Questions and Replies

Reply:

1. No, municipalities do not currently report all their tenders to the National Treasury.

National Treasury issued MFMA Circular 83 (2016) regarding the advertisement of bids and the publication of notices in respect of awarded bids, cancelled bids, variations, and extensions of existing contracts on the eTender Publication Portal. This circular makes provision for the publication of tender opportunities and awards on the National Treasury Tender portal. Since this is a Circular, it is not mandatory for municipalities to publish procurement opportunities on the Treasury tender portal, unless the Municipality Council adopts the circular as policy. Some municipalities publish their tender opportunities while others are not publishing on the eTenders portal. National Treasury is considering reforms to make such publication of tender awards mandatory, but this will likely require legislative amendments.

2. We do not have any tender information regarding Zululand District Municipality or any procurement-related data for this municipality.

Reply:

(1)(a)(i)(ii). The costs incurred by the Department relates to the sitting of the South African Geographical Names Council including public awareness workshops, honoraria, travel, and accommodation is R12 732 430,32.

The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture does not have information related to costs incurred by (b) each local municipality and (c) the Eastern Cape province fiscus relating to public consultations and committee sittings.

(2). The details of the 103 names given in the previous answer include existing name registrations that have been done in the Eastern Cape. The name changes are 23 and are listed in the tables below and include (a) old name and (b) new name.

(c) However, the Department does not determine the rand value cost related to name changes but pays for Council sittings, public awareness workshops and honoraria for members as indicated above.

No	New_Name	Feature Description	Date	Province	Previous Name
	Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport	Airport	2021-02-22 0:00:00	Eastern Cape	Port Elizabeth Airport
	Gqeberha	City	2021-02-22 0:00:00	Eastern Cape	Port Elizabeth
	Kariega	City	2021-02-22 0:00:00	Eastern Cape	Uitenhage
	King Phalo Airport	Airport	2021-02-22 0:00:00	Eastern Cape	East London Airport
	Makhanda	Town	2018-06-29 0:00:00	Eastern Cape	Grahamstown
	Makhazi	Village	2019-03-22 0:00:00	Eastern Cape	Makazi
	Marhubeni	Village	2020-03-23 0:00:00	Eastern Cape	Marubeni
	Khwenxurha	Village	2022-08-26 0:00:00	Eastern Cape	Mooiplaas
	Gxarha	Town	2022-08-26 0:00:00	Eastern Cape	Morgan’s Bay
	Enxuba	Town	2022-08-26 0:00:00	Eastern Cape	Cradock
	Qumrha River	River	2022-08-26 0:00:00	Eastern Cape	Komga River
	Tlokoeng	Town	2021-03-16 0:00:00	Eastern Cape	Mount Fletcher
	Mahlubini	Village	2021-03-16 0:00:00	Eastern Cape	St Augustine
	Makhalitseng	Human Settlement	2021-12-10 0:00:00	Eastern Cape	Kinirha Poort
	Ngqayi	Village	2021-02-22 0:00:00	Eastern Cape	Katkop
	Nqanqarhu	Town	2021-02-22 0:00:00	Eastern Cape	MaClear Town
	Ntabozuko	Town	2021-02-22 0:00:00	Eastern Cape	Berlin
	Qonce	Town	2021-02-22 0:00:00	Eastern Cape	King William’s Town
	Pirie Mission	Village	2021-02-22 0:00:00	Eastern Cape	Pierie Mission
	Khohlombeni	Settlement/Village	2021-02-22 0:00:00	Eastern Cape	Mfabantu
	KwaMaqoma	Town	2023-03-13 17:00:04	Eastern Cape	Fort Beaufort
	Ben Mbizweni		2023-03-13 17:03:27	Eastern Cape	Brooksnek
	KwaNojoli	Town	2023-03-13 17:05:36	Eastern Cape	Somerset East

(PQ 1397 21 April 2023)

Reply:

1. As per the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), the scene was handed over to South African Police Services (SAPS) for investigation in relation to the fire that had occurred in the affected cell. It was based on the SAPS investigation by means of an autopsy that it was determined that the body found in the cell did not match that of offender Bester. The investigation also revealed that the individual suffered blunt force trauma and did not exhibit smoke inhalation. The matter is currently under investigation by the SAPS, therefore all further details in relation to the investigation should be directed to the SAPS.

(2)(a) The initial incident of fire which was purported to be a suicide was reported to SAPS on 03 May 2022.

(2)(b) The inquest case in relation to the purported suicide was recorded as CAS25/05/2022 by the SAPS.

(3) The case is currently under investigation by the SAPS of which this is the only institution which is able to provide progress in this regard.

(4) Facts about the escape were provided to the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Correctional Services on 13 April 2023, as conclusive information became available. No information was provided to the subcommittee as it forms part of the Portfolio Committee. Media briefings were held by the DCS on the following dates: 30 March 2023 and 13 April 2023, to ensure that the public is informed on the matter.

The facts relating to allegations of murder fall outside the scope of DCS and as such should be directed to SAPS.

END

Reply:

(a). The policy supporting the concept of the Creative Ambassadors is the Culture Promotions Act, Act 35 of 1983, read with Culture Promotion Amendment Act, 1998, which is stated under sub-paragraph (iii) below, was used to take this decision by the Minister. Amendment of section 2 of Act 35 of 1983 (Culture Promotion Amendment Act, 1998), as amended by Proclamation No. R36 of 1995.

1. Section 2 of the Culture Promotion Act, 1983, is hereby amended-

(a) by the substitution in paragraph (a) of subsection (1) for the words preceding subparagraph (i) of the following words: "(a) in order to foster develop and promote arts and culture.in the Republic-”.

(b) by the addition to paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of the following sub-paragraphs:

"(iii) develop pilot projects in order to further the work of the Department in promoting arts and culture throughout the country”.

The Creative Ambassadors concept is being piloted in 2023/24 for a year and is important in addressing the absence of targeted programmes that positively caters and engages the plights of many heroes/heroines of the creative industries sector in their post-careers lives.

(b). The criteria used is as follows:

In its Pilot/Inaugural Phase, the Minister used simple criteria to appoint Creative Ambassadors. Also, during this Pilot, the Minister will make a determination of whether to continue this way or whether to invite the public to make nominations that will later lead to their appointment.

The Ambassador:

1. must be a practitioner within the cultural and creative industry.
2. must be a leader in their Cultural Domain, with over 5 years’ experience.
3. must be a resident of South Africa and over 18 years of age.
4. must have national popularity and following based on having showcased their craft on National, and/or Continental and/or international level.
5. must have participated in community arts and culture initiative(s)/project(s) as either a leader or a supporter or a mentor.

In addition to the abovementioned, the Minister will use his prerogative (using Culture Promotion Amendment Act, 1998) to appoint Ambassadors in an inclusive manner that these persons represent all domains, considering – gender, geographic spread, disability, expertise/experience, and age (i.e., youth)

Reply:

Section 4(3) of the Customs and Excise Act prohibits the Commissioner and/or SARS officials from disclosing any information relating to any person, firm or business acquired in the performance of SARS duties, except in circumstances outlined in the Act. Accordingly, SARS is not able to disclose information requested to the Minister and Parliament.

Reply:

a) The department as part of its mandate to ensure all persons in South Africa are here on lawful basis regularly conducts business inspections and operations to ensure that businesses are not employing undocumented foreign nationals.

b) The department in conducting this operation, wanted to ensure that all employees were correctly documented and legally in South Africa. At this operation 5 restaurants were inspected and 15 undocumented persons were arrested including the employers who paid fines for employing undocumented persons.

END

Reply:

(a) & (b). My department and the Entities reporting to me have no contract with the security company G4S.

Reply:

(a&b) The inter-Ministerial Committee that was assigned the responsibility off reviewing the employment of foreign nationals is chaired by the Minister of Employment and Labour and the Minister of Home Affairs. The task team includes departments in the security and economic cluster as well as employers and unions. The following departments are involved: Department of Transport, Department of Employment and Labour, Department of Home Affairs, South African Police Services and the Bargaining Council. The task team also includes the All Truckers Driver Forum (ATDF), the Road Freight Association (RFA), The Truckers Association of South Africa (TASA), amongst others.

The task team has so far developed an 11point plan with the employers and unions involved in the trucking and logistics sector. This plan was finalised in June 2022. The plan includes the following:

i) Facilitate the appointment of the Task Team

ii) Validity of Foreign Driving Licences

iii) Enforcement of the VISA requirement in issuance of a work visa

• Validity of SA driving licences issued to Traffic Register Number (TRN);

• Interphase between NaTIS, DHA and SAR

iv) Registration with the labour laws ATDF and other organisation to provide details of companies that they are aware of employing foreign nationals

v) Operating Licence processes for freight industry

vi) Driver Capacity and skills (Driving training project)

vii) Integrated and Multi-disciplinary joint law enforcement operations conducted

viii) Amendment of the National Road Traffic Regulations, 2000

ix) Review the Cross-Border Road Transport Legislation

x) Review of the TRN

xi) Registration of operator in terms of section 45 of the National Road Traffic Act, 2000 (NRTA) - Assessment of the requirements for an “Operator Permit/Card” as per the National Road Traffic Act to determine its effectiveness to achieve the objectives to seek compliance to other laws in South Africa

Due to the economic challenges that arise when there is disruption in this sector, the plans of the IMC have focussed on the trucking and logistics sector. Meetings on this matter are held monthly led by senior officials of the Department of Transport and the Department of Employment and Labour. With regard to addressing the employment of foreign nationals, a total of 1291 drivers have been inspected for their immigration status with 131 found to be undocumented. The Department of Home Affairs through its Annual Performance Plan has planned to conduct 1296 inspections/operations in this financial year to combat the employment of illegal foreign nationals.

END

Reply:

1. Yes. The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development has a general disease detection and notification protocol to detect and notify of outbreaks of animal diseases before they spread to the rest of the Republic. For Foot and Mouth Disease, there is a continuous survey in the FMD protection zones to identify possible spread of FMD from neighbouring countries or the Kruger National Park. Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia and Pestes des Petits Ruminants are two diseases that South Africa is currently free from, and this internationally accepted freedom status is based on ongoing surveillance for these two diseases in the higher risk areas to the north of the country. There is also continuous surveillance for highly pathogenic avian influenza through regular testing of commercial poultry farms, commercial ostrich farms and backyard poultry farms. In addition, there is a passive surveillance system, whereby any suspect case of high impact diseases such as Foot and Mouth Disease, African Swine Fever, Avian Influenza, Rift Valley Fever, etc will be followed up by the state veterinarian, who will submit samples for which DALRRD will pay.

2. (a) Yes, there is a generic plan or protocol to control Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) through the movement of buffalos which are well known to introduce FMD and a general disease contingency plan that is used in case of the outbreak of disease.

(b) There is a contingency plan for highly pathogenic avian influenza and a general disease contingency plan in place to handle trade-sensitive diseases.

3. (a) Yes, the plans are always available to the stakeholders and always implemented during disease outbreaks.

(b) Yes, the plans are always implemented during disease outbreaks. Control measures on the ground are implemented by the provincial veterinary services. Such measures will differ, depending on the disease and the affected area and population, but in general it will include quarantine of affected premises and movement control. Further control measures will be agreed upon between the affected provinces and the National Directorate Animal Health.

 

Reply:

a) The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) has two concession contracts namely Kutama Sinthumule and Mangaung Correctional Centre.

b) The Bloemfontein Correctional Contracts (Pty) Ltd is contracted to run operations at Mangaung Correctional Centre and South African Custodial Services (Pty) Ltd is contracted to manage Kutama Sinthumule Correctional Centre.

END.

Reply:

The Office of the Chief Justice (OCJ) continues to embrace the advantages that technology present and leverages on it. The modernisation of court processes remain key priority areas for the OCJ to improve access to justice for all in accordance with section 34 of the Constitution.

The Court Online system has been rolled out to the Gauteng Division of the High Court in Pretoria and Johannesburg. The CaseLines evidence management platform, is an integral part of the total Court Online Solution, and is being utilised in the Gauteng Division of the High Court. The implementation of the total Court Online solution is subject to the litigation process which is underway in the courts.

END

Reply:

1. I presume the Honourable Member is referring to a criminal investigation by the South African Police Services (SAPS). Like all such criminal investigations, the National Treasury is generally not informed of such investigations, unless any specific request is required from the National Treasury by SAPS. In terms of section 106 of the Municipal System Act, the MEC for Local Government (Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs) may conduct investigations if there are allegations of maladministration, fraud and corruption and other serious malpractices. The MEC would generally inform the National Treasury of the outcome of the investigation.

Also in terms of Section 5(2)(d) of the Municipal Financial Management Act (MFMA) “National Treasury may investigate any system of financial management and internal control in any municipality or municipal entity and recommend improvements”

2. National Treasury was not informed of the millions of Rand that was allocated by Dr A B Xuma Local Municipality to build Ngcobo Stadium.

a) The Transferring Officer i.e., the national department administering the conditional grant is responsible for the allocation and monitoring of funds to municipalities, as well as the approval of projects to be implemented and the budgets for the projects. The Department of Cooperative Governance (DCoG) administers the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) and National Treasury receives monthly financial reports, and quarterly financial and non-financial reports on the overall programme performance, and not on specific projects.

b) The specific details pertaining to the said project would be at the disposal of DCoG, i.e. the budgeted amount for the project, the progress on the project, and whether the project has been completed or not and also the reasons.

3. National Treasury was not informed that the stadium was incomplete when the municipality asked for a top up for the Nogqala bridge in Ward 19.

a)The National Treasury is not ordinarily informed of what projects have been approved for implementation and specific project budget for a particular year. The department administering the conditional grant is responsible for the administration of the programme and the said department must hold recipient municipalities of the grant accountable on the funding, approved projects and also ensure compliance with the conditions of the funding as outlined in the conditional grant framework.

4.Unless this is a conditional grant with such conditions, the DCoG is responsible to ensure compliance with the MIG framework in the Division of Revenue Act by holding municipalities accountable on allocated funding and approved projects to ensure projects are implemented and completed at the approved amounts, in compliance with the set conditions. Where funds are unspent at the end of the year and are not eligible for rollover and or funds are not spent in line with the intended purpose, the DCoG will not recognise such expenditure and, National Treasury will be duly informed and the said funds will be recouped from future transfers due to the municipality. Where maladministration, fraud and corruption and other serious malpractice is suspected, the onus is on the MEC of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs to initiate an investigation in terms of section 106 of the Municipal Systems Act.

Reply:

a) The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) has not quantified the losses but relied on the comprehensive information submitted by the affected provinces. The extent of losses reported for the past three years since 2020/21 is approximately R1 054 000 000 attributed to floods and drought combined. This amount excludes fires and small incidents that are not reported.

b) DALRRD supported the affected provinces with:

• R138 million in 2020/21 financial year through the funding from National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC). Breakdown:

Provinces	Purpose of funding	Allocations
Eastern Cape	Borehole development and fodder production	R35 000 000
KwaZulu-Natal	Dam rehabilitation, re-scooping silted dams	R4 000 000
Limpopo	Siting, drilling, testing, equipping, water tanks and drinking troughs, wind mills, installation of reservoir, ground reservoirs with troughs, installation of pump cage and generator, stands and energy source	R18 640 000
Mpumalanga	Production inputs, ripping, ploughing, planting, rolling, spraying herbicides, fire breaks, fencing, cutting, racking, bailing, discing, swathing/ windrower, transport and piling of bales, drilling and equipping of boreholes, provision of animal feed.	R12 160 000
Northern Cape	Fodder provisions; extension of fodder bank irrigation, clearing of prosopis, transportation of fodder to all districts	R35 689 000
North West	Provision and transportation of fodder	R8 000 000
Western Cape	Vouchers for provision of fodder	R25 000 000
Total		R138 489 000

• During the year 2021/22 DALRRD supported the Western Cape farmers with R48 million for fodder support for drought-stricken farmers in the Karoo. This funding was obtained through the NDMC.
• During 2022/23 DALRRD allocated R30 million to support KwaZulu-Natal farmers with repairs of damaged infrastructure, fertilisers and seeds following the flood disaster.

Furthermore, DALRRD continues to issue early warning information and advisories as well as awareness to assist farmers with their preparedness plans. For the 2023 floods, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal Provinces have submitted the request for funding to the NDMC with the support from DALRRD. The NDMC is yet to respond to these applications.

Reply:

Yes, the IMF has projected growth of 0.1 per cent for 2023 in its latest World Economic Outlook, published last month during its Spring Meetings, which is lower than the National Treasury’s projected GDP growth of 0.9 per cent in 2023 published in the 2023 Budget Review. There are other more recent projections on growth in 2023, and market consensus is currently for growth of 0.6 per cent in 2023. While growth projections are low and risks are high, the likelihood of a recession will largely depend on the impact of load shedding along with high inflation, rising borrowing costs and weak external demand. The National Treasury will announce a further update on its projections in the MTBPS later this year in October 2023.

The 2023 Budget projection itself was a downward adjustment from projected growth of 1.4 per cent for 2023 in the MTBPS last year. The 2023 Budget revision was informed by the negative impacts of loadshedding on the economy, stubbornly high inflation and accompanying rising borrowing costs and a relatively less supportive external environment among others. Since the publication of the Budget Review, some of the risks to the economy that were identified have materialized. These include the further worsening of domestic structural constraints in electricity and logistics, which continue to limit production and exports; a higher cost of living and higher borrowing costs which are expected to weigh on consumption and investment. Additionally, real GDP growth in the final quarter of 2022 was worse than anticipated by most forecasters, including the Treasury, (declining by 1.3 per cent). This contraction meant that annual GDP in 2022 came out weaker than expected, at 2 per cent, posing adverse carry-over effects into 2023. Beyond this, significant risks still remain including weaker global growth and lower commodity prices.

On balance however, while the occurrence of these risks weighs on the 2023 Budget Review economic growth outlook, available high-frequency data at the start of 2023 points to a marginal rebound in GDP growth in the first quarter. This is also supported by the lower than initially anticipated intensity of load-shedding in the first quarter of 2023. Moreover, GDP growth is expected to gradually recovery in the second half of 2023, as the worst impact of the electricity supply shortages start to ease following the peak winter demand period, and some electricity generation capacity is restored. Taken together, the prevailing view is for a positive GDP growth in 2023, albeit with higher downside risks compared to the time of the Budget Review. Lastly, the additional potential impact of the prevailing risks to the outlook can be seen in the uniform downward revisions by other official forecasters, which on aggregate still show positive growth projections in 2023.

Reply:

(1)(a) There are no special concessions in place to speed up applications of work visa renewals for the staff of embassies and consulates.

(1)(b) All special concessions by the Minister or Director-General are shared with staff, both local and abroad. The interpretation and the application of the contents of these concessions are shared with all staff to ensure uniformity.

(2) The work visa application of the staff member at the Indonesian Embassy was received by the Department on the 19th of September 2022. It was adjudicated and the rejection outcome dispatched on the 24th of October 2022. As per the checklist attached to the application at the time of submission, the applicant was informed that his application was incomplete. He insisted to submit without the required documents.

(3) The Immigration Act prescribes the manner in which the Minister can intervene in the processing of visa applications. Section 8(6) stipulates that an applicant aggrieved by a decision of the Director-General contemplated in subsection (5) may, within 10 working days of receipt of that decision, make an application in the prescribed manner to the Minister for the review or appeal of that decision. The applicant has not submitted an Appeal to the Minister regarding the rejection.

END

Reply:

a) The event was held on 20 April 2023

b) The event had 360 guests.

c) The event was held at a venue called Galleria Conference Centre, Woodmead

d) The total amount spent to host the event was R16 097 000.00. More than two thirds of this budget went towards incentives and funding for the Grammy winners to develop cultural workers in their respective fields, this will be co-ordinated together with the department and the recipients.

a) The name of the company that received the tender is Abstract Group Media & Marketing Events

b) The budget was sourced from the Cultural and Creative Industry Development budget.

c) It was for the 2023/24 financial year.

Reply:

(1)(a) As soon as the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) discovered that the offender had indeed escaped from lawful custody the matter was reported to the South African Police Service (SAPS) for investigation.

(1)(b) A case of escape was opened with the SAPS on the 12 January 2023. In addition a track and tracing team was established to re-enforce the tracing and re-arrest of the offender. None of the victims were informed of the escape in line with the General Procedure in relation to informing victims about offender/perpetrators who died, escaped from custody.

(1)(c) Not applicable.

(2) The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) was not informed directly by DCS. However, a criminal case was reported to the SAPS for further investigation and possible prosecution by the NPA.

END

Reply:

1. (a) Nationally, approximately 15 000 applications.

(b) The total number of applications that were successful since 2020 is 1 595.

2. Yes. As an example; using just two provinces for 2023/24 financial year. Mpumalanga received 310 applications and only 22 (7%) applications were approved for funding. While in North West the province received 8 088 applications and only 68 (1%) could be approved. Reasons for this amongst others are as follows:

• Some of the applications that were declined do not have proof of land ownership/access: no title deed, no lease agreement nor permission to occupy. State resources cannot be spent on land illegally occupied.
• Some applications are declined due to conflicts amongst beneficiaries. The conflicts must be resolved first before the investment is made available from public funds.
• Availability of water for the envisaged production plays a major role in whether the projects or application will be approved. In some instances, the water source must first be identified, and authorisations be received before the project is approved for funding of infrastructure. This work (pre-funding support) gets done in all instances where production potential is established.
• The demand for support far exceeds the amount of money available (the resources from government).

The Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme (CASP) programme is only responding to 11% of the need for support as expressed through the number of applications received versus the number of applications that can be supported.

Reply:

No there is no external power putting pressure on the government of South Africa.

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

The N2 Nodal Development, gazetted as SIP 24e, is a fully integrated mixed-use development with a strong economic component centred around the Bay West development precinct. The R 33,4 billion node is one of three declared Urban Development Nodes across the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro Municipality and is strategically important to the Western Areas of Port Elizabeth.

The development node is located along the N2 and south of the industrial areas of Kuyga and Greenbushes. The Nodal Development comprises of 4 sub-projects that are projected to yield over 12,100 new housing opportunities on greenfield land and formalise the small informal settlement of Gro-Gro with approximately 210 units. The sub-projects are the Baywest development, Utopia Estate Mixed Use Development, N2 North Integrated Development and Erf 432, Hunters Retreat. The projects are private initiatives except for municipal driven project called the N2 North Integrated Mixed-Use Development. This initiative provides for approximately 3000 residential units, schools, business sites and various community facilities and amenities.

Infrastructure South Africa monitors the level of implementation of this project and receives quarterly reports from the project sponsor. Elements completed within the N2 Nodal development includes the Bay West Mall, the filling station and the Redhouse Chelsea arterial. The Utopia Estate Mixed Use Development is currently in construction. In terms of the overall N2 Nodal Development progress, Pre-planning is 84% complete, Planning is 53% complete and Construction of Bulk infrastructure is 14% complete.

The N2 Nodal development is one of many projects within the portfolio which requires assistance with the funding of bulk infrastructure for the development. Infrastructure South Africa, together with the Infrastructure Fund is working with the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro municipality to identify new, innovative mechanisms to fund and finance bulk infrastructure requirements.

__________________________

MR. S ZIKALALA, MP

MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS AND INFRASTRUCTURE

DATE:

Reply:

The expenditure for the employment of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to safeguard and protect National Key Points and critical infrastructure was justified. The deployment of the SANDF in support of the SAPS provided the SAPS and other law enforcement agencies with adequate capacity to create conditions in which the protests organised for 20 March 2023 were conducted in a safe and secure environment.

The employment assisted in providing safe and secure conditions for all the people in the country who were not participating in the protests to safely continue with their normal activities.

Soon after the successful completion of the security cluster effort to ensure a safe, secure and peaceful environment before and after 20 March 2023, the SANDF withdrew from that particular deployment and continued with the safeguarding and protection of Eskom power stations in Mpumalanga, Limpopo and Free State under the same Presidential Authority for Operation Prosper.

Reply:

Yes.

a) The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) is in the process of developing the Agricultural Statistics Strategy in partnership with Statistics South Africa, including other industry stakeholders such as State-Owned Enterprises and provincial departments of agriculture. It is envisaged that the Strategy will among other things address the bias in the availability of agricultural statistics within the country through the development of more representative statistical products, while continuous oversight will be provided to the process. The draft strategy is undergoing consultation before is presented before the executive of the Department.

b) If successfully implemented, the Strategy will resolve the main challenges faced with the collection, processing, and dissemination of agricultural statistics. Among others, the Strategy addresses the Data Management System, which will ensure that technology becomes an intricate part of producing the statistics. The strategy will contribute to the enhancement of an ongoing process of data collection that includes the census, surveys, farmer register, and crop estimates. In 2007 Stats SA collaborated with the Department of Agriculture in conducting Censuses 2007 and more recently another Census was conducted in 2017. Both Censuses were funded by the DALRRD. Additionally, the Annual Agricultural Surveys are released by Stats SA. Stats SA uses the DALRRD Economic Accounts figures as a benchmark on a regular basis. If the strategy is funded fully, among others, data collectors will be resourced.

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

a) The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) Supply Chain Unit is not aware of “reports” of bid rigging in the awarding of the lease and as such, cannot provide any specific details in this regard. The DPWI can however confirm that tender PT19/008 was advertised in the open market and closed on 6 August 2019 for 28 397.09sm of office accommodation and 474 parking bays for Department of Health (DoH) for a period of 5 years within the areas of Arcadia, Hatfield, Menlyn, Lynwood, Persequor Park or Pretoria CBD.

Notwithstanding the above, on 22 October 2019 DoH wrote to DPWI and requested to participate in a lease contract that was previously awarded by DPWI for COGTA. In this letter DoH further stated that their initial requirement of 28 397.09sm was now reduced to 12 000sm. Due to the change in the space requirement, the tender PT19/008 was then cancelled.

Regarding the contract for COGTA, the DPWI signed a lease agreement on 6 December 2019 with Hiroworx who offered the EXXARO building situated in Thaba Tshwane. This lease was concluded through an open tender process under Tender No HP18/086. Subsequently on 31 January 2020 COGTA wrote to DPWI advising that they would not be able to move into the leased building.

The DPWI was now seized with having a contractual commitment and a signed lease agreement for a building without a tenant. In order to avert wasteful expenditure and possible litigation and whilst recognizing that the initial DoH tender was cancelled but the need for 12 000sm of office accommodation was still required by DoH; DPWI then wrote to National Treasury on 6 March 2020 requesting NT to approve/support the substitution of COGTA as a tenant of EXXARO building by DoH. On the 20 March 2020 NT responded stating that they supported the deviation.

DPWI then informed DoH and on 21 September 2020 an addendum to the lease agreement was signed between DPWI and Hiroworx substituting COGTA with DoH as the tenant in the EXXARO building.

b) PWI officials were involved in acquiring EXXARO building on behalf of the client department.

c) With respect to:

(i) internal investigation and/or legal process, there is nothing we know of; and

(ii) external investigation and/or legal processes, there is nothing we know of.

Reply:

The Regulations Relating to Minimum Uniform Norms and Standards for Public School Infrastructure provides that: 

(i)    " All schools must have a school library or a media centre and a minimum, adequate and suitable school library collection." These may be in a form of a mobile library, cluster library, classroom library, centralised library or a community library. Since the promulgation of the Regulations, all new and replacement schools are being provided with libraries and there are also standalone programmes by PED's to provide these. Of the schools that have provided information, 3 205 primary schools have corner libraries and information is being collated on these and schools using mobile and community libraries. Further, over 213 000 learners have been provided with learner devices and connectivity  in the 2022/23 financial year only. This gives these learners access to reading material through online libraries.

(ii) With regard to laboratories, all schools that offer science subjects must be provided with a laboratory. This can be in a form of a fixed laboratory, mobile laboratory or in a form of a classroom  or safe container as determined by the school. All new and replacement schools are also  being provided with laboratories and there are also standalone programmes by PED's to provide these.

COMPILED BY:

MR E RAMASEDI MAFOKO

DIRECTOR: GRAND MANAGEMENT AND COMPLIANCE

DATE: 09/05/2023

OFFICIALS INVOLVED

QUESTION NO: 1505.   IS APPROVED

MR D VANDERWESTHUIJZEN

DEPUTY DIRECTOR GENERAL: SECTOR INFRASTRUCTURE

DATE: 11/05/2023

QUESTION NO: 1505.   IS APPROVED

DR G WHITTLE

ACTING DIRECTOR-GENERAL

DATE: 11/05/2023

QUESTION NO: 1505.   IS APPROVED

DR MR MHAULE, MP

DEPUTY MINISTER

DATE: 12/05/2023

QUESTION NO: 1505.   IS APPROVED

MRS AM MOTSHEKGA, MP

MINISTER

DATE: 15/05/2023

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

1. The requirement with respect to the number of checks on fire protection equipment on the Parliamentary Precinct in each year are as follows.

• Fire extinguishers, fire hose reels and fire hydrants are subject to annual service and monthly visual inspection in all buildings.
• Fire Alarms, have a life of 10 years when used in dry, non-corrosive atmospheres and provided that they are serviced or regularly inspected, tested, cleaned and recalibrated twice a year.
• Routine replacement of detectors after 10 years of service In the interests of safety and the avoidance of unwanted alarms, is recommend.
• The Gas Suppression system, on the mechanical side is pressure tested every 10 years provided no discharge occurred. The pipe network should be pressure tested annually The Gas Suppression system Controls on the Electronic side should be serviced in 6 months provided there are no faults occurring.
• Sprinkler system has a life of 20 years. On fire sprinkler there should be a yearly service conducted, Pumps for should be serviced Yearly, so that pumps are able to supply water at the correct pressure and flow in case of need, and the valves should be tested every three years to ensure that they function correctly and to check any leaks leak.

(2) The latest annual service of fire equipment was performed over the period from mid-November to December 2022 into and until mid-January 2023 and after which monthly visual inspections were performed in February and March 2023. Monthly visual inspections will continue to take place on a monthly basis until the next due annual service of equipment.

(3) The service records of the latest annual service of fire equipment performed by DPW service provider, Messrs Transfire is attached for ease of reference.

(4) Yes, checks are done annually. The following reports are available where the entire building’s maintenance checks were completed in 2022, namely Tuynhuys, Good Hope and NCOP buildings. See the attached service records.

Maintenance checks are ongoing in Marks Building which is 80% complete. The building is earmarked to be completed end of April 2023.

90 Plein Street Building to be completed end of May 2023

120 Plein Street Building to be completed end of April 2023

100 Plein Street Building to be completed end of April 2023

(5) (a) There are a total of 706 fire extinguishers, 277 fire hose reels, 101 fire hydrants/boosters and 4 fire blankets

b) A survey by a qualified fire marshal would have to be conducted in order to determine if the number existing units are adequate or inadequate.

c) The number of fire extinguishers that were replaced in 2022 is unknown. The latest annual service performed by service provider Transfire was a service of all fire equipment that were found on site in their designated positions as recorded. Missing extinguishers were to be replaced/installed with each monthly visual inspection that followed after servicing. Fire extinguishers which were replaced or installed during the monthly inspections will be have been recorded in the inspection records for each month which is still to be received by Transfire.

d) The reasons for replacement of fire extinguishers are when a unit is found to be condemned or damaged. Other possible reasons will be when a unit is missing due to it being taken off its recorded position for improper reasons and not being put back, another likely reason is theft.

___________________________

MR. S ZIKALALA, MP

MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS AND INFRASTRUCTURE

DATE:

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

In supporting the resettlements of victims of the 2022 flood disaster in KwaZulu-Natal, a total of 05 land parcels measuring 1,5990 hectares from the DPWI portfoilio has been approved for release to the Housing Development Agency (HDA).

DPWI has issued the Special Power of Attorney to the HDA to commence with the planning processes while DPWI is finalising the release of land parcels.

Reply:

1. Section 46 of The Immigration Act, No. 13 of 2002 giving recognition to Immigration Practitioners (Agents) was repealed by section 23 of Act No. 13 of 2011. There is therefore no legislation that recognises or regulates immigration agents. The Department does not provide any training to immigration / permitting agents.

2. The full details of the process of quality control on applications is available on request. It details the workflow of applications within the Visa Application System (VAS) and the various activities that are performed with regard to verification of supporting documents such as a marriage certificate to confirm whether such a marriage is valid. The validity of marriages, for instance is verified on the National Population Register (NPR).

3. Supporting documents to a visa or permanent residence application are verified, not vetted. Verification includes contacting the author of the supporting document to verify the authenticity of the document. Verification can be obtained orally through a telephone call or in writing through an email confirmation.

4. Most banks do have access to verification services. Some banks issue bank statements with QR codes that DHA officials can scan to verify without the need to contact the bank but it is ultimately the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that the author of any document in support of their application is verifiable.

END

 

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:

(1)

(a)

(i) There are 22 Duplexes allocated to Department of Defense, totaling 44 units.

(ii) There are no houses located at Periwinkle Gardens.

(b)

(i) 42 units currently occupied by Department of Defense

(ii) None.

(c) 2 units are currently vacant but already allocated to SANDF officials who will occupy shortly.

(2)

(a) SANDF and Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) are responsible for Day to Day Maintenance. Based on the approved Maintenance guidelines responsibilities.

(b) Both Departments are responsible for the Repairs. Based on the approved Maintenance guidelines responsibilities. The refurbishment and renovations is the responsibility of DPWI.

(c) SANDF as the user Client is responsible for Fire and Safety mechanism

(3)

(a) An inspection was conducted by the DPWI and SANDF officials on the 03/04/2023

(b) Fire equipment is due for servicing and minor repairs (last service date is not visible: see attached picture)

(c) 2023 Servicing of Fire equipment: Client logged the calls which should be completed by Mid-July 2023.

__________________________

MR. S ZIKALALA, MP

MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS AND INFRASTRUCTURE

DATE:

Reply:

(1)(a) According to the investigation docket from the South African Police Service, there are eight (8) suspects, of whom six (6) are undocumented persons, one (1) is in possession of Zimbabwe Exemption Permit(ZEP) and one (1) with a suspected fraudulent document.

(1)(b) The Department efforts to stem the flow of undocumented foreign nationals into the Country include the implementation of the Border Management Authority and the appointment of the Border Guards which commenced in July 2022. The Department also participates in joint operations which is coordinated by Provincial and National Joint intelligent structures aimed at combatting illegal immigration. In addition, the department leads law enforcement operations through Operation Siyasebenta, which is supported by the structures mentioned above.

(2) One (1) foreign national is in possession of Zimbabwe Exemption Permit.

3. The Department has a visa and entry stop list at ports of entry wherein a criminal who is sought, can be placed on that list through SAPS working with Interpol. On application for certain category of visas, Police clearances are required from the Country of origin and Countries where the applicant has lived for a prescribed duration of stay in terms of the relevant visa, except for countries that are exempt from visa requirements. For these nationals who come from visa free countries, the visa and entry stop will create alerts on the ports of entry systems if a person is a wanted person or fugitive from justice.

END

 

Reply:

Before answering the questions, it is first important to note a few problems with the statistics referenced in the preamble to the question. The statistics referenced by the Council on Higher Education are taken from a 2016 research report, which was based on data analysis of the 2008 matric cohort (Van Broekhuizen, H.; S. Van Der Berg & H. Hofmeyr (2016) ‘Higher Education Access and Outcomes for the 2008 National Matric Cohort’ in Stellenbosch Economic Working Papers: 16/16;). So this analysis was based on the situation for the 2008 matrics. Given the significant progress since 2008, the numbers are quite outdated. For example, the number of NSC bachelor passes produced annually has nearly tripled since 2008 (just over 100 000 in 2008 compared to nearly 300 000 in 2022). Therefore, the statistics referenced are outdated and overstate the extent of the current problem given consistent reductions in dropout since 2008 and increases in university entrance qualifications. Nevertheless, the department is still concerned about the ongoing problem of learners exiting the education system without attaining a National Senior Certificate or an equivalent qualification.

The Department's mission to ensure that children attend school during compulsory schooling age and increase the percentage of youths who complete Grade 12 is critical. The Department has implemented various activities and initiatives to advance this mission, resulting in a decline in dropouts before completing the National Senior Certificate and almost 100% schooling among children at compulsory ages, although the pandemic caused some setbacks. Successful completion of twelve years of schooling in South Africa is similar to other middle-income countries, as detailed in the Department's annual reports.

Understanding why youths drop out is essential to promoting successful completion of schooling. Research shows that those who struggle with their studies and poverty at home are the most likely to drop out. The 2019 General Household Survey revealed that 34% of youths aged 16 to 18 were not coping academically, and 25% indicated "no money for fees." Coping academically is a significant factor in parents and guardians' decision not to invest in a child who is not performing well. (Refer to the Department's General Household Survey (GHS): Focus on Schooling publications.)

To increase "survival" to Grade 12, the government's strategies are multi-pronged, focusing on mitigating poverty's effects and improving learning and teaching in the classroom. The following key initiatives contributed to past reductions in dropouts and are likely drivers of future improvements in this regard:

1a) Efforts to reduce learner dropout

• The National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP). This intervention encourages children to attend school, and promotes learning by reducing levels of hunger and malnutrition, which inhibit successful learning.
• No fee schools. This longstanding intervention ensures that children and youths in poorer communities are not prevented from attending school due to the inability of the household to pay for school fees.
• Policies on teenage pregnancies. Government Notice 704 of 2021 formalised policy on the protection of the schooling of pregnant learners. Among females aged 16 to 18, around 10% did not attend school due to pregnancy, according to the 2019 GHS.
• Ongoing strengthening of the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS). A more focussed curriculum is one reason that has been put forward as a reason for past improvements in South Africa’s performance in international testing programmes – see the Department’s Action Plan to 2024.
• Efforts aimed at improving learning in the early grades. A key government priority is improving reading, and learning and teaching in general, in the early grades. Several interventions contribute towards this, including the shift in the responsibility for pre-schooling from the social development sector to basic education, the Early Grade Reading Study and associated teacher development innovations, and the introduction of the Systemic Evaluation.
• Special examination preparation support for Grade 12 learners. Activities here, aimed largely at ensuring that learners leave school with the NSC, include the so-called winter schools.
• The expansion of the learner-level enrolment and attendance monitoring systems. The Learner Unit Record Information and Tracking System (LURITS), the SA-SAMS school management system and the partnership-driven Data Driven Districts (DDD) initiative have all contributed to a more robust approach to monitoring exactly where in the country dropping out is occurring. These systems proved invaluable for providing information on, for instance, where children were not returning to school during the pandemic.

1b) Causes of dropout

In South Africa, the problem of learner dropout is complex and multifaceted. However, research has shown that the fundamental underlying cause of dropping out is weak learning foundations. Academic difficulties, poor school resources and facilities, weak teaching and school management, and access to schools in the context of mobility are some of the risk factors highlighted in a 2007 Ministerial Report on learner retention. The socio-emotional issues among learners were also identified as a risk factor for dropping out. Females are less likely to drop out of school than males despite facing certain risk factors that affect females in particular, like pregnancy.

According to the General Household Survey (GHS), the main reasons for learners not attending educational institutions are household poverty and income shocks, household labour and family responsibilities, migration, and health problems. However, it is important to interpret these reasons in the light of research showing that weak early learning outcomes are the main predictor of dropping out. The GHS results showed that "other" reasons, not listed in the questionnaire, were the main reasons given for 7-15 year-olds not attending school, which could be a comfortable response option given the sensitive nature of disclosing some of the reasons for dropping out.

Grade repetition is another factor that could contribute to dropout rates, but its impact is uncertain. Repetition discourages children about their educational prospects and makes them relatively old for their grade, which could make opting out of school more socially or economically attractive. However, grade repetition could have a positive impact on educational outcomes if it is accompanied by effective remedial support. Despite the uncertainty around the impact of grade repetition on dropout, it should primarily be understood as a symptom of weak learning rather than as a cause of educational problems such as dropout. High rates of grade repetition lead to education system inefficiencies such as higher class sizes and more "person-years" of public spending on education to achieve the same outcomes.

Overall, the reasons for learner dropout in South Africa are interlinked, and dropping out is often understood as a series of circumstances rather than an isolated event. While poverty, household responsibilities, and other external factors can trigger dropping out, weak early learning outcomes remain the major underlying vulnerability to dropping out. Improving the quality of education in the earlier grades, addressing academic difficulties, and strengthening teaching and school management are crucial steps to reduce dropout rates and improve educational outcomes in South Africa.

Reply:

A cost analysis on the staff establishment was done by the Department of Public Service and Administration and the National Treasury in respect of the Guide for Members of the Executive. The outcome of the analysis revealed a cost reduction to the State.

The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure has similarly done a cost analysis with regards to ministerial residences.

The National Treasury concluded a transversal contract with original equipment manufacturers in terms of which vehicles for Members of the Executive must be purchased. A general reduction on the costs related to motor vehicles has been reported.

The cost related to day-to-day matters, such as travel and accommodation, in respect of each Member of the Executive will vary depending on the nature and extent of their respective duties. The total costs incurred in this regard will be within the purview of the relevant Department. In line with the principles of accountability, the costs to each Department are disclosed in their individual financial statements.

The Guide for Members of the Executive provides a guideline for benefits, tools of trade and allowances to support Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Premiers and Members of the Executive Council in the execution of their duties.

The Guide for Members of the Executive seeks to limit the extent to which the State would provide resources and enabling facilities (tools of trade) to Members to ensure that the Members perform their duties effectively, efficiently and prudently. The Guide seeks to ensure that all Departments and Accounting Officers apply consistent measures to ensure that expenditure does need exceed the prescribed limits and conditions.

This Guide is necessary to set parameters related to administrative and support assistance provided to Members to ensure good governance with due regard to cost effectiveness and efficiency

The implementation of the Guide is informed by the Public Finance Management Act, 1999, the Public Service Act, 1994, their resultant Regulations, the Executive Members’ Ethics Act, 1998 and the applicable Public Service Coordinating Bargaining Council collective agreements.

Reply:

a) Learner Transport Programme is a shared responsibility between the Department of Basic Education and the Department of Transport. The provisioning and prioritisation of learner transport programme is a provincial competency and the National Departments of Basic Education and Transport monitor the provisioning of learner transport programme in provinces. As such, the provisioning of learner transport in the Eastern Cape resides with the Provincial Department of Transport and it is funded through the Equitable Share allocations. Information forthcoming from this department, is that the Province transported 125 331 learners against the total need of 139 823 learners and the target of 102 998 learners in 1009 schools which is 122% against the target and 90% against the total need. The province was allocated R 856 000 000.00 sufficient to transport the targeted 102 998 learners but went over the target by transporting 125 331 which resulted in the over-expenditure totalling R 1 085 045 000.00. Therefore, the additional budget allocation only catered for the accruals and not for the additional learner transport needs.

b) None

c) The Eastern Cape Provincial Department of Transport has been requested to have discussions with their Provincial Treasury to reprioritize budgets and cater for these excluded learners on the provision of learner transport in the province.

Reply:

The granting of honours is at the discretion of the President.

There have been requests for special funerals in the past that have been declined. However, out of respect for the families involved, it would be inappropriate for the Presidency to divulge the names of individuals on whose behalf official funerals were requested and declined.

Reply:

Yes.

a) There are 97 clients that have been assisted in obtaining longterm leases since 2021.

b) 34 clients were women.

Reply:

The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) was authorised to deploy in support of the South African Police Service (SAPS) under Operation Prosper in preparation for protests planned for 20 March 2023. This deployment was at the request of the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS), which determined that the SANDF would be required to deploy for the protection and safeguarding of National Key Points and critical infrastructure in order to relieve the police from that function.

The NATJOINTS had conducted an assessment and identified the need for the police to be on the ground across the entire country to provide a safe and secure environment for the planned protests to take place, as well as the condition of a safe and secure environment, freedom of movement and action for those who were not going to participate in the protests.

The SAPS returned to their posts on 23 March 2023 and the SANDF withdrew, with some of the elements returning back to their units whilst other elements continued with the protection and safeguarding of Eskom power stations until 17 April 2023 as per the Presidential Authority.

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

(a) See the attached list of maintenance expenditure, which include repairs, cleaning and gardening, linked to the address of each house. Annexure A are Cape Town houses and Annexure B are Pretoria houses

___________________________

MR. S ZIKALALA, MP

MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS AND INFRASTRUCTURE

DATE:

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

Infrastructure investment is critical to South Africa’s economic welfare, recognising that the provision of superior quality infrastructure allows an economy to be more efficient, improves productivity levels and raises long-term growth and living standards. Accelerating the pace and quality of infrastructure in the country requires a whole-of-government approach and establishing an enabling environment for private sector participation.

The DPWI, amongst others, relies on period publications by both public and private sector institutions such as the South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE)’s 2022 Infrastructure Report Card for South Africa and Stats SA’s Capital Expenditure by the Public Sector Report to track where infrastructure investment is taking place and the quantum thereof.

The DPWI coordinates the efforts of government to ensure that high quality public infrastructure takes place to achieve the targets set out in the National Development Plan. The DPWI will not be duplicate audits that have already been undertaken on the quality of major public infrastructure, but will focus its efforts on coordinating public sector infrastructure investment programme and working closely with the private sector to increase the pace and quality of infrastructure investments in South Africa.

__________________________

MR. S ZIKALALA, MP

MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS AND INFRASTRUCTURE

DATE:

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

a) Kindly note that due to security sensitivities we cannot provide names of Ministers and Deputy Ministers linked to the houses they occupied.

b) See the attached list of maintenance expenditure, which include repairs, cleaning and gardening, linked to the address of each house. Annexure A are Cape Town houses and Annexure B are Pretoria houses.

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

(a) and (b)

The detailed list of the 360 courts that have partially functioning generators and the 80 generator installations for new generators are attached herewith as Annexures A and B respectfully.

(c) The Generator Programme is aimed at rolling out 80 new generator installations at various courts in Limpopo, Free State, Northern Cape, Western Cape, Kwa-Zulu Natal, Mpumalanga and Gauteng Provinces respectively. The projects are currently in the planning and design phase which entails the site inspections, status quo reporting, drawings, specifications and approvals including municipal approvals. The size of the facility and cabling length to the main supply are some of the parameters that determine the milestones, which varies per facility. In terms of the overall programme milestones, it is anticipated that the following will be achieved:

• Procurement Plan approval = 30 April 2023
• Complete planning and design = 30 June 2023
• Complete Bid Specification Committee = 31 June 2023
• Complete Bid Procurement Strategy (approvals) = 31 June 2023
• Tender advertisement = 30 August 2023
• Tender Award and Site handover = 30 November 2023
• Construction Duration = 3 to 6 months (based on the specifications)

__________________________

MR. S ZIKALALA, MP

MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS AND INFRASTRUCTURE

DATE:

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

(1)

(a) An assessment was done by day to day works and it was found that Professional engineer must be involved.

(b) It was referred to engineers to conduct an assessment and provide a report. A report has been issued, indicating that the site terrain is approximately 2 kilometers away from the sea. The area has a limited vegetation growth on sandy soil conditions, which insures speedy infiltration due to the large un-compactable voids present. This means that the soil would naturally become over saturated faster than slow infiltration soil types thus creating faster flooding plane. A proper retaining wall will need to be built together with an engineer’s designs.

(2) The Regional Office will only be able to devolve the site, once formal agreement has been reached between DPWI and Department of Defence (DOD) regarding the transfer of custodial functions.

(3)

(a) At this stage, no date has been agreed to regarding the proposed devolution of function.

(b) Prior to custodial devolution taking place, formal agreement/s must be reached between the DPWI and DOD.

(4) No project has been registered for this property.

(5) SANDF has not prioritized any projects for this property.

__________________________

MR. S ZIKALALA, MP

MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS AND INFRASTRUCTURE

DATE:

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

1. The total number of fixed properties owned by the department within the Pretoria West area is = Sixteen (16).

2. The departmental asset register is available and a summary of the cited properties within Pretoria West is availed under Annexure A.

3. The

a. Total number of known buildings illegally occupied within the Pretoria jurisdiction is nine (9).

b. The department has instituted legal processes through the office of the state attorney to commence the processes of eviction.

__________________________

MR. S ZIKALALA, MP

MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS AND INFRASTRUCTURE

DATE:

Reply:

Response to (a); (b) and (f) is outlined in attached file (Annexure 1).

Response to (c); (d) and (e).  See attached PED summary Annexure 2 and MP Supplier database Annexure 3.

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

1. The Registrar, who was appointed in 2019, is neither in possession of an approved forensic audit report, which would have been adopted by what would be the 4th Term Council, which was in place at the time, in 2017, nor was it part of a handover process upon his assumption of duty. The Registrar also could not find any record of approved minutes of the 4th Term Council in relation to the adoption and approval of the said audit report. However, the Registrar, in his endeavour to respond to this Parliamentary question, managed to get a hold of an unprocessed report, which relates to an audit conducted in 2017. The summary of the scope of the audit was to investigate suspected fraudulent certificates being issued by the SACPCMP in late 2016.

The summary of the findings are as follows:

• 1. Concerns were raised regarding the integrity of the Council’s registration platform, Your Membership (YM), in relation to data security and registration certificates.
  2. Concerns were raised regarding the maladministration and incompetence of the then administration.

The current Registrar and 6th Term Council are not aware of any resolutions that would have been adopted by the 4th Term Council on the items referred to above and the governance processes with regards to reporting, which were led by the then Audit and Risk Committee. The Registrar has learned however that the Audit and Risk Committee who would have been responsible for working with the forensic auditors and addressing the report, resigned before the matter was finalised.

Nonetheless, through the requisite internal and external audits conducted during the tenure of the current Registrar, as described in the response to Section 2 below, many improvements have been effected to address gaps in the operating environment. Some of the improvements are as follows:

1. The registration platform has been changed to a new, more secure platform called My Membership (MM), which is managed by a legal entity in South Africa.
2. The Council’s registration certificates now have a unique security feature that makes it difficult to forge certificates. Furthermore, the MM system allows the public to verify the validity of any registration certificate.
3. Certificates are renewed annually after payment of annual fees.
4. Three (3) staff members were dismissed, four (4) staff members were warned, while other staff members resigned as a result of their complicity in the irregularities that have been discovered over the years.
5. The organisational structure has been changed to a fit-for-purpose structure with a consistent and simple operating model and clear accountability and authority.
6. Formal Business Processes have been documented and approved with regard to the discharge of the Council’s legislative mandates so as to improve accountability and controls.
7. Key policies with regard to Registration, Continuous Professional Development (CPD) and Accreditation, amongst others, have been reviewed and approved to address areas of concern.
8. Background and criminal checks are conducted on all newly appointed Council employees.
9. Following a governance structure review, a project to review the delegation of authority to align with the new organisational structure and governance framework is underway.

The above have been consistently reported in the Council’s Annual Reports, which are submitted to Parliament, through the office of the Minister, annually.

2. The SACPCMP constitutes an Audit and Risk Committee (ARC), empowered by Section 17 of the Project and Construction Management Professions Act, No. 48 of 2000, through which the Council provides regular oversight on all activities and reporting by internal and external auditors for the term of the Council.

All internal and external audits are based on an approved audit plan and conducted to ensure good governance within the entity and its operations. As part of the Council’s audit planning the following applies:

2.1. External audits

These audits are conducted by external audit firms and an opinion on the Council’s financial statements is issued. The audited financial statements and signed audit report part of the Council’s Annual Report, which is submitted to Parliament, annually.

There have not been any significant audit findings in the past three years. Most findings are cleared by the time the audit report is issued. The Council has achieved an unqualified audit opinion for the past few years, indicating that the financial statements were free from material misstatements.

2.2. Internal Audits

These audits are conducted regularly as per the approved internal audit plan. The plan, which details the areas to be reviewed, is prepared by internal auditors and approved by the Audit and Risk Committee (ARC). The activities of the ARC are reported in the Annual Report. The following areas are reviewed regularly:

• Financial Management – mainly the revenue and debt management processes
• Asset Management review
• Supply Chain Management review
• Human Resource Management review
• Management of operations (Registration processes)
• Management of operations (Programme accreditation processes)
• Governance Processes

The above audits are conducted to assess the Council’s internal controls and identify any deficiencies.

As part of remedial action following any audit, Management develops an implementation plan to enhance current processes and to address material deficiencies noted by internal auditors. Management developed an audit matrix for all areas audited during the 2021/2022 financial and quarterly monitoring is done by the ARC on the progress with implementation (ref: SACPCMP Annual Report 2021/22; Section C, Part 16).

3. Question: whether he will furnish Ms S J Graham with a copy of the report including details of (a) the major findings, (b) what remedial actions were taken to resolve any identified issues and (c) what consequence management resulted from the audit; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details

SACPCMP Response: See SACPCMP Response above to Questions 1 and 2:

4. As part of the SACPCMP’s audit remedial action, in relation to all audits that are undertaken, Council Management develops implementation plans to address material deficiencies noted by internal auditors. This is informed by the audit matrix for all areas where remedial actions are required. Quarterly monitoring is done by the ARC on the progress with regard to implementation. Most of the findings are cleared and Council ensures that internal controls are improved to prevent repeat or recurring findings.

The following are issues that are put on the audit matrix and summary is provided in terms of the outcomes of the management actions around the findings:

• Financial Management – mainly the revenue and debt management processes) – No repeat findings. A finding that has not been cleared relates to the review of the policy, which will be done by the 2nd quarter of the 2023/24 financial year.
• Asset Management review - No repeat findings. The finding that has not been cleared is around the review of the policy, this will be done by the 2nd quarter of the 2023/24 financial year.
• Supply Chain Management review - No repeat findings. The finding that is yet to be cleared is around the review of the policy, this will be done by the 2nd quarter of the 2023/24 financial year.
• Human Resource Management review - No repeat findings. The finding that has not been cleared is around the review of the policy, this will be done by the 2nd quarter of the 2023/24 financial year.
• Management of operations (Registration processes) – all findings were cleared.
• Management of operations (Programme accreditation process) – Findings were cleared through new accreditation processes applied in the new programme accreditation cycle.
• Governance Processes - Findings were cleared.

__________________________

MR. S ZIKALALA, MP

MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS AND INFRASTRUCTURE

DATE:

Reply:

1. Network connectivity remains a challenge in the success of system implementation and stabilisation in the Department. The Department has implemented the following to address challenges: -

a) To review current Service Level Agreements (SLAs) with SITA

b) To be exempted from SITA in order to approach service providers directly

c) Procuring LTE network backup for each District.

d) Continue to replace copper links to fiber.

2. The Department is also engaging CSIR to achieve the following objectives to improve network connectivity and stabilising the system:

a) Review of Infrastructure, Network and Systems architectures to determine their adherence to the DHA Modernisation Programme, the DHA EA Principles, the DHA EA Policy and the Government Wide Enterprise Architecture.

b) Determine whether systems development, deployment, support, and maintenance are aligned to the best practices.

c) Determine whether infrastructure refresh, support and maintenance are executed in a manner that supports the DHA Modernisation Programme.

d) Conduct a thorough analysis of selected current and new system downtime incidents experienced by the DHA including the frequency, duration, and impact of each incident.

e) Review the DHA’s existing IT infrastructure, systems, and procedures, to assess their effectiveness in minimising and addressing system downtime.

f) Identify the root causes of selected system downtime incidents, taking into consideration factors such as hardware failure, software issues, cyber-attacks, network issues, human error, and other relevant factors.

g) Propose remedial actions to minimise future occurrences of system downtime, including technical, procedural, and training recommendations.

h) Provide a comprehensive report that outlines the findings of the investigation and the proposed remedial actions and present this report to DHA's Exco in a clear and concise manner.

i) Provide agreed to follow-up support or assistance to the DHA to ensure that the proposed remedial actions are implemented effectively and that system downtime incidents are minimised.

j) Timeously provide progress reports/documents to the DHA and the CSIR Executives as required.

END

Reply:

a) The expansion of the banks footprint is dependent on the signing of partnership agreements with the banks and has been delayed due to the banks requirements that DHA should guarantee minimal system downtime and quicker response to calls logged for IT support.

b) The DHA and Banking Association of South Africa (BASA) which represent all banks are crafting plans that will mitigate the issues raised by banks to ensure that the partnership agreements are eventually signed in the current financial year.

END

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

According to the records of the National Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, the DPWI has no lodges or guest houses under its custodianship being administered by any municipalities.

a) N/A

b) N/A

c) N/A

d) N/A

_________________________

Reply:

No. The Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP) has been experiencing challenges because of aging infrastructure which has resulted in reduced vaccine production.

The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, working with the OBP is implementing a sustainable vaccine production strategy, central to which is finding a competent vaccine manufacturing partner to contract manufacture vaccines on-behalf OBP. A consistent availability of vaccines will alleviate the challenge of farmers not finding vaccines when it is time for vaccination.

Reply:

The relevant provincial department/municipality is responsible for the provision of the relief sought. The provincial department of education, is however, responsible for liaising with the relevant entity in government to ensure access to education by learners and that their safety is not compromised. 

Reply:

The Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza protocol is being applied. The farm is placed under quarantine, no eggs and birds can leave the farm. Birds on infected properties have been destroyed. Cleaning and disinfection are being applied. The outbreak has been reported as per normal protocol to the World Organisation for Animal Health and trade partners.

Reply:

(1)  The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has been giving focused attention to improving literacy and reading development, and has declared two key outcomes which have an impact on reading, in the current MTEF, as part of the key priority outcomes. These are Outcome 1, which is about improving school readiness for children; and Outcome 2, which is about getting 10-year-old learners enrolled in publicly funded schools to read for meaning.

Furthermore, the DBE has a National Reading Sector Plan, and Provincial Education Departments (PEDs) have developed their Reading Strategies that target the early grades informed by the National Reading Sector Plan, but taking into account the provinces' contexts. The PEDs' reading strategies outline different activities that are being implemented in schools to improve reading outcomes. To ensure that the reading strategies are implemented across by PEDs, the implementation of the Reading Strategies forms part of the indicators of the DBE's Annual Performance Plan (APP).

 There are also various intervention programmes and strategies that are coordinated at the DBE to support the improvement of reading outcomes in the early grades. They include the following:

• Annual Teaching Plans (ATPs) for Home and First Additional Languages
• Guidelines on the implementation of ATPs
• National Framework for the Teaching of African Languages in the Foundation Phase
• Primary School Reading Improvement Programme (PSRIP) for Home Languages and English First Additional Language (EFAL)
• Early Grade Reading Study
• Early Grade Reading Assessment
• Workbooks Programme
• Foundation Phase Home Languages literacy lesson plans 
• Reading Norms
• Reading Champions Programme
• Read to Lead campaign
• Comprehension across the curriculum

(2)  

(a) We have been making steady gains, but the pandemic interrupted our progress. A number of reports detailing the impact COVID-19 has had on educational provision generally, and the literacy development of our children in particular, have been shared. We also acknowledge that the ability to read well, and with comprehension, is a result of a number of factors, and what happens at school level, is but a part of that.  The other factors, which are equally important, are linked to the environment outside of school, which is the home and the greater society. With regard to what happens at school level, there are challenges that we are trying to address, and these include the competencies of some of our teachers to teach reading for meaning, particularly in the lower grades, and in the language of the learners; teacher support; access to reading resources, particularly in the home languages of the learners; ensuring that schools have environments conducive to successful reading development; and the general readiness of our children when they start school.

(b) The Department will be focusing on strengthening foundational learning. This includes improving early learning, and to do this, we will be providing under-resourced ECDs with a minimum package of educational resources which will comprise resources to stimulate early literacy. The Department has also been reflecting on its current strategy to ensure its agility to respond to challenges that have been exacerbated by the pandemic. To this end, we will be finalising a new and improved Integrated Sector Reading Strategy with a sharpened focus on skilled and versatile teachers, availability of age-appropriate and culturally relevant resources, as well as strengthened involvement of parents and the community. In acknowledging that literacy development is an integrated function that requires coordination, the DBE will be working with PEDs and the sector at large, which includes parents and communities, in finalising the revised strategy.