Questions and Replies

Reply:

The Department is required to pay invoices within 30 days (not within 21 days) in terms of Treasury regulations 8.2.3 which states “Unless determined otherwise in a contract or other agreement, all payments due to creditors must be settled within 30 days from receipt of an invoice or, in the case of civil claims, the date of settlement or court judgement”

National Department of Health

a) The department pays majority of its invoices within 30 days upon receipt of a valid invoice. The delays were due to budgetary constraints within some programmes and some suppliers changing their banking details after the invoice is submitted for payment or in some cases the suppliers ‘s bank details are inactive. Suppliers fails to submit proof of delivery even when they were requested to do so.

b) The department reprioritise within the programmes and economic classification where possible for payment of service providers and constantly engage with the National Treasury to increase the earmarked funds particularly for the CCMDD programme. The department continuously engage with service providers to address challenges that causes the delays on payments of invoices.

Eastern Cape

a) The EC Department of Health has been and is still experiencing challenges on paying creditors within 21 days. This is due to Accruals and Payables, which are reflected below:

• 2019/20 = R3,808 billion,
• 2020/21 = R4,433 billion,
• 2021/22 = R4,659 billion and
• 2022/23 = R4,202 billion (draft stage because of verification and validation processes, which will lead to the inclusion of the final figure of the Accrual and Payables on the 2022/23 Annual Financial Statements to be submitted to AGSA on 31 May 2023). Cumulatively, these Accruals and Payables amount to R17,102 billion. They are not budgeted for instead they consume the budgetary allocation given in a particular financial year. In other words, the department with its limited equitable share allocation attempts to prioritise the payment of SMMEs, which are the priority of the present administration and partially pay the major suppliers, which supply medication for the patients. The department negotiates with the major service providers for medicines to continue rendering services to the department for the sake of our patients. If patients cannot get the medication the department can and is exposing its self to be sued by the health services consumers.
• The cycle of non-payment of creditors within 21 is repetitive in nature due to these Accruals and Payables and inadequate allocation on the Equitable Share. There are no challenges on Conditional Grants payments because they are ring-fenced and are timeously transferred to the EC Province.

b) The Eastern Cape Department is doing the following:

• Negotiating with the EC Provincial Treasury to finance the Accruals and Payables
• Increased its legal capacity to fight the medico legal cases – The Noyila case, which was decided in favour of the department will go a long way in averting the lump sum payments not only for the EC Department of Health but for entire Health Sector in the public administration. This case is at the Supreme Court of Appeal and the EC Department is vigorously defending it. The medico legal court orders have been major contributors to the high value of the Accruals and Payables.
• Negotiating with National Department of Health to share substantially NHLS, SANBS and AFROX costs because of the dual and implicit nature of transactions related to the services rendered by these creditors.
• Developed cost saving projects to deal with the major cost drivers in the department.

Free State

a) Free State Department of Health had cash flow challenge in the last quarter of 2022/23 Financial Year which resulted in supplier invoices not being paid within the prescribed period.

b) Free State Department is currently prioritising invoices aging 30 days and older to reduce payables.

KwaZulu-Natal

a) The Department has always endeavoured to process all invoices received within the prescribed 30-day period by Treasury Regulation paragraph 8.2.3 and to this effect, achieved the following outcomes during 2022/23:

NUMERATOR	DENOMINATOR	PERCENTAGE
13699	15483	88.48%
27005	28471	94.85%
26561	27563	96.36%
25091	26234	95.64%
27871	28905	96.42%
31169	31954	97.54%
35810	36874	97.11%
26880	27905	96.33%
22246	23428	94.95%
29508	30824	95.73%
29340	30226	97.07%
31714	33008	96.08%
326894	340875	95.90%

As can be seen from the table above, the Department’s overall compliance level is quite substantial. The Department is acutely aware of the impact that non-compliance has on its suppliers and is constantly striving to improve its performance in this regard. However, it should be noted that the Department does face the following constraints on a daily basis and it is highly unlikely that the Department will be able to substantially improve on its current 95.90% performance to achieve the ultimate goal of 100% payments processed within 30 days:

• The sheer size of the Department results in enormous volumes of payments being processed on a monthly basis. This is hampered by critical skills and staff shortages at many of the institutions due to limited financial resources and the inability to fill posts.
• The decentralised nature of the Department makes it vulnerable to factors outside of its control. Such factors would include problems with the system downtime, slow processing power, IT connectivity issues, stolen copper lines, load shedding etc.
• Problems being experienced with suppliers, i.e., partial delivery of goods, erroneous and/or incorrect invoices, outstanding credit notes, delays being experienced with suppliers registering/verifying their details on National Treasury’s Central Suppliers Database and closed/inactive supplier bank accounts has resulted in payments being rejected by the banks.
• The challenges experienced with the network by various institutions also cause delays in processing of payments.

b) The Department has implemented LOGIS which is a computerized Logistical system, at Head Office, Umgungundlovu District Office and Greys Hospital Office which will provide warning of invoices that are about to reach 30 days on the system. Further to that the Department has engaged with Telkom SA who is currently implementing the alternative connectivity strategy through the existing DOH/Telkom Master Service Agreement (MSA) LAN Connectivity – The one site network was completed at 42 hospitals on the 28th April 2023. The WAN/ Internet connectivity – This has been delayed pending the exemption from Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies.

Limpopo

a) Limpopo Department of Health has paid 99% of valid invoice received as at 31 March 2023. However, the non-compliance is due to slowness//non availability of the payments systems and negligence on part of officials.

b) Timeous notify the system controller on the performance of the system-by-system users (Hospitals, Districts and vertical programmes). Corrective action has been taken against responsible officials.

Mpumalanga

a) The Department pays most of its service providers within 10 days as per provincial policy, however, some invoices are disputed due to incorrectness. This causes delaysin the finalization of payments within the PFMA payment period or agreed period.

b) The Department continuously engages service providers and in cases where such challenges are experienced, requests speedily redress.

Northern Cape

a) The Northern Cape Department of Health is currently unable to pay all its invoices as and when they become due and payable. While the Department is doing everything possible and committed to comply with the 30-day payment instruction, the current demand on services and the inadequate budget allocation makes it a challenge to meet this obligation.

Below is our performance in the past two financial years:

b) The Department is strengthening its financial control environment to ensure prudent budget allocation and implementation.

• The roles and responsibilities of programme managers are clearly defined and are gatekeepers to ensuring that the budget of the Department is not overloaded.
• Strict monitoring of financial outcomes and adequate funding of new projects before implementation.
• Strict accountability and consequence management on financial transgressions.

North West

a) The North West Department of Health could not pay all its invoices for goods and services for the 2021/2022 financial year, starting from the third quarter. In the main, the challenge has been inadequate budget allocation over the years as opposed to the ever-increasing burden of diseases and price escalation on non-negotiable items such as medicine supplies, laboratory services, security services, patient catering, etc.

This was confirmed by the consultants appointed by the National Treasury in a project to review the public finance management practice in the health sector in North West Province. According to their diagnostic report, it appears that in terms of the comparisons made, the North West Department of Health in terms of a fair budget allocation can argue that it is indeed underfunded by R1,1 billion, R2 billion and R2,6 billion over the MTEF up to 2023/2024 financial year. In light of the above, accruals amounting to R1,3 billion had to be settled in 2022/2023 financial year which then negatively affected the current year budget allocation for goods and services. 

b) The Department had to prioritize the contractual obligations payments from the third quarter to ensure that accruals which will be carried over to the 2023/2024 financial year are reduced. As a result, the department is projecting accruals percentage reduction of more than 50% from the previous year. The Provincial Treasury has since injected an amount of R200 million into the departmental budget over the MTEF period effective from 2022/2023 financial year and this is a positive move towards ultimately dealing with the accruals. Over and above the contribution by the Provincial Treasury, the Department has reprioritized an amount of R150 million from compensation of employees to goods and services and this is bearing desired results considering the projections.

Western Cape

a) The department strives to pay its service providers within 30 days of receipt of the invoice and in terms of Treasury Regulation 8.2.3. Treasury Regulation 8.2.3 states that: “Unless determined otherwise in a contract or other agreement, all payments due to creditors must be settled within 30 days from receipt of an invoice or, in the case of civil claims, the date of settlement or court judgement”.

b) The department continues to monitor internal controls to track the movement of invoices from the date of receipt to the date of payment. The department will upskill staff to ensure that strengthened internal controls are adhered to and tracking of goods delivered or services rendered against correct orders and ensuring that the quantity and quality of goods and services to be received and received are in line with ordered goods/ services and ensure that payment of supplier’s invoices are made timeously.

END.

Reply:

The department has been addressing and will continues to address all complaints brought forward, either from the mine communities or any other affected parties in this regard. Recently, the department was invited by Public Service Commission to participate in the Public Service Citizens Forum in Mogalakwena Local Municipality whereby, the communities of Mogalakwena were accorded an opportunity outline the challenges that they are experiencing with regard to Mining companies operating in Mogalakwena. The Department responded and provided clarity to all the issues/questions raised by the communities.

Social Labour Plans, Granted Environmental Authorisation and approved Environmental Management Programme are monitored during compliance inspections conducted by the Department, where a Mining Company is found to be non-compliant, a directive/ notice are issued by the Department instructing the company to remedial the contraventions, if the non-compliance persists, the department will issue another directive/ notice which indicates our intentions to cancel the mining right. The mining companies are mandated to adhere to the implementation of Social Labour Plans, Granted Environmental Authorisation and approved Environmental Management Programme.

Reply:

(a) In October 2016, the 5th administration of South Africa took a decision to withdraw from the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (“Rome Statute”). Following this decision, South Africa sent a written notice to withdraw from the Rome Statute to the Secretary General of the United Nations. In January 2017, the African Union (AU) took a decision followed by a resolution issued in February 2017 encouraging member nations to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC). In addition to South Africa, two other AU members, Burundi and Gambia, also indicated their intentions to withdraw from the Rome Statute in 2016. However, Gambia reversed its decision immediately after a newly elected government assumed power in February 2017. Burundi, on the other hand, has become the first country to withdraw its membership from the ICC.

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

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

(d) Since that time, numerous developments within the ICC have taken place, including the adoption of the “Understanding with respect to article 97(c) consultations” by the Assembly of State Parties in December 2017. This Understanding, which was adopted as a result of concerns raised by South Africa, provides for a process for States to consult with the ICC in relation to a request for cooperation. In addition, the African Union’s resolve to reform or transform the ICC from within rather than through withdrawals and the failure to provide an African alternative court to the ICC are some of the notable developments.

(e) South Africa is considering a legislative amendment that would domesticate the Rome Statute so that it reflects all the articles of the Rome Statute. This includes provision of article 98 of the statute that requires a waiver of immunities for persons charged by the ICC from third party countries where there is no referral by the United Nations Security Council.

(f) In terms of International law, South Africa remains a full member of the ICC with all the rights and obligations that accrue to all members of the Rome Statute.

Reply:

(1) 

No.	School name	Age of the Educator		Age of the leaner	Verdict	Sanction	Offence[1]
1	Laerskool Pionier Primary School	30		12	Guilty	Removal from the register indefinitely	Sexual relationship with a learner
2		Witterdrift HS		19	Guilty	Removal from the register Indefinitely	Sexual assault and sexual relationship with a learner
3		St Barnads High School		15 and 16 years	Guilty	Removal from the register Indefinitely	Sexual assault of learners
4		Isikhokelo Primary School		12 and 13 years	Guilty	Removal from the register Indefinitely	Sexual harassment and assault of learners
5		Nkgopoleng Secondary School		Grade 10 , Pregnant and gave birth in 2015	Guilty	Removal from the register Indefinitely	Sexual relationship and impregnation of a learner
6	Thuto-Thebe SS	28		20 years	Guilty	Removal from the register Indefinitely	Sexual Relationship with a learner
7	Christiaan De Wet Combined School	53		16	Guilty	Removal from the register Indefinitely	Sexual relationship with a learner
8	Kuyakhanya PS	33		14 and 16 years	Guilty	Removal from the register Indefinitely	Sexual assault of learners
9	Enkwenkwezini Primary School	51		13	Guilty	Removal from the register Indefinitely	Assault of a learner
10	Welkom Prep School	46		14	Guilty	Removal from the register Indefinitely	Sexual harassment of a learner and use of improper language on learners
11	Melkhoutfontein Primary School	23		16	Guilty	Removal from the register Indefinitely	Sexual assault of a learner
12	Ntwampe Technical High	54		16 to 17	Guilty	Removal from the register Indefinitely	Forcing learners to strip naked as a punishment
13	Madiba-A- Toloane Secondary School	53		17-19	Guilty	Removal from the register Indefinitely	Locking up learners in a strong room overnight
14	Blackhill Primary School	30		12	Guilty	Removal from the register Indefinitely	Locking up a learner in a strong room overnight
15	Kagisho Com prehensive School	60		16	Guilty	Removal from the register Indefinitely	Severe assault of a learner
16	Xolani Primary School	36		12 to 13	Guilty	Removal from the register Indefinitely	Assault of learners
17	Mpatleng Secondary School	49		18	Guilty	Removal from the register Indefinitely	Severe assault of a learner
18	Naluxolo Primary School	31		12 to 13	Guilty	Removal from the register Indefinitely	Assault of learners
19	Luthuthu Jnr Sec School	50		12	Guilty	Removal from the register Indefinitely	Gross negligence by putting a learner in a pit latrine

[1] It should be noted that when the organisation submitted 19 names of teachers who were removed from the roll of educators, 9 of the offences were not sexual harassment, but other offences as indicated in the tables.

Information on which provinces the schools are located in  is contained in the attached annexure.

(2) ) One case resulted in pregnancy, see number 5 on the above table.

Reply:

Department of Justice and Constitutional Development

1. (aa) Minister

a) Destination	(i) Accommodation	(ii) Travel	(iii) Other	b) Total
Refer to Annexures A and B	R361 344.01	R948 008.04		R1 309 352.05

(bb) Deputy Minister

a) Destination	(i) Accommodation	(ii) Travel	(iii) Other	b) otal
Refer to Annexure C	R146 320.00	R297 220.18		R443 540.18

1. (a) Minister: R1 126 517.27
2. Deputy Minister: R872 197.00

Department of Correctional Services

(1) There were no international trips undertaken by both the Minister and Deputy Minister that were paid by the DCS from 2019 to date.

(2) The total amount spent on domestic air travel since 01 June 2019 to 31 January 2023 for the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services and Deputy Minister of Correctional Services is as follows:

(2)(a) Minister of Justice and Correctional Services (Correctional Services Vote):

The budget and expenditure for the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services is under the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development.

(2)(b) Deputy Minister of Correctional Services:

END

Reply:

a) The delay could have negatively impacted on the timing for fertilization in some of the areas. However, farmers still could fertilise daily after the fertilizer was handed over.

b) The distribution of 116 415 bags of fertilizer will benefit 10 679 Small Scale Growers (SSGs) on 23 283 hectares of land. To date 103 451 bags of fertilizer were distributed to 6288 SSGs, applied to 13 803,55 hectares of land.

Reply:

Breakdown of procurement allocation of the National Department of Sport, Arts and Culture.

(aa). 2021-2022 financial year: -

2021/22 financial year (1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022)

(i) EME (Exempt micro enterprise) – 72.73%

GEN (Generic) – 7.85%

QSE (Qualified small enterprise) – 19.42%

(ii) Cooperatives – 0%

(iii) Township enterprises – 7.02%

(iv) Rural enterprises – 4.55%

(bb). 2022/23 financial year (1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023)

(i). EME (Exempt micro enterprise) – 74.85%

GEN (Generic) – 8.28%

QSE (Qualified small enterprise) – 16.86%

(ii). Cooperatives – 0%

(iii). Township enterprises – 6.2%

(iv). Rural enterprises – 4.14%

2023/24 financial year (1 April 2023 to 12 May 2023)

(i) EME (Exempt micro enterprise) – 76.79%

GEN (Generic) – 3.57%

QSE (Qualified small enterprise) – 19.64%

(ii) Cooperatives – 0%

(iii) Township enterprises – 3.57%

(iv) Rural enterprises – 1.79%

(b). Information from Entities reporting to my department is as per attached spreadsheet below.

 

 

 

Reply:

(a). (bb) and (cc); (b).

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 your questions regarding operational matters of provincial and city orchestras.

(aa). With regards to Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra (MPNO), the National Orchestra does not hire permanent staff and musicians. Just like in a national sports team where the sportsmen and sportswomen are drawn from regional teams, the National Orchestra draws its artists from multiple provinces throughout South Africa, as per each programme’s needs.

However, we commend Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra for providing 1012 (one thousand and twelve) job opportunities in 2022 for orchestral players and choir members who hail from multiple provinces of South Africa.

(b). In terms of the split between artistic and operational costs, as per the National Arts Council (NAC) Act and the contract between DSAC and the NAC, 75% of the budget of the National Orchestra must be spent on artistic and production-related endeavours. And up to 25% on operations, including corporate marketing, administrative and other indirect costs. I am glad to report to the House, that in 2022, the Mzansi Philharmonic overachieved in this regard. And spent 77,2% on artistic-related endeavours, including R20 million grants programme which entailed allocations to more than 38 provincial, city and youth orchestras and education and community music programmes throughout South Africa.

In addition to the major urban areas of Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town, these grants also benefited provinces such as the Northern Cape, North-West, Mpumalanga, Eastern Cape, and the Free State.

Therefore, Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra is achieving one of its important objectives which is to broaden the orchestral experience of South Africa. The balance of the budget or 22,8% of the budget was spent on operational costs, well below the allowed ceiling of 25%.

Reply:

Following the launch and the dissemination of the DBE Policy on the Prevention and Management of Learner Pregnancy in Schools, currently the Department is developing a Prevention and Management of Learner Pregnancy Implementation Guide for schools, in an effort to support the school leadership. Furthermore, the department continues to strengthen the implementation of programs that contributes to the prevention of learner pregnancy, i.e., Integrated School Health Program, Comprehensive Sexuality Education from Grade 4 – 12 and peer education programs that support uptake of sexual and reproductive health services.

Reply:

(a). The Cultural and Creative Industries Masterplan was approved in parliament in August 2022. Consultation on the Master Plan with the sector and the provinces has taken place. A funding framework to integrate the Annual Performance Plan (APP) with the Masterplan Key Action Priorities is currently in progress. A funding framework is being consolidated by the South African Cultural Observatory (SACO) to assist with a funding mechanism for the sector.

(b)(i) &(ii). Falls off or no longer necessary based on response to (a) above.

Reply:

a) According to the Eastern Cape Department of Human Settlements, no investigation has been conducted, safe to indicate that the name of the project is known as Komga Zone 10 Phase 1 housing project.

b) The Department is not aware of any scandal regarding the specified project.

Reply:

The Feasibility Study on the Amalgamation of public entities recommended that the National Arts Council and the National Film and Video Foundation be merged to one entity which will be responsible for funding across the sector. This process has not been aborted and a task team has been assembled to manage the process of amalgamation of these two entities and others as recommended by the feasibility study report. It will start its work in the current financial year.

Reply:

Netball South Africa has indicated that all these questions are not relevant to them as they do not have a Chief Financial Officer (CFO).

Reply:

The response has been processed for tabling as attached.

Reply:

Netball South Africa has indicated that all these questions are not relevant to them as they do not have a Chief Financial Officer (CFO).

Reply:

(a). It should be noted that outside the funding allocation made by the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) from a ring-fenced Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) administered by Department of Cooperative Affairs and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), municipalities are required to use at least 5% of their baseline MIG on sport infrastructure.

This means that besides the ring-fenced MIG allocated by DSAC, the baseline MIG that municipalities receive from the COGTA can and should also be used towards development of sport facilities, and this is the budget used to construct this is sport facility in question.

In essence funds used for this facility were not allocated by DSAC, and in fact National DSAC learnt about the project through the media and the resultant public outcry.

For this reason, as part of holding the municipality accountable, DSAC had a meeting with the Municipality, Provincial COGTA, and Provincial Treasury to establish all the facts about the project as was reported through the media.

Subsequent to this meeting a report providing an account of all developments in the project was provided (See Annexure A), and this was the extent of the involvement of National DSAC on holding the Municipality accountable.

Regarding consequence management that must be sanctioned against persons found to be at fault, the Department must allow relevant parties (i.e., the Municipality, Provincial COGTA, Provincial Treasury and Auditor-General) to pursue such a process, as this does fall within its mandate.

(b). In 2017/18 DSAC allocated Winnie Madikizela Mandela Local Municipality (then called Mbizana Local Municipality) R12 000 000 for construction of some of the items in Mphuthumi Mafumbatha Sport Facility. The Scope of Work funded by DSAC included:

• • Design of the whole facility - completed.
  • Construction of soccer artificial turf – completed.
  • Construction of rubberised athletic track – installation underway

Additional to the above, municipality funded the following items from its own budget:

• • Fencing – completed.
  • Grandstand - completed.
  • Combi courts – construction underway
  • Ablution and storage facilities - completed.
  • Change rooms and office space – completed.

Whilst DSAC make allocations from the ring-fenced MIG to Municipalities for the purpose of development of sport facilities, the funds are transferred by COGTA to the Municipalities, and the latter follow their own Supply Chain Management processes to appoint a suitable bidder. DSAC is not involved with this process, and any transgressions in this process should be dealt with by relevant and competent parties.

Reply:

PESP 1: the 2020 allocation was implemented in the 2021/22 financial year.

PESP 2: There was no allocation made to the NAC to implement.

PESP 3: There were no issues with the implementation.

Consequence Management was instituted against persons implicated in the Forensic report as follows:

1. Council Members: All findings related to Council Members were dealt with by the Minister’s Office as the National Arts Council did not have jurisdiction over them.

2. Senior Management: All findings related to Senior Management were dealt with through an internal disciplinary hearing process by the National Arts Council.

2.1 Ms. Rosemary Mangope- CEO

The disciplinary hearings of the CEO commenced in December 2021. The hearing proceeded before an Independent Chairperson on 14 December 2021; 7, 8, 9 and 10 February 2022; 23 and 25 March 2022; and 4 April 2022. The matter was concluded through a settlement agreement reached in April 2022.

2.2 Mr Clifton Changfoot – CFO

The disciplinary hearings of the CFO commenced in December 2021. The hearing proceeded before an Independent Chairperson on 24, 25, 28 January 2022, and 14,15, 16, and 17 March 2022. Following a disciplinary process on the 9th of May 2022, the Chairperson of the disciplinary inquiry issued a ruling of guilt against the CFO. The employee was dismissed.

Reply:

(a)(i)(ii). After piloting the Wellness Program for 3 years; the Department has through a tender process appointed a service provider to implement this piloted Wellness Support Programme for Artists and Athletes. The Wellness Support Programme includes the following deliverables:

• Selection of participants and placement of services (for National Accessibility)
• 24-hour Psychosocial Wellbeing Support Programme Counselling (for 24-hour access and counselling)
• Individual Wellbeing Audit and Capacity Assessment (for individual GAP assessment)
• Wellbeing Support Programme Marketing and Communication (for Awareness and Mobilisation of Participants and Stakeholders)
• Artists and Stakeholder Engagement (for Industry-wise-counsel demands)
• Health Risk Assessment (for Medical Health)
• Close Support Interventions (to close the identified Gaps and a sustainable Support Network)

(a)(i)(ii)(iii). The reference to the deliverables encompasses the integration of the holistic well-being of the participants, according to the recognised and trademarked wellbeing model. The programme will be rolled out nationally into all nine provinces to ensure accessibility. This will be done through a data-free enabled mobile application that will be available to participants.

There will also be in-person engagements with the service provider promoting the programme at selected sites.

Reply:

(1). The 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 your questions regarding operational matters of provincial and city orchestras.

(2). The 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 your questions regarding operational matters of provincial and city orchestras.

(3). The 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 your questions regarding operational matters of provincial and city orchestras.

As stated before, the National Orchestra does not employ permanent musicians but draws on the best available musicians from multiple provinces throughout the country.

Reply:

(a). The pay gap between male and female professional athletes is a challenge that requires all role players within the Sport and Recreation fraternity to actively address. The Department is leading discussions in this critical space through the development of the Women in Sport Policy. This policy is designed to ensure equality within the Sport and Recreation sector across the various spheres of the industry, e.g., administration, coaching, salaries of professional athletes, etc. The South African Cabinet has approved that the above-mentioned policy be gazetted for public comments.

(b). It must however be noted that professionalization of Women’s Sport is key in addressing pay parity between females and males. To this end the Department with limited financial resources has been primarily providing support to Cricket SA, South African Football Association, Netball SA, and South African Rugby for the implementation of Women’s programmes with the aim of establishing professional leagues.

The success of these kind of initiatives is dependent on the corporate investment in Women Sport. The Private Sector (Corporate) is mainly driven by commercial interest hence it is imperative that commercially attractive and bankable products are developed. The best cases in point are that Women’s National Teams players and technical personnel in Cricket, Rugby and Netball are now contracted on a full-time basis and paid salaries. This is the first step towards the professionalization of Women’s Sport which lays a foundation for the realization of pay parity in our sport.

Reply:

a). The school Sport is programme implemented jointly with the Department of Basic Education (DBE) and this partnership is formalised through the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The lower levels of participation, as contemplated in the MoU, is the responsibility of the Department of Basic Education. They are largely responsible for providing intra/inter School Competition including Cluster level School Sport opportunities. The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture provides funding to the Provinces through the Conditional Grant and 40% of the grant is dedicated for the provision of School Sport. The provinces have been able to provide the schools, mainly quintile 1 and 2 schools with Sport Equipment and Attire and have also helped them with training of teachers as coaches and managers and the employment of sport co-ordinators.

The Department further hosts the National School Sport Championships Provinces must ring-fence R8 million of the Conditional Grant School sport allocation to provide transport, accommodation, attire, and delivery of provincial teams to the National School Sport Championship.

b). The Sport infrastructure development and maintenance in schools is the responsibility of the Department of Basic Education. The norms and standards of schools makes provision for development of facilities. 

c). We have been able to construct Multi-purpose Combi courts in schools using equitable share. As a legacy of the Netball World Cup in 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 financial year, in partnership with Netball SA, Netball legacy courts are being rolled out in provinces: 3 have already been completed and 6 more will be completed by end of June 2023.

The current MoU makes provision for the use of Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) to build facilities in Schools, however further discussions with COGTA are necessary to finalise this to enable this provision.

The Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture has already met with the Minister of Basic Education who indicated a commitment to roll out the Wednesday afternoon Sports Programmes.

Reply:

1. The Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) prohibits the sharing of personal information without consent from the affected person(s). However, I am informed by the Eastern Cape Department of Human Settlements that Gaza Construction was appointed to build 550 housing units at Khomga Commonage as part of Phase One. The province further advises me that the supply of Water and Sanitation Infrastructure was a project implemented by Amathole District Municipality (ADM), not by the Eastern Cape Department of Human Settlements therefore, Amathole District Municipality would be better positioned to respond to this question.

(2) The Department is not privy to such information.

(3) As a rule, the state cannot conduct business with blacklisted companies. However, I am advised by the Eastern Cape Department of Human Settlenents that the Amathole District Municipality is in a better position to answer this question.

(4) Yes, Minister conducted an oversight visit at Khomga in August 2021.

Reply:

1. (a)(b). As stated in the previous answer, the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) does not administer provincial and city orchestras. And these orchestras do not report to DSAC. Therefore, DSAC is not able to answer your questions ‘regarding operational matters of provincial and city orchestras.

iii). The National Orchestra does not have permanent musicians but draws its musicians from multiple provinces throughout the country and engages these musicians as per each programme’s needs. As stated above, we commend the National Orchestra for providing 1012 (one thousand and twelve) job opportunities in 2022 for orchestral players and choir members who come from multiple provinces of South Africa.

Reply:

The following is the information provided by Netball World Cup Organizing Committee.

1. The Directors of Mveledzo Netball Coaching (Pty)Ltd trading as Mveledzo Sport Facilities is – 100% owned by Martha Selloane Masoahle

2 (a). The company is based at 8 Mary Place Valley View Estate, Midrand, Gauteng 1685

(b). The company is registered with CIPC, Enterprise Name: Mveledzo Netball Coaching (Pty)Ltd. Reg No:2013/028358/07 and was registered on the 19/02/2013.

3. Yes, the company sourced the wooden floors from abroad, from the following companies: (i). From USA through Australia (Australian Wooden Floors/Horner) and Italy (Adisport)

4. There was an invitation to tender that was issued on the NWC2023 website on the 07 September 2021, which closed on the 21 September 2021, according to our records.

Reply:

The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture is responsible for six theatres, namely, The Playhouse Company, Artscape, South African State Theatre, The Market Theatre Foundation, Performing Arts Centre of the Free State and Mandela Bay Theatre Complex.

None of these theatres have been rendered non-functional and/or dysfunctional in the past three financial years.

(a). The financial allocation for the six Theatres in the past three financial years is as follows:

ENTITY	2020/2021	2021/2022	2022/2023
Artscape	65 269	65 849	67 478
Playhouse Company	49 634	53 866	55 193
The Market Theatre Foundation	48 709	51 216	52 561
South African State Theatre	63 504	61 247	62 752
Performing Arts Centre of the Free State (Pacofs)	46 883	48 823	50 024
Mandela Bay Theatre Complex	N/A	N/A	00

(b). Performing Arts Centre of the Free State commissioned an investigation on allegations of nepotism, irregular suspension, and abuse of power by the former Chief Executive Officer. The report was completed in October 2020 and Council implemented the recommendations of the report. There are no ongoing investigations in the theatres mentioned above.

Reply:

The response to 785 was submitted for tabling as attached:

Reply:

a) I have been informed that the Working for Tourism Programme has created short-term or temporary work opportunities in line with the principles of the Expanded Public Works Programme from 1 January 2019 to date.

a) Financial Year
	b) (i) Total number of Work Opportunities (WO) created in each specified financial year
2019/2020	7459 Work Opportunities
2020/2021	2772 Work Opportunities
2021/2022	5961Work Opportunities
2022/2023	5081 Work Opportunities

Total Number of Work Opportunities 2019/2020	7 459
(ii) (aa) Province/Region	(ii) (bb) Type of Temporary Work Opportunity	Work Opportunities (Number)
Eastern Cape	Tourism Monitors	137
Eastern Cape	Data Collectors Project	74
Eastern Cape	Hospitality Youth Training Programme	180
Eastern Cape	Security Services	15
Eastern Cape	Tourism Green Coast Programme	119
Free State	Tourism Monitors	100
Gauteng	Wine Service	380
Gauteng	Hospitality Youth Training - Fast Food	499
Gauteng	Security Services	6
Gauteng	Safety Monitors	189
Gauteng	Tourism Monitors	96
Gauteng	National Youth Chefs Training Programme	694
KwaZulu Natal	Hospitality Youth Training fast food	736
KwaZulu Natal	Tourism Monitors	367
Limpopo	Security Services	37
Limpopo	Cleaning Services	9
Limpopo	Hospitality Youth Training - Fast Food	564
Limpopo	Security Services	26
Limpopo	Cleaning Services	10
Limpopo	Construction	41
Limpopo	Tourism Monitors	177
Mpumalanga	Hospitality Youth Training Programme	397
Mpumalanga	Hospitality Youth Training Programme	319
Mpumalanga	Tourism Monitors	234
Northern Cape	Hospitality Youth Training - Fast Food	193
Northern Cape and Free State	Data Collectors	104
Northern Cape	Tourism Monitors Programme	48
North West	Hospitality Youth Training - Fast Food	412
North West	Cleaning Services	18
North West	Tourism Monitors	98
National Parks	Tourism Monitors	264
Western Cape	Hospitality Youth Training	438
Western Cape	Hospitality Youth Training	378
Western Cape	Tourism Monitors Programme	100

 

Total Number of Work Opportunities 2020/2021	2 772
(ii) (aa) Province/Region	(ii) (bb) Type of Temporary Work Opportunity	Work Opportunities (Number)
Eastern Cape	Data Collectors	9
Eastern Cape	Security Services	45
Eastern Cape	Tourism Green Coast Programme	14
Eastern Cape	Construction	105
Free State	Construction	66
Free State	Security Service	20
Free State	Tourism Monitors	100
Gauteng	Security Services	11
Gauteng	Data Collectors	108
Gauteng	Tourism Monitors	98
Gauteng	Tourism Monitors Programme	166
Kwa-Zulu Natal	Tourism Blue Flag Programme	97
Kwa-Zulu Natal	Tourism Monitors	1
Kwa-Zulu Natal	Skills Development Project	48
Kwa-Zulu Natal	Security Services	18
Limpopo	Hospitality Youth Training - Fast Food-	17
Limpopo	Cleaning Services	9
Mpumalanga	Infrastructure Maintenance	563
Mpumalanga	Data Collectors	82
Mpumalanga	Skills Development Project	479
Northern Cape	Hospitality Youth Training - Fast Food	150
Northern Cape and Free State	Data Collectors	93
North West	Hospitality Youth Training - Fast Food	10
North West	Tourism Monitors	98
Western Cape	Hospitality Youth Training	271
Western Cape	Tourism Monitors Programme	94

Total Number of Work Opportunities 2021/2022	5 961
(ii) (aa) Province/Region	(ii) (bb) Type of Temporary Work Opportunity	Work Opportunities (Number)
Eastern Cape	Construction	35
Eastern Cape	Security Services	15
Eastern Cape	Tourism Monitors	186
Eastern Cape	Construction	55
Free State	Tourism Monitors	98
(ii) (aa) Province/Region	(ii) (bb) Type of Temporary Work Opportunity	Work Opportunities (Number)
Free State	Construction	72
Gauteng	Tourism Monitors	242
Gauteng	Food Safety Quality Assurers	152
Gauteng and North West	Data Collectors	103
Gauteng (SANBI sites)	Tourism Monitors Programme	98
Mpumalanga	Tourism Monitors	290
Northern Cape, Eastern Cape and Western Cape	Food and Beverage	213
Kwazulu Natal	Construction	13
Kwazulu Natal	Tourism Blue Flag Programme	116
Kwazulu Natal	Tourism Monitors	234
Kwazulu Natal	Data Collectors	101
Kwazulu Natal	Security Services	9
Kwazulu Natal and Western Cape	Wine Making Training	216
Kwazulu Natal	Construction	74
Kwazulu Natal	Tourism Monitors	470
Mpumalanga and Limpopo	Data Collectors	102
Mpumalanga	Skills Development	391
Mpumalanga	Infrastructure Maintenance (National Parks)	1 313
National Parks	Tourism Monitors	315
Northern Cape	Tourism Monitors	104
Northern Cape	Chefs Training Programme	53
Northern Cape and Free State	Data Collectors	21
North West	Cleaning Services	10
North West	Security Services	10
North West	Tourism Monitors	106
Western Cape	Chefs Training	116
Western Cape	Data Collectors Project	62
Western Cape	Food Safety Quality Assurers Programme	218
Western Cape	Tourism Monitors	48

Total Number of Work Opportunities 2022/2023	*5 081
(ii) (aa) Province/Region	(ii) (bb) Type of Temporary Work Opportunity	Work Opportunities (Number)*
Kwazulu Natal	Construction	15
(ii) (aa) Province/Region	(ii) (bb) Type of Temporary Work Opportunity	Work Opportunities (Number)*
Eastern Cape, Northern Cape and Western Cape	Food and Beverage	278
Eastern Cape	Tourism Monitors	189
Eastern Cape	Construction	12
Free State	Construction	31
Free State	Chef Training Programme	114
Free State	Hospitality Youth Training Programme (Fast Food)	232
Free State	Tourism Monitors	98
Gauteng	Construction	17
Gauteng	Food Safety Quality Assurers	138
Gauteng	Tourism Monitors	222
Isimangaliso	Tourism Monitors	222
Kwazulu Natal	Tourism Blue Flag Programme	99
Kwazulu Natal	Data Collectors	69
Kwazulu Natal	Tourism Monitors	468
Kwazulu Natal	Construction	25
Kwazulu Natal and Western Cape	Wine Making Training Programme	235
Limpopo	Construction	17
Limpopo	Construction	21
Limpopo	Construction	12
Mpumalanga	Infrastructure Maintenance	1 135
Mpumalanga	Tourism Monitors	301
National Parks	Tourism Monitors	316
Northern Cape	Chef Training Programme	50
Northern Cape	Tourism Monitors	104
North West	Tourism Monitors	100
Western Cape	Construction	78
Western Cape	Data collector	16
Western Cape	Food Safety Quality Assurers	119
Western Cape	Tourism Monitors Programme	348

*Total Number of Work Opportunities 2022/2023 must still be audited

Reply:

a) (i) The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development established a Sector Energy Crisis Task Team comprised of government, industry, research institutions and sector entities. The work of the Task Team, engaging with Eskom looked at immediate, short and long term contingency plans to protect the sector against the negative impact of load shedding. The interventions will cover the sector at large including all categories of farmers. The interventions are also being aligned to the pronouncements delivered by the Minister of Finance during his budget speech statement.

The proposed interventions are:

• Customers with dedicated supply infrastructure should apply for load curtailment.
• Customers supplied by the same feeder/ substation can group together and apply for load curtailment.
• Review the schedule (duration and or time) where possible, to accommodate the needs of majority of customers (the criteria will be based on impact/number of commercial customers).
• Customers in municipal supply area where switching is done by Eskom and where possible, to exempt/curtail, municipalities to be allowed to do own switching to accommodate customers.
• Reconfigure the network to allow possible isolation where possible.
• Install micro grids, PV’s and battery containers for critical loads especially during critical times such as harvesting, irrigation and refrigeration- this will require customers to identify the essential load.

As announced during my Budget Speech, the Department is establishing the Agro-Energy Fund at the Land Bank. This is a blended finance instrument where the state will provide a grant on a sliding scale per producer category combined with a loan from the Land Bank.

The focus of the Agro-Energy Fund is on energy intensive agricultural activities. These include irrigation, intensive agricultural production systems, and on-farm cold chain related activities. The blended thresholds and caps per category of producer are as follows:

• a large-scale producer will receive 30% grant funding to be matched with a 70% loan portion, where the grant amount is capped at the maximum of R1.5 million;
• a medium-scale producer will receive a 50% grant to be matched with a 50% loan portion, where the grant is capped at the maximum of R1 million; and
• a smallholder producer will be supported by a grant portion of 70% to be matched with a 30% loan. For this category, the maximum grant funding is capped at the maximum of R500 000.

Table 1: Grant Limits

Farmer Categorization	Large Scale Farmer	Medium Scale Farmer	Small Scale Farmer
Turnover	>R10m <R50m	>R1m-R10m	>R50k -R1m
% Grant of the Cost (valid Quotation)	30%	50%	70%
Land Bank Loan Component	70%	50%	30%
Grant Caps	R1.5m	R1m	R500 000

(ii) The Grant caps will be according to Table 1 above; however, the cost of the infrastructure needed by the farmer will be informed by the farmer’s farm energy requirement assessment based on the kilowatts. The pre-assessment by a competent expert registered with the South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA) will be key so that the correct fit for purpose system is installed.

The Blended Agro-Energy facility will be used by qualifying producers for the purchase of capital equipment and infrastructure (CAPEX) for alternative energy sources directly linked to energy-intensive farming operations.

Table 2: Common high energy consuming activities at the farm level

Dairy Farming	Piggery	Poultry	Field Cropping	Horticulture including (Greenhouse)
Milk cooling machinery	Heating	Lighting	Cold Storage	Cold Storage
Lighting	Ventilation	Feeding machinery	Tilling	Irrigation
Milking machinery	Lighting	Ventilation	Irrigation	Ventilation
Feeding machinery	Feeding machinery	Heating		Lighting

NB: the list is not exhaustive

b) DALRRD consulted sector stakeholders and continues to do so. The stakeholders consulted include the CEOs of industry, commodity organisations, research fraternity, farmers organisations and government entities including Eskom.

Reply:

There are only 11 residential lease applications that were received since 2021, where responses have not been sent to the applicants. These applications were put on hold because of ongoing litigation regarding residential leases.

Reply:

(a),(b) The Department is implementing a three-pronged land reform programme. These are:

• Land Redistribution using the Provision of Land and Assistance Act, Act 126 of 1993. To give effect to this Act, the Proactive Land Acquisition Strategy and the Beneficiary Selection and Land Allocation policy are implemented to acquire and redistribute land;
• Land Tenure Reform programme implemented under the Extension of Security of Tenure Act, Act 62 of 1997 (ESTA); and
• Land Restitution programme implemented by the Commission on Restitution of Land Rights using the Restitution of Land Rights Act, Act 22 of 1994.

These land reform programmes are supported by various agrarian reform instruments to address both the financial and technical support for different categories of producers to maintain and improve agricultural productivity and poverty alleviation. These instruments are as follows:

• Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme and Ilima/Letsema which are aimed at resourcing and equipping producers towards increased food production and other value chain activities;
• Land Development Support which supports land reform farms with infrastructure; farm machinery and equipment, production development/inputs, and technical support including mentorship provided through commodity organisations;
• Blended Finance Scheme which supports the commercialisation process;
• SA-GAP Certification Programme which assists farmers to meet minimum food safety and quality requirements and thus eases access to markets;
• Collaborations with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), wherein the Department implements the Smallholder Horticulture Empowerment and Promotion (SHEP) approach, and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) for the implementation of the Farmer Field Schools. Both interventions enhance the provision of extension services for small-scale farmers towards attaining sustainable food production and market access;

• In our endeavour to reduce the ratio between farmers and extension officers for more extension and advisory services to farmers, the Department continues to recruit extension personnel. Over 4 500 Assistant Agricultural Practitioners were recruited to provide technical support to farmers;
• Skills assessment and mitigation strategy is implemented to attain sustainable growth and equitable participation in the sector. As part of the comprehensive farmer support, the Department provides capacity development interventions that are focused on capacitating producers with requisite skills and mentorship based on their needs at a farm level. This capacity building assists farmers to optimize both production and marketing operations;
• Presidential Employment Stimulus providing production inputs for the most vulnerable producers for household food security and self-employment;
• Farmer Production Support Units provide a centralised service centre for producers to get production inputs, mechanisation, and technical support;
• Land Care Programme to protect and preserve natural resources and create employment at a rural level;
• Animal and Veld Management Programme to provide animal husbandry-related infrastructure like fencing, handling and dipping facilities, and livestock water including boreholes;
• River Valley Catalytic Programme designed to revitalise irrigation schemes in our former homelands;
• Micro Agricultural Finance Institute of South Africa provides affordable loans for producers; and
• National Rural Youth Service Corps (NARYSEC) Programme targeting unemployed rural youth for skills and capacity building for sustainable opportunities in the agricultural sector.

Reply:

(a) On what date is it envisaged that she will finalise the appointment of the new SA Tourism Board.

We are targeting no later than end of October 2023.

(b) What time frames have been put in place in this regard.

It is not possible to state the exact time frames but the process is envisaged to take up to 160 days for finalisation of the appointment of the board.

30 days are dedicated to placing the advert for Nominations of new members to serve on the Board of SA Tourism in the government gazette and two national newspapers in terms of the Tourism Act, Act 3 of 2014.

 

30 days are allocated to the evaluation of candidature and verifying qualifications;

30-60 days for vetting by SSA;

30 days are set aside for the Cabinet processes, which entails the Cabinet Committee making recommendations to Cabinet for concurrence;

And 15 days for appointment and subsequent publication of the names and term of office of the Board in two national newspapers and Gazette.

Reply:

(a&b) Tourism visas applied for within the country are considered repeat applications as holders of such visas would ordinarily be extending a tourist visa already issued abroad. The visa volumes mentioned below are per calendar year (not financial year). They are as follows:

Year	Application count
2020	4562
2021	11482
2022	14615

 

(aa) From 1 April 2023 to 11 May 2023, there were 1648 applications received. Applications finalised during the same period were 1545.

(bb) The table below shows from which countries were applications received. The data could not be separated per month.

Tourist visas issued per country

Country	Count of Sticker Number
China	198
Pakistan	197
India	143
United States	92
Germany	83
Saudi Arabia	78
United Kingdom	63
Nigeria	60
Russian Federation	53
France	48
Netherlands	39
Turkey	38
Bangladesh	36
Thailand	36
Angola	35
Dem. Rep. of the Congo	29
Zimbabwe	25
Switzerland	24
Canada	21
Namibia	17
Israel	17
Brazil	16
Australia	14
Italy	14
Kenya	13
Belgium	12
Gabon	11
Republic of South Korea	11
Egypt	10
Poland	9
Philippines	9
Hungary	9
Ireland	9
Mauritius	9
United Rep of Tanzania	8
Sweden	8
Botswana	8
Spain	7
Zambia	7
Cameroon	6
Japan	6
Ghana	6
Malaysia	6
Uganda	6
New Zealand	5
Yemen	5
Jordan	4
Liberia	4
Madagascar	4
Austria	4
Cuba	4
Portugal	4
Lebanon	4
Islamic Republic of Iran	4
Malawi	3
Vietnam	3
Ukraine	3
Mexico	3
Libya	3
Ethiopia	3
Denmark	3
Colombia	2
Algeria	2
Cote D'Ivoire	2
Somalia	2
Luxembourg	2
Malta	2
Mozambique	2
Guyana	1
Burkina Faso	1
Eritrea	1
Argentina	1
Morocco	1
Cape Verde	1
Chile	1
Greece	1
Belarus	1
Indonesia	1
Peru	1
Mali	1
Czech Republic	1
Senegal	1
Myanmar	1
Singapore	1
Nepal	1
Chad	1
Venezuela	1
Dem. People's Rep. of Korea	1
Iraq	1
Sudan	1
Congo	1
Afghanistan	1
Mongolia	1
Grand Total	1648

(cc) 14 applications of April 2023 were adjudicated as at 15 May 2023. The average time taken was 17 days.

END

Reply:

1. (a) Compliance monitoring audits are non-financial performance audits conducted to determine conformity by municipalities with the National Water Act, Act 36 of 1998. There is no direct financial legislation applicable.

(b) There were no relevant financial legal obligations involved in conducting compliance audits.

(2) (a) (i) and (ii)

Province	License	Permit	General authorisation	Exemption	Total
Western Cape	33	11	37	3	84
Limpopo	21	0	11	0	32
North-West	20	1	1	8	30
Mpumalanga	25	1	6	6	38
Gauteng	44	0	1	6	51
Free State	21	5	11	38	75
Northern Cape	10	10	1	19	40
Eastern Cape	16	10	58	36	120
Kwazulu-Natal	13	27	9	20	69
Total	203	65	135	136	539

(b) (i) and (ii) All municipal wastewater treatment plants were audited in the period between 2009-2023.

(c) Authorisations issued to the wastewater treatment plants have conditions prescribing how much waste and concentrations can be released into the environment. The teams that conduct compliance audits are trained Environmental Management Inspectors (EMIs) capable of determining whether the conditions have been breached or not. In cases of non-compliance resulting in pollution of the environment, such pollution can be quantified in terms of its impact on the environment. This involves sampling the polluted medium, analysis of the samples, and interpretation thereof.

(d) In instances where a water user fails to comply with any of the license conditions, the Department first exercises administrative enforcement actions which are in the form of Notices and Directives to afford the water users an opportunity to rectify any non-compliance. When users are non-responsive, the Department proceeds with either or both criminal and civil enforcement actions.

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Reply:

Prov		(a) A comprehensive breakdown of the total number of such projects in each province	(b) Names of the original contractors assigned to each of the projects **	(c) An explanation of the technical, financial and contractual factors that necessitated the involvement of the DBSA
EC	1	Qatywa Lodge	**	Incomplete chalets, restaurant and conference centre due to budget depletion.
	2	Western Tembuland Lodge	**	Incomplete chalets, entrance guard house due to budget depletion
	3	Maluti Hiking and Horse Trail	**	Poor workmanship on the river crossing bridges
	4	Mthonsi Lodge	**	Incomplete chalets, restaurant and conference centre due to budget depletion.
	5	Nyandeni	**	Chalets completed however not furnished. Lack of maintenance over time.
FS	1	Qwa Qwa Guest House	**	Incomplete chalets due to budget depletion.
	2	Vredefort Dome Interpretation Centre	**	Interpretation Centre completed however there were structural defects due to geotechnical instability.
	3	Monontsha Access Road	**	Incomplete access road due to budget depletion.
KZN	1	Muzi Pan	**	Chalets completed however with some defects/poor workmanship.
	2	Isibhubhu	**	The project was completed however could not be handed over without occupation certificate.
LP	1	Phiphidi Waterfall	**	Incomplete chalets due to contractual disputes with the Implementing Agent whose contract lapsed.
	2	The Oaks	**	Incomplete chalets due to contractual disputes with the Implementing Agent whose contract lapsed.
	3	Ngove	**	Some chalets not completed due to budget depletion
	4	Tisane	**	Incomplete chalets due to budget depletion
	5	VhaTsonga	**	Incomplete rondavels due to budget depletion and poor workmanship
NC	1	Kamiesburg	**	Incomplete ablution facilities, campsite and chalets due to budget depletion
	2	Platfontein	**	Chalets and kitchen completed. Structural defects post completion due in part to geotechnical issues and drainage.
NW	1	Manyane Lodge	**	Incomplete restaurant. Conference centre not done. Damages to the completed chalets from fire and vandalism. Budget depletion.
	2	Lehurutshe Bird and Trophy Hunting	**	Completed and not ready for however not ready be handed due to lack of Occupation certificate.

I have met with DBSA to discuss the poor performance and advised the Department to establish a project management unit to conduct oversight.

 

** Application of the POPI Act

Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013

Reply:

(a) How are the new Preferential Procurement Regulations different from the previous dispensation?

I have been informed by the Department that the previous PPPFA regulations required the calculation of points to be based on the 80/20 principle for which 80 points were for price, 20 points for preferential points as prescribed by National Treasury.

The current PPPFA regulation calculation of points is still based on 80/20 principle however with the new regulations 80 points are still for price but 20 points will be the prerogative of the department to allocate points.

The department reviewed the SCM policy effective from 16 January 2023 to align with the new PPPFA.

The department amended the SCM policy based on the new PPPFA regulations that were issued in November 2022. The changes in the policy were done on the 80/20 principle for bids below R50m and 90/10 principle for bids above R50m respectively to align with the new regulations.

 

(b) What issues have been flagged by the Internal Audit Committee on departmental performance thus far?

The Q2 and Q3 performance reports were presented to the newly appointed Audit Committee on the 27 March 2023 and the matters that Internal Audit flagged related to:

• Payment of compliant invoices within 30 days.
• Impact of Technical Indicator Description related to the expenditure on women owned businesses which had intended transversal contracts.
• Impact of SCM processes and participants’ conduct on Service Delivery
• The links between changes at executive leadership level and performance on areas of work that require Executive Authority input e.g. Public Policy

 

(c) What engagements has her department had with the Office of the Auditor-General to minimise negative findings at the end of the financial year?

• Engagement to input in the audit implementation plan.
• Engagements on the audit strategy.
• Engagement on audit findings,
• Engagements on planning matters prior to the conclusion of Annual Performance Plan for 2023/24.

 

Reply:

a)  The Department of Water and Sanitation (the Department) works together with the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) and the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) to ensure that municipalities receive the necessary support and grant funding to refurbish and maintain water and sanitation assets. Water Service Authorities (WSAs), through their Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG), allocate funding for refurbishment of some of Wastewater Treatment Works (WWTW). Depending on availability of funds, the Department also funds WWTW refurbishment and upgrade projects that meet the criteria of the Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant (RBIG) and Water Services Infrastructure Grant (WSIG).

b) The Department ensures protection of water resources, which can be achieved by initiating rectification measures against the identified non-complaint water users and polluters. When municipalities fail in their mandate to ensure compliance in terms of wastewater and effluent spillages, various legal frameworks can be initiated to address the contraventions.

In instances where a water user fails to comply with any of the license conditions, the Department first exercises administrative enforcement actions in the form of Notices and Directives in accordance with the National Water Act. This is meant to afford the water users an opportunity to rectify non-compliances within certain timeframes.

When users are non-responsive, the Department proceeds with either or both criminal and civil enforcement actions. Criminal sanctions can also be instituted against the municipalities guided by Criminal Procedure Act on violations related to wastewater and effluent spillages. Section 151 of the National Water Act provides legal basis for laying of criminal charges against the municipalities that are intentionally or negligently pollute water resources or engage in unlawful water usage. Offenses under Section 151 of the National Water Act can be used to address pollution of water resources, making it a criminal offense to discharge pollutants into water resources without the necessary authorisation.

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Reply:

(1)(a) 49000 doses of the African Horse Sickness (AHS) vaccine were produced by Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP) between January 2022 and March 2023.

b) As of 17 May 2023, 15000 doses of the AHS vaccine are available in stock at OBP, with more vaccine doses still in quality check test.

2. No. The current available AHS doses are not sufficient for the next vaccination cycle. However, OBP is working diligently enough in preparation for making sufficient vaccines available for the upcoming vaccination season.

3. OBP is not prepared to supply its attenuated strains and serotypes to a private production entity for further development.

a) OBP’s attenuated strains and serotypes are intellectual property and a tangible asset for the OBP, the juristic person.

b) A plan/strategy to resolve shortages is currently being worked on by the OBP and will remain a priority for the entity. The objective is to ensure that vaccines are always available during vaccination season.

Reply:

(1)(a),(b) Yes. The Minister engaged both the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) and Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP) as well as Industry, including the National Animal Health Forum and instructed that measures be put in place to ensure continuity in vaccine production and availability. The Minister further advised that there should be closer collaboration between the Agricultural Research Council’s Onderstepoort Veterinary Research and OBP.

2. Yes. ARC and OBP have an established collaboration governed by a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA). This MoA covers collaboration in the areas of:

• Research, technology transfer and any possible joint ventures between the two entities;
• Vaccine development and information and technical advice;
• Consultancy, diagnostic and analysis services;
• Commercialisation, training, and advisory services; and
• Human capital development and physical infrastructure sharing.

The ARC and the OBP also collaborate in the production of blood vaccines. The ARC produces blood vaccines that are bottled and marketed by OBP. The full list of vaccines produced by the ARC for OBP is African Red Water vaccine; Asiatic Red Water; Anaplasmosis vaccine; and Heartwater vaccines.

Reply:

Prov		Project Name	(a) Details of the contractor allocated to the project within the past two financial years**	(b)Corresponding contract values of each project in each province
EC	1	Qatywa Lodge	**	R32,802,163.00
	2	Western Tembuland Lodge	**	R23,437,638.25
	3	Maluti Hiking and Horse Trail	**	R18,160,388.15
	4	Mthonsi Lodge	**	R31,072,567.60
	5	Nyandeni	**	R19,023,014.80
FS	1	Qwa Qwa Guest House	**	R21,120,795.06
	2	Vredefort Dome Interpretation Centre	**	R24,160,892.96
	3	Monontsha Access Road	**	R6,726,894.01
KZN	1	Isibhubhu	**	R29,918,570.53
LP	1	The Oaks	**	R25,807,207.29
	2	Ngove	**	R29,988,483.30
	3	Tisane	**	R27,463,083.70

** Based on the reply to Question 1640 regarding the reasons of not completing projects the POPIA Act is also applied in this case.

** Application of the POPI Act

Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013

(c) an assessment of the impact of the completed projects on the (i) overall performance of the tourism industry and (ii) regional economies in the Republic; if not, why not, in each case; if so, what are the relevant details in each case

I have been informed by the Department that the projects are in the construction stage, none of the above-mentioned projects are completed.

I have met with DBSA to discuss the poor performance and advised the Department to establish a project management unit to conduct oversight.

 

Reply:

Prov		Project Name	(a) Initial allocation to each contractor	(b) Reasons behind the failure to complete each project within the original scope, budget and timeline	(c) Additional funds allocated to the DBSA for completion of each project (construction value)
EC	1	Qatywa Lodge	Budget: R 23,750,000 Exp: R 23,288,668	Incomplete chalets, restaurant and conference centre due to budget depletion.	R 32,802,163.00
	2	Western Tembuland Lodge	Budget: R 10,449,156 Exp: R 10,382,358	Incomplete chalets, entrance guard house due to budget depletion	R 23,437,638.25
	3	Maluti Hiking and Horse Trail	Budget: R 4,750,000 Exp: R 4,749,987	Poor workmanship on the river crossing bridges	R 18,160,388.15
	4	Mthonsi Lodge	Budget: R 28,215,000 Exp: R 27,531,883	Incomplete chalets, restaurant and conference centre due to budget depletion.	R 31,072,567.60
	5	Nyandeni	Budget: R 7,600,000 Exp: R 7,546,800	Chalets completed however not furnished. Lack of maintenance over time.	R19,023,014.80
FS	1	Qwa Qwa Guest House	Budget: R 34,234,974 Exp: R 34,001,662	Incomplete chalets due to budget depletion.	R21,120,795.06
	2	Vredefort Dome Interpretation Centre	Budget: R 3,009,453 Exp: R 2,927,652	Interpretation Centre completed however there were structural defects due to geotechnical instability.	R24,160,892.96
	3	Monontsha Access Road	Budget: R 12,629,500 Exp: R 12,548,922	Incomplete access road due to budget budget depletion.	R6,726,894.01
KZN	1	Muzi Pan	Budget: R 12,447,480 Exp: R 11,887,690	Chalets completed however with some defects/ poor workmanship.	Contractor not yet appointed
	2	Isibhubhu	Budget: R 15,000,000 Exp: R 14,889,708	The project was completed however it could not be handed over without occupation certificate.	R29,918,570.53
LP	1	Phiphidi Waterfall	Budget: R 29,477,099 Exp: R 23,264,771.67	Incomplete chalets. Contractual disputes with the Implementing Agent whose contract lapsed.	Contractor not yet appointed
	2	The Oaks	Budget: R 26,550,216 Exp: R 25,483,869	Incomplete chalets and restaurant due to Contractual disputes with the Implementing Agent whose contract lapsed.	R25,807,207.29
	3	Ngove	Budget: R 20,133,951 Exp: R 19,993,013	Some chalets not completed due to budget depletion.	R29,988,483.30
	4	Tisane	Budget: R 18,810,000 Exp: R 18,299,799	Incomplete chalets due to budget depletion	R27,463,083.70
	5	VhaTsonga	Budget: R 9,185,000 Exp: R 9,068,064	Incomplete rondavels and poor workmanship and budget depletion.	Contractor not yet appointed
NC	1	Kamiesburg	Budget: R 5,100,000 Exp: R 4,815,074	Incomplete ablution facilities, campsite and chalets due to budget depletion.	Contractor not yet appointed
	2	Platfontein	Budget: R 32,206,320 Exp: R 32,072,057	Chalets and kitchen completed. Structural defects post completion due in part to geotechnical issues and drainage.	Contractor not yet appointed
NW	1	Manyane Lodge	Budget: R 48,465,113 Exp: R 47,884,114	Incomplete restaurant. Conference centre not done. Damages on the completed chalets from a fire and vandalism. And budget depletion.	Contractor not yet appointed
	2	Lehurutshe Bird and Trophy Hunting	Budget: R 2,827,500 Exp: R 2,809,808	Completed, not ready to be handed over due to lack of Occupation Certificate .	Contractor not yet appointed

(d) Measures taken to mitigate such issues in future tourism related contracts

I have been informed that the Department has aligned its processes to the Framework for Infrastructure Delivery and Procurement Management (FIPDM), and also partnered with the Development Bank of South Africa (DBSA) which has requisite built environment capacity and is assisting the Department with the following:

a) Provision of infrastructure delivery, including planning, design and construction through a multi-disciplinary team of professionals and technical specialists and

b) Exercising effective project controls, monitoring and reporting in line with applicable norms and standards.

c) I have met with DBSA to discuss the poor performance and advised the Department to establish a project management unit to conduct oversight.

 

Reply:

a) In terms of institutional arrangements for land transport as prescribed in the National Land Transport Act 5 of 2009, it is the responsibility of municipalities to plan, provide and manage public transport infrastructure in their areas, not the national sphere. As planning authorities, municipalities are responsible for preparing transport plans in their areas and ensuring the implementation thereof as per section 11(1)(c)(iv) of the Act. These plans must comply with minimum requirements as published in November 2014 (Government Gazette No. 38256), which requires the inclusion of a transport infrastructure strategy to deal with the development and maintenance of transport infrastructure, including public transport facilities. In terms of section 11(1)(c)(v) of the Act, municipalities are responsible for the financial planning with regard to land transport within or affecting its area, with particular reference to transport planning, infrastructure, operations, services, maintenance, monitoring and administration, with due focus on rehabilitation and maintenance of infrastructure.

b) See (a) above regarding institutional arrangements and responsibilities.

Reply:

The proliferation of satellites launched into low earth orbit around the earth for internet coverage by companies such as Starlink, Oneweb, Amazon and others, is posing a threat globally to astronomical observations and not only just on the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) radio telescope. South Africa together with the international astronomy community is working closely with the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and the United Nations Committee on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) to address the negative impacts Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites on dark and quiet skies.

Some companies have made efforts to mitigate these effects with the use of less-reflective material in satellite construction or changing the orientation of satellites in space. Furthermore, companies can provide astronomers with higher accuracy information about the location of satellites so that observatories can take this into account to decide when and where to point their telescopes. While these potential solutions show promise, they will require a coordinated effort between satellite industry, governments, and astronomy community. A cooperative approach involving all stakeholders is an effective way to reach a satisfactory balance between the need for the evolution of the LEO space economy and the need protect the science of astronomy which requires pristine skies.

Locally, the Department works closely with the Independent Communications Authority (ICASA) through a Memorandum of Agreement that ensures that any spectrum permit licenses that are issued to service providers do not impact negatively on the SKA telescope. Furthermore, the spirit of the Astronomy Geographic Advantage (AGA) Act of 2007 and its associated regulations, is such that it does not demand total radio silence but rather a harmonious co-existence of the telescope with other installations and services in the declared astronomy reserve in the Northern Cape.

Reply:

1. Yes, the National Advisory Council on Innovation (NACI) conducted and submitted advice on the effectiveness of mathematics and science education initiatives in schools.
2. there has not yet been a discussion between NACI and the Minister on the advice provided; and
3. The budget allocation of the Advisory Council in the past five years is R90 million.

Reply:

The department does have a plan to deal with pedestrian fatalities on the roads.

In terms of that plan - which is encapsulated in the 365 days road safety programme, the Road Traffic Management Corporation, as the national lead agency on road safety, and provincial departments of community safety and transport jointly identify high-risk areas for pedestrian safety.

The plan identifies behaviour that puts pedestrians at risk such as jaywalking, drunk walking, distracted walking, scholar safety as well as safe crossing of freeways and visibility.

The national and provincial teams then jointly deploy law enforcement and road safety operations in identified high-risk areas to discourage unsafe road usage by pedestrians.

The law enforcement and the road safety education and communication technical committees – comprised of the RTMC, traffic law enforcement authorities and road safety practitioners from all nine provinces – meet regularly to evaluate performance and decide on further required interventions.

The challenge with pedestrian crashes is that they take place within build-up areas where municipalities have jurisdiction. The mushrooming of informal settlements further exacerbates the situation as shops and transport orgonites generally lie on the opposite side of major freeways requiring pedestrians to cross freeways when it is not safe to do so. The road authorities put up pedestrian over-passes to separate pedestrian traffic from the vehicle traffic, thus creating a safer environment for co-existence.

In implementing the 365-plan road safety (on the ground) activations were implemented, in addition to the school programme activations. Other interventions planned for the year with the private sector include focusing on drunken walking, which is a serious issue during weekends and long weekends.

Reply:

1. The following mechanisms are in place to ensure people with expired visas/permits leave the republic;

a) Immigration inspections/operations for detecting those without lawful documentation to be in South Africa;

b)Tracing of overstayers found on the movement control system

c) Overstay declaration and bans from re-entering the country from 1 to 5 years, depending on the length of overstay - Should a person with an expired visa/permit leave the country;

d) Inability to transact for services or work

2.  If a person is denied a visa and exhausts all appeals relating to that visa they are given an order to leave and if they remain they will be doing so illegally.

END

Reply:

(1)(a) The Department currently uses the ICT Systems mentioned below to process online visa applications

SYSTEM	DEVELOPER	DATE
DHA eVisa	SARS/BBD	2019
VFS eVisa (Nigeria)	VFS Global	2022
DHA/VFS Online	VFS Global	2014
VAS (Adjudication)	DHA IT	2014

(1)(b) An amount of R5m is budgeted in the current financial year for the DHA eVisa support and maintenance. The VAS system has no dedicated budget except the time and material for the officials supporting the system. The other systems are supported by VFS with no financial implications for DHA.

(1)(c) The amount budgeted for DHA eVisa development in the 2019/20 financial was 100% spent and for 3 years after go live in production the support and maintenance for eVisa amounted to R 2 264 616.

(1)(d) There are no challenges on the DHA eVisa except normal bugs and fixes that are done in all applications for routine maintenance to improve performance. On the VAS system we are currently performing a user requirements review to enable us to improve functionality.

(1)(e) On completion of the user requirements review on VAS there will be system development and implementation of changes.

(1)(f) VAS changes will be implemented by 31 March 2024.

(2)(a) An amount of R875 173 000 is budgeted for improvement of other ICT systems, support and maintenance, licences, new projects and the breakdown is as follows:

Maintenance and Support	R409 973 000
Licenses	R126 700 000
Technology refresh	R107 500 000
Projects	R231 000 000
Total	R875 173 000

(2)(b) The aim is to ensure systems stability and improved applications performance and IT infrastructure.

(2)(c) ICT systems require continuous support and maintenance hence every financial year we allocate budgets for information and communication technology and the related licenses.

END

Reply:

No, as the law does not allow for such exemptions in line with the principle that all residents earning an income, be they the President, a worker or a businessperson, are subject to our tax laws without exception. We recognise role played by the police is significant in ensuring public order, as well in ensuring the safety and security of citizens as a basic human right. The provision of safety and security as a public good that is funded by Government and such funds are raised through the levying of taxes.

The levying of taxation is a crucial mechanism utilised to generate revenue as part of country’s flagship fiscal policy. One of the linchpins of a good tax system is the principle of equity, which incorporates the concept of horizontal equity. Horizontal equity ensures that all taxpayers who receive employment or other income are taxed the same based on their ability to pay, irrespective of their vocation. Low-income taxpayers earning below R91 250 are also exempt from Personal Income Tax.

Based on the fact that the South African personal income tax system is progressive in nature, the exemption of a group of taxpayers based on their profession would be impractical and go against the principles of a good tax system. Marginal tax rates that increase with income and rebates that apply equally to all taxpayers, are the main tools to give expression to society’s preference to give relief for lower incomes through the tax system. Lastly, it will impede the fiscus, as it will negatively impact the ability to raise sufficient revenue to fund Government social programmes.

Reply:

There was no spending/Allocation on (ii) cooperatives, (iii) township enterprises and (iv) rural enterprises during FY 2021/22, 2022/23 and 2023/24 (April 2023)

Below is a summary of spending on SMME’s:

	2021/23	2022/23	2023//24 Current
(i) small-, medium- and micro-enterprises	32%	2.3%	0%

In a drive to transformation, the department has amended and implemented in its policy and processes, the allocation of points through specific goals based on the new regulation (PPR 2022).

Goal	Points	Motivation
Women	5	In recent years, the President announced that Government allocated budget ought to be channel to women owned businesses. Allocating 5 points to all the Departmental procurement will address this requirement.
SMMEs	6	Promotion of businesses with an annual turnover of less than R10M
HDI	4	Promotion of companies that are owned by historically disadvantaged individuals
Disability	3	Granting opportunities to persons living with disability
Locality	2	The locals ought to be given the first preference on procurement of goods and services happening in their area.

The table below depicts the allocation of specific goals where SMME`s have been allocated the highest points:

2. CCMA

The Commission for Conciliation, Mediation & Arbitration spent thirty-five (35) percent of the total supplier expenditure to SMMEs. There was no expenditure relating to cooperatives, township enterprises and rural enterprises. The organisation did not implement the set-aside policy, however implemented preferential procurement policy provisions.

3. NEDLAC

2021/22:

i: 97%

ii: 0%

iii: 0%

Note: The remainder was awarded to entities larger than SMME.

2022/23:

i: 99%

ii: 0%

iii: 0%

Note: The remainder was awarded to entities larger than SMME.

2023/24 thus far:

i: 84%

ii: 0%

iii: 0%

Note: The remainder was awarded to entities larger than SMME.

4. SEE

Comprehensive breakdown of the procurement allocation for SEE entity in terms of the percentages allocated (2022/23 financial year):

1. 62.06% business was awarded to small -enterprises
2. 9.93% business was awarded to medium -enterprises
3. 8.86% business was awarded to micro -enterprises
4. 17.73% business was awarded to Cooperatives
5. 1.42% business was awarded Township and Rural enterprises

Of the above categorises 1.42% business was awarded to people with disabilities.

Since 1 April 2023 till 19 May 2023:

1. 83.33% business was awarded to small, medium and micro -enterprises
2. 16.67% business was awarded to Cooperatives
3. 0% business was awarded Township and Rural enterprises

Of the above categorises 2.78% business was awarded to people with disabilities.

Of the above categorises 58.33% business was awarded to Women.

Of the above categorises 13.89% business was awarded to youth.

5. PRODUCTIVITY SA

There were no spending on (ii) cooperatives, (iii) township enterprises and (iv) rural enterprises during 2021/22, 2022/23 and 2023/24 (April 2023)

Below is a summary of spending on SMME’s and other service provides: Detailed list is on excel.

	2021/23	2022/23	2023//24 Current
(i) small-, medium- and micro-enterprises	3%	9%	6%
Other	97%	91%	94%

6. UIF

i. Small-, Medium- and Micro-enterprises

(aa) (2021/ 22 Financial year)

• Procurement allocation to Small-, Medium- and Micro-enterprises is 100%.
• Unable to separate allocation percentage between Rural and Township due to system limitations.

(bb) 1 April 2023 until 31 April 2023

• The procurement allocation is 100%. However, we are unable to separate allocation between rural and township due to system limitations.

ii. Cooperatives

(aa) 2021/ 22 Financial year- procurement allocation is 0%.

(bb) 1 April 2023 until 31 April 2023- Procurement allocation is 0%.

iii. Township and Rural enterprises

(aa) (2021/ 22 Financial year)

• Unable to separate procurement allocation due to system limitations.

(bb) 1 April 2023 until 31 April 2023

• Unable to separate procurement allocation due to system limitations.

7. Compensation Fund

For the 2021/22 financial year, R767 million was allocated for the procurement of goods and services including capital assets. Whilst in April 2023 financial year a total of R13 million from the Fund’s operational budget was allocated for the procurement of goods and services including capital assets.

The Fund’s Procurement is done in terms of the Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act. In terms of this Act for procurement less than R50 million, bids are scored at a maximum of 20 points for Historically Disadvantaged Individuals while for procurement more than R50 million at the maximum score is 10 points.

For Procurement less than R50 million the maximum 20 points are allocated as follows:                                                                                                                                    Woman                                                      8 points

Youth                                                         6 points

People living with disability                        1 points

Locality                                                   5 points

For procurement above R50 million the maximum 10 points is allocated as follows:

Woman                                                      4 points

Youth                                                         3 points

People living with disability                        1 points

Locality                                                   2 points

Reply:

No, as the law does not allow for such exemptions in line with the principle that all residents earning an income, be they the President, a worker or a businessperson, are subject to our tax laws without exception. We recognise the role played by healthcare officials is significant in ensuring provision of efficient and adequate healthcare to the public, as well in ensuring the provision healthcare as a basic human right. The provision of public healthcare services is a public good that is funded by Government and such funds are raised through the levying of taxes.

The levying of taxation is a crucial mechanism utilised to generate revenue as part of country’s flagship fiscal policy. One of the linchpins of a good tax system is the principle of equity, which incorporates the concept of horizontal equity. Horizontal equity ensures that all taxpayers who receive employment or other income are taxed the same based on their ability to pay, irrespective of their vocation. Low-income taxpayers earning below R91 250 are also exempt from Personal Income Tax.

Based on the fact that the South African personal income tax system is progressive in nature, the exemption of a group of taxpayers based on their profession would be impractical and go against the principles of a good tax system. Marginal tax rates that increase with income and rebates that apply equally to all taxpayers, are the main tools to give expression to society’s preference to give relief for lower incomes through the tax system. Lastly, it will impede the fiscus, as it will negatively impact the ability to raise sufficient revenue to fund Government social programmes.

Reply:

In terms of the Employment of Educators Act, 1998 the Member of Executive Council (MEC) responsible for Education is required, on an annual basis, to create educator posts based on available funds. The Head of Department is then required to distribute the posts created to schools using the post provisioning norms. 

The Honourable Member is therefore, respectfully requested to direct the question to the MEC responsible for Education in Kwazulu-Natal.