Questions and Replies
05 December 2023 - NW3913
Cardo, Dr MJ to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
What are the relevant details that his department has for all eVisas (a) applied for and (b) issued for each country eligible for the eVisa regime for the period 1 January to 30 October 2023?
Reply:
Country |
Total Applications Received |
Approved |
Rejected |
Pending |
NIGERIA |
10103 |
4250 |
5689 |
164 |
PAKISTAN |
8706 |
5676 |
2947 |
83 |
INDIA |
4607 |
1726 |
2715 |
166 |
CHINA |
4577 |
2058 |
2454 |
65 |
EGYPT |
1050 |
498 |
535 |
17 |
ROMANIA |
828 |
311 |
502 |
15 |
LITHUANIA |
441 |
164 |
260 |
17 |
PHILLIPINE |
424 |
125 |
285 |
14 |
CAMEROON |
422 |
192 |
223 |
7 |
ETHIOPIA |
385 |
167 |
213 |
5 |
GHANA |
375 |
65 |
288 |
22 |
CROATIA |
322 |
106 |
197 |
19 |
MEXICO |
312 |
76 |
225 |
11 |
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO |
249 |
74 |
168 |
7 |
UGANDA |
237 |
80 |
149 |
8 |
ALGERIA |
227 |
80 |
144 |
3 |
SLOVAKIA |
87 |
16 |
66 |
5 |
KENYA |
85 |
20 |
60 |
5 |
SAUDI ARABIA |
76 |
8 |
59 |
9 |
BULGARIA |
67 |
24 |
41 |
2 |
IRAN |
62 |
27 |
35 |
0 |
INDONESIA |
54 |
17 |
35 |
2 |
OMAN |
31 |
11 |
19 |
1 |
MOROCCO |
27 |
7 |
19 |
1 |
ALBANIA |
20 |
6 |
14 |
0 |
SENEGAL |
17 |
4 |
13 |
0 |
BULGARIA |
17 |
3 |
13 |
1 |
CONGO |
13 |
1 |
11 |
1 |
COTE D IVOIRE |
9 |
3 |
6 |
0 |
LIBERIA |
7 |
1 |
6 |
0 |
NIGER |
5 |
3 |
2 |
0 |
MALI |
4 |
|
4 |
0 |
CUBA |
2 |
|
1 |
1 |
GUINEA |
1 |
|
1 |
0 |
Grand Total |
33849 |
15799 |
17399 |
651 |
Remarks: Reply: Approved / Not Approved
END
05 December 2023 - NW3272
Mhlongo, Ms N to ask the Minister of Human Settlements
Whether, with reference to the 134 million that was erroneously transferred to the Bojanala Platinum District Municipality in 2019, which was meant for a human settlements development grant for the Rustenburg Municipality, the specified project has now been funded; if not, how long must the persons on the housing list who were supposed to benefit from the project wait before the project is funded again; if so, what progress has been made with the project?
Reply:
According to the information received from the North West Department of Human Settlements, the Bojanala Platinum District Municipality returned the erroneously transferred funds back to the North West Department of Human Settlements. The Boitekong Cluster Project is currently funded by the province under two grants, namely the Human Settlements Development Grant (HSDG) for bulk infrastructure and top structure as well as the Informal Settlements Upgrading Partnership Grant (ISUP) for planning and servicing. A tripartite Agreement has since been signed between the National Department of Human Settlements, the Province and the Rustenburg Municipality on the implementation of the project. Further to this, the province has also signed an Implementation Protocol with the Rustenburg Municipality, where the province has appointed contractors in the third quarter to construct 1849 houses on serviced sites, while the Municipality has appointed professional service providers.
05 December 2023 - NW3460
Masipa, Mr NP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
Whether a certain person (name furnished), who has been appointed to the board of Onderstepoort Biological Products, has been cleared of any past wrongdoing at the SA Weather Services; if not, how was the specified person appointed to the board; if so, (2) whether she will furnish Mr N P Masipa with proof thereof; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1. Appointment of the Board of Directors of the Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP) follows a call for nominations, assessment of nominees by the appointed selection committee and shortlisting of nominees who best meet the criteria. The call for nominations advert also specified the requirement for nominees to be fit for appointment as board members. OBP will be requested to conduct personnel suitability checks on all appointees.
The notice inviting nominations specified that personnel suitability checks will be conducted on suitable candidates.
The appointment letters of the new members stated that their appointments were subject to a personnel suitability process.
2. No. There is no record of an investigation at the instance of SA Weather Services into the specified person.
05 December 2023 - NW3260
Ceza, Mr K to ask the Minister of Human Settlements
In light of the incomplete housing projects in rural Municipalities such as (a) Ngqushwa Local Municipality and (b) Emalahleni Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape, what steps of intervention has she taken to ensure that such projects are completed?
Reply:
a) In 2021, the National Department of Human Settlements and its sector partners (Provinces and Municipalities) took a decision to unblock all blocked projects over a period of three financial years, namely, 2022/23 – 2024/25. A blocked or incomplete project is defined as: A project where no delivery progress has been made for a period of 12 months following the first payment to the contractor. The blocked or incomplete projects include serviced sites and houses at different levels of construction namely, slab level, wall-plate level, roof level, etc.
Factors that usually lead to human settlements projects being blocked are;
- illegal land occupations,
- geotechnical variations,
- construction mafias,
- community unrest,
- poor performance by contractors (some of whom would have abandoned sites),
- the lack of bulk infrastructure and link services,
As at April 2023, the Eastern Cape Province had identified 79 blocked and incomplete projects. From the 79 projects, a total of 11 have been unblocked and the balance is 68.
From the 68 remaining blocked and incomplete projects, the Ngqushwa and Emalahleni Local Municipalities both account for 2 projects in the approved 2023/24 Business Plan of the Eastern Cape Province- See table below
Table 1: Blocked Projects in the 2023 /2024 Business Plan to be unblocked
No. |
Project Name |
DM |
LM |
Peddie - Mphekweni 500 subs |
Amathole |
Ngqushwa |
|
Lady Frere 715 |
Chris Hani |
Emalahleni |
05 December 2023 - NW3762
Pambo, Mr V to ask the Minister of Human Settlements
Whether she intends commissioning an investigation into funding of the Housing Development Agency (HDA) Eastern Cape Branch, that was provided by certain officials to a political campaign by unlawfully appointing service providers at HDA; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
I do not know of any funding of the Housing Development Agency Eastern Cape Branch. I have no knowledge of any political campaign funded by officials as alleged in the member’s question.
05 December 2023 - NW3744
Tetyana, Mr Y to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
(a) What recent initiatives and policies aimed at promoting social cohesion, tolerance and the integration of foreign nationals has he initiated and (b) how is his department (i) addressing the root causes of xenophobic violence and (ii) working to ensure the safety and well-being of all residents in the Republic?
Reply:
(1)(a)(ii) The Department of Home Affairs contributes to the APEX priority of government on Social Cohesion and Safe Communities. As such the Department supports the Department of Arts, Sports and Culture and the Department of Justice on matters of social cohesion, tolerance and integration by issuing enabling documents. The registration of births and issuance of identity documents to citizens are key to access rights and services as all administrative and financial transactions in South Africa are based on identity. The Department also collaborates with UNHCR and IOM among other role players regarding migration issues. The Department confirms and provides enabling documents to foreigners legally residing within the country as well as facilitate and regulate the secure movement of people through ports of entry into and out of the country according to a risk-based approach.
(b)(i) The department is part of structures such as the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration which has been looking at issues such as violence within the trucking industry which is alleged to be the result of preferential hiring of foreign truck drivers.
(b)(ii) The department is part of law enforcement operations such as “Operation Shanela” to root out criminality and also conducts its own immigration law enforcement operations thorough its Inspectorate Division. These multi-faceted operations are amongst the efforts to ensure the safety and wellbeing of South Africans and foreign residents.
END
05 December 2023 - NW3924
Roos, Mr AC to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
(1)Whether, with reference to the release of over 750 illegal foreign miners who were detained during the September 2023 joint operation in Kleinzee, Northern Cape, on 24 October 2023, he has found that his department was adequately informed by the SA Police Service (SAPS) about the joint operation; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) (a) on what date was his department informed of the joint operation and (b) what is the name of the official who was informed of the operation in his department; (3) whether any planning meetings were held with the SAPS prior to the joint operation; if not, why not; if so, on what dates; (4) whether any debriefing was held between his department and SAPS on what went wrong and led to the release of the illegal miners; if not, why not; if so, (a) what were the findings, (b) who has been held responsible for the debacle, (c) what disciplinary actions have been taken against the relevant officials and (d) what number of the detained illegal foreign miners had their immigration status confirmed within the required 48 hours?
Reply:
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION NO. 3924
(1-3) Honourable member, in my previous response to parliamentary question 3586, I indicated that there is a need for better coordination at national level for similar operations by the NATJOINTS and Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster (JCPS) inclusive of all law enforcement Agencies, as well as DHA and Border Management Authority (BMA).
(4) Law enforcement operations are currently still underway in the same area and the assessment and impact of the operations will be evaluated once concluded.
END
04 December 2023 - NW3579
Ramolobeng, Ms A to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
What steps has he taken to deal with the shortages of psychologists in correctional centres, in particular the Tswelopele Correctional Centre, which notably impacts the applications of inmates’ eligibility for parole?
Reply:
The position of a Psychologist at Tswelopele Correctional Centre (TCC), Kimberley Management Area, has been vacant since 31 January 2021. It was advertised in September 2021 and September 2022, respectively without suitable candidates. The post was again advertised in February 2023, and eventually filled as from 01 September 2023.
Whilst waiting the filling of the post, in order to mitigate the backlogs on lifers and other categories of offenders qualifying for placement on parole, the offenders were either transferred to other centres within the region where there are psychologists (Grootvlei and Upington). The Psychologists from the other Management areas were also tasked to go to TCC to undertake the required assessments and intervention.
END.
04 December 2023 - NW3911
Chetty, Mr M to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
Whether, in light of the Inter-Parliamentary Union’s condemnation of the continued incarceration and repeated refusal by the Zimbabwean Government to grant bail to Zimbabwe’s political activist and former Member of Parliament, Job Sikhala, who has been in custody for over 500 days, her department has undertaken any steps to intervene and implore the Zimbabwean Government to respect Mr Sikhala’s human rights and respond to the calls for his immediate release from unlawful custody; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
South Africa respects the legal and judicial system of Zimbabwe. As a country, we believe that all legal avenues should be used if there is a legitimate belief that Mr Sikhala is being detained unjustly. The Department will engage with the report of the Inter-Parliamentary Union to assess whether measures outside of the national legal system of Zimbabwe may be necessary.
04 December 2023 - NW3942
Engelbrecht, Mr J to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
Whether (a) he, (b) the Deputy Minister and (c) any other official in his department attended the Rugby World Cup final in France in October 2023; if not; what is the position in this regard; if so, what (i) are the relevant details of each person in his department who attended the Rugby World Cup, (ii) is the total number of such persons and (iii) were the total costs of (aa) travel, (bb) accommodation and (cc) any other related costs that were incurred by his department as a result of the trip(s)?
Reply:
(a-b): The Deputy Minister and I did not attend the Rugby World Cup final in France in October 2023.
(c) No official in the Department of Home Affairs attended the Rugby World Cup final in France in October 2023 in an official capacity.
The Department of Home Affairs did not incur any expenditure in relation to the Rugby World Cup final in France in October 2023.
END
04 December 2023 - NW3979
Wolmarans, Mr M to ask the Minister of Employment and Labour
Whether there are any critical skills that he has identified as skills the Republic seeks to benefit from migrants; if not, why not; if so, which (a) skills and (b) sectors of the economy will benefit the most from the labour migration policy?
Reply:
(a) The Republic of South Africa, like all other countries throughout the world does experience scarce and critical skills in those job types for where employers cannot find suitably qualified or experienced employees. One of the alternatives of deploying these skills in the labour market is to source them from foreign nationals. To ensure the orderly and transparent manner to address this problem and to prevent the abuse of this “shortage” or displacement of citizens from employment, government has introduced different mechanism that are consistent with other practices in other countries.
The Government, led by the Department of Home Affairs publishes a scarce skills list that foreigners can accommodated in or provided with corporate or individual work visa if they find employment locally and an employer can provide evidence that they could not find an equally suitably qualified and or experienced South African in the applicable category.
The Department of Higher Education and Training leads in the research process to publish and receive public comments on the National Scarce Skills List. The National Development Plan, the National Infrastructure Plan, Industrial Policy Action Plan and the Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) Scarce Skills Lists, which indicates shortages in certain career fields, are used to determine the skills that are needed.
(b) According to research, economic sectors within South Africa that are affected the most by skills shortages are those sectors that South Africa benefits most from skilled migrants and include:-
- Information Technology
- Business and Management
- Design
- Engineering
- Financial Sectors
- Marketing
- Medical and Health
- Arts and Media
The Department of Employment and Labour, assist with the negotiations and approval of such a list at NEDLAC. We also provide recommendations to Home Affairs with regards to availability of such skills in the country as we process Corporate and Individual Work Visas on behalf of the employers.
We have also developed a National Labour Migration Policy and the Employment Services Amendment Bill to amongst others, regulate the manner in which foreign nationals can be employed in the South African labour market, transfer of skills to locals, setting of quotas in those low and mediums skills levels where we may employ foreign nationals because of various circumstances, the employment of South Africans abroad and the types of Bilateral Agreements that will have to be concluded in these regard.
04 December 2023 - NW4083
Smalle, Mr JF to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
(1) Whether she is responsible for monitoring municipal budgets; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what was the (a) expenditure and (b) percentage of the operational budget spent by each municipality on water and sanitation infrastructure maintenance and (c) what is the current infrastructural backlog for each municipality; (2) whether she is responsible for accounting for water losses through leaks of municipal infrastructure; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what is the (a) current volume of water losses from leaks per municipality; (b) total number of grant funding framework reports submitted for (i) water and sanitation, (ii) electricity, (iii) roads and storm water, (iv) roads provision for each in the past two financial years? NW5363E
Reply:
- No, National and Provincial Treasuries are responsible for monitoring municipal budgets.
- No, the Department of Water and Sanitation is responsible for accounting and monitoring of water losses.
End.
04 December 2023 - NW3756
Matiase, Mr NS to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
What intervening steps has her department taken to close the huge gap between smallholder and commercial farmers in terms of access to technical skills and advice in the past three financial years?
Reply:
The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, through its Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme (CASP) provides training and capacity building programmes to smallholder farmers. One of the objectives of this programme is to assist smallholder farmers to acquire relevant technical skills to become commercial farmers. All the training interventions are needs based.
Total beneficiaries who received training through CASP during the past three financial years (2020/21 – 2022/23) is 50 985. In summary, various training programmes offered to these beneficiaries are categorised as follows:
- Production: goat, poultry, crop, animal, maize, livestock and beef production, artificial insemination, hydroponics etc.;
- Business and Entrepreneurship: book keeping, business management, financial management, record keeping, marketing, wew venture creation, farm management, veld management, South African Good Agricultural Practice, access to funding, conflict management etc.;
- Occupational Health and Safety: safety use of chemicals, animal health, fire management, biosecurity etc.; and
- Agro – Processing: grain processing, value adding, packaging etc..
04 December 2023 - NW3997
Le Goff, Mr T to ask the Minister of Employment and Labour
Whether, with regard to the administrative burden placed on businesses by the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) insofar as it relates to the inefficient collection of UIF submissions through payroll extracts and the uFiling portal, he will undertake to cut red-tape for businesses and construct a joint implementation agreement with the SA Revenue Service (SARS) to eliminate the UIF reporting burden by incorporating it into the SARS EMP201 and EMP501 processes, which already collect the information in a vastly more comprehensive manner; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
This is an excellent and progressive question which will take the Fund far if implemented and agreement between the two entities are secured. At one level it increases compliance and also ensure that UIF has the necessary data at the time of claim processing.
In terms of status, 98% of UIF contribution is already collected by SARS and this is managed through service level agreement. The only remaining part of the agreement is the sharing of data contained in the EMP201 and EMP501.
The Acting Director General, Dr Moemi has already started engagement with the SARS Commissioner to consider a number of options including discussions around the mainframe and data sharing mechanism while mindful of the POPIA requirements.
04 December 2023 - NW3990
Ngcobo, Mr SL to ask the Minister of Employment and Labour
(1)Whether, with regard to the struggling domestic employment sector where it is still over 150 000 jobs short of full recovery since COVID-19, his department has plans to address the challenges of private firms operating in failing municipalities; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what steps has he taken to assist these businesses to mitigate the negative impact of the quality of public services in these municipalities in order to sustain employment for domestic labour; (2) whether his department has specific measures in place to encourage job creation for domestic employment through legislative reforms within the sector; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details? NO5245E
Reply:
(a) According to the latest Quarterly Labour Force survey released by Statsa, South Africa's unemployment rate dipped again in the third quarter of 2023, to 31, 9%.
That's a decrease of 0,7 of a percentage point from 32,6% in the second quarter of the year indicating that there is a recovery of employment levels since Covid -19 period.
It has been noted that service industries that were heavily affected by COVID-19 are gradually recovering, and these are largely labour-intensive. There was a level of increase in employment, to pre-COVID-19 levels in the labour market.
The Statistician General has indicated that "Employment gains were observed among all sectors with the highest in the formal sector (up by 287 000), followed by the Agricultural sector (up by 61 000), Informal sector (up by 29 000) and Private households (up by 22 000) in Q3: 2023."
Government has undertaken a number of steps to assist private firms and businesses, including the provision of stimulus through tax incentive, small business development activities to help firms recover and massive injections by the Department of Employment and Labour through its entities like UIF and initiatives like Turnaround Programmes of Productivity SA, and CCMA interventions to help prevent job losses.
(b) The Department has extended legislative coverage to all employees, including domestic employment, as demonstrated by the changes to National Minimum Wage, extension of UIF coverage and more recently extension of coverage by the Compensation Fund.
The Department is also introducing a National Labour Migration Policy whose main objective is to protect lower level workers from unfair employment completion. The Employment services Amendment Bill will regulate the manner in which foreign nationals can be employed, it imposed conditions or obligations to transfer skills during the limited employment duration,
it will restrict the total numbers of foreign nationals that can be employed at any point in any establishment and will strengthen the role of both Employment Inspectors and Home Affairs Immigration Officers in addressing the problem of undocumented foreign nationals employed in various sectors of the economy.
The Department of Small Business Development working with Provincial and Municipalities are also tightening operations of foreign nationals in the informal sector as we believe that millions of South Africans can create self-employment in those sectors.
The Department of Home Affairs has also released a white paper that seeks to address the inconsistencies that we have since identified in the Refugees Act, the Citizenship Act and the Immigration Act.
04 December 2023 - NW3986
Hendricks, Mr MGE to ask the Minister of Employment and Labour
When will the requirement to state one’s race be removed from labour legislation and, where necessary, be limited to black and white only instead of stating ‘coloured’ and ‘Indian’?
Reply:
It is fundamental for all us to recall that all the painful injustices and inequalities of the past apartheid system were racially driven. In fact, race was a key determining factor in relation to how all resources and opportunities were distributed to the citizens of this country being its finances, education, employment, housing, energy, water, health, just to mention a few. Therefore, in order to protect the human rights to equality, human dignity and fair treatment, including access to equal opportunities in all spheres of life, section 9 of the Constitution is explicit that measures must be taken by enacting legislation to ensure that no person is directly or indirectly unfairly discriminated against based on any of the prohibited grounds listed, which are inclusive of race.
It is against this backdrop of section 9 of the Constitution, the ‘Equality clause’ that various legislation, in particular the Employment Equity Act, 1998 (EEA) was enacted. The primary purpose of the EEA is to promote equity through the elimination of unfair treatment and unfair discrimination in employment policies and practices;
and the implementation of affirmative action measures to redress the imbalance of the past suffered by the previously disadvantaged groups, that is black people; women of all racial groups; and persons with disabilities irrespective of their race and gender. In fact, the section 1 of the EEA defines black people as a generic term that means Africans; Coloureds and Indians. It is important to highlight that this definition and section 6(1) of the EEA, which lists all the prohibited grounds of unfair discrimination, inclusive of race has not been amended. In fact, it is crucial to note that these listed prohibited grounds of unfair discrimination in section 6(1) of the EEA mirrors those listed in section 9 of the Constitution. In context of the objectives of both section 9 and that of the EEA, if ‘race’ as a classification should be removed as a prohibited ground for unfair discrimination, amendments should be considered not only for the EEA, but for the Constitution; including other legislations that make reference to the race classifications.
END
04 December 2023 - NW3996
Cardo, Dr MJ to ask the Minister of Employment and Labour
What is the status of the Draft Employment Equity Regulations gazetted on 12 May 2023?
Reply:
It is important to highlight that firstly, the Draft Employment Equity Regulations gazetted on 12 May 2023 were published as part of preparations for the implementation or commencement date of the Employment Equity Amendment Act, No. 4 of 2022 (EE Amendment Act, 2022), which was assented into law in April 2023. These Draft Regulations with proposed sector EE targets were published for public comment to gather more information and public input aimed at enhancing the content of the final EE Regulations, which will only be published for implementation upon the publication of the commencement date of the EE Amendment Act, 2022.
Secondly, it is critical to note that having considered all the written public comments received, the Commission for Employment Equity (CEE) and the Department are in the process of finalizing the revised Draft EE Regulations on the proposed sector EE targets, which will then be re-published for further public comment in order to enhance the consultation process and also to enrich the content of the final sector EE targets Regulations for future implementation.
END
04 December 2023 - NW3737
Mogale, Mr T to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
(1) Whether she has found her department has been consistent in its approach of dealing with military takeovers, given that the response from her department was different at the time our SA Development Community neighbour Zimbabwe experienced a military takeover in 2017, when the former President, Mr Robert Mugabe, was removed from office, to how it currently is to the situation in francophone countries; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) what has she found to be the causes of the political situations that led to the military takeovers in (a) Gabon, (b) Burkina Faso and (c) Niger; (3) whether she has found that the citizens of the specified countries have full democratic rights to participate in free and fair elections; if not, (4) whether her department has condemned the alleged role played by France in stifling democracy and exploiting the natural resources of the countries with no tangible benefits for the citizens of the specified countries, if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW4953E
Reply:
1. South Africa has been consistent in its approach towards unconstitutional changes of Governments on the African Continent and has publicly articulated its opposition to these developments, which are in contravention of the Constitutive Act of the African Union (2002) and the Lomé Declaration of July 2000 on Unconstitutional Changes of Government. South Africa’s position, cognisant of the adverse challenges posed by unconstitutional changes of Government, is informed by the statements and decisions of the African Union (AU), in particular the AU Peace and Security Council (AUPSC), as well as the Regional Economic Communities (RECs). The situation in Zimbabwe in 2017 was arguably not a military takeover but appeared to be more of an internal party-political matter and SADC has subsequently offered assistance in dealing with political situation in line with the organisation’s protocols and guidelines.
2. The African Union has identified the following causes of the political situations that led to the military takeovers in (a) Gabon, (b) Burkina Faso, and (c) Niger, which include, among others, the manipulation of democratic processes related to constitutional term limits; electoral problems; governance gaps resulting in the manipulation of government accountability mechanisms; security vulnerabilities exacerbated by terrorism and violent extremism; foreign political and military interference; transnational organised crime; siphoning of benefits from natural resources away from the population; youth unemployment and climate change. In this regard, the African Union highlighted the need to facilitate the consolidation of constitutionalism and address the challenge of military takeovers and emphasised the importance of strengthening the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA), the African Governance Architecture (AGA) and the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM). Cooperation among AU Members States and stakeholders, it affirmed, will advance the implementation of normative frameworks that would be of benefit to the continent.
3. Citizens of the aforementioned countries have full democratic rights to participate in free and fair elections. However, these rights can only be fully protected by conducting regular elections, monitored by the African Union, Regional Economic Communities, and other international observers. South Africa stands ready to share its experiences with all countries, with regards to democracy, governance, national reconciliation, and the peaceful resolution of conflict. South Africa supports the implementation of the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance.
4. South Africa continues to support the African Unions Agenda 2063 and AU flagship projects aimed at achieving maximum benefits from our natural resources.
04 December 2023 - NW4018
van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
Whether, considering his recent statement that there is no backlog of critical skills applications with regard to work permits and noting that a report by The Presidency has revealed that it takes 48 weeks or more to process an application, he has found this to be a reasonable timeline for the processing of a visa; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) what processes need to be followed that take up so much time, (b) what total number of critical skills applications are currently in the system and (c) by what date will the specified applications be completed?
Reply:
a) The Work Visa Review Report by Operation Vulindlela did not state that it takes Home Affairs 48 weeks to process an application. What the Report pointed out was that a work visa applicant can take about 48 weeks across all entities to obtain supporting documents for an application. These entities are the applicant’s security authorities from country of origin for the Police Clearance certificate, SAQA verification of qualifications, Medical Practitioners for medical certificates, the recommendation certificate from the Department of Employment and Labour, and the now removed requirement for a radiological report. These are the activities that take place prior to the applicant approaching the Department to submit an application. On receipt of the application, the Department processes the application within 20 working days.
The Department is already implementing the Vulindlela recommendations, some of which are that certain non-critical supporting documents should be removed from the process.
b) As at the 24th of November 2023, there were 349 pending critical skills work visa applications pending in the system.
c) The above mentioned applications are due for completion within 20 working days from date of application.
END
04 December 2023 - NW3822
Msimang, Prof CT to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
Whether his department has set and/or achieved any short-term targets to fulfil its constitutional obligation of ensuring that the judiciary reflects the racial and gender composition of the Republic; if not, why not; if so, what total number of (a) judges, (b) magistrates and (c) counsel are (i) black, (ii) women and (iii) living with disabilities in each province?
Reply:
Prior to the advent of our democracy, the Judiciary just like any other sector of our society was untransformed and dominated by White males. With this in mind the drafters of our Constitution took a deliberate decision to transform the Judiciary by including a constitutional injunction in section 174 of our Constitution which enjoined us to transform the Judiciary so as to broadly reflect the racial and gender composition of our country. The Judicial Service Commission when advising the President to appoint Judges takes into consideration the need for the Judiciary to reflect the racial and gender composition of the South African society. So is the Magistrates Commission when advising me to appoint Magistrates in the lower courts.
We have committed to the realization of racial and gender equality in the appointment processes of the Judges, Magistrates and counsels. It is for that reason that since 1994, the demographics of the Judiciary and legal practitioners in terms of race and gender have drastically changed to enhance the desired diversity, equality and equity.
a) From the report of the Judicial Service Commission, as at 30 September 2023, the demographics of the judges are as follows:
Total No of Judges: |
|||
Province |
(i) Blacks |
(ii) Women |
(iii) Judges with Disabilities |
Eastern Cape |
19 |
11 |
0 |
Free State (this includes Judges of the Supreme Court of Appeal) |
25 |
18 |
0 |
Gauteng (Includes Judges of the Constitutional Court and Labour Court) |
71 |
56 |
1 |
KwaZulu-Natal |
20 |
11 |
0 |
Limpopo |
5 |
2 |
0 |
Mpumalanga |
7 |
4 |
1 |
Northern Cape |
5 |
4 |
0 |
North West |
5 |
3 |
0 |
Western Cape |
25 |
14 |
0 |
Total |
182 |
123 |
2 |
b) The report received from the Magistrates’ Commission indicates that, as at 30 September 2023, the numeral capacity of the magistrates, is as follows:
Total No of Magistrates: 1 652 |
|||
Province |
(i) Black |
(ii) Women |
(iii) Magistrates with disabilities |
Eastern Cape |
142 |
101 |
0 |
Free State |
58 |
49 |
2 |
Gauteng |
229 |
213 |
1 |
KwaZulu- Natal |
169 |
132 |
2 |
Limpopo |
117 |
81 |
0 |
Mpumalanga |
65 |
48 |
0 |
Northern Cape |
26 |
22 |
0 |
North West |
73 |
62 |
1 |
Western Cape |
138 |
138 |
2 |
TOTAL |
1 017 |
846 |
8 |
Percentage of the total number of Magistrates= 1 652 |
61% of the total |
51% |
0,48% |
Source: Magistrates’ Commission
The required 2% target of magistrates living with disabilities has not been met yet, but I have been informed that this matter is receiving the priority attention of the Magistrates Commission.
c) The Legal Practice Council reported that, as at 30 April 2023, the numerical capacity of the counsels is as follows:
Total No of Counsels: 5 936 |
|||
Province |
(i) Black |
(ii) Women |
(iii) Counsels with disabilities |
Eastern Cape |
227 |
60 |
- |
Free State |
85 |
24 |
- |
Gauteng |
3167 |
825 |
4 |
KwaZulu- Natal |
216 |
71 |
- |
Limpopo |
342 |
81 |
4 |
Mpumalanga |
122 |
28 |
- |
Northern Cape |
98 |
22 |
- |
North West |
42 |
11 |
- |
Western Cape |
132 |
42 |
- |
TOTAL= 5 936 |
4 431 |
1 164 |
8 |
% of the total |
76,64% |
19,6% |
0,13% |
Source: Legal Practice Council
As noted from above Table, gender parity in this category has not been met yet, but there is commitment to progressively bridge the gap. Likewise, the required 2% target of counsels living with disabilities is among the concerns that are receiving priority attention. However, the overwhelming growth in Black Africans under this category is indeed commendable.
I thank you.
01 December 2023 - NW3741
Tito, Ms LF to ask the Minister of Basic Education
What (a) is the state of readiness of her department for new learners who will be starting Grade (i) 1 and (ii) 8 in 2024 and (b) measures have been put in place to ensure that all learners are placed in schools and that no learners are left behind in each province?
Reply:
a) All primary schools and secondary schools started preparing for admissions of grade 1 and 8 respectively, as early as the beginning of term two in 2023. By October 2023, reports on placements from Provinces indicated that almost 65% of learners in the two grades have been placed.
b) The Department is receiving accumulative statistics on placements from provinces on a monthly basis as from October 2023. Different forms of advocacy have been employed by provinces to let parents apply for placements. There are dedicated officials per province assigned to handle learner admissions. Schools have been directed via Circulars on managing learner placements. The DBE holds meetings with provinces to deliberate on matters pertaining to learner admissions.
01 December 2023 - NW3214
Seitlholo, Mr IS to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
With reference to the possible amendments to finance policy in the upcoming Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement for 2023 which may result in measures to cut expenditure across all departments and which, according to the National Treasury, include stopping procurement contracts for all infrastructure projects among other cuts, what are the details of the (a) projects under his department that will be affected by the budget cuts, (b) location of the projects, (c) total cost of each project and (d) intended service delivery outcomes of each specified project?
Reply:
The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:
a) There are a number of projects that are affected by the budget cuts, and these are submitted by various regions on an urgent need basis. See attached preliminary list from all our regions.
b) The locations of projects are across all 11 DPWI regions.
c) The total costs for each project are reflected in Annexure A.
d) Regions submit detail motivation for projects to be prioritised, and these are approved by the Accounting Officer.
01 December 2023 - NW3944
Faber, Mr WF to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy
Whether (a) he, (b) the Deputy Minister and (c) any other official in his department attended the Rugby World Cup final in France in October 2023; if not; what is the position in this regard; if so, what (i) are the relevant details of each person in his department who attended the Rugby World Cup, (ii) is the total number of such persons and (iii) were the total costs of (aa) travel, (bb) accommodation and (cc) any other related costs that were incurred by his department as a result of the trip(s)?
Reply:
The (a) Minister (b) the Deputy Minister and (c) officials in the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy did not attend the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France. The department Incurred no costs whatsoever as no officials were authorised to attend the World Cup.
01 December 2023 - NW3983
Van Der Walt, Ms D to ask the Minister of Basic Education
(1) Whether credit cards issued to (a) her, (b) the Deputy Minister and (c) any specified officials have been over their credit limit; if so, (i) whose credit cards have been over their limit and (ii) what is the reason for the credit cards exceeding the limit; (2) whether any action has been taken against any of the specified persons for exceeding the credit card limit; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
(1) No credit cards were issued to the (a) Minister, (b) Deputy Minister or (c) any other official, therefore there was no credit card that was over the limit; (i) N/A and (ii) N/A;
(2) N/A
01 December 2023 - NW3804
Msimang, Prof CT to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy
Whether his department has the figures for the allocated budget and actual spending on the compensation for liability given to private citizens who have suffered losses in business operations and damage to their personal property because of load shedding; if not, what disaster prevention measures were adopted by his department n this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The department does not have a budget allocated for compensation of liability to private citizens who have suffered losses in business operations and damage to their personal property because of load shedding. Damages, direct loss or consequential loss as a result of load shedding must be directed to ESKOM and Municipalities as they are competent authorities for the generation and maintain supply of electricity.
01 December 2023 - NW3825
Sithole, Mr KP to ask the Minister of Tourism
Whether her department keeps records of arrested, convicted and deported tourists; if not, why not; if so, what (a) is the total number of tourists who were (i) arrested, (ii) convicted and (iii) deported since 1 January 2000 up to the latest date for which information is available and (b) was the nature of the crime in each case?
Reply:
I have been informed that the Department does not keep records of arrested, convicted and deported tourists as this is not within the mandate of the Department.
a) (i)- (ii) and (b) Not applicable
01 December 2023 - NW3952
Ngcobo, Mr S to ask the Minister of Tourism
Whether (a) she, (b) the Deputy Minister and (c) any other official in her department attended the Rugby World Cup Final in France in October 2023; if not; what is the position in this regard; if so, what (i) are the relevant details of each person in her department who attended the Rugby World Cup, (ii) is the total number of such persons and (iii) were the total costs of (aa) travel, (bb) accommodation and (cc) any other related costs that were incurred by her department as a result of the trip(s)?
Reply:
See below
WHO |
Whether anybody attended the Rugby World Cup in France |
(i) What are the relevant details of each person who attended the Rugby world Cup |
(ii) What is the total number of such persons |
(iii)(aa) What were the total costs of travel |
(iii)(bb) What were the total costs of accommodation |
(iii)(cc) Any other related costs that were incurred by the department as a result of the trip(s) |
a) Minister |
No |
NA |
NA |
NA |
NA |
NA |
b) Deputy Minister |
No |
NA |
NA |
NA |
NA |
NA |
c) Any other official in the department |
No official in the department attended on official business |
NA |
NA |
NA |
NA |
NA |
01 December 2023 - NW3399
Matumba, Mr A to ask the Minister of Tourism
Whether she has found out that she has failed in her core mandate as she did not achieve core targets, including implementing the (a) global tourism brand campaign plan, (b) integrated destination brand, (c) marketing strategy and (d) elements of the global advocacy programme; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, how does she intend to remedy the situation?
Reply:
No, I have not failed. Just the opposite, in fact.
Some of the targets that were not achieved in the previous Financial Year 2022/23, have all been submitted and presented to the Portfolio Committee with the remedial action.
Also just to remind you that the Financial Year 2022/23 is applicable from 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023.
The current Financial Year started on 1 April 2023 and will end on 31 March 2024.
In the current financial year the Department has achieved the following:
TOURIST ARRIVALS:
Between January and September this year, South Africa saw a significant influx of tourists, with over 6,1 million visitors arriving in the country, more than 58.4% when compared to the 3.8million arrivals to South Africa the same period in 2022.
During this period, visitors from Africa represented 4.6million of the total arrivals to South Africa, a 60% increase in Africa land arrivals and a 35% increase in Africa air arrivals when compared to the same period in 2022.
South Africa welcomed more than 862 000 arrivals from Europe between January and September this year, a 50,9% increase on the more than 571 000 arrivals in 2022.
From Asia, we welcomed more than 148 000 visitors in the first 9 months of 2023, an increase of 82,6% compared to arrivals in the same period in 2022.
Notably, China’s year-on-year arrival figures also show a significant increase to 3060 in October 2023. This reflects a 132,5% increase when compared to the same period in 2022.
All markets saw an increase in arrivals to South Africa of between 48 and 99%.
During the first two quarters of 2023, total tourist foreign direct spend amounted to R48 billion.
DOMESTIC TOURISM:
In the first half of 2023, South Africans took 18.8 million domestic overnight trips.
This is up 23.4% when compared to the same period in 2022.
Overnight spend was also up by 21.2% to reach just over R52 billion in the same period.
AIR ACCESS:
We have also seen great growth in our Air Access with the resumption of the Direct Flight from China in February this year.
Latam also launched its inaugural flight to South Africa in September 2023.
In October, South African Airways also relaunched its direct flights from Cape Town and Johannesburg to Sao Paulo in Brazil.
In December 2023, we are expecting the direct flight will resume between Johannesburg and Jeddah in Saudi Arabia and we are working with the Saudi Arabia Air Access team to secure a direct flight from Cape Town to Jeddah.
South Africa also has six active airlines connecting over 23 cities in African countries including Nigeria, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Rwanda and Botswana.
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS:
One month after my arrival in the Department, we scrapped the controversial R1billion Tottenham Hotspurs deal.
In the 2023/24 Financial Year, due to my intervention, an out-of-court settlement was reached, unlocking the R1.2 billion Tourism Equity Fund and the Request for Proposals opened on 6 November 2023.
Furthermore, the Green Paper on the Development and Promotion of Tourism in South Africa was gazetted for public comment in September 2023 and the Tourism Sector Masterplan was also gazetted for implementation on 13 October 2023.
All the performance reports for the previous Financial Years are as per the Department’s APP and have been reported to the Portfolio Committee and are available online on the Parliamentary Monitoring Group.
01 December 2023 - NW3630
Graham-Maré, Ms SJ to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy
(1) What (a) is the projected completion date of the Redstone Concentrated Solar Thermal Power Project that forms part of the SA Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer (REIPP) Procurement Programme, (b) is the projected lifespan of the project, (c) has been the total expenditure on the project to date and (d) total number of jobs (i) have been created in construction and other relevant fields and (ii) are local jobs; (2) whether the project will be completed within the R11,6 billion cost estimate; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) (a)(i) what are the details of South African funders who are involved in the project and (ii) to what extent are the specified funders involved and (b) what is Eskom’s share in the project; (4) whether the specified project falls within the Just Energy Transition Programme; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details? NW4817E
Reply:
It is important to note that Independent Power Producer (IPP) Projects procured under the Renewable Energy IPP Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) provide all the funds for the construction and operation of the power plant, and bear all the construction and site risks of the project – any delays or cost overruns are for the account of the IPP and not recoverable. At Commercial Close, IPPs further commit to a specified date to start generating power and are penalised if late.
(1)(a) and (b) the project is currently projected to reach Commercial Operation on 24th July 2024, as confirmed Eskom who has signed the Power Purchase Agreement with the Redstone Concentrated Solar Thermal Power Project Company. The project lifespan of the project will be 20- years in accordance with the Power Purchase Agreement signed by the project.
(1)(d)(i) and (ii) the Project is currently in construction. The project has committed a total of 4047 job years during construction and has achieved 11 396 job years to date (Note: A job Year refers to the equivalent of a full-time employment opportunity for one person for one year)
Of this, the breakdown of local jobs committed and achieved are as follows:
Element |
Obligation |
Achieved |
RSA Based Employees |
1456 |
2476 |
RSA- Based Employees who are citizens |
1086 |
2138 |
RSA- Based Employees who are black citizens |
501 |
2010 |
RSA- Based Employees who are skilled employees |
590 |
1686 |
RSA- Based Employees who are Skilled Black Citizens |
191 |
1253 |
RSA- Based Employees who are Citizens from Local Communities |
223 |
906 |
Employees who are people with disabilities |
0 |
0 |
Employees who are women |
0 |
225 |
Employees who are Youth |
0 |
701 |
Total |
4047 |
11 396 |
(1)(c) (2) and (3)(a), the detail of the requested information resides with the developer(s) or project owners. Its also important to note that the Department is bound by confidentiality undertakings with the Project. Therefore, its proposed that these questions be referred to the developer(s) or project owners.
3(b) Eskom is designated as the Buyer in terms of the Ministerial Determination issued in terms of section 34, of the Electricity Regulation Act, of the Electricity that will be generated by all procured IPP Projects and is not a shareholder in any IPP Project.
(4) The said project is part of procurement that fell within IRP 2010, therefore in line with Government policy.
01 December 2023 - NW4031
Sithole, Mr KP to ask the Minister of Tourism
What is the total number of (a) employees and (b) consultants currently employed by her department?
Reply:
(a) I have been informed by the Department that the total number of employees is 464 as at the 31 October 2023
(b) None
01 December 2023 - NW3439
De Freitas, Mr MS to ask the Minister of Tourism
(1)With reference to the Development Bank of South Africa (DBSA) and work undertaken by them on behalf of her department (a) in the past three financial years and (b) from 1 April 2023 to date, (i) what audit was undertaken to ensure that the DBSA has the capacity to undertake tourism projects, (ii) on what date was the specified audit undertaken, (iii) who undertook the audit and (iv) what was the outcome and/or relevant details of the audit; (2) whether she will furnish Mr M S F de Freitas with a copy of the audit report; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1. I have been informed by the Department that no audit was undertaken on behalf of the Department.
2. Not Applicable
01 December 2023 - NW3970
De Freitas, Mr MS to ask the Minister of Tourism
With regard to the top leadership and management in the (a) Director-General and (b) Deputy Director-General level in her department, (i) what qualifications does each of the specified persons have in each case and (ii) how do the specified qualifications align with the position that must be filled?
Reply:
With regard to the top leadership and management in the department |
(i) What qualifications does each of the specified persons have in each case |
(ii) How do the specified qualifications align with the position that must be filled |
Director- General (DG) |
|
Applied Physics is about finding solutions, problem solving and analytical thinking. Knowledge and Information Systems management is about the knowledge economy, management of knowledge systems, technological applications, decision systems, utilisation and management of data as well as management of complexity amongst others. Strategic and Corporate Governance focuses on strategy, finance, risk management, corporate governance and business law. |
Deputy Director-General: Corporate Management (DDG: CM) |
|
The position of DDG – Corporate Management requires a qualification in any of the disciplines applicable within a Corporate Management Environment. A qualification in Social Sciences provides a competitive advantage of understanding people management and human capital within a broader Corporate Management context which is central in the management of the Corporate Strategy. |
Deputy Director-General: Tourism Research, Policy and International Relations (DDG: TRP&IR) |
In addition to the above qualifications the DDG completed the following subjects as part of a PhD programme on Tourism Management (Thesis outstanding):
|
The DDG: TRP&IR oversees the provision of tourism research, policy, international relations and strategic sector partnerships. This includes the following functions:
DDG’s qualifications cover, amongst others, the following areas that are relevant to the position: Mathematics, Computer Science, Economics, Strategic Tourism Management, International Tourism policy and planning and Resource Methodology. |
Deputy Director-General: Destination Development (DDG: DD) |
|
A key component of Executive Management is problem solving and creating an enabling environment for staff to deliver. The formal studies to the MSc level are related to the key areas of problem solving and management of human capital. The topic of the PhD was “A model for integrated tourism infrastructure planning in the South African Public Sector” This is directly related to the current role of the DDG: Destination Development. |
Deputy Director-General: Tourism Sector Support Services) |
|
The three degrees are located within the Humanities discipline. Knowledge of the Constitution and other laws aligns with sound governance, applying the principles of administrative justice which includes equality, fairness, openness and transparency in providing services to citizens including the ability to contextualise and implement policy |
Chief Financial Officer (CFO) |
|
In terms of the Treasury Regulations Part 2, the CFO is expected to perform the following functions:
the institution
The qualifications of the CFO are in line with what the position entails. The qualifications are both in financial and managerial field. |
01 December 2023 - NW3377
Sithole, Mr KP to ask the Minister of Tourism
Whether her department has actually implemented any of its plans to encourage tourists to visit the Republic after COVID-19; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
Yes, since January 2023, the department has achieved the following:
TOURIST ARRIVALS:
Between January and September this year, South Africa saw a significant influx of tourists, with over 6,1 million visitors arriving in the country, more than 58.4% when compared to the 3.8million arrivals to South Africa the same period in 2022.
During this period, visitors from Africa represented 4.6million of the total arrivals to South Africa, a 60% increase in Africa land arrivals and a 35% increase in Africa air arrivals when compared to the same period in 2022.
South Africa welcomed more than 862 000 arrivals from Europe between January and September this year, a 50,9% increase on the more than 571 000 arrivals in 2022.
From Asia, we welcomed more than 148 000 visitors in the first 9 months of 2023, an increase of 82,6% compared to arrivals in the same period in 2022.
Notably, China’s year-on-year arrival figures also show a significant increase to 3060 in October 2023. This reflects a 132,5% increase when compared to the same period in 2022.
All markets saw an increase in arrivals to South Africa of between 48 and 99%.
During the first two quarters of 2023, total tourist foreign direct spend amounted to R48 billion.
DOMESTIC TOURISM:
In the first half of 2023, South Africans took 18.8 million domestic overnight trips.
This is up 23.4% when compared to the same period in 2022.
Overnight spend was also up by 21.2% to reach just over R52 billion in the same period.
AIR ACCESS:
We have also seen great growth in our Air Access with the resumption of the Direct Flight from China in February this year.
Latam also launched its inaugural flight to South Africa in September 2023.
In October, South African Airways also relaunched its direct flights from Cape Town and Johannesburg to Sao Paulo in Brazil.
In December 2023, we are expecting the direct flight will resume between Johannesburg and Jeddah in Saudi Arabia and we are working with the Saudi Arabia Air Access team to secure a direct flight from Cape Town to Jeddah.
South Africa also has six active airlines connecting over 23 cities in African countries including Nigeria, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Rwanda and Botswana.
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS:
One month after my arrival in the Department, we scrapped the controversial R1billion Tottenham Hotspurs deal.
In the 2023/24 Financial Year, due to my intervention, an out-of-court settlement was reached, unlocking the R1.2 billion Tourism Equity Fund and the Request for Proposals opened on 6 November 2023.
Furthermore, the Green Paper on the Development and Promotion of Tourism in South Africa was gazetted for public comment in September 2023 and the Tourism Sector Masterplan was also gazetted for implementation on 13 October 2023.
All the performance reports for the previous Financial Years are as per the Department’s APP and have been reported to the Portfolio Committee and are available online on the Parliamentary Monitoring Group.
01 December 2023 - NW3765
De Freitas, Mr MS to ask the Minister of Tourism
With reference to projects undertaken by the National Department of Tourism in the past three financial years and since 1 April 2023 up to the latest specified date for which information is available, (a) who undertook each project in each month, (b) how were the project suppliers identified and (c) what was the (i) budget allocation for each project and (ii) actual expenditure in each case?
Reply:
I have been informed by the Department that all the information requested is available online on PMG as follows:
https://pmg.org.za/committee-meeting/31113/
https://pmg.org.za/committee-meeting/32405/
https://pmg.org.za/committee-meeting/33718/
https://pmg.org.za/committee-meeting/33362/
https://pmg.org.za/committee-meeting/33885/
https://pmg.org.za/committee-meeting/35687/
https://pmg.org.za/committee-meeting/35399/
https://pmg.org.za/committee-meeting/34166/
ii) The projects and progress for quarters 1 and 2 for the current Financial Year 2023/24 have also been reported to the Portfolio Committee.
01 December 2023 - NW4024
Ngcobo, Mr SL to ask the Minister of Basic Education
Whether her department has records of educators in (a) primary and (b) high schools who have committed statutory rape under the provisions of section 15(1) of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act 5 of 2015 in each province; if not, why not; if so, what (i) number of educators have been (aa) tried, (bb) convicted, (cc) suspended and (dd) dismissed since 1 January 2015 and (ii) are the further relevant details?
Reply:
No, the Department of Basic Education has no records of educators either in (a) primary or (b) high schools, who have committed statutory rape under the provisions of section 15(1) of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act 5 of 2015 in each province;
(i)(aa); (bb); (cc); and (dd) - The question is relevant to the provincial administrations, since it is the responsibility of each employer, who, in terms of Section 3(1)(b) of the Employment of Educators Act, 76 of 1998, is the Head of the Provincial Education Department, to implement policies with regard to the Code of Conduct; and also to enforce disciplinary codes and procedures against all employees, including educators employed at the provincial level.
(ii) Once the case is reported by the learner or any other person, who is aware of the committed offence, the employer investigates the matter, and when the employer is satisfied that misconduct was committed, the employer refers the matter to the Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC) for adjudication in terms of Collective Agreement 3 of 2018 that provides for compulsory inquiries by arbitrators in cases of disciplinary action against educators charged with sexual misconduct in respect of learners. The award in this regard is regarded final and can only be challenged through the Labour Court.
01 December 2023 - NW3493
Ismail, Ms H to ask the Minister of Tourism
(1) With regard to the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa (TGCSA), (a) which companies are used to grade establishments and (b) for how long these grading companies has been used in the past three financial years; (2) (a) what criterion is used to appoint these companies to grade establishments and (b) on what basis do these companies grade establishments; (3) what amount of the funds paid by establishments to be graded is paid to (a) the department and (b) the TGCSA and (c) what total amount of grading funds has her department earned in the past five financial years as compared to the TGCSA?
Reply:
(1) (a) Which companies are used to grade establishments
I have been informed by South African Tourism (SAT) that individuals, also referred to as Grading Assessors, and not companies, are contracted to the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa (TGCSA).
They are contracted through a Service Provider Agreement (SPA) which is valid for three (3) years, with an extension of two (2) years subject to performance.
An assessor is a natural person who:
i) is above reproach in relation to his unequivocal support and submission to the laws of the Republic of South Africa and the brand and reputation of the TGCSA;
ii) is accredited by means of an entry examination, which will form a material prerequisite condition to the execution and/or maintenance of the Service Provider Agreement;
iii) maintains their accreditation and qualification to be appointed and perform under the terms and conditions of the Service Provider Agreement, by attending each and every session of the compulsory two (2) days Annual Conference, which includes a refresher course;
iv) performs to the standard of the Agreement and as may be instructed by the TGCSA and to the satisfaction of the TGCSA objectives and brand during the twelve (12) months preceding their objectively adjudicated Performance Appraisal. The Performance Appraisal will be done no later than the 30th day of September of each calendar year, unless specifically and expressly agreed otherwise between the Parties; and
v) agrees and commits to a suspensive condition that the Agreement between the Parties only remains effective and enforceable, if they will act or will continue to act principally as an ad hoc independent service provider and brand representative of the TGCSA, yet fully self – employed.
(b) For how long has these grading companies been used in the past three financial years
For fiscal year 2020/21 until 2022/2023 we had a total of forty-seven (47) Grading Assessors.
There are currently forty-three (43) Assessors contracted to TGCSA, who have been conducting assessments since the 1st of April 2023.
(2) (a) What criterion is used to appoint these companies to grade establishments
During the recruitment process, the following are requirements for individuals wishing to be considered for the role of Independent Grading Assessor:
- A post-matric qualification in Tourism, Hospitality, or Quality Management;
- Previous quality grading experience in tourism and accommodation products would be an advantage but not strictly necessary;
- Sales and / or marketing experience;
- Tourist/guest experience in tourism accommodation establishments;
- Excellent computer literacy; and
- Proven ability to operate independently for extended periods, without close supervision.
Personal qualities required are as follows:
- High energy levels
- Excellent communication skills
- Business acumen
- High levels of personal grooming and presentation
- Strong attention to detail and an investigative nature
- Self-motivation and the ability to balance the demands of work priorities
- Excellent time management skills
- The ability to work as part of the team and to build strong relationships with wide range of people
- Good planning and organisational skills
- Highly professional and presentable at all times
- A “can do”/ passionate attitude.
It is important that Assessors have their own laptop, internet connection, mobile phone, and are mobile and have the ability to travel around the area / province where they will conduct assessments.
Upon being shortlisted for the role, they undertake training and are requested to submit a portfolio of evidence, achieving a 80% pass mark.
(b) On what basis do these companies grade establishments
To process establishments through the grading process in an accurate, credible and professional manner, the TGCSA utilizes an IT system called Total Quality in Tourism (TQiT).
The TGCSA also has key quality control measures that have been introduced. This role that is played by the Provincial Quality Assurance Specialist (PQAS) whose main function is to ensure that the submissions from the Assessors meet all quality requirements and that there is no compromise on credibility in the submission process.
Assessors are self-employed entrepreneurs that are paid a commission of the grading fee paid by the establishment to be assessed.
The current structure is as follows, as stipulated in the negotiated Service Provider Agreement with all Assessors:
(3) What amount of the funds paid by establishments to be graded is paid to
(a) The department
No funds are paid to the department by graded establishments as it is paid to TGCSA.
(b) what amount of the funds paid by establishments to be graded is paid to the TGCSA
The TGCSA relies on the grading fees paid by establishments to recover the costs of the actual quality assessments conducted on site.
(c) what total amount of grading funds has her department earned in the past five financial years as compared to the TGCSA
None / Not applicable
01 December 2023 - NW3888
De Freitas, Mr MS to ask the Minister of Tourism
With regard to forensic audits undertaken by her department (a) in the past three financial years and (b) since 1 April 2023, (i) which audits have been (aa) initiated and (bb) concluded in each month, (ii) what were the outcomes of each audit, (iii) what was the monetary value of each audit, (iv) what was the nature of each audit, (v) who conducted the audits in each case and (vi) what was the outcome of each audit in each case?
Reply:
The Department put in a request to the Portfolio Committee on Tourism to present these details at a closed session, given the sensitivity of the matters as some of these are currently before the police and in courts in some cases.
The BRRR report, dated 20 October 2023, and tabled in Parliament on the same date (ATC no. 142) states on page 13:
“The guidance from the minister and the deputy Minister was that the Committee may consider having a closed session. The Committee agreed to a closed session meeting which was scheduled but had to be postponed. A new date for the meeting has not been received.”
We are currently awaiting the Portfolio Committee to arrange the meeting.
01 December 2023 - NW4047
De Freitas, Mr MS to ask the Minister of Tourism
(a) How was the decision reached to launch the tourism marketing campaign valued at over R30 million involving a certain person (details furnished), (b) what had been (i) budgeted for and (ii) spent on this campaign?
Reply:
(a)– (b) (i & ii)
This was not a decision by government and the value of the campaign is not R30 million.
The budget came from the private sector.
The tourism marketing campaign with Comedian Trevor Noah, referred to, is the initiative of the private sector and was launched by Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA) and Tourism Marketing South Africa (TOMSA).
30 November 2023 - NW3933
Bagraim, Mr M to ask the Minister of Basic Education
Whether (a) she, (b) the Deputy Minister and (c) any other official in her department attended the Rugby World Cup final in France in October 2023; if not; what is the position in this regard; if so, what (i) are the relevant details of each person in her department who attended the Rugby World Cup, (ii) is the total number of such persons and (iii) were the total costs of (aa) travel, (bb) accommodation and (cc) any other related costs that were incurred by her department as a result of the trip(s)?
Reply:
Neither the Hon Minister and the Hon Deputy Minister, nor any other official in the Department of Basic Education, attended the Rugby World Cup final in France in October 2023.
30 November 2023 - NW3144
Manyi, Mr M to ask the President of the Republic
What total amount has The Presidency spent in legal costs for all the legal matters where the President of the Republic has been cited as either (a) an applicant and (b) a first respondent since 15 February 2018?
Reply:
The following are the total amounts that the Presidency spent in legal costs for all legal matters since 15 February 2018 where:
(a) The President was the Applicant: R9 097 904.05
(b) The President was the first Respondent: R23 065 362.88
30 November 2023 - NW3659
Steenhuisen, Mr JH to ask the President of the Republic
(a) What progress has he made, since the finalisation of the Report by the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into State Capture, Corruption and Fraud in the Public Sector including Organs of State (the Commission), with the implementation plan to deal with the findings against (i) members of his Cabinet and (ii) other office-bearers in the Executive and (b) why did he appoint the specified office bearers in his Executive despite the findings of the Commission?
Reply:
As stated in my response to the recommendations of the State Capture Commission submitted to Parliament on 22 October 2022, the Presidency referred all recommendations with respect to criminal investigations, possible prosecution and/or other actions to each of the entities to which recommendations were directed. This was so that the relevant entities may act on the recommendations in line with their respective mandates.
Any actions taken by the President with respect to members of the executive about whom the Commission made findings and recommendations will be informed by the outcomes of the processes undertaken by the relevant entities.
29 November 2023 - NW3789
Smalle, Mr JF to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
(1)In light of the fact that water safety plans require municipalities to be measured on their compliance with microbiological and chemical content regulations, which municipalities did not comply with the prescribed (a) biological and (b) chemical regulations in the past three financial years; (2) whether his department has put in place (a) funds and (b) plans to address the matter; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
(1) Risk management processes to manage water supply systems effectively were introduced by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2004 and described as Water Safety Planning. A Water Safety Plan is a plan to ensure the safety of drinking water through the use of a comprehensive risk assessment and risk management approach that encompasses all steps in water supply from catchment to consumer.
In South Africa, the Water Safety Plan is a requirement for Blue Drop Certification (incentive-based regulation) and is also a critical component of drinking water management. The development of water safety plans is not yet a regulatory requirement in the norms and standards under the Water Services Act. The current Regulations relating to compulsory national standards and measures to conserve water (Regulation 509 of 8 June 2001) require Water Services Authorities to develop and implement a suitable programme of sampling and for which substances and determinants in the water will be tested. These results are tested in terms of the South African National Standards 241 (SANS 241). Should the results indicate that the water supplied poses a health risk, the water services institution must inform the Director-General of the Department of Water and Sanitation and the Head of the relevant Provincial Department of Health. Furthermore, steps must be taken to inform consumers of the health risks, the reasons for the health risk, precautions that should be taken and the time frames if any, within which it may be expected that water that complies with SANS 241 will be provided.
In terms of the South African National Standards mentioned above, risk assessment requires that a municipality must monitor all the parameters listed in SANS 241 to ensure that risk identification is confirmed through scientific methods in the quality of water abstracted and produced as a measure to monitor risk minimisation. Thus, all drinking water systems in the country are obliged to comply with SANS 241 requirements as opposed to water safety planning principles.
(a-b) Water Services Authorities which did not comply with both microbiological and chemical quality as prescribed by SANS 241 in the past three years are listed in the table below. However, it should be noted that where the quality of compliance category reflects 0.00%, it should be interpreted as “No data submission” during the financial period, for either microbiological or chemical results to the Department.
Water Services Authority |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
|||
Municipality |
Micro-biological |
Chemical |
Micro-biological |
Chemical |
Micro-biological |
Chemical |
Blue Crane Route LM |
NC |
0,00% |
C |
C |
NC |
C |
Dr Beyers Naude LM |
C |
C |
C |
0,00% |
C |
0,00% |
Joe Gqabi DM |
C |
C |
C |
C |
C |
0,00% |
Kouga LM |
C |
0,00% |
C |
C |
C |
0,00% |
Kou-Kamma LM |
NC |
C |
0,00% |
0,00% |
NC |
C |
Makana LM |
C |
C |
C |
C |
NC |
C |
Ndlambe LM |
C |
C |
C |
C |
C |
0,00% |
Sunday`s River Valley LM |
NC |
0,00% |
C |
0,00% |
NC |
0,00% |
Dihlabeng LM |
C |
C |
C |
C |
NC |
C |
Kopanong LM |
C |
0,00% |
C |
0,00% |
0,00% |
0,00% |
Mafube LM |
0,00% |
0,00% |
0,00% |
0,00% |
0,00% |
0,00% |
Maluti a Phofung LM |
0,00% |
0,00% |
0,00% |
0,00% |
0,00% |
0,00% |
Masilonyana LM |
C |
C |
NC |
C |
0,00% |
0,00% |
Matjhabeng LM |
0,00% |
0,00% |
0,00% |
0,00% |
C |
C |
Mohokare LM |
NC |
C |
C |
C |
C |
C |
Moqhaka LM |
NC |
C |
NC |
C |
C |
C |
Nala LM |
C |
0,00% |
C |
0,00% |
C |
0,00% |
Nketoana LM |
C |
C |
C |
C |
0,00% |
0,00% |
Tokologo LM |
0,00% |
0,00% |
NC |
0,00% |
0,00% |
0,00% |
Harry Gwala DM |
C |
C |
NC |
C |
NC |
C |
Capricorn DM |
C |
NC |
C |
C |
C |
C |
Modimolle / Mookgophong |
C |
C |
0,00% |
0,00% |
C |
C |
Mogalakwena LM |
NC |
0,00% |
NC |
C |
NC |
C |
Thabazimbi LM |
0,00% |
0,00% |
0,00% |
0,00% |
0,00% |
0,00% |
Albert Luthuli LM |
NC |
C |
NC |
C |
NC |
C |
Dipaleseng LM |
0,00% |
0,00% |
0,00% |
0,00% |
0,00% |
0,00% |
Dr JS Moroka LM |
C |
C |
NC |
C |
C |
C |
Emakhazeni LM |
C |
0,00% |
NC |
0,00% |
NC |
0,00% |
Lekwa LM |
NC |
C |
NC |
C |
NC |
C |
Msukaligwa LM |
NC |
C |
NC |
C |
NC |
C |
Nkomazi LM |
C |
C |
NC |
C |
NC |
C |
Pixley Ka Seme LM |
NC |
C |
NC |
C |
NC |
C |
Thaba Chweu LM |
0,00% |
0,00% |
0,00% |
0,00% |
0,00% |
C |
Thembisile LM |
C |
C |
C |
C |
NC |
C |
Dr. Ruth S Mompati DM |
C |
C |
NC |
C |
0,00% |
0,00% |
Maquassi Hills LM |
0,00% |
0,00% |
0,00% |
0,00% |
0,00% |
0,00% |
Moretele LM |
0,00% |
C |
0,00% |
0,00% |
C |
C |
Ngaka Modiri Molema DM |
C |
C |
NC |
C |
NC |
C |
!Kai! Garib LM |
C |
C |
C |
C |
NC |
C |
Dikgatlong LM |
C |
0,00% |
C |
0,00% |
0,00% |
0,00% |
Emthanjeni LM |
NC |
0,00% |
NC |
0,00% |
0,00% |
0,00% |
Gamagara LM |
C |
C |
NC |
C |
0,00 |
0,00% |
Joe Morolong LM |
NC |
C |
0,00% |
0,00% |
C |
C |
Kamiesberg LM |
NC |
0,00% |
NC |
0,00% |
NC |
0,00% |
Khai-Ma LM |
0,00% |
0,00% |
0,00% |
0,00% |
0,00% |
0,00% |
Magareng LM |
C |
0,00% |
NC |
0,00% |
C |
0,00% |
Phokwane LM |
C |
C |
NC |
C |
C |
C |
Renosterberg LM |
C |
0,00% |
0,00% |
0,00% |
C |
0,00% |
Richtersveld LM |
C |
0,00% |
C |
0,00% |
NC |
0,00% |
Siyancuma LM |
C |
C |
NC |
C |
NC |
C |
Siyathemba LM |
C |
C |
C |
C |
NC |
C |
Tsantsabane LM |
C |
NC |
C |
NC |
0,00% |
0,00% |
Umsobomvu LM |
NC |
0,00% |
C |
0,00% |
C |
0,00% |
Kannaland LM |
C |
0,00% |
NC |
0,00% |
C |
0,00% |
Laingsburg LM |
C |
C |
C |
C |
NC |
C |
Langeberg LM |
C |
C |
C |
C |
NC |
C |
Key: |
DM - District Municipality |
NC - Non-Compliant |
||||
LM – Local Municipality |
0.00% - no data submission |
C - Compliant |
(2) The Department has recommenced with the Blue Drop Certification Programme to intensify regulation and monitoring of the municipalities and ensure that all municipalities are assessed on all regulatory requirements. The intention is for municipalities to put mechanisms in place to improve compliance to microbiological and chemical requirements as prescribed by SANS 241. As a result, the Department realised some improvement of the drinking water quality management within the municipalities as far as compliance and data submission. With improved monitoring, more municipalities will ultimately improve on both microbiological and chemical compliance as required by the relevant regulation.
The water services reform process currently underway includes the review of the Water Services Act which will provide explicit regulation of drinking water quality as well as administrative enforcement powers similar to those outlined in the National Water Act. The offences under the Water Services Act will also be broadened to include failure to adhere to norms and standards. Lastly, the proposed introduction of licensing of water services providers will progressively ensure the improvement of water services provision against the norms and standards. The revision of the norms and standards as will include water safety plans and will be aligned to the amendments being made to the SANS 241.
The Department is assisting some of the worst performing municipalities with water safety planning and these activities are being undertaken in collaboration with the South African Local Government Association and the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agency.
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29 November 2023 - NW3807
Buthelezi, Ms SA to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
(1)What is the total number of court cases in which his department is a (a) plaintiff and (b) defendant in each province from 2019 until the latest specified date for which information is available; (2) what total amount has his department spent on the specified litigious efforts in the specified period?
Reply:
1. The table below summarises the number of matters per year, per province over the 2019 – 2023 period, wherein the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) was a Plaintiff or a Defendant:
PROVINCE |
DWS AS PLAINTIFF |
DWS AS DEFENDANT |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
Gauteng |
4 |
18 |
7 |
1 |
3 |
5 |
2 |
Limpopo |
- |
3 |
- |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Mpumalanga |
- |
3 |
- |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
KZN |
1 |
6 |
1 |
2 |
- |
2 |
1 |
Free State |
- |
3 |
- |
- |
- |
2 |
1 |
North -West |
- |
4 |
1 |
1 |
- |
2 |
|
Western Cape |
- |
5 |
- |
- |
1 |
2 |
2 |
Eastern Cape |
- |
5 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
Total |
5 |
47 |
10 |
7 |
7 |
14 |
9 |
2. The DWS has reimbursed the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development approximately R3.5 million for the 2019-2023 period. The amount of R3.5 million is mostly occasioned where the Department is the Plaintiff, as instances in which the Department is cited as defendant include a number of matters which are purposed to interrupt prescription and there is no further action from the plaintiff against the Department, whereas in other instances the Department is cited as an interested party in an oversight capacity (Section 47 of the Water Services Act, Act 107 of 1997 and Section 68 of the National Water Act, Act 36 of 1998).
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29 November 2023 - NW3957
Bond, Mr M to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
Whether (a) he, (b) the Deputy Minister and (c) any other official in his department attended the Rugby World Cup final in France in October 2023; if not; what is the position in this regard; if so, what (i) are the relevant details of each person in his department who attended the Rugby World Cup, (ii) is the total number of such persons and (iii) were the total costs of (aa) travel, (bb) accommodation and (cc) any other related costs that were incurred by his department as a result of the trip(s)?
Reply:
There were no costs nor other related costs that were incurred by the department in relation to the Rugby World Cup final in France.
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29 November 2023 - NW3210
Weber, Ms AMM to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
(1)Whether, with reference to the two wash plants dams in the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality (details furnished) that are not operational, leading to the polluted water of the wash plants to regularly flow into the freshwater stream and then into the Klein Olifants River, the Groot Olifants River and finally into the Loskop dam (details furnished), she intends to investigate the reasons that the (a) polluted coal water of the two specified wash plants is flowing twice a day at 10:00 and 16:00 into the fresh water of the Spookspruit which flows into the Klein Olifants River, the Groot Olifants River and ends up in Loskopdam and (b) wash plants use a truck 13 times a day to fetch 18 000 litres of water per take, from the freshwater stream to wash the coal; if not, why not in each case; if so, what are the relevant details in this regard; (2) whether he will furnish Ms A M M Weber with the water user licence for both wash plants (details furnished); if not, why not; if so, on what date?
Reply:
1. Beethoven Investments has two wash plant dams that are not currently operational. The polluted water from the wash plant runs regularly into the “spook spruit” freshwater stream and then flows into the Klein Olifants River, the Groot Olifants River and finally into the Loskop dam. This is in contravention of Section 151 of the National Water Act in relation to polluting or causing harm to a water resource.
a) The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) received a complaint regarding pollution at Spookspruit and conducted an investigation on 23 January 2023. Following the findings of the investigation, DWS issued a Notice of intention to issue a Directive in terms of Sections 19(3) and 53(1) of the National Water Act to Beethoven Organics (Pty) Ltd (IPC beneficiary Pty Ltd). Beethoven Organics submitted an action plan to DWS indicating steps to be taken to remedy the pollution incident. A follow up inspection was conducted on 24 October 2023. The findings were as follows:
- The facility is authorized to take water from a borehole; however it was indicated by the facility representative that their borehole dried up and is therefore no longer in use. It was further indicated that Beethoven Organics (Pty) Ltd buys water from the neighboring mine that has a borehole. DWS officials requested Beethoven Organics to submit proof of service level agreement and borehole meter readings indicating the volume of water supplied by the mine to Beethoven.
- The facility representative, Mr Gert Swanepoel, indicated that they have one water bowser with the capacity of 15000 liters that is used to fetch water from the Pollution Control Dam (PCD) situated at Beethoven Organics (Pty) Ltd wash plant to be used for dust suppression.
b) The Department conducted inspection at Beethoven Organics and an investigation into the above allegations against Beethoven Investment on 24 October 2023 to further engage with the mine. The findings were as follows:
- The officials from DWS observed the said water Bowser with registration number KLV 396 MP conducting dust suppression on the road leading to the site. During the investigation, DWS officials could not find any evidence to support the allegation that water is being abstracted from the Spookspruit River using a Bowser for use in the coal washing plant.
- DWS officials further observed that the Coal Wash Plant Equipment has been set up on site but is not operational. The activities observed on site was coal stockpiling and blending. The facility is authorized for the activities currently taking place.
2. Beethoven has taken over from IPC Beneficiation (Pty) Ltd and operating with their Water Use Licence. The Department has communicated with Beethoven to change the Company Name on the Water Use Licence and to register their water uses. (See attached annexures A-C)
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29 November 2023 - NW3748
Thembekwayo, Dr S to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
Whether he has been informed that residents of Mamelodi in Tshwane, have not had access to water for three days, with no warning and/or provisions made following the water cut; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The City of Tshwane issued a media alert on 3rd November 2023 regarding the unplanned water supply interruptions that effected Mamelodi amongst other areas nearby.
The City of Tshwane’s Water and Sanitation Department Team of plumbers attended to a major leak on the bulk pipeline which supplies Mamelodi R3 and R4 Reservoirs. During repairs, water tankers were arranged to service customers in the affected areas.
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29 November 2023 - NW3752
Mohlala, Ms MR to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
Whether his department intends to take immediate and robust measures to assist with sustainable and uninterrupted water supply to the residents of Polokwane, who have had challenges to access basic water services; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
MINISTER OF WATER AND SANITATION
The Polokwane Local Municipality (LM) receives daily water supply from the Ebenezer Water Treatment Works (WTW), Olifantspoort WTW and Dalmada WTW. The Ebenezer and Olifantspoort WTWs are operated by Lepelle Northern Water (LNW) while Dalmada WTW is operated by the municipality. The Polokwane LM is also operating about 53 boreholes around Polokwane City and Seshego to augment the water supply. For an estimated twelve months, the reservoirs supplying Polokwane have not been able to fill up to capacity, mostly averaging 30%.
The WTWs and associated infrastructure are not operating to full capacity due to challenges which include electricity supply challenges, frequent pipe bursts because of dilapidated asbestos pipelines that must be replaced and faulty pumpstations. The Greater Tzaneen Local Municipality is implementing a project to upgrade the power lines which started by July 2023 and was planned for completion in December 2023. While the project is ongoing, the GTLM cuts electricity supply to Ebenezer Plant from 6 am to 12 pm on week days. This down time results in water supply interruptions to the Polokwane City and Mankweng Area. This has resulted in water supply interruptions which have affected the town of Polokwane including Bendor, Serala view, Flora Park, Fauna Park. Sterk Park, Moregloed, Nirvana, Ivy Park Polokwane Extentions and Seshego (1,2,3,4,5,6,7 and 8).
The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has provided financial support for development of ground water to augment water supply in Polokwane. The project cost is estimated to be R861 million through the Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant (RBIG). The Polokwane LM will co-fund the project R177 million through its internal funding. The project is under construction with overall progress of 95% and anticipated to be completed by June 2024. The scope of the project includes groundwater development in various wellfields around Polokwane (69 boreholes); construction of Sand River North and Seshego WTWs and associated bulk infrastructure for water conveyance.
The DWS is also funding the Ebenezer and Olifantspoort Bulk Water Supply project implemented by Lepelle Northern Water (LNW). The project is funded through blended funding including RBIG, Budget Facility for Infrastructure (BFI) and commercial funding to be facilitated by LNW with assistance of the Infrastructure Fund (IF). The project scope includes refurbishing of existing infrastructure in the Ebenezar and Olifantspoort schemes to restore capacity. The next phase of the project will be focused on upgrading the capacity of the WTWs to meet the future demand for water.
LNW appointed the contractors in November 2023. Construction is expected to start in the January 2024. The refurbishment will ensure maximum efficiency of the existing infrastructure and improve water supply to Polokwane by limiting downtime on the schemes due challenges indicated above. The refurbishment phase is expected to be completed by July 2026 with estimated project cost of R4.5 billion.
The project to upgrade infrastructure is intended to increase water provision to Polokwane form 144Ml/d to 180Ml/d and ultimately to 270Ml/d to meet future demand for water. The projects will commence once all planning processes are concluded, and all financial sources are secured to cover the overall project cost. The Department has already granted LNW water use licence of additional 90 Ml/d to cater for the upgrade of the Olifantspoort WTW as part of planning process for scheme upgrade. LNW is in the process of acquiring the servitudes which is required for approval of the IRS by end of the 2023/24 financial year.
The DWS is currently processing the IRS for the replacement of 2,2 km of the raw water pipeline which will restore the supply of raw water to 18 Ml/d at the Dalmada WTW. The project also involves the upgrade of the Dap Naude booster pump station to deliver 21 Ml/day; construction of a new 21Ml/day in-line booster pump station at Kopje Alleen; refurbishment and upgrade of the Dalmada Water Treatment Works to a capacity of 21 Ml/day. The cost of the project is estimated at R77 million.
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28 November 2023 - NW3882
Siwisa, Ms AM to ask the Minister of Basic Education
Whether her department maintains a record of temporary educators on its system; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what total number of temporary educators are on department’s system, excluding educators who are in relief posts and who fill in for an educator who is on maternity leave and/or on leave for medical reasons?
Reply:
The Department monitors the appointment of educators through the PERSAL records received on a monthly basis as part of monitoring the trends in the nature of appointment of educators. The latest information is as at the end of October 2023. The table below shows the number of educators appointed who were appointed in temporary capacities as at the end of October 2023. The number excludes those that are in substitute posts.
Province |
Number of Educators |
EASTERN CAPE |
493 |
FREE STATE |
1 155 |
GAUTENG |
5 520 |
KWAZULU/NATAL |
1 698 |
LIMPOPO PROVINCE |
313 |
MPUMALANGA |
1 178 |
NORTH WEST |
2 807 |
NORTHERN CAPE |
1 883 |
WESTERN CAPE |
8 244 |
Grand Total |
23 291 |
28 November 2023 - NW3927
Van Der Walt, Ms D to ask the Minister of Basic Education
Whether (a) she, (b) the Deputy Minister and (c) any specified officials have been issued with a government or official credit cards since 1 April 2019; if so, what are the relevant details in respect of (i) the name of the cardholder, (ii) job title, (iii) credit limit, (iv) outstanding amount as at the latest specified date for which information is available, (v) monthly expenses incurred for each year since 2019, (vi) reason for such persons being issued with a credit card and (vii) uses that such a credit card is intended for?
Reply:
The Department has not issued a government or official credit card to the (a) Minister, (b) Deputy Minister or (c) any other official since 1 April 2019. Therefore the resultant responses are as follows:
(i) N/A
(ii) N/A
(iii) N/A
(iv) N/A
(v) N/A
(vi) N/A
(vii) N/A
28 November 2023 - NW3928
Van Der Walt, Ms D to ask the Minister of Basic Education
What is the current total number of (a) classrooms for and (b) learners in (i) Grade R and (ii) Grades 1 to 12 in each province as at the latest specified date for which information is available?
Reply:
(a) The question by the Honourable Member falls under purview of the MECs, not the Department of Basic Education.
Response to question b (i)(ii) is below:
Table 1: Number of learners in ordinary schools, by grade and province, in 2023
Table 2: Number of learners in special schools by grade and province, in 2023