Questions and Replies
24 November 2023 - NW3445
Cachalia, Mr G K to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises
Whether, noting that trade unions under the Congress of SA Trade Unions, gathered in Durban to protest the privatisation of Transnet (details furnished), it is the policy position of his department that public private partnerships lead to job losses and retrenchment; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) Whether he, along with the Transnet board, presented the public with their plan to reap the benefits of public-private partnerships, while addressing union concerns which may otherwise derail the specified initiatives; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
According to the information received from Transnet:
1. Private sector participation that Transnet has incorporated in its Reinvention and Growth Strategy is not intended to result in job losses. Rather, the involvement of private sector is to attract capital required to fund expansion programs and unlock growth in exports for key sectors such as manganese, chrome, and iron ore; and accordingly, growth in the overall economic activities in the country.
Transnet is also able to attract skills and competencies to accelerate efficiencies in its ports and terminals operations, which have been identified as one of the areas of concerns by the customers and shipping lines, as reflected in poor rankings of South African ports, especially in the container segment.
2. Transnet Management continues to engage with labour representatives, particularly addressing concerns around employee protection in implementation of the PSPs, such protection is also translated into agreements with the potential partners.
Remarks: Reply:Approved/Not Approved/Comment
Jacky Molisane P J Gordhan, MP
Acting Director-General Minister
Date: Date:
24 November 2023 - NW3768
Clarke, Ms M to ask the Minister of Health
(1)What (a) total number of (i) hospital and (ii) clinic staff have been attacked and/or threatened by (aa) patients and (bb) other assailants on the premises of health facilities in each province since 1 January 2022 up to the latest specified date for which information is available and (b) were the circumstances of each incident; (2) what are the relevant details of the measures that have been put in place to address such incidents in each province?
Reply:
EASTERN CAPE
(1) (a) (i) (ii) (aa) (bb)
Number staff attacked/ threatened by patients in hospitals |
Number staff attacked/ threatened by patients in clinics |
# Attacked by patients |
0
|
4 Circumstances Zwide Clinic
Soweto Clinic
New Brighton Clinic
Tshangana Clinic
|
4 |
Number Staff Attacked/ Threatened by other Assailants in Hospitals |
Number Staff Attacked/ Threatened by other Assailants in Clinics |
# Attacked by Assailants |
0 |
10 incidents Circumstances Nomangesi Jayiya Clinic
Mabandla Rehab
Max Madlingozi Clinic
Kwadwesi Clinic
West End Clinic
Middle Street Clinic
|
10 |
Total Hospital 0 |
Total Clinic 14 incidents |
Grand total 14 incidents |
(2) Measures put in place to address the p
- Staff counseled at Wellness clinic
- Security enhancements
FREE STATE
(1) (a) (i) (ii) (aa) (bb)
The Free State Department of Health reports that they have had no cases except for the following:
Pax clinic, two groups from township were fighting each other and the fight ended up at the clinic where one group wanted to finish the member of the other group.
(2) The police were called and positively calmed the situation down. The department increased the security personnel and instructed the district to utilize the hybrid security model to strengthen the security service by appointing the private security company for the clinic to work on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays supplementing the departmental security service.
GAUTENG
- (a) (i) (ii) (aa) (bb)
Number staff attacked/ threatened by patients in hospitals |
Number staff attacked/ threatened by patients in clinics |
# Attacked by patients |
3 Tembisa
|
1 Circumstances Lillian Ngoyi.
|
4 |
Number Staff Attacked/ Threatened by other Assailants in Hospitals |
Number Staff Attacked/ Threatened by other Assailants in Clinics |
# Attacked by Assailants |
4 Tembisa Hospital
Charlotte Maxeke hospital
|
0 |
4 |
Total Hospital 7 |
Total Clinic 1 |
8 Grand total |
(2) Approved Security Policy and Access Control Policy were distributed across Gauteng Health facilities. The department is also conducting security assessments on the current status of CCTV cameras.
The Gauteng department of health is in a process to procuring the new security contract for all the department of health facility with the Hybridge model to address all security concern within the province.
KWAZULU-NATAL
(1)`(a) (i) (ii) (aa) (bb) and (2)
Facility |
(ii) clinic staff have been attacked and/or threatened by (aa) patients on the premises of health facilities in each province |
(b) were the circumstances of each incident in each Province; |
what are the relevant details of the measures that have been put in place to address such incidents in each province? |
Fort Napier Hospital |
08 |
1 x case of sexual assault (A female Staff was touched inappropriately by a Patient.) 7x cases of physical assault on staff members by the patients. |
|
Niemeyer Memorial Hospital |
01 |
The mentally ill patient attacked the nurse with a drip stand whilst under 72hrs observation. |
|
Greys |
01 |
|
|
Townhill |
09 |
|
|
Northdale |
07 |
All cases of staff being attacked by patients involved acute psychosis exhibited by the patients. |
|
Richmond |
01 |
||
Nkonjeni/ St. Francis Hospital |
01 |
A patient brought by relative jumped and kick the window while the OPD clerk was retrieving his file |
|
Vryheid hospital |
14 |
Nursing staff attacked by psychiatric patients |
|
Addington hospital |
01 |
Casualty Staff were threatened by a relative demanding urgent attention. |
|
KEH & ST. Aidan hospital |
01 |
Staff threatened by a Patient who was intoxicated. |
|
Mahatma Ghandi Memorial hospital |
05 |
|
|
Wentworth hospital |
03 |
|
|
KwaMashu CHC |
01 |
|
|
St. Mary’s hospital |
03 |
|
SOP of handling confused Patients developed. Ward strengthened communication during handover between shifts should status of patients change.
|
G.J. Crooks hospital |
02 |
|
|
Phoenix CHC |
01 |
|
|
Thonjeni clinic |
01 |
|
|
RK Khan Hospital |
05 |
|
|
Port Shepstone hospital |
01 |
|
|
G.J. Crookes hospital |
03 |
|
|
Murchison Hospital |
02 |
|
|
Isithebe Clinic |
01 |
|
|
KwaMashu CHC |
01 |
|
|
Umkhontokayise clinic |
01 |
|
|
Thokozani clinic |
01 |
||
Ndulinde clinic - |
01 |
|
|
Sundumbili clinic |
02 |
|
|
uNtunjambili Hospital |
03 |
|
|
GJGHM |
02 |
Patient was aggressive and he wanted his baby to be discharged |
|
Ndwedwe CHC |
01 |
Doctor was attending to a patient with a gunshot wound with fatalities and the relatives were questioning the doctor. |
|
Nkandla Hospital |
03 |
Psychiatric patients were aggressive to Staff. |
|
Eshowe Hospital/Clinics |
01 |
Attacked by intoxicated relative of patient in casualty |
|
Ndlangubo Clinic |
01 |
Robbery |
|
Greytown Hospital |
02 |
Both staff members were attacked by mental health care users. |
|
Church of Scotland Hospital |
02 |
All staff members were physically handled by the psychiatry patient. |
Increased security guards in the wards |
Mseleni Hospital |
02 |
The Mental Health Care User became violent slapped the Nurse and attacked the security guard who sustained soft tissue injuries. |
|
Bethesda Hospital |
01 |
A Nurse was assaulted by a MHCU. |
|
Madadeni Regional Hospital |
09 |
|
|
Ladysmith Regional Hospital |
07 |
|
|
Eg &Usher Memorial Hospital |
03 |
|
|
Estcourt Hospital |
03 |
Two Security Guards and a Nurse were assaulted by a Mental Health care user who was brought in for admission. |
LIMPOPO
(1) (a) (i) (ii) (aa) (bb)
Number staff attacked/ threatened by patients in hospitals |
Number staff attacked/ threatened by patients in clinics |
# Attacked by patients |
4 Circumstances Kgapane Hospital:
Hayani Hospital:
Maphutha Malatjie Hospital:
|
3 Circumstances Morutji Clinic:
Relela Clinic:
|
7 |
Number Staff Attacked/ Threatened by other Assailants in Hospitals |
Number Staff Attacked/ Threatened by other Assailants in Clinics |
# Attacked by Assailants |
9 Circumstances Pietersburg Hospital:
Lebowakgomo Hospital:
|
2 Circumstances Sambandau Clinic:
|
11 |
Total Hospital 13 |
Total Clinic 5 |
Grand total 18 |
(2) For all incidents of assault against Nurses and Security, criminal cases were opened, security increased in vulnerable areas and counselling arranged for the affected persons.
Material loss is covered by the SLA with Security company(s) and the Service Provider replaced the lost materials.
Threats and disruptions of services by organised labour are handled through negotiations and where there is no agreement court interdicts are applied for, as it was the case with Pietersburg Hospital.
A court interdict was obtained against the Defenders of the People (DOP)for Lebowakgomo hospital.
MPUMALANGA
(1) (a) (i) (ii) (aa) (bb)
Number staff attacked/ threatened by patients in hospitals |
Number staff attacked/ threatened by patients in clinics |
# Attacked by patients |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Number Staff Attacked/ Threatened by other Assailants in Hospitals |
Number Staff Attacked/ Threatened by other Assailants in Clinics |
# Attacked by Assailants |
1 Circumstances Carolina hospital
|
5 cases Circumstances Mayflower CHC
Pholansikazi CHC
Dwarsloop clinic
Jim Brown clinic
Empumelelweni CHC
|
6 cases |
Total Hospital 1 case |
Total Clinic 5 cases |
Grand total 6 cases |
(2) The MDoH has opened police cases with regard to these incidents.
MDoH, has already at some facilities at is in the process at others of improving physical and electronic security. Amongst these measures are increasing security officers, installed walkthrough metal detectors and a bullet proof glass on guard houses.
NORTHERN CAPE
(1) (a) (i) (ii) (aa) (bb)
Number staff attacked/ threatened by patients in hospitals |
Number staff attacked/ threatened by patients in clinics |
# Attacked by patients |
2 Circumstances Galeshewe Day Hospital (GDH maternity)
NMH Hospital
|
6 Circumstances Pichard CHC
Wega CHC
Pampierstad CHC
Valspan Clinic
Dr Winston Torres Clinic
|
8 |
Number Staff Attacked/ Threatened by other Assailants in Hospitals |
Number Staff Attacked/ Threatened by other Assailants in Clinics |
# Attacked by Assailants |
3 Circumstances Hospital not mentioned
RMS Hospital
De Aar Hospital
|
1 Circumstances Ritchie Clinic
|
4 |
Total Hospital 5 |
Total Clinic 7 |
Grand total 12 |
(2) Increased security and involved SAPS
NORTH WEST
(1) (a) (i) (ii) (aa) (bb)
Number staff attacked/ threatened by patients in hospitals |
Number staff attacked/ threatened by patients in clinics |
# Attacked by patients |
8 |
4 |
12 |
Circumstances |
Circumstances |
|
Witrand Hospital,
|
Park Street Clinic
|
|
Job Shimankana Tabane Hospital
|
Jouberton Clinic
|
|
General De La Rey Hospital (v)Patient attacked security guards at the gate Case 282/10/2022 was opened. |
Grace Mokhomo CHC (iii)Verbal abuse to a Doctor by a patient under the influence of alcohol. |
|
Mafikeng Provincial Hospital (vi)Patient threatened a doctor (vii)Security Officer was assaulted by an aggressive patient |
Botshabelo CHC (iv) Mentally sick patients attacked security officers on duty |
|
Bophelong Psychiatric Hospital (viii)Male staff cleaner was assaulted by Psychiatric patient |
||
Number Staff Attacked/ Threatened by other Assailants in Hospitals |
Number Staff Attacked/ Threatened by other Assailants in Clinics |
# Attacked by Assailants |
13 |
8 |
21 |
Mafikeng Provincial Hospital
|
Tswelelang CHC (i)Local gangsters were fighting and one got injured and threatened the staff to attend the injured speedily |
|
Job Shimankana Tabane Hospital
|
Tigane CHC (ii)MMC for Safety and Security threatened staff and attacked patient inside the facility |
|
Koster Hospital
|
New Jouberton (N12) CHC (iii)Community members forced entry into emergency unit and threatened nurse on duty needed assistance for their partner who was stabbed, |
|
Tshepong Hospital
|
Orkney Clinic (iv)Job seekers (community members) attacked health worker. Case opened with SAPS, |
|
Bophelong Psychiatric Hospital
|
Alabama Clinic (v)Nurses were verbally attacked by members of community. Case opened with SAPS |
|
Moses Kotane Hospital
|
Empilisweni Clinic (vi)Operational Manager assaulted by officials from legal firm demanding a patient record. |
|
Taung District Hospital
|
RB Nzima Clinic (vii)Staff member attacked by unemployed community members demanding removal of personnel not from their area |
|
Taung District Hospital
|
Top City Clinic (viii)Staff members were threatened by the local business forum during a site briefing meeting for the renovation of the clinic. |
|
Taung District Hospital
|
||
Joe Morolong Hospital
|
||
EMS Station
|
||
TOTAL HOSPITAL 21 |
TOTAL CLINICS 12 |
33 GRAND TOTAL |
(2) For some incidents police cases have been opened.
Increased security and involved SAPS
END.
24 November 2023 - NW3501
Sithole, Mr KP to ask the Minister of Transport
What are the relevant details pertaining to the exclusion of foreign nationals from claiming compensation from the Road Accident Fund?
Reply:
There are no exclusions
24 November 2023 - NW3256
Chirwa-Mpungose, Ms NN to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation
What (a) are the demographics of the 45 000 students who were dismissed by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) following application discrepancies, (b) are the reasons that NSFAS was unable to assist applicants in correcting discrepancies during the course of the year and/or in the very beginning of the year, (b) primary issues constitute the majority of the discrepancies in the applications and (d) steps does NSFAS intend to take to resolve the specified issues in future?
Reply:
- The demographics of the 45 000 students is not immediately available, the Department will ask NSFAS to retrieve the data from its systems.
- The discrepancies were only picked up after data remediation which takes place on the 28th March 2023 up to 29th June 2023 and these were only communicated to affected applicants, NSFAS communicated to students on the 10th of July 2023 via a media statement after they were picked up.
- The discrepancies were caused by the outdated data received from SARS and NSFAS verification processes and financial eligibility assessments. After identifying the problem, NSFAS re-instated 14703 of the continuing students to be funded again and the remaining 31225 students remained unfunded and were given the opportunity to appeal.
- We have implemented system enhancements to mitigate the problem moving forward, we have also moved away from the manual processes that were being utilized. Moving forward, the system will communicate with external parties directly via APIS to ensure that the data is not manipulated in any form.
24 November 2023 - NW3778
Bergman, Mr D to ask the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition
(1)What (a) total number of the Standards, Quality Assurance, Accreditation, and Metrology institutions that report to him have Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) that have been appointed on a full-time contract or on a full-time basis, (b) number of the specified institutions have acting CEOs and (c) are the reasons for an acting CEO being in the position; (2) Whether the positions of CEO have been advertised; if not, why not; if so, (3) Whether any of the entities produced shortlists; if not, why not; if so, what number of the entities have (a) submitted candidates for the position of CEO to him for approval and (b) not submitted such a candidate; (4) What steps does he intend to take to fill the position of CEO in instances where no candidate for the position was submitted to him?
Reply:
Work done by the National Treasury over the past number of months has pointed to the need to identify ways to reduce the levels of public expenditure, including structural costs due to the number of public entities.
the dtic-group is therefore reviewing the Standards, Quality Assurance, Accreditation, and Metrology entities to identify whether potential mergers of entities can be effected, whilst enhancing service delivery.
The appointment of CEOs on lengthy fixed term contracts may impact on these. Steps were taken for the appointment of CEOs in the Standards, Quality Assurance, Accreditation, and Metrology institutions prior to the above considerations and the Department is working to align these two processes, taking into account the need for stability.
-END-
24 November 2023 - NW3592
Breytenbach, Adv G to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
With reference to the Solicitor-General’s determination that the legal fees incurred by the former President, Mr J G Zuma, in multiple unsuccessful legal challenges to almost every aspect of the State’s corruption case against him, which he has been instructed to repay by the Supreme Court of Appeal, have doubled since the initial assessment was made, what are the (a) full relevant details of the person who conducted the reassessment and (b) further relevant details regarding the investigation, including the reasons that the original estimation has nearly doubled?
Reply:
a) what are the full relevant details of the person who conducted the reassessment?
The reassessment was conducted by the senior and junior advocates involved in the matter, along with the attorney of record and state accountants attached to the Office of State Attorney, Pretoria.
and
b) further relevant details regarding the investigation, including the reasons that the original estimation has nearly doubled?
The advocates that are on brief (on behalf of the State) in the matter initiated the reassessment after reviewing the initial pleadings and records filed in the High Court (Pretoria) during the review application. Discrepancies were found, leading to the discovery of omitted amounts in the initial accounts made by the State Attorney, resulting in nearly doubling the original estimation. This resulted in the revision of the quantification and intimated claim upwards.
24 November 2023 - NW3570
Makamba-Botya, Ms N to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
What is the (a) total budget of the newly established Border Management Authority (BMA) in the 2023-24 financial year and (b) estimated total budget of the BMA in the next two financial years?
Reply:
1(a) The total Budget for the BMA in the 2023- 2024 is R1 341 225 000.
1(b) The estimated total budget of the BMA in the next two financial years is R2 880 770 000 (R1 407 692 000 and R1 473 078 000 for 2024-25 and 2025-26 financial years respectively).
END
24 November 2023 - NW3413
Nolutshungu, Ms N to ask the Minister of Social Development
Whether her department has put in place specific measure to address the problem of long queues for social grants in SA Post Office branches, specifically in the Mbizana Post Office, where it is alleged that grant beneficiaries wait in queues for almost seven days; if not, why not; if so, what specific measures has her department put in place?
Reply:
SA Post does not only process social grants but other payments, including stipends for Expanded Public Works Programme. The long queues that the Honourable Members refers to people at Mbizana Post office were made up of EPWP workers.
With regard to Mbizana, all SASSA payments were completed successfully within three (3) days at the Love Life Hall in Bizana from 3-5 October 2023.
24 November 2023 - NW3478
Lees, Mr RA to ask the Minister of Transport
What are the details of all funds paid out by her department for the maintenance of the KwaZulu-Natal R74 road from the Free State border to the bottom of the Oliviershoek Pass from 1 June 2022 to 31 August 2023, including but not exclusively, the (a) amounts paid to each contractor, (b) name of each contractor, (c) name of each director of the contracted companies, (d) address of each contractor, (e) scope of work for each contractor, (f) amounts withheld from contractors and (g) expenditure for work done?
Reply:
The question was referred to the Kwa Zulu Natal Department of Transport who has advised that the road in question is road P340 (R74) from Bergville to the Free State border and
- R10 731 792.87
- Madudla Contractors has been the contractor that was working on Main Road 340 (R74) for the duration mentioned (Pass from 1 June 2022 till now).
- Mr S Dlamini is the sole owner / director of the company;
- The company is registered in Van Riebeek park, Ladysmith
- the project scope was for the replacement of the failed Armco pipe with new pipes.
- None withheld
- To date, expenditure on the project is R10 731 792.87
24 November 2023 - NW3482
Graham-Maré, Ms SJ to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises
What (a) progress has been made on the curtailment framework and (b) is the expected date of release of the (i) Generation Connection Capacity Assessment and (ii) Curtailment Framework?
Reply:
According to Information Received from Eskom:
The Eskom Curtailment Framework involves the controlled reduction of electricity supply output from renewables (wind and solar) plants in response to system-security needs or temporary transmission capacity constraints. Eskom has developed this new approach to curtailment to allow for additional generation capacity to be built at points on the grid that had previously been shown as fully committed. It will therefore unlock scarce grid capacity in high-potential renewables regions ahead of Eskom’s grid investment roll-out. It is widely used by system operators to facilitate the introduction of renewable generators in a context of grid constraints. This involves the cumulative assessment of the new generation applications and ensures that the projects which are readiest for project implementation are prioritized for grid allocation. The framework could be implemented now that the updated Generation Connection Capacity Assessment is released.
The Generation Connection Capacity Assessment (GCCA) is an assessment of the generation that can be accommodated on the transmission system, at a given time and a a given location, without adversely affecting grid reliability and without requiring significant infrastructure upgrades. The GCCA aims to assist customers in making more informed decisions about where to pursue generation projects by providing information about the generation connection capacity that will be available on the transmission grid in a specific year, assuming that all planned projects are completed on time.
(1)(a) The curtailment framework has been approved within Eskom. A submission is being finalised by Eskom to NERSA on curtailment and other initiatives for noting and information. Detailed mechanisms and procedures to effect the curtailment framework are still to be finalised.
(b)(i) The Generation Connection Capacity Assessment 2025 was published on 31 October 2023 and can be accessed on the Eskom website:
GCCA Transmission Network – Eskom.
(ii) The curtailment framework will become official upon Eskom’s receipt of NERSA’s written response on the submission, as stated above in (a).
Remarks: Approved / Not Approved/Comments
Adv. Melanchton Makobe PJ Gordhan, MP
Acting Director-General Minister
Date: Date:
24 November 2023 - NW3632
Essack, Mr F to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises
What total amount has (a) Eskom, (e) Alexkor and (f) SAFCOL spent on (i) air travel, (ii) hotel accommodation and (iii) residence maintenance costs for their Chief Executive Officers and Board members in the past 10 years?
Reply:
According to information received from these intities
ESKOM:
ALEXKOR:
Awaiting response.
SAFCOL:
|
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
(i)Air Travel |
R265 581.39 |
R132 180.16 |
- |
- |
R16 436.16 |
R26 831.83 |
||||
(ii)Ground Transport |
R137 214.98 |
R238 656.14 |
R3 441.79 |
R120 591.39 |
R250 519.36 |
R58 048.71 |
||||
(ii)Hotel Accommodation |
R132 112.70 |
R116 742.76 |
R6 579.62 |
R41 398.20 |
R85 254.27 |
R8 783.21 |
||||
(iii) Residence Maintenance |
None |
None |
None |
None |
None |
None |
Remarks: Approved/Not Approved/Comments
Jacky Molisane PJ Gordhan, MP
Acting Director-General Minister
Date: Date:
24 November 2023 - NW3393
van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Social Development
In light of the report from the Children’s Institute at the University of Cape Town, titled Reducing Child Poverty: A review of child poverty and the value of the child support grant that she received on 5 October 2023, which provides detailed information on how to end child food poverty in the Republic, as well as options to increase the current grant, what are the detailed timelines that she has put in place for the implementation of the recommendations of the report, noting that she is allegedly on record saying the report will not gather dust?
Reply:
It is important for the Honourable Member to note that the report in question was commissioned by the Department of Social Development. It is for this reason that the d findings and recommendations of the report have already been put to good use to inform the Draft Policy on social assistance for children, which is currently in the initial policy development stages.
The Department is planning to develop an action plan to implement the recommendations of the study.
24 November 2023 - NW3608
Sithole, Mr KP to ask the Minister of Transport
(1)Whether her department has set out the standardisation for all scholar transport to be managed under her department; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) whether certain provinces still use the Department of Basic Education to provide scholar transport; if not, why not; if so, who is responsible for the breakdown of the management responsible for scholar transport in each province where the department of Basic Education is being used?
Reply:
1. The Department has developed the National Learner Transport Policy that set policy directives in respect to the provision of the learner transport operations nationally. The policy directives provide amongst others, the criteria for inclusion of learners into the National Learner Transport Programme, and safety considerations in respect approved operators and vehicles. Furthermore, the department has developed operational guidelines to guide provinces in the implementation of the policy.
2. The function is managed by the Provincial Departments of Transport in four (4) provinces, namely: North West; Mpumalanga; Eastern Cape, KwaZulu Natal. In five (5) provinces, the function is managed by the Provincial Departments of Education, namely: Gauteng; Limpopo, Western Cape, Northern Cape and Free State.
24 November 2023 - NW3603
Breedt, Ms T to ask the Minister of Transport
(1)Whether, the tender regarding the Port of Cape Town equipment has been awarded; if not, (a) by what date will it be awarded and (b) what are the reasons for the delay in awarding the tender; if so, who was the successful tenderer; (2) whether bids can still be submitted; if not, why not; if so, which suppliers may submit tenders; (3) whether she will make a statement on the matter?
Reply:
1. (a) (b) No Information.
Transnet National Ports Authority is the landlord and has a mandate to maintain ports infrastructure as per the National Ports Act, No. 12 of 2005. The Minister of Transport is only the custodian of the policy framework.
The Department of Transport duly requests for the question to be re-directed to Minister of Public Enterprises as the Shareholder Minister.
2. No Information.
3. No statement will be issued by the Ministry of Transport.
24 November 2023 - NW3777
Breytenbach, Adv G to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
Whether (a) he and/or (b) any officials of his department travelled to France to attend the 2023 Rugby World Cup in Paris using the taxpayers’ money; if not, (i) what is the position in this regard and (ii) who paid for each person; if so, (aa) what are the full details of the officials who travelled to France, (bb) what was the duration of stay for each specified person and (cc) what was the cost of (aaa) flights, (bbb) accommodation and (ccc) meals in respect of each person?
Reply:
- No
- No
24 November 2023 - NW3449
Cuthbert, Mr MJ to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises
With reference to capital investment on ports by Transnet, what was the (a) total amount and (b) nature of capital expenditure for the past three financial years for the ports under the control of Transnet in (i) Cape Town, (ii) Saldanha Bay, (iii) Boegoebaai, (iv) Durban and (v) Port Elizabeth?
Reply:
According to the information received from Transnet:
a) Over the preceding three financial years, Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) made a capital projects investment of R 2.7 billion in the ports of Cape Town, Saldanha Bay, Durban and Port Elizabeth. No capital investments have been made into the development of the Port of Boegoebaai thus far since only conceptual studies have been conducted. Table 1 provides (a) the total amount (detailed breakdown) of the capital expenditure over the past three financial years.
Table 1: Capital Expenditure over past three financial years
Ports |
Expenditure (Rm’s) |
Expenditure (Rm’s) |
Expenditure (Rm’s) |
Total Expenditure (Rm’s) |
Cape Town |
86 |
280 |
141 |
507 |
Saldanha |
70 |
123 |
187 |
380 |
Boegoebaai |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Durban |
133 |
954 |
508 |
1,595 |
Port Elizabeth |
31 |
65 |
128 |
224 |
Grand Total |
320 |
1,422 |
964 |
2,706 |
b) Tables 2 and 3 below offer insight into (b) the nature of the capital expenditure for the same period. In expansion projects (Table 2), a new asset is either constructed/ acquired or an existing asset is extended. Whereas in sustaining projects (Table 3), an existing asset is replaced or refurbished.
Table 2: Investment on Expansion Projects over past three financial years
Ports |
Expenditure (Rm’s) |
Expenditure (Rm’s) |
Expenditure (Rm’s) |
Total Expenditure (Rm’s) |
Cape Town |
0.8 |
238 |
15 |
254 |
Saldanha |
0.1 |
1.5 |
22 |
24 |
Boegoebaai |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Durban |
12 |
711 |
98 |
821 |
Port Elizabeth |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Grand Total |
13 |
951 |
135 |
1,099 |
Table 3: Investment on Sustaining Projects over past three financial years
Ports |
Expenditure (Rm’s) |
Expenditure (Rm’s) |
Expenditure (Rm’s) |
Total Expenditure (Rm’s) |
Cape Town |
85 |
42 |
126 |
253 |
Saldanha |
70 |
121 |
165 |
356 |
Boegoebaai |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Durban |
121 |
243 |
410 |
774 |
Port Elizabeth |
31 |
65 |
128 |
224 |
Grand Total |
307 |
471 |
829 |
1,607 |
Remarks: Reply: Approved / Not Approved
Jacy Molisane P J Gordhan, MP
Acting Director-General Minister
Date: Date:
24 November 2023 - NW3721
Breedt, Ms T to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
(a) What progress has been made with the development and/or acceptance of an effective avian flu vaccine, (b) how will the private sector be involved in the (i) development and (ii) roll-out of such a vaccine and (c) what are the projected time frames; (2) whether she will make a statement on the matter?
Reply:
(1)(a) The Department has received applications from two companies to consider registering avian influenza vaccines. To date three vaccines have been registered.
(b)(i) The development and distribution of vaccines is by the private pharmaceutical companies.
(ii) The poultry industry has been consulted on the use of the vaccines and is continuously being engaged on the use and monitoring of the vaccines in the roll out process.
(c) Currently the Department is still engaging with the poultry industry regarding the vaccination protocol. We anticipate that the consultation will be completed very soon; thereafter the vaccination will commence.
(2) No.
24 November 2023 - NW3716
Adams, Ms R C to ask the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture
Considering that the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children campaign is critical to focus the attention of the nation on the fight against gender oppression and the discrimination of women, what plans has his department put in place to ensure that the programmes against gender-based violence and femicide are effectively supported by leveraging sports, arts, and culture creatives?
Reply:
Recognising the complex depth of Gender Based Violence Femicide (GBVF) that is multi layered the Department is engaged in programmes among other in line with the NSP pillars. Pillar 3- Prevention and Rebuilding Social Cohesion, Pillar 4 – Response, Care, Support and Healing and Pillar 5 Economic Prevention and in line with the NSP.
1. Supporting a pilot project in Mhlabuyalingana to end GBVF using Amasiko and Sport as a vehicle to end GBV in a sustainable manner using an impactful and sustainable process of the Community Capacity Enhancement process (CCEP). Sporting tournaments will be rolled out in the various Izigodi including the support of the soccer legends. Training of trainers for the representatives of the 10 Izigodi (1. Hangaza, 2. Mntanenkosi, 3. Manzibomvu, 4. Esiphahleni 5. Olakeni 6. Qongwana, 7. Othungwini, 8. Empini 9. Ezinqeni, 10. Mabibi) to be Change Agents and Anti GBVF Ambassadors during the sport tournaments will be done. The Izigodi will be supported with Sporting Kits that will be printed with key messages on GBVF and during the sporting practices and tournaments, there will be programmes and key messaging on ending GBVF. The cultural programmes of Azibuye Emasisweni as a foundation to end GBVF and supporting the Isibaya and Izwi LaMadoda through an interactive positive messaging with Artists, Actors and Musicians will be supported. The intervention seeks the impact sustainable approach of bottom up and not top down as these programmes are community initiated and not imposed. The plan is to replicate and roll out to other provinces incrementally.
2. My department supports the Nqoba iGender-Based Violence and Femicide (GGBVF) Trauma and Social Cohesion: Localising the NSP. The programme is on harnessing the collective action of public officers, traditional leaders, activists, practitioners, and other community structures to address GBV. The Nqoba project is not a direct intervention project but an enabler for those already doing work on the ground by facilitation Social Cohesion through supporting the establishment/enhancement of local collective structure with focus at Municipal level. NQOBA focus is on the four Hotspots (Inanda, Mankweng, Lusikisiki and Thohoyandou). It will collaborate with the Department’s GOLEKANE GBVF Awareness Campaign, a mentorship programme that will include career guidance, a wellness intervention, arts and sports, and cultural education and will mentor Teen Boys across the nine Provinces. It will also collaborate with the Departments SILAPHA Wellness Programme which was initiated in 2022 to support Artists and Athletes with critical access to wellbeing support.
It is a comprehensive programme run by Workforce Healthcare for those in the creative and sporting fields, providing Counselling services, support around mental wellbeing, substance abuse, preventable illness, financial and legal advice, GBV and discrimination etc.
3. My department is also rolling out the Orange campaign on Uniting to End GBVF. This is an international campaign that calls all to unite to end GBVF against women and girls. The Department plans to extensively roll out the campaign by Vigorously marketing key messages using Artist, Creatives and Sport sector to influence the narrative in the visual, print and broadcast space through the use of Sport, Film and Theatre as well as Music Song and Dance including Fashion, Culture and Heritage to promote key messaging on Active Citizenry to Unite to end GBVF and create a proud and caring society.
24 November 2023 - NW3453
Masango, Ms B to ask the Minister of Social Development
(1)Considering that the strike by workers from the State Information Technology Agency (SITA) is seemingly having a direct and dire effect on the SA Social Security (SASSA) grant payment system, what (a) role does SITA employees play in the SASSA social grant payment environment and (b) is the scope of the role played by SITA in the payment of SASSA grants; (2) what (a) preparations have (i) SASSA and (ii) her department put in place should the specified strike continue and (b) measures have (i) SASSA and (ii) her department implemented to ensure that grant payments continue without disruptions; (3) what steps has her department taken to reduce the dependency on other government agencies and/or departments to protect the poor and vulnerable?
Reply:
1(a) The State Information Technology Agency (SITA) plays a very crucial role in the payment of social grants. Key amongst others, SASSA has contracted SITA to provide Social Pensions System (SOCPEN) application maintenance; SOCPEN functional support; SOCPEN mainframe hosting; geographical information services (GIS) support; Basic Accounting System (BAS); and PERSAL (Government employee Personal and Salary System) mainframe hosting project. These services directly impact SASSA’s ability to manage the administration and payment of social grants.
(b) Refer to A.
(2) (a)(i)(ii)(b)(i)(ii) SASSA had proactively engaged with SITA to ensure that social grants payments are not adversely affected by the strike action. In turn, SITA assured SASSA in a formal letter of its mitigation plans and business continuity in case they were unable to dissuade the participation of key personnel in the strike.
SASSA had also put in place contingency plans to ensure the administration and payment of social grants were not disrupted during the strike action. These would have included executing jobs that enable bank accounts verification and updating records prior to payment; extracting the payment file as per predetermined validation and Bankserv format, routing files to National Treasury (PERSAL) for routing to Bankserv and routing cash book files to National Treasury (PMG) for funding purposes.
(3) SASSA is in the process of drafting its requirements for supply chain procurement processes to source a service provider to replace SOCPEN. The replacement will ensure that SASSA opt for a standard modern technology and in a long run drastically reduce dependency on SITA. It is anticipated the transition will be phased-in over a 3-year project.
SASSA is also engaged in a Business Process Reengineering (BPR) project of which one of its aims is ensuring that the IT environment is resourced through a hybrid model (partially outsourced/ insourced/co-sourced) therefore reducing more technical dependence on SITA. Additional measures include the implementation of online application channel as an additional option for new applications and change of circumstances processing, thereby enabling activation of another channel should the accessibility to SOCPEN have been affected by the strike. This channel is not dependent on SOCPEN.
24 November 2023 - NW3444
Cachalia, Mr G K to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises
Whether, considering that Transnet Freight Rail announced the completion of the Mamathwane crossing loop in the Northern Cape a month ahead of schedule (details furnished), the Government will now officially confirm that it has abandoned its state led approach to public enterprises and is moving towards more private sector participation in the sector; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details? (2) Whether he will share the overall plans and/or strategy at company level to move away from state control to public-private partnerships and perhaps to areas of full privatisation; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
According to the information received from Transnet:
1. The South African government, through the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE), continues to emphasise that involving the private sector in State-Owned Enterprises' (SOEs) operations should not be regarded as a departure from a state-led approach to public enterprises. One example of a partnership with the private sector that enhances Transnet's logistical value chains is the Mamathwane loop. This partnership brings in capital investments, expertise, and/or competences.
The state continues to play a major role in the management, oversight, and ensuring that the mandates of the SOEs are in line with the country’s socio-economic goals. Prior to the implementation of private sector participation (PSP) transactions, the DPE and other government departments evaluate and authorise these transactions in accordance with the PFMA and other legislative requirements.
Furthermore, the Cabinet's approval of the National Rail Policy (NRP) in March 2022 and the presidency's subsequent development of the Freight Logistics Roadmap set the stage for the country to move towards a more liberal rail market—a move that will necessitate major structural reforms. By allowing 3rd party private operators to operate on the national rail network, these changes are expected to encourage competition. This shift in policy will increase the effectiveness and performance of logistics, promote the development of rail-based support services (such as rail-focused warehousing), and draw in capital (via the acquisition of rolling stock).
For the first time, Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) will no longer be the sole provider of freight rail services, as private train operating companies (TOCs) will be able to operate on the freight network. TFR must be vertically separated into its component parts, namely operations and infrastructure, as part of the envisaged policy reforms and the Freight Logistics Roadmap's recommendations. The appointment of the interim rail infrastructure manager (RIM) on 1 November 2023, is proof that this process is well under way. In order to foster stronger cooperation between Transnet and the private sector and develop a vibrant rail sector, the establishment of a RIM is essential.
2. Transnet’s strategy is based on repositioning the organisation to deliver against the economic needs of the key market segments that it serves. There is a considerable opportunity to expand volumes (+/- 60 million tonnes of additional volumes) in the bulk mining commodity space, particularly in respect of iron ore, manganese, ferrochrome, and magnetite, in the next three to five years.
In order to provide industrial segments with more access to global trade and commercial networks, Transnet is repositioning its rail network and terminals to improve operational efficiency and capacity expansion. This is supportive of the Port of Durban being repositioned as a hub port for containers and automotives and Richard's Bay as an effective bulk commodities port.
Consequently, Transnet is driving capacity expansion and improving and transforming the key market segments that it serves by leveraging private sector participation in concert with Transnet's own assets and skills. Transnet's current corporate plans, which were submitted to Parliament, National Treasury, and the shareholder representative, clearly outline the nature and approach of private sector participation.
In addition, Transnet developed a comprehensive Joint Investment and External Partner Selection (JIEPS) framework that guides the involvement of the private sector in the business. To determine whether the private sector will offer any value, for instance, an extensive business case is developed that also includes a detailed financial model. A decision is taken at that moment on the suitability of working with the private sector partner.
The private sector’s is also not limited to ownership but involves other considerations such as capital contribution (for example, by customers through upfront payment or tariff adjustments), operations, and management.
Remarks: Reply: Approved/Not Approved/Comment
Jacky Molisane P J Gordhan, MP
Acting Director-General Minister
Date: Date:
24 November 2023 - NW3662
Mhlongo, Mr TW to ask the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture
(1). whether he has found the response of Boxing South Africa (BSA) to allegations made against it by a certain publication (Sunday times of the 30th of July 2023 ) to be acceptable (details furnished); if not, (a) what action does he intend to take in this regard and (b) on what date does he intend to answer on the allegations made in the BSA media statement; (which one) if so, on what basis; (2). in light of the fact that the BSA has lost multiple court cases against a certain official (name and details furnished), (a) at what stage will the matter be settled and (b) when will the BSA board members start paying for the frivolous court cases from their own pockets?
Reply:
The Department has requested a response to these questions from Boxing South Africa (BSA). BSA have indicated that they are processing the questions and request additional time
24 November 2023 - NW3760
Tambo, Mr S to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
What (a) was his role at the 2023 Rugby World Cup Final in France and (b) were the total costs to his department for his (i) accommodation, (ii) travel and (iii) other related expenses?
Reply:
- I attended the World Cup as a spectator in my private capacity.
- There were no costs to my departments.
24 November 2023 - NW3767
Clarke, Ms M to ask the Minister of Health
(1)Whether, with reference to the R5 billion class-action lawsuit in which the Tshiamiso Trust was ordered to pay compensation to mine workers after they contracted tuberculosis and silicosis at five mines (details furnished), and since the merger of the Medical Bureau for Occupational Diseases (MBOD) and Compensation Commissioner for Occupational Diseases (CCOD), the CCOD has taken over the processing of the claims; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) what is the current backlog in the processing of the specified claims and (b) by what date will the backlog be eradicated; (2) whether the CCOD has had any engagement with the Tshiamiso Trust; if not, why not; if so, (a) how often have they engaged and (b) what was the (i) date and (ii) nature of each engagement?
Reply:
According to the Compensation Commissioner for Occupational Diseases in Mines and Works:
1. The CCOD is responsible for the administration of the Mines and Works Compensation Fund under the Occupational Diseases in Mines and Works Act, 78 of 1973. The Tshiamiso Trust is an independent trust set up through the class action settlement in 2018. The CCOD is not processing claims on behalf of the Trust as the Trust has its administration for claims processing.
(a)-(b) The CCOD is not involved in the processing of claims lodged with the Tshiamiso Trust. The details relating to the current backlog in the processing of the specified claims and the date on which the backlog will be eradicated can be obtained from the Dr M Kwinda, the Chief Executive Officer of the Tshiamiso Trust at [email protected].
2. (a) The MBOD/CCOD interacts with the Tshiamiso Trust in areas of common interest. Additionally, the Commissioner (Dr Kistnasamy) is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Tshiamiso Trust.
(b) (i)-(ii) During the period 1 April 2023 to 31 October 2023, Dr Kistnasamy attended three Benefits Committee meetings; two meetings of the Governance, Human Resources and Remuneration Committee; two Trust Advisory Committee meetings; three Board of Trustees meetings and the Annual General Meeting of the Trust. Regular meetings are also held between the operational teams of the MBOD/CCOD and Tshiamiso trust regarding the exchange of information to assist with the tracking of claimants with unclaimed benefits; outreach activities for ex-mineworkers (Eastern Cape (April 2023) and Free State (September 2023) and discussions with service providers who provide the call centre inputs and the compensation claims management system across the MBOD/CCOD and the Trust.
END.
24 November 2023 - NW3740
Tito, Ms LF to ask the Minister of Health
What (a) measures have been put in place by his department to raise Malaria awareness in the Republic and (b) assistance has been specifically provided for residents in (i) Mpumalanga, (ii) Limpopo and (iii) KwaZulu-Natal which are the high-risk provinces?
Reply:
a) The National Department of Health raises awareness through various communication platforms such as social media, which includes Facebook and Twitter. There are also periodic webinars conducted, which are open to the public. There are national and local radio malaria campaigns conducted by both the National and Provincial Departments of Health. Community campaigns are conducted before and during the high peak seasons to sensitize and raise awareness. Key Malaria days, such as World Malaria Day, SADC Malaria day and Mosquito day are also commemorated across the country.
b) (i)(ii)(iii) South Africa’s strategy to prevent, detect and diagnose Malaria in high-risk provinces is implemented in Mpumalanga, Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal. In each of the provinces, the Department has fully functional Malaria Control Programmes which oversee activities geared towards malaria elimination and consist of the following:
- The screening and testing of patients who show signs and symptoms of malaria is prioritized at facilities. This is to ensure patients are promptly diagnosed and treated with the recommended first line treatment to avert unfavourable outcomes and to disrupt ongoing transmission and/or spread.
- Subsequently, active case finding is implemented at community level, which entails screening, testing and treatment for any identified cases to avert further community transmission.
- Surveillance units deployed to the border areas to expand access to early diagnosis and treatment for border communities as well as mobile and migrant populations.
- Prophylaxis is also available in all public health facilities for those who are traveling from non-endemic areas to endemic areas.
- Vector control through Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS), supplemented by the treatment of stagnant water bodies, also called larviciding. This is timed to cover the peak transmission periods.
- Targeted Health Promotion and Risk Communication Community Engagement.
END.
24 November 2023 - NW3495
Schreiber, Dr LA to ask the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture
(1). Which national government departments have not yet adopted and implemented language policies as contemplated in terms of section 4(1) of the Use of Official Languages Act, Act 12 of 2012. (2). in cases of non-compliance, has he made use of the powers conferred upon him by section 9(5) of the Use of Official Languages Act; if not, why not. (3). what other steps has he taken against departments that have failed to adopt and implement such language policies?
Reply:
1. Based on the 2022-23 Annual Language Reports submitted by the national departments to PanSALB thus far, there are twenty-two (22) national departments that submitted their Annual Language Reports in terms of the Use of Official Languages Act. It is an improvement in submission from the previous reporting periods. Only eight (8) national departments reported in the 2020-2021 reporting period and (7) national departments submitted in the 2021-2022 period.
Out of forty-two (42) national departments contacted in 2022-2023, twenty (20) may be reported not to have complied by 31 October 2023 with the submission of an annual report to PanSALB as required by the Use of Official Languages Act. A comprehensive report on the Use of Official Languages Act Compliance for 2022-2023 will be available by no later than 31 March 2024.
2. Letters were written to all national departments through PanSALB reminding them to send their annual reports and this was also published in the national gazette (See attached gazette for 2022).
3. There has been an active engagement with non-compliant national departments that have not submitted annual reports to PanSALB. PanSALB sought services of the monitoring provider who is directly engaging the departments to understand the reasons behind their non-compliance. The presentation on non-compliance with the Use of Official Languages Act was made to FOSAD to remind the accounting officers about the requirements of the Act. A comprehensive report will be available no later than 31 March 2024.
24 November 2023 - NW3483
Graham-Maré, Ms SJ to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises
What is the (a) collection rate of Eskom from (i) municipalities and (ii) direct consumers, (b) total number of prepaid electricity meters that Eskom has and (c) value of non-technical losses?
Reply:
According to Information Received from Eskom:
1. As at end September 2023 – the payment collection levels on 12 months moving average basis are as follows:
(a)(i) Municipalities = 87.3 %
(ii) All other customers combined = 99.9%
(b) The number of prepaid user customers as of September 2023 on Eskom’s Customer Care & Billing system is 6 803 462.
(c) The 2022-23FY non-technical losses are 13 396GWh and are equivalent to R5 607 441 692.
Remarks: Approved / Not Approved
Adv. Melanchton Makobe PJ Gordhan, MP
Acting Director-General Minister
Date: Date:
24 November 2023 - NW3644
Mhlongo, Mr TW to ask the MINISTER OF SPORT, ARTS AND CULTURE
(1). what were the reasons that a certain person (name and details furnished) was not charged criminally as corruption is a criminal offence. (2). noting that the sanction of the specified person included a ban from attending any boxing events, even as a spectator, (a)(i) how was the specified person allowed to attend a boxing tournament promoted by a certain entity (name furnished) and sit with a certain person (name furnished) and (ii) what action will be taken in this regard and (b). what are the reasons that the Boxing South Africa Board does not uphold its own sanctions?
Reply:
(1). Boxing South Africa (BSA) opened a case against the official in question and SAPS is currently investigating the matter, SAPS: CAS 584/8/2023
(2)(a)i. The sanction against the stated individual did not include a ban from attending boxing events. The ban revoked their license to promote boxing and or do any business with BSA.
(ii). No action is required.
(2)(b). The Board of Boxing South Africa is firm in its disciplinary processes and the current Board unlike any other Board has instilled discipline in its licensees and has ensured compliance with its directions, orders, the law regulating the sport and sanctions.
24 November 2023 - NW3339
Graham-Maré, Ms SJ to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises
(1) What number of (a) houses were identified for the smart meter pilot in Fourways, Gauteng, (b) the specified households have acceded to the installation of the smart meters and (c) smart meters have been installed as part of the specified programme. (2) (a) who installed the meters and (b) what are the relevant details of the costs associated with installations?
Reply:
According to Information Received from Eskom:
The smart meter installation programme is an Eskom Distribution wide programme which was implemented in all the provinces to ensure alignment to the Distribution key initiatives of growth, efficiency and servicing the customers better. It is not confined to Gauteng and Fourways only.
(1)(a) The total number of houses identified for the smart meter installation programme in Gauteng was in excess of 35 000, in Sandton, Midrand and Soweto.
(b) A total of 30 597 customers in Gauteng acceded to the installation of smart metersand in Fourways approximately 10 000 meters were installed as part of the smart meter programme. Furthermore, approximately 8 000 houses also acceded to the load limiting pilot that required the use of smart meters.
Load limiting seeks to manage the demand during periods when emergency is declared such as when the system is constrained (during load shedding Stages 1 to 4), while at the same time ensuring that customers experience a reduced impact during loadshedding (customers have enough power for lights and electronic appliances during load shedding).
(c) The total number of smart meters installed for the Gauteng smart metering project is 30 597. Of which approximately 10 000 were installed in Fourways.
(2)(a) The smart meters were installed by Landis+Gyr, which was the successful bidder following an open tender procurement process.
(b) The details entail the installation of meters, data concentrators (DC), and customer interface units (CIUs). The cost associated with the installation is approximately R96 million.
Remarks: Approved / Not Approved
Ms Jacky Molisane PJ Gordhan, MP
Acting Director-General Minister
Date: Date:
24 November 2023 - NW3323
Masipa, Mr NP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
Whether Botswana is currently exporting (a) cattle and (b) beef to the Republic despite the recent outbreak of the Foot-and-Mouth Disease in the specified country; if not, what is the position in this regard, if so, what are the relevant details; (2) what are the reasons that the Republic is facing challenges in exporting to the specified country if the country can export its beef and animal products to the Republic in the context of both countries having experienced incidents of the specified disease?
Reply:
(1)(a),(b) Yes. South Africa still imports cattle and beef from zones in Botswana that are recognised by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH, founded as OIE). Botswana had 6 zones which are recognised by WOAH as free from FMD without vaccination. These zones are separated by fencing and managed separately with very strict movement control between zones, to maintain their free status; as a result, if there is an outbreak in one zone, it does not affect the other zones.
Botswana reported incursion of buffalo in their disease control zones 3b, 3c and 6a in September 2023 which they suspect broke from Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe. These three zones were immediately placed under quarantine. Some buffalo were destroyed and samples collected while some were moved to the Chobe National Park in Botswana. Some of the samples collected tested positive for a SAT 1. Botswana has suspended movements of cloven hooved animals in their zones 5 and 8, and exports suspended.
(2) South Africa lost its WOAH recognised FMD free zone without vaccination status in 2019, with the first outbreak of FMD. South Africa experienced additional FMD outbreaks between 2020 and 2022 which included additional provinces. South Africa has been unable to regain its free zone status to date. Therefore, the whole of South Africa is considered FMD infected, for the purposes of international trade, until South Africa is able to submit documentary evidence to WOAH that South Africa has achieved compliance with the international standards required for a zone to be recognised as FMD free. South Africa could export beef, which has been deboned and matured to deactivate the FMD virus, to Botswana under the authority of a veterinary import permit. Cattle and bone-in or unmatured beef cannot be exported to Botswana.
24 November 2023 - NW3325
Cachalia, Mr G K to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises
Whether he has found that the electricity storage via batteries presents the Republic with the best opportunity for a more cost-effective method of developing the capacity of the grid and transmission capabilities than gas as it was projected to by the Independent Institute for Sustainable Development; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details? (2) Whether he will furnish Mr G K Y Cachalia with the details (a) quantum of storage that is required and (b) cost thereof; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW4445E
Reply:
According to Information Received from Eskom:
1. Battery storage is used by Eskom to support the network during peak loading and ancillary services such as frequency regulation and voltage support.
However, gas is used as mid-merit or peak generation, depending on the prices. Gas can power the network on a continuous basis.
The costs of battery storage cannot be directly compared to those of gas, as battery storage has charging and discharge components. Charging costs and discharging costs differ.
Gas costs are only for electricity generation.
In addition, the use of gas would require new pipelines and gas distribution networks to Eskom substations. The country would have to invest in new gas pipeline networks, and these would need to be built underground and protected which would further increase costs.
2. Storage that would be currently required is about 70% of the installed solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind capacity to ensure power supply continuity equivalent to baseload generation. The storage capacity must accommodate load shedding cycles to be effective. The battery storage costs are in the peak generation range. Using current battery energy storage costs of R11bn for 200M/800MWh, an installed PV base of 5000MW would require 3500W/14000MWh a day at an estimated installation cost of over R192bn noting that this excludes operational costs.
Remarks: Approved / Not Approved
Ms Jacky Molisane PJ Gordhan, MP
Acting Director-General Minister
Date: Date:
24 November 2023 - NW3610
van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
(1)What are the reasons that the Immigration Affairs branch of his department continues to (a) achieve below 50% of its set targets and (b) struggle with vulnerabilities pertaining to fraud, corruption and security breaches; (2) (a) how are the specified challenges resolved and (b) what total number of overstay notices were issued to foreign nationals who had overstayed their visa-free stay or visas since 2019?
Reply:
(1)(a) It is common cause that the Department of Home Affairs is grossly under-staffed at 39% staffing. A Business Plan was sent to Treasury to this effect. Treasury provided R 260 Million to capacitate the Department. However, this took the Department to a 42% staffing level. This translates to 700 extra staff. Unfortunately, the Department had to make a choice between staffing the Civics branch or the Immigration Branch more. The choice we made, which was also made in past instances, was to send more of the staff to the Civics branch because every single South African depends on it for documentation. Hence, the Immigration branch will always perform much less than the Civics branch.
(1)(b) When coming to fraud the Department of Home Affairs is the only government department with a Counter Corruption branch. This branch is doing a lot. It even has a Chief Director for Analysis and Prevention and it is very working well.
(2)(a) The department has implemented the different quality assurance levels, which allows for better control in the adjudication process. It minimises the risk of security breaches and fraudulent activities. The department has a Counter Corruption branch, who are monitoring the work of officials. They are also working closely with other relevant agencies to help prevent such activities from taking place as well as to identify those officials who are involved in such activities.
(2)(b) According to the department's Enhanced Movement Control System (EMCS), 137 846 overstay notices were issued to foreign nationals who had overstayed their visa-free stay or visas since 2019.
END
24 November 2023 - NW3562
Cuthbert, Mr MJ to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises
With reference to capital investment on ports by Transnet, what is the (a) total envisaged amount and (b) nature of planned capital expenditure for the next three financial years for the ports under the control of Transnet in (i) Cape Town, (ii) Saldanha Bay, (iii) Boegoebaai, (iv) Durban and (v) Port Elizabeth; (2) How does Transnet prioritise where investment spending is targeted between the different ports? NW4732E
Reply:
According to the information received from Transnet:
(1)(a) The total envisaged capital expenditure budget for the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) over the next three (3) year period (FY24/25 – FY26/27) for the ports of (i) Cape Town, (ii) Saldanha Bay, (iii) Boegoebaai, (iv) Durban and (v) Port Elizabeth is R 7,221 bn. The proportion of the capital budget per port is shown in Table 1 below.
Table 1: Ports Capital Expenditure (FY2024/25 – FY2026/27)
Ports |
Budget (Rm’s) |
Budget (Rm’s) |
Budget (Rm’s) |
Total Budget (Rm’s) |
Cape Town |
520 |
792 |
668 |
1,980 |
Saldanha |
311 |
321 |
269 |
901 |
Boegoebaai |
0 |
310 |
590 |
900 |
Durban |
489 |
1,488 |
1,205 |
3,182 |
Port Elizabeth |
81 |
99 |
78 |
258 |
Grand Total |
1,401 |
3,010 |
2,810 |
7,221 |
(1)(b) The nature of planned capital expenditure for the next three financial years for the respective ports is allocated in terms of segments. Table 2 below indicates the breakdown of the budget per segment for the respective years.
Table 2: Budget Breakdown Per Segment Cumulative 3 Years
Segment |
Total Budget 3 Yrs. (Rm's) |
% |
Auto |
168 |
2.3% |
Bulk Services |
1,120 |
15.6% |
Container |
321 |
4.5% |
Energy |
626 |
8.7% |
Fleet |
1,238 |
17.3% |
Infrastructure |
2,116 |
28.8% |
Iron Ore |
110 |
1.5% |
Liquid |
468 |
6.5% |
Manganese |
900 |
12.5% |
Other Segments & Supporting Infrastructure |
155 |
2.2% |
Grand Total |
7,221 |
100.00% |
2. TNPA prioritizes investment with a two-step system as detailed below:
- The capex portfolio undergoes a process that provides a view of strategic alignment and funding readiness.
- The projects are then vetted through a ranking and prioritization model, which provides an ascending rating scale to indicate project prioritization. This ensures strategic alignment, driving TNPA’s intended strategic direction, and consistency in admitting projects onto the CAPEX plan.
Remarks: Reply: Approved / Not Approved
Jacky Molisane P J Gordhan, MP
Acting Director-General Minister
Date: Date:
24 November 2023 - NW3715
Malomane, Ms VP to ask the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture
In view of the indication of the SA Cultural Observatory that the cultural and creative industries contributed 2,97% to the gross domestic product in 2020, employing about 1 million workers in the process, and that it has observed a trend of our expropriated national costumes and crafts being manufactured in other countries, resulting in South Africans importing local cultural identity costumes and crafts, what measures is his department implementing to increase domestic manufacturing in the specified sector, working together with sister departments such as the Departments of Small Business Development and Trade, Industry and Competition?
Reply:
The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture has since appointed a National Design Committee comprising Nine (9) members from different provinces with different expertise in the Design Sector. Their mission is to:
- Advise the department in the formation of the South National Design Council
- Assist the department in formulating a National Design Policy
The key objective of the Committee is to look at the holistic nature of the industry and advise on how to grow the sector, increase employment and action to buy local products. The sector has been plagued by the advent of cheap imports and the second-hand market which caused losses in the manufacturing industry and the number of output decreasing. The proposal is to bring in the two sister departments during the development of the policy (The Department of Small Business and the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition) at the end and thereafter work on the proposed strategies on how to assist SARS and the National Department of transport on regulatory frameworks for illicit goods and services.
The DTIC has developed a Clothing and Textiles Masterplan which looked at some pillars amongst which was the introduction of the R-CTFL (Retail, Clothing, Textiles, Footwear and Leather) Masterplan aimed at encouraging structural change in the value chain to grow the domestic market, increases purchases from domestic suppliers, access and grow export markets and enhance value chain competitiveness. Other complementary measures include cluster development, local procurement, trade support and countering the illicit trade by working alongside the South African Revenue Service (SARS) and customs authorities.
Also, to improve competitiveness, manufacturing capability, technology, skills, and transformation. Its Strategic Pillars are domestic market growth; value-chain localisation; competitiveness advancement; transformation in the value-chain and technology and skills development.
The Crafts industry on the other hand are small craft businesses with one owner producing goods and products in their own homes, while larger operations may employ several workers. Craft businesses are not mass production but rather employ a hands-on approach to produce unique items for customers. In recent years, other countries with big budgets have utilised machinery to produce mass goods that are sold relatively cheaply.
The DSAC has expressed to the Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) intentions to formalise our collaboration on the Craft Customised Sector Programme (CSP) to mitigate these risks through concerted efforts on capacity building to craft producers and enterprises. Other interventions include ongoing craft incubator programmes which will be topped from 2024 to build the capacity of producers for sustainable production and improved market access and share vis a vis imported products.
The Department has also produced craft business guides in all official languages for use by creatives to build their capacity to compete effectively and sustainably. The ethos of the above interventions is to provide craft producers with a competitive edge over their competitors through innovation along the whole value chain of the craft sector.
24 November 2023 - NW3627
Schreiber, Dr LA to ask the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture
Whether his department utilises the proposed complaint forms that were made available by the Afrikaanse Taal- en Kultuurvereniging (AKTV); if not, why not; if so, what are the reasons that the specified complaint forms are not available on the website of his department?
Reply:
My department and PanSALB have not received the complaint form that is said was availed by AKTV, and therefore such a proposed form has not come under our consideration. When stakeholders want to lodge a complaint to the Department, they do so in a manner that is suitable for them. PanSALB usually receives language-related complaints and has developed its own complaint form template which is available online in all official languages and can be completed online in a digital format.
24 November 2023 - NW3394
van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Social Development
(1)Whether, in light of the fact that the pressing issue of unsafe abandonment of infants and the need for baby savers that are also known as haven boxes, which is intended to save lives and prevent babies from being abandoned in drains, open fields and/or rubbish bins, her department has (a) declared the haven boxes as illegal and (b) called on all non-governmental organisations (NGOs) offering the service to cease immediately; if not, what is the position in each case; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) whether the discussion around baby savers is no longer on the table; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (3) whether her department will ensure that the Gauteng Department of Social Development withdraws its decision to declare the haven boxes as illegal to ensure that babies are not abandoned in unsafe spaces but are allowed to be safely handed over through the life-saving interventions; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1. (a) Yes, baby savers are illegal as they constitute a criminal offence in terms of the Children’s Act (Act No. 38 of 2005). Baby savers are regarded as an act of child abandonment and neglect as per the provision of Section 110 of the Children’s Act.
(b) Organisations that promote the use of the so-called baby savers contravenes the Children’s Act, which is the principal law in terms of the promotion and protection of children’s rights.
2. The issue of baby savers should not be seen in isolation from all other important issues aimed at strengthening child protection measures that were considered during the public hearings on the Children’s Amendment Bill. The Act makes provision for alternative care for children in need of care and support, and baby savers are currently one of those.
3. The Gauteng Provincial Department of Social Development bound by the same Act—the Children’s Act, according to which baby savers are a form of child abandonment and neglect.
24 November 2023 - NW3684
Shaik Emam, Mr AM to ask the MINISTER OF SPORT, ARTS AND CULTURE
(a). What measures has his department put in place to ensure that funding for women’s sport in the republic is increased, given the fact that their male counterparts have greater recognition, more resources, and facilities available to them and (b). How does his department intend to level the field? NW4880E
Reply:
(a). As a matter of principle, the Department ensures that financial support provided particularly to the big federations is primarily for towards Women’s sport. To confirm this fact funding to South African Football Association (SAFA), South African Rugby (SARU) and Cricket South Africa (CSA) is strictly for the development of Women in sport and Women’s programmes. Funding to Netball South Africa (NSA) is for Women’s Netball.
My department has over in the past four years been providing special allocation to SAFA for the establishment of the Women’s Football League, R 5 million per annum. This year a similar allocation has been given to Cricket SA for the establishment of Women’s Cricket League, R 5 million per annum. The intention behind this support is that the Department together with the Federation concerned approach and engage the Broadcasters and potential sponsors to support the initiative. Once the Broadcasters and Sponsors are on board the Department scales down on the support and redirect the resources to another sport code.
For the current fiscal year, the total budget allocated by National Treasury (NT) for all Federations (about 65) is R 117 568 million only. Of this amount, a total of R 24 500 million is allocated to the above-mentioned Federations and earmarked for Women Sport Programmes. This translates to 20,9% of the total budget for sport and
recreation bodies. It must be noted that this is dedicated funding, for the rest of the Federations, all their applications must cater for both men and women equally, as a minimum.
Through the School Sport Programme all 16 priority codes that participate at the Championships, have a 50/50 representation of women. This is to ensure that there is an equal platform to participate and develop women. At the National School Sport Championships, provinces have been able to send at least 3 categories of participants which include male and female. We have also concluded the Club Development pilot study in Kwazulu-Natal and Limpopo, which has among sport codes caters for Netball, Athletics and Football clubs.
The Club Development programme is a dedicated programme to ensure the development of sport, including the participation of women in sport. This project is extended to rural areas through the Rural Sport Development Programme that currently focuses on organizing leagues and structures in rural areas.
(b). The programmes and initiatives mentioned above are all designed to level the playing field. From a policy point of view, the Department is currently engaging all provinces as we look to finalize the National Women in Sport Policy. A policy that seeks to ensure gender parity on and off the field of sport. I must state though, that these objectives will require active support from all corners of the society, government and in particular corporate investment to be achieved.
24 November 2023 - NW3296
Buthelezi, Mr EM to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises
Whether he intends resigning from the Cabinet in light of the failure of the state-owned entities under his watch and administration; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
No!
Each SOE is on a challenging recovery path, and each has met with some success. The boards are working diligently to overcome the effects of State Capture and restore the entities to effective operations.
Eskom
Eskom is making remarkable strides toward energy stability and sustainability. Their Generation Recovery plan has already recovered 1,535 MW between April and September 2023, with a goal of achieving a 65% Energy Availability Factor (EAF) by March 2024. This progress is poised to reduce the intensity and frequency of load shedding while increasing grid capacity. Furthermore, Eskom has significantly improved Energy Availability in coal-fired stations and accelerated maintenance at the Kusile Power Station, bringing units online earlier than scheduled and reducing the impact of load shedding. Their partnership with independent power producers (IPPs), which will add 9,421 MW of renewable energy capacity, underscores their commitment to clean energy solutions. Eskom is also actively restructuring the company into three subsidiaries to promote efficiency, accountability, and the adoption of new technologies. The recent debt relief package from the government, along with efforts to strengthen the transmission grid and combat corruption, further solidifies Eskom's position on the path to a sustainable and reliable energy future for South Africa.
In addition to these advancements, Eskom has made significant progress in addressing financial challenges and enhancing its corporate structure. The debt relief package of R254 billion from the government and measures to write off municipal arrear debt demonstrate Eskom's commitment to financial sustainability. Their focus on strengthening the transmission grid, with a special emphasis on the first 1,000 km of power lines, underscores their readiness to accommodate power from independent producers. Importantly, Eskom's anti-corruption efforts have led to a number of arrests, the recovery of substantial assets, and the pursuit of criminal cases, affirming their resolve to protect the integrity of the company and public funds. These combined efforts paint a promising picture of Eskom's commitment to a more stable, sustainable, and accountable energy future, ultimately benefiting the people of South Africa.
Transnet
On 1 September 2023, I directed the Transnet Board to urgently address and report to the shareholder on its decisions and recommendations within the next few weeks in respect of, inter alia the following:
- Operational transformation: Develop or enhance a turnaround plan to radically transform the operational performance of each of the business areas, including the restructuring of the entity to deliver on its mandate more effectively and efficiently.
- Root causes: Identify the root causes of the inability of management and staff to meet the performance targets and a plan to deal with the deficiencies.
- Stringent / rigorous accountability Oversight: Transnet to develop, with the DPE and National Logistics Crisis Committee (NLCC), a new framework for transparency and accountability through detailed reporting on the successful execution of the turnaround strategy.
- Digitisation of systems: Mechanisms to speed up the automation and digitisation of performance reporting systems to prevent deliberate and wrongful manipulation of data.
- Rigorous system of controls: Implement urgently the controls identified by the Auditor General reports.
- Private sector participation: Transnet is in the process of getting private sector involved in various capital projects. For example, a reputable international private sector partner has already been identified for the development and operation of a container terminal at the port of Durban.
Alexkor
- Alexkor is solvent and does not have any interest-bearing debt. Alexkor’s financial position has limited financial risk as the largest liability will be settled by ring-fenced funds.
In January 2022, I appointed an interim board to restore governance amid years of instability. The appointment process for a permanent CEO and CFO is underway.
In 2019, we initiated a forensic investigation into allegations of maladministration and corruption. This led to significant findings, prompting President Cyril Ramaphosa to authorize the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to delve into corruption and maladministration in Alexkor and joint venture diamond operations on December 10, 2021. We remain resolute in our commitment to transparency, justice, and ethical governance as we pave the way for a brighter future.
South African Airways
There have been notable strides in the SAA Strategic Equity Partner (SEP) transaction. The recent approval of the transaction by the Competition Tribunal offers the potential for a significant turnaround. It provides the opportunity for SAA to comprehensively address and overcome its longstanding financial difficulties, with the added benefit of mitigating the compounding effects of the COVID-19 crisis. By securing a strategic equity partner and fostering collaboration, SAA may embark on a path towards financial stability and long-term viability, marking a pivotal moment in its recovery journey. Currently, it has expanded its route network 11 destinations and increased a number of aircraft 9 with further expansion expected over the short and medium term. It also plans to commence international routes with the first flight to Brazil expected shortly.
SAFCOL
SAFCOL's unqualified audit and INFLOMA's clean audit underscore SAFCOL’s financial responsibility and transparency. With a notable R285 million profit, SAFCOL is not only stable but also positioned for growth, especially as it pursues projects like CHP to mitigate load shedding risks. SAFCOL’s initiatives further highlight its commitment to social responsibility. SAFCOL is a thriving, responsible organization, ready to embrace future opportunities and challenges.
Denel
In the past three years, Denel was faced with significant viability challenges. The malfeasance linked to State Capture and poor management decisions resulted in a steep decline in revenues and profitability since 2017/18, reversing a 7-year trend of good governance, growth, and profitability. This culminated into in a weak balance sheet, declining order book, poor operational performance, unpaid salaries and suppliers which resulted in an erosion of key defence industrial capabilities and loss of critical skills.
Government has made significant interventions to stabilize the SOC. In the past five financial years, the State has injected into Denel approximately R9 billion., including settling guaranteed debt which was keeping Denel in a debt trap due to high interest payments. The intervention has resulted in an appreciable improvement in the market sentiments (employees, clients, partners, financial institutions, and suppliers) regarding the clarity of Government’s strategic intent with respect to Denel.
The focus in the near term, the Department is inducing Denel to optimise on short term revenue opportunities to ensure that the SOC can fund its operational requirements and deliver on existing contracts.
Despite the challenges of the prior years, the interest by both local and international entities as well as governments to collaborate with Denel on various defence technologies has not remains high.
Remarks: Reply: Approved / Not Approved
Melanchton Makobe P J Gordhan, MP
Acting Director-General Minister
Date: Date:
24 November 2023 - NW3750
Siwisa, Ms AM to ask the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture
Whether his department is responsible for local amenities in ward 23 Emadadeni in Phelandaba in the Newcastle local municipality, Kwazulu-Natal; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what (a) are the reasons that the swimming pool has remained closed for such a long period and (b) timeframes have been put in place for the specified pool to function properly?
Reply:
In term of Schedule 5B of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, (Act 108 of 1996), provision, maintenance and operations of local sport facilities are a mandate of local sphere of government, and therefore a first point of accountability in this regard is the municipality, and in this case, Newcastle Local Municipality.
In the main, the role of National Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) is formulation of a National Policy and Norms and Standards for the sport sector, including Norms and Standards for provision of concomitant infrastructure. While the department is a stakeholder and role-player in the provision of sport facilities, this function remains a mandate of the municipality, hence grants intended to fund this mandate are allocated to municipalities and not the department.
For this reason, my department is not responsible for this facility but the mentioned municipality. However, my department is responsible for the development and promotion of sport in the country, which is an endeavor that includes both provision of facilities and
implementation of programmes, it therefore should have an interest to ensure that facilities are made accessible and maintained by municipalities, and intervene where possible, that is its position.
(a). My department is not aware of the reason for the closure of the mentioned swimming pool and has requested an explanation of this unfortunate situation from the municipality.
(b). Since the operation and maintenance of this swimming pool are a function or mandate of the municipality, and my department was not aware of this situation raised by the Honorable Member, my department is not able to provide timeframes regarding the opening and functioning of this pool but has liaised with the municipality to establish these facts and required actions and interventions to get this facility operational.
At this point, we are still waiting for information from the municipality, and update will be given in future following our engagements with the municipality.
24 November 2023 - NW3414
Nolutshungu, Ms N to ask the Minister of Transport
What specific steps of intervention does her department intend to take in Komani, in the Eastern Cape, to fix potholes in the local roads network, since there has been no response to the complaints logged by the residents through Operation Vala Zonke?
Reply:
As the honourable member may be aware, road and transport function are a concurrent function exclusively performed by the three spheres of Government. In terms of Section 4(a) and (b) and Section 5(a) and (b), of the constitution of the Republic,
Based by the complaint directed to both the province and municipality regarding the bad state of the Komani roads, I can confirm that in deed the roads referred to are municipal roads.
In terms of Section 139 and 154 of the constitution, both provincial and national government are required to provide the necessary support to those municipalities failing to perform their constitutional function to provide basic social needs/services.
The Department is fully aware that the Komani Municipality is currently experiencing shortage in both Human Resources (Technical) capacity and Financial Resources to deal with all basic social needs (such as water, electricity and roads etc) of which roads are not taken as a priority as a basic social need.
In support for the Municipality to address the rapid deterioration in their road infrastructure, the Department established the Vala Zonke Pothole Fixing Programme to assist both provinces and municipalities in fixing their roads.
Furthermore, the Department established the Roads War Room to have a common and centralised approach to all road and transport related matters. This serves as a center for excellence and research for new technologies and materials suitable for roads throughout country. Subsequently, the Vala Zonke App has been developed as a pothole reporting system, wherein SANRAL is currently training officials from Provinces and Municipalities on the usage of the App, under the theme “Train the Trainer”.
Being aware of the capacity challenges facing Municipalities, Municipalities are encouraged to enter into Memorandum of Agreement with SANRAL for pothole patching to augment technical capacities. In pursuance with the objective of the programme, through the Vala Zonke War Room, the Department has already communicated the initiative to the Municipality in question for technical personnel and those responsible for road maintenance in the municipality for training. Since most of the reported roads are mostly municipal roads, a concurrency is to be sought with Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) for appropriate intervention.
24 November 2023 - NW3462
Masipa, Mr NP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
What are the details of (a) livestock and (b) animal products that have been (i) exported to and (ii) imported from the neighbouring countries in the Southern African Development Community such as Botswana, Namibia, Swaziland, and Lesotho since the outbreak of the Foot-and-Mouth disease in 2019 and the recent outbreak in 2022?
Reply:
(a)-(b)(i) All neighbouring countries suspended trade of live cloven-hoofed animals from South Africa when the 2019 Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak was reported and the Republic of South Africa (RSA) lost its Free Status with the World Organisation for Animal Health, therefore no livestock has been exported since 2019, nor are there any official records of exported products.
(ii) The following import permits have been issued from listed countries per listed commodity.
Country |
Beef |
Livestock |
Other |
Botswana |
471 |
10611 |
3305 |
Lesotho |
0 |
1131 |
2373 |
Eswatini |
6 |
52 |
280 |
Namibia |
117 |
18909 |
12837 |
Master permits have been issued for beef imports and in-transit shipments from both Namibia and Botswana.
This also includes "biltong/meat permits for personal use" and permits for hunting trophies in transit.
24 November 2023 - NW3769
Clarke, Ms M to ask the Minister of Health
(1)What (a) is the current backlog on toxicology analysis at each forensic chemistry laboratory of the National Health Laboratory Service in each province, (b) measures have been put in place to eradicate the backlogs and (c) total number of toxicology tests does each laboratory run on each day; (2) by what date will the backlog at each forensic laboratory in each province be eradicated?
Reply:
According to the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS):
1. (a) Toxicology tests are conducted at three Forensic Chemistry Laboratories (FCLs) in Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Pretoria. The factors that contribute to the backlog include inadequate infrastructure, equipment breaking down, loadshedding, inadequate water supply, the Covid-19 pandemic and shortages in human resources.
Toxicology backlogs as at the 31 October 2023:
FCL |
Toxicology backlog |
Completed during October 2023 |
Cape Town |
6 825 |
58 |
Johannesburg |
14 700 |
206 |
Pretoria |
16 437 |
101 |
b) The NHLS has implemented strategies to address the backlogs in toxicology testing at the FCLs. In this regard the blood alcohol testing backlog has been cleared in all laboratories except the Johannesburg FCL.
The NHLS will expand the toxicology capacity in the three laboratories that currently offer toxicology testing to ensure an increase in the processing capacity at these laboratories. To this effect, additional laboratory space has been acquired from the CSIR that will accommodate a new toxicology section for the Pretoria FCL. Similar solutions are being explored for the Johannesburg and Cape Town FCLs. The NHLS have invested significantly in ensuring laboratories are equipped with functional analytic instruments through the replacement of ageing and obsolete equipment and the procurement of additional instruments for the planned expansion in services. Plans are underway to source additional laboratory space that would allow the Durban FCL to expand its service offering to include toxicology testing.
c) Toxicology cases are time-consuming, and this is mainly related to the complex nature and variability of the cases and testing processes as well as the requirement for special reference materials to complete cases. For these reasons, toxicology cases are allocated in batches to each analyst at the beginning of each month and laboratory outputs are measured on a monthly basis. Each toxicology analyst is allocated at least 15 cases per month.
2. The NHLS is determined to implement strategies to clear the backlogs in toxicology testing at the Forensic Chemistry Laboratories. At this stage it would be difficult to determine when the backlogs would be cleared. As can be seen from the various efforts that have been made, the NHLS is working towards clearing the backlog as fast as possible.
END.
24 November 2023 - NW3517
Buthelezi, Mr EM to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises
What are the relevant details of the (a) total budget allocated for and (b) actual expenditure on (i) salaries, (ii) travel and (iii) accommodation of employees of his department (aa) in the past three financial years and (bb) since 1 April 2023?
Reply:
(aa) The total salaries, travel, and accommodation of employees in the department for the last three financial years is shown below:
2020/21 Financial Year:
Expenditure Items |
(a) |
(b) |
Total budget allocated |
Actual expenditure |
|
i) Salaries |
184 177 000,00 |
141 165 000,00 |
ii) Travel |
3 924 000,00 |
2 384 000,00 |
iii) Accommodation |
501 000,00 |
275 642,00 |
|
|
|
Total |
188 602 000,00 |
143 824 642,00 |
2021/22 Financial Year:
Expenditure Items |
(a) |
(b) |
Total budget allocated |
Actual expenditure |
|
i) Salaries |
158 954 000,00 |
140 046 805,00 |
ii) Travel |
9 607 000,00 |
5 130 416,00 |
iii) Accommodation |
1 410 000,00 |
872 699,00 |
Total |
169 971 000,00 |
146 049 920,00 |
2022/23 Financial Year:
Expenditure Items |
(a) |
(b) |
Total budget allocated |
Actual expenditure |
|
i) Salaries |
178 741 000,00 |
142 026 534,00 |
ii) Travel |
12 510 000,00 |
7 232 659,00 |
iii) Accommodation |
1 769 000,00 |
920 170,00 |
|
|
|
Total |
193 020 000,00 |
150 179 363,00 |
Total for the 2020/21 to 2022/23 Financial Years:
Expenditure Items |
(a) |
(b) |
Total budget allocated |
Actual expenditure |
|
i) Salaries |
521 872 000,00 |
423 238 339,00 |
ii) Travel |
26 041 000,00 |
14 747 075,00 |
iii) Accommodation |
3 680 000,00 |
2 068 511,00 |
|
|
|
Total |
551 593 000,00 |
440 053 925,00 |
(bb) The total salaries, travel, and accommodation of employees in the department from 1 April 2023 to 30 September 2023 is shown below:
Expenditure Items |
(a) |
(b) |
Total budget allocated |
Actual expenditure |
|
i) Salaries |
167 311 000,00 |
77 341 594,00 |
ii) Travel |
13 970 000,00 |
7 002 339,00 |
iii) Accommodation |
1 616 000,00 |
443 595,00 |
|
|
|
Total |
182 897 000,00 |
84 787 528,00 |
Remarks: Reply: Approved/Not Approved/Comments
Melanchton Makobe P J Gordhan, MP
Acting Director-General Minister
Date: Date:
24 November 2023 - NW3406
Arries, Ms LH to ask the Minister of Social Development
(a) What total number of senior managers have been on acting appointments for the past two years in (i) her department, (ii) the SA Social Security Agency and (iii) the National Development Agency and (b) by what date will all the specified positions be filled on a permanent basis?
Reply:
(a) |
DSD (i) |
SASSA (ii) |
NDA (iii) |
|
|
9 senior managers were appointed to act in vacant position in terms of the Public Service Regulations
|
There were forty (40) acting appointments at Senior Management level at the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) over the past two years.
|
The following positions have had acting appointments within the past 2 years:
|
|
(b) |
1.Director-General: Social Development 2.Chief Financial Officer 3.Deputy Director-General: Welfare Services 4.Deputy Director-General: Strategy and Organisational Transformation
The four vacant SMS posts have been job evaluated as per the DPSA prescripts and will be advertised and filled before the end of the current financial year.
The filling of the remaining five (5) SMS positions will be informed by the finalisation of the organizational structure and based on available budget for Compensation of Employees |
The status with regard to acting appointments and or permanent appointments at the Senior Management System (SMS)category is as follows:
|
The positions are to be filled on a permanent basis on the following dates:
|
|
24 November 2023 - NW3598
Horn, Mr W to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
What are the details of the progress that has been made by Cabinet in respect of the recommendations by the Judiciary regarding the final court administration model?
Reply:
The Honourable Member will remember that the Judiciary submitted their report entitled “Capacitating the Office of the Chief Justice and Laying the Foundations for Judicial Independence: the next Frontier in our Constitutional Democracy, Judicial Independence” outlining their preferred court administration model to the Executive in 2013. Subsequent to the submission, Cabinet established an Inter-Ministerial Task team in 2017, tasked with preparing a response by the Executive to the Judiciary’s report. When the Inter-Ministerial Committee was dissolved, I was mandated by Cabinet at the beginning of the sixth administration to conclude the work started by the Inter-Ministerial Committee. In this regard, I caused the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development to conduct research on an appropriate model suited for our constitutional democracy. This research culminated in a document entitled “Policy Framework on Judicial Governance and Court Administration” comprising a comparative study of the available comparable models whereupon a tentative model that suit the South African Constitution emerged.
Before I approach Cabinet, I took a decision that it would be prudent to share the policy framework with the Judiciary as part of our efforts to consult with that Arm of the State as they are a critical stakeholder in our quest to finalise the court administration model. I have therefore shared the document with the Chief Justice for him to provide us with the necessary inputs before approaching Cabinet. I have been advised that the Chief Justice has, in August 2023, established a Judicial Governance and Court Administration Advisory Committee to consider our proposed policy framework, whereafter he will provide me with the Judiciary’s comments. Once this consultation process with the Judiciary is completed, I intend to table the amended policy framework encompassing the Judiciary’s comments to Cabinet for adoption.
I hasten to indicate that one of the recommendations contained in the policy framework was to transfer the leave dispensation of Judges to the Judiciary. During the consultation process with the Judiciary, we agreed that whilst we wait for the Judiciary’s comprehensive inputs, the leave dispensation for Judges of the Superior Courts should be transferred from the Executive to the Judiciary. Having reached this agreement, I approached the President who duly agreed to amend the Judges’ Remuneration and Conditions of Employment Regulations, 2001 to make provision for the transfer of the leave dispensation of Judges to the Judiciary. So, pursuant to our Policy Framework, the Judiciary is now responsible for managing leave for Judges.
24 November 2023 - NW3736
Mogale, Mr T to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
(1)In light of the Pan-African vision of a united and borderless Africa, what other African countries are engaged in talks regarding visa waiver; (2) whether Nigeria is among the specified countries; if not, what are the reasons for not concluding visa waiver talks with Nigeria which is the biggest economy in Africa; if so, by what date will the visa waiver agreement with Nigeria be implemented?
Reply:
1. Currently South Africa is engaged in talks of a visa waiver with Uganda.
2. Nigeria is currently not amongst the countries being considered as this is not amongst the issues being discussed with Nigeria. There is a process to follow when discussions on visa waivers are being considered. For now, Nigeria is one of 34 countries to which an e-Visa was extended.
END
24 November 2023 - NW3443
Cachalia, Mr G K to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises
Considering that a road to rail initiative between Transnet Freight Rail, Transnet Port Terminals and Maersk aims to move freight from the Ngqura Container Terminal to Port Elizabeth Port Terminal via a 50 cart locomotive line, and noting that the specified initiative would potentially remove 50 trucks off the roads during the citrus season, what progress has been made to date on the initiative in terms of (a) dates, (b) terms and (c) security arrangements in particular?
Reply:
According to the information received from Transnet:
The triangular rail shuttle between the Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) of Ngqura (NCT), the Port of Port Elizabeth (PECT) and the TFR Deal Party container Terminal (PEG) started in June 2023 and continues to operate.
a) Progress made:
During June
The route between NCT and PECT (1480 TEUs) runs 15 trains that are made up of 50 wagons per train. The Reefer containers are all 40-foot containers which is equivalent to two x 20-foot containers. A single wagon carries one x 40-foot container and a total of 50 containers. The above scenario will remove 740 trucks from the road.
During September / October
The route between PECT and NCT based on 3 trains is equivalent to the removal of 150 trucks off the road.
b) The Inter-Terminal rail shuttle is an ongoing service that is based on customer demand. The service is not only restricted to the citrus season (reefer containers) but is a service offering throughout the year for general-purpose (GP) containers.
c) Stringent security measures have been instituted to ensure minimal security-related disruptions to the rail service. The Reefers are first inspected at the handover point at all Terminals by TFR Security Services. The Railway Police were called in as reinforcement when the service began operating in June 2023 to mitigate against the high-risk hotspot areas for criminal activity, which includes New Brighton.
Remarks: Reply: Approved / Not Approved
Jacy Molisane P J Gordhan, MP
Acting Director-General Minister
Date: Date:
24 November 2023 - NW3397
Marais, Ms P to ask the Minister of Social Development
What (a) are the reasons she and/or her department is removing baby savers, which have been a successful method of saving the lives of new-borns and (b) interventions will replace the system as the department has in the past failed to intervene?
Reply:
a) There are no legislative provisions for baby savers that mandates their existence in the Children’s Act which already has adequate child protection measures to care and protect abandoned children. Baby savers encourages child abandonment which is a criminal offence, and a person who abandons a child after birth may be charged and prosecuted.
The practice encourages infant abandonment; promotes the birth mother relinquishing her parental responsibility with no consequences, silences the voice of the father who also has a parental responsibility as well as the family of the baby, robbing the child of a right to a name, identity as enshrined in the Constitution.
b) Temporary safe care, child and youth care centres and adoption interventions are available as per the provision of the Children’s Act (Act No. 38 of 2005). The Act provides for the placement of abandoned children in temporary safe care pending further investigation and final placement through children’s court proceedings.
24 November 2023 - NW3682
Mhlongo, Mr TW to ask the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture
What total (a) number of persons from his department travelled to the French Republic for the 2023 Rugby World Cup and (b) costs his department incur in this regard?
Reply:
(a) The total number of persons from the department was 10, including the Minister and the Deputy Minister.
(b). The total costs incurred will be available once reconciliation of invoices and costs is finalised.
24 November 2023 - NW3289
Mkhwanazi, Ms JCN to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises
Considering that two of the most important state-owned entities (SOEs) in the Republic, namely Eskom and Transnet, are without a permanent Group Chief Executive Officer and that the specified SOEs are marred by financial and operational challenges, (a) what steps has his department taken to date to address external political interference as the deeper cause of the leadership vacuum in Eskom and Transnet and (b) how does his department intend to ensure that the leadership vacuum does not stall the implementation of the turnaround plans geared towards making sure that Eskom and Transnet become financially viable to act as catalysts for economic transformation and empowerment?
Reply:
1. (a) State capture was characterized by intensive levels of political interference, with Eskom and Transnet emerging as focal points of this concerning phenomenon. These SOEs faced undue external influence, compromising their governance structures, decision-making processes, and overall operational integrity. Political interference led to the appointment of key executives and board members who were compromised, resulting in leadership that was not best suited to address the complex challenges the SOEs faced.
However, various interventions were made to ensure operational viability and sustainability of Eskom and Transnet.
The interventions to date include:
1.1 Eskom
I have instructed the Board to expeditious address the following issues:
- 1.1.1 Management Structure / Skills
- Review and enhance leadership team to capacitate all subsidiaries for effective objective execution.
- Expedite filling critical vacancies.
- 1.1.2 Restructuring - Eskom Roadmap 2 and Implementation
- Develop a revised Eskom Roadmap guiding the restructuring process.
- Ensure the plan addresses external dependencies.
- Capacitate the executive team with the right skills.
- 1.1.3 Finance
- Develop a comprehensive allocation policy for assets and debts post-restructuring.
- Continue cost-cutting exercises with defined targets discussed with the Department.
- Capacitate the Treasury team to ensure compliance with debt relief conditions for loan-to-equity conversion.
- 1.1.4 Forensic Investigations
- Conduct robust forensic investigations to isolate irregularities.
- Implement consequence management for those found in the wrong.
- Test the internal control universe to ensure timely detection and prevention of irregularities.
1.2 Transnet
On 1 September 2023, I directed the Transnet Board to urgently address and report on its decisions and recommendations in respect of, inter alia the following:
- 1.1.1 Operational transformation: Develop or enhance a turnaround plan to radically transform the operational performance of each of the business areas, including the restructuring of the entity to deliver on its mandate more effectively and efficiently.
- 1.1.2 Root causes: Identify the root causes of the inability of management and staff to meet the performance targets and a plan to deal with the deficiencies.
- 1.1.3 Stringent / rigorous accountability Oversight: Transnet to develop, with the DPE and National Logistics Crisis Committee (NLCC), a new framework for transparency and accountability through detailed reporting on the successful execution of the turnaround strategy.
- 1.1.4 Digitisation of systems: Mechanisms to speed up the automation and digitisation of performance reporting systems to prevent deliberate and wrongful manipulation of data.
- 1.1.5 Rigorous system of controls: Implement urgently the controls identified by the Auditor General reports.
- 1.1.6 Private sector participation: Transnet is in the process of getting private sector involved in various capital projects. For example, a reputable international private sector partner has already been identified for the development and operation of a container terminal at the port of Durban.
2. There is no leadership vacuum at both SOEs as there is an adequate complement of the Board with Acting Group Chief Executive Officers and Acting Chief Financial Officers. Of importance is that in respect of Transnet the focus is on operational and financial performance that the Minister needs to address as per the statement dated 1 September 2023.
3. In relation to Eskom, it is noteworthy that the former Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) operational performance has deteriorated under his watch.
4. It is important to indicate that the recruitment process for the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) is carried out by the Board in accordance with the provisions outlined in the Memorandum of Incorporation, which aligns with the standard procedures across the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) portfolio. The Board will run the recruitment process including the advertisement, shortlisting and interviewing of candidates. The Board will then present to the shareholder three appointable candidates. The shareholder will then approve the appointment of a candidate.
Remarks: Reply: Approved / Not approved
Jacky Molisane PJ Gordhan, MP
Acting Director-General Minister
Date: Date:
24 November 2023 - NW3409
Siwisa, Ms AM to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises
With reference to the recent allegations that Transnet paid R29 for a R0,28c breathalyser straw, (a) what processes were followed in this procurement process, (b) who approved for the specified amount to be paid and (c) what actions have been taken against officials involved?
Reply:
According to the information received from Transnet:
a) An emergency procurement process was followed for the acquisition of disposable mouthpieces for alcohol breathalyzer straws.
b) The Executive Manager for Group Continuity and Disaster Management and the Executive Director for Safety were central to the procurement of the breathalyzer straws.
c) An internal disciplinary process was instituted in respect of the two employees central to the procurement of the breathalyzer straws. At the conclusion of this process, they were both dismissed. The matter was also reported by Transnet to the Directorate of Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) on 5 October 2021 in terms of Section 34 of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act 12 of 2004. A referral has also been made to the National Prosecuting Authority. Transnet also referred the matter to the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) for further investigation in terms of Proclamation R23 of no 2020 published on 23 July 2020 in Government Gazette No. 43546. The SIU has launched an application in the Special Tribunal to review and set aside the contracts awarded to the 3 service providers. The two employees central to the procurement have been cited as respondents in this application.
Remarks: Reply: Approved / Not Approved
Melanchton Makobe P J Gordhan, MP
Acting Director-General Minister
Date: Date: