Questions and Replies
10 July 2023 - NW1625
Groenewald, Dr PJ to ask the Minister of Police
Whether the firearms and ammunition that were brought into the Republic during the visit of the President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zajed Al Nahjan, has met all the necessary requirements; if not; if so, (a) for what (i) total number of firearms and (ii) calibre of firearms and ammunition were permits issued and (b) what were the reasons for the issuing of the specified permits?
10 July 2023 - NW1179
Madokwe, Ms P to ask the Minister of Police
Whether he has been informed of allegations that a certain person (name furnished) is operating illegally in his position as he has never received a security clearance due to his debts; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the reasons that the specified official, who is heavily indebted, has been appointed into such a strategic position?
Reply:
Find reply here
10 July 2023 - NW1714
Alexander, Ms W to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
Whether he will furnish Mrs W R Alexander with a comprehensive breakdown of the procurement allocation of (a) his department and (b) every entity reporting to him in terms of the percentages allocated to (i) small-, medium- and micro-enterprises, (ii) cooperatives, (iii) township enterprises and (iv) rural enterprises with a view to evaluating the effectiveness of the set-aside policy of the Government in fostering an inclusive and diverse economic landscape (details furnished) in the (aa) 2021-22 financial year and (bb) since 1 April 2023?
Reply:
MINISTER OF WATER AND SANITATION
The table below provides breakdown of the procurement allocation for the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) main account, and Water Trading Entity (WTE):
Entity |
Procurement budget allocations/ Goods and services budget |
(i) small-medium- and micro-enterprises inclusive of (ii) cooperatives, (iii) township enterprises (iv) rural enterprises |
DWS |
2021/22 |
EME 2021/22 23.84% QSE 2021/22 29.65% |
2023/24 |
EME for the month of April 2023: 21.30% QSE for the month of April 2023: 9% |
|
WTE |
2021/22 |
EME 2021/22 36 % QSE 2021/22 14 % |
2023/24 |
EME for the month of April 2023: 19.80% QSE for the month of April 2023: 23.32% |
*QSE – Qualifying Small Enterprises *EME – Exempt Micro Enterprise
The table below provides breakdown of procurement spending for Entities reporting to the Ministry of Water and Sanitation. It is important to note that there is not set aside Policy in Government in relation to entities. Water Boards procurement budget for financial year 2021/22 was over R7 billion, whereas the expenditure for the year under review is more than R3 billion spent on small-medium- and micro-enterprises which is more than 45%. Water boards financial year 2022/23 information provided for Quarter 1 - 3 where one quarter is still to be reported.
Entity |
Procurement budget allocations/ Goods and services budget (Procurement Spend) |
(i) small-medium- and micro-enterprises |
% expenditure |
|
Amatola Water |
2021/22 |
R341 831 000 00 |
R179 034 721 |
52% |
2022/23 (Q1 to Q3) |
R338 475 000 00 |
R58 636 363 |
17% |
|
Bloem Water |
2021/22 |
R 654 691 452.40 |
R327 345 726 |
50% |
2022/23 (Q1 to Q3) |
R 405 108 729.98 |
R189 820 724 |
49% |
|
Magalies Water |
2021/22 |
R43 202 395,00 |
R25 375 240 |
59% |
2022/23 (Q1 to Q3) |
R56 110 892 |
R43 563 827 |
78% |
|
Mhlathuze Water |
2021/22 |
R81 200 512 |
R72 539 878 |
89% |
2022/23 (Q1 to Q3) |
R92 480 611 |
R84 279 883 |
91% |
|
Lepelle Northern Water |
2021/22 |
R86 178 147 |
R84 924 548 |
99% |
2022/23 (Q1 to Q3) |
R121 537 981 |
R109 000 283 |
90% |
|
Overberg Water |
2021/22 |
R38 196 000 |
R18 817 984 |
49% |
2022/23 (Q1 to Q3) |
R43 306 845 |
R14 486 033 |
33% |
|
Rand Water |
2021/22 |
R3 944 513 179 |
R1 626 145 171 |
41% |
2022/23 (Q1 to Q3) |
R2 84 501 288 |
R1 337 017 292 |
47% |
|
Umgeni Water |
2021/22 |
R1 937 886 136 |
R 842 676 591 |
43% |
2022/23 (Q1 to Q3) |
R2 471 551 556 |
R 1 201 835 802 |
48% |
10 July 2023 - NW1087
Shembeni, Mr HA to ask the Minister of Police
Whether, the Government will give effect to the warrant of arrest that was issued by the International Criminal Court against a certain person, (details furnished), when he sets foot in the Republic to attend the BRICS Summit from 22 to 24 August 2023:if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
Find reply here
10 July 2023 - NW2445
Buthelezi, Ms SA to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
Whether, considering that her department has briefed the Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs regarding the Disaster Contingency Plan for the upcoming winter, her department has identified areas to be allocated for housing across all provinces in order to avoid a repetition of flood victims being displaced and having to live in community halls for an indefinite time; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The department has not identified areas to be allocated for housing across all provinces. The identification of suitable land and the development of that land is an ongoing collaborative effort amongst relevant organs of state, i.e. provincial and local government, Human Settlements and the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure as per their respective legislated mandates. The department through the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) together with the Provincial Disaster Management Centres across the country continues to provide support to relevant organs of state in the implementation of sustainable interventions including the identification of suitable land for rebuilding and settlement of communities for building back better, to promote resilience, prevent or minimise the impacts of flooding incidents. The organs of state are further supported in the development of Disaster Management Contingency Plans and implementation of the plans thereof.
End
10 July 2023 - NW2440
Groenewald, Mr IM to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
(1)Whether she receives regular reports on qualified appointments of chief financial officers (CFO) and municipal managers (MM); if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what (a) percentage of (i) CFOs and (ii) MMs currently employed by municipalities comply with the minimum qualifications as prescribed by the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA), Act 56 of 2003, and (b) total number of (i) CFO and (ii) MM positions at municipalities countrywide are currently vacant and/or filled by acting CFOs and/or MMs; (2)whether municipalities report to her the use of accounting consultants; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what is the total number of municipalities that are currently employing the services of accounting consulting firms to (a) prepare their annual financial statements and/or (b) fulfil the role of internal auditors at municipalities?
Reply:
- The Minister receives reports on appointments of senior managers including Chief Financial Officers (CFO) and Municipal Managers (MMs) on periodic basis in terms of section 54A(3) and section 56(2)(a) of the Municipal Systems Act, (Act No.32 of 2000) as amended in 2022, read together with Regulation 17 of the Local Government: Regulations on Appointment and Conditions of Employment of Senior Managers (Government gazettee No. 37245) ,
- (i) and (ii) The Municipal Regulations on minimum competency levels as promulgated in Government Gazette No. 29967 and amended by Government Gazette No. 41996 of 2018 in terms of Municipal Finance Management Act, (Act 56 of 2003) is administered by the Minister of Finance.
- According to information received from provinces, the following are the total number of filled and vacant positions for municipal managers and chief financial officers as at end March 2023:
Position |
Total filled |
Total vacant |
Not submitted |
Total |
Municipal Manager |
194 |
62 |
1 |
257 |
Chief Financial Officer |
178 |
78 |
1 |
- To ensure effective use of consultants, the Minister of Finance promulgated the Local Government: Municipal Cost Containment Regulations and these Regulations introduced a requirement for the development of a consultancy reduction plan. The development of this consultancy reduction plan is now a prerequisite and needs to be approved by the municipal council before any consultant can be appointed, especially in instances where capacity exist within a specific municpality. Compliance with this Regulation is monitored by the National Treasury and hence it is suggested that the specific question relating to consultancy usage is reffered to the Minister of Finance.
End.
10 July 2023 - NW2138
Groenewald, Dr PJ to ask the Minister of Police
1) What total number of SA Police Service members who were involved in farm murders and/or farm attacks in each of the (a) 2019-20, (b) 2020-21, (c) 2021-22 and (d) 2022-23 financial years, have been arrested: 2) Whether he will make a statement on the matter?
Reply:
Find reply here
10 July 2023 - NW2447
Majozi, Ms Z to ask the Minister of Police
Given that mass shootings, such as the Enyobeni Tavern shooting that took place almost a year ago in East London in the Eastern Cape, have occurred in the Republic and have been increasing in the past few wars throughout different provinces, what (a) progress has been made with the investigations into mass shootings and (b) steps have been taken to prevent similar incidents from occurring?
Reply:
Find reply here
10 July 2023 - NW2489
Ceza, Mr K to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
What (a) number of infrastructure projects undertaken by her department have not been finished according to schedule in the past three years and (b)(i) number of persons have been held liable in terms of an investigation under section 106 of the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act, Act 32 of 2000, on wasteful and unauthorised expenditure and (ii) are the further relevant details in this regard?
Reply:
- In the past three years, the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent (MISA) implemented sixty (60) infrastructure projects, thirty eight (38) were not completed according to initial schedule. The projects were completed after extension of time for several reasons including the lack of availability of materials that were vastly experienced in year 2020 during the COVID19 lockdown periods. There were four (4) projects, included in the 38 mentioned above, where the contracts of service providers were terminated due to poor performance of service providers and replacement contractors appointed resulting in delays.
- (i) Section 106 of the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act, Act 32 of 2000, is applied to municipalities. It is therefore not applicable to the national sphere of government.
(ii) The response is as per (b) (i) above.
End.
07 July 2023 - NW1636
Gondwe, Dr M to ask the Minister of Public Service and Administration
(1)What (a) total number of public servants were investigated for corruption, theft and/or fraud in the Public Service during the (i) 2019-20, (ii) 2020-21 and (iii) 2021-22 financial years and (b) is the breakdown of the specified number for each national and provincial department; 2) (a) in what total number of the investigations was consequence management taken and (b) what type of consequence management was taken by each national and provincial department; (3) in instances where consequence management was not taken, what are the reasons that it was not taken; (4) what total amount is involved in each of the investigations into fraud, corruption and theft; (5) what total amount was recovered in the course of each investigation? NW1877E
Reply:
BACKGROUND
Discipline management is a decentralised function. Information pertaining to discipline is captured by departments on the PERSAL System. When this data is accessed by the DPSA, it provides a holistic picture on discipline management in the Public Service. When information is not captured or available (either due to non-existent categories on the PERSAL System, or negligence on the side of a department), this impact the perceived picture.
RESPONSE
What (a) total number of public servants were investigated for corruption, theft and/or fraud in the Public Service during the (i) 2019-20, (ii) 2020-21 and (iii) 2021-22 financial years and (b) is the breakdown of the specified number for each national and provincial department;
Number of Public Servants disciplined for Fraud, Theft or Corruption |
|||||
National/Provincial Department |
(i)2019/2020 |
(ii)2020/2021 |
(iii)2021/2022 |
(b)Total |
|
Total |
1367 |
296 |
225 |
1888 |
|
Eastern Cape |
Total |
1 |
0 |
28 |
29 |
Roads and Public Works |
0 |
0 |
28 |
28 |
|
Transport |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Gauteng |
Total |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
Infrastructure Development |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
KwaZulu-Natal |
Total |
42 |
36 |
124 |
202 |
Agriculture and Rural Development |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Education |
1 |
2 |
3 |
6 |
|
Health |
31 |
33 |
116 |
180 |
|
Human Settlements |
10 |
1 |
3 |
14 |
|
Limpopo |
Total |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
Education |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Mpumalanga |
Total |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
Health |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
National |
Total |
1268 |
252 |
15 |
1535 |
Correctional Services |
3 |
33 |
7 |
43 |
|
Employment and Labour |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Environment, Forestry and Fisheries |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Higher Education and Training |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Justice and Constitutional Development |
49 |
28 |
6 |
83 |
|
Police Service |
1216 |
190 |
0 |
1406 |
|
North West |
Total |
0 |
1 |
22 |
23 |
Community Safety and Transport Management |
0 |
1 |
12 |
13 |
|
Education |
0 |
0 |
10 |
10 |
|
Northern Cape |
Total |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
Health |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Western Cape |
Total |
54 |
5 |
36 |
95 |
Education |
34 |
5 |
4 |
43 |
|
Health and Wellness |
0 |
0 |
32 |
32 |
|
Infrastructure |
20 |
0 |
0 |
20 |
|
Data source: PERSAL |
|||||
Compiled by the DPSA |
|||||
Excluding Defence and State Security Agency |
2) (a) in what total number of the investigations was consequence management taken and (b) what type of consequence management was taken by each national and provincial department;
(a)Investigator and Chairperson findings and (b)Sanctions |
|||||||||||
Investigator findings |
Chairperson guilty indicator |
Sanction corrective counselling |
Sanction demotion |
Sanction dismissal |
Sanction verbal warning |
Sanction written warning |
Sanction fine |
Sanction suspended for period not exceeding 2 months |
Sanction suspended without pay |
||
|
No |
Yess |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Total |
1 333 |
280 |
275 |
25 |
2 |
19 |
2 |
15 |
1 |
41 |
100 |
Not specified |
788 |
49 |
21 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
0 |
8 |
3 |
A prima facie case of misconduct in terms of Reg 5 (4) (x) |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
A prima facie case of misconduct in terms of Reg 5 (4)(x) |
0 |
8 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
A prima facie case of misconduct in terms of Reg 5 (4)(x) Recommended |
0 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
Allegations Substantiated |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Allegations were serious and warranted formal inquiry |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
Case withdrawn |
10 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Charge officer |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Charges of misconduct |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
Committed misconduct |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Contravene Reg 5(4)(F) and Reg 5(3)(H) |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Departmental steps to be instituted |
0 |
7 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Disciplinary hearing |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Disciplinary steps must be taken |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
Employee fraud the medical certificate for late coming and being under the influence of alcohol |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Employee stole school money in September and October 2022. |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Final written warning |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
For trial |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Formal charges |
0 |
0 |
28 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
28 |
Formal Disciplinary Hearing |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Found that official submitted fraudulent medical certificates. Matter to be referred to DUI |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Fraud |
0 |
0 |
10 |
0 |
0 |
10 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Go on trail |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Grounds to charge |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
Guilty |
105 |
0 |
31 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
30 |
Guilty of misconduct |
0 |
0 |
24 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
24 |
0 |
Guilty |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Employee failed to deal with insubordination and also condoned capturing of marks of learners without moderation |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Hearing |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Insufficient evidence |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Insufficient evidence exists to charge official and matter finalised |
8 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Insufficient evidence to charge official and matter regarded as finalised |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Insufficient evidence to charge official and matter regarded as finalised |
8 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Investigation in progress |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Investigation pending. Matter regarded as finalised. Official entered into plea bargaining agreement with the department |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
Investigator indicated that the case must be withdrawn against the member because of invalid evidence concerning insult |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Matter is regarded as finalised. Insufficient evidence to charge |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Matter is regarded as finalised. No substance to charge |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Matter is regarded as finalised. Insufficient evidence to formally charge the employee with misconduct |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Matter referred for disciplinary hearing |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Matter referred for departmental hearing |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Matter to be forwarded to a hearing |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Member must be disciplined according to Res 1/2006 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Member to appear for a departmental hearing |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Member to be trailed through expeditious process |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Members found guilty |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Misconduct founded |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Employee did not follow procedure as in line with logistical administration policy and procedure |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Employee committed a misconduct by displaying activities related to fraud and dishonesty |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
Employee committed misconduct by displaying activities related to fraud and dishonesty |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
No departmental case against the member |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
No departmental steps must be taken against the member |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
No grounds to charge |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
No grounds to charge or proof that employee stole the items. SAPS also withdrew charges |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
No prima facie case |
28 |
10 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
No prima facie case |
63 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
No prima facie case |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
No steps taken |
50 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Not guilty |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Officer be charged with a misconduct |
0 |
0 |
7 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
OBE discipline |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Prima facie case of misconduct |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Prima facie case |
86 |
38 |
21 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
10 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Prima facie case |
25 |
49 |
79 |
25 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
27 |
Prima facie case |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
Prima facie case of misconduct |
16 |
1 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
Prima facie case of serious misconduct. Recommends disciplinary investigation |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
Prima facie case |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Prima facie evidence |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Recommendation of disciplinary steps |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Recommends departmental steps to be instituted against employee |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
Refer for hearing |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Refer for trial |
0 |
24 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Referred to hearing |
0 |
48 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Referred to hearing |
48 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Steps taken |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Steps to be taken against the member |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Steps to be taken |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Steps to be taken |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Still pending |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Substance to charge |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Sufficient evidence to charge |
1 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
The member was found guilty on one charge ito Reg 5(3)(g g) and was given final written warning |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
The charges against the official was withdrawn. The matter is regarded as finalised |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
The Member be charged for contravening Reg 5(4)k and x |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
The official must appear before a formal disciplinary hearing |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
The official must appear before a formal disciplinary hearing |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
The official must be formally charged for the misconduct committed |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
Theft incident was circulated in social media and tarnished the image of the department and education |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Prima facie case exist. Expeditious process |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
There is a prima facie case against the member. Recommend expeditious process |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
There is no prima facie evidence to charge the employee with misconduct |
28 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
There was enough evidence to charge the employee. |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
To be send to the provincial office for hearing |
24 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
To proceed with the disciplinary enquiry |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
To proceed with the disciplinary inquiry |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Trial |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Verbally intimidated some staff. |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Withdrawal of charges |
0 |
28 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Withdrawn by IPID |
6 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Data source: PERSAL |
|||||||||||
Compiled by the DPSA |
|||||||||||
Excluding Defence and State Security Agency |
3. In instances where consequence management was not taken, what are the reasons that it was not taken?
The PERSAL System only makes provision for department to enter records where action was taken and captured by departments.
4. What total amount is involved in each of the investigations into fraud, corruption and theft?
The information at our disposal through the PERSAL System does not reflect the specific amounts involved in the specific areas.
5. What total amount was recovered in the course of each investigation?
The information at our disposal through the PERSAL System does not reflect the amounts involved, however this may be sourced directly from each department.
End
07 July 2023 - NW2360
Van Zyl, Ms A M to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
What (a) is the name of each school in each province that is (i) adequately fenced and (ii) not adequately fenced and (b)(i) are the reasons that the specified schools are not properly fenced in each case and (ii) is the time frame set to properly fence the schools?
Reply:
(a)(i)(ii)
Province |
Adequately Fenced |
Not Adequately Fenced |
Grand Total |
EC |
3981 |
1065 |
5046 |
FS |
876 |
69 |
945 |
GT |
2064 |
2 |
2066 |
KZN |
5241 |
556 |
5797 |
LP |
3209 |
440 |
3649 |
MP |
1126 |
523 |
1649 |
NC |
417 |
128 |
545 |
NW |
1138 |
310 |
1448 |
WC |
1452 |
|
1452 |
National |
19504 |
3093 |
22597 |
Note:
- There are no school without fence.
- Not Adequate fence only means that the height of the fence does not meet the required height of 1.8m as stipulated in the Norms and Standards.
- Incorrect measurement of the height of the fence in some of the schools
(b)(i) The main reason for the delay in the upgrade of fencing is the challenge to balance all infrastructure needs within the constraints of the available budget
(b)(ii) There are fencing projects at more than 500 schools scheduled for implementation in 2023/24
07 July 2023 - NW1990
Tetyana, Mr Y to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
What total number of board meetings have the Amatola Water Board had in the past 12 months, compared to what it is prescribed to have?
Reply:
The Board of the Amatola Water had 12 meetings and 10 special board meetings, in the past 12 months. The prescribed number of meetings per year is six (6).
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07 July 2023 - NW2456
Ismail, Ms H to ask the Minister of Tourism
(1) Whether she will furnish Ms H Ismail with a comprehensive overview of the procedure that was followed from the point when SA Tourism conceived the idea of a trip to New York to celebrate the Freedom Day to the stage when the proposal was formally put forward for approval; if not, why not, if so, what are the relevant details. (2) what checks and balances are in place to ensure that proposed expenditure is compliant with rules and regulations?
Reply:
(1) A comprehensive overview of the procedure that was followed from the point when SA Tourism conceived the idea of a trip to New York to celebrate Freedom Day to the stage when the proposal was formally put forward for approval; if not, why not, if so, what are the relevant details.
I have been informed by South African Tourism that it has policies and a delegation of authority that guides the process for in-market programmes. The process that was followed for the Freedom Day celebration was as follows:
- One of the key programmes implemented annually is SA Tourism collaborating with the missions abroad to celebrate national days. For the 2023 Freedom Day celebrations, SA Tourism collaborated with the SA Mission in New York whereby the Consulate General of South Africa extended the invitation to the Mayor of New York for the event.
- Upon acceptance of the invitation by the Mayor of New York, the Hub-Head of SA Tourism in the US requested through an invitation that the Acting CEO of SA Tourism be part of the celebration as the event was elevated to high level dignitaries.
- The ACEO then submitted a formal motivation to the Minister on the 4th of April 2023 for approval to be part of the programme and this was approved on the 12th of April 2023.
- Subsequently, the ACEO saw the need to extend the invitation to the Portfolio Committee.
- A response from the Portfolio Committee was received on the 14th of April 2023.
- A request was made to the Minister on the 16th of April 2023 for the approval of the Portfolio Committee to travel to the US and for SAT to pay the costs.
- There was no Board approval for the project as this is part of the approved US Hub annual operational plan which focused on the collaboration with missions. Furthermore, the entity used the event to amplify the Global Advocacy programme.
- The budget for the event is part of the annual collaboration with missions which is part of the US Hub office annual operational plan.
The activities in New York were part of the localisation of the Global Advocacy Programme in the USA, which is a priority source market for South Africa. This was planned and delivered to amplify the Annual Global Advocacy Programme, which is a key deliverable of the entity’s Annual Performance Plan (APP) for the 2023/24 Financial Year, under Programme 3: Leisure Marketing.
(2) What checks and balances are in place to ensure that the proposed expenditure is compliant with rules and regulations.
South African Tourism manages all expenditure in line with the provisions of the PFMA, Treasury Regulations and associated internal control policies.
I advised that SAT cannot pay for Parliamentarians’ expenditure as these costs must be borne by Parliament.
07 July 2023 - NW2254
Pambo, Mr V to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
Whether there are any reasons that the Government has abandoned the 784 000 litre water storage donated to the residents of kaMahoyi in Ward 11 in the Nkomazi Local Municipality; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) and Nkomazi Local Municipality (LM) conducted a site inspection at 2ML reservoir in Ka-Hhoyi area. It was established that the concrete reservoir was leaking at the bottom. The Municipality indicated that a contractor will soon be appointed to inspect and repair the leaking reservoirs and several other water storages within the jurisdiction of Nkomazi LM.
The Municipality reported that a visual structural assessment was conducted to water storages within the jurisdiction and the report is in possession of the Municipality. Currently the Municipality advertised tender for the refurbishment of the water storages, which closed on the 24th of April 2023. The procurement process for appointment is planned to be concluded before end of September 2023. The project is funded by Nkomazi Local Municipality and the ward 11 water storage is one of the infrastructures that will benefit from the programme.
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07 July 2023 - NW1714
Alexander, Ms W to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
Whether he will furnish Mrs W R Alexander with a comprehensive breakdown of the procurement allocation of (a) his department and (b) every entity reporting to him in terms of the percentages allocated to (i) small-, medium- and micro-enterprises, (ii) cooperatives, (iii) township enterprises and (iv) rural enterprises with a view to evaluating the effectiveness of the set-aside policy of the Government in fostering an inclusive and diverse economic landscape (details furnished) in the (aa) 2021-22 financial year and (bb) since 1 April 2023?
Reply:
The table below provides breakdown of the procurement allocation for the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) main account, and Water Trading Entity (WTE):
Entity |
Procurement budget allocations/ Goods and services budget |
(i) small-medium- and micro-enterprises inclusive of (ii) cooperatives, (iii) township enterprises (iv) rural enterprises |
DWS |
2021/22 |
EME 2021/22 23.84% QSE 2021/22 29.65% |
2023/24 |
EME for the month of April 2023: 21.30% QSE for the month of April 2023: 9% |
|
WTE |
2021/22 |
EME 2021/22 36 % QSE 2021/22 14 % |
2023/24 |
EME for the month of April 2023: 19.80% QSE for the month of April 2023: 23.32% |
*QSE – Qualifying Small Enterprises *EME – Exempt Micro Enterprise
The table below provides breakdown of procurement spending for Entities reporting to the Ministry of Water and Sanitation. It is important to note that there is not set aside Policy in Government in relation to entities. Water Boards procurement budget for financial year 2021/22 was over R7 billion, whereas the expenditure for the year under review is more than R3 billion spent on small-medium- and micro-enterprises which is more than 45%. Water boards financial year 2022/23 information provided for Quarter 1 - 3 where one quarter is still to be reported
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07 July 2023 - NW2237
Msane, Ms TP to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
What are the relevant details of her department’s (a) plans and (b) time frames thereof in response to the Cholera outbreak in Hammanskraal, which she said include a water resilience plan, which would form the foundation of a bulk water supply and wastewater treatment plant infrastructure, rehabilitation and energy efficiency interventions within the water regulation and sewerage system?
Reply:
The Department of Cooperative Governance (DCOG) will continue to support Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality in accordance with section 154 of the Constitution. This will be done in accordance with the District Development Model (DDM) in collaboration with other sector departments including the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) as DWS is responsible for water regulation. DWS monitors the management of drinking water quality compliance by WSAs and further engages the WSAs where non-compliance is detected. WSAs are required to register for the monitoring programme on the DWS’s Integrated Regulatory Information System (IRIS). Following the release of the Blue Drop Watch Report by DWS on 6 June 2023, DCOG in collaboration with DWS is developing an action plan, to be submitted to Cabinet, that seeks to address the non-compliances in the treatment processes of drinking water and effluent.
Furthermore, DCOG has embarked on a process of identifying stalled water projects, among others, in mainly dysfunctional municipalities that are perennial under spenders of the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG). DCOG has consulted with National Treasury and SALGA on the creation of MIG schedule 6B that will see DCOG implement the identified stalled projects in dysfunctional municipalities as a mitigating measure towards water resilience and universal access. The schedule 6B implementation will be done in this financial year.
End.
07 July 2023 - NW1991
Tetyana, Mr Y to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
What steps of intervention have been taken to curb the dysfunctionality which exists within the Amatola Water Board, where board members are able to influence operational matters by appointing senior managers who manipulate the awarding of tenders?
Reply:
The Department of Water and Sanitation is not aware of any dysfunctionality which exists within the Amatola Water Board.
Any allegations that are brought to the attention of the Minister, that involves the Water Boards, are investigated, and addressed accordingly.
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07 July 2023 - NW2514
Khoza, Mr AV to ask the Minister of Public Service and Administration
In light of the practice by big businesses, banks and other corporates of seconding their employees to state departments, including The Presidency, what (a) total number of employees from the specified entities are seconded to the State departments, (b) number of secondments are paid by the (i) respective entities and (ii) State and (c) are the companies getting in return for them to second own employees to the State and even pay them?
Reply:
a) & (b) (i-ii) Regulation 62 of the Public Service Regulations (PSR), 2016 states that a secondment in terms of section 15 (2) or (3) of the Public Service Act, 1994 may only take place if-
(a) The employee or person being seconded has the necessary competency;
(b) The period of secondment does not exceed 12 calendar months, unless due to operational reasons determined otherwise by the Minister for the Public Service and Administration (MPSA); and
(c) An agreement has been concluded between the receiving and seconding department, organ of state, other government or any other body.
The recipient department, organ of state, other government or any other body in terms of section 15 (2) or (3) of the Act shall bear the inclusive costs of secondment, unless the seconding department, organ of state, other government or any other body agree otherwise.
Based on the above, the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) does not have a database of the information as secondments are administered by departments. Departments only approach the DPSA where they require a secondment for a period exceeding 12 calendar months as prescribed in Regulation 62 (1) (b) of the PSR, 2016.
Therefore, this information must be sourced directly from individual departments as the information is not captured on the PERSAL system.
(c) Through the National Treasury’s General Conditions of Contract (GCC) and Supply Chain Management: A Guide for Accounting Officers, guidance is provided to departments on the management of risks and associated conflict of interest from service providers. The relevant Treasury and each accounting officer may be approached to provide detailed information in response to this question.
End
06 July 2023 - NW2267
Abrahams, Ms ALA to ask the Minister of Social Development
(1)What are the reasons that only 2 714 out of the 24 783 organisations have been formalised and registered as nonprofit organisations (NPOs) and/or co-operatives; (2) whether she will furnish Ms. A L A Abrahams with the breakdown of the 24 783 new self-help, income generation, community-based organised structures in terms of the (a) name of each organisation, (b) NPO registration status and (c)(i) contact and (ii) address details of each NPO and/or co-operative in each province?
Reply:
1. The NDA’s work to provide grant funding and capacity building for NPOs is limited by budget it receives from the National Treasury.
2. Yes. (a)(b)(c)(i)(ii) see Annexure A
06 July 2023 - NW1568
Hlengwa, Mr M to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
Whether the Government intends to execute the warrant of arrest against the President of the Russian Federation, Mr Vladimir Putin, as issued by the International Criminal Court, given that the Republic is a signatory to the Rome Statute; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
In nature of the question posed, the arrests fall within the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation: Crimes Against the State.
05 July 2023 - NW1819
Van Staden, Mr PA to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
Whether, with reference to Mr P A van Staden’s email enquiries to him on 3 and 20 April 2023 and subsequent Whatsapp messages on 26 April 2023 and 3 May 2023, he is now in a position to indicate when Mrs Jana Janse van Rensburg of the farm Altar, also known as farm Diepkloof 44/23 and 3 JS in the district of Groblersdal, Limpopo, may expect payment of outstanding compensation from his department for firebreaks done by the specified person to state-owned land bordering her land during the period 1 January 2021 until 31 October 2022, as a result of his department’s failure to maintain fire control measures in accordance with the National Veld and Forest Fire Act, Act 101 of 1998, and sections 17 and 18 of the Fire Brigade Services Act, Act 99 of 1987; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:
1. The Department received a letter of demand from Geo Louw (representing Jana Van Rensburg).
2. The region had already obtained a legal opinion from State Attorney.
3. In terms of the legal opinion obtained from the State Attorney, the complainant should not be paid unless if there is a court order to that effect. The complainant as per the legal opinion provided, is not being disadvantaged, but in the event they believe in their case, they may proceed and test their case before a competent court of law as they did by way of issuing a letter of demand, hence litigation starts by issuing a letter of demand and the subsequent process shall follow thereafter.
4. It may also pose a challenge with the auditors in the sense that the Department may not have valid grounds as to why it deviated from the legal opinion provided, which legal opinion was accordingly requested by the same Department to guide the Department with the further handling of the matter in question.
05 July 2023 - NW254
Graham-Maré, Ms SJ to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
(1)What (a) progress has been made on the recommendations contained in the Binder Dijker Otte (BDO) Report on the Review of Parliament Prestige Construction Projects Performance and (b) consequence management has been implemented following the fire at the Parliamentary precinct; (2) whether she is in possession of the follow-up report by BDO on the implementation of infrastructure; if not, (a) why not and (b) on what date is it envisaged she will receive the report; if so, (3) whether she will make the report available to Ms S J Graham; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
(1)
(a) Attached please see progress update report made on the implementation of the recommendation by BDO
(b) The DPWI provided the fire damage report to the HAWKS as an input into the investigation into the Parliament Fire – DPWI awaits for the outcome of the independent investigation and apply consequences upon the outcome of the investigation for all the areas of uncertainty.
(2) Yes a follow up report was provided by BDO in February 2022, please see the attached report
(3) Please see the attached report
05 July 2023 - NW2439
Van Staden, Mr PA to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
Whether, with reference to his reply to question 224 on 7 March 2023, he is now in a position to provide details of state-owned properties, both (a) improved and (b) unimproved, that are currently being rented out; if not, why not; if so, (i) to whom are the state-owned properties rented out and (ii) at what total amounts in each month?
Reply:
The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:
The DPWI is currently renting out both improved and unimproved state owned properties to various tenants, see attached Annexure A (active leases including both improved and unimproved as well as the tenant name and rental amount).
05 July 2023 - NW1364
Masango, Ms B to ask the Minister of Social Development
(a) What is the total number of vacant posts for social workers in each province, (b) for how long have they been vacant, (c) what are the reasons that the posts have not been filled and (d) what is the total number of unemployed social workers in the Republic?
Reply:
(a) (b) (c)
Province |
Number |
Period of vacancy |
Reasons for vacancies |
|
107 |
4 years |
Budget constraints (significant reduction on Compensation of Employees over the MTEF period |
|
103 |
6-12 months |
Budget constraints (significant reduction on Compensation of Employees over the MTEF period |
|
101 |
8 years |
Budget constraints (significant reduction on Compensation of Employees over the MTEF period |
|
151 |
5 years |
Moratorium on filling of posts (2019-Sept 2022) due to significant reduction on CoE budget |
|
44 |
12 Months |
Budget constraints (significant reduction on Compensation of Employees over the MTEF period |
|
158 |
1-2 years |
Budget constraints (significant reduction on Compensation of Employees over the MTEF period |
|
72 |
1-2 years |
Budget constraints (significant reduction on Compensation of Employees over the MTEF period |
|
365 |
1-2 years |
Budget constraints (significant reduction on Compensation of Employees over the MTEF period |
|
178 |
1-2 years |
Budget constraints (significant reduction on Compensation of Employees over the MTEF period |
(d) Around 9 000.
05 July 2023 - NW2478
Hicklin, Ms MB to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
(1) (a) What was the purpose of the dinner that was held immediately after the debate on Budget Vote 13 on 23 May 2023 and (b) where was it held; (2) (a) what amount did the dinner cost for each person and (b) from which budget line item was the budget for the dinner apportioned; (3) what (a) number of stakeholders were invited to the specified dinner and (b) was the intended outcome of the dinner; (4) what benefit to (a) her department, (b) the annual performance plans and (c) key performance indicators did the dinner fulfil?
Reply:
The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:
(1)
(a) As part of departmental calendar, the budget vote events are earmarked to interact with sector stakeholders to share developments around the policy imperatives and priorities of the department.
(b) The Cresta Grande hotel in Cape Town.
(2)
(a) The venue hire and dinner cost R132 457.60 for a guest list of about 130 persons.
(b) The budget line item was from the venue hire under goods and services
(3)
(a) 130 persons.
(b) The intended outcome was for information sharing and building cohesion within the sector on implementation of cross cutting programmes.
(4) (a),(b) and (c) Building strategic partnerships with sector stakeholders in promoting departmental outcome on integrated planning and coordination.
05 July 2023 - NW2504
Siwisa, Ms AM to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
(1)With reference to the information provided to the Portfolio Committee on Public Works and Infrastructure on 7 June 2023 that there are 238 land parcels in KwaZulu-Natal and that 18 of those have already been identified, what total number of the land parcels are situated in the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, where flood victims are still accommodated in halls and other temporary structures; (2) whether any of the land parcels have been handed over to the Department of Human Settlements in order to build houses for flood victims to restore their dignity; if not, why not; if so, (a)(i) what total number of land parcels was handed over and (ii) on what date and (b) what are the relevant details of the memoranda of understanding between her department and the Department of Human Settlements?
Reply:
The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:
1. The Department availed a list of 258 vacant land parcels from its Immovable Asset Register to the Housing Development Agency (HDA) in support to accommodate the flood victims in KZN. The HDA applied its housing suitability criteria matrix which included environmental considerations and encumbrances and requested 5 land parcels within eThekwini to be availed. The below table indicates the land parcels made available within eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality. Table 1 refers:
No. |
Province |
Municipality |
Property description |
1 |
KZN |
eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality |
Remainder of Portion 36 of Erf 4076 Reservoir Hills |
2 |
Remainder of Erf 306 Verulam |
||
3 |
Remainder of Erf 305 Verulam |
||
4 |
Portion 29 of farm Drift No. 906 FT |
||
5 |
Portion 49 of farm Drift No. 906 FT |
Further to the above, the Department processed 04 land parcels in support of flood victims in the uMsunduzi Local Municipality. Table 2 refers.
No. |
Province |
Municipality |
Property description |
1 |
KZN |
uMsunduzi Local Municipality |
Portion 81 of Erf 5 Edendale |
2 |
Portion 82 of Erf 5 Edendale |
||
3 |
Erf 6 Dennisfield |
||
4 |
Erf 39 Dennisfield |
In support of human development, the Department processed additional 13 land parcels for release to the HDA across provinces. HDA indicated that the land parcels released within KZN will also be utilised to support communities affected by the floods, in particular Portion 891, Erf. 76 Cato Manor within eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality.
2. (a) DPWI have approved released of the land parcels to the Housing Development Agency and have issued the Special Power of Attorney (SPOA) for commencement of the Town Planning processes whilst awaiting National Treasury endorsement and the initiation of transfer and conveyancing processes.
(b) The DPWI supports spatial transformation by releasing DPWI identified land parcels to the (HDA) for human settlement purposes. This is done in terms of both Departments constitutional mandates as well as in terms of the Departmental Disposal Policy that supports the social disposals. Further to the above, reference is made to the Cabinet Memorandum No.03 of 2019 (Cab memo) which approved that the state-owned land identified as suitable for human settlement development be released to the HDA as well as the issuing of the Power of Attorney in favour of the HDA.
05 July 2023 - NW1996
Siwisa, Ms AM to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
With regard to the networking budget vote dinner of his department that was held on 23 May 2023, what (a) total amount has been spent to organise the Budget Vote 41 Dinner and (b) criteria were utilised to identify the guests to the specified event?
Reply:
The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
a) The total amount spent on the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) sector budget vote networking dinner was R 132, 457.60.
b) The criteria used to invite the guest list was on selecting key sector stakeholders such as entities, professional councils, identified beneficiaries from EPWP projects, young professionals and bursary holders, and oversight bodies such as members of Audit Committee and Portfolio Committee on Public Works and Infrastructure.
05 July 2023 - NW2485
Tambo, Mr S to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
(1)What (a) number of projects have stalled for a period exceeding 12 months due to construction company incapacities in the past five years, (b) is the total monetary value of the projects, (c) are the full details of the projects and (d) have been the consequences to the companies and/or owners of the construction companies; (2) whether he intends to establish a state owned construction company to ensure such conduct does not arise in future; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:
(1)
(a) The department has approximately 71 number of stalled projects for a period exceeding 12 months due to construction companies’ incapability to complete the various contracts.
(b) The total monetary value is approximately R4.4 Billion for the infrastructure projects.
(c) The details of the projects are attached herewith marked as Annexure A.
(d) The is a range of measures taken by the department which include but not limited to warning letters, mora letters and ultimately termination of the contracts.
(2) The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure is a custodian of government infrastructure. The department has various entities, which are state owned companies, including the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB). The CIDB is a statutory body established to promote and regulate the construction industry. It plays a vital role in promoting best practices, regulating the industry and providing support to contractors. The CIDB is well positioned to address the concerns of incapable construction companies and effectively grading contractors to ensure that this conduct does not arise in future.
05 July 2023 - NW2196
Abrahams, Ms ALA to ask the Minister of Social Development
What number of (a) persons and (b) households that receive a social grant have been linked to (i) permanent and/or (ii) temporary economic and employment opportunities through her department since 1 January 2019 to date in each province and for each type of grant?
Reply:
- (i) (ii) To date, 49 449 persons and 12 362 households receiving social grants have been linked to economic and employment opportunities. Not possible to provide detailed information at this stage as current data collection and analysis is not disaggregated accordingly to these categories.
The DSD Portfolio is working with the FinMark Trust on piloting the “Generating Better Livelihoods for Grant Recipients” initiative to link social grants beneficiaries to sustainable livelihoods opportunities through employment, skills development and social entrepreneurship. The project’s primary target is Child Support Grant and will be extended to other grant types.
05 July 2023 - NW1039
Bodlani, Ms T to ask the Minister of Communication and Digital Technologies
What (a) total number of persons left the SA Broadcasting Corporation in the past three financial years and (b) were the reasons for doing so? NW1149E
Reply:
Find here: Reply
05 July 2023 - NW2516
Khoza, Mr AV to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
In light of the fact that the Park Road Police Station has been under construction for many years now and is still incomplete despite three contractors having been contracted to do the construction, (a) what happened to the two previous contractors, (b)(i) what total amount were they paid and (ii) over what period of time and (c) what percentage of the budget has been expended to date in the project?
Reply:
The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:
Background
In Park Road Police Station is being implemented by the Development Bank of South Africa on behalf of the Department of Public Work and Infrastructure. The project scope for this project entails construction of new facilities (New Gate House, Dog Kennels, CSC, Educational Centre and Archive) and Repair and renovation to all existing building.
a) Plant (IDP) was signed off by the DBSA, as SSD was experiencing cash flow problems. IDP, the second Contractor, was subsequently terminated on the 23 July 2019 due to non-performance.
b) (i) At that time of March 2019, the SSD was paid R9 704 530.60 for works done by SSD (about 15.4 % of Initial Construction Cost of R62 879 067.08) and progress on site was 17%. IDP were however terminated on the 23 July 2019 and no monies were paid to them.
(ii) The contract duration was for 24 months with the initial completion date of 30 November 2019. As mentioned above, the IDP were terminated on the 23 July 2019.
c) Following the ceding of the initial contract between SSD and IDP, and subsequent the termination of IDP. A new tender process was started under RFP 222/2019 to appoint the replacement contractor. The recommended bidder offer was R85 211 178. The DBSA requested funding for R98 299 615 (Construction, Professional Fees and DBSA Management fee) however this was no approved. DBSA was instructed to institute legal processes to claim from repudiated contractor and recover the funds in order to successful complete the project.
DBSA appointed Mpfumelelo Business Enterprise cc (MBE) on 29 October 2020 for R 48 970 754.93 on a phased scope. To date, the overall progress is approximately 73%, the anticipated practical completion date of is 03 October 2023. To date R 37 302 012,99 Incl. VAT has been certified for work done by MBE
MBE was handed over the Park Road SAPS site on 04 January 2021 and works commenced on the 18 of January 2021 for a 11 months duration to implement the reduced scope (Phase 1).
With respect to the percentage of budget and expenditure to date. As mentioned above, SSD was paid R9 704 530.60 for works done by SSD (about 15.4 % of Initial Construction Cost of R62 879 067.08). For the current contractor, R 37 302 012,99 Incl. VAT has been certified for work done by Mpfumelelo Business Enterprise cc (MBE) (About 76% of Contract amount of R48 970 754.93).
05 July 2023 - NW2197
Abrahams, Ms ALA to ask the Minister of Social Development
(1)Whether, with regard to children who were receiving foster care grants while in the care of relatives prior to the passing and assent of the Social Assistance Act, Act 59 of 1992, and regulations pertaining to the child support top-up grant, the specified children are still receiving a foster care grant and the full value of said grant; if not, why not; if so,
Reply:
- Yes, eligible children continue to receive the full value of the Foster Care Grant, as per Child Support Grant Top-Up Policy which was adopted by Cabinet in 2015. The Policy emphasised that all orphans already in the court ordered foster care will remain in the system and will not be affected by the introduction of the CSG Top-Up. This is because it is constitutionally regressive to take the provision away from children who are already receiving it.
- No. The provision of the grant is only applicable to new applicants with effect from date when the provision came into operation.
- (a) As of May 2023, there were 289 139 Foster Care Grant and 43 135 beneficiaries children on the Child Support Grant Top-Up beneficiaries nationally.
05 July 2023 - NW1566
Hicklin, Ms MB to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
(1)Whether, with regard to the proliferation of moles in the parliamentary villages that has reached seriously problematic proportions and the current horticultural staff employed by TEFLA seem totally out of their depth in terms of eradicating the pests in any humane way, with the gardens being completely overrun by these pests (details furnished), TEFLA has a comprehensive horticultural staff complement able to deal with the pest control issues raised or do they have to outsource the issues to consultants; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what total number of horticultural staff are employed to maintain the gardens in (a) Acacia Park, (b) Laboria Park and (c) Pelican Park; (2) what total number of contracts exist with outside consultants for horticultural services such as pest eradication; (3) whether TEFLA is responsible for the costs and/or have additional costs been raised which have to be covered by his department; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what is the scope of the horticultural contract signed with TEFLA in terms of garden maintenance throughout the Parks? NW1809E
Reply:
The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
(1) The horticultural staff complement of TEFLA is herein below mention, however TEFLA has outsourced the pest control to a company called Choice Pest Control. Herein below is total number of horticultural staff employed to maintain gardens throughout the Parks are as follows:
(a) Acacia Park – 66
(b) Laboria Park - 8
(c) Pelican Park - 9
(2) Only pest control has been outsourced to a subcontractor, Choice Pest Control. All other horticultural services are provided by TEFLA directly through their internal staff.
(3) All horticultural work was part of the project scope and no additional costs are incurred by the Department in carrying out this work. The horticultural scope is attached.
05 July 2023 - NW1607
van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Social Development
(1)What has she found are the reasons that the queuing system and/or queuing marshals are not available at the SA Social Security Agency (SASSA) office in Maponya Mall to help ease unnecessary waiting, especially for the elderly and mothers with small children;
Reply:
- The said office had experienced capacity challenges as a result of high volumes of clients visiting due to carry overs from previous days. SASSA has since strengthened capacity and prioritised the Maponya Mall office to effectively address these issues.
- (a) over 300 per day (b) 1500 weekly; and (c) 6 000 monthly
- Yes. The Maponya Mall office uses a generator provided by the Centre Management. Though the generator is fully functional, load shedding has a negative impact on network connectivity which in turn results in losses in production time. SASSA Gauteng Region is currently looking at alternative load shedding back up power supply.
- Yes. The office has (a) 3 security officers monitoring the safety of beneficiaries in the queues and CCTV cameras that have 24 hours recording capacity
(b) 30 minutes intervals
05 July 2023 - NW1995
Arries, Ms LH to ask the Minister of Social Development
What measures has she put in place to bring an end to fraud in the child support grant and to ensure that the parents who receive grants are the lawful parents and/or guardians of the recipients?
Reply:
We are committed to preventing, detecting and eliminating fraud and corruption in the social assistance programme. In this regard, we have taken full advantage of new technologies to strengthen anti-corruption measures, starting with the digitisation of our service offering. These include interfaces with the databases of other government departments, including Home Affairs (Population Register) to validate information on identity, life status, employment status, as well as PERSAL and Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF).
In addition to measures alluded to above, SASSA implements the following internal anti-corruption controls:
- Validation of applicants’ information through interfaces with systems from other entities.
- Conditional approval of a grant-pending bank account verification. Payment is extracted only if the bank account details match those of the approved beneficiary.
- Local offices perform daily verification of transactions as a process for ensuring that all transactions processed on SOCPEN are supported by the relevant documents.
- Biometric validation of all transactions will be implemented as from 01 June 2023. This serves as a non-repudiation of all transactions performed on the system.
- Confirm and validate all large amounts, and where there is suspicion of fraud, the payment of grants must be immediately stopped through Post Bank, or a bank recall is done through the South African Reserve Bank.
- Monthly run of the Oracle list of personnel against SOCPEN, immediately before cut-off for payment extraction on a monthly basis. Any records found added, except for FCG, must be held over for confirmation of eligibility before payment is released, even if this only happens the following month.
- Run an Oracle list of SASSA personnel against SOCPEN before grant payment extraction to identify staff on SOCPEN.
- System prohibition of one staff member using the credentials of another staff member to log onto the system.
Another method of combating Child Support Grant (CSG) fraud has to do with the implementation of the whistleblowing mechanism wherein SASSA employees and members of the public are able to report allegations of Fraud.
These allegations are investigated internally, since SASSA has an internal investigation unit which is well capacitated and works in conjunction with the Law Enforcement Agencies.
05 July 2023 - NW2368
Abrahams, Ms ALA to ask the Minister of Social Development
With reference to her department’s new channel on DSTV that she announced during the debate on Budget Vote 19 which took place on 30 May 2023, (a) on what date will the channel be accessible to the public, (b) how will the public access the channel, (c) what costs will the public incur in order to watch the channel, (d) what are all the total financial expenditure to set up and run the channel, (e) what is the duration of the contract agreement with DSTV, (f) what is the reason for the decision not to use the national broadcaster, the SA Broadcasting Corporation, as a suitable service provider in this regard, (g) who is the target audience, (h) who will determines the content aired on the channel, (i) under which programme within her department will the project be coordinated and (j) what are the job titles and functions of government employees tasked with the operationalisation of the DSD channel project?
Reply:
- The DSDTV is due to be launch in the second quarter of the current financial year. It is important to clarify that the platform that I referred to during the Budget Vote 19 is DSDTV, and not DSTV.
- Once officially launched, DSDTV will be accessible to the public on the online platform on www.dsdtv.org.za. This online platform is commonly known as Over the Top (OTT) platform, a media service in which streaming of content is offered directly to viewers via the internet with no support of cable, broadcast, and satellite television platforms.
- During the pilot phase, the Department will explore ways of monetising and zero rating the platform to cut down on data cost for the public.
- It cost the Department R81 250 a month to set up, load information, design and maintain the platform.
- There is no contractual agreement with DSTV. The platform will be piloted for a period of 12 months. Thereafter it will be evaluated before a final decision is taken on the way forward.
- Financial constraints preclude the Department from entering into any arrangement with the SABC. The OTT platform provides Government with an invaluable opportunity to talk directly to its beneficiaries at a reduced cost. It also creates internal capacity and skills to produce DSD Portfolio-related content.
- South African population.
- The content will be sourced directly from the DSD Portfolio interventions and programmes and overseen by the Chief Directorate; Communication.
- Refer to (h) above.
- The content on the platform will focus on all areas of the DSD Portfolio.
- Refer to (h) above.
05 July 2023 - NW2469
Graham-Maré, Ms SJ to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
(1)(a) On what date was the last assessment of the condition of the Brighton Beach Police Station buildings in Bluff in KwaZulu-Natal conducted, (b) what buildings were assessed and (c) what are the details of the findings; (2) what is the progress of the installation of the JoJo tanks that have been installed with pumps that have not been linked to the water system; (3) what (a) processes were used in terms of the allocation of living quarters for (i) single and (ii) married SA Police Service (SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICES) officials and (b) are the basic standards of accommodation provided by the SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICES at the specified precinct; (4) what safety assessment has been conducted on the basement of the single quarters where water and sewage are overflowing into the basement; (5) whether a budget has been allocated for repairs and refurbishment of the station in the current financial year; if not, by what date will a budgeting process be undertaken to address the issues at the police station; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:
(1)
a) 30 May 2023.
b) Station block, cells, single and married quarters.
c) A Back to Office Report is still in progress but has thus far captured serious concerns surrounding the flat concrete roof leaks at the block of flats, the cells that do not comply with the Project Five Start Specifications, the down pipes, aging infrastructure (waste water underground pipes) and lack of security measures.
(2) The provision, installation and connection of the JoJo Tanks are considered a capital works project and hence would require South African Police Services to request such capital works from DPWI as governed by the Service Level Agreement and Government Immovable Asset Management Act as they hold the Capital infrastructure budget. Regrettably, South African Police Services had independently purchased 3 x 5000lts JoJo tanks on the 08 August 2022. The same appointed Contractor that delivered the JoJo Tanks had them installed and connected to the main water municipal line.
As REONET (shared water savings initiative) is already on site, a request will be made to them for the possible assistance in electrical connection of the water tanks, failure which will require South African Police Services to fund this connection and create a Works Control System Project. A time frame can thus not be provided immediately.
(3) As South African Police Services are custodians of allocating official quarters to their qualifying members, this question must be posed to South African Police Services for a response.
(4) It is acknowledged that despite a safety assessment not being conducted that the spill over within the basement is of serious concern which has further been captured as such in the Back to Office Report. The Client was requested to log a call with NDPWI Central Call Centre to afford NDPWI an opportunity of addressing such via day-to-day.
(5) No, a budget has not been allocated for repairs and refurbishment of the station in the current financial year. The budget process has already commenced by means of the Back to Office Report which must be submitted to Construction Projects Management Business Units for evaluation and cost estimate purposes, after which such will be submitted to Property Portfolio Management Unit.
The following dates are projected:-
Submit Back to Office Report to Construction Projects Management Business Units by 30 June 2023. Construction Projects Management Business Units to evaluate and provide cost estimate by end of July 2023. Submit the motivation to Property Portfolio Management Unit or further attention in respect of processes to allocate funds and create a Works Control System Project within the first week of August 2023. Allocate funding and create a Works Control System Project for implementation within the 2024/2025 financial year, subject to availability of funds.
05 July 2023 - NW1064
Graham-Maré, Ms SJ to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
(1)Whether a site assessment has been conducted on the (a) station, (b) cells, (c) single quarters and (d) married quarters of the Brighton Beach Police Station; if not, on what date will his department undertake the specified assessment; if so, what (i) were the findings and (ii) action will be taken on the specified findings; (2) on what date will the brand-new JoJo tanks and pumps be connected to an electrical outlet in order for them to be used; (3) whether there are any plans in place to secure the precinct with a fence and/or any other boundary structure; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (4) what provisions have been made to address the water in the basement of the single quarters?
Reply:
The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
1. (a) Yes, in 2013 a desk top analysis was done and ascertained that areas of the station were over-utilized and SAPS have placed such need for a capital works project on their U-AMP. In addition, DPWI has provided additional space by means of a rehabilitation project relating to the conversion of garages into offices which has slightly alleviated the over-utilization. Final Delivery of this project was taken on the 05 September 2019.
b) Yes, the 2013 desk top revealed that the cells are in need of a total upgrade. The Client must register a Capital Works, works control system project to address this shortcoming as they hold the Capital infrastructure budget, which will be prioritized in terms of the placement on the U-AMP.
c) The Station had identified the need, in 2013, to convert the official single quarters into offices, which is a capital works project and will require the Client to register a Capital Works, works control system project as they hold the Capital infrastructure budget. However SAPS 2023/2024 U-AMP does not indicate this need and a revised conditional survey will have to be conducted in this regard and has been scheduled for the 30 May 2023.
d) Yes, a site assessment was conducted on the married quarters of the Brighton Beach Police Station
(i) The 2013 desk analysis ascertained that the married quarters were in good condition and were renovated last in 2007.
.(ii) A revised conditional survey will have to be conducted in this regard and has been scheduled for the 30 May 2023.
2. The provision, installation and connection of the JoJo Tanks is considered a capital works project and hence would require SAPS to request such capital works from DPWI as governed by the service level agreement as they hold the Capital infrastructure budget. Regrettably, SAPS had independently purchased 3 x 5000lts JoJo tanks on the 08 August 2022. The same SAPS appointed Contractor that delivered the JoJo Tanks had them installed and connected to the main water municipal line. The electrical supply from the JoJo tanks are currently running from extension cords. DPWI Workshops have been requested to evaluate whether they are able to assist in the connection of such and as a result, a firm date of electrical connection cannot be provided.
3. SAPS is required to request such capital works from DPWI as governed by the service level agreement as this is a capital works project as they hold the Capital infrastructure budget.
This request to DPWI is further required by the GIAMA.
4. DPWI has a Water Savings Term Contract, REONET, on site who had addressed this subject. Should this be a new complaint, SAPS to register a call with DPWI Day-to-Day Call Centre?
04 July 2023 - NW2332
Ngcobo, Mr S to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
What steps has her department taken to (a) ensure and (b) encourage the fast-tracking of the signing and submission of invoices which will guarantee the delivery of complete food items for June 2023?
Reply:
The Department tracks provincial expenditure through monthly reports that are required in terms of the Division of Revenue Act. Under-spending is often an indication of delayed payments.
The provinces are also required to provide reasons for under-spending. Where there are challenges, the DBE intervenes through forums such as Budget Standards, Inter-provincial meetings as well as direct engagements with provinces,
04 July 2023 - NW2441
Hlengwa, Ms MD to ask the Minister of Health
Whether, considering that public hospitals and mortuaries have been burdened with unclaimed corpses and noting that corpses are now decomposing at a faster rate due to loadshedding, his department has put any measures in place to ensure that such facilities are not burdened and overpopulated with unclaimed corpses; if not, why not; if so, what (a) measures and (b) steps has his department taken to trace the families of the deceased?
Reply:
The public hospitals and forensic pathology mortuaries have continuous backup generator capacity. This helps mitigate the potential of mortal remains decomposing. There are continuous discussions with ESKOM to exempt public hospitals and Forensic pathology mortuaries from loadshedding. Most of the decomposed bodies are received by forensic pathology mortuaries mostly due to these bodies being discovered in public spaces after a longtime.
- Measures taken to trace families for both public hospitals and forensic pathology mortuaries.
- In relation to Forensic Pathology Mortuaries, all unclaimed bodies are managed according to (i) the regulations for rendering Forensic Pathology Services (No R341 of 2005) – Section 43, 44, and 45 and (ii) the National Code of Guidelines for Forensic Pathology Practice in South Africa – Chapter 13 Section 460 to 464.
- It is the mandate of the South African Police Service (SAPS) to manage all unidentified cases from both the public hospitals and Forensic Pathology Service facilities. The SAPS has the competency of identification and tracing of families.
(b) Steps taken by the Department of Health to trace the families of the deceased?
The Department of Health collaborates with the SAPS, Department of Home Affairs (for finger prints), Department of Social Development (for tracing of families) and local municipalities (for paupers’ burial where families are not successfully traced).
The steps are as follows:
- In case of an unclaimed body where there are addresses provided, their next of kin are contacted.
- Tracing is also done by the social worker using details provided by the hospital.
- Community development/health workers are also used in tracing at last address that was given on the deceased patient’s file.
- The unclaimed deceased details and photos also get published through public media outlets.
- Should the tracing not be successful, the deceased’s DNA is extracted and sent to the SAPS Forensic Science Laboratory for storage in the database for future reference. It is only at this stage that the Department of Health makes an application to the Municipality for a Pauper burial.
END.
04 July 2023 - NW2378
Smalle, Mr JF to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
(1)With reference to his reply to question 1835 on 15 June 2022, wherein he stated that the construction progress at the Nandoni Water Treatment Works was at 40%, and considering that Limpopo continues to experience major water shortages and residents of the Makhado Local Municipality suffer due to either extremely low water pressure or no water at all for months at a time , what (a) are the details of the steps that have been taken to ensure that the Nandoni Water Treatment Works and the pipeline are completed expeditiously and (b) is the total volume of water that will be supplied to the specified municipality;
Reply:
Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs did not provide reply to question 1835 on 15 June 2022. The abovemention question was responded to By Minister of Water and Sanitation. It is recommended that honourable member transfer PQ 2378 to Ministry of Water and Sanitation to provided replies accordingly.
End.
04 July 2023 - NW2371
Graham-Maré, Ms SJ to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Electricity
Whether there were any procurement contracts concluded (a) during the State of Disaster in 2023 and (b) as emergency procurement since the establishment of the National Energy Crisis Committee; if not, why not in each case; if so, in each case, (i) on what date was each contract concluded and (ii) what (aa) is the name and street address of each supplier, (bb) product(s) and service(s) were ordered, (cc) was the monetary value of each contract and (dd) was the (aaa) commencement date and (bbb) termination date of each contract?
Reply:
- There was no emergency procurement undertaken during the state of disaster gazetted on 09 February 2023.
- (i)-(ii), (bb), (cc) (dd) Notwithstanding work done by Eskom for risk mitigation, there was no emergency procurement done since the establishment of the National Energy Crisis Committee.
04 July 2023 - NW2444
Singh, Mr N to ask the Minister of Health
Whether his department conducted any studies and/or live monitoring to assess the current extent of electromagnetic pollution in urban and rural areas caused by (a) Internet Wi-Fi [5G], (b) Low Earth Orbit satellites, (c) mobile phone towers and (d) Internet fibre cables; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details of any (i) potential negative impacts on human, animal and environmental health and (ii) legislative and/or regulatory measures (aa) currently being considered and (bb) already in place to manage and mitigate the pollution to acceptable levels?
Reply:
- (b) (c) (d) No, the Department of Health has not commissioned any studies and or live monitoring to assess the current extent of electromagnetic pollution in urban and rural areas.
- -(ii) The South African Products and Regulatory Authority (SAPHRA), which is an entity of the National Department of Health is responsible, from the viewpoint of human health, for regulating electronic products producing non-ionising electromagnetic fields (EMF), i.e. where the frequency of such EMF is less than 300 GHz. In carrying out this responsibility, SAPHRA has been utilising the World Health Organization’s (WHO) International EMF Project (www.who.int/peh-emf/en/) as its primary source of information and guidance with respect to the health effects of EMF. The International EMF Project was established by the WHO in 1996 to (i) assess the scientific evidence for possible adverse health effects of non-ionising electromagnetic fields on an on-going basis, (ii) initiate and coordinate new research in this regard, and (iii) compile health risk assessments for different parts of the electromagnetic spectrum. The Department of Health has been a member of the International Advisory Committee of the International EMF Project since 1998.
In June 2005 the International EMF Project hosted a workshop that was specifically aimed at considering the possible health consequences of the emissions from cellular base stations and wireless networks. The findings of this workshop were summarised in a 2-page Fact Sheet (http://www.who.int/peh-emf/publications/facts/fs304/en/). The following extract from this Fact Sheet is still considered by the WHO as a summary of the findings to date, i.e. “Considering the very low exposure levels and research results collected to date, there is no convincing scientific evidence that the weak RF signals from base stations and wireless networks cause adverse health effects.”
Another WHO Fact Sheet was published in June 2011 and reviewed in October 2014, i.e. Electromagnetic fields and public health: mobile phones. This Fact Sheet can be found at http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs193/en/) and the conclusion is stated as follows: “A large number of studies have been performed over the last two decades to assess whether mobile phones pose a potential health risk. To date, no adverse health effects have been established as being caused by mobile phone use.”
The WHO recommends utilising internationally recognised exposure guidelines such as those published in 1998 by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) and reconfirmed in 2009 for the frequency range 100 kHz – 300 GHz (i.e. including all the frequencies employed by the cellular industry). The Department of Health likewise recommends the use of these ICNIRP guidelines to protect people against the known adverse health effects of EMF.
The numerous measurement surveys, which have been conducted around the world and in South Africa, have shown that the actual levels of public exposure as a result of base station emissions invariably are only a fraction of the ICNIRP guidelines, even in instances where members of the public have been really concerned about their exposure to these emissions. At present there is no confirmed scientific evidence that points to any health hazard associated with the very low levels of exposure that the general public would typically experience in the vicinity of a cellular base station. The Department is therefore satisfied that the health of the general public is not being compromised by their exposure to the microwave emissions of cellular base stations. This also means that local and other authorities, in considering the environmental impact of any particular base station, do not need to and should not attempt, from a public health point of view, to set any restrictions with respect to parameters such as distance to the mast, duration of exposure, height of the mast, etc.
The Department of Health is not able to make any pronouncements about the specific levels of EMF that a member of the public would experience at any particular base station site when it is in operation. However, generally-speaking unless a person would climb to the top of a mast (or other structure supporting an antenna) and position him/herself not more than a few meters away right in front of the active antenna, such a person would have no real possibility of being exposed to even anywhere near the afore-mentioned ICNIRP guideline limits. Since these base stations are typically cordoned off by means of barbed wire fencing and locked gates/doors in order to protect the sensitive and expensive technology, getting to a mast and actually climbing it despite the afore-mentioned security measures would certainly not be considered responsible behaviour. Even then the only real threat to the health of the person would be falling at any height from the structure in question. Based on the results of numerous global and local surveys, the experience has been that the exposure to base station EMF at ground level is typically in the range of between 0.001 – 1.0 % of the afore-mentioned ICNIRP guideline limits. Against this background of available data, there would be no scientific grounds to support any allegation that adverse health effects might be suffered by a responsible member of the public due to the EMF emitted by a base station.
Although the Department of Health currently neither prescribes nor enforces any compulsory exposure limits for electromagnetic fields, the Department does advise all concerned (whether they be a government department, the industry or the public) that voluntary compliance with the afore-mentioned ICNIRP exposure guidelines is the recommended and science-based way to deal with any situation involving human exposure to the non-ionising electromagnetic fields emitted by cellular base stations and handsets.
In addition, the National Environmental Management Regulations, 2014, as amended, published under the National Environmental Management Act 1998 (Act 107 of 1998), is the national legislation prescribing requirements for Environmental Impact Assessment to be conducted for various activities, prior to their commencement, depending on their scale and their potential to result in environmental and health impacts. The installation and use electromagnetic of Internet Wi-Fi [5G], Low Earth Orbit satellites, mobile phone towers and Internet fibre cables have not been identified as activities with a potential to result in significant pollution to the environment and therefore do not require an EIA to be conducted.
END.
04 July 2023 - NW2386
Horn, Mr W to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
With reference to the intervention into the administration of the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality, what (a) was the total amount owed to the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality by each (i) national and (ii) provincial department and (iii) state-owned entity in the period 1 May 2022 to 1 May 2023 and (b) steps have been taken by the intervention team to ensure that the specified departments and entities duly pay their municipal accounts?
Reply:
- (i) National departments: R 92 564 557
- Provincial departments: R 346 382 610
- State-owned entities: R 76 313 507
- The Mangaung Intervention Team has taken the following steps to facilitate payment of municipal accounts from departments and state owed entities:
- Meetings were held with different departments to discuss the payment of municipal debts;
- Letters of demand have been issued to the different departments;
- Services have already been disconnected from provincial government. They were reconnected only after payment of R 50 million as well as commitment to make a payment arrangement for the remaining outstanding amount. Government has been given until 30 June 2023 to provide a formal payment arrangement. Should there be a failure to submit, they will be disconnected again.
- Re-allocations or reconciliation of accounts with credit balances and accounts with debt balances is in progress.
End.
04 July 2023 - NW2402
Ceza, Mr K to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
What steps of intervention has she put in place to prevent municipalities from wasting money on costly and ineffective consultants as a result of the lack of skills and vacancies in local government?
Reply:
The use of consultants is regulated in the Municipal Cost Containment Regulations issued by the National Treasury.
End.
04 July 2023 - NW2405
Komane, Ms RN to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
Whether the amalgamation of underfunded municipalities will resolve challenges experienced in the local government; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what interventions did her department put in place to improve the poor governance and maladministration in the municipalities?
Reply:
Amalgamation of underfunded municipalities will not resolve challenges experienced in the local government. The Department of Cooperative Governance, National Treasury and the South African Local Government Association are in a process of looking at the possibility of revising the current equitable share formula to address the issue of underfunded municipalities.
End.
04 July 2023 - NW2379
Smalle, Mr JF to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
(1)Which local municipalities are currently still under the management of sections 139 and 154 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996;
Reply:
(1) The following local municipalities are currently under intervention as provided for in section 139 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996:
Name of Municipality |
Type of intervention |
Enoch Mgijima LM |
S139(7) National intervention in the stead of the provincial executive in terms of section 139(5)(a) and (c) |
Amathole LM |
S139(5) of the Constitution |
Makana LM |
S139(5) of the Constitution |
Mafube LM |
S139(5)(a)&(c) of the Constitution |
Tokologo LM |
S139(5)(a)&(c) of the Constitution |
Emfuleni LM |
S139(5) of the Constitution |
Merafong LM |
S139(5) of the Constitution |
Mpofana LM |
S139(1)(b) of the Constitution |
Inkosi Langalibalele LM |
S139(1)(b) of the Constitution |
Mtubatuba LM |
S139(1)(b) of the Constitution |
Msunduzi LM |
S139(1)(b) of the Constitution |
Emalahleni LM |
S139(5) of the Constitution |
Govan Mbeki LM |
S139(5) of the Constitution |
Msukaligwa LM |
S139(5) of the Constitution |
Thaba Chweu LM |
S139(5) of the Constitution |
Lekwa LM |
S139(7) National intervention in the stead of the provincial executive in terms of section 139(5)(a) and (c) |
Phokwane LM |
S139(5) of the Constitution |
Renosterberg LM |
S139(5) of the Constitution |
Madibeng LM |
S139(5) of the Constitution |
Tswaing LM |
S139(5) of the Constitution |
Kgetleng Rivier LM |
S139(5) of the Constitution |
Mahikeng LM |
S139(5) of the Constitution |
Ramotshere LM |
S139(5) of the Constitution |
Naledi LM |
S139(5) of the Constitution |
Kagisano-Molopo LM |
S139(1)(b) of the Constitution |
Beaufort West LM |
S139(5)(a) of the Constitution |
(2) The National Treasury is the custodian of Municipal Finances and all information related to the finances and expenditure of municipalities resides with the National Treasury.
End.
04 July 2023 - NW2201
Graham-Maré, Ms SJ to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Electricity
(1)Whether he has been given the mandate to be the central coordinator or champion who is accountable to oversee the Just Energy Transition Implementation Plan (JETIP); if not, what is the position in this regard; if so;
Reply:
- No.
- The mandate holder for the JETIP belongs to the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment, we advise that you accordingly direct the matter to their office.
04 July 2023 - NW2361
Gela, Ms A to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
(1) With reference to the Fourth Quarter 2022-23 crime statistics that indicated that eight murders, 14 attempted murders, 84 rapes and 238 incidents of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm occurred on the premises of educational facilities, (a) what number of the specified incidents involved (i) learners, (ii) teachers, (iii) coaches and (iv) other staff members, (b) where did each specified incident occur and (c) in what way has her department assisted the SA Police Service in the investigation of the cases; (2) what measures has her department put in place to (a) assist and support the victims of the crimes and (b) ensure the safety and security of all individuals on school premises?
Reply:
1.The requested information resides with the Provincial Education Departments (PEDs); PEDs are best placed to respond as they are custodians of educational facilities (schools) in provinces.
2a. School Based Support Teams (SBSTs) provide first level support and in addition to that, the districts provide psycho-social support to learners and staff. Furthermore, the Department collaborates with the sister Government Departments including Social Development, as well as, other relevant Non-Profit Organisations and stakeholder to provide support to learners, educators and other staff members at schools.
2b. Schools effectively implement the School Access Control Policy. All schools are linked to their local police station (SAPS), as part of the MOU between National SAPS and DBE, this includes visits to schools by SAPS officials who conduct random searches and seizures.
03 July 2023 - NW2466
Roos, Mr AC to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
(a) Who is the chairperson of the Immigration Advisory Board that was established in terms of section 4 and 5 of the Immigration Act, Act 13 of 2002, (b) who are the other members of the board appointed in terms of section 4(2)(a-l) of the specified Act, (c) what number of meetings were held by the board in the 2022-23 financial year, (d) what was the advice and/or outputs of the board to him in the specified financial year and (e) what was the total remuneration paid to the board in the 2022-23 financial year?
Reply:
(a) The current Minister of Home Affairs has not appointed the Immigration Board in terms of Section 4 and 5 of the Immigration Act.
(b) The reason for not doing so is because the Department of Home Affairs is developing new Immigration, Refugee Protection and Citizenship Policy framework which is enroute to Cabinet.
(c) Please refer to answer above.
(d) Please refer to answer above.
(e) Please refer to answer above.
END