Questions and Replies

Reply:

Rhino numbers are informed by a variety of sources. Specific complementary reports are the following:

• Red List of Mammals of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland for both white and black rhino;

• the Non Detriment findings for both white and black rhino;

• a report from the IUCN Species Survival Commission (IUCN SSC) African and Asian Rhino Specialist Groups; and

• TRAFFIC to the CITES Secretariat pursuant to Resolution Conf. 9.14 (Rev. CoP17)

 

MS B D CREECY, MP
MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES
Date: 27/02/2020

Reply:

1. (a) Neither the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) nor Statistics South Africa publishes statistics on goat farming.

(b) The South African Revenue Service (SARS) is the legislated entity for statistics on the importation and exportation of goods.

(b) (i) According to SARS data published on the dti’s Trade Statistics portal, downloaded on 13 February 2020, South Africa exported goat livestock to the destinations indicated in Table 1.

Table 1: Goat Livestock Exports by Destination (2014-2019), Rands

2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019
Destination	Value	Destination	Value	Destination	Value	Destination	Value	Destination	Value	Destination	Value
UAE	3,652,215	UAE	6,981,829	Lesotho	3,381,028	Mauritius	5,243,500	Mauritius	8,275,592	Thailand	4,039,794
Nigeria	2,162,332	Mauritius	3,045,546	Mauritius	2,741,599	Botswana	4,336,366	Singapore	4,490,277	Mauritius	3,199,713
Botswana	1,377,653	Botswana	1,649,694	UAE	2,140,450	UAE	3,250,979	Botswana	8, 931,000	Bangladesh	1,208,881
Mauritius	1,007,450	Lesotho	1,361,258	Botswana	2,015,479	Comoros	2,520,679	Zimbabwe	2,109,291	Zimbabwe	975,177
Kenya	941,285	Namibia	1,120,173	Zambia	1,638,166	Saudi Arabia	1,596,825	Zambia	1,032,570	Lesotho	360 516
Mozambique	851,617	Zambia	902,312	Zimbabwe	1,463,363	Lesotho	1,239,448	Namibia	1,021,529	Eswatini	322,812
Namibia	765,879	Mozambique	887,540	Nepal	1,351,575	Kenya	1,126,666	Thailand	841,705	Tanzania	284,400
Zambia	445,500	Zimbabwe	542,200	Namibia	1,294,689	Bangladesh	941,556	Bangladesh	833,663	Mozambique	192,000
Lesotho	430,896	Angola	415,,000	Kenya	714,037	Zimbabwe	753,059	Sudan	587,470	Zambia	177,845
Angola	350,221	Kenya	320,112	Mozambique	548.428	Namibia	638,238	Saudi Arabia	578,500	Senegal	161, 712
Thailand	170, 955	Cameroon	157,232	Uganda	458,078	Senegal	594,270	Senegal	512,085	Switzerland	137,485
Zimbabwe	156,915	Malawi	100, 000	Eswatini	332,590	Uganda	523,890	Kenya	438,000	Italy	70,947
Malawi	121,200	Eswatini	94, 178	Senegal	310,525	Mozambique	515,526	Uganda	418,698	France	67,340
Eswatini	115, 727	Bangladesh	84, 096	Malawi	77,193	Malawi	424,150	Lesotho	411,445	Kenya	52,477
Dem rep of Congo	56, 214	Tunisia	60,822	unallocated	50,500	unallocated	423,950	Mozambique	284,534	Ghana	49,000
Sri Lanka	34 ,256	unallocated	21,950	Australia	20,372	Nigeria	400,000	Eswatini	262,479	Namibia	24,296
USA	15, 050	UK	6,534	Ghana	882	reunion	47,782	unallocated	204,700	Australia	18,179
India	13 ,206	Netherlands	3, 004			Australia	38,315	Tanzania	8,056	Botswana	9.547
						Netherlands	2,660	Italy	233,954
						Eswatini	2,896	Australia	62,484
						UK	150	USA	74,290
								china	40
Total	12,668,571		17,753,480		18,538,954		24,620,905		25,076,293		11,352,121

(b) (ii) According to SARS data which is published on the dti’s Trade Statistics portal, downloaded on 13 February 2020, South Africa exported goat meat to the destinations indicated in Table 2.

Table 2: Goat Meat Exports by Destination (2014-2019), Rands

2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019
Destination	Value	Destination	Value	Destination	Value	Destination	Value	Destination	Value	Destination	Value
Namibia	743,764	Lesotho	1,394,909	Lesotho	2,021,099	Namibia	425,875	Mozambique	26,699	Hong Kong	169,827
Bahrain	400,617	Mozambique	47,946	Seychelles	392,160	Lesotho	133,296	Lesotho	230	Botswana	20,092
Lesotho	281,882	Maldives	6,828	Zambia	235,625	Hong Kong	105,147			Lesotho	9,447
Seychelles	256,402	Germany	2,660	Tanzania	34,216	Mozambique	5,854			Mozambique	8,978
DRC	153,718	DRC	1,752	Hong Kong	20,014					Ghana	3,784
UAE	126,435			Mozambique	9,936
Gabon	101,442			Namibia	6,713
Nigeria	95,103
Oman	54,179
Kuwait	49,514
Maldives	49,432
Tanzania	26,236
Eswatini	8,178
Mozambique	5,928
Zimbabwe	4,441
Ethiopia	1,852
Total	2,359,123		1,454,095		2,719,763		670,172		26,929		212,128

-END-

 

Reply:

Whether there are any plans put in place to undertake studies on brand positivity by tourist and / or potential tourist to the Republic.

SA Tourism does conduct brand positivity studies through an in-depth assessment of travellers' perceptions of South Africa as a leisure travel destination across key priority markets. The aim of the study is to inform the key marketing and strategic initiatives of SA Tourism; thereby, improving the return on marketing investment in each market.

(a)–(c) The study is currently carried out 3 times a year during the major booking and buying cycle of our target markets. SA Tourism currently runs the study in 17 of the core markets.

Reply:

The Department and SA Tourism’s programmes and strategies to boost tourism are contained in the tabled Strategic Plans and Annual Performance Plan.

Furthermore, future plans will be tabled in Parliament on 11 March 2020.

Reply:

(a) What are the relevant details of the Memoranda of Understanding(MOUs) that her department is currently party to

Honorable member is kindly referred to my reply on same question raised in 2019 (Questions 866 of 2019) which was tabled on 24 October 2019. The Question refers to “International MOU’s and agreements”. In terms of International Memoranda of understanding, all MOUs and Agreements signed in the field of tourism are technical and administrative in nature. They fall within Section 231 (3) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. All Agreements outline areas of collaboration and cooperation between signatory organisations. Agreements are accompanied by an implementation plan or project plan against which monitoring and evaluation is measured.

(a) Details of other Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs)	(b) signatories	(c) Effective Date	(d) objectives of each MOU	(e) How is each MOU monitored?
CATHSSETA Culture, Arts, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport Sector Education and Training authority.	DDG: Tourism Sector Support Services and CEO: CATHSETA	April 2019	To have mutual commitment and co-operation between the parties in order to work toward realisation of Goal 4.6 of the National Skills Development Strategy (NSDS II). Under this agreement, CATHSSETA shall create a representative forum to discuss tourism sector skills plan. Advise the department of any initiatives, research and special projects relevant to tourism sector.	The agreement will be monitored through Progress reports Annual reports Minutes and undertakings of Working committee Resolutions of the forum
LGSETA Local Government Sector Education and Training	DDG: Tourism Sector Support Services and CEO: LG SETA	November 2019	The objective is for LGSETA to: oversee the implementation of the prioritized initiatives as agreed upon by the partnership. Ensure that these initiatives are covered in the Sector Skills Plan. Facilitate the development and registration of appropriate qualifications and skills programmes relevant to the identified needs. Participate, advise and share local government skills development information relating to tourism and local economic development within the municipal context.	The MoU is monitored through: Progress reports Annual reports
FEDHASA Federated Hospitality Association of South Africa	DDG: Tourism Sector Support Services and FEDHASA CEO	Sept 2019	FEDHASA manages the project to coordinate and negotiate exposure opportunities for educators with its affiliated/registered members and other industry establishment in collaboration with Department of Basic Education at the provincial level, Provincial Tourism Departments or Authorities and FEDHASA National and Provincial Chapters.	The MoU is monitored through: Meetings between the parties Quarterly and Annual reports
(TGCSA) (Tourism Grading Council of South Africa - South African Tourism	DDG Tourism Sector Support Services and the CEO of SAT	July 2016	To align Tourism Grading Support Programme with Tourism Grading South Africa and increase uptake of the grading service by the industry.	The MoU is monitored through: Meetings between the parties Quarterly and Annual reports
SAPS South African Police Services	DG of Tourism and National Police Commissioner	Signed on the 04 December 2019	Agreed areas of collaboration includes: Identification of tourism hotspots by the Department supported by SAPS and analysis thereof; Establishment of a database of crimes committed against tourists by SAPS through segregating reported cases which involves tourists; Enhancement of the tourism environment through the Department’s participation and contribution in SAPS crime prevention initiatives; Ensure the joint implementation of an optimised policing and safety strategy in the tourism environment. Creating a platform for information sharing between SAPS and the National Tourism Safety Forum. Facilitating joint awareness opportunities to create and enhance the tourism environment and improve the service level standards.	The MoU has a plan that is being implemented through a task team, which comprises of officials from the two departments and is co-chaired by the Chief Director for Tourism Visitor Services and the Major General in charge of Visible Policing and Partnerships.
Ezemvelo Wild Life	DG of the Department of Tourism and CEO of Ezemvelo	29/03/2017	The partnership agreement is premised on providing support on: Tourism Infrastructure Development, Product Enhancement Refurbishment and Maintenance of existing tourism assets and products	Project Steering Committees and Joint Technical Committees are setup to oversee implementation process according to Implementation Plans. Meetings between the parties Quarterly and Annual reports
SANParks	DG of the Department of Tourism and CEO of SANPARKS	28/03/2017	The aim of the partnership agreement includes: Tourism Infrastructure Development Product Enhancement Refurbishment and maintenance of existing tourism assets and products in National Parks	Project Steering Committees and Joint Technical Committees are setup to oversee implementation process according to Implementation Plans. Meetings between the parties Quarterly and Annual reports
COEGA	DG of the Department of Tourism and the CEO of COEGA	05/03/2018	The areas of collaboration include: Tourism Planning (including Master Planning work) Infrastructure Development (including tourism signage amongst others)	Project Steering Committees and Joint Technical Committees are setup to oversee implementation process according to Implementation Plans. Meetings between the parties Quarterly and Annual reports
Constitution Hill	DG of the Department of Tourism and the CEO of Constitutional Hill	26/02/2018	The objective of the agreement is to collaborate and provide support to: Tourism Infrastructure Development (including events facilities, exhibition sites amongst others) Product Enhancement of the Peoples Park at Constitution Hill.	Project Steering Committees and Joint Technical Committees are setup to oversee implementation process according to Implementation Plans. Meetings between the parties Quarterly and Annual reports
SANBI South African National Biodiversity Institute	DG of the Department of Tourism and the CEO of SANBI	26/02/2018	The areas of partnership and collaboration include: Tourism Infrastructure Development (including access road, VIC, cafeteria, ablution facilities, signage amongst others) Product Enhancement	Project Steering Committees and Joint Technical Committees are setup to oversee implementation process according to Implementation Plans. Meetings between the parties Quarterly and Annual reports
Maropeng Africa Leisure (Pty) Ltd	DDG: Destination Development of the Department of Tourism and the MD of Maropeng	06/09/2018	The areas of collaboration and support include: Tourism Infrastructure Development Product Enhancement (including exhibition design, production and installation at Maropeng)	Project Steering Committees and Joint Technical Committees are setup to oversee implementation process according to Implementation Plans. Meetings between the parties Quarterly and Annual reports
MTPA Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency	DDG: Destination Development of the Department of Tourism and the CEO of MTPA	27/02/2018	The objective of the agreement is to collaborate and provide support to: Tourism Infrastructure Development (including Universal Accessibility, Tourism Signage) Product Enhancement	Project Steering Committees and Joint Technical Committees are setup to oversee implementation process according to Implementation Plans. Meetings between the parties Quarterly and Annual reports
Five (5) MOUs with institutions of higher learning: - University of Pretoria - University of Johannesburg - University of Venda - Cape Peninsula University of Technology - University of KwaZulu-Natal	DDG: Tourism Policy Research and International Relations and : University of Pretoria: Vice-rector: Research University of Johannesburg: Deputy Vice-Chair: Academic University of Venda: Vice-Chair and Principal Cape Peninsula University of Technology: Dean of Faculty Business University of KwaZulu-Natal: University Dean of Research	March 2012 - 31 March 2016 and extended annually until 31 March 2020	To collaborate on tourism research and capacity building and to provide financial support to post-graduate students pursuing tourism and tourism-related studies; and . to establish a formal basis of cooperation in support of tourism research and skills development activities.	The MoUs are monitored through project plans; quarterly meetings and a panel to peer review and quality assure research outputs.
MoU with Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) and South African Tourism	Director-General Department of Tourism and the Statistician-General and the CEO of South African Tourism	The MoU has been in place since 19 January 2016 and will remain in force until the parties agree to terminate.	The objectives of the MoU: 1. Establish a formal basis for institutional cooperation between the parties; 2. for the collection of domestic tourism statistics within the Republic of South Africa. 3. Create a partnership that seeks to improve the quality, consistency, comparability and optimum use of official statistics; and 4. Avoid unnecessary duplication in the collection of domestic tourism statistics within the Republic of South Africa.	The MoU is being monitored through the establishment of two statistics committees, namely; the Statistics Technical Committee that is chaired by the Deputy Director-General and the Statistics Steering Committee chaired by the Director-General of the Department of Tourism. There are scheduled quarterly meetings and ad hoc meetings are held as and when needed to deal with statistics issues, and decisions are taken at a Steering Committee level.
Statistics South Africa (Stats SA)	DG for the Department of Tourism and the Statistician-General. Of StatsSA	27 August 2018 to 26 August 2020.	To form a collaboration between Stats SA and the Department of Tourism; to provide technical support and train unemployed youth as Data Collectors for the collection of data required for the development of the National Tourism Information and Monitoring System (NTIMS)	The MoUs are being monitored through engagements between the two parties.
PTAs MOUs with three provincial tourism authorities (PTAs) namely, Free State, Western Cape and Limpopo.	CEO SAT and CEO of the respective PTA	1 April 2018 – 31 March 2021	The relationship between SA Tourism and provincial tourism authorities is governed through the MOU. The purpose of the MOU is for both parties to collaborate, commit and align their strategic and tactical plans and resources of whatever nature in relation to their tourism mandate and to achieve the 5 in 5 targets. The objective of the MOU is to collaborate in activating the following but not limiting key deliverables to achieve the 5 in 5 targets. The activities, outlined and detailed, will be reviewed annually by both parties: Collaborations on partnerships with travel trade. Joint leisure marketing for domestic i.e. Sho’t Left campaign Events Support Business Events Communication Tools Market Access Platforms Transformation (new entrants) Research and Information Sharing Access to Information Innovation/Technology Capacity Building and Support It should be noted that the MOUs are in the process of review to reflect the new target of 21 million visitors by 2030. SA Tourism and PTAs met on 10 October 2019 to discuss the alignment of business plans in relation to the 5-year strategic plans in line with the 6th parliament and as part of the trajectory for the new target. The finalisation of Annual Plans and the review of the MOU in line with the new 5-year Strategic Plan are underway for implementation in the 2020/21 financial plan	Performance at a provincial level is monitored on a quarterly-basis and is shared with the provinces through the CEO forum.
ACSA Airports Company of South Africa	CEO SAT and CEO of ACSA	20 March 2019 – 31 March 2022	The nature of the MOU is to collaborate and partner on destination marketing initiatives to promote South Africa as a destination of choice for both domestic and international markets. Key areas of collaboration include but not limiting to the following: Exchange of information which includes statistics on traffic, financial, airline and passenger data. Collaboration on joint marketing promotional activities. Leveraging provincial structures at ACSA owned airports on destination marketing initiatives, with focus on route development and increasing passenger traffic. Collaborate on identified strategic platforms i.e. Meetings Africa, Africa’s Travel Indaba etc.	Performance based at ACSA and SA Tourism and is monitored through the performance contract and reviews at the Air Services structures i.e. KZN Route Development Committee, Cape Town Air Services Committee and Gauteng Air Services.
TBCSA Tourism Business Council of South Africa	CEO SAT and CEO of TBCSA	1 April 2019 – 31 March 2021	The MOU is of collaboration nature whereby: TBCSA will: Collect the Tourism Levies from the TOMSA levy contributors; Pay over to South African Tourism on a quarterly basis 93% of the total levy collected. A 15% (fifteen per centum) of the total levy will be allocated to the collaborative fund. The funds will be paid no later than 14 calendar days after the end of the quarter. The collaborative fund will be administered by TOMSA SA Tourism will: Apply the Tourism Levies to fund its international and national (domestic) marketing activities in accordance with the APP approved by the South African Tourism Board, attention must be given to address seasonality and geographical spread, Tourist spent and increased bed nights/long stays with input from TBCSA and TOMSA before the APP is approved.	Performance is monitored on a quarterly basis through submission of performance reports and also being part of the board committee structures of TBCSA.
SANPARKS South African National Parks	CEO of SAT and CEO of SANPARKS	1 April 2019 – 31 March 2022	The relationship between SA Tourism and SANPARKS is governed through the MOU. The purpose of the MOU is for both parties to collaborate, commit and align their strategic and tactical plans and resources of whatever nature in relation to their tourism. The activities, outlined and detailed, will be reviewed annually by both parties: Assist and negotiate with relevant embassies with the promotion of SANPARKS. Joint leisure marketing for domestic i.e. Sho’t Left campaign Collaborate on international participation at international trade platforms. Participate at CEO Forum with provincial tourism authorities. Collaborate on signature events where SANPARKS properties can participate. Collaborate on access to digital assets library for the use in marketing campaigns. Assist SA Tourism in the applications of film permits at relevant SANPARKS properties. Create online platforms i.e. website for SANPARKS to showcase their offerings. SANPARKS to provide packages deals relevant to domestic and international markets. Collaborate on hosting programmes. Provide platforms for SANPARKS to participate i.e. domestic and international trade shows. Assist with the grading of SANPARKS properties	Performance is monitored through the implementation of identified collaborations in line with the agreed activity plan.

Reply:

The 18th Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) was held in Baku, Azerbaijan, on 25-26 October 2019 under the theme: “NAM Baku Summit: Upholding the Bandung Principles to ensure concerted and adequate response to the challenges of the contemporary world.”

The South African Government did not put forward suggestions at the 18th Summit of the NAM on the reform of the International Criminal Court (ICC). However, the NAM Heads of State and Government adopted the Baku Final Outcome Document of the 18th Summit of the NAM (NAM 2019/CoB/Doc.1) which included the Movement’s principled positions concerning international law, and in particular the mandate of the ICC as contained in the Rome Statute, as follows:

“28.13. The Non-Aligned States Parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) shall continue to preserve the integrity of the Statute and ensure that the ICC remains impartial and fully independent of political organs of the UN, which should not instruct nor impede the functions of the ICC, bearing in mind the relevant provisions of the Rome Statute;

28.14. The Heads of State and Government expressed strong concern on the abuse of certain provisions of the Rome Statute by the Security Council, including its practice to purport to selectively limit the jurisdiction of the ICC when referring matters to the ICC and noted that the practice amounts to an abuse of the powers of the Security Council to refer matters to the ICC.

28.15. The Non-Aligned States Parties to the Rome Statute of the ICC recalled the Review Conference of the Rome Statute, which was held in Kampala, Uganda, from 31 May to 11 June 2010, at which States parties reaffirmed their commitment to the Rome Statute and adopted amendments to the Statute to define the crime of aggression and to establish conditions under which the Court could exercise jurisdiction with respect to that crime;

28.16. The Non-Aligned States Parties to the Rome Statute of the ICC continued to underscore the necessity of the independence of the ICC, in accordance with its judicial nature. They stated that the Security Council's responsibilities under the Charter of the UN should not limit the role of the Court as a judicial body. The Court should be empowered to pronounce on acts of aggression independently.

28.17. The Non-Aligned State Parties to the Rome Statute of the ICC oppose all actions, in particular through the Security Council, aimed at establishing a process to grant immunity to the staff members of UN peacekeeping operations, which violate the relevant provisions of the Rome Statute of the ICC and damage the credibility and independence of the ICC.”

The Baku Final Outcome Document was adopted by all NAM member states including South Africa.

The South African Government’s participation at the 18th Summit of the NAM was guided by the theme, as well as its four strategic foreign policy pillars, namely:

1. advancing national interest to attain domestic objectives;
2. enhancing the African Agenda and promoting Africa’s sustainable development;
3. influencing a reformed global multilateral architecture; and
4. advancing the agenda of the South through strengthening South-South Cooperation and North-South Dialogue.

Reply:

1.(a) To allow for a process to finalise the appointment of a new Secretary for Defence.

(b) From 15 December 2019 to 31 March 2020.

(c) R 612,925.50.

(2) Section 7 of the Defence Act, 2002, provides that the President must, subject to the laws governing the public service, appoint a person to the post of Secretary for Defence as head of the Defence Secretariat.

(3) A process to finalise this matter is currently underway.

Reply:

The Department has not used any of the individuals nor the companies as mentioned on the parliamentary question.

Reply:

I have been advised that there is no agreement between the President and the Chinese government for investment in the SEZ Musina-Makhado. The honourable member may be referring to another agreement and is requested to clarify.

In respect of the environmental impact assessment, the Department reports that the assessment for the metallurgical cluster is currently underway and is targeted for completion in 2020.

The initial investor interest was from Chinese enterprises and it is expected that more enterprises, including locally-owned companies, will be encouraged to locate in the zone. I note that subsequent to the approval of this and other SEZs in past years, Cabinet reviewed the policy around SEZs during the latter part of 2019 and adopted a new approach, which formed the basis for the launch of the Tshwane Auto SEZ-hub and will be utilized in future. This includes a stronger role for national government in ensuring effective and higher-impact Special Economic Zones.

The Department notes that SEZs are aimed at attracting industrial investors and hotels would not be covered by the SEZ-designation in the area.

 

-END-

Reply:

The Director-General of the Department of Trade and Industry has advised that the disciplinary matter is currently due to be heard through arbitration at a sitting scheduled for 16-17 January 2020, and some of the issues raised in the question may be the subject of dispute. Accordingly, to avoid prejudice in the matter, a fuller reply may be provided on conclusion of the current processes. Subject to the above, I am advised as follows:

The suspension relates to matters involving EOH Mthombo.

The original bid of EOH Mthombo amounted to R20 271 065.83 and was increased to R22 081 065.83 during September 2016. the dti only processed and made five (5) payments to the total amount of R11 154 846.47 as per deliverables. The remaining sum was the subject of a dispute and the Department has not paid this to EOH Mthombo.

Disciplinary action against employees are done in accordance with applicable laws and internal Departmental policies.

-END-

Reply:

(1)   SASSA has instituted legal proceedings against CPS for the recovery of R 74 million payments made to CPS. In the months of February and March 2018 SASSA paid 2 160 678 and 2 388 403 beneficiaries respectively, directly into their bank accounts without using the services of CPS.

CPS has, upon receipt of the summons claiming payment of R 74 million, filed a notice of exception to SASSA`s particulars of claim, demanding that SASSA provides more facts (such as contractual basis and principles upon which the claim is based). SASSA amended its particulars of claim (by incorporating other terms of the contract [contract for the payment of social grant services concluded with CPS during 2012]) and filed the notice to amend on 27 September 2019. CPS has filed a notice of objection to SASSA`s amendment on 11 October 2019. This matter is still pending arguments in Court.

(2)(a)  SASSA has sent a letter to CPS on 10 October 2019 demanding that CPS implements paragraph 36.2 (ordering CPS to pay R 316 million with interests) of the High Court order since CPS`s appeal to the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) has been dismissed. CPS indicated in its letter dated 14 October 2019 that it is preparing to appeal to the Constitutional Court (CC) against the SCA judgment. SASSA will await the outcome of the intended appeal and if the SCA judgment is not overturned, SASSA will enforce paragraph 36.2 of the High Court judgment.

(2)(b)  The official who authorised the R 316 million transaction (afforded CPS the right to claim R 316 million) is no longer in the employ of SASSA and it is only recently in  September 2019, that the Court made a ruling on the R316m payment which  was made in 2014.

 

Supported/Not supported

-----------------------------------

Mr M Toni

Acting Director-General: Dept. of Social Development

Date:

Supported/Not supported

-----------------------------------

Ms H Bogopane-Zulu

Deputy Minister: Dept. of Social Development

Date:

Approved/Not approved

-----------------------------------

Ms L Zulu, MP

Minister: Department of Social Development

Date:

Reply:

The Department has developed a draft training and development framework that seeks to address capacity building plans across the sector as a systematic approach to training. The framework will be looking into three year period. The framework will be ready following consultations with various stakeholders by 31 March 2020. The framework will cover the various thematic areas such as training within Gender Based Violence, Substance Abuse, Mental health, etc.

 

Reply:

At the outset, it must be noted that it will take a long time for Eskom to recover fully from the damage caused by the State Capture.

The Memorandum of Incorporation of Company (including Eskom) sets out the responsibilities, duties and rights of the shareholder and directors. The shareholder, particularly 100% shareholder as in the case with government and many state owned companies, can have a range of rights in relation to the governance of SOEs. The Shareholder Compact, prescribes the various performance targets expected to be met by an entity.

In the case of Eskom, targets will include plant performance (the level of energy availability factor to be achieved), financial targets (reduction in overall costs including primary energy cost) or implementation of various “turnaround” plans. Within these parameters, the Board must hold management to account on delivery of these targets. Likewise, the shareholder department must hold the Board accountable. Where necessary, usually at critical stages of an entity, the shareholder may initiate processes to assist both the shareholder and Board to both diagnose a problem and suggest solutions: examples being the Presidential Sustainability Task Team (to make recommendations on the future direction of Eskom given the challenges and changes in the electricity market) and the Ministerial Technical Review Team (to make recommendations on improving plant performance).

Reply:

I have been advised by officials that the department did not contribute funding to the event.

-END-

Reply:

Accordingly to the information received from Energy Team

The Eskom Generation entity will remain 100% state owned under Eskom Holdings consisting mainly of the current power plant base, which will be separated into a number of feasible smaller generation units.

Consideration for the creation of multiple generation companies (GENCOs) within Eskom Generation is currently under examination with the aim of introducing inter-company competition and drive efficiencies in generation. Each power station will have its own Power Purchase Agreement with predefined, fixed and guaranteed tariffs for energy with the Transmission Entity.

Reply:

According to the information received from SAA:

Yes, the striking unions complied with the law in holding a strike ballot.

(a) Union of Metal Workers of South Africa (NUMSA) and the South African Cabin, Crew Association (SACCA). SAA also deployed its own observers for the supervision.

(b) Yes.

Reply:

This question, I presume is referring to the National Airlift Strategy. The question will be better responded to by the Minister of Transport.

The Department of Transport (DoT) is the custodian of the National Airlift Strategy which is supporting the National Tourism Sector Strategy.

 

Reply:

Department of Social Development (DSD) plays a leadership role to facilitate the establishment, coordination, and the implementation of the shelters/safe spaces for all victims of crime and violence.

Furthermore, the Department forms part of the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) Cluster that has been given an important mandate to implement strategies and programmes that contribute towards priority 5 (social cohesion and safe communities) of the sixth government administration.

Is it therefore critical to note that due to the nature and sensitivity of the services rendered to victims of crime and violence, the Department is not in a position to provide the location of the shelters/safe houses/crisis centres since their safety is paramount.

Attached is Annexure A: Database for shelters/safe houses/ crisis centres.

Reply:

The parliamentary question has been forwarded to the entities and the Ministry of Public Enterprises awaits their urgent response. Further information will be conveyed to Parliament as soon as the response is received.

 

Reply:

According to the information received from the South African Airways:

1. SAA initiated the airlines Re- Accommodation Policy which provide customers with alternatives (Date Changes, Rebooking on other airlines).
2. SAA customers are able to book on partner airlines, including SA Express, Mango, SA Airlink and Codeshare Partner Airlines, as well as Star Alliance partner Airlines.
3. SAA provides hotel accommodation for those passengers who cannot be booked on a flight.
4. SAA book passengers on South African Airways flights for a later date at no extra charge.
5. SAA extends the validity of the affected tickets to a date determined by the airline.
6. SAA offers refunds to customers who decide to cancel their flights.
7. SAA opens multiple channels of communication and extend the Call Centres operating hours.
8. SAA deploys additional resources to assist with passenger interaction at all airports, the airline operates from, with the bulk of resources at SAA’s hub at OR Tambo International Airport, in Johannesburg.

Reply:

The parliamentary question has been forward to the entity and the Ministry of Public Enterprises awaits their urgent response. Further information will be conveyed to Parliament as soon as the response is received.

Reply:

The parliamentary question has been forward to the entities and the Ministry of Public Enterprises awaits their urgent response. Further information will be conveyed to Parliament as soon as the response is received.

Reply:

The parliamentary question has been forward to the entities and the Ministry of Public Enterprises awaits their urgent response. Further information will be conveyed to Parliament as soon as the response is received.

Reply:

I have been advised by officials in the Department as follows:

(a) Funds for the Industrial Parks Revitalisation Programme projects derives from the Departments’ Critical Infrastructure Programme budget. The Department did not receive additional funding for the Industrial Parks Revitalisation Programme from the national fiscus, necessitating reallocation within existing budget. The outcome of an application for further expenditure related to the Ekandustria Revitalisation Programme will be relayed to relevant stakeholders once the application process has been completed.

(b)&(c) I refer to the response to the question of 18 November 2019. The second phase has been scoped and application for funding submitted. The work for subsequent phases will commence following implementation of each prior phase and subsequent strategic reviews completed. The outcome of the review will determine the extent of further phases and funding.

-END-

Reply:

This response is according to information received from Transnet:

In response to the above questions, there is no agreement between Transnet and Dr Beyers Naudé Local Municipality pertaining to the borehole that supplies water to the community of Wolwefontein in the Eastern Cape.

(a)&(b) The borehole is the property of Transnet and is operated and maintained by service providers appointed by Transnet. Part of the maintenance includes the supply of fuel for the pump. The borehole has been out of service from August 2019 and a service provider was appointed to effect repairs, however, the service provider has been experiencing challenges to restore the water supply for the community of Wolwefontein.

(c) Currently, water is being supplied to the community with a tanker service to provide immediate relief.

(d) A new borehole will be drilled, preferably in front of the police station. The exact location will depend on the water table survey. Water can be restored within six (6) weeks after completion of the drilling of the borehole, considering that quality of water needs to be treated, together with other works that may be required. Until such time that the new borehole is functional, the tanker service will continue to supply water to the community of Wolwefontein.

Lastly, Transnet has no objection to the borehole being transferred to the Dr Beyers Naudé Local Municipality. It must be noted that high level meetings were held in 2013 and 2014, between Transnet and the Dr Beyers Naudé Local Municipality to transfer the ownership of the borehole to the municipality, but no agreement was reached.

 

Reply:

I have been advised by the Director General, following consultation with the SEZ concerned, of the following:

1. “The SA Energy and Metallurgical Special Economic Zone has no knowledge nor association with building of Mulilo Power Station.

2. There is no standing or direct relationship between the Musina-Makhado SEZ and MC Mining, who is not an investor in the Zone.

(3) The titles of the 6 (six) working groups are:

1. Governance
2. Infrastructure
3. Environmental Management
4. Investments
5. Town Planning
6. Skills & Enterprise Development”

In addition to the above information, the honourable Member may wish to follow up further queries with the Province or SEZ concerned.

-END-

Reply:

1. Yes, the Minister retained some of the officials who served the previous / former Minister, but also released some of the officials in accordance with the Ministerial Handbook.

2. It is key to indicate that prior the introduction of Ministerial Handbook there were officials across Ministerial portfolios which were appointed permanently within Offices of different Ministers hence the below categories of staff compliments within Minister’s Office:

2.1 Permanent Contract:

The Accounting Officer is bound to accommodate officials with permanent contractual agreement. Furthermore they can be approached by considering the skills, competencies and qualifications they possess for correct placement in the vacant posts within the department by following due processes. The department has then placed the six (6) officials within the available vacancies in line with their expertise, competencies and skills.

The Minister retained an official whose contract was linked to the former Minister’s term of office. Minister needed the official’s skills and competencies to continue performing the work within her office;

The Minister did not have a vacancy for the Chief of Staff and the department found a placement in the department for the official. Transitionally the official is being managed by the Deputy Director-General: Corporate Support Services whilst finding a permanent placement. Furthermore the final placement will be addressed through the processes of organisational reconfiguration. Below is the list of officials redeployed within the department:-

a) Initials and surname	b) Redeployment	(c)(i)Current job description	(c)(ii) Current remuneration package
Ms SP Baninzi	Chief Directorate: Auxiliary Services	Administrative Assistant	R316,791.00 p.a.
Mr MM Koma	Office of the Director-General	Director: Stakeholder Management, Donor Funding and Coordination	R1,105,641.00 p.a.
Ms V Mangcu	Chief Directorate: Legal Services	Director: Legal Services	R1,245,495.00 p.a.
Ms M Nkone	Office of the Director-General (Cape Town Office)	Food Aid Service	R145,281.00 p.a.
Mr HLH Xaba	Office of the Director-General	Senior Administrative Officer.	R376,596.00 p.a.
Ms S Gola	Chief Directorate: Information Management Systems Technology	Administrative/secretarial Support	R470,040.00 p.a.
Ms TM Zabo	Branch Corporate Support Services	Providing support to the Deputy Director-General: Corporate Support services	R1,495,956.00 p.a.
Mr D Sambamba	Chief Directorate: Legal Services	Director: Legal Services	R1,245,495.00

_______________________

Approved by the Minister of Social Development

Date……………………….

Reply:

The parliamentary question has been forwarded to the entities and the Ministry of Public Enterprises awaits their urgent response. Further information will be conveyed to Parliament as soon as the response is received.

Reply:

The Department has embarked in process of developing a sector funding policy. The policy will provide guidelines to assist all Provinces to implement in a standardised way and address inconsistencies regarding funding. The draft sector funding policy was presented to MINMEC during the third quarter for consideration and approval. The MECs have not yet approved the policy and indicated the need for sufficient time to give the final inputs.

Furthermore, the Department developed the Victim Support Services (VSS) Policy and Bill which will be tabled to Cabinet during this financial year, 2019/20. The VSS Policy and Bill, amongst other elements, will be addressing the regulation of the provision of sheltering services.

The Department initiated a multi-year contracts approach to address the delays in funding of NGOs including shelters across provinces.

Reply:

Respective provincial departments are engaging various provincial Treasuries to secure funding for appointment of social work scholarship graduates. In this regard by end September 2019 a total of 239 social work graduates were appointed by provinces as follows: Gauteng appointed 140 permanent, Western Cape appointed 14 on one year contract and 8 on 24 months internship, Northern Cape, North West and Eastern Cape also appointed 23, 21 and 31 graduates respectively on internships.

The Department secured special allocation of R93 million, which will be used by provincial departments of Social Development for employment of 200 social work graduates.

These graduates will be appointed to support the Gender Based Violence Programme.

The 2020 Medium Term Expenditure Framework baseline for the scholarship programme has been reduced, where funds will be shifted towards employment of scholarship graduates. The implication is that budget has been allocated for the next three years where R112.6 million will be allocated for 2020/21, R139.4 million for 2021/22 and R146.1 million for 2022/23. These funds will be shifted to provincial equitable share to sustain employment of 326 scholarship graduates.

________________________

Approved by the Minister of Social Development

Date……………………….

Reply:

Information has been requested from the North West Department of Education and the response will be provided once the requested information has been received from the province.

Reply:

(1) (a) MTEF BASELINE REDUCTIONS

2020/21 R’000	2021/22 R’000	2022/23 R’000
(659 416)	(856 412)	(1 050 774)

1 (b)SCHOOL INFRASTRUCTURE BACKLOGS: Indirect Grant (buildings and other fixed structures)

2020/21 R’000	2021/22 R’000	2022/23 R’000
(32 623)	(43 836)	(46 345)

(1) (b) With regard to the provincial infrastructure programme funded through the Education Infrastructure Grant, the reduction will have a negative impact in terms of meeting the Minimum Uniform Norms and Standards for Public School Infrastructure. There has always been a deficit in terms of total budget required to eradicate backlogs and the current reduction will exacerbate the challenge. Provinces will also be left with a small window to introduce new projects into the pipeline.

(2)(a) ADJUSTMENTS TO CONDITIONAL GRANTS

MTEF YEAR	2020/21 R’000	2021/22 R’000	2022/23 R’000
National School Nutrition Programme	(30 014)	(40 010)	(53 055)
HIV and AIDS (Life Skills Education)	(23 945)	(26 987)	(33 939)
Education Infrastructure Grant	(458 665)	(616 331)	(775 099)
Maths, Science and Technology Grant	(12 397)	(13 079)	(13 708)
TOTAL	(525 021)	(696 407)	(875 801)

(2)(b) The Provincial Departments of Education will have to revise their plans and delay planned projects that cannot be funded as a result of the cut. On the Accelerated Schools Infrastructure Delivery Initiative (ASIDI) projects, no current projects will be affected as savings derived from the programme will be used to ensure that projects continue as scheduled.

Reply:

The Department reiterates that there is no new curriculum or topics introduced to the Life Skills (LS) or Life Orientation (LO) Curriculum Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS). In South Africa, the Department of Basic Education (DBE) has been providing Sexuality Education through the LS and LO CAPS since 2000.

There has been no piloting of a new CSE curriculum.

Reply:

1. (a) 570 471

    (b) There are 848 full service schools across the country.

2. In order to determine the demand and supply for disabled learners at full service schools, in August 2019, the Department of Basic education (DBE) issued Circular S4 of 2019 requesting Provincial Education Departments (PEDs) to assess the status quo and to develop plans to address such. This process is currently underway.

Reply:

(a) (b) According to the National Education Infrastructure Management System (NEIMS), there are 26 remaining schools entirely built out of asbestos in Gauteng. The Department intends to replace this 26 asbestos schools within the next 5 years. The table below indicates the remaining 26 schools and the number of asbestos classrooms in each school.

No.	School Name	EMIS Number	Classrooms
1	Noordgesig Primary School	700140079	39
2	Rust -Ter- Vaal Secondary	700400673	22
3	Faresani Primary School	700121335	8
4	EW Hobbs Primary School	700120113	33
5	Mdelwa Hlongwane Primary School	700121541	20
6	Nancefield Primary School	700120261	37
7	Ditau Primary School	700132068	20
8	Randfontein Secondary School	700270025	44
9	Toekomsrus Primary School	700270033	36
10	Kliptown Primary School	700120196	22
11	Kwena Molapo Comprehensive Farm School	700152223	22
12	Laerskool Hennopsrivier	700232462	14
13	Leihlo Primary School	700121475	10
14	Newclare Primary School	700141200	40
15	Pretoria Primary School	700400278	25
16	Riverlea Primary School	700140103	25
17	Tshwane Secondary School	700400276	17
18	Wilhelmina Hoskins Primary School	700141226	44
19	Wisani Primary school	700121889	10
20	Fred Magardie Primary School	700220038	30
21	Laerskool Broederstroom	700230805	11
22	Lukholweni Primary school	700132456	14
23	Paradise Bend Primary School	700232074	11
24	Parktown Public School	700133512	42
25	Reiger Park Primary School	700160077	30
26	T C Esterhuysen Primary School	700141192	23

It must be noted that 6 of the 26 schools above are already in the implementation phase. The table below indicates the 6 schools that are in the implementation phase.

No.	School Name	Project Status
1	Faresani Primary School	07. Works
2	Noordgesig Primary School	07. Works
3	Rust -Ter- Vaal Secondary	07. Works
4	EW Hobbs Primary School	06. Tender
5	Mdelwa Hlongwane Primary School	06. Tender
6	Nancefield Primary School	06. Tender

Further take note that 20 of the 26 schools above are in the planning phase.The table below indicates the 20 schools that are in the planning phase.

No.	School Name	Project Status
1	Kliptown Primary School	03. Project Initiation
2	Kwena Molapo Comprehensive Farm School	03. Project Initiation
3	Laerskool Hennopsrivier	03. Project Initiation
4	Leihlo Primary School	03. Project Initiation
5	Newclare Primary School	03. Project Initiation
6	Pretoria Primary School	03. Project Initiation
7	Riverlea Primary School	03. Project Initiation
8	Tshwane Secondary School	03. Project Initiation
9	Wilhelmina Hoskins Primary School	03. Project Initiation
10	Wisani Primary school	03. Project Initiation
11	Fred Magardie Primary School	02. Feasibility
12	Laerskool Broederstroom	01. Identified
13	Lukholweni Primary school	01. Identified
14	Paradise Bend Primary School	01. Identified
15	Parktown Public School	01. Identified
16	Reiger Park Primary School	01. Identified
17	T C Esterhuysen Primary School	01. Identified
18	Ditau Primary School	05. Design
19	Randfontein Secondary School	05. Design
20	Toekomsrus Primary School	05. Design

The Department has included the asbestos schools in the current Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and anticipates that the eradication of all schools entirely built of asbestos materials will be completely addressed by the 2023/24 financial year.

The Department is prioritizing the asbestos schools so that it meets the target that relates to appropriate learning spaces and the reliability of the basic services in terms of the Regulations Relating to Minimum Uniform Norms and Standards for Public School Infrastructure, 2013.

Reply:

Information received from the Gauteng Department of Education indicates that their Districts have completed infrastructure assessments with regard to the number and type of facilities during the 2018/19 financial year. This data informs the number of additional facilities, including classrooms, required per school and by implication the number of new schools required in any given residential area.

a)  The table below summarises the findings of the assessments for all the schools in the 7 wards:

http://pmg-assets.s3-website-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/RNW1684_Table.pdf

Based on a learner: classroom ratio of 40:1, none the schools in the 7 wards are overcrowded except one secondary school in Ward 55, i.e. Glenvista Secondary School. The school is overcrowded by 77 learners and this will be addressed by providing the school with 2 additional classrooms.

b) Given the current occupancy rate of the schools in the 7 wards there is no need for additional schools in the area. When a growth in learner enrolment in any of the schools occurs, the need will be addressed by providing additional classrooms to the affected schools.

It must be noted that where new schools are to be built that the availability of suitable sites are key. If suitable sites are available there are several processes that must be complied with before construction work can commence. These include inter alia the finalisation of ownership, approval of applications for rezoning if required, Environmental Impact Assessments, Traffic Impact Studies, Geotechnical Surveys and the approval of Site Development Plans by the relevant municipality. This is however not applicable to these 7 wards at this stage as there are currently no plans in place to build new schools. If new schools are to be built in any of these areas in the future, the above mentioned processes will have to be complied with.

c) See (b) above

Reply:

The mandate to manage immovable assets on behalf of government departments (including lease agreements) is with the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI).

a) The expiry date for the lease agreement for the Centurion office is 31 May 2024.

b) The Department of Home Affairs has requested DPWI, as part of the long term strategy, to source state owned building or build per DHA specifications.

c) The Department of Home Affairs does generally provide parking for clients in all its offices throughout the country. The parking that is leased is only for state vehicles.

END

Reply:

(1) (a) The Social Housing Regulatory Authority (SHRA) spent 105% of its R743,64 million budget in the 2018-19 financial year on the development of social housing units, thus representing a total expenditure of R778 273 327.

(b) Yes, there were material reasons why SHRA missed some of its targets. Those reasons have been summarized on page 129 of the Social Housing Regulatory Authority (SHRA) 2018-19 Annual Report in the column entitled “Variance and comments.” Further explanations were provided by the SHRA on page 35 of the 2018-19 Annual Report in section 4.3.4 of the report entitled “Project Development & Funding (PD&F) Programme”.  For a more detailed explanation of the reasons at a project level, this can be found in Table 4 on pages 17 through 20 of the 2018-19 Annual Report. The table is entitled “Project Challenges and Solutions.”

(c) The remedial actions being taken to ensure that the situation improves are also documented on the same pages of the SHRA 2018-19 Annual Report as has been stated under (b) above. Further to this, the following remedial actions are being implemented by the SHRA:

• Non-performing contracts are terminated within the provisions of the contracts and law;
• Improvements have been introduced in the project accreditation process to curtail delays in planning and projects meeting financial closure;
• The SHRA has engaged with financiers to provide debt/ loan and equity funding to projects toward meeting financial closure;
• The SHRA has employed additional resources to improve the project approval by the provinces in order to ensure contract compliance earlier in the process;
• The SHRA is intervening in the non-performing contracts with a bespoke approach according to the needs per contract.

(2) Conditions of employment such as salaries and qualifications of staff are confidential. Laws such as the Protection of Personal Information Act and the Basic Conditions of Employment, amongst others, protects the confidentiality of such information.

(3) The salary increase of the CEO resolved upon by the SHRA Council was 6% and not 12%. The increase comprises of a 5,5% inflation linked cost of living increase plus an additional 0,5% performance linked increase arising from the 2017 – 18 performance result. This is in accordance with the SHRA remuneration policy and the terms of the employment contract.

 

Reply:

The Honourable Minister is referred to my response to her question 1665, which deals with the same matter. I wish to reiterate that the appointment of the interim Council of the Social Housing Regulatory Authority is an interim measure to restore good governance at the entity. A selection committee will be established to advise me on the candidates to be appointed for the new Council, in terms of Section 9(2)(b) of the Social Housing Act, Act 16 of 2008.

Reply:

(a - b) The number and types of visas issued to citizens from the mentioned countries are listed on the table below. This data is for the period 01 January 2018 to the 30th of September 2019.

Country – Category	2018	2019	Total
Nigeria	8010	4131	12141
Visitors	5840	3100	8940
Study Visa Section 13	1511	698	2209
Critical Skills Visa Section 19(4)	251	127	378
Retired Person Visa Section 20	180	22	202
Medical Treatment Section 17	157	103	260
General Work Visa Section 19(2)	55	75	130
Work Visa Section 19(5)	15	5	20
Exchange Visa Section 22	1	1	2
India	6375	4195	10570
Visitors	4565	3212	7777
Critical Skills Visa Section 19(4)	699	358	1057
Study Visa Section 13	705	412	1117
Retired Person Visa Section 20	160	8	168
General Work Visa Section 19(2)	142	87	229
Work Visa Section 19(5)	73	85	158
Medical Treatment Section 17	31	33	64
Country – Category	2018	2019	Grand Total
Bangladesh	3067	2139	5206
Visitors	2605	2083	4688
Retired Person Visa Section 20	379	13	392
Study Visa Section 13	65	30	95
Critical Skills Visa Section 19(4)	8	5	13
Medical Treatment Section 17	8	6	14
General Work Visa Section 19(2)	2	1	3
Work Visa Section 19(5)		1	1
Congo Dem. Rep. of the	2320	1265	3585
Study Visa Section 13	1208	468	1676
Visitors	600	464	1064
Critical Skills Visa Section 19(4)	224	90	314
Medical Treatment Section 17	242	219	461
General Work Visa Section 19(2)	31	20	51
Retired Person Visa Section 20	14	4	28
Work Visa Section 19(5)	1		1
China	2145	1405	3550
Visitors	1301	1165	2466
Retired Person Visa Section 20	533	52	585
Study Visa Section 13	228	91	319
Critical Skills Visa Section 19(4)	24	16	40
General Work Visa Section 19(2)	12	56	58
Work Visa Section 19(5)	33	21	54
Medical Treatment Section 17	12	3	15
Exchange Visa Section 22	1	1	2
Visitors(CAU)	1		1
Cameroon	922	480	1402
Visitors	420	270	690
Study Visa Section 13	329	127	456
Critical Skills Visa Section 19(4)	120	48	168
Medical Treatment Section 17	23	26	49
Retired Person Visa Section 20	10	2	12
General Work Visa Section 19(2)	17	6	13
Work Visa Section 19(5)	3	1	4
Ethiopia	673	356	1029
Visitors	493	281	774
Study Visa Section 13	108	44	152
Retired Person Visa Section 20	34	5	39
Critical Skills Visa Section 19(4)	11	6	17
Medical Treatment Section 17	21	19	40
General Work Visa Section 19(2)	5	1	6
Work Visa Section 19(5)	1		1
Country – Category	2018	2019	Grand Total
Somalia	36	22	58
Visitors	16	14	30
Medical Treatment Section 17	9	5	14
Study Visa Section 13	7	2	9
Critical Skills Visa Section 19(4)	1	1	2
Retired Person Visa Section 20	3		3

END

Reply:

Yes. In its commitment to end statelessness the Department has addressed gaps in its immigration and civil registration laws to assist stateless persons to acquire enabling documentation confirming their status within the country. This accorded status enables stateless persons to legally reside within the country and to apply for citizenship.

Section 31 of the Immigration Act, Act no. 13 of 2002 as amended, provides for foreigners or a category of foreigners the rights of permanent residence for a specified or unspecified period when special circumstances exist which would justify such a decision.

The South African Citizenship Act 88 of 1995 Act as amended, allows for acquisition of citizenship by birth, descent and naturalization. It also allows any person in the Republic and who is not a South African citizen by virtue of the provisions in the Act, to be granted citizenship by birth if s/he does not have the citizenship or nationality of any other country, or has no right to such citizenship or nationality and his or her birth was registered in the Republic in accordance with the Births and Deaths Registration Act.

Below are steps and plans put in place and implemented on an ongoing basis to address any challenges arising from statelessness.

A. Birth Registration

The Department, amongst other commitments, has implemented the Births and Deaths Registration Act. In terms of the Act, notice of birth must be given within 30 days of the birth occurence. This is aimed at ensuring that every child born is registered. In support of the above commitment, the Department embarked on the following programmes:

(i) Hospital connectivity:

Established birth registration offices in health facilities with maternity wards to facilitate the registration of birth and ease the burden of birth registration. This has resulted in the country seeing an increase in birth registration within the specified period. Conversely, we have begun to see a steady decrease of late registration of birth.

(ii) oreign births:

Notice of birth tendered at our offices of children born of parents who are non-South African citizens, are given DHA 19 (handwritten unabridged birth certificate for non-South African) in terms of the Regulations on the Registration of Births and Deaths, 2014.

South African citizens who live abroad can also register their newly-born children by completing relevant documents at the South African embassies and missions.

(iii) Late Registration of birth:

The Department has also opened a window for late registration of birth for persons who were not registered within the specified period. The long term plan is to eradicate late registration of birth.

B. Civil Registration and Vital Statistics

It must also be mentioned that South Africa is collaborating with neighbouring countries to promote civil registration through Civil Registration and Vital Statistics [CRVS] conferences, to ensure that all nationals of countries are registered on their respective national population registers.

END

Reply:

(1) To ensure the validity of the data the Department of Human Settlements has been working on and which was received from municipalities, we have been comparing this with the data from the Department of Social Development as its records are comprehensive in respect of those who require social protection from the state. The data held by the Department of Social Development is credible, based on processes approved by government.

 

In line with the decision of the United Nations to ensure that all social protection should be packaged together by 2020, we are on track to complete that process which already started in 2012. By the end of this process we will have all those who are entitled to benefit from social assistance disaggregated according to the various categories of the state’s assistance for housing. This will assist us to ensure that the rampant duplication of demands by people who have previously benefited is curbed and sift those who do not need free housing but require other assistance in the acquisition of housing. One of these is social housing, which is provided to a particular category of subsidised housing.

With her intimate knowledge of the process of building a social assistance database, Ms Dlamini will be able to guide the process.

(a)(i) The salary increase resolved upon by the Council of the Social Housing Regulatory Authority (SHRA) for the CEO of SHRA was 6%. This was made up of a 5,5% inflation linked cost of living increase plus an additional 0,5% performance linked increase arising from the 2017/18 performance result. This is in accordance with the SHRA remuneration policy and the terms of the employment contract.

(ii) The salary of SHRA CEO for the 2020/21 financial year has not yet been determined by the SHRA Council.

(b) Falls away.

(3)(a) I have no authority over the salaries of Public Office Bearers, like yourself. In terms of the Independent Commission for the Remuneration of Public Office- Bearers Act, 1997, the Independent Commission for the Remuneration of Public Office -Bearers is mandated to make annual recommendations relating to the salaries and /or the upper limits of the salaries, allowances and benefits of Public Office –Bearers.

(b) Refer to (3)(a) above.

 

Reply:

(a) Consistent with the reply I submitted in respect Parliamentary Question 1523, I wish to reiterate that at present, no province has reported an inability to deliver on their approved human settlements business plans due to the massive strain on key water and sanitation systems.

(b) The Department will continue to exercise oversight on the performance of provinces for the commitments in their approved business plans. Moreover, we shall continue in our resolve to provide technical implementation support in pursuit of the targets set out in the business plans and Medium Term Strategic Framework.

Reply:

(1) Ms B O Dlamini holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Studies from the University of Zululand. She also possess in-depth practical knowledge of a vast range of social development issues that she obtained through participation in various social development organisations and structures over an extensive period. She will undoubtedly contribute immensely to ensuring that SHRA objectives are realised. The Chairperson will be supported by ten non-executive Council members.

(2)(a) The Social Housing Regulatory Authority plays a key role in the provision of social housing in South Africa and manages a budget allocation of close to R1 billion per annum. The derailment of good governance of the entity, as observed during the first half of the current financial year, required swift action to protect the investment of the state, as required in terms of the Public Finance Management Act, Act 1 of 1999, as amended, and to ensure continued service delivery to the citizens of the country. The appointment of the interim Council of the Social Housing Regulatory Authority is an interim measure to restore good governance at the entity. A selection committee will be established to advise me on the candidates to be appointed for the new Council, in terms of Section 9(2)(b) of the Social Housing Act, Act 16 of 2008.

(b) Refer to the answer provided in 2(a) above.

Reply:

Conditions of employment such as salaries and qualifications of staff are confidential.  Laws such as the Protection of Personal Information Act and the Basic Conditions of Employment, amongst others, protects the confidentiality of such information.

                                                                                                                       

(i)         I However, wish to indicate to the Honourable Member that posts in the Ministry have been filled as outlined in the Guide for Members of the Executive, otherwise commonly referred to as the Ministerial hand Book.

No	Designation/ Position
1.	Head of Ministerial Services
2.	Cabinet & Parliamentary Liaison Officer
3.	Chief Protocol Officer
4.	Private Secretary
5.	Director: Communications
6.	Stakeholder Relations Officer
7.	Assistant Private Secretary
8.	Appointments Secretary
9.	Office Manager to Head of Ministry
10.	Office Manager to Special Adviser
11.	Personal Assistant
12.	Ministerial Aide
13.	Assistant Stakeholder Relations Officer
14.	Driver/ Messenger
15.	Domestic Worker
16.	Domestic Worker

           

(ii)  I will preface my response to this question by providing background to the Ministerial National Rapid Response Task Team (NRRTT). As far back as 7 May 2015 during my Budget vote speech I said the following: 
 

“Communications and outreach programmes are part of our frontline services to ensure that the correct messages reach our people, in order to reduce the social distance referred to. I have decided to appoint a National Rapid Response Task Team that will help us communicate with our communities before implementing any policies, so that they understand the benefits, who would qualify and who would not, etc. This, we believe will lessen the tension that always arise when there is a development. This Task Team will also assist us understand where there is a problem and allow us to rapidly respond to problems as they arise”.

 The NRRTT has been in existence since the Fifth Administration when I was the Minister of Human Settlements. The Team did not only act as communicators and a consultation arm of the department but it is also in the frontline when there are emergencies in informal settlements. A case in point is the disaster which befell the community of Imizamo Yethu in Hout Bay in 2017, where a large section of this area was devastated by fires. Another example is the delay that was caused to the implementation of the N2 Gateway Project in 2007 and 2008 where people who were due to benefit from the project refused to relocate.

Due to the enormity of the challenges facing the Department of Water and Sanitation, which I am now also responsible for, we replicated the model and appointed additional NRRTT members to assist with water and sanitation issues such as the protests in the Vaal and Butterworth areas.

Accordingly, the NRRTT consists of a Convenor, two Deputy Convenors, for Human Settlements and for Water & Sanitation, as well as eight members responsible for Human Settlements and eight members for Water & Sanitation.

Reply:

Title deeds have been handed over by Members of the Executive Members (MECs) in the various provinces since 29 May 2019. I have therefore referred the question to provinces to provide the detailed information requested by the Honourable Member.

However, the information at the Departments’ disposal with respect to the status of the delivery of title deeds since July 2019 is as follows:

Western Cape – 60 Title deeds were handed over in August 2019

Eastern Cape - 500 title deeds were handed over to beneficiaries in July 2019.

Northern Cape – 209 title deeds were handed over in the province through the ‘Title Deeds Friday’ campaign in Tlhabane, Rustenburg with another 250 titles handed over in September 2019.

North West – 490 title deeds were handed over in August 2019.

Kwazulu Natal – 50 title deeds were handed over in the August 2019 and 500 in July 2019.

Gauteng – 217 title deeds were handed over in Johannesburg during August 2019

Mpumalanga – 700 title deeds were handed over in Barberton during August 2019.

A detailed breakdown will be submitted as soon as the outstanding information is available.

 

Reply:

The lease agreement with the specified landlord for the Cape Town Refugee Reception Office (CTRRO) could not be finalised. The prospective landlord, who had been appointed by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) through its Supply Chain Management processes, did not sign the lease agreement and sent a letter withdrawing from the process. The letter was dated 16 September 2019.

a) The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) requested DPWI to restart the procurement process on the 27th September 2019.

b) The planned date cannot be determined as DPWI has not commenced with the procurement process which will follow these key steps:

1. Specifications Committee to be set up to develop the specifications,
2. Publication of the tender advert,
3. Evaluation and adjudication of bidders.

The planned date for the re-opening of the CTRRO can only be determined after these processes are completed. Furthermore, the building obtained will need to be refurbished to be in line with the CTRRO processes before the office can be re-opened.

END

Reply:

a) (i) The Department only has statistics from 1998 as published in its reports and the totals are as below:

Year	Total
1998	11135
1999	31592
2000	12226
2001	16325
2002	24187
2003	41741
2004	41369
2005	43289
2006	53361
2007	45637
2008	207206
2009	223324
2010	124336
2011	106904
2012	85058
2013	70010
2014	71914
Total	1 209 614

(ii) As at 30 September 2019 the total number of active and inactive cases for the periods indicated in (a) (i) above that remain unprocessed since 1 January 2015 is 812 472 (117 991 active cases and 694 481 inactive cases.

NB: Active cases refer to clients who regularly visit the office in relation to their application and inactive cases refer to clients who no longer visit the office to finalise their application.

b) The breakdown per country of origin for (a) (i) and (ii) above is:

Country	Inactive	Active
Afghanistan	41	8
Albania	1	0
Algeria	462	98
Angola	1071	5
Armenia	1	0
Australia	10	0
Azerbaijan	5	0
Bahamas	11	12
Bahrain	1	1
Bangladesh	13480	15979
Barbados	2	0
Belize	2	0
Benin	207	26
Bosnia	3	0
Botswana	41	2
Brazil	1	0
Brunei	1	0
Bulgaria	24	0
Burkina Faso	50	39
Burundi	3021	3588
Cambodia	3	0
Cameroon	3119	1000
Cape Verde	1	0
Central African Republic	10	6
Chad	11	4
Chile	23	0
China	13528	61
Colombia	2	1
Comoros	29	14
Congo	8761	7680
Croatia	1	0
Cuba	2	0
Czech Republic	1	0
Denmark	1	1
DRC	16204	22630
East Timor	5	7
Ecuadorian	1	0
Egypt	2076	62
Eritrea	375	382
Estonia	7	5
Ethiopia	11704	33737
Fiji	1	0
Gabon	44	6
Gambia	26	3
Germany	1	0
Ghana	8085	989
Guinea	95	37
Guinea Bissau	29	8
Guyana	1	0
Haiti	3	1
Ice Land	18	1
India	8871	2460
Indonesia	8	0
Iran	8	1
Iraq	12	1
Ireland	1	1
Israel	5	0
Italy	2	0
Ivory Coast	175	140
Jamaica	2	0
Jordan	40	6
Kenya	2014	807
Kiribati	1	0
Korea	1	0
Kuwaiti	1	0
Laos	1	0
Latvia	1	0
Lebanon	3	0
Lesotho	6744	31
Liberia	114	49
Libya	7	0
Macau	23	0
Macedonia	1	0
Madagascar	17	0
Malawi	40933	1294
Malaysia	5	2
Maldives	1	0
Mali	228	95
Mauritania	4	0
Mauritius	8	2
Mayotte	1	0
Mexico	1	0
Moldova	2	0
Monaco	1	0
Morocco	38	4
Mozambique	12842	300
Myanmar (Burma)	3	0
Namibia	13	0
Nepal	36	18
New Zealand	1	0
Nicaragua	2	0
Niger	5506	716
Nigeria	18502	3759
Niue	6	1
Pakistan	11672	5208
Palau	1	0
Palestine	26	5
Panama	1	0
Papua New Guinea	1	0
Philippines	18	0
Poland	4	0
Portugal	2	0
Principality of Andorra	5	0
Russia	2	0
Rwanda	666	676
Saint Kitts and Nevis	3	0
Saint Lucia	1	0
Saudi Arabia	1	0
Senegal	1163	433
Serbia	6	0
Sierra Leone	65	13
Slovenia	1	0
Solomon Islands	21	0
Somalia	9962	1587
Sri Lanka	109	11
Sudan	81	42
Suriname	1	1
Swaziland	196	10
Syria	8	1
Tajikistan	6	0
Tanzania	7740	422
Thailand	120	1
Togo	80	24
Tonga	1	0
Trinidad and Tobago	1	0
Tunisia	5	1
Turkey	7	1
Uganda	5993	3089
Ukraine	10	1
USA	5	1
Uzbekistan	2	0
Vietnam	2	0
Wallis and Futuna	1	0
Yemen	7	0
Zambia	2308	174
Zimbabwe	475390	10210
Total	694481	117991
Grand Total	812 472

END

Reply:

(a-b) Yes. The intended tariff adjustments for identity documents (re-issues) and passports is envisaged for the 2020/2021 financial year.

(i) In revising the tariff structure, the Department considers, amongst others, socio-economic factors, the principle of inclusivity and service provision to the public since the Department is not geared to profit making. This is due to the fact that all base documents (first issues) for identity documents, birth, marriage and death certificates are free and charges are only for reissue.

(ii) All revenue collected by the Department is deposited into the National Revenue Fund. In addition to complying to Treasury Regulation 7.3.1 that requires the Department to review all fees, charges or rates, scales or tariffs of fees and charges that relate to the National Revenue Fund, improved revenue collection by the Department will ensure the recovery of costs for production of enabling documents in a manner that suitably compensates for the cost drives relating to the provision of the service and meet the regulatory and wider government objectives as well as to ensure that the transaction costs where possible are minimized for the users and stakeholders.

END

Thulani Mavuso Dr PA Motsoaledi, MP

A/Director-General Minister of Home Affairs

Date: Date:

Reply:

1. No, the Department does not have memorandum of understanding with municipalities in place to assist with the loss of documentation in an event of shack fires. However National government, has a crucial role to play in conjunction with municipalities as a form of redress, whereby the affected settlement was declared a disaster area, to enable victims to access basic services from the municipalities with their enabling documents. When the fire disaster occurs, disaster management of the municipality concerned compiles a report with a name list of families that have been affected by shack fires and submits a disaster certificate through the Departments’ District Managers: Operations or Provincial Manager’s office. Subsequently the Department’s provinces draft submissions to the Accounting Officer (Director-General), to consider waiving of fees for reproduction and printing of temporary identification certificates or identity documents and birth certificates. Upon approval by the Accounting Officer, clients are immediately issued with temporary identity certificates and birth certificates on the spot. The turnaround times for issuance of Smart Identity Cards is within 13 working days.

2. In collaboration with District/Local municipalities, Councillor and CDWs an outreach programme is organised for such communities to lodge applications and in most instances, municipalities assist by arranging transport for the affected persons to be ferried to the nearest Departments front offices to apply for the services required. Once documents are issued, clients are brought back to the office to collect in the same arrangement.

END