Questions and Replies

Reply:

No. The Department of Agriculture Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) did not receive any reports through the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities regarding the abuse of human rights. However, DALRRD received seven eviction cases and one denial of burial rights case in the areas of Emakhazeni Local Municipality, in Mpumalanga. All these cases were referred to Legal Aid SA who took over the legal representation for people faced with eviction and or land rights violations:

Property Description	Parties to the Dispute	Type of Land Rights Violations	Departmental Intervention
Winnarspoort 350 JT	Mxolisi Zulu vs Teal Trout cc	Eviction proceedings in Court.	Appointed legal representative through Land Rights Management Facility (LRMF).
Portion 2 of the farm De Roodekop 350 JS	Welhemina Nomsa Zimu vs Nico Snyman	Eviction proceedings in Court.	Appointed legal representative through Land Rights Management Facility (LRMF).
Portion 10 of the farm Leeuwbank 427 JS	Sindane vs EXARRO	Eviction proceedings in court.	Appointed legal representative through Land Rights Management Facility (LRMF).
Portion 11 of the farm Farrafontein 349 JT	Kgagare vs Grant Roberts	Constructive Eviction.	Appointed legal representative through Land Rights Management Facility (LRMF).
Portion 1, 5, 16 of the farm Schoongezicht 364 JT and portion 18 of the farm Rietvlei 375 JT	Shongwe Family vs Botha	Eviction proceedings in court.	Appointed legal representative through Land Rights Management Facility (LRMF).
Remaining Extent of Portion 4 & 20 of the farm Schoonspruit 342 JT and Portion 61 of the farm Geluk 348 JT	Timani cc vs Dorricca Mashigo	Eviction case.	Upon receipt of this matter, our internal investigation discovered that Remaining Extent of Portion 4 and Portion 20 of the farm Schoonspruit 342 JT are privately owned by Timani cc and Portion 61 of the farm Geluk 348 JT is state land administered by the National Department of Public Works. Further investigations indicatesthat there was an eviction court order dated 14 November 2014 and DALRRD together with Legal Aid South Africa (LASA) will further investigate this matter for legal representation if necessary.
Portion 16 of the farm Farrafontein 349 JT	Annah Mthombeni vs Tambolt Farm cc	Refusal/Denial of burial; Denial of access to farm; Access to drinking water.	Appointed legal representative through Land Rights Management Facility (LRMF).

Reply:

(1) The Committee referred to was appointed by the Minister of Public Works in terms of the Land Titles Adjustments Act, 1979 (Act No. 68 of 1979) which has since been repealed and replaced with the Land Titles Adjustments Act, 1993 (Act No. 111 of 1993). In terms of the latter Act, the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development may appoint a title adjustment commissioner in respect of one or more pieces of designated land to deal with the land in accordance with the provisions of Act 111 of 1993. The Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development has no obligation to address the status of the committee established by the Minister of Public Works in terms of the now repealed Act.

(2),(3) Falls Away.

Reply:

a) The total number of new projects across all provinces for the period 2022/23 financial year to date:

PROVINCE	Number
Eastern Cape	12
Free State	7
Gauteng	73
KwaZulu-Natal	94
Limpopo	184
Mpumalanga	133
Northern Cape	10
North West	8
Western Cape	33
TOTAL	554

b) Name of each specific housing project is attached as Annexure 1.

c) Amount spent on each housing project is attached as Annexure 1.

d) Municipalities where the housing projects are located are attached as Annexure 1.

Reply:

I have been advised that:

a) The Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) has not undertaken an in-depth analysis of the potential job losses and economic dislocations caused by the failure of municipalities to pay service providers within the prescribed 30 days payment period.

However, the Department has prioritised the research and investigations to assess a broader structural impediment faced by Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) and Co-operatives relating to:

• Access to finance.
• Non-financial support from Government and Private sector.
• Legal impediments to SMME and Co-operatives development; and
• Access to Markets.

In addition to the above and emanating from an investigation into regulatory impediment affecting SMMEs, DSBD is to engage with National Treasury on improving monitoring, reporting, enforcement and consequence management. National Treasury has set up an email, [email protected] for service providers to register complaints payments older than 30 days. DSBD is to increase awareness of this platform to SMMEs through its Red Tape Reduction Programme at the Provincial and Municipality levels. DSBD further intends to investigate the possibility of expanding the current Innovation Bridge Portal project to include a platform for registration of complaints on adherence to the 30-day payment period commitment of Government to SMMEs.

The Department has recently introduced the National Small Enterprise Amendment Bill to Parliament, which is currently out for Public Hearings, this Bill aims to remedy the lack of effective and affordable access to a justice mechanism for small enterprises in instances of business to business disputes or non-payment of enterprises on time. The establishment of an Ombud Service will bring justice in this instance for SMMEs without them incurring costs.

b) These are part of a holistic Research Agenda for the 3-year cycle (2023/2026) to advance the development, job creation and job preservation for those SMMEs and Co-operatives that are still battling under the current economic strains and loadshedding. It is expected that two (2) studies, (1) Sector Specific support: challenges and opportunities and (2) Market Access: Demand for Goods and services post Covid-19, will be completed by the end of the 2023/2024 financial year. These will provide the Department with the basis for evidence driven interventions to support SMMEs and Co-operatives.

The work on Red Tape Reduction with the Provincial and Local governments ongoing with Provincial Task Teams set in place to raise awareness on the Red Tape Reduction commitment made by the President to improve the operating environment of Government and its stakeholders. It is expected that these interventions and investigations will provide the Department with leverage to engage municipalities to address the issues of non-payment and other non-financial impediments faced by SMMEs and Co-operatives.

Reply:

I have been advised that:

a) The following is an account of the interventions by the Department of Small Business Development (DSBD):

Trainings and workshops were provided in rural areas to 109 and 323 in the financial years 2023/24 (quarter 1) and 2022/23 respectively to co-operatives as part of non-financial support. The workshops focused on awareness campaign on the Co-operatives Development Support Programme (CDSP) and training on cooperative governance.

In order to popularise the CSDP, the Directorate plans to organise/facilitate/host a number of awareness /outreach campaigns across the nine provinces of the country. These campaigns also provide a platform for other stakeholders to make presentations on their product offerings, contributing to non-financial support. The table (attached as Annexure A) illustrates number of co-operatives attended presentation per province.

The implementation of amended CDSP guideline by the Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda) increase financial support of co-operatives. With implementation gaining momentum, indeed more resources will be invested.

b) The DSBD, together with its agencies, Seda and the Small Enterprise Finance Agency (sefa), seek to assist co-operatives enterprises financially and non-financially. Seda, moving forward will be the lead Department for the implementation of CSDP, a financial support programme of the DSBD with an objective to support co-operative enterprises. Before CDSP was implemented through the agency, there was a Co-operative Incentive Scheme (CIS) that was managed at the Departmental and the approach was 90/10 to 100% grant then. Currently CDSP is administered by sefa as a blended finance of 70% (Grant) and 30% (Loan) for the past two financial years (2020/21 and 2021/22 financial years). To date no disbursement has been made due to sefa application process and requirements e.g., verification of members credit records, FICA documents etc.

In partnership with Seda, the CDSP programme to offer support to various categories to eligible co-operatives. Currently funding is limited to R2,500,000 (across the various categories). CDSP guideline has since been amended and the following are the proposed funding components to the various categories:

1. Category A: Start-up Co-operatives: Maximum funding of R1 500 000 per applicant.
2. Category B: Expansion Co-operatives: Maximum funding of R2 500 000 per applicant.
3. Category C: Secondary/Cluster Co-operatives: R5 000 000 per applicant.

The implementation of amended CDSP guideline by Seda increase financial support of co-operatives. With implementation gaining momentum, indeed more resources will be invested.

Reply:

1. We have several Collective Management Organisations (CMOs) in South Africa, and all were established to represent their members on matters of management of their rights. The names of these CMOs are.

• 1. South African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO), which collects royalties on behalf of composers and authors (music creators).
  2. South African Music Performance Rights Association (SAMPRA) – collecting needle time royalties on behalf of recording artists and record labels.
  3. Recording Industry of South Africa (RISA) - collecting royalties for Audio Visual (RAV).
  4. Dramatic, Artistic and Literary Rights Organisation (DALRO) – responsible for licensing the use of published dramatic, artistic, and literary copyrighted works and distributing royalties.
  5. Composers, Authors, and Publishers Association (CAPASSO) – collecting mechanical rights on behalf of composers, authors, and music publishers.
  6. Association of Independent Record Companies (AIRCO) - collecting royalties for Audio Visual (RAV) on behalf of independent record companies; and
  7. Independent Music Performance Rights Association (IMPRA) – collecting needle time royalties for performers and independent record labels.

2. We do not have records or any information regarding cash holdings available for distribution to members that was made from the 1999 fiscal year up to and including the current fiscal year. You will appreciate that these organisations are independent structures reporting and/or accountable to their members in the main. Only two of these structures (SAMPRA and IMPRA) are required by the law to also account for the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) which is under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Competition. The current developments relating to the copyright amendment are proposing that all CMOs be accredited by the CIPC, and this process will allow all CMOs to account for the CIPC. We trust that this progressive Bill will be signed into law very soon.

Having said that, the customary practice is that unclaimed funds would normally be transferred into a separate account for a certain period normally for two or three years while searching for the rightful owners. The practice of holding undistributed money in a separate account until rightful owners come forward is a common global practice. If unclaimed, it is reallocated for distribution. The approach is designed to ensure that funds are safeguarded, and rightful recipients can claim what is owed to them. To simplify this, the approach is like the system adopted by the National Lottery, which is known for its transparent and fair distribution of unclaimed funds. In this regard, CMO organisations

can maintain accountability and avoid any misallocation or misuse of these resources. The system also provides a safety net for individuals or entities who may have overlooked or not yet claimed their entitlements.

3. Since taking office, I have engaged with various stakeholders, but notably, this has not extended to CMOs. The reason for this includes factors like the need for prioritisation of the stakeholder meetings given the demands on the ground and the fact that the government is already busy providing a comprehensive approach that will deal with royalty collection and distribution by amending the Copyright Act, a matter that has been welcomed by these CMOs and their respective members. Nevertheless, I acknowledge the importance of dialogues with CMOs and remain open to future engagements especially when unattended matters surface.

THANK YOU

Reply:

(a)The total number of Temporary Relocation Units (TRUs) that have been constructed in each temporary housing project is 774. The breakdown of the project is as follows:

 

Housing Project	Number of TRUs constructed	Total cost of TRUs	Suppliers of TRUs
Mdantsane – Erven 81,82, 87 & 88	462 units	R29 771 742.00	The Provincial Department of Human Settlements appointed the Housing Development Agency (HDA) as the implementing agent. The contractor appointed for the project is NJR Construction and the consultant is M Kona Consultants.
Fynbos TRUs	147 units	R7 728 000.00 (inclusive of VAT) The first quotation received from Vitsha PM Consultants R6 325 000.00 (VAT inclusive) The second quotation received from SQT Construction and Civils	The Provincial Department of Human Settlements appointed Vitsha PM Consultants and SQT Construction and Civils.
Duncan Village (fire victims)	165 units	R9 031 375.65 (inclusive of VAT)	Sekhekhaya Enterprise was appointed by the Provincial Department of Human Settlements.

Reply:

Hon. Ngcobo, there is a Department that is known as Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA). It is the DPSA that may have the information that you are looking for. Information on all Government officials and all the departmets are collected and collated by the DPSA. My genuine and sincere advice is that kindly consider asking this question to DPSA.

Reply:

(a) The full relevant details of all persons who were issued with diplomatic passports may not be divulged in terms of the following:

Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996;

South African Passports and Travel Documents Act, No. 04 of 1994;

Identification Act, No. 68 of 1997;

Promotion of Access to Information Act, No. 02 of 2000;

Protection of Personal Information Act, No 04 of 2013;

South African Passport and Travel Documents Regulations, 1996;

Intelligence Services Act, 2002 (Act No 65 of 2002)

Intelligence Services Oversight Act, 1994 (Act No 40 of 1994)

(b) The full relevant details of all persons who were issued with diplomatic passports may not be divulged in terms of the following:

Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996;

South African Passports and Travel Documents Act, No. 04 of 1994;

Identification Act, No. 68 of 1997;

Promotion of Access to Information Act, No. 02 of 2000;

Protection of Personal Information Act, No 04 of 2013;

South African Passport and Travel Documents Regulations, 1996;

Intelligence Services Act, 2002 (Act No 65 of 2002)

Intelligence Services Oversight Act, 1994 (Act No 40 of 1994)

Reply:

COMPILER DETAILS

NAME AND SURNAME:

CONTACT:

RECOMMENDATION

It is recommended that the Director-General sign Parliamentary Question 3268.

DR N SISHI

DIRECTOR–GENERAL: HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

DATE:

PARLIAMENTARY REPLY 3268 IS APPROVED / NOT APPROVED / AMENDED.

COMMENT/S

DR BE NZIMANDE, MP

MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND INNOVATION

DATE:

Reply:

I have been advised that;

aThe key lessons learnt by the Department Small Business Development (DSBD) from the COVID-19 period in terms of its role in supporting informal businesses located in townships and rural areas can be categorised according to the needs of these businesses as short-term and long-term needs.

Short-term needs relate to the support that was required by informal businesses to recover from the impact of the COVID–19 pandemic and related lockdown measures which are:

1. Financial support – more than half of informal business owners indicated that they were in need of financial support just to be able to remain in business.
2. Support with marketing and customer acquisition – a large number of informal businesses sought ways to market their businesses and to increase their customer base under the prevailing circumstances.
3. Help to comply with hygiene standards – many of the businesses were looking for ways to keep their businesses safe and hygienic and to comply with the COVID-19 regulations.
4. Mentoring and training – some of the informal businesses that received support also requested to receive ongoing mentoring and further training.

Formal businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic were more likely to receive support from Government programmes while entrepreneurs in the informal economy relied mainly on Social Grants. Long-term needs indicated to us as the DSBD that the COVID-19 pandemic has opened multiple opportunities to strengthen informal and micro businesses in the long term in the following areas:

1. Use of digital channels and technology – many informal businesses see potential in the use of social media for marketing but the high cost of data remains the leading obstacle.
2. Collaboration with peers and more established organisations – many would like to sell products or services to more established businesses while others feel they will benefit from introductions and advice on how to work with them.
3. Transitioning from the informal to the formal economy – many would register their informal businesses if it helped them to access funding and grow their customer base.
4. Improve overall infrastructure and create an enabling environment – a number of informal businesses reported poor access to basic infrastructure while others reported challenges with authorities around places where they operate their informal businesses.

b) The COVID-19 pandemic has opened multiple opportunities to strengthen informal businesses in the long run. The Department continues to address the lessons learnt through its current programmes and by developing appropriate responsive interventions within the Small Business Development Portfolio (DSBD, Small Enterprise Development Agency and Small Enterprise Finance Agency) and through partnerships.

1. The Department of Small Business Development designated the informal business sector as a significant contributor to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP), employment creation, sustainable livelihoods and local economic development in the country. The National Informal Business Upliftment Strategy (NIBUS) was developed as a responsive strategy to this position. The Strategy is aimed at supporting informal businesses, which are mostly based in township and rural areas, to ensure that they become part of the economic mainstream of the country and to receive all the necessary support to ensure their growth and well-being.
2. The Informal and Micro Enterprise Development Programme (IMEDP), Shared Economic Infrastructure Facility (SEIF), Township and Rural Entrepreneurship Programme (TREP) and others are instruments of the Department that were developed as part of the Strategy continue to play a role in dealing with current challenges faced by informal businesses and in achieving the objectives of government where support to informal businesses is being prioritised. The instruments of the DSBD together with its programmatic interventions as implemented by the DSBD and its entities, Seda (non-financial support) and sefa (financial support) will continue to be positioned and used as interventions to ensure that the DSBD will always be in a position to assist informal businesses during natural disasters and at all other times.

Reply:

CSA has provided the Department with the following responses.

1. (a), (b) and (c) Detailed findings are attached to the report that is accessible as per the link in point 3 below.

2. There were no specific investigations into the losses made as the losses were mostly operational, which included the attempted launch of a Premier Domestic T20 competition.

3. The information is available: Cricket South Africa | CSA ANNUAL REPORTS

https://cricket.co.za/csa-annual-reports/

The 457-page report is under: Full Forensic Report on the above online page/link.

THANK YOU

Reply:

The Department has conducted the Blue Drop audit/assessment in 2022/2023 and is currently in the process of finalising the Blue Drop report. The full Blue Drop report will be released by mid-November 2023. The assessments covered all 140 municipalities, and bulk water service providers.

The Blue Drop Watch interim report was released in June 2023 to keep the public and stakeholders informed on the current status of drinking water, and to provide the regulator with information to enact the appropriate enforcement and rectification interventions. The Blue Drop Watch Report focuses on the current condition of drinking water infrastructure and treatment processes from a technical perspective. This report gives an overview of the field work and technical assessments by Blue Drop inspectors during the period November 2022 to February 2023.

There are nine hundred thirty-five (935) water treatment works registered on the departmental system called Integrated Regulatory Information System (IRIS). During the Blue Drop Watch Report audit, 151 water supply systems were inspected {Technical Site Assessment (TSA)} as a representative overview of water supply systems.

The TSA has established that there were five (5) water supply systems found to be in a critical state of performance. The affected water services institutions where five (5) water supply systems were identified to be critical, were requested to submit corrective action plans.

a) Fifty-Four Water Supply Systems were found to have excellent or good states of performance (%TSA >80%) from the 151 inspected as indicated as Annexure A

b) Five Water Supply Systems were found at critical states of performance (%TSA <30%) from 151 inspected as indicated as Annexure B

---00O00---

Annexure A

Fifty-Four (54) Water Supply Systems at excellent and good condition (%TSA >80%) from the 151 inspected

#	Province	WSA	WSP/ Water Board	TSA WTW	%TSA
1	EC	Ndlambe LM		Cannon Rocks/Boknes	92%
2		Kouga LM		Jeffreys Bay	91%
3		Nelson Mandela Bay MM		Linton	87%
4		OR Tambo DM		Thornhill	86%
5		Buffalo City MM		Umzonyana	85%
6		Chris Hani DM		Tsomo	85%
7		Buffalo City MM	Amatola WB	Nahoon	86%
8		Dr Beyers Naude LM		Graaf Reinet	80%
9		Joe Gqabi DM		Barkley East	83%
10	FS	Kopanong LM		Bethulie	95%
11		Matjhabeng LM	Bloem Water	Virginia	88%
12		Nala LM	Bloem Water	Balkfontein	82%
13		Tswelopele LM		Hoopstad	82%
14		Setsoto LM	Ficksburg		81%
15		Letsemeng LM	Jacobsdal		81%
16	GP	Emfuleni LM	Rand Water	Vereeniging	97%
17		City of Tshwane MM	Magalies Water	Cullinan	94%
18		City of Johannesburg MM		Illovo Command Reservoirs	89%
19		City of Ekurhuleni MM		Impala Park Reservoirs	84%
20		Emfuleni LM		Vaaloewer	81%
21		Midvaal LM		Vaal Marina	81%
22	KZN	Msunduzi LM	Umgeni Water	Umsunduzi	95%
23		Mhlathuze LM	Mhlathuze Water	Nsezi	90%
24		uThukela DM		Ladysmith	87%
25		Newcastle LM	uThukela Water	Ngagane	87%
26		Umzinyathi DM		Vants Drift	80%
27	LP	Lephalale LM	EXXARO	Zeeland	86%
28	MP	City of Mbombela		Nelspruit New	92%
29		Thembisile Hani LM		Bundu	88%
30		Steve Tshwete LM		Vaalbank	87%
31		Dr JS Moroka LM		Weltevreden	86%
32		Bushbuckridge LM		Inyaka	84%
33	NC	Tsantsabane LM	Bloem Water	Vaal Gamagara	94%
34		Hantam LM		Calvinia	94%
35		David Kruiper LM		AH September	84%
36		Karoo Hoogland LM		Sutherland Desalination Plant	80%
37	NW	City of Matlosana LM	Midvaal Water	Midvaal	95%
38		JB Marks LM		Potchefstroom	94%
39		Ngaka Modiri Molema DM		Mmabatho	88%
40		Rustenburg LM		Bospoort	81%
41	WC	City of Cape Town MM		Faure	98%
42		Cape Agulhas LM		Bredasdorp	96%
43		Drakenstein LM		Welvanpas	96%
44		Saldanha Bay LM	WCDM Bulk Supplier	Withoogte	95%
45		Overstrand LM		Preekstoel	94%
46		City of Cape Town MM	Overberg WB	Steenbras	93%
47		Swartland LM	WCDM Bulk Supplier	Swartland LM	92%
48		Breede Valley LM		De Koppen	90%
49		Bergrivier LM		Piketberg	88%
50		George LM		George New	84%
51		Theewaterskloof LM	Overberg WB	Ruensveld West	82%
52		Theewaterskloof LM		Grabouw	82%
53		Bitou LM		Plettenberg Bay	80%
54		Mosselbay LM		Kleinbrak	80%

Annexure B

Five (5) Water Supply Systems at Critical State (%TSA <30%) from 151 inspected.

#	Province	WSA	WSP/ Water Board	TSA WTW	%TSA
1	FS	Nketoana LM		Reitz	28%
2		Masilonyana LM		Winburg	30%
3	LP	Thabazimbi LM	Magalies Water	Thabazimbi	24%
4	NC	Kareeberg LM		Carnarvon Borehole	28%
5	NW	Dr Ruth S Mompati DM		Bogosing	18%

 

Reply:

The National Department of Sport, Arts and Culture did not fund this event, and would therefore not be in a position to respond.

Reply:

The South African Embassies in Tel Aviv (Israel) and Ramallah (Palestine) and the Consular Services at Head Office (DIRCO) are hard at work monitoring, collecting information and liaising with South African nationals who might be in distress and in need of consular services.

Since the conflict broke out on 7 October 2023, 120 South Africans in Israel and Palestine have contacted the respective SA Missions to inform them of their presence and expressing their needs. Several South African nationals had encountered problems flying out of Tel Aviv because of the interruption of air services after rockets were fired from Gaza into Israel last weekend. Distressed South African nationals in Gaza are on the United Nations (UN) rescue list and ready to be moved out of Gaza when the opportunity arises.

Reply:

1. According to regulatory requirements, Eskom Transmission publishes a Transmission Development Plan (TDP) every year, looking 10 years ahead. It identifies infrastructure required to (i) keep abreast of load growth, (ii) comply with reliability/redundancy requirements, (iii) meet new generation integration requirements, and (iv) replace assets that are at end of life.

In the TDP2022, Eskom identified 1 009 projects requiring development and execution. This comprises 207 expansion category projects and 802 refurbishment projects over this period. The identified scope in TDP2022 broadly involves building 14,218 km of powerlines and 122,669 MVA of transformation.

This infrastructure will be built in all provinces around the country, with the bulk being in provinces such as the Northern Cape, that have the greatest potential for renewable energy power plants

2. It is estimated that more than R390 billion will be required over the next decade to meet the demand for grid capacity, largely due to the increase in generation capacity through renewable energy projects following the various Bid Windows. Eskom’s current financial position places significant limitations on its ability to attract sufficient capital towards expanding the transmission grid, with the delivery of transmission infrastructure taking, on average, between 7 to 10 years. It is estimated this delivery rate needs to be scaled-up by eight times to connect the energy generation required for energy security by 2030.

It is anticipated that the transmission grid build rate needs to increase from 300km to 2300km per year with a greater rate of investment and delivery required through to 2050 (Centre for Sustainability Transitions, 2023).

The Ministry in the Presidency for Electricity co-hosted a Transmission Financing Seminar with the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and is currently finalising a cabinet submission on transmission financing pathways aimed at fast-tracking transmission infrastructure investments to support the anticipated growth in generation capacity and secure long-term energy security.

Reply:

(1)(a) (i), (ii), (b) At the concept phase for each new power station, the maintenance requirements for each system and component are received from the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). These are adapted by Eskom to take Eskom-specific and environmental factors into account.

This results in a philosophy maintenance regime, which is implemented as the plant becomes operational, and which determines the required periodicity and scope of the various maintenance activities and outages. Thus, philosophy maintenance refers to these specified required maintenance activities while planned maintenance refers to all maintenance that meets the requirements to be considered as planned – typically 28 days’ notice – and includes all philosophy maintenance.

(2) All power stations have their own maintenance philosophy which is effective on commercial operations throughout the life of the plant.

(3) As part of continuous improvement, Eskom has adopted liability-based maintenance which also assists in managing the plant based on risk. This allows Eskom to better manage the plant risk based on the available funds to execute maintenance.

Reply:

I have been advised that:

(i) Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) annual reports for printed copies:

Financial Years	(a) Amount	(b) Suppliers	(c) Number of Copies
(aa) 2020-21	R128 495,25	Shereno Printers CC	10 copies printed (240 pages +4pp Cover A4 Report pages per copies)
(bb) 2021-22	R74 800,00	Talking Heads Advertising (PTY)	10 copies printed (204 pages +4pp Cover A4 Report pages per copies)
(cc) 2022-23	R74 800,00	Talking Heads Advertising (PTY)	Order issued and not yet paid. 10 copies printed (204 pages +4pp Cover A4 Report pages per copies)

Total Paid	R203 295.25
Total paid plus order issued not yet paid.	R278 095.25

(ii) Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda)

Financial Years	(a) Amount	(b) Suppliers	(c) Number of Copies
(aa) 2020-21	R 84,318.00	Msomi Puisano t/a Msomi Africa	200 print copies (210*210mm)
(bb) 2021-22	R 59 850,00	Blackmoon Advertising	100 print copies (210*210mm)
(cc) 2022-23	R 69 500.00	Kashan Advertising	100 print copies (270*270mm)

Total Paid	R144 168.00
Awaiting the Service Provider’s invoice	R 69 500.00

(ii) Small Enterprise Finance Agency (sefa)

sefa did not print Annual Reports over the financial years, 2020/21, 2021/22 and 2022/23. sefa used the services of Yes Direct Pty Ltd in FY2020/21 and Interactive Web Works (IWW) CC during FY2021/22 and FY2022/23 to layout, edit and design the Annual Report and produce the final Annual Report in electronic format.

Financial Years	(a) Amount	(b) Suppliers	(c) Number of Copies
(aa) 2020-21	R344 736.33	Yes Direct Pty Ltd	None.
(bb) 2021-22	R324 656.50	Interactive Web Works (IWW) CC	None.
(cc) 2022-23	R123 061.00	Interactive Web Works (IWW) CC & EPI Creative (Pty) Ltd	None.

Total Paid	715 392.83
Awaiting service provider’s invoice	R77 061.50

Reply:

1. Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra is not renting any space from the Playhouse

2. Yes, The Playhouse Company does rent out office space

a) From which Entity	b) What is the rental amount per month?
Steel Drum Foundation	R1,997.02 per month
SAMRO	R3,811.50 per month

THE END

Reply:

The National Department of Sport, Arts and Culture did not fund this event, and would therefore not be in a position to respond.

Reply:

The Department has conducted the Green Drop (GD) audit which sought to identify and develop the core competencies that, if strengthened, would gradually and sustainably improve the standard of wastewater management in South Africa. The audit measures and compares the results of the performance of Water Service Institutions, and subsequently rewards or penalises)the institution based on evidence of excellence or failures when measured against the defined standards. The Green Drop report was released in June 2022 indicating the following:

(a) The total number of Wastewater Treatment facilities that are in excellent and good state (GD score >80%) in the Republic are 119 as indicated in Annexure A.

(b) The total number of Wastewater Treatment facilities that are in a critical state GD score <31% in the Republic are 334 as indicated in Annexure B.

---00O00--

ANNEXURE A

LIST OF WASTEWATER SYSTEMS PERFORMED EXCELLENT AND GOOD ACCORDING TO THE GREEN DROP 2022 REPORT

Water Service Institutions	Wastewater Treatment Works with GD score >80%
Western Cape	74
Witzenberg LM	Ceres
	Op die berg
	Tulbach
	Wolsely
Bitou LM	Plettenberg-Bitou
	Kurland
Drakenstein LM	Hermon
	Paarl
	Wellington
	Saron
	Gouda
	Kliprug-Pearl Valley-Val de Vie
Saldanha Bay LM	Hopefield
	St Helena Bay
	Langebaan
	Paternoster
	Saldanha
	Shellypoint
	Vredenburg
City of Cape Town MM	Green Point Outfall
	Houtbay
	Philadelphia
	Wesfleur Domestic
	Westfleur Industrial
	Athlone
	Macassar-Strand
	Mitchells Plain
	Borcherd's Quarry
	Potsdam-Milnerton
	Melkbosstrand
	Fisantekraal
	Zandvliet
	Gordons Bay
	Cape Flats
	Belville
	Kraaifontein
	Klipheuwel
	Scottsdene
	Camps Bay
	Llandudno
	Oudekraal
	Simons Town
	Wildevoëlsvlei
	Millerspoint
Mossel Bay LM	Herbertsdale
	Mossel Bay-Hartenbos
	Brandwag
	Friemersheim Western Works
Overstrand LM	Gansbaai
	Stanford
	Hermanus
	Hawston
	Kleinmond
	Pearly Beach
Swartland LM	Riebeeck Valley
	Chartsworth
	Malmesbury-Abbotsdale
	Kalbaskraal
	Darling
	Moreesburg
Breede Valley LM	Worcester
Berg River LM	Poterville
George LM	Herolds Bay
Stellenbosch LM	Stellenbosch
	Wemmershoek
	Pniel
	Klapmuts
Theewaterskloof LM	Caledon
	Botriver
	Grabouw
	Riviersondererend
	Genadendal
	Villiersdorp
	Greyton
GAUTENG	20
City of Ekurhuleni MM	Rondebult
	Herbert Bickley
	JP Marais
	Esther Park
	Carl Grundling
	Daveyton
	Tsakane
	Hartebeesfontein
	Welgedacht
	Benoni
	Rynfield
	Ancor
	Waterval
	Jan Smuts
	Vlaakplats
	Dekema
	Olifantsfontein
City of Johannesburg MM	Driefontein
Lesedi LM	Ratanda
	Heidelburg
KWAZULU NATAL	17
iLembe DM	Frasers
	Shakaskraal
uMgungundlovu DM	Cool Air
	Camperdown
	Appelbosch Hospital
	Richmond
	Mpofana (Mooi River)
	Howick
Harry Gwala DM	Ixopo
Ethekwini MM	Umdloti
	Genazzano
	Verulum
	Phoenix
	Dasenhoek
	Kingsburgh
	Magabeni
Msunduzi LM	Lynnfield Park
NORTHWEST	1
J B Marks	Potchefstroom
MPUMALANGA	7
Steve Tshwete LM	KwaZamokuhle-Hendrina
	Blinkpan-Mine village
	Komati
	Boskrans
MBOMBELA MM	Kingstonvale
	Kanyamazane
	Matsulu

 

ANNEXURE B

LIST OF CRITICAL WASTEWATER SYSTEM AS INDICATED IN THE 2022 GREEN DROP REPORT

WSIs Water Service Institutions	Wastewater Treatment Works with GD score <31%
WESTERN CAPE PROVINCE	18
Beaufort West LM	Murraysburg
Langeburg LM	Robertson
Hessequa LM	Garcia
Kannaland LM	Ladismith
	Calitzdorp
	Van Wyksdorp
	Zoar
Matzikama LM	Vredendal North
	Strandfontein
	Van Rhynsdorp
	Rietpoort
	Nuwerus
Prince Albert LM	Prince Albert
	Klaarstroom
	Leeugamka
Swellendam LM	Buffelsjagsrivier
	Barrydale
	Klipperivier
EASTERN CAPE PROVINCE	48
Alfred Nzo DM	Cedarville
Blue Crane LM	Cookhouse
	Pearston
	Somerset East
Dr Beyers Naude LM	Graaf Reinet
	Aberdeen
	Nieu Bethesda
	Jansenville
	Klipplaats
	Steytleville
	Willowmore
	Rietbron
Chris Hani DM	Dordrect
	Lady Frere
Kouga LM	Hankey
	Kruisfontein
	Loerie
	Humansdorp
	St Francis Bay
	Jeffreys Bay
	Thornhill
KouKamma LM	Coldstream 1
	Misgund
	Sandrift-Mandela Park-Nompumelelo
	Storms River West
	Woodlands
	Clarkson
	Kareedouw-Melkhoutskraal
	Joubertina-Twee Riviere-Ravinia
	Krakeel River
	Louterwater
	Blikkiesdorp
	Coldstream 2 / Laurel Ridge
Makana LM	Mayfield
	Belmont Valley
	Alicedale
Ndlambe LM	Alexandria-KwaNonkqubela
	Bathurst-Nolukhanyo
	Port Alfred
	Boesmans River Mouth-Marcelle
	Ekuphunleni-Kenton on Sea
	Rosehill Mall
OR Tambo DM	Tsolo
	Port St Johns
Sundays River Valley LM	Enon-Bethesda
	Addo
	Kirkwood
	Paterson
NORTHERN CAPE PROVINCE	59
Dikgatlong LM	Delportshoop-Longlands
	Barkley West
	Windsorton
Emthanjeni LM	Britstown
	De Aar
	Hanover
Ga-Segonyana LM	Kuruman
	Mothibistad
Gamagara LM	Dibeng
	Olifantshoek
	Kathu
Hantam LM	Brandvlei
Joe Morolong LM	Van Zylrust
	Hotazel
Kamiesberg LM	Garies
	Kamieskroon
Kareeberg LM	Vosburg
	Vanwyksvlei
Karoo Hoogland LM	Fraserburg
	Sutherland
	Williston
Kgatelopele LM	Danielskuil
Khai-Ma LM	Pofadder
	Aggenys
	Pella
	Onseepkans
!Kai !Garib LM	Kakamas
	Kenhardt
	Keimoes
	Vredesvallei
!Kheis LM	Brandboom
	Groblershoop
	Wegdraai
	Topline
	Grootdrink
Magareng LM	Warrenton
Nama Khoi LM	Carolusberg
	Concordia
	Nababeep
	Okiep
	Springbok
	Kommagas
Phokwane LM	Hartswater
	Jan Kempdorp
	Pampierstad
Renosterberg LM	Petrusville
	Vanderkloof
	Philipstown
Richtersveld LM	Port Nolloth
Siyancuma LM	Griekwastad
	Schmidtsdrift
Sol Plaatjie LM	Richie-Rietvale
Tsantsabane LM	Jenhaven
Ubuntu LM	Loxton
	Richmond
	Victoria West
Umsobomvu LM	Colesburg
	Norvalspont
	Noupoort
GAUTENG PROVINCE	9
City of Tshwane Metro	Klipgat
Lesedi LM	Devon
Rand West LM	Randfontein
	Hannes van Niekerk
Merafong LM	Khutsong
	Kokosi-Fochville
	Murray & Roberts
	Wedela
	Welverdiend
KWAZULU NATAL PROVINCE	20
Amajuba DM	Durnacol
uMkhanyakude DM	St Lucia
	Bethesda-Ubombo
	Hluhluwe
	Ingwavuma-Mosvold
	Mtubatuba
	Hlabisa Hospital
	Mseleni Hospital
Umzinyathi DM	Dundee
	Nqutu Ponds
	Pomeroy
	Tugela Ferry
	Greytown
Zululand DM	Vryheid-Klipfontein
	Coronation
	Cliffdale - Vrede
	Mlokothwa
	Nkongolwane
	Enyathi
	Hlobane
FREE STATE PROVINCE	64
Kopanong LM	Fauresmith
	Gariep Dam
	Jagersfontein
	Reddersburg
Letsemeng LM	Koffiefontein
	Oppermansgronde
Mafube LM	Namahadi
	Villiers/Qalabotjha
	Frankfort
	Tweeling
	Cornelia
Maluti-a-Phofung LM	Elandsriver
	Kestell
	Makwane/Matsegeng
	Moeding
	Phuthaditjhaba
	Tshiame
	Wilge/Harrismith
Mangaung LM	BFN - Northern Works
	BFN-Bloemdustria
	Soutpan
	Dewetsdorp
	Van Stadensrus
	Wepener
Mantsopa LM	Excelsior
	Ladybrand
	Tweespruit
Masilonyana LM	Brandfort
	Theunissen-Masilo
	Winburg
Matjhabeng LM	Allanridge
	Hennenman
	Mmamahabane
	Odendaalsrus
	Phomolong
	Thabong
	Theronia
	Ventersburg
	Virginia
	Witpan
Mohokare LM	Rouxville
	Smithfield
	Zastron
Nala LM	Bothaville
	Wesselsbron
	Monyakeng
Ngwathe LM	Parys
	Vredefort
	Koppies
	Heilbron
	Edenville
Nketoana LM	Lindley/Ntha
Phumulela LM	Vrede
	Warden
	Memel
Setsoto LM	Ficksburg
	Clocolan
	Marquard New
Tswelopele LM	Hoopstad
Moqhaka LM	Kroonstad
	Steynsrus
	Viljoenskroon
Metsimaholo LM	Deneysville-Refengkgotso
	Oranjeville
LIMPOPO PROVINCE	50
Bela Bela LM	Pienaars Rivier
	Raduim
Capricorn DM	Senwabarwana Ponds
	Mogwadi Ponds
Greater Sekhukhune DM	Dennilton
	Motetema Ponds
	Roosenekal
	Monsterlus-Hlogotlou
	Elandkraal
	Leeufontein-Mokganyak
	Phokwane Ponds
	Nebo Ponds
	Mecklenburg-Moroke Ponds
	Tubatse Ponds
	Mapodile
	Penge
Lephalale LM	Witpoort
	Zongesien
Modimolle-Mookgopong LM	Vaalwater-Mabatlane
	Mookgophong Naboomspruit
	Roedtan-Thusang Ponds
Mogalakwena LM	Mokopane Old & New
	Mosadi Ponds
	Rebone Ponds
Mopani DM	Giyani
	Ga-Kgapane
	Senwamokgope Ponds
	Phalaborwa
	Namakgale
	Lulekane
	Lenyenye
	Nkowankowa
Polokwane LM	Seshego
	Mankweng
Thabazimbi LM	Thabazimbi
	Northam
	Rooiberg
Vhembe DM	Rietvlei
	Louis Trichardt-Makhado
	Biaba-Dzanani Ponds (Makhado)
	Hlanganani Ponds
	Vleifontein Ponds
	Vuwani Ponds
	Waterval-Makhado
	Mutale Ponds
	Malameule
	Tsifulananie Ponds
	Mhinga
	Musina
	Nancefield
MPUMALANGA PROVINCE	33
Albert Luthuli LM	Mpuluzi-Mayflower
	Elukwatini-Eerstehoek
	Ekulendeni-Kromdraai
	Badplaas
	Carolina
Bushbuckridge LM	Dwarsloop
	Maviljan
	Tintswalo
	Mkhuhlu
	Thulamahashe
Emalahleni LM	Thubelihle
Lekwa LM	Standerton
	Morgenzon
Thaba Chweu LM	Lydenburg
	Sabie
	Graskop
	Coromandel
Msukaligwa LM	Breyton Ponds
	KwaZanele-Breyton AS
	Ermelo New
	Lothair
	Chrissiesmeer
	Davel
	Sheepmoor
Dipaleseng LM	Balfour
	Grootvlei Eskom
	Greylingstad
	Grootvlei Mine
Pixley Ka Seme LM	Amersfoort
	Perdekop
	Volksrust
	Vukuzakhe
	Wakkerstroom
NORTHWEST PROVINCE	33
Dr Ruth Segomotso Mompati	Vryburg
	Schweizer Reneke
	Stella
	Taung Hospital
	Taung Station
	Diplankeni/Mogogong
	Maganeng/Pudimoe
	Reivilo
Kgetleng River LM	Koster AS
	Swartruggens
	Koster Ponds
	Mazista
Madibeng LM	Mothotlung
	Eagles Landing
	Sunway
Maquassi Hills LM	Leeudoringstad
	Wolmaranstad
Moretele LM	Swartdam
Moses Kotane LM	Mogwase
	Madikwe
Ngaka Modiri Molema DM	Coligny
	Lichtenburg
	Itsoseng
	Mahikeng
	Mmabatho
	Lehurutshe-Welbedacht
	Zeerust
	Delareyville
	Sannieshof
	Ottosdal
	Atamelang
	Groot Marico
	Itekeng Ponds
Grand total	334

Reply:

(1)(a) The projected cost for the temporary stacks is estimated at R700 million excluding the operating and maintenance costs.

b) The construction of the temporary stacks for Units 1, 2 and 3 means that the flue gas from these units will not go through the flue gas desulphurisation plants, which reduces Sulphur dioxide levels. The Sulphur dioxide emissions from the temporary stack will thus be higher than would have been the usual case for these units.

The temporary stacks are built after the fabric filter plants and main boilers. As such, the particulate matter and nitrogen oxide levels of the units with the temporary stacks are no different from what they would have been in normal operations.

(2) To operate the temporary stacks with the higher than usual Sulphur dioxide levels, Eskom applied to the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment (DFFE) for a postponement from the Minimum Emissions Standards (MES) published in terms of the National Environmental Management Air Quality Act (NEMAQA). Eskom received a postponement decision from the DFFE

on 5 June 2023. The Nkangala District Municipality issued a revised Atmospheric Emission Licence (AEL) reflecting the postponement on 13 June 2023. The applicable AEL limits for the temporary stacks are thus: particulate matter – 50 mg/Nm3, nitrogen oxide – 750 mg/Nm3 and Sulphur dioxide – 3500 mg/Nm3 (all measured at a 24-hour daily average)

Four parties appealed the MES decision, and three appealed the AEL decision. The Minister ruled on the MES appeals on 26 September 2023, allowing Eskom to proceed subject to three revised conditions. The District Municipality ruled on the AEL appeals on 28 September 2023, accepting the Minister's decision and allowing the project to proceed.

A key consideration in the process was that Eskom must ensure that the operation of the temporary stacks did not result in any health impacts on surrounding communities. The authorities approved Eskom’s plan to monitor and mitigate air quality impacts from Kusile on 18 September 2023. Eskom is implementing the approved plan.

(3) (a) There is no design defect associated with the existing West Chimney failure. The duct failure occurred due to overloading of the chimney flues and inlet duct. The repair is to restore the chimney to its original condition or as close as possible.

b) The projected cost for repairing the West Chimney will only be known once the stabilisation of the flues has been achieved.

Reply:

Find reply here

Reply:

According to the information received from Transnet

Transnet debt increased by R76.4 bn from R58.1 bn in 2012 to R134.5 bn in 2016. The current debt is approximately R130 bn. The increase in debt relates to capital investment on infrastructure, locomotives or rolling stock procurement.

A portion of the debt was raised to fund the procurement of 1064 locomotives, which has been subjected to the state capture enquiry.

The operational performance has constrained the company’s ability to reduce its debt levels. The revenue generated, informed by tariffs charged and volumes moved over the years has not been sufficient to repay a significant portion of the debt raised in the years 2012 to 2016.

Currently, the board and financial experts are engaged in a process to develop a plan in this regard. This includes meeting with the National Treasury. Furthermore, in terms of the statement I made on 1 September 2023 (copy attached), the Board and management must also engage in a process of cost reduction.

 

 

Remarks: Reply: Approved / Not Approved

Jacky Molisane P J Gordhan, MP

Acting Director-General Minister

Date: Date:

Reply:

The white paper specifically calls for the separation of the infrastructure manager to be outside of Transnet Freight Rail to ensure that equal treatment and access are provided to all operators. The objective of the rail reform white paper is to ensure that the infrastructure manager has no bias towards TFR operations. Transnet is in the process of setting up an Infrastructure Manager that is an entity outside Transnet freight Rail which is in line with the rail reform process. Private sector operators will therefore be guaranteed unbiased access to the network. This is in line with the DoT and the Interim Rail Economic Regulator.

 

Remarks: Reply: Approved / Not Approved

Jacky Molisane P J Gordhan, MP

Acting Director-General Minister

Date: Date:

Reply:

(a) No

(b) No.

The Department did not incur any costs from the country hosting the 15th BRICS Heads of State and Government Summit or the BRICS Parliamentary Summit.

Thank You.

Reply:

I have been informed that the Tourism Grading Council has contributed to the transformation and elevation of tourism establishments, particularly villages, townships and small dorpies (VTSD) products.

Tourism Grading Council of South Africa (TGCSA) plays a crucial role in ensuring the quality and standardisation of various accommodation products in South Africa. By quality assuring VTSD products, TGCSA helps these offerings meet globally benchmarked grading criteria. This not only ensures that the standards of South African accommodation products are on par with global counterparts but also helps in maintaining a comprehensive and legal accommodation database in the country.

Legal entities are accountable and can be regulated, which contributes to the overall safety and reliability of the tourism industry in South Africa.

This rigorous grading and quality assurance process does not only benefit the businesses directly involved but also bolsters the reputation of South Africa's tourism sector on the global stage. Providing visitors with reliable, high-quality accommodations enhances their overall experience and encourages positive word-of-mouth, further promoting tourism in the region.

Top of Form

The following is how TGCSA is contributing to VTSD products as a Quality Assurance entity:

The Basic Quality Verification Programme

• The Basic Quality Verification (BQV) grading system developed by TGCSA, is a commendable initiative aimed at enhancing accommodation and event products, especially in the VTSD sector in South Africa.

The Tourism Grading Council of South Africa piloted the Basic Quality Verification (BQV) programme in the Eastern Cape in 2020/2021.

The programme seeks to provides structured approach that will build confidence in many accommodation products especially those in rural areas.

This system provides a structured approach to ensuring quality, health, and safety standards in remote rural areas. By establishing clear criteria and guidelines, the BQV grading system enables tourism products, which might not meet the core requirements for formal grading initially, to access trade within the tourism sector.

Through the BQV programme 29 unemployed graduates were recruited and trained as the Basic Quality Verification Evaluators who are responsible for applying the Basic Quality Verification criteria which is used for assessment of establishments that do not meet the minimum entry requirements of formal grading. A total of sixty-five (65) products have been evaluated in the following districts have been completed: eThekwini Municipality, Ugu, iLembe and King Cetshwayo. The team is currently preparing for evaluations in uMgungundlovu, Harry Gwala and uMzinyathi District Municipalities, outstanding evaluations are at Zululand, uMkhanyakude, uThukela, uMzinyathi, and Amajuba.

Reply:

Find reply here

 

Reply:

Find reply here

Reply:

The discussion on the migration models between South Africa and the Kingdom of Lesotho will be joint research on how migration should be managed between the two countries recognising Lesotho’s geo-political position as a landlocked country. All movement between Lesotho and third countries involves transit through South Africa as well as regular movement between the peoples of the country on a daily basis. The first phase of this research will be to do research on similar models in other countries and then do comparisons with the current challenges between South Africa and Lesotho. The two countries will be meeting in November 2023 to discuss the terms of reference and agree on timelines for the research.

END

Reply:

(a) Given that the Minister of Finance is yet to present the Medium Term

Policy Budget Statement to Parliament on 1 November 2023, details about budget cuts may only be communicated thereafter as anything to the contrary would be a preemption of the statement and only the statement will provide factual information in this regard.

(b) Not Applicable

Reply:

I have been informed by the Department that the details regarding legal action undertaken by the Department, are tabulated below.

Cases which were opened in 2020/21 FY	Court	Status	If case closed - Reasons for Closure	Did the matter go for Arbitration?	Did the matter go to court?	Court Outcome	Current Status
1. Hazyview Aerial Cable Trial (Pty) Ltd vs Minister of Tourism	High Court (Mbombela)	Closed	Notice of Motion did not disclose any relief sought against the Minister.	No	No	N/A	Case Closed
2. South Africa Agri Initiative NPC vs Minister of Tourism	High Court (Pretoria)	Closed	The case was abandoned by the Applicant due to change of the Directives.	No	No	N/A	Case Closed
3. Chefs Warehouse Canteen and Wine Bar, Cape Town (PTY)LTD and Eight (8) Others vs. Minister of Tourism & Others	High Court (Cape Town)	Closed	The case was abandoned by the Applicant due to change of the Directives.	No	No	N/A	Case Closed
4. DD Mokoena and Another vs. Minister of Tourism and Gauteng Tourism Authority	High Court (Johannesburg)	Appeal case pending	N/A	No	The matter was heard on 12, 13 and 14 April 2021.	Applicants’ main application was dismissed with costs.	Appeal case pending
5. Tourism Relief Fund (TRF) (1st case) Solidarity Trade Union vs. Minister of Small Business Development, Minister of Tourism and others & AfriForum vs. Minister of Tourism and Others.	High Court (Pretoria),	Closed	N/A	No	The matter was heard in the High Court Gauteng Division, Pretoria, on 28 of April 2020.	The High Court, Gauteng Division, Pretoria, dismissed the Applicants’ case and granted an order in favour of the Minister.	The Applicants appealed to the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA). The SCA ruled in favour of AfriForum and Solidarity and held that the Minister has erroneously believed that she was bound by B-BBEE Act when applying Tourism Sector Code in her directions. Department appealed the SCA judgment to the Constitutional Court and the appeal was heard on 8 September 2022. The Constitutional Court delivered its judgment on 8 February 2023. The Constitutional Court concluded that the case was moot and there were no sound reasons for the Court to entertain it. The leave to appeal was refused with costs.
6. Tourism Equity Fund (TEF) (2nd case) Solidarity Trade Union & Afriforum vs. Minister of Small Business Development, Minister of Tourism and others	High Court (Pretoria),	Closed	The court granted an interdict against the Minister.	No	The urgent interdict application was heard on 15 April 2021.	The court granted an interdict against the Minister.	On advice from Counsel, the current Minister directed that the litigation be settled and TEF be restarted on applicable Tourism Sector Codes. Settlement negotiations resulted in an out-of-court settlement with the Applicants on 26 April 2023. The Applicants subsequently withdrew Part B of their main application.
7. Department of Tourism vs. Lerato Matlakala & Lefuno Netangaheni	Labour Court (Johannesburg)	Pending	N/A	No	No	N/A	Case pending
8. Gerson Nevari vs. Department of Tourism & Director-General of the Department of Tourism	Labour Court (Johannesburg)	Pending	N/A	No	No	N/A	Case pending
Cases which were opened in 2021/22 FY	Court	Status	If the case was closed - Reasons for Closure	Did the matter go for Arbitration?	Did the matter go to court?	Court Outcome	Current Status
1. Umbuso Training Services (Pty) Ltd vs The Member of the Executive Committee: Department of Tourism	High Court (Pretoria)	Pending	N/A	No	No	N/A	Case pending
2. Tebogo Maureen Ngobeni vs. Minister of Tourism and 2 Others	High Court (Pretoria)	Closed	There was no relief sought against the Minister.	No	No	N/A	Case closed
3. Minister of Tourism vs. ZM Kubheka	Magistrate’s Court (Atteridgeville)	Pending	N/A	No	No	N/A	Case pending
Cases which were opened in 2022/23 FY	Court	Status	If the case was closed - Reasons for Closure	Did the matter go for Arbitration?	Did the matter go to court?	Court Outcome	Current Status
1. Minister of Tourism vs. MBB Consulting Services (PTY) Ltd	High Court (Makhanda)	Pending	N/A	No	No	N/A	Case pending
2. ActionSA v Minister of Tourism and Others	High Court (Durban)	Pending	N/A	No	No	N/A	Case pending
3. Blueprint Group vs. South African Tourism & 3 Others	High Court (Johannesburg)	Pending	No	No	No	N/A	Case pending
4. Thulani Sibeko vs. Department of Tourism	Labour Court (Johannesburg)	Closed	The court dismissed the Applicant’s case with costs.	No	The case was heard on 20 January 2023.	The court dismissed the Applicant’s case with costs.	Case closed
5. Tsakane Shipalane & Others vs. Department of Tourism & Gauteng Tourism Authority (GTA)	CCMA (Johannesburg)	Closed	The Commissioner dismissed the Applicants’ application.	No	Arbitration in the matter was set down for 25-26 July 2023.	The Commissioner dismissed their application.	Case closed
Cases which were opened from 1 April 2023	Court	Status	If the case was closed - Reasons for Closure	Did the matter go for Arbitration?	Did the matter go to court?	Court Outcome	Current Status
None	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Reply:

Find reply here

Reply:

Find reply here

Reply:

I have been informed that the department has put measures in place to ensure that the allocated budget for the current financial year is spent. The Top Management structure interrogates branch reports every month in line with the set targets and cash flow projections. The expenditure on compensation of employees is dependent on the approval of the filling of posts by the relevant structures. The directive on the implementation of control measures when creating and filling vacant posts, issued by the Minister for the Public Service and Administration, and the cost containment guidelines issued by the National Treasury should be complied with when filling vacant positions.

In line with the spirit of the National Treasury guidelines on cost containment, where savings are realised based on efficiencies, such should not be considered to be under expenditure but saving to be surrendered to National Treasury.

Reply:

Find reply here

Reply:

1. The Strategic Equity Partner (SEP) process started during 2020/21 financial year, the period when the impact of COVID-19 had a debilitating effect on the aviation sector. As a result, some parties that had expressed interest could not provide capital required to operate SAA as required. The Government required an SEP that could provide all the finances for SAA following the exit from Business Rescue.

The transaction advisor assessed and evaluated the EOI’s of potential SEPs. However, there were no suitable SEP that could be identified as none of the potential SEPs had an offer that could be accepted by the Department. The entities were not showing evidence of immediate funding to restart SAA’s operations. RMB and the Department in January 2021 agreed that the SEP transaction was unlikely to be successful, the mandate of RMB ended and the Shareholder Department took over the process.

A proposal by Harith General Partners, which had been engaged in the RMB process, and Global Aviation which later became the Takatso Consortium (Takatso) was made to the Department together with other proposals from other interested parties. After evaluating the proposals, Takatso was then appointed as the preferred SEP. Takatso had the requisite combination of financial and operational capabilities required for the successful relaunch of SAA. Their composition would advance the transformation agenda. The preferred SEP was thereafter approved by Cabinet. This offer satisfied the Department’s requirements including the ability to provide the funding needed to restart operations.

2. Takatso has agreed to meet SAA’s working capital requirements. An initial funding of R3 billion is projected for SAA’s growth path leading to stability. All financial obligations will be borne by Takatso, absolving the government of further funding support. The fulfillment of this financial commitment by Takatso is critical as without it, the transaction cannot be concluded.

3. The initial valuation of SAA was undertaken in 2020, a time when the company was not operational due to the business rescue process and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which inevitably impacted its assessed value. A subsequent valuation was carried out in October 2021, just as SAA was resuming its operations and the overall aviation industry outlook was still uncertain.

Given that Takatso was selected as the preferred partner in June 2021 and more than two years have elapsed since, another valuation of SAA is prudent to ensure alignment with prevailing market conditions, for an updated and equitable value for the state. In light of this, the Department of Public Enterprises has initiated a new valuation to accurately ascertain the company's present status and prospective worth in the existing market environment.

4. The price that Takatso will pay for the 51% stake in SAA will be determined through negotiations, taking into account the updated valuation of the 51% share. This ensures that the settled amount accurately reflects the current worth of the stake, providing a fair transaction for both parties involved.

5.  Takatso Consortium has agreed to engage in negotiations aimed at finalizing a transaction amount, contingent upon and reflective of the revised valuation. This ensures that the concluding agreement is based on the prevailing market conditions.

The public and Parliament will be informed of all details once all processes have been concluded. It is also quite evident that current dominant entities and other proxies would not like any serious competition which could cause a reduction in fares to customers.

Remarks: Reply: Approved / Not Approved

Jacky Molisane P J Gordhan, MP

Acting Director-General Minister

Date: Date:

Reply:

Find reply here 

Reply:

Find reply here

Reply:

According to Information Received from Eskom:

1. Eskom has been rolling out the residential load management pilot in Gauteng, in areas such as Beverley, Lonehill, Craigavon, Magaliessig, Dainfern Valley, Witkopen, Fourways, and Douglasdale. The load limiting pilot is implemented in areas where customers already have smart meters. Therefore, there are no additional costs associated with the current pilot in the areas mentioned above, as Eskom had already installed smart meters in those areas. Eskom is leveraging functionalities embedded in installed meters for the benefit of both customers and Eskom. Thus, load limiting can be rolled out in all areas with smart meters at no additional cost.

2. Eskom is not aware of any concerns raised by users that are part of the load limiting pilot that Eskom is trying to control their electricity usage remotely. On the contrary, the participants are receiving the programme very well.

Eskom would like to highlight that the purpose of load limiting is not to remotely control the customer’s electricity usage. Load limiting is intended to provide customers with the benefit of using some appliances such as lights, refrigerators, televisions, and Wi-Fi routers, as long as the load remains below 10 Amps during load shedding Stages 1 to 4.

An hour before the start of load shedding, the system prompts customers to reduce their

consumption from 60/80 Amps to 10 Amps by sending a message to the customer interface unit (CIU) or cell phone. Customers are provided with four opportunities to reduce their consumption, and thereafter, if the load has not been reduced, the meter automatically switches off the electricity for 30 minutes.

Remarks: Approved / Not Approved

Jacky Molisane PJ Gordhan, MP

Acting Director-General Minister

Date: Date:

Reply:

Find reply here

Reply:

Find reply here

Reply:

Find reply here

Reply:

(1) The expenditure incurred by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation in the hosting of the XV BRICS Summit was R 104 350 405.79.

(2) The Department of International Relations and Cooperation did not contribute financially to the hosting of the BRICS Parliamentary Forum.

Reply:

Find reply here

Reply:

Province	What is the total number of persons who have benefitted from the Tourism Transformation Fund in each province since it was established to assist vulnerable groups
Eastern Cape	Four (4) Applications were approved
Free State	Two (2) Applications were approved
Gauteng	Two (2) Applications were approved
KwaZulu-Natal	Two (2) Applications were approved
Limpopo	Five (5) Applications were approved
Mpumalanga	One (1) Application was approved
Northern Cape	Two (2) Applications were approved
North West	No applications were approved
Western Cape	One (1) Application was approved

Reply:

I have been informed that the Department of Tourism has not conducted a comprehensive study on load shedding’s impact on tourism.

SA Tourism’s Departure Survey indicates the following:

1. Tourists experienced the regrettable cancellation of anticipated activities.
2. Interruptions in internet connectivity posed challenges, hindering communication with family, friends, or professional contacts.
3. Several tourists reported inconvenience when the heating and cooling systems in their accommodations became inoperative.
4. Dining experiences were prolonged due to power-related disturbances in restaurants.
5. Our transportation infrastructure also faced issues; traffic congestion occurred as a result of malfunctioning traffic signals.
6. Such disruptions frequently led to delays, compelling tourists to either forego scheduled activities or encounter difficulties in punctual arrivals at their destinations.

It is for this reason amongst others that the Department implements the Green Tourism Incentive Programme (GTIP) under its Tourism Incentive programme (TIP)

Reply:

Applicable POPIA provisions:

Chapter 1 (Definitions) of Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (POPIA)

Section 11(1)(a) of POPIA

Section 13 of POPIA

Section 15 of POPIA

Reply:

Rule 145(5) of the National Assembly is noted and respected, my apologies for missing the submission deadline.

Please find attached written replies for question 2704 and 2705 as submitted to the question office for tabling by my department.

 

Reply:

(1) (a) 43 (13 Permanent, 28 Interns and 2 Additional to the Establishment) (b) 74 only Permanent (c) 116 (115 permanent and 1 Additional to the Establishment)