Questions and Replies

Reply:

The Department of Defence was invited to make a submission to the panel probing the docking of Lady R in Simon’s town in 2022. The Department of Defence and its entities presented and submitted their version of events and evidence to the panel investigating the docking of Lady R in Simon’s town in 2022.

All invited parties were welcomed to submit any forms of evidence to the panel to assist it to finilize its investigation and to bring this matter to its ultimate conclusion within its mandate. However as stated in previous public statements, No arms were loaded and transported to Russia.

Reply:

a) The Department of Water and Sanitation convened a joint workshop with Water Boards, National Treasury, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) and South African Local Government Association on 5 December 2022. The purpose of the workshop was to develop strategies to improve Billing and Revenue Collection in the water sector. The resolution from that workshop was to draft standardised operating processes (SOP) for debt recovery, to cater for both the Water Boards and the Department’s Water Trading Entity.

b) The proposed actions and strategies in place to tackle the municipal debt include the following:

• DWS will collaborate with National Treasury to ensure that equitable share allocations are withheld from non-paying municipalities.
• DWS will ensure that standardised credit control and debt recovery processes are put in place across all the water boards. This will include consistent enforcement of water restrictions on non-paying municipalities and legal processes to attach municipal bank accounts where necessary.
• Bulk prepaid meters will be installed by water boards in municipalities with a poor payment record.

c) The Minister has finalized the consultation process with 144 Water Services Authorities on the outcome of the above-mentioned workshop. The Minister is currently engaging with the Water Boards regarding the measures to address municipal debts to the Water Boards.

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Reply:

According to SAFA, Ms. Amanda Dlamini has never been employed by the 2010 Legacy Trust, (a) and (b) falls off.

Reply:

According to SAFA, Football is being played in all our 52 Regions. We have the Men and Women Regional Leagues. The promotion and demotion system are in place, wherein teams from the Regional Leagues are being promoted to the Provincial Leagues, which are known as ABC Motsepe Leagues and Sasol Provincial Leagues. Furthermore, our teams are also being promoted from the Provincial Leagues to the Motsepe Foundation League and Hollywood bets Super League.

We believe that with the availability of more financial resources, the highlighted areas, which are financial stability, governance, and administrative capacity, can be improved.

Reply:

(1) On the 11th May 2023, US Ambassador Reuben E. Brigety convened a press conference and levelled allegations regarding weapons and ammunition being loaded onto US sanctioned Russian cargo vessel Lady R during the docking of Lady R in Simon’s Town in December 2022.

As stated in many previous public statements and I reiterate that nothing was loaded onto Lady R, but rather, Lady R was delivering equipment that was ordered by SANDF pre –Covid in 2018/19.

Due to the serious nature of these allegations, the extent of public interest and the negative implications for South Africa’s international standing, the President of the Republic of South Africa, H.E. Cyril Ramaphosa announced the establishment of an independent inquiry into the circumstance of the docking of Lady R in Simon’s Town.

Through this inquiry, Government seeks to investigate and establish all the facts that led to docking of Lady R in Simons Town.

The Department of Defence welcomed the President’s decision to institute the investigation as it would offer the department an opportunity to ventilate its side of the story with concrete evidence and to address any unwanted allegations.

It is therefore prudent that the panel be granted space and time to finilize its investigation and to bring this matter to its ultimate conclusion within its mandate.

Reply:

(1) On the 11th May 2023, US Ambassador Reuben E. Brigety convened a press conference and levelled allegations regarding weapons and ammunition being loaded onto US sanctioned Russian cargo vessel Lady R during the docking of Lady R in Simon’s Town in December 2022.

As stated in many previous public statements and I reiterate that nothing was loaded onto Lady R, but rather, Lady R was delivering equipment that was ordered by SANDF pre –Covid in 2018/19.

Due to the serious nature of these allegations, the extent of public interest and the negative implications for South Africa’s international standing, the President of the Republic of South Africa, H.E. Cyril Ramaphosa announced the establishment of an independent inquiry into the circumstance of the docking of Lady R in Simon’s Town.

Through this inquiry, Government seeks to investigate and establish all the facts that led to docking of Lady R in Simons Town.

The Department of Defence welcomed the President’s decision to institute the investigation as it would offer the department an opportunity to ventilate its side of the story with concrete evidence and to address any unwanted allegations.

It is therefore prudent that the panel be granted space and time to finilize its investigation and to bring this matter to its ultimate conclusion within its mandate.

(2) As stated in the response above, nothing was loaded onto Lady R and South Africa still remains neutral and non-align in the Russia- Ukraine conflict and still firmly believes in the view that multilateralism, dialogue and negotiations are the key to unlock sustainable international peace.

Reply:

1.  A total number of 805 Schools is being prioritized for the provision of comprehensive Psychosocial Support (PSS) across the nine (9) Provinces. The list is hereby attached.

 

2. The package of PSS interventions provided in these schools is as follows: 

2.1 Capacity building of School Based Support Teams on the School guide for Psychosocial Support.

2.2 Visiting Professional Nurses and Social Workers.

2.3 A Learner Support Agent (LSA) in each school.

2.4 Linkages with Community Based Organizations for referrals through a guided mapping process.

2.5 Childcare (ECD) Vouchers for young mothers.

2.6 Homework Support.

2.7 Keeping girls in schools programmes (Return to school programme support).

2.8 Gender Based Violence prevention programmes.

2.9 Linkage to Post-violence care services.

2.8 Debriefing services for educators and LSAs.

 

3. Placement of students of social work in schools is part of on-going discussions taking place as part of a Strategy for the placement of Social Services Professionals in Schools that is currently being led by the Department of Social Development. Placement of Psychology Students will be taken up with Universities as part of the development of the Mental Health App whose aim will be provision of counselling services to learners. Both these processes have started.

Reply:

Following the recommendations of the Portfolio Committee, I sent a letter to the Chairperson of the SA Tourism Board in response to the recommendations. The letter is attached as Annexure A.

I have, further, been informed by SA Tourism that to ensure compliance of its five-year strategic plan and Annual Performance Plans (APPs) with the SMART principle of being specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-bound before finalising and tabling the strategic documents to Parliament, SA Tourism has the following process when developing its Strategic Plan and APP:

• An external facilitator is appointed to drive the strategic conversation with the participants and document key insights from the discussions. SA Tourism compiles the Strategic Plan and APP with input from the different business units.
• The Strategic Planning, Evaluation, and Programme Management (SPEPM ) unit of SA Tourism ensures that the requirements of the Revised Framework for Strategic Plans and Annual Performance Plans and other relevant regulations are implemented; the interrogation of the business units’ targets to ensure the results are linked to the outcome; to review the targets and indicators to ensure they comply with the SMART criteria; as well as training and advising business unit managers on strengthening their KPIs to meet the SMART criteria.
• Furthermore, the Strategic Plan and APP is reviewed by SA Tourism’s Internal Audit unit as they are independent of the planning process.
• In prior years the Auditor-General reviewed the APP before submission to the Department, however, for the FY23/24 APP, the AGSA indicated that it would no longer undertake this proactive assurance. The Department of Tourism has a final review of the APP before submission to the Minister.

As detailed above, the indicators and targets are reviewed by the SPEPM unit, Internal Audit unit as an independent quality assurer and the Department of Tourism. The need for an independent review of the draft strategic documents will continue to be met through the use of Internal Audit as a competent, independent unit to implement relevant audit procedures to test for compliance with prescripts.

Reply:

a) How long will the specified investigation take

It is estimated that the investigation will take approximately 12 months. However, given the nature of forensic investigation(s), it may be finalised sooner or be extended, depending on the evidence uncovered during the investigation.

b) What total budget has been set aside

The Special Investigating Unit is not in a position to say whether any budget has been set aside by the relevant entity. However, it is estimated that the investigation will cost R4 880 554.24.

c) What are the expected outcomes

It is expected that the investigation should produce inter alia the following outcomes, provided that sufficient evidence be uncovered during the investigation to support these outcomes:

• The recovery of losses suffered by the state through the institution of civil proceedings;
• Referral of evidence of misconduct for the institution of disciplinary or corrective action;
• Referral of evidence indicating, or pointing to a criminal offence to the National Prosecuting Authority;
• Identify systemic gaps and make systemic recommendations to avoid identified instances of maladministration from occurring in future;
• Closure reports on all sub-investigations conducted as per the proclamation; and
• Submit Presidential Reports, as envisaged in sections 4(1)(f) and (g) of the SIU Act.

Given the nature of forensic investigation(s), the SIU cannot warrant that its investigations or its forensic services will result in the detection of impropriety, malpractice or criminal conduct, or in any successful remedial civil or disciplinary proceedings or criminal prosecutions. The outcomes of forensic investigations are unpredictable and the success of the legal outcomes, in particular civil litigation and/or criminal prosecution, are largely dependent on other entities, such as the National Prosecuting Authority, Office of the State Attorney, the South African Police Service, the Special Tribunal, the courts and the judicial system.

END

Reply:

(1)    With regard to the findings of the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), as reported in the Final Consolidated Report for Proclamation R23 of 2020, dated 10 December 2021, in particular the findings of the SIU on the City of Cape Town (CCT) (details furnished), what progress has been made by the SIU regarding instructions to the State Attorney;

The SIU briefed the Office of The State Attorney, who in turn briefed suitable Senior Counsel on 25 November 2022.

(2)    whether any civil action has been instituted following the report of the SIU; if not, why not; if so, (a) on what date and (b) what is the current status of such action;

Papers have been drafted and the institution of civil proceedings is imminent. Whereas the SIU is currently involved in discussions with the CCT’s attorneys regarding certain technical issues pertaining to the proceedings, this will not preclude the institution of the proceedings.

(3)    whether the SIU informed the CCT that the (a) expenditure was regarded as irregular and (b) service provider profited excessively; if not, why not, in each case; if so, on what date was the CCT informed;

The CCT and/or its attorneys are aware of the SIU’s findings in the above regard. In view of the pending institution of litigation and the related current discussions between with the SIU and CCT’s attorneys, the disclosure of further detail is considered confidential at this stage.

(4)    whether the SIU had directed and/or expected of the City Manager (CM) to take any steps; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what steps

The SIU has not directed and/or pertinently required of the City Manager to take any specific steps.

(5) whether the SIU report found that the CM had taken the specified steps; if not, what are the consequences set out in the report of not taking the steps; if so, on what date did the SIU find that the CM took the steps?

As indicated above, the SIU has not directed and/or pertinently required of the City Manager to take any specific steps.    

Reply:

1. The Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME) has been working with other departments to improve financial management within the public sector. Some of the measures to this end include the implementation of the Heads of Department Performance Management and Development System (HoD PMDS), which includes the prevention of fruitless and wasteful expenditure as one of the Key Government Focus Areas that are assessed. This and other measures complement the amendments to the Public Audit Act, which empowers the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA) to issue a certificate of debt for failure to implement the remedial action if financial loss was involved. Data shows that these measures are beginning to make an impact, as reflected in the 2021/22 report of the AGSA, which shows that there has been a decline in the number of institutions that incur fruitless and wasteful expenditure.

2. The 2021-22 report of the AGSA shows that public sector institutions disclosed fruitless and wasteful expenditure of R5,83 billion over the past three years of the current administration. In 2020-21 financial year public sector instituions incurred R1,72 billion in fruitless and wasteful expenditure. This was a decline from the 2019-20 financial year when R2,23 billion in fruitless and wasteful expenditure was incurred. Whilst challenges persist, the report notes that a descernible improvement trajectory has been established.

(3) According to the 2021-22 report of the AGSA, audit outcomes have shown a gradual upward trend since the previous administration’s term ended, with 114 institutions improving whilst 46 regressed. During the 2021-22 financial year, 312 out of 424 public sector institutions achieved unqualified audit opinion (128 clean and 184 unqualified with findings). This translates into 74% (30% clean and 44 unqualified with findings). If this trend can be maintained the target of 75% of auditees achieving an unqualified audit opinion would be achieved by 2024.

THANK YOU

Reply:

a) The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) took a decision to consolidate all offices into a single building to improve access to services and service delivery.

b) September 2022.

c) 89% of deeds made available within 7 days from lodgement to registration against a target of 95%; and

99% of deeds are made available within 10 days from registration to delivery against a target of 95%.

d) Please refer to Annexure A for the Deeds Office project plan and communication to clients and the public.

e) (i) The Deeds Office did not fail to provide registry services during the relocation; the deeds office provided limited services i.e. only lodgement of deeds was suspended, and registration services proceeded as normal.

(ii) There is no need for a catch-up plan as the Deeds office was proactive and obtained approval for overtime before moving the office to ensure sustained productivity.

Reply:

The Presidency did not have the Minister in The Presidency under (Vote 1) from 1 June 2019 to 06 March 2023. The Minister in The Presidency was located under Vote 09 (Department of Planning Monitoring and Evaluation).

On 6 March 2023, The President announced the appointment of the Minister in the Presidency (Vote 1), Ms. Khumbudzo Ntshavheni. The Minister is supported by two Deputy Ministers, Mr Kenneth Morolong and Ms. Nomasonto Motaung. The Minister in the Presidency (Khumbudzo Ntshavheni) costs are covered by the State Security Agency.

1. (aa) Minister in The Presidency (Khumbudzo Ntshavheni)

(a) Destination N/A

(b) Total cost for R0

(i) Accomodation (International ) R0

(ii) Travel and other costs (International) R0

(bb) Deputy Minister Kenneth Morolong

(a) Destination N/A

(b) Total cost for R0

(i) Accomodation (International ) R0

(ii) Travel and other costs (International) R0

(bb) Deputy Minister Nomasonto Motaung

(a) Destination N/A

(b) Total cost for R0

(i) Accomodation (International ) R0

(ii) Travel and other costs (International) R0

2. Domestic Air Travel

(a) Minister in the Presidency (Khumbudzo Ntshavheni) R0

(b) Deputy Minister Kenneth Morolong R22 928

(c) Deputy Minister Nomasonto Motaung R73 075

NAME OF THE DRAFTER: Mr K Mashapha

DESIGNATION : Acting Chief Financial Officer

CONTACT DETAILS : 012 300 5998

SIGNATURE : ____________________________

____________________

Phindile Baleni (Ms.)

Director-General and Secretary of the Cabinet

Date:

APPROVED/NOT APPROVED

______________________________

Ms Khumbudzo Ntshavheni

Minister in The Presidency

Date:

 

Reply:

The Public Service Commission Amendment Bill [B 21D of 2015], has already been assented to by the President on 19 September 2019. The Bill was published in government gazette No. 42742 of 03 October 2019 as Act No. 10 of 2019.

The Department of Public Service and Administration is however currently processing another amendment to the Public Service Commission Act, the amendment was approved by Cabinet and published, by the Minister of Public Service and Administration, for public comments in the government gazette of 9 June 2023. The Minister of Public Service and Administration is the relevant Cabinet Minister responsible for the processing of the Bill to Parliament, as such it will be difficult for me to give an answer as to on what date the Bill will brought before Parliament.

NAME OF THE DRAFTER: Geofrey Mphaphuli

DESIGNATION : Principal State Law Adviser

CONTACT DETAILS : Ext 5403

SIGNATURE : ____________________________

_____________________________

Phindile Baleni (Ms)

Director General and Secretary of Cabinet

Date:

_____________________________

Khumbudzo Ntshavheni

Minister in the Presidency

Date:

Reply:

The Presidency did not have the Minister in The Presidency under (Vote 1) until 06 March 2023. The Minister in The Presidency was located under Vote 08 (Department of Planning Monitoring and Evaluation).

There is currently no budget allocation linked directly to the office of the Minister

Procurement allocation is based on the Procurement Plan, which caters for the needs of The Presidency including the Ministries. There are no spending or allocations to the Minister for the period under review.

 

NAME OF THE DRAFTER : Dineo Kau

DESIGNATION : Acting Chief Financial Officer

CONTACT DETAILS : 063 669 1968

SIGNATURE : ____________________________

_____________________________

Phindile Baleni (Ms)

Director General and Secretary of Cabinet

Date:

__________________________

Khumbudzo Ntshavheni

Minister in the Presidency

Date:

Reply:

The DSBD was requested to provide input on the Framework that has been put in place to address the issue of Red Tape.

The Department has indeed assessed measures nationally, provincial and locally. There are a multitude of legislative and regulatory criteria that small businesses need to comply with, not all of them are “onerous”, but still it provides a good indication that our regulatory frameworks are not well coordinated and synchronised, and are often duplicatory, placing both a cost and time burden on small businesses. The DSBD has prioritised twenty-nine (29) pieces of legislation (and related regulations, and by-laws, etc) that impact on SMME growth and development. This is summarised in Figure 2.

Names of legislation and Relevant Details

The twenty-nine (29) pieces affect informal sector, small, medium micro enterprises and cooperatives

across the spectrum. Regarding cooperatives, we have noted that CIPC reporting under the Co-operatives Development Act, is onerous as most co-ops are required to submit audited financial statements. That imposes a considerable expense, which does not apply to any other small enterprise. This contrasts with the Company’s Act which has specified thresholds over which enterprises are required to submit audited annual financial statements.

The Department has put out a request for quotations to enlist private sector red tape and small business development “experts” to conduct an analysis of these twenty-nine pieces of legislation and regulations, as well as other targeted sources of red tape like CIPC reporting for cooperatives. We have already however analysed several areas of “red tape” and ease of doing business challenges over the past few years and group these into the following categories:

1. Business Registration & Reporting;
2. State Procurement;
3. Construction Industry; and
4. Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment.

The Pilot Administrative Simplification Programme (PASP) focuses on institutionalising the best practices and learnings made by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) and Ease of Doing Business (EODB) and is focused on local government - its interventions target Districts/Secondary Cities and Local Municipalities. The Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) is by no means the sole player in this ecosystem for measuring impact of the red tape reduction ecosystem:

1. The Investment Climate Reform Programme (formerly, the National Ease of Doing Business Programme) follows and focuses on improving the Investment Climate within the country. The key focus of the National Programme is starting a business, paying taxes, registering property, Construction Permits and trading across borders. The programme is located within the dtic and falls under its InvestSA branch.
2. The Sub National Doing Business Programme finds expression through the National Treasury’s Cities Support Programme targeting metros, and focusing on Construction Permits, registering property, enforcing contracts and getting electricity.
3. In addition to the Doing Business Survey, the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME) vigorously pursues the tracking of MTSF Priority 2 targets, monitoring 40% of the indicators, as well as focusing on the expansion of access to procurement opportunities to SMMEs, youth and women.
4. The integration of the MFMA, Circular 88 sector and economic indicators (including electricity) is thematic and provides a level of integration between traditional indicators measured in local government, and those that have been shown effective in National and Sub National Doing Business Programmes.

Measuring the Impact of the DSBD Red Tape Reduction PASP

The key focus of the PASP is measuring the impact of seven (7) Red Tape Reduction dimensions identified by the Guidelines approved in 2014:

1. Improving Municipal Service Delivery: Citizen Service Charters and Complaints Notification Systems (CNS).
2. Improving Municipal-Business Communication and Customer Relationship Management (CRM).
3. Improving Municipal Policies, By-laws, and Regulations.
4. Improving Supply Chain Management Processes.
5. Speeding up Land Development Processes and Time Frames - Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act (SPLUMA).
6. Speeding up Building Plan Approval Processes and Time Frames.
7. Better Management of Informal Trading.

The following is a multi-level strategy driven by the DSBD, that has been put in place for measuring the impact of the programme:

1. Questionnaires on compliance for managers, e.g., Supply Chain Manager, Building Plans Approval Manager, etc. for the seven (7) key red tape indicators.
2. Survey of SMMEs on the seven (7) key indicators of Red Tape challenges.
3. Focus groups with SMMEs to get clarity of the challenges they identified through the surveys conducted.
4. Assessment of Compliance for “good practise” in the above seven (7) areas of a municipality.
5. Functionality Assessment of compliance measures.
6. Action Plans developed to address performance deficits across the seven (7) key red tape indicators.
7. Action Plan Registers to Monitor Progress on the implementation of interventions contained on the seven (7) key red tape indicators of the Action Plans recommended.
8. Reports on the above.

The Presidency communicated to Premiers, in November 2022, to establish Red Tape Reduction Units in their respective provinces. There is continuous engagement with the provinces by the Presidency to facilitate the establishment of the Red Tape Reduction units in each province. The Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) continues to engage the Presidency to get feedback on the progress made on the matter.

It is anticipated that the business units responsible for the red tape in the provinces, especially in offices of the Premiers, will act as Red Tape Reduction Champions at the highest level in the respective provinces as something that is sorely needed to galvanize the entire SMMEs and cooperatives sector at the provincial level. This will be complementary to the work that is being done by the Departmental and Presidential red tape reduction business units.

NAME OF THE DRAFTER : ____________________________

DESIGNATION : ____________________________

CONTACT DETAILS : ____________________________

SIGNATURE : ____________________________

Reply:

Time Period	Total ad spend on Out of Home	Spend on 100% black owned companies	Spend on 100% white owned companies	Spend on other races
2019/20 – 2022/23	R182 461 332.10	R150 142 904.05	R31 439 248.53	R5 353 440.00 (Indian owned)
Percentage share		82%	17%	1%

b) GCIS has established the Marketing and Advertising Council (MAC), through which transformation in the Advertising and Marketing industry is at the top of the agenda. The council will conduct regular assessment and monitoring for compliance to the BEE code, to ensure that the entire industry comply and meet the minimum requirements,

 

Drafter of the Reply:

Name: Regomoditswe Mavimbela

Designation: DDG: Content Processing and Dissemination

Recommended/Not Recommended:

Ms Nomonde Mnukwa

Acting Director-General

Date: 10 August 2023

Approved / Not approved

______________________

Ms Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, MP

Minister in The Presidency

Reply:

No,

The Portfolio Committee in its meeting on this matter thoroughly examined the issue; amongst other things, as to why Justice Cameron chose to disclose the details of the escape incident to the media in the way that he did. Therefore, there is no need to probe the matter further.

Reply:

1. There are 3388 schools that are dependent on basic pit toilets on the Sanitation Appropriate For Education (SAFE) programme.

2. The balance of schools on the 3388 schools, sanitation projects at 2767 schools have already progressed to practical completion.

3. The target of the schools on the SAFE programme is scheduled to achieve practical completion by the end of 2023/24.

4. With regards to schools in Matatiele, DBE has provided 78 schools with Sanitation facilities and will provide sanitation facilities to the outstanding 4 schools in Matatiele by end of 2023/2024 financial year.

Reply:

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Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

The recent PQ 596 is the related to PQ 255, which was published in IQP No. 02 on 17 February 2023. (See attached) Below here is the same reply that was provided for PQ 255, which serves as the response also to the recent PQ 596.

1. Yes, the Department has recently received the proposed budget requirement for the profiling of the Greydell community from the Buffalo City Municipality; the estimated cost is R600 000.00 and the estimated timeframe is 3 months to complete including compilation of the report. It is expected the profiling will commence in the new financial year in consultation with political leadership and subsequent to funding approval processes.

2. 

(a) The Department is currently surveying the land in question with a view to subdividing it for disposal to relevant identified stakeholders, inter alia, a portion to the HDA for BCM Human settlement purposes, a portion to ACSA for the extension of the runway and a portion to the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment for incorporation into the Umtiza Nature Reserve.

(b) The Department is currently engaging other stakeholders on the Greydell resettlement program with a view to finalise an intergovernmental solution to the invaded land.

(c) Timeframes for the interventions are being determined at present; and

(d) Costs for the interventions are being determined at present.

Reply:

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Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

South Africa has seen declining fixed capital investment and economic performance over the past decade. Analysis of this widening investment gap to National Development Plan targeted growth levels, shows that an additional R1.6 trillion in public sector infrastructure investment is required by 2030, over and above that forecasted for current public sector entities. Delivering an effective infrastructure-led economic recovery plan will require the government to overcome various challenges currently faced in the infrastructure ecosystem, including but not limited to infrastructure under-spend due to poor project preparation and lack of capability and capacity in the public sector.

The pipeline of well-prepared projects is scarce, therefore limiting investment opportunities. Given the risks and uncertainties of project preparation, private sector has understandably been hesitant to get involved during the early stages of infrastructure projects or programme. It is important that government invests in project preparation. The intended objective of the project preparation funding is to:

• unleash significant quanta of private sector investment for catalytic public sector infrastructure projects;
• ensure viable, efficient and bankable project portfolio;
• augment the technical and financial engineering capacity in under resourced provinces and municipalities; and
• enable economic and social development impact through projects that are brought to financial close

Infrastructure South Africa has a pipeline of projects and programmes, a significant number of these projects are not sufficiently prepared and packaged such that funding and financing decisions can be made. Moreover, the majority of these projects are submitted by less-resourced municipalities. The R600 million allocated to Infrastructure South Africa is over the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework. That is, R200 million is allocated in the 2023/24 FY; R200 million in 2024/25 FY and R200 million in the 2025/26 FY. The funding will be directed to preparing and packaging infrastructure investment projects and programmes in priority sectors such as water and sanitation, rural and municipal roads, energy, education and health infrastructure projects and programmes.

Infrastructure South Africa does not own projects, the relevant projects owners, when procuring and implementing their infrastructure projects must ensure that partnership opportunities in relation to promoting gender and race transformation as well as technical capabilities by growing the community of skilled black professionals and companies in the built environment. In addition, the project sponsors need to ensure that where appropriated, the use of locally manufactured materials are used when the assets are built.

Infrastructure South Africa will provide continuous oversight and monitoring of the projects that benefit from the project preparation funds to support the successful execution of projects beyond preparation stages. Through the Infrastructure South Africa Centre of Excellence, the impact of the infrastructure projects will be monitored closely to quantify the extent to which, inter alia, job opportunities in the local area were realised and the value to society and economy that is derived from the infrastructure asset.

Reply:

A water quality monitoring programme is being implemented by the Musina Local Municipality in relation to the compliance to South Africa National Standard 241(SANS 241) following the visit by the Minister of the Department of Water and Sanitation to Musina in 2022. The following measures were implemented to improve the drinking water quality:

• Cleaning of reservoirs
• Chlorination/disinfection of water before distribution
• Monitoring programme of water quality was initiated from 26 May 2022 at seven monitoring points including Oorplaas, Musina Municipal Main Office, Musina Intermodal Terminal Ext 9, Venetia Guesthouse, Musina Hospital, Gateway Ext 8, and Beitbrige.

The outcome of the water quality compliance monitoring indicated the following:

• Microbiological - three sampling points complied (Oorplaas, Musina Intermodal Terminal Ext 9 and Beitbridge)
• Chemical - all sampling points complied
• Physical - six sampling points complied (Oorplaas, Musina Municipal Main Office, Musina Intermodal Terminal Ext 9, Venetia Guesthouse, Messina Hospital, and Gateway extension 8)

Recommendations to correct the failing sampling points were made to the municipality by the Department of Water and Sanitation. A follow up was done on 29 June 2022 to check progress made at the Musina Intermodal Terminal, Gateway Primary School, Bergview Reservoir, Messina Municipality, Messina Borehole, Messina Hospital, Messina Borehole, Venetia Guest House, Oorplas, Oorplas Inlet, Beitbridge PS. The outcome of the water quality compliance indicated the following:

• Microbiological- seven sampling points complied (Gateway Primary School, Bergview Reservoir, Messina Municipality, Messina Borehole, Messina Hospital, Messina Borehole, Oorplas, Beitbridge PS)
• Chemical- All sampling points complied
• Physical – All sampling points complied

As indicated above, water quality results indicate that there has been improvement on the microbiological compliance as a result of the remedial actions implemented by the municipality.

(2) (a) The municipality continues to monitor water quality on a monthly basis on Conductivity, Chloride, E.coli, Fluoride, Free Chlorine, Iron, Manganese, pH, Sulfate, Total Coliforms, Total Dissolve Solids and Turbidity since the establishment of the monitoring programme.

(2) (b) Tests conducted during May 2023 found that free chlorine was lower than the range of 0,2mg/l and 0,5mg/l. This non-compliance does not pose any health risk since the municipality is compliant with regard to microbiological compliance.

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Reply:

a)  The costs for water tanks that are hired by municipalities are borne by the municipalities as Water Service Authorities. DWS does not have this information.

b) The StatsSA General Household Survey (GHS) showed that 89% of households have access to operational services, while reliability is only at 63%.

The Department is embarking on the development Five Year Reliable Water and Sanitation Services Delivery Implementation Plans for all 44 DMS that will, after completion, produce a pipeline of projects for each WSA with the associated schedule and costing. National grant funding programmes will then be aligned with these needs.

Currently, the Department is spearheading the progressive implementation of various water and sanitation projects through the various programmes such as the Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant (RBIG) and Water Services Infrastructure Grant (WSIG). It is estimated that the water and sanitation sector requires R90 billion per year for the next 10 years in order to achieve 100% reliable water and sanitation service provision in South Africa.

c) Water tankering is meant to be a temporary measure utilised by municipalities to ensure that communities are provided with water where there are water supply interruptions resulting from disasters such as floods or droughts or other temporary challenges. However, in many instances, the use of tankers to supplement inadequate water supply by municipalities has become part of the ‘normal’ system to supply communities with water. In some instances, there are allegations that infrastructure is vandalised to facilitate continuation of business opportunities via provision of water tankers to municipalities. Municipalities have been advised by the DWS secure water infrastructure and prevent vandalism and theft of infrastructure which causes water supply interruptions.

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Reply:

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has not been informed of the tap water in Ward 5, Riemvasmaak in the Kou-Kamma Local Municipality (LM). The Kou-Kamma LM has not captured water sampling results on the Integrated Regulatory Information System (IRIS) of DWS, which led to regulatory notices being issued to Kou-Kamma LM.

a) Following an investigation, it was found that the Riemvasmaak is a community of about 40 informal houses within Woodlands the area. The community is served by one stand-pipe tap linked to the reticulation of the Woodlands Water Treatment Works (WTW). Kou-Kamma LM officials have provided copies of sample results for Woodlands WTW and water supply area. Results from water samples taken on each of the following dates 08 March, 12 April and 10 May 2023 showed that each test result complied with the microbiological health parameters of E.coli, total coliforms and total bacteria. The chemical results from March showed a lower pH (on acidic side) and levels of dissolved Iron and Manganese exceeding the aesthetic limits and dissolved Manganese exceeding the chronic health limit (SANS 241:2015). This dissolved Iron & Manganese could be the cause of brown discoloration.

b) Kou-Kamma officials reported that contact with the Clinic serving Woodlands and Riemvasmaak areas has not observed or recorded any increase of diarrhoeal cases. The following measures are put in place:

• A tender for laboratory analysis to increase monitoring,
• Commitment to capture monitoring results on Integrated Regulatory Information System (IRIS).
• Investigation into the reason for; and treatment options, to remove the Iron & Manganese found at the Woodlands WTW.

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Reply:

a) As the Honourable Member is aware, the legislative making process is guided by the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. One of the key activities in the legislative making process is public consultation/ hearings that are conducted by the relevant Portfolio Committee across the country to solicit public inputs on a matter of national interest. This is called participatory democracy. Costs associated with public hearings are borne by Parliament through the relevant Parliamentary Committee, which in this case is the Portfolio Committee on Social Development. Given the foregoing, the Secretariat of the Portfolio Committee or relevant function within Parliament is better placed to respond to this question.

b) Refer to (a)

Reply:

In the anti-corruption sphere, we significantly expanded the capacity of the Investigating Directorate (ID) and are institutionalising its operations as an integral part of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). The ID has enrolled eighteen (18) new matters this financial year, meaning a total of thirty-four (34) matters have been enrolled with 203 accused over the last four (4) years. Thirteen (13) new investigations were authorised, totalling ninety-seven (97) matters authorised over the last four (4) years.

A significant success of the ID during the financial year was its contribution to the recovery of R2.5 billion, which was paid into Criminal Asset Recovery Account (CARA). Whilst it is acknowledged that there is still a long way to go, this represents a significant milestone in the recovery of assets that were illegally obtained through state capture.

Over the last year, the NPA’s Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) secured freezing orders valued at R570 million as part of its strategy to pursue the monies stolen by the perpetrators of corruption and the enablers and facilitators of state capture. The finalisation of two (2) high value corruption cases contributed to the AFU obtaining recoveries in corruption and related matters to the value of R2.83 billion during the financial year.

Cumulatively, R10.2 billion has been frozen over the past four (4) years of the five-year Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) period. The NPA has recovered R2.55 billion in state capture cases alone.

An Integrated Task Force chaired by the Deputy National Director of Public Prosecutions (DNDPP): NPS was introduced early in 2022 to coordinate the response of the NPA and DPCI to the recommendations of the Zondo Commission. The establishment of an Advisory Panel of experienced prosecutors and investigators to hear and advise on cases has been a very successful initiative, increasing the confidence of prosecutors and investigators dealing with complex matters.

Following additional funding from National Treasury, the NPA establishment was increased from 4 967 to 5 353. The capacitation of specialised units, especially the SCCU and the ID, remained a priority as a response to the Zondo Commission. The filling of the Aspirant Prosecutor posts and newly appointed Prosecutors allowed for more experienced staff to be promoted to specialised areas such as the ID, Specialised Commercial Crimes Unit (SCCU) and Specialised Tax Units.

With the assistance of the Office of the Chief Justice and the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (DoJ&CD)’s Capacity Enhancement Committee, the SCCU set up dedicated Specialised Commercial Crime Courts (SCCCs) in regions that did not have such courts. There are currently twenty-two (22) dedicated courts throughout the country with a footprint of dedicated commercial crime courts in all Provinces – Limpopo, North-West, Northern Cape and Mpumalanga previously in 2019 did not have such courts. SCCU Prosecutors increased from 105 to 225. Support staff stand at thirty-seven (37) with additional twelve (12) posts created between 31 December 2019 and 31 March 2023.

The additional SCCCs allowed the NPA to focus on backlog cases resulting in a 2% decrease (from 823 to 808) in the past financial year. This represents a 22% decrease from the end of the 2021 financial year (1 040 to 808).

In the 2022/2023 financial year, the DoJ&CD took steps to enhance six (6) of the SCCC with technological tools to enable virtual testimony and the receipt of digital evidence. This will go some way to avoiding postponements that may arise when witnesses, etc are not physically available. In the 2023/2024 financial year, a further two (2) SCCC will be enhanced in the same manner.

The focus on old cases had a slightly negative impact on the conviction rate as there were challenges with some of these cases. However, the additional courts did result in a 5.8% increase in the number of cases finalised, from 344 to 364. An increase in percentage of accused being sent to direct imprisonment from 29.2% in 2020/21, then to 34.9% in 2021/22 and now currently at 38.2% has also been significant in the fight against serious commercial crimes. Furthermore, an increase in compensation orders granted, from 39 in 2020/21 to 65 by the end of March 2023, was also noted.

The SCCU actively participated in the Fusion Centre, which serves as a good example of stakeholder collaboration. As a result, thirty-four (34) cases of fraud and related offences related to COVID-19 and South African Social Security Agency grants have been enrolled in the past year.

On the Anti-Corruption Task Team (ACTT) Priority List of identified cases, seventy-nine (79) cases are enrolled with 363 accused (21 enrolled in High courts). Nineteen (19) of these cases are already partly heard.

With effect from 1 April 2022, a Special Director of Public Prosecutions responsible for the General Prosecutions and Specialist Tax Component portfolios was appointed in the NPA. The regional capacity of the Specialist Tax Component has increased in the past financial year. The approved establishment throughout the country has grown to hundred (100) posts, of which eighty-five (85) are filled. The upward performance trajectory of the Unit continued. Prosecutors finalised 138 cases and achieved a conviction rate of 96.4%. This success is underpinned by the component’s ability to attract and retain highly experienced staff.

The impact of COVID-19 during the 2020/21 financial year can be seen in the Table below. However, since middle of 2020, a remarkable improvement in all areas of corruption and fraud related matters has been recorded.

Although significant impact can already be seen, a lot of work is still in progress with refinement and changes to be effected. The ID still needs to broaden its establishment and be capacitated as a permanent structure. I have already approved Regulations that bestow peace officer powers on ID Investigators. These Regulations are significant as they provide investigators with the necessary powers to conduct their work prior to arresting suspects.

Details of specific inroads to arrests, prosecutions and convictions will be released in the Annual Report of the National Director of Public Prosecutions.

Training is an important aspect within the National Prosecutions Service and a national Training Forum coordinates the planning and implementation of training schedules across the country with assistance of regional coordinators. Regional training coordinators are also established within specialised prosecution areas to ensure that all needs for further development are being addressed. Some of the specialist training envisaged for the next three months include training topics on Beneficial Ownership, Anti-Corruption, Search Warrants (on Cyber Crime Act), Procurement Fraud, amongst others.

Past training provided include training topics such as the detection and investigation of foreign bribery offences, financial analysis, forensic investigations, organised crime, money laundering, investment fraud, Mutual Legal Assistance, tax offences related to commercial crime, amongst others.

Various other training programmes and sessions are as follows:

1. Sexual offences and vulnerable groups (18);
2. Specialised prosecutorial areas (48) that includes search and seizure;
3. Rules of evidence, general training, etc (54); and
4. Leads training (8).

Reply:

a) (i) it should be noted that no information is available that explicitly confirms that the remand detainees granted bail are still in detention due to inability to pay bail.

as at 31 March 2023, the total population of remand detainees was 55 745, of this number 4 495 were detained with the option of bail which constitutes of the total remand detainee population. A total of 2 728 were granted bail of R1000 and less while 1 767 were granted bail that ranged from more than R1000 up to R4 million.

END

Reply:

NUMBER OF CLOSED RURAL SCHOOLS
PROVINCE	# Rural Schools Closed (2021- 2022)	# Rural Schools Closed (2022 - 2023)
Eastern Cape	39	39
Free State	89	6
Gauteng	0	0
KwaZulu Natal	-	230
Limpopo	52	51
Mpumalanga	16	27
Northern Cape	0	0
North West	7	6
Western Cape	6	0
NATIONAL	209	359

 

Reply:

According to the information received from SAA

(a)(i) All the response are analysed using PowerBI tool which allows SAA to gain deeper insights, accurate reports, and route analysis.

(a)(ii) The information is used to measure Customer Satisfaction and Net Promoter Score and guides customer service improvements.

(b) It takes about 2 days to collate the information and investigate where necessary.

 

Remarks: Reply: Approved / Not Approved

Jacky Molisane P J Gordhan, MP

Acting Director-General Minister

Date: Date:

Reply:

The National School of Government, under the band, Senior Management and Professional Development has developed the Mastering the Art of Government Communications course. This course is intended to ensure training of officials to ensure that the view of government is represented and to avoid situations such as the one that took place in Witbank, Mpumalanga.

The purpose of the course is to equip communication practitioners and managers in the public sector and State Owned Enterprises with the necessary knowledge, skills, and capability to engender a service-oriented culture and ethos by enhancing the understanding of communication processes in government, promoting the production of useful information about how the departments work, encouraging public sector officials to perform professionally, honestly, considerately, and to implement the policies and programmes of Government to improve service delivery.

This course is intended for communicators who are employed in the public sector and state-owned enterprises of South Africa.

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

- Demonstrate an understanding of the legal and policy framework governing the work of government communicators.

- Implement communication strategies in a developmental state.

- Implement media ethics and values.

- Understand how to use different communication platforms to promote authentic and

transparent government communication towards building citizens’ trust.

This course is non-credit bearing. The duration of this course is 7 days i.e. 5 days online and contact sessions presented over 2 working days

The National School of Government also offers the e-Learning Ethics in the Public Service course.

The purpose of the course it to help build an ethical culture in the Public Service.

The course is applicable to all public servants.

By the end of this course participants should be able to:

• Reflect on and gain insight into their own values;
• Recognise ethical dilemmas in the work place;
• Apply values, principles and standards contained in Public Service prescripts; and
• Uphold and promote professional ethics in the workplace.

This course is non-credit bearing. Once all course requirements have been met participants will receive a Certificate of Successful Completion

The National School of Government also offers the Know your Constitution online course. This course promotes awareness of the Constitutional provisions in relation to the rights of citizens and obligations and public servants on the provision of public services.

The course is targeted at all officials who are tasked with delivering public servants at all spheres of government.

By the end of this course participants should be able to:

• Explain the intent of the Constitution;
• Appreciate the rights available to all who live in South Africa;
• Describe how government is organised to give effect to human rights;
• Describe and meet the human rights relevant to a job role; and
• Explain how State institutions protect and promote governance and democracy.

The course is available throughout the year and is on a self-enrolment and self-paced delivery mode.

Finally, the National School of Government offers the Public Service Re-Orientation Programme which seeks to remind officials of their constitutional obligations and their mandate as public servants, with the view to build a citizen-centered service ethos, an enthusiasm for public duty and a commitment to improve public service delivery.

Officials who have been in the service for three years or longer are targeted for the course.

By the end of this course participants should be able to:

-Demonstrate an understanding of how global, national and regional events affect service delivery;

- Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of unblocking service delivery challenges;

- Apply developmental values, Constitutional principles and citizen-centered approaches in service delivery;

- Demonstrate an understanding of applicable regulatory frameworks, and

-Commit to work with zeal to implement government priorities

The course is not credit bearing and aims to provide a cost-effective, flexible online learning opportunity to large numbers of public servants to develop knowledge, improve competency and enhance practice in the workplace. Participants receive a Certificate of Successful Completion.

It is intended that the above suite of course offerings will close the gap that currently exists in adequately representing the view of the government.

End

Reply:

The questions asked relate to contraventions of either the Sexual Offences Act 32 of 1957 or of Section 11 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act 32 of 2007. The NPA does not keep offence-specific statistics for all offences and both contraventions of Act 32 of 1957, as well as Section 11 of Act 32 of 2007, fall in this category. It is therefore not possible to provide the requested statistics.

The NPA relies on SAPS to present dockets for decision and/or prosecution, some of which are withdrawn by the NPA. Internal dialogue in the NPA however indicates a very low percentage of cases or even zero prosecutions relating to the prosecution of adult sex workers in South Africa. Offences relating to human trafficking were excluded from the above dialogue.

Reply:

According to Information Received from SOCs

ALEXKOR:

a) 2018 FY- Vehicles

2019 FY- Plant and machinery

              - Motor vehicles

              - Furniture and fixtures

              - Computer equipment

2020 FY- Motor vehicles

              - Furniture and fixtures

2021 FY-Plant and machinery

             - Motor vehicles

             - Furniture and fixtures

             - Computer equipment

2022 FY- No disposals

2023 FY- No disposals

b) Year Type Value Number of assets sold

2018 FY - Motor vehicles R 120 125 1

2019 FY - Plant and machinery     R1 623 504 3

- Motor vehicles             R   337 248 5

- Furniture and fixtures   R        8 441 2

- Computer equipment     R      91 906 6

2020 FY - Motor vehicles               R      57 520 1

- Furniture and fixtures    R    120 890 26

- Plant and machinery       R      81 136 1

- Capital work in progress    R      22 110 1

2021 FY -Plant and machinery  R      26 119 1

- Motor vehicles                     R    248 509 5

- Furniture and fixtures         R      30 878 12

- IT equipment                         R        2 866 1

2022 FY - No disposals

2023 FY - No disposals

c) 2018 FY - Motor vehicle R 229 301

2019 FY - All      R      71 400

2020 FY - All R 155 400

2021 FY - All           R 1 168 811

2022 FY - No disposals

2023 FY - No disposals

*** The information provided is provisional. Alexkor is in the process of reconciling assets to records, including disposals as there has been a lack adequate asset management and monitoring systems for the past five years.

d) List of assets sold Gereedskapwerks winkel

Lifting bags

Booster pump-grundfos

Toyota hilux s/cab bzd791nc model 2003

Toyota quantum 2.5 d4d chf836nc

Toyota hilux 3.0 d4d 4x xtra cab

Apple imac 21.5 2.7ghz computer

Managerial work station - 1800x80x22mm worktop

Mecer computer with 18.5 samsung monitor

Adobe acrobat professional

Swivel chair CEO office Joburg

4200x1200mm boardroom table Inc conflex leg system

PA workstation 100x800x22mm worktop and credenza

Chairs x36 black mesh, fixed arms, back bar, black base

Round table 1800 steel base with teak top

Computer mecer pentium 4

Union screen 1

Union screen plant 2

Infieldscreen upgrade

Toyota hilux double cab cdd520nc

Truck mounted crane

Toyota fortuner 30 d4d 4x4 2007 cdr052nc

Toyota hilux 2.5 d4d chd206nc Ben Kotze

Isuzu kb diesel kb 250 regular cab

Toyota corolla quest 1.6

Nissan np300 hardbody 4x4 SC

Toyota Quantum minibus 2.5D

Nissan NP200 1.68V

Toyota fortuner 2.4gd-6

Reconditioned samil 100 6x6.

DENEL:

(a) 753

(b) Book value R15.6m

(c) R32.6m

(d) Computers, furniture, vehicles, and equipment surplus to operational requirements or beyond economic repair.

ESKOM:

1. Eskom has sold 4 169 assets since 2018.
2. The total value of all 4169 assets at the time of sale was R269 052 207.
3. The total proceeds received from the sale of these assets were R463 309 568.
4. The types of assets sold can be seen in the table below.

South African Airways:

SAA has disposed of the following assets post business rescue:

(a)(b)(c)(d)

Property at the previous Durban airport precinct was sold to Transnet. The selling price was slightly above the value placed on it by an independent valuer.

x A340 aircraft (4 x A340-600’s and 3 x A340-300’s) that are no longer part of SAA’s fleet requirements were sold via a tender process. These aircraft were dully depreciated by SAA and fetched market related prices according to the age and condition of the aircraft.

As a result of the business rescue plan, a few SAA offices were closed in countries across the globe and the office furniture and equipment was disposed of in the respective country. Generally, these items had little value and were fully depreciated in SAA’s books.

SAFCOL:

From 2018 to 2023, the South African Forestry Company SOC Ltd (SAFCOL) has not sold any assets. The company however, has assets on the non-current asset list that are ready to be auctioned off to workers and the public through an external auction.

TRANSNET:

(a) There is a total of 24 disposals of non-core properties, six (6) sold and registered, and fourteen (18) approved but still in the process of registration. Details of the disposals are contained below:

Table 1: List of registered properties (assets) sold

	Property	Purchase Price	Date Registered
1	Erf 940 Ext. 7 Mandini	R 610 000	13 July 2018
2	Erf 550 Vryheid	R 450 000	16 November 2018
3	Portion 3 of Erf 265, Piet Retief	R 605 000	4 December 2019
4	Erf 8719 Richards Bay	R 25 000 000	7 February 2020
5	Erf 369, Wasbank	R 165 000	15 February 2018
6	Erf 1979, Edendale (Mbali Lodge)	R 60 000 000	8 March 2022

Table 2: List of properties sold – registration pending

No	Property	Purchase Price	Date of Sale
1	Transfer of Erf 16600, 16601, 16463 Vredenburg	R 27 490	May 2019
2	Transfer of Ptn of Rem of Erf 4668 Montague Gardens	R 1 050 000	July 2019
3	Transfer of Ptn of Erf 2409 Barberton	R 300 000	August 2019
4	Transfer of Ptn 781, 782 & 783 of farm Doornfontein	R 5 300 000	September 2019
5	Transfer of Ptn 45, 46, 47 of the farm Kaapmuiden, Mpumalanga	R 18 810	December 2019
6	Transfer of 24x vacant stands in Crosby	R 5 100 000	September 2020
7	Ptn 165 (Ptn of Ptn 53) of the Farm Nelspruit	R 3 450 230	March 2021
8	Ptn of Erf 2315 Rustenburg	R 120 320	July 2021
9	Ptn of Rem of Erf 21, Ptn of Erf 80, Ptn of Erf 8, Erf 11, Erf 79, Erf 7 Kaalbaskraal, Western Cape	R 2 000 000	March 2022
10	Erf 470 Kalbaskraal	R 350 000	August 2022
11	Erf 1277 Stellenbosch	R 1 980 000	June 2022
12	Erf 964 and 965 Stellenbosch	R 850 000	April 2023
13	Naval Hill - Bloemfontein	R 25 800 000	April 2022
14	Willow Bridge	R 120 000 000	April 2023
15	Park Chambers - Johannesburg	R 10 240 000	May 2023
16	Stella Mansion - Johannesburg	R 4 330 000	May 2023
17	Ptn of Rem of Erf 4668 Montague Gardens	R 943 200	March 2023
18	Montclair Lodge - Durban	R 34 200 000	March 2023

(1) (b)(c) (d) as per Tables 1 & 2.

Remarks: Approved / Not Approved

Jacky Molisane PJ Gordhan, MP

Acting Director-General Minister

Date: Date:

Reply:

The question relates to the performing of judicial functions, which falls under the purview of the Judiciary and the Chief Justice. It is advised that information relating to the performing of judicial functions, be directed to the Chief Justice.

Reply:

1. Currently, SASSA is notifying all grants beneficiaries of the card expiration date. In addition, beneficiaries are informed of their right to either renew their cards or open an account at any bank of their choice. The target is to ensure the renewal of cards that are due to expire at the end of December 2023 to avoid inconvenience.

2. Yes, Postbank team has prepared a SASSA Card Replacement Distribution Plan. This will serve as a framework upon which the card replacement program roll-out will be undertaken throughout the country.

3. The SASSA Card Replacement Distribution Plan seeks to mitigate such challenges and ensure timely information is shared with the public within a reasonable period of time. This will allow all beneficiaries enough time to collect their cards before 31 December 2023. Postbank plans to allocate approximately 2000 employees to card the replacement activities.

4. Postbank will communicate the introduction of the new card following consultations with the South African Reserve Bank and the industry. Beneficiaries will be notified on time to utilize identified channels in a staggered approach to replace their gold card. All the gold cards will be replaced with black cards and this will be communicated to the public. All efforts are currently being made to ensure that Postbank is ready to issue the cards before December 2023.  

Reply:

The Independent Police Investigative Directorate has referred 55 matters to State Attorney over the past 5 (five) financial years. This translates into an average of 11 (eleven) matters per annum.
 

Reply:

(a)The delays were occasioned by a number of reasons, including the finalisation of the organisational structure, the national macro organisation of the state process which resulted in the transfer of function from the Department of Social Development e.g. the transfer of disability and early childhood development as well as the change management readiness survey.

(b) Plans are underway to fill the position in the second quarter of the current financial year.

 

Reply:

The National Register for Sex Offenders (NRSO) was established to curb sexual offending and re-offending in the country. In response to the demands made by women who marched under the umbrella of #TheTotalShutDown Movement in August 2018, the particulars of all convicted sex offenders are now entered into the Register. Before then, only entries of sex offenders convicted of sex crimes involving child survivors and survivors with mental disabilities were made. With the recent legal developments, the scope of protection afforded by the NRSO has been extended to vulnerable persons.

Whether the National Register for Sex Offenders is up to date

The Register is up to date, as it is built on the integrated case management system, which instantaneously captures cases as and when the court convicts the offender of a sexual offence. With this system, the Registrar is able to know all pending cases of sexual offences, of which the particulars of the offenders can be potentially entered into the Register.

(a) Are there reasons for the backlog?

As stated there is no backlog on entries on the register. However, there is a backlog for clearance certificates caused by the malware attack in 2021. Since 2022/2023 financial year, the Department has included an indicator in the Annual Performance Plan to eliminate this backlog, and the plan is to achieve this goal in this financial year.

(b) What is the total number of days that constitute a backlog?

As indicated above, the only backlog is on the applications for the NRSO clearance certificates. In terms of Regulation 18 of the National Register for Sex Offenders, the Registrar is required to issue a clearance certificate as soon as is reasonably practicable, but within 10 working days after the receipt of application. Any application that is still not considered beyond 10 working days after the date of receipt is classified as a backlog application.

(c) What measures have been taken to improve the accuracy and completeness of the National Register for Sex Offenders; if so, what are the relevant details?

The Register used to have inaccurate and incomplete entries until 2018 when the Department upgraded the integrated case management system for the Register to include SMART functionalities that automatically detect wrong entries. To address the inaccuracies entered prior to 2018, the Department introduced a Data Verification Project and employed data capturers to clean up the data. On 31 March 2018, the Data Verification Project was finalised and over 19 668 ring-fenced cases were validated as the NRSO entries. The NRSO was subsequently audited by the office of the AG in 2019 and its information was found to be Complete, Accurate and Valid.

 

Reply:

The department has a programme called the Integrated Justice System (IJS) Programme which is a government initiative that strives to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the South African criminal justice process. It is driving a multi-department effort to increase the probability of successful investigation, prosecution, punishment, and ultimately the rehabilitation of offenders and their restoration back into society to realize a national objective that all South Africans are and feel safe.

As part of the IJS programme, the department has been working on a number of key strategic interventions seeking to ensure an Integrated Management of a person in the Criminal Justice System (CJS).

This has been done through the upgrade and refresh of the Home Affairs National Information System (HANIS) into a new system called Automatic Biometric Information System (ABIS). ABIS phase 1 development and testing have been completed. The system is currently into production.

Key off note are ABIS Phase 1 modalities, these are:

• Unique Person Identifier
• Facial recognition
• Fingerprint Search
• Latent Searches

It should be noted that the provision of a unique person identifier for a person will be essential for the CJS to obtain a holistic view of a person, their current custody status, and associated case history, whilst combatting any potential identity fraud by suspects, alleged accused and convicted criminals.

ABIS Phase 2 is currently being executed. This phase will comprise of modalities like:

• Iris
• Infant Footprint
• Palm Print

Both ABIS Phase 1 & 2 will ensure the Criminal Justice System (CJS) obtains the holistic view of a person and ensure robust person identification across the CJS value chain.

The IJS programme has also completed the development of the Person Identification and Verification Application (PIVA) which provides a solution for IJS departments to verify the identity of an individual using their fingerprints which are checked against Department of Home Affairs (DHA) records. Person Identification and Verification Application (PIVA) provides a solution for IJS departments to verify the identity of an individual using their fingerprints which are checked against Department of Home Affairs (DHA) records. Identity verification is a common requirement across all IJS member departments, and the development of this application was a combined effort. The SAPS is the CJS entry point and was the first department to implement PIVA in 2017. This solution has been rolled out to 1069 out of 1156 (92%) police stations across nine provinces. In the last financial year, the solution successfully verified the identify of 203 138 persons, of which 60 981 (30%) had previous SAPS records, and 5371 (2.6%) were identified as wanted persons.

As part of the IJS programme, the SAPS is currently executing an integrated booking solution which forms part of the Integrated Person Management (IPM) project. The IPM project is 97% complete and is ahead of schedule. Pilot for Release 1 (Person Booked & Verified), Release 2 (Unique Identified Person), Release 3(Tracked Person), and release 4 (Person Booked into holding facility) was conducted successfully during the 2022/23 financial year in the Johannesburg central police station. Release 5 (Person booked into holding facility) & 6 (Safeguard & manage person) rolled into production in Brooklyn. Development of Release 7 (Safeguard & Manage Person) is currently 85% complete

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Reply:

The question falls under the Executive Authority of the Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Gauteng. The Member is kindly requested to refer the question to the MEC for Gauteng as per section 92(3)(b) of the Constitution and Rule 134 (5)(b) of the NA rules. 

Reply:

Raw water is drawn from rivers and dams and treated in Water Treatment Works by either water boards or municipalities before it is supplied to households. The treated water is required by law to meet drinking water standards set by the South African Bureau of Standards in South African National Standard (SANS) 241. Municipalities and water boards are also required to conduct regular tests on the treated water to ensure that it complies with the standard.

After the water has been utilised by households, it goes through the sewer system to municipal Waste Water Treatment Works. The Waste Water Treatment Works (WWTW) processes the sewage and effluent is discharged into the rivers. The effluent from WWTW is also required to meet minimum standards, set by the Department of Water and Sanitation.

In terms of SANS241 and the norms and standards issued by DWS under the Water Services Act, when the tests carried out by a municipality indicate that the water supplied poses a health risk, the municipality must inform its consumers that the quality of the water that it supplies poses a health risk. To date, the original sources of the cholera infections in different parts of the country have not been located.

It is important to note that cholera is not only spread through polluted water. Outbreaks of cholera are caused either by people ingesting sewage-polluted water, or by faecal-oral means; through poor hygiene, eating contaminated food, or by coming into contact with the faeces of an infected person. Sewage pollution of rivers can also result in cholera bacteria entering the rivers via the faeces of an infected person or people.

In terms of the National Water Act, the Department issues compliance Notices and Directives to municipalities that are not compliant with norms and standards, instructing them to remedy the non-compliance. Where the Notices and Directives are not acted upon, the Department institutes legal action against the municipalities.

The Department is also supporting and intervening in many municipalities across the country with grant funding to address infrastructure deficits and improve water and sanitation services. The Department, collaborating with Water Boards is also assisting the municipalities with technical expertise and management support.

The Department is in the process of strengthening its role as the regulator of water services. This includes developing more comprehensive and more stringent norms and standards for water service and standardising its regulatory processes so that it is more consistent with its regulatory actions.

To conclude, the results of the 2023 Watch Reports also indicate that legislative reforms may be required to ensure that water service providers are professionally managed, capable, efficient and financially viable institutions. The Department is in the process of consulting with water sector stakeholders regarding such reforms.

---00O00---

Reply:

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) and Nkomazi Local Municipality (LM) conducted a site inspection that included Ericsville and surrounding villages including Ericsville, Ka-Hhoyi, Goba and Mbangwane. The inspection covered six reservoirs (three concrete and three elevated steel tanks) as well as the Masibekela Water Treatment Works.

The water scheme comprises of three phases of 7ML/day per phase producing a total of 21ML/day. The Nkomazi LM reported that 10.5ML of water is supplied to the eastern side of the scheme, which Ericsville is part of, and 10ML of water is supplied though the Sibande Water Supply Scheme on the western side.

However, the Masibekela Water Supply Scheme was damaged by the February 2023 floods which resulted in about 90% of the raw pumping house being submerged in the Komati River. More damage was caused to the two 55kw water pumps were damaged which were subsequently replaced with one emergency 37kw water pump. Due to the reduced capacity of the Masibekela scheme, the Nkomazi LM currently relies on the three 7ML concrete reservoirs that are on southern side of Mbangwane to store and supply water to the community.

The municipality reported that Ericsville has grown rapidly over the years and that the water supply status in the area is as follows:

• There are portions of Ericsville that are reticulated but are not receiving water on a daily basis due to damage sustained by the Masibekela water supply scheme in February 2023.
• The new extension of Ericsville where the 100 households are located, is not yet reticulated and is part of 10 other villages that are supplied by a 18 000L water tanker owned by the municipality.
• The bulk line that supplies reservoirs at Mbangwane also has illegal connections which also contribute to water shortages in Ericsville.
• There are plans for the municipality has plans to procure two more water tankers in the 2023/24 financial year as a short term measure to address water supply shortages.

The municipality also reported that it has received disaster funds R8 million to restore the pumpstation at Masibekela so that can operate at full capacity. While this will not eliminate water shortages for all the households in Ericsville, it will assist the communities that are reticulated to receive water more frequently.

The municipality indicated that it requires R740 million to implement long term interventions to upgrade the water treatment works, bulk and associated infrastructure to ensure the communities in Masibekela are supplied with water sustainably. The DWS will provide financial support of R90 million for reticulation projects in the municipality over the medium term through the Water Supply Infrastructure Grant. The municipality will have to apply to the DWS to access Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant funding for the upgrade of the Masibekela water supply scheme and associated bulk water infrastructure projects.

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Reply:

a)  The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) monitors the condition of municipal water and sanitation infrastructure through three incentive-based regulatory mechanisms:

• The Green Drop Report, which focuses on sanitation (waste-water treatment systems and effluent quality)
• The Blue Drop Report, which focuses on water (water treatment and water quality)
• The No Drop Report, which focuses on non-revenue water and water losses through leakages

The Blue and Green Drop Assessments results have shown that numerous municipalities lack the financial and technical capacity to manage water services adequately. The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has a constitutional obligation to support municipalities, as well as to regulate the provision of water and sanitation services. The Minister has crisscrossed the country visiting those municipalities with severe challenges with water and sanitation services. In many of the worst performing municipalities, Minister and municipal leadership have agreed on improvement plans. In certain instances, the Minister has set-up both Political and Technical Committees comprising of various institutions to oversee and drive the implementations of these plans/projects.

b) Based on the Blue and Green Drop assessment findings, municipalities are required to develop and submit corrective action plans to the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS). The improvement plans include a range of short, medium, and long-term projects to improve water and sanitation infrastructure.

Furthermore, the DWS together with the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Department of Human Settlement and National Treasury are in the process of developing the National Action Plan to implement the corrective or improvement plans.

Both these plans will be funded through the DWS’ Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant (RBIG) and Water Services Infrastructure Grant (WSIG) and CoGTA’s Municipal Infrastructure Grant.

Furthermore, the Minister is strengthening the capacity of Water Boards to assist municipalities to implement these improvement plans. There are a number of projects that are being implemented throughout the country with the assistance of Water Boards and the DWs’ Construction Unit.

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Reply:

The Limpopo  Department of Education has allocated the projects to the Independent Development Trust (IDT) to implement. The IDT is currently busy with procurement processes for the appointment of contractors. The following monitoring mechanisms are implemented by the province to ensure that the projects are completed on time

• Bi- weekly technical and progress meetings to monitor progress at site level.:
• Monthly meetings with all the implementing agents to review progress on all the projects under their management.
• For IDT specifically there is an additional monthly progress review meeting which includes PSPs and contractors. 
• The HODs office hold quarterly meetings with IAs to review performance and to discuss specific project issues

Reply:

Outbreaks of cholera are caused either by people ingesting sewage-polluted water, or by faecal-oral means - through poor hygiene, eating contaminated food or by coming into contact with the faeces of an infected person. Sewage pollution of rivers can result in cholera bacteria entered the rivers via the faeces of an infected person or people.

DWS released its Green Drop report in 2022, which indicated that the performance of many municipal wastewater treatment systems is deteriorating. The report identified 334 wastewater systems in a critical state of performance, in 90 municipalities. This means that many municipalities are discharging effluent from their wastewater (sewage) treatment works which does not meet the specified treatment levels, which in turn is resulting in pollution of rivers. The Vaal River is one of the worst polluted rivers in South Africa.

DWS has been carrying out weekly tests for cholera in the Vaal River at the point in Ngwathe where AfriForum tests initially indicated the presence of cholera bacteria, which was as a result of the proximity of a sewage-spilling manhole situated near the watercourse. DWS tests at the

site have not yet identified cholera bacteria. However, this does not mean that the AfriForum tests were incorrect. Cholera-infected faeces can be present at a particular point in the river at a particular time but may later flow downstream. DWS will conduct further tests downstream.

DWS has been informing members of the public that rivers, dams, and streams contain raw (untreated) water, and this water is not suitable for human consumption. Members of the public are therefore urged to avoid consuming untreated water sourced from such water bodies unless it is first disinfected. The National Institute for Communicable Diseases has also set out guidelines that should be followed regarding safe drinking water.

Municipalities are required by law to carry out regular tests of treated drinking water before it is provided to communities. Drinking water provided by municipalities is safe to drink if municipalities are carrying out the tests as required and if the tests show that the water meets the standards for drinking water as set by the South African Bureau of Standards.

Beyond producing the Blue, Green and No Drop monitoring reports, DWS is engaged in several initiatives aimed at addressing the problem of pollution of rivers by municipal wastewater treatment works. Firstly, the Minister has agreed on action plans to address infrastructural deficiencies in many of the worst performing municipalities, and DWS is assisting municipalities with funding from the Water Services Infrastructure Grant and Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant to address these deficiencies. Secondly, DWS is taking regulatory action 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. Thirdly, DWS is drafting amendments to the Water Services Act to strengthen its role as the regulator of municipal water and sanitation services and to enable the Minister to intervene effectively when there is non-compliance with directives to stop pollution.

a) Since the announcement of the cholera outbreak in the Free State Province in May 2023, in the Ngwathe Local Municipality (Vredefort and Parys), DWS has been collecting water samples on weekly basis to ensure that communities are receiving drinking water which is compliant to the South African National Standard (SANS) 241 and is safe for human consumption. Water samples were also collected at drinking water sources such as:

• Boreholes and Water Treatment Works (WTW) from the 2 towns (Parys and Vredefort)
• Raw water at the inlet into both Parys and Vredefort WTW
• Effluent discharged back into the Vaal River from both the Parys and Vredefort Wastewater Treatment Works (WWTW).

b) The DWS has been working with all relevant stakeholders to deal with the cholera outbreak in Free State and is is part of the Rapid Response Team (RRT) established to deal with the cholera outbreak in Ngwathe Local Municipality (LM). The team includes the Ngwathe LM, Fezile Dabi District Municipality (DM), and Department of Health. This team meets twice a week a week and the RRT briefs the Member of Executive Council (MEC) responsible for Health in the Free State on a number of issues including water supply and quality issues every Sunday evening.

To maximise the impact on the ground in terms interventions, a task team has also been established to coordinate the responses specifically on the improvement of water quality. This team is led by the DWS, and includes the Department of Health, Fezile Dabi DM, and Ngwathe LM. Sample collection is carried out as follows:

• • The DWS collects samples from all the drinking water sources (boreholes and WTW) in Vredefort and Parys, raw water at the inlet at the Parys and Vredefort WTW, and

Wastewater final effluent discharged back into the Vaal River from both the Parys and Vredefort Wastewater Treatment Works (WWTW).

• • The Fezile Dabi DM collects samples in the distribution network for the Vredefort and Parys towns including the water tanks.
  • The Ngwathe LM continues with their operational monitoring including parts of the distribution network.

c) DWS has been providing financial support to the Ngwathe LM with water and Sanitation projects through its grants. There is a project to refurbish the Parys WTW intended to bring relief to the area and ensure that water quality is compliant with norms and standards. For the 2023/24 financial year, the DWS has allocated R50 million under RBIG and R14,021 million under WSIG for water and sanitation interventions in Ngwathe LM.

The DWS also established a War Room with the Ngwathe LM to deal with all the water supply and water quality challenges in the municipality so that immediate interventions can be implemented. The War Room is comprised of the Ngwathe LM, Fezile Dabi DM, the DWS, CoGTA and MISA. The meetings are held twice per week on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

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