Questions and Replies
05 May 2023 - NW1402
Cebekhulu, Inkosi RN to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
Whether, in light of the newly revised National Rural Service Corps (NARYSEC) policy 2022, which focuses on three main intervention areas for sustained employment by recruiting youth for skills-development programmes, there have been any successes in the area of job placement and opportunities and the re-skilling and/or training and provision of job placement opportunities for youth trained under the 2010 NARYSEC Policy given the current unemployment rate; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
Yes. Some success has been observed in area of job placement.
The NARYSEC programme was mainly focused on providing the youth with skills programmes since inception. In 2022/23 the NARYSEC policy was revised to make provision for partnerships with the private and public sector as well as civil society for exit employment opportunities and business enterprises to increase.
After the revised policy, the first group of young people from rural areas was 705 who reported for the programme in line with the revised policy and commenced their Induction and Youth Leadership Development Programme (YLDP) on 18 July 2022. The youth who completed the programme participated in the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) pass out parade. 21 of the 705 dropped out from the programme. Currently 684 youth completed YLDP and are attending skills development programmes with various colleges for a duration of between six and 18 months depending on the type of training programme they have enrolled for. This will then be followed by exit into identified opportunities. (Please refer to Annexure A).
With regard to up-skilling youth trained since 2010, the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development is currently auditing the learner database by tracing all the young people who have been trained since the inception of the programme, to determine their current economic status. The outcome of the audit will form the basis for the development of a structured up-skilling programme to assist those who might still be unemployed. Since the implementation of the new NARYSEC policy in March 2022, a total of 280 rural youth located in Gauteng and Limpopo have been upskilled during the 2022/23 financial year and have been linked to exit opportunities. (Please refer to Annexure B).
ANNEXURE B OF NA-QUESTION 207 OF 2023
Province |
Economic Opportunity |
No. Youth |
Learning Programme |
Gauteng West Rand District, Sedibeng District and City of Tshwane, Gauteng |
Upskilling of exited NARYSEC youth. Through South West Gauteng’s collaboration with Lulaway, these youth will be place into temporary employment at various Guvon Hotels for a period of 12 months. |
25 |
Skills Programme: Hospitality Reception |
Upskilling of exited NARYSEC youth. As part of the YES Programme with Lulaway, South West Gauteng College will host these youth at their Call Centre upon completion of training for a period of 12 months during which time the youth will receive a stipend. |
50 |
Skills Programme: Contact Centre Management |
|
Upskilling of exited NARYSEC youth. South West Gauteng College will fund these youth for 12 months upon completion of training at various Two Oceans Marketing outlets, which are distribution and merchandising outlets. Youth will receive a stipend during the 12 months from the College. |
50 |
Skills Programme: Wholesale and Retail Operations |
|
Upskilling of exited NARYSEC youth to place them in a better position to access employment in the areas they have previously been trained in. |
25 |
Skills Programme: New Venture Creation |
|
LIMPOPO Waterberg District Modimolle Mookgophong |
These learning programmes will have direct potential opportunities for the 130 youth upon the completion of their training. Most of the youth to be upskilled have registered enterprises and are already in production. Through the Directorate Cooperative and Enterprise Development (CED), 80 of the youth have been assisted to register primary cooperatives in poultry production and goat farming, while another50 youth are already producing in small scale backyard gardens. |
50 |
Skills Programme: Animal Production (Broiler) |
30 |
Skills Programme: Animal Production (Small Stock) |
||
50 |
Skills Programme: Vegetable Production & Small Business |
||
TOTAL |
280 |
05 May 2023 - NW1428
Matiase, Mr NS to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
What (a) is the status of the land claim submitted by the Bakwena Ba Mare A Phogole for the restitution of their land and (b) are the reasons that her department has delayed communicating with the specified community to update them on the progress made with the settlement of their land claim?
Reply:
a) The land claim has been referred to court under case number: LCC62/2019 for adjudication on the merits of the claim and the matter is still pending.
b) The Claimants are aware of the status of the matter, they are legally represented and participating in the matter.
END
05 May 2023 - NW1421
Mbabama, Ms TM to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
With reference to a recent oversight visit by the Portfolio Committee on Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, what are the reasons that the Huttington Farmer Produce Support Unit, which was completed at a cost of R12 million in 2017 and created around 31 jobs since its inception, has since stopped functioning and has been abandoned; (2) whether any action has been taken against any person to account for the closure of this critical production support unit; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details. NW1508E
Reply:
1. The packaging facility at the FSPU is not functional due to disputes among the members of the Secondary Cooperative. The Department has on several occasions attempted to intervene, without much success. In addition, the Department is encouraging the Secondary Cooperative to convene an elective Annual General Meeting to ensure that the new leadership is elected. The appointment of the new leadership is likely to address some of the social dynamics within the Cooperative. At the moment, the Department has security services at the FPSU to safeguard the facility.
2. No specific action was taken against any person, especially the officials of the Department as they are not directly responsible for the non-functionality of the Huntington Packhouse. Additionally, the Department intervened by taking the members through cooperative governance training, which covers aspects of conflict resolution. This was done with the hope that the training will equip the members with skills to resolve their conflicts.
05 May 2023 - NW1419
Masipa, Mr NP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
What (a) are the reasons that the Foot and Mouth Disease vaccines could not be produced at Onderstepoort Biological Products, resulting in these vaccines having to be procured from the Republic of Botswana instead and (b) total cost did the Government incur for the procurement of the specified vaccines from Botswana?
Reply:
a) The Onderstepoort Biological Products OBP) was never expected to produce Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccine. It has never produced FMD vaccines. This is owing to the fact that the disease is classified as a trans- boundary animal disease which is very infectious, and its vaccine should be produced under very strict biosecurity environment. The laboratory capability at the OBP is therefore not suitable for production of this vaccine.
For some years, ARC had been experiencing budgetary constraints, which got exacerbated by dilapidating and aging equipment and infrastructure. Owing to budgetary constraints, the ARC could not retain expertise that brain drained to competing industries. This has resulted in the Department importing vaccine from a suitable facility in Botswana.
b) Government spent R78 286 339 during financial year ending 31 March 2023 in procuring the vaccine from Botswana through the OBP (SOC) Ltd.
04 May 2023 - NW1228
Mbabama, Ms TM to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
In light of the fact that Hentiq Farm, also known as Farm 137 Mirage, near Cedarville in the Eastern Cape, has been declared unfit for any agricultural activity based on documents received from the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research and the Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism stating that the site falls within the protected wetland zone, what (a) efforts has her department made to relocate the members of Loto Greens to another farm as requested by their chairperson, Mr Thobani Ntonga, on numerous occasions, (b) total amount was the farm bought for from its original owner and (c) financial post settlement assistance was given to the members of Loto Greens to date?
Reply:
a) The Department of Agriculture Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) has been engaging with Mr. Ntonga, who is the Chairperson of the members of Loto Greens farms on possible relocation because of wetlands affecting their farm. The wetland situation is also affecting other farms in the area of Cedarville including other lessees on this area.
b) The farm was bought for R 9 000 000 from the original owner and allocated to four farmers.
c) None.
04 May 2023 - NW1195
Montwedi, Mr Mk to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
(1)Whether, with reference to her various replies to questions asked about the finalisation of the Lower Zingcuka Land Claim, wherein she first indicated that the land claim was due for finalisation in the third quarter of the 202223 financial year, and later moved on the date to the fourth quarter of the financial year, but to date there has been no finalisation of the claim, she has found, with the benefit of hindsight, that she misled Parliament and the community of Zingcuka regarding the finalisation of the land claim; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) (a) what is the latest date by which the land claim would be finalised and (b)(i) on what date will financial compensation be paid to the community and (ii) what is the latest total monetary amount of compensation?
Reply:
1. The Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development did not mislead Parliament but was reporting the status as it was at that point in time. The Commission’s business process is complex and can be delayed by multiple factors some internal and others external. the Payment of financial compensation to claimants in phases has been identified as a risk for fraud and possible double payment and as a result, the Policy was amended to discontinue the practice. This meant that instead of paying this claim in phases village by village the Commission in the Eastern Cape had to conduct verification and screening to include all the villages so that the payment can occur at the same time. This automatically meant that there would be a delay, which was communicated to the claimant community.
(2)(a) The claim is targeted for settlement in the Third Quarter of 2023/24 financial year on condition that none of the beneficiaries who have adopted the verification interdict the process because of some disagreement of the payment to be made.
(b)(i) Once the settlement process has been finalized and verification adopted and all the payment lists have been prepared, all beneficiaries having submitted all the relevant documents. Then the Commission will commence with the payment process and the payment will be affected within 90 working days after the signing of the distribution agreement with the individual households.
(ii) The total monetary value of the claim will be based on the financial compensation policy, which allows for payment based on the of Standard Settlement Offer, which is R405 776, per house for the loss of the right in land and improvement.
END
04 May 2023 - NW15
Masipa, Mr NP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
Whether she will provide the full details per annum with regard to (a) the progress made since October 2020 with regard to 700 000 ha of vacant State land that were released for leasing and (b)(i) farms that were successfully leased and (ii) settlement support provided; whether production is taking place on the farms; if not, what are the detailed reasons for the lack of production; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
(1) (a) Yes. Since October 2020, the released state land was assessed to determine the status of each farm. Start-up packages were developed according to the categories/sizes of the farming operations, commodities and required activities to ensure optimum functionality of such farms. The activities on these farms ranged from infrastructure, production inputs and capacity development in respect of both livestock farming and crop farming. The 700 000 hectares of state land identified for redistribution was advertised in October 2020. The process of considering submissions for allocations was completed during 2021.
(b) (i) A total of 895 farms were identified for lease agreements. To date 213 farms have been issued with full leases; seventy-two (72) farms are partially leased; seventeen (17) farms in process; and five hundred and ninety three (593) farms have not been leased but were allocated in terms of the Land Reform: Provision of Land and Assistance Act 126 of 1993 as follows: -
- Communities: 210 farms;
- Donations: 277 farms;
- Land claims: 68 farms (Since these farms are under claim, they will be allocated to claimants in terms of the Restitution of Land Rights Act 22 of 1994);
- Withdrawn:19 farms because of the legal challenge by the communities residing on those farms; and
- Long-term occupiers:19 farms found to have lawful occupiers in terms of Extension of Security of Tenure Act 62 of 1997.
The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) is currently working on legislation to enable government to transfer communal land to communities.
(b)(ii) Infrastructure development was identified as a key requirement to enable farmers to improve their production. A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed with the Development Bank of Southern Africa for 5 years to assist with the infrastructure development on these farms. The infrastructure development will include fencing, water reticulation, irrigation systems, storage sheds, etc. The Department will be handing over the list of projects for infrastructure development to DBSA to commence with the implementation processes.
2. Yes. The Department conducted farm assessment to determine the status of the farms and the level of support required. It has been identified that most of these are under production at various levels. Given that the production levels at these farms is still not at optimum level, it is envisaged that production inputs, in addition to the envisaged infrastructure will be provided to kickstart agri-business unit(s) on various commodities.
04 May 2023 - NW810
Cebekhulu, Inkosi RN to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
Whether her department has any programmes and / or collaborations in place to provide financial management skills to rural farmworkers; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
No, the Department does not have any collaboration in the provision of financial management skills to rural farmworkers. The Department has support programmes for farm dwellers and labour tenants under the Extension of Security of Tenure Act [No. 62 of 1997] ESTA. There is no special programme to support farm workers. If farm workers have farming practices outside their employ, they would apply for support like any other farmer supported by the Department.
04 May 2023 - NW898
Masipa, Mr NP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
Since the establishment of the Ministerial Task Team in August 2021 to look into Animal Biosecurity in the Republic, (a) what were the (i) findings and (ii) recommendations of the task team and (b) on what date will she (i) release the report and (ii) start implementing the recommendations that were made by the task team?
Reply:
(a)(i),(ii)(b)(i),(ii) The report has been finalised and will be released as soon as all logistical arrangements have been concluded. The Department has already started implementing the recommendations made by the task team.
04 May 2023 - NW956
Cebekhulu, Inkosi RN to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
Whether her department has considered a special allocation to the veterinary authority to tackle outbreaks such as the foot- and mouth- disease outbreak which spread to six of the nine provinces of the Republic in 2022; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
Yes. The Department has allocated R87 million to the OBP and R100 million to the ARC respectively to ensure the sustained availability of FMD vaccine. The Department has also assisted the KwaZulu-Natal Province with R18,2 million towards control of the Foot and Mouth outbreak.
04 May 2023 - NW1016
Montwedi, Mr Mk to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
What total number of the 450 farmers that she and/or her department initially planned to commercialise have been commercialised since the launch of the black farmers’ programme?
Reply:
The 450 farmers for commercialisation were identified across all nine provinces, with each province contributing and supporting at least 50 farmers towards being commercially self-reliant. The Commercialization Strategy was a response to the Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme [CASP] Evaluation Report of 2015 which recommended that CASP commercialise 30% of producers. A commercial producer that we are referring to is a producer who produces with the intention to supply markets – both locally and internationally, is able to pay his overheads (breaks even or is profitable) and with a minimum turnover above R500 000 per annum.
Of the 450 producers targeted, a total of 350 have been commercialised. The table below outlines progress per province. These farmers were supported with infrastructure, production inputs, training, food safety and accreditation (where applicable) as well as mechanization through the CASP and Ilima/Letsema conditional grants.
The responses / details on these farmers / producers per province is attached.
Province |
Targeted |
Supported / commercial black farmers as at 30 March 2023. |
Variance |
Eastern Cape |
50 |
44 |
6 |
Free State |
50 |
91 |
+41 |
Gauteng |
50 |
17 |
33 |
Kwa-Zulu Natal |
50 |
33 |
17 |
Limpopo |
50 |
36 |
14 |
Mpumalanga |
50 |
33 |
17 |
Northern Cape |
50 |
29 |
21 |
North West |
50 |
17 |
33 |
Western Cape |
50 |
50 |
0 |
Total |
450 |
350 |
100 |
04 May 2023 - NW1047
Masipa, Mr NP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
With reference to her undertaking at the end of April 2022 to release the report of the Ministerial Task Team on Animal Biosecurity with special emphasis on Foot-and-Mouth disease, African Swine Fever and Highly-Pathogenic Avian Influenza, which she appointed in August 2021, (a) what is the status of the specified report, (b) by what date does she intend to release the report and (c) what are the reasons for the delays in releasing the report?
Reply:
a) The report has been finalised and its recommendations are currently being implemented.
b) The Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development will release the findings and recommendations of the report as soon as all logistical and arrangements have been finalized and confirmed.
04 May 2023 - NW1094
Cebekhulu, Inkosi RN to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
Whether, with regard to the moderate to severe food insecurity facing many South Africans with the ever-increasing amounts of degraded land being a major contributor to the situation, her department has any regenerative agricultural and/or agroforest programmes currently underway in the Republic; if not, why not; if so, how have local communities been included in the value chain of the programmes in order to (a) produce their own food, (b) upskill and (c) find work?
Reply:
Yes. The Department of Agriculture Land Reform and Rural Development (DALLRD) the LandCare programme which is a community-based programme focusing on optimizing productivity and the sustainable use of natural resources leading to greater productivity, food security and job creation through the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP). The key consideration is that there are circumstances which, based on soil mapping and analysis in order to improve soil fertility, soil organic carbon status and rectification of deficiency alternative measures, need to be considered which entail the use of fertilisers within prescribed measures.
a) The Department in collaboration with the provinces, implements the LandCare programme, wherein conservation measures are considered to support local farmers in creating a sustainable farming system that would maintain productivity while reducing land degradation.
b) Through demonstration projects in provinces communities participate in capacity building, wherein farmers are able to increase production yield and upgrade from small-scale to subsistence farming. These capacity-building initiatives include soil surveys and soil fertility testing. Furthermore, communities participate in exchange learning programmes inclusive of cultivation methods, weed control and related maintenance and calibration of conservation agriculture – no till planters.
c) The LandCare programme has job creation pillars within the EPWP, wherein project beneficiaries are provided with temporary jobs while implementing projects and skills to sustain the project afterwards towards the prevention of land degradation. It is envisaged that with continued farming system farmers are empowered to alternative usage of skills acquired.
04 May 2023 - NW1078
Matiase, Mr NS to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
Whether she has been informed of the allegedly missing R41 million that the Ingonyama Trust Board (ITB) has detailed in a report submitted to King Misizulu; if not, (a) what is the position in this regard and (b) what are the reasons that she has not been informed when she has direct representatives on the ITB; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
No.
a) The amount of R41 million is reported to have been paid to Ingonyama Holdings, a company of Ingonyama Trust, through two firms of attorneys as well as directly. The Board has to obtain an explanation from the directors of Ingonyama Holdings on what has been achieved as a consequence of this amount being transferred to Ingonyama Holdings. A new Board has just been appointed and I will ask them to look into this matter.
b) The KwaZulu-Natal Ingonyama Trust Act does not empower the Minister to have direct representatives in the Board hence there are no direct representatives. I have however been informed by the Head of the Secretariat of Ingonyama Trust that the directors of Ingonyama Holdings do not accept that they are accountable to the Board. Their view is that they are only accountable to the Trustee hence they resisted attempts by the Board to establish the deliverables associated with the R41 million. The Board had decided in February 2022 to have a dedicated discussion on the relationship between the Board and Ingonyama Holdings, however, the matter had not been attended to at the time the previous Board’s term of office came to an end, which probably could have been the reason the matter was not timeously brought to the attention of the Minister.
04 May 2023 - NW1183
Matiase, Mr NS to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
(a) What was the general performance in the agricultural sector in 2022 and (b) how is the specified performance accounted for in terms of (i) big commercial farms, (ii) medium-size farming and (iii) small-scale farming in the Republic?
Reply:
a) There is a time lag of almost a year in the publication of the Annual Agricultural Survey, which depicts statistical information on the general performance in the agricultural sector. Statistics on the 2022 performance will only be available towards the end of the year 2023, once the survey is completed and the results are made available.
(b),(i),(ii),(iii) The table below indicates the performance of the different categories of farmers for 2021. Performance is depicted in terms of income received across different agricultural business activities.
Activity |
(b)(i) Large >R 30 million Turn over |
(ii) Medium R18 million < Turnover <=R30 million
|
(b)(iii) Small R3 million< Turnover<= R18 million |
Micro Turnover<= R3 million Turn over |
Total |
R’000 |
|||||
Growing crops, market gardening; horticulture |
130 641 686 |
12 915 431 |
29 660 855 |
11 071 701 |
184 289 673 |
Farming of animals |
126 343 423 |
6 503 854 |
15 078 457 |
6 703 286 |
154 629 020 |
Growing of crops combined with farming of animals(mixed farming) |
17 169 993 |
9 691 581 |
26 127 474 |
9 563 642 |
62 552 690 |
Agriculture and animal husbandry services, except veterinary services |
7 522 709 |
568 956 |
3 655 981 |
1 656 365 |
13 404 011 |
Activity |
Large >R 30 million Turn over |
Medium R18 million < Turnover <=R30 million
|
Small R3 million< Turnover<= R18 million |
Micro Turnover<= R3 million Turn over |
Total |
R’000 |
|||||
Hunting, trapping and game propagation including related services |
670 662 |
107 353 |
853 611 |
577 495 |
2 209 121 |
Total |
282 348 473 |
29 787 175 |
75 376 378 |
29 572 489 |
417 084 515 |
04 May 2023 - NW1338
Masipa, Mr NP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
Whether, based on the recent challenges of animal diseases, she intends to amend and/or repeal the Animal Diseases Act, Act 35 of 1984; if not, why not; if so, on what date; (2) whether, in view of the Republic facing ongoing threats from a range of animal diseases, including African swine fever, avian influenza and foot-and-mouth disease, her department has a standardised animal biosecurity framework to protect the animal husbandry sector from disease outbreaks; if not, why not; if so, what incentives has the Government put in place to ensure full compliance of the specified framework by farmers?
Reply:
1. The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) has sourced and is awaiting legal advice on the Animal Diseases Act 1984 (Act no 35 of 84) and the Animal Health Act 2002, (Act no 7 of 2002). Such advice will help inform the process going forward with regards to these two Acts.
2. Yes. In an industry adopted veterinary strategy, livestock owners as well as other animal owners are responsible for the health and welfare of their animals and ensure that all controlled diseases outbreaks are reported to the nearest state veterinarian or veterinarian to ensure that there is no unnecessary risk to the animal population of the country at large. Even at international level a trend is emerging where efforts to strengthen official state services, requires the active participation and investment on the part of both the public and the private sectors. The South African private sector as well as livestock producers have indicated their willingness to support this approach in their report to the Animal Health Forum. DALRRD continues to draft biosecurity guidelines to assist the livestock sector to prevent diseases and/or mitigate impact of outbreaks. DALRRD audits and assist to bio-secure facilities to assist them access regional and other international markets
04 May 2023 - NW1384
Winkler, Ms HS to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
At what stage is the land claim with reference number KRN6/2/2/E/42/0/0/25 currently. (2) whether there is a court order pertaining to the specified claim which halted the process of the claim; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) what are the details of the specified court order and (b) on what date was it issued; (3) whether the court order pertains to any other land claims beside the relevant claim; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what (a) are the relevant details and/or reference numbers of the other land claims and (b) is the time frame for the processing and finalisation of land claim KRN6/2/2/E/42/0/0/25
Reply:
1. The claim is currently at settlement stage.
2. (a) Yes, there is a Court Order under Case number 1590/2000 dated 1 June 2000. The High Court in Pietermaritzburg granted a rule nisi, calling all interested parties to be available before the Court on 23 July 2000 at 9:00 am for a hearing why an order should not be granted on the following terms:
(i) the Applicant is granted leave to alienate to the Zwelethu Community Trust, immovable properties described as portion 104 of the Nelsrust No.849, Erf 126 Thornville;
(ii) any person claiming to have interest which entitled such person to object the granting of such order or intends to object thereto shall notify the Registrar of the Court and Applicants attorney on or before 24 July 2000.
(b) The final order was granted on 28 July 2000.
3. (a) Yes, there is a claim with reference number KRN6/2/2/E/42/0/0/202, which was settled on 9 January 2000 in respect of the following properties:
- farm Meyershoek No. 847,
- farm Onrust No. 848,
- Rem of Nels Rust and
- ptn 8 of Nooitgedacht No. 903 collective extent of 3262.9193 ha
(b) The Department is undertaking more in-depth research to determine compliance within the context of the land rights dispossession that took place in the Baynesfield Estate and conduct comparative analysis of the beneficiaries/households in respect of the section 42 D submission approved on the 9 January 2000. Such should happen using the available source documents which include the approved S42D, signed settlement agreement and court order of 2000. The further research will take approximately 120 days to complete.
04 May 2023 - NW1320
Matiase, Mr NS to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
What is the (a) total number of subsistence and small-scale farmers who have been assisted from the target of 75 000 which was set in 2020 and (b) breakdown of farmers who were assisted in each (i) province and (ii) district; (2) whether the target has been met; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1. (a) A total of 53 286 subsistence producers were supported across all 9 provinces.
(b) Table 1: supported subsistence producers, by province and district.
|
Provincial Totals |
|
Eastern Cape |
9 927 |
|
Alfred Nzo |
1631 |
|
Amathole |
1424 |
|
Buffalo City |
211 |
|
Chris Hani |
1646 |
|
Joe Gqabi |
706 |
|
Nelson Mandela Bay |
364 |
|
O.R.Tambo |
3748 |
|
Sarah Baartman |
197 |
|
Free State |
2 905 |
|
Fezile Dabi |
434 |
|
Lejweleputswa |
385 |
|
Mangaung |
826 |
|
Thabo Mofutsanyane |
1092 |
|
Xhariep |
168 |
|
Gauteng |
2 594 |
|
City of Ekurhuleni |
646 |
|
City of Johannesburg |
676 |
|
City of Tshwane |
544 |
|
Sedibeng |
423 |
|
West Rand |
305 |
|
KwaZulu-Natal |
13 134 |
|
Amajuba |
658 |
|
City of ethekwini |
1356 |
|
iLembe |
1105 |
|
King Cetshwayo |
2367 |
|
Sisonke |
1003 |
|
Ugu |
1504 |
|
UMgungundlovu |
1024 |
|
Umkhanyakude |
844 |
|
Umzinyathi |
654 |
|
Uthukela |
603 |
|
Zululand |
2016 |
|
Limpopo |
7 707 |
|
Capricorn |
1799 |
|
Great Sekhukhune |
1642 |
|
Mopani District Municipality |
1017 |
|
Vhembe |
2719 |
|
Waterberg |
530 |
|
Mpumalanga |
8942 |
|
Ehlanzeni |
4342 |
|
Gert Sibande |
1825 |
|
Nkangala |
2775 |
|
North West |
5 505 |
|
Bojanala |
1299 |
|
Dr Kenneth Kaunda |
447 |
|
Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati |
2138 |
|
Ngaka Modiri Molema |
1621 |
|
Northern Cape |
1 649 |
|
Frances Baard |
214 |
|
John Taolo Gaetsewe |
1108 |
|
Namakwa |
73 |
|
Pixley Ka Seme |
126 |
|
Siyanda |
128 |
|
Western Cape |
923 |
|
Cape Winelands |
112 |
|
Central Karoo |
30 |
|
City of Cape Town |
343 |
|
Eden |
247 |
|
Overberg |
45 |
|
West Coast |
146 |
|
Grand Total |
53 286 |
|
(2) No. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020/21 resulted in several complexities and time-consuming activities that impacted on the acceleration of the implementation process. The latter includes but is not limited to the following:
- The setting up and operationalisation of the setting electronic systems which impacted on the management of the e-voucher solution.
- The physical verification of approved applicants for conformity to the qualification of set criteria.
04 May 2023 - NW1337
Masipa, Mr NP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
What are the reasons that veterinary research done by the Agricultural Research Council (ARC)-Onderstepoort does not provide results from a Transboundary Animal Diseases Programme laboratory in the form of phylogenetic trees and vaccine matching; (2) whether the ARC-Onderstepoort Veterinary Research is still a reference centre for foot-and-mouth disease at the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and Food and Agriculture Organisation; if not, (a) why not and (b) what steps has she taken to regain the status; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1. The Transboundary Animal Diseases Programme always submits reports on time. The information relating to phylogenetic trees is always supplied to the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development with each new outbreak and on request.
2. Yes. The ARC-Onderstepoort Veterinary Research is still the reference laboratory for Foot and Mouth Disease at the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) and Food and Agriculture Organisation.
(a),(b) Falls away.
04 May 2023 - NW1230
Mbabama, Ms TM to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
(1)What (a) is her department’s responsibility in terms of support to Communal Property Associations (CPAs) and other similar community organisations, (b) are the names of the CPAs and similar community organisations for which her department accepts responsibility and (c) CPAs ailed to share their financial statements with beneficiaries in the past three financial years; (2) (a) which CPAs failed to have leadership elections in terms of the periods of service stated in their founding statements and/or constitutions in the past three financial years and (b) what are the details of the steps that her department can take to cause the nominations and/or elections of executives of associations that are in breach of their constitutions and/or founding statements to be held; (3) what options are available to beneficiaries of associations who would like to register with her department their concerns about the possible failure of their associations to adhere to their own founding documents and/or constitutions?
Reply:
1. (a) The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) is required in terms of the Communal Property Associations Act to:
- Appoint a Conciliator (mediator) when there are disputes within a CPA
- Inspection CPA records for monitoring purposes
- Conduct an enquiry into the activities of the CPA
- Subpoena persons who may have relevant information in respect of affairs of CPA
- Require CPA members to conduct elections of new committee
- Place a CPA under Judicial Administration
The Department also assist CPAs to comply; the following are the Department’s interventions:
- Conduct Governance and Compliance training to CPA Executive Committee members and CPA members in general.
- Support CPAs towards compliance by assisting them with updating membership list, amending their Constitution, and facilitating an Elective Annual General Meeting.
b) The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) is responsible for all the 1 750 registered CPAs in the country. See Annexure A
c) The following is a breakdown of CPAs that failed to report on their financial records during the past three financial years. Annexure B
Province |
Financial year |
||
2019 - 2020 |
2020 - 2021 |
2021 - 2022 |
|
Eastern Cape |
170 |
176 |
195 |
Free State |
52 |
49 |
56 |
Gauteng |
22 |
34 |
33 |
KwaZulu-Natal |
382 |
332 |
403 |
Limpopo |
75 |
100 |
160 |
Mpumalanga |
392 |
392 |
394 |
North West |
168 |
170 |
191 |
Northern Cape |
71 |
56 |
71 |
Western Cape |
17 |
27 |
25 |
2. (a) The following is a breakdown of CPAs that failed to report on the validity of term of office for the CPA Executive Committee during the past three financial year.
Annexure C
Province |
Financial year |
||
2019 - 2020 |
2020 - 2021 |
2021 - 2022 |
|
Eastern Cape |
76 |
142 |
111 |
Free State |
0 |
12 |
18 |
Gauteng |
2 |
12 |
16 |
KwaZulu-Natal |
313 |
231 |
308 |
Limpopo |
24 |
29 |
72 |
Mpumalanga |
390 |
389 |
307 |
North West |
134 |
134 |
158 |
Northern Cape |
55 |
47 |
63 |
Western Cape |
2 |
0 |
1 |
(b) The DALRRD has powers through section 11 of the CPA Act to require CPA members to conduct elections for a new committee, if the integrity, impartiality or effectiveness of the committee or any member of the committee is in question. In implementing of this section, the DALRRD issues notices to notify all CPA members of such a requirement made by the DALRRD and if possible, assist the CPA in facilitating an Elective AGM to ensure that these elections take place.
3. In the event that the CPA cannot resolve their own dispute through internal processes as stipulated in the CPA’s Constitutions, the members may refer the dispute to the DALRRD for assistance. The DALRRD must investigate the dispute and determine if the issues fall within the scope of the CPA Act and receive consent from the parties involved for mediation. Mediation takes place, either by an official of the DALRRD or through the Land Rights Management Facility Panel. As a last resort when all interventions proved unsuccessful, the DALRRD can request through the courts to place a CPA under Judicial Administration.
04 May 2023 - NW1229
Mbabama, Ms TM to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
With reference to the reply to question 1719 on 4 October 2018 regarding the extent of land owned by his department and entities reporting to him leased out for private use, which the then Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform indicated as being approximately 2 309 078 hectares, what (a) improvement has there been to date in the total number of hectares leased out for private use, (b) is the total rand value of each piece of land leased and (c) is the (i) location and (ii) size of each piece of land?
Reply:
(a) A total of 2 124 144 hectares of land is currently leased for private use. The methodology used in 2018 and prior years has since been discontinued as part of measures towards improving the quality of information. For instance, in 2018 and preceding years, where a farm consisted of several lease units and only one lease unit has a lease, the entire farm was regarded as leased and, in the calculations, the total extent of the farm was used. The Department has since improved the methodology to calculate only the extent per lease/land unit with a lease hence the number of hectares of land leased out has been rectified from 2 309 078 hectares to 2 124 144 hectares.
(b),(c)(i),(ii) Please refer to Annexure A: List of Properties with leases.
04 May 2023 - NW1095
Cebekhulu, Inkosi RN to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
(a) In what way are the intentions of the Agro-processing Master Plan, that was set out with the intention of encouraging previously marginalised groups to participate in the agricultural sector, being implemented at present, (b) what are the challenges faced in this regard and (c) what plans are in place to overcome the challenges?
Reply:
a) The objectives and commitments of the Agriculture and Agro-processing Master Plan (AAMP) are implemented through two mechanisms, namely, the Commodity Value Chain Round Tables and Transformation Schemes. The two mechanisms ensure that implementation is at a commodity level focusing on both commercial and non-commercial (including tribal and land reform farms) farming areas. The Transformation Schemes are geared towards accelerating the empowerment and participation of previously marginalised groups in each agricultural commodity value chain. Since the signing of the AAMP in May 2022, the establishment of the Transformation Schemes in the mohair, cotton, citrus, and red meat industries are underway. Other industries to follow suit in 2023/24 year.
b) The main challenge is the availability of funding for off-farm infrastructure, particularly in rural and tribal areas where the Transformation Schemes are targeted. The enabling infrastructure such as rural roads, irrigation schemes, electricity supply, fresh produce markets, colleges, and processing or storage facilities are poorly developed. This affects the ability to attract private investments into these areas and impedes unlocking agricultural growth and jobs in rural and tribal areas.
c) Beyond the existing departmental funding that has been reprioritised to align with the AAMP interventions, the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) is working with the private sector to raise additional funding to finance both on-farm and off-farm infrastructure and other AAMP interventions through the mechanisms namely, Value Chain Round Tables and Transformation Schemes. Some of the catalytic infrastructure projects that are crucial for the development of agriculture have been submitted to the Infrastructure Office in the Presidency to solicit both domestic and international private funding.
The AAMP furthermore seeks to drive transformation through commodity corridors, where the value chains deep-dives of the AAMP are translated into a district-based value chain approach. These are aimed at linking market-led investments with strategically identified agricultural land. In other words, whereas the deep-dives identify what needs to be done nationally in each value chain, the district-based approach identifies where the high potential areas are to create the biggest impact with respect to inclusive growth and job creation.
20 April 2023 - NW1202
Masipa, Mr NP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
What steps did her department take with regard to the remedial actions prescribed in the Public Protector South Africa Report 44 of 2018/19 in relation to allegations of maladministration and undue delay by the Free State Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries?
Reply:
No remedial actions have been taken at this stage. The Public Protector’s Report 44 of 2018/2019 relating to allegations of maladministration by the Free State Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) and the former Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) involving the handling of an outbreak of brucellosis on the farm of Mrs Ronel Behrens (“the Report”) was found to contain serious irregularities and material errors of law and fact, which vitiated the investigation and remedial action which form the basis of the report.
The Report is under judicial review to be set aside with case number 82234/19. The required application documents were served on the Office of the Public Protector on 8 November 2019 and on the complainant (Mrs Behrens) on 19 November 2019.
In July 2021, the Office of the Public Protector requested a settlement with the newly formed Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) and DARD in the matter. On 15 June 2022, the Office of the Public Protector agreed that the Report be set aside and the original complaint remitted back to the office of the Public Protector for an investigation de novo. The settlement is enrolled to be made an order of court in May 2023.
The Report is effectively set aside, and DALRRD has been advised to await the outcome of the review process before implementing any remedial actions, if necessary.
20 April 2023 - NW775
Masipa, Mr NP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
Whether she will furnish Mr N P Masipa with the details regarding the status of the draft amendment Bill to the Animals Protection Act, Act 71 of 1962, including who is drafting the amendment, noting that consideration has apparently been given to putting the drafting of the specified amendment out to public tender; (2) (a) how far has the drafting of the Bill progressed and (b) what is the anticipated timeline for completion of the draft, including (i) completion of drafting, (ii) public participation and request for submissions and (iii) submission to Cabinet?
Reply:
1. Yes, the first draft of the Animals Protection Bill has been completed. The draft was considered by the Animal Welfare working group which comprises of provincial representatives on animal welfare. Due to the amount of research required to be undertaken; as well as the sensitivity around animal welfare and the need for benchmarking with the international community and practices, the Department is of the opinion that it does not have sufficient capacity and decided to place the project on tender.
2. (a),(b)(i),(ii),(iii) The first draft of the Bill is in place. It is anticipated that the consultant will start their work in the first quarter of 2023/24 and conclude the assignment in 6 months. The consultant will be required to consult broadly, including the gazetting of the draft document for public comments, and also arranging consultations with focus groups with expertise in animal welfare. The Bill will be submitted for public consultations a month after completion; and processed to Cabinet in the first quarter of 2024/25.
20 April 2023 - NW777
Masipa, Mr NP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
With regard to the statement made by her department in November 2021 that the most probable time in which a colloquium can be held is the first quarter of the next financial year and that the financial year is almost finished, on what date will the Colloquium on Animal Welfare, raised by her department and/or the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, be held?
Reply:
The colloquium on Animal Welfare will be held once a consultant to conduct the necessary background research and develop the Bill has been appointed. This is envisaged to be facilitated within the first quarter of the 2023/24 financial year.
20 April 2023 - NW838
Shaik Emam, Mr AM to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
Given the fact that the agricultural sector lost thousands of jobs as per the last quarter employment statistics report, what are the reasons that there is a reluctance within her department to take advantage of the indigenous plants in the Republic, for example strelitzia reginae and pelargonium, including cannabis and many other indigenous plants grown particularly by the first indigenous persons of the nation, which are used for medicinal purposes internationally to enhance the sector, boost job creation and encourage small, micro and medium enterprises, as well as small-scale farmers?
Reply:
There is no reluctance on the side of the Department Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) to take advantage of indigenous plants in the Republic. This position is demonstrated through DALRRD’s support of research on several indigenous plants which have actual or potential use in agriculture and agro-processing. This includes research on a number of indigenous plants (such as African Ginger, African wormwood); the research focus include, amongst others:
- development of suitable or optimal cultivation practices to prevent harvesting of plant material from the wild;
- phytochemical analyses of active ingredients of the plants to elucidate or confirm potential useful characteristics;
- collection, storage and characterization to maintain its genetic diversity; and
- product development and value-adding.
It should be noted that bioprospecting (which cover commercial application) of indigenous plants is subject to the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (NEMBA), 2004 (Act No. 10 of 2004). This requires complex compliance conditions which hinders commercial exploitation of indigenous plant and investment. Plants used traditionally in agriculture (such as maize, wheat, etc.) are excluded from the provisions of NEMBA.
DALRRD is currently developing the Cannabis Master Plan, which aims to unlock the economic potential of the Cannabis sector.
20 April 2023 - NW896
Masipa, Mr NP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
What is the total number of horses that were (a) vaccinated, (b) not vaccinated on time and (c) not vaccinated at all for the African Horse Sickness in each province due to the lack of vaccines at Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP) in (i) 2021 and (ii) 2022; (2) what are the reasons (a) that OBP has not been able to produce vaccines on time since 1 January 2020 up to 15 March 2023 and (b) for the delays in producing the needed vaccines; (3) what (a) actions have been taken and (b) mitigating factors are in place to correct the problem?
Reply:
1. In the current financial year Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP) sold 49 364 doses of horse sickness vaccine.
a) (i) In 2021, 6236 equines were vaccinated (ii) 2022, 5898 equines were vaccinated In the African Horse Sickness (AHS) surveillance zone and AHS free zone, the number of equines vaccinated is known as permission is required from the Veterinary Authority for vaccination. |
(b)(i)(ii) The Department does not keep records of animals vaccinated for any endemic disease in the country even though it encourages owners to vaccinate their animals. AHS is endemic in the rest of the country, no records of numbers vaccinated is kept. |
(c)(i)(ii) OBP produced enough vaccine during 2020 for the market. Thereafter until 2023 disruptions due to equipment breakdown and load-shedding started which disrupted consistent production supply. |
2. (a)(b) responded by in 1(c)
3. (a) OBP is currently refurbishing critical equipment and has commenced in procuring new equipment.
(b) Negotiations are currently taking place to consider contract manufacturing with the aim of increasing OBP production output.
20 April 2023 - NW897
Masipa, Mr NP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
Whether she will provide Mr N P Masipa with a detailed record of (a) horses that have died as a result of the African Horse Sickness in the period 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2022 and (b) the stock levels of blood vaccines at the Onderstepoort Biological Products; if not, in each case, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details in each case?
Reply:
a) Recording of animals that die because of controlled animal diseases is done at provincial level while the national Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) only records the number of outbreaks. DALRRD is however, in the process of collating and verifying data in this regard, which will be submitted once verified.
b) Below is the total amount of blood vaccines available at Ondersterpoort Biological Products as at 29 March 2023:
Blood Vaccine Type |
In Packaging Department |
In Distribution Department |
TOTAL |
Anaplasmosis |
271 |
0 |
271 |
Redwater African |
4709 |
849 |
5558 |
Redwater Asiatic |
1480 |
627 |
2107 |
Heartwater |
2870 |
163 |
3033 |
More batches of Anaplasmosis currently being tested are expected to be released at the end of April 2023 and the production of more blood vaccines is planned for April and May 2023.
20 April 2023 - NW955
Cebekhulu, Inkosi RN to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
Whether her department has any plans and/or programmes in place to invest in and/or assist rural farmers by providing processing plants for the proper slaughtering and processing of meat in line with international standards; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
Yes, the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, provides support for processing infrastructure through the Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme (CASP). It should be noted that the programme is demand driven, thus the support is reliant on the number of applications received.
20 April 2023 - NW1015
Montwedi, Mr Mk to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
(a) What is the success rate of the AgriBEE programmes that were implemented by the Land and Development Bank of South Africa (Land Bank) on behalf of her department and (b) how will the Land Bank successfully implement the blended finance programme when they have dismally failed to implement the AgriBEE?
Reply:
a) The Land and Agricultural Development Bank (Land Bank) of South Africa is not implementing any AgriBEE programme on behalf of the Department. The Land Bank was appointed as the fund manager of the AgriBEE Fund. In terms of the Memorandum of Agreement between the two parties, Land Bank performs the following functions on behalf of the Department:
- Manage and administer the Fund which includes receiving annual allocations in respect of the Fund and keeping them in a dedicated AgriBEE Fund account.
- Conduct due diligence assessments on suitable applications received from the Department and provide due diligence reports thereof to aid the Department in the appointment of qualifying applications according to the fund criteria.
- Disburse funds to approved applications on written instruction by the Director General of the Department.
Based on the above, evaluation and approval of applications for support through the AgriBEE Fund remains the responsibility of the Department and not that of the Land Bank.
b) Land Bank has never failed to implement AgriBEE programmes as it was never its responsibility to do so. With regard to the Blended Finance Scheme, the Land Bank has the responsibility to implement and the following has been done to ensure successful implementation:
- The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) and Land Bank agreed on the criteria and qualifications for the Blended Finance Scheme as well as the scorecard to ensure alignment by all branches of the bank to the blended finance scheme concept document.
- DALRRD has not imposed additional processes for approval by Land Bank to ensure applications are received, analysed, processed and approved by the Land Bank within reasonable and agreed timelines.
- DALRRD convened a workshop with Land Bank on 4 April 2023 to assess the norms and standards Land Bank uses to approve applications for Blended Finance; as these must be aligned to industry technical standards to avoid deserving applications being rejected by the Bank and the objectives of the scheme not being realised. The workshop was attended by DALRRD technical experts and bankers from all Land Bank’s branches across the country to ensure alignment with Land Bank officials to agreed processes and technical standards.
- A steering committee for Blended Finance has been established to oversee performance by all participating financial institutions (PFIs) and will monitor performance by the PFIs and unlock challenges that hamper implementation by these banks.
- The Land Bank has appointed a senior manager to oversee the partnership with DALRRD and DALRRD has likewise appointed a senior manager to oversee the successful implementation of the Blended Finance Scheme.
20 April 2023 - NW1046
Masipa, Mr NP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
Whether she will (a) release a report on the status of the open cases of Foot-and-Mouth disease outbreak in the provinces that were affected by the specified disease and (b) indicate if the biosecurity measures are in place; if not, why not, in each case; if so, what are the relevant details in each case?
Reply:
a) Yes. Updated reports on Foot and Mouth (FMD) are released on a frequent basis, depending on the stability of the situation, and the latest report is dated 28 March 2023. In the most recent report, there are 183 FMD outbreaks that are open with the World Organization for Animal Health (founded as OIE), while 12 outbreaks have been resolved and closed. Please refer to Annexure A: 2021-2023 Report on Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak.
b) Biosecurity measures are applied in all cases of FMD outbreaks:
- Quarantine notices are placed on all affected premises as soon as the suspicion of FMD is notified.
- Biosecurity measures will differ, depending on the situation on the ground at a particular location, but always includes the prohibition of movement of FMD susceptible animals and unprocessed products from affected locations.
20 April 2023 - NW1065
Graham-Maré, Ms SJ to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
What is the progress with respect to Land Claim Reference number 6/2/2/D/51/79/1158/56; (2) (a) what are the relevant details of the (i) claimant and (ii) property in question and (b) on what date (i) was the claim published in the Government Gazette and (ii) will the claim be finalised; (3) whether there are any outstanding requirements on the part of the claimants that might delay the process; if not, what (a) is the position in this regard and (b) are the reasons for the delay; if so, what are the outstanding requirements?
Reply:
1. The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) does not have record of the above-mentioned claim reference number. It would be appreciated if DALRRD can be provided with further details on the claim such as claimants details, claim name, property description etc.
(2)(a)(ii),(ii)(b)(i),(ii) Falls away
(3)(a),(b) Falls away.
END
20 April 2023 - NW1194
Montwedi, Mr Mk to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
Whether her department has reported to the Land Claims Court (LCC) on progress made with the finalisation of land restitution claims lodged by 31 December 1998, as required by the Land Action Movement of South Africa judgements; if not, why not; if so, what (a) date did her department indicate in its report to the LCC as the date it envisages to finalise the outstanding claims and (b) amount would it cost her department to finalise the outstanding claim; (2) whether she will make the latest report available to the public; if not, why not; if so, by what date?
Reply:
(1)(a) The Commission on Restitution of Land Rights reports to the Land Claims Court (LCC) at six months intervals regarding the settlement of outstanding old order claims. This progress includes the backlog reduction strategy, the budget allocations and referral of cases to the LCC. The report does not include a specific date envisaged for finalisation of the outstanding claims as there are outstanding processes that require approval from dependencies which are outside the control of the Commission/Department.
(b) The total amount of R65bn will be required to settle old order claims.
2. Yes. Please refer to Annexure A.
20 April 2023 - NW1203
Masipa, Mr NP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
(1) Whether her department has a national contingency response plan to outbreaks of the foot-and-mouth disease and/or a generic plan for high-impact transboundary and trade sensitive diseases to regulate emergency practices during the outbreaks of controlled animal diseases; if not, why not; if so, (2) whether the plan is available to persons such as provincial state veterinarians; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) whether the plan is implemented efficiently; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (4) whether she and/or her department have made a decision in making a process framework with regard to the outbreak of controlled animal diseases; if not, why not; if so, what are the details of the (a) persons involved, (b) the role of the persons and (c) advice given to date in the interest of transparency?
Reply:
1. Yes.
2. Yes. The contingency plan has been made available to provincial state veterinarians through the Provincial Directors.
3. The implementation of the plan differs across provinces and offices and is mainly influenced by the resources each office/province has allocated to veterinary services. The implementation of the contingency measures is also affected by the structure in the provinces where in some provinces the direct supervisors of animal health technicians have other priorities than disease control measures.
4. Yes, the process framework is already included in the general contingency plan.
(a) Chief Director: Animal Production and Health; Director: Animal Health; Provincial Directors concerned and State Veterinarian(s).
(b) Once an outbreak of national importance is notified and confirmed, the National Director: Animal Health and the Chief Director: Animal Production and Health, who is also the Chief Veterinary Officer, decide on appropriate control measure(s).
(c) In most cases, the advice given to farmers is:
- Only buy animals from confirmed healthy herds/flocks; avoid visiting and buying from auctions which have multiple unknown origin animals and therefore high risk;
- confine animals to avoid contact with other animals and possible infected material and improve biosecurity measures on the farm;
- avoid people/vehicles/equipment entering the farm as they may have been in contact with other animals or infectious material;
- for African Swine Fever: avoid feeding swill (leftovers or kitchen waste); if this is not possible ensure that the food is cooked thoroughly to inactivate the virus (the virus can remain infectious in meat for months); the added benefit is that you will be destroying other diseases with the cooking such as measles, Foot and Mouth Disease, Pseudorabies etc.
20 April 2023 - NW1204
Masipa, Mr NP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
Based on her department’s update on 24 October 2022 regarding the footandmouth disease vaccination programme in which it was stated that vaccination campaigns run continuously in the affected provinces, what (a) evidence are the decisions based on to conduct the vaccination campaigns, (b)(i) vaccines and (ii) dosages were used in each case and (c) is the percentage of animals that were vaccinated; (2) whether the vaccination was repeated; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, how often; (3) whether the vaccines were matched with strains of different events; if not, why not; if so, what (a) is the evidence in this regard and (b) were the outcomes?
Reply:
(1)(a) Decisions to conduct the vaccination campaigns are based on:
- Where positive locations are well managed; fenced-in properties;
- Where there is no direct contact with animals on neighbouring farms, only the animals on the positive properties are vaccinated; and
- Where positive locations are communal areas, that are not separated by fences from other animals, then cattle in the surrounding area are also vaccinated (either based on natural geographic boundaries or large roads or based on shared grazing/water sources or set distances).
(b)(i) The vaccine used in all cases is Aftovaxpur.
(ii) More than 600 000 animals were vaccinated i.e. one dose per animal.
(c) On well-fenced properties, 100% of cattle are vaccinated. In communal areas, vaccination coverage is difficult to determine, but in most cases 80% coverage is reached.
2. Where animals are intended for slaughter, only one vaccination was done. Where animals are intended to be kept long term, a second vaccination was done. If cattle are in a permanent FMD Protection Zone with vaccination, they are vaccinated 3 times a year on a continuous basis.
3. South African Territories (SAT) FMD viruses, which cause the outbreaks in the region, are generally stable viruses. The vaccine does not necessarily need to be matched every time before animals are vaccinated.
(a)(b) The different virus strains contained in the Aftovaxpur vaccine are ones that have been shown to cause a wide spectrum of protection against most SAT viruses circulating in the region, so the vaccine matching is good.
05 April 2023 - NW706
Breedt, Ms T to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
(1)With reference to the statement issued by Onderstepoort Biological Products that a number of animal vaccines that currently are out of stock, will be in stock by the end of February 2023, (a) what is the current status of the specified vaccines, (b) could a list be made available of the vaccines that are (i) in stock now and (ii) still out of stock and (c) by what date does she envisage the vaccines will be available; (2) whether, with regard to the vaccines that are still out of stock, any vaccines are available from other countries; if not, why not; if so, (a) which vaccines, (b) from which country and (c) will they be imported from such countries; (3) what long term solution does her department have to satisfactorily meet the vaccine demands?
Reply:
(1)(a) The current status of specified vaccines available is as follows:
VACCINES IN STOCK |
AVAILABILITY (Y)/(N) |
COMMENT |
Anaplasmosis |
Yes |
N/A |
Heartwater |
Yes |
N/A |
Redwater Asiatic |
Yes |
N/A |
Redwater African |
Yes |
N/A |
Anthrax |
Yes |
N/A |
Black Quarter |
Yes |
N/A |
Pasteurella |
Yes |
N/A |
Elephant Skin Disease |
Yes |
N/A |
Tetanus |
Yes |
N/A |
Bluetongue |
Yes |
Product available in stock but already invoiced to a client |
African Horse Sickness |
No |
Product going into production on the week ending 17 March 2023 and available on the market the week ending 7 April 2023. |
Lumpy Skin Disease |
No |
Product available end April 2023. |
Pulpy Kidney Alum |
No |
Product available end April 2023 |
Brucella S19 |
No |
Product available end May 2023. |
Brucella Rev 1 |
No |
Product available end May 2023. |
Rift Valley Fever Live |
Yes |
Product available in stock – minimum quantities, in planned production |
Rift Valley Fever Inactivated |
Yes |
Product available in stock more than 500 000doses |
Botulism |
No |
Product available end April 2023. |
(b)(i),(ii) List of vaccines in stock and not in stock. Please refer to the table below. Please refer to the table below.
(i) VACCINES IN STOCK |
(ii) VACCINES NOT IN STOCK |
Anaplasmosis |
Bluetongue |
Heartwater |
African Horse Sickness |
Redwater Asiatic |
Lumpy Skin Disease |
Redwater African |
Pulpy Kidney Alum |
Anthrax |
Brucella S19 |
Black Quarter |
Brucella Rev 1 |
Elephant Skin Disease |
Rift Valley Fever Live |
Tetanus |
Rift Valley Fever Inactivated |
Botulism |
- Expected date on which vaccines currently not in stock would be available: Please refer to the table below.
Vaccine |
Expected Date of Delivery to the Market |
Bluetongue |
Product awaiting Quality Control results due the week ending 10 March 2023. Product to be distributed to the market week ending the 24 March 2023. |
African Horse Sickness |
Product going into production on the week ending 17 March 2023 and available on the market the week ending 7 April 2023. |
Lumpy Skin Disease |
Product expected delivery date end April 2023. |
Pulpy Kidney Alum |
Product expected delivery date end April 2023. |
Brucella S19 |
Product expected delivery date end May 2023. |
Brucella Rev 1 |
Product expected delivery date end May 2023. |
Rift Valley Fever Live |
Product awaiting packaging and will be available to the market the week ending 17 March 2023. |
Rift Valley Fever Inactivated |
Product awaiting packaging and will be available to the market the week ending 17 March 2023. |
Botulism |
Product expected delivery date end April 2023. |
All vaccines above are scheduled for production in March 2023 and April 2023, and to undergo quality testing in April 2023 and May 2023.
2. The other vaccines that may replace unavailable vaccines are imported products of companies from other countries. Bluetongue, African Horse Sickness and probably Rift Valley Fever, as far as we know are only produced at OBP. Vaccines such as Brucella S19 may be replaced with vaccines from companies such as MSD Animal Health which makes available a vaccine known as RB 51 which has the advantage that it can be given to animals older than 8 months. A vaccine such as S19 normally has a restricted age of between 4 and 8 months. S19 provides much longer protection. Botulism may be available from combination vaccines from similar pharmaceutical companies. All other vaccines may have alternative products.
3. The Department is supporting the Entity in its three-pronged long-term strategy to satisfactorily meet market vaccine demands. The four-pronged strategy as approved by the entity includes:
- Implementing a sustainable planned and preventative maintenance programme;
- Seven-year critical equipment recapitalisation plan;
- Finding an alternative manufacturing site for its vaccines;
- Completing the Current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) facility project; and
- To augment the Entity’s strategy, the Department will also be looking at ways of supporting the entity in its renewable energy initiative as well as infrastructure recapitalisation programme.
05 April 2023 - NW1048
Masipa, Mr NP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
What happened to the remedial actions that were prescribed by the Public Protector South Africa Report 112 of 2019/20, relating to the (a) Tshwale land claim and (b) Pheeha land claim?
Reply:
(a),(b) Public Protector recommended that the matter be referred to court. The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development implemented Public Protector’s remedial actions by referring the matter to court under case number LCC15/2020.
END
05 April 2023 - NW776
Masipa, Mr NP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
With reference to her reply to question 2356 on 11 January 2022, what are the reasons that the drafting of the bill (a) has not been completed and (b) is contemplated to be put out to tender after a period of one year has lapsed?
Reply:
a) It has come to the Department’s observation that there is a significant amount of research that needs to be conducted to ensure that the ultimate legislation is modern and is not misleading. With limited capacity within the Department and dependency on the Animal Welfare working group, comprising of veterinarians from the national and provincial departments, this has led to delays in finalising the bill.
b) The Animal Welfare working group has drafted the first version of the Bill, which is now being studied carefully for the purpose of benchmarking the draft against international best practices and the latest research publications on animal welfare. With such investigations being necessary the Department is considering placing the project on tender especially because time has elapsed since the completion of the draft.
27 March 2023 - NW954
Cebekhulu, Inkosi RN to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
Whether her department has taken any urgent steps to minimise the threat posed by locust outbreaks which according to Agri SA affected 23 million hectares of land, of which 90% was agricultural land, during the 2021-22 season, and noting that outbreaks have already been witnessed in the Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, and Western Cape with weather forecasts for some regions indicating that there will be above-average rainfall which heightens the risk of devastating swarms developing; if not, why not; if so, (a) what are the relevant details and (b) on what date will the locust officer’s contracts be finalised?
Reply:
Yes.
a) Details are as follows:
- 400 000 litres of insecticide have been procured for effective and efficient control of the locust outbreak;
- Locust control officers have been appointed in all locust outbreak areas to be on standby to control the locust outbreak if it occurs;
- Personal protective equipment has been procured for the control officers controlling the locust outbreak;
- Locust spray equipment has been procured; and
- The National Bid Adjudication Committee of Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) has approved the appointment of a locust aerial spraying service provider to be on standby to complement the locust control officers on the ground and the contract is in the process of being signed with the service provider.
b) The locust officer’s contracts have been finalised. Locust officers are appointed in all locust outbreak areas.
23 March 2023 - NW742
Breedt, Ms T to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
Whether the R1,3 billion project to build weirs and/or small dams for irrigation purposes in the Northern Cape is behind schedule; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) what is the reason for this, (b) how far is the specified project from completion and (c) what is the new completion date for the project; (2) what (a) has she found will the damage be, should the rivers start to flood before the project can be completed and (b) steps will she take in this regard; (3) whether she has found that approximately R300 million of the project has gone missing; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (4) whether an investigation into the missing funds has been opened; if not, why not; if so, what (a) are the relevant details, (b) steps have been taken to retrieve the specified funds and (c) will happen to the project in the meantime?
Reply:
1. The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development is not implementing any bulk water projects in the Northern Cape valued at R1.3 billion.
(a),(b),(c) Falls away.
(2)(a),(b) Falls away.
(3) Falls away.
(4)(a),(b),(c) Falls away.
23 March 2023 - NW221
Breedt, Ms T to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
Whether she will furnish Ms T Breedt with a list of the State laboratories of the Department of Agriculture in each province that are (a) currently operational and able to conduct clinical tests and (b) not operational; if not, why not; if so; what are the relevant details; (2) whether there is a backlog of tests; if not; what is the position in this regard; if so, what is (a) the current backlog, (b) being done to improve the response period and (c) the average waiting period for test results at each laboratory; (3) whether outsourcing is ever used with regard to the testing at the specified laboratories; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) how much of the work was outsourced since 1 January 2022, (b) what are the financial implications of outsourcing the work and (c) which laboratories were used for outsourcing?
Reply:
(1)(a),(b) Yes. Please refer to Annexure A. The list of approved laboratories and their capabilities (scope of tests) is published on the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development’s (DALRRD) website at: http://www.dalrrd.gov.za/Branches/Agricultural-Production-Health-Food-Safety/Animal-Health/Epidemiology/Approved-Laboratories
It should be noted that Government laboratory services is a provincial veterinary mandate. Provinces decide on the location and feasability of maintaining a laboratory as well as the procurement of equipment, reagents and the scope of diagnostic tests. Maintenance of a laboratory that is able to provide diagnostics of an acceptable standard is very expensive; therefore most provinces opt to have only one laboratory. The decision to not provide a service and become inactive is mostly a financial decision, although staff shortages can also play a significant role.
(2) No. DALRRD is not aware of any current backlog in any of the laboratories. SANAS accredited and DALRRD approved laboratories must have a Quality Management System, which also deals with laboratory turn-around time. An average turnaround time for test results at each laboratory is 5 working days but exceptions do exist when test methods may require a longer period to be completed. Examples of these are Tuberculosis and Johne’s disease diagnostics which require a turnaround time of weeks or even months.
(a),(b),(c) Falls away.
3. Yes, some laboratories outsource as not all have the same diagnostic testing scope. Clients are therefore encouraged to ensure that samples are sent to the correct laboratory to minimise the need for outsourcing which could impact on turnaround times and costs. Samples may only be outsourced to laboratories that are accredited and approved for the required diagnostics.
a) The number of samples that were outsourced is not available at national level as it is an agreement between laboratories.
b) Outsourcing will inevitably result in increased costs and longer turnaround times.
c) Currently, all samples sent to the Western Cape Provincial laboratory will be sent to other laboratories as the laboratory is currently being upgraded. Samples are outsourced if specialised diagnostics are required such as sequencing of samples to determine the virus makeup as only a few facilities offer such a specialized and costly service. Examples are Avian Influenza and African Swine Fever. As indicated in (a) above, information on which laboratories were used for outsourcing is not available at national level as it is an agreement between laboratories.
Annexure A to NA-QUES 221 of 2023
STATUS OF GOVERNMENT AND PARASTATAL LABORATORIES
No |
Province |
Laboratory |
Laboratory type |
(1)(a),(b) Currently operational and able to conduct clinical tests and not operational |
SANAS accreditation |
1 |
Western Cape |
Department of Agriculture George State Veterinary Office |
Government |
Expired/Not active - |
|
2 |
Western Cape |
Department of Agriculture Swellendam State Veterinary Office |
Government |
Expired/Not active - |
|
7 |
Eastern Cape |
Grahamstown Veterinary Laboratory |
Government |
SANAS Accredited, DAH Approval pending - Audit Date: 2019-09-18 |
|
8 |
Eastern Cape |
Middelburg Provincial Veterinary Laboratory |
Government |
Expired/Not active - |
|
9 |
Eastern Cape |
Queenstown Veterinary Laboratory |
Government |
SANAS Accredited, DAH Approval pending - |
V0052 |
10 |
Free State |
Bloemfontein Provincial Veterinary Laboratory |
Government |
Expired/Not active - |
|
12 |
Free State |
Kroonstad Veterinary Laboratory |
Government |
SANAS Accredited, DAH Approval pending - |
V0044 |
24 |
Gauteng |
NICD Centre of Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases (CEZD) |
Government |
Expired/Not active - |
M0029B |
25 |
Gauteng |
NICD Centre for Respiratory Disease and meningitis (CRDM) |
Government |
Expired/Not active - |
Medical PCR |
26 |
Gauteng |
NICD Special Bacterial Pathogens Reference Laboratory (SBPRL) |
Parastatal |
Expired/Not active - |
Medical Micro |
27 |
Gauteng |
OVI Meat and Bone Meal (MBM) Laboratory |
Parastatal |
Suspended - |
|
29 |
Gauteng |
ARC-OVI Transboundary Animal Diseases Programme (TADP) |
Parastatal |
SANAS Accredited, DAH Approval pending - Audit Date: 2018-09-07 |
V0034 |
33 |
Gauteng |
ARC-OVI Tuberculosis Laboratory |
Parastatal |
SANAS Accredited, DAH Approval pending DAH-55 Audit Date: 2023-02-22 |
|
34 |
Gauteng |
ARC-OVI Biotechnology PCR Laboratory |
Parastatal |
SANAS Accredited, DAH Approval pending DAH-10 Audit Date: 2023-02-21 |
V0001 |
35 |
Gauteng |
ARC-OVI Rabies Laboratory |
Parastatal |
SANAS Accredited, DAH Approval pending DAH-02 Audit Date: 2019-04-03 |
V0003 |
36 |
Gauteng |
ARC-OVR Virology Laboratory |
Parastatal |
SANAS Accredited, DAH Approval pending DAH-46 Audit Date: 2022-09-12 |
V0001 |
39 |
Gauteng |
ARC-OVI Bacteriology and Zoonotic Diseases Laboratory |
Parastatal |
SANAS Accredited, DAH Approval pending DAH-01 Audit Date: 2023-02-15 |
V0003 |
40 |
Gauteng |
ARC-OVI Epidemiology Parasites and Vectors Diseases Diagnostic Laboratory |
Parastatal |
SANAS Accredited, DAH Approval pending DAH-30 Audit Date: 2023-02-14 |
V0017 |
45 |
Gauteng |
ARC-OVI BSE Laboratory |
Parastatal |
Expired/Not active DAH-56 Audit Date: 2019-06-27 |
V0003 |
46 |
Gauteng |
ARC-OVI Serology Laboratory |
Parastatal |
SANAS Accredited, DAH Approval pending DAH-57 Audit Date: 2023-02-16 |
V0003 |
52 |
KwaZulu-Natal |
DALRRD Vryheid Veterinary Laboratory |
Government |
Suspended - |
no |
54 |
KwaZulu-Natal |
KZN DARD Allerton Provincial Veterinary Laboratory |
Government |
SANAS Accredited, DAH Approval pending DAH-21 Audit Date: 2022-09-22 |
V0037 |
57 |
Limpopo |
DALRRD Lephalale Veterinary Laboratory |
Government |
Expired/Not active - |
no |
58 |
Limpopo |
DALRRD Makhado Veterinary Laboratory |
Government |
Expired/Not active - |
|
59 |
Limpopo |
DALRRD Mokopane Provincial Veterinary Laboratory |
Government |
Expired/Not active - |
no |
60 |
Limpopo |
DALRRD Thulamela/Sibasa Veterinary Laboratory |
Government |
Expired/Not active - |
no |
61 |
Mpumalanga |
DALRRD Ehlanzeni Veterinary Laboratory |
Government |
Suspended - |
no |
63 |
Mpumalanga |
DALRRD Lydenburg Veterinary Laboratory |
Government |
Suspended - |
no |
64 |
Mpumalanga |
Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land & Environmental Affairs Mpumalanga Provincial Veterinary Laboratory |
Government |
SANAS Accredited, DAH Approval pending - Audit Date: 2023-01-30 |
V0041 |
66 |
Mpumalanga |
DALRRD Skukuza Veterinary Laboratory |
Government |
Expired/Not active - |
no |
67 |
North West |
Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Vryburg Veterinary Laboratory |
Government |
SANAS Accredited, DAH Approval pending DAH-22 Audit Date: 2022-06-21 |
V0038 |
68 |
North West |
Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Potchefstroom Provincial Veterinary Laboratory |
Government |
SANAS Accredited, DAH Approval pending DAH-14 Audit Date: 2022-11-02 |
V0018 |
70 |
Northern Cape |
Department of Agriculture, Environmental Affairs, Land Reform & Rural Development (DAELR) Northern Cape Provincial Veterinary Laboratory |
Government |
SANAS Accredited, DAH Approved DAH-49 Audit Date: 2022-06-21 |
V0036 |
73 |
Western Cape |
Western Cape Department of Agriculture Western Cape Provincial Veterinary Laboratory |
Government |
Voluntary suspension DAH-29 Audit Date: 2018-10-12 |
V0029 |
76 |
Western Cape |
DALRRD Beaufort West Veterinary Laboratory |
Government |
Suspended - |
no |
20 March 2023 - NW480
Ngcobo, Mr S to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
What (a) is the salary of each (i) chief executive officer and (ii) top executive position in each state-owned entity reporting to her and (b) total amount does each get paid to attend a meeting?
Reply:
a) (i), (ii) and (b)
National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC)
Entity |
a) (i) CEO Salary |
(ii) Top Executive Salary |
b) Total paid to attend a meeting |
NAMC |
R2 194 379.25 |
Chief Financial Officer: R1 687 429.74. |
NAMC Council Members: daily rate for attendance of meetings:
The total amount paid to Council members from April 2022 to February 2023 is R1 237 920.49. |
Senior Manager Statutory Measurers: R1 413 190.84. |
|||
Senior Manager Markets & Economics Research Centre: R1 413 190.84. |
|||
Senior Manager Human Resources: R1 413 190.84. |
|||
Senior Manager Agricultural Trusts: R1 413 190.84. |
|||
Senior Manager Agribusiness Development: R1 413 190.84. |
|||
Company Secretary and Legal services: R 922 500. |
|||
Manager Risk Management and Compliance: R740 950. |
Agricultural Research Council (ARC)
(a) (i), (ii) and (b)
Entity |
a)(i) CEO Salary |
(ii) Top Executive Salary |
b) Total paid to attend a meeting |
ARC |
R3 229 856 |
Chief Financial Officer: R2 500 000. |
R0 |
Group Executive – Animal Sciences: R2 075 196. |
|||
Group Executive – Crop Sciences: R2 075 196. |
|||
Group Executive –Information Systems: R2 035 312. |
|||
|
VACANCIES |
||
Group Executive Human Capital Management. |
N/A |
||
Group Executive Impact & Partnership. |
N/A |
Perishable Products Export Control Board (PPECB)
(a) (i), (ii) and (b)
Entity |
a) (i) CEO Salary |
(ii) Top Executive Salary |
b) Total paid to attend a meeting |
PPECB |
R 3 228 319. |
Chief Financial Officer: R2 694 998. |
R0 |
Chief Operating Officer: R2 258 582. |
|||
Chief Information Officer: R1 960 241. |
|||
Human Resource Executive: R1 664 335. |
Ingonyama Trust Board (ITB)
- (i),(ii) and (b)
Entity |
a)(i) CEO Salary |
(ii) Top Executive Salary |
b) Total paid to attend a meeting |
ITB |
R1 850 000. |
Chief Financial Officer: R1 460 000 (seconded). |
Board Members: Chairperson: R 654 per hour. Vice Chair Member: R556 per hour. Other members: R486 per hour. |
Head: Tenure: R 1 350 000. |
|||
Head: Corporate Support Services: R990 000. |
Note: Part (b) Total amount paid to attend meetings. Executive members of management i.e. CEO and other top management do not get paid specifically to attend meetings but receive a salary as detailed above.
If the meeting is out of office, subsistence and travel (S&T) will be paid in line with the entity’s S&T policy. Board members, however, get paid per hour of work done within the entity i.e. for each meeting they would receive payment for preparation time and actual meeting attended, including S&T, the board member’s rates per hour have been included above. Annual board members’ remuneration for past the two years has been included below based on audited financial results. Board members’ rates have not changed in the past three years.
Name of Board Member |
Role |
2021 |
2022 |
Mr SJ Ngwenya |
Chairperson |
R1 817 000 |
R1 634 000 |
DR NZ Qunta |
Vice Chairperson |
R207 000 |
R362 000 |
Inkosi PR Bele |
Member |
R493 000 |
R245 000 |
Inkosi ZT Gumede |
Member |
R369 000 |
R236 000 |
Inkosi SE Shabalala |
Member |
R293 000 |
R279 000 |
Inkosi WT Mavundla |
Member |
R687 000 |
R268 000 |
Adv W.E.R Raubenheimer |
Member |
R185 000 |
R0 |
Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP)
a) (i),(ii) and (b)
Entity |
a (i) CEO Salary |
(ii) Top Executive Salary |
b) Total paid to attend a meeting |
OBP |
R2 118 000.00 (Interim) Total cost to company per annum. |
Company Secretary & Head of Legal: R1 287 401.95. |
R0 |
Chief Operating Officer: R1 446 525.62. |
|||
Chief Financial Officer: R1 968 136.29. |
|||
Sales and Business Development Executive: R1 482 544.01. |
|||
Chief Scientific Officer: R1 446 525.62. |
|||
Corporate Services Executive (Vacant). |
Valuer General (VG)
b (i),(ii) and (b)
Entity |
(i) CEO Salary |
(ii) Top Executive Salary |
b) Total paid to attend a meeting |
VG |
R2 068 458 |
Chief Financial Officer: R1 590 747. |
R0 |
16 March 2023 - NW409
Breedt, Ms T to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
With reference to the fact that agricultural colleges across the Republic keep cattle for teaching purposes, (a) which cattle are disposed off by auction and/or donation, (b) how is it decided that cattle will be donated to an individual or institution rather than being auctioned, (c) how is a person selected for such a donation and (d) what are the requirements to qualify for such a donation; (2) whether any cattle were donated in the (a) 2021-22 financial year and (b) first quarter of the current financial year to date; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (i) what number of cattle were donated by each agricultural college, (ii) to whom were they donated and (iii) what were the reasons for the donation in each case; (3) whether she will make a statement on the matter?
Reply:
(1)(a),(b),(c),(d) Please refer to Annexure A.
(2)(a) Only three Colleges made donations during the 2021/22 financial and to date as follows:
- Fort Cox donated one (1) heifer to the Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and no cattle were donated in the current financial year;
- Tsolo donated three (3) cattle in the 2021-22 financial year. The donation was for catering in the graduation of the college’s students to minimise the catering costs that would have been incurred by appointing a service provider; and
- Cedara - One cow was donated to students for Heritage Day function
The rest of the Colleges did not donate any cattle during the 2021/22.
(b)(i) No donations during first quarter of the current financial year.
(b)(ii),(iii) Falls away.
3. No.
ANNEXURE A OF NA-QUES 409 OF 2023
Province |
Name of College |
Question (1)(a),(b),(c),(d) |
|||
(a) cattle disposed off by auction and/or donation |
(b) how it decided that cattle will be donated to an individual or institution rather than being auctioned |
(c) how a person is selected for such a donation |
(d) requirements to qualify for such a donation |
||
Eastern Cape |
Fort Cox |
Unproductive stocks (stock that out of production) and surplus are disposed of through a public auction |
Requests for donations are received by management and forwarded to the council for approval |
There has not been a person who requested a donation from the Institute |
The Institute has not recieved any request for donation from any person. Request for donation of livestock from Institutions are received by management, assessed and recommendations are forwarded to the Council for approval |
Tsolo |
When the cattle do not meet the norms and set standards e.g. challenges with breeding, production genetics or there is an overpopulation leading to over grazing because of new additional cattle, the animals are culled |
The primary disposal method is an auction but when there is a request for a donation and there is culled stock due for disposal, that donation is considered |
There is no selection done, its as per the request |
The donation should be proved to have a contribution to service delivery or minimising of any additional costs that might be incurred without the donation |
|
KwaZulu Natal |
Cedara & Owen Sitole |
The KZN Agricultural Colleges only keep cattle for the purposes of teaching, however by the nature of cattle and due to the teaching practices being undertaken in the colleges, normal commercial cattle farming activities still form a vital part of the management of the herd. Moreover, cattle reproduction systems form an integral part of the students’ syllabus as much so does cattle nutrition, field management, markets as well as animal selection, genetics and ultimately reduction strategies in line with the markets and disposals. The Department of Agriculture & Rural Development has the management of livestock under qualified Animal Health Technicians, Livestock Scientists or Agricultural Lecturers, who are all professionals in their fields. |
The Head of Department receives ad hoc requests for the donation of cattle from members of the public or social or religious organisations or other departments who requests the assistance of the Department in the form of a donation of cattle. As the Department does not donate cattle from the breeding stock but draws from those cattle already identified for disposal, the availability of surplus or disposal cattle will need to be ascertained prior to donation decisions being considered. Once availablity of cattle is ascertained, the Head of Department then assesses whether, by donating the cattle, the department would be demonstrating gratitude, displaying sympathy or enhancing professional and ethical business relationship with the organisation, department or individual through the donation. This assessment would guide his decision whether to donate the cattle or not |
The person is not selected for such a donation, but rather ad hoc applications are made and motivated to the Head of Department from time to time for the donation of cattle. These type of applications are usually associated with some major religious, social, political or departmental event. |
There would have to be some religious, social, political or departmental event that the cattle would be needed for in order for an application for donation to be considered. The Head of Department would not consider members of the public merely writing to request the donation of cattle as they would like to start farming. In this instants this would not constitute a reason for a donation but the individual may be referred to the district management in terms of applying for agricultural support through the departments service delivery mandated programmes. |
North West |
Potchefstroom & Taung |
Culled animals are disposed by auctioning to the emerging farmers. |
The process is performed by the committee appointed by the HOD |
The colleges do not donate any cattle |
Competitive bidding is utilised for disposing culled animals |
Culled animals are disposed by auctioning to the emerging farmers. |
The process is performed by the committee appointed by the HOD |
The colleges do not donate any cattle |
Competitive bidding is utilised for disposing culled animals |
16 March 2023 - NW442
Kruger, Mr HC to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
Whether any fresh produce markets are still competencies of any municipalities; if not, why not; if so, what is the name of each municipality that still operates a fresh produce market?
Reply:
Yes. The majority of fresh produce markets are still competencies of municipalities. There are three categories of such markets and are outlined as follows:
Markets are operational and municipality owned:
No. |
Fresh Produce Market |
Municipality |
1 |
Tshwane |
City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality |
2 |
Sol Plaatjie |
Sol Plaatjie Local Municipality |
3 |
Gqeberha |
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality |
4 |
East London |
Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality |
5 |
Durban |
EThekwini Metropolitan Municipality |
6 |
Mangaung |
Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality |
7 |
Pietermaritzburg |
Msunduzi Local Municipality |
8 |
Matjhabeng |
Matjhabeng Local Municipality |
9 |
Matlosana |
Matlosana Local Municipality |
10 |
Springs |
City of Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality |
11 |
Vereeniging |
Emfuleni Local Municipality |
12 |
eMalahleni |
eMalahleni Local Municipality |
Markets that are corporatised municipal entities:
No. |
Fresh Produce Market |
Municipality |
1 |
Johannesburg |
City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality |
2 |
Kei |
King Sabata Dalindyebo Local Municipality |
One market that is municipally owned but privately operated
No. |
Fresh Produce Market |
Municipality |
1 |
Cape Town |
City of Cape Town Metropolitan Municipality |
16 March 2023 - NW410
Breedt, Ms T to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
What (a) number of cattle had to be culled in each agricultural college in the last quarter of 2022 and (b) were the reasons for culling the cattle in each college?
Reply:
(a),(b) Please refer to the table below
Province |
Name of College |
Question (a),(b) |
|
(a) number of cattle culled during last quarter of 2022 |
(b) reasons for culling in each college |
||
Eastern Cape |
Grootfontein |
26 |
Surplus |
Fort Cox |
1 |
Severe injuries from car accident. |
|
Tsolo |
0 |
Falls away. |
|
Free State |
Glen |
0 |
Falls away. |
KwaZulu Natal |
Cedara |
0 |
Falls away. |
Owen Sithole |
55 |
|
|
Limpopo |
Madzivhandila |
0 |
Falls away. |
Tompi Seleka |
0 |
Falls away. |
|
North West |
Potchefstroom |
22 |
|
Taung |
|||
Western Cape |
Elsenburg |
0 |
Falls away. |
16 March 2023 - NW408
Breedt, Ms T to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
(a) What number of cattle (i) are kept for teaching purposes by each agricultural college, (ii) have been misappropriated in the (aa) 2021-22 financial year and (bb) first quarter of the current financial year to date and (b) from which colleges were the cattle misappropriated; (2) what (a) is the case number of each case of theft and (b) progress has been made with investigation in each case; (3) whether she will make a statement on the matter?
Reply:
(1)(a),(i) Please refer to table 1 below for colleges that keep minimal number of cattle for teaching purposes.
It should be noted that the Glen, Elsenburg and Madzivhandila Colleges do not keep any cattle for training purpose, the students have access to departmental cattle for teaching purposes which are mostly housed within the reserach unit of the department.
Table 1
Question (1)(a),(i) |
|
Name of College |
Number of Cattle |
Grootfontein |
150 cattle |
Fort Cox |
95 beef cattle and 30 dairy cows |
Tsolo |
100 beef cattle (Nguni) and 10 dairy cows |
Cedara |
50 breeding cows, 2 bulls and 10 replacement heifers |
Owen Sitole |
15 cattle (55 auctioned on 8th March 2023) |
Tompi Seleka |
38 Dairy cattle and 37 Beef cattle |
Taung |
15 cattle |
Potchefstroom |
90 cattle of which 34 are for dairy |
(ii),(aa),(bb) None.
(b) Falls away.
(2)(a)(b) Falls away.
(3) No.
08 March 2023 - NW175
Montwedi, Mr Mk to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
Whether, with reference to her reply to question 1393 on 8 June 2022, her department is planning to introduce funding for organic farming which would dedicated towards subsidies, research and development in the near future; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
No. Funding is allocated as indicated in the reply to question 1393. The Agricultural Products Standards Bill, currently in the parliamentary process, seeks to regulate organic farming in that anyone who makes ‘organic farming claims’, should have in place an auditable management control system. The same applies to “free-range” and similar claims. Once the Bill is passed into law, regulations will be developed to govern/guide requirements for organic farming.
08 March 2023 - NW343
Matiase, Mr NS to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
What is the (a) current status regarding the Koegas Communal Property Association (CPA) in the Northern Cape, where a mediator was appointed to regulate the affairs of the CPA and (b) progress on all steps that her department undertook to take in order to provide a permanent solution to the challenges facing the specified CPA; (2) whether all disputes have been resolved based on the verification and settlement of the claim; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
(1)(a) Since the settlement of the claim, there have been serious internal conflicts that resulted in the instability within the CPA. This has led to non-compliance with the Communal Property Associations Act,1996 (Act No. 28 of 1996) and non-adherence to the Constitution of the Koegas CPA. A mediator was appointed through the Land Rights Management Facility to regularise the CPA, but the mediation efforts failed as members did not support the process. Reconciling parties to the dispute remains a challenge.
b) Due to unending conflicts, infighting, and non-compliance with both the CPA Act and the Constitution of the CPA, the Director General of the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development has decided to place the CPA under judicial administration in terms of section 13 of the CPA Act. The matter is being processed by the Kimberley Office of State Attorney in the Northern Cape, and the legal process will unfold in due course.
(2) No. Not all disputes have been resolved. The details are as follows:
- Verification will be finalized by the Judicial Administrator as the main dispute in the CPA relates to the membership list.
- The claim has been settled but not finalized.
- The outstanding matter relating to the release of development grants (section 42C grants) which will only be released once the determination of who are the beneficiaries has been resolved as required by the court order on this matter.
08 March 2023 - NW338
Montwedi, Mr Mk to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
What measures has her department put in place to deal with the shortage of vaccines at the Onderstepoort Biological Products which is experiencing a backlog in manufacturing live vaccines as the Bluetongue disease outbreak has become a ticking time bomb?
Reply:
The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) has been actively involved in ensuring that the Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP) supplies the need of the farmer. Relating to the backlog, the DALRRD has been assisting the OBP to liaise with the private sector partnership to alleviate the backlog and finding sustainable solution.
The capacity of the Agricultural Research Council to produce sufficient quantities of Foot and Mouth Disease and other vaccines is being improved.
08 March 2023 - NW14
Masipa, Mr NP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
What are the details of the (a) breakdown of the total amount paid by her department to purchase Limburg Farming Enterprise for the Communal Property Associations (CPA), (b) breakdown of the amount paid by the department to support the CPA towards input and infrastructure costs since the start of the CPA to date and (c)(i) size of the farm, (ii) types of farming taking place on the farm, (iii) productivity levels and (iv) challenges faced by the CPA?
Reply:
a) The Land was bought in 1978 by Government prior to the democratic dispensation. The Department, under the current democratic dispensation did not pay any money for the acquisition of the land; a deed of donation was used to donate the land.
b) A detailed breakdown of the amount paid by the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) to support the CPA towards input and infrastructure costs since the start of the CPA to date are:
- 2001: R11 584 000.00;
- May 2011: R5 895 846.00;
- October 2011: R354 706.62; and
- November 2011: R2 301 748.59.
(c) (i) Size of the farm is 25 700 hectares.
(ii) Citrus and Livestock production.
(iii) Currently, there is no production on the farm.
(iv) Challenges faced by the CPA are conflicts amongst members.