Questions and Replies
15 September 2023 - NW2656
Ismail, Ms H to ask the Minister of Tourism
(1) In light of the fact that a full e-visa system is a prerequisite for the revival and growth of the Republic’s tourism, what are the details of the roadmap outlining the targeted milestones and timelines for the comprehensive implementation of e-visas in the Republic; (2) whether there are any interim measures in place to alleviate the burden on travellers whilst technological improvements are being implemented; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1. The Department of Home Affairs is best placed to respond on the details of the roadmap outlining the targeted milestones and timelines for the comprehensive implementation of e-visas as this is not the mandate of the Department of Tourism.
15 September 2023 - NW2720
Le Goff, Mr T to ask the Minister of Employment and Labour
(1) With regard to the (a) Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) and (b) COVID-19 Temporary Employer/Employee Relief Scheme (TERS) Programme, what total number of (i) claims for payments to be made to employees remain unprocessed and (ii) employees are still awaiting payment since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic; (2) on what date does he envisage that all outstanding (a) UIF and (b) COVID-19 TERS claims and payments will be fully processed to finalisation and be fully paid out? NW3111E
Reply:
1 Total Number of unprocessed Payments
(a) (i)Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) = 89366
(b) (i)COVID-19 Ters = 215557 (Includes corrections and unqualified)
(ii) Employees still awaiting payment since start of Covid-19 Pandemic-
From first month of Pandemic – Mar/Apr 2020 – 3259 employees were never paid due to incorrect applications.
(2) (a) It should be noted that UIF processed all the applications for all the lockdown periods and the outstanding applications are those that were rejected as the applications failed validations and awaiting corrections from employers. UIF payments have turn around to be finalised within 3 days and this turn-around is always achieved for over 95% of the payments. However, payments with outstanding information leverage delays and a guaranteed date to finalise such payments are difficult to commit.
(b) COVID-19 TERS – Applications that were corrected by employers are currently being processed and paid. This continuous processing is done by UIF to ensure that all the employers and employees receive their due benefits upon corrections from employers. The time-frame of when all these applications will be paid is heavily dependent on employers providing accurate and corrected employees information.
15 September 2023 - NW2658
Weber, Ms AMM to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
(1) Whether any rare game species were donated to provincial parks and/or nature reserves in the past five financial years; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what is the (a) name of the park and/or nature reserve, (b) name of the species and (c) quantity of the donated species; (2) what (a) donated species and (b) quantity thereof exported to each specified (i) province and (ii) country in each case?
Reply:
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15 September 2023 - NW2657
Weber, Ms AMM to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
(1) Whether any rare game species were auctioned by provincial parks and/or nature reserves in the past five financial years; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what is the (a) name of the park and/or nature reserve, (b) name of the rare species and (c) quantity of the specified species that was auctioned; (2) what (a) auctioned species and (b) quantity thereof was exported to each specified (i) province and (ii) country in each case?
Reply:
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15 September 2023 - NW2684
Bryant, Mr D W to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
Whether she and/or her department has investigated the veracity of certain claims made by a certain person (name and details furnished) in a sworn statement signed at Melkbosstrand Police Station, date 12 October 2022, in which he presented himself as an independent specialist and further presented himself to her department as the holder of a BSc Environmental Management (Chemistry) Degree; if not, why not; if so, what (a) were the results of the investigation undertaken by her department and (b) further action is being contemplated in this regard?
Reply:
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15 September 2023 - NW2713
Powell, Ms EL to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
Whether a recommendation to move the 2023 BRICS summit to China was made by the Inter-Ministerial Committee set up by the President to deal with how the Government was going to manage issues pertaining to the summit; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, on what date was the recommendation communicated to Cabinet; (2) What are the full costs incurred by her department in relation to the BRICS Foreign Ministers Summit held at the 12 Apostles Hotel from 1 to 2 June 2023? NW3104E
Reply:
1. No recommendation was made to move the Summit to China. Instead, there was a focus on options that would maintain South Africa as the host of the Summit (being the Chair of BRICS in 2023) inside the borders of the country, whether in hybrid, or in-person format, to fully capitalise on the historic opportunity provided by the BRICS bloc expansion and the geo-political environment.
2. The total costs incurred for the hosting of the BRICS Foreign Ministers was ZAR 9, 848 909.51.
15 September 2023 - NW2643
Ceza, Mr K to ask the Minister of Police
What proactive measures have been taken to ensure that the gender-based violence case number 14/08/23 at Belfast Police Station, which affected a certain person (name furnished) of Siyathuthuka Township in Belfast in Nkangala District Municipality, Mpumalanga, will not be suppressed by the investigating officers?
Reply:
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15 September 2023 - NW2707
Smalle, Mr JF to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
(1)Whether her department undertook any assessment of the cost incurred by local municipalities for (a) electrical and (b) water infrastructure damage as a direct impact of load shedding; if not; what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; 2) what (a) has she found to be the reasons for the failure of municipalities to protect their assets as required by applicable legislation and (b) assistance has her department given to local municipalities in this regard?
Reply:
1. No, the Department of Cooperative Governance (DCOG) did not undertake any assessment of the cost incurred by local municipalities for electrical and water infrastructure damage as a direct impact of loadshedding. However, the South African Association of Local Government (SALGA) undertook an assessment of all municipalities in March 2023 to quantify municipal expenditure and revenue losses as a result of loadshedding. SALGA presented the preparatory work and survey instrument for this assessment to the Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) MINMEC meeting of 3 March 2023. According to SALGA, all 257 municipalities in the country were contacted to participate in this assessment. However, only 89 municipalities across the country responded with 75 of them being Water Service Authorities (WSAs) and 79 being licensed municipal distributors. The assessment, or study by SALGA, made several findings including the following:
- The frequency and intensity of cable theft and vandalism of infrastructure during loadshedding is so high that 12% of the surveyed municipalities recorded over 100 incidents per day per loadshedding period.
- The overall cost for fixing damaged and stolen municipal infrastructure and equipment during loadshedding amounts to R1.6 billion (R1 602 300 000) over the 89 municipalities for 2022/23 financial year.
- The cost to fix damaged Waste-Water Treatment Works (WWTW), Water Treatment Works (WTW), and to procure back-up generators and diesel across the 89 municipalities was R1 406 445 056.
- The total loss of revenue due to unserved energy from municipalities was in excess of R21 billion per annum for all municipal licensed distributors.
- Municipalities were incurring R1 107 583 200 per annum on staff overtime and contractors due to repairing electrical infrastructure in addition to the normal cost budgeted for the overtime and service providers.
2. (a) There are several reasons for the failure of municipalities to protect their assets as required by the applicable legislation in this regard which include the following:
- Governance, institutional and financial challenges as they all contribute to service delivery challenges.
- During loadshedding theft and vandalism of infrastructure increases as the loadshedding times are known to everyone including the would-be vandals and thieves.
- Lack of sufficient technical capacity to develop and implement operations and maintenance plans that include protection of these assets.
- Insufficient budget to implement the required measures as well as to ensure additional security during loadshedding periods.
- As a result of loadshedding middle- and high-income households, commercial and industrial customers are leaving the municipal grid and installing embedded generators, own generation resulting in municipalities losing revenues.
(b) DCOG has assisted municipalities in this regard in several ways including the following:
- DCOG led the development of Municipal Support Intervention Plans aimed address governance, institutional, financial and service delivery challenges following the development of the State of Local Government (SoLG) Report in 2021 that identified dysfunctional municipalities.
- DCOG, through the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent (MISA) has deployed built environment professionals to provide technical support to municipalities for infrastructure development throughout the project life cycle including protecting these assets during load shedding. To-date MISA has deployed 103 built environment professionals countrywide (86 of which are professionally registered with Statutory bodies as engineers and town planners).
- MISA technical support personnel are further supporting municipalities to implement the Energy Efficiency Demand Side Management (EEDSM) measures through funding administered by the Department of Minerals and Energy (DMRE).
- DCOG introduced reforms to the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) that include up to 5% of the allocation being allowed to fund activities related to the development of an Infrastructure Asset Management Plan.
- Through the MIG grant municipalities can implement solar high mast lights which improve security during load shedding with the support of MISA technical support personnel.
End.
15 September 2023 - NW2659
Weber, Ms AMM to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
(1) Whether any rare game species were transferred to provincial parks and/or nature reserves in the past five financial years; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what is the (a) name of the park and/or reserve, (b) name of the rare species and (c) quantity of the specified species; (2) what (a) transferred species and (b) quantity thereof were transferred to each specified (i) province and (ii) country?
Reply:
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15 September 2023 - NW2685
Bryant, Mr D W to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
With reference to the announcement by an official of her department at a meeting of the Portfolio Committee on Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment on 13 June 2023, that South African recognizes all territorial claims to Antarctica, apart from those that were made after a hold on claims was instituted (a) (i) which claims are officially recognized and (ii) what are the reasons thereof and (b) what were the reasons that the South African delegation to the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting in Helsinki rejected a draft resolution on Article 7 put forward by the United States of America, agenda items ATCM 6d and ATCM 6e?
Reply:
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15 September 2023 - NW2592
Singh, Mr N to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
Whether she will furnish Mr N Singh with the number of (a) repeat-offenders, (b) suspects and/or (c) arrest persons who have been re-arrested on any know rhino poaching and/or related charges since 2006, including charges of conspiracy to poach rhinos, being in possession of poaching-related weapons and/or other charges; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
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15 September 2023 - NW2669
Van Dyk, Ms V to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
(1) Whether, with reference to her replies to question 2798 on 23 December 2021 and 2114 on 9 June 2022, CA 19/09/2020 that was opened in Alexander Bay regarding the illegal cofferdam mining by Alexkor has been finalised; if not, on what date can the outcome of the case be expected; if so, what are the relevant details of the outcome; (2) whether she intends to collaborate with the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy to stop illegal cofferdam mining activities in the Republic, particularly in the Northern Cape; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
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15 September 2023 - NW2589
Breedt, Ms T to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
(1) (a) On what date was the last abalone population density estimates and projections done and (b) what are the details of the specified process; (2) what was the (a) result of the counting and projection and (b) effect of the finds on the issuance of permits and quotas in the various industry sectors and the recreational sector?
Reply:
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15 September 2023 - NW2708
Winkler, Ms HS to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
(1) What (a) are the details of the plan of the SA Weather Service Infrastructure Sustainability (SAWS) plan, which aims to outline the expansion, automatic and modernization endeavours, emphasizing alternative power solutions for its observation networks and (b) is the timeline for the adoption of the plan; (2) what is the SAWS interim plan to ensure the continued effective operation of its observation networks in instances of load shedding and other energy supply issues?
Reply:
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15 September 2023 - NW2715
Powell, Ms EL to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
(1)Whether the Ambassador to the United States has been on sick and/or incapacity leave (a) in the past two financial years and (b) since 1 April 2023; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, for what total number of days per absence; (2) Whether the SA Embassy in Washington remained open to the public at all times during the duration of the Ambassador’s absence; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, on what dates has the Embassy been closed to the public? NW3106E
Reply:
1. During the 2021/2022 cycle, Ambassador Mfeketo was on annual leave for 24 days, (18 October – 12 November 2021 = 20 days, and 28 December – 31 December 2021 = 4 days compulsory leave).
The Ambassador was also on sick leave for 39 days: 06 - 10 March 2023 = 5 days; 11 - 16 April 2023 = 4 days and 17 April – 31 May 2023 = 32 days.
Approval was granted by the Department for the Ambassador to take leave.
2. During the Ambassador’s absence, the Embassy remained open during all official working hours to the public. The Deputy Chief of Mission was appointed as Chargé d’ Affaires to manage the Embassy.
15 September 2023 - NW2650
De Freitas, Mr MS to ask the Minister of Tourism
(a) On what date did a certain person (name and details furnished) resign as the Acting Chief Executive Officer of South African Tourism (SAT), (b) what (i) was the exit package including any remunerations, perks and other payments, (ii) was the notice period and (iii) were the conditions thereof, (c) on what date did the notice period (i) start and (ii) end and (d) in what capacity did the specified person act during the notice period?
Reply:
a) I am informed by SAT that the Acting Chief Executive Officer, who also occupied another position at South African Tourism, tendered his resignation from the organisation on 5 May 2023. The resignation stated that he would like to leave with immediate effect and for the board to waive the contractual 3-month notice period, if possible.
On 6 May 2023, the Chairperson of the Board responded that the board had accepted the resignation with immediate effect and that he would not be expected to serve out the notice period.
(b) (i) He was paid for the days worked in the month of resignation. The date of the resignation was the last date of service with the organisation as the resignation was with immediate effect.
No other payments were made except for the leave pay-out, which is to be paid as per the statutory requirements of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA).
(ii) Not applicable as the resignation was with immediate effect.
(iii) Not applicable as the resignation was with immediate effect
(c) (i) and (ii) Not applicable as the resignation was with immediate effect and there was no enforcement of notice period.
(d) Delegation falls away during notice period and in this instance as the resignation was with immediate effect.
15 September 2023 - NW2779
Opperman, Ms G to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
Whether all the milestones that were set by her department, were achieved at each of the three pilot sites of the District Development Model; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
Six out of the eight targets and milestones in the agreed MoA between the department and the Development Bank of Southern Africa as it programme implementation agent in these three pilot sites, were achieved by 30 April 2023, when the MoA was terminated. The one target and milestone not completely achieved, which stood at 85% achieved, relates to the filling of certain identified vacancies within the three DDM technical support hubs due to recruitment delays and the premature termination of the MoA. The other target and milestone not completely achieved, which also stood at 85% achieved, was the convening of scheduled Executive Steering Committee (ESC) and Operations Steering Committee (OSC) meetings on time as planned due to other priority commitments by both parties.
End.
15 September 2023 - NW2602
Majozi, Ms Z to ask the Minister of Police
How has the SA Police Service made use of the data in the Governance, Public Safety and Justice Survey (GPSJS) to target policing efforts at crimes that were unaccounted for in the crime statistics report considering that the GPSJS reflects criminal activity from experiences of the victims related to unreported crimes?
Reply:
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15 September 2023 - NW2778
Spies, Ms ERJ to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
Whether, with regard to the participants in the Community Works Programme (CWP) who are struggling to have their salaries paid on time and a lack of protective clothing and equipment, her department has conducted on-site audits at any of the CPW sites; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details of the (a) outcomes of the audits and (b) plan of action her department has put in place to deal with the challenges?
Reply:
a) Firstly, I would like to state that stipends for participants and salaries for Site Management staff have been paid on time for the past three months i.e. participants payment date being 25th of each month and Site Management Staff being the last day of each month. Queries of non-payment relates to bank account changes and these participants are very few.
b) I am aware of the challenge of inadequate Protective Personal Equipment (PPE) for Participants intended to minimize exposure to hazards that cause serious workplace injuries and illnesses. This challenge is largely as a result of delayed procurement processes by Implementing Agents (IAs) and further exacerbated by the discontinuation of their contract in March 2023.
c) The source of this PPE challenge was an attempt on the part of the department to promote value for money procurement by IAs. The department introduced a requirement that enjoins IAs to submit all intended procurement for approval.
d) The unintended consequence was that this requirement imposed additional strain on an already overstretched Finance unit resulting in delays in the procurement and distribution of PPE.
e) The provision of PPE for Participants is not a nice to have, but a compliance issue that the department must ensure is observed in accordance to the prescripts of the Occupational Health and Safety Act monitored by the Department of Employment and Labour.
f) It is for this reason that Site Audits are currently underway to determine the PPE needs of each Participant with the intention to expedite the procurement process and ensure compliance with the prescripts of the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
End.
15 September 2023 - NW2611
Komane, Ms RN to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
With reference to her reply to question 1753 on 5 June 2023 and engagements with communities on oversight visits it has become apparent that most Local Reference Committees within the municipalities do not support the community works programme, what is the yardstick that her department will use to show that the programme is implementable and implement it as it has not worked especially in Gauteng and North West to date?
Reply:
a) Local Reference Committees (LRCs) are a deliberate design feature of the Community Work Program (CWP). They are primarily intended to provide an Oversight Role in the implementation of CWP at Site level. In this regard, this implies signing off on the development of Site Business Plans and monitoring the implementation thereof. Site Business Plans detail the Useful Work Projects that will be undertaken by the different work groups each led by a Supervisor.
b) LRCs meet once a quarter to receive reports on the implementation of the Site Business Plans from Site Managers. It is these reports that enable the oversight and monitoring of the implementation of the program. Where there are challenges, the LRC is enjoined to provide support to ensure remedies are expeditiously implemented. These reports, together with all relevant Portfolio of Evidence (POE) are submitted through the province to national department as attestation that the program is being implemented.
c) Additionally, the Monitoring and Reporting protocols of CWP enable regular Site Visits as a mechanism of ensuring validation and verification of what has been reported. This is the yardstick my department employs to illustrate that the program is implementable.
d) Indeed, there has been challenges regarding LRC functionality in the Gauteng and North West provinces. This is the function of a persistent instability that emanates from an attempt at unionisation of CWP participants in those specific provinces. In this regard, there seems to be a drive at recruiting Participants in this poverty alleviation program into Unions with a promise for access to employee benefits that are determined through the collective bargaining process. The department is dealing with this phenomenon.
End.
15 September 2023 - NW2590
Breedt, Ms T to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
Whether, with regards to the Mapungubwe National Park in Limpopo, she will furnish Ms T Breedt with (a) a copy of the most recent Management Plan for the park, including relevant details of the most recent mammal counts, (b) relevant details of any plans to expand the boundaries of the specified park including plans to acquire the remaining private farms within and/or on the boundaries of the park and (c) relevant details of initiatives to manage the elephant population of the park in conjunction with Botswana and Zimbabwe, including estimates of the elephant population within the park; if not, what not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
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15 September 2023 - NW2714
Powell, Ms EL to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
What are the full details of the staff members of her department who were aboard the chartered flight to Warsaw, Poland, on 15 and 16 June 2023?
Reply:
None of the passengers aboard the chartered aircraft to Warsaw, Poland, on 15 and 16 June 2023 were officials of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO).
15 September 2023 - NW2709
Winkler, Ms HS to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
Whether, with regard to the allegations made by nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) on Russian prospecting in Antarctica, her department intends to present allegations and information presented to them by NGOs to the Antarctica Treaty Consultative Meeting as a signatory to the treaties, if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
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15 September 2023 - NW2593
Singh, Mr N to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
Whether her department shares a joint corresponding database with the SA Police Service and the Department of Justice and Correctional Services of all rhino poachers who have been arrested referencing their trail and custody status, convictions and prison status and also their associates in order to understand the linkages and networks since rhino poaching has been declared a national priority crime; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
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15 September 2023 - NW2649
De Freitas, Mr MS to ask the Minister of Tourism
(1) With reference to the various training and empowerment programmes undertaken by her department and SA Tourism (SAT), what programmes have (a) started and (b) concluded (i) in the past three financial years and (ii) since 1 April 2023; (2) what total number of persons (a) enrolled in each programme and (b)(i) did not complete each programme in each financial year and since 1 April 2023 and (ii) what are the reasons for the dropouts in each instance; (3) what total (a) budget was allocated to each programme and (b) amount was spent on each programme in each financial year and since 1 April 2023?
Reply:
I have been informed by the Department that the details are tabulated below:
|
2020-21 |
2021-22 |
2022-2023 |
1 April 2023 |
|
|
(1) (a) What training and empowerment programmes have started |
Incubator and Business Support Programmes: 4
______________ _ Women in Tourism Programme: 1
|
Incubator and Business Support Programmes: 2
_____________ |
Incubator and Business Support Programmes: 3
_____________ Women in Tourism Programme: 1 a) Women In Tourism (WiT) Business Management and Mentorship Programme: June 2022 – March 2023: Target 225 |
Incubator and Business Support Programmes: 3
Women in Tourism Programme: 1 a) Limpopo Women In Tourism Business Support Programme: 7 projects to be assisted |
|
(1) (b) What training and empowerment programme have concluded |
Incubators
________________ |
________________ |
Incubators: a) National Emerging Tour Operator Incubator Programme. __________ Women in Tourism Programme: a) Women In Tourism (WiT) Business Management And Mentorship Programme. |
Incubators:
____________ |
|
(2) (a) What total number of persons enrolled in each programme |
Incubators:
______________ Women in Tourism Programme:
|
Incubators:
_____________ |
Incubators:
Women In Tourism: a) Women In Tourism (WiT) Business Management And Mentorship Programme: 199 |
Incubators:
_____________ Women In Tourism: a) Limpopo Women In Tourism Business Support Programme: 7 projects to be assisted. |
|
(2) (b) (i) What total number of persons did not complete each programme in each financial year and since 1 April 2023 |
Incubators
We had 1 drop-out in Bushbuckridge (Mpumalanga); 0 in the NC and 2 in Limpopo.
_______________ Women in Tourism Programme:
|
Incubators
________________ |
Incubators: Food Service Incubation Programme: n/a Women in Tourism Programme: n/a |
Incubators: Food Service Incubation Programme: n/a _____________ Women in Tourism Programme: n/a |
|
(2) (b) (ii) What are the reasons for the dropouts in each instance |
Incubators:
________________ Women in Tourism Programme: - Webinars: n/a |
Incubators
_______________ Women in Tourism Programme: - n/a |
Incubators:
______________ Women in Tourism Programme: n/a |
Incubators: n/a _____________ Women in Tourism Programme: n/a |
|
(3) (a) What total budget was allocated to each programme |
Incubators: 4 x R 3 million = R 12 million _______________ Women in Tourism Programme:
________________ Webinars:
|
Incubators:
_______________ |
Incubators:
______________ Women in Tourism Programme: Women in Tourism (WiT) Business Management and Mentorship Programme: Budget: R1 883 million |
Incubators:
_____________ Women in Tourism Programme: a) Limpopo Women In Tourism Business Support Programme: 7 projects to be assisted: R3 876 million |
|
(3) (b) What total amount was spent on each programme in each financial year and since 1 April 2023 |
Incubators:
________________ Women in Tourism Programme: a) Webinars:
|
Incubators:
____________ |
Incubators:
______________ Women in Tourism Programme:
|
Incubators:
_____________ Women in Tourism Programme: a) Limpopo Women In Tourism Business Support Programme: 7 projects to be assisted: R 3 million |
I have been informed of the below, tabulated, inputs by SA Tourism
|
2020-21 |
2021-22 |
2022-2023 |
1 April 2023 |
|
|
(1) (a) What training and empowerment programmes have started |
Grade an Establishment training for tourism SMMES in uMkhanyakude District Municipality - 15 attendees TGCSA Online Workshop Assessor (3) - +- 40 attendees |
Quality Assurance Workshop |
Quality Assurance Workshop
Speed Marketing training for products in preparation for ATI – 35 attendees Free State Tourism training for officials – 31 attendees |
Quality Assurance Workshop
5 -day compulsory training of new assessors – 22 attendees Speed Marketing training for products in preparation for ATI – 33 attendees |
|
(1) (b) What training and empowerment programme have concluded |
Basic Quality Verification Training for pilot, training aimed at unemployed graduates that assisted with the pilot. – 15 attendees |
Quality Assurance Workshop
New Grading IT System Training aimed at TGCSA Assessors - +- 30 assessors uMlalazi Local Municipality Speed-marketing Training – 18 attendees uMhlathuze Local Municipality Speed-marketing Training – 57 attendees |
Basic Quality Verification Training for rollout to KwaZulu-Natal, training aimed at unemployed graduates. – 29 attendees |
Quality Assurance Workshops
5 -day compulsory training of new assessors – 22 attendees Speed Marketing training for products in preparation for ATI – 33 attendees Free State Tourism Career Expo – 43 |
|
(2) (a) What total number of persons enrolled in each programme |
185 SMME products in VTSD assessed 15 unemployed graduates trained |
690 attendees at all workshops |
29 unemployed graduates trained |
221 attendees at all sessions |
|
(2) (b) (i) What total number of persons did not complete each programme in each financial year and since 1 April 2023 |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
1 person did not conclude the 5 day assessor training programme. |
|
(2) (b) (ii) What are the reasons for the dropouts in each instance |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
Deceased |
|
(3) (a) What total budget was allocated to each programme |
Total budget for Basic Quality Verifiction Pilot Programme not specific to training: R2 573 125 |
There is no budget allocated for the programme other than arrangement of travel logistics |
Total budget for Basic Quality Verifiction rollout to KwaZulu-Natal not specific to training: R462 500.00 |
Total budget set for Assessor Training R288 875.44 Total budget for Basic Quality Verifiction rollout to KwaZulu-Natal not specific to training: R414 000.00 |
|
(3) (b) What total amount was spent on each programme in each financial year and since 1 April 2023 |
Total budget for BQV Pilot Programme not specific to training: R2 573 125 |
There is no budget allocated for the programme other than arrangement of travel logistics |
Total budget for BQV rollout to KwaZulu-Natal not specific to training: R462 500.00 |
Total budget set for Assessor Training R288 875.44 Total budget for Basic Quality Verification rollout to KwaZulu-Natal not specific to training: R414 000.00 |
15 September 2023 - NW2711
Opperman, Ms G to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
Whether, with reference to the presentation made by the Hawks to the Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs regarding councillors who have been implicated in local government corruption activities since 2019, her department will provide the total number of councillors who were (a) under investigation, (b) charged, (c) not successfully prosecuted, (d) successfully prosecuted and (e ) sentenced for local government corruption activities; if not; if so, what are relevant details?
Reply:
The response below was provided by the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigations (DPCI). Accordingly, I have been advised as follows:
a) A total of 29 cases involving Councillors are being investigated by the DPCI as of 05 September 2023. Details on the status of the 29 cases are provided below:
|
Total no of cases involving Cllrs |
Number of cases under investigation |
No of cases in court |
No of caes pending decision from the NPA. |
|
29 |
10 |
13 |
6 |
b) A total of twenty-six (26) Councillors have been charged since 2019. Below are the details:
|
Province |
Number of Councillors charged |
|
Eastern Cape |
1 |
|
Free State |
1 |
|
Gauteng |
1 |
|
KwaZulu Natal |
8 |
|
Limpopo |
0 |
|
Mpumalanga |
4 |
|
Norrhern Cape |
1 |
|
North West |
2 |
|
Western Cape |
8 |
|
Total |
26 |
c) Awaiting response from the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).
d) Same as above.
e) Same as above.
End
15 September 2023 - NW2621
Madokwe, Ms P to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Electricity
With reference to his reply to question 2043 on 9 June 2023, how does he reconcile the cost of his office to the taxpayer being over R13 million per annum, while the National Assembly was informed that his office does not have a specific budget and will not therefore need direct oversight of its own dedicated Portfolio Committee?
Reply:
a) The staff establishment for the private office of members of the executive is done in accordance with the approved 2019 guide for members of the executive in order to provide administrative support to the member in discharging his/her delegated constitutional duties. The operational cost relating to the Minister in the Presidency responsible for Electricity is drawn from the budget of the Presidency.
15 September 2023 - NW2719
Le Goff, Mr T to ask the Minister of Employment and Labour
(1) What total number of the (a) Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) and (b) COVID-19 Temporary Employer/Employee Relief Scheme (TERS) claims that were lodged currently (i) in the process of being audited and (ii) are awaiting auditing; (2) what (a) is the total number and (b) are the full details of the backlog of claims lodged by employers for the COVID-19 TERS Relief Scheme initiated in 2020 remain unprocessed? NW3110E
Reply:
(1) (a) 1 646 966 UI Act claims applications were lodged from the 1st of April 2023 to date; and
(b) 138 337 COVID-19 Temporary Employer/Employee Relief Scheme (TERS) claims applications were lodged from the 1st of April 2023 to date.
(i) 10 644 COVIDTERS claims were allocated to the audit firms and 4 384 were audited so far; and
(ii) 6 260 COVIDTERS claims are still to be audited;
(2) (a) 161 COVID-19 TERS Relief Scheme were processed (from 2020), declined and unpaid due to the following reasons:
2 (b) The applications where previously processed and declined due to various validation reasons. The applicable response errors were communicated (automatically) with employers to rectify the relevant applications so that the system can re-adjudicate (again) so that employees’ benefits can be approved and paid-out. It should be noted that ALL the application within different iterations were processed and currently UIF is re-processing any updated/ corrected employer applications. Out of the total applications received for the period above, the outlined below provides the breakdown of incorrect employer application errors:
- 22 are not paid due to invalid ID numbers;
- 30 are not paid due to unverified foreign nationals
- 45 are not paid due to Employees not declared.
15 September 2023 - NW2777
Spies, Ms ERJ to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
What are the relevant details of how the District Development Model will (a) deal with the service delivery concerns of all citizens and (b) ensure the efficient delivery of services to all citizens in light of the high frequency of service delivery challenges in municipalities across the Republic?
Reply:
a) The intergovernmental One Plans are the implementation tools of the District Development Model, which provides the framework for how service delivery challenges will be responded to by government. One Plans therefore contain budgetary commitments, performance and implementation targets, milestones and timeframes, by all of government that are confirmed and agreed upon at the various intergovernmental structures and platforms that are already in place across the three spheres of government.
b) Intergovernmental commitments made in One Plans are monitored and tracked through the work of the established intergovernmental structures and platforms across the three spheres of government as well as through the DDM Information Management System produced by the Department and individual provinces. These mechanisms are also complimented by the quarterly reports produced by the DDM political champions and the hosting of Presidential DDM imbizos in all provinces and in selected districts, where the Executive engage with citizens on not only service delivery challenges but also progress made in this regard.
End.
15 September 2023 - NW2776
Buthelezi, Ms SA to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
Whether she intends amending the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act, Act 32 of 2000, to give the AmaKhosi a greater participatory role in council meetings and the decision-making processes with regard to issues that emanate from the communities they represent; if not, why not, if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The participation of Traditional Leaders in municipal council meetings is regulated by section 81 of the Municipal Structures Act, which was amended by the Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Act, 2019 (Act No. 3 of 2019). The amendment came into operation on 1 April 2021. More specifically, Section 81(4) of the Municipal Structures Act, provides that participating traditional leaders may participate in the proceedings of the relevant local, district or metropolitan municipality and may submit motions, make proposals and ask questions. A participating traditional leader may also address the municipal council on any matter directly or indirectly affecting traditional or Khoi-San leadership or the relevant traditional or Khoi-San council or community. More details of the roles of participating leaders in municipal council proceedings are found in section 81(8).
End.
15 September 2023 - NW2620
Madokwe, Ms P to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Electricity
What processes were followed in the appointment of special advisors despite there being a National Energy Crisis Committee to advise on the ESKOM crisis, submissions by various political organisations, ESKOM workers and civil society on how to turn around the situation at ESKOM, (b) at what cost do the specified advisors come and (c) what special skills do they possess?
Reply:
The appointment of special advisors is done in terms of section 12A of the Public Service Act, 1994 as amended and is limited to two full-time equivalent positions for each Minister and Premier, unless Cabinet or the relevant Provincial Executive Council approves a higher number up to two additional full-time equivalent for each Minister and Premier because of work requirements.
The National Energy Committee (NECOM) is led by Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa and comprises of more than 100 high-level officials from across government, Eskom, business and social partners. NECOM is overseen at a technical level by the Director-General in the Presidency to advice on the energy crisis, the removal of barriers to new generation capacity and unlocking energy from various sources, including Eskom, Independent power producers, businesses and households.
It is important to distinguish that unlike officials seconded to NECOM for the purpose elucidated above, the special advisors are full-time in the office, advising the Minister in his engagements and discharging his delegated constitutional duties.
(b)
|
NAME |
SURNAME |
DESIGNATION |
NOTCH |
|
Sarel Jacobs |
De La Rouviere |
Special Advisor |
R 2 158 533.00 |
|
Silas Mzingeli |
Zimu |
Special Advisor |
R 2 158 533.00 |
(c) MR. SILAS ZIMU AND JACOBUS DE LA ROUVIERE
Mr. Silus Zimu
Mr. Zimu started his career in the electricity industry when he joined Eskom in 1992 where he worked as an engineer in the generation group. He then joined City Power as a General Manager - Planning and Technology and was thereafter promoted to Vice President, Customer Services. Because of the knowledge and passion he has for Engineering Operations, Silas was then appointed as a Vice President of Operations in December 2003 and served on Executive Management Committee.
Mr Zimu acted in the CEO position from February 2006, until he was appointed as Managing Director of City Power. Mr. Zimu was CEO of Suzlon Wind Energy South Africa (Pty) Ltd between October 2011 and 2015. He also served as a special advisor on Energy to Former President Jacob Zuma between 2015 and 2018.
Mr. Jacobus de la Rouviere
Jacobus de la Rouviere has over two decades experience in the independent power production cosmos and worked closely with the Southern African Power Pool countries like Eswatini and Mozambique. He has been a panellist in numerous energy summits and has published articles related to Eskom debt and possible solutions in resolving its existential challenges.
His key attribute lies in the development of realistic energy security mechanisms and installations that speak to critical evaluation of exit-price which will not burden the South African Economy with premium energy tariffs. Furthermore his strategic interventions have been tailored to resolve base-load underproduction and delivery of projects within the predicted project time.
15 September 2023 - NW2640
Shikwambana, Mr M to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
Whether she has been informed that 120 young persons in Limpopo are left in limbo with no prospects of employment after being trained as field workers and/or rangers at South African Wildlife and that persons who are allegedly connected to the then Member of the Executive Council in Limpopo, with no formal training whatsoever, were placed for jobs over the young persons who had acquired training; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
Find here: Reply
14 September 2023 - NW2570
Tseki, Mr MA to ask the Minister of Human Settlements
Whether she intends to ban the sale of Breaking New Ground (BNG) houses by beneficiaries to curb the cycle of homelessness in the Republic; if not, why not; If so, what steps does she intend to take to address the sale of BNG houses in the medium to long term?
Reply:
According to Section 10A of the Housing Act, 1997 (Act No. 107 of 1997) stipulates that the subsidy-financed property may not be disposed of by the beneficiary for a period of eight years from the date on which he or she acquired the property. This provision is to be registered against the title deed of the property and the Registrar of Deeds may not allow the transfer of ownership registration to occur without the approval of the relevant MEC.
Beneficiaries of subsidy-financed houses may therefore not sell or eliminate their properties within a period of eight years from the date on which the property was acquired, unless the property has first been offered to the relevant Provincial Human Settlements/Housing Department. It is worth noting that the sale restriction clause can only be enforced in the context of formal sale transactions between a beneficiary and a willing buyer. Therefore, in instances wherein the subsidy-financed property is sold in an informal process and transfer of ownership is not occurring, it is difficult for the Department to detect the sale transaction, thus making it hard to control or prevent such. The current mechanism of uncovering cases is where the sale transaction is reported to the Provincial Human Settlements Department, often done by a third party.
In addition, the Housing Act specifically states that “Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary in any other law, it shall be a condition of every housing subsidy, as defined in the Code, granted to a natural person in terms of any national housing programme for the construction or purchase of a dwelling or serviced site, that such person shall not sell or otherwise alienate his or her dwelling or site within a period of eight years from the date on which the property was acquired by that person unless the dwelling or site has first been offered to the relevant provincial housing department”.
Due to the illicit nature of the transactions, buyers are unable to register the acquired properties in their names through the Deeds Office. The Department considers the practice of selling properties off-register as a slap in the face to the Government’s collective efforts of housing the nation, and the fight to confront the apartheid legacy of inequality and poverty, as well as reducing the number of people living in informal settlements.
As part of the Department’s concerted efforts aimed at addressing the phenomenon of selling BNG houses, advocacy programmes are undertaken with communities to create awareness amongst citizens. Such programmes include the use of social media platforms and radio announcements. In addition to that, the Department has various training and consumer education interventions, namely;
Train the Trainer- Which is designed to provide training on human settlements policies and programme to officials working in provinces and municipalities.
Housing Consumer Education- Which targets potential human settlements beneficiaries and communities at large and provides them with information on the different programmes of the Department that they can benefit from and how to protect and maintain their properties.
Councillor Training- Is done in conjunction with SALGA and empowers Councillors on their roles and responsibilities in the delivery of housing and human settlements.
Training of Traditional Leaders- Which focusses on unlocking land for human settlements and providing education on housing legislation and policies.
While pursuing the fundamental importance of legislative compliance, the Department is similarly cognisant of the arising challenges ascribed to the restrictive nature of the guidelines contained in sections 10A and 10B of the Housing Act. The policy proposals in the draft White Paper on Human Settlements is to address this area.
13 September 2023 - NW2763
Ngcobo, Mr S to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
What total amount did (i) her department and (ii) each entity reporting to her pay for printed copies of the integrated annual reports in the (aa) 2020-21, (bb) 2021-22 and (cc) 2022-23 financial years, (b) who were the suppliers in each case and (c) what total number of copies of the report were printed (i) in each case and (ii) in each specified financial year?
Reply:
(a) (i) The Department of Basic Education has not printed Annual Reports since 2020 due Parliament requesting electronic copies.
(ii) SACE response: Please see Annexure.
UMALUSI response: Please see Annexure.
13 September 2023 - NW2699
Gondwe, Dr M to ask the Minister of Public Service and Administration
(1)What total number of public servants in each province were on extended sick leave with full pay in the (a) 2021-22 and (b) 2022-23 financial years; (2) (a) for how long has each of the public servants been on sick leave and (b) on what date is each expected to return to the office; (3) what (a) positions and (b) salary levels do the specified public servants occupy; (4) what total amount did the State spend in paying the public servants in each specified financial year?
Reply:
1. The total number of public servants on extended sick leave was 39 478 in the 2021/2022 financial year and 19 769 in the 2022/2023 financial year. The table below provides for breakdown per Province and financial years:
Extended Sick leave utilised by Public Servants in 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 financial years.
|
Province |
2021/2022 |
2022/2023 |
||||
|
Number of persons |
Median days on extended sick leave |
Median days until return |
Number of persons |
Median days on extended sick leave |
Median days until return |
|
|
Total |
39 478 |
6 |
44 |
19 769 |
15 |
56 |
|
Eastern Cape |
2 514 |
13 |
0 |
1 614 |
26 |
108 |
|
Free State |
2 087 |
5 |
0 |
970 |
15 |
0 |
|
Gauteng |
6 656 |
4 |
0 |
2 464 |
16 |
40 |
|
KwaZulu Natal |
5 708 |
6 |
0 |
2 823 |
16 |
56 |
|
Limpopo |
1 562 |
9 |
0 |
743 |
19 |
126 |
|
Mpumalanga |
727 |
8 |
0 |
369 |
18 |
0 |
|
National |
14 055 |
8 |
44 |
7 843 |
12 |
25 |
|
North West |
1 199 |
7 |
0 |
591 |
14 |
115 |
|
Northern Cape |
1 143 |
8 |
0 |
663 |
20 |
115 |
|
Western Cape |
3 827 |
5 |
0 |
1 689 |
14 |
56 |
(2) (a) Given the provisions of the Protection of Personal Information Act the Department (DPSA) is prohibited from sharing individual details of employees without their consent. The average number of days public servants were on extended sick leave was 16,53 days for the 2021/2022 and 25,23 days for the 2022/2023 financial years.
(b) Only 2 public servants were still on extended sick leave at the end of the 2021/2022 financial year and 115 at the end of the 2022/2023 financial year. The public servants returned within an average of 43,5 days after the end of the 2021/2022 financial year and within an average of 69,97 days after the end of the 2022/2023 financial year.
(3) (a) & (b) The salary levels public servants occupied while on extended sick leave in 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 financial years were as follows:
Extended Sick leave utilised by Public Servants in 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 financial years
by Salary level and Dispensation
|
Salary level |
2021/2022 |
2022/2023 |
||||||
|
MMS* |
OSD* |
Other |
SMS* |
MMS* |
OSD* |
Other |
SMS* |
|
|
Total |
413 |
27125 |
11 729 |
211 |
269 |
13 810 |
5 568 |
122 |
|
01 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
|
02 |
0 |
0 |
2 231 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
938 |
0 |
|
03 |
0 |
537 |
1 443 |
0 |
0 |
210 |
657 |
0 |
|
04 |
0 |
696 |
586 |
0 |
0 |
233 |
245 |
0 |
|
05 |
0 |
4018 |
3 694 |
0 |
0 |
1626 |
1 787 |
0 |
|
06 |
0 |
3269 |
1 307 |
0 |
0 |
1673 |
668 |
0 |
|
07 |
0 |
7222 |
1 152 |
0 |
0 |
4167 |
579 |
0 |
|
08 |
0 |
4895 |
768 |
0 |
0 |
2888 |
399 |
0 |
|
09 |
0 |
3620 |
317 |
0 |
0 |
1698 |
154 |
0 |
|
10 |
0 |
1941 |
228 |
0 |
0 |
872 |
137 |
0 |
|
11 |
161 |
450 |
0 |
0 |
84 |
225 |
0 |
0 |
|
12 |
252 |
477 |
0 |
0 |
185 |
218 |
0 |
0 |
|
13 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
146 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
82 |
|
14 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
54 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
34 |
|
15 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
10 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
|
16 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
*SMS – Senior Management Service
MMS – Middle Management Service
OSD – Occupation Specific Dispensation
(4) The total amount the Public Service spent on extended sick leave was R2 028 877 538 for the 2021/2022 financial year and R1 853 919 973 for the 2022/2023 financial year.
End
13 September 2023 - NW2033
Bodlani, Ms T to ask the Minister in the Presidency
Whether she will furnish Ms T Bodlani with a list of the details and outcomes of each case of the Media Development and Diversity Agency that was before the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration in the 2022-23 financial year; if not, why not; if so, on what date?
Reply:
The MDDA had four (4) matters before the CCMA in the period 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023. Three of the matters were resolved by 31 March 2023 and one matter was pending. The three (3) were awarded in favour of the MDDA and one (1) against the Agency. All these matters are available as public records at the CCMA.
|
Parties |
CCMA Case No. |
Issue in dispute |
Outcomes or status |
|
T Sibeko versus MDDA & Z. Mqolomba |
GAJB1019521 |
The employee referred an unfair labour practice on the basis that the MDDA failed to appoint (promote) T Sibeko into the contested position of Executive Manager: Research, Training, Monitoring and Evaluation. |
Date of outcome: 27 July 2022 CCMA found in favour of the MDDA and found that the process followed in appointing Z Mqolomba was not flawless and by the same token was not unfair. |
|
MDDA versus Z Potye |
H040-22 |
The Board of the MDDA raised issued on incompatibility in terms of Sec 188A of the LRA with the Z Potye and issue was referred and determined by the CCMA. |
Date of outcome: 22 January 2023 CCMA found in favour of the MDDA. |
|
MDDA versus Z Potye |
GAJB2028222 |
Z Potye referred an unfair labour practice matter to the CCMA to have it determined whether the conduct of the MDDA in relation to the non-payment of an annual bonus constituted an unfair labour practice. |
Date of outcome: 10 May 2023 CCMA found in favour of the MDDA and found that it was persuaded that the decision to defer Z Potye’s second term bi-annual assessment pending the finalization of a Sec 188A inquiry by an Arbitrator and lifting her suspension was not unfair labour practice. |
|
D Moreroa versus MDDA |
GAJB2560222 |
D Moreroa referred an unfair labour practice on the basis of an unfair decision to demote him. |
Outcome not issued by end of 2022/23 financial year |
NAME OF THE DRAFTER: Professor Hlengani Mathebula
DESIGNATION : Chairperson of the Board of Directors
CONTACT DETAILS : 082 448 9219
SIGNATURE : ____________________________
_____________________________
Nomonde Mnukwa (Ms)
Acting Director-General: Government Communication and Information System
(GCIS)
Date:
__________________________
Khumbudzo Ntshavheni
Minister in the Presidency
Date:
13 September 2023 - NW2691
Breytenbach, Adv G to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
What (a) total amount was stolen from the Guardians Fund through a series of fraudulent transactions, as was reported to have occurred in April 2023, (b) was the nature of the fraudulent transactions which resulted in the funds from the Guardians Fund being stolen in April 2023 and (c) steps has his department taken to ensure that the fraudulent transactions do not occur again?
Reply:
(a) A total amount of R17 782 132,59
|
EFT |
AMOUNT |
|
109379 |
R430 424.37 |
|
109380 |
R761 207.41 |
|
109381 |
R4 912 046.36 |
|
109382 |
R572 419.55 |
|
109383 |
R4 983 504.36 |
|
109384 |
R3 140 524.81 |
|
109385 |
R2 982 005.73 |
|
Total |
R17 782 132.59 |
(b) Unauthorized payments went through the bank after hours. Upon discovery of this incident, Internal Forensic Investigation was conducted, and the report identified 4 officials suspected of having aided the commission of this fraud incident.
(c) The bank account profile which was linked to all the Guardian’s Fund Offices was suspended, a new profile was created, and in the interim the National Office is making payments on behalf of the Guardian’s Fund Offices until a permanent solution is sought.
END
13 September 2023 - NW2692
Breytenbach, Adv G to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
With reference to the reported suspension of all payments from the Guardians Fund following the detection of the fraudulent transactions from the Fund in April 2023, (a) (i) what is the extent of the suspension of payments from the fund in terms ofquantum and (ii) the number of persons affected and (b) on what date will all suspended payments be finalised and paid to recipients?
Reply:
a)
|
Region |
i) Quantum |
ii) The number of persons affected |
|
Bloemfontein |
1 095 113 |
270 |
|
Cape town |
980 803 |
81 |
|
Grahamstown |
1 722 8912 |
155 |
|
Kimberly |
241 659 |
28 |
|
Pietermaritzburg |
6 202 007 |
66 |
|
Pretoria |
15 393 866 |
99 |
|
Total |
23 913 448 |
699 |
b) The National Office started processing payments on 13 June 2023 to date.
13 September 2023 - NW1829
Gondwe, Dr M to ask the Minister of Public Service and Administration
What (a) is the total number of reported cases of financial misconduct for the 2022-23 financial year, (b) is the (i) breakdown of the implicated departments for each (aa) national and (bb) provincial department and (ii) nature of the financial misconduct involved in each specified case and (c)(i) total amount was lost by the State due to the cases and (ii) amount of the total amount was recovered by the State?
Reply:
The Public Service Commission (PSC) reporting on the overview of Financial Misconduct for the financial year 2022-23 will be made during the 2023/24 financial year, as the data has not yet been audited and consolidated in the Annual Reports of departments. Such would be submitted as soon as the Annual Reports of government departments have been finalized, audited, and tabled to Parliament.
End
13 September 2023 - NW2782
Gondwe, Dr M to ask the Minister of Public Service and Administration
With reference to the ongoing investigation by the Public Service Commission into the qualifications of approximately 2 000 senior managers, what action will her department take against senior managers without the requisite qualifications for the positions that they currently occupy?
Reply:
The Public Service Commission (PSC) is currently investigating the qualifications of senior managers, the findings and recommendations of which have yet to be officially reported. As such, it would be both early and premature to speculate on potential sanctions against senior managers lacking the requisite qualifications for their current roles. Once the investigation is complete, the findings will dictate the appropriate sanctions. Notably, some senior managers have been serving in their current positions well before the issuance of the 2017 Directive on minimum entry requirements. Their long-term experience could potentially demonstrate the acquisition of sufficient knowledge and skills necessary for their roles.
End
13 September 2023 - NW2632
Yako, Ms Y to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
(a) What (i) total number of witnesses have been enrolled in the witness protection programme in the past two financial years and (ii) is the average duration of stay of witnesses on the programme and (b) at what cost per witness in each month?
Reply:
|
|
2021/2022 |
2022/23 |
|
(a) (i) total number of witnesses enrolled in the witness protection programme in the past two financial years |
367 |
361 |
|
(ii) average duration of stay of witnesses on the programme |
20 months |
22 months |
|
(b) cost per witness in each month
|
R 16 943.80 |
R 18 281.27 |
13 September 2023 - NW2749
Engelbrecht, Mr J to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
(a) What total amount did (i) his department and (ii) each entity reporting to him pay for printed copies of the integrated annual reports in the (aa) 2020-21, (bb) 2021-22 and (cc) 2022-23 financial years, (b) who were the suppliers in each case and (c) what total number of copies of the report were printed (i) in each case and (ii) in each specified financial year?
Reply:
The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development did not incur costs of printing the Annual Report in the past three financial years. However, details regarding the printing of Annual Reports by the public entities are provided in the tables below.
|
Legal Aid South Africa |
|||
|
FINANCIAL YEAR |
No. PRINTED |
TOTAL AMOUNT PAID |
SERVICE PROVIDER |
|
2020/2021 |
120 |
R110,214.85 |
Creativity Graphic Design & Marketing (PTY) LTD |
|
2021/2022 |
120 |
R122,840.70 |
Shereno Printers CC |
|
2022/2023 |
120 |
R189,708.84 (Still to be paid) |
Lebone Litho Printers (Pty) Ltd |
Table : Legal Aid South Africa
|
Special investigating Unit |
|||
|
FINANCIAL YEAR |
No. PRINTED |
TOTAL AMOUNT PAID |
SERVICE PROVIDER |
|
2020/2021 |
300 |
R195 295,84 |
Seriti Printing |
|
2021/2022 |
147 |
R233 553,50 |
Msomi Africa |
|
2022/2023 |
200 |
R263 837,60. (still to be paid) |
Msomi Africa |
Table : Special Investigating Unit
The Office of the Chief Justice; (a) (i) (ii); (aa); (bb); (cc) (b) (c) (i) and (ii) provides the following details:
|
OCJ Annual Report Financial Year |
Total amount paid to the service provider/supplier for the proof reading and printing the OCJ annual report. |
Number of OCJ annual report Copies Printed |
Name of the Supplier responsible for printing the OCJ annual report/s |
|
2020/21 FY |
R113 502.98 |
150 |
Seriti Printing Digital |
|
2021/22 FY |
R129 600.00 |
200 |
Seriti Printing Digital |
|
2022/23 FY |
R127 581.00 |
150 |
Seriti Printing Digital |
a) (i) (aa) The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) paid R130 422.76 for printed copies of the integrated Annual Reports for 2020/21.
a) (ii) (aa) Not applicable
a) (i) (bb) Department of Correctional Services paid R141 127. 35 for printed copies of the integrated Annual Reports for 2021/22.
a) (ii) (bb) Not applicable
a) (i) (cc) Department of Correctional Services has not paid printed copies of the Integrated Annual Reports for 2022/23.
a) (ii) (cc) Not applicable
b) The Annual Reports were printed by Shereno Printers. Department of Correctional Services has a five- year contract (01 October 2020 to 31 September 2025) with Shereno Printers for the design, layout and printing of the Annual Reports, Annual performance Plan and Strategic Plans.
c) (i) & (ii) Department of Correctional Services printed:
- 100 copies of the integrated Annual Report for the 2020/21 financial year.
- 250 copies of the Annual Report for 2021/22 financial year.
END
13 September 2023 - NW2556
Myburgh, Mr NG to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
(1)Given the fact that the residents of three municipal towns in the Blue Crane Route have been battling a deluge of sewage leaks in the past five years, affecting critical service centres such as clinics, and threatening both human and environmental health in KwaNojoli, Cookhouse and Pearston, what steps has his department taken to address the specified situation; (2) whether he intends to lay criminal charges against officials and politicians responsible for the ongoing human rights violations flowing from these sewage leaks; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1. The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has taken steps to address the various complaints received in relation to sewage leakages affecting Blue Crane Route Local Municipality (BCRLM) communities. These have been investigated and the DWS in its regulatory role, has taken the following actions:
- Issued a Directive dated 31 October 2019 for the failing Somerset East sewage pump station.
- Notice of Pollution dated 19 December 2020 for the Aeroville pump station.
- Notice of failure to comply with license conditions dated 18 February 2021.
- Non-compliance letter for poor Green Drop Report Audit Findings dated 08 April 2022.
- Directive for failure to address pollution of the Somerset East Irrigation canal dated 22 February 2023.
- Notice of breach of obligation for sewer spillages in Cookhouse and Somerset East dated 25 July 2023.
2. The DWS takes a range of regulatory actions in terms of the National Water Act, including issuing non-compliance notices, directives, taking civil action, and as a last resort, laying criminal charges against polluting municipalities. Criminal charges has not been pursued as yet because the municipality has been responsive to the non-compliance directives and directives as indicated below:
- The municipality has submitted a suitable action plan to address various non-compliances. The implementation thereof is being monitored by the DWS. To this end, all blockages have been cleared and vandalised cables replaced, however the mechanical and electrical Professional Services Provider is awaiting delivery of spares and refurbished pumps for the high lift pump, the Mayele pump station and the Memese pump station all at Somerset East.
- The municipality has also appointed a new Water Services Manager who commenced duty on 01 August 2023
- The Ministry met with MEC of Co-Operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, the Mayor and Leadership of BCRLM on 16 August 2023 during the Ministerial visit to the Eastern Cape, where provincial and municipal leadership committed to work towards improving wastewater management.
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12 September 2023 - NW2572
Tseki, Mr MA to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
In light of the fact that the President of the Republic, Mr M C Ramaphosa, in his 2022 State of the Nation Address (SONA), committed his government to eradicate the backlog of water use licence applications and reduce the turnaround time to only 90 days, what total number of (a) water use licence applications were approved since 10 February 2022 and (b) those approved, were for previously disadvantaged communities?
Reply:
a) 791 water use licence applications were approved since 10 February 2022
b) 198 of the 791 water use licence applications were issued to Historically Disadvantaged Individuals.
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12 September 2023 - NO503
Dlamini, Mr M to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
Given that her department is a large employer and through the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) provides work opportunities to persons who are unemployable in the labour market due to a lack of education and/or skills, what are the (a) relevant details of the EPWP in relation to the sectors of her department in which the employment occurs and (b) levels of skills development for women and youth in the specified programme
12 September 2023 - NW2647
Matiase, Mr NS to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
Whether, with reference to her reply to question 1195 on 4 May 2023, she foresees any further factors that may affect the settlement of the specified land claim in the third quarter of the 2023-24 financial year; if not, what further progress has been made to ensure that the long overdue land claim is settled; if so, what are the relevant details of the factors; (2) whether any steps have been taken to ensure that all pertinent issues that are stalling the payment of the claim are resolved, especially those that led to the beneficiaries adopting the verification interdict process because of some disagreement of the payment to be made; if not, (a) why not and (b) what (i) are the detail of the issues that still need to be resolved and (ii) is the timeframe thereof; if so, what are the relevant details of the steps that have been taken?
Reply:
(1) (i) No, The claim is projected for settlement in the 3rd quarter of the current financial year as per the reply to question 1195 submitted on 4 May 2023. The Settlement memorandum has been compiled and is currently undergoing the internal processes for consideration by the delegated authority.
(2) Yes, the offer was accepted by the claimants and the settlement agreement was signed with the addition verification lists.
(a),(b)(i),(ii) Falls away.
END
12 September 2023 - NO529
Weber, Ms AMM to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment
(1) What is the status of the complaint submitted to her department regarding the cofferdam mining by Alexkor in the Richtersveld; (2) whether she has found that the One Environmental System affects the ability of her department to take action on mining sites; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
Find reply here
12 September 2023 - NO532
Bryant, Mr D W to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment
(1) What impact has she found the delays in the implementation of the small-scale fishing process in the Western Cape have had on the sector; (2) whether her department has put plans in place to create additional opportunities for small-scale fishers in the Western Cape; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
Find reply here
12 September 2023 - NO508
Gantsho, Ms N to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment
What are the relevant details of the process that her department has embarked upon to empower small fishers and communities to access the oceans economy?
Reply:
Find reply here
12 September 2023 - NW2652
Masipa, Mr NP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
With reference to the land claim on the farm Syferfontein 80 JP and a number of other farms where an amended Government Gazette 37443 Notice 221, dated 20 March 2014 was published, being in contradiction to the Land Claims Commission’s 2020/21 Annual report (details furnished), what (a) are the details of the explanation that she, her department and the National Land Claims Commissioner furnished for the discrepancy and (b) was the (i) amount of financial compensation paid to the community and (ii) basis for the estimation?
Reply:
a) It must be noted that an error was committed at the time of the publication of the amended gazette Notice No. 221 of 2014 in the Government Gazette No.37443 dated 20 March 2014.
The purpose of publishing property in terms of section 11(7) of the Restitution of Land Rights Act, Act 22 of 1992, as amended, is to notify all the interested and affected parties of the land Restitution claim and should not include the Restitution award.
The error on the subject line of the Gazette notice in that the claim will be settled through financial compensation will be corrected through another Government Gazette.
b) (i). No payment has been processed.
(ii). Falls away.
END