Questions and Replies
20 May 2020 - NW612
Van Staden, Mr PA to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
(1)what (a) is the estimated time frame to repair the damaged fencing of the border posts between the Republic and Zimbabwe at the Beitbridge border post, (b) will be the costs of the repairs and (c) what type of fencing (i) was damaged and (ii) will be used for repairs; (2) what measures will she put in place to ensure that the repaired fence will not be vandalised again; (3) whether she will make a statement on the matter?
Reply:
The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:
The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure(DPWI) has informed me as follows:
1. (a) The timeframe to repair the damaged fence was one month.
(b) The tenders sum of the contractor was a projected R37 176 843.50
(c) (i) Town Planning Services issued a Provisional Site Clearance Certificate to allow for the maintenance of the fence. The existing fence was in bad condition, and it comprises of a fence with Razor Mesh, Coil Strips and Posts etc.
(ii) The particular project addresses the maintenance of the existing fence. The fence comprises of Tension Posts, Intermediate Posts, Straining wires, razor mesh and razor coils etc.
2. My Department has communicated as follows on the vandalism:
- The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) is responsible for security at the border fence.
- Following a breach of security, whereby the contractor’s material was allegedly stolen, I wrote a letter to the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans (dated 4 April 2020), requesting her assistance in assigning SANDF officials to patrol the border fence line.
- The response from the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans came through a letter dated 7 April 2020, and it states that the C SANDF has undertaken to direct the SANDF Joint Operations Division, to address this security challenge on an urgent basis. This will cover the area where the fence is being erected and reinforce the existing private security elements on site.
- The Director-General of DPWI wrote a letter to Secretary-General of Defence dated 15 April 2020 supplemented the Ministerial correspondences, requesting DOD Top Management to expedite patrol measures at this borderline
- A follow-up letter from the Director-General of DPWI to Secretary-General of Defence dated 27 April 2020, requested the DOD to intensify patrol at the borderline fence between RSA and Zimbabwe.
3. Yes, I will consider in due course. The South African National Defence Force is responsible in terms of the Defence Management Act.
20 May 2020 - NW616
Van Staden, Mr PA to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
(1)What measures are being put in place to make the quarantine facilities, that she has earmarked for people with COVID-19 infections, fully compliant and ready to serve their purpose; (2) whether the quarantine facilities are equipped with (a) sufficient water, (b) electricity, (c) clean beds and bedding and (d) food; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) whether the necessary inspections have been conducted to confirm that the quarantine facilities meet the minimum requirements of a quarantine facility; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (4) (a) what is the total number of quarantine facilities earmarked for persons with Covid-19 infections and (b) where is each facility located; (5) whether she will make a statement on the matter?
Reply:
Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
1. The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) has informed me from the list of 39 facilities that the DPWI has made available from its immovable asset register; only two were approved as meeting the basic requirements set by the Department of Health.
Both facilities were repaired and refurbished. Beds and linen were procured. The Gauteng Provincial Department of Health in the process of activating the two sites so that they may begin to operate as quarantine sites.
All identified private facilities are made available to the Department of Health. These are assessed by the Department of Health, and if found to be suitable for use as quarantine or isolation sites, Department of Public Works and Infrastructure is informed to consider contracting with the owners. Therefore, the responsibility to ensure that the private sector facilities are compliant and ready to serve as quarantine or isolation sites lies with the Department of Health.
2. DPWI has two sites which were approved by Department of Health as suitable to serve as quarantine or isolation sites, and both will be equipped with (a) sufficient water (b) electricity (c) new beds and linen upon activation by the Department of Health. (d) However, the provision of food is the sole responsibility of the Department of Health.
3. Yes, the inspection was conducted for facilities that were identified and availed by DPWI across the country. DPWI was part of the assessment team. However, the inspection of private facilities was done by the team as directed in paragraph 4.1 of the guideline document for quarantine and isolation in relation to COVID-19. The composition of the facility assessment team does not include DPWI.
4. (a) The Department of Health decides which facilities will have COVID 19 infected patients. Thus has no obligation to reveal this information to the Department. The Department only provides facilities for use as quarantine facilities or isolation sites. It has no knowledge of whether the patients are positive or not.
5. No.
20 May 2020 - NW409
Kohler, Ms D to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities
What is the current balance of the Umsobomvu Youth Fund; (2) What are the details of (a) each amount that the specified fund paid to each beneficiary since its establishment, (b) the names of each beneficiary and (c) the outcomes achieved by each beneficiary with the funding received from the fund?
Reply:
The Umsobomvu Youth Fund was established in January 2001 with a mandate to create a platform for job creation, skills development and transfer for South Africa’s young people.
The National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) Act which was passed by Parliament in 2008 formed the NYDA as a merger between the Umsobomvu Youth Fund (UYF) and the National Youth Commission (NYC) and in terms of section 21 of the Act dissolved the UYF and NYC.
(1) The balances of the Umsobomvu Youth Fund were therefore transferred into the NYDA as per section 21 of the NYDA Act. The UYF has therefore been dissolved and has a balance of zero.
2. Links to the annual reports of the UYF which can be found online which will specify beneficiaries, amounts paid and outcomes are indicated below. Copies of the annual reports from 2001 – 2008 can be forwarded to the Honourable member upon request.
https://pmg.org.za/committee-meeting/8674/
https://pmg.org.za/committee-meeting/8495/
https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/43412530/umsobomvu-youth-fund-annual-report-2006-nyda
19 May 2020 - NW272
Graham-Maré, Ms SJ to ask the Minister of Finance
What (a) is the comparative increase in rand amount and percentage, year on year, in equitable share provision for (i) Dr Beyers Naudé, (ii) Makana, (iii) Ndlambe, (iv) Sundays River Valley and (v) Blue Crane Route Local Municipalities from 2015-16 to 2019-20 financial years and (b) are the determining factors on which the calculation in increase was made?
Reply:
- The tables below show the year on year rand amount increases/decreases and growth rates for the five municipalities.
(b) Factors used to determine allocations to municipalities
Standard determining factors
With respect to the formula allocations, demographic and other data is used to determine each municipality’s portion of the local government equitable share.
- The proportion of households below the affordability threshold in each municipality is based on 2011 Census data. Using data from the annual General Household Survey, the total number of households in each municipality is then adjusted every year.
- Bulk water costs are updated based on the average increase in bulk tariffs charged by water boards.
- Bulk electricity costs are updated based on the bulk price determination approved by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa.
- All other costs are updated based on the National Treasury’s inflation projections.
A detailed explanation of the above can be found in Annexure W1 of the Division of Revenue Bill, 2019 and more details of how costs are estimated can be found in the ‘discussion paper on the proposed structure of the new local government equitable share formula’ (published in 2013). All of this information available on the National Treasury website. All of the data used in each year’s calculation of the LGES allocations is also published in a summary spreadsheet.
Decline of allocations to Dr Beyers Naudé Local Municipality between 2015/16 and 2017/18
The decline of the allocations to the Dr Beyers Naudé municipality between 2015/16 and 2017/18 is largely a result of the 2016 re-demarcations, which saw the merger of Camdeboo, Baviaans and Ikwezi local municipalities into this municipality. Some elements in the structure of the local government equitable share (LGES) formula and related allocations resulted in allocations to the newly merged municipality being less than the sum of the allocations to the preceding, separate municipalities:
- The institutional component of the LGES formula includes a fixed base allocation for all municipalities. In 2016/17, this meant the newly formed municipality received a single base allocation of R5.9 million, not 3 (R17.7 million) as they would have as separate municipalities.
- The subsidisation of the salaries of councilors (calculated outside of the LGES formula) is at a sliding scale, with the highest level of support provided to grade 1 municipalities. As these municipalities were previously grades 3, 2 and 1 respectively, the newly merged municipality, which was graded at level 3, has a smaller number of councilors than the 3 previous municipalities and therefore receives less special support for councilor remuneration and ward committees.
19 May 2020 - NW242
Steyn, Ms A to ask the Minister of Finance
What will be the tax benefit to persons who donate land in terms of the proposed Draft National Policy for Beneficiary Selection and Land Allocation?
Reply:
The precise nature of the tax benefits available to persons who donate land in terms of the proposed Draft National Policy for Beneficiary Selection and Land Allocation will depend on the final form the policy takes, as well as the implementation of the policy. The benefits that may be available are an exemption from donations tax on donations of land, the disregarding of capital gains and losses on donations of land and a deduction of the lower of the fair market value or cost of the land on the date of donation. The potentially applicable provisions are summarised below.
Section 54 of the Income Tax Act, 1962, (the Act) stipulates that donations tax is payable on the value of any property disposed of under any donation by any resident. Section 56(1), however, provides for the exemption of the payment of donations tax in certain circumstances. For purposes of this reply, the following paragraphs are relevant.
- Paragraph (h) exempts from donations tax, any donation of property by or to persons listed in sections 10(1)(a), (cA), (cE), cN), (cO), (d) or (e). This includes, among others, the national, provincial or local sphere of government, certain institutions, boards or bodies and qualifying public benefit organisations (PBOs).
- Paragraph (o) exempts from donations tax, a donation of property consisting of the full ownership in immovable property and meeting the following requirements:
-
- the immovable property must be acquired by any beneficiary entitled to any grant or services in terms of the Land Reform Programme, as contemplated in the White Paper on South African Land Policy, 1997, in terms of a project that has been approved by the Minister of Land Affairs or a duly designated person; or
- the donation of immovable property must have been made under land reform initiatives by virtue of the measures contemplated in Chapter 6 of the National Development Plan: Vision 2030 of 11 November 2011, released by the National Planning Commission, Presidency of the Republic of South Africa.
Paragraph 62(a) of the Eighth Schedule to the Act provides that a person must disregard a capital gain or capital loss determined in respect of the donation or bequest of any asset by that person to the government in the national, provincial or local sphere. Paragraph 64D of the Eighth Schedule provides that a person must disregard any capital gain or capital loss in respect of a donation of land or right to land under a land reform initiative contemplated in Chapter 6 of the National Development Plan: Vision 2030 of 11 November 2011.
A bona fide donation of land made may qualify as an income tax deduction under section 18A of the Act if all the legislated requirements are met and, in particular:
- if the donation is made to a PBO, the PBO has been approved under sections 18A and 30;
- if the donation is made to a department of government in the national, provincial or local sphere, the department has been approved under section 18A; and
- the recipient of the donation actively carries on a listed public benefit activity (PBA) and applies such donations solely for the purposes of the PBA.
Part II of the Ninth Schedule to the Act lists a PBA under the heading “Land and Housing” in paragraph 5(e) that reads as follows.
“The promotion, facilitation and support of access to land and use of land, housing infrastructural development for promoting official land reform programmes.”
This PBA is broader and more multifaceted than the donation of land resulting from an official land reform programme.
18 May 2020 - NW411
Powell, Ms EL to ask the Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation
What are the details of the (a) recruitment and (b) selection processes that were followed in the appointment of all staff members serving on the National Rapid Response Task Team?
Reply:
Honourable Member, in my Budget Vote speech on 7 May 2015 I announced the creation of a National Rapid Response Task Team and explained its purpose as follows:
“Communications and outreach programmes are part of our frontline services to ensure that the correct messages reach our people, in order to reduce the social distance referred to. I have decided to appoint a National Rapid Response Task Team that will help us communicate with our communities before implementing any policies, so that they understand the benefits, who would qualify and who would not, etc. This, we believe will lessen the tension that always arise when there is a development. This Task Team will also assist us understand where there is a problem and allow us to rapidly respond to problems as they arise.”
The Rapid Response Task Team has been in existence since 2015 and their main responsibilities are to address sector related challenges including:
-
-
- Community engagements, before any policy implementation, to enable better understanding of citizenry criteria and benefits on sector subsidies;
- Proactive and responsive intervention to community needs to identify incidents/ issues before they reach the media, leading to public protests;
- Proactive alerts on problems, for prompt and rapid response, before and as when they arise in order to lessen potential tensions during housing developments;
- Liaison and engagement with various communities and key stakeholders in areas identified as hotspots in which there are pending and/or outstanding human settlements challenges, and to reduce social distance/ communication gaps between Government and communities;
- Provide reports on proposed investigations on concerns and allegations of irregularities and malpractices in implementation and delivery of human settlement programmes and report findings with recommendations to the Minister;
- Identify appropriate steps and actions to improve implementation and delivery of human settlements programmes and provision of support to distressed communities and make recommendations to the Minister.
-
In line with the above, in the Budget Vote of 10 May 2018 the former Minister of Human Settlements, Ms Noma-India Mfeketo, announced that,
“These are protests of communities who are crying for services and houses. It is therefore important that we act swiftly to resolve the challenges faced by our communities. The solution to these protests lies in a well-coordinated cooperative government intervention involving all spheres of government and multi-sector departments. We will immediately deploy the National Rapid Response Team to engage the affected communities, while we also coordinate the integrated government intervention to address the community challenges.”
Since 2019 my new portfolio now includes Water and Sanitation, resulting in an increased scope of work, which require further intensified community and stakeholder interactions, consultations and coordination.
In order to achieve these objectives, we have since 2015 appointed persons with the necessary skills and competencies, taking into account their respective track records, experience, knowledge and expertise.
18 May 2020 - NW749
Van Dyk, Ms V to ask the Minister of Arts and Culture
(1) Whether a certain person (name furnished) is suing the National Library of South Africa (NLSA); if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a)(i) what is the lawsuit for and (ii) what is the total amount the lawsuit claims and (b) what has been the progress in the matter; (2) whether the lawyer of the NLSA admitted to the accusations; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, why is the NLSA wasting time and state money in defending this matter; (3) whether the lawyer of the NLSA withdrew from the matter after the evidence has been submitted; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1. Yes, the person is suing the National Library of South Africa
(a)(i) The lawsuit is for alleged defamation of character
(ii) R 10 million
(b) The matter is at the High Court awaiting a trial date.
2. The NLSA accepted the summons and are defending the matter.
3. In light of the above, the lawyer has not withdrawn and is still the NLSA’s attorney of record.
18 May 2020 - NW267
Tarabella - Marchesi, Ms NI to ask the Minister of Basic Education
(1) What (a) number of disabled learners are attending school in each province and (b) disabilities does each specified learner have; (2) what total number of schools for the disabled are there in the Republic; (3) what (a) number of schools for the disabled are in each province, (b) is the name of each specified school and (c) is each school’s individual specialty in terms of the disability focal areas?
Reply:
Response
(1) (a) Eastern Cape: 9 338; Free State: 6 375; Gauteng: 44 861; KwaZulu-Natal: 19 811; Limpopo: 8 626; Mpumalanga: 4 075; Northern Cape: 1 966; North West: 8 335; Western Cape: 17 797.
(b) The file: Disability type per province is attached below.
(2) 501
(3) a) The file: Masterlist of Special schools is attached below.
b) The file: Masterlist of Special Schools is attached below.
c) The file: Masterlist of Special Schools is attached below.
18 May 2020 - NW792
Van Dyk, Ms V to ask the Minister of Arts and Culture
(1) (a) Who (i) authorised and (ii) signed off the printing of Simply Larry by the National Library of South Africa (NLSA), (b) was the decision in line with the rules of the NLSA publishing grant policy and (c) who decided to print 1 000 copies instead of 300 as policy dictates; (2) whether the biography that was printed falls within the scope of books authorised to be published under the NLSA grant; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) whether the biography belongs to a certain person (details furnished); if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the further relevant details?
Reply:
1. (a) (i) The National Librarian and CEO
(ii) The Acting Director: Centre for the Book
(b). The decision to publish the manuscript was in-line with the Community Publishing Grant’s Guidelines for Special Projects. While the Community Publishing Grant focuses on fiction works, the Special Projects focus on non-fiction work that capture the history of our country not captured in conventional history books.
(c) The decision to published 1000 copies was dictated by the potential demand for the book in the market.
2. The biography falls within the scope of the Community Publishing Grant’s Special Projects as it focuses on non-fiction work that capture the history of our country not captured in conventional history books.
3. The biography tells the story of Father Laurence McDonnell, fondly known as Larry and his relationship with South African liberation struggle heroes.
18 May 2020 - NW482
Diale, Ms B to ask the Minister of Basic Education
(1) Since what date has the Mceula Primary School in the Chris Hani District, Eastern Cape, been on the priority list for toilets and fixing of classrooms; (2) will this school be part of the Sanitation Appropriate for Education campaign; if not, (a) why not, (b) on what date will the ceilings and dangerous floors be attended to and (c) what is the budget allocated for all the work to be done at this school; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
Response
There are two (2) Mceula Primary Schools in the Chris Hani Municipality:
Response:
(1) and (2)
MceulaPrimariy School, EMIS number: 200600469 had received 14 toilets for 265 learners and 5 teachers on the 23rd November 2012 and therefore it has not been prioritised. The school will not be on the SAFE Initiative because it has a sufficient number of toilets. The fixing of classrooms, is delegated to the school under the maintenance budget. A works inspector will be dispatched to the school to ensure the effective utilisation of the maintenance budget. The annual maintenance budget for the school, is R47,955.00
Response:
(1) and (2) Mceula Primary School, EMIS number: 200600468) is on the SAFE Initiative project list. The project has been allocated to an Implementing agent. The concurrence to appoint a contractor has been granted by the DBE,and work will commence once the lockdown has been lifted. the amount allocated for the project is R726 912.59. The fixing of classrooms is delegated to the school under the maintenance budget. A works inspector will be dispatched to the school to ensure the effective utilisation of the maintenance budget. The annual maintenance budget for the is R45,522.50
18 May 2020 - NW564
Tarabella - Marchesi, Ms NI to ask the Minister of Basic Education
(1) (a) By what date is it envisaged that schools will resume the 2020 academic programme following the national lockdown to curb the spread of COVID-19 and (b) what are the full details of the steps her department intends to take to mitigate the teaching time lost due to the specified lockdown; (2) whether the 2020 cohort of Grade 12 is likely to write the National Senior Certificate examinations by the end of 2020, given the suspension of the academic programme for an extended period during the national lockdown; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
RESPONSE
- (a) In terms of the announcement made by the Minister on 30 April 2020, the intention is to phase in the resumption of schooling, which will be determined by the readiness of the schools to ensure that learners, teachers and support staff are not exposed to any risk of infection. Hence, the planned date is 1 June 2020 for learners in Grade 12 and Grade 7; and 18 May 2020 for all teachers. The resumption of schooling will be subject to all safety precautionary measures implemented in schools. The other grades will be systematically phased-in, depending on the readiness of the schools.
(b) The time lost will be recovered by resorting to the following measures -
- The June vacation will be reduced to a week;
- The September holiday will reduced to a long weekend;
- The December holidays will be reduced by a week;
- The June examination will be scrapped to allow for more teaching and learning time; and
- If necessary the school day will be extended for the Intermediate Phase (30min); Senior Phase (1 hour) and Grade 12 (2hours).
In addition to the above, the Department has already commenced with the trimming and re-organisation of the school curriculum to ensure that the core content areas are covered in preparation for the next grade. This will also alleviate the pressure on both learners and teachers.
- In terms of the writing of the National Senior Certificate examination, if the Grade 12 learners resume schooling on 1 June 2020, the National Senior Certificate examination will take place as scheduled extending into December 2020. The time lost will be recovered as outlined in (1)(b) above. The processing and standardisation of the results will be delayed until January 2021 and the results would be released by the middle of January 2021.
18 May 2020 - NW708
Madlingozi, Mr BS to ask the Minister of Arts and Culture
(a) Why did his department decide to use a certain federation (name furnished) that claims to represent artists, to manage the distribution of monies to deserving artists, (b) what was the criteria his department used to select the specified federation and (c) how will he ensure that the money in the fund gets to the artists?
Reply:
a) The Department is not using the said federation to manage the distribution of funds to artists
b) and (c) falls off, as the Department is not using the federation
18 May 2020 - NW759
Groenewald, Mr IM to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
(1)What number of municipalities in each province have (a) infrastructure maintenance plans in place and (b) implemented such plans (i) fully or (ii) partly; (2) whether she will make a statement on the matter? NW961E
Reply:
The information requested by the Honourable Member is not readily available in the Department. The information will be submitted to the Honourable Member as soon as it is available
Thank you
18 May 2020 - NW750
Van Dyk, Ms V to ask the Minister of Arts and Culture
(1) Whether a certain person (name furnished) was dismissed by the National Library of South Africa (NLSA) on serious allegations; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) what were the allegations, (b) for how long has the specified person been at home receiving a salary and (c) was someone paid an acting allowance in the position; (2) whether the person was reinstated; if so, (a) on what grounds, (b) what are the reasons that the NLSA did not challenge the matter and (c) what total amount has the case cost the NLSA; (3) whether the institution is facing any law suits in respect of the specified person; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the further relevant details?
Reply:
1. Yes, the staff member was dismissed on 7 August 2019. The staff member appealed the decision and it was ruled in the staff member’s favour.
(a) Allegations include acts of sexual harassment, victimisation and intimidation.
(b) Six months
(c) Yes
2. Yes, the person was reinstated
(a) The person was reinstated as a result of the outcome of the appeal
(b) The NLSA Regulation of 1998 in Section 16, number 9 states that the decision of the appeal authority is final.
(c) The total cost for the case is R 1 696 950.27
3. The institution is not facing any law suits in this respect.
18 May 2020 - NW321
Hill-Lewis, Mr GG to ask the President of the Republic
With reference to his statement in his State of the Nation Address on 13 February 2020, referring to inward direct investment, that projects with an investment value of R9 billion have already been completed and with regard to the 27 projects worth just over R250 billion that are in the implementation phase with more coming on stream in 2020, what is the (a)(i) nature of each project, (ii) investment value of each project and (iii) location of each project and (b) name of the investor in each case?
Reply:
Projects completed
Company Name |
Nature of Project |
Project Value |
Location |
|
1 |
Aberdare Cables |
Cable manufacturing plant |
R135,000,000 |
Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape |
2 |
Adcock Ingram |
Sterile eye-drop manufacturing and packing facility |
R98,000,000 |
Clayville, Gauteng |
3 |
Conlog |
New electronics manufacturing capacity |
R110,000,000 |
Dube Trade Port, KwaZulu-Natal |
4 |
Hollard and Tokio Marine |
Acquisition of Hollard Insurance Group SA and Hollard International |
R5,000,000,000 |
Johannesburg, Gauteng |
5 |
In2Food |
Construction and operation of the largest food factory in the southern hemisphere |
R241,000,000 |
OR Tambo SEZ, Gauteng |
6 |
Komatsu |
Establishing new parts distribution centre, headquarters, workshop, training centre and remanufacturing centre |
R985,000,000 |
Germiston, Gauteng |
7 |
Proctor and Gamble |
Sanitary pad and diaper manufacturing facilities |
R300,000,000 |
Kempton Park, Gauteng |
8 |
Rexroth Bosch Company |
New HQ building with production and warehouse facilities, expansion of Bosch value chain |
R200,000,000 |
Kempton Park, Gauteng |
9 |
Sumitomo Rubber Industries |
Manufacturing facility for truck and bus radial tyres |
R970,000,000 |
Durban, KwaZulu-Natal |
10 |
Mara |
Smart mobile phone manufacturing |
R1,500,000,000 |
Dube Trade Port, KwaZulu-Natal |
TOTAL |
R9,539,000,000 |
Projects under construction
Company Name |
Nature of Project |
Project Value |
Location |
|
1 |
Anglo American |
On-going SIB capital and life extension capital |
R71,640,000,000 |
North West, Limpopo, Mpumalanga |
2 |
Aspen Pharmacare |
Manufacturing plant for anaesthetic products |
R3,300,000,000 |
Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape |
3 |
Bushveld |
Vanadium mining and processing |
R2,500,000,000 |
Brits, Mokopane, North West and Limpopo |
4 |
Ivanplats |
Development of a platinum, palladium, nickel, copper, gold and rhodium mine |
R4,500,000,000 |
Mokopane, North West |
5 |
McDonald's |
Increasing restaurant chain outlets nationally |
R3,000,000,000 |
National |
6 |
Mondi |
Mill upgrades and investment in associated forest assets |
R8,000,000,000 |
Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal |
7 |
Naamsa OEM Investment Pledge |
Investment by major auto OEMs for expansions and value chain development |
R40,000,000,000 |
Various |
8 |
Nestle |
Capacity increase, maintenance, green technology conversion at a number of manufacturing facilities |
R663,000,000 |
Harrismith, Hammanskraal and East London |
9 |
Rain |
5G ultra-high speed data network |
R2,000,000,000 |
Pretoria, Cape Town, Johannesburg |
10 |
Vedanta |
Development of an open cast zinc mine |
R21,400,000,000 |
Kai Ma Northern Cape |
11 |
Vodacom |
Expansion and upgrade of Vodacom’s national IT infrastructure network. |
R49,000,000,000 |
National |
12 |
DBSA Green Climate Fund |
Establishment of the Climate Finance Facility to co-fund projects that mitigate or adapt to climate change |
R1,300,000,000 |
Various |
13 |
IDC |
Fund available for manufacturing projects |
R3,600,000,000 |
Various |
14 |
Multichoice |
Broadcasting sector investment, local content and decoder manufacturing. |
R1,000,000,000 |
National |
15 |
Naspers |
Start-up fund to back and support South African technology entrepreneurs |
R4,600,000,000 |
Various |
16 |
New Development Bank |
Funding available to projects in clean energy, bulk water, social infrastructure and transport |
R29,000,000,000 |
Various |
17 |
Dalisu Holdings |
Chemicals manufacturing plant |
R254,000,000 |
Piet Retief, Mpumalanga |
18 |
Legacy Group |
Mixed-use development in Sandton |
R3,000,000,000 |
Sandton, Gauteng |
19 |
Main Street 800 |
Coal mining industry in Komatipoort |
R193,000,000 |
Nkomazi, Mpumalanga |
20 |
MSC (KZN Cruise Terminals) |
New passenger cruise terminal at the port of Durban |
R259,000,000 |
Durban, KwaZulu-Natal |
21 |
Mvelo Minerals |
Platinum and vanadium mining in North West |
R100,000,000 |
Rustenburg, North West |
22 |
Naledi Inhlanganiso |
Rail component manufacturing |
R120,000,000 |
Vereeniging and Benoni, Gauteng |
23 |
Renergen |
Helium gas facility |
R700,000,000 |
Virginia, Free State |
24 |
Scaw metals |
Expansion of steel manufacturing plant |
R250,000,000 |
Germiston, Gauteng |
25 |
Tomis Group |
Meat production facility |
R120,000,000 |
Hermon, Western Cape |
26 |
Toyota |
Investing in a new passenger vehicle |
R2,430,000,000 |
Prospecton, KwaZulu-Natal |
27 |
Triple Flag |
Is investing with Royal Bafokeng Holdings in the platinum sector |
R2,100,000,000 |
Phokeng, North West |
TOTAL |
R255,029,000,000 |
18 May 2020 - NW793
Van Dyk, Ms V to ask the Minister of Arts and Culture
(1) Whether there will be an additional opportunity for artists to apply for funding during the Covid-19 lockdown; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) whether artists who can provide proof that their applications were submitted before the cut-off date of 6 April 2020 will be considered for funding; if not, (a) why not and (b) can the artists appeal; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) (a) who selected the panels for both the Sports and Arts and Culture sectors, (b) what were the criteria for selecting the respective panels, (c)(i) who will be considered for the arts and culture funding and (ii) what criteria will be used, (d) what total number of artists will be accommodated and (e) on what date will the lists of (i) those who qualified for funding and (ii) the amounts they received be made available?
Reply:
1. A decision on an additional opportunity for artists to reapply is not under consideration for now. An engagement with industry stakeholders has taken place, which has contributed in guiding the approach. On 6th May 2020, we met with industry stakeholders, and the industry unanimously proposed that the Department finilise those that had initially applied but could not make it. Only after these agreed-upon processes are concluded, will additional steps be considered.
2. There is an appeal panel tasked with such responsibility.
(a) Note the response above
(b) Yes. We have appointed Advocate Steve Kekana, Advocate Nakedi Ribane and Ms Sibongile Nzimande to the appeal panel; they are seized with this task. An email address for appeals was set up and communicated as part of feedback to applicants.
3. (a) The Minister selected the panels
(b) Panelists were drawn from different backgrounds and as expertise in the Sports, Arts and Culture domains
(c) (i) All the people who will be recommended by the adjudication panel will receive funding
(ii) The criteria was made available from the commencement of the process of the COVID-19 relief fund. The criteria is broad-ranging and the full criteria is included, as an addendum, to this reply
(d) The total number will depend on the total number of artists who applied and succeeded
(e) (i)–(ii) The lists will be made available as and when the process is completed, or towards completion.
18 May 2020 - NW865
Abrahams, Ms ALA to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
(1)Whether her department will offer any form of Covid-19 financial and/or other relief to small businesses; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) whether the Covid-19 financial and/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? NW1072E
Reply:
The information requested by the Honourable Member is not readily available in the Department. The information will be submitted to the Honourable Member as soon as it is available
Thank you
18 May 2020 - NW794
Van Dyk, Ms V to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
(1)Whether councillors hand their resignation from a municipality to her department; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (2) whether a certain person (name furnished) resigned as a councillor at a certain municipality (name furnished); if not, on what statutory ground(s) can the specified person rely to simultaneously serve as the Executive Mayor of a certain district municipality (name furnished) and a councillor at the specified local municipality; if so, on what date did the person resign as a councillor from the local municipality; (3) whether the person receives remuneration from the two different municipalities; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) what are the relevant details of the person’s remuneration package from each municipality and (b) on what statutory grounds do the municipalities rely in this regard; (4) whether she has found that there are any other councillors who simultaneously serve as mayors of different municipalities; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the full relevant details in each case? NW997E
Reply:
1. No.
When a person resigns as a councillor, he or she may submit their resignation to the municipality, or to the political party to which the councillor may belong to, for the party to then submits the resignation to the municipality, where after a vacancy is declared.
Thank you
18 May 2020 - NW823
Ceza, Mr K to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
(1)What measures has her department put in place to ensure that there are no initiation schools during the Level 4 restrictions with regard to the Covid-19 pandemic; (2) whether her department has put measures in place to (a) conduct oversight and (b) raise public awareness with regard to initiation schools; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW1026E
Reply:
1. One of the endeavours to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, Minister consulted the range of Traditional Leaders, through CONTRALESA, the National House of Traditional Leaders and the Provincial Houses who agreed to suspend customary initiations. The Chairperson of the National House of Traditional Leaders and Provincial Houses launched a media campaign regarding the suspension of the initiation.
2. Provincial Initiation Task Teams will monitor and ensure that no customary initiation takes place.
Thank you
18 May 2020 - NW723
Macpherson, Mr DW to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
a.With reference to her department’s call for public comments on the Government’s Draft Framework for the Risk-Adjusted Strategy to bring different sectors of the economy back to work, what (a) number of submissions have been received via the (i) [email protected] and (ii) [email protected] electronic mail addresses, (b) process, matrix and criteria have been used to evaluate each submission and (c) number of persons are responsible for reviewing the submissions received from members of the public; b. What (a) changes have been made to the Government’s Draft Framework for the Risk-Adjusted Strategy due to the submissions received from members of the public and (b) was the reason for each change; c. What criteria will be used to measure the success or failure of each level proposed for each economic sector? NW927E
Reply:
The information requested by the Honourable Member is not readily available in the Department. The information will be submitted to the Honourable Member as soon as it is available
Thank you
18 May 2020 - NW632
Thembekwayo, Dr S to ask the Minister of Basic Education
Whether her department is putting measures in place to provide learners with WIFI?
Reply:
School connectivity is the mandate of the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT). Since the financial year 2014/201, the then Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services placed obligations on Network Operators to connect schools as part of their licensing obligations. A total of 5 250 schools were to be connected by 2019/2020 April. This number included ordinary schools and special schools. All the ordinary schools under these obligations, have been connected; and work has started to bring connectivity into special schools. This connectivity did not include provision of Wi-Fi into schools.
Department of Basic Education (DBE) will consider engaging the DCDT to instal Wi-Fi in schools in the next phase of connectivity rollouts to schools. We hope and believe that DCDT fully understands the technological advancements that include Wi-Fi Technologies.
18 May 2020 - NW681
De Freitas, Mr MS to ask the Minister of Basic Education
(a) By what date will additional learner ablution facilities be constructed by her department at the Glenvista High School in Johannesburg, (b) what number of facilities will be constructed for each gender, (c) what are the (i) dates, (ii) deadlines, (iii) milestones and (iv) time frames in each case, (d) why have the additional facilities not been built to date and (e)(i) what total amount has her department allocated towards the project and (ii) from which budget has the specified amount been allocated?
Reply:
The question has been referred to the Gauteng Department of Education and a response will be submitted as soon as it is received from the province.
18 May 2020 - NW549
Steenhuisen, Mr JH to ask the President of the Republic
What are the relevant details of the Government’s plans to address the looming economic crisis as a result of the national lockdown to combat the coronavirus outbreak, in view of the fact that the Republic’s credit rating has recently been downgraded by international ratings agencies to junk status; (2) whether the Government intends to (a) seek debt relief from the International Monetary Fund and/or (b) borrow funds for debt relief from any foreign entity; if not, what is the position in each case; if so, what are the relevant details in each case?
Reply:
1. Government has announced a fiscal support package of R500 billion in order to manage the impact of the lockdown on households and business. The details of this package are available on: http://www.treasury.gov.za/comm_media/press/2020/20200428_COVID_Economic_Response_final.pdf
2. South Africa is a member in good standing of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank, New Development bank (NDB) and the African Development Bank (AfDB). Part of the benefits afforded to members is borrowing at preferential rates. In light of the recent global crisis and elevated risk, the cost of funding has been significantly affected and government is exploring other alternative sources of funding to fund the government borrowing requirement and to lower the borrowing costs.
The government has approached the IMF, AfDB, World Bank and NDB for financial support related to the COVID-19 impact. The transactions are still being negotiated and the relevant details will be made available by the Minister of Finance once concluded.
18 May 2020 - NW717
Lees, Mr RA to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
What (a) are the details of the processes followed by the Uthukela District Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal in awarding contracts for the transport and supply of water by road tanker transport to consumers from 1 January 2014, (b) are the (i) names, (ii) identity and/or company registration numbers and (iii) physical and postal addresses of each person and/or company contracted to deliver water to consumers, (c) is the (i) duration, (ii) value and scope of each contract and (iii) total amount paid in each case and (d) is the number of loads delivered and distance travelled by each contractor?
Reply:
The information requested by the Honourable Member is not readily available in the Department. The information will be submitted to the Honourable Member as soon as it is available
Thank you
18 May 2020 - NW200
Shaik Emam, Mr AM to ask the Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation
Whether, in light of the fact that the President, Mr M C Ramaphosa, announced the establishment of the Human Settlements Development Bank during the State of the Nation Address on 7 February 2019, there has been any progress in the establishment of the specified bank; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The Department has finalised the drafting of the Human Settlements Development Bank Bill including the business case on the establishment of the Bank. The Department is currently in consultation with the relevant stakeholders including, but not limited to, the National Treasury and the State Law Advisors before requesting Cabinet’s approval to publish the Bill for public comments.
18 May 2020 - NW679
De Freitas, Mr MS to ask the Minister of Basic Education
What (a) assessments has her department done, in Johannesburg wards 23, 54, 55, 56, 57, 124 and 125, to ascertain the number of additional schools that is needed in the area, (b) were the outcomes of such assessments, (c) plans are there to build additional schools in the specified area and (d) are the timeframes and deadlines in this regard?
Reply:
Response
The question has been referred to the Gauteng Department of Education and a response will be provided as soon as it is received from the province
18 May 2020 - NW707
Madlingozi, Mr BS to ask the Minister of Arts and Culture
With reference to the national address of the President of the Republic, Mr M C Ramaphosa, on Tuesday, 21 April 2020, on the R500 billion rescue package in which forms of support have been extended to artists during the lockdown to prevent the spread of COVID-19 without providing an amount that will be allocated to artists from the R500 billion lump sum, what (a) total amount was set aside for the entire Arts segment and (b) amount will be allocated to each sector within the Arts segment?
Reply:
a) The total amount set aside for the arts segment in the R500 billion rescue package has not been determined, however, the Department recently finalised its budget needs for consideration to be part of the rescue package
b) See (a) above
18 May 2020 - NW631
Thembekwayo, Dr S to ask the Minister of Basic Education
What plans does she have in place to monitor that all learners who are expected to continue with school work from home do their work?
Reply:
To ensure that learners continue to be supported while they are at home during the Lockdown, the sector put the following measures in place:
- Schools and teachers distributed and issued learners with printed materials that included workbooks as well as work sheet to learners before the official closure of schools by government under Covid 19.
- Teachers planned work for learners and learners were issued with work to be done while they are not at school. A call was made to parents to support, assist and supervise the learners to do their work during this period of uncertainty.
- To ensure that learners in underserved and remotest areas are not left out we have taken advantage of Radio as a mass media tool, we are to this end working with 110 radio stations to broadcast lessons in all 11 official languages, for all grades and subjects on specific topics.
- Of these 110 Radio Stations are 10 National Radio Stations, 10 Regional Radio Stations as well as 90 Community Radio Stations across all 9 provinces. This approach ensures that the most disadvantaged learner in terms of socioeconomic status and well as geographic location sis not left behind. These radio stations have listenership that runs into Millions. The Broadcast Schedules have been developed.
- Our approach in intervening as a Sector, as evidenced through Department of Basic Education (DBE) and Provincial Education Departments (PEDs) interventions is cross cutting as it does not only include Radio Broadcast Lessons but also include, distribution of Printed materials, Websites with online content, dedicated portals, Online schools, TV Broadcast Lessons as well as live streaming of lessons on a daily basis.
- A special TV channel has been designated, in partnership with eMedia Investments, to broadcast educational support for learners and teachers, with special focus on Grade 12 on the OpenView HD (OVHD) platform – channel 122. This channel is available free of any subscriptions and will broadcast for a period of six months starting from 01 April to 30 September 2020.
- Educational content has been curated and uploaded on the DBE website in such a manner that it is visible and clearly accessible when a user lands on the website
18 May 2020 - NW298
Marawu, Ms TL to ask the President of the Republic
Whether, in light of the fact that the Republic is a sovereign State and a member of the Commonwealth, the Republic intends to resign from the Commonwealth; if not, what are the reasons that it will not resign?
Reply:
The South African Government does not intend to withdraw from the Commonwealth. When South Africa re-joined the Commonwealth in 1994, shortly after its first democratic elections, the South African Government recognised the Commonwealth’s contribution to the global campaign to end apartheid. Since 1994, South Africa has played host to four Commonwealth meetings, including the biennial summit of the 1999 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Durban, where South Africa assumed the Chair until 2001.
Since its return to the Commonwealth, South Africa has participated in summits, ministerial meetings and the governing bodies of the Commonwealth and worked closely with the Commonwealth Secretariat, contributing politically, financially and in terms of capacity and expertise to the work of the Organisation.
The work of the Commonwealth is in line with South Africa’s foreign policy commitments to human rights, democracy, good governance, justice and international law, peace, economic development, multilateralism and promoting the African Agenda. For South Africa, the Commonwealth provides a platform to forge common approaches to these matters of global importance and to promote trade, investment and the exchange of skills and knowledge between countries.
18 May 2020 - NW286
Tafeni, Ms N to ask the Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation
Whether her department has any plans to construct water boreholes for the Amathole community in (a) Mbhashe and (b) Mnquma Local Municipalities in the Eastern Cape; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
(a) Yes, the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has plans to construct water boreholes for the communities in Mbhashe Local Municipal Area in the Eastern Cape Province. A total of 12 boreholes have been drilled through the Water and Sanitation Infrastructure Grant (WSIG) drought allocation of R 6,2 Million that was allocated from the 2019/20 financial year for drought relief programme for the Mbashe Local Municipality. The project of drilling, testing and equipping the boreholes is expected to be completed by the end of June 2020.
Furthermore, the Eastern Cape Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) has also allocated in the 2019/20 budget adjustment an amount of R 2 000 000.00 (Two Million Rands only) from their Eastern Cape Drought Funding Allocation to the Amathole District Municipality which is allocated to Mbhashe Local Municipality, for the drilling and equipping of boreholes for hand pumps at Dwesa and connecting to the existing reticulation system as part of drought intervention plans.
(b) Yes, my Department has made plans for Mnquma Local Municipality to construct water boreholes for the communities. A total of 49 boreholes have been drilled through the Water and Sanitation Infrastructure Grant (WSIG) Drought allocation of R 57,929 million that was allocated for Drought Relief Programme for the Mnquma Local Municipality. A total of 31 boreholes are operational while a total of 10 boreholes are currently being tested and a total of 8 boreholes are being equipped. The project of drilling, testing and equipping the boreholes is expected to be completed by the end of June 2020.
In addition, DWS through the Rapid Response Unit (RRU) funding has allocated an amount of R 40 Million and has appointed the Amatola Water Board from 1 April 2020 (for a period of three years 2023) as an Implementing Agent to drill more boreholes (in addition to the 49 mentioned above) to cover the Mnquma, Adelaide, Bedford and Peddie areas. The number of boreholes to be drilled will be determined by the need and currently the Amatole Water Board is conducting an assessment in those areas to determine the needs. It is anticipated that the drilling will commence by the end of March 2020, followed by testing, yield, and water quality. The design of infrastructure pumps, pipes, reservoirs and construction will commence by mid - April 2020.
In summary, I have prepared a table with details of drilled boreholes that the Department has been and is still busy with as part of the DWS’ drought relief intervention to respond to Mnquma and Mbashe Local Municipalities.
MBASHE LOCAL MUNICIPALITY |
||||||
No |
Local Municipality |
Town/Area |
Description |
No. of Boreholes |
24 hour yield L/S |
Comments |
1 |
Mbashe |
Dwesa |
Dwesa |
2 |
Still to be equipped, quality poor |
|
2 |
Mbashe |
Idutywa Town |
Idutywa Town |
6 |
23 |
Still to be equipped. Requiring R55 million to equip and pipe back to Idutywa. |
3 |
Mbashe |
Idutywa Town |
Idutywa Town |
4 |
Newly drilled |
Newly drilled, awaiting water quality results. Still to be equipped. |
Total 12 Boreholes- Mbashe LM |
||||||
MNQUMA LOCAL MUNICIPALITY |
||||||
No |
Local Municipality |
Town/Area |
Description |
No. of Boreholes |
24 hour yield L/S |
Comments |
1 |
Mnquma LM |
Butterworth |
Borehole 1 Golf Course |
1 |
2 |
Equipped with a submersible pump and generator. Supplying private individuals. Operating 12 hours per day |
2 |
Mnquma LM |
Butterworth |
Borehole 2 Golf Course |
1 |
2 |
Equipped with a submersible pump and the generator. Currently operating 12 hours per day |
3 |
Mnquma LM |
Butterworth |
Borehole 2 -Golf Course |
10 |
Currently being tested |
Currently being tested |
4 |
Mnquma LM |
Butterworth |
Hospital Borehole |
1 |
0.4 |
Equipped with a submersible pump and generator and supplying hospital only. Insufficient to meet full hospital |
5 |
Mnquma LM |
Butterworth |
Low yield, shallow borehole |
24 |
<1 |
Equipped with hand pumps – 4 are fit for human consumption and 20 are not fit for human consumption. |
6 |
Mnquma LM |
Butterworth |
Teko Fihla Boreholes |
4 |
14 |
Equipped with a submersible pumps and generator. Currently operating 12 hours per day |
7 |
Mnquma LM |
Butterworth |
Teko Fihla Boreholes |
8 |
27 |
Still being equipped. Project expected to be completed before June 2020. Water to be pumped to Ibika Reservoirs |
Total 49 Boreholes –Mnquma Local Municipality |
18 May 2020 - NW692
Van Dyk, Ms V to ask the Minister of Arts and Culture
(1) Whether the National Library of South Africa took disciplinary steps against a certain person (name and details furnished) who was found by the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration to have colluded with a subordinate to charge a certain person (name furnished) with unfounded allegations; if not, why not; if so, what steps; (2) whether he has found that the specified person wasted the institution’s money by allegedly pushing a personal vendetta; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) whether the Board has taken any steps against the person; if not, why not; if so, what steps; (4) whether the person’s contract will be extended for three years; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, upon what recommendation?
Reply:
1. No disciplinary action was taken.
2. No action was taken against anyone in this regards. The Board noted the specific comments made by the Presiding Officer as they could not be substantiated.
3. No action has been taken against anyone, as indicated above. This matter was handled as a result of a grievance lodged by staff and management felt that there was no malicious intent.
4. The NLSA’s Recruitment Policy requires that all vacant positions must be advertised.
18 May 2020 - NW492
Schreiber, Dr LA to ask the President of the Republic
Whether it is the position of the Government to reduce the public sector wage bill by R160,2 billion over the next few years as announced by the Minister of Finance, Mr T T Mboweni; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) whether he intends taking any steps to ensure that the Cabinet members implement the measures that the Minister of Finance put in place to reduce the public sector wage bill by R 37,8 billion by 31 March 2021; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) whether the Government will proceed to implement the reductions to the public sector wage bill in the absence of consensus with the labour unions; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The state is committed to a sustainable wage bill. During the tabling of the 2020 budget, the Minister of Finance announced the reduction in compensation budgets by R160.2 billion over the 2020 MTEF. The reductions are distributed as follows: R37.8 billion in 2020/21 financial year, followed by reductions amounting to R54.9 billion in 2021/22 financial year and R67.5 billion in 2020/23 financial year.
Changes to the sovereign rating of the Republic by rating agencies and the impact of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) have created an unprecedented economic and social catastrophe at a local and global level. As a consequence, Cabinet will re-evaluate the impact this has had on the measures to reduce the public sector wage bill by R37.8 billion by 31 March 2021.
Government respects the process of collective bargaining.
I am informed that the Minister for Public Service and Administration has already commenced engagement with labour unions in the Public Service Coordinating Bargaining Council (PSCBC) on the concomitant economic challenges and implications of the reductions with specific reference to the 2020/21 financial year.
We will continue to engage with labour unions at the PSCBC regarding measures to implement the reductions to the public sector wage bill.
18 May 2020 - NW288
Thembekwayo, Dr S to ask the Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation
Whether her department has any plans in place to build Reconstruction and Development Programme houses in Kakati, Ward 17 in Mpumalanga; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) by what date and (b) what are the relevant details?
Reply:
(a)&(b)According to the information received from the Msukaligwa Local Municipality, plans are already in place to build houses in Kakati, Ward 17 for the 2020/21 financial year. The quantity of houses to be constructed will be informed by the number qualifying beneficiaries and available resources.
In addition, projects that are currently being implemented in Kakati Ward 17 include the upgrading of Mavundla Street (80% complete), Motau and Tutu Streets (98.5% complete).
18 May 2020 - NW182
Tarabella - Marchesi, Ms NI to ask the Minister of Basic Education
(1) What is the total breakdown of the number of single-medium schools in the Republic using each of the 11 official languages to teach; (2)what plans has her department put in place to (a) build more single-medium schools around the Republic and (b) improve mother-tongue education in each province; (3)what is her department doing to address or facilitate change in the language used to teach in single-medium schools, that are situated in areas that have or are becoming racially mixed, in order to address the feeder-zone issues that learners face; (4)in light of the fact that her department already has Life Orientation manuals used in schools such as the Achieve Careers Life Orientation manual, what are the details that the changes from these textbooks to the piloted Scripted Lesson Plans are based on?
Reply:
Response
Table 1 indicates that there were 8 096 single medium schools in South Africa. The majority of schools are English medium followed by Afrikaans with 6 483 and 1 261 respectively.
Languages |
Number of single medium schools |
Afrikaans |
1 261 |
English |
6 483 |
IsiNdebele |
85 |
SiSwati |
7 |
IsiXhosa |
163 |
IsiZulu |
31 |
SeSotho |
17 |
Sepedi |
22 |
Setswane |
7 |
Tshivenda |
4 |
Xitsonga |
3 |
South African Sign Language |
6 |
Other |
7 |
Total |
8 096 |
(2)(a) The establishment/building of schools is the competence of Provincial Education Departments (PEDs).
(b) The plan to improve mother-tongue education in each province is pursued through the proposed policy position to ultimately implement Multi-lingual Mother Tongue Based Education beyond the Foundation Phase.
All pieces of legislation provide for learners to learn through language(s) of their choice for as long as it is reasonably practicable. Supreme is Section 29(2) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa that provides that “everyone has the right to receive education in the official language or languages of their choice in public educational institutions where that education is reasonably practicable.” The Language in Education Policy further provides that "The language(s) of learning and teaching in a public school must be (an) official language(s). Any of the eleven official languages and the SA Sign Language can be used as medium of instruction in public schools.
The National Curriculum Statement encourages learners to learn through their Home Languages (Mother Tongue), particularly in lower grades where learners learn the critical foundational skills of reading, writing and numeracy. English and Afrikaans are used as Languages of Learning and Teaching (LoLT) throughout the system, although just 23% of South Africans identify English and Afrikaans as their Home Languages. African Home Languages are used as LoLT mainly in the Foundation Phase, and thereafter transit to English.
The EC DOE initiated the Mother Tongue Based Bilingual Education pilot, wherein 2 015 schools are using IsiXhosa and Sesotho as LoLT beyond Foundation Phase. Learners in these schools are taught Mathematics, Natural Science and Technology in their home languages IsiXhosa and Sesotho. This initiative was started in 72 Confimvaba schools in Grade 4 in 2012 and incrementally in subsequent grades – the cohort is in Grade 12 in 2020. The province is working with other stakeholders such as the Rhodes University, University of Fort Hare, Oxford University Press, Pearson, and PanSALB. The MTBBE learners outperformed the non-MTBBE cohort in the June Common Examinations on 17 out of 18 questions.
On 13 January 2020, the Department of Basic Education wrote a letter to Provincial Heads of Department of Education, requesting them to provide ‘A plan that shows the utilisation of African Languages as Languages of Learning and Teaching beyond the Foundation Phase.’ The plans should reach the DBE by 3 April 2020.
Furthermore, the DBE in collaboration with the UNICEF, developed Multilingual Based Mother Tongue Education Concept Paper. The DBE is intending to introduce African languages as mother tongue incrementally beyond the Foundation Phase.
(3) Please see response to question 2(b) above.
(4) The Scripted Lesson Plans (SLPs)are not textbooks but serve as a teacher resources to assist them in the delivery of the content. The SLPs guide the teacher on how to deliver the sexuality education content of Life Skills (LS) and Life Orientation (LO)subjects and does not cover the other components of LS/LO.
18 May 2020 - NW589
Thembekwayo, Dr S to ask the Minister of Basic Education
What measures has her department put in place to ensure that learners who were receiving meals as part of the school nutrition programme continue to receive meals during the lockdown to curb the spread of COVID 19?
Reply:
The Department is working in collaboration with the national and provincial Departments of Social Development (DSD) through the National Food and Nutrition Security Task Team led by the Presidency, through which agreement was reached that DSD will include learners from the National Nutrition Programme in their Disaster Relief and Social Relief Management Programme when distributing food parcels to households. The Department 's social and corporate partners were encouraged and referred to use the DSD distribution centres.
18 May 2020 - NW70
Powell, Ms EL to ask the Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation
(1)Whether she can provide Ms E L Powell with information on the process followed to award Breaking New Ground (BNG) houses to local residents in the Fynbos Phase 1 and Fynbos Phase 2 housing development in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality in the Eastern Cape; if so, by what date; (2) whether the BNG houses were awarded to beneficiaries as per the chronological order of the existing Local Housing Waiting List; if not, which housing list was used; if so, (3) whether she can provide Ms E L Powell with a copy of the official Local Housing Waiting List used for the Fynbos Phase 1 and Fynbos Phase 2 housing development; if so, by what date; (4) whether she can provide Ms E L Powell with a copy of the list of names of recipients to whom homes were awarded in the specified housing development; if so, by what date?
Reply:
(1) According to information we received from the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCM), the Fynbos Phase 1 and Fynbos Phase 2 housing development project was preceded by a shack and population survey that was conducted by the BCM in 2012 to cater for informal settlement dwellers. Thereafter, the BCM collected the subsidy application forms from the community members and dispatched the same to the Eastern Cape Department of Human Settlements for validation, approval and capturing on the Housing Subsidy System (HSS). The outcome of the approval process was communicated to the BCM in their capacity as the designated project developer.
(2) The BCM indicated that the community of Fynbos reportedly convened a general meeting where they resolved to use the BCM’s master survey list (962) to extract the names of subsidy applications in order to compose their own list of preferred beneficiaries for Fynbos phase 1 and 2. Thus, the Housing Demand Database (Local Housing Waiting List) was not used.
(3) & (4) The information requested by the Honourable Member cannot be made available through a
reply to a parliamentary because the established practise applicable to parliamentary questions and guidelines contained in the document titled, “Guide to Parliamentary Questions in the National Assembly”, Members of Parliament, including the Executive, are prohibited from divulging names of persons, bodies when asking or responding to parliamentary questions. The guide referred to specifically states the following:
“Questions are to be framed as concisely as possible. All unnecessary adjectives, references and quotations are omitted. Names of persons, bodies and, for example, newspapers are only used in questions if the facts surrounding the case have been proven. As the mere mention of such names could be construed as publicity for or against them, it should be clear that this practice is highly undesirable. If a question will be unintelligible without mentioning such names, the Departments concerned are notified of the name (-s) and this phrase is used: ".......a certain person (name furnished)”.
It is therefore suggested that the Honourable Member approach the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCM) for the information she requires.
18 May 2020 - NW588
Thembekwayo, Dr S to ask the Minister of Basic Education
What measures has her department put in place to prevent schools from being vandalised?
Reply:
The Department of Basic Education has signed a Protocol on School Safety with the South African Police Service. See Attached Annexure A. Several criminal cases have been opened with the Police across the various provinces. The Police Service is investigating these acts of vandalism and criminality and the Department of Basic Education has called for the maximum sentences to be imposed on those found to be responsible for the wanton destruction of school infrastructure.
18 May 2020 - NW241
Van Der Walt, Ms D to ask the Minister of Basic Education
(1) With reference to the Sanitary Appropriate for Education (SAFE) initiative launched by the President, Mr M C Ramaphosa, on 14 August 2018, what (a) total number of schools were earmarked in each province, (b) budget was allocated to each province for the (i) 2018-19 and (ii) 2019-20 financial years, (c) is the total donations received from the (i) private sector, (ii) National Treasury and (iii) fundraising events and (d) which schools benefitted from the budget allocations; (2) whether all the (a) projects were finalised and (b) budgets allocated were spent; if not, why not; if so, what is the name of each contractor of each project?
Reply:
a) The number of schools earmarked for each province are as follows:
|
SAFE and EIG |
ASIDI |
EC |
1598 |
61 |
FS |
156 |
|
KZN |
1365 |
11 |
LIM |
507 |
97 |
NW |
145 |
|
MPU |
127 |
|
b. The allocation was not made to provinces but to the programme.
- 2018/19: No allocation at all.
- 2019/20: An allocation of R700 million was made available.
c. Donations
- No donated funds have been managed by the Department of Basic Education (DBE). The donors are allocated schools, given guidance on the Sector Norms and Standards of Infrastructure provisioning as well as a standard designs. The Site Development Plans (SDPs) are then approved by the Department following which the donor can construct the facility before finally handing over the finished product to the DBE / Provincial Education Department (PED).
- An allocation of R2.8 billion has been made for the SAFE Initiative over the MTEF, as follows: 2019/20 : R700 000 000, 2020/21 : R800 000 000 & 2021/22 : R1 300 000 000.
- No independently raised funds have been managed by the DBE.
d. 45 schools have been provided with appropriate sanitation through donations. As for the allocation of R700 million, it is planned that 606 schools will be provided with appropriate sanitation. These projects are all at tender stage. The concurrence approval, to evaluate the procurement process to see whether it is compliant in terms of the PPPFA 2017, Section 38 (a), (i) and (iii) of the PFMA, is in progress. On completion of the evaluation, the contractors will be appointed.
18 May 2020 - NW592
Msane, Ms TP to ask the President of the Republic
What are the criteria that he applied, as Chairperson of the African Union, for appointing Mr Trevor Manuel as one of the African Union’s COVID-19 Special Envoys?
Reply:
The COVID-19 pandemic has been declared a global emergency crisis and is having a devastating impact on public health systems of many countries and the global economy.
Consequently, the African Union (AU) Bureau of Heads of State and Government, under the Chairship of President Cyril Ramaphosa, agreed to call upon the international community including the G20, World Bank, International Monetary Fund, African Development Bank and other regional institutions to use all the instruments available to help mitigate the economic impact of the pandemic and provide relief to vital sectors of African economies.
To implement the AU Heads of State Bureau decision, the President as chair of the African union and supported by AU Heads of State Bureau established a panel of envoys of former finance ministers and prominent individuals with experience in the financial sector to mobilise support for Africa’s efforts to raise funds.
These envoys, who are drawn from different regions of the continent, are Mr Trevor Manuel, former Minister of Finance of South Africa; Dr Ngozi Okonjo- Iweala, former Minister of Finance of Nigeria; Dr Donald Kabureka, former President of the Africa Development Bank; Mr Tidjane Thiam, former Chief Executive of Credit Suisse; and Mr Benkhalfa Abderrahmane, former Finance Minister of Algeria.
18 May 2020 - NW225
Mokgotho, Ms SM to ask the Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation
(1)What (a) is the name of the contractor who was appointed to construct Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) houses in Ward 5 in the Mamusa Local Municipality in North West and (b) amount was paid to the contractor; (2) whether any RDP houses were left incomplete; if so, (a) why and (b) what number were left incomplete?
Reply:
(1) (a) According to information received from the North West Provincial Department of Local Government and Human Settlements, the contractor was appointed in 2015 to build 65 Breaking New Ground (BNG) houses in Ward 5 in the Mamusa Local Municipality.
With regards to the name of the contractor, the Honourable Member should be aware by now that according to established practise applicable to parliamentary questions and guidelines contained in the document titled, “Guide to Parliamentary Questions in the National Assembly”, Members of Parliament, including the Executive, are prohibited from divulging names of persons, bodies when asking or responding to parliamentary questions. The guide referred to specifically states the following:
“Questions are to be framed as concisely as possible. All unnecessary adjectives, references and quotations are omitted. Names of persons, bodies and, for example, newspapers are only used in questions if the facts surrounding the case have been proven. As the mere mention of such names could be construed as publicity for or against them, it should be clear that this practice is highly undesirable. If a question will be unintelligible without mentioning such names, the Departments concerned are notified of the name (-s) and this phrase is used: ".......a certain person (name furnished)”.
(b) The Contractor was paid an amount of R3 295 000.00 which was for the construction of 46 foundations, 46 wall plates and 15 completed BNG houses.
(2) Some houses were left incomplete by the contractor. Despite interventions and support measures by the Provincial Department, the contractor experienced capacity challenges and subsequently vacated the site.
(b) The number of BNG houses that must still be completed in the project is fifty (50). The Provincial Department has since appointed another contractor to finalise the completion of the remaining houses.
(c) The Provincial Department has been advised to pursue the required legal consequence management against the defaulting contractor.
18 May 2020 - NW753
Faber, Mr WF to ask the Minister of Arts and Culture
(1) (a) Why the SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) is in the horse racing business through its 100% ownership of a certain company (name and details furnished), whose sole asset is 388 088 shares in Phumelela Gaming & Leisure, (b) who are the directors of the specified company and (c) why have no audit reports of the company not yet been submitted to Parliament; (2) what are the reasons that the horse racing and/or jockey association have separate membership from the SA Equestrian Federation and SASCOC?
Reply:
1. SASCOC not in the horse racing business.
(a) According to the SASCOC; the listing of Phumelela Gaming on the stock exchange was conditional on shares being issued as part of an empowerment requirement. SASCOC was identified as one of the beneficiaries of these issues, which shares were issued at no cost to SASCOC.
A special vehicle investment company, Gride Investments (Pty) Ltd was formed by SASCOC to receive and hold the shares in Phumelela.
(b) The directors for the 2018/2020 financial year as reported are:-
- Mr GN Sam (SASACOC Board President - resigned 31 December 2019)
- Mrs MSI King (SASCOC Board member - resigned January 2020)
- Mr JC Ellis (Independent)
(c) Gride Investment (Pty) Ltd has been audited every year in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards for Small and Medium-sized Entities and the requirements of the Companies Act of South Africa. The annual financial statements are published and approved by the General Assembly
2. SASCOC indicated that there is no reason why the horse racing and the jockey association cannot fall under the auspices of the SA Equestrian Federation. The federation has for some time been engaging to bring under its auspices, as an associate member, horse racing and the jockey association. This engagement is continuing
18 May 2020 - NW11
Malema, Mr J to ask the President of the Republic
(1)(a) What number of inter-ministerial committees (IMC) does the Government have, (b) on what date was each IMC established and (c) how many times has each IMC met since it was established; (2) whether any IMC has established a panel; if so, (a) what is the name of each member of the panel and (b) how many times has each panel met; (3) whether any IMC has appointed (a) consultants and/or (b) contractors; if so, (i) on what date was each consultant and/or contractor appointed, (ii) what amount was paid to each consultant and/or contractor and (iii) what were the reasons for each appointment; (4) what amount has the Government spent on each (a) IMC and (b) related panel?
Reply:
1 (a)-(c)
Inter-Ministerial Committee |
Date established |
Meetings 2018-19 |
South African National AIDS Council |
2000 |
3 |
Land and Agricultural Reform |
June 2018 |
16 |
North West Intervention (changed to Inter Ministerial Task Team) |
April 2018 |
15 |
Municipal Elections 2021 |
June 2019 |
Not met |
Khawuleza District Development Model |
August 2019 |
2 |
South African Airways |
March 2020 |
2 |
State Funerals |
2014 |
21* |
* Since establishment in 2014
As part of a rationalisation process to improve coordination and functionality, 12 IMCs were abolished in 2018 and 39 IMCs were abolished in 2019.
2 (a)-(b)
The Land and Agricultural Reform Advisory Panel was established by the President to advise the Land and Agricultural Reform IMC. The members of the panel are:
- Dr Vuyo Mahlati
- Prof Ruth Hall
- Dr Wandile Sihlobo
- Bulelwa Mabasa
- Thato Moagi
- Prof Mohammed Karaan
- Daniel Kriek
- Adv Tembeka Ngcukaitobi
- Dr Thandi Ngcobo
- Nick Serfontein
The Land and Agricultural Reform Advisory Panel has met 14 times.
3 (a)
No IMCs have appointed consultants.
3 (b)
I am advised that the following payments were made in respect of the following IMCs:
IMC |
(b) Contractors |
(i) Date Appointed |
(ii) Amount |
(iii) Reason for Appointment |
Land Panel |
Birchwood Hotel |
December 2018 |
R239,011 |
Venue hire, sound equipment and catering for consultative work in the form of the two national Colloquia, 11 roundtables and consultations with the National House of Traditional Leaders Design, Layout and Editing of the Final Report |
St Georges Hotel |
February 2019 |
R476,967 |
||
Sheraton Hotel |
December 2019 |
R44,237 |
||
Black Moon Design and Advertising |
March 2019 |
R166,085 |
||
Government Printing Works |
June 2019 |
R71,415 |
Printing and publishing final report |
|
North West Intervention |
CSIR |
July 2018 |
R1,417,143 |
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) to provide capacity for the coordination and technical support for the first six months of the intervention. |
4 (a)
Generally IMCs are coordinating structures. They do not require extra funding beyond the normal operations of coordinating structures.
North West Intervention IMTT/IMC: The cost to the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation for convening the IMTT for the North West Province is estimated to be R525,000. This calculation excludes costs related to the actual intervention in the North West province.
4 (b)
Land and Agricultural Reform Advisory Panel:
- Remuneration: R270,274
- Travel and accommodation: R324,595
- Catering for meetings and workshops: R26,044
Advisory Panel members were remunerated in accordance with the 2018 Service Benefit Packages for Office Bearers of certain Statutory and Other Institutions (National Treasury). Some Members of the Advisory Panel declined remuneration.
18 May 2020 - NW297
Zungula, Mr V to ask the President of the Republic
In view of his announcement during his State of the Nation Address on 13 February 2020 to allow municipalities that are in good standing to procure electricity from independent power producers and that mines are also allowed to self-generate electricity, what has he found will be the financial impact of the specified decision on Eskom; (2) whether this decision will cause Eskom to seek bail-outs in the near future; if not, how did he reach this conclusion; if so, has the National Treasury made provisions in this regard; (3) whether he has found that Eskom will not face foreclosure by creditors; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1. The decision to allow self generation by municipalities, industries and households is based on the fact that Eskom has insufficient capacity to generate enough energy to meet the needs of the economy. Its ageing power stations suffer regular breakdowns, which has resulted in load shedding. This has resulted in the need for additional energy.
The introduction of distributed electricity generation by industries and households mainly through renewable energy will lower demand for Eskom, thereby reducing its revenue. However, there will be a strong reliance on Eskom for the provision of base load.
The availability of reliable, lower cost electricity will contribute to greater economic activity and job creation, which, in turn, will increase demand for energy. It is therefore essential that Eskom is restructured and repositioned as a sustainable company within a transformed energy sector.
2. No further provisions have been made since the announcement last year by the Minister of Finance of a government support package of R230 billion over the next 10 years to provide Eskom relief and assist in servicing its debt.
3. Foreclosing Eskom is not part of Government’s plans.
18 May 2020 - NW563
Tarabella - Marchesi, Ms NI to ask the Minister of Basic Education
What measures has her department put in place to ensure that schools are safe from burglaries and arson attacks during the lockdown to curb the spread of COVID-19?
Reply:
Response
The Department of Basic Education has signed a Protocol with the South African Police Service to provide support regarding crime perpetrated by communities towards schools. The South African Police Service are busy with these investigations and are pursuing criminal charges against the perpetrators where schools have opened cases at their local police stations.
18 May 2020 - NW691
Van Dyk, Ms V to ask the Minister of Arts and Culture
(1) What is the total cost of the litigation and/or legal fees for the National Library of South Africa during the period 1 January 2017 up to the latest specified date for which information is available; (2) what is the legal cost for each labour dispute and/or matter defended; (3) what are the relevant details of the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) award on the CCMA matter of a certain person (name and details furnished); (4) (a) what was the outcome of the CCMA case against a certain person (name furnished) from the National Library of South Africa of whom the Board reported in November 2019 that the matter was resolved, (b) how was the specified matter resolved and (c) what total amount in legal fees was involved? NW893E
Reply:
1. Litigation costs from 1 January 2017 to date are as follows:
Year |
Amount |
2017 |
R 71, 383.70 |
2018 |
R 1, 807, 468.98 |
2019 |
R 2, 314, 626.18 |
2020 |
R 3, 901, 436.20 |
Total |
R 8, 094, 915.15 |
2. The legal cost for each labour dispute are as follows:
Year |
Litigation |
Amount in Rands |
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|||
Total |
|
3. The CCMA ruled in favor of the employee for Unfair Suspension.
Details of the ruling: The National Library of South Africa, the respondent has perpetrated an unfair labour practice in terms of section (186) (2)(b) of the Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995 as amended.
4. (a) On 30 September 2019 at conciliation, the employee withdrew his case after an agreement was reached that he would return to work on 01 November 2019.
(b) On 28 October 2019 the Board ruled that the employee’s return date would be deferred to 1 April 2020 in light of representation and resistance received by Management from internal and external stakeholders including Organised Labour.
(c) The total cost for the above matter is R 1 696 950.27.
18 May 2020 - NW748
Mhlongo, Mr TW to ask the Minister of Arts and Culture
(1) Whether board members of the SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) are still paid as board members; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what is the total amount in salary that each such member gets (a) per month and (b) annually; (2) whether SASCOC is on the brink of financial collapse; if not, what is SASCOC’s financial position; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1. According to the Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC); Board members do not receive a salary but an allowance as approved by the General Assembly. These allowances are to compensate board members for costs incurred in attending to board matters. Board members that are in an acting position do not receive an acting allowance and continue to receive their normal allowance
(a) The elected board members continue to receive their monthly allowances as follows: -
- President: Nil (currently vacant)
- 1st Vice President: R22 024.97
- 2nd Vice President: Nil (currently vacant)
- Ordinary Board Member: R18 354.14 (8 members)
- The IOC and IPC representatives that serve on the board have waivered their entitlement to receive an allowance and do not receive same
- Total Monthly allowances for board members: R168 858.12
(b) As required by reporting standards, these amounts are disclosed in the annual financial statement
2. SASCOC has indicated that:
- The organization is in a critical stage of need of funding to fully deliver on its mandates.
- The reduction of funding from the National Lotteries Commission of R100m (due to the change in their own distribution criteria) has severely impacted on SASCOC’s financial needs as this funding requirement was part of the budgetary requirements of SASCOC that was submitted to the Commission. The annual allocation for the 2019/2020 financial year from the Commission was R8m.
- The total annual funds inflow (which include government, the NLC, IOC, IPC and IOC/IPC Top sponsors) expected for the 2020/2021 financial year is R39m.
- The funding needs for SASCOC to meet its commitments for the 2020/2021 financial year is R47m. This amount excludes funding required for games delivery
- SASCOC is unable the deliver on its games programmes or unfunded mandates without additional special funding.
18 May 2020 - NW199
Shaik Emam, Mr AM to ask the Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation
Whether she has been informed that the Reconstruction and Development Programme houses are being sold to farm owners and others in areas like Caledon, despite thousands of persons being on a waiting list; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what steps does she intend to take in order to address the matter?
Reply:
The matter that the Honourable Member refers to was never brought to my attention. Further, the Western Cape Provincial Department of Human Settlements indicated that neither the Department nor the Theewaterskloof Local Municipality is aware of Breaking New Ground (BNG) houses being sold to farm owners or other persons.
I would be grateful if the Honourable Member could provide me with more information on this matter in order for my department to investigate it further.
18 May 2020 - NW738
Waters, Mr M to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
Whether the Ekurhuleni Development Agency (EDA) of the City of Ekurhuleni, reports directly to her; if not, why not; if so, (a) what are the (i) names and (ii) qualifications of the five board members, (b) what amount has each board member earn in each financial year since the inception of the EDA, (c) what (i) number of persons work for the EDA, (ii) are their positions and (iii) is the gross salary that each person earns per annum and (d) what (i) was the total budget of the EDA since its inception and (ii) has it accomplished?
Reply:
The Ekurhuleni Development Agency does not report to the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs.
Thank you
16 May 2020 - NW45
Masipa, Mr NP to ask the Mr N P Masipa to ask the Minister of Finance
(a) Whether the Land Bank has any policies and plans in place that mitigate against the risk of land indebted to the Land Bank that becomes subject to expropriation without compensation in accordance with section 25(1) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, and (b) what processes does the Land Bank have in place to recoup the outstanding debt on such land or will the Land Bank need a bail-out under these circumstances?
Reply:
(a)(i) – Currently, Land Bank does not have any policies in place that would mitigate the risk of expropriation, without compensation, of land over which Land Bank holds mortgage bonds as security. This is so because the Draft Expropriation Bill, 2019 (“Expropriation Bill”) is yet to become law and some, if not most, of its provisions may (subject to the public comments received and incorporated therein) still be modified prior to it being signed into law by the President.
Even though the submission for public comments has now closed, the Legislature will still embark on a process of deliberating on the Expropriation Bill. Accordingly, it would be premature for Land Bank to put in place any measures for mitigating the land expropriation risk while the Expropriation Bill remains in draft form. However, Land Bank is mindful of the provisions of the Expropriation Bill that may impact on its rights and other lenders in the agricultural sector in general.
In this regard, the Honourable Member’s attention is drawn to the provisions of section 18(1) of the Expropriation Bill provides that “If property expropriated in terms of this Act was, immediately prior to the date of expropriation, encumbered by a registered mortgage or subject to a deed of sale, the expropriating authority may not pay out any portion of the compensation money except to such person and on such terms as may have been agreed upon between the expropriated owner or expropriated holder and the mortgagee or buyer concerned, as the case may be, after the claimant has notified the expropriating authority of the agreement.” (Our emphasis).
The phrase “expropriated holder” means the holder of a mortgage bond over the land that is being or has been appropriated (i.e., also known as the mortgagee). In light of the provisions of section 18(1) referred to above, it is clear that the Legislature intended to protect the interests of lenders whose loan facilities are secured by mortgage bonds over the property which is the subject of expropriation. Accordingly, Land Bank’s rights under the mortgages registered over such land would remain intact despite the expropriation and Land Bank would be entitled to receive the compensation payable for the expropriation of the land over which Land Bank holds mortgage bonds.
(b) What processes does the Land Bank have in place to recoup the outstanding debt on such land or will the Land Bank need a bail-out under these circumstances?
REPLY: (b)(i) – As Chairperson of the Land Bank indicated in the 2018 Integrated Report, “If expropriation without Compensation were therefore to materialise without protection of the Bank’s rights as a creditor, we would be required to repay R9 billion immediately. A Cross Default clause would be triggered should we fail to pay when these debts fall due because of inadequate liquidity or lack of alternative sources of funding. This would make our entire R41 billion funding portfolio due and payable immediately, which we would not be able to settle. Consequently, government intervention would be required to settle our lenders.”
However, in light of the provisions of section 18(1) of the Expropriation Bill, Land Bank’s normal recovery processes seem to suffice unless the provisions of section 18(1) of the Expropriation Bill are drastically altered to disentitle expropriated holders to the compensation payable by the expropriating authority. Consequently, Land Bank has not updated any of its current recovery processes to cater for the expropriation of land over which Land Bank holds mortgage bonds.
(b)(ii) – As part of risk mitigation of facility exposures, Land Bank generally does not restrict itself to only the mortgage bonds for security. Land Bank would ordinarily also require its clients to provide other forms of security such as general notarial bonds, special notarial bond, cessions (shares, receivables, bank accounts and insurance policies) together with suretyships and guarantees. Even in circumstances where Land Bank had only financed the acquisition of the land, nothing in law prevents Land Bank from taking the aforesaid security.
(b)(iii) – Again, with reference to section 18(1) of the Expropriation Bill, it appears that the expropriation of land would not on its own render Land Bank to be in a worse-off position than it would have been had the land over which it holds mortgages not been expropriated. It is, therefore, unlikely that Land Bank would be asking for Government bail-outs merely because of the expropriation of the land over which Land Bank holds a mortgage as security for the loans it advances in the ordinary course of its business.
15 May 2020 - NW666
Schreiber, Dr LA to ask the Minister of Public Service and Administration
Whether he, his department and/or any entity reporting to him purchased any personal protection equipment since 1 February 2020; if so, in each case, what are the relevant details of (a) the date on which the equipment was purchased, (b) the name of the supplier where the equipment was purchased, (c) the monetary value of the purchase, (d) the branding that appeared on the purchased equipment, including the branding of any political party, and (e)(i) how and (ii) where was the purchased equipment distributed?
Reply:
(a) the date on which the equipment was purchased,
- 50x Automated hand sanitizer dispensers and 200x 1 liter hand sanitizer – 19 March 2020
- 1000x Masks, 1000x Aprons and 1000x Gloves – 23 March 2020
- Two Infra-Red Thermometers – 3 April 2020
- Hand Sanitizer, 600x 200ml bottles – 20 April 2020
(b) the name of the supplier where the equipment was purchased,
- 50x Automated hand sanitizer dispensers and 200x 1 liter hand sanitizer – SAFARMEX Medical Logistics.
- 1000x Masks, 1000x Aprons and 1000x Gloves – Ment Medical and Waste (Pty) Ltd.
- Two Infra-Red Thermometers – Tripharma (Pty) Ltd.
- Hand Sanitizer, 600x 200ml bottles – BAJU Cleaning Chemicals.
(c) the monetary value of the purchase,
- 50x Automated hand sanitizer dispensers and 200x 1 liter hand sanitizer – R69 893.55
- 1000x Masks, 1000x Aprons and 1000x Gloves – R122 700.00
- Two Infra-Red Thermometers – R5 999.30
- Hand Sanitizer, 600x 200ml bottles – R34 500.00
(d) the branding that appeared on the purchased equipment, including the branding of any political party, and
- Automated hand sanitizer dispensers and sanitizer - Germkill
- 1000x Masks, 1000x Aprons and 1000x Gloves – No branding
- Two Infra-Red Thermometers – Shenzen BSX Technology Electronics C0.Ltd (BSX815)
- Hand Sanitizer, 600x 200ml bottles – No branding
(e)(i) how and (ii) where was the purchased equipment distributed?
- 50x Automated hand sanitizer dispensers - dispensers mounted on walls throughout the Batho Pele House Building for usage by all employees and persons entering the building and 200x 1 liter hand sanitizer – sanitizer bottles used to refill the various dispensers and Cleaners’ spray bottles.
- 1000x Masks issued to staff who attend meetings, Cleaners and front office workers, 1000x Aprons issued to Cleaners to perform cleaning activities on a daily basis and 1000x Gloves – issued to frontline staff and Cleaners on a daily basis,
- Two Infra-Red Thermometers – utilize for screening employees’ temperature prior to meetings and when entering the building.
- Hand Sanitizer, 600x 200ml bottles – intended for frontline officers and to be issued to employees who travel with public transport, when they are required to return to the office during alert level 4 and onwards.
REPLY:
The Public Service Commission (PSC) is an independent Constitutional body, accountable to the National Assembly. It is therefore not an entity or body reporting to the Minister for Public Service and Administration (MPSA). Its budget was, prior to 2020/21 financial year, appropriated through the MPSA. With effect from 1 April 2020, the PSC’s budget is appropriated through the PSC allocated vote, and not through the MPSA.
The PSC has to date, not received any donation of personal protection equipment from any source. The details of the purchase for twenty two (22) infrared thermometers are as follows:
a) the date on which the equipment was purchased: 16 April 2020;
b) the name of the supplier where the equipment was purchased: Baitsanape Laboratory Supplies;
c) the monetary value of the purchase: R55 660.00 (VAT inclusive);
(d) the branding that appeared on the purchased equipment including the branding of any political party: Not Applicable; and
(e) (i) how was the purchased equipment distributed: Distribution to the All Provincial Offices PSC was through the contracted courier service company called Skynet South Africa; and
(ii) Where was the purchased equipment distributed? Two instruments per provinces were distributed to the nine (9) Provincial Offices of the PSC using the courier services for only eight offices outside the Gauteng Province. The Provincial Offices of the PSC are located as follows:
- Eastern Cape Provincial Office in King Williams Town;
- Free State Provincial Office in Bloemfontein;
- KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Office in Pietermaritzburg;
- Limpopo Provincial Office in Polokwane;
- Mpumalanga Provincial Office in Nelspruit;
- Northern Cape Provincial Office in Kimberly;
- North West Provincial Office in Mmabatho;
- Western Cape Provincial Office in Cape Town; and
- Gauteng Provincial Office in Johannesburg,
REPLY:
The National School of Government reporting to the Minister of Department Public Service and Administration purchased sanitisers
- 11 March 2020
- The NSG has a service provider (Masana Hygiene Services (PTY) Ltd.) that provides cleaning, maintenance and hygiene services of its building. As part of their cleaning service contract, an addendum was added requesting them to supply the NSG building with sanitizers.
- The total amount was R13 314.61
- No. There was no branding of any political party
- (i) The sanitisers were purchased through request for quotations process
(ii) The sanitisers were used at the lifts and floor entrances
REPLY:
The CPSI has not purchased any personal protection equipment since 1 February 2020.
(a) N/A
(b) N/A
(c) NA
(d) N/A
(e)(i) N/A (ii) N/A