuli = 7
		Msukaligwa = 5
		Govan Mbeki = 12
		Pixley Ka Seme = 7
		Albert Luthuli = 4
		Lekwa = 4
		Dipaleseng = 4

END.

Reply:

The following table reflects the details in this regard

Gauteng Districts	(a)(i) Serviceable ambulances	(a)(ii) Fully equipped ambulances	In each (aa) district, (bb) local municipality in the public health sector in the Province	(b) Area in square kilometres each ambulance service
City of Ekurhuleni	915	240	240	1 975
City of Johannesburg		168	168	1 645
City of Tshwane		160	160	6 298
Sedibeng		118	118	4 173
West Rand		118	118	4 087

END.

Reply:

1. (a) The number of hospitals ready to treat COVID-19 patients is 262 hospitals.

(b) The Department conducts weekly audits on the availability, requirements and current equipment and commodities in hospitals. Where challenges are found they are highlighted to provincial officials to intervene.

2. (a) All (3467 Primary Health Care facilities/clinics) are provided with the national protocols through their provinces for handling corona virus suspected patients and are submitting individual questionnaires on their readiness to respond to the pandemic.

(b) Precautions to be taken in the event of an outbreak in Clinics include use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE's) by all staff; ensuring effective triage facilities are in place to separate patients with COVID-19 symptoms from those without symptoms, rapid and safe referral of patients to hospitals for patients who need to be hospitalised.

(3) The initial transmission of the COVID-19 virus was from imported cases from high risk countries. The ban on travel in/out of the country is purely to disrupt transmission from other countries, especially high risk countries.

(4) A comprehensive Risk Communication and Stakeholder Engagement (RCCE) Strategy has been developed as guided by the International Health Regulations of the World Health Organisation.

Some of the Objectives of this strategy are:

• To ensure that people have the life-saving information they need to protect themselves and others (from the virus and to reduce its impact on health, social life, and the economy)
• To ensure consistency in information and language from all partners and avoid misinformation/rumours.
• To inform the general public how the public health response is being conducted and health authorities are being pro-active in monitoring, detecting, and preventing the spread of COVID-19.

To ensure participation of and engagement with relevant communities to work out barriers to the implementation and uptake of public health measures.

END.

Reply:

1. (a) Government has adopted a multi-pronged approach in giving effect to the President’s Emergency Response Plan. Therefore, measures that are undertaken by the department are part of a comprehensive plan by various departments and Organs of State to empower and equip survivors of gender-based violence.

(b) The Department developed a Risk Assessment Tool for victims of intimate partner violence. This Tool is intended to increase the reporting rate in domestic violence and most importantly, to encourage survivors to take legal action against perpetrators on domestic violence so as to avoid further domestic violence and potential intimate femicide. It is primarily intended to reduce the incidence of intimate femicide in the country by opening the eyes of a victim of domestic violence so that they are able to make an informed choice when deciding what recourse to take. Copies of the Risk Assessment Tool have been widely distributed at our courts for the benefit of victims of domestic violence when they come to court to report a matter. Training on the national codified instructions has been provided to domestic violence clerks. Specific focus on the risk assessment tool has also been provided within this training.

(c) The Sexual Offences Courts play a critical role in empowering survivors of gender-based violence. Through these courts, sexual offences including rape are prioritised and these courts have maintained high conviction rates with harsh sentences as a deterrent to these heinous crimes.

(d) From the side of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the Thuthuzela Care Centres (TCC) remain an important vehicle to support and equip survivors of gender based violence. Through the TCCs the services of various departments including departments of Health and Social Development are able to provide integrated support services as the investigation, prosecution and trial of cases in which they are involved unfold. It is for this reason that the NPA has been allocated additional funds from, amongst others, the Criminal Asset Recovery Account (CARA) into which the proceeds of crime are deposited, to expand the TCCs from the current total number of 55 country-wide.

(e) The Department continues to conduct awareness campaigns through, amongst other media platforms, the radio to provide public education; information sessions, and dialogues in communities, at which survivors participate. A number of radio stations participate in these programmes which have a wider coverage. According to the Broadcast Research Council of South Africa 82% of the population in South Africa, are radio listeners, therefore the Department was able to reach an estimated 32 million South Africans through the use of radio.

2. (a) The table below reflects the training provided by the National Prosecuting Authority to prosecutors until the end of 2018/19:

Financial Year	No. of prosecutors trained (on Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Legislation)	Number of law enforcement officials and others (SAPS, DSD, DoH, etc.)
2013/14	212	564
2014/15	140	563
2015/16	265	711
2016/17	248	543
2017/18	153	469
2018/19	67	874
Total	1 085	3 724

(b) The on-going skills development of prosecutors, is to ensure updated and related expertise amongst prosecutors. Comprehensive training manuals were researched and developed in line with the latest developments in law. In particular, the Sexual Offences and Community Affairs unit has developed specialised training manuals for prosecutors, on sexual offences (including social context training), domestic violence, maintenance, child justice and trafficking in persons. In addition, the unit developed an integrated stakeholder manual for those directly involved at TCCs and Court preparation officers.

(c) Training has been conducted with domestic violence Clerks of Courts in four (4) provinces namely: Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and Northern Cape on the National Codified Instructions of Domestic Violence. It is envisaged that this will assist clerks to provide an effective service to complainants when they arrive at court for recourse on domestic violence matters.

(d)  The South African Judicial Education Institute provides (SAJEI) gender sensitivity training to newly appointed and serving judicial officers. The exact number of judicial officers trained in the previous financial year has been requested from SAJEI. The Office of the Chief Justice has informed the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development that a total number of 187 District Magistrates were provided with gender-sensitive training during the 2019/20 financial year. The training programmes focused on Domestic Violence, Protection from Harassment Act and Older Persons Act.

(e) In the 2019/20 financial year the Justice College trained court officials as per the table below:

Programme	Court Officials
Equality Courts Training	34
Protection from Harassment	147
Sexual Offences and Child Justice Acts	36

3. (a) It is inevitable that the national state of disaster and subsequent national Lockdown declared by the President following the outbreak of the COVID 19 pandemic will lead to exponential increase in case backlogs across all the tiers of our court system. The Regional Court, which prior to the national lockdown experienced 6 801 cases, will be the most overburdened. The total Regional Court Cases currently, are 7 651, which is a difference of 850 cases.

(b) Whilst under the Alert level 5 Lockdown courts dealt mainly with postponement and bail applications, during Alert Level 4 Lockdown sexual offences and domestic violence have been prioritised for trial.

i) The Directions’ lists published under Alert Level 4 list sexual offences and gender-based violence cases in the Annexure of Permitted Services.

In terms of the adopted plan, the Department collates all cases that were postponed in absentia during the national state of disaster and Lockdown and those which were not placed on the roll due to the lockdown. These cases are collated on a weekly basis and placed on a priority roll of each court. The existing structured case flow management meetings occur through the Provincial Efficiency Enhancement Committee (PEECs chaired by Judges President), Regional Efficiency Enhancement Committee (REECs chaired by the Regional Court Presidents) and the District Efficiency Enhancement Committees (DEECs chaired by the Chief Magistrates in the districts). It will be recommended that the PEECs, REECs and DEECs where all stakeholders are represented, including the organised legal profession, will manage these cases in their quarterly meetings. 

ii) The priority roll in every court will incorporate all cases which have been listed on the Annexure to the Directions as Permitted Services under Level 4 Lockdown. These cases include corruption, including corruption relating to COVID 19 procurement, gender-based violence, robbery and other serious offences listed in the Annexure.

iii) Cases which are not placed on the priority roll will then be postponed for dates far away in the future. 

iv) Other mechanisms to resolve these cases, in particular civil cases, will be settled through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms. It is in this context that services of Judges discharged from active services and accredited mediators will be solicited. A protocol is being developed to enlist services of retired judges, and the office of the Solicitor-General is already inundated with requests for diversion of their disputes through ADR.

v) To enhance prioritization in the prosecution of sexual offence cases in all divisions, to support the following projects, were introduced:

a) Sexual offence cases DNA backlog project. This project is to focus on fast tracking outstanding court cases due to the unavailability of the DNA analysis reports, specifically those cases that involve children. This project is done in conjunction with SAPS FCS and the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) and implemented in phases, to ensure that the backlog of these cases is reduced.

b) Sexual Offences cold cases project. The national project was initiated to relook at sexual offences “cold cases” that are not on the court rolls. This is to re-evaluate the content, with prosecutor-guided investigations and stakeholder cooperation with SAPS, with a view to placing fully investigated and prosecutable cases back on the court rolls. The project will be implemented in phases.

4. (a) In respect of (a) and (b) it is important to note that court officials who fail to inform a complainant of his or her rights, or consider the complaint as soon as is reasonably possible, are dealt with in terms of the existing performance management system which provides for disciplinary actions against any official who is found guilty of dereliction of duty.

(b) Interim protection orders and the original warrant of arrest relating thereto are served by police officers and there are regular structured meetings between the Department and SAPS management to address any glitches experienced in this regard.

Reply:

The following information was provided by the Business Rescue Practitioners of South African Airways:

SAA advertised and awarded catering tenders from 01 January 2014 to July 2019. The links below include contracts that cover SAA’s global operations (Local, Regional and International):

https://pmg.org.za/files/1/RNW375-200608.docx

Reply:

The following table reflects the details in this regard

Limpopo Districts	(a)(i) Serviceable ambulances	(a)(ii) Fully equipped ambulances	In each (aa) district, (bb) local municipality in the public health sector in the Province	(b) Area in square kilometres each ambulance service
Capricorn	164	59	59	21 705
Waterberg		48	48	44 913
Sekhukhune		56	56	13 528
Mopani		73	73	20 011
Vhembe		64	64	25 597

END.

Reply:

1. (a) The mother (21 years old) delivered the baby (the mother's third delivery) at Clocolan, JD Newberry District Hospital with a reported history of meconium stained liquor and Apgar score of 5/10 and 6/10 at 1 minute and 5 minutes respectively. The mother arrived un-booked as a result no ultrasound was done antenatally. The baby was preterm estimated gestation age of 34-35 weeks with low birth weight (1,98 kg). In addition the following were found: Dysmorphic features and multiple congenital anomalies, anorectal malformation - imperforate anus, bilateral renal malformation - confirmed by kidney ultrasound, severe respiratory distress - most likely due to lung hypoplasia during pregnancy and upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

(b)-(c) The patient was transferred to the Neonatal ICU at the Dihlabeng Regional Hospital where the baby was put on a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine to assist the baby to breathe. As the baby's respiratory distress worsened the medical officer decided to transfer the patient Universitas Academic Hospital.

(d) The baby's condition was critical and it was transported via air transport, given respiratory support via CPAP. On arrival at Universitas Academic Hospital the baby was admitted to the Neonatal ICU as his condition required life support - at no stage did parents raise the issue of objection to the baby being put on life support.

(e) The baby died while on life support machines and his parents were allowed to hold the baby whilst he was still intubated.

(f) A post-mortem was offered to the parents but they refused.

2. Yes.

END.

Reply:

The following table reflects the details in this regard

Northern Cape Districts	(a)(i) Serviceable ambulances	(a)(ii) Fully equipped ambulances	In each (aa) district, (bb) local municipality in the public health sector in the Province	(b) Area in square kilometres each ambulance service
Frances Baard	85	18	18	12 836
John Taolo Gaetsiwe		11	11	27 322
Namakwa		24	24	126 836
Pixley ka Seme		20	20	103 411
Zf Mgcawu		12	12	102 484

END.

Reply:

2.. The single buyer model cannot be sustained, in respect of which Eskom is the sole aggregator and dispatcher of all the energy generated in the interconnected power system. This is due to Eskom’s poor balance sheet and its inability to carry the risks relating to long term power purchase agreements with other generators, without further encumbrance of the national revenue fund.

In the circumstances, it has become critical to find alternative models for the delivery of new generation capacity as required under the integrated resource plan. The entity that the Minister referred to at the Mining Indaba is aimed at complimenting the role that Eskom is unable to fulfil, in relation to new generation capacity. It is noteworthy that the entity could play the role of Buyer as well as developer of new power capacity, with or without private sector partners.

3. (a) (b)(c) work in regard to the structure has not been finalized and it would be premature to answer questions like mandate and timelines.

4. See (4) above

Reply:

The following information was provided by the Business Rescue Practitioners of the South African Airways Response:

1. The business rescue practitioners have been paid in accordance with the hours worked and set down rate for business rescue practitioners. The amounts paid to Matuson & Associates and Adamantem as at 26 May 2020 are as follows:

Matuson and Associates – R22 208, 689

Adamantem (Pty) Ltd – R14 002,112

(2) The business rescue practitoners did not benefit from the intervention relating to the DBSA bridge facility, other than payment in the normal course of the business rescue process done based on hours spent on the transaction and set down rate for that practitioner.

Reply:

1. The Ministerial Directive, No. 6(k)(vii) as amended and gazetted on 09 May 2020, states that:

“Temporary disability grants which lapsed in February and March 2020, must be reinstated and continue to be paid from the date they were suspended until end of October 2020; temporary disability grants which did not lapse during April 2020, as contemplated in directive (l)(v) must continue to be paid until end of October 2020; and temporary disability grants which are due to lapse in May 2020 and June 2020, must continue to be paid until end of October 2020”.

The Directive further makes provision for Care Dependency grants which lapsed during the period beginning from February to April 2020 must be reinstated and continue to be paid until end of October 2020; and Care Dependency grants which lapsed during May 2020 or are due to lapse when the care dependent child turns 18 years of age, will not lapse until end of October 2020 and must continue to be paid until end of October 2020.

2. This option at present is not being considered. Most of the elderly have funeral cover for this. What is of concern is that many households are currently depending on the income from the elderly’s grant and are left destitute when the elderly pass on. The COVID-19 pandemic has also perpetuated the problem with more people becoming financially distressed.

To mitigate the impact of the pandemic, the President announced a relief package in the form of a Special COVID -19 Social Relief grant to the value of R350.00 per month to individuals who are: South African Citizens, Permanent Residents or Refugees registered on the Department of Home Affairs database; the applicant should currently be residing within the borders of the Republic of South Africa; be above the age of 18, unemployed; not receiving any form of income; not receiving any social grant; should not be receiving an unemployment insurance benefit and not qualifying to receive one; not receiving a stipend from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme and other financial aid; not receiving any other government COVID-19 response support; and not residing in a government funded or subsidised institution. The benefit came into effect in May 2020 and will be paid to qualifying individuals from date of application until end of October 2020.

Reply:

a) The first part of the question related to the number of Quarantine facilities that have been activated in the country and shown per province.

Province	NO OF SITES	NO OF BEDS
Eastern Cape	19	662
Free State	5	313
Gauteng	21	6236
KwaZulu Natal	48	1098
Limpopo	6	313
Mpumalanga	6	434
North West	6	188
Northern Cape	9	497
Western Cape	16	2537
Grand Total	136	12278

There are a number of sites on standby but is only activated as and when the Province deem it necessary to accommodate patients and or PUI's.

(b) There is currently 64 privately owned and 72 state owned facilities utilised. The following types of facilities are being utilised:

Type of facility	Number of Sites in this category
B&B	15
CARAVAN PARK/CAMP SITE	1
HEALTH FACILITY	52
HOTEL	38
LODGE	7
NATURE RESERVE LODGE	6
Other	1
RESORT	12
Training Centre	4
Grand Total	136

These sites were assessed for their suitability against a set of guidelines that looks at their locality, access to the site, ventilation, basic infrastructure requirements like access to electricity and water and then space for each occupant.

(c) There is a list of equipment requirements provided for in the guideline that include the following:

Minimum Equipment

Clinical gloves (latex, single-use gloves for clinical care)

N95 masks – only for aerosol generating procedures (taking of specimens) Medical/Surgical masks

Aprons - disposable

Sharps containers

Red health risk waste bags to be in health care risk waste box with biohazard sign

Alcohol-based hand sanitiser

Liquid hand wash

Clean single-use towels (e.g. paper towels)

Cleaning gloves (reusable vinyl or rubber gloves for environmental cleaning)

Appropriate detergent for environmental cleaning and disinfectant for disinfection of surfaces, instruments or equipment

Large plastic bag for general waste (black or transparent)

Linen bags

Collection container for used equipment

What has been issued to each site is dependent on the type of site and their own commitment to the cause. In the Western Cape for example some privately owned sites only required masks, gloves, bioboxes and red bags. The rest were provided by the establishment themselves.

(d) A standard set of training is conducted by Provincial Departments of Health related to the following:

• Training of healthcare professional on SOPs that needs to be followed at the quarantine centres for daily examination, movements in the facility, infection prevention control measures and use of PPE kit etc.
• Paramedical staff (staff nurses, medics, pharmacist etc) need to be trained on SOPs to be followed at quarantine/isolation centres and use of PPE.
• Support staff (housekeepers/cleaners, caterers, security staff, drivers and general duty staff) need to be trained on the use of masks, gloves, cleaning and disinfection procedures and use of PPE kit, etc.
• When a new staff member is assigned to a quarantine/isolation site, it needs to be ensured that he/she has received proper training before undertaking the work.
• All training should emphasise that all activities/procedures must be done under the strict monitoring and observation of trained specialists.

The exact numbers of people trained at these facilities is currently unknown.

(e) The costs associated at each of these centres varies and is dependent on the type of facility, who owns it and what the commitment is from each related to the cause. Private facilities in the hospitality industry is paid per person per night. For that they provide the full accommodation and catering support function, and the Provincial departments pick up the bill related to any clinical and waste management services. Costs associated with that range between R850 to R1200 per night per person. This includes accommodation and two meals per day.

For public facilities, again depending on the type of facility the cost would vary. From a priority perspective, public facilities already equipped with linen, beds and other basic furniture and services were first activated. In more dire times the Department is preparing public facilities by procurement of all beds, furnishing and operational equipment to activate facilities as a second priority. However, in the short term there is a heavy reliance on privately owned facilities where the moneys paid, also strengthened the tourism industry where no income could be generated.

The procurement of Health Technology equipment is also not done in bulk and at a rapid rate to make provision and address the demands that Covid-19 is placing on the department. Equipment is issued to where it is needed and includes Medical, Isolation and Quarantine facilities so to isolate the costs to only quarantine facilities is difficult at present.

END.

Reply:

The following table reflects the details in this regard

North West Districts	(a)(i) Serviceable ambulances	(a)(ii) Fully equipped ambulances	In each (aa) district, (bb) local municipality in the public health sector in the Province	(b) Area in square kilometres each ambulance service
Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati	119	17	17	43 700
Dr Kenneth Kaunda		18	18	14 642
Bojanala		11	11	18 333
Ngaka Modiri Molema		21	21	28 206

END.

Reply:

The following table reflects the details in this regard

Eastern Cape Districts	(a)(i) Serviceable ambulances	(a)(ii) Fully equipped ambulances	In each (aa) district, (bb) local municipality in the public health sector in the Province	(b) Area in square kilometres each ambulance service
Alfred Nzo	447	65	65	10 731
Amathole		60	60	21 117
Buffalo City		45	45	2 750
Chris Hani		65	65	36 407
Joe Gqabi		45	45	25 617
Nelson Mandela Metro		40	40	1 957
OR Tambo		40	74	12 141
Sarah Baartman		53	53	58 245

END.

Reply:

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

(a)(i) Two positions.

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

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

2

Reply to question 608 recommended/

GENERAL NATIONAL COMMISSIONER SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE
KJ SITOLE SOEG
 

Reply to question 608 approved

GENERAL BH CELE
MINISTER OF POLICE
Date

Reply:

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

(For written reply)

QUESTION NO. 932(NW1221E}

INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO.17 of2020 DATE OF PUBLICATION: 22 May 2020

Mr P Mey (FF Plus) to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment:

1. Whether her Department awarded any tender connected to the Covid-19 pandemic; if not, what is the position in this ega‹d; if so, what (a) are the names of the businesses to whom these tenders were awarded, (b) are the amounts of each Bnder awarded and (c) was the service and/or product \o be supplied by each business;
2. whether there was any deviation from the standard supply chain management procedures in the awarding of the tandem; if so, (a) why and (b) what are the relevant details in each case;
3. 3) what was the reason for which each specified business was awaited the specified tender; and whether she will make a statement on the matter2

932. THE MINISTER OF FORE8TRY, FISHERIES AND THE ENVIRONMENT REPLIES:

1. Yes, the Department awarded tenders connected b the COVIŒ19 pandemic as follows:

(a) Name of the businesses/service Provides	(b) Amount R'000	(c) Service provided
Multisurge Pty Ltd, Promed	R1 008 780	1900 x (box of 50) masks surgical face standard and 57 x digital body infrared thermometers.

Promed Technologies (Pty) Ltd	R45 000	5 liters X 500 battle disinfectant
Kanga Business Management	R494 500	3500 Alcohol gel hand sanitisers and 250 boxes of surgical masks
Orange Juice Inve9tr«ent (Pty) Ltd T/A X-Treme Cleaning Solutions	R138 500	Disinfecting, sanitisation and fogging Foretrust building.

1. Yes, there was a deviation from the standard supply chain management procedures. The Department utilised the Instruction Note 3 of 2016/17, paragraph 8.2, which states that 'An emergency procurement may occur when there is a serious and unexpected situation that pose an immediate risk B health, life, property or environment which calls an urgency to action and there is insufficient time to invite competitive bids', as well as Instruction Note 5 of 2020/21 Emergency Procurement in response to National State of Disaster.
   1. The Department received a case of an official who were infected with COVID-19 and, as a result, the Department had to disinfect the building æ a matter of emergency.
   2. The Department approached four service providers to submit quotations on an emergency basis, and an order was issued b Orange Juice Investment Pty Ltd T/A X-Treme Cleaning Solutions au they submitted a quotation that met the Department specifications.

(sj

The reason for which each specified business was awarded the specified tender:

The Service Provider, as listed below, submitted quotations that met the Department procurement specifications and RTCOVID19-0@ s§ecificätÏ0FI9 B9 I6sued by National Treasury.

Name of the business /Service Provides
Multisurge(Pty) Ltd, Promed	Standard surgical face masks to be given to officials and visitors entering the building for protection against COVID-19. Body thermometers infrared for the screening of officials and visitors when entering the Department.
Promed Technologies (Pty) Ltd	Disinfectant for the cleaning of surfaces in the building.
Kanga Business Management	Alcohol gel hand sanitisers and surgical masks for the sanitising of hands and protection from the COVID-19 infection of officials and visitors

Names of the businesses/Service Providers
	entering the building.
Orange Juice Investment Pty LB T/A X-Treme Cleaning Solutions	Emergency sanitisation and logging of Foretrust building.

4. The regulations on how departments must respond to COVID-19 have bean widely publicized by the various government department.

Regards

MS BD CREECY
MINISTER OF FORESTORY AND THE ENVIRONMENT
DATES: 5/6/2020

Reply:

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

Reply to question 634 recommended/

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

Reply to question 634 recommended

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

Reply:

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

Reply to question 702 recommended/not recommended

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

Reply to question 702 approved/not approved

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

Reply:

(a) – (c) The graph below contains a response to the breakdown asked for:

Province	Application	Approvals	Rand value of approvals	Declines	Rand value of declines	Referrals
KZN	895	400	1 400 000	33	115 500	43
NW	26	6	21 000	3	10500	3
GP	166	64	224 000	10	35000	1
LP	354	110	385 000	14	49000	28
NC	7	1	3 500	0	0	0
EC	322	65	227 500	4	14000	13
FS	45	8	28 000	1	3500	0
MP	40	10	35 000	0	0	2
WC	31	12	42 000	4	14000	0
TOTAL	1886	676	2 366 000	69		90

The referrals are applications are referred to Seda to assist with business development support and to prepare them for resubmissions. The declined are those applications that are from individuals who are not spaza shops and as well as those that are duplicates where people apply more than once.

Reply:

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

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

Reply:

a) A number of Seda offices have desktop computers at their reception areas where SMMEs can have access to the internet. It is envisaged that the footprint of these will be expanded such as to expand access to the rest of the Offices. Where Seda does not have physical offices, there are co-location points set up with municipalities and other provincial and district entities where Seda Business Advisors visit according to scheduled intervals on a weekly basis.

b) (i)-(ii) The Department launched the first database of SMMEs in the country (www.smmesa.gov.za) which enables all SMMEs to register and receive a unique registration number. This is now linked to the application process for financial and non-financial support so that when an enterprise applies for support they do not have to fill information that is already on the database therefore as someone as someone enters the registration all the information is retrieved and the enterprise will only focus on providing information that is required for that particular application. The SMMESA already interfaces with SARS and UIF whilst work is underway to interface with CIPC (BizPortal) and CSD. All these measures will ensure that those businesses that are not registered are registered and their tax matters are compliant.

In addition, as part of Business Development Services, one of Seda’s priorities is to ensure that unregistered businesses are assisted with Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC), SARS and UIF registration processes. This is done through CIPC’s BizPortal.

c)  The DSBD, ensures that all micro / informal businesses who are assisted by DSBD are owned by people with the valid 13-digit barcoded South African identity document. The Department has been tasked to provide the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) with guidelines on sectors that must be reserved for South Africans and this process is almost complete. The Department is working with DHA and the Department of Trade and Industry and Competition to ensure that these sectors are designated. Consultations are underway with the affected and relevant sectors.

 

 

Reply:

1. (a) – (c) To date, the Department did not issue any tenders related to COVID-19.

2. (a) – (b) The Department did procure some goods and services through deviation as well as through RT 15/2016 contract, in preparation for the lockdown and work from home / remote working environment, the Department deviated from the normal procurement processes to procure the following:

• A total of 75 laptops and 75 laptop bags for officials that ordinarily used desktop computers but needed remote connection due to the lockdown. The reason for deviation was that the store that these were purchased from was the only retailor that was able to supply the required number and specifications at short notice, before 26 March 2020, following the President’s announcement of the lockdown, which was on 23 March 2020.
• Data cards and Wi-Fi routers, 75 each, through the RT 15/2016. The RT 15/2016 is a contract that was awarded to a specific mobile service provider to supply and deliver mobile communication services for government, hence no other quotations were sourced.
• A total of 1000 masks. The service provider was sourced from the list that was provided by National Treasury and was the only service provider who had the required stock to deliver before the lockdown that started on 26 March 2020, following the President’s announcement of 23 March 2020. This was to enable DSBD officials who may still be coming to the office to have Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

3. Not applicable, as no tenders were awarded.

4. No

 

Reply:

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

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

 

Reply:

1. The National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) – originally known as the NCC – was established as a committee of Cabinet by the Cabinet in its meeting of 15 March 2020.

1. No.

1. The NCCC coordinates government’s response to the coronavirus pandemic. The NCCC makes recommendations to Cabinet on measures required in terms of the national state of disaster. Cabinet makes the final decisions.

Reply:

1. The amount of loans approved for SMMEs ranged from as little as R13 200 to R500 000. The applicants had applied for salaries, rent and utility payments. Due to the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPI), we are unable to share the details of the companies that received the highest loans in each province.

2. (a) We have recorded to date with respect to clients that have signed legal agreements with sefa R53 million in the wholesale and retail trade: repair of motor vehicles, motor cycles and personal and household goods; hotels and restaurants sector. Generally, the retail stores would be included in this category. There were 154 SMMEs in this category and 1,533 jobs were maintained.

(b) It is not possible to create new jobs in this current situation. All businesses are locked down. We can only maintain jobs and possibly create them after the lockdown period has been lifted.

3. a) The information was captured per town and not according to metropolitan area.

b) We created a scorecard, which sought to pre-qualify SMMEs based on the criteria that was established for COVID-19 Business Relief applicants. Based on the output of the scorecard, the SMME will be approved.

4. The loans are meant to provide relief to businesses, which are experiencing difficulties during the COVID-19 lockdown period. As the period of the lockdown was not known, it was decided that we provide 3 months relief depending on the circumstances of each applicant which has now been reduced to 2 months to try and cover as many people as possible. With respect to consideration to provide smaller amounts, this would have invariably not provided the required relief to some of the businesses. There are businesses that carry huge monthly costs, i.e. rent, salaries, and utilities, in excess of R100,000, which could not be satisfied by providing a fraction of their costs to cover their total cost structure. We hereby submit that all possible means were made to spread the rand evenly to accommodate as many SMMEs as possible.

5. The ability of the institution to provide further loans to the remaining SMMEs, which have not been provided with loans under the COVID-19 Business Relief Fund, depends upon receiving appropriate allocation for this purpose. Just to emphasise with the Relief Funds that are being provided are not start-up funds but are for existing businesses to assist them to pay operational costs for few months

Reply:

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

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

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

 

Approved/ not approved

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

Reply:

The African Union (AU) is still in discussion with the Republic of Madagascar with a view to obtain technical data regarding the safety and efficacy of the herbal remedy. Once furnished with the details, the AU, through the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, will review the scientific data and make a determination as to whether or not to give support.

South Africa has a robust research and innovation programme in indigenous knowledge systems, and thus supports the development of remedies based on indigenous African herbs.

Reply:

1. The National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) – originally known as the National Command Council (NCC) – was initially composed of the following members:

• President
• Deputy President
• Minister of Health
• Minister in the Presidency
• Minister of Basic Education
• Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies
• Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
• Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
• Minister of Finance
• Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
• Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation
• Minister of Home Affairs
• Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation
• Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
• Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
• Minister of Police
• Minister of Public Service and Administration
• Minister of Social Development
• Minister of State Security
• Minister of Tourism
• Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition
• Minister of Transport

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

1. No.

Reply:

The decision to promulgate the Disaster Management Regulations, including regulation 27 (of the Regulations), which prohibits the sale of tobacco products, e-cigarettes and related products was taken after careful consideration, not only of the submissions received, but also the relevant medical literature focusing inter alia on the effects of smoking on public and individual health, especially in the face of a respiratory illness such as Covid-19.

After my initial announcement on 23 April 2020, following representations that were made by various organisations and individuals and further consideration of relevant medical studies and advice, a different position was ultimately adopted by the National Coronavirus Command Council and thereafter by Cabinet before the regulations were promulgated.

At this stage, it is difficult to determine when the ban on the sale of tobacco and related products will be lifted. This will depend on such factors as the progression of the disease in South Africa, the readiness of our health systems and evolving knowledge on the nature and impact of the virus itself.

Reply:

(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)(f)(g)

The information needs to be obtained from the provincial commissioners and a request for the extension of an additional 10 working days, in which to provide the response, is requested.

2

Reply to question 775 recommended

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

Reply to question 775 approved/not approved

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

Reply:

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

Reply to question 633 recommended/

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

Reply to question 633 approved/pro e

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

Reply:

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

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

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

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

END.

Reply:

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

END.

Reply:

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

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

END.

Reply:

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

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

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

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

Reply:

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

END.

Reply:

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

1(a) Not applicable.

1(b) Not applicable.

1(c) Not applicable.

1. Not applicable.

2(a) Not applicable.

2(b) Not applicable.

1. Not applicable.

1. The Minister will make a statement on the matter should the need arise.

Reply:

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

a) Not applicable.

b) Not applicable.

c) Not applicable.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

4. There is no statement to be made.

END.

Reply:

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

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

END.

Reply:

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

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

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

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

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

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