Reply:

1. Yes it has been renewed and signed 4 March 2019. The Agreement covers the following areas of co-operation:

a) Recruitment of Medical doctors and lecturers form Republic of Cuba;

b) Training of Medical students and postgraduates in the Republic of Cuba;

c) Exploration of possible areas of mutual interests in the fields of Biotechnology production and the development of pharmaceuticals and any other area of scientific research; and

d) Any other program or activity that may be mutually agreed upon between the Parties

2. No, the Government of the Republic of South Africa does not intend to terminate the exchange of doctors between the Republic of South Africa and the Republic of Cuba. In accordance with the Agreement concluded and signed between the Government of the Republic of South African and the Republic of Cuba on 4 March 2019 in Havana, at the request of the Government of the Republic of South Africa, through its Ministry of Health, the Republic of Cuba shall assist in the recruitment of Cuban health professionals in identified categories.

The Cuban health professionals recruited under this Agreement will be recruited for the following purpose:

a) Providing health services to rural and other disadvantaged communities within areas where such services are inadequate;

b) Assisting the provision of health services in hospitals, clinics community health centres and other institutions throughout the provinces of the Republic of South Africa; and

c) Training and supporting local medical doctors, interns and students who work in such areas and institutions, on teaching programmes that the Parties agree upon.

(3) (a) Eighty (80) students depended on the availability of Provincial financial resources;

(b) Ten (10) students per eight (8) participating Provinces excluding the Western Cape. The only Province that will be sending students for the 2019/20 intake is the North West, 15 students;

(c) Provinces intend to recruit a total number of 112 Cuban doctors to the Republic to assist in the public health sector as identified by Provinces; and

(d) These Cuban doctors will be dispatched as per the following Provincial requests: Free State = 27; Limpopo = 37, Mpumalanga Province = 15; Northern Cape Province = 12 and North West Province = 21.

(4) (a) and (b) There are 326 students who have dropped out due to various reasons reflected in the table below

Province	Medical	Misconduct	Academic	Voluntary	Deaths	Total
Eastern Cape	12	16	19	3	2	52
Free State	2	8	13	3	1	27
Gauteng	7	4	12	2	1	26
KwaZulu/Natal	12	7	31	11	4	65
Limpopo	4	5	8	0	0	17
Mpumalanga	2	19	5	7	3	36
Northern Cape	13	9	10	4	2	38
North West	18	6	29	7	5	65
Total	70	74	127	37	18	326

(c) The bursary contract is entered into between the student and the individual Provincial Health Department. The contract is standard across the country. When the student drops out each Province refers the student through writing to the Debt Collection office. Provinces have a difficulty in recouping the funds as these students are selected from the most disadvantaged families whose socio-economic status makes it impossible for repayment, unless the student might get a gainful employment.

END.

Reply:

a) The Office of Health Standards Compliance (OHSC) was established in accordance with the amended National Health Act of 2013, Chapter 10. One of the objectives of the OHSC is to protect and promote the health and safety of users of health services by monitoring and enforcing compliance by health establishments with norms and standards prescribed by the Minister in relation to the national health system. The Norms and Standards Regulations applicable to different categories of health establishments was Gazetted in February 2018.

In addition, National programmes such as the Ideal Clinic and Hospital programme was established to give guidance and monitor the progress of health facilities with the implementation of the Norms and Standards Regulations.

The NDOH is tasked with the management of public health facilities and infrastructure of the country, in conjunction with the provincial Infrastructure Units of the Provincial Health Departments. The Cluster focuses on co-ordinating and funding health infrastructure to enable provinces to plan, manage, modernise, rationalise and transform infrastructure, health technology and hospital management, and improve the quality of care in line with national policy objectives. This programme is funding infrastructure projects ranging from new and replaced facilities; upgrades and additions; refurbishment, rehabilitation and renovations, to maintenance and repairs. Of importance most of the healthcare infrastructure projects funded over the MTEF period by the Provincial Equitable Share, Health Facility Revitalisation Grant, and In-kind Grant focused on upgrades and additions; refurbishment, rehabilitation and renovations, to maintenance and repairs.

b) The human resources for health (HRH) crisis will undermine the achievement of high-quality universal health coverage. This crisis is characterised by: staff shortages, inequities and mal-distribution between urban and rural areas and between the public and private health sectors; unprofessional behaviour and poor staff motivation and performance. This crisis will undermine the achievement of high-quality universal health coverage, if not addressed. In the public sector, the lack of knowledge and skills of doctors and nurses were contributory factors in the potentially preventable maternal deaths.

We have realized a need to invest in, and transform human resources in support of a high-quality health system, focusing on the following:

Development of a transformative HRH plan.

(i) The National Department of Health (NDoH) will use the opportunity provided by the development of the HRH plan forthe period 2019/20-2024/25 to partner with front-line health care providers for a high quality health system, and to make health equity and quality the foundation of the new HRH plan.

(ii) The NDoH will finalize the staffing norms and standards for District Hospitals, that are informed by the national quality Program of Action (POA).

Corruption

Fraud and corruption are major threats to equitable access to quality health care. Therefore all provincial departments of health are required (according to legislation) to have an approved fraud and corruption plan. Employees are encouraged to report all corruption to the Anti-corruption hotline.

END.

Reply:

1. (a) According to the information provided by the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), the total number of doctors registered is as follows:

Province	Public	Private	(b) number of the specified doctors are currently practicing in each case
Eastern Cape	376	2761	HPCSA does not keep a record of whether a doctor is practising in the public or private sector, nor of the province in which they are working.
Free State	151	1713
Gauteng	1237	14304
Kwa-Zulu Natal	781	6944
Limpopo	229	1521
Mpumalanga	249	1449
North West	249	1172
Northern Cape	121	540
Western	443	9115
Foreign	47	504
No Province shown	120	649
Total	4003	40672

2. (a) Nurses are not required to register with the HPCSA to practice as nurses in South Africa. However, according to South African Nursing Council (SANC), a total number of nurses registered in each province is as follows:

2(a) Province	(i) Public and (ii) Private	(b) number of the specified nurses are currently practicing in each case
Eastern Cape	29533	SANC does not register nurses by employment authority (i.e. public or private) but registration is done in line with the categories of nurses as provided for in the Nursing Act, 2005 (Act. No. 33 of 2005)
Free State	13398
Gauteng	74044
Kwa-Zulu Natal	71030
Limpopo	28839
Mpumalanga	14878
North West	18002
Northern Cape	3747
Western Cape	32233
Total	285704

3. The following South African (a) Medical and (b) (i) Nursing Students who met requirements of being registered with their relevant Professions Council, were allocated since 1 January 2019:

Province	Medical Practitioner	Professional Nurse
EC	125	591
FS	67	168
GP	260	672
KZ	222	747
LP	138	331
MP	170	313
NC	82	50
NW	144	485
WC	205	302
SAMHS	47	14
Grand Total	1460	3673

No South African (a) Medical and (b) (ii) Nursing Students who met requirements of being registered with their relevant Professional Council have not been allocated for community service in each province since 1 January 2019 (i.e. all medical and nursing students who registration requirements were placed).

END.

Reply:

Management of Mental Health users at different levels is a function of a Multi -disciplinary team. The first line service are rendered by the Psychiatric nurses

a) The following table reflects the details in this regard

Province	Clinical Psychologists	Psychiatrists	Counsellors
	(a)(i)	(a)(ii)	(a)(iii)
Eastern Cape	29	10	1
Free State	20	13	0
Gauteng	63	110	1
KwaZulu-Natal	59	29	0
Limpopo	16	6	8
Mpumalanga	7	3	7
North West	21	5	0
Northern Cape	12	4	1
Western Cape	31	37	0

b) The following table reflects the details in this regard

Province	Name of Health Establishment	Psychiatrists	Clinical psychologists	Counsellors
Eastern Cape	Elizabeth Donkin Hospital	1	5	0
	Fort England Hospital	5	12	0
	Komani Hospital	1	4	0
	Tower Hospital	0	2	0
	Mthatha Mental Health Unit	2	3	1
	Dora Nginza Mental Health Unit	1	3	0
Free State	Free State Psychiatric Complex Hospital	9	9	0
	Pelonomi Regional Hospital	2	3	0
	National District Hospital	0	1	0
	Gateway	0	1	0
	J.S. Moroka District Hospital	0	1	0
	Dihlabeng Regional Hospital	0	1	0
	MMM Regional Hospital	1	1	0
	Boitumelo Regional Hospital	1	1	0
	Heidedal Clinic	0	1	0
	MUCCP Clinic	0	1	0
Gauteng	Sterkfontein Hospital	16	11	0
	Tara H Moross Centre Hospital	9	9	0
	Weskoppies Hospital	11	16	1
	Cullinan Care and Rehab Centre	0	0	0
	Sizwe TB	2	0	0
	Tshwane Rehabilitation	1	0	0
	Chris Hani Bara	12	9	0
	Charlotte Maxeke	6	4	0
	Dr George Mukhari	12	4	0
	Steve Biko	3	2	0
	Helen Joseph	2	3	0
	Tembisa	5	1	0
	Kalafong	1	0	0
	Rahima Moosa	4	1	0
	Edenvale	0	0	0
	Leratong	6	1	0
	Pholosong	1	0	0
	Sebokeng	2	1	0
	Tambo Memorial	2	1	0
	Far East Rand	3	0	0
	Mamelodi	1	0	0
	Thelle Mogoerane	2	0	0
	Dr Yusuf Dadoo	0	0	0
	South Rand	0	0	0
	Bertha Gxowa	1	0	0
	Heidelberg	1	0	0
	Kopanong	0	0	0
	Pretoria West	1	0	0
	Jubilee	2	0	0
	Odi District	2	0	0
	Carletonville	0	0	0
	Tshwane District	1	0	0
	Bheki Mlangeni	1	0	0
	Bronkhorspruit	0	0	0
KwaZulu-Natal	Ekhulengeni Sanatorium Hospital	1	0	0
	Fort Napier Hospital	2	2	0
	Umgeni Waterfall Institute Hospital	0	0	0
	Townhill Hospital	4	7	0
	Umzimkhulu Hospital	0	2	0
	Madadeni Psychiatric Hospital	2	3	0
	Psychiatric Unit in King George V Hospital	4	0	0
	Psychiatric Unit in Ladysmith Hospital	1	0	0
	Psychiatric Unit in Port Shepstone Hospital	1	2	0
	Addington Hospital	3	0	0
	EThekwini District Office	1	0	0
	GJG Mpanza	1	0	0
	Ngwelezane	3	2	0
	Prince Mshiyeni	1	2	0
	RK Khan	2	1	0
	King Edward	3	1	0
	East Griqualand and Usher District Hospital	0	1	0
	Edendale Regional Hospital	0	3	0
	Estcourt District Hospital	0	3	0
	Ethekwini DHO	0	1	0
	GJ Crookes District Hospital	0	1	0
	Grey's Tertiary Hospital	0	3	0
	Head Office	0	1	0
	Hlabisa District Hospital	0	1	0
	Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital	0	1	0
	King Dinuzulu District Hospital	0	5	0
	KwaMashu CHC	0	1	0
	Mahatma Gandhi Regional Hospital	0	3	0
	McCord Specialized Eye Hospital	0	1	0
	Mseleni District Hospital	0	1	0
	Murchison District Hospital	0	1	0
	Newcastle Regional Hospital	0	1	0
	Northdale District Hospital	0	3	0
	Queen Nandi Regional Hospital	0	1	0
	Stanger Regional Hospital	0	1	0
	Tongaat CHC	0	1	0
	Vryheid District Hospital	0	1	0
	Wentworth District Hospital	0	2	0
Limpopo	Evuxakeni Hospital	0	0	0
	Hayani Hospital	1	1	0
	Thabamoopo Hospital	1	3	0
	Psychiatric Unit in Donald Fraiser Hospital	0	1	0
	Psychiatric Unit in Elim Hospital	0	1	2
	Psychiatric Unit in Letaba Hospital	1	3	1
	Psychiatric Unit In Malamulele Hospital	0	0	1
	Psychiatric Unit in Mankweng Hospital	3	5	0
	Psychiatric Unit in Matlala Hospital	0	2	0
	Psychiatric Unit in Siloam Hospital	0	0	2
	Psychiatric Unit in Tshilidzini Hospital	0	0	2
Mpumalanga	Psychiatric unit in Rob Ferreira Hospital	2	2	0
	Psychiatric Unit in Witbank Hospital	1	3	0
	Psychiatric Unit in Tintswalo Hospital	0	2	0
	Lydenburg Hospital	0	0	1
	Shongwe Hospital	0	0	1
	Witbank	0	0	1
	Ermelo	0	0	1
	Carolina	0	0	1
	Embhuleni	0	0	1
	Evander	0	0	1
Northern Cape	West End Specialised Psychiatric Hospital	3	3	0
	Frances Baard District	0	3	1
	Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital	0	1	0
	Pixley Ka Seme District	0	1	0
	Namakwa District	0	1	0
	ZF Mgcawu District	0	1	0
	Dr Harry Surtie	0	2	0
North West	Witrand Psychiatric Hospital	1	8	0
	Bophelong Psychiatric Hospital	1	5	0
	JST Hospital	1	2	0
	Klerksdorp Tshepong Hospital Complex	1	2	0
	Brits Hospital	0	2	0
	Joe Morolong Hospital (Vryburg)	0	1	0
	Mahikeng Provincial Hospital	0	1	0
Western Cape	Alexandra Hospital	1	4	0
	Lentegeur Hospital	11	10	0
	Stikland Hospital	8	8	0
	Valkenberg Hospital	10	6	0
	Tygerberg Hospital Adult Psychiatry	4	0	0
	Tygerberg Hospital: Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Unit	3	3	0

(c) Information on the official language that each person who provides a service in is not collected and reported on in the current health information systems. Information that was provided by provinces shows the following generic or regional trends.

Province	Languages used in providing services
Eastern Cape	Afrikaans; Xhosa; and English
Free State	Afrikaans; English; and Sotho
Gauteng
KwaZulu-Natal	Information not provided
Limpopo	Information not provided
Mpumalanga	Isizulu; Isiswati; IsiNdebele; Tshonga; Sotho; English; Afrikaans; and Pedi.
North West	Information not provided
Northern Cape	English; Afrikaans; and Setswana.
Western Cape	English; Afrikaans; and Xhosa.

(d) Currently the district Health Information system, which is the agreed upon information system between the National and Provincial Departments of Health collects and reports on nine mental health data elements on a monthly basis in terms of the National Indicator Data Set. One of the nine data elements is "mental health client total" which is utilized to calculate and report on caseloads on clients who attended ambulatory (non-patient) services for mental health conditions per facility. The current system does not collect information and report on caseload per health practitioner that provides a service.

Information on the average Mental Health Case Load per Province
Province	April 2018 to March 2019
Eastern Cape	2.2
Free State	3.1
Gauteng	2.5
KwaZulu-Natal	1.7
Limpopo	2.7
Mpumalanga	1.2
Northern Cape	2.2
North West	1.4
Western Cape	1.6

END.

Reply:

a) The processes for the appointment of the second Interim Traditional Health Practitioners Council of South Africa are underway and Minister will announce names after appointment.

b) Constitution of the Interim Traditional Health Practitioners Council is provided for by section 7 of the Traditional Health Practitioners Act, 2007 (Act No. 22 of 2007). The Criteria used in appointing members of the Council is detailed in the Regulations relating to the appointment of the interim Traditional Health Practitioners Council of South Africa, Government Gazette No. R 685 of 22 August 2011 as follows:

Nomination of members of the Council

1. The Minister must by –

a) Notice in the Gazette;

b) An advertisement placed in at least two newspapers with national and regional circulation; and

c) Any other means considered necessary by him or her.

Invite nomination for persons to be considered for appointment of the Council.

2. The notice contemplated in sub-regulation (1) must state –

a) The requirements for consideration for appointment;

b) The period within which the nominations must be submitted; and

c) An address to which the nominations must be sent.

3. The Minister must request nominations of one person each from –

a) The Director-General for a person to be considered for appointment as a member contemplated in section 7 (d) of the Act;

b) The Health Professions Council of South Africa for persons to be considered for appointment as a member contemplated in section 7 (f) of the Act; and

c) The South African Pharmacy Council of South Africa for a person to be considered for appointment as a member contemplated in section 7 (g) of the Act

 

Selection process

1. The returning officer must, not later than 21 days after the close of nominations, submit all valid nominations to the Minister.

2. The Minister may appoint a panel comprising of at least four people, whom at least two shall be persons who have experience in traditional health practice, to consider and advise the Minister on the nomination received.

3. The Minister may call for further nominations if no nominations are received in a particular category or an insufficient number of nominations were received within the period specified in the notice for invitation contemplated in regulation 2 (1).

4. The panel may use a screening process and interviews of nominees in selecting candidates to be recommended for appointment by the Minister.

5. The panel must submit a report of the recommended candidate together with the list of all nominees and supporting documents to the Minister for consideration of appointment to the Council.

6. The Minister’s power to appoint members of the board is not limited to the recommended candidates.

END.

Reply:

The table below indicates the number of households per province that have registered their need for adequate shelter on the National Housing Needs Register (NHNR).

The total number of households per province are presented as follow:

• Approved on Housing Subsidy System (HSS): indicates the total number of households on the NHNR that have completed subsidy application forms and these subsidy applications forms were approved on HSS against the relevant project.
• On National Housing Needs Register (NHNR) Only: indicates the total number of households that have registered their need for adequate shelter on the National Housing Needs Register. These households have not completed subsidy applications forms to date.

The Western Cape Provincial Department of Human Settlements is not utilizing the National Housing Needs Register. The information related to Western Cape was imported onto the National Housing Needs Register in 2010.

Reply:

The number of prosecutions finalised including ADRM is displayed in the table below:

Financial Years	2014/15	2015/16	2016/17	2017/18	2018/19
Number of cases (prosecutions) finalised including ADRM
National	503 463	477 802	505 376	494 815	425 778
District Courts	465 834	442 371	470 055	460 598	394 335
Regional Courts	36 651	34 419	34 257	33 246	30 477
High Courts	978	1 012	1 064	971	966
Number of cases (prosecutions) finalised with a verdict (convictions and acquittals)
National	319 149	310 850	341 360	335 161	276 309
District Courts	284 741	278 006	308 688	303 353	247 342
Regional Courts	33 430	31 832	31 608	30 837	28 001
High Courts	978	1 012	1 064	971	966
Number of Convictions
National	294 608	289 245	321 190	317 475	260 456
District Courts	268 127	263 377	295 013	291 609	236 705
Regional Courts	25 591	24 958	25 209	24 976	22 882
High Courts	890	910	968	890	869

Reply:

a)  (i) (aa) (bb) Given that holiday and after-school programmes are provincially determined and driven programmes, the number of schools that participate in these programmes per province is not in the possession of the Department of Basic Education and may therefore be solicited from Provincial Education Departments (PEDs).

b) (ii)(aa)(bb) Similarly, the number of schools that do not participate in these programmes may be requested from the PEDs.

Reply:

Since the 2011 State of the Nation Address, the Presidency has established an interdepartmental coordinating mechanism to explore innovative means for implementing a sanitary dignity campaign, given the prevailing lack of resources in each department. The Department of Basic Education (DBE) continues to mobilise partners in business and civil society to support the cause of providing sanitary pads to leaners.

Reply:

1. (a) There are 16 Wastewater treatment works (WwTW) in operation in Joe Gqabi District in the Eastern Cape Province.

(b) The exact location of each treatment plant is presented with GPS Coordinates in Table 1 below:

Table 1: Location of treatment plants in Joe Gqabi District Municipality

Description	WwTW Type	Observation	Latitude	Longitude
Aliwal North WwTW	Activated sludge	Prime Condition	-30.6799448770	26.7160608150
Mount Fletcher WwTW	Oxidation ponds	Vandalised	-30.6838888890	28.5105555560
Maclear WwTW	Activated sludge	Prime Condition	-31.0605555560	28.3377777780
Maclear WwTW	Oxidation ponds	Vandalised	-31.0607090030	28.3378840060
Prentjiesberg WwTW	Activated sludge	Operational	-31.1886054290	28.2514474910
Steynsburg WwTW	Oxidation ponds	Operational	-31.2844444440	25.8075000000
Oviston WwTW	Activated sludge	Operational	-30.6964892960	25.7636853450
Burgersdorp WwTW	Activated sludge	Prime Condition	-31.0058333330	26.3380555560
Jamestown WwTW	Oxidation ponds	Prime Condition	-31.1419444440	26.8075000000
Sterkspruit WwTW	Oxidation ponds	Vandalised	-30.5169444440	27.3686111110
Sterkspruit WwTW	Package plant	Operational	-30.5169444440	27.3686111110
Lady Grey WwTW	Oxidation ponds	Prime Condition	-30.7094444440	27.1825000000
Barkley East WwTW	Oxidation ponds	Operational	-30.9652777780	27.6044444440
Barkley East 2 WwTW	Oxidation ponds	Operational	-30.9521538460	27.5953846150
Herschel WwTW	Activated sludge	Operational	-30.6109075780	27.1590028000
Ugie WwTW	Oxidation ponds	Operational	-31.1880555560	28.2500000000

(2)(a) The Mount Fletcher, Maclear and Sterkspruit Waste Water Treatment Works are currently being monitored by my department as they are not functioning properly.

(b) The three treatment works are not functioning optimally due to poor operations and maintenance, overloading and the challenge of vandalism as indicated in the table below:

Table 2: Plants that are not functioning optimally and the reasons thereof:

(a) Not functioning optimally	Process	(b) Reasons not functioning optimally
Mount Fletcher WwTW	Oxidation ponds	Poor O&M, Overloading & Vandalism
Maclear WwTW	Oxidation ponds	Poor O&M, Overloading & Vandalism
Sterkspruit WwTW	Oxidation ponds	Vandalised

(3) Yes, the three WwTW not functioning optimally are discharging partially treated effluent into the local streams. Table 3 below shows the local streams into which each plant (as mentioned above) discharges partially treated effluent.

Table 3: Streams/Rivers impacted by partially treated effluent

WWTW not functioning optimally	River
Mount Fletcher WwTW	Tokwana River
Maclear WwTW	Mooi River
Sterkspruit WwTW	Sterkspruit River

The Department, through the Eastern Cape Regional office has been in communication with the local municipalities to resolve this issue. Non-compliance letters requesting the action plan to address the issues were sent to the local municipalities. The action plan will be monitored by the Department.

Reply:

1. The Department of Basic Education did not host any event or function

(a) N/A

(b) N/A

(c) N/A

2. The Department of Basic Education did not host any event or function and thus the above does not apply.

(a) N/A

(b) N/A

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

(a) - (d) Please refer to the table below:

Job Title	Salary Level	Total Remuneration	Qualifications	Job Description	Start date
Special Adviser (Only one Adviser appointed at this moment)	15	R361 594.50 for three months of contract.	Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Laws and an LLM Degree	To provide legal advice to the Minister on the exercise or performance of powers and duties. Provide legal advice to the Minister on the development of policies that will promote departmental mandate and objectives	12 July 2019 to 12 October 2019

Reply:

The Department of of Justice and Constitutional Development (DoJ&CD) has informed me as follows:

1. The DoJ&CD did not host any event/function during its 2019 Budget Vote debate. However, it only arranged a holding area to accommodate guests who arrived before the tabling of the Budget Vote.

a) The holding area was arranged within the Parliament Precinct (Palm Court, Marks Building Restaurant)

b) The total cost of refreshments for the holding area was R4 400.00

c) The guest list with names of invited stakeholders is attached as Annexure A, on this regards not all the guest on the list attended.

2. There were no gifts distributed to the guests.

Reply:

a) Impoundment of water in Polihali Dam will commence in mid Aug 2024 and water deliveries to Katse Dam in Feb 2026. The planned date of completion of the Project is measured when the first water can be delivered from Polihali Dam into Katse Dam.

PHASE II MASTER IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAM
ITEMS	CRITICAL DATES
Designs of Advanced Infrastructure commenced	Apr 2015 – end Sept 2018
Award tenders for construction of Advanced Infrastructure	End June 2018 – Jan 2020
Tenders awarded for Polihali Dam design and Polihali Tunnel design	Dam: Jul 2017 Tunnel: Nov 2017
Award tenders for construction of Polihali Dam and Tunnel	Dam: Sept 2020 Tunnel: Apr 2020
Start impounding water in Polihali dam	Aug 2024
Water delivery to augment Katse Dam for RSA deliveries	Feb2026 (Highly dependent on reasonable rainfall)

(b) The final cost at completion of Phase II of the Project in 2026 will be R 32,562,290,145.00 this includes provision for escalation due to inflation up to 2026, and a contingency amount to take care of unforeseen circumstances during the implementation of all features of the Project.

PHASE II BUDGET AND EXPENDITURE TO DATE
Water Transfer : Audited costs to June 2019
Cost by Category	Revised LTCP (Nov 2018)	Cost to Date (June 2019)	Expended %
All Engineering	2,100,100,033	350 897 766	16,7%
Construction - Main works	13,204,085,486	-	0,0%
Construction - Advanced infrastructure	4,800,345,677	114 284 833	2,4%
Administration & PMU	551,542,109	325 681 635	59,0%
Environmental & Social	1,201,963,757	105 330 757	8,8%
Sub-totals	21,858,037,062	896 194 991	4,1%
Escalation – LSL (Lesotho Loti)	4,432,007,238	75 305 037	1,7%
Escalation – Forex	2,989,867,884	48 158 208	1,6%
Sub-totals	29,279,912,184	1 019 658 236	3,5%
Contingency	3,282,377,961	67 556 115	2,1%
Total	32,562,290,145	1 087 214 351	3,3%

Note:

1. “Cost to date” will increase rapidly since a large number of construction contracts were awarded lately.

2. LTCP = Long Term Cost Plan

Reply:

(1) The Department of Water and Sanitation did not host any function related to its 2019 Budget Vote.

The Department of Human Settlements hosted a function on 9 July 2019 that launched the Guide on Neighbourhood Planning and Design, the Red Book. This was in line with the 2019-2020 delivery priorities as pronounced in the Budget Speech.

The launch referred to above:

a) was held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre;

b) cost the Department an amount of R 400 223.76; and

c) was attended by Members of the Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation, Members of the Executive Council (MECs), representatives from the entities reporting to me, the financial and construction sectors, social partners, the academia, officials from both my Departments, amongst others.

(2) No.

(a) Falls away

(b) Falls away

 

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

(1) The Minister invited Public Works MECs from all nine provinces to her office prior to the 2019 Budget Vote Debate. She provided snacks and cool drinks at the cost of R1 300. The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure had an Information Desk on the ground floor of 120 Plein Street Building.

(a), (b), and (c) Fall away

(2) No gifts were distributed to any guests.

(a) and (b) Fall away.

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:

a) According to the records of the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI), an amount of R4 082.57 is owed to the Sundays River Valley Local Municipality by the DPWI.

b) According to the records of the Department, the amount of R4 082.57 has been outstanding for more than 120 days.

c) (i) The Department is working with the Municipality to correct the matter.

(ii) It is anticipated that this process will be completed by 30 September 2019.

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:

The central theme of this question is around competence of the Department of Agriculture and Land Reform. All policies are formulated by following due process. The Expropriation Bill [B-2019] is currently in its development stage.

(a), (b), (c) and (d) Fall away.

Reply:

environmental aFairs

Department: Environmental Affairs

REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

(For written reply)

QUESTION NO.738 {NW1783E}

INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 12 of 2019

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 06 September 2019

Mr G K Y Cachalia (DA) to ask the Minister of Environmental, Forestry and Fisheries:

1. Whether her department hosted any event and/or function related to its 2019 Budget Vote debate; if so, (a) where was each event held, (b) what was the total cost of each event and (c) what is the name of each person who was invited to attend each event as a guest;
2. Whether any gifts were distributed to guests attending any of the events; if so,
   1. what are the relevant details of the gifts distributed and (b) who sponsored the gifts?

738. THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES

REPLIES:

1. The Department did not host any event and/or function related to the 2019 Budget Vote debate.

• 1. The Department served refreshments like coffee, tea, soft beverages and light snacks at the Parliament Media Centre;
  2. The total cost incurred in serving these amounted to R71 000;

• 1. The attendees at this event were members of the Portfolio Committee, officials of the Department, members of the public who attended the debate and members of the media.

1. No gifts were distributed to any guests or attendees.

Regards

MS B D CREECY, MP

MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES

DATE: !.I..(.it. 7J'3

Reply:

The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (DoJ&CD), National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Legal Aid South Africa, and Special Investigating Unit (SIU) have reported as follows:

A. Department of Justice and Constitutional Development

(aa) Cleaning

The function of cleaning and gardening is provided and paid for by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI). The Framework for the Devolution of Budget, Version 17, Clause 6.6 states that:

“DPW provides cleaning services for the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development utilizing internal staff and outsourced services/contracts”.  

The DoJ&CD is considering exercising optionality whereby DPWI is to devolve the function of cleaning and gardening to DoJ&CD. Discussions with DPWI, in respect of transferring cleaning and gardening services to DoJ&CD, are ongoing and a task team has been established to deal with the smooth transfer of the function from DPWI to DoJ&CD. Agreement in principle is that the function will be devolved in a phase out approach. The first phase will be to devolve all the outsourced cleaning and gardening contract to DoJ&CD and the second phase will be to transfer the in-house services. The target date for this devolution is April 2020.

(bb) Security Services

(aaa) R685 239 million in the financial year 2017/18.

(bbb) R718 602 million in the financial year 2018/19.

(b) and (c) The service providers paid by the Department are tabulated below:

 

GUARDING SERVICES
SERVICE PROVIDER	2017/18 AMOUNT PAID (R'000)	2018/19 AMOUNT PAID (R'000)	TOTAL PAID (R'000)
Tyeks Security Services	10 186	10 187	20 373
Mabotwane Security Services	99 208	71 329	170 537
Fidelity Security Services	221 963	225 565	447 528
Mcc Security Services	75 163	108 679	183 843
Jackcliffy Trading	115 770	120 118	235 888
Tshedza Protective Service	43 133	39 719	82 853
Office of the Chief Justice (Upgrading of Private Security for Judges)	0	534	534
Total	565 424	576 131	1 141 555

CASH IN TRANSIT
SERVICE PROVIDER	2017/18 AMOUNT PAID (R'000)	2018/19 AMOUNT PAID (R'000)	TOTAL PAID (R'000)
Fidelity Cash Solutions	22 996	19 558	42 553
Office Of The Chief Justice	542	0	542
Total	23 538	19 558	43 096

MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS EXPENDITURE
SERVICE PROVIDER	2017/18 AMOUNT PAID R'000	2018/19 AMOUNT PAID R'000	TOTAL PAID R'000
Global Technology Systems	94 097	121 177	215 274
Isecure Digital	1 723	1 736	3 459
R And D Screening Technologies	447	0	447
Mutual Safe & Security	5	0	5
Smiles Keycraft	1	0	1
Sysman Public Safety Systems	4	0	4
Total	96 277	122 913	219 190

2017/18 & 2018/19 Total Expenditure for Security Services

685 239

718 602

1 403 840

B. National Prosecuting Authority

a) and (c) The NPA has paid a total amount of R57 674 779.85 to suppliers during the 2017/18 and 2018/19 financial years in respect of cleaning, security and gardening services. This amount is divided into the various services as follows:

2017/18

• Cleaning - R7 852 550.63
• Security - R17 687 208.14
• Gardening - R944 387.44

2018/19

• Cleaning - R10 354 139.25
• Security - R19 870 152.47
• Gardening - R966 341.92

b) Please see the attached spreadsheet, attached as Annexure A which provides details of the amount paid to each supplier.

C. Special Investigation Unit

a) The SIU has spent as follows:

No.	Description	2017/18	2018/19
(aa)	Cleaning Services	R1 502 063.18	R1 414 797.04
(bb)	Security Services	R320 888.45	R547 076.24
(cc)	Gardening Services	None, as it is included on the operating costs that are paid to landlords for office accommodation.

b) The amount paid to each service provider is tabulated on the link below:

http://pmg-assets.s3-website-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/RNW620_TableB.pdf

c) Thelink below provides the total amount paid to each of the service providers:

http://pmg-assets.s3-website-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/RNW620_TableC.pdf

D. Legal Aid South Africa

a) and (c) Legal Aid South Africa spent as follows during the 2017/18 and 2018/19 financial years:

Total amounts paid to each of the service providers:
No.	Description	2017/18	2018/19
(aa)	Cleaning Services	R7 651 319	R8 459 042
(bb)	Security Services	R2 198 512	R2 342 609
(cc)	Gardening Services	No costs were incurred for gardening services.

b) The lists of service providers for cleaning and security services is attached as Annexures B and C respectively.

E. The Office of the Chief Justice

The office of the Chief Justice (OCJ) does not contract cleaning, security and gardening services directly at any of its services centres.

The Office of the Chief Justice uses cleaning services that are under the custodianship of the National Department of Public Works (DPW) and the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (DoJ&CD).

Reply:

 

1. Officials from the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF) have not conducted any monitoring at the Macadamia Military Base, Louisville sewer plant, Tonga Hospital and Shongwe Hospital in the Mpumalanga Province. These sites are not regulated in terms of the Waste Act, 2008 and as such, no waste licenses were issued by the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries. No auditing has therefore been conducted at these sites because they are not classified as waste facilities in terms of the Waste Act, 2008.

Departmental officials have consulted with compliance and enforcement officials from the following departments: National Department of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation (DHSWS)’s regional office in Mpumalanga, National Department of Health and the Mpumalanga Provincial Department of Agriculture, Rural Land and Environmental Affairs (MDARLEA) with a view to determine the status quo at these sites.

In accordance with the response received from DHSWS’ Inkomati-Usuthu Catchment Management Agency (IUCMA), the four sites mentioned above are Waste Water Treatment Works (WWTW). These WWTW were monitored recently by the agency between the period March 2019 and June 2019. Monitoring reports are available from the IUCMA.

Regards

MS B D CREECY, MP

MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES

Reply:

We wish to reply to the Honourable Member as follows:

a) The International trips for Minister are based on the requests for support from the Presidency and other key stakeholders such as the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, for essential issues of national interest related to justice and legal co-operation matters. However, the Departmental requests for international trips are based on the requirements of the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (DoJ&CD)`s Annual Performance Plan as well as fulfilling prior commitments in multilateral engagements such as the United Nations (and its Special Agencies dealing with crime prevention and criminal justice matters such as the UNODC), African Union (AU) Ministerial meetings, engagements with the UN and AU Human Rights Mechanisms. Southern African Development Community (SADC), International Criminal Court (ICC) Commonwealth, Brazil, Russia, India, Chief and South Africa (BRICS) to advance South Africa`s position on international legal matters.

b) The size of the delegation to any Departmental international trip is governed by the DoJ&CD`s Travel Policy and approved by the Director- General. The delegation for Ministry is determined in line with the Public Finance Management Act and in line with the Ministerial Handbook.

c) The flights, accommodation costs and other expenses are as per National Treasury Guidelines for the applicable job levels.

Furthermore, it is impossible to accurately state the number of trips and persons making up the delegations as invitations arise from time to time , and are dependent on budgetary considerations and personnel capacity.

Reply:

I have been informed by the NDPP as follows:

“Paragraphs 8.2 and 9.4 of the Report of the Public Protector (Report), read together, order the NDPP to conduct an investigation into ‘prima facie evidence of money laundering’, and to submit an implementation plan for the approval of the Public Protector, within 30 days of publication of the Report (“the orders”). The Public Protector has agreed to stay the orders, pending the review of the Report.

In the spirit of co-operative governance, as is peremptory under Section 41 of the Constitution, the NDPP wrote to the Public Protector seeking clarity on whether the orders were meant merely to constitute notifying the NDPP of her opinion that the facts disclose the commission of an offence, as contemplated in s6(4)(c)(i) of the Public Protector Act.

The Public Protector responded by stating that the order in paragraph 8.2 is a referral to the NDPP on the basis of her opinion that the facts disclose a commission of an offence as, contemplated by s6(4)(c)(i), and that the order requiring the NDPP to submit a report for her approval, is a logical and legal consequence of paragraph 8.2 (read with paragraphs 7.1.3 and 7.3.3).

The NDPP understands that response to mean that the Public Protector persists with the orders. These orders impact on and infringe the constitutional and statutory mandate of the NPA to investigate and prosecute crime, free of supervision or interference by another party and without fear or favour.

The mandate of a Public Protector vis a vis an NDPP, in terms of the Constitution and the Public Protector Act is restricted to notifying the authority charged with prosecutions of his or her opinion that the facts disclose the commission of an offence. It is therefore a constitutional issue that requires the NDPP, in the interests of the independence of the NPA, to file an affidavit supporting the review to set aside the remedial orders against the NDPP in paragraphs 8.2 and 9.4 of the Report.

The NDPP will file an affidavit after having seen the record of decision and any supplementary affidavits by the applicants.

It must be emphasised that this is purely a legal issue and does not in any way impact on the NDPP’s consideration of the matter in light of the opinion of the Public Protector that the facts disclose the commission of an offence”.

Reply:

(1) (a) None

(b) Not applicable

(c) Not applicable

(d)(i) Not applicable

(d)(ii) Not applicable

(2) Not applicable

(3) Not applicable

Reply:

 

The departments of Trade and Industry and Economic Development have not invested money in the Highveld Industrial Park. The Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) provided loan funding to the structural steel mill located at Highveld Industrial Park during Business Rescue.

The Industrial Park currently has 51 tenants and 1 141 are jobs created.

Government through the IDC, sefa and the various incentive schemes on offer will consider suitable support upon request from individual businesses planning to locate or those that are located at the industrial park.

-END-

Reply:

1. (a) (i) The work is currently suspended due to contractual disputes between

Gauteng Provincial Department of Roads and Transport and the contractor. In September 2018 progress was measured at 83%.

(ii) The amount spent to date by PRASA on the consultants is R13,508,685-00.

(iii) The scope of the work contracted is for designs and construction

supervision, as well as occupational health and safety monitoring for the intermodal facility.

(b) Payment was last made on 27 April 2017.

(2). The contractor did not complete the work and as such, the work were suspended pending the way forward by the Gauteng Provincial Department of Roads and Transport.

Reply:

THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, LAND REFORM AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT:

The President in the State of the Nation address indicated that government will immediately release State land for agricultural and human settlement in order to make a contribution towards acceleration of land reform to address the inequality in terms of ownership and use. Similarly, the President highlighted the need to urgently address issues of economy. As a strategic intervention on the delivery model, the President has indicated that government will adopt a district approach.

Land release

The departments of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development together with other departments have identified state land that is suitable for agriculture and human settlement. Such identification has taken into consideration who is the holder of the land in question amongst the various spheres of government. Secondly such profiling will indicate the appropriate use of such land and its potential and whether such land is encumbered or not. Thereafter necessary processes of State land disposal will take effect.

Public works has identifies about 100 parcels of land where Restitution of land will be a beneficiary given that some of these properties are areas where communities were forcibly removed in the past.

Agricultural land therefore will enable those communities to engage in agricultural activities and government will give necessary support through its programs such as CASP, Letsema and Land care. A range of farmer support services will be provided for some from provincial departments of agriculture.

The combination of the two departments and the alignment of their programs will go a long way in creating viable farmer support to farmers. Building on the Agriparks, the department will focus on 27 Farmer Production Support Units (FPSUs) which are like service centres to support farmers with mechanisation, extension, market information, production inputs such as seeds and vaccines.

Honourable member, these FPSUs are located in the districts consistent with the President’s statement. Key to the functionality of the FPSUs will be the mobilisation of farmers to ensure that production is activated. The second phase will be the construction of production hubs such as storage facilities, pack houses as well as mini processing plants. However, this will be guided by the commodities that will be produced in those localities.

The department will engage municipalities and districts to activate farmers markets so as to create a value chain pipeline in the various localities. It is our view that these interventions by our department will make a contribution towards the development of economic activities in our communities especially in rural economies.

Reply:

The total number of Manual Train Authorisations (MTA’s) issued by the Railway Safety Regulator (RSR) to the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) since August 2018 are as follow:

MTA’s per province:

PROVINCE	NUMBER OF MTA’s
Eastern Cape	0
Gauteng	917 666
KwaZulu-Natal	322 885
Western Cape	248 783
Grand Total	1 489 334

MTA’s per province per month:

MONTH/ YEAR	GAUTENG	KZN	WC	TOTAL
August 2018	63,600	16,754	19,134	99,488
September 2018	67,063	22,111	19,715	108,889
October 2018	66,772	23,742	20,429	110,943
November 2018	84,358	26,589	17,873	128,820
December 2018	60,816	29,984	19,623	110,423
January 2019	92,046	32,424	27,574	152,044
February 2019	80,687	25,742	17,856	124,285
March 2019	87,279	28,297	32,929	148,505
April 2019	50,974	21,626	25,216	97,816
May 2019	90,215	24,621	16,184	131,020
June 2019	88,934	37,128	14,569	140,631
July 2019	84,922	33,867	17,681	136,470
TOTAL	917,666	322,885	248,783	1,489,334

Reply:

Funding is allocated on approved applications received. In the case of the Nkomazi Special Economic Zone (SEZ), the Province of Mpumalanga is currently establishing an SEZ company to develop, plan and operate the Economic Zone. One of the responsibilities of the entity will be to develop an SEZ implementation plan with clear timelines. The Province has been given twelve (12) months to establish a fully functioning entity. Funding will be allocated on approved applications once this process has been completed.

I have requested the Department to obtain further details about the proposed mining project referred to in the question and will consider the matter once the information has been obtained.

-END-

Reply:

DAFF’S RESPONSE:

PQ.  721/NW1766E Ms H S Winkler (DA) to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development:

Why has there been no attempt to draft legislation around companion animal welfare in terms of backyard breeding when there is a huge problem with stray companion animals in the Republic? NW1766E

Animal welfare in South Africa, except for performing animals, is administered under the Animal Protection Act, 1962 (Act No.71 of 1962). The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development has not considered drafting a separate legislation relating to companion animals.

Reply:

1. (a) The Department of Transport spent R 10,199,673-88 in the 2013/14 and R7,680,457-17

in the 2014/15 financial year’s on undertaking a detailed feasibility study that was concluded in October 2014.

(b) (i) No funding was transferred by the Department of Transport to Gauteng Province for the development of the Moloto Railway Corridor project.

(ii) No funding was transferred by the Department of Transport to Mpumalanga Province for the development of the Moloto Railway Corridor project.

(iii) No funding was transferred by the Department of Transport to Limpopo Province for the development of the Moloto Railway Corridor project.

2. Please refer to the response in 1(a).

(a) The feasibility study on the Moloto Rail Corridor project was undertaken in terms of Treasury Regulation 16 of the Public Finance Management Act, Act 29 of 1999 (PFMA) and the Public Private Partnership Guidelines.

The feasibility considered the main axis of commuter movements in the study area along the R573 Moloto Road and R568 serving the numerous settlements located between Moloto village and the Siyabuswa area. The feasibility study came to the conclusion that the preferred solution is a 117 km Rapid Rail line on the line-haul section, a fleet of 226, 40-seater buses to provide the feeder and distribution services and 46 train sets to reduce the current 4 hours peak to 2 hours at operating speeds of a 120 km/h on a cape gauge network.

 

In October 2014, the feasibility report was endorsed by a Political Oversight Committee, with a directive that PRASA should submit a Treasury Approval 1 (TA 1) application to National Treasury for funding considerations. PRASA, subsequently submitted the TA 1 application to National Treasury on 30 October 2014.

(b) The Moloto Rail Corridor feasibility study has not been made available publicly. Access can be requested via the provision of the Promotion of Access to Information Act, 2000.

3. (a)&(b) The Department appointed a consortium with SMEC as lead consultant and transportation

expert, Deloitte (Financial experts) and DLA Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr (Legal experts), assisted by sub-consultants SiVest (Environmental experts) and Demacon (Demographics, mapping and economics).

(c) The Consortium was appointed to undertake a detailed feasibility in terms of Treasury Regulation 16 of the PFMA and prepare a Treasury Approval 1 (TA1) application to National Treasury. The consortium met all the project contractual obligations, resulting in the feasibility and the TA1 application approved for submission to National Treasury in October 2014.

Reply:

 

 

Response to Parliamentary Question
QUESTION NO.:	512/NW1505E
TO:	MINISTER
FROM:	DIRECTOR-GENERAL
SUBJECT:	QUESTION 512/NW1505E FOR WRITTEN REPLY BY MR N P MASIPA (DA) TO THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, LAND REFORM AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
CLASSIFICATION:	CONFIDENTIAL

 

DAFF’S RESPONSE:

PQ.  512/NW1505E MR N P Masipa (DA) to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development:

(a) What is the status of communication between her department and the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China (GACC) regarding the clarification on the interpretation of announcement 122 made on 23 July 2019, (b) by what date is it expected that the situation will be resolved and (c) what are the details of all steps taken by her department to communicate the outcomes of all interactions with the GACC to wool industry role players to avoid unnecessary panic? NW1505E

a) Letters seeking clarity on the wool exports and the health attestation were forwarded to the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC’s) General Administration of Customs of China by the department on the 12th of August 2019 and 19th of August 2019. A response to the letters was received through the South African Embassy in Beijing on the 22nd of August 2019. The interpretation of the response letter by the Embassy outlined that the Chinese government had replied with two main options for the South African government. The one option was to continue with the certificate as agreed upon before Announcement 122 of 23 July 2019. The second option was to propose a new health certificate. Pursuing the second option of proposing a new health certificate would have resulted in the suspension of trade on wool to PRC for the period of negotiation. The first option was the preferred option.

b) The situation is resolved. The industry has also accepted the option of South Africa continuing to certify according to the requirements as agreed before Announcement 122 of 23 July 2019. This option guarantees the clearing of the backlog created by the suspension of export of wool to China. However, the department, in line with Announcement 122 of 23 July 2019 is committed to continue engaging with the PRC on a new draft of the health certificate during a period where there would be minimal impact on wool exports to the PRC. The wool industry has affirmed this position and has requested that should discussions with the PRC commence, the industry should be consulted.

c) The Department held a meeting with representatives of Cape Wools and two wool buyer companies on the 15th of August 2019 to understand the challenges faced by industry. Subsequent to this meeting, a follow-up letter was forwarded to the PRC on the 9th August 2019. The Department also telephonically engaged the industry during the period when the response from the PRC was awaited. Upon receipt of a response from the PRC on 22nd August 2019, the industry was immediately informed telephonically and through an email. An official letter to this effect was also sent to the industry on 23rd August 2019. In its reply, the industry indicated that the existing health certificate will be utilized to address the backlog of wool exports in the stores.

Reply:

1. The Department’s position is that rapid rail provides the most feasible long term solution to address the transport challenges being experienced in the Moloto corridor. For the Department to pursue the implementation of the Moloto Rail Corridor project, funding will have to be reprioritised within Government.

(a) The construction of the rail line can only be undertaken once the detailed design of the rail line has been concluded and the required funding has been secured for construction.

(b) See (a) above.

2. (a) Seven (7) public engagements in the form of Imbizos were conducted with the Siyabuswa, KwaMhlanga, Moloto and surrounding communities. These were conducted as part of providing progress on the planned Moloto Rail Project and the overall exposure of the service delivery by Government and the Department of Transport’s public entities.

(b) The Department did not spend any amount on the hosting of the public engagements. As per the last part of the response in 2 (a), The costs of the public engagements were covered by the entities of the Department namely SANRAL, the Road Accident Fund and PRASA.

(c) The last public engagement was held on 5 June 2017.

Reply:

(a) The evidence presented when I appeared at the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture was based on information that was available to me at the time. Subsequent to my representations at the Commission, new information was brought to light by the forensic investigations completed by them estimating that R50-60 billion was stolen from them. The evidence presented before the Zondo Commission estimates the amount stolen to be within the R50-60 billion range.

(b) In my written reply to PQ No 11 that was published on 20 June 2019, I mentioned several successful civil recoveries registered by Eskom and Transnet, the amounts involved as well as the names of the companies that were ordered by the courts to return the funds stolen from the two SOCs. Therefore, in due course we will provide relevant details as some of the unfolding investigations are successfully concluded and specific companies and/or individuals held liable by the courts.

(c) Forensic reports concerning SOCs have been handed over to the Hawks and the SIU in order to determine those that must be held liable for the amounts stolen from the state.

Reply:

 

 

Response to Parliamentary Question
QUESTION NO.:	545/NW1541E
TO:	MINISTER
FROM:	DIRECTOR-GENERAL
SUBJECT:	QUESTION 545/NW1541E FOR WRITTEN REPLY BY MR M BAGRAIM (DA) TO THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, LAND REFORM AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
CLASSIFICATION:	CONFIDENTIAL

fety

DAFF’S RESPONSE:

PQ.  545/NW1541E Mr M Bagraim (DA) to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development:

1. Regarding the amendment of the Animal Improvement Act, Act 62 of 1998, which places more than 30 wild animals within the legal purview of agriculture and, essentially, farming, (a) what are the reasons this has been done, (b) was there a public consultation process and (c) what research was undertaken by scientists in planning the amendment;
2. whether, in view of the Animal Improvement Act, Act 62 of 1998, allowing improvement of genetically superior animals to increase production and performance, permitting breeders to manipulate breeding outcomes and also allowing artificial insemination to be used, her department has considered the implications of the change for the 33 species of wild animals listed in the Amendment; if not, why not; if so, what are the implications? NW1541E

1 (a)The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) received a request from the industry in a letter dated 15 January 2017 to have game animals declared in terms Animal Improvement Act, 1998 (Act 62 of 1998). DAFF added the wildlife species to the list of Game animals regulated to under Animal Improvement Act, 1998 (Act No. 62 of 1998) for game farming production. The species were then declared in the government gazette dated 17 May 2019. Industry is registered in terms of the Animal Improvement Act, Act 62 of 1998 to represent game breeders societies to ensure genetic purity and sustainable utilization; do research on feeding and nutrition; define and measure traits of economic importance; and study regulatory gaps on game for food production.

(b) The DAFF did not conduct public consultation on the declaration of these animals.

(c) No research was undertaken by scientists in planning to have the game animals

declared in terms Animal Improvement Act, 1998 (Act 62 of 1998). These animals are landraces (endemic) to South Africa, hence the declaration of landrace (a kind of animal indigenous to or developed in the Republic). However, research will be executed on the species based on research questions in areas such as genetic purity, feeding and nutrition.

2. The Animal Improvement Act, Act 62 of 1998, provides for improvement of genetically superior animals to increase production and performance. This act is progressive, and can therefore not be implemented to the detriment of animal (biological) genetic resources. Declaration of the animals is aimed at ensuring that these landraces are conserved. It is also important to indicate that, due to changing farming systems in South Africa, game animals are included as these are already part of farm animal production systems in the country.

Reply:

The departments of Economic Development and Trade and Industry did not host any event or function for the 2019 Budget Vote. No gifts were distributed.

-END-

Reply:

 

1. SAA has not provided financial assistance to SA Express (i) in the past two years; (ii) since 1 January 2019
2. Not applicable as no financial assistance was provided to SA Express.
3. Not applicable as no financial assistance was provided to SA Express.
4. Not applicable as no financial assistance was provided to SA Express.
5. Not applicable as no financial assistance was provided to SA Express.

Reply:

NAME OF ENTITY	VACANCIES
SANRAL	1 Vacancy
C-BRTA	There are currently 4 Vacancies The Board term expired in May 2016 and was extended until 31 October 2019
RTIA	7 Vacancies
RTMC	None
RAF	12 Vacancies (Currently there is an Interim Board appointed)
ACSA	2 Vacancies
SACAA	None
ATNS	None
PRASA	12 Vacancies (Currently there is an Interim Board appointed)
RSR	2 Vacancies
SAMSA	2 Vacancies Board term expired 31 March 2019 and extended until 30 September 2019.
Ports Regulator	The whole Board 12 Vacancies

Reply:

a) (i) A total per region of installed CCTV cameras at PRASA managed railway stations is

highlighted in the table below:

Stations in provinces not listed in the table above are managed by Transnet.

(ii) As indicated in the table above in (a)(i), a total of 2 824 of the installed CCTV cameras

at PRASA managed railway stations are not in working order.

b). The reasons attributed to the non-functionality of CCTV cameras at PRASA managed railway stations can be categorized as follows:

• Theft of electrical and telecommunication tables
• Theft and vandalism of CCTV equipment
• Delayed maintenance
• CCTV project installation in progress / not completed yet

Reply:

Provision is made under Schedule 4 of the Customs and Excise Act, 1964, that allows for tariff exemptions on goods imported under certain circumstances, including for charitable and welfare organisations. Attention is drawn on rebate item 405.04 as an example of this. The International Trade Administration Commission (ITAC) administers this provision to ensure that local jobs are not negatively affected and that markets are not disrupted. This is achieved through the application of set criteria.

South Africa is a Member of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) that establishes a common customs area amongst Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia and South Africa. SACU has a common external tariff for imports coming into common customs area, and goods within SACU circulate freely without any tariffs. Changes to the external tariff – either increases or reductions - can be effected through the due process established under South Africa’s International Trade Administration Act. Nothing in the SACU Agreement prevents tariffs from being removed following the agreed process under the Act.

In terms of the Trade Protocol in the Southern African Development Community (SADC), over 99% of goods imported from the other SADC countries that are party to the SADC Trade Protocol enter South Africa/SACU free of any duty if those goods meet the terms of the agreed rule of origin.

Provision is already made for the rebate of duty for goods imported for humanitarian use. I am advised that the department currently has no plans to make any changes to this dispensation.

-END-

Reply:

1. - (d) The Matters raised in the question solely fall under the mandate of the provinces. The department is therefore not in the position to provide the required responses as they don’t fall under its areas of competency

Reply:

(a) The Department of Public Service and Administration can only provide information on employees who are appointed on PERSAL. The information provided in the tables below excludes the Defence Force and the State Security Agency that do not make use of the PERSAL system. Information pertaining to local government and state own entities should be sourced from the Department of Cooperative Governance and the relevant oversight Departments for the state owned entities. Information on the number of appointments in the National and Provincial spheres is provided in the tables below:

1. (i) and (ii) Table 1: All appointments in National and Provincial spheres

Sphere	Number of appointments (Including periodic and abnormal)
National	375 662
Provincial	1 018 788
Total	1 394 450

1. (i) and (ii) Table 2: Appointments in the MMS and SMS in National and Provincial spheres

Sphere	Number
	MMS	SMS
National	9554	5643
Provincial	8322	4131
Total	17 876	9 774

Reply:

Neither the Department nor Statistics South Africa, the national statistics agency of South Africa collects data on the production or export of Rooibos tea.

The South African Rooibos Council, is an independent organization, which collects information from its stakeholders on the industry. According to the Rooibos Council, South Africa has produced and exported the following amounts of rooibos in each of the last five years:

Produced Rooibos tea during the past 5 past years:

	Quantity in tonnes
Year	Annual production	Annual export
2014	12 500	7 057
2015	11 500	6 561
2016	12 700	6 417
2017	13 000	7 728
2018	14 000	7 235

-END-

Reply:

 

Response to Parliamentary Question
QUESTION NO.:	513/NW1506E
TO:	MINISTER
FROM:	DIRECTOR-GENERAL
SUBJECT:	QUESTION 513/NW1506E FOR WRITTEN REPLY BY MRS A STEYN (DA) TO THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, LAND REFORM AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
CLASSIFICATION:	CONFIDENTIAL

An export protocol is located at the end stage of a continuum of activities aimed at securing market access. An export protocol can only be concluded once the trade negotiations are finalised. At any given stage there are trade negotiations with trading partners and these are invariably at different stages of advancement within the market access continuum. Some market access requests for some commodities are at questionnaire (initial) stage, others are at health certification (final) stage. However, there are requests where negotiations have stalled. Trade negotiations on sanitary and phytosanitary matters do not unfold in a straight-line trajectory as there is consistent exchange of notes on scientific and technical facets. Moreover, any projected or assumed pathway or timeframe may be impeded, interrupted or curtailed by a range of factors. The table provided responds to questions 1 (a) (b) (c).

The dates given in this response are dependent vary depending on the complexity of the matter, and therefore the time it takes for the importing country to complete its risk analysis processes. For example the request to export beef to the USA had been going through a “Rule Making Process” of the USA for almost 10 years and was not even concluded when South Africa reported its 2011 Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak in KZN; following this South Africa was told to start the process from beginning.

With negotiations, the department sends a reminder shortly after the initial communication, if there is no response from the trade partner. If after one (or two) reminders there is still no response, the file is closed unless there is an indication of interest from the local industry.

Export Protocols

Country	Commodity Protocol outstanding	From which dates have the protocols been outstanding (application date)	Why is each protocol still outstanding	By what date is each outstanding protocol expected to be finalised?
QUESTIONNAIRES
Australia	Ruminant semen and embryos	April 2015	Submitted FMD questionnaire response 20 April 2015. Australia has informed us on 23 July 2015 that they will not be able to evaluate the information for the next year, as resources had already been allocated elsewhere. Awaiting a response from Australia	Unknown
Indonesia	Beef	January 2016	Submitted questionnaire response on 29 January 2016. VPH still to submit dossiers on the establishments. Waiting for a response from Indonesia.	Unknown
Israel	Beef	May 2010	Beef questionnaire sent to Israel in May 2010. On 28 October 2015 Israel informed us that information is too old and process will only be restarted if there is interest from Israeli importers. Waiting for confirmation from Israel that there is Israeli interest.	Unknown
Japan	Beef	December 2015	Received questionnaire for completion. However, during prioritisation workshop with industry it was decided that it is an unlikely market, so it is on hold unless re-prioritised.	Unknown
Philippines	Beef	June 2016	Questionnaire in process of being completed.	Unknown
Singapore	Beef	April 2015	Singapore has indicated that they cannot allow importation from a country without negligible risk status for BSE. In January 2019, Singapore sent updated import requirements for BSE undetermined risk status countries. Singapore has expressed an interest in an inspection visit. However, South Africa has lost its OIE recognised Foot and Mouth Disease status and therefore, South Africa cannot host Singapore for the export of beef until the FMD free status has been regained.	Unknown
	Lamb		Questionnaire was received. Was not prioritised at workshop with industry.	Unknown
Sri Lanka	Beef	August 2015	Sri Lanka indicated that they cannot import from a country without BSE negligible risk.	Unknown
Taiwan	Beef	July 2014	Sent information to Taiwan regarding the South Africa BSE status to check whether they would consider importing beef. Awaiting a response.	Unknown
Thailand	Beef	July 2017	Sent information on the FMD and BSE status of South Africa on 27 July 2017. Still awaiting a response.	Unknown
Vietnam	Beef	March 2015	Completed questionnaire submitted on 7 June 2016. Further information was requested which was sent on 17 March 2017. Awaiting a response.	Unknown
INSPECTION VISITS
Russia	Beef and mutton	March 2015	Inspection visit took place in March 2015. Inspection report indicated many concerns. South Africa cannot comply with Russia’s import requirements.	Unknown
Saudi Arabia	Beef and mutton	July 2016	Questionnaire response was submitted on 15 July 2016. An amended format of the questionnaire was requested. This was completed in 2017. Inspection visit to be arranged. Proposed dates for March 2017. The inspection visit had to be delayed due to lack of human resources. Thereafter, South Africa lost its Foot and Mouth Disease free status	Unknown
VETERINARY HEALTH CERTIFICATE NEGOTIATIONS
Malaysia	Beef	September 2014	Inspection visit took place in October 2017. A VHC was prepared according to the requirements received from the Malaysia Veterinary Authority and is awaiting inputs from management. VHC must then be circulated to the Provincial Veterinary Services and can then be proposed to Malaysia for negotiation.	Unknown
Brazil	Bovine semen and embryos and ovine semen	June 2016	Proposed veterinary health certificates were submitted to Brazil for negotiation in 2017. A response requesting amendments was received on 22 March 2018. Preparing the amendments.	Expect to send amended VHCs to Brazil by the end of 2019.
Argentina	Bovine semen and embryos	March 2018	Proposed veterinary health certificates on 16 July 2018. Received a request for amendments on 2 August 2018. Preparing the amendments.	Expect to send amended VHCs to Argentina by the end of 2019.
MARKET ACCESS NEGOTIATIONS FOR PLANT AND PLANT PRODUCTS
China	Pears	2008	The draft Protocol was received from the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China on 26 July 2019 and is being evaluated; upon confirmation of the whether South Africa is in a position to comply with the protocol, it will be taken through a consultation process with Industry.	Unknown
China	Soyabean	14 February 2019	Additional information on certain pests of concern had been requested by China; South Africa is currently compiling the required additional technical information.	Unknown
Japan	Avocado	17 December 2014	The draft Protocol and annexes with comments from MAFF were received in April 2019; feedback is being finalised.	Possibly by the end of September 2019, depending on when the response is completed and sent , and on feedback from Japan
Mexico	Table grapes	February 2006	Research on pest surveillance still needs to be conducted as requested by Mexico for one of the quarantine pests which occurs in the Table grape production areas of SA.	Unknown
Philippines	Citrus	August 2008	Feedback on the draft Pest Risk Analysis (PRA) report, draft phytosanitary requirements and proposed mitigation treatment measures for citrus fruits was provided to the Philippines on 11 July 2019.	Unknown
Taiwan	Avocado	November 2015	Additional information on certain pests of concern had been requested by The Taiwanese National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO) Bureau of Animal and Plant Inspection and Quarantine (BAPHIQ); the relevant technical experts in SA are currently collating the information.	Unknown
Thailand	Apples	05 August 2016	Feedback on the pest list of Apples from South Africa to be exported to the Kingdom of Thailand had been communicated to Thailand on 24 May 2019.	Unknown
South Korea	Table grapes	September 2011	Additional information on specific risk management measures on listed quarantine pests of concern had been requested by the Republic of Korea in March 2019; research/ surveillance still need to be conducted in SA.	Unknown
USA	Avocado	23 July 2008	Mitigation measures for pests of concern were communicated in a letter of response to the USDA-APHIS on 28 June 2019.	Unknown
USA	Maize/ corn seed	12 June 2012	Additional information on specific risk management measures on listed quarantine pest of concern had been communicated on 17 May 2018; feedback is awaited from the USA.	Unknown

Reply:

(A) What investigations into the suspension of a certain person (details furnished) have been undertaken

A forensic investigation was instituted following allegations of impropriety made against the person received through the SA Tourism whistle-blowing hotline and protected disclosure.

(B) On what date did the specified investigations commence

6 May 2019

(C) Who is undertaking the investigations

Bowmans’ Forensic Investigations

(D) What are the costs of the investigations so far

The costs will be communicated in due course once process is concluded

(E) By what date will a final report in this regard be finalised

As Minister I gave concurrence to the request from board on the 15 July 2019

(F) Why have no charges been laid to date against the specified person

The specified person has been charged. An internal disciplinary enquiry is set-down for 5 – 10 days in the month of September 2019.

Reply:

 

As at 31 May 2019, the PSC received 45 financial disclosures forms of the Directors-General (DGs) at national and provincial level. Selected posts of DG were vacant.

1. and (b) The PSC did not receive the financial disclosure forms of 8 DGs at national level. Of these, 7 DGs complied with Regulation 18(2) by disclosing their registrable interests on or before 30 April 2019, but their EAs did not submit copies of the financial disclosure forms to the PSC by 31 May 2019 as required by Regulation 18 (6). The extent of non-disclosure with the requirements of Regulation 18(2) and (6) is illustrated in Table 1 below.

Table 1: The extent of non-compliance by Heads of Department and/or EAs with the requirement to submit financial disclosure forms in respect of the 2018/2019 financial year

No.	DEPARTMENT	DATE OF DISCLOSURE BY THE HoD	DATE SUBMITTED TO THE PSC BY THE EA
1.	Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries	29 April 2019 Complied	Not submitted to PSC Not yet submitted to EA by Ethics Officer
2.	Communications	16 April 2019 Complied	Not submitted to PSC Not yet submitted to EA by Ethics Officer
3.	Defence	26 April 2019 Complied	Not submitted to PSC Submitted to EA by Ethics Officer on 03 May 2019
4.	Energy	15 April 2019 Complied	Not submitted to PSC Submitted to EA by Ethics Officer on 31 May 2019
5.	Health	18 April 2019 Complied	Submitted to PSC by EA on 14 August 2019 (after due date)
6.	Public Enterprises	30 April 2019 Complied	Submitted to PSC by EA on 04 June 2019 (after due date)
7.	Public Service and Administration	26 April 2019 Complied	Not submitted to PSC Submitted to EA by Ethics Officer on 14 May 2019
8.	State Security Agency	Citing security reasons	Not submitted to PSC

(C) The PSC is constant contact with the Ethics Officers reminding them to ensure that their respective departments comply with the Financial Disclosure Framework (FDF). Ethics Officers in departments have been assigned specific duties to assist the HoDs and EAs with the implementation of the FDF. The PSC continuously made follow-up with the Ethics Officers where the submission of financial disclosures was moving slowly. The Ethics Officers and SMS members are also sensitised on the importance of complying with the deadlines for the submission of the financial disclosures through workshops that are conducted in the departments.

Reply:

1. The Department of Public Service and Administration did not host any event and/or function related to its 2019 Budget Vote debate.
2. N/A

Reply:

(a) The total amount budgeted for the Ministry for the 2019-2020 financial year is R 47 081 363.09.

(b) It should be observed that the SSA may be held accountable on such matters by the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence (JSCI), the Inspector-General and the Auditor-General.

Approved/Not Approved

Reply to the Parliamentary Question 289 to the Minister of State Security

Reply:

A number of companies, both domestic and foreign-owned, have local manufacturing or related factories in South Africa. The following are some of the key local companies that assemble; refurbish; and/ or maintain locomotives, wagons and passenger trains:

1. Transnet Engineering (TE) manufactures, refurbishes and maintains all classes of rail rolling stock at its various facilities across South Africa.2
2. Gibela Rail Consortium is manufacturing the new trains for the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) at their facility in Dunnottar, Nigel.
3. Alstom Ubunye is previously known as Union Carriage and Wagon (UCW). They have capacity to manufacture and refurbish both locomotives and passenger coaches.
4. TMH Africa is previously known as DCD Rolling Stock plant. This facility has the capacity to do the assembly, maintenance and modernisation of locomotives and wagons.
5. Naledi Rail Engineering (Pty) Ltd has the capacity to refurbish passenger coaches for PRASA at their facility in Germiston.
6. Wictra Holdings (Pty) Ltd has the capacity to refurbish passenger coaches for the PRASA and locomotives at their facilities in Cape Town (Brackenfell) and Boksburg (Dunswart).
7. Traxtion Sheltam is involved in locomotive rebuild and overhaul at their facility in Rosslyn.
8. African Rail and Traction Services (Pty) Ltd – the previous Grindrod facility – is involved in the repair, reconditioning and upgrading of locomotives and track-mobiles at their facility in Pretoria West.
9. Amsted Rail (formerly owned by SCAW Metal) based in Boksburg produces cast wheels for the domestic rail industry
10. Highveld Structural Steel produces rail-lines currently supplying to the mining industry.

There is a further number of companies in the supply chain at various levels that support the above mentioned companies with sub-systems; components; materials and associated services.

 

-END-

Reply:

The Health Compact recommendations were summarised into nine pillars relating to the key elements of the healthcare system:- human resources, medicine supply, infrastructure, private sector engagement, improvement in the quality of PHC services, public sector financial management, strengthening of governance and leadership, community engagement and development of information systems.

For each of these areas there are clear deliverables with targets which has been reflected in the Departments Annual Performance Plans either at National or Provincial level. The Department has started with the implementation of these plans.

A number of these areas are outlined below including:

• A joint committee of the National Treasury and National Department of Health has been established to review the Equitable share and grants in the Health sector

• A Ministerial Committee Task Team was established and the Human Resource for Health (HRH) Strategy is being finalized, which incorporates a number of human resources issues raised in the compact. Reorganisation of the Health Organogram and reprioritisation to shift resources for services delivery at the front end.

• Estimates of the provincial pharmaceutical budget will be ring fenced.

• A system to monitor key operations at a hospitals that influence health system quality.

Various interventions for Medico-Legal claims introduced:

(i) Quantification of the contingent liability: The current contingent liability as at June 2019 is R 100 822 486 781. 93. However, most of these claims as frivolous and vexatious. The Department is in the process of identifying the legitimate claims.

(ii) Mediation: The patient admission forms have been standardized across the Provinces to make the provision for mediation. There are already 18 officials from Provinces who have been trained for mediation. These include Legal and Medical officers. The Department will also train the officials to implement patient admission forms for mediation.

(iii) Provision of future medical treatment: Department has published Public Health facilities, in Government Gazette No 42687 of 5 September 2019, to provide for future medical services instead of advance payment of future medical expenses. This will address the future medical expenses that constitute over 80 percent of the quantum (amount) claimed. This will ensure that our facilities continue to function effectively and efficiently.

• Training materials to train clinic committees and Hospital Boards has been developed, training has begun in three (3) provinces.

• A draft proposal to fast track the infrastructure backlog has been developed.

Quality improvement plan has been developed and funded, training will resume in September.

The copy of the Health Compact is hereby attached as Annexure 1.

END.