Questions and Replies
17 April 2024 - NW235
Roos, Mr AC to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
With reference to the circular issued by the Acting Director-General of his department on 21 December 2023, what total number of short-term visa holders who applied for a visa extension on or before 30 November 2023, but have not yet received the outcome of their applications by 23 February 2024, would be expected to leave the Republic by 29 February 2024?
Reply:
Honourable Member, I would like to draw your attention to the Media briefing held on 17 March 2024 in which I comprehensively clarified the unfortunate circumstances surrounding the Circular and the steps taken by the Department to address any consequential concerns emanating therefrom. I have also previously addressed this matter in Parliament in February 2024 during the SONA Debate and on the occasion of the oral responses session of the JCPS Cluster held on 28 February 2023.
In my presentation on the occasion of the Media briefing which is attached as Annexure A, I further clarified how the Department would assist those short-term visa holders who applied, inter alia, for visa extensions and who still did not yet receive their application outcomes, whether negative or positive. I must also refer you to paragraphs 2 – 4 supra on page 3 of the Media briefing in which clarity is given regarding the removal of undesirable status for those applicants who may have been purported to have overstayed.
At the time of the Media briefing there were only 6 known cases received of persons who were negatively affected by the Circular. The Department will continue to assist and resolve these matters upon receipt of specific cases.
END.
17 April 2024 - NW256
Loate, Mr T to ask the Minister of Police
Whether, since 27 February 2018 when he became the Minister of Police, effective collaboration and/or partnership with (a) communities , (b) state-owned enterprises, (c) private security firms, (d) local authorities and (e) others had been forged to (i) obtain intelligence and (ii) enhance enforcement efforts; if not, what is the position in this regard; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what successes has he found were obtained in each case?
Reply:
Find here: Reply
17 April 2024 - NW137
Masipa, Mr NP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
What is the latest update on the progress made towards achieving land reform targets, including the (a) number of farms, (b) purchase costs, (c) post-settlement support, (d) annual input cost support, (e) productivity and (f) estimated turnover of each farm in each province from 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2023?
Reply:
(a) and(b)
The Land Redistribution and Tenure Reform programme acquired 239 farms while the Land Restitution programme acquired 970 farms from 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2023 at the cost of R2 138 billion and R4 304 billion, respectively.
c) The Department through its Land Development Support programme has supported a total of 244 land reform farms across the country.
d) Production inputs budget allocated to the farms amounts to R543 081 million.
e) Since the farms were funded in different financial years, they are currently under implementation at different stages of production based on the type of commodity’s production cycle.
f) In line with the standard of the programme, each approved farm had an estimated net profit of at least R350 000 per production cycle as per approved business plan(s). The applicable production standards are used to ensure that enterprises are funded at their commercial entry level considering the available natural resources and support required to ensure sustainability and growth.
17 April 2024 - NW210
Matiase, Mr NS to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
With reference to settled land restitution claims, what (a) total number of the resettled claimants have entered into strategic partnership arrangements with strategic partners and (b) are the names of the (i) specified resettled claimants and (ii) strategic partners with whom they entered into agreements?
Reply:
(a) The Commission on Restitution of Land Rights (CRLR) does not keep a record of strategic partnerships entered into by settled land restitution claimants. Once property is transferred, the transferee may enter into partnerships in their own legal capacity. The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) has however, through the Land Development Support (LDS) Programme, assisted fourteen (14) restitution projects.
(b)(i),(ii) Please refer to Table 1 below. The support model used involves commodity organisations and if there is no commodity organisation DALRRD supports the farms using internal capacity.
Acronyms: –
SAFDA – South African Farmers Development Association
DALRRD – Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
NERPO – National Emergent Red Meat Producers’
RESTITUTION PROJECTS SUPPORTED THROUGH LAND DEVELOPMENT AND POST SETTLEMENT SUPPORT PROGRAM UNDER FOOD SECURITY AND AGRARIAN REFORM: |
|||
Province |
Project Name |
Approved Budget |
Development Partner |
KwaZulu Natal |
*Dludla Community Enterprise (Pty) Ltd |
R16 223 878.16 |
SAFDA |
|
*Emakhasaneni Investment (Pty) Ltd |
R6 359 353.32 |
SAFDA |
|
*Prince Sitheku Agriculture (Pty) Ltd |
R6 468 951.04 |
SAFDA |
|
*Ubumbano Agri (Pty) Ltd |
R8 315 983.35 |
SAFDA |
KwaZulu Natal Total |
R37 368 165.87 |
||
Mpumalanga |
*Arxifusion (Pty) Ltd (Phuthanang CPA) |
R4 543 373.50 |
None (DALRRD) |
|
*Laughing Waterfall Farming Projects |
R7 765 340.16 |
SAFDA |
|
*Lubambiswano |
R2 217 382.11 |
None |
|
*Mandzindza Communal Property Association |
R1 903 220.71 |
NERPO |
Mpumalanga Total |
R16 429 316.48 |
||
North West |
*Dikgatlhong Holdings (Pty) Ltd |
R0.00 |
None (DALRRD) |
|
*Doornkop 166 Boerdery (Pty) Ltd |
R4 932 957.83 |
None (DALRRD) |
|
*Khutso-Naketsi Communal Property |
R57 220 257.41 |
Former Owner |
North West Total |
R62 153 215.24 |
||
Northern Cape |
*Mazelfontein/Katlani CPA NPO |
R3 578 732.47 |
None (DALRRD) |
|
*Motsamai Lucas Mokubung Trading (Pty) Ltd |
R10 576 771.84 |
None (DALRRD) |
|
*Schamboua Communal Property Association |
R26 790 520.74 |
Raisins SA |
|
*Smallvish Toeslaan Holdings (Pty) Ltd |
R17 052 111.89 |
None (DALRRD) |
Northern Cape Total |
R57 998 136.94 |
||
Grand Total |
|
R173 948 834.53 |
END
16 April 2024 - NW829
Van Dyk, Ms V to ask the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture
(a). what steps has Swimming SA (SSA) taken to foster the development of water polo at grassroots levels within the republic, (b) how is SSA actively involved in developing (i) coaches and (ii) officials to enhance the overall standard of water polo coaching and officiating?
Reply:
The Ministry engaged Swimming South Africa (SSA) who provided the following responses:
(a). Considering limited resources, grassroots programmes are primarily focused on water safety education and teaching swimming as a life skill in areas where there are facilities. Noting that of approximately 25,000 schools in South Africa, 22,000 do not have swimming pools. Swimming Pools in schools is limited to private schools where water polo is practiced.
(b). Due to financial constraints, Swimming South Africa (SSA) in conjunction with World Aquatics can only provide annual training programmes to coaches and technical officials on an alternative basis. This is an average of 30 people trained annually in accredited courses.
16 April 2024 - NW654
Tito, Ms LF to ask the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture
Whether he has been informed that the Nomoya Masilela Museum in Bethal, Mpumalanga, has no permanent employees but is operated only by volunteers; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details in this regard?
Reply:
I have not been informed about the said situation at the Nomoya Masilela Museum, as this is a Provincial Museum and thus under provincial competence.
16 April 2024 - NW705
De Villiers, Mr JN to ask the Minister of Finance
Whether he will furnish Mr J N de Villiers with a (a) list and (b) full description of all events planned by the National Treasury to take place before 29 May 2024 in celebration of the 30 years of democracy in the Republic, including the (i) projected total cost or expenditure of each event and (ii) breakdown thereof in terms of expenditure for (aa) catering, (bb) entertainment, (cc) venue hire, (dd) transport and (ee) accommodation; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
(a) None, since it is not part of the National Treasury’s mandate.
(b)(i) None
(b)(ii)(aa)(bb)(cc)(dd) & (ee) None
16 April 2024 - NW766
Van Dyk, Ms V to ask the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture
(1). Whether he has found that the process for the selection of the board of World Aquatics is a transparent and an inclusive one with regard to the Water Polo Community; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details. (2). (a) how long has the current Executive Committee been serving Swim SA and (b) what justifies their continued tenure amidst persistent organisational failures?
Reply:
1. As Minister of Government Department in the Republic of South Africa, I do not have oversight or authority when it comes to International Federations, and I am therefore unable to comment on this matter.
2.(a). The current Executive Committee was elected on 15 January 2022, and has been serving Swimming SA since then.
(b). Unfortunately, I am not aware of any organizational failures within the Swimming SA, however, I will request my department for a full report on the alleged persistent failure in the organisation.
16 April 2024 - NW620
Msimang, Prof CT to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
(1)With reference to the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) investigation into the breach of procurement processes for personal protective equipment (PPE) in his department, what (a) additional oversight mechanisms are being considered and/or implemented to strengthen his department’s procurement processes and (b) measures has his department put in place to ensure transparency, fairness and competitiveness in future procurement processes; (2) What is the current status of the recovery efforts for the funds lost due to the unauthorised, irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure identified by the SIU in its investigation into the non-compliance with procurement processes for the PPE; (3) What steps has his department taken to (a) address the systemic issues that allowed such a significant breach of procurement policies and (b) prevent a recurrence of such events?
Reply:
(1)(a) Department of Correctional Services (DCS) developed a departmental control committee to ensure that procurement to the value of R1 million is approved by the committee. The terms of reference are to ensure daily oversight on procurement transactions, with focus on procurement wherein bidding processes are not followed.
(1)(b) DCS reports all procurement processes through National Treasury and furthermore the procurement manual including delegation has been revised to ensure fairness and competitiveness.
(2) With reference to the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) investigation, it was found that there was a breach in procurement processes with disciplinary referrals due to non- compliance. However the services were rendered and paid for, therefore no recovery efforts were recommended by the SIU.
(3) DCS has revised the procurement policies and standard operating procedures to strengthen systematic issues to ensure the segregation of duties in the procurement environment.
END.
16 April 2024 - NW29
Mkhwebane, Adv BJ to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
What (a) are the reasons for the delay in gazetting the Code of Conduct for Legal Practitioners, (b) steps has he taken to (i) expedite the gazetting process and (ii) ensure its timely implementation and (c) measures have been put in place to mitigate the effects of the delay on the transformation of the legal profession?
Reply:
The Code of Conduct for Legal Practitioners referred to by the Honorable Member has been published by the Legal Practice Council on the 29 March 2019 (Government Gazette No 42364 of 29 March 2019) and is available on the website (www.lpc.org.za) of the Legal Practice Council.
16 April 2024 - NW830
Van Dyk, Ms V to ask the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture
(1). how (a) does Swimming SA (SSA) intend to enhance communication channels to ensure effective dissemination of information and minimise errors in player details and (b) will SSA address logistical challenges such as inadequate preparation time for tournaments to ensure effective operational processes. (2). what measures are being implemented to prevent last-minute passport issues, especially considering the inconvenience and financial burden placed on players?
Reply:
Swimming South Africa (SSA) indicates that they require additional information to respond to these questions as they are unaware of these incidents.
16 April 2024 - NW693
Sarupen, Mr AN to ask the Minister of Finance
Whether he has found that section 72 of the Local Government: Municipal Finance Management Act, Act 56 of 2003, only allows the accounting officers of a municipality to recommend whether an adjustment budget is necessary when they have assessed and reviewed the performance of the municipality and its entities based on the municipality’s annual report, as such annual report reflects the performance report of the municipality and includes amongst other things, the comparisons on performance targets, service delivery priorities, the financial statements and the audit report on the financial statements; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
Section 72(1)(a) of the Municipal Finance Management Act, 2003 (Act No. 56 of 2003) (MFMA) requires the Accounting Officer to assess the performance of the municipality during the first half of the financial year taking into account:
- the monthly statements referred to in section 71 for the first half of the financial year;
- the municipality’s service delivery performance during the first half of the financial year, and the service delivery targets and performance indicators set in the service delivery and budget implementation plan;
- the past year’s annual report, and progress on resolving problems identified in the annual report; and
- the performance of every municipal entity under the sole or shared control of the municipality, taking into account reports in terms of section 88 from any such entities.
Therefore, the issues to be considered by the accounting officer to recommend whether the adjustments budget is necessary are not only limited to subsection (iii) as indicate in Section 72(a) of the MFMA. It must also be noted that after the performance assessment and adjustments of the budget, the municipality must adjust the Service Delivery Budget and Implementation Plan accordingly.
In addition, Section 28(2) of the MFMA read together with regulation 23 of the Municipal Budget and Reporting Regulations (MBRR) provides details on the types of adjustments budget that can be considered and the timeframes. Therefore, the adjustments budget as a result of Section 72 performance assessment, must be undertaken according to regulation 23(1) of the MBRR. In terms of regulation 23(1), the municipality can table an adjustments budget referred to in Section 28(2)(b), (d) and (f) of the MFMA in the municipal council at any time after the mid-year budget and performance assessment has been tabled in council, but not later than 28 February of the current year.
16 April 2024 - NW765
Van Dyk, Ms V to ask the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture
With reference to Africa’s representation in Water Polo at the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics and the withdrawal of the South Africa’s Water Polo teams from the Olympics after their qualification, what was the extent of the involvement of Africa Aquatics in the decision-making process concerning Africa’s representation in water polo at the Olympics. 2) Whether there were invitations to African countries to participate in the Olympic games; if not, what are the reasons other African Nations were not considered for participation; if so, (a) did the republic decline an invitation to participate and (b) what were the reasons for declining to participate 3) Whether he has found indication of financial transactions or exchanges related to the allocation of Olympic invitations possibly involving Olympic Committees rather than direct Water Polo stakeholders; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details? NW943E
Reply:
The Department has engaged with Swimming South Africa (SSA) in relation to the questions asked and submit the following responses.
1. Swimming South Africa indicates that Africa Aquatics encouraged South Africa’s participation at the Olympic Games, however SSA has the final decision on the matter and declined SA’s participation due to the team not meeting SSA’s criteria.
2. The Minister is not able to indicate whether the rest of the African countries were invited to the Olympic Games as this is a matter for Africa Aquatics and the International Olympic
Committees, however, the Minister is aware that South Africa did receive an invitation to Participate at the Olympic Games for the water polo teams.
A). Yes, the SA Water Polo Team attained qualification to the Olympic Games which has not be accepted.
B). The water polo team achieved qualification by virtue of being ranked position 1 on the African continent, however, SSA’s criteria for Olympic qualification requires the team to attain position 12 in the world. The water polo team has not achieved this qualifying standard.
3. No, the Minister has not found anything to this effect.
16 April 2024 - NW674
Van Dyk, Ms V to ask the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture
(1). Who (a) were the key individuals responsible for making decisions regarding Africa’s representation in water Polo for the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics, (b) has the authority to withdraw South Africa’s water Polo teams from the Olympics after they have qualified, and (c) what criteria was used to inform Swim SA (SSA) that finishing in the top 12 was a requirement. (2). What factors influenced the decisions made regarding Africa’s participation, particularly the lack of invitations to African nations in subsequent Olympic games and (b) how did these decision-makers acquire the authority to shape the aspirations of water Polo players in the Republic and influence sport development across Africa. (3). Whether there was a collaborative process involving board members of SSA in making decisions regarding Olympic participation and representation; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The Honorable Member should note that :-
1.(a). Participation in the Olympic Games is determined by the relevant International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) regulations and qualification process as determined from time to time in consultation with relevant International Federations (IF), which is the same process followed for Water Polo sport.
(b). South African Sport Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) in consultation with National federations, have the sole authority for the entry and or withdrawal of athletes and teams from (IOC) International Olympic Committee’s Events.
(c). Following the 2021 Olympic Games and 2023 Fukuoka World Championships, the Swimming South Africa (SSA) High Performance Committee reviewed the performance of all aquatic disciplines, namely (Artistic Swimming, Diving, Open Water Swimming, Swimming and Water polo) in August 2023.
This review was necessary necessitated to ensure that the performance standards of athletes and teams in the SSA Aquatics Disciplines continually improve in relation to international performances and be competitive for Paris 2024 Olympics Games and beyond.
The Criteria adopted is as follows:
Artistic swimming
Achieve a top 20 ranking at Doha World championships 2024 to be eligible for continental qualification.
Diving
Achieve a top 12 ranking at Fukuoka world champs (1st round) or achieve a top 12 ranking at Doha World championships 2024.
Open water
Achieve a top 20 ranking at Doha 2024 World championships to be eligible for a continental qualification.
Swimming
Achieve an Olympic A qualification time standard at the SA Olympic trials in April 2024; should athletes not achieve the Olympic A qualification time standard at the SA Olympic trials in April 2024, the Olympic A qualification time standard achieved during the World Aquatics window period, will be considered. Relay qualification will take place at the 2024 Doha World Championships where the top 13 placed teams will qualify.
Water polo
Achieve a 12th place ranking at Doha World Championships 2024 to be eligible for a continental qualification.
(2)(a). Participation in the Olympic Games is determined by qualification criteria determined by the IOC in consultation with IF which in this case is World Aquatics. Athletes and teams must comply with the IOC qualification standards and are not invited to participate, including the participation of Teams from Africa.
(b). SASCOC as the National Olympic Committee (NOC) and Swimming as the National Federation respectively, have authority in relation to the relevant national legislation and affiliation to the IOC and World Aquatics for their related functions in South Africa. As a department we are not in a position to speculate on sport development in Africa.
(3). Yes, there was collaborative process, in that following the review by the SSA High Performance Committee in August 2023, the recommendations were presented to and adopted by the SSA Executive Committee and the General Council at the Annual General Meeting in August 2023.
16 April 2024 - NW720
Le Goff, Mr T to ask the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture
Whether he will furnish Mr T A Le Goff with a (a) list and (b) full description of all events planned by his department to take place before 29 May 2024 in celebration of the 30 years of democracy in the Republic, including the (i) projected total cost or expenditure of each event and (ii) breakdown thereof in terms of expenditure for (aa) catering, (bb) entertainment, (cc) venue hire, (dd) transport and (ee) accommodation; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The department has not allocated any new budget for the 30 Year celebration of Democracy in South Africa. However, the department aims to utilise all standing national days in 2024 to observe the yearlong celebration. In this case, the department intends to celebrate the 30 years anniversary of democracy in South Africa through the Human Rights Day, Freedom Day, and the Africa Day under the ambit of Africa Month which falls before the 29 May 2024.
16 April 2024 - NW831
Van Dyk, Ms V to ask the Minister of Sport Arts and Culture
How does Swimming SA intend to address financial mismanagement concerns such as the cancellation of the 2020 European Union nations cup without providing refunds to affected players?
Reply:
The 2020 European Union Nations Cup was cancelled by the organizers due to the worldwide COVID 19 pandemic and any payments made by team members were re-imbursed to them. SSA paid and carried the costs of the team entries which was not refunded by the organizers.
15 April 2024 - NW702
Bond, Mr M to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
Whether she will furnish Mr M S Bond with a (a) list and (b) full description of all events planned by her department to take place before 29 May 2024 in celebration of the 30 years of democracy in the Republic, including the (i) projected total cost or expenditure of each event and (ii) breakdown thereof in terms of expenditure for (aa) catering, (bb) entertainment, (cc) venue hire, (dd) transport and (ee) accommodation; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
As part of the 30 years of democracy and reflecting on the work of the 6th Administration, the Ministry of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs has from 09 April 2024 started handing over the completed infrastructure projects to beneficiaries and communities. A total of 18 projects will be handed over to communities. The cost for these events are shared between all spheres of government and at this stage it cannot be quantified as the events differ in form and structure.
End.
15 April 2024 - NW418
Van Zyl, Ms A M to ask the Minister of Basic Education
In light of the seven murders, 24 attempted murders and 252 cases of assault with intent of grievous bodily harm committed on educational premises between October 2023 and December 2023, and given that 38 learners between Grades 1 and 12, six learners with special educational needs and six day and aftercare children were raped in the same period, what are the full details of her department’s plan to ensure the safety of staff and learners at educational facilities across the Republic?
Reply:
1.National School Safety Framework
The Department of Basic Education (DBE) and Provincial Education Departments continue to implement the National School Safety Framework (NSSF), which is a guiding framework in addressing all forms of violent incidences in schools including drug abuse. The NSSF empowers schools to identify and manage all safety threats in schools, establish school safety committees comprising of stakeholders such as teachers, police officers, school governing body members and learner representative council members. Furthermore, The NSSF also empowers schools to develop incident reporting mechanisms, establish collaborations with external stakeholders such as the South African Police Service (SAPS), the Department of Social Development and civil society organisations, develop school safety plans and policies to respond to safety challenges of violence in schools for both learners and educators. Through the implementation of the NSSF, access control measures in schools are strengthened and awareness programmes on social ills by partner departments and civil society organisations are implemented in schools.
2. Partnership Protocol between the Department of Basic Education and the South African Police Service
The Department also has an established Protocol with SAPS to address crime and violence in schools. The Protocol has enabled all schools to be linked to their local police stations, SAPS to conduct searches and seizures in schools and conduct crime awareness campaigns in schools. Regularly, schools work with SAPS and local community police forums and social workers to address violent incidents such as gangsterism, bullying, drug abuse and the carrying of dangerous weapons in schools. Searches and seizures of illegal drugs and dangerous weapons are also done in schools. SAPS identifies hot-spot areas and inform the provincial Education Departments of such areas, this enables the department to procure metal detectors for schools in those areas.
3. Life Orientation Curriculum
The Department continues to implement the Life Skills and Life Orientation curriculum in classrooms, which is the main lever for preventing violence in schools amongst learners. The DBE implements this Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement annually and it covers the following violence related topics: bullying, drugs and substance abuse, gender-based violence and teenage pregnancy prevention.
4. Protocol For the Management and Reporting of Sexual Abuse and Harassment in Schools.
The Department developed a Protocol for the Management and Reporting of Sexual Abuse and Harassment in schools which provides schools, districts and provinces with standard operating procedures/guidelines when addressing allegations of sexual abuse and harassment, and to specifically detail how schools must respond to reports of sexual abuse and harassment perpetrated against learners and school staff. It serves to ensure a safe, caring and enabling environment for learning and teaching, both inside and outside of the classroom. This protocol sets out an approach that enables educators and employees of the Department of Basic Education (DBE) to identify, intervene, report and provide support to all learners who are sexually abused or harassed in school, whilst providing an appropriate response to perpetrators of all forms of sexual abuse and harassment. It has been printed, distributed and mediated in the sector.
15 April 2024 - NW510
Direko, Ms DR to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
(a) How has she and/or her department enabled the Khoisan and traditional leadership to participate in developmental initiatives within their communities and (b) what support has she provided to them?
Reply:
(a)
- The Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Act, 2019 (TKLA) makes provision for the establishment of the Commission on Khoi-San Matters which deals with applications for recognition of Khoi-San communities and leaders and makes recommendations to the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs in this regard. The Commission was appointed with effect from 20 September 2021 for a period of five years and has to date invited and received applications for recognition and is currently seized with the recognition process. As at this point, there are no recognized Kho-San communities and leaders, and the support of the Department of Traditional Affairs is currently channeled towards the Commission on Khoi-san Matters to process the applications for recognition by Khoi-san leaders and communities.
- The Commission has conducted awareness campaigns in all provinces on the application process, the criteria for qualification, how to complete application forms and other provisions of the Act in relation to applications, including the timeframes within which applications for recognition can be submitted to the Commission. However, despite the extensive awareness campaigns and groundwork that the Commission conducted in its first year of operation to educate members of the public and potential applicants on the application process, all the applications received by the Commission did not comply with the Act and did not have documentary evidence to assist the Commission to determine if the applicants qualify to be recognised.
- To address this challenge the Commission has begun conducting applicant member investigations as part of its investigation and intervention process to assist the applicants to provide required documentary evidence. In this regard, the Commission conducts face-to face bilateral engagements with each applicant member concerned. During the session, the application form and gaps therein as well as the evidence documents required for compliance in terms of the Act are explained to the applicant members, and the applicant member is assisted to complete the application form in compliance with the provisions of the Act.
(b) Government’s support to the socio-economic development of Khoi-san communities is multi-faceted and involves a range of organs of state in line with their respective mandates. The following are examples:
- Culture and language
(i) There are steps taken to design and implement specific projects aimed at promoting and protecting the use of Khoi-San languages as one of the previously disadvantaged indigenous languages. The SA Constitution makes provision for the establishment of a Pan South African Language Board (PanSalb) to promote the creation of conditions for the development and use of languages. To date, PanSalb has launched the Khoekhoegowab Dictionary Glossarium, the first dictionary for the South African Khoi and San languages. Free copies of the Glossarium were distributed to communities and other interested stakeholders. Furthermore, the Department of Education has introduced the Nama language in some of the Northern Cape schools.
- The Protection of the Cultural indigenous knowledge system
(ii) Government has through the Department of Science and Innovation developed legislative measures to protect cultural and indigenous knowledge systems. The primary objective of the Indigenous Knowledge System is to facilitate the protection of Indigenous Knowledge relating to and owned by indigenous communities of SA, and the restoration and recognition thereof, and (a) facilitate the redress of rights and benefits to indigenous communities which have previously been deprived of such rights and benefits; (b) facilitate and coordinate the development of indigenous knowledge; (c) establish and manage the registration of indigenous knowledge practitioners; (d) empower indigenous communities through education and awareness campaigns to enable them to recognise and utilise indigenous knowledge for cultural and economic benefit.
(iii) The Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and Environmental Affairs has launched the industry-wide benefit-sharing agreement on traditional knowledge associated with Rooibos between the Khoi-San communities and the Rooibos industry on 01 November 2019 in the Western Cape. This agreement has been concluded in terms of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing, and the agreement was signed by the Minister, the National Khoi-San Council, the San Council of South Africa, and the South African Rooibos Council. The first payment of just over R12,2 million has been paid to the San and Khoi people of South Africa.
- Access to land
Government has through the Department of Agriculture Land Reform and Rural Development continued to process land claims received from Khoi-san communities. In this regard, the Department has confirmed that Khoi-San communities have successfully claimed land in many provinces. However, government appreciates that at the core of some of the land claims is fundamental issue of the cutoff point introduced by the Land Act of 1913. This matter was discussed at the Land Tenure and Administration Summit convened by the Deputy President in May 2022, and clear resolutions on the way forward were taken in this regard.
- Delivery of basic services
Government follows an integrated governance approach with a view to accelerating service delivery, especially in previously disadvantaged communities. Central to this are Integrated Development Plans (IDPs), which are strategic planning instruments that inform all planning, budgeting, management, and decision-making of local municipalities. To enhance service delivery, government has adopted the District Development Model which seeks to convert districts into geographic hubs within which to drive integrated development and service delivery. These geographic spaces, just like municipalities, cater for all South Africans, including Khoi-san communities that reside there.
End.
15 April 2024 - NW836
Clarke, Ms M to ask the Minister of Public Service and Administration
(1) Whether it is mandatory for all public servants to be members of a (a) medical aid scheme and (b) hospital plan; if not, what is the position in each case; if so, what are the relevant details in each case. (2) Whether it is mandatory for all public servants to be members of the Government Employees Medical Scheme (GEMS); if not, what (a) total number of public servants are members of GEMS and (b) percentage of the total number of public servants does the number constitute?
Reply:
1. It is not mandatory for public servants to be members of (a) a medical scheme, however, employees who are on salary level 1 to 5 receive 100% medical subsidy if they join GEMS on the Tanzanite One Benefit Option. Employees on salary level 6 to 10 who join GEMS receive 75% medical subsidy and can join any benefit option of their choice. Employees from salary levels 11 upwards structure their salaries and are not compelled to be members of any medical scheme as they do not receive medical subsidy. The police service has its own medical scheme, called POLMED.
2. It is not mandatory for public servants to be members of Government Employees Medical Scheme (GEMS). The total number of public servants who are Government Employees Medical Scheme (GEMS) members is (a) 688 052 and (b) this number constitutes 55.6 % of the total number of public servants. The number of police service members on POLMED is 146 855 and this constitutes 80% of the police service. State Security Agency (SSA) and Defence are excluded in these numbers.
End
15 April 2024 - NW752
Mkhonto, Ms C N to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
Whether her department assigned any professional persons to assist traditional leaders in (a) land use and (b) the allocation of land; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details in each case?
Reply:
It is recommended that the question be redirect to Ministry of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development to provide responses accordingly.
End.
15 April 2024 - NW556
Van Zyl, Ms A M to ask the Minister of Basic Education
Whether each library of each school in each province is (a) functional and (b) stocked with books; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
Resource provisioning for schools, which includes resourcing for library and information services, is a function located in provinces. The Honourable Member is therefore advised to direct her question to the Members of the Executive Council.
15 April 2024 - NW315
Nodada, Mr BB to ask the Minister of Basic Education
(1) What measures has her department put in place to monitor and stop learners being held back and/or coerced to dropout due to fears that their failure would influence the matric pass rate; (2) whether her department has investigated the cause of the rise in school dropout; if not, why not; if so, what (a) are the outcomes of the investigation and (b) consequence management actions have been employed against educators found guilty of holding learners back or coercing them to dropout to artificially improve pass rates?
Reply:
Part (1) There is no such policy or action in the Department to hold children back or force learners out of school for good results.
Part (2): Causes of the rise in school dropout
The question states that there has been an increase in dropping out of school. On the contrary, the DBE’s analysis of trends in the sector indicates that dropout rates (however defined) have been steadily reducing over the years. The graph below shows completion rates for grade 7 (measured using 16-18-year olds), grade 9 (measured using 19-21-year olds), and grade 12 (measured using 22-25-year olds), all of which have clearly been increasing over time. It should be noted that the slight decrease in grade 9 and 12 completion rates in the graph for 2022 are not statistically significant and therefore should not be interpreted as evidence of a declining trend. The clear trend over time is positive.
During the 2020 and 2021 there were concerns about the potential impact of the pandemic-related disruptions on dropping out. But it is now clear that school participation actually improved during the pandemic (with the exception of young children where we saw a slight increase in delayed entry into school). 16-18-year-olds, in particular, had higher attendance rates than before, and the NSC examinations of 2020-2023 achieved all-time records for the numbers of candidates writing, the numbers of NSC passes, the numbers of Bachelor-level passes, and the pass rate.
It is therefore difficult to answer a question about how the department responded to an increase in dropout when in fact there has been no increase in dropping out.
Completion rates for grade 7,9 and 12 over time
Source: DBE analysis of STATS SA General Household Surveys, 2002-2022
15 April 2024 - NW811
Shaik Emam, Mr AM to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
What is the latest development on the allegations of misconduct and corruption against a certain official (name furnished) in the Nongoma Local Municipality, who was suspended because of the alleged corruption and subsequently resigned?
Reply:
According to information provided by KZN Provincial CoGTA, the disciplinary hearing for the official in question commenced on 23 June 2017. It is mentioned that his Attorney passed away in April 2018 and all files were taken by the Law Society. The official then requested copies of all documents from the Municipality in order for him to consult and instruct his new Attorneys, Nxumalo and Partners. Due to the loss of vital documentation by the Municipality, the Municipality was unable to proceed with the matter and his case was withdrawn by the Municipal Council. He resumed duties in the Municipality on 26 November 2018.
End.
15 April 2024 - NW800
Nodada, Mr BB to ask the Minister of Basic Education
What is the total number of vacant positions currently for teachers who specialise in science, technology, engineering and education in each (a) grade and (b)(i) national and (ii) provincial government?
Reply:
(a)(b)(i)(ii)The National Department of Basic Education does not collect information, as part of its framework of regular monitoring, collect information to the level of the detail that is requested, that is, area of specialisation and grade. The Honorable member is kindly advised to request the information directly from the Provincial Education Departments.
15 April 2024 - NW799
Nodada, Mr BB to ask the Minister of Basic Education
What (a) total number of teacher vacancies are there currently, (i) nationally and (ii) in each province and (b) is being done to fill the vacant positions in each case per grade?
Reply:
(a)(i)(ii)
Province |
Number of Vacancies |
EAST CAPE |
6 111 |
FREE STATE |
1 117 |
GAUTENG |
3 898 |
KWAZULU-NATAL |
7 044 |
LIMPOPO |
4 933 |
MPUMALANGA |
1 931 |
NORTH CAPE |
726 |
NORTH WEST |
1 205 |
WESTERN CAPE |
4 497 |
NATIONAL |
31 462 |
(b) The filling of vacant posts at schools is an ongoing process to ensure that there is no class without a teacher for all grades. For Post Level One vacancies, schools are allowed to recruit at local level and immediately as the vacancy occurs and make temporary appointments. These appointments are then made permanent upon ensuring that the educator meets the requirements of the post. By law, a temporary appointment in a vacant substantive post must be made permanent after three months. In the case of promotional posts, schools are allowed to make acting appointments, especially for critical posts such as those of Departmental Head and Principal while the formal recruitment and selection process is undertaken. In addition, in order to address immediate workload challenges that result from vacant promotional posts, schools are allowed to appoint temporary educators against a vacant promotional post until the vacant promotion post is filled.
15 April 2024 - NW670
Schreiber, Dr LA to ask the Minister of Public Service and Administration
What (a) is the detailed breakdown of the current average salary for each of the 16 salary bands in the Public Service, (b) total amount will be spent annually on the salaries of the Public Service in terms of the latest wage agreement in each of the 16 salary bands, (c) total amount of the specified amount will be spent annually on employees in each specified salary band in the Public Service and (d) is the breakdown of the total number of employees currently employed in each of the 16 salary bands in the Public Service?
Reply:
a), b), c) and d)
Salary level |
Average salary |
Total amount spent 2023/24 FY |
Projected amount 2024/25 FY @4.7% |
Total number of employees per level |
Salary level 1 |
123 741 |
2 075 022 |
2 172 548 |
17 |
Salary level 2 |
130 437 |
10 163 410 848 |
10 641 091 157 |
76 650 |
Salary level 3 |
159 879 |
10 034 049 885 |
10 505 650 229 |
63 144 |
Salary level 4 |
184 026 |
7 408 831 452 |
7 757 046 530 |
41 351 |
Salary level 5 |
216 876 |
40 887 824 397 |
42 809 552 143 |
188 044 |
Salary level 6 |
274 878 |
38 318 991 165 |
40 119 983 749 |
143 633 |
Salary level 7 |
327 819 |
101 020 256 001 |
105 768 208 033 |
306 173 |
Salary level 8 |
391 491 |
66 123 453 459 |
69 231 255 771 |
168 382 |
Salary level 9 |
462 972 |
43 982 077 263 |
46 049 234 894 |
94 775 |
Salary level 10 |
574 725 |
31 705 654 683 |
33 195 820 453 |
54 386 |
Salary level 11 |
811 560 |
28 567 475 706 |
29 910 147 064 |
37 066 |
Salary level 12 |
1 080 681 |
32 586 306 183 |
34 117 862 573 |
28 343 |
SENIOR MANAGEMENT SERVICE (SMS) |
||||
SMS - Salary level 13 |
1 232 289 |
8 449 071 954 |
Cost-of-living adjustment for 2024/25 FY not approved. |
6 754 |
SMS - Salary level 14 |
1 454 487 |
2 943 025 932 |
Cost-of-living adjustment for 2024/25 FY not approved. |
1 994 |
SMS - Salary level 15 |
1 738 656 |
1 111 268 202 |
Cost-of-living adjustment for 2024/25 FY not approved. |
631 |
SMS - Salary level 16 |
2 158 533 |
260 590 709 |
Cost-of-living adjustment for 2024/25 FY not approved. |
117 |
End
15 April 2024 - NW823
Arries, Ms LH to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
Whether municipalities report to her department on the use of virtual meetings which was meant for use during the COVID-19 lockdown period; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what (a) number of municipalities still make use of virtual meeting systems for council sittings and (b) are the reasons for the virtual sittings?
Reply:
No, municipalities are not reporting to the Department on the use of virtual meetings.
Whilst the Department does not monitor whether council meetings are virtual or physical, learning from experience during COVID-19, we encourage municipalities to explore cost effective ways of conducting council business where feasible. Councillors also receive tools of trade, hence, it is possible for council sittings to be held virtual. It is our view that this approach can result in significant savings for the municipalities which can be redirected to service delivery priorities.
However, we continue to implore on municipalities to be cautious in whatever decision they take because it is important that the principle of inclusive governance is adhered to and promoted at all times, including at a citizenary level. This will ensure that our principle of participatory democracy is upheld in the business of council.
End.
15 April 2024 - NW751
Mkhonto, Ms C N to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
Whether her department took any initiatives to educate traditional leaders about the dangers of allocating low-lying land for residential purposes as most residents in the rural areas reside in low-lying areas; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The Department of Cooperative Governance has through the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) partnered with the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and Environment (DFFE) to coordinate training targeting Councillors and Officials on issues of Disaster Management, Climate Change, and Environment. Through working with the Department of Traditional Affairs, training will, with effect from the 2024/25 financial year, be rolled out to reach traditional areas.
End.
12 April 2024 - NW770
Hicklin, Ms MB to ask the Minister of Health
(1)(a) When last was each forensic pathology unit’s refrigerators serviced, (b) how often are they serviced, (c) what is the total number of refrigerators that are not functional and (d) on what date will they be repaired or replaced per province in each case; (2) whether there are contingency plans in place for each of the units without functioning refrigerators; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so; what are the relevant details?
Reply:
(1) and (2) Please see table below
Responses were received from the Free State, Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West and Western Cape Provinces only. Information from other provinces is yet to be received.
Free State Department of Health |
|||||
Name of facility |
Date of last service |
How often are they serviced |
Number of refrigerators not functional |
Dates for repairs or replacements |
Contingency plan |
1. Bloemfontein Forensic Mortuary |
December 2023 |
Every 3 months |
5 |
Date of repair or replacement: awaiting infrastructure approval |
Bloemfontein FPS currently has 12 functional refrigerators. Surrounding state hospitals like Pelonomi and Universitas, Botshabelo provide refrigeration and storage of bodies when the demand exceeds capacity of Bloemfontein Forensic mortuary. |
2. Botshabelo Forensic Mortuary |
December 2023 |
Every 3 months |
0 |
N/A |
Bloemfontein Forensic mortuary has enough capacity to provide refrigeration and storage of bodies when the demand exceeds capacity at Botshabelo mortuary |
3. Phuthaditjhaba Forensic Mortuary |
December 2023 |
Every 3 months |
6 |
Date of repairs or replacement: appointed service provider for repairs to visit facility on the 28 March 2024 |
|
4. Bethlehem Forensic Mortuary |
December 2023 |
Every 3 months |
3 |
Date of repair or replacement: Appointed service provider for repairs to visit facility on the 28 March 2024 |
State hospitals in the region including Elizabeth Ross, Thebe and Phekolong hospital provide additional 26 body storage capacity for contingency refrigerating and storage of bodies, when the demand exceeds the capacity in the Forensic Mortuaries, in Phuthaditjhaba and Bethlehem |
5. Welkom Forensic Mortuary |
February 2024 |
Every 3 month |
6 |
Date of repair or replacement: awaiting infrastructure approval. |
Bloemfontein Forensic mortuary has enough capacity to provide refrigeration and storage of bodies when the demand exceeds capacity at Welkom mortuary. |
6. Kroonstad Forensic Mortuary |
March 2024. |
Every 3 months |
0 |
N/A |
|
7. Sasolburg Forensic Mortuary |
November 2023 |
Every 3 months |
15 |
Date of repairs or replacement: awaiting infrastructure approval |
Bloemfontein Forensic Mortuary has enough capacity to provide refrigeration and storage of bodies when the demand exceeds capacity for both Kroonstad and Sasolburg mortuary |
Limpopo Department of Health |
|||||
Name of facility |
Date of last service |
How often are they services |
Number of refrigerators not functional |
Dates for repairs or replacements |
Contingency plan |
1. Polokwane FPS |
March 2024 |
Every 6 months |
0 |
N/A |
All refrigerators are functional, continue to monitor the gauges. |
2. Lebowakgomo FPS |
February 2024 |
Every 6 months |
0 |
N/A |
All refrigerators are functional, continue to monitor the gauges. |
3. Mokopane FPS |
December 2023 |
Every 6 months |
0 |
N/A |
All refrigerators are functional, continue to monitor the gauges. |
4. Warmbaths FPS |
27 November, 11 December, 1 February 5th March 2024 |
Every 6 months |
3 |
May 2024 |
Contingency plan is available, all refrigerators functional, continue to monitor the gauges |
5. Tshilidzini FPS |
February 2024 |
Every 3 months |
4 |
June 2024 |
Purchase order is in progress to procure compressors |
6. Elim FPS |
October 2023 |
Every 3 months |
0 |
N/A |
All refrigerators are functional, continue to monitor the gauges. |
7. Groblersdal FPS |
February 2024 |
Every 6 months |
0 |
N/A |
All the refrigerators functional, continue to monitor the gauges. |
8. St Rita’s FPS |
March 2024 |
Every 6 months |
0 |
September 2024 |
Contingency plan available, all refrigerators functional, continue to monitor the gauges. |
9. Letaba FPS |
March 2024 |
Every 6 months |
0 |
N/A |
Contingency plan available, all refrigerators functional, continue to monitor the gauges |
10. Kgapane FPS |
November 2023 |
Every 6 months |
4 |
April 2024 |
Contingency plan available, |
11. Maphutha Malatji FPS |
25 August 2023 |
Every 6 months |
6 |
April 2024 |
Request to repair the broken refrigerators is under way, continue to monitor the gauges |
12. Nkhensani FPS |
21 November 2023 25 March 2024 |
Every 6 months |
0 |
N/A |
Contingency plan available, all refrigerators functional, continue to monitor the gauges |
• 3 months vs. 6 months depends on the manufacturer specifications.
Western Cape Department of Health |
|||||
Name of facility |
Date of last service |
How often are they services |
Number of refrigerators not functional |
Dates for repairs or replacements |
Contingency plan |
1. Beaufort West FPS |
January 2024 |
Every 3 months |
0 |
N/A |
Maintenance plans are in place. Refrigerators are repaired immediately either via maintenance contracts or emergency delegations. |
2. Ceres FPS |
January 2024 |
Every 3 months |
0 |
N/A |
Maintenance plans are in place. Refrigerators are repaired immediately either via maintenance contracts or emergency delegations. |
3. George FPS |
March 2024 |
Every 3 months |
0 |
N/A |
Maintenance plans are in place. Refrigerators are repaired immediately either via maintenance contracts or emergency delegations. |
4. Hermanus FPS |
December 2024 |
Every 3 months |
0 |
N/A |
Maintenance plans are in place. Refrigerators are repaired immediately either via maintenance contracts or emergency delegations. |
5. Knysna FPS |
November 2023 |
Every 3 months |
0 |
N/A |
Maintenance plans are in place. Refrigerators are repaired immediately either via maintenance contracts or emergency delegations. |
6. Laingsburg FPS |
February 2024 |
Every 3 months |
0 |
N/A |
Maintenance plans are in place. Refrigerators are repaired immediately either via maintenance contracts or emergency delegations. |
7. Malmensbury FPS |
March 2024 |
Every 3 months |
0 |
N/A |
Maintenance plans are in place. Refrigerators are repaired immediately either via maintenance contracts or emergency delegations. |
8. Mossel Bay FPS |
January 2024 |
Every 3 months |
0 |
N/A |
Maintenance plans are in place. Refrigerators are repaired immediately either via maintenance contracts or emergency delegations. |
9. Observatory FP Institution |
March 2024 |
Every 3 months |
0 |
N/A |
Maintenance plans are in place. Refrigerators are repaired immediately either via maintenance contracts or emergency delegations. |
10. Oudtshoorn FPS |
March 2024 |
Every 3 months |
0 |
N/A |
Maintenance plans are in place. Refrigerators are repaired immediately either via maintenance contracts or emergency delegations. |
11. Paarl FPS |
March 2024 |
Every 3 months |
0 |
N/A |
Maintenance plans are in place. Refrigerators are repaired immediately either via maintenance contracts or emergency delegations. |
12. Riversdale FPS |
November 2023 |
Every 3 months |
0 |
N/A |
Maintenance plans are in place. Refrigerators are repaired immediately either via maintenance contracts or emergency delegations. |
13. Tygerberg FPS |
March 2024 |
Every 3 months |
0 |
N/A |
Maintenance plans are in place. Refrigerators are repaired immediately either via maintenance contracts or emergency delegations. |
14. Vredenburg FPS |
March 2024 |
Every 3 months |
0 |
N/A |
Maintenance plans are in place. Refrigerators are repaired immediately either via maintenance contracts or emergency delegations. |
15. Vredendal FPS |
November 2023 |
Every 3 months |
0 |
N/A |
Maintenance plans are in place. Refrigerators are repaired immediately either via maintenance contracts or emergency delegations. |
16. Worcester FPS |
February 2024 |
Every 3 months |
0 |
N/A |
Maintenance plans are in place. Refrigerators are repaired immediately either via maintenance contracts or emergency delegations. |
North-West Department of Health |
|||||
Name of facility |
Date of last service |
How often are they services? |
Number of refrigerators not functional |
Dates for repairs or replacements |
Contingency plan |
1. Mafikeng FPS |
March 2024 |
When need arises |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
2. Lichtenburg FPS |
December 2023 |
When need arises |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
3. Brits FPS |
When need arises |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
4. Phokeng FPS |
When need arises |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
5. Potchefstroom FPS |
March 2024 |
When need arises |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
6. Tshepong FPS |
When need arises |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
7. Vryberg FPS |
When need arises |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
Gauteng Department of Health |
|||||
Name of facility |
Date of last service |
How often are they services |
Number of refrigerators not functional |
Dates for repairs or replacements |
Contingency plan |
1. Johannesburg FPS |
October 2023 |
Every 3 months |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
2. Roodepoort FPS |
October 2023 |
Every 3 months |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
3. Germiston FPS |
November 2023 |
Every 3 months |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
4. Springs FPS |
December 2023 |
Every 3 months |
1 |
Awaiting appointment of service provider |
|
5. Heidelberg FPS |
December 2023 |
Every 3 months |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
6. Diepkloof FPS |
October 2023 |
Every 6 months |
6 |
11/04/2024 |
|
7. Sebokeng FPS |
February 2024 |
Every 3 months |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
8. Pretoria FPS |
December 2023 |
Every 3 months |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
9. Bronkhorstpruit FPS |
January 2024 |
Every 3 months |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
10. Ga-Rankuwa FPS |
March 2024 |
Every 3 months |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
11. Carletonville FPS |
October 2023 |
Every 6 months |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
- 3 months vs. 6 months depends on the manufacturer specifications
Mpumalanga Department of Health |
|||||
Name of facility |
Date of last service |
Hoe often are they services? |
Number of refrigerators not functional |
Dates for repairs or replacements |
Contingency plan in place |
1. Themba FPS |
8 April 2024 |
On request |
2 |
Replacements 2022/2023 : 4-New body storage cabinets loading 6 bodies per unit (Completed) 2024/25:Cool room – work in progress New walk-in freezer – Work in progress |
|
2. Tonga FPS |
8 December 2023 |
On request |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
3. Mapulaneng FPS |
20 March 2024 |
On request |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
4. Tintswalo FPS |
22 March 2024 |
On request |
1 |
Not stated |
Contingency plans are available. Repairs are done between scheduled minor and major repairs. |
5. Lydenburg FPS |
16 March 2024 |
On request |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
6. Barberton FPS |
26 June 2023 |
O request |
1 |
Not stated |
Contingency plans are available. Repairs are done between scheduled minor and major repairs. |
7. Middelburg FPS |
4 April 2024 |
On request |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
8. Witbank FPS |
New units installed |
On request |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
9. KwaMhlanga FPS |
6 October 2023 |
On request |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
10. Belfast FPS |
5 April 2024 |
On request |
1 |
Not stated |
Contingency plans are available. Repairs are done between scheduled minor and major repairs. |
11. Mammethlake FPS |
Reconstruction of the cold room |
On request |
1 |
Currently under construction |
New facility |
12. Delmas FPS |
26 March 2024 |
On request |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
13. Ermelo FPS |
6 December 2023 |
On request |
2 |
Not stated |
Contingency plans are available. Repairs are done between scheduled minor and major repairs. |
14. Evander FPS |
18 August 2023 |
On request |
1 |
Contingency plans are available. Repairs are done between scheduled minor and major repairs. |
|
15. Piet Retief FPS |
23 February 2024 |
On request |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
16. Standerton FPS |
25 January 2024 |
On request |
1 |
||
17. Volkrust FPS |
4 August 2023 |
On request |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
18. Embhuleni FPS |
3 August 2023 |
On request |
1 |
Not stated |
Contingency plans are available. Repairs are done between scheduled minor and major repairs. |
19. Balfour FPS |
New refrigerators |
On request |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
20. Bethal FPS |
22 June 2023 |
On request |
2 |
Not stated |
Contingency plans are available. Repairs are done between scheduled minor and major repairs. |
21. Carolina FPS |
10 January 2023 |
On request |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
END.
12 April 2024 - NW673
Van Dyk, Ms V to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
Whether she will furnish Mrs V van Dyk with proof that the (a) ward councillors were removed from the Communal Property Associations Committee and (b) Director-General has issued Certificates of Appointment with stipulated appointment dates; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
No.
a) In terms of section (8)(3)(c) of the CPA Act, on request and on payment of the prescribed fee the Registration Officer shall provide members of the public with information contained in the register and with a copy of the constitution of any registered association or similar entity however, the Promotion of Access to Information Act, Act 2 of 2000 (PAIA) provides a process to be followed to access information from a Public body and the Protection of access to personal information Act 4 of 2013 also takes precedence in relation to personal information that may held a Public body.
b) The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) does not issue appointment letters after any elective Annual General Meeting (AGM) however the new committee gets registered with the CPI Unit registration office upon receipt of a submission from the CPA. DALRRD has no obligation in terms of the Communal Property Associations Act, 1996 (Act No. 28 of 1996) and regulations to issue appointment letters of elected committee members.
12 April 2024 - NW774
Hicklin, Ms MB to ask the Minister of Health
What are the details of the types of surgery backlogs, including but not limited to elective surgeries (a) at each specified hospital (b) in each province?
Reply:
(1) Surgeries are conducted at the hospital level and every hospital monitors and maintains records of the number of patients awaiting surgery at all public hospitals in the Republic. Surgical backlogs numbers are not static. As provinces do operations, the numbers under each category and in each province change.
Province |
Types of surgery backlogs |
|
a) at each specified hospital |
(b) in each province |
|
Limpopo |
Mankweng Hospital
|
|
Polokwane Hospital:
|
Province |
Types of surgery backlogs |
|
a) at each specified hospital |
(b) in each province |
|
Free State |
Universitas hospital
|
|
Pelonomi hospital
|
||
Bongani hospital
|
||
Boitumelo hospital
|
||
Dihlabeng hospital
|
||
Mofumahadi Manapo hospital
|
Province |
Types of surgery backlogs |
|
a) at each specified hospital |
(b) in each province |
|
Kwa Zulu Natal |
Prince Mshiyeni Hospital
|
|
Addington
|
||
Greys Hospital
|
||
Inkosi Albert Luthuli Hospital
|
||
RK Khan Hospital
|
||
RK Khan Hospital
|
Province |
Types of surgery backlogs |
|
a) at each specified hospital |
(b) in each province |
|
Mpumalanga |
The hospitals that are affected by the backlogs are the following:
Types of surgery backlogs
|
|
Northwest |
Klerksdorp / Tshepong Hospital
|
|
Job Shimankana Tabane Hospital
|
||
Potchefstroom Hospital
|
||
Mafikeng Provincial Hospital
|
||
Joe Morolong Memorial Hospital
|
- According to Gauteng Department of Health, the province does not have any backlogs.
- The response from the Western Cape Department of health did not address the question that was asked.
- Response from Eastern Cape and Northern Cape Provinces still outstanding.
END.
12 April 2024 - NW771
Clarke, Ms M to ask the Minister of Health
Whether, with reference to funding of the National Health Insurance through taxes, the rate of tax will be uniform for all the individual taxpayers; if not, how will the different taxes be calculated; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
As was debated in the Portfolio Committee of the National Assembly during 2023 and described in Clause 49 of the National Health Insurance Bill, the possible tax amendments will be introduced through a Money Bill by the Minister of Finance as and when appropriate and earmarked for use by the Fund, subject to the transitional arrangements as provided in Section 57 of the Bill.
END.
12 April 2024 - NW704
Bond, Mr M to ask the Minister of Employment and Labour
Whether he will furnish Mr M S Bond with a (a) list and (b) full description of all events planned by his department to take place before 29 May 2024 in celebration of the 30 years of democracy in the Republic, including the (i) projected total cost or expenditure of each event and (ii) breakdown thereof in terms of expenditure for (aa) catering, (bb) entertainment, (cc) venue hire, (dd) transport and (ee) accommodation; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The Department of Employment and Labour will celebrate 30 years of democracy, just like any government department. However, the celebration will be aligned with the Department's mandate. The Honourable Bond knows that the Department of Employment and Labour receives its funding through voted funds to implement its mandate.
The Department consistently have funds that are used to assist registered trade unions.
In the celebration of this important milestone, the Department is planning to leverage on the existing May Day commemoration to celebrate 30 years of democracy as a cost effective way. By aligning the celebration with May Day, the Department intents to reach a broader audience and generate greater awareness about the milestone of 30 years of democracy.
Simultaneously, the Department is planning build-up activities towards celebration of 30 years of democracy within its mandate and aims to utilise existing resources and budget allocations for these activities without attracting additional cost.
Given that May Day is an event that has been commemorated every year, the difference this year is that the focus is on celebrating 30 years of democracy, its cost is R R2 550 000,00
END
12 April 2024 - NW641
Mkhonto, Ms C N to ask the Minister of Employment and Labour
Considering that the Reimagined Citizen-Led Service Transformation of the Compensation Fund and the Unemployment Insurance Fund is led by an Acting DirectorGeneral and an Acting Compensation Fund Commissioner, what plan does his department have in place to ensure that individuals who will be appointed in the positions on fulltime basis will advocate, own and execute the plan successfully?
Reply:
Indeed, Hon. Mkhonto, repositioning and restructuring of both Compensation Fund and Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) are essential and momentous. This is a project that needs to be carried through to its logical conclusion with zeal, verve and foresight.
We made Portfolio Committee on Employment and Labour and Hon. Mkhonto aware that in September 2021 we started an architectural review process which was intended to determine the fit for purpose of the Compensation Fund structure, systems, personnel capacity and processes to the mandate of this entity.
We also shared with the Portfolio Committee on Employment and labour the outcomes of the fit for purpose exercise that was completed in September 2023. Currently we are solidifying the setting up of the Project Management Office, which will be responsible for implementation of the recommendations, including setting up the new structure and recruitment of senior executives for the CF, including the Commissioner.
The reason that we are not approaching the filling of the two vacancies with haste is that we want to get individuals that are fit for purpose. Importantly, though they must arrive at an environment where formidable foundation has been put in place, and get into the moving train on its long journey, that has left the station and cannot make a U-Turn.
Furthermore, we intend that both the Department and Compensation Fund get the Director General (DG) and Commissioner respectively, who would have outside-in perspective, who think expansively in their consideration of the broader context, ambitious and who are able to cultivate agile team culture. They will have to excel in problem solving, planning and communicating. In addition, they must have fortitude to motivate, guide others and more importantly uphold strong ethical standards.
12 April 2024 - NW772
Clarke, Ms M to ask the Minister of Health
(1)What is the current vacancy rate for each medical profession, including but not limited to (a) doctors, (b) nurses, (c) physiotherapists, (d) occupational therapists, (e) psychiatrists, (f) psychologists, (g) environmental health practitioners and (h) community health workers; (2) whether there are contingency plans in place for each of the units without functioning refrigerators; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so; what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1. The table below reflects vacancy rates as provided by provinces with the Nurses being a consolidated rate across the 3 different categories of nurses (namely: Professional, Registered and Assistant).
PROVINCIAL VACANCY RATES (%) |
|||||||||
Category |
EC |
FS |
GP |
KZN |
LP |
MP |
NC |
NW |
WC |
Medical Officers |
15.0 |
23.7 |
11.4 |
4.9 |
20.37 |
9.62 |
15.2 |
22.0 |
5.85 |
Nurses |
9.0 |
26.5 |
11.2 |
11.2 |
2.96 |
8.0 |
17.4 |
39.0 |
7.39 |
Physiotherapist |
18.0 |
38.8 |
11.0 |
10.4 |
2.03 |
7.0 |
11.8 |
26.0 |
1.73 |
Occupational Therapist |
26.0 |
39.7 |
14.3 |
27.7 |
3.36 |
16.0 |
30.3 |
56.0 |
10.5 |
Psychologist |
17.0 |
17.7 |
21.4 |
36.3 |
4.55 |
7.0 |
41.7 |
61.0** |
9.90 |
Psychiatrist |
20.0* |
30.0* |
15.4 |
87.9 |
73.0 |
50.0 |
50.0 |
8.89 |
|
Environmental Health Pract. |
14.0 |
25.5 |
8.9 |
12.6 |
6.90 |
7.0 |
11.1 |
13.0 |
N/A |
* Rate reflecting Medical Specialists combined
**Inclusive of the Vocational Counsellors
Community Health Workers are contract workers that are appointed on annual contract against abnormal appointments (extra ordinary staff) and vacancy rate not applicable. Furthermore, in the Western Cape the category is appointed through agency and NGO organisation and not accounted for directly under the department.
Provincial Departments are in the process of identifying positions which will be filled during the 2024/25 financial year through the Annual Recruitment Plan (ARP). Once the process is concluded and costed, within the available budget, provinces will be in a position to indicate which positions will be filled by when and recruit accordingly with adverts. There has also been ongoing communication with Provincial Departments of Health to establish the extent of the challenges experienced in this regard.
Table 1: Compensation of employees allocation to provinces
R Thousands |
Financial Year |
||
Programme |
2023/24 Adjusted appropriation |
2024/25 Revised Baseline |
|
Eastern Cape |
20 028 901 |
20 011 717 |
|
Free State |
8 961 049 |
9 516 387 |
|
Gauteng |
38 159 905 |
40 078 685 |
|
KwaZulu-Natal |
33 031 152 |
32 976 479 |
|
Limpopo |
16 441 824 |
17 351 170 |
|
Mpumalanga |
10 927 652 |
11 706 368 |
|
Northern Cape |
3 767 510 |
3 740 702 |
|
North west |
10 567 007 |
11 281 207 |
|
Western Cape |
17 340 851 |
18 055 309 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
159 225 851 |
164 718 024 |
END.
12 April 2024 - NW796
George, Dr DT to ask the Minister of Health
With reference to the 2024-25 financial year, as per Budget Vote 18, what are the itemised details for each of the 28 individuals employed under Programme 2 of the National Health Insurance at salary levels 13 to 16, including their (a) respective salary level and (b) detailed job description for their roles?
Reply:
From the Department’s PERSAL records, there are 21 posts on salary levels 13 to 16. Of these posts, the NHI Branch has managed to fill ten (10).
a) The respective salary levels for each of the filled posts are shown in the column named ‘Notch’ of the table below.
b) Additionally, the Job Titles are listed in column 2 of the table. Detailed job descriptions for each post and key performance duties as were published in the advertisements for the posts are included as an annexure to this response.
POST JOB TITLE DESCRIPTION |
FILLED/ VACANT |
FILLED/ VACANT DATE |
POST SALARY LEVEL |
NOTCH |
|
1 |
DEPUTY DIRECTOR-GENERAL: NHI |
FILLED |
20210606 |
15 |
1663581 |
2 |
TECHNICAL SPECIALIST: HEALTH ECONOMIST |
FILLED |
20180401 |
15 |
1817142 |
3 |
DIR: MEDICAL DEVICES & HEALTH TECHNOLOGY PROCUREME |
FILLED |
20230701 |
13 |
1268919 |
4 |
CD: SECTOR WIDE PROCUREMENT |
FILLED |
20230201 |
14 |
1371558 |
5 |
TECHNICAL EXPERT |
FILLED |
20130201 |
14 |
1476000 |
6 |
DIR: PHARMACEUTICAL ECONOMIC EVALUATION |
FILLED |
20110401 |
13 |
1306665 |
7 |
DIR: BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE & DATA ANALYTICS |
FILLED |
20230601 |
13 |
1306665 |
8 |
CHIEF DIRECTOR: HEALTH SYSTEM DIGITAL INFORMATION |
FILLED |
20230101 |
14 |
1433289 |
9 |
CD:USER & SERVICE PROVIDER MANAGEMENT |
FILLED |
20230915 |
14 |
1371558 |
10 |
CD: HEALTH CARE BENEFITS & PROVIDER PAYMENT |
FILLED |
20230904 |
14 |
1371558 |
END.
12 April 2024 - NW544
Mkhonto, Ms C N to ask the Minister of Employment and Labour
Whether his department has started the process to fill the two senior positions that became vacant after the resignations of the former Director-General and the Compensation Fund Commissioner; if not, why not in each case; if so, (a) by what date will the process be finalised, (b) what number of critical posts are vacant (i) in his department and (ii) entities reporting to him, (c) what are the details of the specified critical positions, (d) what is the total number of budgeted posts that are vacant in the organogram of his department and (e) by what date will the specified budgeted vacancies be filled?
Reply:
1. Upon the resignation of the Director General of DEL Mr. Thobile Lamati in October 2023, I appointed the Acting DG Dr. Alec Moemi who acted from the 01 November until 31 December 2023. On the 01 January 2024 I appointed Acting DG Ms. Onke Mjo for a period of 12 months or until the Director General for the Department of Employment and Labour is appointed, whichever comes first.
2. The Acting Commissioner of the Compensation Fund Ms. Farzana Fakir has been extended for further 6 months:
a) As you are aware in September 2021 we started an architectural review process which was intended to determine the fit for purpose of the CF structure, systems, personnel capacity and processes to the mandate of CF.
b) As you are now all aware the outcomes of the fit for purpose exercise was completed in September 2023.
c) We are currently in the process of setting up the Project Management Office, which will be responsible for implementation of the recommendations, including setting up the new structure and recruitment of senior executives for the CF, including the Commissioner.
12 April 2024 - NW797
George, Dr DT to ask the Minister of Health
Whether, with the expectation of the additional roles being created within Programme 2 of the National Health Insurance over the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework period, he will detail the planned positions including the proposed salary level and job descriptions for each; if not, why not; if so, what are the further, relevant details?
Reply:
The National Department of Health requested the Minister of Public Service and Administration to consider a request for strengthening the NHI Branch of the department on 16 May 2022.
On 2 June 2022, the Minister of Public Service and Administration approved the creation of 44 new technical positions for the NHI Programme in the Department.
The posts were advertised in the media (Sunday Times) on 28 August 2022. All job descriptions, duties and remuneration levels were advertised as per the Public Service requirements. The relevant remuneration levels of public servants are available in public domain. Details are contained in the annexure.
There are currently no plan for posts addition to the 44 posts mentions above to be created within the National Health Insurance Branch in the Department.
END.
12 April 2024 - NW775
Hicklin, Ms MB to ask the Minister of Health
(a) What is the total amount of accruals outstanding for each province, (b) for how long has this amount been outstanding in each case and (c) what is the total number of service providers not paid within the required 30 day period in each province?
Reply:
The following information is as received from the provinces.
PROVINCES |
a) TOTAL AMOUNT OF ACCRUALS OUTSTANDING |
b) AGEING - PERIOD THE AMOUNT BEEN OUTSTANDING IN EACH CASE |
(C)TOTAL NUMBER OF SERVICE PROVIDERS NOT PAID WITHIN THE REQUIRED 30-DAY PERIOD 2023/2024 |
||
R THOUSAND |
2022/23 FY |
2023/24FY (29 FEB 2024) |
2022/23 FY |
2023/24 FY |
|
Eastern Cape |
R4, 764, 773 |
R5,132,000 |
Current: R1, 626, 945 More than 30 days R3, 137, 828 |
Above 30 days R525,685 Above 60 days R268,465 Above 90 days R345,637 Above 120 days R2,746,364 |
534 suppliers |
Free State |
R682,362 |
R922,130 |
Current: R369,764 More than 30 days R312,598 |
>R621,746 < Above R300,383 |
3121 number of suppliers/ invoices were not paid within 30 days |
Gauteng |
R6, 827, 872 |
R5, 926, 667 |
Current: R2, 040, 370 More than 30 days R4, 787, 502 |
Above 30 days R874, 366 Above 60 days R618, 711 Above 90 days R2, 928, 777 |
2, 099 number of suppliers |
Kwazulu-Natal |
R1, 838, 121 |
R1,694,242 |
Current: R1, 548, 239 More than 30 days R289, 882 |
R355,000 was more than 80 days overdue |
514 service providers affected |
Limpopo |
R 767, 038 |
R 358 023 |
Current: R718, 330 More than 30 days R48, 708 |
1957 transactions amounting to R356 2667 are within 30 days. 40 outstanding transactions amounting to R1 756 are more than 30 days. |
28 service providers were not paid within the required 30-day period. |
Mpumalanga |
R825, 870 |
R 87 081 |
Current: R706, 780 More than 30 days R119, 090 |
R952 |
1439 suppliers |
Northern Cape |
R514 622 |
R842 875 |
30 Days-R56 991 30+ Days R457 631 |
Current R153 429 Above 30 Days R689 446 |
170 354 service providers |
North West |
R 959 137 |
R339,687 |
Current: R619, 450 More than 30 days R339, 687 |
More than 30 days R339,687 |
4 330 suppliers |
Western Cape Accruals (A) Payables (P) |
R 589 529 R 289 746 (A) R 299 783 (P) |
R 135 622 R 88 093 (A) R 47 528 (P) |
R251 531 (A) (0-30days) R 38 215 (A) (30+ days) R293 951 (P) (0-30days) R 5 832 (P) (30+ days) |
R 31 535 (A) (0-30 days) R 56 558 (A) (30+ days) R 42 869 (P) (0-30 days) R 4 659 (P) (30+ days) |
1094 (for the period 1 April 2023- 29 February 2024) (equates to 1.75% of all payments) |
END.
12 April 2024 - NW773
Clarke, Ms M to ask the Minister of Health
What is the (a) total number of (i) toxicologists and (ii) analysts employed at each of the Forensic Chemistry Laboratories (FCLs), (b) vacancy rate at each of the FCLs and (c) average number of tests analysed (i) daily and (ii) monthly at each of the FCLs as at the latest specified date?
Reply:
a) According to the NHLS,
(i) the FCLs do not have toxicologists specifically appointed in their establishments. Instead, FCLs have analytical chemists who also perform the toxicology analyses. They are known as Forensic Analysts and are able to do toxicology tests because they possess and use the same skills / equipment to do the work as a toxicologist would do.
(ii) Analysts employed at each of the FCLs as follows:
FCL |
Number of Forensic Analysts |
Cape Town |
Twenty-four (24) Forensic analysts in total. Of the twenty-four (24), eight (8) analysts are in the toxicology section. |
Johannesburg |
Thirty-six 36 Forensic analysts in total. Of the thirty-six (36), twenty-nine (29) are in the toxicology section. |
Pretoria |
Twenty-five (25) Forensic Analysts in total. Of the twenty-five (25), eleven (11) are in the toxicology section. |
Durban |
Eight (8) Forensic Analysts in total. Durban FCL will expand its service offering to include toxicology testing as soon as the laboratory has relocated to a larger and more suitable building. |
b) The vacancy rates are as follows: Cape Town (4%), Durban (20%), Johannesburg (2%) and Pretoria (28%). In the calculation of the vacancy rate for the Pretoria FCL, ten new positions were included in the total staff establishment. These ten new positions were created to establish the new toxicology section at the Pretoria FCL. The new positions have been advertised and recruitment processes are underway.
c) (i) and (ii) The table below indicates the number of toxicology samples that were completed over the three months from 01 December 2023 to 29 February 2024 across the three laboratories that deliver toxicology testing services. The table also shows the monthly and daily averages achieved over this period. As indicated in the paragraphs below the table, the daily number of toxicology samples completed does not indicate productivity in the laboratories as tests run concurrently and completion periods vary.
Laboratory |
Total completed over 3 months |
Monthly average |
Daily average |
Cape Town |
146 |
49 |
2 |
Johannesburg |
431 |
144 |
7 |
Pretoria |
243 |
81 |
4 |
Toxicology cases are allocated in batches of 15 cases per analyst per month. When cases are received for toxicology testing, the requesting pathologist does not always specify a specific substance to be tested for detection and quantification. Most cases that are received, require a general “screen” for various recreational or illicit drugs, pharmaceutical drugs, poisons, or other substances. Once a substance is detected, additional tests are required to confirm the presence of the substance and to quantify the amount of the substance that was detected.
If a new or rare (unusual) substance is detected through screening tests, a standard to confirm the substance must be procured. Some standards are procured from international suppliers and require special permits to be imported, resulting in delays in the process.
Each toxicology case that is registered in the laboratory may include a varying number of biological specimens that were taken during the autopsy and each specimen may require to be tested more than once or on different sets of instruments, depending on the test requirements. In the pre-analytic stage, specimens may require specialised preparation, depending on the tests that will be conducted.
As a result, it is difficult to quantify the number of toxicology tests that are processed in a day as tests run concurrently and completion periods differ vastly between cases.
END.
12 April 2024 - NW609
Khakhau, Ms KL to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Electricity
What are the details of the (a) make, (b) model, (c) year of manufacture, (d) date of purchase and (e) purchase price paid for each vehicle purchased for him by his Office since he assumed office?
Reply:
The acquisition and replacement of official vehicles for the Minister is administered by the 2019 Ministerial Handbook which provides in paragraph 2.1 read together with 2.3, that National Members shall be provided with one vehicle for official use in each seat of office and that on assumption of office must make use of officials vehicles already purchased by the Department, unless such vehicle is to be replaced in terms of paragraph 2.9 of this chapter.
The Ministry was established after the 2023/24 budget allocation therefore no capital expropriation was made for the purchasing of the official vehicle, similarly in the 2023/24 budget adjustment. In light of the above, the Ministry has been renting the Minister’s vehicle on a monthly contract for his transportation in Gauteng and on ad hoc basis for travel outside of the province.
11 April 2024 - NW733
Mathulelwa, Ms B to ask the Minister of Small Business Development
Whether she has any plans to introduce special funding for startup small businesses in the (a) electricity and (b) plumbing sector before the end of the 2023-24 financial year; if not, in each case, why not; if so, what are details of the plans in each case?”
Reply:
I have been advised that:
Both sectors are catered for through the Small Enterprise Finance Agency (Sefa) funding through the Township and Rural Entrepreneurship Programme (TREP), provided they meet the requirements.
There is a plan to support not only small businesses in electricity and plumbing but to fund small businesses in the built environment value chains. To this end, sefa has partnered with Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) to fund small businesses in the construction and built value chains: construction, plumbing, electricity, carpentry, general buildings maintenance, etc. The total budget for this support is R300 million and sefa is committing R150 million and the CIDB is also contributing R150 million for the benefit of the small businesses in these sub-sectors. The MoU between the two entities was signed in February 2024, and sefa as the implementing partner in this programme is currently setting up the systems and the implementation processes.
11 April 2024 - NW734
Mathulelwa, Ms B to ask the Minister of Small Business Development
What (a) total amount have all entities reporting to her disbursed to small businesses in the period 1 December 2023 to 29 February 2024 and (b) type of funding was disbursed?”
Reply:
The Department of Small Business Development has two entities reporting to it, which are Small Enterprise Finance Agency (sefa) and Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda):
I have been advised that:
sefa disbursed approximately R413 million between December 2023 and end of February 2024. About 66% of the total disbursements emanated from the Wholesale Lending Channel activities via the Microfinance and the Credit Guarantee (see the highlight in the table below).
Financial Year 2024 |
FY 2023/2024 (1 Dec 2023 - 29 Feb 2024) |
|
Loan SubProgramme |
Disbursed Amount (R) |
% of total disbursements |
Direct Lending Loan Programme |
R26 071 093 |
6.31% |
ER - DL - Artisans Loan Programme |
R953 761 |
0.23% |
ER - DL - Automotive Loan Programme |
R2 566 751 |
0.62% |
ER - DL - BakConf Loan Programme |
R799 906 |
0.19% |
ER - DL - Butcheries Loan Programme |
R1 667 729 |
0.40% |
ER - DL - OpenAirFood Loan Programme |
R2 771 870 |
0.67% |
ER - DL - Personal Care Loan Programme |
R174 858 |
0.04% |
ER - DL - Retail Loan Programme |
R6 585 176 |
1.59% |
ER - DL - SEntManfct Loan Programme |
R12 536 551 |
3.03% |
ER - DL - TexClothLeat Loan Programme |
R1 423 065 |
0.34% |
EU - ESD Loan Programme |
R4 920 856 |
1.19% |
Funds |
R23 235 626 |
5.62% |
Land Reform |
R9 908 225 |
2.40% |
Micro-Finance |
R115 286 615 |
27.90% |
Portfolio Credit Guarantee |
R156 334 505 |
37.83% |
Purchase Order Finance Loan Programme |
R9 492 039 |
2.30% |
SBIF WL |
R8 977 882 |
2.17% |
Spaza Shop Loan Programme Facility |
R4 763 500 |
1.15% |
Supplier Credit Guarantee |
R22 360 398 |
5.41% |
Youth Challenge Fund Loan Programme |
R2 407 892 |
0.58% |
Total |
R413 238 299 |
100.00% |
Furthermore, the total amount Seda has spent on Enterprise Development fund for the period 1 December 2023 to 29 February 2024 is R10,406,609.85. Other client related expenses include seminars and workshops to the value of R1,637,743.66 and Programme or project related expenses amounting to R8,039,136.91. Programme or project related expenses include but not limited to International Market Access, projects for focused groups such as women, the disabled and youth, and projects in collaboration with MerSeta, Wholesale and Retail Seta and the National Skills Fund.
Seda has also realised that there are still several areas where entrepreneurs and SMMEs need to travel far to access Seda services especially rural areas. Seda has therefore established 80 service access points and has disbursed R2,791,851.73 for the period 1 December 2023 to 29 February 2024.
11 April 2024 - NW739
Bagraim, Mr M to ask the Minister of Small Business Development
With reference to her reply to written question 2121 on 19 June 2023, what are the relevant details of the progress that has been made in (a) reducing the regulatory impediments for small, medium, and micro-enterprises and co-operatives and (b) implementing remedies to address the 29 major regulatory barriers identified through research?”
Reply:
I have been advised that:
The DSBD is the custodian of red tape reduction (RTR) as it relates to SMME and co-operatives. The Department has been working collaboratively with Salga, COGTA and the Presidency since the 2017/18 financial year to implement measures to address the legislative and administrative burden faced by SMMEs and co-operatives, more specifically at the municipal sphere of government. These interventions have been primarily aimed at awareness raising, capacity building and commissioning research that:
- Investigates sector and sub-sectors wherein the influence of red tape is unpacked, to develop strategies and interventions that circumvent the negative effects of red tape.
The Department commissioned a study on Regulatory impediments affecting SMME growth and development in South Africa: Findings and Action Plan to investigate the regulatory environment and related legislation and compliance for SMMEs in the 2023/24 financial year. The report identified 29 pieces of legislations that act as primary inhibitors of business start-up and growth. These pieces of legislation were identified as either having a direct impact on SMMEs, whilst the impact of others relate primarily to the administration of the regulation rather than the regulation itself.
Excessive red tape with regards to compliance with labour laws, human and industrial relations, tax and tax-related issues, legal requirements, municipal regulations, and support for business start-ups are key obstacles experienced by SMMEs.
What are the relevant details of the progress that has been made in (a) reducing the regulatory impediments for small, medium, and micro-enterprises and co-operatives?
Through the initial regulatory impediments affecting small businesses and co-operatives in South Africa research work, to improve rates of SMME establishment and performance, the department has undertaken extensive consultative measures to review and critique the initial work on government-wide restrictive regulations and to seek, through its intergovernmental relations and ease of doing business initiatives, resulting in a Regulatory Impediments Implementation Plan.
The making of a Regulatory Impediments Implementation Plan has been conducted in the 2023/24 financial year involving consultations conducted with key stakeholders on regulatory impediments to SMME growth and report produced in quarter 1 and 2, where stakeholders such BUSA, NEDLAC, Chamber of Businesses (South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry, The Afrikaanse Handelsinsituut, NAFCOC, National Small Business Chamber, BUSA, Black Business Council (BBC), Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA), Business unity South Africa (BUSA), Small Business Institute, NEDLAC) include full list) were consulted. Report on inputs and feedback from key stakeholders incorporated into a prioritised Regulatory Reform Implementation Plan in Quarter 3 and the department is finalising a Regulatory Reform Implementation Plan to be submitted to Minister in Quarter 4.
The making of the Regulatory Impediments Implementation Plan which is planned to be concluded in the end of this financial year (2023/24), is a result of the relatively extensive consultations conducted with key stakeholder SMME and Coops sectors which regarded compliance with regulatory requirements as one of the primary impediments to their growth than the actual regulations and legislation. Relative to these small businesses’ turnovers, the cost of compliance was also noted as onerous as they often do not have employees or the internal capacity to attend to these - and that it is expensive to outsource such functions.
(b) implementing remedies to address the 29 major regulatory barriers identified through research?
To address the regulatory impediments affecting SMMEs and Co-operatives through the 29 pieces of legislation across the three spheres of government to support SMME growth and development, the department is establishing a comprehensive legislative framework for small businesses and co-operatives. The department has also identified priority legislation and sectors to address regulatory impediments impacting SMMEs and Co-operatives in the new MTSF period, including Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan and other priority government interventions. This will be achieved through a revised Regulatory Reform Implementation Plan to be concluded at the end of 2023/24 financial year.
The DSBD’s Regulatory Impediments Implementation Plan is a strategic tool to assist it in carrying out ongoing legislative review and development of the regulatory framework falling within its purview, in a strategic and focused manner. The Implementation Plan is, however, a rolling plan and will be reviewed and revised periodically to ensure that it remains up to date, effective and continues to align to the DSBD’s broader strategic objectives, also considering emerging risks and developments.
The results of the Regulatory Impediments Implementation Plan were subject to rigorous planning, prioritisation, and internal and external consultation. The considerations and approach undertaken in developing the revised Regulatory Implementation Plan included the approach to prioritisation. Therefore, the original recommendations of the regulatory impediments research work were updated as follow:
1. Category 1: Regulations and Legislation under DSBD Control –
The revised recommendations have reaffirmed the initial recommendations that DSBD to use its Mandated Legislative Powers, by using Section 18 of the National Small Business Act 102 of 1996 (NSBA) Chapter 4, General Provisions, Sections 18 2 (b) - (e) and 3 by notice in the National Gazette guidelines to address identified DSBD’s controlled legislations causing barriers to SMMEs and Coops by conducting further consultations and impact assessment as shown such as - National Business Act 71 of 1991 and the Businesses Amendment Act 186 of 1993, National Small Enterprises Act 102 of 1996 (and as amended in 2003), National Small Enterprise Amendment Bill 2021/22, and Cooperatives Development Act No 15 of 2005, Business Licensing Bill, 2023, and agencies related regulations, legislation, and procedures. The immediate work of the next financial year will on the engagement of State Attorney, the SA Law Reform Commission; formulation of new technical working groups, and participation in the existing committees such as the department’s Intergovernmental Relations (IGR).
2. Category 2: Economic Cluster Departments Control and Influence
DSBD to use advocacy by working with national departments, provinces and local governments on administrative inefficiencies related specific regulations and legislation impacting negatively on SMMEs and Co-operatives, requiring close involvement and consultation on: National Liquor Act 59 of 2003 & Liquor Amendment Bill of 2023, the National Road Traffic Act of 1996 & Traffic Regulations, National Environmental Management Act 107 of 1998, Companies Act 71 of 2008, Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act 5 of 2000, Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment 53 of 2003, National Land Transport Act 5 of 2009, Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995, and related regulations, legislation and procedures.
3. Category 3: Local Governance, Development and Planning
Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act 16 of 2013, Local government legislation such Municipal System, Property Rates, Municipal Finance, related provincial legislation and regulations, by-laws and procedures, related Agencies policies, regulations, processes, and procedures.
It is important to note that not every instance of “red tape” is a regulatory reform priority, we should look at educating our populace in the intent of the law, look to our capacity to administer the law and finally, ensure that our laws are aligned with the economic and social challenges we face as a country.
Inter-governmental Relations Framework
In advancing its advocacy and coordination role for the economic sector, the DSBD is in the process of developing an IGR Reporting and Monitoring Tool which forms part of the IGR Framework for SBD. The Tool introduces indicators for Ease of Doing business that stakeholders in Government that relate to number of legislations reviewed by National departments that affect SMMEs and Co-operatives as well as measures put in place to promote administrative simplification of such legislation. The department, in collaboration with National Treasury, Salga & COGTA, is investigating modalities to deploy the Reporting and Monitoring tool for adoption through the three spheres of government.
11 April 2024 - NW749
Manyi, Mr M to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation
Whether he intends to commission any investigation into the allegations of fraudulent degrees conferred by the University of Fort Hare; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The Department will decide on the allegations once two related processes have been concluded. The first process emanates from the work of the Special Investigation Unit which is conducting an investigation at the University of Fort Hare, following the Presidential Proclamation published on 5 August 2022, in the Government Gazette no 47199. A report is expected during March / April 2024, and is likely to be delivered to the President’s office. The second process stems from the legal proceedings underway, involving the Premier of the Eastern Cape, Mr Oscar Mabuyane and the University of Fort hare.
11 April 2024 - NW825
Siwisa, Ms AM to ask the Minister of Police
(1) What number of suspects have been apprehended in the death of one boy who was found locked in the boot of a car on 18 March 2024, while the other boy survived in the Phokwane Local Municipality in the Northern Cape; (2) whether an autopsy on the body of the deceased boy has been finalised; if not, why not; if so, what are the (a) outcomes and (b) relevant details?
11 April 2024 - NW778
Terblanche, Mr OS to ask the Minister of Police
What is the total number of DNA case exhibits and samples were (a) contaminated, (b) lost, (c) stolen, and (d) degraded while in the custody of the SA Police Service (SAPS) (I) in each province, (ii) in the past five financial years and (bb) since 1 April 2023 up to the last specified date for which information is available?
Reply:
Find reply here
11 April 2024 - NW750
Manyi, Mr M to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation
What steps is his department taking to uphold the integrity of academic credentials conferred upon graduates of tertiary institutions of higher learning in the Republic, as some academic credentials raise doubt about its integrity and the institutions conferring it?
Reply:
The Higher Education Act 101 of 1997, (the Act) as amended, states that degrees, diplomas, and certificates are awarded by higher education institutions subject to their statutes and the Act. Section 65 C of the Act adds that no degree, diploma, or certificate may be awarded upon any person who has not been registered as a student, against the qualification, for the period (and conditions) prescribed by the Senate of the institution.
Universities are established by the Minister in terms of the Act. Each university has a Programme and Qualification Mix (PQM) that is approved by the Minister; qualifications that are placed on the universities’ PQMs are approved by the Department of Higher Education and Training (the Department), accredited by the Council on Higher Education (CHE), registered on the National Qualifications Framework (HEQSF) and by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA), and supported by a professional body, where applicable. The Minister, therefore, determines the scope and range of operations for higher education institutions.
The Department, the CHE and SAQA have initiated a Data Validation Project (DVP); the aim of this project is to ensure that qualification types and naming conventions are consistent across the three databases. This exercise was necessitated by the emergence of different qualification types and nomenclatures that were used interchangeably after the HEQSF Alignment process.
The DVP is an ongoing process; where inconsistencies are identified, clarity is sought from institutions and due process is followed to secure the necessary approval of qualifications. There are cases where some qualifications need to be discontinued because universities conduct periodic reviews of PQMs to ensure viability of qualifications. In some cases, qualifications are discontinued because of national reviews, an example is the old two-year Bachelor of Laws. When qualifications are discontinued, the university engages with the Department and the last date of First Time Enrolment is recorded on the PQM. This record is then archived by the Department.
Where there are concerns around the quality of academic programmes, the CHE conducts reviews of the qualifications and improvement plans are developed and approved by the CHE, this information is then shared with the Department. The CHE and the Department adopt a developmental approach around quality assurance and enhancement hence the need for improvement plans, site visits and periodic institutional audits of universities.
Professional bodies play an important role in ensuring the integrity of professional qualifications and in protecting the public. The CHE has signed Memoranda of Agreement/ Understanding with several professional bodies to promote cooperation and collaboration that ensures the quality of qualifications that lead to professional registration.
Additional notes:
The role of the CHE in quality assurance of qualifications is upheld in the Higher Education Act and universities’ senates and councils play an important function in safeguarding the academic integrity of qualifications. While some universities still offer and award qualifications that are not aligned to the HEQSF to pipeline students that were registered before 31 December 2019, these are being phased out. This is done while offering and awarding HEQSF aligned qualifications with different nomenclature.
The Department will, for a period maintain two separate PQMs for each university, HEQSF aligned and non-aligned. The Department envisages that non-aligned qualifications for distance education programmes will be phased out by 2028 and non-aligned contact programmes, by 2026.
11 April 2024 - NW760
Pambo, Mr V to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation
In light of the fact that the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has recovered close to R1 billion from institutions of higher learning that have either misused and/or misallocated funds from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme, what (a) steps has he taken to hold the specified institutions accountable for misused and/or misallocated funds and (b) intervention measures have been put in place to ensure that maladministration does not continue in institutions of higher learning?
Reply:
a) In terms of proclamation 88 of 2022, the SIU initiated investigations on potential misuse and/or misallocation of funds by the institutions. Once the SIU has concluded its report, the Department will study the report, and engage the NSFAS and institutions which are implicated by SIU before it takes any steps. The Department has in the interim asked universities to conclude outstanding financial reconciliations.
b) NSFAS is improving its internal controls and reconciliation processes to identify outstanding funds and recover or process payments due far sooner. The Department further monitors the performance reports of universities and conducts site visits, reviews audited financial statements and annual reports of the universities, and where substantial evidence or complaints on maladministration are reported to or detected by the Department, investigations are undertaken as per the empowering provisions of the Higher Education Act (1999).
Section 42 (1) of the Higher Education Act 101 of 1997, as amended, states that the Minister may issue a directive to the council of Public Higher Education Institution (PHEI) if the Minister has reasonable grounds to believe that the Council or the Management of the PHEIs, (a) is involved in financial impropriety or the PHEI is being otherwise managed’.
If Section 42 (1)(a) is not fulfilled, then the Minister may consider Section 42 (4), which states that “in the event that the Minister has reasonable grounds to believe that the council of the PHEI concerned has failed to comply with the directive contemplated in this section within the stated period, or the steps taken, fail to remedy the deficiency within a reasonable period of time, the Minister may, depending on the circumstances-
(a) appoint an independent assessor in accordance with section 44; or
(b) appoint an administrator in accordance with section 49B; or
(c) take any other appropriate action allowed by this Act or any other law”, as a form of intervention.