Questions and Replies

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05 December 2019 - NW1096

Profile picture: Brink, Mr C

Brink, Mr C to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

(1)Whether she has been informed of the poor state of maintenance of the properties and infrastructure in the Thaba Tshwane military base in Centurion; (2) whether any plans have been put in place to address the poor state of maintenance of the properties and infrastructure in the specified base; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

1. The Minister of Defence and Military Veterans is well informed of the poor condition of facilities in the Thaba Tshwane military base in Centurion, which is a serious matter of concern to her. Cognisance must be taken that Thaba Tshwane was built on dolomite land, and with virtually no upgrade or renovations during the last two decades due to predominantly a lack of funds and a huge backlog of maintenance and repair, poses serious structural maintenance problems for both the Department of Defence (DOD) and Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI).

Buildings and land that the units occupy are managed and maintained by the DPWI, who is the custodian of state land and facilities and therefore responsible for the maintenance and repair of these facilities, however, partly the DOD is responsible for the failure to address poor maintenance of own properties and infrastructure, by not taking the initiative to repair its facilities on realising that DPWI is failing in its mandate. Repairs and renovations of sewer, storm water and roads, as well as sinkholes are in process to take place. A Facility Strategic Plan has been compiled with the Thaba Tshwane military area as one of the first priorities to be addressed. The Defence Works Formation is in the process to capacitate itself to be able to execute maintenance and repair work.

05 December 2019 - NW894

Profile picture: Shembeni, Mr HA

Shembeni, Mr HA to ask the Minister of Basic Education

Whether the Government built Silulu Secondary School in Kamaqhekeza in Mpumalanga Province; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) on what date was it built and (b) what total amount did it cost to build the school?

Reply:

a) The Department has not yet built Silulu Secondary School but conducted planning and design in the 2018/19 Financial year and earmarked construction commencement in the 2019/20 and completion in the 2020/21 financial year. The Project was out on tender in May, however was withdrawn and will be re-advertised in the 4th quarter of the 2019/20 Financial Year.

b) The estimated total project cost is R63 250 000.

04 December 2019 - NW1279

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Gardee, Mr GA to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

Whether she has reinstated Lieutenant Colonel Babalo Mvithi according to the recommendations contained in the report of the Public Protector titled Allegations of failure by the South African National Defence Force to properly implement the recommendations of the Military Ombud in the case of Lieutenant Colonel Babalo Mvithi, Report 10 of 2017-18; if not, why not; if so, on what date did she reinstate the specified officer?

Reply:

On 27 November 2019, the North Gauteng High Court declared the report of the Public Protector (Report no 10 of 2017/18) unlawful and unconstitutional and declared that it has been reviewed and set aside in review proceedings brought by the Department of Defence. 

03 December 2019 - NW1252

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Khanyile, Ms AT to ask the Minister of Home Affairs

(1)What (a) is the current vacancy rate at his department’s offices in the Western Cape, (b) number of vacancies exist at each office and (c) is the job title of each vacancy in each case; (2) what number of immigration officers are currently employed at each of his department’s offices in the Western Cape; (3) how often do his department’s immigration officers travel to Mossel Bay?

Reply:

(1)(a-b) Currently no funded vacancies exist within the Western Cape. Due to austerity measures all posts become unfunded when they become vacant.

(1)(c) No funded vacancies exist.

(2) The Western Cape Province has 46 Immigration Officers in total distributed as follows:

  • George Office = 4 x Immigration Officers
  • Mosselbay Office = 1 x Immigration Officer,
  • Oudtshoorn Office = 3 x Immigration Officers,
  • Beaufort West Office = 2 x Immigration Officers,
  • Cape Town Office = 16 x Immigration Officers
  • Khayelithsa Office = 6 x Immigration Officers,
  • Caledon Office = 3 x Immigration Officers,
  • Paarl Office = 5 x Immigration Officers,
  • Worcester Office = 2 x Immigration Officers,
  • Malmesbury Office = 3 x Immigration Officers,
  • Vredendal Office = 1 x Immigration Officer

(3) The Department has one Immigration Officer stationed at the Mosselbay Office responsible to perform inspectorate functions. The Mosselbay Harbour is serviced from the Cape Town Port Control Office on a call out basis for clearances of crew.

END

03 December 2019 - NW1518

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Steyn, Ms A to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

What (a) amount has her department spent on the Recapitalisation and Development (RECAP) programme annually, (b)(i) number of farmers and/or projects were part of the RECAP programme and (ii) amount has been spent on each farmer and/or project for the duration of the implementation of the programme and (c)(i) number of farmers applied for the RECAP programme and were not assisted and (ii) were the reasons why the farmers were not assisted?

Reply:

(a) Please refer to the table below

Year

2009-2012

2012-2013

2013-2014

2014-2015

2015-2016

2016-2017

Amount Spent

R 995 379 034

R 1 151 028 123

R 1 081 827 772

R 461 957 000

R 836 612 144

R 308 311 000

b) (i) 1 675 projects were part of the RECAP programme.

    (ii) Please refer to Annexure “A”

c) (i) 375

(ii) Discontinuation of the RECAP programme.

03 December 2019 - NW1256

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Graham, Ms SJ to ask the Minister of Home Affairs

(a) Why has the gender of a certain person (name and details furnished) still not been amended from male to female after 18 months as per the request submitted on 6 April 2018 and (b) what (i) are the outstanding issues and (ii) is the envisaged time frame for resolution of this matter?

Reply:

a) The application process for amendments and rectifications is manual and non-automated thereby entails the manual retrieval of records prior to it being finalised. Applications in this regard are forwarded by front offices to head office and upon receipt thereof by the postal receipts unit, all such applications would then be sent to fingerprint verification unit and ultimately to the amendment section for final processing. Once the application is received at amendments, the birth records have to be traced from the archives based at various storage facilities. The turnaround time for the amendment process is eight (8) weeks. This is however subjected to the availability of record as there are instances where there is no trace of records which results in the applicant being notified to complete forms DHA 24 and DHA 288 for the re-construction of such records. The Department has approximately 286 million records in its possession and these records are paper based. Records have to be searched manually which causes further delays. However, the concerned persons’ matter was revisited and all issues have been addressed.

b) i) There are no outstanding issues.

ii) This matter was finalized and the gender was amended from male to female as at 21st October 2019. A new identity number of a female has subsequently been allocated.

END

03 December 2019 - NW1508

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Montwedi, Mr Mk to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

What (a) number of companies have been contracted by her department to provide mentorship to land reform beneficiaries across the Republic, (b) is the name of each company and (c) is the monetary value of each contract in this regard?

Reply:

(a) There are seventy (70) companies that were contracted to provide mentorship to Land Reform beneficiaries.

(b),(c) Please refer to the table below.

b) Name of the Company

c) Monetary Value

Imbumba Beef Production (Pty) LTD

R 180 000

SARDI- Mr. Johnson Lwalanda

R 180 000

ATS Consulting Management Services by Frikkie Coetzee

R 180 000

Umnga Farmers Training

R 180 000

Nonezile Trading Enterprise

R 180 000

UNIVERSITY OF FORT HARE-ARDRI (Prof. PJ Masike (ARDRI

R 180 000

Agricon Mzansi Farming PTY Ltd

R 180 000

Mgudlwa Farming & Consulting

R 180 000

RULIV

R 180 000

EDEN Agri Services by Shaun Brown

R 180 000

Vusiphango Agency and Consulting cc

R 180 000

Simasonke Agri

R 180 000

Ebeye Consulting Agencies

R 180 000

Riverside Advisory Services

R 180 000

BEST LAND STRATEGIES HOLDINGS (BLS HOLDINGS)

R 180 000

OVK PTY(Ltd)

R 180 000

Grain SA

R 180 000

FSI Consultant

R 180 000

Rhenosterrivier

R 180 000

Agridelight

R 180 000

VKB

R 180 000

Amandla Fresh Fresh Produce Cooperation (Mr. Gert Veljion)

R 180 000

Masisizane Fund

R 180 000

Mlungiseleli Construction 7 cc - Mr. Sandile Luthuli

R 180 000

Tongaat Hullett Sugar (TSB Sugar)

R 180 000

Umoda Development Pty Ltd

R 180 000

Masakhane Trust - Mr. Higgins

R 180 000

Hahisa Consulting

R 180 000

Just Veggies by Dawie Du Plessis

R 180 000

Propa Development and Agric Consultant by Isaac Madiba

R 180 000

Baker Farming Trust

R 180 000

KLK

R 180 000

Resource Africa

R 180 000

Womiwu

R 180 000

Vinny Project Developers by Mr. Vincent Makamu

R 180 000

Agriesy Trading

R 180 000

NKANDANI TRADING

R 180 000

Maphala Technologies and Management

R 180 000

Zwelakhe Investment Group (PTY)

R 180 000

MASDT

R 180 000

TechnoServe

R 180 000

SAL Nkosi Company

R 180 000

Encimanzi

R 180 000

Pharon 59

R 180 000

Mposa Agricultural Consultant -Mr. Alphons Dube

R 180 000

Beef master

R 180 000

GWK Beperk Limited

R 180 000

Lubern Voere by Mr. Sweigers

R 180 000

Matiti Trading and Projects

R 180 000

YOUR TRADE TRAINING & CONSULTANTS

R 180 000

Momano Agric Services

R 180 000

BAFKENAGRIC ENTERPRISE CC

R 180 000

The Ackerman/Pick n Pay Enterprise Development Foundation

R 180 000

Tropical Eden Trading 151 cc t/a Thanniah consultants

R 180 000

AgricultSURE and Farming Service CC

R 180 000

Agri-Start - Mr. F. J.N. Harman

R 180 000

Pan African Business Dev Institute

R 180 000

Reyalema Agric Consultancy cc

R 180 000

Crooks Brothers Limited

R 180 000

Two-A-Day group

R 180 000

BKB

R 180 000

Renosterrivier

R 180 000

Caryki Consulting

R 180 000

Rony Farming (PTY) Ltd

R 180 000

Land Breeze Trading 641

R 180 000

Karsten Group

R 180 000

Dipalemo

R 180 000

Bloemfontein Abbatoire

R 180 000

Herbal View Nursing

R 180 000

ASNAPP

R 180 000

03 December 2019 - NW1612

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Bergman, Mr D to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation

Whether the Cabinet discussed the withdrawal of the Republic from the (a) Commonwealth and /or (b) International Criminal Court since 1 June 2019; if so, in each case, what are the (a) relevant details and (b) details of the outcome of the discussion?

Reply:

(A) Commonwealth

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation is not aware that Cabinet has discussed South Africa’s withdrawal from the Commonwealth. Since its return to the Commonwealth in 1994, South Africa has participated in summits, ministerial meetings and the governing bodies of the Commonwealth and worked closely with the Commonwealth Secretariat, contributing politically, financially, and in terms of capacity and expertise to the work of the Organisation. The work of the Commonwealth is in line with South Africa’s foreign policy commitments to human rights, democracy, good governance, justice and international law, peace, economic development, multilateralism, and promoting the African Agenda. For South Africa, the Commonwealth provides a platform to forge common approaches to these matters of global importance, and to promote trade, investment and the exchange of skills and knowledge between countries. In this regard, South Africa has worked together with fellow Commonwealth member countries to promote the value, relevance and effectiveness of the association.

(B) International Criminal Court

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation is not aware that Cabinet has discussed the withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC) since 1 June 2019. This matter falls under the responsibility of the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development.

03 December 2019 - NW1088

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Steyn, Ms A to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

Whether the Recapitalisation and Development Programme project was the subject of any forensic and/or other investigations; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

No. The department is currently analysing the farm assessment report for the purpose of recovery of funds.

03 December 2019 - NW1087

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Steyn, Ms A to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

Whether she has found that her department is managing any legislation that is hampering the importation of medicinal cannabis seeds into the Republic; if so, (a) what legislation and (b) what steps is her department taking to amend the specified legislation?

Reply:

a) There is no legislation within the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development which hampers the importation of medical cannabis seeds into the Republic. However, there is regulation which governs the importation of plants and plant products into South Africa. The importation of plant and plant products are subject to the Agricultural Pests Act, 1983 (Act No.36 of 1983). The purpose of the Agricultural Pests Act is to provide for measures by which agricultural pests may be prevented and combated.

In terms of Section 3 of the Agricultural Pests Act, 1983 (Act No.36 of 1983) (APA), no person shall import into the Republic any plant except on the authority of a permit. Under the said Act “Plant” is defined as any live or dead part of a plant and any derivation of plant. In this regard, any importation of plant including the seeds thereof should meet the phytosanitary import requirements of the Republic under the Agricultural Pests Act.

Cannabis seed for medical, industrial or any other purpose is subject to the Agricultural Pests Act, 1983. It therefore has to be imported under the certain conditions which are informed by a pest risk assessment.

In the past, pre-2001, Cannabis sativa was declared a weed in terms of the Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act, 1983 (Act 43 of 1983) (CARA) under Regulation 15 and subsequently there has been an amendment in 2001 which was promulgated in 2001 and Cannabis was removed from the list of declared weeds. The list of CARA under regulation 15 was interlinked with R.846 of 12 April 1985 of the Agricultural Pests Act, 1983 (Act No.36 of 1983) used to regulate the importation of Cannabis: live plants or seeds only for research purpose. Regulation R.846 of 12 April 1985 provides for importation of plants that are listed under Regulation 15 of CARA list as a declared weed or invader plant. Subsequently, the CARA list was amended in 2001 and Cannabis was removed from the list. The reason for removal of cannabis includes that  Cannabis does not affect agricultural production and does not meet the CARA criteria and further that it is being regulated by other pieces of legislation, namely:

    • Drugs and Drug Trafficking Act, 1992: Section 3 (Part III): Department of Justice and Correctional Services,
    • Medicines and Related Substances Act 101 of 1965 as amended, Department of Health.

b) There is currently no need for amending the Agricultural Pest Act, 1983, to accommodate the importation of Cannabis seed into South Africa. The only requirement is that import conditions needs to be developed based on a pest risk assessment. The pest risk assessment and the development of import conditions is a consultative process which is currently underway and expected to be concluded before the end of 2019. It should be noted that the importation of Cannabis sativa will still be subjected to the requirements of the legislation of the Department of Justice and Correctional Services and the Department of Health.

03 December 2019 - NW1254

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Khanyile, Ms AT to ask the Minister of Home Affairs

What was the average turnaround time of his department’s services, including immigration and customs, pertaining to the (a) import and (b) export of goods at each port of entry in the Western Cape (i) in each of the past three years and (ii) since 1 January 2019?

Reply:

The mandate of the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) relates to the management of migration involving processing of movements of people, and not goods. 

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) is best suited to deal with matters of Customs and the import and export of goods.

END

03 December 2019 - NW1257

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Graham, Ms SJ to ask the Minister of Home Affairs

(a) What are the reasons that his department has failed to address the matter of Ms Emmarencia Stevens (details furnished) since she applied for her identity document in 2003, (b) who determined at that time that her identity number be marked for deletion, (c) what are the (i) additional requirements of his department that must be met in order to reinstate the identity number and (ii) time frames for the reinstatement after the requirements have been met?

Reply:

a) The application made in 2003 was rejected based on incorrect information submitted to the Department. The parents have since then never submitted any updated birth registration application with the correct information required.

b) The Head Office processing centre in Pretoria.

c) (i) A birth registration application that meets the Late Registration of Birth (LRB) application process requirements and standard operating procedures.

  (ii) Estimated time may take up to 180 days subjected to compliance with LRB processes.

END

03 December 2019 - NW1288

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Siwisa, Ms AM to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

(a) What total number of soldiers have (i) been diagnosed with mental health illness as a result of the nature of their work and (ii) committed suicide over the past five years and (b) what mental health programmes are there in her department to assist soldiers who suffer from mental illness?

Reply:

Mental disorder (Mental Health Illness) per se manifest in a wide range of conditions that affect mood, thinking and behaviour. The defined main groups are mood disorders (depression or bipolar disorder), personality disorders, psychotic disorders, eating disorders, trauma-related disorders (post-traumatic stress disorder) and substance abuse disorders. Given the complexity of the development and later manifestation of such disorders it is not possible to quantify the numbers that are involved without deep analysis of patient history per incident.

The suicide incidence is a problematic aspect. Suicides are classed as unnatural deaths and is therefore reverts to the state coroner for final classification. The cause of death coding is vague with most capturing indicated as “death unspecified”

All members have access to the full spectrum of clinicians in managing mental disorders. The SAHMS does have management and defusing programmes in place to render care after traumatic incidents and after every deployment. As mental health presents, more frequently than not, differently in individual, each individual group programmes are not commonly used.

Given the complexity of the clinical environment under discussion it would be prudent to do a complete study to be able to answer the question.

03 December 2019 - NW1274

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Shivambu, Mr F to ask the Minister of Finance

(1)Whether a certain person (name furnished) is an employee of a certain company (name furnished); if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) on what date was he employed, (b) was the position advertised and (c) on what date was the post advertised; (2) whether the board of the specified company played any role in the appointment of the specified person; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) what role did the board play and (b) will he furnish Mr N F Shivambu with the minutes of the board deliberations and decisions?

Reply:

1. The certain person (name furnished) is an employee of a certain company (name furnished) within the Corporate Affairs Department. He was first employed as a Consultant from 01 August 2016 to March 2018. He was appointed as an Investor Relations Specialist on 02 April 2018. The position was advertised internally on the 7th of March 2018.

The certain person (name furnished) was seconded for a period of one year to the Ministry of Public Entities (DPE) to assist with skills development in that Ministry. A formal secondment agreement was entered into between the PIC and DPE. The DPE also reimbursed the certain company (name furnished) for a certain person’s services. The said agreement expired on 31 July 2019.

2. The appointment of employees to positions within the certain company rests with management. The appointment of a certain person was initiated and concluded by the certain company management. The Board of the certain company had no role in the appointment of a certain person (name furnished), first as a Consultant and later to the position of Investor Relations Specialist.

03 December 2019 - NW1516

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Montwedi, Mr Mk to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

What steps has she taken as at the latest specified date to resolve the problems faced by the Ndabeni land claimants in Cape Town?

Reply:

The Department has appointed legal representatives for the Ndabeni Communal Property Trust, in order to oppose a sequestration application lodged against the Trust.  The Cape High Court decided in favour of the Trust and the sequestration application was defeated.

The Department, in collaboration with the Master of the High Court, Cape Town was instrumental in having two [2] independent trustees appointed to the Trust in order to secure the trust assets and finalize the verification process of all Trust members.

END

02 December 2019 - NW1553

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Waters, Mr M to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs

(a) What is the name of the original contractor referred to in a certain newspaper article (name and details furnished), (b) what legal action is the City of Ekurhuleni taking against the specified contractor for the R19 million irregular expenditure, (c) which other contracts does the contractor have with the City of Ekurhuleni and (d) will the contractor be blacklisted in order for the company to never work in any sphere of Government again?

Reply:

The information requested by the Honourable Member is not readily available in the Department. The information will be submitted to the Honourable Member as soon as it is available

Thank you

02 December 2019 - NW1552

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Waters, Mr M to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs

(1)What number of cable thefts did the City of Ekurhuleni experience (a) in the (i) 2016-17, (ii) 2017-18 and (iii) 2018-19 financial years and (b) since 1 April 2019; (2) what (a) total number of cases were reported with the SA Police Service and (b) are the case numbers of the specified cases; (3) whether the City of Ekurhuleni is insured against cable theft; if not, why not; if so, does the insurance company require a case number before each claim is paid out?

Reply:

The information requested by the Honourable Member is not readily available in the Department. The information will be submitted to the Honourable Member as soon as it is available

Thank you

02 December 2019 - NW1626

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Clarke, Ms M to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs

(1)What assistance is given to victims of natural disasters; (2) whether her department has a full programme given to the metropolitan municipalities through their disaster management sections; (2) whether trauma counselling is provided to victims of natural disasters?

Reply:

The information requested by the Honourable Member is not readily available in the Department. The information will be submitted to the Honourable Member as soon as it is available

Thank you

02 December 2019 - NW1571

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Van Dyk, Ms V to ask the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture

What are the specific circumstances in the Republic that are different from those of the other countries to motivate the SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) to set more stringent criteria as set by the International Canoe Federation; (2) whether he has found that it is reasonable and fair to take away the South African athletes hard earned Olympic positions after they got the positions without financial assistance from SASCOC; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) what are the reasons that the canoe sprinters are not allowed to participate using their own funding if funding is a problem for SASCOC; (4) whether SASCOC will urgently review their decision and reclaim the positions for the Republic; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (5) whether SASCOC will allow the athletes to apply from the International Olympic Committee to participate in the 2020 Olympic Games as Authorised Neutral Athletes if SASCOC cannot assist them to participate? NW2897E

Reply:

1. Since Beijing 2008 where South Africa took all athletes who qualified and only got one medal, SASCOC General Assembly took a decision to make the selection policies more stringent in order to ensure that the athletes/teams selected to represent South Africa at the Olympic Games would be more competitive. The more stringent selection policy would contribute to ensuring that South Africa has a better chance of achieving honour for our country by taking those athletes that feature more prominently on the world rankings within their respective codes.

2. The selection policies are decided by engagement and in agreement with the respective national federations. They are not unilaterally decided by SASCOC. Whilst participating at the Olympic and Paralympic Games is admirable it is important that South Africa send a competitive team.

3. It is not a funding issue; the athletes did not qualify as per the agreed policy. Canoeing South Africa, represented by their President negotiated and signed the selection policy with SASCOC. They would then have the duty to communicate this to their athletes. It was only subsequent to the signing of the agreed selection policy that their athletes did not qualify, in terms of the policy. The canoeing fraternity then wanted to change the agreed and signed policy to accommodate those athletes that did not qualify.

4. The Selection Policy and criteria is considered at the SASCOC General Assembly only.

5. As per the Olympic Charter (Article 27, rule 3), SASCOC as the National Olympic Committee of South Africa, in good standing with and recognised by the IOC, is the only one authorised to enter South African athletes to the Olympic Games. The IOC would not accept entries unless they are signed off by the NOC. Only athletes whose NOC’s are suspended are afforded the opportunity to enter as Neutral Athletes.

02 December 2019 - NW1404

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Clarke, Ms M to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs

(1) Whether, with reference to the replies to question 1448 on 21 July 2017 and 2210 on 30 October 2017, the planned upgrades to the Windsor Pump Station at the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality, including but not limited to upgrades to the (a) generator and (b) prevention of more water outages have been completed; if not, why not; (2) What is the (a) total cost of the upgrades to this pump station and (b) amount budgeted for the upgrades? NW2618E

Reply:

The information was provided by the Gauteng Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs.

1. (a) That it be noted that subsequent to challenges of power failure at Windsor pump station, the City of Ekurhuleni procured 500KVA diesel generator to mitigate power failure challenges and since then the supply has been efficient. The generator is being serviced at least twice a year per the schedule and also depending on the usage.

(b) That it be noted that the City of Ekurhuleni is in engagements with Rand Water for the construction of 30ML reservoir to complement existing storage. The 30 ML reservoir water storage retention period, and at this stage Geotechnical report has been completed and Professional Service Provider appointed is at detailed design stage.

2. (a) The pump station upgrade cost depends on the size of the water tower and the bulk 400mm diameter line which are at detail design stage. Once the design is completed, we will prepare a bill of quantities to allow for the project estimation cost.

(b) Due to the criticalness of this project, the City of Ekurhuleni has budgeted over R50 Million for the project to take off the ground and we are ready to identify further financial reserves should the need arise.

END

02 December 2019 - NW1639

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Graham, Ms SJ to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

(1) What (a) was the rationale behind the decision to construct braai facilities at Ministerial residences and (b) number of houses received the braai facilities; (2) What was the (a) total cost of the braai facilities and (b) duration of the project; (3) Whether she has found that proper supply chain processes were followed in awarding the tender; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

1. I was informed by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) that in 2017 (a) The rationale was to enhance functionality and property value.

(b) There were three (3) Ministerial residences that received braai facilities

2. (a) The total cost for the three (3) braai facilities was R 523,985.51

(b) The duration for the contract was six months

3. This was an open tender procurement process. It was advertised under tender number: CPT1029/16

  • Advert date: 2 December 2016
  • Closing Date: 25 January 2017
  • There were eleven (11) bid documents received.
  • The average value of all acceptable tenders was: R 1 063 942.89
  • The lowest awarded contract value was: R 592 904. 48 ( Excl Vat)
  • The Department had omission/exclusions of R 133 268. 07 ( Excl Vat
  • The contract adjustment price became R 459 636. 41 (Excl vat)
  • The final contract value was: R 523 985. 51 (Inclusive Vat)

 

02 December 2019 - NW1481

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Van Dyk, Ms V to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs

Whether, since her reply to question 1315 on 4 November 2019, she has received and/or sourced the requested information; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

The information requested by the Honourable Member is not readily available in the Department. The information will be submitted to the Honourable Member as soon as it is available

Thank you

02 December 2019 - NW1475

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Kopane, Ms SP to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

(1) Whether any (a) Ministers and (b) Deputy Ministers are occupying houses in both parliamentary villages and ministerial houses at the same time; if so, what are the (i) details of each minister and/or Deputy Minister and (ii) reasons that the Ministers or Deputy Ministers occupy the houses simultaneously?

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:

  1. (a) No Ministers are occupying a house in Parliamentary Villages

(b) No Deputy Ministers are occupying a house in Parliamentary Villages

02 December 2019 - NW1638

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Graham, Ms SJ to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

(1) What are the details of the planned refurbishment and/or renovations of the three parliamentary villages, including (a) the scope of work at each village and (b) a detailed breakdown of the projected costs for each village; (2) whether supply chain procedures were followed; if not, why not; if so what are the relevant details; (3) whether project role players have been appointed; if not, on what date is it envisaged that they will be appointed; if so, on what date were they appointed; (4) what are the envisaged (a) commencement dates and (b) completion dates at each village?

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

1638 (1) (a) The scope of work for the planned refurbishment project at the three parliamentary villages is as follows:

The project is meant to address the current Building Regulations in terms of refurbishments of each unit. The scope of work for the project includes but not limited to, the following:

  • General building renovations and maintenance (internally and externally); this includes painting, tiling, floor coverings, roof coverings, brickwork, plastering windows and doors
  • Upgrading of the Electrical installation services, i.e. solar heaters, replacement of DB’s, rewiring of units
  • Upgrading the alarms and intercoms systems linking them to the gate security system
  • Structural work (where required), this will include repairs to the cracks, trusses and all related items
  • Reconfiguring bathrooms to allow for showers; each bathroom will have a combination of a bathtub and shower to accommodate the User Clients
  • Addressing the plumbing issues where necessary
  • Maintenance of Joinery items, this will include kitchen and bedroom cupboards, door handles, etc.
  • The replacement of kitchen appliances, stoves, etc. where necessary

The scope of work mainly focuses on maintenance items that are as a result of a lack of or periodic and routine maintenance of the identified units within the three (3) villages. These defects have been documented onto room data plans identifying the locations as well as the descriptions of the defects during the conditional assessments done by the professional team.

(a) The detailed breakdown of the project cost is as follows:

ESTIMATED CONSTRUCTION COST (excluding CPAP and fees)

ROUTINE MAINTENANCE IN THREE PARLIAMENTARY VILLAGES

1

Acacia Park renovations (A-D)

R 12,975,114.00

2

Acacia Park renovations (E)

R 7,360,865.00

3

Pelican Park renovations

R 13,056,490.00

5

Laboria Park renovations

R 11,223,805.00

6

Provisional Sums (inclusive of Joinery, Appliances,

R 9,173,000.00

9

Electrical & electronic [including mark-up]

R 6,200,000.00

11

EPWP

R 2,999,464.00

12

Preliminaries

R 10,494,497.00

14

Sub total

R 73,483,235.00

16

Escalation

R 5,992,928.00

17

Contingency allowance

R 3,937,808.00

 

Sub total

R 83,413,971.00

18

VAT 15%

R 12,517,496.00

 

GRAND CONSTRUCTION ESTIMATED COST

R 95,931,467.00

Further breakdown is as follows:

The refurbishment cost per unit is R 361 882. This cost is broken down as follows:

  • Kitchen upgrades R37 450
  • Bathroom upgrades(incl. showers and bath tubs) R56 536
  • Upgrading of all floors R20 094
  • Repair/redecorate walls internally & externally R39 834
  • Repair/replace doors, windows, burglar bars, gates & bedroom cupboards R11 923
  • Structural repairs to walls and floors R11 923
  • Redecorate/replace ceilings and cornices R17 204
  • Repair/replace/clean roofs, gutters, eaves, downpipes R46 937
  • Repair/replace paving, stormwater channels, yard walls and gates R26 174
  • Electrical compliance upgrade R41 479
  • New solar panels R19 270
  • New alarm system R7 008

Each house will be assessed before any work is carried out; the work will be done according to the needs of each unit.

2. The Department and the appointed Implementing Agency subscribes to the PFMA, CIDB standards of uniformity and all the governing procurement legislation for procuring service providers.

  • The Bid Specification Committee (BSC) approved the Procurement Plan for this project on 19 August 2019.
  • An open tender process was followed to solicit bids.
  • Tenders were advertised as through the following mediums:

(i) Government Tender Bulletin on 30 August 2019;

(ii) National Treasury e-Tender Portal Publication on 30 August 2019;

(iii) CIDB i-Tender on 29 August 2019; and

(iv) CDC Website on 30 August 2019.

  • Thirty-six (36) bid documents were collected from the CDC’s Cape Town Offices situated at South African Reserve Bank Building, Office 1101, 11th Floor, 60 St George’s Mall, Cape Town; from Friday, 30 August 2019.
  • A mandatory briefing meeting was conducted on Friday, 13th September 2019, at 14h00 at the Department of Public Works & Infrastructure, Customs House Building, Lower Heerengracht Street, 11th Floor, South Wing Boardroom, Cape Town, Western Cape, and was attended by CDC representatives, consultants, and Thirty-eight (38) prospective bidders.
  • The closing date for submission of bids was on 1 October 2019 at 12:00 as advertised in the Government Gazette, National Treasury e-Tender Portal, CIDB i-Tender, and on the CDC website.
  • Twenty (20) bids were received and there were no late submissions.
  • The bids were opened in public and the bid opening was attended by CDC representatives and bidders.
  • Evaluation of bids was done by at least three (3) CDC members of staff (Procurement Manager and two Project Managers after the opening of the bids)
  • BAC approval (Procurement Committee meeting) obtained on the 19th November 2019;
  • Final CDC EXMA approval is envisaged for the 28th November 2019
  • Letters of regret to be issued to unsuccessful bidders on the 28th November 2019 with 7 days appeal period.

3. All Consultancy was ceded over to the CDC by the DPWI for the implementation is envisaged for the appointment of the Contractor will be concluded by the 13th December 2019. The appointed contractor is expected to comply with security Clearance requirements by the 13th January 2020.

4. The schedule below depicts the current implementation plan for the project with the anticipated start and end dates

The appointed contractor shall submit a definitive Construction Project Schedule for CDC approval which is expected by the 13th January 2020

The detailed programme below illustrates the cycle of the units that will be renovated in every village with a time duration of 4 months for 50 units. This programme was workshopped with the DPWI as a decanting plan and also included in the tender document to inform contractors as to how the works in these units will be phased with decanting etc.

02 December 2019 - NW1504

Profile picture: Groenewald, Mr IM

Groenewald, Mr IM to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs

(1)With reference to section 12A of Schedule 1: Code of Conduct for Councillors, of the Local Government Systems Act, Act 32 of 2000 as amended, which provides that a councillor may not be in arrears to the municipality for rates and service charges for a period longer than three months, what number of councillors’ outstanding debt is currently longer than 90 days overdue for each (a) local authority and (b) province; (2) what number of such councillors who are in arrears have been subjected to a disciplinary process in each specified council; (3) whether she will make a statement on the matter?

Reply:

The information requested by the Honourable Member is not readily available in the Department. The information will be submitted to the Honourable Member as soon as it is available

Thank you

02 December 2019 - NW1476

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Kopane, Ms SP to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

Whether her department has undertaken any impact assessment study to ascertain how effective and efficient her department and the entities reporting to her will implement its new mandate after the pronouncement was made by the President, Mr M C Ramaphosa, of the reconfigured department; if not, why not; if so, (a) what are the findings of the study and (b) will she furnish Mrs S P Kopane with copies of the study?

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:

No. The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure has not undertaken any impact assessment study to ascertain how effective and efficient the Department and its Entities will implement its new mandate. However, the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure is currently engaging through the Department of Public Service and Administration’s National Macro Organisation of Government (NMOG) processes that provides guidance with regard to the reconfigured Department. This process is further based on principles articulating that Departmental organisational structures are limited to the realignment of macro organisational structures and that functions will be transferred with staff and resources, including budget. Where a need for additional resources is identified, the necessary stakeholders will be engaged, i.e. National Treasury and the Minister for the Department of Public Service and Administration.

(a) and (b) Fall away.

02 December 2019 - NW1640

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Graham, Ms SJ to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

(1) In view of the 460 vacancies that reportedly exist in the Property Management Trading Entity, what (a) is the impact on the ability of the entity to deliver on its mandate and (b) number of the specified positions are funded in the current financial year, (2) what (a) number of the specified positions are deemed critical, (b) measures are put in place to fill the critical positions and (c) are the time frames for filling the positions? NW2997E

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:

1. (a) The the impact was softened by the pool of contract appointments made in critical areas like project construction, facilities management, and property management focusing on the leasing portfolio, amongst others. The Department had also ring-fenced approximately R200 million for identified priority positions to fill. Various factors delayed the finalisation of the filling of these positions including but the department has been granted approval to steam ahead and process these positions including the reconfiguration of DPWI.

(b) The number of the specified positions that are funded in the current financial year and staff establishment is 4 962. Permanent positions are 4 296 and contract positions are 666. The 460 vacancies are funded.

2. (a) The identified 268 posts are deemed critical covering various areas across the Property Management Trading Entity

(b) Approval has been granted for the Department to fill and conclude the process of filling of these positions by the end of the Financial Year 2019/20. A recruitment plan has been concluded to guide the process of filling. The huge pool of contract appointments against existing vacancies remains a challenge.

(c) Yes, there are timeframes as indicated in the response in 2(b) above that the process of filling of these priority positions is guided by the recruitment plan and will be concluded by the 31 March 2020.

02 December 2019 - NW1464

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Opperman, Ms G to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs

What (a) is the reason for the increase in the number of bucket toilets from 8628 to 8672 in the Northern Cape in the past year and (b) total number of bucket toilets and/or ventilated improved pit toilets still exists in (a) Loeriesfontein, (b) Brandvlei and (c) Williston?

Reply:

The information requested by the Honourable Member is not readily available in the Department. The information will be submitted to the Honourable Member as soon as it is available

Thank you

02 December 2019 - NW1523

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Spies, Ms ERJ to ask the Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation

What (a) impact has the current drought across various areas of the Republic had on the ability of the provinces to deliver on their approved human settlement business plans and (b) plans are in place to ensure provinces deliver on their approved human settlement business plans?

Reply:

a) Thus far the full impact of the prevailing drought has not yet been felt on the human settlements delivery value chain nor on the approved human settlement business plans of provinces.

The National Department of Human Settlements has approved nine (9) Provincial Plans for the 2019/20 financial year to the value of R18 779 815 billion. These plans will yield over 140 000 new housing opportunities (units and sites).

The Department recognises that South Africa has limited and erratic rainfall and is essentially a dry and drought-prone country. To mitigate this risk, the Department has Technical Guidelines for the Construction of Stand Alone Residential Dwellings Financed through National Housing Programmes (Housing Code, 2009), which details amongst others Design Considerations for Efficient Water Systems in Low Cost Housing; and the use of Water Saving Devices and Technologies.

In the rural areas, beneficiaries of new state subsidised houses are provided with rain water harvesting system consisting of a 2 500 litre water tank to mitigate water shortages and drought conditions.

Furthermore, the Department of Water and Sanitation is embarking on various measures to educate water users and businesses at large to work with government to reduce water usage and save as much water as possible.

Other interventions being implemented includes desalination, groundwater optimisation, water conservation and demand management, and re-use optimisation.

Where necessary, water restrictions are being implemented by various municipalities across the country to ensure that there is reduced water consumption and that taps do not run dry.

(b) In view of the fact that the current drought conditions have not had effect on the implementation of the human settlements development plans, there is no need, at this stage, for drought related measures to mitigate the delivery of the approved human settlement business plans.

02 December 2019 - NW1587

Profile picture: van der Merwe, Ms LL

van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Home Affairs

What number of applications by foreign nationals and/or asylum seekers were (a) received in each of the past six years respectively and (b) were processed in each of the specified calendar years?

Reply:

a) The registered new arrivals for the past 6 years are as follows:

Year

Total

2013

70 010

2014

71 914

2015

62 159

2016

35 377

2017

24 174

2018

18 354

b) The following totals were processed up to first level of adjudication in the past 6 years.

2013

68 241

2014

75 733

2015

60 640

2016

41 241

2017

27 980

2018

18 104

It must be noted that Adjudication is not based on the year of NIIS registration, this will mean that cases not finalized in the year of registration may be processed in subsequent years, this may result in more cases processed up to first level of adjudication than newcomers registered

END

02 December 2019 - NW1628

Profile picture: Clarke, Ms M

Clarke, Ms M to ask the Minister of Home Affairs

What (a) are the reasons that no mobile units are currently in operational status within Gauteng and (b)(i) total number of mobile units are parked at the Germiston and Braamfontein regional offices and not being used and (ii) are the reasons that the mobile units are parked and not utilised; (2) (a) are the mobile units equipped to do applications for the new smart id cards, (b) what total number of field workers are allocated to the Gauteng Department of Home Affairs and what are their duties and (c) how often are the systems offline during a week in Gauteng. What extended hours are offered for the community? (3) What (a) are the details of the staff compliment and staff shortages in each Home Affairs office in Gauteng and (b) number of funded positions have not been filled; (4) On what date is it envisaged that the Boksburg Home Affairs offices will be completed and the department will move in?

Reply:

(1)(a) Gauteng has eleven (11) mobile units and all are not yet modernised. The mobile units have been decommissioned as they are still operating on the old manual system. Currently four (4) trucks have been refurbished and modernisation equipment is being installed and one (1) is equipped with live capture system and it is envisaged that it will be connected to the SITA/ MTN network by latest 29 November 2019.

(b)(i) Two (2) mobile units which are not modernised are currently parked at Germiston Office. There is no mobile unit parked at Braamfontein office, being the Provincial Office, as it is not an office to serve the public.

(b)(ii) Mobile units are in a process of being modernised and refurbished to meet the required and current operational model.

(2)(a) Yes.

(b) There are eight (8) mobile operators and six (6) support staff and their duties is to drive to schools, informal settlements and communities and assist them with applications for enabling documents.

(c) There are regular system interruptions in the Province but the Regional IT Managers are always on site to give support and ensure system stability. There are no extended hours worked by officials, other than on voluntary basis after hours and over weekends.

(3)(a) The current staff compliment is 1249 and the staff shortage is 124 in Gauteng.

(b) There is only one funded vacant position of a Regional IT Manager: Westrand that has not been filled.

(4)  June 2020 is envisaged for occupation, as currently the tender process to acquire the alternative accommodation is near completion.

END

02 December 2019 - NW1527

Profile picture: Powell, Ms EL

Powell, Ms EL to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs

(a) What was the total cost of travel incurred by her department in bringing officials from her department to attend a joint meeting of the Portfolio Committee on Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs and the Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation on (i) 29 October 2019 and (ii) 5 November 2019 and (b) what number of officials from her department were present at each of the specified meetings?

Reply:

The information requested by the Honourable Member is not readily available in the Department. The information will be submitted to the Honourable Member as soon as it is available

Thank you

02 December 2019 - NW1579

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Opperman, Ms G to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs

(1) Whether any municipal manager, employed in any municipality in the Northern Cape, currently lacks the requisite qualifications or experience to meet the criteria to be employed as a municipal manager; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

1. According to information provided by the MEC responsible for local government in the Northern Cape Province, there are currently two (2) municipal managers that are employed who either lack the requisite qualifications and/or experience.

The details of the 2 municipal managers are as follows:

NO.

MUNICIPALITY

NAME OF MUNICIPAL MANAGER

QUALIFICATIONS

EXPERIENCE

DETAILS/

COMMENTS

(i)

Karoo Hoogland Local Municipality

Mr. Jan Johannes Fortuin

B.A

Hons.

2 years and 8 months

The appointed Municipal Manager holds a BA degree and meets the minimum qualifications for the post but did not meet the 5 years’ experience as prescribed in the Regulations on appointment and conditions of employment for senior managers of 2014.

(ii)

ZF Mgcawu District Municipality

Mr. Gilbert Lategan

Diploma in Education Management Certificate

24 years’ experience as Senior Manager

The appointed Municipal Manager holds a Diploma in Education Management and has more than 5 years’ experience at senior management level.

The incumbent does not meet the requisite qualifications as prescribed by the Regulations.

THANK YOU

02 December 2019 - NW1461

Profile picture: Powell, Ms EL

Powell, Ms EL to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs

(1)(a) Which tenders did the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality award to certain companies (names and details furnished) in each of the past six financial years and (b)(i) which services were rendered and (ii) what was the cost of the rendered services in each specified financial year; (2) whether she has found that any of the specified contracts were awarded by means of a deviation from supply chain management processes and legislation; if so, what are the relevant details in each case?

Reply:

The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs is not governing tender awards in municipalities.

END.

02 December 2019 - NW1474

Profile picture: Kopane, Ms SP

Kopane, Ms SP to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

Whether (a) her department and /or (b) any entity reporting to her signed any contractual agreements with a certain company (name furnished) and/or any of their affiliates from the Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Parliament with regard to the three parliamentary villages; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (i) what (aa) was the nature of the contract, (bb) is the monetary value of each contract, (cc) are the details of the process that was undertaken for the signing of each contract, (dd) was the amount of each tender quote and (ii) who (aa) are the company owners and (bb) tendered for each contract that was awarded?

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:

In respect of the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure:

a) Yes, the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) informed me that DPWI has an agreement with Broll Property Group (Pty) Ltd from the period of the 5th Parliament and part of the period of the 6th Parliament.

(i) (aa) The company was appointed to provide facilities management services for all official residences for Members of the Executive, including all three (3) Parliamentary Villages.

(bb) The monetary value is R420 000 000.00, including VAT.

(ccb) The details of the procurement process that was followed for this contract are outlined in ANNEXURE A, enclosed.

(ii) (aa) See ANNEXURE A, paragraph 23, page 9.

(bb) See the answer in (ii) (aa) above.

In respect of the Entities reporting to the Department:

(b) The Department has informed me that none of the four public entities that report to the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure have entered into contractual agreements with the said company or its affiliates during the stipulated period. As such (i) (aa), (bb), (ccc), (dd) and (ii) (aa) and (bb) fall away.

02 December 2019 - NW1572

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Van Dyk, Ms V to ask the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture

(1)Whether any sporting codes, teams, federations and/or persons that comply with international criteria have been excluded from qualifying for and/or competing in the 2020 Olympic Games which is to be held in Tokyo, Japan, due to qualifying criteria set by the SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC); if so, what are the relevant details; (2) what amount in funding has his department made available to support the South African athletes who will compete in the 2020 (a) Olympic and (b) Paralympic Games; (3) whether SASCOC amended its qualifying criteria for any sporting code to qualify for the Olympic Games since the 2012 Olympic Games; if so, (a) what are the relevant details and (b) which sporting codes no longer qualify to compete in the Olympic Games due to more stringent criteria set by SASCOC; (4) which federations are affected by the higher qualifying criteria set by SASCOC to compete in the Olympic Games than those set internationally? NW2898E

Reply:

(1) The SASCOC General Assembly, is the only forum authorised to consider the selection criteria and take decision which may have a bearing on the codes to be included or excluded. However, for codes such as Canoeing and Rugby the deadline for submission of their qualifications for acceptance with the Tokyo Games Organising Committee has passed.

(2) The Department has not made available any specific amount in funding to support the South African athletes who will compete in the 2020 (a) Olympic and (b) Paralympic Games. This is due the fact that SASCOC has not finalized and submitted its team sizes.

(3)(a)(b) SASCOC did not amend its selection criteria for any specific code. The criteria have been stringent since the Olympic Games in 2012.

(4) Canoeing and Rugby are the codes affected by the qualifying criteria set by SASCOC to compete in the Olympic Games than those set internationally.

02 December 2019 - NW1454

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Wessels, Mr W to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs

(1)Whether, with reference to her reply to question 652 on 16 September 2019, she is now in a position to indicate whether her department is aware of outstanding payments to third parties such as pension funds, medical aids and the SA Revenue Service by various municipalities; if so, will she provide Mr W W Wessels with a list of the relevant municipalities and each amount owed to each third party; (2) whether her department has a plan in place to intervene in the specified municipalities that are allegedly guilty of utilising third party deductions for operational expenditure; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) whether her department has been informed of syndicates of municipal officials who paid third party deductions to their own bank accounts; if not, will her department investigate the allegations; if so, what are the relevant details; (4) how is her department assisting municipal officials who are at retirement age but whose pensions are affected by the non-payment of contributions by the municipalities to the respective pension funds?

Reply:

The information requested by the Honourable Member is not readily available in the Department. The information will be submitted to the Honourable Member as soon as it is available

Thank you

02 December 2019 - NW1618

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Opperman, Ms G to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs

(1)Whether she has been informed that the executive council assigned the Director-General (DG) of the Free State province and the Head of Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs in the province as co-administrators of the Masilonyana Local Municipality; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) on what legislative provisions did the executive council rely when it applied the intervention as the administrator is not present in the municipality; (3) considering the fact that the specified municipality received three consecutive disclaimers, (a) what are the details of how this arrangement was arrived at for this administration has been in power for two and a half years and for 10 months no administrator was active or present in the municipality, except for one council meeting that the DG attended and (b) why has no Chief Financial Officer or technical director been appointed in the municipality for three years of consecutive disclaimers; (4) whether she has been informed that the municipality paid its Eskom account into a wrong account; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (5) (a) whether the money that was paid into a wrong account has been recovered and (b) what consequence management action has been taken against the person(s) responsible for the gross negligence?

Reply:

The information requested by the Honourable Member is not readily available in the Department. The information will be submitted to the Honourable Member as soon as it is available

Thank you

02 December 2019 - NW1573

Profile picture: Van Dyk, Ms V

Van Dyk, Ms V to ask the Minister of Sports, Arts andCulture

(1)(a) What number of officials from the SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) will attend the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo in Japan, (b) in what capacity will each official attend, (c)(i) what number of additional persons will attend the Games at SASCOC’s expense and (ii) in what capacity in each case; (2) whether any family members will travel with SASCOC officials; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) what is the (a) total estimated cost for the SASCOC delegation that will attend the 2020 Olympic Games and (b) detailed breakdown of the estimated cost in terms of travel, accommodation, daily allowances and any other specified related expense; (4) what (a) number of persons will be competing in the various sporting codes at the 2020 Olympic Games and (b) is the estimated cost that will be incurred by SASCOC in funding the specified persons to compete?

Reply:

(1)(a) The number of officials from the SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) that will attend the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo in Japan will depend on the final team size. The priority is that all resources are applied to ensure that all qualifying athletes are sent to the Olympic Games.

(b) The support team will include the accredited Chef De Mission and Games Coordinators who are SASCOC employees. They will be part of the Team and will be accredited and accommodated in the athlete’s village together with all the athlete. (c)(i)(ii) At this point no additional officials (including board members) have been identified to attend the Olympic Games in Tokyo.

(2) SASCOC will not incur any costs for any family members to attend the Olympic Games.

(3)(a)(b) There will be no SASCOC delegation other than Team Management attending the 2020 Olympics and no costs will be incurred in this regard. The costs for Team South Africa including Team Management will be finalized after the team sizes have been determined.

(4)(a) The number of (persons) athletes is still to be finalised based on the selection criteria and qualifications.

(b) It is estimated that that the cost of delivering the team to the Olympics will be R37m and the Paralympics will cost R17m respectively.

02 December 2019 - NW1505

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Singh, Mr N to ask the Minister of Home Affairs

(1)Whether his department has offices in the townships of Umlazi and Chatsworth; if not, why not; if so, what services do they offer; (2) On what date does his department intend to have offices closer to the people in the specified townships in order to accelerate the delivery of services that his department provides?

Reply:

(1&2) Umlazi - Currently the Department has a small office at the Magistrate’s Court in Umlazi rendering the following services: Birth and Death registration, Amendments, Rectifications and Green Barcoded IDs; the Department is however looking at relocating the current Prospecton Medium Office to Umlazi and modernise the office. The Department is currently in negotiations with the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, the Ethekwini metro Municipality to obtain suitable premises. A possible Public Works premises has been identified but it needs substantial renovations. We aim to have the new office in Umlazi fully functional and operational by the end of the 2021/22 financial year. The reason for these extended projections is that the building identified needs extensive renovations and there is a dependency on Public Works to finalise and move forward with the project.

Chatsworth – The Department has a Medium office situated in the Chatsworth area operating from the SASSA building in the centre of Chatsworth. We are already operational in this area with the following services: Birth, Marriages and Death registration, Amendments, Rectifications, and Green Barcoded IDs. The Department is planning to modernize the office in the next financial year (2020/21).

(2) Engagements are currently underway with the Provincial Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, as they are custodians, and have to authorise any renovations and reconfigurations of the building under their control.

END

02 December 2019 - NW1546

Profile picture: Cuthbert, Mr MJ

Cuthbert, Mr MJ to ask the Minister of Trade and Industry

(a) What number of Qualifying Small Enterprises (QSEs) passed broad-based black economic empowerment verification over the past year, (b) how does this compare to the number of companies in the past 10 financial years and (c) what number of QSEs from Level 1 to 8 (i) complied and (ii) did not comply with the verification in the past 10 financial years?

Reply:

I have been advised by the department as follows:

“A firm with an annual total revenue of between R10 million and R50 million is classified as a Qualifying Small Enterprise (QSE) under the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act, 2003 (Act 53 of 2003) (the B-BBEE Act).

QSE’s which are majority-owned by black people, do not require verification by a B-BBEE verification professional, and can instead self-certify their status through a standard affidavit. Any misrepresentation in terms of the above constitutes a criminal offence as set out in the B-BBEE Act as amended. A QSE which is 100% owned by black people qualifies automatically for Level 1 B-BBEE status recognition. A QSE which is 51% owned by black people qualifies automatically for Level 2 B-BBEE status recognition.

If 50% or less of an entity’s issued share capital is held by black people, as defined under B-BBEE Act, the entity is required to verify their B-BBEE status using a B-BBEE verification professional.

The B-BBEE Commission became operational in 2016 and one of their functions is to monitor the trends on B-BBEE implementation in the economy. Before the operation of the B-BBEE Commission there was no centralised database which monitor B-BBEE implementation in both the private and public sector. Therefore, the only reliable data on verification for QSEs is for the 2017 and 2018 financial year (Financial year runs from April to March) when the B-BBEE Commission became operational and commenced with the collection of data. This data on QSEs is captured on the B-BBEE Commission’s Portal by the Verification Agencies.

According to the B-BBEE Commission’s National Status and Trends on Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment Report published on 31 March 2019, for the 2018 financial year, there were 588 verified QSEs. QSEs which self-certify are not required to file their status with the B-BBEE Commission and hence are not captured in the Report. There were 851 verified QSEs captured in 2017. The decrease is explained to be largely due to the expansion of the self-certification process for QSEs with 51% or higher ownership by black people.”

The table below provided by the Commission shows the distribution of QSEs by B-BBEE status for those that have been verified by B-BBEE verification professional:

 

Overall Contribution Levels: QSE Entities

Overall Contributions Levels: QSE Entities B-BBEE Status

Percentage of certificate B-BBEE Level (2018)

Percentage of certificate B-BBEE Level (2017)

Level 1

9.69%

12.74%

Level 2

11.05%

10.33%

Level 3

8.33%

6.43%

Level 4

7,48%

9.64%

Level 5

4.42%

3.21%

Level 6

2.72%

4.36%

Level 7

4.76%

4.94%

Level 8

12.76%

10.91%

Non-Compliant

38.78%

37.43%

Grand Total

100%

100%

-END-

02 December 2019 - NW1479

Profile picture: Macpherson, Mr DW

Macpherson, Mr DW to ask the Minister of Trade and Industry

What (a) further work has a certain legal firm (name furnished) done for the Competition Commission (i) in the (aa) 2017-18 and (bb) 2018-19 financial years and (ii) since 1 April 2019 and (b) was the nature and value of the work done?

Reply:

I have been furnished with a reply by the Commissioner of the Competition Commission, Mr Tembinkosi Bonakele, to the question, which follows below:

a) “Ndzabandzaba Attorneys assisted the Commission on litigation of cartel cases, which are currently before the Competition Tribunal and higher courts in respect of which the law firm was briefed or engaged by the Commission in the previous financial years.

b) Please refer to the table below for responses to (i)-(aa)- (bb) and (ii) – (b).”

(i)-(aa), (bb) & (ii) Financial Year

(b) Nature of Work

(b) Value

2017/2018

Litigation of cartel cases

R 27 746 004,33

2018/2019

Litigation of cartel cases

R 32 344 202,95

2019/2020

Litigation of cartel cases

R 5 943 501,84

-END-

02 December 2019 - NW1477

Profile picture: Mbhele, Mr ZN

Mbhele, Mr ZN to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

(1) What (a) measures has her department put in place to strengthen the oversight and regulatory role of the Council for Built Environment (CBE) over the Engineering Council of South Africa, (b) measures has the CBE put in place to ensure enforcement, alignment and adherence to transformation policies of the built environment professions and (c) incentives have been offered to private built environment companies to assist with internships and to make sure that the graduates are professionally registered; (2) whether the CBE has a register or tracking instrument of the built environment graduates becoming registered professionals; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

(1) (a) In 2013 the Department finalised the Policy Framework for Professional Registration, to ensure among others, that professional councils are consistent in the application of registration standards and policies and also to ensure transparency in the process of professional registration. The Council for the Built Environment (CBE) has been instrumental in enforcing the application of the Policy Framework. Part of the CBE’s oversight over the professional councils entails ensuring compliance to principles of good governance, as well as the consistent application of policies. The process followed by the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) of assessing applications of prospective professional registration applicants is based on Council approved policies and standards that have been benchmarked to policies and standards applied across the globe by countries that are members of the International Engineering Alliance (IEA). The latter conducts periodic reviews of ECSA processes to ensure that they are fair, ethical and transparent.

(b) With regard to transformation, the Department has got information through research conducted by the CBE that the manner in which the Built Environment Industry is configured currently is inimical to transformation objectives and perpetuates and entrenches the existing racial inequalities. For instance, through the tendering system black professionals compete with white professionals who have got more resources are thus more enabled to acquire work. The inaccessibility to work opportunities for black firms has a detrimental effect in the transformation of the Built Environment Industry in that even black candidates for professional registration more often than not tend to find opportunities for work and training in black-owned firms.

The CBE does work with the Construction Industry Education and Training Authority (CETA) to drive transformational objectives. Mentors are assigned to candidates and roadshows are conducted to provide a mature route to professional registration. But, the challenge is influencing the private sector. CETA funding is available to assist candidates. However, black candidates have difficulties in securing work and mentors in white owned companies, thus transformation becomes stagnant.

(c) The CBE has a Work Integrated Learning (WIL) programme and it entails supporting interns from the Universities of Technology (UoTs) to undertake WIL, to complete the practical training requirement of their tertiary qualifications. The CBE provides funding for stipends as incentives to private built environment companies to assist with placement in internships.

(2) The CBE has identified the gap of not having a centralised tool to manage, store, monitor, track and report on the applications and registration of different types of stakeholders including the Students, Candidates, Professional and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). CBE has initiated a project to develop an integrated system that will be used by all six professional councils. The target is to have this system by 31 March 2020 with the population thereof to take place afterwards. The Pilot of the system has been signed-off by the three councils for usage.

02 December 2019 - NW1529

Profile picture: Opperman, Ms G

Opperman, Ms G to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs

(1)With regard to the impact of foreign nationals on local economic development, how can her department assist municipalities to effectively have credible data on the movements of foreign nationals within their jurisdiction; (2) what initiatives have there been within municipalities to communicate the status of immigrants to local communities in order to reduce outbreaks of violent clashes between foreign nationals and local communities and to ultimately integrate migrants into local communities?

Reply:

The information requested by the Honourable Member is not readily available in the Department. The information will be submitted to the Honourable Member as soon as it is available

Thank you

02 December 2019 - NW1463

Profile picture: Opperman, Ms G

Opperman, Ms G to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs

On what date will the sanitation backlog be addressed in the (a) Hantam Local Municipality and (b) Karoo Highlands Local Municipality with specific reference to the eradication of bucket and/or ventilated improved pit toilets in (i) Loeriesfontein, (ii) Brandvlei, (iii) Fraserburg, (iv) Sutherland and (v) Williston?

Reply:

The information requested by the Honourable Member is not readily available in the Department. The information will be submitted to the Honourable Member as soon as it is available

Thank you

02 December 2019 - NW1608

Profile picture: Sarupen, Mr AN

Sarupen, Mr AN to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs

(1)With reference to the reply of the Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation to question 994 on 4 November 2019, has her department been informed that the rehabilitation project for the Jan Smuts Dam in Brakpan has failed; (2) whether her department will provide a breakdown of the total amount that was spent on the specified project; (3) whether her department has been informed that the specified dam is overgrown with hyacinth; (4) by what date will her department take concrete steps to rehabilitate the dam; (5) what (a) budget and (b) time frame has her department put in place for the rehabilitation of the dam?

Reply:

The information requested by the Honourable Member is not readily available in the Department. The information will be submitted to the Honourable Member as soon as it is available

Thank you

02 December 2019 - NW1502

Profile picture: Groenewald, Dr PJ

Groenewald, Dr PJ to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs

(1)Whether, with reference to her reply to question 449 on 16 September 2019, she is now in a position to indicate what number of (a) firearms and (b) ammunition were separately (i) stolen and/or (ii) lost in each of the past five financial years in every metro's metro police; (2) what was the (a) type and/or (b) calibre of the specified (i) firearms and (ii) ammunition that were (aa) stolen and/or (bb) lost in each case; (3) whether she will make a statement on the matter?

Reply:

The information requested by the Honourable Member is not readily available in the Department. The information will be submitted to the Honourable Member as soon as it is available

Thank you

02 December 2019 - NW1472

Profile picture: Graham, Ms SJ

Graham, Ms SJ to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

(1) With reference to her reply to question 861 on 20 September 2019, what are the details of the four properties listed for agricultural purposes where the user department is Rural Development and Land Reform in terms of the (a) farm name and (b) size of the farm; (2) whether the farm has been allocated to a beneficiary; if not, why not; if so, (3) whether the farm is productive; if not, why not; if so, what is being done by her department to ensure that the farm becomes productive?

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:

1. As per the Immovable Asset Sector Guide: The National Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) shall record all facilities constructed and used by the national government on land where DPWI is not the custodian.

The four properties in question are constructed on land under the custodianship of the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Land Reform.

(a) and (b)

Details on farm names and the size of the land parcels are listed below.

FARM NAME

LAND DESCRIPTION

SIZE OF THE FARM ( HA)

ADENDORP FARM

Ptn 0 Of ERF Adendorp No.1198 GRAAFF REINET RD

1.7131

ADENDORP FARM

Ptn 0 Of ERF Adendorp No.1198 GRAAFF REINET RD

1.7131

ADENDORP FARM

Ptn 0 Of ERF Adendorp No.1198 GRAAFF REINET RD

1.7131

ADENDORP FARM

Ptn 0 Of ERF Adendorp No.1194 GRAAFF REINET RD

3.4261

2), 3) The user department, i.e. the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Land Reform, should be able to respond to these questions.

02 December 2019 - NW1462

Profile picture: Opperman, Ms G

Opperman, Ms G to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs

In light of the fact that the Kareeberg Local Municipality in the Northern Cape only spent 14% of the Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant funds it was allocated, (a) what was the outcome of the court case involving the unsuccessful bidder and (b) how long will the residents of Van Wyksvlei be without water considering that the municipality decided not to budget for the project in the next financial year?

Reply:

The information requested by the Honourable Member is not readily available in the Department. The information will be submitted to the Honourable Member as soon as it is available

Thank you

02 December 2019 - NW1547

Profile picture: Cardo, Dr MJ

Cardo, Dr MJ to ask the Minister of Employment and Labour

What steps has his department taken to comply with the order handed down by the North Gauteng High Court in May 2019, which declares the exclusion of domestic workers in the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act, Act 130 of 1993, to be unconstitutional?

Reply:

The Compensation of Injuries on Duty Amendment Act has been finalised and will be presented to Parliament. The definition of ‘employee’ has been amended to include that of domestic workers. The revenue model included private household as a surplus’