Questions and Replies

Reply:

a) The National Commissioner was informed on 22 March 2023.

(b)(i) The notification was received from the DCS, Director: Contract Management.

(b)(ii) The notification was received by means of a written investigation report on the escape of the mentioned offender.

END

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

a) The Generator Programme is aimed at rolling out 80 new generator installations at various courts in Limpopo, Free State, Northern Cape, Western Cape, Kwa-Zulu Natal, Mpumalanga and Gauteng Provinces respectively. The projects are currently in the planning and design phase which entails the site inspections, status quo reporting, drawings, specifications and approvals including municipal approvals. The market prices and cost breakdowns are determined upon the conclusion of the procurement process which will take place upon the approval of the 2023/24 procurement plan, anticipated at 30 April 2023 and the completion of the planning and design phase. The anticipated cost estimates range from R400 000 to R2 000 000, which varies per facility. The size of the facility and cabling length to the main supply are some of the parameters that determine the cost, which varies per facility.

b) The detailed list of the 80 generator installations are shown below:

PROVINCE	REGIONAL OFFICE	DESCRIPTION	WCS NO
FREE STATE PROVINCE	BLOEMFONTEIN	REVISED PI : BLOEMFONTEIN HIGH COURT: UPGRADING AND RENOVATING OF ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS INCLUDING BACK UP GENERATOR AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM	54928
GAUTENG PROVINCE	JOHANNESBURG	INSTALLATION OF STANDBY GENERATOR: VANDERBILJPARK, SEBOKENG AND VEREENIGING	54987
NORTHERN CAPE PROVINCE	KIMBERLEY	KIMBERLY HIGH COURT: APPOINTMENT OF CONSULTANT FOR PRE FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR INSTALLATION OF STANDBY GENERATOR	55044
FREE STATE	BLOEMFONTEIN	TSEKI: MAGISTRATE OFFICE: INSTALLATION OF BACK UP GENERATOR	55377
PROVINCE	BLOEMFONTEIN	FICKSBURG MAGISTRATE OFFICE: UPGRADING OF DB BOARD AND ELECTRICITY AND INSTALLATION OF AIR CONS SPILT UNITS AND BACK UP GENERATOR	055496
NORTHERN CAPE PROVINCE	KIMBERLY	VARIOUS MO CARNAVON, WILLISTON, BRITSTOWN SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF GENERATORS	056551
NORTHERN CAPE PROVINCE	KIMBERLY	VARIOUS MO PORT NOLLOTH, KENHARDT SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF GENERATORS	056549
NORTHERN CAPE PROVINCE	KIMBERLY	VARIOUS MO HANOVER, DE AAR, NOUPORT, RICHMOND SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF GENERATORS	056526
NORTHERN CAPE PROVINCE	KIMBERLY	VARIOUS MO SUTHERLAND, VICTORIA WEST SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF GENERATORS	056502
NORTHERN CAPE PROVINCE	KIMBERLY	VARIOUS MO HARTSWATER SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF GENERATORS	056563
NORTHERN CAPE PROVINCE	KIMBERLY	VARIOUS MO GRIEKWASTAD PRIESKA, DOUGLAS, SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF GENERATORS	056561
WESTERN CAPE PROVINCE	CAPE TOWN	VARIOUS MO CLANWILLIAM, ATLANTIS, MALMESBURY, VREDENBURG, VAN RHYNSDORP, VREDENDALE MOORREESBURG SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF GENERATORS	056571
WESTERN CAPE PROVINCE	CAPE TOWN	VARIOUS MO BLUE DOWNS, MITCHELL'S PLAIN SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF GENERATORS	056570
WESTERN CAPE PROVINCE	CAPE TOWN	VARIOUS MO GRABOUW HERMANUS GEORGE SOMERSET WEST UNIONDALE SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF GENERATORS	056573
WESTERN CAPE PROVINCE	CAPE TOWN	VARIOUS MO BISHOP LAVIS, KUILS RIVIER SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF GENERATORS	056565
WESTERN CAPE PROVINCE	CAPE TOWN	VARIOUS MO SWELLENDAM, MONTAGUE, HEIDELBERG, CALEDON, MOSSELBAY, ROBERTSON, BONNIEVALE. LADISMITH SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF GENERATORS	056566
NORTHERN CAPE PROVINCE	KIMBERLY	VARIOUS MO KATHU, OLIFANTSHOEK SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF GENERATORS	056564
NORTHERN CAPE PROVINCE	KIMBERLY	GALESHEWE MAGISTRATE COURT: A STRUCTURAL ENGINEER BE APPOINTED TO CONDUCT A COMPLETE STATUS QUO REPORT OF THE COURT AND A COST ESTIMATE FOR NEW MAJOR REPAIRS AND RENOVATIONS	056669
KWA-ZULU NATAL PROVINCE	DURBAN	PIETERMARITZBURG HIGH COURT: INSTALLATION OF A GENERATOR	056689
GAUTENG PROVINCE	JOHANNESBURG	LENASIA MAGISTRATE COURT: INSTALLATION OF BACKUP GENERATOR	056676
MPUMALANGA PROVINCE	NELSPRUIT	CLUSTER 3- MPUMALANGA PROVINCE- INTALLATION OF BACKUP GENERATORS AND UNINTERRUPTIBLE POWER SYSTEM AT SABIE, ACORNHOEK, BUSHBUCKRIDGE MAGISTRATE COURTS:	056683
MPUMALANGA PROVINCE	NELSPRUIT	CLUSTER 2- MPUMALANGA PROVINCE- INTALLATION OF BACKUP GENERATORS AND UNINTERRUPTIBLE POWER SYSTEM AT SECUNDA AND OGIES MAGISTRATE COURTS	056682
WESTERN CAPE PROVINCE	CAPE TOWN	CLUSTER 2 WESTERN CAPE PROVINCE INSTALLATION OF GENERATORS AT CALITZDORP AND BEAUFORT WEST MAGISTRATE OFFICE	056686
WESTERN CAPE PROVINCE	CAPE TOWN	CLUSTER 4 WESTERN CAPE PROVINCE INSTALLATION OF GERERATORS AT VANRHYSDORP AND VREDENDAL MAGISTRATE OFFICE	056690
MPUMALANGA PROVINCE	NELSPRUIT	CLUSTER 2: MPUMALANGA PROVINCE: INSTALLATION OFBACKUP GENERATORS AND UNINTERRUPTIBLE POWER SYSTEM AT OGIES AND SECUNDA MAGISTRATE COURTS	056682
WESTERN CAPE PROVINCE	CAPE TOWN	CLUSTER 1 WESTERN CAPE PROVINCE INSTALLATION OF GENERATORS AT BLUE DOWNS AND BISHOP LAVIS MAGISTRATE COURTS	056565
WESTERN CAPE PROVINCE	CAPE TOWN	WESTERN CAPE PROVINCE INSTALLATION OF GENERATORS AT GRABOUW MAGISTRATE COURT	056573
WESTERN CAPE PROVINCE	CAPE TOWN	CLUSTER 3 WESTERN CAPE PROVINCE INSTALLATION OF GENERATORS AT GEORGE AND UNIONDALE MAGISTRATE COURTS	056687
MPUMALANGA PROVINCE	MPUMALANGA	CLUSTER MPUMALANGA PROVINCE INSTALLATION OF BACKUP GENERATORS AND UNINTERRUPTIBLE POWER SYSTEM AT PIET RETIEF AMSTERDAM CAROLINA AND ERMELO MAGISTRATE COURTS	056681
GAUTENG PROVINCE	JOHANNESBURG	GAUTENG PROVINCE INSTALLATION OF BACK UP GENERATOR AT JEPPE MAGISTRATE OFFICE	056713
GAUTENG PROVINCE	JOHANNESBURG	BOKSBURG MAGISTRATE'S OFFICE REPAIRS AND RENOVATIONS AND UPGRADING OF ELECTRICITY AND INSTALLATION OF STANDBY GENERATOR	054596
GAUTENG PROVINCE	JOHANNESBURG	VARIOUS CENTRES (JOHANNESBURG REGION) MAGISTRATE'S OFFICE SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF STANDBY GENERATORS:VANDERBIJLPARK SEBOKENG AND VEREENIGING	054987
GAUTENG PROVINCE	JOHANNESBURG	VARIOUS CENTRES (JOHANNESBURG REGION) MAGISTRATE'S OFFICE SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF STANDBY GENERATOR: SPRINGS,NIGEL, HILLBROW,DAVEYTON AND HEIDELBURG	054990
GAUTENG PROVINCE	JOHANNESBURG	VARIOUS CENTRES (JOHANNESBURG REGION) MAGISTRATE'S OFFICE SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF STANDBY GENERATOR: SPRINGS,NIGEL, HILLBROW,DAVEYTON AND HEIDELBURG	054990
GAUTENG PROVINCE	JOHANNESBURG	VARIOUS CENTRES (JOHANNESBURG REGION) MAGISTRATE'S OFFICE SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF STANDBY GENERATOR: SPRINGS,NIGEL, HILLBROW,DAVEYTON AND HEIDELBURG	054990
GAUTENG PROVINCE	JOHANNESBURG	VARIOUS CENTRES (JOHANNESBURG REGION) MAGISTRATE'S OFFICE SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF STANDBY GENERATOR: SPRINGS,NIGEL, HILLBROW,DAVEYTON AND HEIDELBURG	054990
LIMPOPO PROVINCE	POLOKWANE	POLOKWANE HIGH COURT INTERIM MAINTENANCE FOR LIFTS, GENERATORS,FIRE DETECTION AND AIR CONDITIONERS
LIMPOPO PROVINCE	HEAD OFFICE (D: CPM)	POLOKWANE MAGISTRATE'S OFFICE RECONSTRUCTION OF OFFICES, REPLACEMENT OF GENERATOR, FIRE EQUIPMENT, AIR CONDITIONERS,DAMAGED BY FIRE	055206
NORTHERN CAPE PROVINCE	KIMBERLEY	KUDUMANE MAGISTRATE'S OFFICE UPGRADING,REPAIRS AND RENOVATIONS INCLUDING INSTALLATION OF WTER TANKS WITH ELECTRICAL PUMP AND GENERATOR SET	053756
NORTHERN CAPE PROVINCE	KIMBERLEY	CALVINIA MAGISTRATE'S OFFICE INSTALLATION OF STANDBY GENERATOR	053762
NORTHERN CAPE PROVINCE	KIMBERLEY	KURUMAN MAGISTRATE'S OFFICE INSTALLATION OF STANDBY GENERATOR	053764
FREE STATE PROVINCE	BLOEMFONTEIN	SASOLBURG MAGISTRATE COURT. INSTALLATION OF A GENERATOR	056519
FREE STATE PROVINCE	BLOEMFONTEIN	BETHLEHEM MAGISTRATE COURT. INSTALLATION OF A GENERATOR	056519
FREE STATE PROVINCE	BLOEMFONTEIN	KROONSTAD MAGISTRATE COURT. INSTALLATION OF A GEGERATOR	056520
FREE STATE PROVINCE	BLOEMFONTEIN	HARRISMITH MAGISTRATE COURT. INSTALLATION OF A GENERATOR	056521
WESTERN CAPE PROVINCE	CAPE TOWN	VARIOUS MO CLANWILLIAM, ATLANTIS, MALMESBURY, VREDENBURG, VAN RHYNSDORP, VREDENDALE MOORREESBURG SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF GENERATORS	056571
WESTERN CAPE PROVINCE	CAPE TOWN	VARIOUS MO CLANWILLIAM, ATLANTIS, MALMESBURY, VREDENBURG, VAN RHYNSDORP, VREDENDALE MOORREESBURG SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF GENERATORS	056571
WESTERN CAPE PROVINCE	CAPE TOWN	VARIOUS MO CLANWILLIAM, ATLANTIS, MALMESBURY, VREDENBURG, VAN RHYNSDORP, VREDENDALE MOORREESBURG SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF GENERATORS	056571
WESTERN CAPE PROVINCE	CAPE TOWN	VARIOUS MO CLANWILLIAM, ATLANTIS, MALMESBURY, VREDENBURG, VAN RHYNSDORP, VREDENDALE MOORREESBURG SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF GENERATORS	056571
WESTERN CAPE PROVINCE	CAPE TOWN	VARIOUS MO CLANWILLIAM, ATLANTIS, MALMESBURY, VREDENBURG, VAN RHYNSDORP, VREDENDALE MOORREESBURG SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF GENERATORS	056571
WESTERN CAPE PROVINCE	CAPE TOWN	VARIOUS MO CLANWILLIAM, ATLANTIS, MALMESBURY, VREDENBURG, VAN RHYNSDORP, VREDENDALE MOORREESBURG SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF GENERATORS	056571
WESTERN CAPE PROVINCE	CAPE TOWN	VARIOUS MO BLUE DOWNS, MITCHELL'S PLAIN SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF GENERATORS	WCS 056570
WESTERN CAPE PROVINCE	CAPE TOWN	VARIOUS MO GRABOUW HERMANUS GEORGE SOMERSET WEST UNIONDALE SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF GENERATORS	WCS 056573
WESTERN CAPE PROVINCE	CAPE TOWN	VARIOUS MO SWELLENDAM, MONTAGUE, HEIDELBERG, CALEDON, MOSSELBAY, ROBERTSON, BONNIEVALE. LADISMITH SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF GENERATORS	WCS 056566
WESTERN CAPE PROVINCE	CAPE TOWN	VARIOUS MO SWELLENDAM, MONTAGUE, HEIDELBERG, CALEDON, MOSSELBAY, ROBERTSON, BONNIEVALE. LADISMITH SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF GENERATORS	WCS 056566
WESTERN CAPE PROVINCE	CAPE TOWN	VARIOUS MO SWELLENDAM, MONTAGUE, HEIDELBERG, CALEDON, MOSSELBAY, ROBERTSON, BONNIEVALE. LADISMITH SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF GENERATORS	WCS 056566
WESTERN CAPE PROVINCE	CAPE TOWN	VARIOUS MO SWELLENDAM, MONTAGUE, HEIDELBERG, CALEDON, MOSSELBAY, ROBERTSON, BONNIEVALE. LADISMITH SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF GENERATORS	WCS 056566
WESTERN CAPE PROVINCE	CAPE TOWN	VARIOUS MO SWELLENDAM, MONTAGUE, HEIDELBERG, CALEDON, MOSSELBAY, ROBERTSON, BONNIEVALE. LADISMITH SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF GENERATORS	WCS 056566
NORTHERN CAPE PROVINCE	KIMBERLEY	ADDENDUM VARIOUS MO WARRINGTON, PAMPIERSTAD SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF GENERATORS	WCS 056563
NORTHERN CAPE PROVINCE	KIMBERLEY	VARIOUS MO KATHU, OLIFANTSHOEK SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF GENERATORS	WCS 056564
MPUMALANGA PROVINCE	NELSPRUIT	CLUSTER 3- MPUMALANGA PROVINCE- INTALLATION OF BACKUP GENERATORS AND UNINTERRUPTIBLE POWER SYSTEM AT SABIE, ACORNHOEK, BUSHBUCKRIDGE MAGISTRATE COURTS:	056681
MPUMALANGA PROVINCE	NELSPRUIT	CLUSTER 3- MPUMALANGA PROVINCE- INTALLATION OF BACKUP GENERATORS AND UNINTERRUPTIBLE POWER SYSTEM AT SABIE, ACORNHOEK, BUSHBUCKRIDGE MAGISTRATE COURTS:	056681
MPUMALANGA PROVINCE	NELSPRUIT	CLUSTER 3- MPUMALANGA PROVINCE- INTALLATION OF BACKUP GENERATORS AND UNINTERRUPTIBLE POWER SYSTEM AT SABIE, ACORNHOEK, BUSHBUCKRIDGE MAGISTRATE COURTS:	056681
MPUMALANGA PROVINCE	NELSPRUIT	CLUSTER 2- MPUMALANGA PROVINCE- INTALLATION OF BACKUP GENERATORS AND UNINTERRUPTIBLE POWER SYSTEM AT SECUNDA AND OGIES MAGISTRATE COURTS	056682
		POMEROY MAGISTRATE COURT OFFICE CONSTRUCTION OF ADDIDTIONAL ACCOMMODATION REPAIRS AND RENOVATIONS AND INSTALLATION OF A GENERATOR	056667
MPUMALANGA PROVINCE	NELSPRUIT	CLUSTER 2: MPUMALANGA PROVINCE: INSTALLATION OFBACKUP GENERATORS AND UNINTERRUPTIBLE POWER SYSTEM AT OGIES AND SECUNDA MAGISTRATE COURTS	056682
WESTERN CAPE PROVINCE	CAPE TOWN	WESTERN CAPE PROVINCE INSTALLATION OF GENERATORS AT GRABOUW MAGISTRATE COURT	056573
MPUMALANGA PROVINCE	NELSPRUIT	CLUSTER MPUMALANGA PROVINCE INSTALLATION OF BACKUP GENERATORS AND UNINTERRUPTIBLE POWER SYSTEM AT PIET RETIEF AMSTERDAM CAROLINA AND ERMELO MAGISTRATE COURTS	056683
NORTHERN CAPE PROVINCE	KIMBERLY	VARIOUS MO CARNAVON, WILLISTON, BRITSTOWN SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF GENERATORS	056551
NORTHERN CAPE PROVINCE	KIMBERLY	VARIOUS MO CARNAVON, WILLISTON, BRITSTOWN SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF GENERATORS	056551
GAUTENG PROVINCE	JOHANNESBURG	VARIOUS CENTRES (JOHANNESBURG REGION) MAGISTRATE'S OFFICE SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF STANDBY GENERATORS:VANDERBIJLPARK SEBOKENG AND VEREENIGING	054987
WESTERN CAPE PROVINCE	CAPE TOWN	WESTERN CAPE PROVINCE INSTALLATION OF GENERATORS AT GRABOUW MAGISTRATE COURT	056573
NORTHERN CAPE PROVINCE	KIMBERLY	VARIOUS MO PORT NOLLOTH, KENHARDT SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF GENERATORS	056549
NORTHERN CAPE PROVINCE	KIMBERLY	VARIOUS MO HANOVER, DE AAR, NOUPORT, RICHMOND SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF GENERATORS	056526
NORTHERN CAPE PROVINCE	KIMBERLY	VARIOUS MO HANOVER, DE AAR, NOUPORT, RICHMOND SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF GENERATORS	056526
NORTHERN CAPE PROVINCE	KIMBERLY	VARIOUS MO HANOVER, DE AAR, NOUPORT, RICHMOND SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF GENERATORS	056526
NORTHERN CAPE PROVINCE	KIMBERLY	VARIOUS MO SUTHERLAND, VICTORIA WEST SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF GENERATORS	056502
NORTHERN CAPE PROVINCE	KIMBERLY	VARIOUS MO GRIEKWASTAD PRIESKA, DOUGLAS, SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF GENERATORS	056561
MPUMALANGA PROVINCE	NELSPRUIT	CLUSTER MPUMALANGA PROVINCE INSTALLATION OF BACKUP GENERATORS AND UNINTERRUPTIBLE POWER SYSTEM AT PIET RETIEF AMSTERDAM CAROLINA AND ERMELO MAGISTRATE COURTS	056683
MPUMALANGA PROVINCE	NELSPRUIT	CLUSTER MPUMALANGA PROVINCE INSTALLATION OF BACKUP GENERATORS AND UNINTERRUPTIBLE POWER SYSTEM AT PIET RETIEF AMSTERDAM CAROLINA AND ERMELO MAGISTRATE COURTS	056683
MPUMALANGA PROVINCE	NELSPRUIT	CLUSTER MPUMALANGA PROVINCE INSTALLATION OF BACKUP GENERATORS AND UNINTERRUPTIBLE POWER SYSTEM AT PIET RETIEF AMSTERDAM CAROLINA AND ERMELO MAGISTRATE COURTS	056683

Reply:

1. NATIONAL TREASURY

1. No

(a)(i)(ii) N/A

2. ASB

We do not have contracts with G4S.

3. CBDA

1. CBDA does not have any contract with G4S. The CBDA is currently housed in National Treasury building with dependence on their security.
2. Not applicable
3. Not applicable

 

4. DBSA

The Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) has no security contract with the security firm G4S. The DBSA security officers are Bank employees.

5. FAIS OMBUD

We confirm that the Office of the FAIS Ombud does not have any contracts with G4S

6. FIC

(b) The Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) does not currently have any contract in place with the security company G4S.

1. Not applicable
2. Not applicable

7. FSCA

The FSCA does not have any contract with G4S. The security company responsible for the FSCA premises is Tatanium Guarding Services.

8. GEPF

The Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF) does not have a security contract with the company G4S.

9. GPAA

The Government Pensions Administration Agency (GPAA) can confirm that it has no contracts with G4S.

10. GTAC

GTAC does not have any contracts with the security company G4S.

11. IRBA

The Independent Regulatory Board for Auditors does not have a contract with G4S and has no position in this regard.

12. LANDBANK

Land Bank does not have any contract with G4S.

13. OPFA

The Office of the Pension Funds Adjudicator does not have any current contracts with the security company G4S. Its offices are leased from a service provider/landlord who is responsible for building security.

14. PIC

The PIC has no contracts with G4S.

15. SARS

(b) SARS follows a competitive procurement process and awarded security related services to various service providers. G4S did not win any award from SARS and currently is NOT a service provider to the institution.

16. SASRIA

Sasria SOC Limited does not have any current contracts with the security company G4S.

17. OFFICE OF THE TAX OMBUD (OTO)

Whether (a) the National Treasury and/or

• any of the entities reporting to him have any current contracts with the security company G4S;

The OTO does not have current contract with G4S.

• if not, what is the position in this regard;

The OTO relies on and follows the SARS procurement policies and procedures including awarding of contracts.

Reply:

1. Government has provided the reasons for South Africa being greylisted through public statements by National Treasury at the time (e.g. statement issued by National Treasury dated 24 February 2023[1], and related frequency asked questions), and responses to the many parliamentary questions, for eg Nos PQ943, PQ3967, PQ2641, PQ2642, and also a question for oral response for the Deputy President (CO254E).

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) greylisted South Africa despite acknowledging the “significant and positive progress” made by the country in addressing many of the deficiencies identified in the 2021 Mutual Evaluation Report on South Africa. This included the enactment of two major pieces of legislation, namely the General Laws (Anti-Money Laundering and Combating Terrorism Financing) Amendment Act, 2022 (“General Laws Amendment Act”) and the Protection of Constitutional Democracy Against Terrorism and Related Activities Amendment Act, 2022 (“POCDATARA Amendment Act”). The two pieces of legislation amended six Acts of Parliament, to deal with technical deficiencies in the legislative framework of the country’s Anti-Money Laundering/Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) system. FATF concluded that the country needed to make further effectiveness (in implementation) improvements, through sustained progress in addressing eight (8) areas of strategic deficiencies related to the effective implementation of South Africa’s Anti-Money Laundering/Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) laws.

2. Dealing or not dealing with illicit financial flows is not the reason for South Africa been greylisted, but is based on the extent of compliance by a country with the 40 FATF Recommendations and 11 effectiveness outcome measures, as assessed through a Mutual Evaluation conducted or overseen by FATF or associated regional bodies. It is important to note that the fight against money laundering and terror financing is generally broader than the fight against IFFs.

Also, contrary to the assumptioin made by the Honourable Member, Government has not ignored the call by opposition parties to deal with illicit financial flows and taken a number of measures to counter it. Government established an Illicit Financial Flows Working Group, which reports to the Interdepartmental Committee on AML/CFT that is chaired by the Director-General of National Treasury, to analyse illicit financial flows into and out of the country. There is also a working group that comprises of the SARS, NICOC, National Treasury and the DTIC that is currently working on formulating a National Anti-Illicit Economy strategy. This process will include an analysis of the underlying causes for IFFs and make recommendations that will enable IFFs to be traced, tracked and the perpetrators to be arrested.

3. (a) South Africa has committed to an Action Plan to address all remaining deficiencies identified in its anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism. Implementing the Action Plan will assist South Africa to be removed from the FATF greylist, and further, to prevent South Africa from been greylisted in the fugure when the next mutual evaluation is conducted in the next seven to ten years. The General Laws (Anti-Money Laundering and the Combating of the Financing of Terrorism) Amendment Act, together with the POCDATARA Amendment Act (see above) are expected to improve the effectiveness of the country’s AML/CFT system. It is however important to note that as FATF standards or recommendations change, the South African AML/CFT system will also need to be continuously improved to address the evolving money laundering and terror financing risks.

(b) Refer to (2) above.

4. The FATF set, in consultation with South African authorities, a timeframe of January 2025 to address all outstanding deficiencies, for South African to be removed from the greylist. It is our hope that we will be removed sooner, sometime in 2024.

The Interdepartmental Committee on AML/CFT that is chaired by the Director-General of National Treasury monitors progress towards addressing all outstanding deficiencies fully and within the timelines agreed between South African authorities and the FATF. The Interdepartmental Committee on AML/CFT is required to report to Cabinet on a quarterly basis.

5. The Honourable member would be aware that National Treasury does not have the mandate and competence to offer protection to whistle blowers and relies on the law enforcement authorities to do so. National Treasury recognises the need to improve and strengthen our whistleblower system, as it is an essential tool to fight fraud and corruption in the public sector.

1. https://www.treasury.gov.za/comm_media/press/2023/2023022401%20Media%20statement%20-%20Response%20to%20FATF.pdf ↑

Reply:

I wish to inform the Hon Member that I have been informed that:

(1)(a) 744 prosecutors have received training in (i) cybercrime and security; and (ii) cryptocurrency crime and security, during the 2021/2022 to 2022/2023 financial years.

(b) Numbers of (b) judges and (c) magistrates, trained, has been referred to the South African Judicial Education Institute at the Office of the Chief Justice, which is mandated to provide training to the High and Lower Court Judiciary. The response is as follows:

(i) Cybercrime and Security

2015/16

Topic	Target audience	#
Cybercrime and Electronic Evidence(ToT)	Judges	12
Cybercrime and Electronic Evidence (ToT)	Judges	10
Cybercrime and Electronic Evidence (ToT)	Judges	8
Cybercrime and Electronic Evidence	Judges	17
Cybercrime and Electronic Evidence (ToT)	District Court Magistrates (DCM)	16
Cybercrime and Electronic Evidence	District Court Magistrates	13
Cybercrime and Electronic Evidence	District Court Magistrates	22
Cybercrime and Electronic Evidence	District Court Magistrates	21
Cybercrime and Electronic Evidence	District Court Magistrates	72
Cybercrime and Electronic Evidence	District Court Magistrates	15
Cybercrime and Electronic Evidence (ToT)	Regional Court Magistrates (RCM)	15
Cybercrime and Electronic Evidence	Regional Court Magistrates	85
Cybercrime and Electronic Evidence	Regional Court Magistrates	29

Note: ToT stands for Train the Trainer course on Cybercrime and Electronic Evidence facilitation skills.

Totals:

Judges: 47

RCM: 129

DCM: 149

2016/17

Topic	Target audience	#
Cybercrime and Electronic Evidence	Judges	19
Cybercrime and Electronic Evidence	Judges	21
Cybercrime and Electronic Evidence	Regional Magistrates	57
Cybercrime and Electronic Evidence	District Court Magistrates	14
Cybercrime and Electronic Evidence	District Court Magistrates	10
Cybercrime and Electronic Evidence	District Court Magistrates	77
Cybercrime and Electronic Evidence	District Court Magistrates	15
Cybercrime and Electronic Evidence	District Court Magistrates	12

Totals:

Judges: 40

RCM: 57

DCM: 128

2017/18

Topic	Target audience	#
Technology used in Cybercrime	Regional Court Magistrates	154
Cybercrime and Electronic Evidence	District Court Magistrates	18

Totals:

RCM: 154

DCM: 18

2019/20

Topic	Target audience	#
Cybersecurity, cyber specific offences and Budapest Convention	District Court Magistrates	17

2020/21

Topic	Target audience	#
Cybercrime and Electronic Evidence	Regional Court Magistrates	52

2021/22

Topic	Target audience	#
Cybercrime and Electronic Evidence	Regional Court Magistrates	49

2022/23

Topic	Target audience	#
Cybercrime and Electronic Evidence	District Court Magistrates	17
Cybercrime Amendment Act 12/2021	District Court Magistrates	14

Totals:

DCM: 31

(ii) Number of Judges and Magistrates trained on cryptocurrency crime and security

2018/19

Topic	Target audience	#
ICT, Cryptocurrency and Organised Crime	Judges	84

Totals:

Judges: 84

2. (a)(b) Yes. In fact, I regard training and capacitation on the management and prosecution of cybercrime and cryptocurrency cybercrime as so important, that I have signed a Cooperation Protocol with the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of the French Republic, to promote such training and capacitation, during June 2023.

(i) Furthermore, 334 Prosecutors have applied to be trained on Cybercrimes at Justice College, during the 2023/ 2024 financial year. Such training will take place during seven (7) planned training sessions.

(ii) In addition, the Cyber Response Committee has planned for training for 60 prosecutors. The training will cover the following:

1. Basic Cybercrime Investigation;
2. Financial Investigation triage and techniques;
3. Overview of digital evidence for prosecutors; and
4. Mobile device evidence for prosecutors.

(iii) I have great pleasure in announcing that three (3) NPA officials who have undergone intensive training through the FBI’s Law Enforcement Academy in the areas of the Dark Web and crypto investigations, are now also responsible for rolling out training to NPA and SAPS officials. The first such training is scheduled for 17 July 2023.

(iv) Lastly, I have been informed that the NPA’s Specialised Commercial Crimes Unit (SCCU), has recently established its own Training Desk to ensure that specialist training needs are sourced, which includes training at an advanced level in Cyber-crime and crypto currencies. This includes collaboration with the following counterparts and organizations:

1. The UNODC;
2. The Office of the US Legal: FBI;
3. SABRIC; and
4. FIC.

Plans will also be developed when there is additional budget for refresher training of Judicial trainers by experts.

I therefore wish to assure the Honorable Member that my Ministry and the JCPS Cluster are taking cybercrimes seriously and are addressing these crimes as a priority.

Reply:

The updated progress made to address the serious shortage of office space at the High Court in Kimberley through procurement of alternative office accommodation for Master of High Court is as follows:

• 1. The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development received the request for confirmation of funding through an Actual Cost Analysis (ACA) on the 12 June 2023 from the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) with regards to the procurement of an alternative accommodation for Master of High Court Kimberley.
  2. The approved Actual Cost Analysis was approved and forwarded to DPWI on the 22 June 2023.
  3. This will enable the DPWI to finalize the procurement of the alternative accommodation with the awarded bidder.

Reply:

The Department is currently implementation , busy with the Rail Policy which is geared at dealing with the provision of rail services across the country. The Policy is founded on the principle of the modal shift of rail-friendly cargo from road to rail and the need to revitalise the railways to supply a range of industrial supply-chain logistics services.

The ultimate objective being to upgrade the existing and future rolling stock to ensure that they are better utilised and more volume of cargo moves from road to rail and the resultant reduction of haulage of bulk commodities by road transport. We have started with stringent law enforcements on hazardous chemical cargo to be completely on rail.

Currently there are law enforcement teams at strategic positions to ensure that truck drivers obey the rules and laws of the roads, These Provincial Law enforcement teams have been augmented by National Traffic Police under RTMC, and is yielding good results. The Department of Public Enterprises and Transnet are responsible for freight rail in SA.

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

With regard to plans for refurbishment and/or modeling of damaged and dilapidated hospitals, the matter can be best dealt with by our sister Department of Infrastructure Development, as it is not within the purview of the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure. Therefore, the question should be referred to the relevant MEC, accordingly.

Reply:

a) The National Commissioner was informed on 22 March 2023.

(b)(i) The notification was received from the DCS, Director: Contract Management.

(b)(ii) The notification was received by means of a written investigation report on the escape of the mentioned offender.

END

Reply:

Yes, the then Minister of Transport, Mr Fikile Mbalula, established a Road Freight and Logistics Task Team (Task Team) to serve as a conduit to the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) and it comprises all stakeholders within the road freight industry, the Departments of Transport, DHA, DEL, SAPS and DIRCO. Trucking Association of South Africa (TASA) is also a member.

At a meeting held on 22 June 2022 with some of the Ministers constituting the IMC wherein a media briefing was held where three documents were signed and they are

(i) The terms of Reference;

(ii) An implementation Plan; and

(iii) A pact.

were signed by the RFL stakeholders and some of the Departments in attendance.

The Task Team was formally established with a maximum of 2 representatives from each organisation,

The Task Team is hosted by the Department and its meets on a monthly basis wherein progress is monitored and evaluated on the activities of the outlined in the Implementation Plan.

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

(1) The recycling was included in the scope of work of Tefla under Waste Management Duties (WMD), however due to an existing contract having the same scope the services were excluded for three until the existing contract expire. The value of the Facilities Management contract signed with Tefla Group is R510 565 626,33.

(2) Recycling was included as part of the Facilities Management Contract (FMC) under Waste Management Duties (WMD). However, these services were excluded from the scope of TEFLA for the first three years of the contract with the intention to deal with them separately through an existing contract. The existing contract for waste management will expire in year three of the five year FM contract, at which point TEFLA will take over the services and implement them as per the service level agreement.

Reply:

1. Attending to challenges relating to the operations of any entity falls within the ambit of the fiduciary duties of the Board. The Board then accounts to the Minister n line with the Shareholder compact, quarterly reports on performance amongst other. The Minister can therefore not meet with management of the C-BRTA on operational challenges, this is the duty of the Board. However, if there are such challenges, the Board has an obligation to investigate these and report to the Minister. Such a report will also be disclosed in the Annual Report of the entity that will be tabled in Parliament.

2. I have been advised that the C-BRTA has lost one labour arbitration case recently, and the Agency is studying the judgement in order to make a determination on the course of action. Performance and other career incidents of the Chief Executive Officer are the responsibility of the Board.

Reply:

There are no official designated parking spots for truck and/or heavy duty vehicles provided by SANRAL and the Provincial or Municipal Road Authorities. These are generally are located away from the Road Reserve at private trucks stops/service stations. As part of implementation of the Road Freight Strategy, research will be commissioned to identify the needs of road freight for parking and handling space on corridors and in urban areas.

However, truck stop are located in all the National Freight Corridors as well as the parallel provincial corridors in accordance to the traffic volumes on the corridors.

Corridor	Corridor Name
N1 South	Gauteng – Cape Town
N1 North	Gauteng – Beit bridge
N2 South	Cape Town - Durban
N2 Central	East London – Durban
N3	Gauteng - Durban
N4 West	Gauteng - Skilpadshek
N4 East	Gauteng - Lebombo
N5	Harrismith - Winburg
N6	East London – Bloemfontein
N7	Cape Town – Viooldrift
N8	Bloemfontein - Maseru
N9	George - Colesburg
N10	Britstown - Nakop
N11	Ladysmith – Groblersbrug
N12	Gauteng – Beaufort West
N14	Gauteng Springbok
N17	Gauteng - Oshoek

Reply:

1. In October 2016, the 5th administration of South Africa took a decision to withdraw from the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (“Rome Statute”). Following this decision, South Africa sent a written notice to withdraw from the Rome Statute to the Secretary General of the United Nations.

2. In February 2017, the North Gauteng High Court unanimously ruled that the withdrawal notification sent by South Africa to the United Nations was unconstitutional and invalid without prior parliamentary approval, and ordered the Government to rescind the notice with immediate effect. In line with the court decision, the South African government revoked its notice of withdrawal from the Rome Statute in March 2017.

(a) There is currently no intention to introduce a Bill with the aim of withdrawing the Republic’s participation in and membership of the ICC.

(b) South Africa remains a full member of the ICC with all the rights and obligations that accrue to all members of the Rome Statute.

(c) The International Crimes Bill, introduced in Parliament in 2017, whose purpose was to withdraw South Africa from the ICC by repealing the Implementation of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court Act 27 of 2002, has been withdrawn from Parliament.

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

According to our records, the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) has not built a satellite police station in the village of Magogong. Upon engagement with the South African Police Services (SAPS), they confirmed that they once had a service point in the area long time ago, and that it has been closed down.

Reply:

(aa) Procurement by National Treasury is largely for equipment, consultants or advisory services and it is not possible to accurately allocate amounts in the categories requested, as such classifications are not recorded on the BAS system. Our best estimate is that R98 460 381.90 has been allocated to SMME in the 2021/22 Financial Year.

(bb) For 2023/24, the information will be made available in 2024 after the end of the financial year.

Reply:

1. The Department is responsible for the processing of all incoming and outgoing requests for mutual legal assistance and extraditions to and from foreign states. Although detailed records are kept of all cases processed by the Department, due to the nature of these matters, some cases cannot be divulged due to the confidentiality and sensitive nature thereof and the fact that the matter has not yet been finalised.

2. Since August 2022, the Department received 78 new requests for extradition and mutual legal assistance.

Reply:

1. (aa) Minister

(a)Destination	(b)(i) Accommodation cost	(ii) Travel cost (Flights)	(iii) Other costs (S & T, Incidental, DIRCO Expenditure: Road Transport,)
16th international inter-ministerial conference on South Africa cooperation in Pop Dev 30 August – 05 September 2019 Tunis, Tunisia	R 14 594.63	R 31 300.00	R 13 353.15
The Nairobi Summit on the International Conference on Development (ICPD25) 10 -14 November 2019 Nairobi, Kenya	R 43 995.94	R 27 268.97	R 154 424.72
Global Entrepreneurship Congress 27 – 30 March 2022 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia	R 39 475.14	R 137 885.00	R 52 186.29
SheDecides+5 Event and Nexus High-level Roundtable. 19 – 20 May 2022 Brussels, Belgium	R 56 400.00	R 82 543.00	R 59 727.84
3rd session of the specialized technical committee (STC) on health population and drug control. 12 – 13 September 2022 Geneva, Switzerland	R 29 226.89	R 150 862.00	R 86 250.35
Meeting with Maryland sister state committee members and Co-Host Side event on driving entrepreneurship agenda for Africa on the margins of the 77th United Nations General Assembly 18 – 23 September 2022 New York, USA	R 42 519.88 (this is for the Washington trip that happened at the same time as New York) R 133 751.04 (this amount is for the New York leg of the USA trip)	R 9 827.00
High-level commission on the Nairobi summit 7 – 12 November 2022 Zanzibar, Tanzania	The Minister’s Travel arrangements were sponsored and paid for by UNFPA.

1. (bb) Deputy Minister

(a)Destination	(b)(i) Accommodation cost	(ii) Travel cost	(iii) Other costs (S & T, Incidental, DIRCO Expenditure: Road Transport,)
The 3rd Session of the Specialized Technical Committee (STC) on Health, Population, and Drug Control, 26 July - 04 August 2019 Cairo, Egypt	R 7330.69	R 95 990.00	R 30 063.12
24th International AIDS Conference from 26 July- 04 August 2022 Montreal, Canada	R 496 600.00	R 98 841.00	-
15th Conference of State to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, 14-22 June 2022. New York	R 1 193 149.00	R 111 700.00	R 561 094.56
TOTAL

(2)

	Domestic Travel
Minister	R 910 240.
Deputy Minister	R 270 428.00

Reply:

Honourable Mkhonto, firstly, let me indicate to you that on this matter we do share the same concern. Secondly, let me thank you for making follow up on this issue after the Portfolio Committee on Employment and Labour conducted an oversight visit to the Eastern Cape Province. Sometimes, matters of this nature benefit from progress after the investment of some consistency on them.

It is also important to state, adding to our shared view above, that as a Minister of Employment and Labour, I consistently visit all our Labour Centres found in every corner of our country. And as I supposed to do, I intervene in so many matters, some of them right on the spot.

I must say that there are many of those that are a model in particular for the Department, in general for the government and the country. But as you perhaps know by now, that we are so transparent and open that we hide no weaknesses, that may hold back the progress that we all must work towards.

I happen to know one of the Labour Centres where you witnessed, what is in your question. In the East London Labour Centre the route of getting sponsorship from business became unviable. Then, in that Labour Centre, they started a procurement process for 3m x 6m Heavy Duty PVS Gazibo x 8. This happened in October 2022. As the procurement process was underway budgetary constraints held it back. But it has now resumed in 2023/2024 Financial Year. Administrative and operational processes of that are at an advance stage, to such an extent that 500 chairs for those whom the Department has to provide services to, have been procured and distributed to all Labour Centres, including East London Labour Centre.

On days when there is inclement weather, the East London Labour Centre accommodates workers and others at the basement. Let me conclude replying to your question by stating that, for me the approach on many of these matters is not one of dealing with the symptoms but the other of digging deep up until the root-causes are found and uprooted, and more often than not, this particular course necessary and desperately needed as it might be, seldom deliver immediate desired results, with outcome and impact that would have been envisaged. One of its challenges is that some parts of the solution lie on partners that can only be persuaded to cooperate. But with all of that stated, we are on course Honourable Mkhonto.

Once again, thank you for your question.

 

Reply:

1. As stated previously, the details of the partnership between Eskom and South African Renewable Energy Technology Centre (SARETEC) could best be responded to by the relevant department. In so far as the JETP, the department continues to work with the Presidential Climate Commission (PCC) and provides comments as and when it is necessary to do so.

2. The department is on record in saying that the transition programme is not an event but a process that should not be rushed as it has to adequately respond to the needs of the people, central to which is the issues of retention of jobs, skills and reskilling of people and ensuring that no one is worse of. To this effect, the department is conducting analysis on social impacts not only understand the extent of the impact, but to also inform the decision-making process on the protection of jobs, and the required skills and reskilling, including the issues of health.

3. The department has developed a Just Energy Transition Framework which forms the basis for developing indicators for monitoring the socio-economic impacts of the transition.

4. The analysis we are currently conducting on socio-economic impacts and the definition of indicators to monitor such impacts will outline the details of what actions the department will be taking in the next financial year.

5. Similarly, the analysis should inform us on this by the end of this financial year.

Reply:

a) The Court Recording Technology (CRT), software and/or hardware licences belongs to the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development. The Maintenance and Support contract has been outsourced to an Information and Communications Technology (ICT) company, namely, Datacentrix (PTY) Ltd. All court proceedings will always be recorded using this technology (CRT).

b) The current maintenance and support contract with Datacentrix came to an end on 26 June 2023, and has been renewed on a month to month basis until November 2023, so as to ensure that service delivery is not impacted, whilst awaiting the procurement processes to unfold for the longer term contract.

c) The longer term two-year maintenance and support contract is procured via SITA. SITA delays have been experienced in this regard and in mitigation the Department’s executive had met with SITA executive in February 2023. SITA executive had undertaken to fast track the procurement and provide regular feedback.

d) The bid (SITA RFB 2713-2022 ) was subsequently advertised and initially meant to close on 31 March 2023, however, due to an erratum that had to be issued by SITA, the bid closing date had to be extended to 05 May 2023. The bid has since been evaluated and is undergoing SITA quality assurance processes.

e) SITA has provided a project plan indicating that the final recommendation for award by the Department, will be submitted to the Department by 06 November 2023.

f) The existing contract has therefore been renewed on a month to month basis until November 2023, so as to ensure that service delivery is not impacted, whilst awaiting the SITA procurement processes to unfold.

Reply:

a) The National Environmental Management Act, 107 of 1998 (NEMA) provides for regulation of activities which cannot be undertaken without an Environmental Authorisation, such listed activities includes mining and prospecting activities. If any person conducts a listed activity without an approved Environmental Authorisation they are committing an offense in terms of section 49A of NEMA and can be prosecuted following an investigation.

b) The Department is working with law enforcement authorities to deal with the scourge of illegal mining. There are several multi-disciplinary and intelligence led operations which include the Depart of Home Affairs (Immigration) that have been successfully undertaken in various provinces in this financial year.

c) It should also be noted, especially with recent experiences in illegal mining, that the scourge has become an organised crime often led by sophisticated crime syndicates. Further operations are being planned together with law enforcement authorities to respond to challenges caused by illegal mining activities in the country.

d) The South African Police Service has also set up the Economic Infrastructure Task Team (EITT) which role is to address the scourge of crimes within the non-ferrous metals, essential infrastructure, critical infrastructure, extortion, and illegal mining. The Department of Minerals and Energy is working together with the envisaged unit with the immigration teams.

Reply:

1. The Honourable Member is asking a very vague question. All departments and public entities must act in terms of the law, and the law may have both economic and non-economic objectives, like social or developmental objectives, as well as constitutional objectives. So, for example, spending on school education or health is necessary, and cannot be regarded as “mis-aligned” because it is not directly related to an economic policy programme.  The Honourable Member is therefore requested to be more precise when asking such a question.

2. Not applicable, refer to (a) on the need for the question to be more precise.

Reply:

The office of the Chief Procurement Officer within the National Treasury has provided the following information:

1. (a) The total number of tenders that Eskom awarded using deviations was 49. Details are attached as Annexure A. Please note that the list ends on 31 March 2022 as from 1 April 2022, organs of the state were not required to seek approval from the National Treasury.

(b) Details of tenders [(i) approved and (ii) not approved)] are attached as Annexure A.

1. (a) Details of each tender’s monetary value (R76 266 103 275,27) are attached in Annexure A.

(b) Details of each service on awarded tenders are attached in Annexure A.

(c) Details of each entity awarded tender/s are attached in Annexure A.

Reply:

It is not possible to answer this question accurately as the payment system does not contain such classifications for size of business. What we can provide is our own estimate, which is that the total percentage of spending by the National Treasury on small-medium and micro enterprises is estimated to be 20% versus big businesses at 80% for all transactions in the 2021-22 financial year.

Reply:

The Department has not been exposed to challenges with duplicate funding related to identity document fraud in the years 2021-2023 financial years. This may be attributed to the fact that NSFAS application processes confirm an applicant’s identity details with assistance of the Department of Home Affairs.

Reply:

Government has taken a number of steps since the era of state capture to strengthen the anti-corruption system, but even with such improvements, no system can be watertight against corruption. It is a fact that corruption has become deeply entrenched in all three spheres of government, at national, provincial and local government level and in public entities. We need to do more as a country to improve governance and oversight systems, but most importantly, to ensure that all accounting officers ensure that they always act in the public interest and spend funds for the purposes budgeted for. More broadly, that all in the public service in all three spheres of government, be it political office-bearers, legislators, councilors, accounting officers and authorities, and all officials and employees in the public sector, act honestly and with integrity at all times.

The President submitted to Parliament the Government’s response to the recommendations of the Zondo Commission, or more formally, the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture, Corruption and Fraud in the Public Sector, on 22 October 2022. Many of these proposals are in the process of being implemented, and it is my view that both Parliament and Cabinet need to be more involved in overseeing its implementation. Government has also recognized that corruption is one of the highest risks facing any procurement process, and that we need to strengthen our planning, preventive and internal control systems, to reduce the scope of such corruption. In this respect, we are modernizing our procurement system, and also introduced a new Public Procurement Bill to give effect to the procurement-related recommendations of the Commission.

The Office of the Chief Procurement Office is also working closely with numerous stakeholders and partners such as the World Bank and OECD to learn the best lessons internationally and commencing with a review in collaboration with the OECD on the Methodology for Assessing Procurement Systems (MAPS) to guide the modernisation process, by identifying areas of deficiencies and vulnerabilities in the current system. The National Treasury also maintains the Central Supplier Database for the government and has made improvements to improve compliance with regulations for state employees and restricted suppliers not to do business with the state. A transparency initiative was launched through the eTender portal where procurement opportunities and procurement data are shared with members of the public. The initial phase of Open Contract Data Standards has been implemented enabling civil society to have access to procurement data in an international standard making it easier for interpretation. Transparency improves accountability and the National Treasury is continuing to implement transparency initiatives for reducing corruption and improving oversight on procurement activities.

Accounting officers and authorities are at the heart of our spending and reporting system. Section 38(1)(a)(i) of the PFMA (and similarly section xxx of the MFMA) requires accounting officers and authorities to develop and maintain an effective, efficient, and transparent system of financial, risk management and internal control. Whilst it is the responsibility of accounting officers and authorities to ensure that funds appropriated or under their control are not misused, the National Treasury monitors the spending patterns of national departments monthly and reports to Parliament on a quarterly basis to assist Parliament and oversight committees of government with their oversight role. There are similar reporting responsibilities on provincial treasuries and for municipalities.

Aside from the executive in each government in any sphere improving its oversight system over their accounting officers and authorities, it is also important for Parliament and all other legislatures to better use the reporting system to strengthen the system of oversight and accountability, especially given that they are the last line of accountability for our oversight and monitoring system. It is also important that all accounting officers and authorities (and elected office-bearers) be accountable, and have effective risk management and internal control systems, as well as their audit committees, to assist them to identify corrupt or suspicious transactions. It is also critical that post-financial year mechanisms like the audit process focus on potential fraud and suspicious transactions, particularly in the procurement system, and differentiate between corruption and minor compliance transgressions that do not involve financial losses.

Below are some specific recent initiatives undertaken by the National Treasury in addressing corruption, misuse of funds, building capacity and ensuring that proper governance systems are developed and implemented by departments.

Capacity building initiatives

• Chief Financial Officers accelerated programme – In recognising the capacity challenges in departments, the National Treasury developed a competency framework for financial management to build capacity of officials in technical and behavioural competencies. An accelerated programmes for Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) was developed and piloted with the objective of enhancing the skills of CFOs and to equip new entrants from the private sector with public sector competencies. A Supply Chain Management Executive programme was also developed with the aim of providing an understanding of the key roles and responsibilities of all heads of procurement and CEOs. To improve governance, two capacity-building short learning programmes aimed at improving public sector internal auditors’ competencies in the ‘Development of Risk-Based Audit Plans’ and their ability to conduct Audit of Information Technology General Controls was developed and piloted.

• Chartered Accountants Academy – The National Treasury continued to support the development of accounting professionals through the Chartered Accountants Academy (CAA). To date, the Academy has produced seventy-six (76) chartered accountants and National Treasury in partnership with the National School of Government is embarking on the journey to professionalize the public sector.

 

• Public Sector Audit Committee Forum – National Treasury has continuously maintained its partnership with the Public Sector Audit Committee Forum (PSACF) which has developed several position papers and hosted virtual round table discussions to assist Audit Committee members to fulfil their roles effectively, efficiently, and independently.

• Internal audit support – The National Treasury remains committed to advancing good governance through stakeholder engagements, provision of technical advice and implementation of legislative prescripts. The information sharing platform with chief audit executives and academia was convened to reflect on improving accountability and transparency in the South African public sector through continuous assurance. The standing MoU between the National Treasury and the Institute of Internal Auditors (South Africa) has made it possible for the National Treasury to participate in the latest review of the Global Internal Auditing Standards (public sector input) impacting the role and responsibilities of internal auditors and audit committees.

Specialised Audit Services

The National Treasury conducts specialised performance audits and forensic investigations to enforce financial management prescripts, ensure accountability, effective, efficient, and economical use of resources. The National Treasury assists the law enforcement agencies to investigate allegations of fraud and corruption and institute charges and assist with recovering proceeds of crime.

Reply:

The Department of Higher Education and Training (the Department) has been working towards finding mechanisms to address the scourge of violence on campuses. The work on the development of safety and security blueprint for universities which will serve as a framework for universities to have minimum norms and standards on the provision of safety and security measures at the universities is underway. The department is prioritising this project as soon the framework is adopted by all stakeholders it will be implemented even before the 2024-25 financial year.

In addition, there has been continuous engagements with universities to assess and understand the different threats experienced by universities and identify urgent matters that need to be addressed at institutions, including the need to improve protection of staff members and students. Funds have been made available in the Infrastructure Efficiency Grant (IEG) for safety and security projects submitted by universities to the Department. These include upgrading of universities security systems.

I also committed to establish a National Task Force (NTF) which will assist in the development of intervention strategies to assist with campus safety and security measures.

Reply:

The calculations referred to relate to the potential financial and macroeconomic impact of the market response following the comments by US Ambassador R E Brigety on 11 May 2023. The National Treasury conducted a preliminary analysis of the possible macro-fiscal impact of South Africa’s geopolitical tensions related to SA-US relations, focusing primarily on the impact on the current fiscal framework. The analysis considered that there was a significant depreciation in the rand against the US dollar in May 2023, in part due to the pronouncements of the US Ambassador to South Africa regarding the Lady R vessel. The analysis considered the possible negative consequences of this on key macroeconomic variables including higher inflation rates, borrowing costs and, subsequently, bond yields – all of which weaken the fiscal position. A protracted materialization of the events assessed in this analysis will require the Minister and the National Treasury to consider possible measures in mitigation. An analysis of a potential loss of benefits under AGOA and/or the risk of secondary sanctions is being considered; however, given this work’s nature and required detail, this is expected to take some time.

Reply:

The strategic interventions put in place by the Minister to combat gender violence and femicide in the sector include the publication of the Policy Framework to address Gender-Based Violence in the Post-School Education and Training System. The framework compels all PSET institutions to raise awareness about GBV; prevent the occurrence of GBV; and support survivors by having procedures for reporting and dealing with GBV.

Higher Health, which is the entity of the Department of Higher Education and Training has released a set of instruments that further strengthen the realisation of this policy framework. These include Procedural Guidelines on GBV, Sexual and Gender Related Misconduct in PSET Institutions; Protocol on Rape and Sexual Assault Cases in the PSET campuses; and Protocol on the PSET Code of Ethics. These instruments also serve as directives to all institutions to put the necessary infrastructure towards a comprehensive response on cases of sexual and gender misconduct, rape, sexual assaults across all our campuses.

All universities work cooperatively with Higher Health in implementing programmes towards addressing the challenges of sexual and gender-based violence within the PSET system. Its programme of implementation incorporates prevention, systems strengthening, capacity and skills building, care and support. In addition, I established the multisectoral PSET Gender-based Violence Technical Task Team to ensure the effective and coordinated implementation of the DHET GBV Policy Framework.

Funds have been made available in the Infrastructure Efficiency Grant (IEG) for safety and security projects submitted by universities to the Department. These include upgrading of universities security systems. I also committed to establish a National Task Force (NTF) which will assist in the development of intervention strategies to assist with campus safety and security measures.

With regards to the case of a student murdered at Nelson Mandela University, the university has confirmed that that perpetrator was arrested. The university with the assistance of Higher Health provided psychosocial support to affected students and staff.

Reply:

I have shared the Report with the Council of the University, as required by the Higher Education Act No 101 of 1997 as amended; and requested the Council to respond to the findings and recommendations of the Report.

I will then consider the response of the Council; and decide on the appropriate action as provided for and guided by the Higher Education Act, considering the interests of the Central University Technology (CUT) as a public higher education institution.

The Council of the University is the employer, and by law, it determines the conditions of service, disciplinary provisions, privileges, and functions of the employees of the public higher education institution, subject to the applicable labour law. Thus, I cannot respond to how and when the employees will be held accountable.

Notwithstanding above, the Act provides various mechanisms through which the Minister can intervene following the Report of the Independent Assessor; and ensuring that the findings are addressed, and recommendations are implemented. However, that process will follow receipt and proper consideration of the Response of the Council.

Reply:

1) Section 5(2) of the Military Veterans Pension Benefit Regulations state that. Upon the death of a Military Veteran, a qualifying dependent / widow / widowers of a Military Veteran who immediately prior to his or her death, was in receipt of a pension benefit, may receive up to 50% of the pension benefit with effect from the first day of the month following immediately on the month in which the Military Veteran died, provided they are not receiving any form of State pension above the mentioned 50% threshold from the Military Veteran pension benefit.

2) This benefit is applicable to the main member as stipulated in Act 18 of 2011 in section S. (1) (h) of the benefits relating to a military veteran

Reply:

The modernisation of the SANDF prime mission equipment is a process that is within the planned and budgeted for capital acquisition programmes. Whilst there are considerations for the modernisation of the SANDF, there has been no approaches to Russia for such.

There is however in existence bilateral defence relations within the context of the signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Defence Cooperation, within which the two countries’ defence establishments meet and have exchanges at various levels, including bilateral visits. All these are governed by the Defence Committee (DefCom), which is stipulated in the MoU referred to.

Reply:

1. The Board of Inquiry (BOI) on Umzimvubu Regiment is with C SANDF’s legal office for review and assessment on the recommendations made by C Army, details of which can only be divulged on the conclusion of the review process.

2. The members have not yet been paid because the BOI is still with C SANDF’s legal office for a review process, which will give guidance as to future administrative actions to be implemented, including payment to deserving members.

Reply:

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Reply:

1. The department has reviewed the policy based on the inputs received following the publishing and tabling of the draft regulations in Parliament in December 2022. The department has aligned the policy to the final 2023 Regulations following inputs received after gazetting the Regulations on the 25 April 2023.

2. The Military Veterans as defined in the Military Veterans Act 18 of 2011 will be eligible to apply for a military veteran's pension. The eligibility criteria has been defined as follows in the Regulations that were gazzeted on the 25 April 2023.

An individual must:-

a. meet the requirements of the definition in the Military Veterans Act 18 of 2011

b. be listed in the Military Veterans database

c. be a citizen of the Republic of South Africa

d. not be receiving any other state provided pension or social grant, unless

the pension currently being received is lower than the proposed amount

to be paid in the military veterans pension.

Reply:

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Reply:

(a) The countries where the SANDF soldiers have been deployed in the past years are Lesotho, Burundi, Mozambique and Sudan.(b) Total number of:

(i) Soldiers deployed

a. Lesotho – 465

b. Burundi – 1 200

c. Sudan – 820

(ii) Costs incurred (period FY2000/01 to date) – Rb 5 325 961.

(c) Total number of fatalities the SANDF incurred during Peace Support Operations (PSO) deployments in 55. The fatalities incurred include personnel losses due to combat situations, illness, as well as vehicle accidents.

Reply:

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Reply:

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Reply:

(a) Mozambique – R984 368 057.00.

(b) Democratic Republic of Congo – R 1 004 241 271.00.

Reply:

a) SAMHS has received Rm188 (and not R18,2) that was reprioritized from compensation of employees (overtime) for the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF). These funds are ring-fenced for the procurement of Main Medical Equipment and Prime Mission Equipment (Ambulances, Diagnostic Medical Equipment [X-ray] and Deployable Medical Equipment).

Rm60 is ring fenced for FY2023/24, Rm62 for FY2024/25 and Rm65 for FY2025/26.The procurement plan for the FY2023/23 is approved and the acquisition of specified equipment is in process. The process is being monitored by the Surgeon General and quarterly progress reports will be provided to the Chief of the South African National Defence Force (CSANDF) and National Treasury.

This allocation will help the SAMHS improve its overall combat readiness and to achieve better health outcomes.

b) Steps being taken, are the following: SAMHS is introducing more stringent control measures on overtime work. It is implementing a monitoring tool that (automatically) tracks overtime performance (how much time employees work and what they spent that time doing). By tracking overtime metrics, the organisation will get more insights into the impact of overtime on service delivery. The organisation is also reviewing the structure at each of its health care facilities to ensure that it has the required number of Health Care Professionals and support personnel (Current capacity levels do not allow for the provision of a 24hrs service without the use overtime dispensation). The process is expected to be completed before end of June 2024.

Reply:

The department does not have record of the water and electricity losses recorded for each municipality. The monitoring of water losses is done by Department of Water and Sanitation working with Municipalities. The monitoring of electricity losses is done by National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA).

End.

Reply:

Not all of the following specified goals in the Budget Vote in 2022 have been met yet:

• The allocation of R50,6 billion through the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) over the MTSF.
• The delivery of basic services, roads, and social infrastructure for poor households in 218 municipalities through the MIG.
• Directing 10% of the MIG at fulfilling the gap as it relates to repairs and maintenance and;
• 5% of the MIG addressing Infrastructure Asset Management Planning.

The medium term expenditure figure is divided as follows:

2022/23 R‘000	2023/24 R’000	2024/25 R’000	Total R‘000
17 545 049	18 330 970	19 150 183	55 026 202

The first specified goal above is on track as R17 545 049 000 was allocated and disbursed to municipalities in 2022/23 financial year. As the municipal financial year ended at the end of June 2023, the assessment of the rest of the specied goals above, which is the performance of the MIG in 2022/23 year, is currently underway to be finalised at the end of this quarter as required in terms of Section 10 (8) of the Division of Revenue Act (DoRA), 2023.

1. The following are some of the common barriers to meeting the specified goals on the MIG programme in particular, and service delivery in general:

• Challenges with the political leadership and environment, governance, institutional management, financial management. The assessment of the state of local government in 2021 and repeated in 2022 highlighted that all these challenges contribute to poor service delivery and implementation of programmes like the MIG.
• Lack of capacity in municipalities especially professionally registered built environment practitioners to effectively manage infrastructure development remains a challenge.
• Uncoordinated support to municipalities in terms of section 154 of the Constitution
• Consequence management to non-MIG performers lead to communities being deprived of services when the non spent portion of the MIG grant is re-allocated to the spending municipalities.

1. A number of interventions and measures were put in place to deal with the above-mentioned barriers including the following:

• The implementation of the Municipal Support and Intervention Plan (MSIP) that was developed as a response to the State of Local Government Report of 2021. The MSIP provides action plans for all pillars that affect service delivery mentioned above and the implementation thereof, is done by all of government including provincial and national departments.
• The Department of Cooperative Governance (DCOG) continues to deploy technical professionals through the Municipal Infrastructure support Agent (MISA) to support municipalities with infrastructure development throughout the project life cycle. To-date MISA has deployed 103 built environment professionals (86 of which are professionally registered with Statutory bodies as engineers and town planners) across all 9 provinces.
• The implementation of the District Development Model (DDM) is beginning to bear fruit in the coordinated support towards local government. This is evidenced, among other iniatiatives, by the resuscitation of the Green Drop and Blue Drop programmes by the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) and consequent joint development of improvement plans for dysfunctional municipalities. The Green Drop Report was released in 2022 while the Blue Drop Watch Report was released in June 2023 by DWS. This assists in joint infrastructure grants management like the MIG and those administered by DWS like the Water Services Infrastructure Grant. This joint collaboration aims to ensure that over the MTSF the specified goals are met especially related to Asset Management Planning and repairs and maintenance.
• The creation of the MIG 6B indirect grant has been included in the MIG Framework as a instrument aimed at ensuring that deserving communities are not disadvantaged by non-performing MIG receiving municipalities. This will see DCOG implementing projects on behalf of those perennial non-performing municipalities as a contribution towards specified goals.

End.

Reply:

1. The SA Army gave approval for the completion of Phase 1 (Development) and the acceptance of the indicated specification deviations, as well as acceptance of the already manufactured 4 Section Variants Pre-Production Models (PPM’s) updated to the latest status.

2. The next step will be Phase 2 (Industrialisation/Production) that entails the initial delivery of 1 Battalion (88 Badger ICV vehicles) to the SA Army.
 

Reply:

1. The Ministers haven’t met as yet. The two engagements held recently was the Deputy Minister of Human Settlements and the Deputy Minister of Defence and Military Veterans during the Human Settlements MINMEC session in Cape Town.

2. Following the Deputy Ministers’ engagement the two Departments teams held a two days strategic session on the 08th to 09th (Thursday and Friday) June 2023. Among issues discussed were;

a. upfront identification of the services sites during the national planning cycles

b. Linking the sites to the applicants when quantifying Annual performance plans

Reply:

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Reply:

a) The illegal money-lending business is prevalent and has been detected across the provinces. The following are some of the instances of arrests of people who were found in possession of several SASSA cards. The table below shows a breakdown of the successes achieved to date:

TABLE 1: BREAKDOWN OF CASESREGARDING POSSESSION OF SASSA CARD(S)

NO	DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES	NUMBER OF SASSA/ POSTBANK CARDS	DATE OF ARREST/ SENTENCING
1.	KwaZulu Natal: On 11 October 2020, SAPS arrested two suspects in a Pietermaritzburg operation and seized 495 SAPO/SASSA cards.	495	11th October 2020
2.	KwaZulu-Natal: Three (3) suspected moneylenders were arrested in KwaZulu-Natal with 50 SAPO/SASSA cards, 20 SAPO EasyPay cards and R34,000 cash in Umkomaas.	50	03rd June 2022
3.	Western Cape: On 09t February 2021, the Cape ‘fraud syndicate’ was busted after 49 SAPO/SASSA cards were found hidden in a chocolate box. The suspects were arrested in Mitchells Plain and Bo-Kaap by members of the Special Operations Team. Further investigation of the suspects led the Special Operations team members to an address in Albow Gardens in Rugby where a further 191 SAPO/SASSA cards were seized.	240	09th February 2021
4.	Western Cape: One (1) suspected moneylender was arrested in Malmesbury, for possession of SAPO/SASSA cards.	40	27th June 2022
5.	Gauteng: On 01 May 2020 police arrested seven suspects in Tshwane with 91 SAPO/SASSA cards and nearly R191 671 in cash.	91	1st May 2020
6.	Gauteng: 31 suspected moneylenders were arrested in Springs, Gauteng with 256 SAPO/SASSA cards and 151 various bank cards. The suspects were found in possession of R100, 000 in cash.	256 and 151 various bank cards.	04th August 2022
7.	Gauteng: Five (5) suspected moneylenders were arrested in Bronkhorstspruit, Gauteng with 1 X SAPO/SASSA card and 6 various bank cards. The suspects were found in possession of R36,270.00 in cash.	One (1) and 6 various bank cards.	02nd November 2022
8.	Gauteng: Five suspects were arrested in Brixton, Gauteng for being in possession of 250 SAPO/SASSA cards.	250	21st June 2023
9.	Eastern Cape: During May 2023, a multi-disciplinary team comprising of stakeholders focusing on loan sharks, led by the National Credit Regulator, involving SASSA, Department of Home Affairs (DHA) and South African Police Services (SAPS) conducted an operation targeting loan sharks, with the sole aim of preventing illegal withholding of banking cards and identity documents. The operation led to the arrest of 17 suspects and the seizing of 106 SAPO/SASSA cards with cash of R401 800.00. Similar operations will be conducted nationally.	106	1st to 5th May 2023

b) As on record, the SASSA/SAPO card is owned and managed by the South African Postbank according to the South African Reserve Bank designation.

SASSA has no control over beneficiaries who encumber their grants nor does SASSA condone this act.

The practice of beneficiaries giving loan sharks and or loan sharks taking beneficiary cards is a contravention of Section 20 of the Social Assistance Act 13 of 2004 which states “a grant may not be transferred, ceded, pledged or in any other way encumbered or disposed of unless the Minister on good grounds in writing consents thereto”, and also read in conjunction with Section 133, Section 90(2) (l) and Section 91(b) of the National Credit Act 34 of 2005.

This matter is regulated by section 35 of the Act, which prohibits credit providers and other persons conducting and marketing credit provider services within areas of Agency Offices and pay points. Section 35 of the Act (1) subject to the provisions of section 10(1) and (2) of the Act states;

a) a person must not market or offer any form of credit , whether or not that person is registered as a credit provider, within any Agency offices or pay-point for the purpose of soliciting or enticing a beneficiary to engage in any form of credit granting, funeral scheme or life insurance scheme; b) the card must not be ceded, pledged or retained to secure a loan, repayment of loan debt or payment of a funeral or insurance premium.

Specifically in response to the question, an ongoing collaborative effort led by the National Credit Regulator in the main, involving the SAPS, Postbank and SASSA has culminated in several arrests of suspected loan sharks who were found in possession of SASSA cards (as detailed under paragraph number (a)/ or above). Additional measures, in the form of programmes, are detailed herein under.

c) Besides efforts of participating in a multidisciplinary enforcement mechanism as indicated above (paragraph b), SASSA continuously communicates with social grants beneficiaries through various channels to discourage them from dealing with loan sharks. There are ongoing media awareness campaigns directed at all social grant beneficiaries not to hand over their SAPO/SASSA cards to anyone.

SASSA also conducts awareness sessions among its employees so that they can share the information with grant beneficiaries and the broader public.

In tandem with the above, measures to combat the phenomenon of loan sharks preying on social grant beneficiaries and to prevent this type of fraud, corruption and contravention of the Social Assistance Act, SASSA takes concerted steps to coordinate and approach this task under the leadership of the National Credit Regulator, with the involvement of stakeholders, such as, Postbank and SAPS, among others, to appraise them of the gravity of the money lending activities and request that stiff sentences, within the ambit of the law, are meted out by the courts.