Questions and Replies
05 June 2023 - NW1284
Mkhaliphi, Ms HO to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
Whether she has been informed that the Chris Hani District Municipality has been unable to collect revenue for services and that businesses are alleged to owe the specified municipality in excess of R10 billion; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what steps has she taken to ensure that the municipality has the necessary capacity to collect (a) revenue and/or (b) outstanding debts from (i) businesses and (ii) communities? NW1446
Reply:
The the Municipal Manager of Chris Hani District Municipality provided the following table which represents the age analysis of the Chris Hani District Municipality as at 31 March 2023:
A. The municipality is owed by the consumers of its services an amount of R2,3 billion as at 31 March 2023 and of which the majority of the consumers that owe the municipality are domestic, businesses, indigents, municipalities and government departments.
There are notable slight decreases on businesses, government departments, municipalities, indigents, non-profits organisation, except the domestic consumers.
- The municipality has capacity in the Budget and Treasury Office, where there is a Revenue Unit which still has vacancies that are yet to be filled at the latest June 2023.
- The Municipality introduced a debt rehabilitation program that has been running for almost two years ending on the 30 June 2023. This is intended to assist the consumers with long outstanding debts. This was taken to the roadshows and the maximum assist is up to 50% write off for qualifying consumers.
- Indigent consumers of R98 million have been approved and the write-off was effected in April 2023. The reduction will be reflected in the May 2023 In-Year Monitoring Report.
- The Municipality has sourced a solution such as SMART Metering Water Meters that will be a phase approach that will focus more on businesses, government departments, schools, municipal areas and effluent areas etc. This solution will resume in beginning of May 2023.
- On the SMART Metering Water Meters Project, the focus will be more on the pre-paid solution in order to recoup the water revenues.
- Despite the strides of the municipality in trying to collect, there is a culture of non-payment including the government department.
- The municipality is issuing 14 days disconnection notices to all consumers except the households due to Constitutional imperative related to Human Rights. However, businesses, government departments (but not all, like clinics), are disconnected where there is non-payment.
- Payment arrangements are entered into, with all consumers, who responds to the disconnection notices and actual disconnections.
- Employees and Councillors, payment arrangements are revisited and are increased, and further disciplinary processes and code of conduct are implemented.
B) Chris Hani District Municipality total outstanding Debt as at 31 March 2023 an amount of R2,3 billion.
C) Businesses total outstanding Debt as at 31 March 2023 an amount of R135 million.
D) Remaining Total outstanding except the above, B and C.
End
02 June 2023 - NW1522
Clarke, Ms M to ask the Minister of Health
With regard to the administrative problems of his department failing to properly and/or timeously review the curricula of foreign medical institutions for the purposes of registering as a medical professional in the Republic, despite such institutions appearing on the list of World Directory of Medical Schools and the qualifications being verified and authenticated by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates, what (a) systems and/or processes will his department be implementing to streamline the process to ensure smooth transition for foreign graduates and (b) is the timeline involved for the implementation of the systems and/or processes?
Reply:
The World Directory of Medical Schools is a product of partnerships between the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) and the Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research (FAIMER) a member of Intealth. These organizations do not control nor monitor training at medical schools.
The WFME is a global organization concerned with education and training of medical practitioners. It is a private non-profit organization developed to share ideas on education and training of medical doctors among between institutions, who wish to do so. It does not regulate the standards of education and training of practitioners across the world. The listing of qualifications in the World Directory of Medical Schools does not imply that the standard of training is assessed for comparability; neither does it confer portability of a qualification across international borders for the purposes of practicing medicine.
The Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) is a regulatory body, which has a mandate of protecting the interests of the public in the Republic of South Africa. The HPCSA, is empowered by section 15B (c ) of the Health Professions Act to: “upon application by any person, recognize any qualification held by him or her (whether such qualification has been obtained in the Republic or elsewhere) as being equal, either wholly or in part, to any prescribed qualification, where upon such a person shall, to the extent to which the qualification has been recognized, be deemed to halt such prescribed qualification’’.
The HPCSA through its relevant board (The Medical and Dental Professions Board) controls the entry into the labour market of all who wish to practice medicine and related disciplines in the country (South Africa). When the HPCSA grants a license for an individual to practice medicine under its jurisdiction, it implies that such an individual is deemed competent to enter the profession.
The challenge arises when a prospective registrant presents a qualification obtained from a foreign country. The HPCSA has no mechanism of quality assuring medical training in foreign jurisdictions. The only means and process which comes close to evaluating the training environment and the standard of a qualification is to scrutinize the documents submitted by a potential registrant.
This provides limited information about the standard of training obtained in foreign countries. The evaluators can only attempt to infer from the limited information they have at their disposal as to what level of competency the qualification confers on the holder. It can be expected that other regulators around the world face similar challenges when they are presented with similar situations.
To get around these problems, the South African Qualification Authorities (SAQA) and quality assurance bodies have developed an outcomes-based approach in describing abilities conferred by qualifications on the holders. There are other countries around the world such as the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and many other European Union countries, which have adopted the same system of describing their programmes, degrees, and qualifications. “Learning outcomes are statements of what a student is expected to know, understand and/or be able to demonstrate after completion of a process of learning” (ECTS Users Guide, p 47).
- The current implemented systems and/or processes of streamline the process to ensure smooth transition for foreign graduates/ graduates trained outside the republic of South Africa is working well and is not being changed nor replaced.
- The HPCSA is committed to a turnaround time of 90 days to finalise an evaluation of each programme received. Where the need arises, additional meetings by the Programme Evaluation Team can be arranged to avoid unwanted delays.
END.
02 June 2023 - NW2024
Ismail, Ms H to ask the Minister of Tourism
(1) (a) What is the extent of financial allocation to the Tourism Infrastructure Maintenance Programme and (b) how have the specified funds been utilised to improve tourism infrastructure in the Republic; 2. whether she will furnish Ms H Ismail with (a) a comprehensive breakdown of the expenditure and its allocation to specific projects in each province and (b) an evaluation of the impact of the investments on the overall quality and accessibility of tourism infrastructure; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
(1) (a) I have been informed by the Department that the extent of financial allocations to the Tourism Infrastructure Maintenance Programme is as Tabled below.
Tourism Infrastructure Maintenance in Annual Performance Plan 2023/24 |
|||
Province |
Projects |
Number of projects |
Total Value |
Eastern Cape |
|
6 |
R23 155 555,45 |
Free State |
|
4 |
R19 812 088,34 |
Limpopo |
|
5 |
R15 581 126,15 |
Mpumalanga |
|
4 |
R14 806 055,98 |
Western Cape |
|
6 |
R21 602 105,31 |
(b) How have the specified funds been utilised to improve tourism infrastructure in the Republic.
The funds have been utilised for infrastructure maintenance at the sites listed in the table above. These state owned provincial sites are tourism assets.
(2) (a) A comprehensive breakdown of the expenditure and its allocation to specific projects in each province
Province |
Projects |
Budget (Including maintenance and professional service provider fees) |
Current Expenditure |
Eastern Cape |
1. Thomas Baines Nature Reserve |
R3 846 954,33 |
R720 078,92 |
2. Baviaanskloof Nature Reserve |
R3 495 172,70 |
R967 795,03 |
|
3. Double Mouth Nature Reserve |
R3 495 172,70 |
R1 992 618,51 |
|
4. Oviston Nature Reserve |
R3 471 831,27 |
R1 501 562,87 |
|
5. Mpofu and Fordyce Nature Reserve |
R4 224 132,34 |
R160 629,65 |
|
6. Cwebe and Dwesa Nature Reserves |
R4224132,34 |
R54 183,61 |
|
Free State |
7. Gariep Dam Resort |
R4 953 022,08 |
R128 592,70 |
8. Maria Moroka Resort |
R4 953 022,08 |
R128 592,70 |
|
9. Phillip Saunders Resort |
R4 953 022,08 |
R328 736,18 |
|
10. Sterkfontein Dam Nature Reserve |
R4 953 022,08 |
R814 239,23 |
|
Limpopo |
11. Makapans Valley WH |
R3 116 225,23 |
R1 784 311,46 |
12. Nwanedi Nature Reserve |
R3 116 225,23 |
R1 993 254,48 |
|
13. Blouberg Nature Reserve |
R3 116 225,23 |
R2 150 442,00 |
|
14. Musina Nature Reserve |
R3 116 225,23 |
R1 864 144,17 |
|
15. Modjadji Nature Reserve |
R3 116 225,23 |
R2 142 211,68 |
|
Mpumalanga |
16. Manyeleti Nature Reserve |
R3 701 514,00 |
R2 302 675,88 |
17. Andover Nature Reserve |
R3 701 514,00 |
R2 305 689,40 |
|
18. Songimvelo Nature Reserve |
R3 701 514,00 |
R2 792 223,71 |
|
19. SS Skosana Nature Reserve |
R3 701 514,00 |
R2 475 707,10 |
|
Western Cape |
20. Khayelitsha Lookout Hill |
R3 600 350.89 |
R2 390 511,14 |
21. De Hoop Nature Reserve |
R3 600 350.89 |
R1 046 725,70 |
|
22. Wolvekloof Nature Reserve |
R3 600 350.89 |
R1 787 692,35 |
|
23. Cedarberg Wilderness |
R3 600 350.89 |
R1 466 089,98 |
|
24. Goukamma Nature Reserve |
R3 600 350.89 |
R1 828 543,97 |
|
25 Kogelberg Nature Reserve |
R3 600 350.89 |
R2 007 848,37 |
(b) An evaluation of the impact of the investments on the overall quality and accessibility of tourism infrastructure; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details
The maintenance projects serve to improve the condition of existing tourism infrastructure. Public infrastructure assets are critical for economic development, maintenance extends the life and efficiency of public infrastructure assets.
02 June 2023 - NW1752
Matumba, Mr A to ask the Minister of Tourism
(1) What are the reasons that she appointed certain persons (names and details furnished) as board members of SA Tourism after she was advised not to appoint them by the Portfolio Committee on Tourism; (2) whether she has found that this is direct nepotism and capturing of the SA Tourism Board by a certain party and a certain company (names furnished); if not, why not; if so, what steps will she take to rectify the situation?
Reply:
(1) What are the reasons that she appointed certain persons (names and details furnished) as board members of SA Tourism after she was advised not to appoint them by the Portfolio Committee on Tourism?
The appointments were made in accordance with Section 13 (b) of the Tourism Act, 2014. The said appointments were made prior to the Department’s appearance before the Portfolio Committee meeting which the Member is referencing.
(2) Whether she has found that this is direct nepotism and capturing of the SA Tourism Board by a certain party and a certain company (names furnished)
No, there is no nepotism and capturing of the SA Tourism Board. The Board members are appointed in Non-Executive positions.
02 June 2023 - NW1480
Arries, Ms LH to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
What measures has he put in place to ensure that accused offenders with minor offences will not be held in custody unnecessarily for a longer period, because their bail applications could not be processed due to the fact that 419 courts are dysfunctional during load shedding?
Reply:
All arrested offenders must appear before a lower court within 48 hours. During the first appearance, when an accused is brought to court in custody, the court must determine if the accused can be released from custody, either on warning or on bail. It is seldom that accused offenders with minor offences will not be released on bail or on warning.
The enquiry done by the court to decide on the release of an accused offender with minor offences, most of the time, consists of oral addresses by the prosecutor and accused offender or his/her legal representative. The court will only hear oral testimony under oath in cases where the State objects to the accused offender to be released on bail, and these will be in cases where more serious offences are involved. The applications for bail in minor offences are thus not impacted by loadshedding, as no oral testimony under oath must be heard by the court.
Even in extraordinary cases, if the court is required to hear oral testimony during a bail application where it relates to a minor offence, these cases receive preference and will be heard during time available in court outside of the period of loadshedding.
02 June 2023 - NW1600
Marais, Ms P to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
Whether her department has the power to provide any relief measures to nurse aides working at the Eros School for Cerebral Palsy and Learning Disabled, who have been working for more than 15 years as casual workers with no employment benefits; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) what relief and (b) by what date will the nurse aides be employed on a permanent basis?
Reply:
Please note that the national Department of Basic Education does not appoint health workers to schools, but the respective provincial education departments (PEDs) do. The Hon Member may refer the question to the relevant province for response.
02 June 2023 - NW1524
Cuthbert, Mr MJ to ask the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition
Whether, with reference to his reply to question 277 on 8 March 2023, he has found that the (a) Protocol on Intellectual Property Rights, which was formally reported at the African Union Assembly during February 2023 and (b) final agreement reached at the World Trade Organisation on waivers and flexibilities relating to pandemic use of patented vaccines had an impact on the Draft Patents Bill; if not, what is the position in each case; if so, in what way will the specified instruments have an impact on the Bill?
Reply:
The impact of the Protocol on Intellectual Property Rights and the agreement at the World Trade Organisation on waivers and flexibilities relating to pandemic use of patented vaccines are being considered. Should no changes be necessary, the Bill will be finalised for public consultation. Should changes be necessary, these will be effected prior to the release of the Bill.
-END-
02 June 2023 - NW1507
Wilson, Ms ER to ask the Minister of Health
(1)What (a) total number of healthcare workers have emigrated in each year since 2019 and (b) is the name of each person’s health profession; (2) what (a) total number of medical staff were hired (i) nationally and (ii) in each province due to the COVID-19 pandemic in (aa) 2020, (bb) 2021 and (cc) 2022 and (b) number of the contracts have been terminated?
Reply:
1. (a)(b)The National Department of Health does not record the data of healthcare workers that emigrate and therefore is unable to provide records of healthcare workers that emigrated in each year since 2019.
2. The table below provide data on medical staff that were hired (i) nationally and (ii) in each province due to the Covid-19 pandemic (aa) (bb) during the financial year 2020/2021 and the (b) number of contracts that have been terminated during the financial year 2020/2021.
2020/21 Summary Medical Related Professionals appointed and terminated during the financial year 2020/2021 |
||
|
Sum of Appointments (Permanent and Other) |
Sum of Terminations (Permanent and Other) |
Eastern Cape |
5232 |
3257 |
Free State |
2264 |
1314 |
Gauteng |
9367 |
4758 |
KwaZulu Natal |
8620 |
5580 |
Limpopo |
20274 |
14970 |
Mpumalanga |
1990 |
1248 |
Northern Cape |
983 |
661 |
Western Cape |
5076 |
3751 |
Grand Total |
53 806 |
35539 |
The table below provide data on medical staff that were hired (i) nationally and (ii) in each province due to the Covid-19 pandemic during (cc) the financial year 2021/2022 and the (b) number of the contracts that have been terminated during the financial year 2021/2022
2021/22 Summary Medical Related Professionals appointed and terminated during the financial year 2021/2022 |
||
|
Sum of Appointments |
Sum of Terminations |
Eastern Cape |
8403 |
7628 |
Free State |
2615 |
1753 |
Gauteng |
8079 |
6899 |
KwaZulu Natal |
6608 |
5031 |
Limpopo |
2845 |
2808 |
Mpumalanga |
1625 |
1373 |
Northern Cape |
591 |
728 |
Western Cape |
4065 |
3594 |
Grand Total |
34 831 |
29 814 |
END.
02 June 2023 - NW1744
Maotwe, Ms OMC to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises
Whether, considering the presentation that the Auditor-General of South Africa made to the Portfolio Committee on Public Enterprises on 3 May 2023, which demonstrated that, state-owned companies (SOEs) have faced rampant corruption, mismanagement and financial loss since he took over as Minister of Public Enterprises, he intends to resign for failing to stabilise the SOEs; if not, why not, if so, what are the relevant details ?
Reply:
No.
Only six SOEs fall within the Department of Public Enterprises mandate. A large number of SOEs are the responsibility of other departments.
The following are some of the steps taken by the SOEs to fight corruption and stabilize their finances and operations:
Since 2018, the department has launched initiatives to eradicate fraud and corruption in the SOEs. This includes holding perpetrators of state capture and corruption to account. Progress to date in fighting corruption is as follows:
- Eskom
-
- Contracts amounting to R14.7 billion were subject to state capture.
- R4,8 billion is being claimed against former contractors and Eskom’s former directors.
- Eskom and SIU successfully recovered R2 billion unlawfully paid to contractors.
- Eskom has opened 11 criminal cases for investigation by law enforcement agencies with the view to ensure that perpetrators of state capture are prosecuted.
- 2 cases of corruption are before the courts, one relates to ABB and another one relates to former Acting GCE Mr. Koko.
- Consultations with CIPC and law enforcement agencies are unfolding to imminently launch director delinquency proceedings against 13 former directors of Eskom.
- 25 names of former senior executive of Eskom have been identified for inclusion into a state-wide central database of officials implicated in state capture and other administrative corruption.
- A central database to be used to monitor that individuals do not resurface elsewhere in the state is being established.
- DPE’s complaint laid with IRBA resulted in Mr. Aaron Buyiswa Mthimunye being fined R5.1 million and being barred from practicing as an auditor for incorrect audit opinion in respect of Eskom’s 2016 audit.
- The complaint laid with SAICA against Mr. Anoj Singh resulted in him being barred from practicing as an auditor and fined 50% (exact figure not provided) of the costs of the disciplinary hearing.
- The MOI of Eskom was revised in 2019 and all board tender committees were done away with.
- 12. SIU launched investigations into 14 coal transportation service provider concerning payments from 2016 to 31 January 2021.
- Five employees were suspended, one resigned during the interview with the investigating team and one resigned prior to commencement of the investigation.
- The official who resigned during the interview received R3.1m from one of the vendors under investigation.
- The SIU Tribunal issued an order in October 2021 to freeze R11.5m held in a bank account of an entity, which a senior Eskom official was a signatory, and the official was dismissed.
- 15 criminal cases are being investigated in relation to coal transport contracts.
1.13 Four diesel suppliers are implicated in potential wrongdoing are under investigation. SIU has referred 5620 matters to Eskom for institution of disciplinary proceedings as follows:
- 5464 for failure to submit financial declarations that are integral in preventing and detecting conflict of interest concerning the management of Eskom's resources.
- 135 for failing to declare or get approval for doing work outside of Eskom.
- 11 officials red flagged through lifestyle audits.
- 10 officials referred through whistle blower reports.
- 14 officials referred concerning findings from build contract investigations.
- 1 official in relation to coal transportation contract.
1.14 Contracts cancelled by Eskom as a result of SIU’s investigations:
- CSA - R6.955bn.
- Build contracts – R4.128bn.
- Total – 11.083bn.
1.15 Contracts declared invalid by the courts:
- CSA - R3.7 bn.
1.16 Savings/Losses Prevented
- CSA: Setting aside Brakfontein CSA – R2.684 bn.
- CSA: Cancellation of Koorfontein CSA - R5.550 bn.
- Build Contract matter before Dispute Arbitration Board (Stefanutti Stocks) - R400m.
- ABB: Prevention of future losses – R1.45bn.
1.17 Evidence referred to assist Eskom in Defence contractors' claims before the Dispute arbitration Board:
- Stefanutti Stocks R.6 bn.
- Tubular - R60m.
- Tenova – R300m.
- ABB – R1.45 bn.
- Total R3.41bn.
2. Transnet
-
- The total value of tainted contracts identified by the Commission amounted to R41.2bn.
- Transnet successfully recovered R744m from CRRC and Liebher R1.181bn.
- Transnet opened 12 criminal cases for investigation by law enforcement agencies with the view to ensure that perpetrators of state capture are prosecuted.
- 4. The value of contracts under investigation is as follows:
- Procurement of 1064 locomotives - R49,46bn;
- Liebherr crane contracts - R1,084bn;
- ZPMC crane contract – R961m.
- Regiments and Trillian advisory services contract - R1.49bn;
- Nedbank interest rate swaps transaction facilitated by Regiments that has cost Transnet R2.339bn payments and interest rate of around R531m and fees of R146m paid to Regiments;
- Neotel contract for installation of CCTV cameras in ports with potential civil recovery of R834m;
- Global Software Solutions (GSS) contract for wagon optimisation project amounting to R250m;
- Commission paid to GSS for facilitating the IT contract awarded by Transnet to SAP on a R165m contract; and
- Zestilor for cession of Transnet hardware from T-Systems to Zestilor contract valued at R154,2m.
2.5 Value of successful civil recovering:
- R18m paid to CRRC for an advanced payment made for spares that were not delivered; and
- R54m paid to Liebherr for the crane contract.
2.6 Transnet and SIU progressing with litigation to:
- Review and set aside of1064 locomotives contract and just and equitable relief;
- Review and set aside of ZPMC 1064 locomotives contract and just and equitable relief;
- Review and set aside Neotel CCTV cameras contract and just and equitable relief;
- Review and set aside Liebherr crane contracts where just and equitable relief sought is that the settlement agreement of Liebherr is just and equitable remedy;
- Claims of R521,37m against Trillian and Regiments (both in liquidation) and former Transnet officials related to the transaction advisory services; and
- CRRC interdict and forfeiture of CRRC funds in South Africa (SARS has executed against R4.9bn and it is unclear what will remain after tax assessments are completed).
2.7 The DPE is currently finalising consultations with CIPC with the view to imminently launch director delinquency proceedings against 25 former directors of Transnet.
3. South African Airways
3.1 Value of contracts tainted by state capture that are under investigation amount to R1.8bn.
3.2 10 criminal cases have been opened with law enforcement agencies for investigation.
3.3 SAA and SIU are progressing with launching of the following civil claims:
- ARR/JM Aviation – R1.bn relating to corruption between third parties, board members and employees of SAA;
- Recovery of R14m emanating from disposal of Ground Processing Units at a loss of R5.64m;
- Motion papers filed at Special Tribunal to set aside a contract and recover R85m plus interest pertaining to leasing of aircraft from FlyoFofa Airways;
- Airbus/Pembroke - R824m regarding tender irregularities and contract non-compliance issues on sale and lease back agreement of aircraft; Zonkesiswe/IEPS Protection Services – R985m regarding irregular payments and contract extensions.
3.4 R130m savings registered concerning cancellation of a contract amounting to R170m that was awarded irregularly to Ugandra/TATA (Tata Consultancy Services).
3.5 McKinsey (Sale of obsolete stock)- SIU facilitated civil reimbursement of R14m contract by McKinsey.
3.6 former director (Yakwe Kwinana) was fined R6.1m and barred from practicing as a CA subsequent to a complaint laid by the department.
3.7 The MOI of SAA was revised in 2019 to do away with all board tender committees.
4. Denel
-
- Former board chairperson implicated in state capture referred to Law Society to prevent them from practicing.
- All recommendations of criminal contained in the state capture report are under investigation by law enforcement agencies.
- DPE is currently finalising consultations with CIPC with the view to imminently launch director delinquency proceedings against 9 former directors of Denel.
- Former director (Daniel Mantsha) referred to LPC for discipline.
5. Alexkor
-
- State capture report currently being analysed and cases being prepared for referral to law enforcement agencies.
- All recommendations of criminal cases contained in the state capture report are under investigation by law enforcement agencies.
- DPE is currently finalising consultations with CIPC with the view to imminently launch director delinquency proceedings against 25 former directors of Alexkor.
In addition, many other initiatives are in place (e.g., the intervention of government to take part of Eskom’s debt onto the sovereign balance sheet) to stabilize the SOEs.
Remarks: Reply: Approved / Not approved
Jacky Molisane PJ Gordhan, MP
Acting Director-General Minister
Date: Date:
02 June 2023 - NW1717
Singh, Mr N to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises
What immediate steps are being taken to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply to critical services such as water and sanitation pump stations, hospitals and other essential services, considering Eskom’s inability to meet the Republic’s electricity demands, the increasing frequency of loadshedding, and the possibility of a nationwide collapse of the grid; (2) whether, with many essential services currently sharing the same grid with surrounding residential areas, leading to some areas not experiencing loadshedding for months while others face additional load shedding, there is any plan in place to establish separate reticulation lines, dedicated transformers and substations for essential service providers; if not, why not; if so, (3) whether the plan is feasible; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) how long is it envisaged to take to implement the plan and (b) what are the potential risks to the stability of the electricity grid associated with such reengineering. (4) what are the details of how he and Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd intend to meet the 60-day court ordered directive handed down in the High Court, Gauteng Division, Pretoria Case No: 005779/2023 on 5 May 2023?
Reply:
According to the information received from Eskom:
(1) At present, Eskom is engaging with both the Department of Health and the Department of Water and Sanitation regarding their points of supply in the Eskom supply area identified as critical. Once this has been completed, where possible, measures will be implemented to mitigate the impact of loadshedding as far as practically possible. Currently, Eskom exempts or partially exempts 25 public health establishments within its area of supply.
(2) Where a facility is deeply embedded in the network, partial exemption at lower stages of loadshedding has been granted. Eskom has concluded a preliminary assessment of establishing dedicated feeders for certain hospitals. This assessment has been shared with the Department of Health, and discussions on implementation are ongoing. A similar approach will be followed for other critical infrastructure.
(3)(a)(b) The implementation time is envisaged to take between 12 to 24 months, after the investment decision, depending on the type of solution and other factors such as environmental approvals and land acquisition. The impact on grid stability is minimal, as the System Operator will continue to balance demand and supply.
(4) The Minister has decided to file an urgent appeal to set aside the judgment. Therefore, the application by the Minister to appeal will suspend the operation and execution of a judgment of the High Court, pending the outcome of the application.
However, Eskom continues its endeavours to provide whatever relief is possible, given the design of the grid that the hospital or essential service is connected to. All of the above, is, of course, dependent on the total megawatts available from the generation system. It is the latter that is the fundamental cause of the current limitations on energy availability.
Remarks: Approved / Not Approved
Jacky Molisane PJ Gordhan, MP
Acting Director-General Minister
Date: Date:
02 June 2023 - NW1523
Cuthbert, Mr MJ to ask the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition
(1)What are the reasons that the Draft Patents Amendment Bill, which is vital to pandemic readiness, access to medicines and to local manufacturing, has repeatedly been delayed; (2) whether his department is experiencing external pressures from third parties such as trade entities from the United States trade and European Union to delay the Bill; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the details of the pressures; (3) on what date is it envisaged that the Bill will be tabled in Parliament?
Reply:
1. The draft legislation had been prepared by the department for consideration. There were two processes that needed to be taken account of however, prior to Cabinet consideration of its contents. The first relates to the World ~Trade Organisation (WTO) discussions on flexibilities to international rules on intellectual property. The second was the discussions held under the auspices of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) on an African Protocol on Intellectual Property Rights.
Significant progress has been achieved on both, with conclusion on a WTO agreement covering vaccines, reached in June 2022; and finalisation of the AfCFTA Protocol in February 2023. The content of draft legislation can thus be evaluated against these changes in the global regulatory landscape by Cabinet during its consideration of the Bill, which is expected shortly. The legislation will be released for public comment within one week of approval by Cabinet.
2. Officials of the Department have not experienced external pressures from any trade entities from any country and no entity would be privy to the content of the draft legislation until same is released publicly.
3. It is intended that the draft Bill would be submitted to Cabinet shortly after completion of the process referred to in 1 above.
-END-
02 June 2023 - NW1667
Horn, Mr W to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
(a) What is the role and functions of community prosecutors and (b) how are they involved in the administration of justice; (2) With regard to the work done by community prosecutors, (a) what total number of such prosecutors have been appointed and (b) at which service points are they stationed?
Reply:
1. (a) Community Prosecutors are seasoned legal professionals who engage with local communities and relevant stakeholders to address the public safety concerns of a local community. Therefore, the Community Prosecution Initiative is a partnership between prosecutors, communities, law enforcement, NGOs and local authorities.
Community Prosecution Initiatives engage the community to identify local public safety challenge, develop and implement solutions to address these concerns and/or community irritants.
The Community Prosecution Initiative takes a victim-centric approach, prioritising the needs of victims of crime and the most vulnerable. The initiative provides practical services to local and disadvantaged communities through awareness raising, developing lasting solutions to ongoing crime problems and partnering with community-based organisations, local government and the SAPS.
(b) Community Prosecutors assist communities in building safer neighborhoods by
jointly developing solutions on ongoing forms of public safety concerns, including serious and violent crimes. Community Prosecutors assist their court-based colleagues to prosecute more strategically by targeting crime syndicates, criminals and repeat offenders. In addition, this approach will also assist in removing less serious cases from the court rolls (by implementing solutions for community irritants) to allow for increased court time for serious cases to be dealt with.
Community Prosecutors work with relevant stakeholders to develop crime prevention interventions, focusing on quality-of-life crimes, while also engaging in public education and information programmes.
2. (a) Nine (9) out of eleven (11) posts advertised are currently filled. These
permanently appointed officials on Senior Public Prosecutor level, are responsible as provincial coordinators, to oversee current implemented sites, facilitate stakeholder cooperation, manage the identification and implementation of new sites (a minimum of 3 new sites per division for the current financial year) and ensure impact delivery of all sites.
There are also Community Prosecutors appointed on a rotational basis who do Community Prosecutions work, over and above their daily prosecution work. These rotational Community Prosecutors are managed and their functions co-ordinated by the permanent Community Prosecutors.
2(b) The following table depicts the Division, Office, Site and Community Initiative type currently rolled out within the NPA:
Division |
Office |
Site |
Initiative |
Eastern Cape |
Gelvandale |
Gelvandale |
Gender-Based Violence and Substance Abuse |
Eastern Cape |
Motherwell |
Motherwell |
Substance & Drug Abuse |
Eastern Cape |
East London |
East London |
Liquor Outlets |
Eastern Cape: Mthatha |
Butterworth |
Msobomvu |
Gender-Based violence |
Eastern Cape: Mthatha |
Mthatha |
Ngangelizwe |
Gender-Based violence |
Free State |
Bloemfontein |
Bloemfontein |
Substance & Drug Abuse |
Free State |
Sasolburg |
Sasolburg |
Substance & Drug Abuse |
Gauteng North |
Mamelodi |
Mamelodi |
Gender-based violence |
Gauteng North |
Vaalrand |
Brakpan |
Gender-based violence |
Gauteng South |
Alexandra |
Alexandra |
Liquor Outlets |
Gauteng South |
Kliptown (Eldorado Park) |
Kliptown (Eldorado Park) |
Substance & Drug Abuse |
Gauteng South |
Johannesburg |
Hillbrow |
Substance & Drug Abuse |
KwaZulu-Natal |
Pietermaritzburg |
Plessislaer |
Reduction of Assaults |
KwaZulu-Natal |
Umzinto |
Umzinto |
Reduction of Assaults & Domestic Violence |
Limpopo |
Giyani |
Giyani |
Gender-Based Violence |
Limpopo |
Mankweng |
Mankweng |
Gender-Based Violence |
Mpumalanga |
Ermelo |
Ermelo |
Stock Theft |
Mpumalanga |
White River |
Msholozi |
Gender-Based Violence |
North-West |
Molopo District Court |
Molopo |
Stock Theft |
North-West |
Odi |
Moretele |
Stock Theft |
North-West |
Ikageng (Potchefstroom) |
Klerksdorp |
Stock Theft |
Northern Cape |
Kuruman |
Kuruman |
Gender-Based Violence |
Northern Cape |
Phutanang Kimberley |
Galeshewe |
Gender-Based Violence |
Western Cape |
Wynberg |
Browns Farm |
Gender-Based Violence |
Western Cape |
Bellville |
Delft |
Gender-Based Violence |
These officials are currently located in the respective DPP offices in the divisions. Currently, there are 25 Community Prosecution Initiatives rolled-out within the NPA. Out of the 25 initiatives that are already confirmed and running, the majority relate to Gender-Based Violence (14) followed by Substance and Drug Abuse (5), and Stock Theft (3), Reduction of Assaults (1) and Liquor Outlets (2), respectively.
02 June 2023 - NW1504
Hlengwa, Ms MD to ask the Minister of Health
(1)Whether his department has any records showing any rise in sexually transmitted infections from 1 January 2022 to date; (2) what (a) is the rate of HIV/Aids transmission from mother to child that his department has recorded in the past year to date, (b) has his department identified to be the most contributing factor to the specified rate and (c) measures has his department implemented to ensure that the rate of transmission does not persist?
Reply:
1. Between 2022 and 2023, new episodes of STIs increased from 358 060 to 385 657 nationally, according to our District Health Information System (DHIS).
2. (a) The transmission rate from mother to child has declined over the years from 0.55% for FY 2019/2020 to 0.44% for FY 22/23 . In the past year to date transmission is 0.44% (DHIS).
(b) The most contributing factors for MTCT include:
(i) maternal factors include elevated viral load, symptomatic disease, poor adherence to- and failure to use antiretroviral drugs during pregnancy and breast-feeding period;
(ii) obstetric factors are per-vaginal delivery, rupture of membrane;
(iii) neonatal factors are low birth weight, breastfeeding, prematurity;
(iv) Seroconversion during pregnancy and post-delivery, leading to viraemia which is the presence of the virus in the blood, if the mother is not on treatment.
(c) measures that the department implemented to ensure that the rate of transmission does not persist are:
- Offering HIV testing at every Basic Antenatal Care (BANC) (write in full please) visit and implement Test and Treat, as prevention of primary HIV infection;
- Educate patients about the unintended pregnancies in women of childbearing age. This includes making condoms available, and offering PreP to HIV negative women in pregnancy and post delivery, voluntary Male Medical Circumcision (VMMC);
- improvement of maternal viral suppression rates at delivery and in the post-delivery period through potent, well-tolerated antiretroviral regimens (TLD) as 1st and 2nd line therapy, strategic use of maternal viral load monitoring, linking of mothers to post-delivery HIV care and integration of mother-infant health care;
- provision of enhanced prophylaxis to infants of mothers with elevated HIV viral loads in the breastfeeding period, while every effort is made to regain maternal viral suppression;
- Supporting women with the safe childbirth practices and appropriate infant feeding;
- Making use of infant HIV testing and other post-natal healthcare services;
- Roll out of HIV and AIDS Treatment literacy.
END.
02 June 2023 - NW1610
Chirwa-Mpungose, Ms NN to ask the Minister of Health
Noting the continuous reports on the shortage of doctors, nurses and general workers in public healthcare facilities, will he (a) outline the total number of personnel shortages in each province and (b) indicate the date when the vacancies will be filled?
Reply:
The Compensation of Employees (COE) when compared to the allocated budget for 2021/22 financial year has shown a decrease of 0.3% (R458.4 million) in 2022/23 and a further additional 4.0% (R6.1 billion) decrease in 2023/2024 baseline.
This has negatively affected Human Resources Capacity in the Public Health Sector, and has forced Provinces to freeze/cut posts funded through the Equitable Share to avoid overspending in Compensation of Employees (COE). The situation was further aggravated by the cessation of the Covid-19 Grant budget as on 31 March 2023, which resulted in termination of employment contracts for employees employed through the Grant.
Currently, Provinces are unable to fill existing vacant posts, despite service delivery needs/demands. Instead, they (Provinces) are required to prioritize filling of posts across all levels of care within the available budget.
In order to mitigate the above, the Provincial Department of Health have introduced several interventions to address the shortage of health workers (i.e. amongst others doctors, nurses and general workers) in healthcare facilities, which amongst includes:
- Prioritisation of the posts in the Annual Recruitment Plan – where funding permits
- Prioritisation of the posts for conditional grant funding
- Filling of replacement posts considered and approved through Annual Recruitment Plan
- Provision of internship and community service programmes
a) In accordance with the PERSAL report below, extracted on 30 April 2023, the overall vacancy posts are 45 072 (i.e. 35 462 health related posts and 9 610 administration and support related posts) in the public health sector.
1.1 Health-Related vacant post (Occupational Groups) per provincial departments as at April 2023 |
|||||||||||
|
EC |
FS |
GP |
KZN |
LP |
MPU |
NDoH |
NW |
NC |
WC |
Grand Total |
DEVELOPMENTAL PROGRAMMES |
0 |
0 |
0 |
101 |
0 |
8 |
0 |
23 |
0 |
568 |
700 |
EMERGENCY SERVICE AND RELATED PERSONNEL |
270 |
576 |
574 |
191 |
69 |
21 |
0 |
112 |
134 |
124 |
2071 |
ENGINEERING RELATED AND SUPPORT PERSONNEL |
4 |
22 |
19 |
17 |
3 |
4 |
1 |
13 |
5 |
28 |
116 |
HEALTH ASSOCIATED SCIENCES AND SUPPORT PERSONNEL |
575 |
1454 |
1769 |
1133 |
272 |
136 |
47 |
474 |
355 |
524 |
6739 |
MEDICAL SCIENCES AND SUPPORT PERSONNEL |
421 |
719 |
1166 |
1077 |
678 |
152 |
10 |
197 |
111 |
341 |
4872 |
MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY AND SUPPORT PERSONNEL |
15 |
324 |
44 |
38 |
5 |
2 |
0 |
6 |
1 |
11 |
446 |
NATURAL SCIENCES RELATED AND SUPPORT PERSONNEL |
0 |
6 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
8 |
NURSING AND SUPPORT PERSONNEL |
4 |
1264 |
107 |
20 |
8 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1403 |
|
NURSING ASSISTANT |
255 |
718 |
368 |
513 |
101 |
143 |
0 |
320 |
122 |
213 |
2753 |
PROFESSIONAL NURSE |
2033 |
1616 |
3753 |
2832 |
731 |
506 |
1 |
710 |
325 |
561 |
13068 |
SOCIAL SERVICES AND SUPPORT PERSONNEL |
1 |
44 |
26 |
35 |
2 |
4 |
0 |
13 |
6 |
33 |
164 |
STAFF NURSE |
303 |
533 |
484 |
1014 |
186 |
246 |
0 |
142 |
57 |
157 |
3122 |
Grand Total |
3881 |
6012 |
9468 |
7058 |
2067 |
1230 |
60 |
2010 |
1116 |
2560 |
35462 |
1.2 Admin Related vacant posts (Occupational Groups) per provincial departments as at April 2023 |
|||||||||||
|
EC |
FS |
GP |
KZN |
LP |
MPU |
NDoH |
NW |
NC |
WC |
Grand Total |
ADMINISTRATIVE LINE FUNCTION AND SUPPORT PERSONNEL |
191 |
443 |
882 |
739 |
44 |
163 |
60 |
300 |
195 |
339 |
3356 |
AGRICULTURAL RELATED AND SUPPORT PERSONNEL |
6 |
28 |
72 |
34 |
26 |
18 |
0 |
57 |
1 |
0 |
242 |
ARTISAN AND SUPPORT PERSONNEL |
53 |
225 |
3 |
251 |
48 |
3 |
0 |
19 |
19 |
101 |
722 |
COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION RELATED PERSONNEL |
16 |
5 |
18 |
8 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
16 |
0 |
19 |
85 |
ECONOMIC ADVISORY AND SUPPORT PERSONNEL |
2 |
75 |
18 |
0 |
0 |
18 |
0 |
0 |
198 |
311 |
|
HUMAN RESOURCE AND SUPPORT PERSONNEL |
1 |
14 |
124 |
212 |
0 |
1 |
9 |
52 |
1 |
102 |
516 |
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND RELATED PERSONNEL |
9 |
33 |
19 |
8 |
0 |
0 |
7 |
8 |
5 |
35 |
124 |
LEGAL AND SUPPORT PERSONNEL |
1 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
3 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
11 |
|
MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL SUPPORT PERSONNEL |
365 |
1060 |
662 |
893 |
311 |
481 |
86 |
264 |
74 |
40 |
4236 |
REGULATORY AND SUPPORT PERSONNEL |
7 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
7 |
|
Grand Total |
642 |
1818 |
1857 |
2164 |
429 |
666 |
186 |
717 |
297 |
834 |
9610 |
b) Even-though, the is a systematic process of approving funding and advertisements of posts by Accounting Officers (through the Annual Recruitment Plan) a further consultation with the Provincial Treasuries supersedes filling of vacant posts to avoid exceeding Cost of Employment (COE) budgets. It therefore not possible to mention a specific date but to alert that the filling of posts is prioritized across the Public Health Sector.
02 June 2023 - NW1877
Buthelezi, Mr EM to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises
Whether, arising from the debacle surrounding the speculation on whether the Republic supplied Russia with arms and weaponry, the Deputy Minister for the first time visited the Denel manufacturing plant when he as the Minister conducted a site visit on 12 May 2023; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, are site visits not undertaken routinely by either him or the Deputy Minister; (2) Whether the purpose of the site visit was to inspect the nature of the weapons produced by the plant; if not, what was the purpose of the site visit; if so, (3) Whether any of the weapons produced at Denel are known and overseen by his department; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (4) Whether the Deputy Minister appraised himself of the weapons and equipment produced at the specified plant during the site visit because of the United States Ambassador to the Republic raising his concerns publicly; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details? NW2128E
Reply:
1. The Minister did not conduct a site visit to Denel on 12 May 2023. On that specific week, the Minister was on an official visit to the People’s Republic of China. Site visits to operations of State-Owned Enterprises (SOCs) are part of the oversight mechanisms available to the Minister, Deputy Minister, and the Department to get a first-hand appreciation of the state of operations at each SOC and to interact with management and employees at the shopfloor level.
2. The primary purpose of the visit was not about inspecting weapons produced by Denel. The visit was part of the induction process for the Deputy Minister since his appointment in March 2023. The visit has given the Deputy Minister an opportunity to engage with management and employees of the Denel divisions and to visit the operations. The display of weapons on the day was the initiative of Denel to showcase the capabilities to the Deputy Minister and their relevance to national security.
3. Yes, all the weapon systems in the custodY of Denel are known by the Department. These are reported on in Denel’s Corporate Plan, Quarterly Reports and Annual Reports. Denel’s portfolio of weapons and weapon systems is regulated through the National Conventional Arms Control Act.
(4) Yes. Denel’s presentation outlined all the capabilities and product portfolio of the two divisions. Denel management confirmed to the Deputy Minister that Denel has not sold any military hardware or product to the Russian Federation.
The Ambassador of the United States to South Africa, has, in recent weeks, apologized for his unfounded claims.
Remarks: Reply: Approved / Not Approved
Jacky Molisane P J Gordhan, MP
Acting Director-General Minister
Date: Date:
02 June 2023 - NW1872
Singh, Mr N to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Electricity
Whether Eskom has an official or unofficial policy and/or practice, where in the event of illegal connections being found in a residential and/or business area, it suspends the electricity supply to the entire area, causing power outages for legitimate consumers, in some areas for up to six months while for 10 weeks currently in Umkomaas, on the south coast of KwaZulu-Natal; if not, what (a) is the position in this regard and (b) steps of intervention will he take to deal with this practice; if so, what are the relevant details of the policy and its legality?
Reply:
a) The failed transformer PAMS 65 that is referred to by the Honourable Mr Singh was replaced on Saturday 13 May 2023 according to the process where all customers who had tampered with their meters to avoid paying for electricity had paid the required fine and illegal connections had been removed. Important facts to note regarding this transformer are that some customers were found to have converted themselves to prepaid meters and had installed sub-meters; in such cases, the revenue does not come to Eskom.
Eskom never disconnected or suspended electricity to this area; however, the transformer overloaded and isolated itself due to overload caused by illegal connections, bypassed meters, and vandalism of the infrastructure.
Eskom is experiencing a very significant increase in transformer failures in residential areas due to meter tampering, illegal connections, and vandalism of Eskom’s infrastructure. Replacement of infrastructure without addressing the root cause has become unsustainable, costly, and unsafe for Eskom’s technicians and members of the public, specifically also innocent children.
In such cases, Eskom has an obligation to eliminate the associated safety risk before a transformer is replaced. The replacement of transformers without resolving the problem leads to repeated failures and unsafe conditions for our technical team and the community, and this is also financially unsustainable.
The existing infrastructure has been installed to cater for the supply requirements of Eskom’s legally connected customers.
(b)In addition to the Electricity Regulation Act and its licence conditions, Eskom is required to comply with, among others, NRS 047 Part 1: Quality of Service (“NRS 047”) and the Distribution System Code (“the Distribution Code”), attached to this as Annexures A and B, respectively, which regulate matters pertaining to unplanned supply interruptions. Clause 4.5.3 of NRS 047 regulates the restoration of supply after unplanned interruptions. Under “normal circumstances”, Eskom would be required to follow the restoration period provided in NRS 047. This provision must be read together with paragraph 18.4(1) of the Distribution Code, which requires customers to comply with instructions from Eskom before the supply of electricity is restored. Paragraph 3(1) of the Distribution Code, furthermore, states that Eskom is required to take remedial action to relieve any condition that may jeopardise the reliability of the Distribution system.
Therefore, before the transformer can be replaced and supply restored, an audit must be conducted, and the customers normalised. In line with the regulations and Eskom’s processes, community members who are found to have tampered with their meters are issued with tamper fines of R6 052.60 per tampered meter and all illegal connections are removed. Furthermore, at least 75% of customers legally connected to the transformer must be in good standing before the transformer is replaced. This is to ensure that the infrastructure on the ground will be able to cater for the required load.
02 June 2023 - NW1506
Clarke, Ms M to ask the Minister of Health
With reference to the Draft Regulations on the Surveillance and the Control of Notifiable Medical Conditions (NMCs) published in the Government Gazette on or about 15 March 2022, and then the subsequent publishing of the Health Regulations Relating to the surveillance and control of NMC’s on or about 4 May 2022, what are his department’s reasons for (a) listing COVID-19 as a Category 2 NMC, (b) not putting duration on the listing of COVID-19 in general as an NMC in the Health Regulations given the weakness of the current strain and abandonment of all COVID-19 restrictions and (c) not differentiating between COVID-19 variants and instead listing COVID-19 in general as an NMC, as opposed to only listing severe variants?
Reply:
a) COVID-19 has always been category 1 notifiable medical condition. In the latest Notifiable Medical Condition list published in February 2023, COVID-19 is listed as part of the Respiratory disease caused by a novel respiratory pathogen under category 1.
b) The Notifiable Medical Condition list consists of conditions that are of public health concern and need to be put under surveillance for early detection and effective response in case of an outbreak, epidemic or pandemic. There is therefore no time duration of having a condition on the NMC list.
c) Any of the communicable notifiable medical conditions can have more than one variant of the causative agent, therefore it is not practical to amend or update the NMC list whenever a new NMC variant is detected. Information on emerging variants is shared in relevant platforms with public health stakeholders to facilitate clinical management of cases.
END.
02 June 2023 - NW1501
Hlengwa, Ms MD to ask the Minister of Health
(1)Whether his department has taken steps to rectify the shortcomings that were experienced during the hard lockdown of the pandemic such as the distribution and backlogs of medication to date; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) whether he has found that patients living with HIV and AIDS receive their medication on time; if not, what are the reasons that the challenge of patients who do not receive their medication on time is still a persisting issue; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there were no backlogs in the distribution of medication. Additionally, there have been no major supply chain challenges related to the essential medicines during the pandemic period.
2. During the pandemic period, patients on chronic therapy, including patients on antiretorvirals, received at least two months’ supply of the medication in an effort to reduce pressure on facilities. Additionally, patients received medicines via the CCMDD programme.
END.
02 June 2023 - NW1521
Clarke, Ms M to ask the Minister of Health
What (a) total number of foreign educated and trained persons in the medical field, by category of medical profession, who either return or come to the Republic seeking to become registered and/or employed within the public health service, (i) have applied to write the required examinations to become qualified and (ii) were rejected and (b) were the reasons for such rejection in the (i) 2020, (ii) 2021 and (iii) 2022 academic years?
Reply:
a) The Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA)’s Registrar has informed the Minister that –
(i) 382 foreign-qualified persons applied for registration as medical practitioners;
(ii) 5 foreign-qualified persons’ applications were rejected during the period 2020, 2021 and 2022.
As per table below:
Year |
Number applied and accepted |
Number applied and rejected |
Total |
2020 |
116 |
0 |
116 |
2021 |
83 |
5 |
88 |
2022 |
178 |
0 |
178 |
Total |
377 |
5 |
382 |
(b) (i) In 2020 – None were rejected;
(ii) In 2021 – 5 were rejected, because upon assessment, it was found that the universities where the 5 applicants studied did not meet the standard to be either equivalent or satisfactory compared to the South African standard for registrability;
(iii) 2022 – None were rejected.
END.
02 June 2023 - NW1845
Graham-Maré, Ms SJ to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Electricity
(1) Whether, with reference to the use of open-cycle gas turbines (OCGTs) to supplement the electricity supply to mitigate load shedding, there has been an increase in storage capacity for diesel at the OCGT sites to cater for the increased usage; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) Whether any emergency measures have been put in place in the event of a breakdown of an OCGT; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) Whether the OCGTs are able to run at the required capacity for an extended period; if not, what are the alternatives; if so, (a) at what capacity are they running and (b) for what period is it anticipated that they will run?
Reply:
1) As part of our contingency measures for the high utilisation of the OCGTs, additional offsite storage has been secured in Mossel Bay and in Cape Town.
(2)Eskom has experienced maintenance and engineering staff to address any failures at the OCGTs with the support of the Original Equipment Manufacturer.
(3)(a) and (b) The OCGTs can run at the anticipated load factors for an extended period. YTD for FY2024, the OCGTs are running at a load factor (GLF) of 22%. The OCGTs are expected to run at approximately 20% for the winter period, until the end of August 2023. The required OCGT load factors after this period will depend on the performance of the generation fleet and the demand
02 June 2023 - NW1696
De Villiers, Mr JN to ask the Minister of Health
Whether he will furnish Mr J N de Villiers 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 in the (aa) 2021-22 financial year and (bb) since 1 April 2023?
Reply:
The breakdown of the procurement allocation submitted by health public entities in terms of the percentages allocated to the indicated enterprises (i-iv) is provided in the table below, per the (aa) 2021-22 financial year and (bb) since 1 April 2023:
Enterprises Categories b (i-iv) |
(aa) 2021/22 |
2022/23 |
(bb) Since 1 April 2023 |
Percentage of allocation |
Percentage of allocation |
Percentage of allocation |
|
South African of Medical Research Council |
|||
(i) Small, medium and macro enterprises |
1% |
1% |
1% |
(ii) Cooperatives |
0% |
0% |
0% |
(iii) Township enterprises |
0% |
0% |
0% |
(iv) Rural enterprises |
0% |
0% |
0% |
Council for Medical Schemes |
|||
(i) Small, medium and macro enterprises |
63.13% |
50.07% |
48.45% |
(ii) Cooperatives |
0% |
0% |
0% |
(iii) Township enterprises |
0% |
0% |
0% |
(iv) Rural enterprises |
0.28% |
1.10% |
0% |
South African Health Products Regulatory Authority |
|||
(i) Small, medium and macro enterprises |
66% |
84% |
100% |
(ii) Cooperatives |
0% |
0% |
0% |
(iii) Township enterprises |
5% |
1% |
0% |
(iv) Rural enterprises |
0% |
0% |
0% |
National Health Laboratory Service |
|||
For Requests for Quotations (RFQ) of less than R1m |
|||
(i) Small, medium and macro enterprises |
37.9% |
61.5% |
71.7% |
(ii) Cooperatives |
0.0% |
0.0% |
0.0% |
(iii) Township enterprises |
1.1% |
0.4% |
2.3% |
(iv) Rural enterprises |
0.7% |
0.1% |
0.2% |
For Requests for Bids (RFB) with a value of over R1m |
|||
(i) Small, medium and macro enterprises |
6% |
21% |
0% |
(ii) Cooperatives |
0% |
0% |
0% |
(iii) Township enterprises |
0% |
2% |
0% |
(iv) Rural enterprises |
0% |
5% |
0% |
Office of Health Standards Compliance |
|||
(i) Small, medium and macro enterprises |
29.02% |
29.23% |
38.09% |
(ii) Cooperatives |
0.03% |
0% |
0% |
(iii) Township enterprises |
2.87% |
0.01% |
13.73% |
(iv) Rural enterprises |
0% |
95.31% |
0 |
END
02 June 2023 - NW1737
Singh, Mr N to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises
Whether Eskom has an official and/or unofficial policy or practice where, in the event of illegal connections being found in a residential and/or business area, the entity suspends electricity supply to the entire area, causing power outages for legitimate consumers, in some areas for up to six months as was reported in one area, and for 10 weeks now in Umkomaas on the south coast of KwaZulu Natal; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) what are the relevant details of the policy and (b) on what legislative provisions is the policy based; (2) whether he will intervene and/or investigate the situation and furnish Mr N Singh with a report upon the conclusion of the investigation and/or intervention; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
According to the information received from Eskom:
1. The failed transformer PAMS 65 that is referred to by the Honourable Mr Singh was replaced on Saturday 13 May 2023 according to the process where all customers who had tampered with their meters to avoid paying for electricity had paid the required fine and illegal connections had been removed. Some customers were found to have converted themselves to prepaid meters and had installed sub-meters.
Eskom did not disconnect or suspend electricity to this area; however, the transformer had overloaded and isolated itself due to overload caused by illegal connections, bypassed meters, and vandalism of the infrastructure.
Eskom is experiencing a very significant increase in transformer failures in residential areas due to meter tampering, illegal connections, and vandalism of Eskom’s infrastructure. Replacement of infrastructure without addressing the root cause has become unsustainable, costly, and unsafe for Eskom’s technicians and members of the public, specifically also innocent children.
In such cases, Eskom has an obligation to eliminate the associated safety risk before a transformer is replaced. The replacement of transformers without resolving the problem leads to repeated failures and unsafe conditions for the technical team and the community, and this is also financially unsustainable.
The existing infrastructure has been installed to cater for the supply requirements of Eskom’s legally connected customers.
(a) and (b) In addition to the Electricity Regulation Act and its licence conditions, Eskom is required to comply with, among others, NRS 047 Part 1: Quality of Service (“NRS 047”) and the Distribution System Code (“the Distribution Code”), attached to this as Annexures A and B, respectively, which regulate matters pertaining to unplanned supply interruptions. Clause 4.5.3 of NRS 047 regulates the restoration of supply after unplanned interruptions. Under “normal circumstances”, Eskom would be required to follow the restoration period provided in NRS 047. This provision must be read together with paragraph 18.4(1) of the Distribution Code, which requires customers to comply with instructions from Eskom before the supply of electricity is restored. Paragraph 3(1) of the Distribution Code, furthermore, states that Eskom is required to take remedial action to relieve any condition that may jeopardise the reliability of the Distribution system.
Therefore, before the transformer can be replaced and supply restored, an audit must be conducted. In line with the regulations and Eskom’s processes, community members who are found to have tampered with their meters are issued with tamper fines of R6 052.60 per tampered meter and all illegal connections are removed.
2. The response provided above adequately addresses the matter.
Remarks: Approved / Not Approved
Jacky Molisane PJ Gordhan, MP
Acting Director-General Minister
Date: Date:
02 June 2023 - NW1832
Phillips, Ms C to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy
(1) Whether, with reference to his reply to question 1501 on 2 October 2020, wherein he undertook to provide the location of the memorial to fallen miners, ordered and paid for in 2017 by the Mine Health and Safety Council (details furnished) and noting that to date, no location of the specified memorial has been provided, he will confirm if the monument has indeed been installed; if not, what are the reasons that the memorial has not been installed; if so, what are the relevant details of the address where the memorial may currently be viewed; (2) whether, in view of the total amount of R 4 649 032,46 that was paid by his department to the service provider for the memorial, any additional money has been paid to the service provider; if not, what is the position in this regard; if, so, what total amount has been paid for the memorial to date?
Reply:
1. The Mine health and Safety Council (MHSC) identified the Workers Museum and Mary Fitzgerald Square as the most appropriate locations to install the memorial for the fallen mineworkers. Permission to continue with the project on the site was given by the City of Johannesburg (CoJ), then the project was initiated. However, the initial permission was not honoured as a result of the changes of officials and administrators at the CoJ. In this regard, the monument will be placed at the MHSC Office Building whilst there is ongoing engagements regarding the identified sites at the City of Johannesburg.
2. The total project amount was R4 800 000,00 inclusive of value added Tax. The cost of R1 513 333.06 for additional concept and technical designs that were required for installation of the monument at the identified location was incurred, bringing the total to R6 313 333.06.
02 June 2023 - NW1710
Ngcobo, Mr S to ask the Minister of Tourism
Whether she will furnish Mr S Ngcobo with a comprehensive breakdown of the procurement allocation of (a) her department and (b) every entity reporting to her in terms of the percentages allocated to (i) small-, medium- and micro-enterprises, (ii) cooperatives, (iii) township enterprises and (iv) rural enterprises with a view to evaluating the effectiveness of the set-aside policy of the Government in fostering an inclusive and diverse economic landscape (details furnished) in the (aa) 2021-22 financial year and (bb) since 1 April 2023?
Reply:
(a) I have been informed by the Department as tabled below.
Years |
(i) Small, Medium and Micro-enterprises |
(ii) Cooperatives |
(iii) Township enterprises |
(iv) Rural enterprises |
(aa) 2021-2022 |
Total procurement allocation for the department amounted to R101 131 716 of which 40% (R61 775 393) was spent on SMME’s. |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
(bb) 1 April 2023 |
Total procurement allocation for the department equals to R436 966 of which 40% (R174 786) is allocated to SMME’s. |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
(b) South African Tourism
I have been informed by SAT that the service provider appointments were treated in accordance with the applicable Preferential Procurement Regulation.
Years |
(i) Small, Medium and Micro-enterprises |
(ii) Cooperatives |
(iii) Township enterprises |
(iv) Rural enterprises |
(aa) 2021-2022 |
Total procurement spends for the entity amounted to R 732 340 185.38 of which 40% (R 292 936 074,15) was on SMME’s. |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
(bb) 1 April 2023 |
Total procurement spends for the entity equals to R1 343 895.20 of which 40% (R537 558.08) was on SMME’s. |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
02 June 2023 - NW1701
Faber, Mr WF to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
Whether he will furnish Mr W F Faber 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:
(a) (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) (aa) In terms of the Office of the Chief Justice, the percentages spent in the 2021-22 financial year, are as follows:
Period |
Total spend |
Small-, medium- and micro-enterprises % |
Cooperatives % |
Township enterprises % |
Rural enterprises % |
Quarter 1 |
69,785,125.26 |
72.98% |
0.00% |
0.00% |
0.00% |
Quarter 2 |
52,492,150.99 |
45.61% |
0.00% |
0.00% |
0.00% |
Quarter 3 |
92,865,669.87 |
80.50% |
0.00% |
0.00% |
0.00% |
Quarter 4 |
123,673,529.10 |
48.72% |
0.00% |
0.00% |
2.95% |
Total |
338,816,475.22 |
61.95% |
0.00% |
0.00% |
0.03% |
(a) (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) (bb) In terms of the Office of the Chief Justice, the percentages spent since 01 April 2023, are as follows:
Period |
Total spend |
Small-, medium-and micro-enterprises % |
Cooperatives % |
Township enterprises % |
Rural enterprises % |
Quarter 1 |
8,739,025.93 |
59.99% |
0.00% |
0.00% |
0.04% |
Total |
8,739,025.93 |
59.99% |
0.00% |
0.00% |
0.04% |
02 June 2023 - NW1596
Ndlozi, Dr MQ to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
Whether the United Arab Emirates president’s family complied with all quarantine and health-related regulations upon arrival at the Bulembu Airport in Qonce, as required by the South African port of entry legislation; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
Yes, the health related issues were complied with by the officials of the Border Management Authority which now comprise officials transferred from the Department of Agriculture.
END
02 June 2023 - NW1676
Roos, Mr AC to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
(a) What number of naturalisation ceremonies have taken place from 1 May 2019 to date, (b)(i) on what date and (ii) at what location did each ceremony take place, (c) what number of approved applicants currently require a naturalisation ceremony and (d) what is the schedule for naturalisation ceremonies for the 2023-24 financial year in terms of (i) dates and (ii) locations?
Reply:
(a) The were no naturalisation ceremonies that have taken place from 1 May 2019 to date.
(b)(i) No ceremonies have taken place.
(b)(ii) As indicated above there has not been ceremonies conducted.
(c) The “naturalisation ceremonies” were discontinued a long time ago.
(d)(i)(ii) There are no “naturalisation ceremonies” planned for the near and foreseeable future.
END
02 June 2023 - NW1711
Ngcobo, Mr S to ask the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition
Whether he will furnish Mr S Ngcobo 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:
Through its procurement, the dtic group has a concerted effort to ensure that it procures from SMME, women, youth and people with disability, inclusive of township and rural enterprises.
The following information has been submitted by the dtic-group:
(a)&(b) DTIC and its Entities |
(aa)&(bb) Financial Period |
b(i) |
Department of Trade Industry and Competition (the dtic) including B-BBEE Commission |
2021-22 |
56% |
Since 1 April 2023 |
93,36% |
|
Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) |
2021-22 |
There was no direct allocation to SMMEs. However, CIPC procures through RFQs and tenders from suppliers registered on the CSD. This includes SMMEs. |
Since 1 April 2023 |
There was no direct allocation to SMMEs. However, CIPC procures through RFQs and tenders from suppliers registered on the CSD. This includes SMMEs. |
|
Companies Tribunal (CT) |
2021-22 |
60% |
Since 1 April 2023 |
65% |
|
Competition Commission |
2021-22 |
85% |
Since 1 April 2023 |
98% |
|
Competition Tribunal |
2021-22 |
57.59% |
Since 1 April 2023 |
68.52% |
|
Export Credit Insurance Corporation (ECIC) |
2021-22 |
45.63% |
Since 1 April 2023 |
58.82% |
|
Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa Limited (IDC) |
2021-22 |
50.65% |
Since 1 April 2023 |
78.74% |
|
International Trade Administration Commission (ITAC) |
2021-22 |
46% (R928 047.80) |
Since 1 April 2023 |
71% (R213 420.34) |
|
Since 1 April 2023 |
0% |
|
National Consumer Tribunal (NCT) |
2021-22 |
55% |
Since 1 April 2023 |
R1.2 million |
|
National Credit Regulator (NCR) |
2021-22 |
58% |
Since 1 April 2023 |
54% |
|
National Empowerment Fund (NEF) |
2021-22 |
The National Empowerment Fund has procured goods and services to the total amount of R35.8 million for the period under review with a combined percentage of 75% being spent as follows:
Qualifying Small Enterprises – R9,9 million (28%) |
Since 1 April 2023 |
From 1 April 2023 to date a combined percentage of 89% of the total amount of R2,5 million being spent as follows:
Qualifying Small Enterprises – R560k (22%) |
|
National Gambling Board (NGB) |
2021-22 |
2.72% |
Since 1 April 2023 |
1% |
|
National Lotteries Commission (NLC) |
2021-22 |
|
Since 1 April 2023 |
|
|
Since 1 April 2023 |
||
National Regulator For Compulsory Specifications (NRCS) |
2021-22 |
(i)(aa) 16% (R5 240 909,60) |
Since 1 April 2023 |
(i)(bb) 84% (R4 873 670,00) |
|
South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) |
2021-22 |
43.2% |
Since 1 April 2023 |
Procurement spend for this category is unknown as the data is only manually calculated against B-BBEE certificates on quarterly basis. |
|
South African National Accreditation System (SANAS) |
2021-22 |
100%
|
Since 1 April 2023 |
100%
|
-END-
02 June 2023 - NW1930
Mkhonto, Ms C N to ask the Minister of Employment and Labour
What permanent plan does he have to improve the situation of long queues at the labour centres across the Republic?
Reply:
The Department is in the process of implementing a number of long term strategies to reduce the length of queues at the labour centers. These are:
- The appointment of queue marshals to direct the clients efficiently to the correct service area
- The appointment of more than 2500 client service officers to deal with UIF applications and payments more effectively
- The upgrade of ICT-systems to enable clients to register as work seekers, be referred for employment and other income generating opportunities on-line
- The implementation of a UIF USSD and mobile application that allows all UIF clients to apply on-line and submit payment continuation forms, any other required documents and make enquiries online, thus finalising their claims, without having to visit the labour center at any time. This service is available at no cost to the clients
02 June 2023 - NW1745
Msane, Ms TP to ask the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition
Whether the Government intends to renew the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), considering how trade under the AGOA agreement has gone back to figures that were seen before it was signed, meaning that the AGOA agreement has ceased to be beneficial to the Republic and most of its African partners of the agreement; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the reasons? [
Reply:
Trade with the United States is regulated by two types of legal instruments: the first is the multilateral framework of the World Trade Organisation, under which the largest part of SA exports to the US is classified; and unilateral preferential market access arrangements, such as the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP).
AGOA is a preference granted by the United States to sub-Saharan countries qualifying in terms of criteria established by the US Congress. AGOA is currently set to expire in 2025. Decisions around renewal are taken by the United States and it is then up to exporters from eligible countries to utilise the preferential access to the US market.
South Africa together with other African countries have put forward the proposal for the extension of AGOA beyond 2025.
While the value of trade under AGOA has decreased, it continues to provide benefits to South African exporters, which assists with job creation and has positive spill-over effects in the region. Given the size of South Africa’s employment challenge, every trade benefit that is available should be utilised.
In light hereof, South Africa continues to engage the United States on the future of AGOA and the value of extending AGOA beyond the current expiry date.
-END-
02 June 2023 - NW1603
Zungula, Mr V to ask the Minister of Health
Following reports of a Congolese national arrested for practicing medicine without being registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), what (a) total number of persons have been caught practicing medicine without HPCSA registration and (b) steps has (i) he and (ii) his department taken to prevent unregistered doctors from practicing medicine and putting the lives of persons at risk?
Reply:
a) Section 17 of the Health Professions Act (Act no.56 of 1974) makes registration with the Council a prerequisite to practice any health professions registrable in terms of the Act and practicing while not registered amounts to a criminal offence.
According to the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA/Council), 124 persons have been arrested for practicing medicine without registration with the HPCSA.
b) In 2014 Council established an Inspectorate Office as a compliance enforcement unit to enforce compliance through conducting inspections of the registered practitioners, suspected/erased practitioners, and to attend to complaints of illegal practice by unregistered persons (bogus practitioners). The office works closely with other regulatory bodies and law enforcement agencies to protect the public against illegal practices by unregistered persons (bogus practitioners). The Council also conducts awareness campaigns to educate the members of the public on how to identify and report bogus practitioners.
In the public healthcare system, one of the requirements for employment is verification of registration with the Health Professions Council before a person can be employed as a doctor. This verification prevents an unregistered person from practicing in the public healthcare system.
In the private healthcare sector, medical schemes also have a verification system in place before doctors can be reimbursed for services rendered.
Unregistered persons evade these systems by working in the private sector where they either only accept cash payment or work in the practice of a registered doctor.
02 June 2023 - NW1901
Tambo, Mr S to ask the Mr S Tambo (EFF) to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises
Whether his department considers itself liable for jeopardising the health rights of patients in public hospitals by implementing load shedding in public hospitals; if not, why not; if so, what (a) are the costs of opposing the North Gauteng High Court order to exempt public facilities and (b) are the details of the costs?
Reply:
The Department of Public Enterprises does not consider itself liable for jeopardizing the health rights of patients in public hospitals as the implementation of load shedding is a protective measure implemented by Eskom to avoid the posibility of a grid collapse. The costs of opposing the North Gauteng High Court order are minimal compared to the consequences of a grid collapse. If the grid system is left unprotected it will lead to disastrous consequences for the whole country, including patients in hospitals.
It is worth noting that the line function departments as well as Eskom are working on putting measures in place to protect the health facilities from being affected by load shedding. Eskom is currently working on a plan to exclude more health facilities and the line function Departments such as the Department of Health are procuring as much generators within their constrained budgets to alleviate the effects of load shedding.
Remarks: Reply: Approved / Not approved
Jacky Molisane PJ Gordhan, MP
Acting Director-General Minister
Date: Date:
02 June 2023 - NW1463
Madlingozi, Mr BS to ask the Minister of Health
Given that the Mamelodi Hospital still takes on the majority of level 2 healthcare patients from Mpumalanga, even though the specified province has its own healthcare facilities, (a) does Mpumalanga have post level 1 healthcare facilities, (b) what steps are being taken by his department to resolve the crisis on a more permanent basis and (c) which facilities are being developed and capacitated in Mpumalanga to cater for the various health needs of the persons who reside in the province?
Reply:
a) Yes, Mpumalanga has post level 1 healthcare facilities as follows:
- 2 x Tertiary Hospital offering level 3 &2 services namely Rob Ferreira and Witbank tertiary hospitals.
- 3 x Regional Hospitals offering level 2 &1 services namely Ermelo, Mapulaneng and Themba regional hospitals.
b) The National Department of Health in collaboration with the Mpumalanga department of health are working on the improvement of some key services as indicated in response(c) below.
The Mpumalanga department of health is only referring level 3 cases to Steve Biko and George Mukhari Academic hospitals for services that the province doesn’t have, for example Cardiology Services and Oncology Radiation Services.
Patients who are going to Mamelodi hospital are going there on their own accord and they are not being referred by the province because those services are available and accessible to the Mpumalanga communities.
c) The Mpumalanga Department of Health has already established the Chemotherapy services at the Witbank and Rob Ferreira hospitals. Patients in need of this service are no longer being taken to Gauteng.
The province is currently processing the establishment of Nephrology Service to have the in-house dialysis services for patients. The province has started with phase 1 planning for the upgrading the Maternity and Mental health Units at the Kwa Mhlanga hospital. The plan is to expand more services until all domains are covered however this depends on the availability of funds.
END.
02 June 2023 - NW1604
Zungula, Mr V to ask the Minister of Health
(1)Whether he convened a meeting for the purposes of synthesizing the task team report with the Executive Committee and provincial departments within 60 working days after the Public Protector’s report on allegations of undue delay by his department was issued to address the challenges experienced by Clinical Associates that was released on 30 November 2021; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) whether his department engaged with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) to request that the matter of prescribing rights be finalised without further delay within 30 working days after the Public Protector’s report on Clinical Associates was issued; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) whether his department re-engaged with the Department of Public Service and Administration to motivate for the holistic review of the Occupational Specific Dispensation as a remuneration framework in the Public Health Sector that is inclusive of Clinical Associates within 60 working days after the Public Protector’s report on Clinical Associates was issued; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (4) whether his department will meet the deadline of 30 November 2023 to conduct and finalise the review of the Clinical Associates performance programme to assess various aspects of the programme, including uptake since its establishment, impact on health services, career pathing and/or advancement prospects of Clinical Associates, status of mid-level policy interventions generally and other parameters that may be of relevance to guide decisions on the programme; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1. The Clinical Associates matters raised in the Task Team report as well as the proposals for addressing some of the concerns raised in the report were presented to the National Health Council Technical Advisory Committee (NHC Tech) which is a forum that consist of the NDoH’s Executive Committee with Provincial Heads of Health Departments on 18 November 2021.
NHC Tech accepted the proposal to undertake a comprehensive review of the Clinical Associates programme.
2. The Department engaged with the HPCSA on the matter of prescribing rights
for Clinical Associates and was appraised about the application made by the Council to the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) in terms of the provisions of Section 22A of the Medicines and Related Substances Act, 1965 (Act 101 of 1965) to add Clinical Associates to the list of authorized prescribers.
3. The National Department of Health has held meeting(s) with the Department of Public Service and Administration to table issues pertaining to the conditions of service for the Clinical Associates as raised in the Public Protector’s report. The issue of Occupational Specific Dispensation (OSD) is being dealt with through a process lead by the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA). DPSA has commissioned Price Waterhouse Coopers (PWC) to conduct a Personnel Expenditure Review (PER), that includes the review of OSDs in the public sector.
4. The Department has commenced with the process of conducting the review of the Clinical Associates programme performance. The Terms of Reference and data collection tools for the review have been drafted and a process is underway to get them approved. It is therefore envisaged that the review will have been conducted by 30 November 2023. However, finalization of the review and recommendations thereof will be subject to various approval processes of the Department that may extend beyond 30 November 2023
END.
02 June 2023 - NW1895
Msimang, Prof CT to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy
Whether the Government will subsidise rooftop solar panels for households and small , medium- and micro-enterprises, in line with the 4th mandate of the National Energy Crisis Committee to unleash businesses and households to invest in rooftop solar; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The National Energy Crisis Committee (NECOM) resolution has already found expression in National Treasury announcement of allowing tax rebates in as far as rooftop solar installation by households and The Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMME).
02 June 2023 - NW1873
Singh, Mr N to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Electricity
(1) What immediate steps are being taken to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply to critical services, such as water and sanitation pump stations, hospitals and other essential services, considering the inability of Eskom to meet the electricity demands of the country, the increasing frequency of load shedding and the possibility of a nationwide grid collapse; (2) Whether there is a plan to establish (a) separate reticulation lines, (b) dedicated transformers and (c) substations for essential service providers as currently many essential services share the same grid with surrounding residential areas, leading to some areas not experiencing load shedding for months while others face additional load shedding; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (i) is the specified plan feasible and (ii) how long will it take to implement; (3) Whether there are any potential risks to the stability of the electricity grid associated with such a reengineering; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, will he furnish Mr N Singh with the comprehensive details which include how he, together with the First Respondent in the Matter: Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd, intends to meet the 60-day court ordered directive handed down in the High Court, Gauteng Division, Pretoria, Case No: 005779/2023 on 5 May 2023?
Reply:
(1) At present, Eskom is engaging with both the Department of Health and the Department of Water and Sanitation regarding their points of supply in the Eskom supply area identified as critical. Once completed and where possible, measures will be implemented to mitigate the impact of loadshedding as far as practically possible. Currently, Eskom exempts or partially exempts 25 public health establishments within its area of supply.
The Ministry of Electricity has developed costing scenarios for installing an embedded generation (solar installation) to address the impact of load shedding and mitigate the impact of high diesel costs on medical facilities (large and small hospitals).
Small Hospital (400kW power load) based on a 4-hour outage period for battery storage, solar panel and inverters option; R13 million per hospital capital expenditure is required. Large Hospital (1MW power load) based on a 4-hour outage period for battery storage, solar panel and inverters option; R59 million per hospital capital expenditure is required.
Based on the Department of Health figures, to cover 137 Hospitals (varying between small and large), R10.1 Billion capital expenditure will be required to provide a combined Solar, Battery and inverter solution.
In contrast, for the same 137 small hospitals, diesel generators will cost R89.1 Million in capital costs, whilst large hospitals will cost R411 Million (capital costs). However, the operating cost (primarily diesel purchase) will cost R3.3 Billion and R655 Million annually for large and small hospitals, respectively.
A rapid deployment of embedded generation or “micro-grid” solutions, including roof-top solar for hospitals, other critical installations, and economic hubs, will be possible through an aggregated power purchase agreement. Ministry to issue RFI before end of July 2023 and outline a fast track procurement process to secure IPPs for micro gridding.
(2) (a), (b), (c), (i) and (ii) Where a facility is deeply embedded in the network, partial exemption at lower stages of loadshedding has been granted. Eskom has concluded a preliminary assessment of establishing dedicated feeders for certain hospitals. This assessment has been shared with the Department of Health, and discussions on implementation are ongoing. A similar approach will be followed for other critical infrastructure. The implementation time is envisaged to take between 12 to 24 months, after the investment decision, depending on the type of solution and other factors such as environmental approvals and land acquisition.
(3)The legal matter before the Courts falls within the responsibility of the Minister of Public Enterprises and the Honourable Member should accordingly direct the question to the relevant Ministry.
02 June 2023 - NW1734
Hlengwa, Ms MD to ask the Minister of Health
Considering that the Government is still in possession of more than 25 million vaccine doses despite a decline in the number of persons who come in for vaccinations and booster shots, what (a) number of vaccine doses is the Government expecting to go to waste as the World Health Organisation has recently declared an end to the COVID-19 global health emergency and (b) is the monetary value of the specified vaccine doses?
Reply:
(a) The estimated number of doses of vaccine that may go for waste is:
- Janssen® COVID-19 vaccine (Janssen vaccine) is 20 780 450.
- Comirnaty® vaccine (mRNA COVID-19 vaccine) (Pfizer vaccine) is 7 479 930
(b) Monetary value of these vaccines is:
- Janssen vaccine = R 2 677 716 836
- Pfizer vaccine = R 1 208 569 690
END.
02 June 2023 - NW1689
Bagraim, Mr M to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
Whether she will furnish Mr M Bagraim with a comprehensive breakdown of the procurement allocation of (a) her department and (b) every entity reporting to her in terms of the percentages allocated to (i) small-, medium- and micro-enterprises, (ii) cooperatives, (iii) township enterprises and (iv) rural enterprises with a view to evaluating the effectiveness of the set-aside policy of the Government in fostering an inclusive and diverse economic landscape (details furnished) in the (aa) 2021-22 financial year and (bb) since 1 April 2023?
Reply:
(a) Procurement allocation of the Department is as follows:
TYPE OF SHAREHOLDING |
% SPEND |
NUMBER OF SUPPLIERS |
AMOUNT SPENT |
Women Shareholding 100% |
28.50% |
38 |
R4 387 777 |
Women Shareholding other % |
52 |
R151 487 683 |
|
Disability % |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Black % |
64.20% |
156 |
R251 977 964 |
Youth |
1.36% |
52 |
R7 719 112 |
(b)
(i) small-, medium- and micro-enterprises
There is no procurement allocation for small-, medium- and micro-enterprises
(ii) cooperatives
There is no procurement allocation for cooperatives
(iii) township enterprises
There is no procurement allocation for township enterprises
(iv) rural enterprises
There is no procurement allocation for rural enterprises
Procurement breakdown is not allocated as per the classifications above in (i) to (iv), but is done as per attached Table.
02 June 2023 - NW1497
Marawu, Ms TL to ask the Minister of Health
(1)Whether, with regard to the implementation of remedial action from the Public Protector’s report on allegations of undue delay by his department to address the challenges experienced by Clinical Associates that was released on 30 November 2021 (details furnished), his department has notified the Department of Public Service and Administration about the remedial actions recommended by the Public Protector; if not, why not; if so, (2) whether his department has made any progress in terms of implementation thereof; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1. The National Department of Health has held meeting(s) with the Department of Public Service and Administration to table the issues pertaining to the conditions of service for the Clinical Associates as raised in the Public Protector’s report;
2. Progress through different interventions is underway within the legal framework to implement recommendations of the Public Protector’s report. Albeit challenges, as conditions of services are transversal matters that affects other categories of employment.
- The process on Occupational Specific Dispensation (OSD) is dealt though a procedure lead by the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA). DPSA has commissioned Price Waterhouse Coopers (PWC) to conduct a Personnel Expenditure Review (PER), that includes the review of OSDs in the public sector. The scope of the project, amongst others, includes a review and analyse in the public sector covering the following functional areas- Employment trends, personnel expenditure and impact of the current in the public sector; Collective bargaining and wage setting mechanisms/ arrangements; and Allowances, Benefits and other incentives.
- Even though issues on Rural Allowance are included in the above process, the Policy on Rural allowance is currently being reviewed at the Public Health and Social Development Sectoral Bargaining Council (PHSDSBC). This process is expected to will inform the continuation of Policy and address the issues mentioned in the Public Protector report.
- The department has commenced with the process of reviewing the current commuted overtime policy, which will inform the continuation of the Policy and address the issues mentioned in the Public Protector report. In the meantime, Clinical Associates continue to benefit for Overtime like any other health related professional in accordance with conditions of services as outline in collective agreement in the Public Service Coordinating Bargaining Council (PSCBC) Resolution 3 of 1999 read together with DPSA Determination on the Management of Payment of Overtime
END.
02 June 2023 - NW1746
Msane, Ms TP to ask the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition
What (a) South African companies are involved in the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA) that seeks to build intra-African infrastructure that will assist in the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement and (b) projects are prioritised by the PIDA programme to advance the slow growth of the internet provisions in the African continent? [
Reply:
a) The Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA) is a programme of the African Union (AU) launched in 2012. It is coordinated through the AU Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) in cooperation with regional economic communities, regional and continental technical agencies, and participating countries. The Presidency acts as the focal point in South Africa for PIDA.
According to the Virtual PIDA Information Centre, the following South African firms and entities have been involved in the development and implementation of the PIDA Priority Action Plan (PIDA PAP1 2012-2020):
No |
Project Name |
SA Firms/Entities |
Status |
01 |
Durban Port Expansion |
Transnet |
Ongoing |
02 |
Maputo Port Expansion (Maputo and Matola Drybulk Terminal) |
Grindrod and Zutari |
Ongoing |
03 |
Dar es Salaam-Isaka-Mwanza Standard Gauge Railway Project |
DBSA |
Ongoing |
04 |
Beitbridge One Stop Border Post |
Rand Merchant Bank, Standard Bank, Nedbank, ECIC and Raubex Group Ltd |
Ongoing |
* Source: PIDA Dashboard, company websites and media
b) With regards to the internet and Information and communication technologies (ICT), the PIDA Dashboard indicates a total of 114 projects that have been prioritised under PIDA PAP1. A further 11 anchor projects have also been approved for the PIDA PAP2 2021-2030, which is the second PIDA priority action plan for the period 2021-2030.
-END-
02 June 2023 - NW1466
Chirwa-Mpungose, Ms NN to ask the Minister of Health
In light of the fact that his department has reiterated its stance and position on the National Health Insurance being a gateway to clear the way for universal healthcare coverage in the Republic, and noting that numerous remote areas in rural township and informal settlement areas do not have adequate exposure to both public and most private healthcare facilities, how does his department intend to develop healthcare coverage and access in remote areas without a fair and cosmopolitan spread of healthcare facilities?
Reply:
National Health Insurance (NHI) describes a totally reformed health system that strives to achieve equity in provision of services. The objective it to achieve Universal Health Coverage where every person gets the health care that they need, when they need it, where they need it and without incurring any financial hardship. NHI is designed to redress some of the worst inequities that characterize the South African health system. These inequities continue to significantly affect the most vulnerable, poor sections of our society, especially those that reside in rural, far-flung areas that continue to struggle to access and utilize needed health services.
It is because many communities, both remote areas and those who live in townships and informal settlements of urban areas, have poor access to health services that we need the NHI.
As the Bill provides for the NHI Fund will be mandated to use strategic purchasing to develop healthcare coverage and access that is equitable. This includes purchasing services from private providers whose facilities are in close proximity to communities that can presently not use those services. It also means changing the way that services are paid for so that providers find it more attractive to move to areas that are presently inhospitable to them because there is no advantage over working in an established urban community.
The introduction of capitation payments and contracting units for PHC will systematically shift resources to communities where resources are presently well below average and are unacceptable. Using a single set of benefits and common formulary the system will reduce overheads and duplications and make more of the existing funds available for services rather than administration and profit-taking.
These provisions are clear in the NHI Bill which has reached the point of the vote in the National Assembly.
The National and Provincial Departments of Health continue to implement a number of interventions directed at maintaining existing infrastructure (clinics, hospitals, CHCs, etc.); refurbishments as well as the commissioning of new ones to address quality and related challenges, with a strong focus on facilities located in mainly rural and disadvantaged areas.
The National Department of Health embarked on the development of a Health Integrated Portfolio System (HIPS) or previously known as the Ten-Year Infrastructure Plan. The system utilised Geographic Information System (GIS), topographical data, locations of current and future planned facilities, demographics and the road networks, to determine accessibility gaps. Projects identified via the gaps will be prioritised and executed as per the normal health infrastructure planning and delivery cycles. This will provide an objective tool to prioritise investments in Health Infrastructure. The first draft of the tool is already expected within the 2023/2024 financial year and will be utilised to guide allocation of funds hence forth. Further to the above the Department is focusing on addressing maintenance, refurbishment, upgrades, and/or replacements as well as new infrastructure in remote rural areas and informal settlements in preparation for the implementation of NHI.
END.
02 June 2023 - NW1728
Sithole, Mr KP to ask the Minister of Tourism
What (a) amount is tourism expected to gain from the BRICS Road Show that took place in Mpumalanga on 4 April 2023 and (b) steps does the Government intend to take to ensure that other regions in the Republic also attract tourists during the specified period?
Reply:
(a) What amount is tourism expected to gain from the BRICS Road Show that took place in Mpumalanga on 4 April 2023.
The BRICS Roadshows are arranged by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation. That Department is best placed to reply to this question.
(b) What steps does the Government intend to take to ensure that other regions in the Republic also attract tourists during the specified period.
The BRICS Roadshows are arranged by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation. That Department is best placed to reply to this question.
02 June 2023 - NW1464
Chirwa-Mpungose, Ms NN to ask the Minister of Health
Noting the reports of the Compensation Commissioner for Occupational Diseases (CCOD) in Mines and Works on the insubordination of mines regarding the payment of levies, what (a) are the names of the mines that have been inconsistent over the past three years and/or not paid levies to the CCOD, either indefinitely or on time, and (b) steps has his department taken to assist the CCOD in ensuring that levies by mines are paid out to the entity duly and on time?
Reply:
a) The names of the mines that have been inconsistent over the past three years and/or not paid levies to the CCOD, either indefinitely or on time are:
- Wearne Aggregate Quarries
- Rhino Minerals
- Manhattan Corporation Pty Ltd - Gravellotte Mine
b) Inspections are undertaken by the finance inspectors of the CCOD to assess the mines and works on accuracy of risk shifts and levy payments; the Deputy Director (Revenue) has written to the above mines and works requesting payment of the levies. Meetings are being set up with the Compensation Commissioner and the Chief Executive Officer of the above mines and works. As a last resort, the legal section of the department will be consulted to assist through the state attorney’s office to begin legal proceedings against the defaulting mines and works.
END.
02 June 2023 - NW1743
Maotwe, Ms OMC to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises
Considering how the energy crisis constitutes an infringement of the constitutional rights of ordinary South Africans, what are the reasons that he is challenging a decision by the High Court to exempt schools, hospitals and police stations from load shedding? NW1991E
Reply:
The Government is appealing the rationale of the decision of the High Court to exempt schools, hospitals and police stations from load shedding as the implementation of this decision is impractical. Load shedding is a measure that is implemented to protect the Grid from collapsing and the schools, hospitals and police stations do not have an isolated connection to the Grid and are rather part of the integrated Grid system which makes it difficult to only switch on those institutions during load shedding.
In addition, it is worth noting that where possible Eskom is able to exclude some of those institutions from load shedding. To date, Eskom’s number of supply points identified are 196 police stations, 22371 public schools and 2960 public health establishments. Also, most of the hospitals and SAPS offices do have generators to enable them to circumvent load shedding.
Remarks: Reply: Approved / Not approved
Jacky Molisane PJ Gordhan, MP
Acting Director-General Minister
Date: Date:
02 June 2023 - NW1905
Ceza, Mr K to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Electricity
In light of how load shedding has caused damage to municipal electrical transformers and affected the lives of citizens, what (a) remedial action has he taken to restore damage to houses and (b) viable measures has he taken to repair damaged electrical transformers?
Reply:
Loadshedding in general causes damage to municipal electrical transformers and “damage to houses”. This is not necessarily the case. This has to be corrected and clarified upfront.
(a) Loadshedding in itself cannot reasonably cause damage to houses. Loadshedding itself cannot cause such damage, but there is a possibility that electrical power surges as a result of loadshedding, where voltage rises or falls above or below acceptable thresholds that may cause damage to equipment and / or appliances. Eskom’s customer agreements and conditions of service stipulate these possibilities for which the customers must take reasonable precautions such as, not leaving energised electric appliances unattended.
The remedial action applicable, where negligence on the part of Eskom can be proven, is through the official Eskom claims process and customers may be compensated after a validated claim. In order for customers to plan around loadshedding, Eskom has published its schedules and the stage changes are also communicated as and when they are triggered.
(b) Switching transformers on and off as in the case of loadshedding, is a general Eskom Distribution network occurrence. However, for planned switching or maintenance activities, automatic clearing of network faults occurs via protection operations. The equipment is designed for such eventualities.
Well-maintained networks and transformers should be able to withstand the burden of loadshedding, both on the Eskom network and the municipal networks, however failures can still occur. The Eskom and municipality tariffs also account for the required planned maintenance and /or upgrading and replacement or repairs of failed equipment and it is therefore up to the relevant supply authority such as Eskom or the municipality, to plan and budget for eventualities of such transformer maintenance, repairs and/ or failures.
Eskom Distribution does have such “viable measures” in place in the form of network maintenance and refurbishment strategies and execution plans, as well as strategic transformer spares. Transformer repair contracts with reputable suppliers, internally and external to Eskom are also in place to repair damaged transformers that can be repaired. Eskom Distribution cannot reasonably comment on measures taken by municipalities to deal with transformer failures.
02 June 2023 - NW1910
Matumba, Mr A to ask the Minister of Tourism
Whether SA Tourism has established partnerships with destinations such as Robben Island in marketing such iconic tourist attractions; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details in this regard?
Reply:
No, SA Tourism does not have formal partnership(s) with Robben Island and other iconic destinations.
However, I have had a meeting with the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture on Wednesday 31 May 2023.
We are, now, in the process of ensuring we Market Robben Island as a Heritage Site.
02 June 2023 - NW1663
Macpherson, Mr DW to ask the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition
(a) What total amount did the National Lotteries Commission pay for printed copies of its integrated annual reports for (i) 2020, (ii) 2021 and (iii) 2022, (b) who were the suppliers, (c) what total amount were they paid, (d) what total number of copies of the relevant report was printed in each specified year, (e) how were the reports distributed and (f) to whom? [
Reply:
The National Lotteries Commission has furnished me with the following response to the question
The NLC paid the following amounts for copies of its annual reports:
2020: R1, 987, 926
2021: R2, 695,956
2022: R2, 600, 897
The supplier in all three years was INCE (PTY) LTD.
The number of copies printed were as follows:
2020: 205 copies printed;
2021: 200 copies printed;
2022: 70 copies printed.
I am advised that an official with relevant information on the distribution of the copies of the Annual Report is currently on suspension and therefore not all the requested information is available. I have further requested the NLC to provide an updated report on the distribution of annual reports as soon as the information is available.
The SIU has made substantial progress with probing allocation of grant monies under the pro-active scheme. I have requested that the NLC also investigates all its procurement contracts and have proposed that the terms of the SIU be widened to cover procurement and payments to consultancies. Given the amounts of money involved in the printing of the annual report, this expenditure should also be covered by the internal and external investigation.
-END-
02 June 2023 - NW1898
Maotwe, Ms OMC to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises
In view of the Minister of Finance’s announcement that he is funding the transmission and distribution at Eskom, (a) what is the status of the generation of power and (b) how is it funded?
Reply:
According to the information received from Eskom
(a) Most of Generation’s coal-fired stations are currently operating at below aspiration, leading to a fleet Energy Availability Factor (EAF) of 52.6% year-to-date as of 22 May 2023. The Generation Operational Recovery Programme, with the support of Eskom’s Board, aims to sustainably recover the performance of the plants over the next 24 months. The return of the three (3) units at Kusile before the end of 2023 will improve the situation significantly by adding up to 2 160 MW to the grid.
(b) Funds for Generation activities are sourced from operations, i.e., from income allowed in NERSA revenue determinations.
Remarks: Approved / Not Approved
Jacky Molisane PJ Gordhan, MP
Acting Director-General Minister
Date: Date:
02 June 2023 - NW1594
Mente-Nkuna, Ms NV to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
Whether the United Arab Emirates president’s family did undergo the required customs declarations and inspections for any goods and/or items they brought into the Republic, in accordance with the customs and excise legislation; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
Yes, customs officials performed their duties in the presence of members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) and Border Management Authority officials.
END
02 June 2023 - NW1642
Weber, Ms AMM to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy
(1) Whether, considering that the National Environmental Management Act, Act 107 of 1998, and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) regulations as amended (April 2017) require an EIA process through the compilation of a Basic Assessment Report (BAR) and Environmental Management Programme Report (EMPr) to apply for a prospecting and/or mining licence in accordance with certain Acts and regulations (details furnished), he will furnish Ms A M M Weber with the (a) mining licence and EIA and (b) EMPr for Portions 3, 11, 12 and 13 of Kernsig Twaalf Pty Ltd, in the Emakhazeni Local Municipality in Mpumalanga; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) whether he will furnish Ms A M M Weber with the (a) prospecting licence and BAR and (b) EMPr for Portions 28, 46, 72 and 73 of the farm Elandspruit 291 JS (DMRE Ref: MP 30/5/1/1/2/16326 PR) situated in the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality, under the Middelburg Magisterial District in Mpumalanga; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) whether he will furnish Ms A M M Weber with the (a) mining permit and EIA and (b) EMPr for Portion 2 of the farm Elandspruit 291 JS (DMRE REF: MP 30/5/1/3/2/13516 MP) situated in the specified municipality in Mpumalanga; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
- The Department does not have any record of an application lodged by Kwernsig Twaalf (Pty) Ltd and the property description is incomplete.
- There is no prospecting licence or BAR issued for the said application as it is still in process.
- There is no Mining Permit or EIA issued for the said application as it is still in process.