Questions and Replies
29 June 2023 - NW255
Graham-Maré, Ms SJ to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
(1)Whether her department has received the final proposed budget for the profiling of the Greydell community located at Farm 871/1 Greydell/Bhongweni in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality; if not, what is the proposed time frame for the specified profiling; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) what (a) progress has been made with regard to the transfer of the land in question to the specified municipality, (b) further interventions is her department committed to make and (c) are the expected (i) time frames for the interventions and (ii) costs thereof?
Reply:
The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
1. Yes, the Department has recently received the proposed budget requirement for the profiling of the Greydell community from the Buffalo City Municipality; the estimated cost is R600 000.00 and the estimated timeframe is 3 months to complete including compilation of the report. It is expected the profiling will commence in the new financial year in consultation with political leadership and subsequent to funding approval processes.
2. (a) The Department is currently surveying the land in question with a view to subdividing it for disposal to relevant identified stakeholders, inter alia, a portion to the HDA for BCM Human settlement purposes, a portion to ACSA for the extension of the runway and a portion to the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment for incorporation into the Umtiza Nature Reserve.
(b) The Department is currently engaging other stakeholders on the Greydell resettlement program with a view to finalise an intergovernmental solution to the invaded land.
(c)
(i) Timeframes for the interventions are being determined at present; and
(ii) Costs for the interventions are being determined at present.
28 June 2023 - NW2100
Mohlala, Ms MR to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
Whether his department has any responsibility, in the event of municipal failures, to assist communities who grapple with severe sewage spillages; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what (a) relief has been provided to the residents of (i) Dikgatlong, (ii) Sol Plaatje and (iii) Magareng in the Northern Cape who have been grappling with severe sewage spillages for an extended period of time, (b) measures will his department take to alleviate the constant stench and provide relief to the specified residents who have been enduring the dire circumstances for years, (c) mechanisms are in place to hold the municipalities accountable for their failure to address the persistent sewage spillages and (d) measures will his department take to ensure that the necessary repairs and maintenance are carried out promptly to prevent further environmental and health hazards?
Reply:
a) The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) is responsible for bulk water supply in the country and plays role of regulator of water and sanitation services and water resources. In the event of municipal failures, the DWS provides support to municipalities as Water Service Authorities and providers who grapple with sewage spillages. There are interventions in place to provide relief to the residents of (i) Dikgatlong, (ii) Sol Plaatje and (iii) Magareng in the Northern Cape summarised in the table below:
Local Municipality |
Challenges |
Intervention |
Total Project Cost |
Dikgatlong |
Blockages in sewer lines and manholes (in cases by foreign material into sewer systems) Dysfunctional pumpstations and loadshedding interruptions Barkley West WWTW is partially functional. |
The Barkley West Wastewater Treatment Works (WWTW) was recently refurbished along with the pumpstations DWS is currently funding the Dikgatlong construction of VIP’s Construction of the Windsorton-Holpan bulk water supply. Upgrading of the Barkly West WWTW. This project is still in a planning stage. |
R 47 009 295 |
Sol Plaatje |
Blockages in sewer lines and manholes (in cases by foreign material into sewer systems) Dysfunctional pumpstations Homevale WWTW is partially functional Poor operation and maintenance of sewer infrastructure Refurbishment and maintenance required was not within municipal financial capabilities. |
DWS is funding the construction of the Carters Ridge outfall sewer line and sewer pump station. Refurbishment of the Homevale WWTW Replaced the Gogga pumpstation to Homevale sewer outfall pipeline Refurbishment of the Gogga pumpstation |
R 57 366 501 |
Magareng |
Waterlogging in areas due to blockages in sewer lines and manholes Poor operation and maintenance of sewer infrastructure Notices and Directives only partially effective |
DWS provided funding emergency repair works to the Warrenton WWTW and surrounding sewer pump stations Refurbishment of the inlet works, aeration basin, clarifier, maturation ponds, chlorine, WAS / RAS pump station, auxiliary electrical works, sludge drying beds, flood lighting and vacuum pump station. Refurbishment of the Ikhutseng and Warrenval pump stations |
R 48 911 542 |
b) It is the responsibility of the municipalities to provide proper sanitation services and a healthy environment. The Department regulates through the Green Drop best practise system and investigates non-compliance through administrative enforcement. Wherever necessary, DWS also provides funding and support to municipalities that apply for available grants earmarked for addressing water services infrastructure challenges.
c) Department ensures protection of water resources, which can be achieved by initiating rectification measures against the identified non-complaint water users and polluters. When municipalities fail in their mandate to ensure compliance in terms of wastewater and effluent spillages, various legal frameworks can be initiated to address the contraventions. In instances where a water user fails to comply with any of the license conditions, the Department first exercises administrative enforcement actions in the form of Notices and Directives in accordance with the National Water Act. This is meant to afford the water users an opportunity to rectify non-compliances within certain timeframes.
When users are non-responsive, the Department proceeds with either or both criminal and civil enforcement actions. Criminal sanctions can also be instituted against the municipalities guided by Criminal Procedure Act on violations related to wastewater and effluent spillages. Section 151 of the National Water Act provides legal basis for laying of criminal charges against the municipalities that are intentionally or negligently pollute water resources or engage in unlawful water usage. Offenses under Section 151 of the National Water Act can be used to address pollution of water resources, making it a criminal offense to discharge pollutants into water resources without the necessary authorisation
d) Support is provided through health and hygiene awareness campaigns, and financial support through the WSIG and the RBIG. The administrative enforcement requires rehabilitation of impacted areas. Where municipalities fail to rectify and rehabilitate, the Department can take legal action.
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28 June 2023 - NW2486
Msane, Ms TP to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
What innovations has the African Union Research Unit established to have more reliable and effective early warning systems in place when it comes to climate change as it displaced and affected a lot of Africans in the recent years?
Reply:
The 4th Ordinary Session of the African Union Specialised Technical Committee (STC) on Agriculture, Rural Development, Water and Environment (ARDWE), held virtually from 13-17 in December 2021, inaugurated the Africa Multi-Hazard Early Warning System and Early Action Situation Room for Disaster Risk Reduction. It was recognised that the establishment of the Situation Room could play a key role in contributing towards reducing disaster mortalities and economic losses at micro level and improved disaster risk management at macro level through improved availability and access to early warning information, as well as harmonised early warning systems, which would include weather-related disasters exacerbated by Climate Change. It was further recognised that the operationalisation of the Situation Room and the Multi-Hazard Early Warning Programme and its sustainability is dependent on the inputs from the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and Member States that directly interface with the hazards, as well as continued financial and technical support from the cooperating partners.
Furthermore, this STC adopted the Revised 2021-2030 Integrated African Strategy on Meteorology (Weather and Climate Services) which aims to provide strategic direction on the development and application of meteorology (weather and climate services) to support Africa’s social and economic development including in sectors such as agriculture and food security, health, water management, aviation, infrastructure, marine and blue economy, disaster risk reduction, energy, inter alia. The 2021-2030 Integrated African Strategy on Meteorology (Weather and Climate Services) comprises five key pillars, namely:
- Increasing political support and recognition of national meteorological services (NHMs) and Regional Climate Centres (RCCs)
- Improved observation networks, data access and processing
- Improved weather, water, climate and climate change services
- Research and Innovation, development and training
- Strengthened partnerships with relevant institutions, the private sector and civil society.
In addition, this STC meeting adopted a report on the creation of African disaster operations capacity and capability and endorsed the creation of a continental civilian capacity for disaster preparedness and response, which will draw from individual African Member States’ capacities to provide timely assistance to disaster-stricken countries. This STC meeting also adopted the Disaster Recovery Framework (DRF) and indicated that the main objective of the framework is to guide resilient socio-economic recovery efforts of the continental, regional and national levels. This included a contextual analysis of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on various sectors. The framework proposes transformational policy and programmatic actions that would be undertaken in a short, medium and long term to respond to the pandemic and other disasters within the COVID-19 contexts; recover from the pandemic and the other disasters and build back better from future crises and disasters.
28 June 2023 - NW1973
Tambo, Mr S to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
Whether his department has any role to play in resolving the Hammanskraal water crisis that has led to the death of 12 or more individuals and has been persistent for many years; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, how does it intend to resolve the crisis?
Reply:
The Rooiwal Waste Water Treatment Works in Hammanskraal does not have sufficient capacity to deal with the amount of sewage flowing into it and has not been well-maintained for many years. The inadequately effluent from the Rooiwal Waste Water (sewage) Treatment Works is polluting the Apies River which flows into the Leeukraal Dam from which water is abstracted by the City’s Temba Water Treatment Works, which provides water to Hammanskraal residents. The Temba Water Treatment Works is supposed to clean the raw water abstracted from the dam and treat it so that it is fit for human consumption. However, the water in the dam is so polluted that the Temba Water Treatment Works is not able to treat the water such that is meets the required standards for drinking water. Hence the people of Hammanskraal have not been having a reliable or safe supply of drinking water for many years.
Since 2011, DWS has taken numerous regulatory actions (non-compliance notices and directives) against the City for it to stop the pollution of water resources in the area from its Rooiwal Waste Water Treatment Works. Since 2019, the Department has been engaged in legal action against the City for a court order to instruct the City to address the issue.
It is possible that the cholera outbreak which started in Hammanskraal in Tshwane is related to the pollution of water sources in the area from the Rooiwal Waste Water Treatment Works. An investigation is underway into the source or sources of the cholera outbreak. Technical teams from the Department of Water and Sanitation, and the provincial and national Department of Health as well as relevant municipalities are carrying out water quality tests at distribution points and at water treatment works in areas in Hammanskraal where people have become infected. They are also engaged in tracking and tracing of infections. Cholera has not yet been identified through the tests. The Water Research Commission has also commissioned a verification of the DWS and CoT tests as well as independent tests, the results of which should be available shortly. It is important to note that cholera is not only spread through polluted water – it is also spread through poor hygiene, eating contaminated food or by coming into contact with the faeces of an infected person. To date, the original source of the cholera infection has not been located.
The City has warned the residents of Hammanskraal) not to drink the water from the Temba water treatment works (which is the water coming out of taps in Hammanskraal) and is supplying them with drinking water from tankers. The water tankers abstract water from Magalies Water and Rand Water sources, which is compliant with drinking water standards.
In the light of the cholera outbreak it is imperative that the repair and upgrade of the Rooiwal WWTW be dealt with as a matter of national urgency. DWS does not have voted funds to provide to Metros for water and sanitation. Metropolitan municipalities are supposed to use a portion of their USDG grant to supplement their own budget allocations for water and sanitation.
DWS has estimated the cost of a full rehabilitation and upgrade of the Rooiwal WWTW over the next three financial years to be in the region of R4 billion. The project can be implemented in stages, with an emphasis on work to stop or reduce the pollution from Rooiwal in the early stages.
The Mayor and the City have indicated that the City does not have the capacity on its own to address the sanitation challenges, nor does it have sufficient funds to address the challenges timeously on its own. The Mayor has also indicated that the City’s SCM processes are corrupted.
In this context, the CoT, DWS and National Treasury have recently agreed that:
- The DWS and the City will partner together to jointly manage a project to fix the Rooiwal WWTW in Hammanskraal.
- Tshwane will contribute a portion of its USDG allocation. Council approval for R450 million to be allocated over the MTEF has been granted.
- The DBSA will be appointed by CoT as the implementing agent for the project.
- A financial task team consisting of NT, DWS, the City and DBSA has been put in place to develop a financing plan for the project. Various options are being considered, including but not limited to, increasing the City’s contribution from its USDG allocation, shifting funds from other grants, and DBSA loan finance.
DWS and the City will have formed a joint technical steering committee to oversee the project.
In the short-term, an alternative drinking water source will be put in place by Magalies Water for Hammanskraal through the emergency construction of a 30-40 Ml/day package-plant at Klipgaart WTW. The plant will provide drinking water in the Hammanskraal water distribution system. The Package Plant will be implemented in a phased approach with 10Ml/day at a time. The units will be in place starting from October 2023 at Klipgaart WTW and will be completed by March 2024.
In the meatime, CoT will continue with mobile water tankering services for Hammerskraal residents, from designated water filling points, with regular testing of water provider from tankers. Community structures will be requested to participate in a structure with the City to monitor the tankers and testing of water from the tankers.
The repair and upgrading of the Rooiwal will be implemented in phases which will be run concurrently, between September 2023 and June 2026. The upgrading will result in an increase in the capacity of Rooiwal from 250 ML/day to 380 ML/day.
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28 June 2023 - NW2232
Ceza, Mr K to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
Whether she intends to demand (a) detailed reports from each municipality with regard to all municipal contracts and/or tenders and (b) Special Investigating Unit reports of the three financial years to improve accountability; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
Municipalities are required to publish all tenders and contracts on their website and also on the municipal notice boards in accordance with section 75 of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA). In addition, MFMA circular 83 advocates for publication of procurement information on tender portal, which requires municipalities to pulish all bids, awarded bids, cancelled bids, deviations, variations & extensions of existing contracts on the eTender Publication Portal. This is done as a way to promote a culture of transparancy and to give efffect to section 217 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, which advocates for municipalities to procure goods and services in terms of a system which is transparent, fair, competitive, equitable and cost effective.
(b)
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) referrals to municipalities are not done through the Minister, but through the MECs. If the MEC does not take the necessary action, then the SIU will escalate the matter to the Premier in the Province.
Furthermore, officials from the Department are collaborating with officials from the Presidency and the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME), who are assessing implementation of recommendations emanating from the SIU investigation reports. Should this broader assessment with the Presidency and the DPME identify matters that require my attention, I will ensure that the necessary steps are taken to ensure accountability.
The Department of Cooperative Governance (DCoG) in collaboration with the SIU established the Local Government Anti-Corruption Forum (LGACF) which is vital for purposes of fostering collaboration amongst the various stakeholders at local government in order to effectively fight corruption and co-ordinate efforts amongst provinces and law enforcement agencies. On a quarterly basis, the SIU provides progress on municipal investigations through the LGACF.
As such, the Department will continue to collaborate with the SIU and other law enforcement agencies to ensure that recommendations emanating from investigations reports are implemented and there is accountability.
End.
28 June 2023 - NW2064
Smalle, Mr JF to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
(a) What (i) is the total number and (ii) are the names of municipalities that have access to aviation support and (b) what is the (i) total number of aviation fleet available in each municipality and (ii) breakdown to the specification of the fleet?
Reply:
The department does not maintain a record of the necessary data required by respectable member. It is advised that the inquiry be forwarded to the Department of Transport since it is in charge of aviation-related operations, including the creation of airport plans that serve as a blueprint for all current and future airport improvements.
End.
28 June 2023 - NW2242
Arries, Ms LH to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
What measures has she put in place to audit, monitor and evaluate services of early childhood development centres in the Republic to ensure that they operate according to set standards?
Reply:
The Department of Basic Education has historically been responsible for the development and implementation of the National Curriculum Framework for children from birth to four years old (NCF). Provincial and national monitoring and support systems have therefore, been established and implemented to ensure that ECD centres comply with the standards set out in the NCF. However, the Thrive by Five Index, which was established to evaluate the efficiency of Early Learning Programmes (ELPs), indicated the need to further strengthen our monitoring and support of quality ECD provisioning. Given this, the Department is in the process of developing a Quality Assurance and Support System, that will set out very clear quality standards so that ELPs will clearly understand the expectation around quality provisioning. The Quality Assurance and Support System will further include support mechanisms to progressively reach the quality standards that have been agreed upon. The Thrive by Five Index will also be repeated every three-four years, to continuously provide an independent evaluation of whether quality is being improved.
28 June 2023 - NW1979
Ceza, Mr K to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
In light of the recent rains which have severely affected communities in Gqeberha, what urgent support measures has the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent put in place to refurbish the (a) drainage infrastructure planning, (b) expansion and (c) maintenance in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality?
Reply:
The Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent (MISA) did not provide any urgent support measures to Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality (NMBMM) as the NMBMM’s Disaster Management Center and Emergency Teams had technical capacity to attend to the floods. MISA remains available to augment and provide support to NMBMM as and when needed, the same way MISA does not low and medium capacity municipalities.
End.
28 June 2023 - NW2035
Seitlholo, Mr IS to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
(1) Whether the Rygersdal Complex in Rosebank, Cape Town, has recently been refurbished; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, for what purpose; (2) for what purposes will the specified property be used; (3) whether there is any security currently available to the property; if not, why not; if so, what are the costs related to the (a) security and (b) other related upkeep costs? NW2303E
Reply:
1. Yes, the refurbishment was done to reconfigure certain floors thereby creating five units out of the three and four bedrooms being converted into two bedrooms. Furthermore the refurbishment resulted in conversion of the domestic quarters into three duplex units which are currently occupied by Deputy Ministers.
2. Rygersdal is used for accommodation of Director-Generals and Deputy Ministers.
3. Security in manned by South African Police Services.
(a) With respect to costs related to security, our sister department, South African Police Services (SAPS), will be best suited to respond to the question.
(b) The projected expenditure for the current financial year for planned maintenance and corrective maintenance is R 1 342 713.23 and the actual expenditure to date is R 70 873.21.
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY: QUESTION NO. 2035 (Written Reply) Mr I S Seitlholo (DA) asked the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure: |
The draft reply to Parliamentary Question No. 2035 (Written Reply) is submitted for your consideration.
The input has been provided by the Prestige Business Unit.
I hereby attest that the information provided in response to NA PQ 2035 is true and correct, to the best of my knowledge.
________________________
MR. M SAZONA
CHIEF DIRECTOR: PRESTIGE
DATE:
Draft reply supported / not supported/ comments
________________________
MS. N MAKHUBELE
ACTING-DIRECTOR GENERAL
DATE:
Draft reply supported / not supported/ comments
_____________________
MS. B SWARTS, MP
DEPUTY MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS AND INFRASTRUCTURE
DATE:
Draft reply approved / not approved/ comments
__________________________
MR. S ZIKALALA, MP
MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS AND INFRASTRUCTURE
DATE:
28 June 2023 - NW1917
Mokgotho, Ms SM to ask the Minister of Human Settlements
(1) Whether she has been informed of the low quality of houses that are being rebuilt for the displaced persons of Jagersfontein, in the Free State; if not what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) what form of intervention does she intend taking a (b) which time frames have been put in this regard?
Reply:
1. (a) The Minister of Human Settlements has not been informed of the low quality of houses that are rebuilt for displaced persons. The National Department of Human Settlements (NDHS) in collaboration with the National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC) will undertake physical verifications regarding the quality and structural integrity of the houses and provide further details.
It must also be mentioned that on 9 May 2023, the Deputy President, and other sector departments including the NDHS visited the township of Charlesville, Jagersfontein. According to what is reported and what the team saw on the ground, out of the eight households affected, only three houses have been built by a sponsorship contractor. It is worth noting that the team visited a beautiful big showhouse, which is spacious and of good quality.
(b) It is anticipated that the physical verifications will be completed on or before 30 June 2023, whereafter feedback will be provided to the Honourable Member
28 June 2023 - NW2042
Graham-Maré, Ms SJ to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
(1) Whether all (a) Board Members and (b) management of the Independent Development Trust have submitted their declaration of interest; if not, in each case, why not; if so, what are the relevant details in each case; (2) Whether the specified (a) members and (b) management will be required to submit declarations of interest; if not, in each case, why not; if so, (a) by what date is it envisaged that the declarations will be submitted in each case and (b) how often will the declarations be updated in each case; (3) Whether the time frames for submission have been adhered to; if not, in each case, why not; if so, what are the relevant details in each case? NW2311E
Reply:
1. (a) The Board Members of the Independent Development Trust submitted their declarations of interest.
(b) IDT management submitted their declarations for financial year 2022/2023.
2. (a) The Board Members are requested annually to submit their declarations of interests and this is done continuously in all Board and Committee meetings.
(b) IDT managers are required to declare their financial interest as per the Code of Ethics and Business Conduct on an annual basis.
3.
- The declarations of interest for Board members are submitted before the start of the financial year. The Board members have fully complied with the set timeframes.
- IDT management complied and submitted the declaration of interest by 31 May 2023.
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY: QUESTION NO. 2042 (Written Reply) Ms S J Graham (DA) asked the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure: |
The draft reply to Parliamentary Question No. 2042 (Written Reply) is submitted for your consideration.
The input has been provided by the Independent Development Trust and duly processed by the Inter-Governmental Relations Business Unit.
I hereby attest that the information provided in response to NA PQ 2042 is true and correct, to the best of my knowledge.
________________________
MR. A MTHOMBENI
DEPUTY DIRECTOR GENERAL: IGR
DATE:
Draft reply supported / not supported / comments
________________________
MS N MAKHUBELE
ACTING-DIRECTOR-GENERAL
DATE:
Draft reply supported / not supported / comments
_____________________
MS. B SWARTS, MP
DEPUTY MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS AND INFRASTRUCTURE
DATE:
Draft reply approved / not approved / comments
__________________________
MR. S ZIKALALA, MP
MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS AND INFRASTRUCTURE
DATE:
28 June 2023 - NW2176
Ismail, Ms H to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
(1)What amount did each municipality in each province receive from the Municipal Infrastructure Grant in the past two financial years; (2) what amount of the specified grant did each municipality in each province actually (a) spend, (b) not spend and (c) return to the National Treasury?
Reply:
The information required by Honourable member is monitored by the National Treasury. It is recommended that the question be directed to Minister of Finance for the National Treasury to provide responses accordingly.
End.
28 June 2023 - NW1878
Buthelezi, Ms SA to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
(1)Whether her department has given traditional leaders a role to play to ensure that their constituencies still have shelter and are catered for when projects of Government take long to get off the ground and, in some instances, to be completed; if not, why not; if so, what role do traditional leaders play; (2) whether there are any communal shelters that are built and readily available to cater for such eventualities; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?NW2130E
Reply:
1. Roles are given to traditional leaders in terms of section 25 of the Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Act, 2019 (Act No. 3 of 2019). In this regard, a national or provincial department can only give roles to traditional leaders in respect of functional areas of such a department. The building of shelters is not a functional competence of the Department of Traditional Affairs. However, in practice we collaborate with traditional leaders and other role players in addressing the socio-economic needs of communities in areas under the jurisdiction of traditional leaders. We have seen this in practice during natural disasters where traditional leaders have played a pivotal role in, among others, speedily making communal land parcels available for resettlement.
2. As indicated in (1) above, the building of shelters is not the functional competence of the Department of Traditional Affairs. The Department therefore does not have at its disposal the information referred to by the Honourable Member.
End.
28 June 2023 - NW2231
Marais, Ms P to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
Whether he has been informed that only one of the seven wastewater plants that exist in Bloemfontein is operational; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) regularly conducts inspections and audits on the operation and maintenance of the Wastewater Treatment Works (WWTWs) in all Water Services Institution (WSIs) within the Free State. The inspections aim to assess whether WWTWs are operated and maintained in a manner that does not pose risks of pollution resulting in contamination of water resources and increasing risks to human health and the environment.
There are seven (7) WWTWs owned by Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality serving Bloemfontein area. From these WWTWs, three (3) are operational, three (3) are partially operational and one is non-operational. The three operational and three partially operational WWTWs discharge wastewater which is not compliant to the General Limits for wastewater, and therefore there is potential to pollute water resources and the environment. The 2022 Green Drop report has found two WWTWs to be at a critical state, while the remaining five are at a very poor state. The table below provides details on the status of the 7 WWTWs:
Wastewater Treatment Works (WWTW) |
Operational Status |
Detailed operational information |
Bloemdustria |
Operational |
|
Bainsvlei |
Partially Operational |
|
Bloemspruit |
Partially Operational |
|
Sterkwater |
Non-Operational |
|
Northern Works WWTW |
Operational |
|
North-eastern |
Partially Operational |
|
Welvaart |
Operational |
|
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28 June 2023 - NW2487
Msane, Ms TP to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
Whether the Southern African Development Community assessed the preparation and build-up to the Zimbabwean government elections which are due to take place in August 2023 to ensure that the elections will be fair and transparent, noting that the Zimbabwean government has signed the Patriotic Bill into law; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
South Africa supports the implementation of the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections through the work of the SADC Electoral Advisory Council (SEAC). SADC deployed a SEAC Pre-Election Assessment Goodwill Mission to the Republic of Zimbabwe, from 12-19 April 2023, to conduct a pre-election assessment for the upcoming 23 August 2023 harmonised elections. A comprehensive report on the outcomes of the SEAC Goodwill Mission was shared with the Government of Zimbabwe. The Report is expected to be presented to the 25th Ordinary Meeting of the Ministerial Council of the Organ on 21 July 2023.
27 June 2023 - NW2407
Montwedi, Mr Mk to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
What(a) total number of planned projects on land and development support were finalised in the 2022-23 financial year and (b)(i) total number of the specified projects are approved for the 202324 financial year, (ii) are the names of the farms where the projects will be implemented and (iii) total amount will be spent?
Reply:
a) A total of 83 farms were planned under the Land Development Support programme for the 2022-23 financial year. All 83 farms were finalised, and they are currently under implementation. Finalised in this context involves farm assessment to determine needs including farmer skills assessment, business plan development with the farmer assisted by commodity organisation, budget approval, contracting and opening a grant holding account for implementation. Based on the approved commodity and seasonality associated with it, implementation is spread out in line with milestones as outlined in the approved business plan.
b) (i) A total of 66 farms are planned for the 2023-24 financial year. These farms are being subjected to the various committees for endorsement and subsequent approval and implementation by respective provinces.
(ii) and (iii) Refer to the table below:
Province |
District Municipality |
Project Name |
Property description |
Budget |
Commodity |
Eastern Cape |
Amathole |
Bellrock |
Farm No.1826,Remaining Extent of Farm No.1827 and PTN 1 of Farm No.1850 |
R6 125 600 |
Livestock |
Eastern Cape |
Amathole |
Eureka |
Portion 3&4 of Farm Leuwis Drift No.1 and Remainder of elands Kop No.2 |
R6 125 600 |
Livestock |
Eastern Cape |
Sarah Baartman |
Farm 318 |
Ptn 0 Of Farm No.326 GRAAFF REINET RD |
R3 739 840 |
Livestock |
Eastern Cape |
Sarah Baartman |
Irene farm |
Irene farm |
R3 739 840 |
Livestock |
Eastern Cape |
Sarah Baartman |
Radiesvley farm |
Radiesvley farm |
R6 125 600 |
Livestock |
Eastern Cape |
Amathole |
Sixhenxe Farming Coop |
Portion 4 Of Farm 1048 |
R7 737 600 |
Subtropical |
Eastern Cape |
Chris Hani |
Soetfontein Farm |
Remaining Extent Of Portion 0 Of Farm Plaatkraal No.261 and other portions. |
R3 739 840 |
Livestock |
Eastern Cape |
Chris Hani |
Ulin Farm |
Portion 0 Of Farm Ulin No.845 and other portions. |
R6 125 600 |
Livestock |
Eastern Cape |
Sarah Baartman |
Waterford Group 1 |
Waterford Group 1 |
R3 739 840 |
Livestock |
Free State |
Fezile Dabi |
Concordia farm |
Rietfontein No. 2457/1; Verdien No. 2456/1 |
R6 125 600 |
Livestock |
Free State |
Thabo Mofutsanyane |
De Spruit |
De Spruit No. 1071 |
R 7 415 200 |
Field Crops |
Free State |
Mangaung |
Schmidtsdrift |
Schmidtdrift No. 1972 |
R 7 415 200 |
Field Crops |
Free State |
Thabo Mofutsanyane |
Schurvekop |
Schurvekop No. 187 (LU 3) |
R 7 415 200 |
Field Crops |
Free State |
Mangaung |
Tussenrevier |
Tussenrevier No. 1963 |
R 7 415 200 |
Field Crops |
Free State |
Fezile Dabi |
Weltevrede Noord |
Weltevrede Noord No. 584/1 |
R11 284 000 |
Poultry |
Gauteng |
North East Region |
Aron Mbatha |
Portion 12 (of 2) of farm Tweefontein No.491 JR |
R11 284 000 |
Livestock |
Gauteng |
Westrand |
Kesiiloe Hendrick Soai |
Remaining Extent of Portion 22 and Portion 99 of the farm Brandvlei 261 IQ |
R 6 125 600 |
Livestock |
Gauteng |
City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality |
Kodumela Moepa Thutse Farming Projects (PTY) LTD |
Ptn 119 of the farm Bultfontein 107 JR |
R11 284 000 |
Livestock |
Gauteng |
Metsweding |
Kwindla Farm |
Portion 21 of farm Haartebeesfontein No.123 JR |
R11 284 000 |
Livestock |
Gauteng |
Sedibeng |
Mojaletema Primary Co-operative |
R/E ptn 5 of Uitkyk no 327 and R/E of ptn 15(of ptn 4) of farm Bulfontein |
R 3 739 840,00 |
Livestock |
Gauteng |
North East Region |
Mpho Octavius. Selepe. |
Portion 15 of farm Leeuwdraai No.211 JR |
R11 284 000 |
Poultry |
Gauteng |
City of Tshwane |
Stav Chicken |
Ptn 14 of farm Fiarfield no. 236 JR |
R11 284 000 |
Poultry |
Kwazulu Natal |
King Cetshwayo |
Belmore |
Portion 2 of farm Lot 68 Umfolozi no.13568. |
R8 060 000 |
Sugarcane |
Kwazulu Natal |
uMgungundlovu |
Birdwood Farm |
Portion 503 of the farm Beaulieu Estate No. 1412 FT |
R5 480 800 |
Horticulture |
Kwazulu Natal |
Zululand |
Kroomdraai |
Portion 1 of the Farm Kromdraai No.459, Portion 2 of the Farm Kromdraai No.459 and Remaining Extent of the Farm Kromdraai No 459. |
R6 125 600 |
Livestock |
Kwazulu Natal |
Ilembe |
Margaret |
Ptn 1 of the farm no 16988 |
R8 060 000 |
Horticulture |
Kwazulu Natal |
Harry Gwala |
Melville Park |
Unit 2 of the reminder of Portion 1 of farm Bersheba, no 38 ES |
R6 125 600 |
Livestock |
Kwazulu Natal |
uMgungundlovu |
Runnymeade Farm |
Portion 1 of the farm Runnymeade No. 15577 FS |
R6 125 600 |
Livestock |
Kwazulu Natal |
Umzinyathi |
Spitskop /Sibiya |
Remainder of Portion 1 of the farm Spitskop No. 161 and Remainder of the farm Spitskop No. 161 |
R7 415 200 |
Field Crops |
Kwazulu Natal |
Umzinyathi |
Stratherne |
Stratherne No.4134, Meadowbank No.4130, Ongeluk No.8448, up and Down No.4962 |
R6 125 600 |
Livestock |
Kwazulu Natal |
King Cetshwayo |
Tasma |
Portion 2 of farm Lot 68 Umfolozi no.13568, Portion 2 (of 1) Lot 71 of farm Umfolozi no.13567 and other. Portions. |
R7 737 600 |
Macademia |
Kwazulu Natal |
Ilembe |
Tulele Fram |
Portions 129, 200, 472 of Chaka’s Kraal No 865 |
R8 060 000 |
Horticulture |
Limpopo |
Capricorn |
Dakalo Reginah Magwede |
Ptn 1 & 8 of the farm Jakhalsfontein 119 MR |
R6 125 600 |
Livestock |
Limpopo |
Mopani |
Deerpark |
Ptn 20 of the farm Deerpark 459 LT |
R7 737 600 |
Subtropical |
Limpopo |
Waterberg |
Doornlaagte |
Ptn 1 of the farm Doornlaagte & Ptn 4 of the farm Platlaagte 614 KS |
R6 125 600 |
Livestock |
Limpopo |
Capricon |
Magwasha |
Ptn 0 of the farm Liberton 298 MS |
R6 125 600 |
Livestock |
Limpopo |
Capricon |
Rhone farm |
Ptn 2 of the farm Rhone 321 MR |
R6 125 600 |
Livestock |
Limpopo |
Mopani |
Sekgopo Community |
Ptn 2 & R/E of Ptn 0 of the farm Roodedraai 378 LT |
R6 125 600 |
Livestock |
Limpopo |
Waterberg |
Sterkstroom |
R/E of Ptn 6 of the farm Sterkstroom 105 KR |
R6 125 600 |
Livestock |
Limpopo |
Waterberg |
Temo Ya Tlhabane Holding |
Ptn 1 of the farm Doornlaagte 619 KS |
R6 125 600 |
Livestock |
Mpumalanga |
Ehlanzeni |
Bellevue |
Ptn of Farm Bellevue B 519 JT & Rem.Ext of Ptn 0 of Bellevue A2 520 JT |
R7 415 200 |
Citrus |
Mpumalanga |
Nkangala |
Elandspruit |
Portion 39 (Of Ptn 2) Of Farm Elandspruit No.291 JS |
R7 415 200 |
Grain |
Mpumalanga |
Gert Sibande |
Haarlem |
Rem Ext of Portion 3 of the farm Haarlem 39 IT |
R7 415 200 |
Grain |
Mpumalanga |
Nkangala |
Kalbasfontein |
Kalbasfontein 284 JS Portion 22 |
R 7 415 200 |
Livestock |
Mpumalanga |
Ehlanzeni |
Kliprievier (Elvis Meshack Dludlu) |
Remaining extent of portion 1 of the farm Kliprievier 73 JT |
R 6 125 600 |
Livestock |
Mpumalanga |
Nkangala |
Klipspruit - JE Skhosana Farms & Logistics) |
Portion 11(Portion of Portion 3) of the farm Klipspruit 199 IR:Remaining Extent of Portion 0 of the farm Stilte 223 IR |
R7 415 200 |
Livestock |
Mpumalanga |
Nkangala |
Klipspruit |
Ptn 7 (Of Ptn 4) Of Farm Klipspruit No.199 IR |
R11 928 800 |
Layers |
Mpumalanga |
Gert Sibande |
Mooihoek |
Rem Ext of Ptn 1 of the farm Mooihoek 168 HT |
R6 125 600 |
Livestock |
Mpumalanga |
Gert Sibande |
Rendal |
Portion 2 (Nozika) of Riversdale 127 IT |
R6 125 600 |
Livestock |
Mpumalanga |
Gert Sibande |
Shepstone |
Rem Ext of Shepstone 280 IT |
R6 125 600 |
Livestock |
Mpumalanga |
Nkangala |
Witklipbank |
Portion 21 (Portion of Portion 4) of the farm Witklipbank 202. |
R11 284 000 |
Broiler |
North West |
Ngaka Modiri Molema |
Amantle Trading |
Remainder of Portion 24, 25, 28,80,82, 91 and portions 44. |
R 7 415 200 |
Field Crops |
North West |
Bojanala |
Gosiame-Ramaila |
Portion 799 of Hartebeesfontein (Gosiame-Ramaila) |
R 6 125 600 |
Livestock |
North West |
Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati |
Kildare Carlow |
Portion 162 of Farm Remaining Extent van Block C 2nd Railway Grant Nr 1 JM |
R 6 125 600 |
Livestock |
North West |
Dr Kenneth Kaunda |
Makwene Enooh |
Pnt 36 of the farm rietkuil 397 IP and Pnt 22 of the farm Wolverand 425 IP |
R 6 125 600 |
Livestock |
North West |
Dr Kenneth Kaunda |
Mamusa Farms (Pty) Ltd |
Portion 8 of Rooipoort 202 IP & 11 of Wilfontein 201 IP |
R6 125 600 |
Livestock |
North West |
Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati |
Mogonedi Archibold |
Portion 2 of the farm Alnwick 287 JM |
R6 125 600 |
Livestock |
North West |
Bojanala |
Raphulo |
Portion 879 of Hartebeespoort C419 JQ ( Raphulo) |
R 6 125 600 |
Livestock |
Northern Cape |
Pixley Ka Seme |
Keilder |
Portion 4 and 5 of Hedley Plains A No. 64, Portion 6 of the farm Doonies Pan No. 106. |
R3 739 840 |
Livestock |
Northern Cape |
Namakwa |
Klein vogelfontein |
Portion 0 of the farm Klein Vogelsfontein No 920 |
R3 739 840 |
Livestock |
Northern Cape |
Pixley Ka Seme |
Kranshoek |
Farm kranshoek no 396. |
R3 739 840 |
Livestock |
Northern Cape |
Frances Baard |
Melkvlei |
Farm no. 221 & R/E of portion 3 of Farm Longlands no. 231 |
R7 415 200 |
Livestock |
Northern Cape |
ZF Mgcawu |
Vilander. No. 318 |
Remainder of Farm Vilander No.318 |
R3 739 840 |
Livestock |
Western Cape |
Eden |
Forest Hall |
Erf 562, Kurland in the Bitou Municipal area, |
R5 480 800 |
Livestock |
Western Cape |
Cape Winelands |
Mesco farms |
Portions 2, 3, 4 and the remainder of Farm Ruytershove No.25, Stellenbosch |
R8 704 800 |
Horticulture |
Western Cape |
Eden |
Ruiterbosch |
Portion 41 of the Farm Ruiterbos No 60, situated in the Mossel Bay Municipality |
R3 739 840 |
Livestock |
26 June 2023 - NW2163
Breedt, Ms T to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
(1)By what date will the task force to address the agricultural sector’s concerns regarding food shortages, be established; (2) whether the members who will serve on the specified task force have been appointed; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what criteria did they have to meet to be seleted to serve as members on the task force; (3) what are the timelines that the task force will have to work to; (4) what will be done to address the concerns identified by the task force; (5) what steps will be taken to mitigate the effects of rolling blackouts on the agricultural, food, fibre and beverage industries?
Reply:
1. There are no plans to establish a task force to address food shortages. According to the Crop Estimates Committee (as per publications reflected on https://www.dalrrd.gov.za / crop estimates), South Africa is not experiencing any food shortages. South Africa is able to meet food demand both through imports and local production.
Furthermore, the government has established a multi-sectoral and multi-stakeholder institutional structure called the National Food and Nutrition Security Plan comprising of the core social cluster and economic cluster departments such as National Treasury and Small Business Development departments. The structure addresses food and the food system inclusive of the food value chain across the continuum from severly inadequate to self sufficiency. At its core the National Food and Nutrition Security Plan address the pillars on which the policy is based namely access, availability, utilisation and stability.
(2),(3),(4) Falls away.
5. The Department established a Sector Energy Crisis Task Team comprised of government, industry, research institutions and sector entities. The work of the Task Team, engaging with Eskom looked at immediate, short- and long-term contingency plans to protect the sector against the negative impact of load shedding. The interventions will cover the sector at large including all categories of farmers. The interventions are also being aligned to the pronouncements delivered by the Minister of Finance during his budget speech.
The proposed interventions are:
- Customers with dedicated supply infrastructure should apply for load curtailment.
- Customers supplied by the same feeder/ substation can group together and apply for load curtailment.
- Review the schedule (duration and or time) where possible, to accommodate the needs of the majority of customers (the criteria will be based on impact/number of commercial customers).
- Customers in municipal supply areas where switching is done by Eskom and where possible, to exempt/curtail, municipalities to be allowed to do own switching to accommodate customers.
- Reconfigure the network to allow possible isolation where possible.
- Install micro grids, PV’s and battery containers for critical loads especially during critical times such as harvesting, irrigation and refrigeration; this will require customers to identify the essential load.
- As announced during the DALRRD Budget Vote Speech, the Department is establishing the Agro-Energy Fund at the Land Bank. This is a blended finance instrument where the state will provide a grant on a sliding scale per producer category combined with a loan from the Land Bank. The focus of the Agro-Energy Fund is on energy intensive agricultural activities. These include irrigation, intensive agricultural production systems, and on-farm cold chain related activities. The blended thresholds and caps per category of producer are:
- a large-scale producer will receive 30% grant funding to be matched with a 70% loan portion, where the grant amount is capped at a maximum of R1.5 million;
- a medium-scale producer will receive a 50% grant to be matched with a 50% loan portion, where the grant is capped at a maximum of R1 million; and
- a smallholder producer will be supported by a grant portion of 70% to be matched with a 30% loan. For this category, the maximum grant funding is capped at the maximum of R500 000.
Table 1: Grant Limits
Farmer Categorization |
Large Scale Farmer |
Medium Scale Farmer |
Small Scale Farmer |
Turnover |
>R10m <R50m |
>R1m-R10m |
>R50k -R1m |
% Grant of the Cost (valid Quotation) |
30% |
50% |
70% |
Land Bank Loan Component |
70% |
50% |
30% |
Grant Caps |
R1.5m |
R1m |
R500 000 |
- Grant caps will be according to Table 1 above; however, the cost of the infrastructure needed by the farmer will be informed by the farmer’s farm energy requirements assessment based on the kilowatts. The pre-assessment by a competent expert registered with the South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA) will be key so that the correct fit for purpose system is installed.
- The Blended Agro-Energy facility will be used by qualifying producers for the purchase of Capital Equipment and Infrastructure (CAPEX) for alternative energy sources directly linked to energy-intensive farming operations.
Table 2: Common high energy consuming activities at farm level
Dairy Farming |
Piggery |
Poultry |
Field Cropping |
Horticulture including (Greenhouse) |
Milk cooling machinery |
Heating |
Lighting |
Cold Storage |
Cold Storage |
Lighting |
Ventilation |
Feeding machinery |
Tilling |
Irrigation |
Milking machinery |
Lighting |
Ventilation |
Irrigation |
Ventilation |
Feeding machinery |
Feeding machinery |
Heating |
Lighting |
NB: the list is not exhaustive
26 June 2023 - NW1412
George, Dr DT to ask the Minister of Finance
Whether, with reference to the withdrawal of the exemption issued by him on 31 March 2023 to Eskom Holdings SOC from section 55(2)(b)(i) of the Public Finance Management Act, Act 1 of 1999, and the National Treasury Regulation 28.2.1 for a period of three years, the exemption still applies to the 2022-23 financial year report by Eskom, as the exemption was still in place on 31 March 2023; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
In terms of the Government Gazette Notice No 3247 of 31 March 2023, the Minister of Finance granted a partial exemption from section 55(2)(b)(i) of the Public Finance Management Act, 1999 (Act No. 1 of 1999 – the Act) and Treasury Regulation 28.2.1 to ESKOM Holdings SOC Ltd in respect of the 2022/2023, 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 financial years. In terms of Government Notice No. 3270 of 6 April 2023, this exemption was withdrawn in its entirety, covering the 2022/2023, 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 financial years. The exemption would have applied and be still in be place had it not been withdrawn prior to the submission of the Annual Financial Statements to the auditors of Eskom and the National Treasury, i.e., two months after the end of the financial year as per section 55(1)(c) of the PFMA. For the 2022/2023 financial year, the date of submission was the 31 May 2023. Therefore, the withdrawal of the exemption on the 6th of April 2023 was possible.
After considering all public comments on the matter, the Minister of Finance has determined that ESKOM Holdings SOC Ltd not be granted a partial exemption from section 55(2)(b)(i) of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) and Treasury Regulation 28.2.1, from disclosing irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure, and material losses from criminal conduct in its Annual Financial Statements. Please refer to the attached media statement dated 7 June 2023 covering the Minister of Finance’s decision on the ESKOM Holdings SOC Ltd PFMA exemption.
26 June 2023 - NW2413
Mkhonto, Ms C N to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
What (a) are the reasons that communities near the Kruger National Park are permanently referred to as foot-and-mouth disease red zones even though there are no cases reported and (b) support system is offered to the farmers to sell their livestock and products without fear of spreading the disease, in cases where there are reports of the foot-and-mouth disease?
Reply:
(a) The following zones are in place for Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) control purposes. These zones are not unique to South Africa but is an accepted international way to deal with zones of different FMD risk in a country.
- The FMD Infected Zone, which is the Kruger National Park and adjacent game reserves. This zone is permanently FMD infected, due to the presence of FMD infected buffalo which are permanent carriers of the disease;
- the FMD Protection Zone is the zone adjacent to the Kruger National Park, with mainly communal cattle and small stock farming areas. It is assumed that these are the communities that are referred to in the question above, although the term “red zone” is not used officially or internationally; and
- the FMD Free Zone is the rest of the country, although this status is currently suspended due to outbreaks that occurred between 2019 and 2022.
The high risk posed by the buffalo in the infected zone is the reason for the permanent protection zone in the adjacent communities. The control approach is multi-layered, to provide for prevention of outbreaks, early detection of outbreaks, and limiting the spread of outbreaks as much as possible. The layers include fencing around the Kruger National Park, routine vaccination of cattle populations in the protection zone adjacent to the fence, regular inspection of all cattle in the protection zone, and movement control for cloven hoofed animals and products out of the protection zone. If the above system of prevention works well, then no outbreaks are reported in the protection zone and the zone serves its purpose well. That is currently the status. Should an outbreak occur in the protection zone, the systems are in already in place to detect the disease quickly and prevent its further spread.
(b) If there are reports of FMD in a specific part of the protection zone, premises with cloven hoofed animals in that area will be placed under quarantine to prevent further spread of the disease. Animals in such areas cannot be moved or marketed until the quarantine has been lifted. Farmers in the protection zone, in areas without active FMD outbreaks, are unfortunately negatively affected by the permanent restrictions placed on the area. Provision is made for moving of unvaccinated animals out of the protection zone. These animals are subject to quarantine and testing prior to movement and government subsidises the payment of some of these tests for non-commercial movements. There is also a drive to promote market access for farmers within the protection zone and government is engaging with a number of stakeholders in this regard.
Work on supporting the development of a system to improve market access for producers in FMD high risk areas as part of efforts to reduce the risk of live cattle movements to markets in areas of low risk including the previously WOAH-recognized FMD free zone without vaccination has been proposed. This work involves the setting up of feedlots and quarantine camps to support this activity particularly for animals intended for slaughter.
26 June 2023 - NW2281
Ismail, Ms H to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
What are the details of the (a) timelines for the comprehensive roll-out of e-visas in the Republic and (b) interim measures that his department has implemented to alleviate the burden on travelers whilst the technological challenges associated with the roll-out are being resolved?
Reply:
a) The Department has increased the rollout of the e-visa system to 34 countries. All countries that the Republic has diplomatic relations with, can now apply for a tourist visa on the e-visa system or are exempted from visa requirements for short-term visits.
b) All technological challenges associated with the rollout of the e-visa system have been resolved. The e-visa system has been successfully enhanced and is fully operational.
END
26 June 2023 - NW1749
Ceza, Mr K to ask the Minister of Finance
What fiscal proactive measures has he taken to resolve the ageing infrastructure, particularly in rural municipalities?
Reply:
The Minister of Finance is not directly responsible for managing any major infrastructure budgets, as such budgets reside within the appropriate national and provincial departmental budgets, municipal budgets or that of a public entity or state-owned entities. Each organ of state is responsible for maintaining appropriate and effective infrastructure budgets. From a national budget perspective, it is recognised that the issue of ageing infrastructure in South Africa has been a longstanding challenge, including for both rural and urban municipalities. There have been some proactive measures taken to address this issue. Here are some examples from the local government sphere:
- Since the 2013/14 financial year, the local government equitable share (LGES) includes a maintenance estimate of 10 per cent. This amounted to R5.6 billion in maintenance funding for municipalities to recover the cost of providing free basic services to indigent households in 2021/22, and it will be R7.1 billion in 2023/24. These funds are unconditional transfers, meaning that they are discretionary in nature. So, the municipality has the choice of whether to use them for maintenance or any other priority or budget commitment.
- Several reforms have been implemented following the review of infrastructure conditional grants in 2014. The Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) includes provisions for infrastructure renewal and upgrades, a provision for road maintenance projects, as well as the ability for municipalities to develop Infrastructure Asset Management Plans using 5 per cent of their allocations. Small and rural municipalities are the main beneficiaries of this grant.
- The government has provided training and capacity building programs for municipal officials and staff to improve their skills and knowledge in infrastructure planning, management, and maintenance. Since 2012, we have been pioneering the development of critical infrastructure delivery skills in municipalities through the implementation of the Infrastructure Skills Development Grant (ISDG). Since its inception, more than three hundred people have been professionalised and/ or certified within the built environment. These professionals then exercise their expertise to manage, operate and maintain public sector or municipal infrastructure.
These proactive measures are aimed at improving the quality of infrastructure in rural municipalities, which is critical for the provision of basic services, promoting economic growth, and improving the quality of life for rural communities.
26 June 2023 - NW2012
Matiase, Mr NS to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
What progress has been made with creating black commercial farmers in the meat and dairy food chains?
Reply:
The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) has developed, consulted, and attained consensus on the Agriculture and Agro-Processing Master Plan (AAMP). The ongoing alignment process has to date shown the intent by different role players within the different sectors to achieve the set goals and a clearer picture is emerging in terms of defining targets and participation by the black producers in the value chain.
The attached Table 1, with specific reference to meat and dairy value chain implementation, depicts progress made and the envisaged increase in participation will be from 30 to 50 percent and 7 to 10 percent respectively.
Livestock |
|||||||||||
|
Tons - (2010/11) |
Tons - (2018/19) |
Expansion 2012-2019 |
NDP 2030 growth target |
Commercial Employment |
Black farmer share current (%)* |
AAMP output added (tons) |
AAMP 2030 impact Real GPV |
AAMP 2030 impact jobs |
AAMP 2030 livelihood created |
Black farmer future share (%) |
Beef |
628 000 |
763 000 |
135 000 |
282 600 |
18 541 |
34,0% |
134 357 |
R8 175 448 721 |
3200 |
39600 |
50% |
Dairy |
2 685 302 |
3 341 000 |
655 698 |
522 735 |
33 410 |
7,0% |
183 645 |
R1 396 998 405 |
222 |
16160 |
10% |
26 June 2023 - NW2384
Roos, Mr AC to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
What (a) are the technological and/or system impediments that prevent (i) South Africans born overseas and (ii) naturalised citizens from being able to apply for Smart IDs, (b) steps have been taken to resolve the issues, (c) are the estimated time frames for total resolution of the issues and (d) is the target date for his department to start accepting Smart ID applications from South Africans born overseas and naturalised citizens?
Reply:
(a)(i)&(ii) There are no technological or system impediments that prevent South Africans born overseas from applying for Smart ID Cards. South Africans born abroad are able to apply for Smart ID Cards in the country.
(b) Naturalised citizens will soon be able to apply for Smart ID Cards once we have completed the verification process of their records.
(c) & (d) The Minister will make an announcement once the Department is ready to accept Smart ID Card applications from naturalised citizens.
END
26 June 2023 - NW1946
Hlonyana, Ms NKF to ask the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies
Whether she has been informed that there are families living in rural KwaZulu-Natal without addresses who cannot be reached through normal postal services; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The Minister and the Department have not been informed of any families living in rural KwaZulu-Natal without addresses who cannot be reached through normal postal services.
However, the process of address roll-out in KZN was hampered by the South African Post Office’s (SAPO’s) lack of materials and tools of trade (paint, vehicles, and other related materials) during the 2019/2020 financial year.
To mitigate these challenges, the SAPO address rollout team provided communities with their addresses in writing and requested the community to then “put up” their addresses themselves.
The team continued with community education on how to use the allocated numbers. Community leaders were also provided with the SAPO contact numbers to call should there be new houses in their areas The SAPO team experienced challenges in some areas where it was refused access by the Chief and other circumstances, and in Zululand only. The team provided the SAPO contact numbers should they require any further assistance.
Areas where access was denied include:
1. The Gcothoyi Tribal Authority Chief in Kranskop who refused to allow the address rollout because he did not agree with the pay rate for field workers.
2. At Dondotha Village, KwesakaMthethwa Tribal authority in the Empangeni area was affected by the high risk of vehicle hijackings.
The Chief was aware of the challenges, but the process could not be completed despite it already having begun.
team still attends to all address enquiries when received, however due to the financial challenges experienced at SAPO, there is no current address rollout plan. The address roll-out plan will be prioritised as soon as SAPO is stabilised and fully operational, especially in rural communities.
Thank You.
26 June 2023 - NW2316
Tito, Ms LF to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
Following his announcement to pilot self-service kiosks to be placed in some shopping malls, what are the reasons that he is not considering spreading the kiosks to the rural areas where the services are needed the most?
Reply:
The Department of Home Affairs offices are located in various geographical areas and all offices in both urban and rural areas will have the self-service KIOSK. Thus, there will be no reason to deny communities in rural areas access to the self-service machine as the machines will be deployed in all DHA offices. The rollout will be informed by the available budget in a phased approach and the priority will be the deployment in non-modernised offices, followed by modernised offices and other strategic points.
END
26 June 2023 - NW2006
Shembeni, Mr HA to ask the Minister of Police
What is the percentage of (a) decision to prosecute that were taken by the National Prosecuting Authority in the past financial year and (b) the SA Police Service disciplinary outcomes that are currently being taken on review by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate
Reply:
Find here: Reply
26 June 2023 - NW2424
Hlengwa, Mr M to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
(1)Whether, considering that according to the information provided by the National Treasury in her department’s Estimates of National Expenditure 2023, the performance indicators reveal that the department is expected to produce almost 50 reports each year over the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework, she will furnish Mr M Hlengwa with the relevant details concerning the (a) target audience for the specified reports and (b) total cost of producing the reports; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) whether she has found any measure of quality control to ensure that the content produced is of value; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1. (a) The target audience for the specified reports are the following:
The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
The Deputy Ministers of International Relations and Cooperation
The Director-General of International Relations and Cooperation
Deputy Directors-General
Chief Directors
Internal Audit
Audit Committee
The Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation.
(b) The total cost of producing the reports cannot be quantified in monetary terms as the reports are drafted and produced in-house.
2. The Office of the Chief Operating Officer, through the Chief-Directorate Strategic Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, manages the processes of quarterly and annual reporting within DIRCO. Information received is quality assured and reflected in the departmental reporting in line with the framework for managing performance information.
26 June 2023 - NW1974
Mkhaliphi, Ms HO to ask the Minister of Finance
(1)Whether officials from the National Treasury met with representatives of SOSO South Africa Co-operative Limited to discuss the proposal for the establishment of a multi-donor trust fund that is earmarked to be the first local ward-based social impact development fund; if not, why not; if so, (2) whether further correspondence with the National Treasury was entered into; if not, why not; if so, what was the outcome?
Reply:
1. Yes, National Treasury officials within the International Development Cooperation unit of the Budget Office met with Mr Frazer Mbili on Thursday, 27 October 2022 at 14H00 to 15H00 (Ms Teams meeting).
2. Following the meeting of the 27th of October 2022, and as agreed, Mr Mbili was to send various documentation as verification of sources of co-financing (from co-financiers, UK Investment Group, the Humanitarian Forgive Loan Programme) of SOSO engagement with Government (Service Level Agreements) as well as the financing model proposed. The documentation sent by Mr Mbili of 7 November 2022 did not include any verification documentation. The National Treasury could therefore not verify the information received from Mr Mbili and he was requested to send the outstanding information.
26 June 2023 - NW2036
Abrahams, Ms ALA to ask the Minister of Finance
Considering that the National Development Agency (NDA) was initially part of a list proposed by the National Treasury and The Presidency in an attempt to achieve financial savings by rationalising and/or closing public entities, (a) what was the rationale for having the NDA featured on the list, (b) what was the rationale for removing the NDA from the list, (c) what recommendations were given to the Department of Social Development and the NDA to improve on cost cutting measures and stay off the list, (d) under what circumstances can the NDA find itself back on the list and (e) what are the names of the other entities on the list?
Reply:
Given the very tight fiscal framework in 2023/24 and current problems such as the cost of the 2023 wage agreement, central government departments are re-opening discussions around rationalization of Departments (NMOG) and public entities. Whereas this process is starting up, there is at this stage no agreed upon list of entities that should be rationalized or closed. Thus, it would be premature to name any specific entities that might be under consideration. That said, government probably has far too many public entities especially given our fiscal circumstances.
26 June 2023 - NW1411
George, Dr DT to ask the Minister of Finance
Whether, given the growing global concerns surrounding the dominant role of the United States Dollar (USD) as the primary reserve currency, and considering the ongoing discussions within the BRICS nations advocating for de-dollarisation in order to promote financial stability and minimise vulnerability to the United States economic and political influence, the Government has been approached, either directly or indirectly, to initiate serious deliberations regarding the adoption of alternative currencies for international settlement purposes by the Republic; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
There has been no direct request from BRICS focusing on de-dollarisation. However, there were discussions and agreement in the BRICS Payments Task Force on the following focus areas for 2023:
a) Feasibility study on the implementation of the following elements of the G20 Crossborder Payments Roadmap:
- Building Block 1: The development of common cross-border payments vision and targets.
- Building Block 10: Improving access to payment systems by banks, non-banks and payment infrastructures – broadening the range of eligible candidates for settlement accounts by changing access policies, technical standards and supervisory or oversight regimes; and
- Building Block 14: Adopt a harmonised version of ISO 20022 for message formats (including rules for conversion/mapping) – promoting the adoption of common message formats, such as a harmonised version of ISO 20022 and common rules of mapping/converting data between different data formats.
b) The sharing of information on lessons from BRICS member countries on how sandboxes were operated; the aims of the sandboxes; how sandboxes are being utilised; some lessons learned and successes; and how sandboxes inform regulatory frameworks;
c) The sharing of experiences on central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) to draw lessons across the BRICS countries, look at the different experiences and to determine how central banks could leverage from the sharing of information; and
d) The BRICS member countries to consider, bilaterally, the interlinking of payment infrastructures for settlement in their own currencies.
The South African Government has also been approached by both Russia and India on areas of possible collaboration and cooperation, including the interlinking of payment insfrastructures for settlement in their own currencies. Preliminary discussions have taken place between the South African Reserve Bank and the central banks of the two countries (with the Indian Ambassador to South Africa being part of the delegation). The discussion with the Central Bank of the Russian Federation focussed on the interlinking of both the retail instant payment systems and settlement systems, while the engagements with the Reserve Bank of India were premised on the settlement systems interlinking, using their respective currencies.
The SARB guided that the interlinking discussions be held in abeyance until after the several domestic and regional payments initiatives led by the SARB have been concluded/implemented. These include the Real Time Gross Settlement System (RTGS) Renewal, the Association of African Central Banks (AACB) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) initiatives. Additionally, progress and development will also be driven by the market’s appetite to settle in alternative currencies.
26 June 2023 - NW1577
Tambo, Mr S to ask the Minister of Finance
What (a) total number of public consultations have been held regarding the proposed exemption of Eskom from declaring irregular expenditure and (b) forms of public consultation methods will be used?
Reply:
a) The National Treasury has engaged with the Auditor-General and considered all public comments received through Government Gazette General Notice No. 3270 of 6 April 2023 which withdrew the Government Gazette General Notice No. 3247 of 31 March 2023 and invited public comment on a proposed exemption for Eskom. In total, fifty-six (56) comments were received, with twenty-three (23) comments received in formal correspondence and thirty-three (33) comments received through emails, covering a broad spectrum of accounting and reporting, auditing, governance, legal principles, and public interest issues have been duly considered. The National Treasury also engaged with audit firms, professional auditing and accounting bodies, a rating agency, and other relevant authorities to discuss the challenges and seemingly onerous compliance reporting requirements applicable to State-Owned Entities such as Eskom.
b) The consultation methods used for the consultations were in the form of online stakeholder engagement meetings, webinars, media statements and Government Gazette Notice for public comments. Please refer to the attached media statement dated 7 June 2023, in which the Minister of Finance has determined that Eskom not be granted a partial exemption from section 55(2)(b)(i) of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) and Treasury Regulation 28.2.1, from disclosing irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure and material losses from criminal conduct in its Annual Financial Statements.
26 June 2023 - NW1798
van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
(1)Whether, considering that children without birth certificates are at an increased risk of exclusion from government grants and therefore being more likely to suffer from multiple dimensions of poverty, and given the Republic’s high child stunting and poverty levels, his department will pro-actively prioritise the registration of the unregistered children (details furnished); if not, why not; if so, (2) what are the statistics on late registrations of birth for the periods (a) after 31 days, (b) after 31 days but before 1 year, (c) after 1 year but before age 15 and (d) age 15 upwards for the (i) number of applications for late registration of birth received in each year and month at Home Affairs front offices, (ii) number of such applications that have been finalised in the specified period, disaggregated by the year and month they were received by the front offices and (iii) year and month they were finalised, to provide data on the average time it takes the Department to finalise a late registration of birth in the period 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2022; (3) (a) what is the backlog that remains for the processing of applications that were submitted since 2018, disaggregated by the year and month they were submitted by applicants, (b) where are the bottlenecks and (c) what plans are in place to address the bottlenecks to enable the children to become registered?
Reply:
1. The department has a birth registration campaign which requires parents to register new born babies within 30 days and it has set up birth registration offices in health facilities that have maternity wards. For those who have missed that period, we register them through the Late Registration of Birth (LRB) process. Provinces proactively run the Late Registration of Birth (LRB) initiatives in communities where unregistered children are identified.
2. The statistics on late registration of birth are attached as Annexure A on this response and have been disaggregated by months and years.
(3)(a) During Covid-19 (2020/21 and 2021/22) the turn-around times could not be complied with due to the fact that some of the service/s were not rendered due to various stage restrictions and the backlog information is attached as Annexure B.
(3)(b) Bottlenecks:
- Abandoned children: The Department of Social Development (DSD), in line with their mandate on the subject matter, does not submit a complete investigation report from Social Worker to enable DHA to register birth in line with regulations and engagements with DSD are ongoing.
- Cultural practices: Naming of a child after birth is delayed by the family.
- Home births occurrences at far flung areas which are located a further distance from Health Facilities.
- Laissez faire-attitude: Mothers not taking the responsibility to register birth within 30 days until there is a social pressure to do so.
- Applicant/s change their contact details and physical addresses without notifying the Department which makes it difficult to contact them for appointments to attend Late Registration of Birth screenings.
- No shows: Clients not responding when invited for interviews.
- Evidence provided by applicant/s not sufficient to attend to and finalize Late Registration of Birth.
- Lack of supporting documents to finalise the LRB applications.
- DNA referrals - parent(s) do not have the financial means.
3(c) Plans in place to address bottlenecks:
- Committees developed a weekly schedule to adjudicate cases.
- Offices collaborate with Department of Social Development to assist with tracing and transportation of some clients.
- Intensify Community Awareness through Stakeholders and the assistance of GCIS.
- DNA Test Results to finalise LRB applications when there is a lack of supporting documents.
- DHA and DoH to enter into a MoU for waiver of payments for indigents (Parent(s) with no financial means) to pay for DNA once we have concluded discussions on the feasibility of this support.
- Clients are reminded to update DHA when their contact details have changed.
- Follow up through stakeholders when clients do not avail themselves for screening after setting up appointments.
END
2. a) All births 31 days upward
Annexure A
SUMMARY |
ALL BIRTHS 31 DAYS AND ABOVE |
|||||||||||
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
TOTAL |
JANUARY |
FEBRUARY |
MARCH |
APRIL |
MAY |
JUNE |
JULY |
AUGUST |
SEPTEMBER |
OCTOBER |
NOVEMBER |
DECEMBER |
|
17732 |
17821 |
17426 |
17722 |
18547 |
17688 |
18342 |
18926 |
17739 |
17823 |
17671 |
11844 |
209281 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
TOTAL |
JANUARY |
FEBRUARY |
MARCH |
APRIL |
MAY |
JUNE |
JULY |
AUGUST |
SEPTEMBER |
OCTOBER |
NOVEMBER |
DECEMBER |
|
19876 |
18674 |
17100 |
16124 |
17817 |
15832 |
19406 |
18336 |
16255 |
19067 |
16299 |
11971 |
206757 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
TOTAL |
JANUARY |
FEBRUARY |
MARCH |
APRIL |
MAY |
JUNE |
JULY |
AUGUST |
SEPTEMBER |
OCTOBER |
NOVEMBER |
DECEMBER |
|
18942 |
17993 |
14643 |
344 |
53915 |
28752 |
21575 |
20384 |
20707 |
21960 |
18568 |
15133 |
252916 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
TOTAL |
JANUARY |
FEBRUARY |
MARCH |
APRIL |
MAY |
JUNE |
JULY |
AUGUST |
SEPTEMBER |
OCTOBER |
NOVEMBER |
DECEMBER |
|
20833 |
21659 |
24536 |
18917 |
20240 |
16600 |
14725 |
20295 |
21545 |
22527 |
20374 |
14817 |
237068 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
TOTAL |
JANUARY |
FEBRUARY |
MARCH |
APRIL |
MAY |
JUNE |
JULY |
AUGUST |
SEPTEMBER |
OCTOBER |
NOVEMBER |
DECEMBER |
|
22653 |
21297 |
22371 |
16481 |
21079 |
17878 |
18383 |
19205 |
18668 |
17007 |
16333 |
11186 |
222541 |
2.(b) Statistics 31 to 364 days
SUMMARY |
31 TO 364 DAYS |
|||||||||||
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
TOTAL |
JANUARY |
FEBRUARY |
MARCH |
APRIL |
MAY |
JUNE |
JULY |
AUGUST |
SEPTEMBER |
OCTOBER |
NOVEMBER |
DECEMBER |
|
13990 |
12055 |
11061 |
12266 |
13077 |
12266 |
12666 |
12870 |
11776 |
12892 |
11236 |
7478 |
143633 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
TOTAL |
JANUARY |
FEBRUARY |
MARCH |
APRIL |
MAY |
JUNE |
JULY |
AUGUST |
SEPTEMBER |
OCTOBER |
NOVEMBER |
DECEMBER |
|
13793 |
11654 |
10766 |
11158 |
11850 |
10901 |
12729 |
11130 |
10396 |
11221 |
10033 |
7040 |
132671 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
TOTAL |
JANUARY |
FEBRUARY |
MARCH |
APRIL |
MAY |
JUNE |
JULY |
AUGUST |
SEPTEMBER |
OCTOBER |
NOVEMBER |
DECEMBER |
|
13640 |
11680 |
9385 |
197 |
53646 |
27028 |
19832 |
18862 |
17926 |
17780 |
14221 |
11789 |
215986 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
TOTAL |
JANUARY |
FEBRUARY |
MARCH |
APRIL |
MAY |
JUNE |
JULY |
AUGUST |
SEPTEMBER |
OCTOBER |
NOVEMBER |
DECEMBER |
|
18471 |
17944 |
18703 |
14908 |
14901 |
13205 |
12575 |
16702 |
16652 |
16594 |
14091 |
10636 |
185382 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
TOTAL |
JANUARY |
FEBRUARY |
MARCH |
APRIL |
MAY |
JUNE |
JULY |
AUGUST |
SEPTEMBER |
OCTOBER |
NOVEMBER |
DECEMBER |
|
17315 |
15489 |
15998 |
12621 |
15964 |
14269 |
15085 |
14644 |
13319 |
12665 |
11181 |
7735 |
166285 |
2.(c) 1 to 15 years
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
TOTAL |
JANUARY |
FEBRUARY |
MARCH |
APRIL |
MAY |
JUNE |
JULY |
AUGUST |
SEPTEMBER |
OCTOBER |
NOVEMBER |
DECEMBER |
|
2489 |
4219 |
4408 |
3600 |
3753 |
3704 |
3869 |
4127 |
4490 |
3834 |
4486 |
2932 |
45911 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
TOTAL |
JANUARY |
FEBRUARY |
MARCH |
APRIL |
MAY |
JUNE |
JULY |
AUGUST |
SEPTEMBER |
OCTOBER |
NOVEMBER |
DECEMBER |
|
3770 |
4605 |
4602 |
3256 |
3726 |
3648 |
4731 |
5033 |
4005 |
5585 |
4359 |
3558 |
50878 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
TOTAL |
JANUARY |
FEBRUARY |
MARCH |
APRIL |
MAY |
JUNE |
JULY |
AUGUST |
SEPTEMBER |
OCTOBER |
NOVEMBER |
DECEMBER |
|
3570 |
4710 |
3584 |
130 |
226 |
1284 |
1355 |
1211 |
2218 |
3216 |
3071 |
2627 |
27202 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
TOTAL |
JANUARY |
FEBRUARY |
MARCH |
APRIL |
MAY |
JUNE |
JULY |
AUGUST |
SEPTEMBER |
OCTOBER |
NOVEMBER |
DECEMBER |
|
1598 |
2878 |
4247 |
2866 |
3826 |
2499 |
1420 |
2483 |
3493 |
4221 |
4551 |
3102 |
37184 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
TOTAL |
JANUARY |
FEBRUARY |
MARCH |
APRIL |
MAY |
JUNE |
JULY |
AUGUST |
SEPTEMBER |
OCTOBER |
NOVEMBER |
DECEMBER |
|
3280 |
4254 |
4512 |
2749 |
3678 |
2551 |
2457 |
3360 |
3909 |
2803 |
3744 |
2626 |
39923 |
2. d) 16 years upward
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
TOTAL |
JANUARY |
FEBRUARY |
MARCH |
APRIL |
MAY |
JUNE |
JULY |
AUGUST |
SEPTEMBER |
OCTOBER |
NOVEMBER |
DECEMBER |
|
1253 |
1547 |
1957 |
1856 |
1717 |
1718 |
1807 |
1929 |
1473 |
1097 |
1949 |
1434 |
19737 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
TOTAL |
JANUARY |
FEBRUARY |
MARCH |
APRIL |
MAY |
JUNE |
JULY |
AUGUST |
SEPTEMBER |
OCTOBER |
NOVEMBER |
DECEMBER |
|
2313 |
2415 |
1732 |
1710 |
2241 |
1283 |
1946 |
2173 |
1854 |
2261 |
1907 |
1373 |
23208 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
TOTAL |
JANUARY |
FEBRUARY |
MARCH |
APRIL |
MAY |
JUNE |
JULY |
AUGUST |
SEPTEMBER |
OCTOBER |
NOVEMBER |
DECEMBER |
|
1732 |
1603 |
1674 |
17 |
43 |
440 |
388 |
311 |
563 |
964 |
1276 |
717 |
9728 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
TOTAL |
JANUARY |
FEBRUARY |
MARCH |
APRIL |
MAY |
JUNE |
JULY |
AUGUST |
SEPTEMBER |
OCTOBER |
NOVEMBER |
DECEMBER |
|
764 |
837 |
1586 |
1143 |
1513 |
896 |
730 |
1110 |
1400 |
1712 |
1732 |
1079 |
14502 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
TOTAL |
JANUARY |
FEBRUARY |
MARCH |
APRIL |
MAY |
JUNE |
JULY |
AUGUST |
SEPTEMBER |
OCTOBER |
NOVEMBER |
DECEMBER |
|
2058 |
1554 |
1861 |
1111 |
1437 |
1058 |
841 |
1201 |
1440 |
1539 |
1408 |
825 |
16333 |
3.(a) Backlogs
Annexure B
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
2018 |
TOTAL |
JANUARY |
FEBRUARY |
MARCH |
APRIL |
MAY |
JUNE |
JULY |
AUGUST |
SEPTEMBER |
OCTOBER |
NOVEMBER |
DECEMBER |
|
3367 |
3443 |
3074 |
3106 |
3411 |
3569 |
6517 |
3730 |
3823 |
3658 |
3202 |
3430 |
44300 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
2019 |
TOTAL |
JANUARY |
FEBRUARY |
MARCH |
APRIL |
MAY |
JUNE |
JULY |
AUGUST |
SEPTEMBER |
OCTOBER |
NOVEMBER |
DECEMBER |
|
3675 |
3804 |
3866 |
3459 |
4012 |
3980 |
4227 |
4368 |
4374 |
4584 |
4638 |
3324 |
48216 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
2020 |
TOTAL |
JANUARY |
FEBRUARY |
MARCH |
APRIL |
MAY |
JUNE |
JULY |
AUGUST |
SEPTEMBER |
OCTOBER |
NOVEMBER |
DECEMBER |
|
4374 |
4296 |
4343 |
3928 |
4093 |
4241 |
4320 |
4365 |
3105 |
4424 |
4505 |
4681 |
50588 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
2021 |
TOTAL |
JANUARY |
FEBRUARY |
MARCH |
APRIL |
MAY |
JUNE |
JULY |
AUGUST |
SEPTEMBER |
OCTOBER |
NOVEMBER |
DECEMBER |
|
4412 |
4413 |
4906 |
4763 |
4819 |
4849 |
4128 |
4908 |
5130 |
5383 |
5377 |
4196 |
57274 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
2022 |
TOTAL |
JANUARY |
FEBRUARY |
MARCH |
APRIL |
MAY |
JUNE |
JULY |
AUGUST |
SEPTEMBER |
OCTOBER |
NOVEMBER |
DECEMBER |
|
4665 |
4098 |
4545 |
4447 |
4796 |
4785 |
4713 |
4743 |
4949 |
5311 |
4995 |
5758 |
57267 |
26 June 2023 - NW2189
Kruger, Mr HC to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
(1)How does her department, considering the deteriorating state of rural municipalities and its adverse impact on the agricultural sector, reconcile its commendable goals stated in the Agricultural and Agro-processing Master Plans with the realities on the ground in municipalities; (2) whether her department has a bridging strategy to reconcile its commendable goals that are stated in the Agricultural and Agro-processing Master Plans with the realities in municipalities; if so, how does her department plan to align policy with practice; if not, (3) whether she has found that the absence of such a bridging strategy suggests a disconnection with the plight of the small towns; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1. Over the medium to long term, the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) seeks to improve its collaboration and coordination with industry organisations, through programme and project design. The Value Chain Round Tables (VCRT), which are currently being implemented, serve as platforms to forge greater collaboration and coordination between government and industry organisations, both nationally and provincially. Through the VCRT, the industry will be in a better position to identify the required infrastructure and services at local government level. These will be tabled to DALRRD by way of the District Development Model. The Integrated Rural Development Strategy addresses the challenges of rural and agricultural infrastructure such as roads, agro-processing facilities, etc.
2. Yes, the Department further aims to improve on delivery in terms of the Agriculture and Agro Processing Master Plan (AAMP) at district level, through a value chain approach, where value chain analysis will be conducted to identify the required services and infrastructure needs according to the AAMP value chain. The analysis will in turn determine required programmes and projects at the district level, and in this way contribute to the national targets for growth per value chain identified within the AAMP.
3. Implementation of VCRTs discussed above, and a value chain approach to programme and project design and selection will form the cornerstone of what DALRRD sees as the bridging strategy between the AAMP, and the challenges experienced at local government level, as identified in the Auditor-General’s report.
26 June 2023 - NW2210
Phillips, Ms C to ask the Minister of Finance
(1)Whether public officials who have left public institutions will still be issued with certificates of debt, considering that the Draft Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA) 2023-2026 Strategic Plan and budget states in 2.4 that as opposed to referring material irregularities for investigation, and in the event that recommendations pertaining to material irregularities are not implemented, the AGSA must now take appropriate remedial action to address the failure of accounting officers and authorities to implement recommendations which include issuing a certificate of debt in the personal capacity of the relevant accounting officer and/or members of the accounting authority where a material financial loss has been suffered (details furnished); if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) whether any certificates of debt in the personal capacity of the relevant account officer and/or member of the accounting authority have been issued, where a material financial loss has been suffered; if not, why not; if so, what total number of certificates were issued; (3) whether the identified individuals have settled the debt; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1) The Public Audit Act, 2004 (Act No. 25 of 2004) as amended in section 5(1B)(b) states that the Auditor-General has the power to issue a certificate of debt, as prescribed, where an accounting officer or accounting authority has failed to comply with remedial action. The Regulations published on 1 April 2019 state in section 12 that for purposes of this Part, “accounting officer” also includes a former accounting officer, and “member of the accounting authority” also includes a former member of the accounting authority. Public officials that have left the institutions therefore can still be issued with certificates of debt.
2) and (3) The National Treasury does not maintain this information. The Auditor General of South Africa should be engaged to obtain the detailed information.
26 June 2023 - NW1837
Bagraim, Mr M to ask the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies
1. Whether, following reports of a bloated structure at the Film and Publication Board (FPB), he will furnish Ms T Bodlani with a list of all positions of persons employed at the FPB that are of a low and/or high managerial level; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; 2. Whether the FPB has any outstanding payments of any (a) employee benefits, (b) pay-as-you-earn tax and/or (c) other statutory deductions; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the (i) relevant details and (ii) total amounts in each case? NW2088E
Reply:
1. The structure of FPB has a total of 115 funded positions, 96 positions are filled and 19 are vacant. Attached is a spreadsheet of all positions.
2. a) No outstanding employee benefits
b) No outstanding PAYE
c) No outstanding statutory deductions
Thank Yo
26 June 2023 - NW2173
Masipa, Mr NP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
(1) What (a) is the vacancy rate of veterinary doctors in the Republic in each province from (i) 1 January 2019 up to 31 December 2022 and (ii) since 1 January 2023 and (b) steps has she taken to ensure that vacant positions of veterinarians in areas where there is a high shortage are filled in order to service the livestock; (2) whether she will furnish Mr N P Masipa with the number of veterinarians and veterinarian nurses who have qualified, but are not employed; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) what measures will her department put in place to absorb the unemployed veterinarians and veterinarian nurses to provide animal health services where there is a high need? NW2469E
Reply:
(1)(a)(i),(ii) Table 1 below reflects the vacancy rate of veterinary doctors in South Africa per province from 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2022 and since 1 January 2023.
Table1: Approved and vacant posts for veterinary doctors
Year |
STATUS |
NATIONAL |
GP |
NW |
LP |
MP |
KZN |
FS |
EC |
WC |
NC |
TOTAL |
2019 |
APPROVED |
38 |
36 |
39 |
39 |
36 |
27 |
15 |
48 |
30 |
16 |
324 |
VACANT |
13 |
4 |
10 |
10 |
17 |
17 |
3 |
25 |
4 |
10 |
113 |
|
RATE |
34% |
11.1% |
26% |
26% |
47.22% |
62.96% |
20% |
48% |
13% |
37.5% |
35% |
|
2020 |
APPROVED |
38 |
36 |
39 |
39 |
36 |
27 |
15 |
48 |
30 |
16 |
324 |
VACANT |
13 |
4 |
10 |
10 |
15 |
16 |
5 |
26 |
5 |
10 |
114 |
|
RATE |
34% |
11.1% |
26% |
26% |
41.67% |
59.25% |
33% |
46% |
16% |
37.5% |
35% |
|
2021 |
APPROVED |
38 |
36 |
39 |
39 |
36 |
27 |
15 |
48 |
30 |
16 |
324 |
VACANT |
14 |
4 |
10 |
10 |
16 |
16 |
6 |
28 |
5 |
10 |
103 |
|
RATE |
37% |
11.1% |
26% |
26% |
44.44% |
59,25% |
40% |
42% |
16% |
37.5% |
32% |
|
2022 |
APPROVED |
38 |
36 |
39 |
39 |
36 |
29 |
15 |
48 |
30 |
16 |
326 |
VACANT |
14 |
4 |
10 |
10 |
19 |
16 |
6 |
38 |
6 |
11 |
134 |
|
RATE |
37% |
11.1% |
26% |
26% |
52.78 |
55,17% |
40% |
38% |
20% |
31.25% |
41% |
|
2023 |
APPROVED |
38 |
36 |
39 |
39 |
36 |
29 |
15 |
48 |
30 |
16 |
287 |
VACANT |
13 |
4 |
10 |
10 |
20 |
18 |
6 |
31 |
6 |
11 |
129 |
|
RATE |
34% |
11.1% |
26% |
26% |
55.56% |
62,06% |
40% |
35% |
20% |
31.25% |
45% |
(b) The Department advertised vacant posts of state veterinarians in line with the available budget. There has been a challenge with constant efflux of state veterinarians who are being recruited by the private sector. In addition, there are also challenges to get suitably qualified applicants.
(2) The number of registered veterinarians and veterinary nurses as per the South African Veterinary Council register of May 2023 is as follows:
- There were 3 506 registered veterinarians (excluding veterinary specialists) and 731 registered veterinary nurses as at 31 May 2023.
- As with all other agricultural and related professions, the Department doesn’t keep records of unemployed graduates as it is not the only employer and it would be impossible to maintain the records throughout the sector. Vacancies are however, advertised as soon as vacated. Recent adverts for veterinarians attracted very few applicants, suggesting that most are absorbed in the sector.
- Mpumalanga is the only province that has employed 18 veterinary nurses out of an establishment of 24 (75% filled).
(3) The following measures are in place for the Department to deal with unemployed veterinarians and veterinary nurses to provide animal health services where there is a high need:
- All bursary holders are subject to servicing the Department for a period equal to the number of years sponsored by the Department.
- Unemployed veterinary graduates are deployed in areas where they are needed the most in the provinces under the Compulsory Community Service Programme for veterinary graduates. This ensures the graduates are employed for a duration of one year. Once they complete their community service the graduates are registered as veterinarians by the South African Veterinary Council and can service their contract with the relevant departments/provinces.
- Vacant funded posts are advertised nationally and prioritise unemployed veterinarians and veterinary nurses. This has proven to be a challenge as there are very few applications. Most veterinarians and veterinary nurses are attracted to the private sector.
26 June 2023 - NW1690
Bagraim, Mr M to ask the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies
Whether she will furnish Mr M Bagraim with a comprehensive breakdown of the procurement allocation of (a) her department and (b) every entity reporting to her 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:
(a) Department of Communication and Digital Technologies:
(i) The percentage of SMMEs procurement breakdown for the year 2021/22 for black-owned companies was 51%. Women and youth were 31.11%.
(ii) 0%
(iii) 30%
(iv) 30%
(aa) 51%
(bb) 30%
(b) The response from the entities is attached as an Annexure.
Thank You.
26 June 2023 - NW2339
Nodada, Mr BB to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
(1) Whether she will furnish Mr B B Nodada with the (a) complete Education Infrastructure: 10-point Strategy and (b) time frame targets for each point; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) whether any of the targets have been met; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1. The 10-point strategy was adopted by the Council of Education Ministers on 5 May 2023.
2. The convenors of the various workstreams have been appointed.
3. Operational plans are being developed in June 2023.
4. A detailed presentation on the challenges, strategy and tactics is attached.
26 June 2023 - NW2347
Masipa, Mr NP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
(1)Whether she will furnish Mr N P Masipa with a report of the outbreak of all notifiable and controlled animal diseases that were reported in each province in the past 10 years; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) what actions did her department take to manage and/or prevent further outbreak of the specified diseases?
Reply:
1. Yes. According to the National Disease Database, 13 406 disease outbreaks of controlled and notifiable diseases were reported and followed up by Provincial Veterinary Services in the ten-year period from January 2013 to December of 2022. A list of diseases and the number of outbreaks per province is attached as Annexure A.
2. The disease control measures relevant to the different controlled diseases are detailed in Table 2 of the Regulations to the Animal Diseases Act, No 35 of 1984, attached as Annexure B. These are the requirements for the control of the diseases as required by law. Since the epidemiology of each disease is different, the control measures are different for different diseases. Furthermore, different outbreaks of the same disease may be handled slightly differently, depending on the situation on the ground, the numbers of animals involved, the farming practices and the areas affected. It is not feasible to provide detailed information for each of the 13 406 outbreaks noted above.
Notifiable diseases such as Rift Valley Fever, Bluetongue and Lumpy Skin Disease, are not controlled by government and there are no prescribed control measures. However. outbreaks must be notified to the state veterinarian and awareness is done on ways to prevent further outbreaks.
26 June 2023 - NW2175
Masipa, Mr NP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural
What measures has her department put in place to (a) complete the foot-and-mouth disease facility that was commissioned in 2010 and which was supposed to have been completed in the 2015-16 financial year is completed to enable the manufacturing of more vaccines to combat the outbreak of the specified disease and (b) ensure that fencing, as one of the biosecurity measures, is implemented and monitored in all provinces, especially in the rural areas, to prevent the spread of the disease?
Reply:
a) R214 million was allocated by National Treasury (NT) in the 2011/2012 financial year. In 2019 NT undertook to allocate an additional R400 million over the 2019-2022 MTEF in support of the project. With the additional allocation, the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccine production facility project has started, and the work is projected to be completed around October 2025.
With the design phase being completed, the final estimates will guide further investment(s) to complete the facility due to the significant time lapse from the date of commissioning of the project. In the interim, R55 million has been allocated to the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) for the procurement of equipment and infrastructure to assemble an interim production system that will be used to produce antigens at a 200-liter scale (sufficient to produce 200 000 doses per annum) whilst the factory is under construction. The interim measure is expected to be ready to produce the vaccine by the middle of 2024.
b) Erecting fences in areas where the fences will obstruct established patterns of livestock and people movements are generally ineffective, due to vandalism, theft, and the inability to legally control movements on roads crossing the fences. Animal Health is, therefore, moving away from relying on fences as a first-line effective disease control measure and rather making use of alternative measures such as the use of perennial rivers, mountain ranges and adjacent lower risk establishments like farms.
The use of fences to prevent the spread of disease can only be implemented effectively where the fences also serve a purpose to the local community. For example, the fences on the western and southern boundaries of the Kruger National Park serve a disease control purpose, by preventing FMD carrier buffalo from having contact with cattle in the adjacent communal areas. It also provides a barrier to prevent dangerous animals from the Kruger National Park from roaming into the villages and hence it has value to the local community. The fences on the Kruger National Park boundary are maintained by the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development and SANParks. There are also fences that are used for disease control purposes, specifically FMD in specific areas of Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and KwaZulu-Natal. The repair and maintenance of these fences is the responsibility of the respective provincial departments.
26 June 2023 - NW1835
Bodlani, Ms T to ask the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies
Regarding employees of his department working from home since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, what (a)(i) total number of officials are still working from home and (ii) is the reason for this and (b)(i) total number of officials in the entities reporting to him are still working from home and (ii) is there a reason for this? NW2086E
Reply:
(a)(i) None. All officials of the Department are working from the office.
(a)(ii) Not applicable
(b)(i) All employees at USAASA, FPB and zaDNA are working from their offices.
SITA, SABC, ICASA, NEMISA, Sentech and Postbank indicated that they are applying a hybrid model which allows employees to combine in office and remote working, that is, 2 or 3 days working in the office and the other days working from home.
50% of the employees at BBI are allowed to work from the office at a time. SAPO has indicated that 201 of their employees are working from home.
(b)(ii) BBI stated that it moved offices from Woodmead to Radiokop and due to the office capacity only 50% of the staff complement can be accommodated at a time. All employees are fully equipped with data and laptops to work productively from home.
SITA stated that the decision for the hybrid model was based on their commitment to ensure that employees have a healthy work-life balance and excel in their performance within the organisation.
ICASA stated that an opportunity had risen to make ICASA more adaptable and find new ways to still deliver on its mandate while promoting employee wellness through creating flexible working arrangements. The employment of the hybrid work model was in line with government guidelines on managing exposure to occupational diseases in the workplace. The hybrid model is in a form of work rotation plans that is enforced for all employees. The employees are on site to ensure that customer facing services are not adversely affected in terms of service delivery.
Currently, the Postbank occupies a SAPO building that is not conducive to housing employees due to poor maintained such as lifts not functioning, poor hygiene and space constraints. Postbank is seeking its own suitable premises that are conducive to housing employees, for those who prefer working in an office.
NEMISA indicated that remote working was as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Subsequently, it opted to implement hybrid work requiring employees to work from the office and from home on certain days. This was done based on the observation that employees remain productive when they work either from the office or from home. NEMISA recognises that the correct use of technology enables work to be carried out at any given location. Thus, the merely availability of technology and work tools enable hybrid work.
Sentech adopted to implement a hybrid working model which is a combination of office and remote working. It determined that this was the most sufficient way in managing resources and output. Further, it found that this was the best way in creating a healthy work environment. This model will be reviewed from time to time.
With effect from November 2021, SABC employees returned to the office and implemented a new way of working wherein employees work on a hybrid model. Employees are only required to come to the office three days a week and each division utilises its own discretion to determine the rotational roaster. This is to promote a productive working environment for employees.
SAPO has provided the following as the reasons why these employees are working from home:
- • Building not hygienic (non-compliance to OHSA), presents a health risk
- • Lifts and air conditioning defective
- • Employees have tools of trade to work from home.
- • Most sites are affected by loadshedding with no alternatives available.
- • Outdated tools of trade i.e., computers, printers, etc.
- • Nature of work does not require employees to be in office to perform functions.
Thank You.
26 June 2023 - NW1885
Majozi, Ms Z to ask the Minister of Police
With reference to the home of top SA Police Service (SAPS) official (name and details furnished) that was recently robbed and items worth R400 000 allegedly having been stolen, what measures have been put in place for ordinary citizens to trust that the Police are equipped and capable enough to protect them, notwithstanding the fact that top SAPS officials can be robbed at gunpoint in this manner?
Reply:
Find here: Reply
26 June 2023 - NW1431
Tambo, Mr S to ask the Minister of Communication and Digital Technologies
What (a) total amount is owed by South Africans for television licences and (b) proposals has he put in place to ensure that the television licence model for revenue collection by the SA Broadcasting Corporation is replaced by a model that works? NW1526E
Reply:
a) A total of 9.2 million accounts has outstanding balances valued at R44.2 billion. These balances comprise of unpaid invoices and penalties levied for non-payment over several years. At least 5.6 million accounts have been handed over for external debt collection.
b) In terms of the South African Broadcasting Corporation SOC Ltd Bill 2022 that was approved by Cabinet on 29 November 2022 for the submission to Parliament for processing, the DCDT is proposing that the television licence model be replaced with the household fee model. Pending the legislative changes, the DCDT will continuously engage with the SABC and Treasury to examine the options for the necessary reform and enhancement required of the current TV licence system to properly provide for the funding requirements of SABC and the most appropriate collection, enforcement systems and a timeframe for implementation.
Thank You.
26 June 2023 - NW2221
Roos, Mr AC to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
With reference to the contingent liabilities of his department that were R2,189 billion as at 31 March 2020 and the 13 extra lawyers who were employed later in 2020 to deal with the specified cases, what (a) were the total contingent liabilities at (i) 31 March 2021, (ii) 31 March 2022 and (iii) 31 March 2023 and (b) was the total cost of the lawyers hired to deal with contingent liabilities in the period 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2023?
Reply:
(a)(i) 31 March 2021: As per the Departmental Annual Report 2021/22, the total contingent liabilities reported was: R2,358,451,000.00 of which R2,152,423,000.00 was for legal claims;
(a)(ii) 31 March 2022: As per the Departmental Annual Report 2022/23, the total contingent liabilities reported was: R2, 338,966,000.00 of which R2,107,068,000.00 was for legal claims;
(a)(iii) 31 March 2023: As per unaudited Annual Financial Statements (AFS) submitted as at 31st May 2023, the Department has re-stated its assessment of its contingent liabilities following receipt of a commissioned technical report advising the Department on how to disclose its contingent liabilities on legal matters. The Department has therefore re-assessed its disclosed contingent liability amount to R239,500,000.00 which excludes legal matters. The amount of R2,171,242,664.07 for legal claims is recognised as a note and annexure to the AFS. This amount was not included in the main total because it cannot be reliably estimated as the “possible settlement” amount.
(b) There is no direct correlation between the recruitment of the referred 13 legal resources, and the reduction of the stated contingent liabilities. These officials were employed by the Department to handle all litigation matters emanating from the Department and their employment has no direct bearing on the reduction of the amount disclosed within the contingent liability register, as amounts disclosed are the amounts claimed by the Plaintiffs.
From April 2020 to March 2023, the Department employed one Senior Legal Administration Office who is on level 12 and 7 Legal Administration Officers who are on level 9. The cost of these officials is prescribed as per their level of appointment based on remuneration scales determined by the Department of Public Service Administration (DPSA).
END
26 June 2023 - NW2474
Winkler-Lidgett, Ms HS to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
(1) Whether, with reference to her reply to question 1384 on 4 May 2023, she will clarify the discrepancy in the reference numbers with regard to Farm Meyershoek No. 847; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) at what stage is claim KRN6/2/2/E/42/0/0/25 that was implemented to accommodate community members who were not part of the original claim KRN6/2/2/E/42/0/0/202; (3) (a) what is the timeline for the conclusion of the claim, (b) what are the reasons that there has been a delay to finalise the specified claim, (c) what are the reasons that her department is allegedly restarting the process of the claim when in fact it should be in its final stage and (d) how will her department assist the residents of the community who have waited for years for the claim to be processed and were told it was in the final stages, only to find that now the process is allegedly starting from scratch
Reply:
1. Yes, Reference KRN6/2/2/E/42/0/0/25 was lodged by Mr. Mswelengi Bhekumuzi Bhengu on behalf of the Meyershoek Community on 23 December 1998, for the Remainder of Portion 0 of the farm Meyers Hoek No.847 in extent of 1513, 5256 hectares. The lodger and a few members alleged that they were not part of the settlement as they did not want alternative land.
Reference KRN6/2/2/E/42/0/0/202 was settled on 9 January 2000 in full and final settlement of a court order in respect of the following properties:
- farm Meyershoek No. 847;
- farm Onrust No. 848;
- Rem of Nels Rust; and
- Portion 8 of Nooitgedacht No. 903 collective extent of 3262.9193 ha.
2. The additional members that were not part of the original claim (KRN6/2/2/E/42/0/0/202) were added on the name verification list in the Section 42D memorandum for KRN6/2/2/E/42/0/0/25, after the homestead identification was analyzed against the original list.
3. (a) The outcome will be based on the further research recommendations.
(b) The delay was due to obtaining a legal opinion on the court order.
(c) Further research is needed as there is a position taken through the Court Order to see if the matter can be taken further.
(d) The Legal Unit of the Department will present the final further research report and the legal opinion on the matter based on the Court Order.
26 June 2023 - NW1834
Mazzone, Ms NW to ask the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies
(1) With reference to his reply to question 1034 on 4 May 2023, in which three members of his department were involved in irregular expenditure, what (a) were the (i) total amounts of irregular expenditure and (ii) relevant details of the specified irregular expenditure and (b) exact disciplinary action was taken against each of the three persons involved; (2) whether any of the three persons’ cases have been referred to the National Prosecuting Authority and/or SA Police Service for investigation into potential criminal conduct; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details in this regard? NW2085E
Reply:
(1) (a) (i) R 5 374 133,60
(ii) Two officials did not follow the Supply Chain Management (SCM) Policy and National Treasury Instruction note and one official did not follow the Human Resources (HR) policy.
(b) One official was charged with misconduct and was issued with a final written warning. He lodged a dispute at the General Public Service Sector Bargaining Council (GPSSBC) and received an award. The Department is currently studying the award.
The second official had transferred to another Department before the investigation was concluded. The Department has since written to the Employee’s Department to inform them of the irregular expenditure, in terms of the Public Service Act No. 103 of 1994. They are now studying the documentation to determine if disciplinary action should be taken.
The third official received a verbal warning for not following HR Policies.
(2) The cases were not referred to National Prosecuting Authority or SA Police Service for investigation because it was determined by the Department that there was no fraud, corruption and/or criminal conduct perpetrated.
Thank You.
26 June 2023 - NW2273
van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
(1) Whether, given that Mr Krasimir Kamenov, wanted under an Interpol Red Notice for crimes in Bulgaria, was shot dead in Cape Town and Mr Fulgence Kayishema, accused of participating in the Rwandan genocide and responsible for thousands of deaths, was arrested last week on a farm in Paarl, near Cape Town and noting that the two wanted international fugitives were located within our borders within the space of one week, his department had been informed that the specified criminals were within our borders; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) what are the relevant details of the kind of visas that were issued to the two criminals, which enabled them to be within the borders of the Republic?
Reply:
(1)&(2) Mr. Krasimir Kamenov was issued with a relatives’ visa to join his spouse and subsequently obtained permanent residence in the Republic of South Africa in 2004. He was a naturalised citizen at the time of his death.
With regards to Mr. Fulgence Kayishema, upon him entering the Republic of South Africa in December 1999, he was issued with a Temporary Permit to Prohibited Persons in terms of Section 41(1) of Aliens Control Act 96 of 1991 under a different name and nationality. He then applied for asylum and was later granted Refugee status in 2002. However, it transpired afterwards that his Refugee status was granted through misrepresentation. The Department will follow legislative prescripts in dealing with misrepresentation in terms of Section 36(1)(a) and section 36(2) of the Refugees Act.
END
26 June 2023 - NW2309
Tetyana, Mr Y to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
(a) What role did his department play in the extradition and/or deportation of Mr Thabo Bester and Ms Nandipha Magudumana to the Republic and (b) on what legal authority did his department rely during the whole process of returning the fugitives to the Republic?
Reply:
Honourable member this matter was fully ventilated in a court of law. Judgement has been passed but Dr Magudumana is appealing. Hence I am not able to answer your question for now.
END
26 June 2023 - NW2018
De Freitas, Mr MS to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
(a) What total number of retirement visa applications were (i) received and (ii) issued, (b) from what countries were applications received, (c) what is the average time taken between an application received and visa issued, (d) what total number of applications were rejected, (e) what were the reasons for rejection, (f) from what countries were applications rejected and (g) what is the average time taken between an application received and rejected in each month in the (i) past three financial years and (ii) since 1 April 2023 in each case?
Reply:
(a)(i) The total number of retirement visa applications received 3645 from 2020 to 2022 FYs is 3645 and applications received from 1 April 2023 are 79.
(a)(ii) The total number of applications issued during 2020 to 2022 are 1645 while there is no application issued from 1 April 2023 and there are 1449 applications still pending.
(b) The applications were received from 112 countries which are listed below in Annexure A.
(c) The average turnaround time is 12 months.
(d) The total number of applications rejected is 499.
(e) The reasons for rejections vary from documents being incomplete, applicants not able to prove their net worth or pension/ retirement incomes that meet the prescribed minimum amount of R 37000.00 per month.
(f) There were applications rejected from 62 countries. The countries are as reflected in the table below in Annexure A.
(g) The average time between the date on which the application is received and the date on which rejection letters are issued is currently 12 months. There is currently none of the applications received from 01 April 2023 that have been finalised.
END
ANNEXURE A
The table below reflects the number of applications received, approved, rejected and pending for each country that were received from 2020 until 2022. Applications not assigned are pending applications that are not assigned for adjudication.
Applicants nationality |
Approved |
Not Assigned |
Pending |
Rejected |
Grand Total |
Afghanistan |
4 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
9 |
Algeria |
8 |
12 |
2 |
5 |
27 |
Angola |
12 |
10 |
2 |
5 |
29 |
Argentina |
2 |
2 |
4 |
||
Australia |
17 |
6 |
4 |
3 |
30 |
Austria |
4 |
3 |
1 |
8 |
|
Bangladesh |
82 |
33 |
91 |
36 |
242 |
Belgium |
30 |
19 |
4 |
8 |
61 |
Benin |
1 |
4 |
2 |
7 |
|
Bosnia and Herzegovina |
1 |
1 |
|||
Botswana |
1 |
1 |
2 |
||
Brazil |
6 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
11 |
Bulgaria |
2 |
1 |
1 |
4 |
|
Burundi |
1 |
1 |
|||
Cameroon |
4 |
1 |
1 |
6 |
|
Canada |
6 |
10 |
7 |
1 |
24 |
Central African Republic |
1 |
1 |
|||
Chad |
1 |
1 |
2 |
||
China |
250 |
142 |
27 |
89 |
508 |
Colombia |
1 |
1 |
|||
Cote DIvoire |
1 |
1 |
2 |
||
Croatia |
1 |
1 |
|||
Cyprus |
1 |
1 |
2 |
||
Czech Republic |
2 |
2 |
|||
Denmark |
2 |
8 |
4 |
14 |
|
Egypt |
8 |
5 |
4 |
10 |
27 |
Eritrea |
1 |
2 |
1 |
4 |
|
Ethiopia |
8 |
12 |
3 |
17 |
40 |
Finland |
1 |
2 |
1 |
4 |
|
France |
35 |
19 |
10 |
11 |
75 |
Gabon |
2 |
2 |
2 |
6 |
|
Germany |
162 |
80 |
23 |
22 |
287 |
Ghana |
3 |
7 |
1 |
3 |
14 |
Greece |
2 |
1 |
2 |
5 |
|
Guernsey and Alderney |
1 |
1 |
|||
Haiti |
1 |
1 |
|||
Honduras |
1 |
1 |
|||
India |
39 |
43 |
15 |
31 |
128 |
Iraq |
1 |
1 |
|||
Ireland |
18 |
6 |
2 |
2 |
28 |
Israel |
4 |
4 |
1 |
9 |
|
Italy |
25 |
12 |
3 |
3 |
43 |
Jordan |
1 |
3 |
4 |
||
Kenya |
3 |
10 |
2 |
6 |
21 |
Latvia |
3 |
3 |
|||
Lebanon |
5 |
1 |
1 |
7 |
|
Lesotho |
1 |
1 |
|||
Libyan Arab Jamahiriya |
1 |
1 |
|||
Luxembourg |
1 |
1 |
2 |
||
Madagascar |
2 |
2 |
|||
Malawi |
2 |
4 |
6 |
||
Malaysia |
1 |
2 |
3 |
||
Mali |
1 |
1 |
|||
Malta |
1 |
1 |
|||
Mauritania |
1 |
1 |
|||
Mexico |
1 |
1 |
|||
Mongolia |
1 |
1 |
|||
Morocco |
1 |
1 |
2 |
||
Mozambique |
4 |
10 |
1 |
2 |
17 |
Nepal |
2 |
2 |
4 |
||
Netherlands |
72 |
31 |
13 |
8 |
124 |
New Zealand |
1 |
1 |
|||
Niger |
1 |
1 |
|||
Nigeria |
43 |
38 |
21 |
36 |
138 |
Norway |
8 |
6 |
3 |
17 |
|
Pakistan |
30 |
60 |
35 |
34 |
159 |
Palestinian Territory |
1 |
1 |
|||
Philippines |
3 |
3 |
6 |
||
Poland |
5 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
9 |
Portugal |
1 |
1 |
2 |
||
Republic of South Africa |
71 |
47 |
11 |
27 |
156 |
Reunion (FR) |
2 |
2 |
|||
Russian Federation |
5 |
5 |
2 |
1 |
13 |
Rwanda |
2 |
2 |
|||
Saint Kitts and Nevis |
1 |
1 |
|||
Saudi Arabia |
1 |
1 |
|||
Senegal |
1 |
1 |
|||
Sierra Leone |
1 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
|
Singapore |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
5 |
Slovenia |
1 |
1 |
|||
Somalia |
1 |
1 |
2 |
||
Spain |
5 |
1 |
6 |
||
Sri Lanka |
1 |
1 |
2 |
||
Sudan |
2 |
1 |
3 |
||
Swaziland |
2 |
1 |
3 |
||
Sweden |
10 |
11 |
5 |
1 |
27 |
Switzerland |
72 |
56 |
9 |
13 |
150 |
Syrian Arab Republic |
1 |
1 |
|||
Taiwan |
2 |
3 |
1 |
6 |
|
Thailand |
5 |
2 |
3 |
10 |
|
Democratic Republic of the Congo |
16 |
24 |
1 |
9 |
50 |
The Islamic Republic of Iran |
4 |
2 |
2 |
5 |
13 |
Republic of Korea (South Korea) |
25 |
17 |
1 |
14 |
57 |
Republic of the Congo |
2 |
5 |
1 |
1 |
11 |
United Republic of Tanzania |
1 |
3 |
4 |
||
Togo |
1 |
1 |
2 |
||
Trinidad & Tobago |
1 |
1 |
|||
Commonwealth of the Bahamas |
1 |
1 |
|||
Tunisia |
1 |
1 |
|||
Turkey |
5 |
4 |
3 |
12 |
|
Uganda |
4 |
1 |
1 |
6 |
|
Ukraine |
2 |
1 |
3 |
||
United Kingdom |
330 |
148 |
42 |
49 |
571 |
United States of America |
121 |
58 |
20 |
17 |
216 |
Uruguay |
1 |
1 |
|||
Uzbekistan |
1 |
1 |
|||
Vietnam |
6 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
11 |
Zaire |
1 |
1 |
|||
Zambia |
1 |
3 |
4 |
||
Zimbabwe |
7 |
29 |
6 |
33 |
75 |
Grand Total |
1645 |
1055 |
394 |
499 |
3645 |
*The table below reflects the number of applications and nationalities of the applicants whose applications were received from 01 April 2023 to 31 May 2023
Applicants nationality |
Applications received from 01 April 2023 |
Australia |
1 |
Belgium |
1 |
Brazil |
1 |
Cameroon |
2 |
China |
4 |
Denmark |
1 |
France |
2 |
Germany |
9 |
India |
1 |
Ireland |
1 |
Israel |
1 |
Italy |
3 |
Netherlands |
3 |
Nigeria |
3 |
Pakistan |
1 |
Philippines |
1 |
Poland |
1 |
Republic of South Africa |
2 |
Russian Federation |
1 |
Swaziland |
2 |
Sweden |
2 |
Switzerland |
6 |
Islamic Republic of Iran |
1 |
Republic of South Korea |
3 |
Togo |
1 |
Turkey |
1 |
Uganda |
1 |
United Kingdom |
18 |
United States of America |
3 |
Zimbabwe |
2 |
Grand Total |
79 |
26 June 2023 - NW2280
Ismail, Ms H to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
What are the details of the concrete steps that his department has taken to address the technological challenges hampering the roll-out of the e-visa system, which is understood to be a pivotal factor in bolstering the tourism sector in the Republic and facilitating international travel?
Reply:
Honourable member, we initially experienced technological challenges with the roll out of the e-visa system during 2021. However, towards the end of 2022, we successfully completed a series of 34 enhancements to the e-visa system. Currently, there are no technological challenges with the e-visa system. Honourable member, I also wish to inform the house that we have added 20 more countries on the e-visa system bringing it to a total of 34 countries that can now use our e-visa system for tourism purposes.
END