Questions and Replies
15 June 2023 - NW2213
Mhlongo, Mr TW to ask the MINISTER OF SPORT, ARTS AND CULTURE:
1) WHAT ARE THE DETAILS OF THE SUPPORT THAT THE SA FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION (SAFA) PROVIDED TO SA FOOTBALL TEAM COACH, MR DAVID NOTOANE, CONSIDERING THAT HE RESIGNED ON THE ROBERT MARAWA SHOW COMPLAINING THAT HE GOT NO SUPPORT FROM THE SA FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION (SAFA) TO HELP THE TEAM TO SUCCEED, AND IN VIEW OF THE TEAM HAVING FAILED TO QUALIFY FOR NEXT YEAR’S OLYMPIC GAMES; 2) WHAT HAS HE FOUND TO BE THE REASONS AND/OR THE PROBLEM THAT ALL THE SAFA VICE PRESIDENTS END UP VACATING THEIR POSITIONS ALLEGEDLY DUE TO A BAD RELATIONSHIP WITH THE SAFA PRESIDENT, MR DANNY JORDAAN, WHO HAS SERVED WITH 10 VICE PRESIDENTS IN 10 YEARS WITH ONLY MR IRVIN KHOZA HAVING SURVIVED BECAUSE HE IS EX OFFICIO
Reply:
1. SAFA indicates that Mr. David Notoane was given all the necessary and possible support during the qualifying matches. It is paramount that we highlight that most of the Under 23 players come from the PSL teams. Therefore, the availability of players was dependant on the PSL clubs releasing them. SAFA submitted several requests to the PSL on behalf of Coach Notoane. Unfortunately, the PSL clubs could only release their players during the FIFA Window periods. This automatically restricted the number of camps that the team could have. So, we gave the coach the maximum possible training days. For the matches against Togo, home and away, the team camped for the full periods which were requested by Coach Notoane. It was the same situation with the matches (home and away) against Congo. The coach was also given all the technical support that he requested which included a Physical Trainer, Video Analyst, Goalkeeper Coach, Team Doctor, Physiotherapist and Masseur.
2. SAFA has indicated that they cannot speak on behalf of the Mr. Notoane. The Ministry also does not get involved with administrative matters of National Federations.
15 June 2023 - NW1949
van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Social Development
What are the full, relevant details of the plans that her department has put in place to curb the teenage pregnancy crisis which, according to Statistics South Africa, has seen 90 037 girls aged 10 to 19 years giving birth from 1 March 2021 to 30 April 2022 across all provinces?
Reply:
The Department of Social Development (DSD) in partnership with the Department of Health and Basic Education implements the Integrated School Health Programme (ISHP) and this programme advocates for an integrated multi-sectoral approach in addressing teenage pregnancy.
As part of the implementation of ISHP DSD provides social behaviour and change programmes to build the capacity of young people through life skills, teaching sexual and reproductive health, empowering young people to make right choices and lifelong decisions about their lives, preventing risky behaviours that would lead to teenage pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections and teenage pregnancy. DSD also provides Community Based Prevention and Early Intervention Programme (RISIHA) to vulnerable children, moving these children from vulnerability to resilience. These programmes are part of the 365 days child protection programme of action. The departmental approach is to focus on prevention measures but also empowerment of a family as a primary institution to socialise its members on values and morals. The department is therefore also implementing parenting programmes in this regard.
Currently, DSD is conducting a Diagnostic Evaluation to Understand Government’s Response to Teenage Pregnancy. The purpose of the study is to assess the relevance and responsiveness of government interventions (both programmes and services) in addressing the direct determinants of teenage pregnancies, as well as the budgeting and costing elements. In addition, the study will provide empirical evidence on the different interventions, legislation, policies and guidelines to manage teenage pregnancy. The study will draw on a variety of evidence types (mixed methods) which includes quantitative and qualitative data.
The evaluation will be conducted in five (5) provinces namely: Gauteng, Northern Cape, KwaZulu Natal, Western Cape and Limpopo. The Steering Committee for the study will include officials from Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disability, Department of Health, Department of Basic Education, Development Partners (UNICEF and UNFPA) and stakeholders from Civil Society Organisations.
Benefits of study
Through the study the DSD and stakeholders will:
• Provide empirical evidence-based solutions for decision making, accountability and learning;
• Engage with a number of stakeholders including government from all three spheres of government, developmental partners and civil society;
• Understand the “As Is” Situation on Teenage Pregnancy;
• Identify common and unique teenage pregnancy programmes implemented across government;
• Conduct mapping exercise on available evidence on teenage pregnancy; and
- The findings and recommendations will be utilised to develop an Improvement plan to enhance services and policy areas with a number of stakeholders.
15 June 2023 - NW2114
Essack, Mr F to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises
Whether, with reference to the announcement by the President of the Republic, Mr M C Ramaphosa, in the State of the Nation Address on 9 February 2023, that the National Treasury estimates that the Republic could achieve a potential saving of R27 billion in the medium term if overlapping mandates are dealt with, ineffective programmes are closed and entities consolidated where appropriate, his department has identified any non-viable state-owned enterprises that will be scrapped; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The Presidential State-Owned Enterprises Council (PSEC) was appointed by the President to advise on the reforms of SOEs. PSEC is in the process of identifying SOEs that are to be consolidated, restructured and/or repurposed.
Any further announcements on the PSEC’s final recommendations will be made by the Presidency.
Remarks: Reply: Approved / Not approved
Jacky Molisane PJ Gordhan, MP
Acting Director-General Minister
Date: Date:
15 June 2023 - NW1580
Arries, Ms LH to ask the Minister of Social Development
In light of the high unemployment rate in the Republic and the total number of grant applicants who cannot afford a cellphone and/or data to apply for the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant, which measures have been put in place to ensure that persons who do not have the necessary means are able to apply for the SRD grant?
Reply:
Cell phone coverage in South Africa is one of the highest in the world, and smart phone coverage is estimated to be above 80%. Furthermore, the demographic for the COVID-19 SRD are working age people, who are actively seeking for employment, of which a cell phone is a key tool for such.
SASSA has also zero rated its application portal. Therefore, anyone can access it, even if they do not have data.
Lastly, application can be lodged on any person’s device (it does not need to be the applicant’s own device). It is estimated that there are more than 22 million people with smartphones in South Africa. Compared to approximately 400 local office where physical grant application can be lodged. It is easier to access a smartphone from a family member, friend or neighbour than a local office.
SASSA is however, considering installing kiosks at local offices in future, where applicants may also lodge an application.
15 June 2023 - NW2051
Myburgh, Mr NG to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
Given the fact that the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) last held presidential elections in 2005, Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) elections in 2006, and local government elections in 2012, what steps are her department and/or the Government taking to encourage the PNA to embrace democracy and human rights in a region where only the state of Israel is known to hold regular, free, and fair elections?
Reply:
1) While the South African Government works closely with the Palestinian National Authority to address the challenges it faces with regard to the building and strengthening of Palestine’s democratic institutions, renewal of the Palestinian Authority’s mandate, holding of the pending elections, and the issue of human rights, the South African Government cannot ignore the reality that Palestine’s ability to hold a credible free and fair election in all its territories, including East Jerusalem, is negatively impacted by Israel’s inflexible positions on, inter alia, (i) refusal of Israel to allow Palestine to hold elections in East Jerusalem; (ii) the freezing of Jewish settlement construction on Palestinian land in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, which is designated as the future capital of an independent Palestinian state; (iii) the right of return of Palestinian refugees expelled when the State of Israel was established in 1948; (iv) refusal to agree to the 1967 borders as a territorial starting point for genuine peace negotiations; and, (v) reneging on commitments agreed when the Oslo Accords were signed in 1993, including the release of all pre-Oslo Palestinian prisoners.
2) South Africa consistently calls on UN Member States, the international community, as well as all political formations and parties in South Africa to support the efforts aimed at resolving the Israel-Palestine issue and to continue putting pressure on Israel as the occupying power to realise that relentless acts of repression, oppression and brutality serve only to undermine efforts directed at achieving a viable and sustainable Peace Plan that delivers Palestinian sovereignty, territorial integrity, and economic viability, with sovereign equality between Palestine and Israel.
15 June 2023 - NW2228
Tambo, Mr S to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
Whether there has been any diplomatic engagement with Uganda regarding the anti-homosexuality bill signed by President Yoweri Museveni and the implications and precedence the legislation has on the LGBTQI+ community in the continent; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
There has so far been no diplomatic engagement with Uganda regarding the Anti-Homosexuality Act of 2023. South Africa is guided by its Constitutional principles that seeks to promote and respect the human rights of all people. This includes members of the LGBTQIA community. We are concerned about the developments in Uganda, which would impose severe criminal sanction on people because of their sexual orientation and gendered identities. We are equally concerned by the erosion of women’s human rights in large parts of the globe, including in the United States, where women’s reproductive rights are being curbed. Here again, we will use the appropriate diplomatic channels and fora to raise our concerns on these matters.
15 June 2023 - NW2029
Van Dyk, Ms V to ask the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture
Whether he will furnish Mrs V van Dyk with fully audited financial statements of the (a)(i) Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra and (ii) KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra for the past five financial years and (b) Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra that was recently established; if not; why not; if so, on what date
Reply:
(a). The National Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) does not administer provincial and city orchestras; these orchestras do not report to DSAC and do not fall within the ambit of DSAC. Therefore, DSAC is not able to answer questions regarding operational matters of provincial and city orchestras, including submitting any financial statements of these provincial and city orchestras.
(b). DSAC will provide the MNPO’s audited Annual Financial Statements (AFS) on or before 30 June 2023.
15 June 2023 - NW2167
Hlengwa, Mr M to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
With reference to a media statement issued by her department on 16 May 2023, according to which the African Heads of State are to be received in Moscow and Kyiv, while on a peace mission to find a peaceful resolution to the devastating conflict in the Ukraine with its cost to human lives and impact on the African continent, what (a) are the further, relevant details of the specified engagement and (b) does the Government envisage a peaceful resolution would entail?
Reply:
(a) Six African Heads of State, the President of South Africa, HE Mr CM Ramaphosa, HE Mr Denis Sassou Nguesso, President of the Republic of Congo, H.E. Mr Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, H.E. Mr Macky Sall, President of the Republic of Senegal, H.E. Mr Yoweri Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda, H.E. Mr Hakainde Hichilema, President of Zambia, are scheduled to travel to Ukraine and Russia on a peace mission to meet with President Volodimyr Zelensky and President Vladimir Putin respectively. The initial high-level engagements will primarily be aimed at understanding the Ukrainian twelve-point plan and the Russian proposals. The African peace mission’s objective is not aimed at competing or disregarding any previous or current peace efforts such as the Chinese ten-point plan and the Turkish Istanbul talks, rather it hopes to complement these.
(b) President Zelensky met with the African Union through a video link on 20 June 2022 and that engagement laid the basis for the upcoming in-person meeting. Through this peace mission, Africa’s vision for peace will be presented to the two Presidents. President Zelensky and President Putin’s willingness to meet with the peace mission for the peace mission to listen to both sides, is a first inspirational step towards the envisaged negotiations.
15 June 2023 - NW1863
Bergman, Mr D to ask the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition
(a) What number of missions does the Republic have around the world and (b) of those missions, what number have trade attachés and/or commissioners?
Reply:
a) Announced at the 2023 Budget Vote of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), South Africa has representation through 116 diplomatic missions in 102 countries.
b) In terms of the above DIRCO missions, the dtic has 31 missions allocated for the transfer of officials to serve as Foreign Economic Representatives (FERs), fulfilling the roles associated with trade attachés or commissioners
-END-
15 June 2023 - NW2037
Abrahams, Ms ALA to ask the Minister of Social Development
What number of (a) permanent and (b) temporary work opportunities have been created by civil society organisations’ intervention development programmes supported by the National Development Agency (i) in each province and (ii) in each year in the period 1 January 2019 up to the latest specified date for which information is available?
Reply:
a) (a) & (b) The nature of the work opportunities created by civil society organisations supported by the NDA are project based for the duration of the project which is between 6 and 24 months. As a result, there are no permanent jobs created but work opportunities based on programme implementation.
Below is a report on the work opportunities created (i) by Province (ii) during the Financial Years 2019/20 – 2022/23:
15 June 2023 - NW2060
Mhlongo, Mr TW to ask the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture
What amount are the (a) officials and (b) players of the national women’s teams in each sporting code paid monthly?
Reply:
The officials and players of the women national teams are not paid monthly, but are paid on an assignment basis, in other words, only when they come to camp.
The following rates apply:
- Team Doctor R3’500.00 per day
- Physiotherapist R2’500.00 per day
- Psychologist R1’500.00 per day
- Masseur R1’200.00 per day
- Physical trainer R2’000.00 per day
- Kit Assistant R950.00 per day
- Security R950.00 per day
- Assistant Coach R20’000.00 per camp (7 days)
- Goalkeeper Coach R15’000.00 per camp (7 days)
- Players daily allowances:
- R500.00 per day at home
- USD100.00 per day away
- Players bonuses
- R40’000.00 official match win
- R20’000.00 official match draw
- R20’000.00 friendly match win
- R10’000.00 friendly match draw
15 June 2023 - NW1840
Abrahams, Ms ALA to ask the Minister of Social Development
(a) What total number of young adults who have aged out of the child support grant, but who remain in high school, (i) have applied for the COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant of R350, (ii) are currently receiving the specified grant, (iii) have been declined the grant and (iv) have an appeal pending in respect of the SRD grant and (b)(i) how is her department and/or the SA Social Security Agency directly assisting such young adults with their SRD application once the child support grant lapses and (ii) what is the breakdown for each (aa) province, (bb) gender and (cc) age group?
Reply:
(a)(i)-(iv) read with (b)(ii)(aa)(bb) and (cc)
a SASSA does not have records of previous beneficiaries who have exited from the system due to age but remain in the school system, and therefore is not able to answer the question in the current form.
Table 1 below reflects the number of Child Support Grants (CSG) that lapsed due to the child turning 18 during the 2022/23 financial year.
TABLE: 1 TOTAL NUMBER OF YOUNG ADULTS WHO AGED OUT OF THE CHILD SUPPORT GRANT IN THE FY2022/23 |
|||||||
Region |
Female |
Male |
Grand Total |
||||
EC |
56393 |
56661 |
113054 |
||||
FS |
20320 |
20437 |
40757 |
||||
GP |
53093 |
52030 |
105123 |
||||
KZN |
84149 |
83401 |
167550 |
||||
LIM |
48162 |
47783 |
95945 |
||||
MP |
31782 |
31771 |
63553 |
||||
NC |
8704 |
8716 |
17420 |
||||
NW |
24286 |
23995 |
48281 |
||||
WC |
27139 |
25966 |
53105 |
||||
Grand Total |
354028 |
350760 |
704788 |
a(i) Table 2, shows the number of CSG beneficiaries whose CSG lapsed, thereafter applied for COVID-19 SRD during the 2022/23 financial year.
TABLE: 2 TOTAL NUMBER OF YOUNG ADULTS WHO AGED OUT OF THE CHILD SUPPORT GRANT AND APPLIED FOR COVID-19 SRD |
|||||||
Province |
Female |
Male |
Grand Total |
||||
EC |
30002 |
28408 |
58410 |
||||
FS |
12236 |
11865 |
24101 |
||||
GP |
40731 |
34222 |
74953 |
||||
KZN |
53196 |
54586 |
107782 |
||||
LIM |
36403 |
34346 |
70749 |
||||
MP |
24056 |
23367 |
47423 |
||||
NC |
4674 |
4277 |
8951 |
||||
NW |
15213 |
14509 |
29722 |
||||
WC |
17055 |
13106 |
30161 |
||||
Grand Total |
233566 |
218686 |
452252 |
a(i&ii) Table 3 indicates the number of young adults who aged out of the CSG, applied and were approved for COVID-19 SRD during the 2022/23 financial year.
TABLE: 3 TOTAL NUMBER OF YOUNG ADULTS WHO AGED OUT OF THE CHILD SUPPORT GRANT AND WERE APPROVED FOR COVID-19 SRD |
|||
Province |
Female |
Male |
Grand Total |
EC |
22,029 |
21,759 |
43,788 |
FS |
9,203 |
9,238 |
18,441 |
GP |
26,915 |
24,362 |
51,277 |
KZN |
38,154 |
39,987 |
78,141 |
LIM |
23,741 |
24,391 |
48,132 |
MP |
16,249 |
16,871 |
33,120 |
NC |
3,265 |
3,168 |
6,433 |
NW |
11,219 |
11,219 |
22,438 |
WC |
10,794 |
9,118 |
19,912 |
Grand Total |
161,569 |
160,113 |
321,682 |
a(iii) Table 4 highlights the number of young adults who aged out of the CSG, applied and were approved for COVID-19 SRD during the 2022/23 financial year and, declined and appeal status for the COVID-19 SRD during the 2022/23 financial year.
TABLE 4 TOTAL NUMBER OF YOUNG ADULTS WHO AGED OUT OF THE CHILD SUPPORT GRANT AND WERE DECLINED FOR COVID-19 SRD |
|||||||
Province |
Female |
Male |
Grand Total |
||||
EC |
4,715 |
3,563 |
8,278 |
||||
FS |
1,563 |
1,273 |
2,836 |
||||
GP |
7,969 |
5,503 |
13,472 |
||||
KZN |
8,052 |
6,918 |
14,970 |
||||
LIM |
6,705 |
5,144 |
11,849 |
||||
MP |
4,431 |
3,634 |
8,065 |
||||
NC |
833 |
624 |
1,457 |
||||
NW |
2,105 |
1,655 |
3,760 |
||||
WC |
4,041 |
2,586 |
6,627 |
||||
Grand Total |
40,414 |
30,900 |
71,314 |
a(iv) Table 5 portrays the number of young adults who aged out of the CSG, appealed after being declined for COVID-19 SRD during the 2022/23 financial year and their appeals are still pending.
TABLE: 5 TOTAL NUMBER OF YOUNG ADULTS WHO AGED OUT OF THE CHILD SUPPORT GRANT AND ARE PENDING APPEAL FOR COVID-19 SRD |
|||||||
Province |
Female |
Male |
Grand Total |
||||
EC |
722 |
411 |
1,133 |
||||
FS |
264 |
190 |
454 |
||||
GP |
1,301 |
890 |
2,191 |
||||
KZN |
1,168 |
841 |
2,009 |
||||
LIM |
1,284 |
1,019 |
2,303 |
||||
MP |
851 |
677 |
1,528 |
||||
NC |
77 |
77 |
154 |
||||
NW |
358 |
261 |
619 |
||||
WC |
497 |
264 |
761 |
||||
Grand Total |
6,522 |
4,630 |
11,152 |
(b)(i) Due to the vastly different criteria between the COVID-19 SRD and the CSG, there is no direct link between the two provisions. Thus, a new application needs to be taken for the COVID-19 SRD following the lapsing of the CSG. However, the provision, is one of the easiest to apply for.
The Department and SASSA continue to engage in media campaigns from time-to-time to inform beneficiaries and the public about the application processes including eligibility requirements to promote the provision.
15 June 2023 - NW2192
Myburgh, Mr NG to ask the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture
(2). what (a) total number of penalties were issued and (b) are the relevant details of the specified penalties, including the Rand value thereof. (3). what (a) total number of cases were referred to court for prosecution and (b) are the relevant details of the specified cases?
Reply:
(1). The total number of incidents received and processed by the South Africa Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA) as part of implementing the National Heritage Resources Act, Act 25 of 1999, over the past 3 financial years (2020/2021, 2021/2022, 2022/2023) is eighty-six (86) as shown in the Table below. This includes contraventions, accidental finds, and other non-contravention complaints. Each Provincial Heritage Resources Authority (PHRA) is responsible for the management of contraventions within their respective areas of remit in implementing the National Heritage Resources Act, Act 25 of 1999. As such SAHRA does not maintain a record of contraventions where SAHRA was not the responsible authority or otherwise not involved.
2020/2021 |
2021/2022 |
2022/2023 |
Total |
|
Incidents Reported per year |
17 |
25 |
44 |
86 |
(2). In terms of Section 51 of the National Heritage Resources Act, Act 25 of 1999, SAHRA does not administer penalties as this fall within the scope of the Department of Justice.
(3). Indicated in the table below is the Five (5) cases that have been escalated for further legal action in collaboration with SAHRA.
Case |
In terms of |
Prosecution Status |
Details |
Theft from the Transnet Museum in George |
Theft Report |
Prosecuted |
The accused was found guilty and sentenced to a year in jail. |
Albion Dog Cart |
Contravention of section 32 (19) of the NHRA |
Escalated to the Director of Public Prosecution’s Office and DPCI |
A warrant of arrest (J51) will be filed for the accused which will be exercised should the accused enter into South Africa. The report will be filed after the 19 June 2023 |
Nelson Mandela Collection |
Contravention of section 32 (19) of the NHRA |
Escalated to the Director of Public Prosecution’s Office and DPCI |
Case likely to be recommended to the NPA; decision will be communicated to SAHRA in due course. |
Beauchamp – Proctor Medals |
Contravention of section 32 (19) of the NHRA |
Escalated to the Director of Public Prosecution’s Office and DPCI |
Decision to prosecute will be communicated by 19 June 2023 |
Alexis Preller Artwork |
Theft Report |
Escalated to the Director of Public Prosecution’s Office and DPCI |
DPCI recovered the painting from an auction house. The owner of the painting requested for transferral to a suitable location; artwork was handed over to Pretoria Art Gallery for Protection and Conservation |
15 June 2023 - NW2131
Maotwe, Ms OMC to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises
With reference to the Mining Indaba that was held in Cape Town earlier this year, wherein mining experts indicated that the mining industry had lost about R51 billion in 12 months because of Transnet’s inability to have functional railway lines and a sufficient number of working locomotives, and in view of the recent announcement by Transnet that they have suspended loading in Durban and the Reef because of network unavailability, which may cause further problems, what (a) is the full nature of the problems at Transnet that prevent them from functioning at optimal capacity and (b) steps has he taken to resolve the specified problems?
Reply:
According to the information received from Transnet
a) Transnet Freight Rail faces three major challenges that impact its ability to deliver reliable rail services to all its customers on virtually all the corridors, with some more impacted than others.
1.1 Locomotive availability and reliability have decreased significantly on all the key corridors but especially on the North and North-East corridors that primarily rails coal, chrome and magnetite. In 2017/18 when TFR railed 226 million tonnes (mt), TFR had a total of 2215 locomotives available whereas in 2022/23 it has 1533 locomotives available and 364 so called long-standing locomotives at the end of May 2023.
The tender to return to service the long-standing locomotives has closed with Alstom and Wabtec proposing a return to operations schedule for the speedy return to service of their locomotives. Negotiations with CRRC loco are ongoing. The impact of reduced locomotive availability is estimated to cost TFR approximately R16 million per day in lost revenue.
1.2 Infrastructure: Systemic underinvestment over the years has resulted in decreased reliability of infrastructure leading to increased derailments and speed restrictions that reduce available capacity on rail. To ensure the availability of cash to fund the maintenance of infrastructure, TFR is working on submitting an application to the interim rail regulator for full cost recovery tariffs. Furthermore, Transnet has taken the decision for TFR to exit all loss-making flows to ensure the profitability of all corridors. Lastly the operating lease on the container corridor is intended to curtail the losses on this corridor.
1.3 Security: Crippling theft & vandalism of key infrastructure and locomotives resulting in significant operational disruptions and additional unbudgeted costs associated with these repairs further reducing the funds available for scheduled maintenance. During the Covid shutdown period theft of copper cable escalated significantly. During the period 2016/17 to 2021/22, security related incidents increased by 179%.
TFR implemented various security initiatives ranging from the introduction of drones to support surveillance, customer partnerships to increase the deployment of security resources, specialised task teams in identified hotspot areas and various other initiatives that resulted in a 30% reduction in cable theft incidents during the 2022/23 financial year. Notwithstanding the improvement over the past year, the incidents remain high. Over 1000 km of copper cable was stolen during the 2022/23 financial year, costing TFR R310m to replace which is a reduction from the loss of nearly 1500km the previous year at a replacement cost of R462 million.
In 2021/22 and 2022/23, the majority (44% and 39%) of the cable theft incidents occurred on the Container Corridor. The scale of the theft of Overhead Track and Equipment (OHTE) is also the highest on the Container Corridor – 522km for the past year compared to an average of 130km per corridor for the rest of the system. During May 2023, the Container Corridor was severely impacted by unprecedented levels of theft and vandalism, resulting in a significant loss in available capacity. The situation was further exacerbated by the heavy rains during the same period that made repairing the network difficult. Operations have since resumed and improved following the implementation of additional security measures. TFR security has deployed ground forces in the targeted hotspot areas. This is an interim measure as engagements continue with law enforcement agencies to assist in the policing of the rail infrastructure.
TFR in isolation is not able to deal with the theft and vandalism of the rail infrastructure and made recommendations via the Industry Crime Forum (ICF) to the Non-Ferrous Metal Crime Combating Committee (NFMCCC) to support the following recommendations to the Natjoint:
1.4 The establishment of a dedicated crime court for criminal matters involving essential infrastructure,
1.5 The establishment of dedicated specialised essential infrastructure task team (EEIT) units in each of the provinces, which includes members from visible policing, crime intelligence, and crime detection, dedicated to the protection of essential infrastructure and;
1.6 For every SAPS station nationally to make available a dedicated small unit from visible policing, crime intelligence, and crime detection to focus on essential infrastructure related crime.
b) Security: the tender of Outcomes based Security closed with the roll out beginning shortly. In the case of the container corridor, given the potential operating lease, TFR has commenced the process to identify an Outcome Based Security service provider for 1 year on the Container Corridor.
Remarks: Reply: Approved / Not Approved
Jacky Molisane P J Gordhan, MP
Acting Director-General Minister
Date: Date:
15 June 2023 - NW2165
Hlengwa, Mr M to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
Whether, noting that in the Budget Vote 6 documentation, mention is made of plans by her department to repurpose underused state‐owned properties in its global portfolio and refurbish, renovate and maintain 24 existing properties across the world, she will furnish Mr M Hlengwa with the relevant details of the (a) specified 24 properties, (b) nature of the renovations required, (c) projected cost of each renovation, (d) process followed when appointing service providers to complete such work and (e) mechanisms that are in place to protect her department if work is not completed on time, within budget, and/or faulty and/or poor workmanship is uncovered; if not, why not, in each case; if so, what are the relevant details in each case?
Reply:
No |
a) Specified Mission Properties |
b) Nature of renovations works |
(c) Projected cost of each renovation |
1 |
Windhoek: Official Residence and staff houses |
Renovations of the exterior at the Official Residence and 3 staff houses - |
R3 688 300 |
2 |
Kinshasa: Chancery and compound |
Repair of lift and repainting of the exterior Chancery and staff compound |
R5 300 000 |
3 |
Mbabane: Official residence |
Refurbishment of the of the official residence. |
R6 600 000 |
4 |
Addis Ababa: Chancery |
Repairs to the Chancery |
R3 081 000 |
5 |
Maseru: Official residence |
Repair and maintenance of the official residence |
R5 600 000 |
6 |
Abuja: Chancery |
Replacement of air conditioners |
R895 000 |
7 |
Tokyo: Official Residence |
Painting of exterior wall |
R1 100 000 |
8 |
Ottawa: Chancery & Official Residence |
Repair and maintenance at the OR and Chancery |
R2 500 000 |
9 |
Brazil: Chancery |
Repairs to generator room and upgrading of electrical system |
R4000 000 |
10 |
Canberra: Official residence |
Repair to the roof and replacement of kitchen and wooden windows |
R2 300 000 |
11 |
Copenhagen: Chancery and Official Residence |
Repairs and maintenance of the Chancery and OR |
R14 800 000 |
12 |
Vienna: Official residence |
Renovations at the Official residence |
R 4000 000 |
13 |
Rome; Official residence |
Repair of the Official Residence Basement |
R 5000 000 |
14 |
Brussels: Official Residence |
Upgrading of electrical and plumbing system and repair to the roof |
R4 200 000 |
15 |
London: Chancery |
Condition assessment and Repair and maintenance of staff houses |
R7 2000 000 |
16 |
New York: Official residence |
Condition assessment and maintenance of exterior and interior |
R 6 200 000 |
17 |
Lisbon Chancery and OR |
Repairs of plumbing and electrical works |
R3 600 000 |
18 |
Lilongwe: Staff houses |
Repair and maintenance of plumbing and electrical works |
R1 400 000 |
19 |
Washington: Repair |
Repair of damaged MEP system and staff house |
R3 200 000 |
20 |
Madrid: Chancery and OR |
Upgrading of electrical and plumbing system |
R1 549 000 |
21 |
Dar Es Salaam: Chancery |
Repair and maintenance to the roof and electrical system |
R3 200 000 |
22 |
Berlin: Chancery |
Repair to the roof, electrical and plumbing works |
R2 700 000 |
23 |
Geneva; Official residence |
Repair to the official residence |
R 2000 000 |
24 |
Berne: Official residence |
Upgrading of the electrical and plumbing works |
R1 520 000 |
d) Service Providers are appointed through open bids (request quotations and open tender) depending on the value of the project.
e) The project risk assessment is undertaken for tender projects, Legal Service make inputs on the service level agreements and contract for all projects to ensure the Department is protected. Each project is allocated a Project Manager to ensure quality work is executed within cost and in time.
15 June 2023 - NW2304
Hlengwa, Mr M to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
What progress has been made by the Republic to reform the United Nations Security Council?
Reply:
South Africa continues to participate in the United Nations General Assembly’s Inter-Governmental Negotiations (IGN) on the Security Council, both in its capacity, as a sovereign member state, and as a member of the African Group. South Africa believes that there must be a common acknowledgment, particularly by those member states maintaining the status quo in the Security Council that the international political and economic system remains unequal, unfair and unjust.
South Africa continues to advocate for the urgent reform of the Council, based on the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration, which calls for two permanent seats, and five non-permanent seats and the abolishment of the veto. However, for as long as it exists, it is a privilege, which should be extended to all new permanent members.
South Africa has consistently called for text-based negotiations to register progress, especially since there are no negotiations in the IGN. Rather, the IGN has been characterised by the delivery of Group statements and statements made by member states in their national capacities. The Co-Chairs of the IGN developed a Revised Elements Paper on Convergences and Divergences on the question of equitable representation on and increase in the membership of the Security Council and related matters” which has been updated in May 2023 following several rounds of consultation. This document provides a preliminary basis for text-based negotiations. In addition, the IGN has now also established a specific website to act as a repository of the recordings of the webcasts as well as of the letters, decisions, statements of Member States, and other documents related to the IGN process.
In support of the realisation of the aspirations of Agenda 2063, the Africa We Want, and the continent’s ambition to Silence the Guns, South Africa continues to call for the Council’s urgent reform, and the need to correct the historical injustices committed against the African continent. Our engagement will remain focused on highlighting that, through broad and extensive engagement, underpinned by the spirit of multilateralism, dialogue and negotiation, member states can find pathways to convergence. South Africa will emphasise that political divergences should not be the reason for holding back progress.
15 June 2023 - NW2052
Myburgh, Mr NG to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
Whether, given the alleged large-scale and persistent abuse of human rights, including the denial of free and fair democratic elections, in the Republic of Cuba, the Republic will consider downgrading the status of the SA Embassy in Havana to that of Liaison Office in order to demonstrate our commitment to democratic values and human rights; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The South African Government is not considering the downgrading of its diplomatic representation in Cuba as the Government believes that institutions such as the National Human Rights Commission and the Office of the Attorney General have demonstrated their ability to deal with alleged human rights violations. Downgrading diplomatic relations is a drastic act that can only be considered when states continuously disregard international law in circumstances where states are illegally occupying the territories of other countries, deny people a legitimate right to self-determination and practice systemic forms of oppression, including breaching important international conventions, including for example, the Convention Against Apartheid.
15 June 2023 - NW2215
Mhlongo, Mr TW to ask the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture
What (a) amount from the Legacy Trust Fund of the SA Football Association (SAFA) has been spent to date, (b) is the breakdown of what the amount was spent on and (c) amount is left in the Legacy Trust Fund?
Reply:
In responding to these questions, SAFA have submitted a closeout report of the Legacy Trust which responds to the amounts spent and documents that detail the work done by the Legacy Trust, see the Financial Overview as at 28 February 2022
(a). TOTAL EXPENDITURE: R 610,754,230
(b). ORIGINAL INVESTMENT: R 450,762,916
Income:
• Interest received: R 160,060,913
• Other income: R 56,112
TOTAL INCOME (SUB Total): R 160,117,025
TOTAL INCOME (+ Original) R 610,879,941
Expenditure
• Admin & Related: R 69,478,409
• Grants paid: R 541,275,821
(c). AVAILABLE BALANCE: R 125,711
See attached document below :
15 June 2023 - NW2113
Essack, Mr F to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises
With reference to perceived policy inconsistencies and the overlapping of responsibilities between his department, the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy and now the Office of the Minister in The Presidency for Electricity, what are the details of the (a) major sticking points he identified in the allocation of responsibilities across the specified portfolios, which impact on the ability of Eskom to address the energy crisis of the Republic and (b) solutions will he put in place to resolve the specified sticking points?
Reply:
The President of the Republic of South Africa is empowered to appoint Ministers and also in terms of the powers vested in him in terms of section 97 of the Constitution may transfer to a member of the Cabinet any power or function to any member of Cabinet. The President exercised his powers to appoint the Minister of Electricity to carry out all powers and functions in section 34(1) of the Electricity Regulation Act, 2006 as a broader strategy to deal with load shedding.
In recent weeks, the President has gazetted the specific role of the Minister of Electricity (Annexure A)
The President is on record having stated that the delineation of powers and functions is directed at ensuring effective coordination and dedicated focus to deal more effectively and urgently with the electricity crisis.
In addition, the structure and operations of the National Electricity Crisis Committee ensure optimal coordination among all government entities.
Remarks: Reply: Approved / Not approved
Jacky Molisane PJ Gordhan, MP
Acting Director-General Minister
Date: Date:
15 June 2023 - NW2240
Madlingozi, Mr BS to ask the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture
What are the (a) current developments pertaining to the allegation of mismanagement of the Presidential Employment Stimulus programme, by the National Arts Council (NAC) and (b) reasons that the same board of directors and councillors still preside over the work of the NAC, while the scandal of the R56,4 million given to the Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra still, hangs over their heads?
Reply:
(a). The National Arts Council (NAC) has successfully implemented its third Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme (PES++++++----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------P4). There has been no mismanagement of the PESP4. We opened our call on the 20 February 2023, and closed on the 31 March 2023, and recently announced on the 31st May 2023. This was a record implementation in terms of time (considering the number of applications received). The NAC team worked very hard in ensuring that they do not miss the deadline to announce the dates.
This hard work paid off, as it resulted in the entity announcing the list of 637 successful beneficiaries. Below is an important summary of PESP 4.
Applications Received |
Applications Approved |
Shortfall |
% Funded |
4752 |
637 |
4115 |
|
R5 087 253 146,79 |
R182 400 000,01 |
R4 904 853 146,79 |
4% |
At the recent industry announcement held on 31 May 2023, the industry gave positive feedback to the NAC on the turnaround of the entity in implementing its programmes as well as communicating with the industry. There was not even a single complaint from any stakeholder.
As per the above table, The NAC continues to appeal to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee of Sport, Arts and Culture to attend to the issue of budget limitations related to the sector. The NAC funds seven (7) arts disciplines in the country, and as long as the entity can only fund 4% of the value of applications received, the extreme frustration of our sector will continue. The NAC worked with the Department to further ensure there were no beneficiary duplications between the two entities.
(b). The NAC continues to clarify to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee that there is no scandal related to the Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra. All funds have been accounted for and the good work of the MNPO continues. Which is to benefit artists across the provinces of South Africa. There has been continued engagement between the Auditor-General South Africa (AGSA) and the leadership of the NAC to assist them in concluding their audit.
We are proud of the transformative nature of our strategic programmes, in particular the meaningful contribution of the Mzansi Philharmonic Orchestra to the smaller and Marginalized provinces.
15 June 2023 - NW1815
Groenewald, Dr PJ to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises
(1)(a) What total price does Eskom pay for the purchase of diesel and (b) how is the price structured; (2) (a) which suppliers and/or companies are they buying diesel from currently and (b) what is the total price in each case; (3) (a) for what period has the suppliers been contracted and (b) what are the provisions in the specified contracts with regard to the price in each case? NW2066E
Reply:
According to information received from the Eskom
(1)(a)
Eskom is buying diesel at the wholesale list price published by the Department of Energy on a monthly basis. Eskom then pays the wholesale list price less the negotiated discount.
(1)(b)
Delivered price: Wholesale list price less discounts.
(2)(a)
Eskom obtains negotiated discounts below the wholesale price list that varies across the suppliers.
- Astron
- BP
- Engen
- Shell
- PetroSA
(2)(b)
The discounts are contractual between Eskom and Service Providers and not for public consumption. In addition, there is a new tender currently undergoing internal approval process hence the sensitivity of sharing discount rates.
(3)(a)
All contractors have been contracted for 5 years: 01 October 2019 to 30 September 2024.
(3)(b)
Price follows monthly fluctuation as per the price list issued by the Department of Energy.
Remarks: Approved / Not Approved
Jacky Molisane Pravin Gordhan, MP
Acting Director-General Minister
Date: Date:
15 June 2023 - NW2096
Chirwa-Mpungose, Ms NN to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
(1) Notwithstanding her reply to question 544 on 8 March 2023 and the recent debacle on the tenders for the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) being problematised and disturbed in KwaZulu-Natal, accompanied by reports of substandard food being given to learners, how does her department ensure that the learners receive nutritious food via the NSNP; (2) whether her department has been informed of any other concerning reports in the schools concerning fights between learners and the personnel who assist with distributing food to learners; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) how (a) does her department ensure that the food is inspected and (b) frequent are the inspections carried out by her department in each (i) school and (ii) province?
Reply:
(i) The DBE reviews and approves the Provincial menus annually in line with a cost effective food basket aligned with the Conditional Grant Framework. Food specifications from the Department of Health are used to guide quality and quantities. NSNP performance on menu compliance at schools is measured using monitoring tools, based on a key performance indicator (KPI) scores, that include time for feeding, balanced meal, quantities in starch, protein, fruit and/or vegetables.
(ii) Fighting between learners and the personnel who distribute food to learners is condemned and unacceptable. However, the School Management Teams and School Governing Bodies are responsible for discipline in schools. The school code of conduct is adhered to to deal with disciplinary matters.
(iii) (a) Warehouses are monitored and inspected by the local authority through Environment Health Inspectors, to ensure compliance to food safety standards. The NSNP has employed monitors in each district to assess compliance on quality, quantity and food safety, when monitoring in schools. (b) District-based Food Safety Teams do spot checks periodically, and educators responsible for NSNP, are trained on food labelling etc., for daily inspections.
15 June 2023 - NW2014
Makesini, Ms M to ask the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture
WHETHER HIS DEPARTMENT IS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE MANGAUNG METROPOLITAN MUNICIPALITY TO HOST THE COUNCIL OF SOUTHERN AFRICA FOOTBALL ASSOCIATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP IN MAY TO JULY 2023; IF NOT, WHAT IS THE POSITION IN THIS REGARD; IF SO, (A) WHAT ARE THE DETAILS OF THE SPECIFIED PARTNERSHIP, (B) WHO IS FUNDING THE INTERNATIONAL EVENT AND (C) WHAT TOTAL AMOUNT OF THE BUDGET WILL BE SPENT FOR THE EVENT?
Reply:
The Department is not in partnership with the Mangaung Municipality in hosting the Southern Africa Football Associations Championship. A). There is no partnership. B) The Department is not aware of who is funding the event. C) The Department is not aware of the financial implications associated with the hosting of the event as it is not involved nor officially informed about it.
15 June 2023 - NW2182
Nodada, Mr BB to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
What (a) plans and (b) programmes has her department put in place to ensure that indigent children who are not in school are (i) tracked and (ii) placed in school?
Reply:
(a)(b)
(i) The Department of Basic Education has signed an Intergovernmental Protocol Agreement with the Department of Social Development and South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) to compare and triangulate data between the Department of Basic Education’s Learner Unit Record Information and Tracking System (LURITS) and SASSA’s Social Pension System (SOCPEN) to identify if children who are at school-going age and receiving social grants, are enrolled and attending school. This initiative continues to assist the department in tracking out of school children, who are receiving social grants. Data is provided to Department of Social Development to assist them to intervene in a household social perspective.
(ii) Another initiative is the development of the National Integrated Protection Information System (NISPIS) across the social sector, which will also assist in monitoring out-of-school and vulnerable children receiving other social protection services.
15 June 2023 - NW2106
Mbuyane, Mr S H to ask the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition
Noting that the Competition Commission released their report on measuring the levels of concentration in the South African economy in November 2021, wherein it was recommended that considering the financial constraints of the Government in funding small-, medium- and micro- enterprises, the Government should ensure that the private sector financial institutions close that gap and fund small businesses owned by previously disadvantaged individuals, particularly those in the agro-processing and manufacturing sectors, what measures has his department adopted to date to ensure the implementation of the specified recommendation?
Reply:
The findings of the Competition Commission report are taken up in a number of ways. They include the following:
1. Market Inquiries/investigations in terms of the Competition Act.
2. Considerations applied during the assessment of merger applications.
3. Support for SMMEs through financing packages.
4. Measures to strengthen the competitiveness of smaller firms.
5. Promotion of supplier development funds and partnerships.
6. Measures in masterplans.
the dtic and its entities, the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and National Empowerment Fund (NEF) offer a range of funding instruments for the support of SMMES as grants and loans.
the dtic provides support to emerging exporters, to show-case their products at international exhibitions, funding to develop emerging black film makers through the Film and TV incentive as well as emerging black aquaculture farmers.
Other cost-sharing grant funding is available to SMMEs operating in the research and development field . The funding for these incentives is structured to encourage collaboration between industry and academia that will result in the development of pioneering prototypes ready for commercialisation.
A recent report to the Portfolio Committee highlighted the work of the dtic-group on township economies.
Additional resources are mobilised through supplier funds, such as:
- Shoprite establishing a R350 million development fund to develop independent retails, spaza shops, micro caterers and micro farmers.
- Heineken to establish a R400 million Supplier Development Fund, and procure R4.7 billion from Historically Disadvantaged Persons.
- Pepsico has made R300 million available as a development fund to develop the capacity of emerging farmers, R100 million contribution for enterprise development and R200 million for educational programmes in partnership with universities.
- Coca-Cola has contributed R240 million to a localization fund and will increase volumes of sugar procured from black sugarcane farmers.
- Implats will contribute R50 million for regional enterprise development that will benefit women and youth owned businesses.
- Mediclinic will for a period of five years will ensure procurement of R2.5 billion from small and black owned enterprises.
-END-
15 June 2023 - NW2059
Mhlongo, Mr TW to ask the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture
Whether the SA Football Association SAFA received a loan from the International Federation of Football Associations, if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what (a) amount, (b) is the breakdown of what the loan was to spent on and (c) is the repayment plan?
Reply:
(a). SAFA indicates that they received a loan from FIFA and the amount is USD 1’500’000.00. During the peak of Covid-19, most of FIFA’s Member Associations were experiencing a decline in income because of the global lockdown which put a halt on football activities. In order to mitigate the adverse impact of Covid-19 on its Member Associations, FIFA introduced an array of relief measures which included interest free loans.
b). The interest free loans were to be used for the following:
- Implementation of return-to-play protocols, including testing
- Participation of national teams in restarted competitions
- Payment of staff costs and hiring of essential staff, where necessary
SAFA used the loan proceeds to restart its competitions and for the national teams to participate in international competitions. Some of the funds were used to pay the Men Senior National team technical staff.
(c). The repayment period of this loan is 3 years starting in 2023 until 2025 at a rate of USD500’000.00 per annum. FIFA will deduct a portion of our annual grant and allocate it towards this loan.
15 June 2023 - NW1767
Arries, Ms LH to ask the Minister of Social Development
Considering the problems experienced by beneficiaries of the SA Social Security Agency with grant payouts on a monthly basis, what plans have been put in place to (a) insource the service to ensure that grant beneficiaries receive their payments on time and (b) resolve the issue of loan sharks holding grant beneficiary’s cards?
Reply:
a) SASSA currently pays all social grants into the bank accounts of clients. This is inclusive of the payments made at Pay Points and SAPO branches which are first paid into bank accounts.
SASSA has already in-sourced the payment function since 2018.
Whether or not SASSA should become a bank or provide a full or partial banking service to its clients is a matter being considered. However, the SASSA’s mandate and scope of SASSA’s capabilities are based on the Social Assistance Act, 2004 as amended.
b) The holding of SASSA cards, or any bank card, is illegal. SASSA works with the National Credit Regulator (NCR) and law enforcement agencies in this regard. During May 2023, in the Province of the Eastern Cape, a multi-disciplinary team comprising of stakeholders focusing on loan sharks, led by the National Credit Regulator, involving SASSA, Department of Home Affairs (DHA) and South African Police Services (SAPS) conducted an operation targeting loan sharks, with the sole aim of preventing illegal withholding of banking cards and identity documents. The operation led to the arrest of 17 suspects and the seizing of 106 SASSA cards with cash of R401 800.00. Similar operations will be conducted nationally.
15 June 2023 - NW2028
Van Dyk, Ms V to ask the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture
(1). Whether the staff component of the (a) Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra and (b) KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra have been affected by funding-related issues since the establishment of the orchestras; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, in what way. (2). whether the number of staff has been reduced since the establishment of each of the orchestras; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (3). whether the Government is still providing the orchestras with full funding; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details. (4). whether artists are regarded as secondary to administration; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
(1). Regarding 1 & 2 above, it should be noted that the national Department of Sport, Arts, and Culture (DSAC) does not administer provincial and city orchestras; these orchestras do not report to DSAC and do not fall within the ambit of DSAC. Therefore, DSAC is not able to answer questions regarding operational matters of provincial and city orchestras.
(3). The government has never provided full funding for provincial and city orchestras.
(4). As explained in Mrs V van Dyk’s questions before, the policy of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture and the National Arts Council is that 75% of the budget must be spent on artists-related matters and only up to 25% on operations including administration. So clearly, the government, by policy and law, does not regard artists as secondary to administration
15 June 2023 - NW2183
Nodada, Mr BB to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
(1) What total number of schools currently (a) have and (b) do not have access to (i) internet, (ii) WiFi connectivity and (iii) computer laboratories; (2) what (a) plans, (b) programmes are implemented to ensure that all schools have access to the (i) internet and (ii) computer laboratories and (c) are the targets for the completion of the specified plans; (3) what professional development programmes that aim to improve computer literacy for teachers are currently in operation?
Reply:
1. (a) Have access to
(i) connectivity and (ii) WiFi
A total of 80% of the public schools have access to Internet connectivity. The majority of these schools are connected using 3G/LTE that is not ideal for teaching and learning. As part of the Phase 1 of the SA Connect, a total of 594 have access to broadband connectivity.
(iii) computer laboratories
Each province has its own ICT strategy on how the schools are provided with ICT resources for teaching and learning. It should be noted that provinces such as Limpopo, Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, North West and Northern Cape have provided learners with ICT devices. It is based on this notion that provinces are gradually moving away from the fixed computer laboratories to mobile ICT solutions. Furthermore, provinces such as Gauteng, Western Cape, KwaZulu Natal and Mpumalanga are providing schools with classroom technologies such as Smartboards and projectors.
(b) Do not have access
(i) Internet and (ii) WiFi
The remaining 20% of schools have no access to Internet connectivity.
(iii) computer laboratories
Provinces have developed their implementation plans, however, their allocated budget is not sufficient to make sure that all the public schools are provided with ICT resources
2. Plans to ensure that all schools have access to:
(i) internet and (ii) WiFi
The SA Connect Phase 2 was approved by Cabinet on 28 January 2022 for implementation. As part of this phase the government will provide 18036 public schools with Internet connectivity. It should be noted that these schools will be provided with limited data bundles. The Basic Education Sector has already submitted the names of the schools to Department of Communications and Digital Technologies.
(iii) computer laboratories
Each province has its own ICT strategy on how the schools are provided with ICT resources for teaching and learning. The provincial implementation plans are linked to their voted budget that is allocated to provide schools with ICT resources as part of teaching and learning.
3. Professional Development Programmes that aim to improve computer literacy for teachers are currently in operation
The Basic Education Sector is training teachers on how to create and publish courses online using Moodle Learning Management System (LMS). The training is aimed at providing educators with instructional design skills, pedagogical and technological skills that are the building block in order to infuse ICT in the classroom. It should be noted that the computer literacy skills are embedded in the Moodle LMS training.
Furthermore, the Basic Education Sector is also training teachers with a just-in time professional development interventions on how to use the Open Educational resources that are loaded on their ICT devices and various online platforms.
15 June 2023 - NW2214
Mhlongo, Mr TW to ask the MINISTER OF SPORT, ARTS AND CULTURE:
(1) WHAT IS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE PREMIER SOCCER LEAGUE AND THE SA FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION; (2) WHETHER ANY MEETINGS OF THE JOINT LIAISON COMMITTEE WERE HELD IN THE (A) 2021-22 AND (B) 2022-23 FINANCIAL YEARS; IF NOT, WHY NOT; IF SO, WHAT (I) NUMBER OF MEETINGS AND (II) WERE THE POINTS OF DISCUSSION IN VIEW OF THE PERIOD WHEN THREE OR FOUR YEARS WENT BY WITH ONLY A FEW MEETINGS BEING HELD ON THE INSISTENCE OF THE FORMER MINISTER DURING COVID-19 TO DISCUSS RESTARTING FOOTBALL AS COVID-19 INFECTION RATE DETERIORATED?
Reply:
- The PSL is an associate member of SAFA.
- The JLC meets on an ad-hoc basis to discuss matters of common interest between SAFA and the PSL. During the periods mentioned there were no matters of common interest that required the whole committee to meet, however during the same period there were a number of bilateral meetings between the two CEO’s and there were also a number of bilateral meetings between the president of SAFA and the Chairman of the PSL.
15 June 2023 - NW1704
Krumbock, Mr GR to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises
Whether he will furnish Mr G R Krumbock with a comprehensive breakdown of the procurement allocation of (a) his department and (b) every entity reporting to him in terms of the percentages allocated to (i) small-, medium- and micro-enterprises, (ii) cooperatives, (iii) township enterprises and (iv) rural enterprises with a view to evaluating the effectiveness of the set-aside policy of the Government in fostering an inclusive and diverse economic landscape (details furnished) in the (aa) 2021-22 financial year and (bb) since 1 April 2023?
Reply:
Department of Public Enterprises
(aa) PROCUREMENT ALLOCATION FOR PUBLIC ENTERPRISES 2021-2022
CATEGORY OF BUSINESSES |
TOTAL RFQ AND BIDS |
ALLOCATION NUMBER |
ALLOCATION PERCENTAGE |
(i) SMME’s/EME |
60 |
55 |
91.67 |
(ii) Cooperatives |
0 |
0 |
0 |
(iii) Township Enterprises |
0 |
0 |
0 |
(iv) Rural Enterprises |
0 |
0 |
0 |
(bb) PROCUREMENT ALLOCATION FOR PUBLIC ENTERPRISES SINCE 1 APRIL 2023
CATEGORY OF BUSINESSES |
TOTAL RFQ AND BIDS |
ALLOCATION NUMBER |
ALLOCATION PERCENTAGE |
(i) SMME’s/EME |
3 |
3 |
100 |
(ii) Cooperatives |
0 |
0 |
0 |
(iii) Township Enterprises |
0 |
0 |
0 |
(iv) Rural Enterprises |
0 |
0 |
0 |
According to the information received from all SOCs
(b) - (i – iv). SOCs are currently reporting Specifically on activities relating to Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment and development of Small- Medium- and Micro-Enterprises. Although SOCs may have supported cooperatives, township enterprises and rural enterprises such as in the case of Safcol that has supported close to 30 cooperatives, 24 township enterprises and 63 rural enterprises the information on % spend is not available due to SOC systems only capturing Exempted Micro-Enterprises and Qualifying Small Enterprises.
Tables 1 and 2 provide a detail procurement spend related to transformation.
Table 1: 2021-22 SOCs measured procurement and transformation spend.
% Allocated |
Alexkor |
Denel |
Eskom |
SAA |
Safcol |
Transnet |
Total |
Total on transformational initiatives |
Total Measured Procurement Spend |
- |
R636m |
R177bn |
- |
R575m |
R23bn |
R201bn |
R129bn |
Small- Medium- and Micro-Enterprises |
- |
20% |
30% |
0.3% |
- |
28% |
R59bn |
64% |
Qualifying Small Enterprises (QSE) |
- |
6% |
15% |
- |
10% |
10% |
R24bn |
|
Exempted Micro-Enterprises (EME) |
- |
2% |
15% |
- |
15% |
18% |
R25bn |
|
Black Youth Owned |
- |
2% |
2% |
0.3% |
11% |
6% |
R1bn |
|
Black People with Disabilities (BPD) |
- |
1% |
1% |
- |
2% |
0.3% |
R341m |
|
Black-owned enterprises (BOE) |
- |
15% |
3% |
0.6% |
68% |
43% |
R10bn |
|
Black women owned (BWO) |
- |
8% |
9% |
0.5% |
27% |
25% |
R6bn |
|
Cooperatives |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
||
Township Enterprises |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
18% |
R4bn |
|
Rural Enterprises |
- |
- |
- |
0 |
- |
The above table provides an indication of the Total Measured Procurement Spend per SOC with the percentage of total procurement on each transformation initiatives. For the Financial year 2021/22 SOCs within the Department portfolio reported a total spent of R129 Billion on Transformation initiatives. Of the R129 Billion, 45% was on procurement from SMMEs, 18% on Qualifying Small Enterprises (QSE), 19% on Exempted Micro-Enterprises (EME), 8% on Black women owned (BOE), 5% on Black women owned (BWO), 1% on Youth owned Enterprises and Black People with Disabilities (BPD), while spent on Rural and Township Enterprises was 3%.
Table 2: 2022-23 SOCs measured procurement and transformation spend.
% Allocated |
Alexkor |
Denel |
Eskom |
SAA |
Safcol |
Transnet |
Total |
Total on transformational initiatives |
Total Measured Procurement Spend |
- |
R889m |
R206bn |
R1.0 bn |
R644m |
R30bn |
R239bn |
R191bn |
Small- Medium- and Micro-Enterprises |
- |
36% |
30% |
0.6% |
- |
31% |
R70bn |
80% |
Qualifying Small Enterprises |
- |
- |
15% |
0.1% |
22% |
13% |
R31bn |
|
Exempted Micro-Enterprises |
- |
- |
15% |
0.1% |
50% |
18% |
R30bn |
|
Black Youth Owned (BYO) |
- |
3% |
2% |
0.2% |
10% |
8% |
R6bn |
|
Black People with Disabilities (BPD) |
- |
0.8% |
1% |
0 |
1% |
0.2% |
R2bn |
|
Black-owned enterprises |
- |
33% |
16% |
0.3% |
71% |
43% |
R35bn |
|
Black women owned (BWO) |
- |
15% |
7% |
0.2% |
29% |
34% |
R17bn |
|
Cooperatives |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Township Enterprises |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Rural Enterprises |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
The above table provides an indication of the Total Measured Procurement Spend per SOC with the percentage of total procurement on each transformation initiatives for the financial year 2022/23.
For the 2022/23 financial year SOCs within the Department portfolio reported a total measurable procurement spent of R239 Billion. Of the R239 Billion, R191 Billion was spent on Transformation initiatives. Of the R191 Billion, 37% was on procurement from SMMEs, 17% on Qualifying Small Enterprises (QSE), 16% on Exempted Micro-Enterprises (EME), 18% on Black-owned enterprises (BOE), 8% on Black women owned (BWO), 3% on Youth owned Enterprises and Black People with Disabilities (BPD), while spent on Rural and Township Enterprises was not reported.
(aa) and (bb). The set-aside policy has been discontinued by the National Treasury as from 16 January 2023 following a legal challenge. It is, thus, no longer applicable. The new Public Procurement Bill will seek to address this policy gap.
Remarks: Approved / Not Approved
Jacky Molisane PJ Gordhan, MP
Acting Director-General Minister
Date: Date:
15 June 2023 - NW1862
Bergman, Mr D to ask the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition
(1)What (a) is the name of each of the top 10 countries that the Republic imported goods from in the period 1 January 2023 to 31 March 2023 and (b) were the trade values to each country in the specified period; (2) what is the name of each of the top 10 countries that the Republic exported goods to in the period 1 January 2023 to 31 March 2023 and (b) what were the trade values to each specified country in the specified period?
Reply:
Based on SARS provisional data, the top 10 countries from which SA imported goods in the period 1 January to 31 March 2023 are:
1. China
2. Germany
3. USA
4. India
5. UAE
6. Thailand
7. Nigeria
8. Saudi Arabia
9. Japan
10. Oman.
Based on SARS provisional data, the top 10 countries to whose markets SA exported goods in the period 1 January to 31 March 2023 are:
1. China
2. USA
3. Germany
4. Japan
5. India
6. UK
7. Netherlands
8. Belgium
9. Botswana
10. UAE
South Africa’s import suppliers (Rand values)
Total (January to March 2023) |
||
World |
R485 259 081 939 |
|
1 |
China |
R99 146 820 610 |
2 |
Germany |
R39 723 451 934 |
3 |
United States |
R36 334 678 519 |
4 |
India |
R32 626 305 702 |
5 |
UAE |
R19 055 926 925 |
6 |
Thailand |
R15 515 425 690 |
7 |
Nigeria |
R13 003 529 551 |
8 |
Saudi Arabia |
R12 835 399 393 |
9 |
Japan |
R11 345 815 628 |
10 |
Oman |
R10 959 640 838 |
Data source: SARS, adjusted for transit trade
(2)(a) and (b):
South Africa’s export destinations (Rand values)
Total (January to March 2023) |
||
World |
R455 061 074 141 |
|
1 |
China |
R54 887 839 800 |
2 |
United States |
R36 896 513 669 |
3 |
Germany |
R31 268 892 040 |
4 |
Japan |
R28 613 650 186 |
5 |
India |
R22 963 598 797 |
6 |
United Kingdom |
R21 062 612 635 |
7 |
Netherlands |
R20 751 577 401 |
8 |
Belgium |
R15 869 295 095 |
9 |
Botswana |
R15 319 831 767 |
10 |
UAE |
R12 369 444 500 |
Data source: SARS, adjusted for transit trade and errors in export data.
The Department also considers revisions in SARS data, as well as data from trading partners to build a more accurate picture. The latter data is not fully available for all countries yet.
-END-
15 June 2023 - NW2123
Graham-Maré, Ms SJ to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises
Notwithstanding the Republic’s high electricity connection rate compared to many other countries on the continent, what steps has the Government and/or Eskom taken to improve further access to electricity for our citizens, besides the free basic services allocation for indigent households?
Reply:
According to Information Received from Eskom:
Eskom and the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) are continuing to provide electricity to communities that do not have electricity. The Eskom and DMRE Electrification Programme has progressed well in the last financial year and has exceeded its annual target achieving 102 590 connections. In addition, alternative electrification technology called microgrids is being used to electricity areas that are not easily accessible through the conventional grid such as Zwartkopdam in the Northern Cape to speed up access to electricity.
Furthermore, Eskom is undertaking the refurbishment of old infrastructure, substations, lines, and transformers including introduction of smart meters to improve and increase access to electricity for citizens.
Remarks: Approved / Not Approved
Jacky Molisane PJ Gordhan, MP
Acting Director-General Minister
Date: Date:
14 June 2023 - NW1883
Sithole, Mr KP to ask the Minister of Transport
Whether, in view of the many reported cases of school-going children in rural areas being forced to cross dangerous makeshift bridges to and from school even in the most dangerous weather conditions, with the most recent case being primary school pupils crossing the Mvenyane River in Matatiele in the Eastern Cape, her department has undertaken any follow up interventions with regard to the specified cases to address the issues; if not, why has her department not undertaken to fix bridges which have been damaged by floods; if so, what follow up and intervention has already been made in response to the specified case?
Reply:
The Eastern Cape Department of Transport (ECDoT) is aware of the difficulty children in rural areas face when rivers are full and river crossings become impassable.
The National Department of Public Works & Infrastructure (DPWI) through BFI have secured funds with the purpose of constructing Welisizwe bridges aim at ensuring that access to schools, clinics, police stations are safe.
To this end the DPWI and ECDoT have entered into a memorandum of agreement for Welisizwe Bridges programme SIP No. 25. The following Departments are also involved in the rollout of this program:
- Department of Defence
- Department of Transport
- Department of Cooperative Governance & Traditional Affairs
The ECDoT after the recent floods have identified 49 bridges that will be constructed over the MTEF period. The following table confirms that:
MTEF Targets |
||
2023/24 |
2024/25 |
2025/26 |
17 |
16 |
16 |
14 June 2023 - NW2112
Hunsinger, Dr CH to ask the Minister of Transport
What are the details of the concrete plans she has to deal with regarding the extensive road maintenance backlog, especially in relation to fixing the economically damaging potholes and generally bad road surface conditions in the Republic?
Reply:
As the honourable member may be aware, most of the South African road network has reached their twenty (20) years design life with the maintenance backlog estimated to be R197 billion. It is also important to note that insufficient budget for roads at both provincial and municipal levels continue to hinder the sector hence most of these roads are riddled with potholes.
Following Cabinet retreat of 31 May to 1 June 2022, whereby SANRAL was appointed as the implementing agent for the programme to support the Roads authorities with skills capacity and use of the maintenance technologies already available at SANRAL. All provinces developed and presented their respective plans on the six months rollout till end of 2022/23 financial year.
The programme “Operation Vala Zonke” rollout was then launched on 08 August 2022 in Gauteng with all other eight (8) provinces simultaneously launching their rollout programmes.
The rollout plan has both the short and long-term interventions that is presented to the National Treasury for funding support which includes amongst others.
- Substantial budget increase to Provincial Road Maintenance Grant (PRMG) to be ringfenced for national intervention to allow SANRAL direct intervention where authorities fail to discharge their mandates.
- Department issuing practice notes for provinces to sign MoA’s with municipalities for future collaboration and assistance of skills capacity to utilise the pothole reporting app.
- Support for provinces and municipalities in uploading the roads data in the SANRAL Integrated Transport Information System.
- SANRAL to remain central in coordinating all pothole fixing programme with both provinces and municipalities jointly working together.
The Department is in the process of establishing the “Operation Vala Zonke War Room” whereby all matters relating to pothole information will be centrally coordinated.
Following my meeting with His excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa in May 2023, I will be meeting with all the nine Premiers with effect from the 5th of June 2023 to address amongst others, challenges facing the province’s financial, technological and human resource capacity and also agree on how the rollout can be strengthened.
14 June 2023 - NW1298
Mogale, Mr T to ask the Minister of Transport
By what date does she envisage will the (a) road connecting Verkeerdevlei with Thaba Nchu be tarred as this provides the shortest access to Thaba Nchu from the N1 and (b) R703 road linking the N8 with the N1 be fixed, particularly the pothole riddled section between Verkeerdevlei and Excelsior?
Reply:
The matter was referred to Free State Department of Community Safety, Roads and Transport, since this road falls under their area of jurisdiction and have indicated that roads in the Province are prioritized based on the outcome of optimal resource allocation. For that purpose, procurement processes have already commenced for parts of this request.
a) The province would like to address the concerns regarding the maintenance backlog on the Verkeerdevlei to Thaba Nchu (N8-N1) road. We understand the importance of maintaining our roads to ensure safe and efficient travel for all citizens.
The province acknowledges the potholes on this section of the road, as it forms part of the provincial departmental Potholes Repair Programme under Provincial Road Maintenance Grant (PRMG) funds. The Motheo region has a weekly target of pothole patching in line with the Departmental Annual Performance Plans (APPs). This is aimed at ensuring the road is safe for road users at all time, while the Department is planning to perform rehabilitation for the entire road later in the year because it has reached its life span.
b) The advert for the section between Excelsior and Tweespruit closed in 31 January 2023 and is currently undergoing evaluation with an allocated budget of R25 million for the 2023/24 financial year and a provisional R45 million for the 2024/25 financial year. The budget will be adjusted based on bids received and approved. The anticipation date appointment of a contractor is expected by end of June 2023.
The province assures that the Verkeerdevlei to Thaba Nchu road is not forgotten, and it will be prioritized in the next financial year. The province is aware of the urgency of the situation will work diligently to address the maintenance backlog on this road.
14 June 2023 - NW2130
Sithole, Mr KP to ask the Minister of Transport
Whether her department has taken any steps to (a) work with the SA Police Service to identify and/or apprehend individuals and/or syndicates responsible for the massive corruption at driving licence testing centers and (b) deal with the resultant backlog on processing licences; if not, why not in each case; if so, what are the relevant details in each case?
Reply:
Yes. My Department has through the years taken several steps to (a) work with the SA Police Service to identify and/or apprehend individuals and/or syndicates responsible for the massive corruption at Driving Licence Testing Centers (DLTCs). The South African Police Service (SAPS) is a member of all the Department’s national legislation forums, where procedures and legislation are tabled to combat crime not only in the areas of DLTCs but in the road traffic environment as a whole.
Further to that, my Department is also a member of the National and Provincial Vehicle Crime Forums of the SAPS. In addition, my Department’s Directorate Compliance works closely with the SAPS and provides inputs and supplies evidence and expert witness statements in major SAPS operations if and when requested.
Both my Department and the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), a Corporation of my Department, are therefore actively pursuing investigations into allegations of irregularities and bringing such cases with supporting evidence to the attention of the SAPS. Several such investigations are ongoing throughout the country. The RTMC reported that the National Traffic Anti-Corruption Unit investigated 247 cases of fraud and corruption in the past financial year and made 96 arrests in collaboration with the South African Police Services.
The Inspectorate for Driving Licence Testing Centres is appointed by the Minister. The purpose of this Inspectorate is to ensure that testing centres comply with the legislative requirements and non-compliance is reported to the Provincial Departments to act upon to, amongst others reduce crime.
The Department is also engaging with the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) to establish a link between the National Traffic Information System (NaTIS) and DHA systems to further secure the environment by ensuring that we only transact with citizens or people who are legally in the country. Biometric verification is used to authenticate users on login. The biometric verification is currently deployed in the Smart Enrolment Units and will be deployed for the revised Computerised Learner’s Licence Testing (CLLT) within this financial year. The functionality will be extended to high-risk transactions when the applicant must be present.
The Online booking system is currently used at all DLTCs in Gauteng and 2 Metropolitan Municipalities in Eastern Cape to address collusion and fraudulent practices with bookings for tests. The solution is being rolled out in Free State.
Also with regards to part (b) my Department is working closely with DLCA to deal with the current backlog on processing licences;
The current backlog is however not a result of irregular activity at the DLTCs but as a result of maintenance on the card production machine that is taking longer than expected. The card production machine has been in operation since 1998 thus it’s obsolete and thus prone to constant breakdown. These breakdowns result in driving licence backlogs which the Department has been able to address once the machine is repaired and is in operation. A permanent solution to the problem is the replacement of this old machine with a new modern one, this is underway as part of the rolling out of the new driving licence card which was approved by Cabinet in August 2022.
14 June 2023 - NW1928
Mohlala, Ms MR to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
What interventions has he taken to address the water crisis in Zakheni Village, Mpumalanga, where some households have been without consistent running water for three years, with some spending hundreds of Rand on water, while the Thembisile Hani Local Municipality battles to find a permanent solution?
Reply:
The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) engaged the Thembisile Local Municipality and they confirmed that the pipeline supplying Zakheni village was damaged by the floods for a period of three (3) to four (4) months which affected water supply. The status is reported as follows:
- The contractor was appointed, and repairs to the damaged pipeline were completed on 30 April 2023.
- Water has been restored in the area and is supplied on rationing scheduling.
- Other areas still receive water through the water tanks to augment the unconnected or unserved areas.
- The municipality is building a new reticulation pipeline.
- The long-term water supply plans for the area are as follows:The Thembisile Hani Local Municipality is supplied by Rand Water and the City of Tshwane based on agreed contracts as it does not have a dedicated water source to supply water to the residents of the municipality. The water supply contracts with Tshwane and Rand Water are under review to increase the current water supply.
- The community of KwaMhlanga and Zakheni will also benefit from the Loskop Bulk water supply scheme once it is completed. The anticipated completion of the project is planned for November 2024.
---00O00---
14 June 2023 - NW2129
Sithole, Mr KP to ask the Minister of Transport
What are the projected dates that operations of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa will resume, in light of the numerous challenges the entity is faced with, particularly, but not limited to, the Cape Town routes that are still not operational?
Reply:
The following lines in Cape Town are projected to be operational during the 2023/24 financial year, as follows:
- Nyanga to Chris Hani – 30 November 2023
- Nyanga to Kapteinsklip – 30 November 2023
- Eerste River to Strand – 30 August 2023
- Eerste River to Muldersvlei – 31 August 2023
14 June 2023 - NW1932
Nolutshungu, Ms N to ask the Minister of Transport
(1)What is the status of the high-speed underground train or bullet train that the President, Mr M C Ramaphosa, announced during his State of the Nation Address on 20 June 2019; (2) whether the feasibility study has been conducted; if not, why not; if so, what (a) total amount did it cost and (b) is the breakdown of the total amount spent on the project?
Reply:
1. The Department of Transport has developed a High-Speed Rail (HSR) Framework following the adoption of the National Rail Policy by Cabinet on 23 March 2022. Drawing its policy direction from the National Rail Policy, the HSR Framework provides the foundation for the prioritisation of HSR corridors in the country. The Framework identifies the objectives of HSR and the criteria to be used in prioritising and ranking potential HSR corridors in the country. Following approval of the HSR Framework by Cabinet and the securing of the required funding, feasibility studies will be conducted on prioritised HSR corridors.
2. See response in (1) above.
14 June 2023 - NW2230
Marais, Ms P to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
What are the details of the steps of intervention that he has taken in Sterkspruit in Mangaung, where only one machine is working in the sewerage plant?
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) in the Free State, including Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality (MMM). 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.
The Sterkwater WWTW was operational even though there were some issues owing to poor maintenance of the plant. In July 2022 it was discovered that the WWTW is in a dilapidated state. DWS then conducted detailed investigations and found that theft of electrical cables has rendered the core process units of the WWTW non-operational. Following this initial investigation, a non-compliance letter dated 03 October 2022 was issued to the municipality. The Municipality did not respond to the non-compliance letter with an action plan to address the problems.
DWS conducted routine inspections at the WWTW again in January 2023, which found that the WWTW was still non-operational and the sewage from the inlet works was being diverted to the stormwater channel. DWS sent follow up correspondence in March 2023 regarding the poor conditions of the Sterkwater WWTW.
The DWS will proceed with administrative enforcement, thereby issuing a Notice for intention to issue a directive in June 2023, following the Mangaung Municipality’s failure to respond to the non-compliance letters issued. Although the municipality has not responded officially in writing to DWS letters, municipal officials indicated that Mangaung received a Special Grant from National Treasury to address the Sterkwater WWTW challenges, and the following measures are in place to restore its functionality:
- The municipality has stripped the electric motors and other electric and mechanical equipment that need repairs to determine the work to be done for restoration of the equipment.
- Electric cables have been ordered.
- The security company has been appointed to render armed response to protect the new cables to be installed.
- The plant should be running in the next three months.
---00O00---
14 June 2023 - NW1915
Mokgotho, Ms SM to ask the Minister of Transport
By which date is it envisaged that the R70 road between Senekal and Ficksburg will be repaired, as it is riddled with potholes?
Reply:
The matter was referred to the Free State Department of Community Safety, Roads and Transport, since this road falls under their area of jurisdiction, who have indicated that:
a) Delays were experienced for immediate repairs due a lack of resources
b) The planned intervention is the inclusion of the road on the Departmental Business Plan over the 2023/24 MTEF. Specifications have already been drafted and will be presented to relevant structures by end of May 2023, in an effort to kick-start the process of advertising for a contractor to fix and repair the two separate roads: i.e. Senekal – Rosendal and Rosendal – Ficksburg.
14 June 2023 - NW2122
Bagraim, Mr M to ask the Minister of Transport
Given that the cost of transport has become excessive recently while many workers used to rely on trains to get to their jobs, by what date is it envisaged that the rail network of the Republic will once again become operational to allow many of our poorer workforce who relied on the cheap, relatively safe and efficient mode of transport to get to their jobs?O2407E
Reply:
PRASA is currently offering commuter rail services in four regions namely KZN, Gauteng, Western Cape and Eastern Cape in the following lines:
- KZN: Durban – Umlazi, Durban – Kwamashu, Durban – Tongaat, Durban – Catoridge;
- Eastern Cape: East London to Berlin;
- Gauteng: Pretoria – Pienaarspoort, Pretoria – Saulsville, De Wildt – Hercules, Pretoria – Mabopane, Pretoria – Centurion, Johannesburg – Naledi and Vereeniging – Germiston;
- Western Cape: Cape Town – Simonstown, Cape Town – Retreat, Cape Town – Bellville (via Goodwood and Monte Vista), Cape Town – Wellington, Cape Town – Malmesbury, Bellville – Eersterivier, Cape Town – Langa (via Mutual and Pinelands) and Cape Town – Bellville (via Sarepta).
PRASA has also targeted to refurbish infrastructure on the following lines with the intention to restore passenger rail services in the 2023/2024 FY:
- KZN: Crossmore-Durban, Durban-Stanger, Pinetown-Durban, Wests-Durban.
- Eastern Cape: Port Elizabeth-Uitenhage.
- Gauteng: Daveyton-Dunswart-Germiston, Vereeninging-George Goch (via Midway), Kwesine-Germiston, Springs-Johannesburg, Randfontein-Johannesburg, Nigel-Springs, Johannesburg-Oberholzer, Germiston-New Canada (Booysen), Mabopane-Pienaarspoort (via Capital Park).
- Western Cape: Cape Town-Khayelitsha, Cape Town-Kapteinsklip, Cape Town-Kraaifontein, Cape Town-Worcester, Eerste Rivier-Muldersvlei.
14 June 2023 - NW2001
Nolutshungu, Ms N to ask the Minister of Transport
In light of the announcement made by the President, Mr M C Ramaphosa, during the State of the Nation Address on 20 June 2019, regarding the introduction of high-speed bullet trains, what (a) is the total estimated cost for the entire project and (b) period will it take to finalise the project?
Reply:
a) The Department of Transport has developed a High Speed Rail (HSR) Framework following the adoption of the White Paper on National Rail Policy by Cabinet on 23 March 2022. Drawing its policy direction from the National Rail Policy, the draft HSR Framework provides the foundation for the prioritisation of HSR corridors in the country. Following approval of the draft HSR Framework by Cabinet and the securing of the required funding, feasibility studies will be undertaken on prioritised HSR corridors. The outcome of feasibility studies on priority corridors will determine the estimated cost of implementing HSR on a specific priority corridor.
b) See response in (a).
14 June 2023 - NW1726
Sithole, Mr KP to ask the Minister of Transport
What other areas is her department looking to bring and/or revive the train service in the short term, as it did with the train service from Nyanga to Langa that was launched more than a month ago?
Reply:
For the 2023/24 financial the following lines will be opened.
- Leralla to Germiston
- Centurion to Kaalfontein
- Durban to Kwamashu/Bridge City
- Durban to Winkelspruit
- Germiston to Johannesburg
- Durban to Crossmoor
- Belle Ombre to Hercules to Capital Park
- Germiston to Kwesine
- Durban to Pinetown
- Johannesburg to Randfontein
- Johannesburg to Residensia
- Nyanga to Chris Hani
- Nyanga to Kapteinsklip
- Eerste River to Strand
- Eerste River to Muldersvlei
For the 2024/25 financial the following lines will be opened in the first quarter.
- Germiston to Daveyton
- Dunswart to Springs
14 June 2023 - NW2133
Nolutshungu, Ms N to ask the Minister of Transport
Following the flood disasters in the Eastern Cape that destroyed most of the road network in the specified province, what steps has she taken, working with other relevant government departments, to have the damaged roads fixed?
Reply:
Between November 2022 to February 2023 and in February and March 2023 Eastern Cape Province was again hit hard by torrential rains with OR Tambo District hit by both two events, resulting in severe damages to roads infrastructure. Damages includes roads surface wash-away, bridges including approaches, stormwater drainage blockages with debris and logs, and serious mudslides rendering roads unusable.
a). For the 6 District, about 6023 km of roads plus 77 bridges of damages were recorded. Due to limited resources to deal with most of the provincial roads affected, the Department resolved to restore trafficability by blading most roads and regravelling critical areas in severely damaged roads. In recent months persistent rains in the province affected the repair work and to date about 23 kilometers of roads and 7 bridges has been repaired, and work is still underway to repair most of the roads including 3 bridges due for completion soon.
b). For national roads floods damages were experienced on road works and bridges notably in the Port St Johns and King Dalinyebo Sabata (KSD) local municipalities during the March 2023 floods.
Temporary deviations/bypasses were constructed at 100% of locations to provide access to facilities and dwellings on the other side of the road slope failures and damaged bridge approaches. Emergency procurement processes are underway, and it is expected to have contractors on site for permanent repairs in June 2023.
14 June 2023 - NW1904
Ceza, Mr K to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
What measures has his department taken to intervene in the (a) Emalahleni Local Municipality, (b) Emakhazeni Local Municipality, (c) Dr J S Moroka Local Municipality, (d) Victor Khanye Local Municipality, (e) Lekwa Local Municipality, (f) Dipaliseng Local Municipality and (g) Steve Tshwete Local Municipality where water has been contaminated and is affecting the health of residents?
Reply:
The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) currently has numerous interventions being implemented across the various municipalities within the Mpumalanga Province. The table below provides information in interventions for the municipalities including Emalahleni Local Municipality, Emakhazeni Local Municipality, Dr J S Moroka Local Municipality, Victor Khanye Local Municipality, Lekwa Local Municipality, Dipaliseng Local Municipality, and the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality.
|
Local Municipality |
Intervention |
Objective |
Anticipated date of completion |
a |
Emalahleni |
DWS has Infrastructure Development Management (IDM) relating to Water Conservation Demand Management (WCDM) |
Water Conservation and Demand Management |
Ongoing |
b |
Emakhazeni |
DWS provided financial assistance for the construction of sewer outfall, upgrading and refurbishment of Madala Sewer Main Line and Emgwenya WasteWater Treatment Works |
To improve the quality of treated effluent discharged into the water resource (Inkomati catchment for Mngwenya & Olifants catchment for Belfast) and prevent the associated environmental pollution. |
Two projects are expected to be completed on 31 July 2023 |
c |
Dr J S Moroka |
DWS has Infrastructure Development Management (IDM) relates to Water Conservation Demand Management (WCDM) not water quality |
Water Conservation and Demand Management |
Ongoing |
d |
Victor Khanye |
Upgrading of the Delmas Wastewater Treatment Works from 4.5ML/d to 12ML/d |
To improve the quality of treated effluent discharged into the water resource (Olifants catchment) to prevent the associated environmental pollution |
13 May 2024 |
e |
Lekwa |
Various projects relating to management of effluent in areas including Rooikopen, Sakhile and Standerton town |
Eliminating sewer spillages within households. Project entails replacement of sewer reticulation network, refurbishment / upgrading of pump stations, unblocking of sewer lines and repairs of water reticulation including water conservation and demand management. |
June 2024 |
f |
Dipaliseng |
Upgrading of Balfour WTW’s from 6.5ML/d to 19.5ML/d Construction of bulk pipeline from Fortuna to Grooitvlei including storage facilities |
To supplement water supply to Balfour, Siyathemba, Grooitvlei / Nthorwane and Greylingstad. |
Upgrading of WTW’s is due for completion in August 2023. Bulk pipeline due to be completed in March 2024. |
g |
Steve Tshwete |
Assisting the municipality to refurbish and upgrade the Vaalbank Water Treatment Works which supplies water to Middelburg and Mhluzi areas |
To improve process performance and reduction of sulphate to ensure acceptable drinking water quality. |
December 2023 |
---00O00---
14 June 2023 - NW1908
Tito, Ms LF to ask the Minister of Transport
What measures has her department put in place to ensure that the correct Road Accident Fund claimants are being paid in time to avoid being taken to court for such matters?
Reply:
The sixth administration of the ANC led government identified the turnaround of the RAF as one of its priorities. At the core of this turnaround is claimant centricity and expeditious finalisation of claims. There was a backlog of more than 300 000 claims (including supplier claims).
The target is to settle claims within 120 days as per the legislative mandate. This is against a background where claims took an average of 5 years to settle.
The RAF embarked on a project to settle old claims that were older than 3 years. An audit then indicated that 93% of all these claims were not compliant with the minimum requirements; i.e., the forms were not filled with “all particulars” as envisaged in Section 24 (4) of the RAF Act.
The claims were deemed to be valid in terms of Section 24(5) of the RAF Act which deems claims valid “in law in all respects” as the RAF did not object within 60 days of receiving the claim.
The former Minister of Transport, Minister Mbalula gazetted the Minimum requirements and the RAF has amended the RAF Form 1 to include all these changes.
A pre–assessment process has been implemented at various regional offices and most of these non–complaint claims are rejected immediately on lodgement in line with Section 24(4) of the RAF Act.
All RAF claims are now paid within 180 days after settlement in line with the court order granted by the North Gauteng High Court.
The challenge continues to be in represented claims, where attorneys receive monies and do not pay over to the claimants and Section 19(c) of the RAF Act which makes direct claims unlawful if RAF initiates the claim on behalf of the claimant.
Organisational structure review and process re-engineering
A new Operating Model was introduced with re-engineered claims processes focusing on simplifying the processing of valid claims to improve processing turnaround times.
In order to ensure that the correct claimants are paid timeously, the RAF moved from outsourcing of actuarial services to calculate the quatum of the claims, and accident investigators as it was costly and time consuming and appointed permanent employees for the investigation and assessment of claims to be managed in a shorter period and in a mre cost effective manner.
The claims administration units focus on matters capable of settlement by engaging with the claimants and/or their representatives to settle these matters before they are taken to court.
Furthermore, the RAF has also strengthened and improved controls linked to payments, with various validations, including the utilisation of the Home Affairs National Identification System (HANIS), are undertaken to verify and confirm the identity and mortality of claimants and dependants. Bank information is externally validated to ensure payments are made into the correct bank account. The RAF also checks tax compliance and any contingency fee agreement's validity before payment.
14 June 2023 - NW2025
Phillips, Ms C to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
Whether he has been informed of the extended water outages experienced by many residents in Rustenburg in the North West due to load shedding at the water purification plant, the sewerage treatment plant that provides grey water to some of the platinum mines and at the pump stations pumping water to both the command and supply reservoirs; if not, what (a) is the position in this regard and (b) mitigating measures will he urgently implement to ensure that residents and businesses do not continue to be deprived of their basic human right of access to water; if so, what mitigating measures has he put in place to prevent the outages from continuing?
Reply:
a) The Department is aware of the water supply interruptions in Rustenburg Local Municipality. Seven urgent notices were issued by the municipality on between February and May 2023 informing consumers of the expected water shortages owing to load shedding and routine maintenance which resulted in Water Treatment Plants not operating optimally and water supply interruptions. The municipality had reported a 40% reduction at the Vaalkop system which has since recovered and is back at 100% supply. However, the Bospoort system is still operating at an average of 85-90% supply.
The supply of treated effluent from the Rustenburg Wastewater Treatment Works to Anglo American and Impala Platinum mines was authorised in the water use authorisations for the mines as a way of promoting the re-use of grey water. At no point is the treated effluent pumped to any water supply reservoirs.
b) The municipality began implementing a Water Demand Management Strategy in October 2022 as a mitigation measure. Based on the strategy, water supply is isolated and rotated to specific areas at a time and a schedule has been issued detailing the supply times for different areas.
The municipality has requested Eskom to exempt the Bospoort Water Treatment Works (WTW) from load shedding to mitigate water supply challenges, the request was approved for Stage 2 loadshedding.
In addition, a back-up generator has been leased by the municipality as a preliminary measure. The municipality has indicated that the long-term plan is to solution to water supply interruptions caused by loadshedding to isolate the transformer supplying electricity to the Bospoort WTW to exempt the plant from loadshedding.
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13 June 2023 - NW2222
Roos, Mr AC to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
What (a) were the total office hours lost due to (i) load shedding, (ii) office closures, (iii) water outages, (iv) system downtime and (v) no online verification scanners at health facilities in Quarter 4 of the 2022-23 financial year, (b) was the total percentage of uptime of the Home Affairs civic services system hosted by the State Information Technology Agency and (c) number of the 48 142 late registrations of birth as a result of this downtime have been finalised?
Reply:
(a) The total office hours lost in Quarter 4 (Q4) due to:
(i) |
Load shedding as collated by Provinces is 6 268. |
(ii) |
Closure of offices: 1319. |
(iii) |
Water outages: 278. |
(iv) |
System downtime: 13 416. |
(v) |
Health facilities: 202. |
(b) The total percentage uptime of the systems was 95%.
(c) The provincial screening committees are going to provide the details of the finalised LRB’s at the end of Quarter 1 of the current financial year.
END