Questions and Replies
02 June 2020 - NW923
Mulder, Mr FJ to ask the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition
1. Whether his department awarded any tenders connected to the COVID-19 pandemic; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what (a) are the names of the businesses to whom these tenders were awarded, (b) are the amounts of each tender awarded and (c) was the service and/or product to be supplied by each business; 2. whether there was any deviation from the standard supply chain management procedures in the awarding of the tenders; if so, (a) why and (b) what are the relevant details in each case; 3. what was the reason for which each specified business was awarded the specified tender; 4. whether he will make a statement on the matter? [NW1212E]
Reply:
1. I am advised by the Director-General that no tenders were awarded. To address the safety of staff and utilizing the guidelines issued by the Department of Public Service and Administration, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was procured through a quotation process. Masks, gloves and sanitizers were bought to the total value of R188 794.
2. The Department advised that standard supply chain management procedures were followed with no deviation and further that all procurement procedures followed the relevant National Treasury prescripts.
3. In light of the above, it seems that no statement is required; but should circumstances require a statement to be made, I do so.
-END-
02 June 2020 - NW850
Hill-Lewis, Mr GG to ask the Minister of Finance
With reference to the tax measures introduced to combat the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, what (a) is the envisaged number of beneficiaries who will benefit from the tax subsidy of up to R500 per month for private sector employees earning below R 6 500 per month granted to employers under the Employment Tax Incentive in each province and (b) number of employers have already made use of the specified tax subsidy in each province to date?
Reply:
a) We estimate that 492 386 employees will benefit from the tax subsidy of R500 per month. The table below is breakdown per province.
Province |
Total Number |
EASTERN CAPE |
23 658 |
FREE STATE |
12 063 |
GAUTENG |
260 264 |
KWA-ZULU NATAL |
60 586 |
LIMPOPO |
9 390 |
MPUMALANGA |
17 963 |
NORTH WEST |
10 124 |
NORTHERN CAPE |
4 935 |
WESTERN CAPE |
93 403 |
Grand Total |
492 386 |
b) 10 223 companies have thus far made use of the wage subsidy for employees earning less than R6 500 per month. The table below is a breakdown of this figure per province.
Province |
Grand Total |
EASTERN CAPE |
548 |
FREE STATE |
360 |
GAUTENG |
4 890 |
KWA-ZULU NATAL |
1 144 |
LARGE BUSINESS CENTRE |
192 |
LIMPOPO |
120 |
MPUMALANGA |
258 |
NORTH WEST |
155 |
WESTERN CAPE |
2 556 |
Grand Total |
10 223 |
02 June 2020 - NW854
George, Dr DT to ask the Minister of Finance
What (a) number of applications has the SA Revenue Service received in each province for the waiving of penalties since 23 April 2020, (b) number of the specified applications have been approved in each province and (c) was the Rand value of the approved applications in each province?
Reply:
(a) The number of applications received is 2244,
(b) The number of applications approved across all provinces province is 72
Outcome |
EASREN CAPE |
FREE STATE |
GAUTENG |
KWA/ZULU NATAL |
MPUMALANGA |
Unknown |
WESTERN CAPE |
Grand Total |
Invalid |
76 |
30 |
803 |
91 |
13 |
|
148 |
1161 |
Unknown |
3 |
3 |
25 |
8 |
2 |
465 |
5 |
511 |
Partially allow |
4 |
7 |
234 |
13 |
|
|
35 |
293 |
disallow |
2 |
1 |
139 |
28 |
|
|
7 |
177 |
Allowed |
2 |
2 |
49 |
13 |
|
|
6 |
72 |
Withdraw |
|
|
27 |
|
|
|
|
27 |
Reject |
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
|
2 |
Accept |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
1 |
Grand total |
87 |
43 |
128 |
153 |
15 |
465 |
201 |
2244 |
(c) Unfortunately we cannot provide the rand value at this point of time, as the cases do not show for which period/tax year the request was. An extract for the journals from our core systems would have to be requested and this will take some time.
02 June 2020 - NW967
Bozzoli, Prof B to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology
(1)What are the details of the differences in terms of performance of students who receive the National Student Financial Aid Scheme grant and those who do not; (2) whether he will provide Prof B Bozzoli with statistical evidence of the students’ differential performance in the past three financial years; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The Department started undertaking national cohort studies, including a specific study on NSFAS funded students in the 2016/17 financial year. The database of students who had received NSFAS funding in all previous years of study was mapped to the HEMIS dataset. The NSFAS cohort study considers any student who received NSFAS funding at any point in time during their studies. The NSFAS cohort study published on 13 March 2017 considered all cohorts that entered the public higher education sector, i.e. universities, for the first time from the 2000 to 2014 academic years. This report and subsequent reports show that students who have been funded by NSFAS perform better than the national cohort. It should be noted that there is insufficient data to determine how the students on the new bursary scheme are performing, as at least 4 years of data would be required for 3-year qualifications and 5 years of data for 4-year qualifications. This cohort only commenced their studies in the 2018 academic year. It should also be noted that the national cohort includes students funded by NSFAS.
The 2000 to 2014 first time entering undergraduate cohort studies for public higher education institutions, published in March 2017, shows that the dropout and throughput rates for the 2006 cohort are as follows for the:
- national cohort, 38.2% and 54.4% respectively;
- DHET NSFAS cohort, 28.5% and 62.5% respectively; and
- Thuthuka cohort, 10.4% and 85.8% respectively.
The 2000 to 2015 first time entering undergraduate cohort studies for public higher education institutions, published in March 2018, shows that the dropout and throughput rates for the 2007 cohort are as follows for the:
- national cohort, 37.9% and 55.6% respectively;
- DHET NSFAS cohort, 25.9% and 66.2% respectively; and
- Thuthuka cohort, 13.0% and 81.2% respectively.
The 2000 to 2016 first time entering undergraduate cohort studies for public higher education institutions, published in March 2019, shows that the dropout and throughput rates for the 2008 cohort are as follows for the:
- national cohort, 34.6% and 58.0% respectively;
- DHET NSFAS cohort, 22.4% and 68.9% respectively;
- Thuthuka cohort, 12.3% and 83.1% respectively; and
- Funza Lushaka cohort 8.2% and 87.0% respectively
The 2000 to 2017 first time entering undergraduate cohort studies for public higher education institutions, published in March 2020, shows that the dropout and throughput rates for the 2009 cohort are as follows for the:
- national cohort, 31.3% and 61.1% respectively;
- DHET NSFAS cohort, 22.2% and 69.7% respectively;
- for the Thuthuka cohort, 11.0% and 84.6% respectively; and
- Funza Lushaka cohort 8.6% and 86.8% respectively
It should be noted that the NSFAS cohorts in every cohort study have performed better than the national cohort. These cohorts of NSFAS funded students were from poor families earning up to R1220 000 per annum, and the students in the scheme did not necessarily receive full cost of study funding, as funding was capped and there was an expected family contribution.
In comparison, the Thuthuka cohort are students entering accounting studies and in general would include high performing students from the basic education sector. These students have also received full cost of study funding and tailored 'wrap around' support.
The Funza Lushaka cohort is also a selected (competitive) cohort and has always been fully funded for all aspects of their study.
The cohort study published by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) on 13 March 2017 did not focus on performance of NSFAS recipients in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges. The Department has been working closely with NSFAS to improve the capacity of NSFAS to administer and disburse bursaries to TVET college students and to respond to the uniqueness of the TVET college sector. NSFAS systems and processes require specific enhancements to adequately cater for the TVET college sector, especially the numerous and somewhat shorter academic cycles. This intervention will ultimately enable NSFAS to effectively report on performance of recipients in the TVET college sector with its numerous academic cycles. Notwithstanding this intervention, the Department has started gathering data on performance of NSFAS recipients in TVET colleges. However, this information is not readily available now as its analysis is still being undertaken.
02 June 2020 - NW851
Hill-Lewis, Mr GG to ask the Minister of Finance
With reference to the tax measures introduced to combat the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, what (a) is the envisaged (i) number of beneficiaries who will benefit from the skills development levy holiday and (ii) value of the specified levy holiday in each province and (b) number of employers have already made use of the levy holiday to date in each province?
Reply:
1. (i) An overall average of 137 576 beneficiaries per month. Regional breakdown is illustrated in the table below.
(ii) An average of R 1.44 billion per month or R5.77 billion over the four month period. Regional breakdown is illustrated in the table below.
2. The four-month holiday (non- payment) for skills development levy contributions (1 per cent of monthly payroll) made by employers, began on 1 May 2020 and ends on 31 August 2020
May returns (202005) is only due on June 7, 2020 and is therefore not yet available.
02 June 2020 - NW927
Boshoff, Dr WJ to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology
(1)Whether his department awarded any tenders connected to the Covid-19 pandemic; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what (a) are the names of the businesses to whom these tenders were awarded, (b) are the amounts of each tender awarded and (c) was the service and/or product to be supplied by each business; (2) whether there was any deviation from the standard supply chain management procedures in the awarding of the tenders; if so, (a) why and (b) what are the relevant details in each case; (3) what was the reason for which each specified business was awarded the specified tender; (4) whether he will make a statement on the matter?
Reply:
DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND INNOVATION:
- The Department of Science and Innovation has not awarded any goods or services exceeding R500 000 (tenders) at this stage. All the Covid-19 related purchases have been below R500 000, procurement was done through quotations;
- Not applicable;
- Not applicable;
- Not applicable.
DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING
- Procurement in excess of R500 000 per case is considered as a tender, hence no single tender was awarded in respect of COVID-19 to date;
- None;
- Not applicable;
- Not applicable.
02 June 2020 - NW832
Macpherson, Mr DW to ask the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition
Whether, given that no logical rationale has been provided to South Africans and businesses for the restriction on the unfettered operation of e-commerce under the risk-adjusted approach and following his statement (details furnished), he can elaborate on (a) what the directions are and (b) by what date the directions will be made public? [
Reply:
Directions on e-Commerce were gazetted on 14 May 2020 (gazette no 43321).
The directions provide clarity on what goods may be transacted and the protocols which must be observed by retailers, courier and delivery services used by e-commerce retailers.
A copy of the Directions may be accessed from the Department’s website.
-END-
02 June 2020 - NW852
Hill-Lewis, Mr GG to ask the Minister of Finance
What (a) number of applications have been received for the fast-tracking of value-added tax refunds to date in each province, (b) number of the specified applications have been approved in each province and (c) was the Rand value of each approved application in each province?
Reply:
(a)(b)(c) The president announced that SARS will fast track VAT refunds and we have not received any specific requests for such.
SARS has since made amendments in terms of the number of returns that we can expect in a specific cycle to allow vendors qualifying for refunds to submit a return monthly instead of every two months thus enabling a quicker waiting period for refunds.
The turnaround time for refunds compared to same period last year has decreased by 4.4 days.
02 June 2020 - NW449
Waters, Mr M to ask the Minister of Social Development
What number of names were added to (a) Part A and (b) Part B of the Child Protection Register in each year since its establishment?
Reply:
The number of names added to (a) Part A and (b) Part B of the Child Protection Register in each year since its establishment
Year |
2004/5 |
2005/6 |
2006/7 |
2007/8 |
2008/9 |
4 442 |
2 610 |
3 593 |
1 965 |
3 636 |
Year |
2009/10 |
2010/11 |
2011/12 |
2012/13 |
1 956 |
1 348 |
4 474 |
4 477 |
Year |
2013/14 |
2014/15 |
2015/16 |
2016/17 |
3 874 |
2 879 |
3 050 |
7 607 |
Year |
2017/18 |
2018/19 |
2019/20 |
Total |
3 206 |
9 153 |
7 313 |
65 583 |
(b) Part B: Persons found unsuitable to work with children
Year |
2011/12 |
2012/13 |
2013/14 |
2014/15 |
2015/16 |
45 |
260 |
212 |
87 |
99 |
Year |
2016/17 |
2017/18 |
2018/19 |
2019/20 |
Total |
281 |
23 |
509 |
144 |
1 660 |
02 June 2020 - NW796
Wessels, Mr W to ask the Minister of Finance
(1)What (a) is the total number of persons who submitted personal tax returns in each of the past five tax years and (b) was the total amount of tax paid by personal taxpayers in each specified tax year; (2) what (a) is the total number of companies that submitted corporate tax returns in each of the past five tax years and (b) was the total amount of tax paid by corporate entities in each specified tax year; (3) whether he will make a statement on the matter?
Reply:
1 (a)
Taxpayer individual |
FY_2015 |
FY_2016 |
FY_2017 |
FY_2018 |
FY_2019 |
FY_2020 |
Current_Year_Return |
4 827 959 |
4 721 183 |
4 704 719 |
4 832 388 |
4 896 582 |
4 174 319 |
Old_Year_Return |
1 308 214 |
2 055 927 |
1 788 207 |
1 642 393 |
1 892 757 |
1 208 070 |
Total |
6 136 173 |
6 777 110 |
6 492 926 |
6 474 781 |
6 789 339 |
5 382 389 |
1 (b)
Tax Type |
Actual 2014/15 |
Actual 2015/2016 |
Actual 2016/2017 |
Actual 2017/2018 |
Actual 2018/2019 |
Actual 2019/2020 |
Employees Tax |
344 508 431 931 |
376 176 139 489 |
410 829 910 456 |
446 274 167 825 |
477 503 062 436 |
518 242 315 966 |
Employees Tax Refund |
-656 619 |
-11 780 364 |
-23 020 983 |
-0 |
0 |
0 |
ETI Credit Granted Against Payment |
-2 450 071 285 |
-3 999 574 019 |
-4 595 098 741 |
-4 095 757 274 |
-3 564 122 029 |
-4 150 348 513 |
ETI Credit- Refunds |
-1 492 538 |
-63 648 080 |
-61 110 359 |
-220 788 445 |
-947 993 912 |
603 878 868 |
PAYE |
342 056 193 490 |
372 101 137 025 |
406 150 680 373 |
441 957 622 106 |
472 990 964 494 |
513 488 088 585 |
Interest on Overdue Tax: Individual |
961 608 288 |
1 177 316 828 |
1 378 825 754 |
1 950 291 288 |
1 745 876 240 |
1 539 852 562 |
PIT Admin Penatly Tax |
478 382 997 |
519 475 641 |
466 141 781 |
595 809 471 |
794 257 165 |
660 084 696 |
PIT Assessment Tax |
8 904 145 338 |
10 127 476 560 |
12 252 686 156 |
15 404 896 170 |
13 873 604 107 |
13 508 246 188 |
PIT Provisional Tax |
21 960 745 346 |
26 101 480 544 |
28 640 569 890 |
29 795 850 581 |
34 934 982 092 |
31 337 460 943 |
PIT Refund |
-20 475 084 345 |
-20 747 184 861 |
-22 964 837 321 |
-26 801 336 863 |
-30 510 886 144 |
-31 363 927 525 |
PIT |
11 837 797 625 |
17 178 564 713 |
19 773 386 258 |
20 945 510 646 |
20 837 833 461 |
15 481 716 864 |
2 (a)
Taxpayer individual |
FY_2015 |
FY_2016 |
FY_2017 |
FY_2018 |
FY_2019 |
FY_2020 |
Companies |
909 555 |
886 304 |
992 857 |
1 004 116 |
1 341 419 |
1 226 619 |
2 (b)
Tax Type |
Actual 2014/15 |
Actual 2015/2016 |
Actual 2016/2017 |
Actual 2017/2018 |
Actual 2018/2019 |
Actual 2019/2020 |
CIT |
186 636 020 665 |
193 385 299 773 |
207 027 292 710
|
220 238 556 048 |
214 388 388 377 089 |
214 984 363 608 |
CIT Admin Penalty |
17 316 924 |
11 524 956 |
999 163 |
559 882 |
951 197 |
24 433 686 |
CIT Assessment Tax |
10 447 512 425 |
10 827 296 647 |
12 198 961 590 |
11 804 711 753 |
12 993 743 440 |
12 758 800 290 |
CIT Provisional Tax |
184 897 124 092 |
190 587 195 684 |
204 761 897 589 |
218 612 829 088 |
220 838 532 302 |
217 443 799 717 |
CIT Refund |
-10 732 346 757 |
-10 759 398 997 |
-12 993 896 501 |
-13 587 950 231 |
-22 389 301 719 |
-19 324 507 691 |
Interest on Overdue Tax: Companies |
1 698 766 574 |
2 233 656 821 |
2 595 530 097 |
2 826 509 856 |
2 342 325 589 |
3 463 834 423 |
Royalties |
304 647 407 |
455 024 662 |
463 800 771 |
581 895 700 |
602 126 281 |
618 003 183 |
Tax Credits Certificates |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
VAT |
261 419 105 799 |
281 084 824 365 |
289 077 227 960 |
297 997 586 561 |
324 765 977 900 |
346 747 694 248 |
Diesel Refund Off Set |
- |
1 108 025 243 |
1 274 885 672 |
860 141 007 |
1 223 782 365 |
2 092 452 806 |
Domestic VAT |
286 840 372 013 |
296 287 812 461 |
320 111 119 134 |
335 419 329 227 |
377 508 869 004 |
397 188 847 188 |
VAT on Imports |
136 570 055 698 |
150 744 532 766 |
149 265 484 253 |
152 788 760 372 |
175 184 585 320 |
179 987 356 577 |
VAT Refunds |
-161 991 321 912 |
-167 055 546 105 |
-181 574 261 099 |
-191 070 644 045 |
-299 151 258 789 |
-232 520 962 323 |
02 June 2020 - NW966
Bozzoli, Prof B to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology
(1)What (a) amount of the R7,8 billion of irregular expenditure uncovered at the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) when the administrator took charge of the organisation (i) has been cleared and (ii) remains to be cleared and (b) is the timeline for clearing the irregular expenditure; (2) what are the key performance areas (KPAs) of the administrator of NSFAS for the current year; (3) whether he intends to extend the administrator’s term of office in order to make sure that the administrator fulfils the KPAs and the tasks that were set; if not, why not; if so, for how long?
Reply:
1. |
1 (a) (i) |
1 (a) (ii) |
1 (b) |
Shifting of earmarked funds (historic debt) |
R1.963 billion |
In the process of being written off. |
|
Disbursements with respect to NOCLAR |
R4.359 billion |
This should be closed out during the 2020/21 financial year, including recoveries. |
|
Disbursements in excess of contract amounts |
NSFAS has applied to the Credit Regulator for a waiver to this legislative requirement. |
||
Other |
R6 million |
The investigation is complete and findings indicate that no was loss incurred but it was rather a compliance matter only. |
.
(2) The key performance areas of the Administrator are:
- Finalise the close out of the 2017/18 student funding cycle, including the finalisation of all data exchange and final payments. - Ensure the effective close out of the 2019 funding cycle and provision of accurate data to the Department.
- Ensure effective preparation for, and implementation of, the 2020 student funding cycle in consultation with the Department.
- Ensure that the entity pays adequate attention to both TVET colleges and universities in all aspects of its core business processes.
- Maintain a close and productive working relationship between NSFAS and the universities and TVET colleges.
- Put in place the necessary management and governance controls to ensure that all risks of the 2020 student funding cycle are appropriately managed, with the support of the Department and institutions as necessary.
- Manage the day-to-day work of the entity and steer NSFAS to address its operational challenges fully.
- Oversee the process of appointing new executive staff at NSFAS, in terms of a process agreed with the Department.
- Ensure a smooth transition between the administration and the new executive staff. - Oversee all forensic and other investigations necessary for the effective operation and management of the entity and any follow up required.
- Provide support to the Ministerial Task Team appointed by the Minister.
(3) The Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation does not intend to extend the term of office of the Administrator unless conditions dictates otherwise. The process to finalise the appointments of vacant senior executive management posts, including the appointment of the Executive Officer is underway. The terms of reference of the Administrator states that he must ensure a smooth transition between the administration and the new executive staff. The Minister is in the process of initiating the appointment of a new Board in terms of Section 5 of the NSFAS Act 56 of 1999.
01 June 2020 - NW825
Montwedi, Mr Mk to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
Whether there is a lease agreement between the Dilokwaneng Communal Property Association (CPA) and a certain person (Peter Sabatier); if so, has she found that the Dilokwaneng CPA complied with the Communal Property Associations Act, Act 28 of 1996? NW1028
Reply:
Yes, there is a signed lease. According to the current CPA Chairperson, Ms Mantsha Mosito, the lease was signed by her predecessors before she became the chairperson in 2012. The Department has established from Mr Ryan Sabatier, who signed the contract on behalf of a family company that the lease was signed in 2010, to run for a period of 15 years and will expire in 2025. Mr Sabatier left the company under the control of his father, Mr Peter Sabatier. Both Ms Mosito and Mr Ryan Sabatier confirmed that Mr Peter Sabatier has started to breach terms of the contract. He is no longer paying rent and is sub-letting the farm. Both acts are a violation of the signed contract.
It was reported in the 2018-2019 CPA Annual Report that this CPA was not fully compliant with the Act. During the 2019-2020 financial year, the Department undertook to train 900 Communal Property Associations across the country to assist them to be complaint with the Act, of which this CPA was also targeted since the current committee has been in office since 2012 and are beyond their term of office. The Limpopo PSSC invited them for training in October 2019, however, the committee failed to attend the training.
The Department is continuing with the training to ensure all CPAs are compliant with the Act and undertakes to ensure that this CPA will be assisted.
01 June 2020 - NW124
Arries, Ms LH to ask the Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation
(1)What (a) number of persons (i) were recruited for the War on Leaks Programme and (ii) are now employed on a permanent basis and (b) training did they receive in each case;
Reply:
(1) (a)(i) A total of 10469 learners were recruited for the War on Leaks Programme. It should however be noted that 1445 learners were lost to attrition.
(ii) A total of 148 water agents and artisans are currently employed on a permanent basis by national government departments and entities, municipalities and private companies.
(b) The learners were trained as follows:
- Water Agents - 4671
- Artisans and plumbers - 1292
(2) There are still 3117 learners remaining in the system who are expected to complete the programme in 2020.
Attempts were made to attach learners that completed the programme to municipalities but the uptake from the municipalities has been limited. The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) is exploring various opportunities to place learners that have completed the programme as follows:
- Absorption through regional bulk infrastructure projects to facilitate water conservation;
- Absorption through water services infrastructure projects for advocacy, communication and basic leak detection;
- Engagements with the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) through the District Development Model;
- Engagements with NEDLAC to assist with job opportunities.
01 June 2020 - NW746
Mazzone, Ms NW to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
(a) What regulations did her Department rely on to bypass the normal adjudication process to appoint a certain company (details furnished) to do work on the Beit Bridge border post, (b) on what criteria was the decision made to appoint the specified service provider, (c) what were the specific skills and/or prior experience that identified the service provider as the preferred contractor, (d) what is the contractor’s track record with her Department, (e) is the contractor a preferred supplier, (f) was the contractor requested to scope and price the project before or after the appointment and (g) against what terms of reference were the scoping and pricing done?
Reply:
The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:
Background
The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) has informed me that it was in the early stages in the process of appointing a service provider prior to the Covid-19 Pandemic, after the SANDF stated that their strategic borderline infrastructure is in a bad condition.
Following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s address to the nation on 15 March 2020 on the Covid-19 pandemic and the simultaneous declaration of a National State of Disaster
In accordance with Section 27(2) (L) of the Disaster Management Act, No 57 of 2002, I, issued a directive on 16 March 2020 for the emergency securing of the South African Border Posts.
Recognising the Ministerial Directive a site visit was held by DPWI and DOD officials on the 17 March 2020 at the Beitbridge Land Port of Entry resolved that:
- The borderline fence was surveyed and it was evident that there entire fence line is won and parts are not structurally sound
- The focus area for the borderline infrastructure installation will be 40kms (20kms on either side of Beitbridge)
- Consideration that the existing service provider had a BOQ activities of a fence line and scheduled rates.
DPWI informed me that several options to meet the set deadline were discussed under emergency criteria.
The National Treasury’s Instruction Note No. 08 of 2019/2020 Emergency Procurement Covid-19 in paragraph 3.5.1 (i) provides for the invocation of emergency procedures.
The Department informed me the emergency procurement process that entails the appointment of the required service providers through a negotiated procedure that was approved by National Bid Adjudication Committee (NBAC).
As the Minister, I have requested the Auditor-General to investigate whether due process was followed.
To reply to your question, see the refly below
(a) The Department informed me that the DPWI’s emergency procurement process to appoint the service provider was used as indicated above.
(b), (c) The motivation or reasons for appointment are as follows:
-
-
- Recognising the declaration of the National State of Disaster, and the subsequent Ministerial Directive on this matter it was deemed prudent to invoke the Departmental Emergency Procurement processes that entail the appointment of the required service provider through a negotiated procedure that has prior approval of the duly Accounting Officers’ delegated authority being the NBAC
- The service provider is currently appointed at the Beitbridge Land Port of Entry (LPOE), which is closest to the proposed Beitbridge borderline fence project
- The contractor is experienced and holds a CIDB grading of 8CE
- The contractor is already established onsite, and there will be no financial implications for establishment.
- The consideration that the existing service provider had scheduled rates.
-
(d) The Department informed that the contractor’s track record is as follows:
WCS No |
Client Description |
Project Description |
Status Description |
048176 |
DPW – LPOE |
Department Of Public Works: Land Ports Of Entry: Ramatlabama Bray And Makgobistad: Maintainance And Servicing Of Civil Mechanical And Electrical Installations. |
Service Completed |
048182 |
DPW-LPOE |
Swartkopfontein Gate Port Of Entry: Maintenance And Servicing Of Buildings, Civil, Mechanical And Electrical Installations. |
Service Completed |
048183 |
DPW-LPOE |
Dpw: Kosi Bay Port Of Entry: Appointment Of Contractors: Maintenance And Servicing Of Buildings, Civil, Mechanical And Electrical Installation |
Service Completed |
45604 |
CORRECTIONAL SERVICES |
Repair , Maintenance And Operations Of Water Sewerage Service |
Final Delivery Stage |
047935 |
DPW – LPOE |
FACILITIES MANAGEMENT, SERVICE CONTRACTS : Maintenance And Servicing Of Buildings, Civil, Mechanical, Electrical Infrastructure And Installations |
Service Completed |
049251 |
DPW – LPOE |
Skilpadshek: Bcocc: Maintenance And Upgrading Of Bui Ldings, Civil Infrastructure, Electrical Installations And M Mechanical Equipment. |
Service Completed |
049254 |
DPW – LPOE |
Mahamba,Bothashoop And Emahlathini Poe. Bcocc: Mainte Nace And Upgrading Of Buildings,Civil Infrastructure,Electri Cal Installations And Mechanical Equipment. |
Service Completed |
049255 |
DPW – LPOE |
Bcocc: Maintenance And Servicing Of Buildings,Civil,Electrical And Mechanical Installations And Infrastructure. |
Final Delivery Stage |
052500 |
DPW - LPOE |
Maintenance And Servicing Of Buildings, Civil, Mechanical An D Electrical Infrstructure Installations |
Construction Stage |
052734 |
DPW – LPOE |
Land Ports Of Entry: Groblers Bridge And Stockpoort: Appoint Ment Of Consultants: Maintenance And Servicing Of Building, Civil Mechanical And Electrical Infrastructure And Installa |
Construction Stage |
052982 |
DPW – LPOE |
Bray, Makgobistad And Swartkopfontein: Maintenance, Servicin G And Repair Of Buildings, Civil, Mechanical And Electrical Infrastructure And Installations |
Construction Stage |
052983 |
DPW – LPOE |
Ramatlabama, Kopfontein And Derdepoort: 36 Months Maintenanc E, Servicing And Repair Of Buildings, Civil, Mechanical And Electrical Infrastructure And Installations |
Practical Completion Stage |
053365 |
DPW – LPOE |
Maintanance,Servicing And Repairs Of Buildings, Civil, Mechanical And Electrical Infrastructure And Installations |
Construction Stage |
054631 |
DPW – LPOE |
36 Months Repairs, Maintenance And Servicing Of Buildings, C Ivil, Mechanical And Electrical Infrastructure And Installat Ions |
Construction Stage |
055769 |
DPW – LPOE |
Beitbridge Borderline Base: :Sandf 40km Borderline Fence Infrastructure And Installation On The Borders Between Rsa And Zimbabwe |
Construction Stage |
(e) No, the contractor is not a preferred service provider. The Department has many projects, with several service providers.
(f) The DPWI informed me that scoping and pricing were prior to the appointment.
(g) The Department informed me that scoping was done at the site visit held by DPWI and DOD officials on the 17 March 2020 at the Beitbridge Land Port of Entry. The pricing was done using the Bill of Quantities as the pricing strategy.
01 June 2020 - NW350
Masipa, Mr NP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
In light of the fact that her department presented stimulus package programme for the emerging farmers, wherein 262 farmers are going to be supported through this programme, and the fact that beneficiary farmers were assessed and evaluated by both the Agricultural Research Council and Entsika, what are the (a) details of the Entsika entity in terms of its ability to assess agriculture projects, (b) reasons the Land Bank is being excluded from this process, (c) details of the (i) identified 262 projects in each province and (ii) commodity and ownership structure of each project and (d) update on the beneficiary selection process or policy; (2) whether the policy was used to select the farmers; if not, why was the policy and/or the process not applied?
Reply:
1. (a) Entsika was appointed as part of the consortium which had technical agricultural experts to analyses the agricultural projects.
(b) The Land Bank did not submit a proposal from the advertised bid.
(c) (i),(ii) See Annexure A.
(d) Cabinet approved the Beneficiary Selection and Land Allocation Policy for publication in the government gazette for public comments which ended on 3 March 2020.
2 No. Commercial viability was used as one of the criteria for selection of stimulus package projects.
01 June 2020 - NW826
Montwedi, Mr Mk to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
Whether any communal property associations (CPAs) were successful in their land claims and are now leasing land to white farmers; if so, what number of farms are leased by CPAs to white farmers; (2) whether she has found that the CPA is the best model for communal land ownership; if not, does her department intend to review the Communal Property Associations Act, Act 28 of 1996; if so, what is the reason for this?
Reply:
1. Yes. The Department embarked on a process to identify CPAs with properties that are leased to third parties. According to the records of the Directorate of Communal Property Institutions in the Department, there are 505 properties currently leased from CPAs. A service provider is in the process of being appointed to verify this information, amongst other things.
2. Yes. Communal Property Associations are established in terms of an Act of Parliament, to acquire, hold and manage the property on behalf of the members of beneficiary communities. The Department has identified challenges in the functioning of these entities, and therefore, a strategy has been developed to tighten governance systems and other areas that need scrutiny to ensure that CPAs as land and property holding entities are compliant with the regulatory requirements, efficient and functional. Currently, there is no researched evidence which confirms that CPAs are not the best model for communal land ownership.
The Department constantly reviews its legislation to address challenges and enhance its efficacy. The CPA Amendment Bill that was passed by Parliament in December 2018 (currently awaiting assent by the President) provides for the establishment of the Office of the Registrar of Communal Property Associations with the relevant human resource capacity at both national and provincial levels to enforce governance and compliance with the Act.
01 June 2020 - NW27
Montwedi, Mr Mk to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
What programme does her department have in place to support commercial goat farmers?
Reply:
The Department of Agriculture, Land reform and Rural Development does not have any specific programme to support commercial goat farmers.
01 June 2020 - NW544
Gumbi, Mr HS to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Land Reform
(a) What are the relevant details of the status of the Motumo Trading in Capricorn District Municipality, (b) what is the purpose of the project and (c) on what date will the project be completed?
Reply:
(a) The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development is not aware of this project.
(b),(c) Falls away.
01 June 2020 - NW187
Graham-Maré, Ms SJ to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
Whether there is an official rural strategy document for his department to address the needs of rural communities situated far away from Home Affairs offices; if not, (a) why not and (b) will such a document be developed to address the issues; if so, what are the standard operating procedures for his department when visiting smaller towns and communities in terms of (i) notifying ward councillors of times and dates for visits, (ii) ensuring that staff have all the necessary tools of trade to render a comprehensive service to communities that cannot reach the main centres, (iii) providing a schedule to the local municipality of planned visits for the year, (iv) the prescribed minimum number of visits to each smaller town in each year and (v) the processing and addressing of complaints when departmental officials do not meet their obligations in terms of rendering the required services?
Reply:
The Department of Home Affairs has a constitutional obligation to provide equitable and quality service to the population of the Republic of South Africa residing in both rural and urban areas. The Department through its footprint development and optimisation strategy adopted a multi-channel strategy to deliver its services and this strategy utilizes the combination of traditional distribution channels (Physical Infrastructure), non-traditional channels (Mobile Units), partnerships with Public and Private organizations and the use of Information Communication Technology (ICT) to deliver on its services as well as to improve Geographic access to its service and quality of services the department delivers. The department established its distribution channels through the utilization of a scientific method to assess the provision and location of its services which includes the Geographic information system that assist the department to determine the optimal number and locations of traditional channels it requires to meet the service delivery needs of the population residing in both rural and urban areas.
- The provision of the Department’s distribution channels is determined by the Accessibility models that the department utilises in order to determine optimal locations to establish its facilities.
- The Department is currently conducting a geographical accessibility study which commenced in April 2019, to assess the provision and geographic locations of its service points in relation to where people live and work with the ultimate goal of improving geographic access to its services. The findings of the project are used to develop the department’s access model which will clearly outline the geographical areas which are under-served, poorly served and well-served by the department’s available footprint.
- Furthermore, the DHA Access Model will provide the number of service points that are required to provide optimum levels of services and access to beneficiaries, potential optimum, sites for new facilities and areas that should be given priority. The Department of Home Affairs will utilise the DHA Access Model to:
- Set targets for reducing distances that people travel to access our services
- Assess what is affordable for fixed offices and what can be done by mobile or other means to extend access and affordability
- Consult with provincial and local authorities on their spatial development frameworks to identify sites that are suitable for DHA facilities, coordinating planning and investment in new facilities.
- The implementation of the Department’s Access Model will commence during 2020/21 financial year. The department utilises geographic information system software to also assess the provision of its service points as well as the total population that are covered by its service points. The preliminary DHA Access Model shows that the department requires approximately 261 front offices and 183 mobile visiting points to deliver optimal services to the population as depicted in the table below.
- The Department has dedicated offices, in the form of mobile units, which are used to visit communities to render services. These mobile offices are managed by Mobile Office Managers and all tools of trade required are kept in those mobile offices.
- Furthermore, Stakeholder Forum platforms enable the Department to reach out to far flung communities by having community leaders in the persons of the Ward Councilors, Ward Committees, Community Development Workers (CDWs) to bring us needy, undocumented community members, who would require documentation in all its forms, by informing them of the documentation requirements for them to know what to bring when requiring Home Affairs services. The regular Stakeholder Forum meetings, in conjunction with the Departmental officials, that are held bi-monthly, craft Itineraries for different Wards, or localities with dates, and times, stating the requirements, or supporting documents that must be brought along by the clients.
- Programs are distributed to our stakeholders, including Speakers and ward Councillors, during Stakeholder Forums before the actual day of rendering services to a particular area to allow communities to prepare themselves in advance. Our Mobile Offices also play a meaningful role by visiting such communities to sensitize them about our visits and also place our programs at prominent areas for public consumption.
- The Department does not have a prescribed set of visits. Visits are normally informed by the volume of clients who require services at a particular place. Ward councilors normally accumulate the information on the services required by their communities; this will then inform the Department when developing community visit programs with regard to the number of visits to a particular area.
- The Department has put in place the Service Delivery Charter that provides the turnaround times for services it delivers in all its offices. The Service Charter also provides the redress mechanisms that are put in place in order to address the services that are not delivered within turnaround times as stipulated in the Service Delivery Charter.
- These mechanisms including the Department’s contact centre and the complaints and suggestion boxes that are placed within all front offices of the department of home affairs. The details of the contact centre is provided on the Service Charters that are displayed in all front offices where clients are able to call the contact centre and enquire about their applications. The contact centre of the Department of Home Affairs, given the status of the application has the capacity to resolve complaints and cases to the finalisation of the application.
- Furthermore, queries and complaints that are logged through the complaints and suggestion boxes in all front offices of the Department are attended by District Managers: Operations, and they implement appropriate remedial actions to address the situation. Premier/ Ministerial complaints are attended at Head Office through Provincial Manager’s office.
END
01 June 2020 - NW650
Steyn, Ms A to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
(1) Whether her department distributes food parcels to needy persons; if so, what (a) criteria does her department use to determine which persons qualify to receive food parcels, (b) number of persons received food parcels from her department each day since 1 February 2020, (c) food and other goods does a standard food parcel contain and (d) is the cost of each food parcel; (2) what is the name(s) of the service provider(s) that was contracted to provide food parcels in each province; (3) what are the details of the plans her department has put in place to ensure that more needy persons receive food parcels, especially in light of the national lockdown to combat the COVID-19 pandemic; (4) whether her department took any steps to liaise with and mobilise civil society and businesses to assist her department with hunger relief initiatives; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW852E
Reply:
1. The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) has not distributed food parcels to needy persons as this is the mandate that was undertaken by the Department of Social Development (DSD). DALRRD received food sponsorships from willing partners within the Agriculture sector during this COVID 19 outbreak. The distribution of such sponsored food items was agreed upon with the relevant sponsor, based on their prioritised areas in collaboration with DALRRD.
(a) The food parcels that were sponsored by volunteers within the Agricultural sector were distributed in accordance with the sponsors’ preferences.
(b) DALRRD did not distribute food parcels except those that were received from sponsors of food items [Golden Harvest donated 5 000 fruit and vegetable packs to communities in the Western Cape].
(c) The sponsored packs had fruits and vegetables.
(d) There were no costs to DALRRD as these packs were donated.
(2) What is the name(s) of the service provider(s) that was contracted to provide food parcels in each province;
REPLY:
There were no service providers contracted by DALRRD to provide food parcels in provinces.
(3) What are the details of the plans her department has put in place to ensure that more needy persons receive food parcels, especially in light of the national lockdown to combat the COVID-19 pandemic;
REPLY:
Though the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) was not directly involved in the distribution of food parcels DALRRD has been monitoring the availability and stability of supply for food in the food value chain and together with its State Owned Entities (SOEs) monitoring the prices of the basic food items using the 28 item Basic Food Basket and the 35 item zero rated food basket. DALRRD has further re-prioritised funding of up to R1.2billion to support small-scale producers that are in production of poultry, vegetables and fruits, livestock and field crops.
(4) Whether her department took any steps to liaise with and mobilise civil society and businesses to assist her department with hunger relief initiatives; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW852E
REPLY:
Before the pronouncement of the lockdown by the President the DALRRD Ministry established Task Teams between the Sector Industry partners (from production, processing and retail), its SOEs and Senior Officials in the DALRRD. The Task Team was established to ensure food availability and food price monitoring occurs more frequently than usual. The process of monitoring food availability and stability is being conducted through an End-to-end Agricultural value chain tracker developed in partnership with Industry partners, which is a 24 to 48-hour reporting cycle, this was to address the challenge of panic buying by consumers who would end up using all their money. The prioritised funding to support small-scale producers is specifically in support of COVID 19 as the department has its usual support programmes such as Ilima/Letsema, CASP, LandCare, Land Acquisition Grants that are intended to support all producers.
01 June 2020 - NW476
Van Minnen, Ms BM to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
(1)What measures and guidelines has she in collaboration with the Minister in The Presidency put in place to prevent financial mismanagement and fraud regarding State and official funerals in accordance with the instructions she gave in November 2019 and her report during the Standing Committee on Public Accounts on 3 March 2020; (2) on what date will the process be completed; (3) (a) what are the details of the expenditure limits or caps that have been placed on State and official funerals and (b) how were the limits determined; (4) what (a) is the total number of State and official funerals that her Department paid in the past two financial years and (b) amount was spent on each funeral; (5) with reference to the total expenditure on State and official funerals in the past two financial years, what (a) amount has been found to (i) comprise irregular expenditure and (ii) be deviations due to procurement shortcomings and (b) was the difference between the quoted amounts and the actual expenditure for each specified funeral?
Reply:
The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:
1); (2) The work to finalise measures and guidelines is still in progress and meetings between myself and the Minister in the Presidency ongoing. The guidelines will be completed and first presented to the Cabinet for consideration before it is implemented.
(3) (a) The Department developed ‘Cost norms and standard for the provision of infrastructure for State and Official Funerals’ document that is aligned to the State, Official and Provincial Official Funeral Policy Manual. The manual was sent to the Presidency for input and sign-off. However, the Department already started to implement the limits and caps on costs for State and Official funerals. Once Cabinet has approved the new funeral policy, it will be applied.
(4) (a) The total number of funerals that the Department paid for in 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 financial years is 15.
(b) The amount that was spent on each of the funeral is:
FUNERAL |
DATE |
AMOUNT SPENT |
Mr Kgositsile |
03/02/2018 |
R9 000 349.00 |
Ms Madikizela-Mandela |
14/04/2018 |
R35 731 835.85 |
Mr Skweyiya |
28/04/2018 |
R28 967 791.37 |
Mr Modise |
28/06/2018 |
R11 440 661.84 |
Mrs Sobukwe |
25/06/2018 |
R9 836 239.80 |
Minister Molelwa |
06/10/2018 |
R4 798 163.30 |
Mr Mtshali |
21/10/2018 |
R2 904 426.89 |
Ms Msimang |
26/10/2018 |
R752 221.70 |
Mr Msimang |
15/12/2018 |
R1 296 275.10 |
Mr Khumalo |
26/02/2019 |
R863 942.10 |
General Maphoto |
26/06/2018 |
R880 891.95 |
Mr Vincent Dube |
07/09/2018 |
R497 651.00 |
Deputy Minister Hlongwe |
21/09/2019 |
R972 237.53 |
Dr Richard Maponya |
22/01/2020 |
R211 338.00 |
Dr Joseph Shabalala |
23/02/2020 |
R391 230.00 |
TOTAL |
R105 640829.02 |
(5) (a) (i) I was informed by the DPWI that the expenditure had not been subjected to all the necessary due diligence which apply within the Department for it to be correctly categorised.
FUNERAL |
ACTUAL EXPENDITURE |
5(a)(ii) DEVIATION |
5(b) DIFF BTWN QUOTED AMOUNT AND ACUTAL EXP |
Mr Kgositsile |
R9 000 349.00 |
None |
None |
Ms Madikizela-Mandela |
R35 731 835.85 |
R16 781 441.17 |
R1 980 614.48 |
Mr Skweyiya |
R28 967 791.37 |
R4 162 078.90 |
R3 320 152.07 |
Mr Modise |
R11 440 661.84 |
R3 870 198.50 |
R77 165.00 |
Mrs Sobukwe |
R9 836 239.80 |
R160 813.30 |
R124 315.00 |
Minister Molelwa |
R4 798 163.30 |
None |
None |
Mr Mtshali |
R2 904 426.89 |
R53 130.00 |
R364 975.50 |
Ms Msimang |
R752 221.70 |
None |
None |
Mr Msimang |
R1 296 275.10 |
None |
None |
Mr Khumalo |
R863 942.10 |
None |
None |
General Maphoto |
R880 891.95 |
None |
None |
Mr Vincent Dube |
R497 651.00 |
None |
None |
Deputy Minister Hlongwe |
R972 237.53 |
None |
None |
Dr Richard Maponya |
R211 338.00 |
None |
None |
Dr Joseph Shabalala |
R391 230.00 |
None |
None |
29 May 2020 - NW618
Singh, Mr N to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
(1) what (a) is the total number of informal wet markets in the Republic and (b) steps will her department in association with other relevant departments take to avoid that such markets become incubators for dangerous pathogens and viruses as most recently seen regarding the circumstances for the suspected outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic at a fish market in Wuhan, China; (2) whether she intends closing wet markets in the Republic; if not, what preventative measures will she put in place; if so, what are the full details of the effect that this will have on general food security generated by these markets?
Reply:
618. THE MINISTER OF FORESTRY, FISHERIES AND THE ENVIRONMENT REPLIES:
1(a). According to the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, there are no known formal or informal wet markets in the republic. However, in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, section 162, Municipalities are responsible for the publication of relevant bylaws in their respective provinces, which would regulate activities associated with such markets. It should further be noted that the Meat Safety Act (Act No. 40 of 2000), enforced by the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) regulates the meat product. Therefore, please refer further questions in this regard to municipalities and/or the DALRRD
1(b) Please see 1(a) above
2. Please 1(a) above
Regards
MS B D CREECY, MP
MINISTER OF FORESTORY FISHERIES AND ENVIRONMENT
DATE: 29/05/202
29 May 2020 - NW924
Mulder, Dr CP to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
Whether her department awarded any tenders connected to the Covid- 19 pandemic; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what (a) are the names of the businesses to whom these tenders were awarded, (b) are the amounts of each tender awarded and (c) was the service and/ or product to be supplied by each business; 2. Whether there was any deviation from the standard supply chain management procedures in the awarding of tenders ; if so, (a) why and (b) what are the relevant details in each case; 3. What was the reason for which each specified business was awarded the specified tender; 4. Whether she will make a statement on the matter?
Reply:
1. There were no tenders awarded connected to the Covid- 19 pandemic.
(a) None
(b) None
(c) None
(2) Not applicable
(3) Not applicable
(4) Not applicable
29 May 2020 - NW583
Meth, Ms N to ask the Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation
By what date will her department complete the water project in Wards (a) 17, (b) 18 and (c) 19 of Intsika Yethu Local Municipality since the Ncora dam programme was announced by the former Minister Mokonyane (details furnished)?
Reply:
The Ncora Regional Bulk Infrastructure Project, which is funded by the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) in terms of the Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant (RBIG), has been completed and bulk supply lines have been installed in the Ncora zone areas that feed wards 17, 18 and 19.
Components of the projects that are outstanding comprise of the villages’ internal reservoirs and reticulation which is funded through the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) funding from the Department of Cooperative Governance (CoGTA). Progress can be summarised as follows:
- Ward 17: The Department has completed the bulk supply lines under Ncora Programme in Ward 17. The Chris Hani District Municipality is currently busy with connecting infrastructure through the “KwaMzola Water Supply Project" funded through MIG.
- In Ward 18 bulk supply lines: The Ncora (Zone A) Villages Water Project is also complete. The project was completed in 2018. However, Qaqane village which was part of the scope of this project is now being implemented as part of the Kwa-Mzola and completion is projected for January 2021. The project is funded through MIG.
- In Ward 19: The Bulk line from Ncora WTW to Ngxabangu and reticulation of surrounding villages was competed in 2013 and 2016 respectively. They were funded through RBIG and MIG. Progress on remaining villages is reflected below. Requesting the Honourable Member to refer to the table below indicating projects under each ward:
CHDM CLUSTER 4 NCORA ZONES |
|||||
WARD |
Village Names |
Population |
Completed |
Duration |
Comments |
WARD 19 |
Gcina-K |
935 |
Completed |
|
Supplied from the Ncora Water Treatment Works. Rehabilitation of existing reticulation required. |
Maqwathini-C |
739 |
Completed |
|
||
Mqanqeni |
951 |
Completed |
|
||
KwaMqanqeni |
1 283 |
completed |
|
||
Maqwthini-A |
1 613 |
Completed |
|
||
Nquqhu-B |
1 954 |
Completed |
|
||
Nonqonqwama |
2 093 |
Completed |
|
||
Ngxabangu |
2 308 |
Completed |
|
||
Dipini-A |
1 013 |
Completed |
|
||
Hoyana |
1 115 |
Completed |
|
||
Taiwan |
181 |
Completed |
|
||
eQolweni-A |
452 |
Outstanding |
32 weeks |
Technical reports ready. Awaiting budget allocation. Supplied from Ncora Treatment Works. |
|
Halla BB |
418 |
Outstanding |
32 weeks |
||
Mtinwevu Mission |
340 |
Outstanding |
40Weeks |
||
Mpunga & Nquqhu |
421 |
Outstanding |
40 Weeks |
||
Sub Total |
|
14 185 |
|
|
|
WARD18 |
Banti |
673 |
Completed |
|
Supplied from the Ncora Water Treatment Works. Under ConstructIon |
Mahlungulu-C |
683 |
Completed |
|
||
Gongqo |
1 854 |
Completed |
|
||
Kwachotha |
1 292 |
Outstanding |
28 weeks |
Design Ready, CHDM to finalise Budget allocation |
|
Nomadambe |
903 |
Outstanding |
43 weeks |
||
Nomadamba |
1 302 |
Outstanding |
56 weeks |
||
lahlangobo-D |
465 |
Outstanding |
24 weeks |
||
Longqayi |
883 |
Outstanding |
43 weeks |
||
Lower Ncora |
783 |
Outstanding |
43 weeks |
||
Jojweni-N |
2 754 |
Outstanding |
|
||
Sub Total |
|
11 592 |
|
|
|
WARD 17 |
Melika |
832 |
Completed |
|
Supplied from the Ncora Water Treatment Works. Village Reticulation completed. |
Luqolweni |
112 |
Completed |
|
||
KwaMzola |
3981 |
Under Construction |
80 Weeks
|
Immediate Future Supply from the Ncora Water Treatment Works. Village reticulation and 12km of secondary bulk line still to be implemented. CHDM busy with procurement and funding prioritisation. |
|
Luqolweni-F |
215 |
||||
Matafeni - B |
279 |
||||
Pesikeni |
811 |
Outstanding |
56 weeks |
||
Mqwazini |
320 |
Outstanding |
36 weeks |
||
Matafeni - A |
692 |
Outstanding Tender doc Ready |
|
||
Mgababa- A |
1495 |
Outstanding |
26 weeks |
||
Gesini |
371 |
Outstanding Tender doc Ready |
43 weeks |
||
Esigangeni-A |
816 |
outstanding |
43 weeks |
||
Bhotani-A |
543 |
outstanding |
36 weeks |
||
Tshayelela |
455 |
outstanding |
24 weeks |
||
Bhotani-A |
543 |
outstanding |
36 weeks |
||
Bhotani-B |
857 |
outstanding |
43 weeks |
||
Home |
209 |
outstanding |
24 weeks |
||
Sub Total |
12 531 |
|
|
|
|
Grand Total |
|
38 308 |
|
|
|
29 May 2020 - NW834
Winkler-Lidgett, Ms HS to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
(a) What criteria are necessary to declare an area a High Priority Air Quality Area, (b) has she considered declaring the South Durban Basin a High Priority Air Quality Area considering that the area has been identified as an air pollution hot spot with high incidences of respiratory illness, (c) what oversight does her Department exercise over the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality in terms of monitoring compliance with the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act, 2004 (Act No. 39 of 2004, (d) how often does her Department exercise oversight over the specified municipality in terms of compliance with the specified Act, considering that her Department has been made aware of high levels of air pollution in the South Durban Basin and across the province, and (e)(1) what oversight and (ii) how often does her Department exercise oversight over municipalities in terms of their compliance with the specified Act?
Reply:
(b) 834. THE MINISTER OF FORESTRY, FISHERIES AND THE ENVIRONMENT REPLIES:
a) For the Minister to declare an area as a national air quality priority area, amongst other things:
• It must have exceedances of national ambient air quality standards;
• The Minister reasonably believes that such will be the case in the future; and
• it must extend beyond provincial boundaries
b) As indicated above, for an area to be declared to be declared as a priority area, it must extend beyond provincial boundaries. In the case of the South Durban Basin, the area falls entirely within the boundaries of the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality. As a consequence, it would be for the Membe of Executive Council (MEC) in the province to make such a declaration if the area needs the requirements as set out in Section 18 of the National Environmental Management : Air Quality Act, 2004 (Act No/ 39 of 2004)/
c) The national department provides and support to all municipalities in the execution of their air quality management duties and responsibilities through an intergovernmental forum called MINMEC, consisting of the Minister of Environment and the MECs responsible for Environment, as well as Mayors of metropolitan municipalities, relevant sector department and SALGA. Minmec meetings are held on a quarterly basis to ensure that policy coordination takes place.
Furthermore, the MINIMEC has established a technical forum called MINITECH, consisting of the Director General and provincial Heads of Department, relevant sector departments, metropolitan municipal managers and SALGA to provide formal technical support to the MINMEC, MINTCH, as the technical structures, informs and advises the Minister and MECs. MINTECH is informed by Working Groups consisting of national, provincial and local government officials ,Working Group 2 is designated for air quality management.
Through these structures sector targets are set, in line with relevant legislation, performance monitored and corrective measures taken by all three spheres of government according to the principles of cooperative government as set out in Chapter 3, section 41(1) of the Constitution. This section of the Constitution stipulates the principles of cooperative government and intergovernmental relations applicable to all spheres of government, and requires them (spheres of government) tp operate within the framework of mutual trust and good faith
d) The establishment for a meet on a quarterly basis
e) (i) and (ii) The Department is in the process of establishing a stakeholder forum in the area, with the view to bring together spheres of government, industry, NGOs/CBOs, academia and any othver interested and affected parties. The forum will provide a platform for all stakeholders to engage openly and transparently with a view to address air pollution concerns in the area.
In addition, the Department will be conducting a health study in the area in order to get a better understanding of the impact of air pollution on the residents of the area
Regards
MS B D CREECY, MP
MINISTER OF FORESTORY FISHERIES AND ENVIRONMENT
DATE: 29/05/202
29 May 2020 - NW873
Basson, Mr LJ to ask the Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation
(1)Whether her department will offer any form of Covid-19 financial or other relief to small businesses; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) whether the Covid-19 financial or other relief will only be allocated to qualifying small businesses according to the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act, Act 53 of 2003, as amended; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) on what statutory grounds and/or provisions does she or her department rely to allocate Covid-19 financial or other relief only to small businesses according to the specified Act and (b) what form of Covid-19 financial or other relief, if any, will be made available to other small businesses?
Reply:
(1) The matter raised by the Honourable Member does not fall within mandate of the Department of Water and Sanitation or the Department of Human Settlements.
(2) Not applicable.
29 May 2020 - NW804
Singh, Mr N to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
1) With regard to the Level 4 regulations on the relaxation of the lockdown to curb the spread of Covid-19 which came into effect on 1 May 2020, (a) on what date did she issue directives to clarify what the phrase 'all fishing allowed' means and (b)(i) what are the directives and (ii) on what grounds are they based; and (2) with regard to the internationally known sardine run which will take place soon, what considerations have been given to cater for the sardine run phenomenon in view of current lockdown regulations?
Reply:
804. THE MINISTER OF FORESTRY, FISHERIES AND THE ENVIRONMENT REPLIES:
1. (a) The Directions Regarding measures to Address, Prevent and Combat the Spread of COVID-19, in particular relating to the Freshwater and Marine Fishing Sectors, were gazetted on 14 May 2020.
(b) (i) These Directions apply to:
■ Mariculture, commercial and small-scale fishing rights, permits and exemptions;
■ Commercial and small-scale fishing vessel licences;
■ Fishing Processing Establishments rights, permits and exemptions
■ Permits or exemptions to import or export fish; and
■ Recreational fishers
They provide for the prohibition of sports and recreational fishing activities, as well as for the extention of validity of permit, exemption or licence issued in terms of the Marine Living Resources Act, 1998 (Act No. 18 of 1998) prior to the national lockdown.
(ii) The Directives were based on the principle of restricting personnel movement other than for essential travel for work in terms of the alleviation provided for in Part A OF Table 1 of the Regulations as they pertain to fishing activities.
2. The KwaZulu Natal Sardine Beach Seine fishery is a fully fledged fishing sector with right holders fishing on commercial and small scale permits. During the upcoming Sardine Run, Rights Holders that operate in this sector, will operate in a similar manner as right holder in other commercial fishing sectors.
At the current lockdown alert level , access to beaches continue to remain restricted, and the Department will continue to work with all relevant Coastal Municipalities and Law Enforcement Officers to ensure that authorised fishers have access to beaches and there is compliance with the lockdown Regulations.
Regards
MS B D CREECY, MP
MINISTER OF FORESTORY FISHERIES AND ENVIRONMENT
DATE: 29/05/202
29 May 2020 - NW38
Lotriet, Prof A to ask the Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation
(1)Whether, following the release of the statement regarding the interventions announced to address the water problems in QwaQwa (details furnished), all of the promised 5 000 state-owned tanks have been delivered to QwaQwa; if not, (a) why not and (b) on what date will the tanks be delivered; (2) which sources will be used to fill up the tanks in the light of the current incapacity to fill tanks to supply at least 25 litres of water per person per day to 240 000 persons who have no other source of water?
Reply:
(1) The water tanks are being delivered in batches to manage the risk of delivering all 5,000 tanks at once due to lack of sufficient storage facilities and instability within the municipality. Some of the water tanks have already been installed in the wards. The number of water tanks is increasing as they are fabricated and delivered to QwaQwa and subsequently installed in the locations identified in affected wards. The construction of water tank stands and installation is in progress in wards of Maluti-A-Phofung Local Municipality currently. Ordering and subsequent delivery of the additional 3,000 water tanks will follow after the initial 2000 tanks are delivered.
Two-thousand (2,000) water tanks were ordered out of the five-thousand (5,000). As at 23 March 2020, a total of 261 (made up of 30×10,000 litres and 231×5,000 litres capacities, respectively) out of the 2,000 water tanks had been delivered to QwaQwa.. The number will be increasing as the time is progressing.
(2) The current water sources utilized to fill up the water tankers are Sterkfontein Water Treatment Plant (from Sterkfontein Dam) through the Bluegumbosch Connection (Water Tanker Facility) and Makwane Water Treatment Plant (from Metsi Matsho Dam) through the Comet Connection (Water Tanker Facility). The other sources are groundwater sources (boreholes) located in various areas of QwaQwa. While using these sources, the Department, Municipality and Sedibeng Water are currently implementing long term interventions to ensure that water comes out from taps and not through tankering.
(3) Seventeen (17) boreholes in total have been equipped on an emergency basis to supply water to the residents of QwaQwa. Two appointed contractors are establishing sites to equip five boreholes each that will be connected to the existing infrastructure to facilitate water supply through the existing reticulation network. Boreholes that are equipped are in the following areas:
- Tsheseng: 2 boreholes equipped with electrical pumps, which are pumping into a water tank. Residents are accessing water through stand pipes that have been installed;
- Masaleng: 1 borehole equipped with an electrical pump and 1 equipped with a hand pump;
- Mantsubise: 1 borehole equipped with a hand pump due to the low yield of the borehole;
- Naledi: 1 borehole equipped with a hand pump;
- Paballong: 4 boreholes equipped with hand pumps;
- Tseki: 2 electrical pumps (currently in progress);
- Monontsha: 1 electrical pump;
- Dinkweng: 1 electrical pump;
- Setlabotjha: 1 electrical pump;
- Lejwaneng: 2 hand pumps;
- Thabang: 2 electrical pumps (1 has been completed);
- Phahameng: 1 electrical pump;
- Thaba Tsoana: 1 electrical pump.
The contractors have already commenced with project activities that will allow the connections to the infrastructure. The construction duration is anticipated to take about 4 months having commenced on the 24 February 2020. The areas to still be equipped include: Sejwalejwale, Lejwaneng and Hlatseng.
29 May 2020 - NW598
Tafeni, Ms N to ask the Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation
What measures has her department put in place to assist the Mnquma Local Municipality to provide its residents with water?
Reply:
With regard to water supply to the residents of Mnquma, the Department has committed to the following medium to long term interventions:
(i) Medium term intervention: R64 million is allocated as Drought Relief through an allocation of drought funding under Water Services Infrastructure Grant (WSIG). Drilling of boreholes by an appointed contractor is in place to equip boreholes in Teko Kona for water that is to be piped back to Butterworth. The Covid-19 Intervention Plan is also under implementation with an allocation of 169 water tanks and 6 water tankers within the Mnquma Local Municipality area.
(ii) Long-term intervention: Ngqamakhwe Bulk Water Transfer Project - The Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant (RBIG) project is committed by my department at a project cost estimate of R725 million. Upon its completion, it will primarily focus on significant enhancement of the water security of Butterworth. This will introduce an additional source of raw water from the Tsomo River and thus augment the current Xilinxa River supply. My department has further appointed an Internal Construction Unit to implement this project and site establishment was targeted to be undertaken by 31 March 2020. Due to lockdown the official target date is revised and is set for Mid -May 2020
(iii) Long-term intervention: Gcuwa Weir raising: In considering options for the improvement of the water supply to Butterworth, the DWS Engineers have arrived at proposed solutions of the Government Water Scheme supplying the town. They have identified increasing storage capacity of the Gcuwa weir as the best solution in light of the diminished capacity of the weir due to siltation. They have recommended the raising of the weir as the best option ahead of de-siltation and dredging. The internal Dam design team (Engineering Services) have been instructed to embark on designs for the Gcuwa weir raising. They have indicated that designs will be finished in September 2020, enabling the Internal Construction unit to mobilise the site in October 2020 to start construction. The construction will cost about R160 million and will take 12 months to complete.
During the course of this drought period the Mquma Water Intervention Technical Task Team conducts weekly meetings that are chaired by the Office of the Premier of the Eastern Cape. The stakeholders include the Office of the Premier, officials of my department and of CoGTA. In addition, there are broader sectors of Municipalities, Community leaders and Amatola Water Board represented in the task team.
29 May 2020 - NW700
Bagraim, Mr M to ask the Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation
(1)With reference to her reply to question 34 on 13 March 2020, what are the reasons why the project (a) construction activities did not commence during 2018 and (b) was not commissioned in December 2019 which was (i) the planned date and (ii) stated in writing by the Uthukela District Municipality appointed consultants on 8 September 2016; (2) what are the details of persons and/or consultants who are conducting the feasibility study which is currently being undertaken by Umgeni Water including but not limited to the (a) names of each person and/or consultant, (b) professions of each person and/or consultant, (c) work to be done by each person and/or consultant and (d) fees and/or charges to be paid to each person and/or consultant?
Reply:
(1) Honourable Member, I am informed that initially, uThukela District Municipality intended to implement the project itself. Upon realising that it could not afford to cover costs related to economic component of the project, as the Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant (RBIG) does not fund such costs, the municipality decided to approach the Umgeni Water Board for assistance. The Uthukela District Municipality proposed that Umgeni Water should become the bulk water provider for the municipality. Both parties agreed that Umgeni Water would implement the Spioenkop-Ladysmith Bulk Water Supply Scheme. When Umgeni Water took over the scheme, a fatal flaw analysis was conducted and it was discovered that one of the key considerations relating to the water resource availability for the new infrastructure had not been effectively investigated by the municipality.
A hydrological study revealed that the scheme in the proposed form would not be possible as the water resource identified initially would not have been able to supply the proposed bulk water scheme. This meant that another feasibility study needed to be carried out and another alternative option to supply the area would have to be identified.
(2) Following the discontinuation of the initial proposal for the scheme, an entirely different concept needed to be adopted to ensure sustainable water supply to the areas concerned. A new feasibility study which would include a comprehensive options analysis to determine a reliable resource and the configuration of a scheme was needed. The scheme can then be connected to this resource and supply the needs of the regional area. The Umgeni Water Board is in the process of procuring a consultant to undertake the feasibility study and options analysis for the scheme. It is anticipated that the feasibility study will be completed by the end of 2021 and thereafter the project would move into a detailed design phase and construction.
29 May 2020 - NW646
Lees, Mr RA to ask the Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation
With reference to her reply to question 34 on 13 March 2020, what are the details of (a) each of the estimated expenses that make up the preliminary cost estimate of R1 941 894 392,00, (b) the payments made by all government and municipal departments and entities to persons and/or consultants on the project since it was initiated up to 29 February 2020, and (c) work done on the project by all consultants since the project was initiated up to 29 February 2020 including but not exclusively by each consultant in terms of (i) name, (ii) profession, (iii) work done, (iv) the amounts paid to each and (v) the dates that the work done by each consultant was completed?
Reply:
The estimated cost of R1 941 894 392 provided in my reply to question 34 was for the entire Driefontein Bulk Water Supply Scheme. The project in question (i.e. Ladysmith (Spioenkop) Bulk Water Supply Scheme) constitutes a third phase of the project. The breakdown is as follows:
Driefontein Bulk Complex – Phase 1 |
Driefontein (Hobsland-Indaka) Bulk Water Scheme – Phase 2 |
Spioenkop-Ladysmith Bulk Water Supply Scheme – Phase 3 |
Total Cost |
|
MIG Funding |
3,023,354 |
20,042,456 |
40,699,215 |
63,765,025 |
RBIG Funding |
116,739,394 |
281,002,717 |
479,397,225 |
877,139,336 |
Other Funding |
1,000,990,031 |
1,000,990,031 |
||
Total |
119,762,748 |
301,045,173 |
1,521,086,471 |
1,941,894,392 |
No payments have been made on the Spioenkop-Ladysmith Bulk Water Supply Scheme because the project is still in the feasibility study phase which Umgeni Water undertook to fund from its own coffers.
28 May 2020 - NW893
Van Der Walt, Ms D to ask the Minister of Basic Education
Whether her department has finalised Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the containment and management of Covid-19 in schools; if not, by what date will the SOPs be finalised; if so, have the SOPs as yet been circulated to the provincial departments of education?
Reply:
The Department has finalised the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the prevention, containment and management of COVID-19 in schools and school communities. They have been sent to provinces and are also placed on the DBE website.
28 May 2020 - NW847
Gumbi, Mr HS to ask the Minister of Tourism
What (a) total number of applications for Covid-19 funding relief have been received through the Tourism Relief Fund in each province to date, (b) number of the specified applications have been (i) approved and (ii) rejected in each case in each province and (c) was the Rand value of each (i) approved and (ii) rejected application in each case in each province?
Reply:
The Department of Tourism established the Tourism Relief Fund as a measures to mitigate the negative economic effects caused to tourism businesses by the coronavirus pandemic.
a). What are the total number of applications for Covid-19 funding relief have been received through the Tourism Relief Fund in each province to date?
The Department is currently in the process of receiving and processing applications from enterprises affected by coronavirus pandemic. As soon as the process is completed, details with regard to the number of applications received, processed and the outcomes of applications will be communicated.
b). (i) (ii). Not applicable
c). (i) (ii). Not applicable
28 May 2020 - NW71
Hill-Lewis, Mr GG to ask the Minister of Finance
What is the position of the National Treasury on the proposals by the Congress of South African Trade Unions, which are alleged to be supported by the Minister of Public Enterprises, to commandeer R254 billion in funds from the Government Employees Pension Fund for the purposes of writing down Eskom’s debt?
Reply:
Government Employees Pension Fund’s (GEPF) Board of Trustees are fully mandated to make any investment decisions, in relation to the Fund. There is no requirement in terms of the Government Employee Pension Law, for the GEPF to consult with the National Treasury in making investment decisions. GEPF’s investment mandate outlines which type of investments can be made, the percentage allocation for each asset class, benchmarks and performance targets, among other guidelines. The investment decisions made by the GEPF should contribute to positive economic, social and environmental outcomes of South Africa, while earning good returns for members. These investments are regulated by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority, through the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services (FAIS) Act.
28 May 2020 - NW538
George, Dr DT to ask the Minister of Finance
Whether, with regard to the COVID-19 pandemic, any financial support or stimulus package will be made available to any affected business or individual; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
Government’s economic response has been conducted according to a 3-phase approach. Following the declaration of a state of disaster on 15 March 2020, the National Treasury acted immediately to announce a set of Phase 1 economic measures.
These included:
1. Immediate release of funds to where they were needed, including the immediate release of over R460 million in disaster funding to the Health sector.
2. An Instruction Note 8 of 2019/20 applicable to Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) institutions and a Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA) Circular 100 for municipalities and municipal entities, to speed up the procurement of goods / commodities required to reduce and control the spread of the virus.
3. A first set of exceptional tax measures as part of the fiscal package. These measures were over and above the tax proposals made in the 2020 Budget on 26 February 2020. The tax adjustments are made in light of the National State of Disaster and due to the significant and potentially lasting negative impacts on the economy from the spreading of the COVID-19 virus.
4. The Office of the Auditor-General announced a conditional Exemption Notice in order to ensure effective and efficient service delivery and to minimise any potential delay in decision making. The conditional Exemption Notice will also facilitate and enable legislative processes during the period of the national state of disaster.
5. The National Treasury has also approved or supported the release of fund in several areas to provide economic support. These include the early release of social grants in March 2020, the release of funds for SME and spaza shop support, accelerated payment of wage support through the UIF, and seed capital support (R100 million) for the national Solidarity Fund.
In addition, the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) also took critical measures in the weeks following the state of disaster declaration and the lockdown.
These include:
1. A cumulative 200 basis points reduction in the repo rate.
2. A large injection of liquidity in the financial system, including the purchase of government bonds in the secondary market to ensure there is sufficient liquidity in the bond market.
3. Regulatory changes, including a reduction in capital and liquidity requirements.
4. Issuing guidance to reduce dividends and bonuses among banks.
Subsequent to the above, as part of Phase 2, the National Treasury and the SARB have continued to work together on an additional set of interventions. This culminated in the announcement by President Ramaphosa of a large economic intervention package on 21 April 2020, and a more detailed outline by the Minister of Finance on 24 April 2020. The set of additional measures as part of phase 2, are as follows:
1. Spending and revenue measures:
(a) Setting aside an amount of R20 billion to be directed to addressing our efforts in dealing with the pandemic.
(b) Directing R50 billion towards relieving the plight of those who are most desperately affected by the coronavirus. Child support grant beneficiaries will receive an extra R300 in May. From June to October there will be an additional R500 each month. All other grants will be topped-up by R250 per month for six months. We will use our existing system to disburse these grants. In addition, a special Covid-19 Social Relief of Distress grant of R350 a month for the next 6 months will be made available.
(c) A set of 10 (ten) additional tax proposals:
- Expanding access to living annuity funds by allowing individual to adjust the proportion they receive as annuity income, instead of waiting up to one year until their next contract anniversary date.
- Increased fiscal backing to individuals who donate to the Solidarity Fund by increasing the deduction available for these specific donations and increasing the limits for payroll giving to the Solidarity Fund – including in determining the monthly withholding of employees’ tax.
- An increase in the turnover threshold for automatic deferrals.
- An increase in the deferment of employee’s tax
- A postponement of some of the corporate tax proposals in the 2020 Budget on interest expenses and assessed losses.
- A three-month deferral for filing and first payment of carbon tax liabilities to 31 October 2020.
- Deferring the payment of excise duty on alcoholic beverages and tobacco products.
- Fast-tracking VAT refunds.
- A skills development levy holiday of 4 months from 1 May 2020.
- An increase in the expanded employment tax incentive amount from R500 to R750 per employee.
2. Additional support to firms through a new R200 billion credit guarantee scheme, jointly backed by the South African Reserve Bank and the National Treasury.
3. A phased reopening of the economy from 1 May 2020 will begin to reignite economic activity and gradually restore demand and livelihoods.
Beyond the interventions outlined above, the National Treasury is working with partners in government, labor and other stakeholders to move forward with economic reforms, as part of phase 3 of the overall economic intervention.
28 May 2020 - NW537
George, Dr DT to ask the Minister of Finance
Whether any steps will be taken to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Republic’s economy; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
Government’s economic response has been conducted according to a 3-phase approach.
Following the declaration of a state of disaster on 15 March 2020, the National Treasury acted immediately to announce a set of Phase 1 economic measures.
These included:
1. Immediate release of funds to where they were needed, including the immediate release of over R460 million in disaster funding to the Health sector.
2. An Instruction Note 8 of 2019/20 applicable to Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) institutions and a Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA) Circular 100 for municipalities and municipal entities, to speed up the procurement of goods/commodities required to reduce and control the spread of the virus.
3. A first set of exceptional tax measures as part of the fiscal package. These measures were over and above the tax proposals made in the 2020 Budget on 26 February 2020. The tax adjustments are made in light of the National State of Disaster and due to the significant and potentially lasting negative impacts on the economy from the spreading of the COVID-19 virus.
4. The Office of the Auditor General announced a conditional Exemption Notice in order to ensure effective and efficient service delivery and to minimise any potential delay in decision making. The conditional Exemption Notice will also facilitate and enable legislative processes during the period of the national state of disaster.
5 The National Treasury has also approved or supported the release of fund in several areas to provide economic support. These include the early release of social grants in March 2020, the release of funds for SME and spaza shop support, accelerated payment of wage support through the UIF, and seed capital support (R100 million) for the national Solidarity Fund.
In addition, the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) also took critical measures in the weeks following the state of disaster declaration and the lockdown.
These include:
1. A cumulative 200 basis points reduction in the repo rate.
2. A large injection of liquidity in the financial system, including the purchase of government bonds in the secondary market to ensure there is sufficient liquidity in the bond market.
3. Regulatory changes, including a reduction in capital and liquidity requirements.
4. Issuing guidance to reduce dividends and bonuses among banks.
Subsequent to the above, as part of Phase 2, the National Treasury and the SARB have continued to work together on an additional set of interventions. This culminated in the announcement by President Ramaphosa of a large economic intervention package on 21 April 2020, and a more detailed outline by the Minister of Finance on 24 April 2020. The set of additional measures as part of phase 2, are as follows:
1. Spending and revenue measures:
(a) Setting aside an amount of R20 billion to be directed to addressing our efforts in dealing with the pandemic.
(b) Directing R50 billion towards relieving the plight of those who are most desperately affected by the coronavirus. Child support grant beneficiaries will receive an extra R300 in May. From June to October there will be an additional R500 each month. All other grants will be topped-up by R250 per month for six months. We will use our existing system to disburse these grants. In addition, a special Covid-19 Social Relief of Distress grant of R350 a month for the next 6 months will be made available.
(c) A set of 10 (ten) additional tax proposals:
- An increase in the expanded employment tax incentive amount from R500 to R750 per employee.
- A skills development levy holiday of 4 months from 1 May 2020.
- Fast-tracking VAT refunds.
- Deferring the payment of excise duty on alcoholic beverages and tobacco products.
- A three-month deferral for filing and first payment of carbon tax liabilities to 31 October 2020.
- A postponement of some of the corporate tax proposals in the 2020 Budget on interest expenses and assessed losses.
- An increase in the deferment of employee’s tax
- An increase in the turnover threshold for automatic deferrals.
- Increased fiscal backing to individuals who donate to the Solidarity Fund by increasing the deduction available for these specific donations and increasing the limits for payroll giving to the Solidarity Fund – including in determining the monthly withholding of employees’ tax.
- Expanding access to living annuity funds by allowing individual to adjust the proportion they receive as annuity income, instead of waiting up to one year until their next contract anniversary date.
2. Additional support to firms through a new R200 billion credit guarantee scheme, jointly backed by the South African Reserve Bank and the National Treasury.
3.
A phased reopening of the economy from 1 May 2020 will begin to reignite economic activity and gradually restore demand and livelihoods.
Beyond the interventions outlined above, the National Treasury is working with partners in government, labor and other stakeholders to move forward with economic reforms, as part of phase 3 of the overall economic intervention.
28 May 2020 - NW840
De Freitas, Mr MS to ask the Minister of Tourism
(a) Who was invited to the meeting with tourism stakeholders on 9 March 2020 to discuss the impact of Covid-19 on the tourism sector, (b) what criteria were used when inviting invitees, (c) who attended the meeting, (d) what (i) was the outcome of the meeting and (ii) resolutions were agreed to and (e) by what date is a follow-up meeting set to take place?
Reply:
a) Who was invited to the meeting of 9 March 2020
On 09 March 2020, The Minister of Tourism, Ms. Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane convened an extended Tourism Leadership Forum (TLF) to discuss the potential impact of COVID-19 on the tourism sector. The Tourism Leadership Forum (TLF) is a platform that was established to allow the Minister and the Deputy Minister to discuss and deliberate with the captains of the industry on tourism related matters in order to ensure that tourism grows and contribute to the overall socio-economic development. The rationale for the TLF flows from the NTSS which states that the successful implementation of the NTSS is dependent on the commitment of all stakeholders to adopt an integrated approach in implementing the identified strategic priorities and actions. Hence, the engagement of the private sector and other stakeholders, alongside government, at a national, provincial and local level is crucial.
The following members who are the original members of TLF were invited.
- Ministry of Tourism
- Department of Tourism DG
- South African Tourism CEO
- Chief Quality Assurance Officer of the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa
- CEOs of Major Hotel groups
- CEO of Board of Airline Representatives of South Africa (BARSA)
- CEOs of Major Tour Operators
- CEOs of Tourism Associations.
In addition to the original TLF members invited, invitations were extended to amongst others, the following:
- Members of the Conference industry (Convention Bureau’s and Conference Centers)
- Provincial Tourism Marketing Agencies;
- SANParks;
- Domestic and International Airlines;
- Rail Operators (Rovos Rail, Blue Train etc.)
- The Restaurant Association of South Africa (RASA); and
- Private product owners.
b) What criteria were used to identify invitees?
Acknowledging the potential negative impact that COVID-19 could have on the tourism sector, the Department extended invitations beyond the traditional TLF database in order to reach a wide range of tourism players and audiences. Invitations to the TLF was sent to 107 members of the tourism industry. The meeting was attended by 120 guests.
c) Who attended the meeting?
In addition to the private sector representatives mentioned in answer (a), the meeting was also attended by the:
- Minister of Tourism: Ms. Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane
- Director-General of the Department of Health (Acting): Dr. Anban Pillay
- Director-General of the Department of Tourism: Mr. Victor Tharage
- Deputy Director of the National Institute for Communicable Disease (NICD), National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS): Prof Professor Lucille Blumberg
- CEO of South African Tourism: Mr. Sisa Ntshona.
d) (i)What was the outcome of the meeting?
The main focus of the meeting was to discuss the expected impact of COVID-19 on South Africa’s Tourism Sector. The Department of Health also provided a status update on the number of cases, and how the NICD is managing the outbreak from a health perspective. In addition the following issues were discussed:
- Mitigation efforts to reduce the impact of the virus on the tourism sector.
- The importance of protecting the safety and health of the citizens.
- Increase in cancelations of bookings.
- The future of the Tourism Indaba.
- The importance of considering the staff in the tourism industry and how to protect them against the decline in business.
(ii) what resolutions were agreed to?
The meeting agreed that the spread of the pandemic in South Africa was still in its early stages, however, the Minister of Tourism committed to the following:
- To engage National Treasury to assist businesses in distress to access the employment incentives that have been put in place.
- To negotiate with various meeting and events owners to postpone to future dates based on scenarios so that we minimise cancellations.
- To further engage with the Minister of Labour and Employment who has agreed to look at relief measures for those registered with the UIF.
Subsequently, the Department of Tourism has embarked on a range of activities to support the Tourism Sector in dealing with the effects of COVID-19. Interventions by the Department of Tourism include amongst others:
- The establishment of the Tourism Relief Fund (TRF)
- Engagement with the Minister of Labour and Employment to develop relief measures for those tourism companies registered with the UIF.
- The compilation of a list of accommodation facilities, i.e. public, community and privately owned, that can be utilised as quarantine facilities.
- Working with DIRCO in the repatriation of South African Citizens stranded in foreign countries;
- The readjustment of the Department’s budget to support the Tourism recovery plan; and
- The development of the Tourism Sector Recovery Plan.
e) By what date is a follow up meeting set to take place?
The outbreak of COVID-19 and the declaration of a National State of Disaster prevented the Department of Tourism to host a follow up meeting. However, since the beginning of the lockdown, the Minister held virtual meetings with various sub-sectors in the tourism sector. These meetings include, amongst others, the Tourism Business Council South Africa (TBCSA), the Restaurant Association of South Africa (RASA), tourism guides, tourism operators, and Women in Tourism.
On 29 April 2020, Minister Kubayi-Ngubane participated in a webinar hosted by SA Tourism and attended by more than 2 000 people. The purpose of the webinar was to provide an update on the state of tourism and the various support measures that the Department of Tourism and Government as a whole are providing to the tourism sector.
28 May 2020 - NW968
Bozzoli, Prof B to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology
(a) By what date will the Council on Higher Education’s institutional audit of the University of South Africa begin, given the delay caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and (b) what measures have been put in place to conduct such an audit using remote and other Covid-19-compatible methods?
Reply:
The Draft Framework for Institutional Audits 2020 and Draft Manual for Institutional Audits 2020 were approved for consultation with the higher education sector by the Higher Education Quality Committee (HEQC) at its meeting of 7 April 2020. It is envisaged that once the feedback from the sector has been considered by the HEQC, the Framework and Manual would be ready for final approval by the HEQC at its July 2020 meeting. UNISA forms part of a group of 20 higher education institutions, both public and private, that have been identified for the audit in 2020 after the final approval of the Framework and Manual. At this stage it is not envisaged that the COVID19 restrictions will cause undue delay in the UNISA audit, barring totally unforeseen developments on the trajectory of the pandemic.
The Draft Manual for Institutional Audits 2020 makes provision for three institutional visits prior to the main audit site visit, for the purposes of (i) initiating the audit, (ii) discussing the strategy for the audit with the institution, and (iii) finalizing the site visits programme. All these institutional visits can be done via videoconferencing and will commence in August 2020 as planned. Training for the identified higher education institutions, as well as the audit panel members, for the institutional audits can also be done online in the last part of 2020 as planned. A large and complex institution such as UNISA will require at least 6 months to complete their self-evaluation report and to compile a portfolio of evidence, which means that the due date for this is likely to be towards the end of January 2021. The Manual already makes provision for these documents to be submitted in digital format.
The audit portfolio meeting in which the panel finalises (i) the programme for the audit visit, (ii) the requirements for the additional information and evidence, (iii) the details of supporting documentation to be available on-site during audit visit, (iv) the persons to interview, and (v) the members of the panel and dates to visit satellite campuses, if applicable, can also be done online.
The actual audit site visit for UNISA is likely to be around April 2021, by which time it is anticipated that the COVID-19 restrictions would have been lifted. In the event of a continuation of the restrictions due to unforeseen developments, the Council on Higher Education is currently in the process of developing a new methodology in which the self-evaluation reports and portfolios of evidence of institutions will be subjected to a thorough document analysis by the audit panel members on an online platform, with lines of enquiry, further evidence and interviews being conducted online. Physical site visits will only take place in cases where the audit panel is unconvinced by the digital evidence, which may include visual material in addition to text-based material. This methodology will undergo a trial with the national doctoral review, which is currently underway.
28 May 2020 - NW387
van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Social Development
What was the total reimbursement amount to the SA Social Security Agency recipients who were defrauded of their grants in the past financial year?
Reply:
For the financial year 2019/20, a total of 22 497 cases of fraud from SASSA/SAPO card were reported. Of these, 18 278 have been reimbursed to the total value of R43 399 071, 76.
28 May 2020 - NW842
De Freitas, Mr MS to ask the Minister of Tourism
(a) Who are the members of the Tourist Relief Fund Adjudication Committee that will approve recommended applications, (b)(i) how were committee members chosen and (ii) what criteria were used to choose committee members, (c) what (i) processes and procedures will be followed in the work of the committee and (ii) oversight measures and mechanisms are in place in this regard, (d) what is the life cycle of the committee and (e) by what date must the work of the committee be completed?
Reply:
(a) Who are the members of the Tourist Relief Fund Adjudication Committee that will approve recommended applications?
The members comprise of Departmental officials at senior and middle management approved by the Accounting Officer.
(b)(i) how were committee members chosen?
Officials were nominated within the department and were appointed by the Director-General.
(ii) what criteria were used to choose committee
Officials with legal and finance background including those dealing with SMMEs in terms of market access and enterprise development were considered
(c) What (i) processes and procedures will be followed in the work of the committee?
The committee operates under terms of reference approved by the Accounting Officer, which specifies the roles and responsibilities of members and their composition. The committee considers the recommendations of the evaluation committee on the applications received and also check if any of the documents submitted do inform their decision making process.
(ii) What oversight measures and mechanisms are in place in this regard?
On completion of the adjudication, a report is written to the Accounting Officer with detail of all the successful applicants for his notification. Where an applicant is declined, reasons are provided in a letter to the applicant.
(d) What is the life cycle of the committee?
The Covid-19 Tourism Relief Fund is a once off project with a short life span; the Committee will cease to
exist when the Fund concludes its work.
(e) By what date must the work of the committee be completed?
The work of the committee will be concluded as soon as all evaluated applications are adjudicated and processed.
28 May 2020 - NW894
Van Der Walt, Ms D to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
With reference to the R160 million contract awarded by her department to a certain company (name furnished) to provide e-learning services in the Eastern Cape, (a) on which dates since the start of the national lockdown to curb the spread of Covid-19 has the specified company provided e-learning services to learners in the Eastern Cape and (b) what are the relevant details of the e-learning services that the company provided to learners in the Eastern Cape on each specified date?
Reply:
The Hon Member, D van der Walt, is advised to request the party member of the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature to table the question in the Legislature to enable the MEC to respond to the question. The Minister of Basic Education does not manage provincial allocations and procurement imperatives.
28 May 2020 - NW871
Basson, Mr LJ to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology
(1)Whether his department will offer any form of Covid-19 financial or other relief to small businesses; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) whether the Covid-19 financial or other relief will only be allocated to qualifying small businesses according to the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act, Act 53 of 2003, as amended; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) on what statutory grounds and/or provisions does he or his department rely to allocate Covid-19 financial or other relief only to small businesses according to the specified Act and (b) what form of Covid-19 financial or other relief, if any, will be made available to other small businesses?
Reply:
DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND INNOVATION
(1) Currently, the DSI has not planned on providing specific Covid-19 financial or other relief to small businesses. The focus of the DSI is to continue strengthening existing interventions that provide technology and other support to small and medium enterprises including the technology stations programmes, industry development centres, technology localisation programme. These support programmes continue to prioritise critical priority beneficiary groups such as black people, youth, and women.
(2) Not applicable
DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING
(1) His Excellency, the President of the Republic of South Africa, Mr Cyril Ramaphosa, on the occasion of announcing further economic and social measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic on 21 April 2020, stated “…in addition to existing tax relief measures, we will also be introducing a 4-months holiday for companies’ skills development levy contributions...”.
Subsequently, National Treasury and the South African Revenue Service published the revised 2020 Draft Disaster Management Tax Relief Bill and 2020 Draft Disaster Management Tax Relief Administration Bill with the following reference regarding the skills development levy “this is a suspension, not a deferral, as a result, employers will not become liable for these amounts after 31 August 2020”.
It is estimated that the 4-months' skills levy holiday (May, June, July and August 2020) will lead to a reduced income of R4.89 billion for the Sector Education and Training Authorities and R1.22 billion for the National Skills Fund. In total, this amount for the 2020/21 financial year is estimated to be R6.1 billion.
In response to the COVID-19 relief, the National Skills Fund has set aside a budget of
R1.5 billion for COVID-19 relief that focusses on continued funding of learners’ stipends during and after the lockdown to complete their learning programmes, as well as additional funding of R1 000 per learner for skills development providers to support additional COVID-19 measures such as hygiene consumables, masks, etc.
Six of the Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) are collaborating in support of the interdepartmental economic stimulus project for small enterprises and cooperatives. This project will provide support for small enterprises and cooperatives covering the following scope:
- Demand and need for the supply of essential goods and services during the Covid-19 lockdown period and beyond.
- Manufacturing, warehousing and distribution of essential goods during the COVID-19 lockdown period and beyond.
- Provide opportunities for Small Enterprises and Cooperatives in the Value Chain of Manufacturing / Procurement and Distribution of these goods and services.
- Capacity building for the Small Enterprises and Cooperatives in value chain management of manufacturing, procurement and distribution of these target goods and services.
- Sustainable Funding Mechanism for the Small Enterprises and Cooperatives beyond the COVID -19 Lockdown Period.
The broad objective of this initiative is to support various entities involved in the supply of the essential needs across all provinces and districts as listed below:
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and systems;
- Sanitizers and sanitation and disinfectant systems;
- Coffins and Funeral undertaker services;
- Manufacturing of the essential goods: PPE and systems, sanitizers, sanitation and disinfectant systems as well as coffins; amongst others; and
- Packaging, Warehousing and Transportation services.
This project will be supported using budgets allocated to support Small Medium and Micro Enterprise (SMMEs) and Cooperatives as captured in the participating SETA’s Annual Performance Plans for 2020/21 financial year. Each SETA will implement their response programs in line with their budget availability, reprioritization, KPAs and approval protocols.
The following are the SETAs participating in the interdepartmental economic stimulus project for small enterprises and cooperatives:
- Transport Education Training Authority (TETA);
- Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Sector Education and Training Authority (merSETA);
- Services Sector Education and Training Authority (Services SETA);
- Fibre Processing and Manufacturing (FP & M SETA);
- Chemical Industries Education and Training Authority (CHIETA); and
- Wholesale and Retail Sector Education and Training Authority (W&RSETA).
(2) The National Treasury published the Disaster Management Tax Relief Bill, 2020 on 1 May 2020, which deals with the Covid-19 relief.
28 May 2020 - NW884
Chetty, Mr M to ask the Minister of Tourism
(1)Whether her department will offer any form of Covid-19 financial or other relief to small businesses; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) whether the Covid-19 financial or other relief will only be allocated to qualifying small businesses according to the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act, Act 53 of 2003, as amended; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) on what statutory grounds and/or provisions does she or her department rely to allocate Covid-19 financial or other relief only to small businesses according to the specified Act and (b) what form of Covid-19 financial or other relief, if any, will be made available to other small businesses?
Reply:
1. Whether her department will offer any form of Covid-19 financial or other relief to small businesses; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
The Department of Tourism has put aside R200 million under the banner of Tourism Relief Fund to provide once-off capped grant assistance to Small Micro and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMMEs) in the tourism value chain to ensure their sustainability during and post the implementation of government measures to curb the spread of Covid-19 in South Africa.
Capped at R50 000 per entity, grant funding can be utilised to subsidise expenses towards fixed costs, operational costs, supplies and other pressure cost items.
Guided by the Tourism Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) Codes of Good Practices approved by the Minister of Trade and Industries in 2015 (in line with the B-BBEE Act No.53 of 2003, as amended), the Tourism Relief Fund is administered in line with the objectives of Economic Transformation, and our vision to ensure sustainable and inclusive tourism development.
Categories eligible to apply for the Tourism Relief Fund include the following:
- Accommodation establishments: Hotels, Lodges, Bed and Breakfast (B&B’s), Guest Houses and Backpackers.
- Hospitality and related services: Restaurants (not attached to hotels); Conference venues (not attached to hotels); Professional catering; and Attractions
- Travel and related services: Tour operators; Travel agents; Tourist guiding; Car rental companies; and Coach Operators.
SMMEs can submit funding applications by filling a form accessible online at www.tourismrelief.gov.za, or by email at [email protected]. The application window for the Fund will close on 31 May 2020.
(2) Whether Financial relief will only be allocated to qualifying small businesses according to the
B-BBEE amended Act 53 of 2003, If not – what is the position in this regard?
Yes, B-BBEE Amendment Act and Tourism Codes of Good practice will apply.
(a) On what statuary grounds and /or provisions does she or her department rely to allocate Covid -19 Financial or other relief only to small businesses according to the specified Act?
Section 10 of the B-BBEE Act makes codes of good practice mandatory: “[e]very organ of state … must apply any relevant code of good practice issued in terms of this Act in … determining criteria for the awarding of incentives, grants and investment schemes in support of broad-based black economic empowerment.
(b) What form of Covid -19 financial or other relief, if any will be made available to other small businesses?
So far, the department only has Tourism Relief Fund.
28 May 2020 - NW930
Groenewald, Mr IM to ask the Minister of Tourism
(1)Whether her department awarded any tenders connected to the Covid-19 pandemic; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what (a) are the names of the businesses to whom these tenders were awarded, (b) are the amounts of each tender awarded and (c) was the service and/or product to be supplied by each business; (2) whether there was any deviation from the standard supply chain management procedures in the awarding of the tenders; if so, (a) why and (b) what are the relevant details in each case; (3) what was the reason for which each specified business was awarded the specified tender; (4) whether she will make a statement on the matter?
Reply:
1. Whether her department awarded any tenders connected to the Covid-19 pandemic; if not, what is the position in this regard
No tenders were awarded by the department connected to the Covid-19 pandemic.
(a)- (c) Not applicable
2. whether there was any deviation from the standard supply chain management procedures in the awarding of the tenders; if so,
No tenders were awarded by the department connected to the Covid-19 pandemic.
(a) – (b) Not applicable
(3)– (4) Not applicable
28 May 2020 - NW843
Gumbi, Mr HS to ask the Minister of Tourism
With reference to the reprioritisation of the budget of her department as a result of Covid-19, what (a) changes will be made in the budget per line item, (b) criteria will be used to (i) increase and/or (ii) decrease line items and (c) are the relevant amounts in each case?
Reply:
The department has reviewed its Annual Performance Plan for 2020/21-2022/23 due to the anticipated impact of Covid-19 on its outputs and targets and the tourism sector, however the budget in the Reviewed Annual Performance Plan is still the same as the budget in the Estimate of National Expenditure that was tabled to Parliament on 26 February 2020. Changes to the budget can only be finalised once the department receive a revised budget from National Treasury. This will happen after the special adjustment budget of the Minister of Finance. At this stage the department is unable to disclose the estimates on the increase and decreases per line item due to the reason stated above.
28 May 2020 - NW892
King, Ms C to ask the Minister of Basic Education
(a) From which line item in the budget of her department will essential hygiene and sanitation products be procured that will be required once schools reopen and (b) what amount will be set aside in this regard?
Reply:
a) The procurement of essential hygiene and sanitation products for schools, is done by each Provincial Education Department (PED), and not by the Department of Basic Education (DBE). When this is done, more than one line item, may be used. Examples of the line items that may be used are as follows:
- Consumables House Suppliers: (Toiletry);
- Consumables Suppliers Wash Clean Detergent (Sanitisers and Soap);
- Consumables Suppliers: Medical Suppliers (Masks and Gloves);
- Consumables Suppliers: Uniforms; and
- Infrastructure (Classes renovations and provision of Toilets).
b. Each PED sets money aside depending on their needs. At this stage, the DBE is unable to indicate how much each PED has set aside as the procurement process is still underway
27 May 2020 - NW907
Zungula, Mr V to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
Whether, with reference to the unemployment rate of nearly 30% before the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic and the likelihood that it will be higher after the pandemic passes, he will declare all persons who are not South African citizens and who are not in the Republic for their critical or scarce skills, illegal in the Republic; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, by what date is it envisaged that such a declaration will be made?
Reply:
In terms of the Immigration Act, 2002 (Act No 13 of 2002), as amended, a visa or permanent residence may be withdrawn if good cause exists to do so, for example if the holder fails to comply with the provisions of the Act or terms and conditions of the visa or permanent residence permit. Such person must be notified in writing that the visa or permanent residence shall be cancelled for the reasons disclosed in the notice and that the holder is thereby ordered to leave the Republic within a period stated in that notice. Such person has a right to make representations to the Director-General which must be considered before making a decision. Furthermore, a permanent residence permit may be withdrawn if its holder is convicted of any of the offences listed in Schedules 1 and 2, or has been absent from the Republic for more than three years. The Act does not make provision for foreign nationals with valid work visas to be declared illegal on grounds of increased unemployment rate.
END
27 May 2020 - NW903
Mpambo-Sibhukwana, Ms T to ask the Minister of Social Development
What (a) number of her department’s food parcels has she found was distributed in furtherance of a party political objective or other purposes instead of the intended purposes of disaster relief related to the national lockdown to curb the spread of Covid-19 and (b) action does she intend to take in this regard?
Reply:
a) To my knowledge there were no food parcels that were distributed in furtherance of a party political objective. Still, to my knowledge all the food that was distributed by the Department was targeted at addressing the intended purpose of disaster relief that is related to the national lockdown to curb the spread of CoVID-19.
b) As a result, there is no action necessary because no Departmental food parcels were distributed in furtherance of political party objectives.
27 May 2020 - NW904
Faber, Mr WF to ask the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture
What criteria or formula did his department use to determine that a blanket amount of R20 000 would be paid out to each artist and athlete who successfully applied for funding from the Covid-19 Sports, Arts and Culture Relief Fund?
Reply:
The Department emphasised that this was relief funding. Loss of income varies from individuals/company to individuals/companies and the need for equitable distribution within the sector was necessary. The Department resolved that R20 000.00 will be a ceiling across the board as an appropriate amount based on available budget as this is relief and not compensation, and need to assist as many athletes and creatives as possible.
27 May 2020 - NW905
Faber, Mr WF to ask the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture
(a) By what date does he envisage that team sports such as rugby, soccer and cricket, will be allowed to be practised in the Republic and (b) what mechanisms will his department put in place to ensure federations, leagues and clubs keep players of team sports safe from contracting Covid-19 while practising their respective sports?NW1191E
Reply:
a) The Government is already dealing with the matter of re-opening different sporting codes both non-contact and contact. This follows a series of meetings between the department and leaders of the sporting fraternity. A statement will be made at an appropriate time regarding this matter.
b) The Minister met with the Sporting sector on 17 March 2020 and articulated the responsibility entrusted to the sector in ensuring the protection of life during this time of the pandemic.
The Department has been communicating all COVID-19 related protocols to the Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) for onward transmission to the Sports Federations. Here the codes were encouraged to develop measures based on the risk-based strategy in dealing with the pandemic.
The website of the Department has updated information and stakeholders are encouraged to note details.
Federations have furnished the Department with reports of the measures they have taken to address this pandemic.
Some Federations have also developed and furnished the Department with operational guidelines for their codes of Sport based on the risk-adjusted strategy.