Questions and Replies

Reply:

I am advised that allegations relating to procurement irregularities and maladministration at the National Lotteries Commission (NLC) are currently undergoing the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) internal assessment processes.

Once the internal assessment processes are complete, the SIU will decide whether to submit a motivation to amend the scope of the proclamation.

Reply:

a) It is important to put the backlog into context. The current medical assessment backlog in the Western Cape comprises of persons who wish to apply for a disability-related grant for the first time, applications that have been previously rejected and or persons who were granted temporary Disability Grant (TDG).

To address the shortage of assessment doctors, SASSA WC has since inception, entered into Service Level Agreements (SLA’s) with all districts of the Provincial Department of Health for the provision of medical assessment services. The implementation of the SLA Provincial is hampered by the shortage of doctors and other health practitioners who can perform proper medical assessments.

b) In July this year, SASSA embarked on a procurement process for Independent Health Practitioners. An advert for a three (3) year tender was issued with a closing date of 14th July 2023. SASSA WC is in the process of issuing award letters to fourteen (14) successful bidders. The appointed doctors will be provided with schedules to speed up medical assessments, with specific focus on areas where the need for medical assessments remain high.

Reply:

1. As the Honourable Member is aware, the Department has facilitated a number of meetings between the identified communities, including Mitchells Plain and potential funders such as the World Food Programme and the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), with the view to support socio-economic projects targeting women, youth and persons with disabilities.

These projects identified for potential funding by development agencies that we work closely with include the peanut butter manufacturing cooperative in KwaZulu-Natal and the group of women interested in textile at Mitchells Plain. The partner organisations have taken keen interest in these projects as they have a huge potential to create sustainable job opportunities and to economically empower both women and youth.

2. Yes, during the Women’s Month I partnered with the National House of Traditional and Kho-San Leaders (NHTKL) focusing on youth and women empowerment programmes at Magadimana Ntweng Traditional Authority in Limpopo Province. We are looking at implementing a number of youth and women empowerment projects in the area.

Reply:

a) The National and Provincial Departments allocate funds to NGOs that render prevention and support services to survivors of violence and crime, including gender-based violence as guided by Pillar 4 of the National Strategic Plan on GBVF. These are inclusive of those rendering immediate response services, shelter ss well as psycho-social support services.

In addition, the department has formed strategic partnerships with a number of funders such as the Global Fund, NEDLAC, Solidarity Fund, European Union, SANAC and the HWSETA. These partners availed resources for the recruitment, training and appointment of the different cadres such as volunteers, social workers and coordinators to provide and increase provision of psycho-social support services across the country. Refer to the table below for the budget allocation for implementation of Pillar 4: Response, Care, Support and Healing:

ITEMS	AMOUNT APPROX.
Criminal and Asset Recovery Account (CARA)	R 100 MIL
Global Fund/NACOSA	R 19.6 Mil
VEP Good and Services	R 16 Mil
GBVF Ambassadors HWSETA	R 4,3 Mil
Transfer Payments to National NGOs	R 4.2 Mil
Overall	R 144,1 Mil

b) There are many successes, including:

• Intersectoral Shelter Policy and Policy on Provision of Psycho-Social Support Services). Both policies are meant to standardise and strengthening services offered to victims of Gender Based Violence and Femicide. All nine provinces were reached through capacity building on both policies targeting different stakeholders including those from the JCPS Cluster.

• In partnership with the HWSETA, DSD secured a budget of 4.3 mil for the appointment and capacity building of GBVF ambassadors deployed in the thirty (30) National GBVF hotspots found in six (6) provinces which are (Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, Western Cape, Free State, and North West)

• Ensured increased capacity in response, care, support and healing services through the facilitation of the establishment of shelters for abused women as part of response and prevention interventions that address socio-economic needs of women within shelters in the Free State (QwaQwa, Sasolburg and Koffiefontein).

• A partnership has been established between the Department of Social Development (DSD) and the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure to identify public facilities that are re-purposed for use as shelters for GBV survivors. To date, a total of 95 public facilities have been earmarked for this purpose.

• Provided funding to 332 NGOs rendering psychosocial support services through transfer payments and CARA funding.

• Successfully appointed permanently over 200 Social Workers across all nine provinces to deal specifically with GBV cases. Through the Global Fund, the Department was able to deploy on contract 65 Social Workers dealing with GBV cases in the 30 National GBVF hotspots. The Department has also capacitated frontline workers including those from the NGOs in all nine provinces on GBV-related matters.

Reply:

The Child Support Grant was introduced specifically to ensure the best interest of the child at all times and to address child poverty, including malnutrition and stunting. The person who receives the CSG must be the primary caregiver of the child.

We encourage members of the public to report cases of the abuse of the CSG SASSA and social workers who will investigate and based on the findings, the grant may then be transferred to a new primary caregiver.

The Department has developed draft policies on integration of children’s grants with other services and maternal support. The two draft policies emphasise the need of building linkages between children’s grants and other developmental services for children amongst others education, health and early childhood development. We are currently preparing to initiate Cabinet approval processes for the policy, which will be followed by amendment of relevant legislation to enable the Department to share data with the Department of Health and Basic Education, amongst others. In this manner, the Department will be empowered to monitor and track health indicators including the prevention of stunting.

Reply:

a) Whether her office has addressed the issues it had identified relating to security issues around the SA Social Security Agency cards and Post Office accounts?

Yes, the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation conducted an extensive frontline monitoring at the paypoints and produced a report that has been shared with the Department of Social Development and the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies.

DPME made extensive recommendations to improve the payment mechanism. Engagements on this report is ongoing and will be considered in the review of the MTSF in preparations for the 7th administration. In the meantime, DPME continues to monitor the immediate interventions being introduced by the Department of Social Development and Department of Communications and Digital through their entities, SASSA and the Postbank.

B. Whether her office has found alternative mechanisms for making safe payments; if not, in each case, why not; if so, what are the relevant details in each case?

Yes, this is ongoing as the recommendations of the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation are being discussed internally within government.

 

THANK YOU

Reply:

Payments not made within 30 days are in breach of the Municipal Finance Management Act and the oversight over compliance to laws and regulations is that of the Municipal Council. Therefore, the questions should be directed to the respective municipalities as these relate to contractual obligations entered between municipalities and their respective service providers.

The National Treasury has not conducted research or an assessment on the adverse impact of late payments. The Department of Small Business Development has a mandate to promote and develop Small, Micro and Medium Enterprises (SMMEs). It is therefore suggested that the Honourable Member directs this enquiry to them.

Reply:

1, The entity referred to has no mining authorisations issued by this Department, furthermore the Department has no records pertaining their application to beneficiate minerals. However, section 26 of the Act was meant to promote beneficiation of mineral in the Republic. Section 26(3) requires any person who intends to beneficiate any mineral outside the Republic to do so with written notice and in consultation with the Minister. The constraints on electricity generation have limited the ability to facilitate local beneficiation.

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The Department does not have the authority to regulate the processing of residue deposits at the Jagersfontein dam. This is as a result of the De Beers court judgment over Jagersfontein mine residue deposits (De Beers Consolidated Mines Ltd v Ataqua Mining (Pty) Ltd & others, case no. 3215/06, Free State Provincial Division, 13 December 2007). The judgement held that historical mine residue deposits (those created before the coming into operation of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act, 2002 (MPRDA) on the 01st of May 2004) are not minerals as contemplated in the MPRDA and such they are not regulated under provisions of the MPRDA. The processing of historical mine residue deposits does not constitute mining and the area where they are situated is not classified as a mine. This was again confirmed by the court judgment in the case of Ekapa Minerals (Pty) Ltd & Others vs Lucky Seekoei & Others (2057/2016) [2017] ZANCHC 5 (13 January 2017).

However, The Department engaged the Minerals Council South Africa to provide assistance to the affected community even though the facility is legally not a mining operation. About R2.75 million was spent by the Minerals Council on the following emergency relief through three Public Benefit Organisations, namely Gift of the Givers, Soul Provider and the Red Cross:

• Distributing 15,000 food parcels, each providing an average of 25 meals totalling 375,000 meals at a cost of R1,250,000. An estimated 4,500 people received nutritious meals for four months. The percentage of black South Africans benefiting from the programme is 100%.
• Providing running water from water boreholes at two schools for learners and the surrounding community at a cost of R1 million.
• Distributing mattresses, blankets, clothing, underwear, sanitary packs, water and cooking utensils at a cost of R500,000.

Following a series of meetings by the Minerals Council with the Kopanong Local Municipality and the Free State Government, 6 projects were initially earmarked. Further assessments identified 3 of the 6 projects being potentially sustainable and within the objectives and mandate of the Fund:

1. Working towards a sustainable water solution for the Jagersfontein community. The assistance does not include services that are the responsibility of local, provincial and national government.
2. Aiding local schools and learning centres to enhance learning and education in the community. The assistance does not include services that are the responsibility of local, provincial and national government.
3. Establish an internet and Wi-Fi service for the community at the Jagersfontein library.

Reply:

(a) The process for the disposal of some of the identified superfluous properties is currently at the approval stage, whilst others are at an advertisement stage. The total amount for commissions and taxes will only be determined at conveyancing stage and when sales have been successfully concluded by estate agents.

(b) Subject to approvals by National Treasury, the generated revenue will be used by the Department to fund new acquisitions/constructions and major refurbishments, using the National Treasury Self-Financing Mechanism

Reply:

The National Treasury noted the presentation made by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to the Standing Committee on Public Accountants on Wednesday, 13 September 2023. The National Treasury will comprehensively respond to the matters raised in the referrals by the SIU to the National Treasury, after receipt of the SIU’s final report, including its entire set of supporting documents and annexures. The National Treasury will also fully co-operate with all law enforcement agencies.

Reply:

I published Regulations in May 2023 under the Companies Act, as amended in 2022, to prescribe how companies will submit information to disclose; or make known companies shareholders; or those who hold beneficial interest in securities in companies.

Companies will be required to file the register of the disclosure of beneficial interest in their companies with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) when submitting their annual returns. The companies required to disclose the beneficial ownership information include mining companies or their subsidiaries. The information as currently provided for in the legislation and regulations, is for law enforcement agencies.

The new Companies Amendment Bill, 2023 addresses the matter of broader disclosure of information on shareholding. I believe it is in the public interest that beneficial ownership should be available more widely. The Bill is currently before Parliament and I await its consideration by Parliament

-END-

Reply:

(a)Eskom is contracted for 1 150 MW until 31 March 2030.

(b)The extent of infrastructure investment/financing undertaken by Eskom to build/sustain Apollo high-voltage direct-current (HVDC) is provided in Table 1 below for a period of 13 years. Ten of the listed projects have been completed (over R241 million), and eight of the projects are in the execution phase (over R951 million), with the remainder in the development phase (R321 million). The infrastructure includes HVDC key components such as transmission lines, converter transformers, and shunt capacitors, which amounts to a total of R1.5 billion. Obtaining information prior to the year 2010 will require more time, as this information has been archived.

Table 1: Details of infrastructure investment (from 2010)

PROJECT NAME	PLANT TYPE	INITIATIVE PHASE	TOTAL (rand)
Apollo Shunt Capacitor Bank Refurbishment	CAP BANKS	COMPLETED	18 693 718
Apollo CS Breaker 11 kV Replacement	BREAKERS	EXECUTION	31 116 104
Apollo CS Pietersburg Security Fence and Road	SECURITY	COMPLETED	12 342 665
Apollo Bridge 5 Converter Transformers	TRANSFORMERS	COMPLETED	11 554 690
Apollo Upgrade DC Harmonic Filters	CAP BANKS	EXECUTION	11 800 000
Apollo CS Line Voltage Divider Replacement	LINE DIVIDERS	EXECUTION	62 143 000
Apollo CS Problematic Bypass Breakers	BREAKERS	EXECUTION	219 225 000
Apollo CS HVDC Line No. 1: Tower 322	TOWER	COMPLETED	4 266 123
Apollo Songo PLC refurbishment	PLC	EXECUTION	14 200 000
Apollo Storage Plinths DC Side	NON-PLANT	CONCEPT	11 600 000
Apollo CS: HVDC Refurbishment Phase 2: Bridge 4 Transformers	TRANSFORMERS	EXECUTION	296 156 754
Apollo CS: HVDC Refurbishment Phase 2: Bridge 2 Transformers	TRANSFORMERS	EXECUTION	296 156 754
Apollo – Cahora Bassa No. 1 and 2 Quad Spacers	LINES	CONCEPT	130 000 000
Apollo CS: Deluge System Water Storage Tank	NON-PLANT	CONCEPT	17 769 000
Apollo – Cahora Bassa Lines Bird Guards	BIRD GUARDS	CONCEPT	5 400 000
NSP1 Security Build 2 – Apollo (NKP) ERA	SECURITY	EXECUTION	20 450 000
Apollo CS: Replacement of Pole 1 533 kV Reactor	REACTORS	CONCEPT	155 500 000
Apollo HVDC Lines Reinsulation Project	REINSULATION	COMPLETED	44 602 502
Apollo CS: CCTV Installations	SECURITY	COMPLETED	3 834 421
Replacement Bushings for Converter Transformers – Apollo CS	TRANSFORMERS	COMPLETED	17 193 111
Apollo CS Install Spare Transformer in Bridge 6	TRANSFORMERS	COMPLETED	10 000 000
Apollo CS Install Spare Transformer in Bridge 8	TRANSFORMERS	COMPLETED	10 000 000
Apollo 2 x Converter Transformers + Reactor (Capital Spares)	TRANSFORMERS	COMPLETED	109 145 411
		TOTAL	1 513 149 254

The maintenance costs component, provided in Table 2 below, for a period of 14 financial years, amounted to over R165 million, which included the following:

• Servitudes maintenance
• Maintenance by Rotek Industries
• Materials
• Equipment spares
• Production plant services
• Facility services

The maintenance costs information can only be provided from the 2009/10 financial year, as Eskom changed to the current SAP system at that point. Obtaining information prior to that period will require more time, as this information has been archived.

Table 2: Maintenance (from the 2009/10 to the 2022/23 financial years)

(C) Are there long-term plans for the system in terms of (i) life-span of the existing infrastructure, (ii) expansion of the system and (iii) on-going usage?

(i) Details of the long-term plans for Apollo HVDC in terms of the lifespan of the existing infrastructure (refurbishment plan) are provided in Table 3 below.

Table 3: Long-term refurbishment plan

PROJECT NAME	PLANT TYPE	INITIATIVE PHASE	TOTAL (rand)
Apollo Install New Earth Electrodes	ELECTRODE	PRE-CONCEPT	14 000 000
Apollo CS: Permanent Bipole Bypass	ISOLATORS	PRE-CONCEPT	69 010 000
Apollo CS: Replace Bridge 1, 3, and 7 Transformers	TRANSFORMERS	PRE-CONCEPT	888 470 262
Apollo CS Repeater Station Pietersburg Battery System	BATTERY	PRE-CONCEPT	15 000 000
Apollo CS HVDC Line No. 1 Refurbishment	LINES	PRE-CONCEPT	230 000 000
Apollo CS HVDC Line No. 2 Refurbishment	LINES	PRE-CONCEPT	230 000 000
Apollo CS Problematic Equipment Phase 2	SUBSTATION	PRE-CONCEPT	105 600 000
Apollo CS Problematic Equipment Phase 3	SUBSTATION	PRE-CONCEPT	124 200 000
Apollo SS Auxiliary Transformer Bund Walls	NON-PLANT	PRE-CONCEPT	10 300 000
Apollo CS: HVDC System Ref. Upgrade Phase 3	SUBSTATION	PRE-CONCEPT	1 700 562 263
		TOTAL	3 387 142 525

(ii) Currently, there is no long-term plan for expansion for the Apollo Converter Station.

(iii) Hidroeléctrica de Cahora Bassa (HCB) has indicated that it would like to start engagements in terms of the contractual extension beyond 2030. Eskom will be open to such engagements, as HCB power forms part of the baseload power supply mix.

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Various high-level forums of government have been briefed about the fiscal challenges in the current fiscal year and the need for urgent and difficult measures to be taken to forestall their damaging impact during the course of the financial year. This includes briefings and discussions at Cabinet, the Minister’s Committee on the Budget, the Budget Council, the Forum of South African Directors-General (FOSAD), and the Technical Committee for Finance, which is a committee of Provincial Treasuries. In addition, the National Treasury has publicly highlighted the difficult financial constraints facing government and its implications during a meeting of NEDLAC as well as in the 2024 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) budgeting guidelines, which are published on the website of the National Treasury.

In all of these engagements, the National Treasury emphasized that measures will be required to achieve savings, improve efficiency and contain costs.

Reply:

(1) Response: Seawalls are generally created using sea – sand excavated directly from the sea mining block to allow the enclosed area to be pumped out and drained. The pumping creates a semi-dry working environment so that work can be carried out safely and efficiently. In most cases, particularly in the case of diamond mining, seawalls are created as temporal structures, they collapse as mining activities proceed from one block to the next. In cases where the mining block is set to have a longer lifespan, the sea – sand (i.e., seawall) is reinforced with rocks often collected on the coast and tailings material. There would be minimal impact on the sea and surrounding environment as there is no harmful or hazardous material introduced to create the seawalls. Naturally, when the seawalls collapse, they create high turbidity in the immediate area that often creates murky water, but given the strength of ocean currents, the sediment is swiftly dispersed. In cases where the mining block is situated in heavy mineral sands, the tailings may appear reddish-brown in colour due to the presence of the zircon element and this is often mistaken as a black slurry.

2. Response: According to the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act, 2002 (Act 28 of 2002) as amended, the residue stockpile “means any debris, discard, tailings, slimes, screening, slurry, waste rock, foundry sand, beneficiation plant waste, ash or any other product derived from or incidental to a mining operation and which is stockpiled, stored or accumulated for potential re-use, or which is disposed of, by the holder of a mining right…”. Seawalls do not fall into this definition as the material used will not be reused or disposed of. However, the environmental impacts arising out of any mining/prospecting activities subject of a mining right or any right/permit issued in terms of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act, 2002, falls within the competent jurisdiction of the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy.

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(a) What are the reasons that the Acting Chief Financial Officer of SA Tourism is also acting as the Chief Executive Officer?

I have been informed by South African Tourism (SAT) that an investigation into the attendance of SAT officials at the Soccer World Cup was initiated by the previous board of SA Tourism.

After consideration of the final report, the current board resolved that conclusion of this matter required the then-acting CEO to revert to her role as COO while a fair, independent, and transparent process is conducted.

Since the recruitment process for the Chief Executive Officer is still in progress, the board considered options available for a new acting CEO from within the current executive management. In light of the reduced capacity at the exco level, the board resolved to appoint the CFO as the acting CEO for the short term and to put in place mitigations to manage any associated risks.

(b) Which processes were followed in the appointment?

At various meetings, the board deliberated on the available options. Having resolved to appoint the CFO as ACEO, the board approached the Minister for concurrence on its decision in line with the Tourism Act, 2014. With the Minister’s concurrence received on 6 September 2023, the CFO was appointed as acting CEO with compensating controls including exco participation in decision making, as well as reporting to Board on decisions taken. It must be noted that, in the letter of concurrence, the Minister strongly advised the Board to speedily appoint a new CFO.

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(1)(a)Mozambique is currently developing a number of power plant projects and is engaging with South Africa at present. At this point, there are no firm commitments. The projects would need to be incorporated into the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP).

(1)(b) Yes, Eskom is currently using the power from Hidroeléctrica de Cahora Bassa (HCB), as well as purchasing power from the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) competitive markets, which, at times, includes power from Mozambique. Eskom has aspirations to buy power from cross-border countries. Depending on the pricing and technical feasibility, Eskom will procure power from Mozambique in terms of a fair, transparent, and equitable process.

(2) Eskom utilises the allocated megawatts (MWs) most of the time. On odd occasions, Eskom is unable to access the power when there are limiting factors, including infrastructure faults.

(3) (a) 31 March 2030.

(b) The price is based on avoiding the cost of building a baseload station.

(c) 1 150 MW capacity.

Reply:

The supply of South Africa’s energy demand is broadly determined by the energy mix as set out in The Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) 2019. Based on the 2019 IRP, Coal constitutes 43% of installed capacity followed by Wind (22.53) Solar PV (10.5) CSP (0,76) Nuclear (2,36) and Gas and Diesel (8.1) Hydro (5.84).

Whilst the IRP is currently being reviewed, Coal, Nuclear and Gas is expected to continue to be significant contributors to SA’s base load demand in the foreseeable future, with investments in cleaner technologies to mitigate negative environmental impacts, coupled with and battery storage to neutralise and solar/wind hybrid solutions to stabilise the intermittency challenges of renewables.

 

Reply:

1. Eskom removes sulphur dioxide (SO2), which is a by-product of fossil fuel combustion, from the flue gases. This SO2 is removed by means of a wet flue gas desulphurisation system. The flue gas flows through a spray of calcium carbonate (limestone) slurry and forms an end product of calcium sulphate (gypsum).

2. (2)(a) Therefore, no sulphur in its pure, corrosive form is extracted from the absorber, and no sulphur is being sold. The gypsum is currently disposed of on site in a designated area on the power station premises as per licence. The future plan is to sell the gypsum as it can be used in the industry.

(2)(b) No corrosive chemical is being stored and no revenue is being generated at this stage from gypsum.

 

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I have been informed by South African Tourism that the details of the total number of vacancies, level of each position and timeframes to fill the vacancies, are contained in the table, below.

(a) Total number of vacant positions at the SA Tourism	(b) Level of each vacant position	(c) Time frames that have been put in place to the fill the vacancies
5	Executive	6 months
2	Senior Management	Work-in-progress
20	Management	Work-in-progress
6	Officer/administration	Work-in-progress

SAT will prioritise appointments for consideration by the Minister, following due process.

 

Reply:

Yes, the DMRE has established a Small-Scale mining component with officials at nine regional offices whose functions is to handle enquiries, guide and advice and assist with the application process. Furthermore, a policy was gazetted in 2022 to develop the mechanisms to formalise artisanal and small-scale mining operations and bring them within the mainstream economy.

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(a) Gross debt of the national government is disclosed in Table 7.7 of the 2023 Budget Review. It is estimated to reach R5.06 trillion or 72.2 per cent of GDP by the end of the 2023/24 Financial Year.

(b) (i) Government guarantee exposure to state-owned companies is disclosed on Table 7.10 on page 91 of the 2023 Budget Review, and these are explicitly underwritten. Other contingent liabilities are included with the provisions in Table 7.11 on page 92 of the 2023 Budget Review.

(ii) There is no debt (borrowing) or loans taken up by municipalities that have been underwritten by the national fiscus.  Chapter 6 of the MFMA sets the legal framework that enables municipalities to take their own decisions regarding borrowing. Specifically, sections 50 and 51 of the MFMA deal with municipal guarantees and national and provincial guarantees.

This decision-making process for Municipal Councils were empowered by the Amendment to the Constitution of the Republic, in section 230A.  Therefore, Municipalities borrow on the strength of their own financial standing and status.

Reply:

The Municipal Finance Management Act, 2003 (Act No 56 of 2003) and through various sections of the Act, provide guidelines to municipalities on how to treat impending revenue shortfalls. In addition, the National Treasury also provides regular Budget Circulars to guide municipalities to prepare annual budgets and address situations like loadshedding.

Section 70 of the MFMA, subsection 1. “the accounting officer of a municipality must report in writing to the municipal council – (a) any impending (i) shortfalls in budgeted revenue, and (ii) overspending of the municipality’s budget, and (b) any steps taken to prevent or rectify such shortfalls or overspending.

Section 28 of the same Act provides guidance on Municipal Adjustments Budgets – (1)(a) that “a municipality may revise an approved budget through an Adjustments Budget and (2)(a) must adjust the revenue and expenditure estimates downwards if there is a material under collection of revenue during the current year.

Given the fiscal constrained environment within which the National Fiscus operates, the National Treasury was not in a position during the preparation of the 2022 MTEF, to make any additional funding available to municipalities for this purpose. As a result, they were advised to reprioritize their tabled 2023 MTREF Budgets to absorb the cost associated with loadshedding within baselines.

Reply:

(1) Section 8(1) of the Municipal Fiscal Powers and Functions Act (MFPFA) stipulates that the Minister of Finance may prescribe compulsory norms and standards for imposing municipal surcharges. To date, the Minister of Finance have not prescribed any compulsory norms and standards for regulating the imposition of municipal surcharges. However, the absence of the norms and standards does not restrict a municipality from imposing surcharges in their tariffs given that this is a power given to municipalities in terms of section 229 of the Constitution and the Municipal Systems Act (MSA). Furthermore, if a municipality decides to levy a surcharge, approval is done by the municipal council in terms of a tariff policy, pursuant to section 75 of the MSA and will also be subject to section 8 of the Municipal Fiscal Powers and Functions Act (MFPFA), as soon as norms and standards for municipal surcharges are prescribed by the Minister of Finance. The National Treasury is currently reviewing the possibility of introducing compulsory norms and standards in terms of section 8 of the MFPFA and has appointed a service provider to assist with the development of compulsory national norms and standards for regulating municipal surcharges on electricity.

1. Not applicable.
2. Not applicable.

(2) It is not yet necessary for the City of Cape Town (or any other municipality) to comply with section 9(1) of the MFPFA given that the norms and standards referred to in section 8 of the Act is yet to be prescribed by the Minister of Finance. As soon as these norms and standards are prescribed, all municipalities levying surcharges on municipal services will however be required to comply with this provision.

(3) See response in (2).

1. Not applicable.
2. Not applicable.

4. See response in (1).

(5)(a) Various pieces of legislation regulate the levying of municipal surcharges:

The Constitution

Section 229 of the Constitution indicates that a municipality may impose—

(1) subject to subsections (2), (3) and (4), a municipality may impose

(a) rates on property and surcharges on fees for services provided by or on behalf of the municipality

(2) The power of a municipality to impose rates on property, surcharges on fees for services provided by or on behalf of the municipality, or other taxes, levies or duties—

(b) may be regulated by national legislation.

The Municipal Fiscal Powers and Functions Act (MFPFA)

Section 8 of the MFPFA gives power to the Minister of Finance to prescribe compulsory national norms and standards for imposing “municipal surcharges”. Furthermore, when levying surcharges, municipalities are required in terms of section 9(1)(a) of the MFPFA to comply with any norms and standards contemplated in section 8 of the MFPFA.

The Municipal Systems Act (MSA)

Section 4(1)(c)(ii) of the MSA indicates that the council of a municipality has the right to finance the affairs of the municipality by imposing surcharges on fees, rates on property and, to the extent authorised by national legislation, other taxes, levies and duties. In section 74(2)(f), the Act provides that a municipal tariff policy must reflect at least the following principles: “(f) provision may be made in appropriate circumstances for a surcharge on the tariff for a service”. In terms of section 94(1), the Minister responsible for Local Government may regulate the following matters: “(d) criteria to be taken into account by municipalities when imposing surcharges on tariffs for services and determining the duration thereof;”.

(b) Once norms and standards for municipal surcharges are prescribed for a specific municipal service as per section 8 of the MFPFA, any municipality that does not adhere to such norms and standards (e.g. exceeds prescribed levels) will be in non-compliance with the Act, except if the Minister of Finance has given approval to such municipality in terms of section 9(1)(b) to be exempted from complying to any of the norms and standards as contemplated in section 8 of the Act.

Reply:

a) There are approximately 5.3 million cards due for replacement by 31 December 2023.

(i) The regional breakdown is as per table below:

PROVINCE	Beneficiary Volume
KWAZULU NATAL	1 120 702
GAUTENG	975 063
EASTERN CAPE	745 994
LIMPOPO	717 656
MPUMALANGA	490 188
WESTERN CAPE	484 131
NORTH WEST	331 618
FREE STATE	323 604
NORTHERN CAPE	110 542
GRAND TOTAL	5 299 499

(ii) The table below illustrates the grant type affected by the December deadline:

PROVINCE	Care Dependency Grant (CDG)	Child Support Grant (CSG)	Foster Child Grant	Combination of CDG & FCG	Disability Grant	Old Age Grant	War Veteran Grant	Grand Total
KWAZULU NATAL	11 634	712 022	8 945	204	72 710	265 839	1	1 071 355
GAUTENG	9 331	648 802	10 966	210	41 916	315 252	2	1 026 479
EASTERN CAPE	7 677	488 694	16 082	378	58 151	226 837		797 819
LIMPOPO	5 339	427 652	10 068	143	34 113	222 683		699 998
MPUMALANGA	5 057	338 979	6 671	125	34 974	138 790		524 596
WESTERN CAPE	5 682	311 996	5 695	187	36 214	148 245	2	508 021
NORTH WEST	2 482	189 266	4 662	89	17 181	101 027	1	314 708
FREE STATE	3 463	211 542	5 522	160	26 261	94 629		341 577
NORTHERN CAPE	1 311	65 481	1 610	80	9 794	30 022	1	108 299
Grand Total	51 976	3 394 434	70 221	1 576	331 314	1 543 324	7	5 392 852

b) Work is currently underway to meet the December deadline and Postbank will make necessary information available to the public.

c) Refer to (b) above.

d) I cannot pre-empt the outcome of a procurement process of the Postbank. This is an administrative process that does not involve the Executive Athority.

e) Refer to (d) above.

Reply:

The Municipal Regulations on a Standard Chart of Accounts (mSCOA), Gazette No. 37577, 2014, was promulgated on 22 April 2014. All municipalities and municipal entities had to comply with the mSCOA Regulations by 01 July 2017. In terms of mSCOA, municipalities should budget, transact and report on all six (6) legislated mSCOA segments and submit the required data strings as per the legislated timeframes to the National Treasury’s Local Government Database and Reporting System (LGDRS). The budget and adjustments budgets adopted by Council must be locked on the core municipal financial system before submitting the data strings to the LGDRS. Most of the municipal financial systems have built-in controls that do not allow transacting if the budget or adjustments budget has not been locked. Also, Section 65(2)(j) of the MFMA requires that the accounting officer must take all reasonable steps to ensure that all financial accounts of the municipality are closed at month-end and reconciled with its records before submitting the monthly data string to the LGDRS.

As communicated in MFMA Budget Circular No. 123 dated 03 March 2023, the LGDRS is locked on the 10th working day of the month following the legislated deadline. The late submissions of data strings are not accepted by the LGDRS. The timeous submission of credible mSCOA data strings to the LGDRS has been included in the equitable share release criteria for 2023/24 that was communicated in MFMA Circular No. 122 (dated 09 December 2022).

Since the financial system must be locked at the end of the month to generate mSCOA data strings, municipalities may not open during closed periods to correct errors. Errors must be corrected in the next open period. Providers of municipal financial systems have also been instructed by the National Treasury in 2019 to ensure that the necessary internal controls are built into the financial system to prevent the opening during closed periods on the financial system and the bypassing of such controls.

Reply:

The Department of Basic Education leads the implementation of Integrated School Health Programme (ISHP) working in collaboration with other relevant government departments, including DSD. This is an integrated programme with a number of interventions aimed at prevention and early intervention services for vulnerable children.

RISIHA, a community-based prevention programme works closely with local schools and assist in early identification of children in need of care and support services and complements other government interventions such as Safety Ambassadors at schools.

Reply:

Section 5 of the Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act (Act No. 5 of 2000 – “the Act”) states that the Minister may make regulations regarding any matter that may be necessary or expedient to prescribe in order to achieve the objects of this Act. The judgement of the Constitutional court was that the impugned regulations 3,4 and 9 of the 2017 Regulations amounted to determining preferential procurement policy which was the responsibility of the organ of state in terms of Section 2(1) of the Act. The Minister made the Preferential Procurement Regulations 2022 in line with the Constitutional Court judgement to prescribe what is necessary or expedient in order to achieve the objects of the Act.

It is important to note that the Constitutional Court did not rule that State-Owned Companies can make their own regulations as that would be going against what the Act provides, but it did rule that each organ of state is empowered to determine its own preferential procurement policy (in terms of section 2(1) of the Act) and that these policies must still comply with the Act, which includes the 2022 Regulations.

Reply:

a) The matter is currently receiving attention from myself and the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies to ensure there is no recurrence. To date, all failed transactions have been corrected.

b) The matter related to compensation, if any, will be discussed as part of the Service Level Agreement between SASSA and Postbank. I therefore, do not want to pre-empt the outcome of this process at this stage.

 

Reply:

The visa waiver for Palestinian ordinary passport holders was implemented on 15 September 2023. Negotiations with Palestinian counterparts on the Agreement to waive visa requirements for Diplomatic passport holders only, are at an advanced stage.

END

Reply:

1.(a) The system glitch, which resulted in payment delays affected approximately six hundred thousand (3%) of social grants beneficiaries who access their monies through the Postbank.

(i) The system glitch affected Postbank clients randomly across all the provinces. At the time of responding to this question, Postbank was conducting a proper analysis of province-specific data.

(ii) The system glitch occurred predominantly on the first day of September payment cycle, which is the pay day for the payment of Old Age Grant.

(b) and (c) The glitch within the Postbank banking system was caused by the concentrated load capacity challenge resulting in intermittent timeouts, further complicated by a failure in the auto reversal process.

(d) Postbank reported there were various attempts to defraud the system. At the time of responding to this question, we did not receive any detailed information on this matter.

(e)Matters related to penalties, if any, are covered in the Service Level Agreement between SASSA and Postbank and will be discussed at the appropriate time.

(f) As I have mentioned on many occasions, SASSA clients have the right to choose any bank into which their money will be paid, including Postbank. All clients’ requests to change bank account details are initiated by the client and processed as quickly as possible. SASSA has put in place additional resources to accommodate the increased demand for alternative banks.

(2) neither SASSA nor the Department has any direct dealings with retailers. Retailers are places where clients purchase goods and/ or exchange funds. SASSA continues to conduct beneficiary education that they do not have to withdraw their money as they can use their cards to transact like any other ordinary bank card.

(3) Yes, SASSA uses this platform to communicate directly with beneficiaries on matters related to the administration of grants. However, with regard to the system glitch SASSA could not use this platform as it does not have access to beneficiary bank accounts.

Reply:

The DBSA has seventy tourism-related projects, of which twenty-two have been completed, and forty-eight are in various stages of execution.

The detailed project list, which includes details (question (a)-(h)) is listed below.

No	Province	Work Package	Project Name (a)	Date IPW signed off by NDT to DBSA (b)	Status ( c)	Current Status (Planning & Design stage 1-3, Procurement (stage 4),Construction Stage 5, Close Out (stage 6-7)	Baseline Targeted Practical Completion & Occupation Date (d)	Actual & revised Practical Completion & Occupation date ( e)	Comments on Delays & targets not being met (pls be precise to the point) (f)	Total Budget (PSP, Construction, DBSA Fees) (g)	Actual Total Expenditure as at End August 2023 (h)
1	NW	Compliance Certificates	NW Lehurutshe Bird and Trophy Hunting owned by the Bakgatla ba Lencoe Trust	2020-12-07	Construction	Construction	2024-03-22	2024-03-22	Not Applicable	R28,209,243.11	R1,176,025.47
2	KZN	Compliance Certificates	KZN Isibhubhu Project	2020-12-07	Construction	Construction	2023-09-16	2023-11-15	Slow performance of the contractor at commencement due to cash constraints and material sourcing challenges. The DBSA loan facility to the contractor has assisted in procurement of material and the performance of the contractor has improved as they are recovering to complete on time. Suspension of works due to the yearly traditional reed dance for a week was the latest stoppage. Delay also caused by client request for change in design for the maidens change rooms.	R35,470,271.15	R13,489,181.26
3	KZN	Compliance Certificates	KZN Muzi Pan Project	2020-12-07	Concurrence	Procurement - Concurrence Requested	2024-06-13	2024-06-13	Not Applicable	R21,899,635.05	R578,852.36
4	MP	Community Tourism Projects	Numbi Gate - Nkambeni Safari Lodge	2020-12-07	Construction	Construction	2024-03-26	2024-03-26	Delays in commencement of the project due to community social issues and currently a land claim.	R24,563,693.62	R2,659,306.92
5	MP	Community Tourism Projects	Numbi Gate - Mdlhuli Safari Lodge	2020-12-07	Construction	Construction	2024-03-26	2024-03-26	Delays in commencement of the works due to the delays in appointment of the CLO and labour	R33,554,531.24	R3,455,932.19
6	LP	Community Tourism Projects	Nandoni Dam	2020-12-07	Construction	Construction	2024-05-16	2024-05-16	Not Applicable	R38,982,441.65	R1,738,488.51
7	LP	Community Tourism Projects	Tshathogwe Game Farm	2020-12-07	Construction	Construction	2023-09-09	2023-11-14	Poor performance of the Contractor. Penalties to be charged in accordance with contract.	R26,741,416.87	R9,476,563.90

No	Province	Work Package	Project Name (a)	Date IPW signed off by NDT to DBSA (b)	Status ( c)	Current Status (Planning & Design stage 1-3, Procurement (stage 4),Construction Stage 5, Close Out (stage 6-7)	Baseline Targeted Practical Completion & Occupation Date (d)	Actual & revised Practical Completion & Occupation date (e)	Comments on Delays & targets not being met (pls be precise to the point) (f)	Total Budget (PSP, Construction, DBSA Fees) (g)	Actual Total Expenditure as at End August 2023 (h)
8	LP	Community Tourism Projects	Mtititi Game Farm	2020-12-07	Construction	Construction	2023-06-10	2023-12-31	Poor performance of the Contractor. Penalties to be charged in accordance with contract.	R27,898,562.18	R14,455,737.46
2023-12-31	LP	Community Tourism Projects	Mapate Recreational Social Tourism Facility	2020-12-07	Construction	Construction	2023-06-16	2023-12-31	Suspension of works due to fatality on site, Poor performance by contractor at commencement of the constructions works.	R27,450,164.53	R9,245,260.80
2023-12-31	KZN	Local Community Museums	Product Enhancement at Anton Lembede Museum eThekwini Municipality (KZN)	2021-02-08	Construction	Construction	2024-03-02	2024-03-02	Not Applicable	R23,611,547.91	R979,096.02
11	NC	Local Community Museums	Product Enhancement at McGregor Museum (NC) WP1	2021-02-08	Evaluation	Procurement - Evaluation	2024-06-16	2024-06-16	Not Applicable	R240,750.00
12	NC	Local Community Museums	Product Enhancement at McGregor Museum (NC) WP2	2021-02-08	Evaluation	Procurement - Evaluation	2024-04-15	2024-04-15	Not Applicable
13	KZN	Local Community Museums	Product Enhancement at AmaHlubi Cultural Heritage (KZN)	2021-02-08	Concept NDT	Planning and Design	2024-03-11	2024-03-11	Not Applicable	R8,228,848.39	R979,069.02
14	NW	Local Community Museums	Product Enhancement at Sol Plaatjie Museum (NW)	2021-02-08	Construction	Construction	2024-02-01	2024-02-01	Delay in commencement of works due to an impasse on works to be implemented (new and maintenance work). Meeting between NDT, DBSA and Mahikeng Municipality to be held on 20.09.2023 to find way forward on scope.	R8,228,848.31	R832,007.41

No	Province	Work Package	Project Name (a)	Date IPW signed off by NDT to DBSA (b)	Status ( c)	Current Status (Planning & Design stage 1-3, Procurement (stage 4), Construction Stage 5, Close Out (stage 6-7)	Baseline Targeted Practical Completion & Occupation Date (d)	Actual & revised Practical Completion & Occupation date ( e)	Comments on Delays & targets not being met (pls be precise to the point) (f)	Total Budget (PSP, Construction, DBSA Fees) (g)	Actual Total Expenditure as at End August 2023 (h)
15	NW	Local Community Museums	Product Enhancement at Lehurutshe Liberation Heritage Museum	2021-02-08	Concept NDT	Planning and Design	2024-02-27	2024-02-27	Not Applicable	R15,384,460.00	R832,007.41
16	NC	lndi-Atlantic Route (Coastal and Marine Tourism initiatives)	Tourism development at Orange River Mouth (NC) as part of the Indi-Atlantic Route	2021-02-08	Design Development	Planning and Design	N/A	N/A	Project works to be completed till Design Stage. Further stages will await NDT instruction to Proceed.	R76,121,200.33	R949,421.57
17	EC	lndi-Atlantic Route	Tourism Development at Hole in the Wall (EC) as part of the Indi-Atlantic Route	2021-02-08	Design Development	Planning and Design	N/A	N/A	Project works to be completed till Design Stage. Further stages will await NDT instruction to Proceed.	R56,103,208.95	R1,760,791.87
18	KZN	lndi-Atlantic Route	Tourism development at Harold Johnson Nature Reserve as part of the Indi-Atlantic Route	2021-02-08	Design Development	Planning and Design	N/A	N/A	Project works to be completed till Design Stage. Further stages will await NDT instruction to Proceed.	R48,708,342.83	R1,443,770.69
19	GP	Maintenance & Beautification	Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve, Gauteng	2020-12-07	Evaluation	Procurement - Evaluation	2024-03-20	2024-03-20	Not Applicable	R8,733,665.78	R257,326.41
20	KZN	Maintenance & Beautification	J L Dube Precinct, KZN	2020-12-07	Design Development	Planning and Design	2023-11-27	2023-11-27	Not Applicable	R4,277,257.82	R37,527.79
21	FS	Maintenance & Beautification of Provincial State-Owned Attractions.	Gariep Dam Resort, Free State	2020-12-07	Construction	Construction	2023-09-14	2023-12-31	The contractor is behind schedule. Penalties to be charged in accordance with contract.	R4,999,748.71	R2,182,007.88

No	Province	Work Package	Project Name (a)	Date IPW signed off by NDT to DBSA (b)	Status ( c)	Current Status (Planning & Design stage 1-3, Procurement (stage 4),Construction Stage 5, Close Out (stage 6-7)	Baseline Targeted Practical Completion & Occupation Date (d)	Actual & revised Practical Completion & Occupation date (e)	Comments on Delays & targets not being met (pls be precise to the point) (f)	Total Budget (PSP, Construction, DBSA Fees) (g)	Actual Total Expenditure as at End August 2023 (h)
22	FS	Maintenance & Beautification of Provincial State-Owned Attractions.	Maria Moroka Resort in Thaba Nchu, Free State	2020-12-07	Construction	Construction	2023-09-15	2023-12-31	The contractor is behind schedule. Penalties to be charged in accordance with contract.	R4,999,748.71	R894,648.15
23	FS	Maintenance & Beautification of Provincial State-Owned Attractions.	Phillip Saunders Resort in Bloemfontein, Free State	2020-12-07	Construction	Construction	2023-08-15	2023-12-31	Additional scope of work requested by the end user Client and extension of time under review to determine the completion date.	R4,999,748.71	R2,637,239.48
24	FS	Maintenance & Beautification of Provincial State-Owned Attractions.	Sterkfontein Dam Nature Reserve, Free State	2020-12-07	Construction	Construction	2023-08-14	2023-12-31	The contractor is behind schedule. Penalty to be charged in accordance with contract.	R4,999,748.71	R2,967,908.65
25	MP	Maintenance & Beautification of Provincial State-Owned Attractions.	Manyeleti Nature Reserve, Mpumalanga	2020-12-07	Practical Completion	Practical Completion Achieved	2023-07-16	2023-06-08	Not Applicable	R3,736,433.94	R2,922,378.71
26	MP	Maintenance & Beautification of Provincial State-Owned Attractions.	Andover Nature Reserve, Mpumalanga	2020-12-07	Practical Completion	Practical Completion Achieved	2023-07-16	2023-06-08	Not Applicable	R3,736,433.94	R3,476,227.74
27	MP	Maintenance & Beautification of Provincial State-Owned Attractions.	Songimvelo Nature Reserve, Mpumalanga	2020-12-07	Practical Completion	Practical Completion Achieved	2023-07-16	2023-06-08	Not Applicable	R3,736,433.94	R3,801,835.77
28	MP	Maintenance & Beautification of Provincial State-Owned Attractions.	SS Skosana Nature Reserve, Mpumalanga	2020-12-07	Practical Completion	Practical Completion Achieved	2023-07-16	2023-06-08	Not Applicable	R3,736,433.94	R3,089,137.42

No	Province	Work Package	Project Name (a)	Date IPW signed off by NDT to DBSA (b)	Status (c)	Current Status (Planning & Design stage 1-3, Procurement (stage 4),Construction Stage 5, Close Out (stage 6-7)	Baseline Targeted Practical Completion & Occupation Date (d)	Actual & revised Practical Completion & Occupation date (e)	Comments on Delays & targets not being met (pls be precise to the point) (f)	Total Budget (PSP, Construction, DBSA Fees) (g)	Actual Total Expenditure as at End August 2023 (h)
22	FS	Maintenance & Beautification of Provincial State-Owned Attractions.	Maria Moroka Resort in Thaba Nchu, Free State	2020-12-07	Construction	Construction	2023-09-15	2023-12-31	The contractor is behind schedule. Penalties to be charged in accordance with contract.	R4,999,748.71	R894,648.15
23	FS	Maintenance & Beautification of Provincial State-Owned Attractions.	Phillip Saunders Resort in Bloemfontein, Free State	2020-12-07	Construction	Construction	2023-08-15	2023-12-31	Additional scope of work requested by the end user Client and extension of time under review to determine the completion date.	R4,999,748.71	R2,637,239.48
24	FS	Maintenance & Beautification of Provincial State-Owned Attractions.	Sterkfontein Dam Nature Reserve, Free State	2020-12-07	Construction	Construction	2023-08-14	2023-12-31	The contractor is behind schedule. Penalty to be charged in accordance with contract.	R4,999,748.71	R2,967,908.65
25	MP	Maintenance & Beautification of Provincial State-Owned Attractions.	Manyeleti Nature Reserve, Mpumalanga	2020-12-07	Practical Completion	Practical Completion Achieved	2023-07-16	2023-06-08	Not Applicable	R3,736,433.94	R2,922,378.71
26	MP	Maintenance & Beautification of Provincial State-Owned Attractions.	Andover Nature Reserve, Mpumalanga	2020-12-07	Practical Completion	Practical Completion Achieved	2023-07-16	2023-06-08	Not Applicable	R3,736,433.94	R3,476,227.74
27	MP	Maintenance & Beautification of Provincial State-Owned Attractions.	Songimvelo Nature Reserve, Mpumalanga	2020-12-07	Practical Completion	Practical Completion Achieved	2023-07-16	2023-06-08	Not Applicable	R3,736,433.94	R3,801,835.77
28	MP	Maintenance & Beautification of Provincial State-Owned Attractions.	SS Skosana Nature Reserve, Mpumalanga	2020-12-07	Practical Completion	Practical Completion Achieved	2023-07-16	2023-06-08	Not Applicable	R3,736,433.94	R3,089,137.42

No	Province	Work Package	Project Name (a)	Date IPW signed off by NDT to DBSA (b)	Status ( c)	Current Status (Planning & Design stage 1-3, Procurement (stage 4),Construction Stage 5, Close Out (stage 6-7)	Baseline Targeted Practical Completion & Occupation Date (d)	Actual & revised Practical Completion & Occupation date ( e)	Comments on Delays & targets not being met (pls be precise to the point) (f)	Total Budget (PSP, Construction, DBSA Fees) (g)	Actual Total Expenditure as at End August 2023 (h)
29	EC	Maintenance & Beautification of Provincial State-Owned Attractions.	Thomas Baines Nature Reserve, Eastern Cape	2020-12-07	Construction	Practical Completion Achieved	2023-08-08	2023-09-14	Certain areas on site were put on hold due to environmental concerns which did not form part of the scope. Practical completion has been achieved.	R4,285,162.35	R3,415,779.54
30	EC	Maintenance & Beautification of Provincial State-Owned Attractions.	Hluleka Nature Reserve, Eastern Cape	2020-12-07	Concept To be Approved	Planning and Design	2023-12-27	2024/25FY	Not Applicable	R4,185,939.39	R83,973.60
31	EC	Maintenance & Beautification of Provincial State-Owned Attractions.	Double Mouth Nature Reserve, Eastern Cape	2020-12-07	Practical Completion	Practical Completion Achieved	2023-07-06	N/A	Not Applicable	R3,528,146.03	R2,859,541.75
32	EC	Maintenance & Beautification of Provincial State-Owned Attractions.	Oviston Nature Reserve, Eastern Cape	2020-12-07	Practical Completion	Practical Completion Achieved	2023-07-25	2023-09-01	Project was affected by the hunting season as the contractor had limited access to site, hence the delay in completion against the baseline PC date. The project has achieved practical completion.	R3,504,584.39	R2,622,218.39
33	EC	Maintenance & Beautification of Provincial State-Owned Attractions.	Baviaanskloof Nature Reserve, Eastern Cape	2020-12-07	Construction	Construction	2023-07-25	2023-10-31	Change in the design of the kitchen building and location allocated by the end user.	R3,528,146.03	R2,182,741.34
34	EC	Maintenance & Beautification of Provincial State-Owned Attractions.	Cwebe and Dwesa, Eastern Cape	2020-12-07	Construction	Construction	2023-12-01	2023-12-01	Delays in granting contractor access to all facilities on site due to a movie recording or filming.	R4,263,982.64	R888,768.16
35	EC	Maintenance & Beautification of Provincial State-Owned Attractions.	Mpofu and Fordyce Nature Reserve, Eastern Cape	2020-12-07	Construction	Construction	2023-12-02	2023-12-02	Delay on works as some facilities had to be put on hold to accommodate the hunting season which generates revenue for the reserve.	R4,263,982.64	R1,502,586.19

No	Province	Work Package	Project Name (a)	Date IPW signed off by NDT to DBSA (b)	Status ( c)	Current Status (Planning & Design stage 1-3, Procurement (stage 4),Construction Stage 5, Close Out (stage 6-7)	Baseline Targeted Practical Completion & Occupation Date (d)	Actual & revised Practical Completion & Occupation date ( e)	Comments on Delays & targets not being met (pls be precise to the point) (f)	Total Budget (PSP, Construction, DBSA Fees) (g)	Actual Total Expenditure as at End August 2023 (h)
36	NC	Maintenance & Beautification of Provincial State-Owned Attractions.	Doornkloof Nature Reserve, Northern Cape	2020-12-07	Construction	Construction	2023-11-23	2023-11-23	Not Applicable	R5,254,310.06	R1,235,877.71
37	NC	Maintenance & Beautification of Provincial State-Owned Attractions.	Rolfontein Nature Reserve, Northern Cape	2020-12-07	Construction	Construction	2023-11-23	2023-11-23	Not Applicable	R5,254,310.06	R1,686,739.19
38	NC	Maintenance & Beautification of Provincial State-Owned Attractions.	Goegap and Witsand Nature Reserve, Northern Cape	2020-12-07	Construction	Construction	2023-11-23	2023-11-23	Not Applicable	R5,254,310.06	R3,410,098.70
39	LP	Maintenance & Beautification of Provincial State-Owned Attractions.	Makapans Valley WHS, Limpopo	2020-12-07	Practical Completion	Practical Completion Achieved	2023-07-16	N/A	Not Applicable	R3,145,623.58	R2,997,834.07
40	LP	Maintenance & Beautification of Provincial State-Owned Attractions.	Nwanedi Nature Reserve, Limpopo	2020-12-07	Practical Completion	Practical Completion Achieved	2023-07-16	N/A	Not Applicable	R3,145,623.58	R2,558,202.70
41	LP	Maintenance & Beautification of Provincial State-Owned Attractions.	Blouberg Nature Reserve, Limpopo	2020-12-07	Practical Completion	Practical Completion Achieved	2023-07-16	N/A	Not Applicable	R3,145,623.58	R2,465,052.22
42	LP	Maintenance & Beautification of Provincial State-Owned Attractions.	Musina Nature Reserve, Limpopo	2020-12-07	Practical Completion	Practical Completion Achieved	2023-07-16	N/A	Not Applicable	R3,145,623.58	R2,777,971.87

No	Province	Work Package	Project Name (a)	Date IPW signed off by NDT to DBSA (b)	Status ( c)	Current Status (Planning & Design stage 1-3, Procurement (stage 4),Construction Stage 5, Close Out (stage 6-7)	Baseline Targeted Practical Completion & Occupation Date (d)	Actual & revised Practical Completion & Occupation date (e)	Comments on Delays & targets not being met (pls be precise to the point) (f)	Total Budget (PSP, Construction, DBSA Fees) (g)	Actual Total Expenditure as at End August 2023 (h)
43	LP	Maintenance & Beautification of Provincial State-Owned Attractions.	Modjadji Nature Reserve, Limpopo	2020-12-07	Practical Completion	Practical Completion Achieved	2023-07-16	N/A	Not Applicable	R3,145,623.58	R2,430,597.23
44	WC	Maintenance & Beautification of Provincial State-Owned Attractions.	Kogelberg Nature Reserve, Western Cape	2020-12-07	Practical Completion	Practical Completion Achieved	2023-06-14	N/A	Not Applicable	R3,634,316.46	R3,003,843.38
45	WC	Maintenance & Beautification of Provincial State-Owned Attractions.	Goukamma Nature Reserve, Western Cape	2020-12-07	Practical Completion	Practical Completion Achieved	2023-06-14	N/A	Not Applicable	R3,634,316.46	R2,527,332.95
46	WC	Maintenance & Beautification of Provincial State-Owned Attractions.	Lookout Hill Khayelitsha, Western Cape	2020-12-07	Practical Completion	Practical Completion Achieved	2023-06-14	N/A	Not Applicable	R3,634,316.46	R3,277,649.65
47	WC	Maintenance & Beautification of Provincial State-Owned Attractions.	De Hoop Nature Reserve, Western Cape	2020-12-07	Practical Completion	Practical Completion Achieved	2023-06-14	N/A	Not Applicable	R3,634,316.46	R2,026,649.36
48	WC	Maintenance & Beautification of Provincial State-Owned Attractions.	Wolwekloof Nature Reserve, Western Cape	2020-12-07	Practical Completion	Practical Completion Achieved	2023-06-14	N/A	Not Applicable	R3,634,316.46	R3,072,463.11
49	WC	Maintenance & Beautification of Provincial State-Owned Attractions.	Cederberg Wilderness Area, Western Cape	2020-12-07	Practical Completion	Practical Completion Achieved	2023-06-14	N/A	Not Applicable	R3,634,316.46	R1,946,132.58
No	Province	Work Package	Project Name (a)	Date IPW signed off by NDT to DBSA (b)	Status ( c)	Current Status (Planning & Design stage 1-3, Procurement (stage 4),Construction Stage 5, Close Out (stage 6-7)	Baseline Targeted Practical Completion & Occupation Date (d)	Actual & revised Practical Completion & Occupation date (e)	Comments on Delays & targets not being met (pls be precise to the point) (f)	Total Budget (PSP, Construction, DBSA Fees) (g)	Actual Total Expenditure as at End August 2023 (h)
50	NW	Maintenance & Beautification of Provincial State-Owned Attractions.	Mafikeng Hotel School	2022-04-04	Concept NDT	Planning and Design	2024-09-12	2024/25FY	Not Applicable
51	NW	Maintenance & Beautification of Provincial State-Owned Attractions.	Pilanesberg Nature Reserve, North West	2022-04-04	PSP Appointment	Pre-Initiation	2024-06-11	2024/25FY	Not Applicable
52	NC	Construction Planning, Procurement & Implementation	NC Platfontein Lodge	2020-12-07	Concept	Planning and Design	2023-12-27	2024/25FY	Not Applicable	R36,944,350.33	R464,114.63
53	NW	Further detailed planning & construction	NW Lotlamoreng Dam	2020-12-07	Tender / Retender	Procurement - Contractor	2024-02-11	2024/25FY	Not Applicable	R21,680,806.49	R392,300.67
54	NW	Construction Planning, Procurement & Implementation	NW Manyane Lodge	2020-12-07	Evaluation	Procurement - Evaluation	2023-11-02	2024/25FY	Not Applicable	R25,788,890.01	R392,300.67
55	LP	Construction Planning, Procurement & Implementation	LP Matsila Lodge	2020-12-07	Construction	Construction	2023-12-14	2023-12-14	Contractor is running behind schedule due to cashflow constraints on purchasing the high value items. DBSA has approved a loan facility and is assisting the contractor with purchasing of the material.	R43,036,821.09	R9,940,053.98
56	LP	Construction Planning, Procurement & Implementation	LP Phiphidi Waterfall	2020-12-07	Construction	Construction	2024-03-16	2024-03-16	Not Applicable	R24,984,745.91	R1,258,843.25

No	Province	Work Package	Project Name (a)	Date IPW signed off by NDT to DBSA (b)	Status ( c)	Current Status (Planning & Design stage 1-3, Procurement (stage 4),Construction Stage 5, Close Out (stage 6-7)	Baseline Targeted Practical Completion & Occupation Date (d)	Actual & revised Practical Completion & Occupation date (e)	Comments on Delays & targets not being met (pls be precise to the point) (f)	Total Budget (PSP, Construction, DBSA Fees) (g)	Actual Total Expenditure as at End August 2023 (h)
57	LP	Construction Planning, Procurement & Implementation	LP Oaks	2020-12-07	Construction	Construction	2024-02-07	2024-02-07	Not Applicable	R30,540,765.25	R6,582,104.00
58	LP	Construction Planning, Procurement & Implementation	LP Ngove	2020-12-07	Construction	Construction	2024-05-19	2024-05-19	Not Applicable	R35,488,790.91	R1,951,886.39
59	LP	Construction Planning, Procurement & Implementation	LP Tisane	2020-12-07	Construction	Construction	2023-12-24	2023-12-24	The Contractor had cashflow constraints that affected purchasing of material. The DBSA has approved a loan facility and the material has already been provided to the contractor.	R32,500,362.51	R10,759,639.31
60	LP	Further detailed planning & construction	LP Vhatsonga	2020-12-07	Evaluation	Procurement - Evaluation	2024-04-11	2024/25FY	Not Applicable	R34,509,658.61	R1,164,067.68
61	FS	Construction Planning, Procurement & Implementation	FS QwaQwa Guesthouse	2020-12-07	Construction	Construction	2023-09-18	2023-10-30	The design of the sewer had to be changed by engineers.	R24,619,623.73	R20,195,710.68
62	FS	Construction Planning, Procurement & Implementation	FS Infrastructure through Monontsha	2020-12-07	Practical Completion	Practical Completion Achieved	2023-09-18	N/A	Not Applicable	R7,852,914.40	R5,605,553.72
63	FS	Construction Planning, Procurement & Implementation	FS Vredefort Dome	2020-12-07	Construction	Construction	2023-10-17	2024/25FY	Contract Terminated due to poor performance of the contractor	R28,163,338.17	R7,165,192.19

No	Province	Work Package	Project Name (a)	Date IPW signed off by NDT to DBSA (b)	Status ( c)	Current Status (Planning & Design stage 1-3, Procurement (stage 4),Construction Stage 5, Close Out (stage 6-7)	Baseline Targeted Practical Completion & Occupation Date (d)	Actual & revised Practical Completion & Occupation date (e)	Comments on Delays & targets not being met (pls be precise to the point) (f)	Total Budget (PSP, Construction, DBSA Fees) (g)	Actual Total Expenditure as at End August 2023 (h)
64	NC	Construction Planning, Procurement & Implementation	NC Kamiesberg Tourism Development	2020-12-07	Design Development	Planning and Design	2024-04-15	2024/25FY	Not Applicable	R19,816,186.00	R1,016,253.44
65	EC	Construction Planning, Procurement & Implementation	EC Maluti Hiking and Horse Trail	2020-12-07	Practical Completion	Practical Completion Achieved	2023-07-07	N/A	Not Applicable	R21,953,838.99	R21,099,619.33
66	EC	Construction Planning, Procurement & Implementation	EC Mthonsi Lodge	2020-12-07	Construction	Construction	2023-11-14	2023-11-30	Delay due to inclement weather. EOT approved	R7,563,919.96	R20,649,930.73
67	EC	Construction Planning, Procurement & Implementation	EC Qatywa Eco Tourism Development	2020-12-07	Construction	Construction	2024-01-16	2024-03-12	Delay due to inclement weather. EOT approved	R39,654,075.62	R18,654,465.84
68	EC	Construction Planning, Procurement & Implementation	EC Chalets at Nyandeni Great Place	2020-12-07	Practical Completion	Practical Completion Achieved	2023-08-15	N/A	Penalties charged to contractor for late completion	R22,996,656.27	R20,600,239.42
69	EC	Construction Planning, Procurement & Implementation	EC Western Thembuland	2020-12-07	Practical Completion	Practical Completion Achieved	2023-07-07	N/A	Not Applicable	R28,333,432.75	R26,545,363.06
70	LP	Construction Planning, Procurement & Implementation	Royal Khalanga Lodge	2021-09-13	Construction	Construction	2024-03-25	2024-03-25	Not Applicable	R17,772,742.44	R2,409,864.34

Reply:

Government is working to manage public finances in a prudent and sustainable manner. This includes appropriately responding to the materialization of risks, include unforeseen economic and financial conditions. To be clear, the Government has not run out of money. Government publishes the "Statement of the National Government’s Revenue, Expenditure, and Borrowing" monthly, available on the National Treasury website. This statement provides detailed information into government revenue collections, expenditure and borrowing.

Revenue collections for the first four months of 2023/24 have performed below expectations, primarily due to under-collections in corporate income tax and higher VAT refunds. Therefore, the main budget deficit for the first four months of 2023/24 is higher than expected.

Compared to the 2023 Budget, the economic and revenue outlook has deteriorated, and tighter financial conditions have constrained government’s borrowing programme and led to higher borrowing costs. Government remains committed to prudent fiscal management and addressing these challenges to ensure the financial stability of the nation.

Reply:

1. The financial obligation with respect to the development of the National State Enterprises Bill is borne by the Department of Public Enterprises. For 2023/24, budget has been allocated and ring-fenced for the necessary external project support and expertise under the Departmental funds for the processing of the Bill. Working capital of the Holding Company will need to be secured, and consultation with the National Treasury is on-going in this regard.

2. (a) Preliminary costing of the HoldCo has been done on the basis that it shall become self-sustainable in the short term. The Holding Company will derive dividends from its subsidiary companies and it is envisaged that this income stream will be sufficient to cover its operational costs.

(b) The closure, merger or restructuring (some which is already happening, e.g. in Small Business Portfolio) will be considered by government on the basis of recommendations of the PSEC.

Remarks: Reply: Approved / Not approved

Jacky Molisane PJ Gordhan, MP

Acting Director-General Minister

Date: Date:

Reply:

a) The Postbank currently provides banking accounts and cards to approximately 5.3 million SASSA beneficiaries. All the cards that are affected by the December deadline will be replaced as part of the Card Replacement Project Plan. The number of beneficiaries fluctuates on a daily basis as many beneficiaries have opted to migrate to other banks.

i) and (ii) Postbank has not provided details at the time of responding to this question.

b) Postbank has a phased-in Card Replacement Project Plan as follows:

• Phase 1: will focuses on SASSA regions with the largest number of beneficiaries (KZN, Gauteng, Eastern Cape, Limpopo and Mpumalanga), which account for 76% of the SASSA customer base.

• Phase 2: will focus on SASSA regions with the least number of beneficiaries (Western Cape, North West, Free State and Northern Cape), which account for 24% of the SASSA customer base

• As a contingency measure, Postbank is engaging with VISA and the South African Reserve Bank to extend the validity of cards as a contingency in the event cards cannot be distributed to all customers within the said deadline.

Reply:

Considerations for continued financing and expanding of public employment programmes such as the Expanded Public Works Programme and the Presidential Employment Stimulus programme are part of such the budget process, and the outcome of this process will be announced in the 2023 Medium Term Budget Policy Statement.  

Reply:

1. The position of the Minster has not changed since the last oral reply. As indicated then, zero-rating of specific foodstuffs provides a larger proportional benefit to the poor (i.e. progressivity is enhanced). Overall, goods have a progressive impact and a strong equity-gain ratio – poor people consume a relatively high share of zero-rated items. Nevertheless, the analysis of the independent panel in 2018 indicated that extending zero-rating to further food items would be inefficient, since high-income households tend to benefit more from such measures.
2. We acknowledge the importance of the agricultural sector in tackling the issue of food insecurity which can both be addressed by increasing availability of food and affordability of food. National Treasury provides fiscal support to departments to support the agricultural sector. The fiscal support for agricultural sector is determined through the budget allocations to the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, as articulated in the Estimate of National Expenditure (ENE) -Vote 29 and to provinces though the Division Revenue Act, and this information is available in various provincial budgets.
3. Consolidated spending allocations for agriculture and rural development, as presented in the 2023 Budget, are R27.8 billion in 2023/24, R28.6 billion in 2024/25 and R29.9 billion in 2025/26.