Questions and Replies

Reply:

(1) In Daveyton, where trains are currently not operational, commuters use taxis as the main mode of transport for both long and short distances. Daily commuters were paying R7,50 for a single trip on the train and in the taxi; the fare is R23 for a one-way/single trip. The average cost of taxi transport per month is nearly R1300.00 compared to rail transport, which costs an average of R 416.00 monthly.

The table below is a cost comparison for road vs rail transport:

Transport destinations	2020-2021	Train fare	2022-2024	Train fare
	Taxi		Taxi
Daveyton- Dunswart	R20.00	R7.50	R23.00	No service
Daveyton - Germiston	R23.00	R8.50	R25.00	No service
Daveyton - Johannesburg	R27.00	R11.50	R35.00	No service
Daveyton- Pretoria	R50.00	R12.50	R70.00	No service

(2) Rail commuter transport is a cost-effective means of transportation. It is affordable, Government subsidized, and accessible. It has the ability to move a large number of commuters at once, which makes it an efficient mass mover. This accessibility provides commuters with access to economic opportunities at an affordable rate

Reply:

a) There is no long term contractual relationship between RAF and Heart FM, the project was a once of agreement. It arises out of the Road Accident Fund (RAF) Strategic intervention of promoting road safety. The RAF has developed a strategy to identify and explore environments where road users are present. Music festivals have been identified as one of such environments.

A pilot project was implemented with Heart FM to implement this mandate, as a partner to educate the road users (Heart FM listeners) and festival attendees on the importance of road safety. As road users are engaged on these platforms, although they attend such events to have fun, they must be mindful not to drink and drive. They are strongly encouraged to stay safe on the road.

b) The total budget was R1 091 779.80.

c) On the day of the music festival, the RAF had activations, where RAF were educating the target audience on road safety. Twenty-four complimentary tickets were given to the Marketing team to carry out their work on the day of the event. No one else received tickets. On the day of the event, RAF were able to interact with 2,500 people. The RAF had access to 700, 000 listeners from Heart FM for a period of two weeks daily. The organisation also gained digital exposure through social media platforms as well as Heart FM’s as RAF co-branded during that period.

d) None

Reply:

(1) (a) Daveyton Train Station has been non-operational since Covid-19 lockdown in 2020 to date.

(b) The station is still currently non-operational due to the severity of the theft and vandalism that occurred during Covid-19, with the station building’s rails, steel steps, doors, roof sheets, station gates, as well as overhead wires, signalling equipment, and all other equipment for basic functionality completely vandalised. However, the Rebuild and Recovery Programme for the Daveyton line is in progress, with the station scheduled to be open in the second quarter of the 2024/25 financial year.

(2) There are two (2) security guards deployed for each shift at the Daveyton Station for 24 hours and two (2) security guards deployed to guard the Relay Room, which is situated within the vicinity of the Station.

(3) (a) Commuters could travel from Daveyton to Johannesburg Park Station via Germiston Junction and nineteen (19) stations in between. The line offered critical junctions like Dunswart, where commuters could connect from the far east of the Springs and Germiston Junction / Station.

(b) The ticket prices were zonal with a minimum cost of R7-50 to a maximum of R12-50 for a single trip. Monthly tickets were selling at a minimum of R142-00 to a maximum of R252-00. However, it should be noted that Prasa has not yet provided for weekly and monthly ticket sales.

(4) Daveyton is one of the seven (7) ‘Supercore’ stations out of fifty-two (52) stations in the Eastern Corridor. The routes, as mentioned in 3(a) was profitable, generating a revenue of around R24 million per year, with around 1,2 million tickets sold/issued.

Reply:

(a) Daveyton station and the other stations on the same line before decommissioning due to theft and vandalism. The station was rated as Super Core because it generated over R1 million in revenue and had high patronage and a high frequency of trains that operated in the corridor to serve the high demand.

As a high-performing corridor, all stations were well-resourced and allocated with customer and protection service staff to effectively manage access to stations and trains by manning all entry points to allow only paying customers entry through the successful implementation of various revenue enhancement programmes like “iThikithi eSandleni” and “Home and Away” initiatives to ensure that all commuters paid for their train fares and verified before entering and exiting the stations. Daveyton station used to have infrastructural building facilities that complied with the universal access and the lifts that provided access to the platforms.

(b) The train service in Daveyton – Johannesburg last ran on 18 January 2020. The Springs to Johannesburg terminated on 05 February 2020, just before the introduction of the March 2020 lockdown. Below is the table that indicates the number of passenger trips for both the year 2018 and 2019 respectively:-

LINE	ACTUAL PASSENGER TRIPS	TERMINATION DATE
	2018	2019
Daveyton - Johannesburg	14 956	9 989	18 JAN 2020

Daveyton station was run by trained personnel from Customer Services. There were staff members responsible for station maintenance/cleanliness, ticket sales, customer care, etc. For the safety of commuters, PRASA had internal Protection Services members and contracted security officials responsible for the safety of personnel, commuters, the company’s assets and trains. For commuters to plan their trip, the station had noticeboards displaying train schedules.

Trains ran on schedule, and Train Control Officers monitored movement at the Gauteng Nerve Centre (GNC). Trains arrived and departed from designated platforms, numbered for easy identification. Train announcements were made over public address system, indicating train arrivals, departures, delays, and other important train service information. The station had safety measures implemented, where warning signs and safety announcements were made to ensure customers’ safety.

Customers purchased train tickets at the ticket office before boarding the train, including weekly and monthly tickets. The station had functional amenities such as restrooms, platform shelters, and benches for journey experience and comfort.

Reply:

1. RAF has made no commitment with iHeart. The event was part of a pilot project to promote road safety.

2. RAF has not sponsored or made any donation to iHeart.

Reply:

(1) The Permanent International Association of Road Congresses (PIARC) is a non-profit organisation established in 1909. PIARC’s broad aim is to promote international cooperation and the exchange of knowledge on issues relating to roads, road infrastructure and road transport. With more than 125 member countries, PIARC brings together governments from all over the globe. Its members represent all levels of economic development and every region in the world. In addition to national governments, PIARC includes regional authorities, collective members, and individual members.

The South African National Roads Agency (SOC) Limited (SANRAL) represents South Africa and has been an active member and participant in PIARC since 1998. The works of PIARC are primarily done through Technical Committees on four-year cycles. The Technical Committees have representation from various countries from a wide cross section and spectrum around the world, including developed and developing nations. South Africa is an example of a member country with an economy in transition.

It is important for both developed and developing nations including those such as South Africa, that have a world class national road network, to have a voice on these PIARC Technical Committees, to represent the SADC region and the African continent, to ensure that the standards/specification and products produced are aligned to varying needs. The works of the Technical Committees generally culminate in best internal practices and experiences, which take the form of Literature Review Reports, Reports on the Collections of Case Studies for specific topics of interests and relevance, briefing notes, Technical Reports and Technical documents, as well as other technical documents on Technical events, all of which are road or road transport related. There are also various International Seminars held in various parts of the world on road and road transport topics depending on the needs of such countries or regions. These are coordinated by PIARC in conjunction with localised road authorities.

During the past four-year work cycle (2020-2023), SANRAL together with PIARC co-hosted Technical Committee meetings for two Technical Committees namely, TC 2.2 Accessibility and Mobility in Rural Areas and TC 3.1 Road Safety, as well as an International Seminar with SARF and the international Road Federation, in Oct 2022, as part of the knowledge exchange initiatives promoted by PIARC and its members. SANRAL showcased our commitment to Transformation, Skills Development, Engineering Excellence and Flagship projects.

2(a) SANRAL participation in PIARC is directly aligned to SANRAL’s strategic priorities as outlined in the SANRAL ACT 7 of 1998, section 26 which states:

(r) to liaise with bodies of professional persons performing work with regard to national roads in the Republic or similar roads elsewhere;

(s) to liaise and exchange information, knowledge and expertise with the official bodies or authorities entrusted with control over roads of a national or international character in other countries, and to participate in the conferences, seminars and workshops of those bodies or authorities and in the activities of any multinational or international association of those bodies or authorities;

2(b) The contribution of the SANRAL representatives/members on the various PIARC structures have been significant over the last four year cycle, as evident in the body of work and reports, and seminar proceedings, which are available and published on the PIARC official website (www.pairc.org).

It is clearly evident that South African PIARC Technical Committees members selected to the attend the final meetings and Congress, in addition to presentations made at the said World Road Congress (WRC) in Prague, have also made significant contributions to this international body of work. Their participation in the WRC is therefore a logical conclusion to share and receive feedback on the body of knowledge produced during the four-year cycle.

To further illustrate this point, South Africa had active representation on a number PIARC Technical Committees during the 2020-2023 cycle. The following reports have South African PIARC Technical Committee Members as part of the Author groups and/or acknowledged for their contributions. These include and are not limited to the following technical reports and products under the 4 primary Strategic Themes, namely:

Strategic Theme 1: Road Administrations

Technical Committee on Performance of Transport Administration produced:

• It´s All About People – Defining and Promoting Diversity and New Talent Management - Technical Report. ISBN: 978-2-84060-773-1
• Customer Experience and Public Value Creation – Technical Report. ISBN: 978-2-84060-748-9
• Diversity and Talent Management in Transport Administrations – The Road to Success. - Literature Review Report. ISBN: 978-2-84060-670-3

Technical Committee on Finance and Procurement produced:

• Best Practices in Funding and Financing of Road Infrastructure - Collection of Case Studies ISBN: 978-2-84060-688-8

Technical Committee on Disaster Management produced:

• Climate Change, Resilience and Disaster Management for Roads - Seminar ISBN: 978-2-84060-777-9
• A Study on Financial Management of Disasters in the International Arena - Briefing Note ISBN: 978-2-84060-694-9

Strategic Theme 2: Mobility

Technical Committee on Mobility in Urban Areas produced:

• Case Studies on Travel Behaviour Data Collection in Metropolitan Regions - Briefing Note ISBN: 978-2-84060-798-4

Technical Committee Accessibility and Mobility in Rural Areas produced:

• Rural Roads: Pillars of Rural Development - Case Studies ISBN: 978-2-84060-812-7

 

Technical Committee on Road Freight produced:

• Control and Enforcement Measures to Reduce Truck Overloading and Associated Infrastructure Damage on Road Networks - Collection of Case Studies ISBN: 978-2-84060-689-5

Technical Committee on Road Network Operation/ITS produced:

• Utilizing Data to Optimize Road Network Operations - Collection of Case Studies ISBN: 978-2-84060-684-0

Strategic Theme 3: Safety and Sustainability

Technical Committee on Road Safety produced:

• Specific Road Safety Issues for LMICs: Illustrative Examples - Collection of Case Studies ISBN: 978-2-84060-775-5

Strategic Theme 4: Resilient Infrastructure

Technical Committee on Road Pavements (Structural Design) produced:

• Innovative Pavement Maintenance and Repair Strategies - Collection of Case Studies ISBN: 978-2-84060-721-2
• Use of Recycled Materials in Pavements - Case studies ISBN: 978-2-84060-678-9

Technical Committee on Bridges produced:

• Road Bridges - New Rehabilitation Materials and Technologies - Technical Report ISBN: 978-2-84060-709-0

Technical Committee on Tunnels produced:

• Good Practices in Maintenance and Traffic Operation of Heavily Trafficked Urban Road Tunnels - Technical Report ISBN: 978-2-84060-734-2
• Improving Road Tunnel Resilience, Considering Safety and Availability - Literature Review ISBN: 978-2-84060-631-4

Technical Committee Road Design Standards produced:

• State of the Art in Road Design Standards - Literature Review ISBN: 978-2-84060-708-3

The congress, organised by PIARC and the Czech Road Society, brought together more than 6,000 participants from 120 countries, including 1,700 Czech and Slovak students, 4,000 delegates and 40 ministers and deputy ministers from around the world, who shared their views, policies and practices over five days. The Congress hosted 65 sessions, 16 workshops and 15 technical visits.

The insights gained from the above reports, presentations and discussions are then incorporated, where applicable, into the South African Committee of Transport Officials National Guidelines Series for South Africa, which consist of over 30 publications that are used to guide officials and industry consultants on the applicable best practices to be applied in South Africa.

Reply:

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Reply:

The Directive on Human Resources Management and Development for Public Service Professionalisation, Volume 1, ratified by the Minister for Public Service and Administration on 16 February 2024, specifies various support mechanisms to aid departments in implementing the National Framework for Public Sector Professionalisation. These mechanisms encompass, among numerous others, the following:

(a) Forms of Support Offered to Departments

In the context of forms of support offered to departments, the Directive specifies support in recruitment and selection, detailing requirements for the Senior Management Service (SMS), including the Nyukela Certificate, experience waiver for entry-level roles, and graduate recruitment programs. It obligates departments to train individuals appointed without experience, incorporating training, coaching, and mentorship for employee development. The Directive mandates that new employees undergo induction within six months of joining while existing staff must participate in re-orientation programs every five years. The Directive merges performance management with professional development, advocating for reporting tools to enhance impactful performance outcomes and link them to organisational goals. Furthermore, the Directive prescribes the maintenance of a qualifications database to align skills development with Human Resources plans and address the sector's skill shortages.

(b) Impact of Support on the Implementation of the Framework

Under the "impact of support on the implementation of the framework," it is imperative to note the Directive emphasises strict compliance and outlines legal consequences for non-compliance, aiming to enhance public sector proficiency and ethics through rigorous recruitment, comprehensive training, and ongoing professional development. This strategic approach is expected to have a positive ripple effect on the successful enactment of the Framework. With the official full-scale implementation date slated for 1 April 2024, and despite being nascent, proactive measures and preliminary applications of the Directive have already been set in motion. The implementation phase is reinforced by a meticulously designed monitoring framework, which employs systematic observation, in-depth analytical review, and the strategic leveraging of insights to strengthen accountability and transparency across the board. This methodology is finely tuned to align with the Directive's overarching goals, aiming to catalyse a transformative journey towards heightened excellence and professionalism within public service entities.

(c) Training and Workshopping of Heads of Department and Senior Management

Within the context of training and workshopping for heads of department and senior management, the Directive was extensively discussed at forums such as FOSAD, GSCID, and various inter-government committees, ensuring its comprehensive circulation for broad-based consultation and understanding. It was thoroughly workshopped with corporate leaders, encompassing senior managers and relevant officials, during the department’s routine monthly meetings with Heads of Corporate Services across the public service. Despite the Directive's formal effectuation date being 1 April 2024, proactive steps have been undertaken by the MPSA to roll out outreach and educational initiatives aimed at the actual implementers within the public service, as evidenced by the programmes already undertaken in the Mpumalanga province. These outreach and educational sessions to all provinces have been planned for the first quarter of the 2024/2025 reporting period, signifying ongoing efforts in this crucial implementation area.

End

Reply:

	(a) Make	(b) Model	(c) Year of manufacture	(d) Date of purchase	(e) Purchase price paid since 8 May 2019
(i) Minister	BMW	X3 XDRIVE 20D	2022	4 March 2024	R786 710
(ii) Deputy Minister	Audi	Q5 4.0 TDI	2023	13 October 2023	R795 000

Reply:

The freeze dryer was not operational over the December period due to technical issues which required the services of a specialist service provider. Finding the specialist took some time with an appointment only made in January 2024. The freeze dryer has been operational since the third week of February 2024.

Six batches of vaccines have been freeze-dried to date. Production is continuing over seven days (every day of the week) to cover the production backlog.

Reply:

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Reply:

No, the Minister has not engaged with King Misizulu Sinqobile kaZwelithini and the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Land Reform because –

a) the administration of the Ingonyama Trust Act rests with the Minister for Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, who is in terms of the provisions of the Act, the competent Executive Authority regarding the affairs of the Ingonyama Trust.

b) The Minister is also not a competent authority in relation to the issue of the desirability of the King taking the Chairpersonship of the Trust. The composition of the Board falls within the purview of the Minister for Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development.

End.

Reply:

1 (a-b) and (b)

Section 197 (1) of the Constitution states that “within public administration there is a public service for the Republic, which must function, and be structured, in terms of national legislation, and which must loyally execute the lawful policies of the government of the day”. The Code of Conduct for Public Servants also state under Section 12(f) of the Public Service Regulations, 2016 that public servants “Shall not abuse his or her position in the public service to promote or prejudice the interest of any political party or interest group”. Section 13(k) states that public servants shall “refrain from party political activities in the workplace”.

The question by the Honourable Member is therefore unfortunate, as it has undertones of dragging public servants into party political work. This is wholly unethical and against the Constitution. The Public Service and Administration cannot and must not work on the basis of opinion polls, which we are not aware of their methodologies, limitations and biases. The professionalisation of the Public Service requires that public administration be protected from political interference and abuse. To this end, the Department has proposed through the amendments to the Public Service Act, a clear delineation of duties and responsibilities to improve accountability between the political and administrative sphere.

End

Reply:

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Reply:

(a) (i) Please see attached

(b) (c) (d) The requested information resides with the provinces. The Honourable member is kindly requested to direct the question to the Members of the Executive Council (MECs). 

Reply:

The Department of Human Settlements manage to build two hundred and forty-five, five hundred and eighty-seven (245 587) houses since 1 January 2019 to date (which is only for quarter one to quarter three of the current financial year. These houses were built throughout the nine provinces as per the breakdown on the below table.

Province	18/19 (Q4)	19/20	20/21	21/22	22/23	23/24 (Q1-Q3)	Total
EC	1 126	8 757	5 427	6 833	5 550	3 455	31 148
FS	761	2 290	1 890	1 647	311	188	7 087
GP	2 593	12 153	9 495	7 354	6 982	4 803	43 380
KZN	4 743	15 737	10 315	12 033	9 325	7 593	59 746
LP	3 954	8 135	4 518	4 269	4 808	6 200	31 884
MP	250	6 710	4 522	2 955	1 900	1 300	17 637
NC	96	620	221	591	173	84	1 785
NW	1 653	6 739	2 847	2 734	3 918	2 768	20 659
WC	3 007	8 184	6 354	6 200	5 665	2 851	32 261
Total	18 183	69 325	45 589	44 616	38 632	29 424	245 587

Reply:

(a),(b),(c) None.

(i)(aa),(bb),(cc) (ii)(aa),(bb),(cc) (iii)(aa),(bb),(cc) Falls away.

Reply:

1 The reasons for postponements are the following:

1. The case referred to above is the State v Johannes Mmola and four others as evidenced in Rabie Ridge CAS 106/05/2021 where the accused are charged with murder and malicious damage to property. According to courts records, the case was postponed 59 times not 75 times. Please see the attached annexure A.
2. The record of the court proceedings was painstakingly scrutinized by the Chief Prosecutor, East Rand and the majority of the postponements were as a result of absent legal representatives or the changing of legal representatives
3. After various remands for address verification and the sorting out of legal representation for the accused, the bail application commenced on 06 July 2021. Various other remands occurred during the course of attending to the bail application.
4. On 08 September 2021 the bail application proceeded where the investigating officer gave evidence in opposition to bail being granted. Bail was denied on 22 September 2021 for the first four applicants and the matter was postponed for further investigations. The matter was eventually remanded to 11 October 2021 for the post-mortem report and photo album.
5. On 08 November 2021, Adv Mudau came on record, handing in a legal brief from Mgiba Noxolo Incorporated. Only accused 5 was at court and the matter was remanded to 12 November 2021 for the other accused’s presence and for Adv Mudau to hand documents to the prosecutor with the intention to apply for bail on new facts.
6. Following various postponements, the application for bail on new facts for accused 4 was refused on 10 February 2022. Adv Mudau appeared for accused 2-5. The court allowed for a final remand for further investigations to 28 April 2022.
7. On 28 April 2022, Adv Mudau indicated his intent to bring an application on new facts for accused 5 who was absent as he was hospitalised. The court was then informed on 05 May 2022 that accused 5 had passed away and the case was postponed to 23 June 2022 for the death certificate and instructions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). On 23 June 2022, the case was transferred to the Tembisa Regional Court for 27 June 2022 under case number TRC228/2022.
8. On 14 July 2022, Adv Mudau informed the court that he had not received financial instructions and the family of the accused requested a postponement until 29 July 2022 to raise the funds.
9. Adv Mudau was absent on three subsequent court appearances whereupon the accused decided on 12 August 2022 to apply for legal aid on 12 August 2022.
10. Various postponements occurred in relation to the sorting out of legal representation. On 21 November 2022 it was confirmed that Ms Ledwaba will represent accused 3 and Judicare will be appointed to represent accused 1 and 4. Case was postponed to 08 December 2022 for this purpose. On 14 December 2022 and 16 January 2023, the matter was again postponed for the appointment of Judicare attorneys.
11. The court was eventually able to postpone the case till 07 March 2023 for disclosure purposes. On 07 March 2023, the matter was set down for trial at the Tembisa Regional Court for 25 May 2023.
12. On this day, the legal representative for accused 2 was not available as he was attending an urgent bail application in the High Court.
13. The matter was subsequently postponed to 11 September 2023 for trial. All within the control of the prosecution will be done to ensure that the matter proceed on 11 September 2023.
14. On 11 September 2023, the accused pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them.
15.  
16. On the same day, the first state witness, who suffers from a kidney disease, collapsed whilst in court and was rushed to hospital. The matter was rolled over to 12 September 2023 to potentially proceed with the matter, should this witness be available.
17. On 12 September 2023, the witness was still indisposed. The matter was postponed to 27 October 2023. On this date, the evidence in chief of the first state witness was concluded and the legal representative of Accused 1 started with cross-examination which was not finalised on 27 October 2023.
18. The matter was postponed to 16 January 2024 for continuation of the cross-examination of the first state witness.
19. On 16 January 2023, the third legal representative commenced with cross-examination of the first state witness. At this time, the witness requested a postponement due to ill health and having to be hospitalised.
20. The case was postponed to 08 July 2024 for the continuation of the cross-examination of the first witness.

2. The costs of individual criminal cases are not quantified. The cost of each case is part of the operational costs to run the Courts on a daily basis. The National Prosecuting Authority takes the management of court time seriously, and where prosecutors are guilty of misconduct in causing a case to be postponed unnecessarily, disciplinary/ remedial actions are taken. The only costs that the department incurred is R560.00 that relates to travelling expenses of the witness.

3. (a) Reply to question 1 provide various reasons for postponements. The question raised relating to consequence management does not have regard to the multifarious reasons for postponements which would have been granted by the Presiding Officers. The majority of postponements were not fruitless and wasteful expenditure and thus consequence management is not appropriate for any Legal Aid SA Official save for the double briefing by our Judicare Practitioner, Adv Mhlari, on 23 May 2023, which will be raised with the practitioner for consequence management in accordance with the Legal Aid SA ‘s Judicare accreditation terms and conditions.Save for the few occasions when the State applied for postponements for justified further investigation, the State has always been available and prepared to proceed, but due to external contributing factors, as set out above, the matter was postponed.

(b) From the record of proceedings and information supplied by the prosecutor, there is no indication of any undue delays occasioned by the State.

END

Reply:

The Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) has approved a Manual in terms of section 14 of the Promotion of Access to Information Act, 2000 (Act No.2 of 2000) (PAIA) which, amongst others, deals with and promotes the right to access records held by the DPSA, as a public body and sets out the procedures to be followed by members of the public to access records held by the DPSA.

Furthermore, the DPSA has published, on its website, a Notice in terms of section 15 of PAIA identifying categories of records of the department which are automatically available without a person having to request access in terms of the procedures contained in the Manual.

The Manual and section 15 Notice are available on the DPSA website at the following link: https://www.dpsa.gov.za/paia/

In so far as human resource data and any other information to enable external analysis, research and advice is concerned, such requests are considered and released subject to the provisions of the PAIA and the Protection of Personal Information Act, 2013 (Act No. 4 of 2013) with due regard to the lawful requirements for the further processing of personal information.

End

Reply:

 

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Reply:

The Presidential Youth Employment Initiative, implemented as the Basic Education Employment Initiative across all provinces has had four (4) successful Phases, of which Phase IV concluded in September 2023.  As there is no phase currently active, there are no teaching assistants employed in the Basic Education Sector. 

Reply:

(1)(a) The resignations have not impacted operations as the Contractor has built-in a capacity to train more that required security staff for any disturbance that may arise at the Centre.

(1)(b) The affected staff was from security the Contractor has accordingly trained enough staff for security functions and it is therefore easy to replace the resigned and dismissed staff.

(2) The current available plan is designed to replace the resigned and dismissed staff within a period of a month (30 days). There are people who underwent security training and were vetted by the authorised institution as well as DCS Training Standards. The trained officials await vacancies that may arise from the Centre as and when they arise, details of these individuals are provided to DCS for certification, it is only after certification has been granted by DCS that the Contractor appoints the individuals.

 

END

Reply:

In terms of Proclamation R84 of 2022, gazetted on 5 August 2022, I authorised an investigation by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) into certain allegations with respect to the affairs of the University of Fort Hare. The matters for investigation included allegations with respect to the awarding of honours degrees.

I am informed by the SIU that the investigation is ongoing.

The SIU proclamations issued by the President are not meant for specific individuals but are rather related to alleged maladministration and/or malpractices in connection with the affairs of a State institution.

Reply:

(1) The AI Kuwait that docked in Cape Town was ferrying 17500 heads of cattle from Rio Grande, Brazil to Iraq. A South African Company, acting on behalf of their customer, approached the Department with a request to allow the vessel that was transporting 17500 heads of cattle to dock in Cape Town to load 2000 tons of animal feed. Detailed specifications of the vessel were provided, ensuring stringent measures to prevent contamination. Loading procedures for the feed were outlined, involving the use of conveyor belts. No livestock from South Africa was carried on this vessel.

Relating to the cases of exports from South Africa, the current laws, standards, and international norms and standards that are used for the exports of live animals from the Republic, already serve to provide assurances for animal welfare. The department is, however, working on beefing up the regulatory framework by introducing regulations for the export of animals by sea.

(2) Yes.

(a),(b) The first draft will be finalised by the end of April 2024. This will be followed by the formal legislation development processes including a socio-economic impact assessment, public consultation, and review of the comments from the public. Once the process has been completed, the document will be presented to the Minister for consideration and promulgation. It is envisaged that the second part of the process will be completed in the second quarter of the next financial year.

(i),(ii),(ii),(iv) The regulations will include the appropriate measures.

(3) Any possible prohibitions will be considered during the drafting of the regulations.

4. No.

Reply:

It is our understanding that the transgressions (non-compliance with the Municipal Investment Regulations) in relation to the VBS investigations is currently before the courts. We are therefore unable to provide any comment in this regard at this point in time.

End.

Reply:

1. For ease of reference firstly find an updated summary of the total number of matters under investigation as at January 2024.

DIVISION	TOTAL MATTERS UNDER INVESTIGATION
DPP: WC	11
DPP: FS	3
DPP: MTHATHA	10
DPP: EC	12
DPP: NW	11
DPP: KZN	27
DPP: MPUMALANGA	8
DPP: NC	5
DPP: JHB	23
DPP: PTA	14
DPP: LMP	13
UNKNOWN DPPS/JURISDICTION
TOTAL	137

(2) Herewith the total number of cases carried by each of the divisions at the following phases:

(a) Phase A (0-33%) – available evidence, locating or compiling of docket, inquest reports, witness statements, detainee statements, location of SAPS 14 or Mortuary reports etc.

(b) Phase B (34-65%)- Expert reports, engagements with experts to obtain reports or to perform reconstruction of scenes.

(c) Phase C (66-100%) – Stages nearing completion of investigations and /or decision making based on evidence and expert reports.

NO	DIVISION	A	B	C	Total
1	WC	2	0	9	11
2	FS	0	0	3	3
3	MTHATHA	1	0	9	10
4	MKHANDA	6	0	6	12
5	NW	6	0	5	11
6	KZN	16	2	9	27
7	MP	6	0	2	8
8	NC	4	0	1	5
9	JHB	21	0	2	23
10	PTA	8	0	6	14
11	LMP	12	0	1	13
					137

Reply:

(1) (2) and (3) The question falls under the Executive Authority of the Members of the Executive Council (MECs) of the 9 Provincial Education Departments (PEDs). The Honourable Member is kindly requested to refer the question to the MECs as per section 92(3)(b) of the Constitution and Rule 134 (5)(b) of the NA rules. 

Reply:

(1)(a) The total number of inmates completed (a) rehabilitation programmes are 7912.

(1)(b) The total number of inmates completed (a) re-integration programmes are 11697.

(2)(a) Total number of the released inmates who have reoffended completed rehabilitation programmes are 382.

(2)(b) Total number of the released inmates who have reoffended completed re-integration programmes are 51.

(3) Yes, the rehabilitation and re-integration programmes are effective and sufficient to prevent re-offending. Out of the total number of 16 472 inmates who were released on the special remission programme only 433 has re-offended as on 29 February 2024.

END.

Reply:

a) Reasons for dependency on external service providers by municipalities for the work that can be done internally have been investigated and documented in the State of Local Government Report (SOLG) as follows:

• Lack of adequate support from National and Provincial Government departments and other service delivery departments.
• High vacancies rates in key senior management positions within municipalities (especially distressed municipalities) has resulted in the increased reliance on external service providers in core services.
• The absence of CFOs in municipalities impact sound financial management and vacancies in the technical departments compromise service delivery.
• Revenue challenges in municipalities (especially dysfunctional municipalities) caused by negative economic position makes is difficult for them to attract and retain competent staff members.

b) Measures to build internal capacity to provide the core services required by the public:

a) The introduction of the Municipal Systems Act: Municipal Staff Regulations of 2021, in line with the Municipal Systems Act, 32 of 2000, laid a solid foundation for the achievement of the objective to strengthen the capacity of municipalities to perform their functions through recruitment and appointment of suitably qualified and competent persons, thereby professionalising local government and decreasing the use of external service providers for core functions.

b) Municipal Skill audits (Gapskill system):

Chapter 5 of the MSR obliges municipalities to conduct Skills development to:

• support the achievement of the municipality’s goals set out in the Integrated Development Plan by providing critical skills that ensure the delivery of quality services.
• promote the development and retention of competent municipal staff, including the development of technical, professional and specialist staff who have the required qualifications and skills.
• support the employment equity objectives of a municipality.
• be based on high quality provision and effective workplace learning and development practices, including coaching, mentoring, on-the-job learning and opportunities for the practical application of skills in the workplace.

Moreover, the department is finalizing the enhancement of the Gapskill system in order to assist municipalities to support staff members to:

• clarify the skills required for jobs, identifying relevant skills needs and develop opportunities to satisfy the skills needs.
• identify new skills and knowledge required by staff to support their career growth and progression.
• create learning opportunities which will allow their staff to develop the skills and expertise to enable them to compete effectively for placement in new or vacant posts; and
• ensure that skills development is a KPA in senior managers and supervisors performance agreements.

c) Professionalisation of the public services:

• The Department is participating in the implementation of the Professionalisation of public service through the setting of uniform standards for staff establishment, job competency framework, recruitment, selection and appointment, performance management, capacity building and skills development.
• To deal with the issue of bloated organograms, the Department developed prototypes staff establishments according to powers and functions of different categories of municipalities and is now in the process of piloting and validating the prototype staff establishments in all municipalities, over a period of 36 months. The implementation of the prototype staff establishments will result in the “fit for purpose” functional operating models of municipalities. Capacitated municipalities will no longer rely on service providers for core services.
• In 2016, the Department introduced competency assessment for senior managers in line with the Competency Framework as promulgated in 2014 with the Regulations on appointment and conditions of services for senior managers (Regulations). The Department has finalised the review of the current Local Government: Competency Framework and assessment batteries for different categories of municipal positions during the 2022/23 financial year and has embarked on the pilot and validation of competency assessment batteries during the 2023/24 financial year.

d) To strengthen the coordination of capacity building in local government, the in order to build internal capacity:

The NCBF of 2004 has been reviewed and resulted in the approval of the Integrated Local Government Capacity Building Strategy (ILGCBS&IP) in 2022. This aims to provide an overarching new framework strategy that incorporates all current existing capacity building strategies in local government. The ILGCBS&IP will decisively deal with the rise of well-intended, but uncoordinated short-term municipal capacity building interventions and ensure that all municipalities become adequately capacitated to take on their redistribution, transformation and developmental tasks in a viable, structured and affordable way, and within the shortest possible period of time (as directed in the Constitution).

Establishment of a Sector-wide National Capacity Building Coordinating Forum as a coordination mechanism - consists of key sector departments, provincial departments responsible for local government, state associated institutions (LGSETA, SALGA). It serves as single-window of capacity building coordination and a clearing house for any initiative that is earmarked for local government.

End

Reply:

Find reply here

Reply:

The Department of Water and Sanitation has not planned any events to take place before 29 May 2024 in celebration of the 30 years of democracy in the Republic.

 

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Reply:

 

Find reply here

Reply:

(a)(b),(c) Any member of the Communal Property Association (CPA), can make a request to the CPA executive to access CPA information. A request must be formally made to the CPA executive committee and the Department can assist if the Committee fail to provide the copy of the constitution, financial statements, and updated membership register.

(d) A request must be formally made to the Land Claims Commission to obtain copies of the title deeds.

Reply:

Find reply here

Reply:

i) Former Minister Mmamoloko ‘Nkensani’ Kubayi, 01 June 2019- 05 August 2021, used vehicles purchased by the Department in 2013 until the purchase of new vehicles in 2020.

	07 June 2020- 5 August 2021	07 June 2020 – 5 August 2021
a) Make	VOLVO BASED IN CAPE TOWN	VOLVO BASED IN PRETORIA
b) Model	XC60 D4 AWD G/T INSCRIPTION	XC60 D4 AWD G/T INSCRIPTION
c) Year of manufacture	2020	2020
d) Cost	R700 000.00	R700 000.00
e) Purchase date	2020/06/07	2020/06/07

	01 June 2019 – 7 June 2020	01 June 2019 – 7 June 2020
f) Make	Mercedes Benz BASED IN CAPE TOWN	Mercedes Benz BASED IN PRETORIA
g) Model	GL 350 Blue Tech	GL 350 Blue Tech
h) Year of manufacture	2013	2013
i) Cost	R951 626.90	R951 626.90
j) Purchase date	2013	2013

ii) Former Minister Lindiwe Nonceba Sisulu, 05 August 2021 – 06 March 2023, used the same vehicles purchased by the Department in 2020.

	05 August 2021– 06 March 2023	05 August 2021– 06 March 2023
k) Make	VOLVO BASED IN CAPE TOWN	VOLVO BASED IN PRETORIA
l) Model	XC60 D4 AWD G/T INSCRIPTION	XC60 D4 AWD G/T INSCRIPTION
m) Year of manufacture	2020	2020
n) Cost	R700 000.00	R700 000.00
o) Purchase date	2020/06/07	2020/06/07

iii) Minister Patricia De Lille, 2023 – to date has continued to use the same vehicles purchased by the Department in 2020.

	06 March 2023 to date	06 March 2023 to date
p) Make	VOLVO BASED IN CAPE TOWN	VOLVO BASED IN PRETORIA
q) Model	XC60 D4 AWD G/T INSCRIPTION	XC60 D4 AWD G/T INSCRIPTION
r) Year of manufacture	2020	2020
s) Cost	R700 000.00	R700 000.00
t) Purchase date	2020/06/07	2020/06/07

ii Deputy Minister Fish Amos Mahlalela (29 May 2019 – to date)

	18 May 2021- to date	18 May 2021- to date
a) Make	VOLVO XC D4 BASED IN CAPETOWN	VOLVO XC D4 BASED IN PRETORIA
b) Model	XC40 D4-AWD G/T Momentum	XC40 D4-AWD G/T Momentum
c) Year of manufacture	2021	2021
d) Cost	R700 000.00	R700 000.00
e) Purchase date	2021/03/18	2021/03/18

	8 May 2019 – 18 May 2021	8 May 2019 – 18 May 2021
a) Make	MERCEDES-BENZ BASED IN CAPETOWN	AUDI Q7 BASED IN PRETORIA
b) Model	MERCEDES-BENZ E350	AUDI Q7 SUV
c) Year of manufacture	2015	2015
d) Cost	R762 443.00	R878 700.00
e) Purchase date	2015/03/18	2015/03/18

Reply:

In July 2023 government launched an Energy One Stop Shop to assist Independent Power Producers (IPPs) with a streamlined process for various authorisations. The One Stop Shop falls under the stewardship of the Department of Trade Industry and Competition (DTIC) and the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) only provides necessary support. To avoid duplication of effort, the DMRE does not intend to establish a similar function within government which will serve the same purpose but will continue to provide support to the DTIC.

Reply:

	Minister	Deputy Minister
(a)	N/A	i) BMW ii) BMW
(b)	N/A	i) X3 XDRIVE 20D ii) X3 XDRIVE 20D
(c)	N/A	i) 2021 ii) 2021
(d)	N/A	(i)12/10/2021 (ii)20/12/2021
(e)	N/A	i) R761 199.40 ii) R768 666.99

Reply:

Section 32 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, grants the right of access to any information held by the State and provides that national legislation must be enacted to give effect to this right.

However, the Promotion of Access to Information Act No. 2 of 2000 (PAIA) provides the grounds for refusal of requested information as contemplated in Chapter 4 of the Act. In terms of Section 41, if disclosing information prejudices the defence of the Republic, the security of the Republic and/or the international relations of the Republic, such information is then protected under PAIA.

Section 41 reads as follows:

“41. (1) The information officer of a public body may refuse a request for access to a record of the body if its disclosure—

(a) could reasonably be expected to cause prejudice ~

(i) the defence of the Republic; 25

(ii) the security of the Republic; or

(iii) subject to subsection (3), the international relations of the Republic; or

(b) would reveal information—

(i) supplied in confidence by or on behalf of another state or an international organisation;

(ii) supplied by or on behalf of the Republic to another state or an international organisation in terms of an arrangement or international agreement, contemplated in section 231 of the Constitution, with that state or organisation which requires the information to be held in confidence; or

(iii) required to be held in confidence by an international agreement or customary international law contemplated in section 231 or 232, respectively, of the Constitution.”

PAIA allows access to be refused to information supplied in confidence by, or on behalf of another State or international organisation, or that is required to be held in confidence by an international agreement or customary international law. It is on this legislative basis that the minutes of the meetings held between the President of the Republic, Mr MC Ramaphosa, and other Heads of State and officials from foreign governments, cannot be disclosed.

Reply:

The Minister of Home Affairs was indeed informed in writing about service delivery challenges at the Phuthaditjhaba office. Water supply to the building was affected by a burnt water pressure pump on the galvanized water tank on top of the building. Municipal water supply was not reaching the building because there was no pressure at all. All bathrooms were not working due to no water supply.

As a result, and due to occupational health and safety considerations, the office started servicing clients from 07h30 in the morning and at 11h00 the office use to take the last group and close the door and serve the clients until they are all served, sometimes up to 14h30 or 15h30. However, the water supply to the building has been resolved and the office operates normal working hours until 16:00.

END.

Reply:

(i) No official vehicle has been purchased for use for the Minister since 08 May 2019.

(ii) Approval was obtained for the procurement of official vehicles for both Deputy Ministers on 14 October 2021. Official orders were placed on 01 December 2021 with the approved suppliers for both vehicles:

Deputy Minister Mashego Dlamini

(a) Toyota

(b) Fortuner 2.8 GD-6 VX A/T

(c) 2022

(d) R667 333.50

(e) Vehicle delivered in June 2022

Deputy Minister Botes

(a) Audi

(b) Q5 TDI QUATTRO S TRONIC

(C) 2022

(d) R718 459.99

(e) Vehicle delivered in September 2022

Reply:

The investigation is still underway and will be finalised by the end of March 2024.

Reply:

I have been advised by the Department as follows:-

The total counsel fees, as paid for by the Office of the State Attorney to date, is R738 875,00.

Authorised for submission by

______________________________________

MS. NONKQUBELA JORDAN-DYANI DIRECTOR-GENERAL

DATE:

 

Recommended/not recommended

 

 

__________________________

HON. PHILLY MAPULANE, MP

DEPUTY MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

DATE:

 

Approved/ not approved

________________________________

HON. MONDLI GUNGUBELE, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

DATE:

 

Reply:

I have been informed by the SABC as follows:

The Department has facilitated a government allocated budget of R 35-million for both the editorial and technical requirements, including studio facilities and transmission costs.

The IEC is also supporting the SABC through trade exchange agreements to cater for key marketing and infrastructural elements at the Provincial and National Elections Results Operations Centres.

Authorised for submission by

______________________________________

MS. NONKQUBELA JORDAN-DYANI DIRECTOR-GENERAL

DATE:

 

 

Recommended/not recommended

 

 

__________________________

HON. PHILLY MAPULANE, MP

DEPUTY MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

DATE:

 

Approved/ not approved

________________________________

HON. MONDLI GUNGUBELE, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

DATE:

 

Reply:

1. The funding of health (including medical) research is managed between the Departments of Higher Education, Science and Innovation and Health and their respective entities. To ensure public good policy goals are coherently promoted across the two systems, there is a high degree of collaboration between the two Departments and its entities. The Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) is working with the National Health Research Ethics Council of the National Department of Health, the South African Medical Research Council, as well as the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) to develop guidelines for health research data management. Public funded health research is informed by the priorities that are set by the National Health Research Committee of the National Department of Health in collaboration with the Department of Science and Innovation. Researchers at the public funded Higher Education Institutes should adhere to the set priorities. Should a company want to fund research in line with the national health research priorities, the research proposal needs to be approved by the respective Institutional or provincial health research ethics committee, to ensure fairness and access.

2. The building of the capacity with regards to the research ethics committees is the responsibility of the National Health Research Ethics Council (NHREC) of the National Department of Health. The NHREC is a statutory body established under the National Health Act No 61 of 2003. The Act mandates the Minister of Health to establish the Council and it sets out NHREC’s functions, which involves giving direction on ethical issues relating to health and to develop guidelines for the conduct of research involving humans. The following are the functions of the NHREC as outlined in the Act:

• Determine guidelines for the functioning of health research ethics committees;
• Register and audit health research ethics committees;
• Set norms and standards for conducting research on humans and animals including norms and standards for conducting clinical trials;
• Adjudicate complaints about the functioning of health research ethics committees and hear any complaint by a researcher who believes that he or she has been discriminated against by a health research ethics committee.
• Refer to the relevant statutory health professional council matters involving the violation or potential violation of an ethical or professional rule by a health care provider.
• Institute such disciplinary action as may be prescribed against any person found to be in violation of any norms and standards, or guidelines, set for the conducting of research in terms of this Act; and
• Advise the national department and provincial departments on any ethical issues concerning research.

Reply:

1. Whether all variations/deviations incurred were properly authorized; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

I have been informed that the details are contained in the Annual Report of 2019 on the Department’s Website: https://www.tourism.gov.za/ResourceCentre/Pages/Reports.aspx

(2)(a) Whether there were any irregular activities in the management of the specified projects; if so, what are the relevant details of the irregularities?

Details of the findings are contained in the Annual Performance Report of 2018/ 2019 as well as in the Auditor General’s presentation to the Portfolio Committee on 8 October 2019.

https://www.tourism.gov.za/ResourceCentre/Pages/Reports.aspx.

(2)(b) and (2) (c) consequence management measures were taken against officials who were responsible for overseeing and/or residing over these projects and what are the specified measures;

(i) Disciplinary Process: Seven employees who were directly involved in the management of the projects were charged with gross financial misconduct and gross negligence. Two were not found guilty of the charges preferred against them. The Department has referred these cases to the Labour Court to review the ruling of the Chairperson of the disciplinary hearing. The parties, being the department represented by the State Attorney and the employees, represented by their lawyers are currently exchanging and the cases will be set down for hearing at the Labour Court in due course when pleading has closed.

(ii) Criminal Charges - The Department, following the provisions of the PFMA regarding allegations of financial misconduct, opened criminal cases with the South African Police Services (SAPS), against the implicated officials. SAPS investigations are currently underway.

(3) Will the Minister furnish Ms H Ismail with the basic account system payment reports on all projects from 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2022; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

The Financial Reports and Audited Financial statements are contained in the Annual Report (s) on the department’s website.

https://www.tourism.gov.za/ResourceCentre/Pages/Reports.aspx

The Department’s Annual Performance Reports older than 2010 are available in Parliament’s Library and will be listed as the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism.

Reply:

It is not consistent with the procurement policies of the Development Bank of Southern Africa to make material amendments in the requirements after a tender has been adjudicated.

 

Reply:

Regarding (a), (b), (i), (ii) (aa) – (ee), at present, the department has not planned to host events nor allocated any budget for such events taking place before, or on and after 29 May 2024 to celebrate 30 years of democracy in the Republic. All our planned activities are in line with the department’s mandate and operational plans.

 

Reply:

1. Will the Minister furnish Ms H Ismail with a list of the contractors appointed to the ​projects; if not, why not; if so, by what date does she envisage doing so?

	Project	Implementing Agent
1	EC Rock Art Tourism Phase 2	African Implementation Management Services Pty Ltd
2	FS Building of a Guest House 1 & 2	Phase 1: Nambo Property & Project Manager cc t/a Nombo Mabhele Phase 2: River Ranger Management
3	FS Sentinel Peal Car Access	Hentig 2715 (Pty) Ltd
4	LP Mnisi	African Implementation Management Services Pty Ltd
5	LP VhaTsonga 1 & 2	African Implementation Management Services Pty Ltd
6	NC Kamiesburg	Ishabi Pty Ltd
7	EC Nyandeni	Nyandeni Development Trust
8	EC Mthonsi Lodge	MBB Consulting Services
9	EC Qatywa	Makhanyeni Housing Estate (Pty) Ltd
10	EC Six Day Hiking Trail	Simply Indigenous cc
11	KZN Muzi Pan	Rich Rewards Trading 34 (PTY) Ltd | Reg No: 2003/022344/07 T / A Sigma International
12	LP Sekhukhune	Mabhucu Construction Suppliers Cc
13	LP Tisane	Baitsenape Investments cc
14	NW Manyane	Re A Aga Infrastructure (Pty) Ltd

2. Whether any of the contractors appointed have been red flagged for future appointments; if not, what is the position in each case; if so, what are the further, relevant details?

No contractor was red flagged; however, the matters have been reported to the police and civil litigation is being pursued through the Office of the State Attorney.

Reply:

I have been informed by the SABC as follows:

The SABC is in the process of amending the current repeat fee strategy. This process has not been finalised as consultations with all relevant and key stakeholders are ongoing.

The proposed amendments to the current strategy have been approved by the SABC Board in 2018. In its current form, this strategy is unsustainable as payments have been structured in such a way that they are implemented for an indefinite period.

The strategy was introduced in 1996 by the Performers Artists Workers Union (PAWE). The union was established with the aim of engaging the new SABC dispensation to redress the struggles encountered by black actors under the Apartheid regime for not receiving equitable treatment as their white counterparts from mainly white-owned production companies.

In 1997 the SABC’s Department of Programme Policy, Planning and Co-Production agreed with PAWE that content production houses commissioned by the SABC be required to use a Standard Performers’ Agreement when performers entered into contracts. This came into effect on 1 September 1997.

At the time the SABC was the sole commissioner and producer of local content and agreed to a Standard Performers’ Agreement that contained two clauses namely: Clause 5 on repeat fees payable to Principal Performers of drama productions and Clause 7 on exploitation fees payable to Principal Performers on the licensing of commissioned productions.

Twenty-eight (28) years later there is a requirement that the strategy be aligned to the SABC’s various financial and legislative requirements. It must be stressed that intention behind the new proposal is not to disempower performers but to ensure that all parties benefit.

Authorised for submission by

 

______________________________________

MS. NONKQUBELA JORDAN-DYANI DIRECTOR-GENERAL

DATE:

 

 

Recommended/not recommended

 

 

__________________________

HON. PHILLY MAPULANE, MP

DEPUTY MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

DATE:

 

Approved/ not approved

________________________________

HON. MONDLI GUNGUBELE, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

DATE:

 

Reply:

I am informed by the Department that no events are planned by the Department of Tourism, before the 29 May elections, to celebrate 30 years of democracy in the Republic of South Africa.