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22 September 2023 - NW1598

Profile picture: Madokwe, Ms P

Madokwe, Ms P to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

What (a) is the position of her Office on the decision by the Gauteng Department of Social Development to underfund non-profit organisations that take care of persons living with disabilities with about R416 million and (b) steps will her Office take to ensure that this seemingly detrimental decision does not lead to another Life Esidimeni situation in the province?

Reply:

The matters raised by this question are located in the mandate of the national Department of Social Development (DSD). The question may be directed to the Minister of Social Development for reply.

22 September 2023 - NW2608

Profile picture: Chirwa, Ms NN

Chirwa, Ms NN to ask the Minister of Health

(a) What is the current waiting list of (i) surgeries and (ii) backlog in the hospitals in Mpumalanga and (b) how does his department plan to address the ongoing shortage of surgeons in the specified province?

Reply:

(a) (i) and (ii) The following table reflects the details in this regard

a) What is the current waiting list of

 

Hospital

(i) Surgeries

(ii) backlog in the hospitals in Mpumalanga

 

General Surgery

Gynae

Cataract

Paediatric

Orthopaedic

 

Rob Ferreira

170

0

1900

110

0

2180

Witbank

204

0

1710

0

54

1968

Mapulaneng

70

0

63

0

13

146

Themba

180

32

225

0

12

449

Ermelo

50

0

410

0

72

532

Total

674

32

4308

110

151

5275

(b) The department is running a Registrar Training Programme, which is a programme that offers bursaries to Mpumalanga Medical Officers to train as specialists in the different disciplines. The Medical Officers sign a contract with a work-back obligation to ensure they serve the province after completion of training. The period of the work-back obligation is equivalent to the time the registrar spent in training. The department continues to headhunt surgeons and other specialists to increase the pool.

The department is running synchronised marathons in the regional- and tertiary hospitals (namely Rob Ferreira and Witbank Provincial Tertiary hospitals and Mapulaneng, Temba and Ermelo regional hospitals) to reduce the backlogs of patients waiting for operations and this is beginning to bear fruits. The following can be reported:

  • Orthopaedic marathon was conducted from the 8-31 May 2023. A total of 427 patients were operated in the two tertiary and three regional hospitals. Some of the operations conducted include Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF), Femur nailing, K-Wire removals, debridements, tendon repairs etc.
  • For General Surgery, 19 patients were operated in July 2023 at Ermelo regional hospital in one day to reduce backlog because Ermelo hospital does not have surgeons. The team that worked there included three surgeons, two anaesthetists from tertiary and other regional hospitals, as well as Ermelo hospital medical officers. The operations conducted included Myomectomies, Skin graft, Inguinal hernia repair, Laparotomy (complex), Mastectomy (complex). The plan is to provide outreach to Ermelo until they have at least one surgeon. This approach is meant to support any hospital that doesn’t not have a specific specialty.
  • Women’s Health Gynae Operations were done throughout the month of August 2023 from 3rd to the 31st in all the two tertiary and three regional hospitals. A total of 259 women were operated. Operations conducted include total abdominal hysterectomies, vaginal Hysterectomies, Myomectomies, Bilateral Tubal Ligations, Rectovaginal Fistula Repairs and Laparoscopy.

The department continues to work on interventions to manage the waiting list of patients waiting for surgeries. The department also works with Tshemba Foundation NPO for cataract surgeries

It is worth noting that the recruitment of specialists in rural provinces remains a major problem and the affected provinces continue to look for innovative ways to recruit and retain specialists.

END.

22 September 2023 - NW2552

Profile picture: Mphithi, Mr L

Mphithi, Mr L to ask the Minister of Human Settlements

With reference to her announcement at the Community Schemes Ombud Service Indaba that was held in Johannesburg on 3 to 4 August 2023, (a) how does she envisage that the Government will be empowered to force gated communities to procure services, such as security and gardening services, from black economic empowerment companies and (b) what are the further relevant details in this regard?

Reply:

1. There is no obligatory mechanism or legislative provision which empowers government and the Community Schemes Ombud Service (CSOS) to appoint black-owned companies or Black Executive Managing Agents to render services at gated communities. This means that this largely remains a voluntary scheme and the current statistics simply reflect that there has neither been a discourse on this matter nor an appetite to engage Executive Managing Agents from historically disadvantaged communities and other forms of procurement within the schemes such as the gardening, plumbing and other services mentioned in my speech.

A need to develop managing agents from historically disadvantaged communities is therefore an urgent requirement and as a result, the CSOS has already signed a Memorandum of Understanding with large-scale managing agents to possibly incubate and train the Previously Disadvantaged Individuals (PDI) / managing agents in implementing the transformation agenda. Over time and with Black Executive Managing Agents obtaining practical exposure through collaboration with experienced Executive Managing Agents, these executives will become empowered to independently offer these services to a variety of community schemes.

2. The Memorandum of Understanding will be implemented gradually with the large-scale managing agents in order to achieve the transformation imperative cited above.

22 September 2023 - NW2528

Profile picture: Zungula, Mr V

Zungula, Mr V to ask the Minister of Health

(1)Whether his department (a) does a thorough investigation and (b) has investigators who work on a daily basis to ensure that there are no unregistered doctors who are practicing in any communities across the Republic as the Health Professionals Act, Act 56 of 1974, stipulates that no person may practice in any health profession unless he or she is registered to do so with the Health Professions Council of South Africa; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) what measures has his department put in place to prevent and ensure that no doctor practices without being registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA); (3) what number of bogus doctors has his department found to have been practicing without being registered at the HPCSA from 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023?

Reply:

1. (a) Inspections are conducted by Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) to identify unregistered persons posing as practitioners.

(b) Some of the inspectors within the HPCSA’s Inspectorate Unit are based in the provinces to conduct compliance inspections and identify unregistered persons posing as practitioners.

(2) The Department through the HPCSA took a proactive approach to establish the Inspectorate Unit that works with the South African Police Services, the National Prosecuting Authority, the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority, the Office of Health Standards Compliance, the South Africa Pharmacy Council, the South African Nursing Council, the Board of Health Care Funders and other authorities to ensure that persons practising any health professions whilst not registered are brought to book.

The HPCSA has conducted 2727 inspections in collaboration with the stakeholders mentioned above during the period April 2022 until March 2023. The awareness campaigns are held to educate members of the public on how to identify and report unregistered persons practicing illegally. It is equally important to note that the Constitution places the mandate to investigate and prevent crime under the portfolio of the Minister of Safety and Security. Furthermore, the Constitution places the mandate to prosecute persons charged with criminal offences under the portfolio of the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services.

(3) There were 33 unregistered bogus doctors who were posing as registered practitioners identified by the HPCSA for the period, 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023..

END.

22 September 2023 - NW2555

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Clarke, Ms M to ask the Minister of Health

What steps will his department take to address the brain drain of medical professionals to foreign countries, which is an apparent rebellion against the Government’s proposed National Health Insurance?

Reply:

The department has noted media reports regarding apparent rebellion against the Government’s proposed National Health Insurance. Brain drain of health personnel in search of a better standard of living and life quality, higher salaries, access to advanced technology and more stable political conditions in different places worldwide is a common global phenomenon.

As long ago as 1998 Weiner, Mitchell, Price published findings that data from South African medical schools suggested that a third to a half of medical graduates emigrated to the developed world. There are many well documented ‘push’ and ‘pull’ factors, such as:

Push Factors

  • Financial reasons
  • Limited career opportunities
  • Poor working conditions and management (corruption, limited     resources, equip. etc.)
  • Political instability, war, violence

Pull Factors

  • Financial reasons
  • Greater career opportunities
  • Better opportunities for family (schooling, living conditions, etc.)
  • Recruitment by destination countries

Policies that are currently in place to control healthcare worker migration have, since May 2010, included the WHO Global Code of Practice on the International Recruitment of Health Personnel. This is a voluntary protocol that sets principles and recommendations for health workers and associated stakeholders concerning migration. The key components of the code include:

  • Commitment to assisting countries facing critical health workforce shortages
  • Investment in information systems to monitor international migration of health workers
  • Emphasis on education and efforts to retain health workforces in member states
  • Protection of migrant worker’s rights
  • Responsible recruitment policies by destination/receiving countries and fair treatment of migrant health workers

Our own policy considers directly addressing some of the push and pull factors that drive health workers to migrate. But the issue is complex and multifaceted, particularly because demand remains for healthcare workers in developed countries.

END.

22 September 2023 - NW307

Profile picture: Hlengwa, Ms MD

Hlengwa, Ms MD to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

Given that 21 young persons died at the Enyobeni Tavern in Scenery Park in June 2022 and two more teenagers died at the Razzmatazz Tavern in Hofmeyr on Christmas Day, what are the relevant details of how her department collaborated with the Department of Police to address underage drinking and clamp down on businesses that sell alcohol to underage youth?

Reply:

The combating of underage drinking and the sale of liquor to minors are entrusted to the Department of Social Development (DSD) and the South African Police Service (SAPS) respectively. Consequently, a detailed response on what initiatives have been undertaken by government to curb these social ills should be directed to the Ministers of Social Development and of Police respectively.

The Department of Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities (DWYPD) monitors and coordinates the implementation of the National Strategic Plan on Gender Based Violence and Femicide (NSP on GBVF) working with various stakeholders, including the DSD and SAPS particularly to implement pillar two on prevention and rebuilding social cohesion. This work entails the coordination of reporting on the enforcement of current legislation on licensing of alcohol outlets, including the withdrawal of licenses for those that do not comply with their liquor license conditions, with particular focus on the sale of liquor to minors. Further, the DWYPD cooperates with the DSD on programmes that raise awareness on the ill-effects of alcohol and drug abuse by minors.

22 September 2023 - NW2606

Profile picture: Chirwa, Ms NN

Chirwa, Ms NN to ask the Minister of Health

(1)On what date will his department open and operationalise the 30-bed mental health facility in the Gert Sibande District Municipality in Mpumalanga; (2) whether the mental health needs of the patients in the region will be catered for in their entirety and the demand for mental health services be met through the specified facility; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) how does the facility plan to ensure that mental health awareness is part and parcel of the nearby communities it will serve; (4) what services will the facility offer in the wide spectrum of mental health needs and/or services?

Reply:

1. The mental health facility was opened and operationalised with effect from 14 April 2023.

2. The facility provides a comprehensive package of mental health services to voluntary, assisted and involuntary mental health care users. It also provides child and adolescent mental health services on an outpatient basis and forensic mental observations that are conducted on an outpatient basis. The facility does not have capacity to admit State patients or accused that require forensic mental observations by a panel in terms of Section 79 of the Criminal Procedures Act, 1977. The facility also does not have inpatient beds for children and adolescents. Mpumalanga province is in a process of constructing a 220 bedded specialised psychiatric hospital that will provide specialised mental health services including forensic mental health services, inpatient child and adolescent mental health services as well as services for those mental health care users whose conditions and treatment plans require medium to long term hospital stay. This facility when commissioned will service the entire population of Mpumalanga.

3. The facility plans to collaborate with other stakeholders including schools, primary health care clinics, school health nurses, NGOs and mental health care users themselves in the area to educate the surrounding communities and raise awareness on mental health.

4. The facility offers:

  • Inpatient and outpatient mental health services to voluntary, assisted and involuntary categories of mental health care users
  • Outpatient child and adolescent mental health services
  • Mental disorders, substance abuse and dual diagnosis treatment programmes
  • Psychogeriatrics programmes
  • Outpatient single psychiatrist forensic mental observations of accused in terms of the Criminal Procedures Act, and also
  • Conduct mental health research and training

END.

22 September 2023 - NW2526

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Zungula, Mr V to ask the Minister of Health

(1)Whether his department intends building a clinic at Smith’s Mine outside Barkly West (details furnished); if not, why not; if so, what are the (a) relevant details and (b) time frames; (2) whether his department has recorded the number of communities that are still without any healthcare facilities 30 years into democracy in the Republic; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

According to the Northern Cape Provincial Department of Health, the Frank Smith Diamond Mine is situated 65 km northwest of Kimberley on the farm Frank Smith No HV37, in Dikgatlong Local Municipality (Barkly West area). The population for Smith’s Mine is approximately ±200-300 residents.

These residents are serviced by a mobile clinic from Dikgatlong.

Due to the population size the area will continue to be serviced by a mobile clinic as it does not qualify for a fixed health facility.

The department is engaging on infrastructure improvement on a continuous basis, however not all areas will get a fixed facility for now but will be continuously serviced by the mobile unit. It should be noted that services rendered at mobile unit are same services rendered at fixed clinics.

END.

22 September 2023 - NW2577

Profile picture: Havard, Dr X

Havard, Dr X to ask the Minister of Health

What is the status of improving (a) mental health facilities and (b) health education programmes in rural and township communities?

Reply:

(a) The Mental Health Care Act 2002, (Act No 17 of 2002) (the Act) prescribes adherence to human rights principles in rendering mental health services which includes humane and fit for purpose facilities. Furthermore, the Act prescribes integration of mental health into the general health services environment. The Department has made strides in improving mental health facilities to comply with the human rights prescripts in the Mental Health Care Act, 2002. Among these are the following:

  • Mental Health Infrastructure norms were developed and gazetted in 2014. These guidelines ensure that new mental health infrastructure construction and revitalisation of the current infrastructure complies to the Mental Health Care Act, 2002 and the other health and human rights prescripts.
  • Mental health units have been attached to forty-two (42) general hospitals to increase access to mental health services and strengthen integration of mental health into the general health services environment. We continue with this expansion of service within the annual available budget.

(b) The Department is implementing different approaches to educate the public in urban, rural and townships communities on communicable diseases, risk factors to non-communicable diseases including mental health, mother and child health and safety from injuries. This is done in partnership with other government departments, professional bodies, schools, provincial communicators and NGO’s. The department has developed targeted message for priority conditions and these are communicated through role playing, poetry community dialogues and platforms such as radio and social media.

In PHC facilities, clients are educated on different topics on a daily basis. Fact sheets are developed and translated into different languages, these are accessible in health facilities and distributed during campaigns. Different Apps such as Mom Connect and B-Wise are used to send messages to different target groups. The B-Wise App aims to engage youth on health and the content includes mental health issues. Health experts respond to young people through this App.

END.

22 September 2023 - NW129

Profile picture: Hlengwa, Ms MD

Hlengwa, Ms MD to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

Whether, in light of the fact that 21 youths died at the Enyobeni Tavern in Scenery Park on 26 June 2022 and two more teens died at the Razzmatazz Tavern in Hofmeyr on Christmas, she will furnish Ms M D Hlengwa with a detailed overview of her department’s collaboration with the SA Police Service to address (a) underage drinking and (b) clamping down on businesses that sell alcohol to underage youth; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, on what date?

Reply:

The combating of underage drinking and the sale of liquor to minors are entrusted to the Department of Social Development (DSD) and the South African Police Service (SAPS) respectively. Consequently, a detailed response on what initiatives have been undertaken by government to curb these social ills should be directed to the Ministers of Social Development and of Police respectively.

The Department of Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities (DWYPD) monitors and coordinates the implementation of the National Strategic Plan on Gender Based Violence and Femicide (NSP on GBVF) working with various stakeholders, including the DSD and SAPS particularly to implement pillar two on prevention and rebuilding social cohesion. This work entails the coordination of reporting on the enforcement of current legislation on licensing of alcohol outlets, including the withdrawal of licenses for those that do not comply with their liquor license conditions, with particular focus on the sale of liquor to minors. Further, the DWYPD cooperates with the DSD on programmes that raise awareness on the ill-effects of alcohol and drug abuse by minors.

22 September 2023 - NW2536

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Van Staden, Mr PA to ask the Minister of Health

Whether, with reference to his reply to question 2421 on 30 June 2023, he is now in a position to provide the outstanding information regarding the (a) Eastern Cape, (b) Free State, (c) Gauteng and (d) Western Cape; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

1. Table 1 below indicates the number state mortuaries in the four (4) provinces over capacity status as of 29 August 2023.

 

Table 1:

Province

Total number of State Mortuaries with over capacity

Eastern Cape

None

Free State

None

Gauteng

8

Western Cape

None

 

(2) All facilities in the four provinces have back-up generator capacity. However, there are adverse impact on equipment (Generators and Fridges) as breakage are increasing due to frequent electrical surges. High diesel costs are also experienced.

(3) Table 2 below indicates the status of unclaimed bodies at state mortuaries in the four (4) provinces as of 29 August 2023.

Table 2

Province

Total number of unclaimed bodies

Eastern Cape

315

Free State

108

Gauteng

1009

Western Cape

 

(4) No. There are continuous discussions between Forensic pathology service, local municipalities, and the South African Police service with regards to unclaimed bodies.

END.

22 September 2023 - NW2568

Profile picture: Thembekwayo, Dr S

Thembekwayo, Dr S to ask the Minister of Health

With reference to his reply to question 1975 on 17 September 2020, (a) what are the reasons that none of the envisaged improvements occurred at the Pacaltsdorp Clinic in George, Western Cape, which is the only clinic servicing four wards and (b) how does he intend to provide access to the 23 000 residents in the specified area to proper medical care?

Reply:

a) According to the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness, the following factors and occurrences have caused delays on the project:

  • Construction Tender delays.
  • COVID-19 pandemic delayed the commencement of construction.
  • An Implementer (in terms of the IDMS) was appointed in 2023 to manage the implementation of the projects.
  • Professional Service Providers (PSP) Contracts came to an end and new PSP’s had to be appointed who need to familiarise themselves with the project documentation.

b) Provision of access to healthcare to the affected community:

  • The Pacaltsdorp Clinic is a fixed facility operating from Monday to Friday (07h30 to 16h00), providing comprehensive health including acute, mother and child and chronic diseases management including HAST, with full doctor and pharmacy services daily. The facility is congested, and an appointment system is being implemented to try and relieve this.

In addition

  • A dentist and oral hygienist visit the facility once a month, patients are pre-booked for these services. Emergency cases are referred to the Regional Hospital.
  • A Mental Health nurses visits the facility twice a week to see booked cases and uncontrolled mental health clients.
  • There are three external pick-up points located within the facility catchment area where stable chronic patients collect their medication.
  • Mobile outreach services providing comprehensive PHC are provided at 4 sites (one site per week) in 4 different areas furthest away from the clinic in Pacaltsdorp.
  • Health promotion outreach is done twice a month where preventive services are provided (family planning, immunisations, screening for HIV and TB, health promotion talks, etc.). The outreach is done to different sites on a rotational basis throughout the suburb so as to reach as many people as possible.
  • Where specific health related concerns are identified, ad-hoc outreach is done to address the specific concern and to conduct surveillance as part of our outbreak response.
  • Schools and creches are visited quarterly according to a roster for health promotion and dental outreach.
  • Psychiatry outreach to the facility is provided by George Regional Hospital, twice a month. Patients requiring urgent specialist psychiatry consultations or urgent and routine specialist services by other medical disciplines, are referred to the Regional Hospital.
  • Our partner, SAHARA, does substance rehabilitation on an outpatient basis at the facility, once a week.
  • Allied health services are provided on a rotational basis i.e. Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Physiotherapy visits the facility once a week, one speciality per week on a rotational basis. Patients are booked to see these specialists in advance. Patients requiring emergency consults with Allied Health Specialists are discussed with the specialist and seen on special outreaches (additional to planned visits) or refereed to the Regional Hospital Allied Health services.
  • Social Work services are provided by DSD and instances where the DSD Social Worker is not available, the Sub-district Social Worker will attend to the case on an urgent basis.
  • SASSA Dr does remote file assessment and so doing considers approximately 40 client applications per week.

To increase space in the limited size-facility, space has been extended with standalone containers wherein some of these services are delivered. until the facility is upgraded

Once the building is upgraded and there is a full-time security, we will explore extended hours at the facility and flexible hours for staff to decrease pressure on the facility.

END.

22 September 2023 - NW2567

Profile picture: Chirwa, Ms NN

Chirwa, Ms NN to ask the Minister of Health

With regard to persistent complaints by South African doctors who received training abroad, such as board exams, registration with HPCSA and internship registration, which his department has not been able to address positively and permanently, (a) what has he found to be the causes of these persisting issues and (b) by what date will his department resolve these issues permanently?

Reply:

a) According to the response received from the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), registration with the HPCSA for foreign qualified applicants is not guaranteed. The relevant Board must satisfy itself that, the curriculum and/or training received is equivalent to that offered in South African institutions, or at least, satisfactory. For the relevant Board to make the necessary determination, it relies on the submission of documentary proof by the applicants for review. Such documents must respond to requirements as set by the relevant Board, including hours of training received domains and evidence of satisfactory clinical exposure during training. The documents usually written in foreign languages may also need to be translated into English and notarised.

A Task Team of the relevant Board will review the submissions and may decide to either reject the application or subject the applicant to a Board examination. Once the Board has approved the application for a Board exam, the applicant may need to wait until a Board examination is available according to set schedules (exams are available frequently set and sometimes may happen only twice in a year).

These processes are lengthy and may sometimes take several months especially as applicants sometimes do not provide all the documentary evidence as required timeously (a non-compliant application will not be processed).

Internship placements is the responsibility of the National Department of Health. Applicants for internship registrations must submit proof of placement to perform internship in an accredited facility. This requirement is in terms of the regulations relating to registration of interns. Those who are waiting placement are therefore not registrable until such time that they have been placed.

b) Based on the above it is evident that there are a number of factors that an applicant must comply with before an application can be processed. If applicants fail to comply with these requirements, then they will unfortunately be delayed. Thus the only way these issues would be permanently resolved is when applicants are in full compliance of the HPCSA requirements.

END.

22 September 2023 - NW2576

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Gela, Ms A to ask the Minister of Health

What (a) has he found to be the impact of the health hazards caused by the zama-zama illegal mining activities on the public healthcare system and (b) is the prevalence of health interventions on matters related to the zama-zama illegal mining?

Reply:

a) There has been no study done to assess the impact of health hazards caused by the zama-zama illegal mining activities on the public healthcare system. The zama-zama illegal mining is an occurrence that needs to be stopped through collaboration between the mining industry and law enforcement. It is not an area that the health sector can spend its limited resources on.

b) There are no specific health interventions on matters related to the zama-zama illegal mining. The zama-zama illegal mining is an occurrence that needs to be stopped through collaboration between the mining industry and law enforcement. It is not an area that the health sector can spend its limited resources on.

END.

22 September 2023 - NW2564

Profile picture: Makesini, Ms M

Makesini, Ms M to ask the Minister of Human Settlements

What (a) are the relevant details of the reasons for the delay by her department in the completion and expected occupancy date of the oThongathi Housing Project in KwaZulu-Natal and (b) the total portion of the budgeted amount that has been spent by her department as at the latest specified date?

Reply:

(a) According to the information received from the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Department of Human Settlements, construction could only commence when the households residing in informal structures within the project footprint could be relocated, to allow for development. The households were relocated to temporary units in January 2019. The civil contractor started on site in March 2019. However, the civil programme was impacted by various challenges. One landowner refused to leave the project site and this matter took several months to resolve. The Covid-19 pandemic and the supply chain management process to extend the contract of the civil contractor, also caused further delays on the project. The extension of the contract was eventually granted in June 2022.

It should be noted that top structure construction can generally only start once sites are serviced- The delays in the civil work, also impacted negatively on the start of the construction of the top structures. The top structure contractor commenced with a show block of 11 units, however, due to the delay in installation of services, the units could not be completed. The top structure contractor’s agreement then expired. The tender process for the appointment of a new top structure contractor is underway through the Municipal Supply Chain Process and is anticipated to be awarded by October 2023. The construction of the houses is planned to resume in December 2023.

(b) An amount of R14 093 242.81 (which equates to 22% of the budget) has been spent to date, the majority of which was spent on servicing the site.

22 September 2023 - NW2578

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Xaba, Mr N to ask the Minister of Health

What (a) is the surveillance and intervention capabilities of his department with regard to pandemics and epidemics, which are health risks that will continue to occur in the future and (b) is the capacity of his department to fulfil its role on the continent to respond to pandemics and epidemics?

Reply:

(a) The current surveillance capabilities to respond to epidemics and pandemics to health risks include the existence of Notifiable Medical Conditions system managed by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), National Emergency Operation Centre, nine NICD Epidemiologists placed across nine provinces, as well as Surveillance Sub-Directorates under Communicable Disease Directorates and Outbreak Response Teams within the Department of Health across nine provinces. The list of priority diseases is being expanded to include subtropical diseases as guided by the World Health Organization. Capacity building workshops are being conducted across the provinces to ensure that clinicians, managers and epidemiologists are ready and equipped for pandemics and epidemics.

The existing surveillance capacity has been reviewed in May 2023 to inform the current draft Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) Strategic Plan 2030 which aims to –

(i) institute early warning systems to prevent the mass spread of infectious diseases and other health risks;

(ii) revive event and community-based surveillance systems;

(iii) strengthen one health approach by linking human health to animal health;

(iv) improve Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) surveillance systems at hospital level; and

(v) build an integrated health information system that uses existing electronic platforms through the mediator approach of linking webDHIS2 with Notifiable Medical Conditions electronic system, Port Health Surveillance, event-based and community surveillance, Animal Health surveillance system and disease specific surveillance systems.

(b) The Department is working with the Presidency in supporting the role of the President of the Republic in the African continent. The Department is supported by WHO to ensure compliance to the International Health Regulations of 2005 and participates in the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body in order to ensure readiness to respond to epidemics and pandemics. This includes establishing an integrated platform for surveillance early warning system for early detection and curb the spread of emerging diseases.

END.

22 September 2023 - NW961

Profile picture: Hlengwa, Ms MD

Hlengwa, Ms MD to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

Whether, considering that the report on How to Include the Missing Perspectives of Women of All Colors in News Leadership and Coverage is the third in a series of missing perspective reports commissioned by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and in view of the fact that the new report has found that fewer than two in five editors-in-chief in the Republic are women, she will provide an overview of how her Office has championed gender transformation in senior leadership positions across industries, especially in the media and communications industry; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

The Department has in the past two financial years compiled a monitoring report on the empowerment of women, youth and persons with disabilities focusing on levels of equity, employment, ownership and participation women, youth and persons with disabilities.

The report records the participation of women in senior leadership as follows:

1. Women Magistrates were 48.7% in 2020/21 and increased to 52.1% in 2021/22.

2. Women judges were 43.1% in 2020/21 and increased to 45.5% in 2021/22.

3. Representation of women in South African Police Services as Major General is at 37.9%, and Brigadier is at 38.2%. The percentage increased to 50% at higher position of Divisional Commissioner, Provincial Commissioner and Top Management. While the National commissioner is a man, two of the three Deputy National Commissioner are women.

4. Women representation at SMS level in the public service was at 27.9% in 2021/22. Youth are represented at levels 13, 14 and 15 with 1.4%, 1.7%, and 3.2 % respectively while persons with disabilities are represented by less than 2% in three levels.

5. Top Management level representation of women in the Private Sector was at 24.6%.

6. Data from StatsSA indicates that there are 4 407 Councillors of which 1 309 are female which translates to 29.7% women representation as Councillors.

22 September 2023 - NW2565

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Makesini, Ms M to ask the Minister of Human Settlements

Whether her department had to approve the provincial expenditure of more than R161,7 million by the Western Cape Government on security in response to allegations of a construction mafia and the illegal occupation of vacant land and homes under construction; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

No, the department does not approve expenditure on security as there is no policy provision for such. The Department is undertaking a review of its existing policies which will inform improvements on the utilisation of the grants.

22 September 2023 - NW2537

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Van Staden, Mr PA to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

Whether, with reference to his reply to question 1819 on 5 July 2023, he will furnish Mr P A van Staden with a copy of the State Attorney’s legal opinion obtained by his department; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:

Legal opinion is attached as requested. Annexure A.

In terms of the legal opinion obtained from the State Attorney, the complainant should not be paid unless if there is a court order to that effect. The complainant, as per the legal opinion provided, is not being disadvantaged, but in the event they believe in their case, they may proceed and test their case before a competent court of law as they did by way of issuing a letter of demand, hence litigation starts by issuing a letter of demand and the subsequent process shall follow thereafter.

22 September 2023 - NW2557

Profile picture: Khumalo, Dr NV

Khumalo, Dr NV to ask the Minister of Human Settlements

Whether her department has taken any steps to assist Provinces to spend housing grants fully to prevent their withdrawal due to underspending; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

Admittedly, the Provincial Departments of Human Settlements have been, and some are still experiencing numerous delivery challenges including spending the Human Settlements Grants fully, however, there are various interventions to improve and stabilise the performance of these Provinces.

The Department has taken the following key steps to improve performance:

  • Planning
    • More emphasizes has been placed on the business planning processes.
    • For the financial year under review, the approval of the business plans was done after the financial year had begun due to vigorous processes that were done and various consultations with the provinces including MINMEC.
    • Before the approval of the plans and the transfer of grants, Provinces were requested to submit and sign-off that projects included in their business plans were ready for implementation.
    • Included and as part of the business plans submitted by Provinces were the Projects Readiness Matrix and the Procurement Plans.
  • Monitoring and Mitigating on Provinces Performance
    • Provinces are monitored in line with the Division of Revenue Act (DoRA) provisions to report and account monthly and quarterly on their financial and non-financial performance against their annual allocations. This performance is continuously monitored and analyzed,
    • There are quarterly contact sessions that are held with Provinces to discuss the performance and the projects under implementation.
    • Different Forums, including MinMEC, which is a forum chaired by the Minister are held regularly to discuss the performance and to share ideas on how to improve performance by learning from others (Provinces and Metro Municipalities).
    • The Department has appointed Engineers (additional to the establishment) as Project Managers to support project level monitoring.
    • Specialists have been seconded to Provinces and Metros with performance challenges for specialized interventions, and this includes Free State and Mangaung.
    • War Rooms and Task Teams have also been appointed for immediate identification of emerging problems, stakeholder consultation and mitigations across all government levels and identified communities.
    • The Department has appointed a panel of 120 specialists in the built environment- This Panel is in the Department’s database. Services will be sourced from the panel as and when the need arises.
    • By the 5th month of the financial year, Provinces with observed poor performance are advised to submit their Recovery Plans, which are interrogated through intensive consultations with affected Provinces to confirm if these mitigation plans will indeed positively turn around and improve poor performance.
    • One-on-one attention is given to Provinces that need intervention.
  • On Policy Changes
    • The subsidy quantum was also increased by 29.7% for the 2023/24 financial year, mainly to address the increasing building costs. The adjustment seeks to ensure that contractors accelerate the delivery pace, that contractors do not abandon commenced projects due to unaffordable building costs; and to ensure that the quality of houses handed over to beneficiaries do not deteriorate.

22 September 2023 - NW2594

Profile picture: Msimang, Prof CT

Msimang, Prof CT to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services

(1)(a) What number of public prisons are currently being built, (b) by what date will they be operational and available to receive inmates and (c) what number of prisoners will each facility accommodate;

Reply:

a) There are two (02) correctional centres that are currently under construction, namely Parys Correctional Centre in the Free State and Northern Cape Region and Burgersdorp Correctional Centre in the Eastern Cape Region.

b) The planned completion date for the construction of Parys Correctional Centre is Quarter 4 of 2024/2025 financial year, and Burgersdorp Correctional Centre is planned to be completed by Quarter 4 of 2025/ 2026 financial year.

c) Parys Correctional Centre currently has bed spaces of 74, additional 176 bed spaces will be achieved, yielding a total of 250 beds. Burgersdorp Correctional Centre currently has 197 bed spaces, an additional 322 bed spaces will be achieved, yielding a total of 519 bed spaces.

END.

22 September 2023 - NW2543

Profile picture: van der Merwe, Ms LL

van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Social Development

What (a) number of unemployed social workers have been appointed by her department since 1 March 2023 and (b) is the current total number of social workers that have been employed by the Government?

Reply:

(a) There are 28 social workers appointed in the first Quarter (01 April – 31 June 2023).

(b) The current total number of social workers employed across government is 17 571.

 

22 September 2023 - NW2569

Profile picture: Semenya, Ms MR

Semenya, Ms MR to ask the Minister of Human Settlements

What are the departmental plans to deal with land hunger that contributes to land invasions? (2) Whether her departmental intends to encourage metropolitan municipalities who face land invasion, to utilise section 9(3)(a) of the Housing Act, Act 107 of 1997, to expropriate land for housing; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

  1. The Department’s plan to deal with land hunger includes the Housing Development Agency’s (HDA) targeted land acquisition of 1500 hectares of both state and privately-owned land parcels. In addition, the Department supports Provinces and the Metropolitan Municipalities to acquire land through various human settlements grant funding mechanisms.
  2. The Department is encouraging the utilisation of expropriation in terms of section 9(3)(a) of the Housing Act, Act 107 of 1997 by all municipalities. Accordingly, effecting the same clause, through the HDA, the Department has facilitated the process to acquire approximately 42,8243 hectares of land on behalf of the Rustenburg Local Municipality that will be used for the development of housing and human settlements in the North-West Province.

22 September 2023 - NW1471

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Tito, Ms LF to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

In light of the high unemployment and poverty rates in the Republic, what impact has the (a) National Youth Development Agency, (b) Small Enterprise Finance Agency and (c) Sector Education and Training Authorities had in addressing youth unemployment and poverty?

Reply:

a) Since its inception in 2010 the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) has, among other achievements:

  1. Supported more than 200 000 youth owned enterprises with non-financial interventions which include business development training, business development support, access to market initiatives and mentorship and aftercare.
  2. Provided more than 25 000 youth owned enterprises with financial support to start and scale their own enterprises.
  3. Assisted more than 500 000 with skills development and work readiness programs to support their transitions into the labour market.
  4. Placed more than 100 000 youth in jobs.
  5. Supported more than 250 000 youth through National Youth Service programs which have contributed to social cohesion and nation building.
  6. Commissioned over 20 independent monitoring and evaluation assessments of the impact of its programs.
  7. Developed the approved Integrated Youth Development Strategy 2030 aligned to the National Development Plan and the National Youth Policy. Two progress reports on the IYDS have been completed to date.

b) The Small Enterprise Finance Agency (SEFA) is under the custodianship of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC). This part of the question may be directed to the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition for reply.

c) Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) are under the custodianship of the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET). This part of the question may be directed to the Minister of Higher Education and Training for reply.

22 September 2023 - NW2241

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Arries, Ms LH to ask the Minister of Police

What (a) total number of (i) police officers and (ii) civilian officials were investigated for criminal activities in the past five years, (b) were the charges and (c) number was successfully prosecuted and removed from the police service?

Reply:

Find reply here

 

22 September 2023 - NW1784

Profile picture: Mafanya, Mr WTI

Mafanya, Mr WTI to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

What are the relevant details of the investigations that her Office, working together with the SA Police Service, initiated regarding the escalating number of women and children abductions that are rampant across the Republic?

Reply:

Combating the abductions of women and children falls within the mandate of the South African Police Service (SAPS), thus a detailed response on investigations initiated may be obtained from the Minister of Police.

The department coordinates the implementation and monitoring of the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (NSP on GBVF). This includes monitoring various interventions in the fight against Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) by the SAPS as detailed below:

#

Monitoring Area

Progress Noted as at April 2023

 

DNA kits

100% procurement of DNA kits by SA Police Service and delivery of kits to police stations, mainly to collect DNA samples in reported sex crimes.

 

Conviction and detection rates for crime committed against women

As at March 2023, the conviction rate was 83.38% and the detection rate was 69.55%. The police attributed the low detection rate to difficulties in tracing attempted murder and arrest of undocumented repeat offenders.

 

Conviction and detection rates for crime committed against children

As at March 2023, the conviction rate was 81.68% and the detection rate was also 81.68%. The police attributed the low detection rate to the mediation of cases before arrest of suspect and that complainants are unable to identify the perpetrators due to intoxication and environmental design.

 

GBVF Backlog Cases

The SA Police Service has worked intensively to clear backlog cases where in December 2021 80 656 were backlog and as at April 2023 the backlog was reduced to 31 021.

 

Quality of victim-friendly services

100% (1 159) of functional police stations render victim-friendly services. However, do police stations do not meet the quality dimensions as per the SA Police Service Categorisations: Bethule police station (in Free State Xhariep District) and Moeka Vuma police station (in North West Bojanala District).

 

GBVF Hotspots

665 preventions interventions conducted in top 30 GBV, domestic violence and sexual offences police stations in the country between February and March 2023.

 

Training and Support for Police

In 2022/23 2 262 (100%) Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) officials received trauma debriefing. This is important in the fight against GBVF. Training on proactive interventions targeting 3806 officers, by 31 March 2023. 12 950 members trained and 12 938 declared competent. Indicator is at 340% performance. Training on reactive interventions targeting 3 497 officers by 31 March 2023. 13 015 members trained and 12 991 declared competent. Indicator is currently at 372% performance. The courses covered have relevancy for dealing with abductions. The courses include: human rights and policing; vulnerable groups; victim empowerment; first responder to sexual offences; resolving of crimes skills; domestic violence learning; family violence, child protection and sexual offences; psychological motivated crimes; and dignity, diversity and policy.

 

Breaking alcohol and GBVF linkages

A total of 53 259 illegal liquor outlets have either closed or the illegal traded terminated from May 2021 to March 2023.

 

Budget and Expenditure

The SA Police Service report a budget of R100 Million for the implementation of the GBV Action Plan for the 2022/23 financial year. As at March 2023, expenditure was R89 Million with a variance of about R11 Million.

22 September 2023 - NW2575

Profile picture: Jacobs, Dr KL

Jacobs, Dr KL to ask the Minister of Health

What is the progress in building an integrated national health information system that will enable any healthcare institution to access patients' medical records from anywhere in the Republic in order to improve patient care in preparation for the National Health Insurance system?

Reply:

  • Building a uniform and integrated a National Health Information System (NHIS) which caters for both the current public and private health sectors for the purposes of National Health Insurance is complex and requires a standardised approach. The Department has, over the past few years, worked on the development of the backbone and technology platform to enable the development and implementation of the National Health Information System:

“To date the building of the NHIS platform and architecture focussed on answering the following question WHO the user (Patient Registry) is who receives services - WHERE (Health Establishment Registry) they receive those services - FROM WHOM (Service Provider Registry) -FOR WHAT (Clinical, Diagnostic and Procedural Coding)”

  • Critical to a successful NHIS is ensuring that each citizen and legal resident (USER) has a Master Patient Index (MPI) or Health Patient Registration number (HPRN). This number is the thread that will enable healthcare service providers and establishments to be able to access anywhere in the health system the correct and relevant patient information required to render a service. The National Department of Health built and implemented the Health Patient Registration System (HPRS) which creates and issues a unique number for the USER of health care services. This number is the number that will link all health service encounters within the South African health sector to a single person. Since 2014 extensive work was done to implement the HPRS in public health establishments and to conduct the relevant change management. To date (28 August 2023) we have implemented the HPRS in 3 220 public health facilities ( 3 136 PHC establishments and 84 hospitals). We are engaging with the private sector on the implementation of the HPRS and the use of the MPI as the unique identifier for patient information systems deployed in the sector. The HPRS will be the authoritative source for ALL demographic details of a USER and is the cornerstone on a portable electronic health record.
  • WHERE a USER accesses health services is obtained from the Master Health Facility List (MHFL) platform. The MHFL provides for the identity of ALL health establishments and community-based health service points that provide health services in the country. The MHFL was used extensively during the COVID-19 pandemic for both public and private establishments (facilities). Currently there are 51131 establishments registered on the Master Health Facility List (MHFL) and there are continuous efforts to enhance the register. A Health Establishment Registry Technical Working Group with stakeholders from public and private sector was established in beginning of 2023 to review existing practices and make recommendations to the National Health Council for a standardised Health Establishment Registry data framework and its governance.
  • Management of data regarding from whom a USER receives services (clinical professional) is in concept phase and the plan is for this system to be fully functional within the next financial year. All systems that currently maintain healthcare service provider information must be interfaced with this Service Provider Registry.
  • Knowing what services were rendered at a health establishment for a USER is key to ensuring quality and efficiencies in the provision of health services. A Technical Working Group was established in 2022, comprising both public and private sector. Recommendations on Clinical Diagnostic and Procedural Coding of health services were made and tabled at the National Health Council. These recommendations will be published in the Government Gazette.
  • Work has also been done on building a Health Information Exchange which is a platform that allows different computer systems to communicate in a clear manner ensuring that data can be exchanged across the system. The Health Normative Standards Framework (HNSF) for Digital Health were gazetted in 2014 and more recently 2022. These standards provide guidance for anyone developing systems within the South African health sector and are regarded as the minimum technical standards that must be included. Both the HIE and HNSF assist in ensuring that interoperability of health systems is upheld and maintained.
  • Ultimately every USER must have a portable Electronic Health Record (EHR). Work has started on the development of a modular Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system, to be deployed in public health facilities, which contains data collected during care episodes and which send data to our EHR. The first EMR module, focussing on HIV and TB will be introduced by March 2023 while a fully-fledged EMR will take approximately 5 years.
  • Integrated digital patient solutions are critical to a functional health system but require appropriate and quality broadband connectivity to function. Reliable electricity and connectivity require a government wide approach.

END.

22 September 2023 - NW2607

Profile picture: Chirwa, Ms NN

Chirwa, Ms NN to ask the Minister of Health

(a) What are the reasons that over 100 clinics in Mpumalanga do not have visiting doctors, (b) how do the patients who use the specified health facilities get the attention of doctors, (c) what steps has his department taken to address the situation, (d) by what date will it be a normal occurrence that patients at all 100 clinics have access to a visiting doctor, (e) what are the names of the clinics in Mpumalanga that do not have visiting doctors and (f) in which wards are they located?

Reply:

According to Mpumalanga provincial department of health:

(a) There are 62 clinics out of 294 clinics in Mpumalanga that do not have visiting doctors because of difficulty to recruit and retain doctors.

(b) Patients who use the specified health facilities and those who needs to be seen by the doctors are referred to the nearest referral hospital, since the Primary Health Care services are nurse managed with doctor support.

(c) The department is contracting GPs to increase support to PHC facilities and is currently in the process of contracting a total of 69 general medical practitioners to increase support to PHC facilities.

(d) It is not possible to provide this date because it is uncertain what the recruitment/contracting process will yield for 62 clinics that do not have visiting doctors.

(e) and (f) PHC Facilities that do not have visiting doctors and the wards in which they are located are in the tables below:

District

Sub-district

(e) what are the names of the clinics in Mpumalanga that do not have visiting doctors and

(f) in which wards are they located?

Ehlanzeni

City of Mbombela North

  1. Clau-Clau

10

Ehlanzeni

City of Mbombela North

  1. Khumbula

34

Ehlanzeni

City of Mbombela North

  1. Manzini

7

Ehlanzeni

City of Mbombela North

  1. Zwelisha
 

Ehlanzeni

City of Mbombela South

  1. Glenthorpe clinic

45

Ehlanzeni

City of Mbombela South

  1. Kaapsehoop clinic

30

Ehlanzeni

City of Mbombela South

  1. Boulders clinic

30A

Ehlanzeni

City of Mbombela South

  1. Low’s Creek clinic

43

Ehlanzeni

City of Mbombela South

  1. Louieville clinic

30B

Ehlanzeni

Nkomazi

  1. Masibekela

14

Ehlanzeni

Nkomazi

  1. Figtree

11

Ehlanzeni

Nkomazi

  1. Mbangwane

12

Ehlanzeni

Nkomazi

  1. Mbuzini

13

Ehlanzeni

Nkomazi

  1. Ndindindi

13

Ehlanzeni

Nkomazi

  1. Strydomblok (Municipality)

6b

Ehlanzeni

Nkomazi

  1. Mananga

12

Ehlanzeni

Nkomazi

  1. Dludluma

6

Ehlanzeni

Nkomazi

  1. Jeppes Reef

32

Ehlanzeni

Nkomazi

  1. Driekoppies

26

Ehlanzeni

Nkomazi

  1. Middelplaas

31

Ehlanzeni

Nkomazi

  1. Jeppes Rust

18

Ehlanzeni

Nkomazi

  1. Mgobodzi

15

Ehlanzeni

Nkomazi

  1. Sihlangu

16

Ehlanzeni

Nkomazi

  1. Sikhwahlane

19

Ehlanzeni

Nkomazi

  1. Phiva

10

Ehlanzeni

Nkomazi

  1. Boschfontein

23

Ehlanzeni

Nkomazi

  1. Sibange

16

Ehlanzeni

Nkomazi

  1. Ritchershoek

29

Ehlanzeni

Nkomazi

  1. Buffelspruit

29

Ehlanzeni

Nkomazi

  1. Schoemansdal

28

Ehlanzeni

Nkomazi

  1. Ntunda

19

Ehlanzeni

Nkomazi

  1. Schulzendal

31

Ehlanzeni

Nkomazi

  1. KaMdladla

07

Ehlanzeni

Thaba Chweu

  1. Brondal

11

Ehlanzeni

Thaba Chweu

  1. Simile

06

Ehlanzeni

Thaba Chweu

  1. Kiwi Clinic

05

Ehlanzeni

Bushbuckridge

  1. Calcutta Clinic

03

Ehlanzeni

Bushbuckridge

  1. Mkhuhlu Clinic

01

Ehlanzeni

Bushbuckridge

  1. Oaklely Clinic

24

Ehlanzeni

Bushbuckridge

  1. Jim-brown Clinic

06

Ehlanzeni

Bushbuckridge

  1. Thokozani Clinic

06

Ehlanzeni

Bushbuckridge

  1. Madras Clinic

02

Ehlanzeni

Bushbuckridge

  1. Cottondale Clinic

20

Ehlanzeni

Bushbuckridge

  1. Moreipuso Clinic

32

Ehlanzeni

Bushbuckridge

  1. Orinocco Clinic

12

Ehlanzeni

Bushbuckridge

  1. Arthurseat Clinic

10

Ehlanzeni

Bushbuckridge

  1. Xanthia Clinic

37

Ehlanzeni

Bushbuckridge

  1. Zoeknog Clinic

32

Ehlanzeni

Bushbuckridge

  1. Cork Clinic

23

Ehlanzeni

Bushbuckridge

  1. Belfast Clinic

23

Ehlanzeni

Bushbuckridge

  1. Goromane clinic

01

Ehlanzeni

Bushbuckridge

  1. Skukuza Clinic

38

Total PHC facilities not supported by a doctor in Ehlanzeni: 52

District

Sub district

(e) what are the names of the clinics in Mpumalanga that do not have visiting doctors and

(f) in which wards are they located?

Gert Sibande

Chief Albert Luthuli

  1. Diepdale Clinic

01

 

Chief Albert Luthuli

  1. Glenmore Clinic

11

 

Chief Albert Luthuli

  1. Swallowsnest Clinic

06

 

Chief Albert Luthuli

  1. Bettysgoed Clinic

06

 

Chief Albert Luthuli

  1. Kroomdraai Clinic

12

 

Chief Albert Luthuli

  1. Vlakplaas Clinic

19

 

Chief Albert Luthuli

  1. Arhmberg Clinic

10

 

Chief Albert Luthuli

  1. Mbejeka Clinic

18

 

Chief Albert Luthuli

  1. Carolina Clinic

15

 

Chief Albert Luthuli

  1. Silobela Clinic

22

Total PHC facilities not supported by a doctor in Gert Sibande: 10

 

Grand total for Ehlanzeni and Gert Sibande= 62 PHC facilities not supported by the doctors but refers patients to the nearest hospitals.

END.

21 September 2023 - NW2890

Profile picture: Graham, Ms SJ

Graham, Ms SJ to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy

Whether his department was involved in the installation of solar systems at Vondeling in the Dr Beyers Naudé Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape; if not, why not; if so, what (a) total number of solar systems were installed at Vondeling in 2021, (b) total number of the solar system units are not working, (c) total number have never worked and (d) are the reasons that the contractor has not been required to repair the non-functioning units?

Reply:

Yes, DMRE was involved in the installation of the SHSs

a) DMRE installed eighty-eight (88) Solar Home Systems (SHSs) at Dr Beyers Naude in the 2020/21 financial year through one of its appointed service providers. Twenty (20) SHSs were installed in Vondeling.

b) The DMRE conducted an inspection with the service provider and the municipality officials on 28-29 April 2021. During the inspection two (2) of the installed SHSs were found to be not working and the service provider was instructed to repair, and they were repaired.

All SHSs (88 in total) installed were working when the inspection was concluded on 29 April 2021.

c) None

d) There installed SHSs are covered by the service provider for a period of one (1) year post the installation period through warranties as per the contract signed between the DMRE and the service provider. Once the one year period has elapsed, the repairs and maintenance of the SHSs becomes the responsibility of the municipality.

21 September 2023 - NW2753

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Faber, Mr WF to ask the Minister of Public Service and Administration

(a) What total amount did (i) her department and (ii) each entity reporting to her pay for printed copies of the integrated annual reports in the (aa) 2020-21, (bb) 2021-22 and (cc) 2022-23 financial years, (b) who were the suppliers in each case and (c) what total number of copies of the report were printed (i) in each case and (ii) in each specified financial year?

Reply:

Details regarding the Layout, Design and Printing of the Annual Reports for the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) are as follows:

(aa) 2020-21:

(a) R152 961.62

(b) Ndabase Printing Solutions

(c) 300 copies

(bb) 2021-22:

(a) R119 800.00

(b) Young Stars Computer Services

(c) 200 copies

(cc) 2022-23:

(a) R43 240.00

(b) Black Icon Designs

(c) 65 copies

21 September 2023 - NW2757

Profile picture: Khakhau, Ms KL

Khakhau, Ms KL to ask the Minister of Tourism

(a) What total amount did (i) her department and (ii) each entity reporting to her pay for printed copies of the integrated annual reports in the (aa) 2020-21, (bb) 2021-22 and (cc) 2022-23 financial years, (b) who were the suppliers in each case and (c) what total number of copies of the report were printed (i) in each case and (ii) in each specified financial year?

Reply:

I have been informed by the Department:

 

(aa) 2020-21

(bb) 2021-22

(cc) 2022-23

(a)(i) What total amount did the Department pay for printed copies of the integrated annual reports

R0.00

Annual report not printed.

R0.00

Annual Report not printed.

R0.00

Annual Report not printed.

(b) Who were the suppliers in each case

No printing suppliers procured.

No printing suppliers procured.

No printing suppliers procured.

(c) What total number of copies of the report were printed in each case and in each specific financial year

0

0

0

I have been informed by SA Tourism:

 

(aa) 2020-21

(bb) 2021-22

(cc) 2022-23

(a)(ii) What total amount did SA Tourism pay for printed copies of the integrated annual reports

R90 721.00

R110 079.15

R95 721.00

(b) Who were the suppliers in each case

Afrimage Communications

Milk Brown Design and Communications

Milk Brown Design and Communications

(c) What total number of copies of the report were printed in each case and in each specific financial year

100

150

150

21 September 2023 - NW2793

Profile picture: Nothnagel, Dr J

Nothnagel, Dr J to ask the Minister of Public Service and Administration

What is the progress regarding the abolition of the requirement of work experience for entry-level posts in Government?

Reply:

Under the Directive issued by the Minister for the Public Service and Administration (MPSA) on 04 February 2019, entry-level posts within the Public Service are categorised as level 3 for roles requiring only a senior certificate and level 6 for roles necessitating a tertiary qualification at a minimum. A revised Directive will be issued before the end of November 2023 with a clear criteria on how Executive Authorities may identify the entry level posts. In terms of of the Public Service Act, the responsibility for identifying these specific posts rests with the Executive Authority of the respective department. Presently, posts with no experience requirements are also being advertised within the Public Service. The revised directive will highlight that experience is not required in all positions up until level 6, where such positions have no supervisory responsibilities.

End

21 September 2023 - NO519

Profile picture: Tambo, Mr S

Tambo, Mr S to ask the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies

What is the practical and step-by-step plan of his department to resolve the problems of access to internet connectivity in the Republic?

Reply:

    1. Cabinet approved the revised SA Connect Phase 2 model and implementation plan which connects both Government and communities.

      The approved model is based on a partnership between SITA, Broadband Infraco and Sentech. It includes implementation via the social obligations in the new licensing plan of high demand spectrum, with Departments being responsible for maintenance thereafter.

      The step-by-step targets for each category are as follows:

      1. SITA will connect Government Sites (National and Provincial Departments – including the South African Police Service) and excluding schools and clinics (unless they are part of the existing broadband initiatives). Over the next 3 years:
      SITA will connect at a minimum of 10 megabits per second (Mbps) a total of 14 742 Government sites as well as 949 libraries and Thusong Centres

      Existing budgets from line departments must be utilised for maintenance and the extension of services provided by SITA.


      2. Telecommunication companies through the ICASA-awarded High Demand Spectrum licenses will be mandated as part of their Service Obligations within 36 months to provide 10Mbps (uplink and downlink), uncapped and upgradable for the same duration that the entities are licensed to utilise the spectrum broadband services to connect a total of:
      • 18 520 schools
      • 1764 pitals and 3967 clinics
      • 567 libraries and Thusong centres; and
      • 8241 Traditional and Tribal Authority centres

      3. Broadband Infraco and SENTECH will provide broadband infrastructure to enable more broadband connection possibilities at a minimum of 5 Mbps, positively affecting 5 830 208 households over the next 3 years, as follows:
      • 840 Open Access Base stations
      • 33 539 community Wi-Fi hotspots to connect 5 830 208 households
      • 1 600 households using a very small aperture terminal (VSAT) connections in the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Northern Cape mountainous areas

      Thank You.

21 September 2023 - NW2917

Profile picture: Mkhonto, Ms C N

Mkhonto, Ms C N to ask the Minister of Employment and Labour

What total number of officials of his department have been found guilty of collusion with employers in defrauding the (a) COVID-19 Temporary Employee Relief Scheme and (b) Unemployment Insurance Fund during the 2022-23 financial year?

Reply:

a) The total number is three (3) based in Kwazulu Natal province, all officials are dismissed from the Department;

b) Five officials were dismissed as follows;

1 Gauteng

1 Northen Cape

1 Western Cape

2 North West

21 September 2023 - NW2849

Profile picture: Sithole, Mr KP

Sithole, Mr KP to ask the Minister of Tourism

Since 1 January 2023, what (a)(i) total number and (ii) kind of small-scale businesses has her department helped in rural areas in KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo and Mpumalanga and (b) total number of jobs have been created by Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency?

Reply:

(a) I have been informed by the Department that the table, below, reflects the number and kind of small-scale businesses helped by the Department in rural KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo and Mpumalanga since 1 January 2023:

1. Tour Operator Incubation Programme

The purpose of the programme was to offer incubations and business development support

interventions to emerging tour operators across the country. The programme involved 44

emerging tour operators and ran for two years until May 2023.

 

(i) What total number of small-scale businesses has the department helped in rural areas

(ii) What kind of small-scale businesses has the department helped in rural areas

KwaZulu-Natal

8

Emerging Tour Operators

Limpopo

3

Emerging Tour Operators

Mpumalanga

2

Emerging Tour Operators

2. Community Based Tourism Incubation Programme

The Pilot Community Based Tourism Incubation programme identifies community run projects at viable rural destinations and provide business strategy and capacity building to managing teams for effective operations of enterprises.

 

(i) What total number of small-scale businesses has the department helped in rural areas

(ii) What kind of small-scale businesses has the department helped in rural areas

KwaZulu-Natal

1

Khula Village

KwaZulu-Natal

3

Homestays

3. The Women in Tourism Business Advisory and incubation programme in Limpopo Province.

The initiative has identified seven (7) mainly women owned and run projects in tourism and related sectors:

NO

PROJECT NAME

LOCATION

PROJECT TYPE

1.

Baleni Salt Harvest

Shawela Village - Greater Giyani Municipality

Salt Harvesting / Tourist attraction

2.

Hi Hlurile Pot of Beads

Giyani Section E - Greater Giyani Municipality

Bead manufacturing

3.

Twananani Textiles

Mbokota village, Makhado Local Municipality

Textile

4.

Mukondeni Pottery Village

Makhado Local Municipality

Pottery

5.

Nahakwe Lodge

Mamaila village, Greater Letaba Local Municipality

Accommodation establishment

6.

Scrap Metals collector for

Art Gallery production

Tshivhuyuni village; Makhado Local Municipality

Art gallery

7.

Homestays

Mashishimale village in Ba-Phalaborwa Local Municipality

Accommodation

4. Tourism Technology Grassroots Innovation Incubation Programme (TTGIIP),

The TTGIIP is implemented jointly with the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA). The programme empowers young entrepreneurs with tech ideas that enhance the travel and tourism industry operations in various ways. TIA helps 20 incubatees across the country with product development, technology design, prototype development, market testing and commercialisation. One incubatee from Mpumalanga has been assisted to take his online arts and crafts retail platform to market.

5. Food Service Incubation Programme

The programme provides business development support interventions to 100 entrepreneurs in the food services sub sector of hospitality. The purpose is to help with establishment of small businesses that operate effectively. Some of the entrepreneurs are graduates from the Department’s training and development initiatives such as Chef, Sommelier and food services training. The list of enterprises supported in Kwa Zulu Natal, Limpopo and Mpumalanga is provided in the table below.

 

(i) What total number of small-scale businesses has the department helped in rural areas

(ii) What kind of small-scale businesses has the department helped in rural areas

KwaZulu-Natal

8

Food Entrepreneurs/ chefs

Limpopo

13

Food Entrepreneurs/ chefs

Mpumalanga

3

Food Entrepreneurs/ chefs

(b) The question is to be directed to the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency.

21 September 2023 - NW2891

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Graham, Ms SJ to ask the Minister of Tourism

(1) What was the (a) total cost of the Baviaanskloof Interpretive and Visitor Information Centre at Nuwekloof and (b) source of funding for the specified centre; (2) what total number of persons have been employed at the centre since its opening in 2022; (3) (a) what is the total number of vacancies at the centre and (b) on what date will the vacancies be filled; (4) what (a) total number of visitors have been to the centre in each month since its opening and (b) programmes are planned for the centre for the rest of the current financial year?

Reply:

(1) (a) I have been informed by the Department that the total construction cost for the Baviaanskloof Interpretative Centre & Visitor Information Centre was R35 230 367.75. The amount excludes the R8 212 121.00 for consultants’ fees.

(b) The Department of Tourism successfully secured R57 million funding from the European Union through National Treasury for the implementation of the Baviaanskloof World Heritage Site Leopard Trail Huts and Interpretation Centre projects.

(2) There are currently 5 employees at the Centre; 2 providing information to visitors and managing the Centre and 3 officials managing the security gates.

(3) (a) The Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Authority (ECPTA) has drafted a Human Resources Plan that will inform the number of vacancies to be filled, however there are 5 employees currently at the Centre.

(b) The HR Plan developed by ECPTA will be subject to board approval by end of

2023/24 financial.

(4) (a) What total number of visitors have been to the centre in each month since its opening.

 

MONTH

WESTERN SECTION INTERPRETIVE CENTRE

EASTERN SECTION GATE

WESTERN SECTION GATE

TOTAL

Aug-22

1424

173

200

 

Sep-22

170

100

133

 

Oct-22

116

121

340

 

Nov-22

133

125

225

 

Dec-22

172

260

671

 

Jan-23

50

874

575

 

Feb-23

96

389

390

 

Mar-23

0

260

105

 

Apr-23

130

664

325

 

May-23

0

376

265

 

Jun-23

27

350

345

 

Jul-23

92

335

300

 

Aug-23

60

 

1450

 

Total

2470

4027

5324

 

Overall Total

     

11821

 

(b) The Centre is strategically placed as the biodiversity educational centre, tourism hub and to operate as the visitor information centre for the Western section of the Baviaanskloof. The Centre is linked to other concessions in the Baviaanskloof, e.g. the Annual Trans-Baviaans Mountain Bike Challenge Race and the Leopard Trail hiking experience.

21 September 2023 - NW2916

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Mkhonto, Ms C N to ask the Minister of Employment and Labour

What consequence management steps will he take against the commissioners of the Unemployment Insurance Fund and the Compensation Fund for not submitting on time the annual financial statements of the two entities to the Auditor-General for the 2022-23 financial year?

Reply:

The Director General will evaluate the impact that the approved delay in the submission of the 2021/22 financial statements (which impacted the submission of the 2022/23 annual financial statements) has yielded on the control environment of the Compensation Fund’s control environment, the audit outcome and service delivery performance.

There will be feedback sessions conducted with all stakeholders (management, audit committee, Auditor General) to reflect on the outcome. Thereafter a corrective action and accountability will be enforced.

 

21 September 2023 - NW2811

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De Freitas, Mr MS to ask the Minister of Tourism

(1) With reference to the resignation of Mr Themba Khumalo, the former acting chief executive officer of South African Tourism (SAT), what are the (a) reasons that the SAT Board agreed to the specified person’s request to resign immediately without working out the notice period and (b) total costs of salaries, reimbursements and any other benefits that were paid out; (2) with reference to the appointment of a certain person (details furnished), what are the (a) reasons that the SAT Board appointed the specified person to the relevant position in spite of allegations of bribery against the person and (b) implications for SAT?

Reply:

(1) (a) I have been informed by SA Tourism that in resolving to accept the resignation with immediate effect, the Board considered SA Tourism’s programme with imminent demands, the need for stability at leadership and the need to assure SA Tourism stakeholders of continuity against the individual’s expressed preference.

(b) R130,931.61 leave pay-out after deductions and recoveries.

(2) (a) The allegations of bribery were brought to the attention of the Board on 9 May 2023, during Africa’s Travel Indaba in Durban, when media reports appeared. This was after the Board had appointed her into the acting position. Having inquired into the matter and being furnished with documentary evidence which implied that the specified person had followed a gift declaration process for approvals to accept an invitation in 2022, the Board resolved to retain her in the acting position pending the completion of an independent forensic investigation.

(b) The implications of the whistleblowing report were that SA Tourism had to process the complaint in line with its policy.

21 September 2023 - NW2926

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Lorimer, Mr JR to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy

What steps is he and his department taking to close the legislative loopholes that were identified in the Joint Illegal Mining Report, which make it more difficult for law enforcement to stop illegal mining?

Reply:

The Department is participating in the process of developing the General Laws amendment (GLA) Bill by creating provisions in the Mineral Petroleum Resource Development Act (MPRDA, the Diamond Act and the Precious Metal Act that will strengthen penalties and criminalise illegal mining.

21 September 2023 - NW2857

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van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Home Affairs

(a) What total number of complaints of sexual harassment were received from employees of his department in 2022, (b) how was each complaint dealt with and (c) what were the repercussions for employees that were found guilty of sexual misconduct.

Reply:

a) The Department received three (3) complaints of Sexual Harassment in the financial year 2022/2023.

b) All cases (3) were investigated and two complaints were found to be substantive and one was not, owing to lack of evidence.

c) One of the two cases found to be substantive, the perpetrator was charged and found guilty and the sanction of two months’ suspension without pay was pronounced by the Chairperson.

On the other substantive case the matter was investigated and the perpetrator charged, but during the process of the hearing the complainant passed on.

END

21 September 2023 - NW3011

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Lorimer, Mr JR to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy

What (a) financial amounts has the Republic contributed to the Grand Inga Hydropower Project since 1 January 2013 up to the latest specified date for which information is available, (b) have been the material outcomes of the contributions and (c) renewed financial commitments has the Republic made towards the revival of the specified project in 2023?

Reply:

The Republic of South Africa has not made any financial contribution to the Grand Inga 

Hydropower Project and there are no financial commitments made.

21 September 2023 - NW2933

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Le Goff, Mr T to ask the Minister of Employment and Labour

What total number of Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) COVID-19 Temporary Employer-Employee Relief Scheme claims remain unprocessed by the UIF?

Reply:

There is a total of 215 557 claims across all the different lockdown periods that are unprocessed, these are all claims that have been processed however failed validations and verifications due to missing employee’s records/ information. These Covid-19 claims are processed upon correction by employers.

21 September 2023 - NW2813

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De Freitas, Mr MS to ask the Minister of Tourism

With reference to tourism projects (a) in the past three financial years and (b) since 1 April 2023, (i) how was each specified project put out to tender, (ii) what were the tender details in each case, (iii) on what date was each tender (aa) advertised and (bb) awarded in each case, (iv) who won the tender in each case and (v)(aaa)what contractual sanctions and/or penalties were in place in the tender contracts that were not completed and/or correctly instituted in each case and (bbb) how was each tenderer sanctioned and/or penalised in each case?

Reply:

I have been informed by the Department of the below, tabulated inputs.

Financial years

(i) How was each specified project put out to tender

(ii) What were the tender details in each case

(iii)(aa) On what date was each tender advertised

(iii)(bb) On what date was each tender awarded in each case

(iv) Who won the tender in each case

(v)(aaa) What contractual sanctions and/or penalties were in place in the tender contracts that were not completed and/or correctly instituted in each case

(v)(bbb) How was each tenderer sanctioned and/or penalised in each case

2020-21

Open tender

Appointment of accredited training service providers to manage the implementation of the tourism monitors programme in Mpumalanga province and Isimangaliso wetlands park for a period of eighteen (18) months. (NDT0002/20)

 

02/10/2020

26/03/2021

AGB Finance (Pty) Ltd

N/A

N/A

 

Open tender

Documentation of system specifications for EPWP and non-EPWP skills and infrastructure projects - services of a senior systems analyst and senior business analyst for a period of 7 months, “business analysis services” as per sita contracts (NDT0003/20)

31/07/2020

01/10/2020

Blue Oceans Information solutions

N/A

N/A

 

Open tender

A call for bid proposals from South African Public Higher Education and Research Institutions to form fart of a panel to conduct research for the Department of Tourism for a duration of three (3) years (NDT0004/20)

12/11/19

10/12/2020

1.Transformation and Tourism value chain

  • CSIR
  • University of KZN

2.Revolutionising domestic tourism

  • University of Pretoria
  • University of Johannesburg
  • University of KZN

3.Tourism and Transport interface

  • University of KZN

4.Tourism sector demand

  • University of Venda
  • University of North West
  • University of Johannesburg

N/A

N/A

 

Open tender

Appointment of a Service Provider to Conduct Impact Evaluation of Covid-19 on the Tourism Sector in South Africa (NDT0005/20)

 

16/10/2020

08/02/2021

HS Business

N/A

N/A

 

Open tender

Appointment of accredited training service providers to manage the implementation of the chefs training programme on professional cookery in the North West, Free State and Northern Cape for 300 unemployed and retrenched youth. (NDT0007/20)

23/10/2020

15/02/2021

VPK Business Venture

N/A

N/A

 

Open tender

Appointment of accredited training service providers to manage the implementation of the food safety assurers training programme. This was in response to Covid 19 measures and targeted 500 unemployed and retrenched youth in KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng and Western Cape. NDT0008/20

23/10/2020

09/02/2021

  1. KTMS Courier and Project
  1. V Bet – GP
  1. .TTBISA- WC

N/A

N/A

 

Open tender

Appointment of accredited training service providers to manage the implementation of the wine making youth programme in KwaZulu-Natal and Western Cape, for 252 unemployed and retrenched youth. (NDT0009/20)

23/10/2020

06/05/2021

Tourism World (Pty) Ltd

N/A

N/A

 

Open tender

  1. Appointment of accredited training service providers to manage the implementation of hospitality youth training programme on food and beverages in the three clusters for 1000 unemployed and retrenched youth.

Cluster 1: Kwa-Zulu Natal Province, Gauteng Province and Free State Province

Cluster 2: North West Province, Limpopo Province and Mpumalanga Province

Cluster 3: Northern Cape Province, Eastern Cape Province and Western Cape Province

(NDT0010/20)

06/11/2020

08/04/2021

1.Cluster 1 – Awarded to MMC Business Solutions

2. Cluster 2 and 3 were not awarded.

N/A

N/A

 

Open tender

Appointment of a service provider to manage a business incubation for emerging tour operators in the travel and tourism industry for a period of two (2) years. (NDT0011/20)

13/11/2020

25/02/2021

Sigma International

N/A

N/A

 

Open tender

Appointment of accredited training service providers to manage the implementation of the tourism monitors programme in eight provinces (EC, FS, GP, KZN, LP, NW, NC and WC) for a period of 18 months. (NDT0012/20)

13/11/2020

14/04/2021

1.TTBISA- GP

2.VPK - NW

3.Machabelele –NC

4.Networx for career guidance – WC

5.KTMS – FS

6.K Boneng Consulting – EC

7.AGB – KZN

8. Limpopo was not awarded.

N/A

N/A

2021-22

Open tender

Appointment of a suitable, qualified and experienced service provider to assist the department of tourism with the review and update of the tourism master plan for the Cradle of Humankind world heritage site, a geo-spatial tourism destination, for completion by end June 2022. (NDT0001/21)

05 March 2021

29 October 2021

Urban- Econ Development Economist

N/A

N/A

 

Open tender

Appointment of a qualified service provider to conduct a survey to determine the level of compliance by tourism enterprises with the amended Tourism B-BBEE sector code gazetted in November 2015. (NDT0002/21)

05 March 2021

30 November 2021

Urban- Econ Development Economist

N/A

N/A

 

Open tender

Appointment of accredited training service providers to provide training on safety and security for the tourism monitors in all 9 provinces including iSimangaliso Wetland Park and Sanparks. (NDT0004/21)

25 April 2021

26 October 2021

VPK Business Venture / Mary & Daughter General Dealer JV (GAUTENG)

VPK Business Venture / Mary & Daughter General Dealer JV (Mpumalanga)

Networx For Career Development / Imvula Skills Development Academy (PTY) LTD JV.(Western Cape)

N/A

N/A

 

Open tender

Appointment of a suitable, qualified and experienced service provider to develop a tourism crisis management strategy. (NDT0005/21)

13 June 2021

1 December 2021

HS Business Solutions

N/A

N/A

 

Open tender

Appointment of an accredited service provider to plan and conduct business management training and mentorship for 225 women entrepreneurs in tourism across nine provinces for a period of 18 months. (NDT0008/21)

27 June 2021

7 December 2021

Training B2B CC

N/A

N/A

 

Open tender

Appointment of accredited training service provider to manage the implementation of the tourism monitors programme in Mpumalanga Province (MP) for a period of twenty-four (24) months. (NDT0009/21)

08 August 2021

28 October 2021

VPK Business Venture

N/A

N/A

 

Open tender

Request for proposal to appoint a suitable, qualified and experienced service providers to develop a concept for a waterpark facility along the Northern Cape coastal region. (NDT0011/21)

12 September 2021

29 October 2021

Lindon Consulting Corporation Pty (Ltd)

N/A

N/A

 

Open tender

Appointment of accredited training service providers to manage the implementation of the hospitality youth programme on food and beverages in six (6) provinces (KZN, GP, FS, NW, LP & MP) for 660 unemployed and retrenched South African youth. (NDT0001/22)

28 October 2022

17 January 2023

Tourism World / Umhlanga Hotel School (Pty) Ltd jv

(Free State & Kwa-Zulu Natal)

Networx For Career Development

(Gauteng &

North West)

MMC Business Solution (Limpopo

& Mpumalanga)

N/A

N/A

 

Open tender

Request for proposals from bidders with extensive experience in tourism operations to plan and manage the implementation of a business incubation programme for eight (8) community-based tourism projects across the country for a period of two (2) years. (NDT0002/22)

26 June 2022

21 October 2022

Zevoli Growth Partners

N/A

N/A

 

Open tender

Request for appointment of an Accredited Training Service Provider to Manage the Implementation of the Food Safety Assurers Training Programme in response to Covid 19 Measures in the Kwa-Zulu Natal for 165 Unemployed and Retrenched Youth. (NDT0003/22)

21 November 2022

30 March 2022

Tourism World (Pty) Ltd / Networx for Career Developments JV

N/A

N/A

 

Open tender

Appointment of a service provider to manage a business advisory incubator in Limpopo: Vhembe and Mopani districts for a period of two (2) years. (NDT0004/22)

21 October 2022

17 April 2023

Sigma International

N/A

N/A

 

Open tender

Appointment of an accredited training service provider to manage the implementation of the chefs training programme on professional cookery in the North West for 120 unemployed and retrenched youth. (NDT0005/22)

28 October 2023

30 March 2023

Networx for Career Developments

N/A

N/A

Since April 2023

Open Tender

Appointment of a service provider to conduct training on tourism resource efficiency for a period of twelve (12) months

(NDT0004/23)

07 July 2023

Not yet awarded

N/A

N/A

N/A

 

Open Tender

Appointment of an accredited service provider to manage the implementation of the tourism monitors programme in all provinces, Ezemvelo Nature Reserve, Isimangaliso Wetlands Park, South African National Biodiversity (SANBI) Gardens and Airports managed by Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) for a period of 18 months

(NDT0005/23)

10 August 2023

Not yet awarded

N/A

N/A

N/A

21 September 2023 - NW2966

Profile picture: Mathulelwa, Ms B

Mathulelwa, Ms B to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy

What (a) measures have been taken to rehabilitate old mining and bushy areas which were previously mines and (b) are the details of the time frames that have been put in place to legalise small-scale mining for local communities?

Reply:

(a)The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy has a programme to rehabilitate derelict and ownerless mines. Annually National Treasury allocates funds for the rehabilitation of these mines. In the current financial year, R143 million has been allocated for this purpose. With these amounts three derelict and ownerless mines are rehabilitated as outlined in the Annual Performance Plan.

(b) There is nothing in law or otherwise that preclude small scale miners or local communities and Artisanal miners to participate in mining activities. In furtherance of small-scale mining the department is providing technical and financial support with respect to permit applications and other relevant matters

21 September 2023 - NW2932

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Le Goff, Mr T to ask the Minister of Employment and Labour

On what date is it envisaged that the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) will address the extensive backlogs in the processing of UIF COVID-19 Temporary Employer-Employee Relief Scheme claims?

Reply:

The Unemployment Insurance Fund processed all the Covid-19 claims for all the lockdown periods. The outstanding applications are those applications that were processed by UIF and were never paid as they failed validations and verifications. UIF is currently re-processing Covid-19 applications that were corrected and updated by employers or where employers have submitted any missing information.

This continuous processing is done by UIF to ensure that all the employers and employees receive their due benefits upon correction from employers.

The timeframe of when all these applications will be paid is heavily dependent on employers providing complete, accurate and corrected employees’ information.

21 September 2023 - NO520

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Tambo, Mr S to ask the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies

What are the reasons that the SA Broadcasting Corporation constantly reverts to sub-licensing agreements with a certain company (name furnished) when it comes to broadcasting major sporting events that could generate revenue for the entity? NO3359

Reply:

As a public broadcaster, the SABC is expected to broadcast national sports events as provided for in the ICASA Sports broadcasting regulations. When right holders’ sell Free to Air (FTA) rights to a subscription / pay television broadcaster, the SABC is forced to sub-licence these rights from the broadcaster to fulfill its mandate. This, unfortunately, often comes with inflated pricing and with additional restrictive and possibly anti-competitive conditions.

Thank You.

21 September 2023 - NO514

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Gumbu, Mr TT to ask the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies

(a) What are the strategic resolutions that the Republic can leverage on from the series of meetings he hosted with BRICS Ministers of Communications from 31 July to 4 August 2023 (details furnished) and (b) how will the strategies help to tackle head-on the triple challenges that continue to confront the Republic? NO3353E

Reply:

The BRICS Ministers Meeting and other related meetings took placed from 31 July to 4 August 2023. The DCDT also convened a Business-to-Business engagement (B2B Dialogue) that focused on digital infrastructure roll-out that promotes universal connectivity, investment in digital skills and capacity building, and establishing a thriving digital economy. The B2B Dialogue was inclusive of over 105 participants including multinationals and SOEs. The main outcome related to cooperation and collaboration in investment in Digital Inclusion to achieve universal connectivity and universal access to Telecommunication/ICT services. The declaration is made available for anyone interested.

(b) There are specific areas of cooperation in the form of collective action, in research and development, skills transfer, exchange of knowledge and best practice as it relates to policy formulation and implementation that was agreed to.

Thank You.

21 September 2023 - NW2858

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van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Home Affairs

(1) Whether, in light of the fact that the public-private partnership between his department and the banks for applications and renewals of Smart IDs and passports comes to an end in September 2023, the partnership will be extended; if not, what is the position of his department with regard to citizens who prefer making use of banks for Smart ID and passport applications and renewals; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) what (a) are the names and (b) is the total number of banks that his department had partnered with since the inception of the initiative

Reply:

1. The Memorandum of Understanding with the banks will be extended to 31 March 2024.

(2)(a) ABSA, Discovery, FNB, Investec, Nedbank, Standard Bank.

(2)(b) Total number of bank branches is 29 and the breakdown is depicted below:

  • ABSA: 5
  • FNB: 7
  • Nedbank: 6
  • Standard Bank: 9
  • Investec Bank: 1
  • Discovery Bank: 1

END

21 September 2023 - NO502

Profile picture: Mthembu, Ms AH

Mthembu, Ms AH to ask the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies

Noting that the SA Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) has reported to only have R234 million remaining from the R3,2 billion bailout funds that it received from the National Treasury, what (a) are the relevant details of the total amount of the used funds that have been directed towards the commercialisation of the SABC for profit maximisation and programmes attached to such funds and (b) plans are in place to mitigate against declining revenue as a result of a decline (details furnished)?

Reply:


The SABC was allocated an amount of R3.2 billion in 2019 to fund initiatives outlined in its approved Turnaround Plan, aimed at transforming its financial sustainability status. More specifically, these funds were intended for the settlement of trade and other payables, investment in fresh and compelling content as well as funding long-term capital expenditure projects and partnerships crucial for monetizing and commercializing SABC Television, Radio and Digital platforms.

The investment in content was therefore vital for increasing audiences across all SABC platforms on TV, Radio, Digital and Sport to drive revenue performance. As of 31st March 2023, the SABC spent a total of R1.1 billion out of the allocated R1.2 billion from the bailout specifically designate for content investment aimed at driving commercialization of platforms and ultimately enhancing the profitability for the public broadcaster. Unfortunately, the investment in content efforts by the SABC did yield desired results towards the commercialisation of the SABC for profit maximisation.


The R1.2 billion that was allocated to Content was used to fund 196 properties across the following genres mainly: Drama, Entertainment, Children, Religion, Education, and Documentaries. The SABC indicated that it was difficult to commercialise newly acquired content successfully and extracting profits from it. Although some of the popular dramas and entertainment properties yielded significant profits, the SABC has advised that new dramas that were premiered, did not meet expectations towards profit maximisation. Regarding the investment in Capex projects and their potential to contribute towards profit maximisation, the SABC indicated that this will only be evident in years to come.

The projects funded from the bailout funding were a combination of projects to start the journey towards digital transformation and some critical projects to replace aging technology infrastructure. These were almost all major and complex projects that not only required open tender processes following the compilation of complex specifications, but the project rollouts are all multiyear in nature with benefits that can only be tracked post project handover.


The newly appointed Board has developed a Revenue Improvement Plan that is expected to protect and attract current and new audiences respectively to safeguard the current revenue base and improve financial performance over the short-medium to long term period. The plan cannot be attached due to its commercial sensitivity implying that the details of the plan cannot be shared as part of this response.

Thank You.

21 September 2023 - NW2781

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Gondwe, Dr M to ask the Minister of Public Service and Administration

What are the details of the (a) scope and (b) type of vetting that will be used to conduct integrity assessments which have now become a mandatory requirement for recruitment into the Public Service, in line with the Framework for the Professionalisation of the Public Service?

Reply:

a) Section 195 (1)(a) of the Constitution calls for the promotion and maintenance of high professional ethics in the public service. The number 1 priority for the 6th Administration is the Building of a Capable, Ethical and Developmental State which is implemented through a number of measures including the Professionalisation Framework. The Framework calls for the extension of the battery of pre-employment tests including integrity assessment tools to assess an individual’s ethical and moral values The DPSA is currently working on determining suitable tools from reputable Test Developers that will be recommended to assess integrity across the Public Service. The scope covers all public servants starting with senior managers before consideration for other salary levels within the current medium term period. .

b) There are various ways to assess integrity:

As mentioned in (a) above, the DPSA is currently working on determining suitable tools from reputable Test Developers that are operating in the market.

The various Psychometric tools being considered include both overt and/or covert assessments to assess an individual’s propensity and attitude towards Integrity. Such instruments are mainly Personality Questionnaires from reputable and verified Psychometric Test Developers.

The type of vetting will ensure that there is consideration of the following, amongst other things:

  • The legality of such tests;
  • The views of organised labour;
  • The need for validation of the adopted instruments for selection purposes, in line with the requirements of the Employment Equity Act, 1998;
  • Consideration of cultural and contextual factors that might influence the assessment results.

End