Questions and Replies

Reply:

(1)(a),(b),(c) Please refer to Annexure A.

(2)(a),(b) Please refer to Annexure A.

(3),(4) Please refer to Annexure A.

ANNEXURE A TO NA-QUES-635 OF 2023

(1)(a),(b),(c),(2),(3) Eastern Cape Province: Sarah Baartman District: Please refer to the table below.

	(1)(a) Costs of cattle bought for farmers	(1)(b) Details of Recipient Name of Farm	(1)(c) Conditions of the farm, i.e. water rights, grazing capacity and veld conditions	(2) Is the farm still in production Yes/ No	(2)(a),(b)If No Why and what steps have been taken to resuscitate	(3) Additional support, If not, why not, if so what additional support was provided
2020/21	678 000.00	Meyers family trust	Water is a challenge as there’s only one borehole working; other camps have water for animals	Yes	Falls away	The farmer is also supported with chicory inputs, grass seeds and fertilizers. Cattle Feed and medication were provided
2020/21	201 030.39	Kruisfontein in Alexandria commonage	Overgrazing is the issue in the commonage, DRDAR installing camps, farmers are also engaged on overgrazing	Yes	Falls away	Cattle Feed and medication were provided.
2020/21	624 000.00	Injica (forest hill farm)	Conditions are good	Yes	Falls away	The farmer is also supported with chicory inputs, grass seeds and fertilizers. Cattle Feed and medication were also provided Cattle Feed and medication were provided
2020/21	346 000.00	Soqhayisa( Dekselsfontein Farm)	Contract bridged with Property management	No	The farm is in the process of being reallocated to a new beneficiary	Cattle Feed and medication were provided

(4): Sarah Baartman District: Please refer to the table below.

	(4)(a)Total No of applications received	(4) (b)Total No of applications declined	(4)(c) Reasons for declining of each application
2012/2013	0	Falls away	Falls away
2013/14	11	06	Not aligned with departmental mandate, some were still ideas.
2014/15	15	10	Not aligned with departmental mandate, some were still ideas.
2015/16	13	09	Not aligned with departmental mandate. some were still ideas.
2016/17	08	04	Not aligned with departmental mandate. some were still ideas.
2017/18	02	01	Not aligned with departmental mandate
2018/19	03	0	Falls away.
2019/20	03	01	Not aligned with departmental mandate
2020/21	04	3	Budget constraints and forwarded to the next financial year
2021/22	05	0	Falls away
2022/23	04	0	Falls away

Chris Hani District: Please refer to the table below.

	Total No of applications received	Total No of applications declined	Reasons for the declining of each application
2012/13	0	Falls away	Falls away
2013/14	54	38	Insufficient information, not within the mandate of the Department, limited budget, inactive farmers
2014/15	34	30	Budget limitation, implementation was through SLA’s
2015/16	21	5	Insufficient information
2016/17	19	13	Unfenced cropping fields, outstanding supporting documents, Budget limitation
2017/18	18	9	Outstanding supporting documents, Budget limitation
2018/19	17	9	Insufficient information Limited budget,
2019/20	930	351	Unfenced fields, encroached fields with invader species, sharing of plot Numbers, absent farmers
2020/21	12	5	Limited budget, inactive farmers, not within the FPSU recommended commodities, outside the jurisdiction of the FPSU
2021/22	22	15	Limited budget, inactive farmers, not within the FPSU recommended commodities, outside the jurisdiction of the FPSU
2022/23	17	0	Awaiting approval

(4) Joe Gqabi District: Please refer to the table below.

	Total No of applications received	Total No of applications declined	Reasons for the declining of each application
2012/13	3	0	Falls away
2013/14	3	None, but the Emadlelweni Special day Care Centre was not supported on that financial year due to lease agreement that was need from Municipality	Falls away.
2014/15	0	0	Falls away
2015/16	0	0	Falls away
2016/17	5	1	The project did not have lease agreement on the site they were using, they were using old railway station in Burgersdorp.
2017/18	3.	0	Falls away
2018/19	3	0	Falls away
2019/20	5	0	Falls away
2020/21	1	0	Falls away
2021/22	3	The projects were not declined but they were not supported due to budgetary deficit. They will be considered on the coming financial years	Falls away
2022/23	1	0	The project will be considered in the next financial year.

(4) OR Tambo District: Please refer to the table below.

	Total No of applications received	Total No of applications declined	Reasons for the declining of each application
2012/13	0	Falls away	Falls away
2013/14	1	0	Falls away
2014/15	1	0	Falls away
2015/16	1	0	Falls away
2016/17	9	0	Falls away
2017/18	25	0	Falls away
2018/19	13	0	Falls away
2019/20	33	0	Falls away
2020/21	15	0	Falls away
2021/22	47	0	Falls away
2022/23	0	Falls away	Falls away

 

(1)(a),(b),(c),(2),(3): Free State Province: Xhariep District. Please refer to the table below.

	(1)(a) Costs of cattle bought for farmers	(1)(b) Details of Recipient Name of Farm	(1)(c) Conditions of the farm, i.e. water rights, grazing capacity and veld conditions	(2) Is the farm still in production Yes/ No	(2)(a),(b) If No, Why and what steps have been taken to resuscitate	Additional support If not, why not, if so what additional support was provided
2012/13	0	Falls away	Falls away	Falls away	Falls away
2013/14	R 1 368 000.00	Wimbley farm 460	The farm is 6ha/LSU Carrying capacity, good condition, no water rights	Yes	Falls away	Feed and medication
2018/19	R 589 000.00	Maleho kodisang Milton Agricultural coop (Milton farm) Thaba Nchu	No irrigation, grazing is 6 to 1 of 320 hacters, veld conditions are good	Yes	Falls away	Feeds and medication
2019/20	R499 796,36	Project Name Galowe Family Farming and Transport Enterprise Pty Ltd, Farm Name; Kotze’s Rust No.1171, Contact Person: Mrs. Ipeleng Gaedie- 060 550 0243	342 ha natural grazing, Veld Condition: Very Good	Yes	Falls away	The project was also supported with livestock Medication
	R339 280,19	Project Name: PTO Farming Pty Ltd, Farm Name: Klein Bos aar no.1523, Contact Person- Paul Mogoerane-084 958 4711	431 ha natural grazing, Veld Conditions: Good	Yes	Falls away	The project was also supported with 155 Lucerne bales, livestock Medication, winter and summer licks.
	R 577 000.00	Earnest Kgaetsewe (Katlego Primary coop) Blydskap Farm Thaba Nchu	No irrigation/water rights grazing is ratio 6 to 1 of 376 ha. Good veld conditions	yes	Falls away	Feeds and medication
	R 647 000.00	Esau Monwametsi (Smmerset primary Coop) Sommerset farm Thaba Nchu	No water rights, 6 to1 out of 375 ha. Veld conditions in good shape	yes	Falls away	Feeds and medication
2019/20	R 552 000.00	Dieketseng Mahlelehlele(Re monateng primary coop) Monateng farm Dewetsdorp	Water rights application in process, 6 to 1 carrying capacity of 904 ha, veld conditions are good	yes	Falls away	Feeds and medication
2019/20	R1 569 807,36	Mrs Aletta Malesetla Mokoena Farm: Slangheuwel Farm	The farm is still in good condition. The farm has 226 hectares available for grazing, with carrying capacity in Sasolburg area expressed as 4 ha/LSU: the condition of the veld is very good. There are no water rights on the farm. The farm also has 265ha arable land	Yes	Falls away	There was no additional support provided; however, the farmer can be in need for production inputs for grain production as the farm still have 265 ha of arable land. This kind of support can contribute towards commercialisation of the farm.
2019/20	R 1 499 976.48	10 Cooperatives at Zastron Commonage ( MooiFontein Farm) - Matiase Zastron Commonage Primary Cooperative -Thandokuhle Zastron Commonage Primary Cooperative -Pele Ya Pele Ma Afrika Zastron Commonage Primary Cooperative -Moeti Zastron Commonage Primary Cooperative -Inkqubela Zastron Commonage Primary Cooperative -Phaphamang Zastron Commonage Primary Cooperative -Iteme Zastron Commonage Primary Cooperative -Sibanye Zastron Commonage Primary Cooperative -Mabe Zastron Commonage Primary Cooperative -Tswelopele Zastron Commonage Primary Cooperative	2000 Ha of communal land, no water rights, 6ha/LSU and veld condition is poor	yes	Falls away	Lucerne bales, and rye grass seeds
2022/23	R 1 340 000.00	Mabote Ramalefane (Kopanong dihwai coop) Wepener commonage Wepener	No water rights, 6 to 1 carrying capacity, on 500 ha veld conditions are good	yes	Falls away	Feeds and medication
	R 360 000.00	Musa Makhube (Ikemeleng primary coop) Schoonzicht commonage Botshabelo	No water rights, 6 to 1 carrying capacity on 1509ha, veld conditions good.	yes	Falls away	Feeds and medication
2022/23	R295 500,00	Project Name: TMJ Mixed Farming Pty Ltd, Farm Name: Skaap Kamp camp B, Contact Person- Boitumelo Mogorosi-071 094 5676	141 ha natural grazing, Veld Condition: Good	Yes	Falls away	The project was also supported livestock Medication, winter and summer licks.
	R455 000,00	Project Name: Belties Beef Farmers Pty Ltd, Farm Name: Klein Bos aar no.1523, Contact Person- Paul Mogoerane-084 958 4711	171, 4 ha, Wesselsrus No.451, Veld Condition Good	Yes	Falls away	The project was also supported livestock Medication and 120 lucerne bales.
2022/23	R 2 606 424.96	Bokgabane Agricultural Cooperative located at Smithsfield Commonage Eskol Agricultural Primary Cooperative Located at Eskol farm Butlhabe Agricultural Primary Cooperative Five Ways holdings located at Susterstroom farm Rouxville Commonage farm with the following Coops Khulani Rouxville Primary Cooperative Iksasa Agricultural Primary Cooperative Lerole batho Agricultural Primary Cooperative Thusano Ke Matla Primary Cooperative Tlhomelanang Agricultural Primary Cooperative Bohlale Bahlaho Agricultural Primary Cooperative Mpho Agricultural Primary Cooperative The Fam Agricultural Primary Cooperative Rucca Dusteng Agricultural Primary Cooperative Bafeng Batho Agricultural Primary Cooperative Re-A-Iteka Agricultural Primary Cooperative Tshwaranang Farming Primary Cooperative	The farms are in a fair conditions with 6ha/LSU they do not have water rights, veld improvement is needed.	Yes	Falls away	Medication

 

(4) Xhariep District: Please refer to the table below.

		Total No of applications received	Total No of applications declined	Reasons for the declining of each application
2012/17		0	Falls away	Falls away
2017/18		10	6	Budget constraints, not meeting the selection criterial
2018/19		40	40	Budget constraints, not meeting the selection criterial
2019/20		30	20	Budget constraints, not meeting the selection criterial
2020/21		10	10	Budget constraints, not meeting the selection criterial
2021/22		20	20	Budget constraints, not meeting the selection criterial
2022/23		20	4	Budget constraints, not meeting the selection criterial

 

1. Mangaung Metro: Please refer to the table below.

		Total No of applications received	Total No of applications declined	Reasons for the declining of each application
2012/16		0	Falls away	Falls away
2016/17		10	8	Did not meet qualifying criteria
2017/18		8	6	Did not meet qualifying criteria
2018/19		7	6	Did not meet qualifying criteria
2019/20		14	10	Did not meet qualifying criteria
2020/21		0	Falls away	Falls away
2021/22		7	3	Did not meet qualifying criteria
2022/23		8	4	Did not meet qualifying criteria

Lejweleputswa District: Please refer to the table below.

	Total No of applications received	Total No of applications declined	Reasons for the declining of each application
2012/18	0	Falls away	Falls away.
2018/19	14	3	Limited budget allocated to the district, incomplete required supporting documents (e.g. lease agreement, Registration certificate, SARS tax clearance and Business Bank Account) Some project already received support from RECAP and DARD through Ilima and CASP.
2019/20	10	2	Limited budget allocated to the district, incomplete required supporting documents (e.g. lease agreement, Registration certificate, SARS tax clearance and Business Bank Account), Some project already received support from RECAP and DARD through Ilima and CASP.
2020/21	5	0	Poor land management e.g. over grazing, incomplete required supporting documents (e.g. lease agreement, Registration certificate, SARS tax clearance and Business Bank Account), Some project already received support from RECAP and DARD through Ilima and CASP.
2021/22	3	3	Limited budget allocated to the district,
2022/23	3	2	Limited budget allocated to the district,

(4) Gauteng Province: None to report on.

(1)(a),(b),(c),(3) KwaZulu-Natal Province. Please refer to the table below

Financial Year		(1)(a) Costs of cattle bought for farmers	(1)(b) Details of Recipient Name of Farm	(1)(c) Conditions of the farm, i.e. water rights, grazing capacity and veld conditions	(2) Is the farm still in production Yes/ No	(2)(a),(b) If No Why and what steps have been taken to resuscitate	(3) Additional support If not, why not, if so what additional support was provided
2012/19	0	Falls away	Falls away	Falls away	Falls away	Falls away	Falls away
2019/20	ZULULAND	R 354 950 000	Liberty Farm: Siyakhula Kwa Gwebu Agricultural Primary Cooperative	The farm was at an acceptable condition, i.e.; grazing camps and access to water.	No	High mortality rate as there was a red water outbreak disease that killed most of the cows in this region. Project members also suffered the same problem.	No additional support. Reviewed feasibility and non-existence of the SLA / capacity to Implement through ARC a “1 HH, 2 Dairy Cows” Dairy Value Chain (DVC) program that ARC conceived.
2019/20	AMAJUBA	R263 650.000	Pelser farm: Sebenzani CPA	The farm was at an acceptable condition, i.e.; grazing camps and access to water.	No	There was conflict among members/beneficiaries which led to lack of proper management of the project as a result a lot of cows died. Meetings were conducted to try and resolve the conflict but could not succeed.	No additional support. Social conflicts / dynamics and non-existence of the SLA / capacity to Implement through ARC a “1 HH, 2 Dairy Cows” Dairy Value Chain (DVC) program that ARC conceived.

(4) Zululand District. Please refer to the table below.

	Total No of applications received	Total No of applications declined	Reasons for the declining of each application
2012/13	2	Falls away	Falls away
2013/14	5	Falls away	Falls away
2014/15	9	Falls away	Falls away
2015/16	4	2	Does not fall within radius of the FPSU
2016/17	5	2	Does not fall within radius of the FPSU
2017/18	1	2	Does not fall within radius of the FPSU and commodity does not aligned to Agripark
2018/19	14	1	Does not fall within radius of the FPSU
2019/20	2	2	Commodity not aligned to FPSU
2020/21	1	1	Commodity not aligned to FPSU
2021/22	1	1	Request as the commodity group not as a project and we refer him to national office
2022/23	0	Falls away	Falls away

 

(1)(a),(b)(c),(2),(3): Limpopo province. Please refer to the table below.

	(1)(a) Costs of cattle bought for farmers	(1)(b) Details of Recipient Name of Farm	(1)(c) Conditions of the farm, i.e. water rights, grazing capacity and veld conditions	(2) Is the farm still in production Yes/ No	(2)(a),(b) If No Why and what steps have been taken to resuscitate	Additional support If not, why not, if so what additional support was provided
2012/13	0	Falls away	Falls away	Falls away	Falls away	Falls away
2013/14	0	Falls away	Falls away	Falls away	Falls away	Falls away
2014/15	0	Falls away	Falls away	Falls away	Falls away	Falls away
2015/16	R330 000.00	Vhembe Dairy Value Chain Communal Land	They are farming on communal land Overgrazed	Yes Communal land	Falls away	They were trained and participated in exposure visits, supported with feeds and cactus pear seeds
2016/17	R345 000.00	Sekhukhune Dairy Value Chain Primary Cooperative LTD on communal land, R/E of Vergelegen 819 KS (state land) with ten members, who, on average, each got 2 cows.	Generally, the farm is not in good condition since it is a communal land, which, in most cases, are overgrazed	Yes (Members of the cooperative are also still farming on the same land)	Falls away	Cooperative members are still operating but various trainings on the production, management and processing of milk were provided
2017/18	R200 000.00	Vhembe Dairy Value Chain Communal Land	They are farming on communal land Overgrazed	Yes Communal land	Falls away	They were trained and participated in exposure visits, supported with feeds and cactus pear seeds
2018/19	R260 925.00	Sekhukhune Dairy Value Chain Primary Cooperative LTD on communal land, R/E of Vergelegen 819 KS (state land) with ten members, who, each, got one cow.	Generally, the farm is not in good condition since it is a communal land, which, in most cases, are overgrazed	Yes (Members of the cooperative are also still farming on the same land)	Falls away	Cooperative members are still operating but various trainings on production, management and processing of milk were provided
2019/20	0	Falls away	Falls away	Falls away	Falls away	Falls away
2020.21	0	Falls away	Falls away	Falls away	Falls away	Falls away
2021/22	0	Falls away	Falls away	Falls away	Falls away	Falls away
2022/23	0	Falls away	Falls away	Falls away	Falls away	Falls away

(4) Limpopo province. None to report on

 

(1)(a),(b),(c),(2),(3) Mpumalanga Province: Nkangala District. Please refer to the table below.

	(1)(a) Costs of cattle bought for farmers	(1)(b) Details of Recipient Name of Farm	(1)(c) Conditions of the farm, i.e. water rights, grazing capacity and veld conditions	Is the farm still in production	(2)(a),(b) If No, Why and what steps have been taken to resuscitate	Additional support If not, why not, if so what additional support was provided
2012/13	0	Falls away	Falls away	Falls away	Falls away	Falls away
2013/14	0	Falls away	Falls away	Falls away	Falls away	Falls away
2014/15	0	Falls away	Falls away	Falls away	Falls away	Falls away
2015/16	0	Falls away	Falls away	Falls away	Falls away	Falls away
2016/17	0	Falls away	Falls away	Falls away	Falls away	Falls away
2017/18	0	Falls away	Falls away	Falls away	Falls away	Falls away
2018/19	R396 000.00	Mzinti FPSU (Nkomazi Red Meat Producers)	The farm is in good condition, Water–using a borehole Grazing-capacity is adequate in the villages. -The FPSU has a feedlot and an abattoir	Yes	Falls away	DALRRD: Supported with Livestock, vaccinations, animal feed, tractors and implements Provincial Department of Agriculture: Farmer support–Assisting with Market linkages and facilitation of registration of farmers VET provides regular inspections and support
2019/20	None	Mzinti FPSU (Nkomazi Red Meat Producers)	The farm is in good condition, Grazing-capacity is adequate in the villages. Water- using a borehole -The FPSU has a feedlot and an abattoir	Yes	Falls away	DALRRD: No financial support Provincial Department of Agriculture: Farmer support–Continuous Assistance with Market linkages and facilitation of registration of farmers VET provides regular inspections and support
2020/21	None	Mzinti FPSU (Nkomazi Red Meat Producers)	The farm is in good condition, Water–using a borehole Grazing-capacity is adequate in the villages. -The FPSU has a feedlot and an abattoir	Yes	Falls away	DALRRD: No financial support Provincial Department of Agriculture: Farmer support–Assisting with Market linkages and facilitation of registration of farmers VET provides regular inspections and support.
2021/22	None	Mzinti FPSU (Nkomazi Red Meat Producers)	The farm is in good condition, Water - Municipality connection Grazing - capacity is adequate in the villages. -The FPSU has a feedlot and an abattoir	Yes -The co-operative signed a contract with a strategic partner to operate the abattoir and the feedlot	Falls away	DALRRD: No financial support Provincial Department of Agriculture: Farmer support–Assisting farmers with Market linkages and facilitation of registration of farmers VET provides regular inspections and support
2022/23	None	Mzinti FPSU (Nkomazi Red Meat Producers)	The farm is in good condition, Water-on site there is Municipality connection of water, Grazing - capacity is adequate in the villages. -The FPSU has a feedlot and an abattoir	Yes (But due to floods in Nkomazi area there was a disaster and solar panel batteries were damaged	-The FPSU is included in the disaster list on projects that were affected	DALRRD: No financial support Provincial Department of Agriculture: Farmer support–Assist with Market linkages and facilitation of registration of farmers VET provides regular inspections and support

(1)(a),(b),(c),(2),(3) Gert Sibande District : Please refer to the table below.

	(1)(a) Costs of cattle bought for farmers	(1)(b) Details of Recipient Name of Farm	(1)(c) Conditions of the farm, i.e. water rights, grazing capacity and veld conditions	(2) Is the farm still in production Yes/ No	(2)(a),(b) If No Why and what steps have been taken to resuscitate	(3)Additional support If not, why not, if so what additional support was provided
2012/18	0	Falls away	Falls away	Falls away	Falls away	Falls away
2018/19	R 2 412 000.00	Dundonald FPSU	The farms are in good condition Water–using dams Grazing–farms have different camps and can rest some in each season	Yes	Falls away	DALRRD: Supported with Livestock, vaccinations, animal feed DALRRD: Provincial Department of Agriculture: Farmer support–Assisting with Market linkages and facilitation of registration of farmers VET provides regular inspections and support
2019/20	R 7 714 476.00	Mkhondo /Dundonald	The farms are in good condition Water–using dams Grazing–farms have different camps and can rest some in each season	Yes	Falls away	DALRRD: Supported with Livestock, vaccinations, animal feed, Provincial Department of Agriculture: Farmer support–Assisting with Market linkages and facilitation of registration of farmers VET provides regular inspections and support
2020/21	0	Falls away	Falls away	Falls away	Falls away	Falls away
2021/22	R1 994 235.00	Mkhondo FPSU	The farms are in good condition Water–using dams Grazing–farms have different camps and can rest some in each season	Yes	Falls away	DALRRD: Supported with Livestock Provincial Department of Agriculture: Farmer support–Assisting with Market linkages and facilitation of registration of farmers VET provides regular inspections and support
2022/23	R 2 982 840.00	Mkhondo FPSU	The farms are in good condition Water–using dams Grazing–farms have different camps and can rest some in each season	Yes	Falls away	DALRRD: Supported with Livestock Provincial Department of Agriculture: Farmer support–Assisting with Market linkages and facilitation of registration of farmers VET provides regular inspections and support
2017/18	0	Falls away	Falls away	Fall away	Falls away	Falls away
2018/19	R396 000.00	Mzinti FPSU (Nkomazi Red Meat Producers)	The farm is in good condition, Water–using a borehole Grazing-capacity is adequate in the villages. -The FPSU has a feedlot and an abattoir	Yes	Falls away	DALRRD: Supported with Livestock, vaccinations, animal feed, tractors and implements Provincial Department of Agriculture: Farmer support–Assisting with Market linkages and facilitation of registration of farmers VET provides regular inspections and support
2019/20	None	Mzinti FPSU (Nkomazi Red Meat Producers)	The farm is in good condition, Grazing-capacity is adequate in the villages. Water-using a borehole -The FPSU has a feedlot and an abattoir	Yes	Falls away	DALRRD: No financial support Provincial Department of Agriculture: Farmer support–Continuous Assistance with Market linkages and facilitation of registration of farmers VET provides regular inspections and support
2020/21	None	Mzinti FPSU (Nkomazi Red Meat Producers)	The farm is in good condition, Water–using a borehole Grazing-capacity is adequate in the villages. -The FPSU has a feedlot and an abattoir	Yes	Falls away	DALRRD No financial support Provincial Department of Agriculture: Farmer support–Assisting with Market linkages and facilitation of registration of farmers VET provides regular inspections and support
2021/22	None	Mzinti FPSU (Nkomazi Red Meat Producers)	The farm is in good condition, Water-Municipality connection Grazing-capacity is adequate in the villages. -The FPSU has a feedlot and an abattoir	Yes	-The co-operative signed a contract with a strategic partner to operate the abattoir and the feedlot	DALRRD: No financial support Provincial Department of Agriculture: Farmer support – Assisting farmers with Market linkages and facilitation of registration of farmers VET provides regular inspections and support
2022/23	None	Mzinti FPSU (Nkomazi Red Meat Producers)	The farm is in good condition, Water-on site there is Municipality connection of water, Grazing-capacity is adequate in the villages. -The FPSU has a feedlot and an abattoir	Yes (But due to floods in Nkomazi area there was a disaster and solar panel batteries were damaged	-The FPSU is included in the disaster list on projects that were affected	DALRRD: No financial support Provincial Department of Agriculture: Farmer support–Assist with Market linkages and facilitation of registration of farmers VET provides regular inspections and support

1. None

(1),(a),(b),(c),(2),(3) North West Province: Bojanala Platinum District. Please refer to the table below.

	(1)(a) Costs of cattle bought for farmers	(1),(b) Details of Recipient	(1),(b) Name of farm	(1)(c) Conditions of the farm, i.e. water rights, grazing capacity and veld conditions	Is the farm still in production Yes/ No	(2)(a),(b) If No Why and what steps have been taken to resuscitate	(3)Additional support If not, why not, if so what additional support was provided
2012/20	0	Falls away	Falls away	Falls away	Falls away	Falls away	Falls away
2020/21	R1 167 468 00	Joel Sekwane	Matlametlong Village	No water rights as the farmers are using boreholes as their source of water supply. Veld conditions and grazing capacity is still in a good condition.	YES	Falls away	It was a once off support as the beneficiaries falls under SADT and PLAS farms. The support was for livestock improvement. The unit is currently focusing on supporting the Farmers Production Support unit (FPSU)
		Ofentse Moeketsa	Nkogolwe Village		YES	Falls away
		Thabang Gabriel Maluxe	Nkogolwe Village		YES	Falls away
		Johannes Matlou	Matlametlong Village		YES	Falls away
		Johanes Masimine	Northam Village		YES	Falls away
		Andrew Aphane	Mabieskraal Village		YES	Falls away
		Josiah Jabosigo	Rarostekop Village		YES	Falls away
		Piet Joseph Motaung	Bapong 2 Village		YES	Falls away
		Mabyane Molefi	Bapong Village		YES	Falls away
		Keitumetse Koos	Mabalstad Village		YES	Falls away
		Kefilwe Daphney Medupe	Districhoek Village		YES	Falls away
		Khompola Mokowe	Dorenlagte Village		YES	Falls away
		George Malatsi	Flakfontein Village		YES	Falls away
		Oupa Sam Mosuwe	Flakfontein Village		YES	Falls away
		Collen Setshedi Medupe	Mokgalwaneng Village		YES	Falls away

(4) None

(1)(a),(b),(c),(2),(3) Northern Cape Province. Please refer to the table below.

	(1)(a) Costs of cattle bought for farmers	(a),(b) Details of Recipient Name of Farm	(1)(c) Conditions of the farm, i.e. water rights, grazing capacity and veld conditions	(2) Is the farm still in production Yes/ No	(2),(a),(b) If No Why and what steps have been taken to resuscitate	Additional support If not, why not, if so what additional support was provided
2012/15	0	Falls away	Falls away	Falls away	Falls away	Falls away
2015/16	R 1 754 242.00	180 Bonsmara calves were procured for the Northern Cape Gasegonyana Primary Cooperative – a custom feeding project in JTG District	Poor condition need fencing and livestock water	No	The Primary Cooperatives collapsed	The plan is to resuscitate the project under the support of Yale Farmer Production Support Unit, which is the next FPSU targeted by the District
2016/17	R 1 000 000.00	20 Bonsmara bulls were procured for 13 communal areas within the John Taolo Gaetsewe District municipality benefiting a total of 271 communal farmers	Poor condition need fencing and livestock water	Yes	Falls away	Yes, from time to time these farmers are supported with feeds and medications
2017/18	0	Falls away	Falls away	Falls away	Falls away	Falls away
2018/19	R 1 428 000.00	30 Bosmara bulls were procure to benefit 117 communal farmers with 7 farms (Harrow, Darnell, Ashfield, Magwagwe, Manaaneng, Derwent and Bunhill farms) and 4 enterprises (Madiakgomo, Reatswelela, Dithebe and Matshela enterprises) all located within the Heuningvlei FPSU	Fairly good condition, the 7 farms were selected because Provincial Department of Agriculture (PDA) have supported those with infrastructure improvement (water and fencing) and REID followed with livestock improvement procuring 30 Bonsmara bulls for those farms	Yes	Falls away	Yes, the farmers are receiving additional support because they are withing the Farmer Production Support Unit
2019/23	0	Falls away	Falls away	Falls away	Falls away	Falls away
Financial Year	Costs of cattle bought for farmers	Details of Recipient Name of Farm	Conditions of the farm, i.e. water rights, grazing capacity and veld conditions	Is the farm still in production Yes/ No	If No Why and what steps have been taken to resuscitate	Additional support If not, why not, if so what additional support was provided
2012/13	R192 500.00	Swarheuwels Boerdery CC Clifford Louw and James	The Veldt is in a good condition	Yes	Falls away	No additional support is required at the farm
2014/2015	R600 000.00	Vaalboschfontein: Mr Nkeu	The Veldt is in a good condition	Yes	Falls away	No additional support is required at the farm
2015/16	R625 000.00	Membys Vlakte	The Veldt is in a good condition	Yes	Falls away	No additional support is required at the farm
2015/16	R1 301 950.00	Rockley farm: Mr S. Shuping	The Veldt is in a good condition	Yes	Falls away	No additional support is required at the farm
2015/16	R690 600.00	Boomplaas farm: Mr O. Kgopodithata	The Veldt is in a good condition	Yes	Falls away	No additional support is required at the far.
2015/16	R705 000.00	Bella Vista: Mr M. Seikaneng (Deceased)	The Veldt is in a good condition	Yes	Falls away	No additional support is required at the farm
2015/16	R1 672 801.22	Harvey: Mr P. Malgas	The Veldt is in a good condition	Yes	Falls away	No additional support is required at the farm
2015/16	R575 000.00 R116 092,13	Vaalboskop: Mr Chaka Plot 25C6: Mr P. Siqoko	The Veldt is in a good condition	Yes	Falls away	No additional support is required at the farm
2016/17	R1 350 000.00	Olyn Boerdery	The Veldt is in a good condition	Yes	Falls away	No additional support is required at the farm
2016/2017	R250 800.00	Miershoopholte	Good but there farm is invaded by three thorn in some camps	Yes	Falls away	Machinery, Shed, Two farm houses and water infrastructure
2016/2017	R50 000.00	Spieelkop	The Veldt is in a good condition	Yes	Falls away	Machinery ,Shed, Two farm houses , water infrastructure and production inputs
2016/17	R730 500.00	Masadifontein farm: Mr S.A. Itumeleng	The Veldt is in a good condition	Yes	Falls away	No additional support is required at the farm
2016/17	R 75 000.00.	Bellsbank 84 A: Mr M. Thuntsi	The Veldt is in a good condition	Yes	Falls away	No additional support is required at the farm
2016/17	R75 000.00	Bellsabnk 107: Mr B. Khonkhobe	The Veldt is in a good condition	Yes	Falls away	No additional support is required at the farm
2016/17	R 95 000.00	Vh20: Mr K. Mocumi	The Veldt is in a good condition	Yes	Falls away	No additional support is required at the farm
2016/17	R75 000.00	Bellsbank 85: Mr E. Nyanyiwa	The Veldt is in a good condition	Yes	Falls away	No additional support is required at the farm
2016/17	R75 000.00	Bellsbank 87: Mr T. Charlie	The Veldt is in a good condition	Yes	Falls away	No additional support is required at the farm
2017/18	R1 500 000.00	Katlani Mazelsfontein CPA	The Veldt is in a good condition	Yes	Falls away	No additional support is required at the farm
2017/18	R1 454 356.00	Aoud: K. Segano & Mr Segano	The Veldt is in a good condition	Yes	Falls away	No additional support is required at the farm
2017/18	R530 047.47	Bucklands farm: Mr R. Masiane	The Veldt is in a good condition	Yes	Falls away	No additional support is required at the farm
2018/19	R 488 180.00	Farm No 148 (Paaiskloof): Mr G. Mokgoro	The Veldt is in a good condition	Yes	Falls away	No additional support is required at the farm
2018/19	R 3 620 400.00	Koopmansfontein: Mr Modise	The Veldt is in a good condition	Yes	Falls away	No additional support is required at the farm
2019/20	R509 985.00	Dankbaar farm: Mr P. Tshetlho	The Veldt is in a good condition	Yes	Falls away	No additional support is required at the farm
2019/20	R 1 282 500.00	Eben heazer: Mr D. Barend	The Veldt is in a good condition	Yes	Falls away	No additional support is required at the farm
2019/20	R 1 608 450.00	Rust n vrede 1: Mr F. Ngqeza	The Veldt is in a good condition	Yes	Falls away	No additional support is required at the farm
2019/20	R2 018 343.00	Rust n Vrede 2: Mrs M. Kantwan	The Veldt is in a good condition	Yes	Falls away	No additional support is required at the farm.
2019/20	R 1 951 450.00	Kalkput: Mr J. Morgan	The Veldt is in a good condition	Yes	Falls away	No additional support is required at the farm
2019/20	R1 075 000.00	Weltervrede: Mr D. Coetzee	The Veldt is in a good condition	Yes	Falls away	No additional support is required at the farm
2020/21	None	None	N/A	N/A	Falls away	N/A
2021/22	None	None	N/A	N/A	Falls away	N/A
2022/23	R1 330 550.00.	Compton farm: Mr T. Kgopodithata	The Veldt is in a good condition	Yes	Falls away	No additional support is required at the farm
2022/23	R120 000.00	Ghaapseberg: Mr I Van Bosch	The Veldt is in a good condition	Yes	Falls away	No additional support is required at the farm

1. Please refer to the table below.

	Total No of applications received	Total No of applications declined	Reasons for the declining of each application
2012/15	0	Falls away	Falls away
2015/16	1	Falls away	Falls away
2016/17	1	Falls away	Falls away
2017/18	0	Falls away	Falls away
2018/19	1	Falls away	Falls away
2019/20	0	Falls away	Falls away

 

(1),(a),(b),(c),(2),(3),(4) Western Cape Province: No cattle procured.

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

1. The forensic investigation on the incident of fire that gutted Parliament was conducted by the law enforcement agencies and not by DPWI. The DPWI conducted an investigation on the extent of the damages and the costs of restoring Parliament.
2. DPWI does not have a copy of the forensic investigation as this was conducted by the law enforcement agencies

Reply:

(1) With reference to disciplinary action and/or any related action taken against staff in each level within SA Tourism

(a) in the past three financial years

Financial Year 2020/2021

i)what number of disciplinary cases were dealt with in each month,

• I have been informed of one disciplinary case in FY20/21

ii) on what date was each case initiated and concluded,

• The employee was charged in March 2020 and the disciplinary enquiry was convened in July 2020 over three days.

iii) what were the reasons for the action,?

• The employee was charged with gross negligence as it relates to supply chain and procurement processes for one of the in-country offices;
• The secondary charges were around the failure to follow procedures in relation to a procurement process.

iv) what number of staff members were found?

(aa) guilty and fired,

• The employee was found guilty of gross negligence and the sanction meted out was dismissal

(bb) guilty and not fired and

• Not applicable

(cc) innocent;

- Not applicable

(2) what (a) alternative sanction was meted out in each case where a staff member was found guilty but not fired and

- Not applicable

(b) were the reasons that staff members were found not guilty in each specified case?

- Not applicable

Financial Year 2021/2022

With reference to disciplinary action and/or any related action taken against staff in each level within SA Tourism

i) what number of disciplinary cases were dealt with in each month,

• Three disciplinary cases took place in the organisation

ii) on what date was each case initiated and concluded,

1. The first case involved the GM: ICT and was initiated in April 2021 and was concluded in May 2021;
2. The second case involved the Enterprise Architecture Manager and was initiated in October 2021 and was concluded in the same month;
3. The third case involved the Data & Security Implementation Specialist and was initiated in March 2022 and was concluded in the same month.

iii) what were the reasons for the action,?

1. The case involving the GM: ICT involved charges of gross negligence in relation to the management and payment of invoices for systems and failure to follow organisational procedures and compliance;
2. The case involving the Enterprise Architecture Manager involved charges of gross negligence, dereliction of duty as well as insubordination;
3. The case involving the Data & Security Implementation involved failure to deliver work of the required standard and negligence.

iv) what number of staff members were fired?

(aa) guilty and fired,

• Employees under (a) and (b) were found guilty and the sanction meted out was dismissal

(bb) guilty and not fired and

• Not applicable

(cc) innocent;

- Employee under (c) was found not guilty

(2) what (a) alternative sanction was meted out in each case where a staff member was found guilty but not fired and

- Not applicable

(b) were the reasons that staff members were found not guilty in each specified case?

- The evidence presented for employee under (c) did not support a guilty verdict. It was recommended that the employee undergo a performance counselling process.

Financial Year 2022/2023 and (b) since 1 April 2023,

With reference to disciplinary action and/or any related action taken against staff in each level within SA Tourism

i) what number of disciplinary cases were dealt with in each month,

ii) 

• A total number of two disciplinary cases for the fiscal

iii) on what date was each case initiated and concluded,

1. The first case involved the Head: Analytics and was initiated in February 2022;
2. The second case involved the Brand Innovation Manager and was initiated in July 2022;

iv) what were the reasons for the action?

1. The employee under (a) was charged with gross insubordination and gross negligence;
2. The employee under (b) was charged with dereliction of duty, gross negligence and negligence;

(v) what number of staff members were found

(aa) guilty and fired,

1. The employee under (a) was found guilty and the sanction meted out was dismissal;
2. The employee under (b) was found guilty and the sanction meted out was dismissal;

(bb) guilty and not fired and

• Not applicable

(cc) innocent;

• Not applicable

(2) what (a) alternative sanction was meted out in each case where a staff member was found guilty but not fired and

- Not applicable

(b) were the reasons that staff members were found not guilty in each specified case?

- Not applicable

Reply:

(a) The total number of funded posts that are currently vacant in the Public Service is 181 607 as at 31 March 2023.

b) The breakdown of the specified number of vacant funded posts nationally and in each provincial department is presented (as at 31 March 2023) in the attached Annexure A. It must be noted that some of the vacancies on the establishments of departments captured on PERSAL may not be funded.

National	47 642
Provinces
Eastern Cape	30 759
Free State	5 909
Gauteng	20 707
KwaZulu-Natal	22 128
Limpopo	12 863
Mpumalanga	5 775
North West	17 178
Northern Cape	4 983
Western Cape	13 663

c) (i) The breakdown of vacancies per salary level is as follows:

Salary level	Number of vacant posts
1	1 848
2	11 394
3	16 274
4	6 129
5	20 815
6	15 704
7	19 280
8	14 658
9	15 102
10	8 554
11	20 375
12	28 950
13	1 749
14	579
15	163
16	33

(ii) With reference to the previous response to parliamentary question 920, departments have in the past reported the following causes and challenges that hinder the filling of the vacancies and cause posts to be vacant-

1. Managing the prioritisation of posts to be filled due to budget constraints or reprioritization of funds.

2. Competition with private sector with regard to appointment of registered OSD professionals and technicians. It was mentioned that it is not easy to recruit and attract some of those skills due to scarcity in the job market in line with the inherent job requirements. Current serving staff under this category are not keen to register, which further hampers existing staff mobility and utilization in higher level posts.

3. The departments have previously raised the matter of internal and external administrative challenges, which ultimately delay the finalisation of appointments. The prescribed pre-employment verifications were also raised. However, departments did not provide substantive proof of such delays.

4. There has been a process of settling down following the determinations issued regarding merged departments impacted by the National Macro-Organisation of Government. The affected departments were required to develop macro-structures and finalise placements as per Resolution 1 of 2019.

End

Reply:

(1) With reference to disciplinary action and/or any related action taken against staff in each level within SA Tourism

(a) in the past three financial years

Financial Year 2020/2021

i) what number of disciplinary cases were dealt with in each month,

• I have been informed of one disciplinary case in FY20/21

ii) on what date was each case initiated and concluded,

• The employee was charged in March 2020 and the disciplinary enquiry was convened in July 2020 over three days.

iii) what were the reasons for the action,?

• The employee was charged with gross negligence as it relates to supply chain and procurement processes for one of the in-country offices;
• The secondary charges were around the failure to follow procedures in relation to a procurement process.

iv) what number of staff members were found?

(aa) guilty and fired,

• The employee was found guilty of gross negligence and the sanction meted out was dismissal

(bb) guilty and not fired and

• Not applicable

(cc) innocent;

- Not applicable

(2) what (a) alternative sanction was meted out in each case where a staff member was found guilty but not fired and

- Not applicable

(b) were the reasons that staff members were found not guilty in each specified case?

- Not applicable

Financial Year 2021/2022

With reference to disciplinary action and/or any related action taken against staff in each level within SA Tourism

i) what number of disciplinary cases were dealt with in each month,

• Three disciplinary cases took place in the organisation

ii) on what date was each case initiated and concluded,

1. The first case involved the GM: ICT and was initiated in April 2021 and was concluded in May 2021;
2. The second case involved the Enterprise Architecture Manager and was initiated in October 2021 and was concluded in the same month;
3. The third case involved the Data & Security Implementation Specialist and was initiated in March 2022 and was concluded in the same month.

iii) what were the reasons for the action,?

1. The case involving the GM: ICT involved charges of gross negligence in relation to the management and payment of invoices for systems and failure to follow organisational procedures and compliance;
2. The case involving the Enterprise Architecture Manager involved charges of gross negligence, dereliction of duty as well as insubordination;
3. The case involving the Data & Security Implementation involved failure to deliver work of the required standard and negligence.

iv) what number of staff members were fired?

(aa) guilty and fired,

• Employees under (a) and (b) were found guilty and the sanction meted out was dismissal

(bb) guilty and not fired and

• Not applicable

(cc) innocent;

- Employee under (c) was found not guilty

(2) what (a) alternative sanction was meted out in each case where a staff member was found guilty but not fired and

- Not applicable

(b) were the reasons that staff members were found not guilty in each specified case?

- The evidence presented for employee under (c) did not support a guilty verdict. It was recommended that the employee undergo a performance counselling process.

Financial Year 2022/2023 and (b) since 1 April 2023,

With reference to disciplinary action and/or any related action taken against staff in each level within SA Tourism

i) what number of disciplinary cases were dealt with in each month,

• A total number of two disciplinary cases for the fiscal

ii) on what date was each case initiated and concluded,

1. The first case involved the Head: Analytics and was initiated in February 2022;
2. The second case involved the Brand Innovation Manager and was initiated in July 2022;

iii) what were the reasons for the action?

1. The employee under (a) was charged with gross insubordination and gross negligence;
2. The employee under (b) was charged with dereliction of duty, gross negligence and negligence;

(v) what number of staff members were found

(aa) guilty and fired,

1. The employee under (a) was found guilty and the sanction meted out was dismissal;
2. The employee under (b) was found guilty and the sanction meted out was dismissal;

(bb) guilty and not fired and

• Not applicable

(cc) innocent;

• Not applicable

(2) what (a) alternative sanction was meted out in each case where a staff member was found guilty but not fired and

- Not applicable

(b) were the reasons that staff members were found not guilty in each specified case?

- Not applicable

Reply:

a) All lease agreements for regional offices as requested are attached as Annexure A. Table 1 below names of regional offices, square meterage and price per square meter.

Table 1: Regional Offices

Region	Square Meter	Price per square meter
Western Cape Region – Paramount Property Fund Limited	Office: 2895 m² 55 Parking bays	Office Space: R109.44/m2 Parking: R1295.75 / bay
Eastern Cape Region – Zambli 216 (Pty) Ltd	4594 m² - Office 996.2 m² - Registry 172 Parking bays	Office Space R 115.00/m2 Registry: R75.00/m2 Basement Parking R475.00 Covered Parking: R350.00 Open Parking: R325.00
KwaZulu Natal Region – 200 Pietermaritz Street (Pty) Ltd	3447 m² 99 Parking bays	Office Space: R106.39/m2 Parking: 610.47
North West Region – North West Development corporation	2670 m²	Office Space including Parking: R268.45 m²
Gauteng Region – Rebosis Property Fund Ltd	4131 m² 33 Parking bays	Office Space: R161.86/m2 Covered Parking: R1322.39
Mpumalanga Region - Streak Street Investments (Pty) Ltd	Office Space: 3071.36 m² Storage room 330 69 Parking bays Patios: 261.07	Office Space: R238.19/m2 Storage: R238.19 Patio: R130.44 Covered Parking: R626.09
Limpopo Region –Omtay Property Holdings (Pty) Ltd	4277 m² 73 Parking bays	Office Space: R171.96/m2 Parking 501.83

b) The rates per square metre are within market related prices.

c) Directors and/or members of each landlord for buildings occupied by SASSA regional offices are displayed in Table 2 below.

Table 2: Company names and Directors

Company Name	Directors	Position
i) Paramount Property Fund Limited	Name	Surname	Position
	Leon Norbert	Sasse	Director
	Estienne Konrad	De Klerk	Director
	Gerald	Volkel	Director
	Francois Johan	Schindehutte	Director
ii) Zambli 216 (Pty) Ltd	Collen Ndevhu	Motsoahae	Director
iii) 200 Pietermaritz Street (Pty) Ltd	Govinsamy	Chetty	Director
iv) North West Development Corporation	Mokgele Ernest	Mojaki	Non-Executive Director
	Monica Kedibone	Sentle-Mokeke	Non-Executive Director
	Kenneth	Konopi	Non-Executive Director
	Sharon	Maleka	Non-Executive Director
	Tebogo	Malaka	Non-Executive Director
	Nkamoheng	Phadu-More	Non-Executive Director
	Mmanake	Msiza	Non-Executive Director
	Shima	Nokaneng	Non-Executive Director
	Senzo	Ncongolo	Non-Executive Director
	Kabelo	Mafokwane	Company Secretary
v) Rebosis Property Fund Ltd	Zandile	Kogo	Director
	Asathi Lwandile	Mamane	Director
	Joel	Naidoo	Company Secretary
	Otis Ndora	Tshabalala	Director
	Oratile Refiloe	Mosetlhi	Non-Executive Director
	Sandra Olive Nomthandazo	Mqina	Director
	Phahlani Lincoln	Mkhombo	Business Rescue Practitioner
	Jacques	Du Toit	Business Rescue Practitioner
vi) Streak Street Investments (Pty) Ltd	Willie	Du Plessis	Director
	Philippus Lodewikus	Du Plessis	Director
vii) Omtay Property Holding (Pty) Ltd	Suliman Omar	Tayob	Director
	Safwan Suliman	Tayob	Director

 

Reply:

1. (aa) Minister

(a) Destinations	(b i) Total cost accommodation	(b ii) Total cost travel	(b iii) Other cost (ground transport and S&T)
Minister MT Kubayi-Ngubane - was appointed on 29 May 2019
14/07/2019 – 18/07/2019 United States of America	38 852.14	68 472.60	13 372.18
12/08/2019 – 19/08/2019 Tanzania	52 347.71	20 843.93	12 787.03
08/09/2019 – 15/09/2019 Russia	106 426.96	129 191.86	90 619.72
29/09/2019 – 03/10/2019 Dubai – trip cancelled due to ill health of Minister/ cancellation costs for flight only	0.00	82 320.93	0.00
20/10/2019 – 25/10/2019 Japan	66 191.50	78 193.93	16 840.70
24/11/2019 – 28/112019 Ghana and Nigeria	48 278.18	76 717.04	8 502.69
01/12/2019 – 08/12/2019 Egypt	64 541.40	39 226.95	3 535.03
13/01/2019 – 16/01/2020 India	40 979.74	141 801.36	9 078.55
02/03/2020 – 07/03/2020 Germany – trip cancelled due to Covid-19/ cancellation costs	22 064.55	73 549.93	405.00
01/06/2020 – 31/05/2021	None	None	None
Minister LN Sisulu - was appointed on 5 August 2021
30/11/2021 – 03/12/2021 Spain	308 855.82	148 895.00	12 542.61
01/12/2021 – 08/12/2021 Dubai, United Emirates	122 797.65	271 016.30	51 403.34
10/12/2021 – 16/12//2021 United Kingdom	20 045.22	218 789.50	17 643.60
16/04/2022 – 18/04/2022 Philippines	58 425.73*	112 314.40*	14 194.96*
09/05/2022 – 12/05/2022 United Arab Emirates	80 176.22*	148 809.40*	17 958.60*
06/06/2022 – 08/06/2022 Kingdom of Saudi Arabia	Paid by host	55 279.90*	15 663.12*
14/06/2022 – 01/07/2022 United Kingdom	164 028.60*	132 981.62*	11 727.03*
10/07/2022 – 13/07/2022 Russia	81 521.17*	139 619.90*	29 004.79*
19/09/2022 – 26/09/2022 Japan	Claim not received from DIRCO	228 310.92*	7 092.78*
26/11/2022 – 02/12/2022 Saudi Arabia	Paid by host	182 750.40*	7 315.11*
Minister P de Lille - Appointed on 6 March 2023
The Minister did not, as yet, travel internationally

* Costs for the 2022-2023 financial year still needs to be audited

(bb) Deputy-Minister: Mr AF Mahlalela - Appointed on 29 May 2019

(a) Destinations	(b i) Total cost accommodation	(b ii) Total cost travel	(b iii) Other cost (ground transport and S&T)
24/10/2019 – 26/10/2019 Tanzania	6 330.91	54 529.93	6 911.31
20/01/2020 – 25/01/2020 Spain	21 247.60	56 216.93	9 075.88
18/02/2020 – 24/02/2020 Cote D’voire	33 657.72	59 332.64	12 221.49
29/05/2022 – 03/06/2022 Germany	28 512.07*	84 619.40*	8 690.73*
24/09/2022 – 27/09/2022 Indonesia	27 826.63*	135 268.55*	9 941.51*
03/10/2022 – 08/10/2022 Tanzania	41 107.69*	93 546.35*	12 945.22*
24/10/2022 – 27/10/2022 Botswana	23 685.90*	18 464.96*	3 720.42*

* Costs for the 2022-2023 financial year still needs to be audited

2. (a) Minister

Since 1 June	Total cost incurred for domestic air travel
Minister MT Kubayi-Ngubane - was appointed on 29 May 2019.
2019 – 2020	R 633 445,09
2020 – 2021	R 172 433,25
Minister LN Sisulu - was appointed on 5 August 2021.
2021 – 2022	R 242 031,09
Minister LN Sisulu
2022 – 2023	R760 388.28*
Minister P de Lille - Appointed on 6 March 2023.
2022-2023	R9 446.52*

(b) Deputy Minister Mr AF Mahlalela - Appointed on 29 May 2019.

Since 1 June	Total cost incurred for domestic air travel
2019 – 2020	R 591 138,38
2020 – 2021	R 101 739,65
2021 – 2022	R 110 123,98
2022 – 2023	R178 446.84*

* Costs for the 2022-2023 financial year still needs to be audited

Reply:

a) The Minister for Public Service and Administration issued the (revised) Directive on Developmental programmes in the Public Service in 2018. Developmental programmes refers to internship, learnership, apprenticeship, graduate recruitment scheme. In line with Regulation 57(2) (d), Persons appointed to these programmes are additional to the establishment. The table below reflects the number of persons appointed into developmental programmes during 2021/22 financial year.

Provinces/ National	Graduate internship Programme	Student Internship Programme	Learnership Programme	Apprenticeship Programme	Structured Youth Development Programme	Graduate Recruitment Scheme	Grand Total
Eastern Cape	807	1 531	217	0	0	0	2 555
Free State	506	252	34	103	0	0	895
Gauteng	992	395	680	0	16	39	2 122
KwaZulu-Natal	2 173	1 071	133	75	48	1655	5 155
Limpopo	727	1 513	108	0	0	0	2348
Mpumalanga	353	97	119	111	0	0	680
National	2 940	1 267	206	94	130	0	4 637
Northern Cape	215	44	370	0	0	0	629
North West	243	154	79	50	0	0	526
Western Cape	264	90	157	0	2245	0	2 756
TOTAL	9 220	6 414	2 103	433	2494	1694	22 303

The NSG provides off the job training whereby employees leave their offices to attend training at the NSG designated venue or online. As government departments are responsible for on-the-job training for serving employees, this data is held by them directly.

b) & (c) The NSG will continue hosting Masterclasses to create awareness on the use of artificial intelligence in the public service.

End

Reply:

(1) With reference to disciplinary action and/or any related action taken against staff in each level within SA Tourism

(a) in the past three financial years

Financial Year 2020/2021

i) what number of disciplinary cases were dealt with in each month,

• I have been informed of one disciplinary case in FY20/21

ii) on what date was each case initiated and concluded,

• The employee was charged in March 2020 and the disciplinary enquiry was convened in July 2020 over three days.

iii) what were the reasons for the action,?

• The employee was charged with gross negligence as it relates to supply chain and procurement processes for one of the in-country offices;
• The secondary charges were around the failure to follow procedures in relation to a procurement process.

iv) what number of staff members were found?

(aa) guilty and fired,

• The employee was found guilty of gross negligence and the sanction meted out was dismissal

(bb) guilty and not fired and

• Not applicable

(cc) innocent;

- Not applicable

(2) what (a) alternative sanction was meted out in each case where a staff member was found guilty but not fired and

- Not applicable

(b) were the reasons that staff members were found not guilty in each specified case?

- Not applicable

Financial Year 2021/2022

With reference to disciplinary action and/or any related action taken against staff in each level within SA Tourism

i) what number of disciplinary cases were dealt with in each month,

• Three disciplinary cases took place in the organisation

ii) on what date was each case initiated and concluded,

1. The first case involved the GM: ICT and was initiated in April 2021 and was concluded in May 2021;
2. The second case involved the Enterprise Architecture Manager and was initiated in October 2021 and was concluded in the same month;
3. The third case involved the Data & Security Implementation Specialist and was initiated in March 2022 and was concluded in the same month.

iii) what were the reasons for the action,?

1. The case involving the GM: ICT involved charges of gross negligence in relation to the management and payment of invoices for systems and failure to follow organisational procedures and compliance;
2. The case involving the Enterprise Architecture Manager involved charges of gross negligence, dereliction of duty as well as insubordination;
3. The case involving the Data & Security Implementation involved failure to deliver work of the required standard and negligence.

iv) what number of staff members were fired?

(aa) guilty and fired,

• Employees under (a) and (b) were found guilty and the sanction meted out was dismissal

(bb) guilty and not fired and

• Not applicable

(cc) innocent;

- Employee under (c) was found not guilty

(2) what (a) alternative sanction was meted out in each case where a staff member was found guilty but not fired and

- Not applicable

(b) were the reasons that staff members were found not guilty in each specified case?

- The evidence presented for employee under (c) did not support a guilty verdict. It was recommended that the employee undergo a performance counselling process.

Financial Year 2022/2023 and (b) since 1 April 2023,

With reference to disciplinary action and/or any related action taken against staff in each level within SA Tourism

i) what number of disciplinary cases were dealt with in each month,

ii) 

• A total number of two disciplinary cases for the fiscal

iii) on what date was each case initiated and concluded,

1. The first case involved the Head: Analytics and was initiated in February 2022;
2. The second case involved the Brand Innovation Manager and was initiated in July 2022;

iv) what were the reasons for the action?

1. The employee under (a) was charged with gross insubordination and gross negligence;
2. The employee under (b) was charged with dereliction of duty, gross negligence and negligence;

(v) what number of staff members were found

(aa) guilty and fired,

1. The employee under (a) was found guilty and the sanction meted out was dismissal;
2. The employee under (b) was found guilty and the sanction meted out was dismissal;

(bb) guilty and not fired and

• Not applicable

(cc) innocent;

• Not applicable

(2) what (a) alternative sanction was meted out in each case where a staff member was found guilty but not fired and

- Not applicable

(b) were the reasons that staff members were found not guilty in each specified case?

- Not applicable

Reply:

(1) With reference to disciplinary action and/or any related action taken against staff in each level within SA Tourism

(a) in the past three financial years

Financial Year 2020/2021

i) what number of disciplinary cases were dealt with in each month,

• I have been informed of one disciplinary case in FY20/21

ii) on what date was each case initiated and concluded,

• The employee was charged in March 2020 and the disciplinary enquiry was convened in July 2020 over three days.

iii) what were the reasons for the action,?

• The employee was charged with gross negligence as it relates to supply chain and procurement processes for one of the in-country offices;
• The secondary charges were around the failure to follow procedures in relation to a procurement process.

iv) what number of staff members were found?

(aa) guilty and fired,

• The employee was found guilty of gross negligence and the sanction meted out was dismissal

(bb) guilty and not fired and

• Not applicable

(cc) innocent;

- Not applicable

(2) what (a) alternative sanction was meted out in each case where a staff member was found guilty but not fired and

- Not applicable

(b) were the reasons that staff members were found not guilty in each specified case?

- Not applicable

Financial Year 2021/2022

With reference to disciplinary action and/or any related action taken against staff in each level within SA Tourism

(i)  what number of disciplinary cases were dealt with in each month,

• Three disciplinary cases took place in the organisation

(ii) on what date was each case initiated and concluded,

1. The first case involved the GM: ICT and was initiated in April 2021 and was concluded in May 2021;
2. The second case involved the Enterprise Architecture Manager and was initiated in October 2021 and was concluded in the same month;
3. The third case involved the Data & Security Implementation Specialist and was initiated in March 2022 and was concluded in the same month.

(iii) what were the reasons for the action,?

1. The case involving the GM: ICT involved charges of gross negligence in relation to the management and payment of invoices for systems and failure to follow organisational procedures and compliance;
2. The case involving the Enterprise Architecture Manager involved charges of gross negligence, dereliction of duty as well as insubordination;
3. The case involving the Data & Security Implementation involved failure to deliver work of the required standard and negligence.

(iv) what number of staff members were fired?

(aa) guilty and fired,

• Employees under (a) and (b) were found guilty and the sanction meted out was dismissal

(bb) guilty and not fired and

• Not applicable

(cc) innocent;

- Employee under (c) was found not guilty

(2) what (a) alternative sanction was meted out in each case where a staff member was found guilty but not fired and

- Not applicable

(b) were the reasons that staff members were found not guilty in each specified case?

- The evidence presented for employee under (c) did not support a guilty verdict. It was recommended that the employee undergo a performance counselling process.

Financial Year 2022/2023 and (b) since 1 April 2023,

With reference to disciplinary action and/or any related action taken against staff in each level within SA Tourism

(i) what number of disciplinary cases were dealt with in each month,

• A total number of two disciplinary cases for the fiscal

(iii) on what date was each case initiated and concluded,

1. The first case involved the Head: Analytics and was initiated in February 2022;
2. The second case involved the Brand Innovation Manager and was initiated in July 2022;

(iv) what were the reasons for the action?

1. The employee under (a) was charged with gross insubordination and gross negligence;
2. The employee under (b) was charged with dereliction of duty, gross negligence and negligence;

(v) what number of staff members were found

(aa) guilty and fired,

1. The employee under (a) was found guilty and the sanction meted out was dismissal;
2. The employee under (b) was found guilty and the sanction meted out was dismissal;

(bb) guilty and not fired and

• Not applicable

(cc) innocent;

• Not applicable

(2) what (a) alternative sanction was meted out in each case where a staff member was found guilty but not fired and

- Not applicable

(b) were the reasons that staff members were found not guilty in each specified case?

- Not applicable

Reply:

(1) The Minister for the Public Service and Administration (MPSA) has not been provided with any reports from any government institution nor the University of Fort Hare as such is unable to comment on such reports. The MPSA has noted media reports and can confirm that the allegations made are false, baseless and untrue.

(2) The Minister has not been involved in any academic fraud and dismisses all and any unsubstantiated allegations levelled against her. The Minister is committed to living-up to the oath of office that she has been sworn to.

End

Reply:

(1) With reference to disciplinary action and/or any related action taken against staff in each level within SA Tourism

(a) in the past three financial years

Financial Year 2020/2021

i) what number of disciplinary cases were dealt with in each month,

• I have been informed of one disciplinary case in FY20/21

ii) on what date was each case initiated and concluded,

• The employee was charged in March 2020 and the disciplinary enquiry was convened in July 2020 over three days.

iii) what were the reasons for the action,?

• The employee was charged with gross negligence as it relates to supply chain and procurement processes for one of the in-country offices;
• The secondary charges were around the failure to follow procedures in relation to a procurement process.

iv) what number of staff members were found?

(aa) guilty and fired,

• The employee was found guilty of gross negligence and the sanction meted out was dismissal

(bb) guilty and not fired and

• Not applicable

(cc) innocent;

- Not applicable

(2) what (a) alternative sanction was meted out in each case where a staff member was found guilty but not fired and

- Not applicable

(b) were the reasons that staff members were found not guilty in each specified case?

- Not applicable

Financial Year 2021/2022

With reference to disciplinary action and/or any related action taken against staff in each level within SA Tourism

i) what number of disciplinary cases were dealt with in each month,

• Three disciplinary cases took place in the organisation

ii) on what date was each case initiated and concluded,

1. The first case involved the GM: ICT and was initiated in April 2021 and was concluded in May 2021;
2. The second case involved the Enterprise Architecture Manager and was initiated in October 2021 and was concluded in the same month;
3. The third case involved the Data & Security Implementation Specialist and was initiated in March 2022 and was concluded in the same month.

iii) what were the reasons for the action,?

1. The case involving the GM: ICT involved charges of gross negligence in relation to the management and payment of invoices for systems and failure to follow organisational procedures and compliance;
2. The case involving the Enterprise Architecture Manager involved charges of gross negligence, dereliction of duty as well as insubordination;
3. The case involving the Data & Security Implementation involved failure to deliver work of the required standard and negligence.

iv) what number of staff members were fired?

(aa) guilty and fired,

• Employees under (a) and (b) were found guilty and the sanction meted out was dismissal

(bb) guilty and not fired and

• Not applicable

(cc) innocent;

- Employee under (c) was found not guilty

(2) what (a) alternative sanction was meted out in each case where a staff member was found guilty but not fired and

- Not applicable

(b) were the reasons that staff members were found not guilty in each specified case?

- The evidence presented for employee under (c) did not support a guilty verdict. It was recommended that the employee undergo a performance counselling process.

Financial Year 2022/2023 and (b) since 1 April 2023,

With reference to disciplinary action and/or any related action taken against staff in each level within SA Tourism

i)n what number of disciplinary cases were dealt with in each month,

• A total number of two disciplinary cases for the fiscal

iii) on what date was each case initiated and concluded,

1. The first case involved the Head: Analytics and was initiated in February 2022;
2. The second case involved the Brand Innovation Manager and was initiated in July 2022;

iv) what were the reasons for the action?

1. The employee under (a) was charged with gross insubordination and gross negligence;
2. The employee under (b) was charged with dereliction of duty, gross negligence and negligence;

(v) what number of staff members were found

(aa) guilty and fired,

1. The employee under (a) was found guilty and the sanction meted out was dismissal;
2. The employee under (b) was found guilty and the sanction meted out was dismissal;

(bb) guilty and not fired and

• Not applicable

(cc) innocent;

• Not applicable

(2) what (a) alternative sanction was meted out in each case where a staff member was found guilty but not fired and

- Not applicable

(b) were the reasons that staff members were found not guilty in each specified case?

- Not applicable

Reply:

(a) The total number of funded posts that are currently vacant in the Public Service is 181 607 as at 31 March 2023.

b) The breakdown of the specified number of vacant funded posts nationally and in each provincial department is presented (as at 31 March 2023) in the attached Annexure A. It must be noted that some of the vacancies on the establishments of departments captured on PERSAL may not be funded.

National	47 642
Provinces
Eastern Cape	30 759
Free State	5 909
Gauteng	20 707
KwaZulu-Natal	22 128
Limpopo	12 863
Mpumalanga	5 775
North West	17 178
Northern Cape	4 983
Western Cape	13 663

c) (i) The breakdown of vacancies per salary level is as follows:

Salary level	Number of vacant posts
1	1 848
2	11 394
3	16 274
4	6 129
5	20 815
6	15 704
7	19 280
8	14 658
9	15 102
10	8 554
11	20 375
12	28 950
13	1 749
14	579
15	163
16	33

(ii) With reference to the previous response to parliamentary question 920, departments have in the past reported the following causes and challenges that hinder the filling of the vacancies and cause posts to be vacant-

1. Managing the prioritisation of posts to be filled due to budget constraints or reprioritization of funds.

2. Competition with private sector with regard to appointment of registered OSD professionals and technicians. It was mentioned that it is not easy to recruit and attract some of those skills due to scarcity in the job market in line with the inherent job requirements. Current serving staff under this category are not keen to register, which further hampers existing staff mobility and utilization in higher level posts.

3. The departments have previously raised the matter of internal and external administrative challenges, which ultimately delay the finalisation of appointments. The prescribed pre-employment verifications were also raised. However, departments did not provide substantive proof of such delays.

4. There has been a process of settling down following the determinations issued regarding merged departments impacted by the National Macro-Organisation of Government. The affected departments were required to develop macro-structures and finalise placements as per Resolution 1 of 2019.

End

Reply:

The Department has over the past few years encouraged qualifying people to approach SASSA for any form of grant and have had all those who qualify approved. However, the biggest challenge is that most of homeless people live a nomadic life and most of them do not have addresses and IDs. The drive to register the homeless to receive social grants was also implemented and intensified during covid-19 especially for those who were in shelters. It should be noted that homelessness is a cross cutting issue which is the responsibility of various government departments such Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Human Settlement, Health and Social Development. The department’s role is to provide psychosocial support, assessment and reunification services. There is no budget allocated to this function within social development and therefore it is an unfunded mandate. Currently only Gauteng and Western Cape are funding shelters for homeless people through equitable share.

Reply:

On 16 April 2023, South Africa as a member of the African Union Peace and Security Council (AU PSC) participated in its emergency meeting and received an update on the situation in Sudan by the AU PSC chair for the month of April 2023 and by H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission. PSC Members noted with deep concern the escalation of violence and called for parties to halt hostilities immediately, and the return to the negotiations led by the AU, the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the United Nations (UN).

The South African Government has since welcomed the start of pre-negotiation talks between the Sudanese Army and the Rapid Support Forces which commenced in Saudi Arabia on 6 May 2023. South Africa further reiterates the centrality of the African Union and IGAD in the pre-negotiation and subsequent talks to ensure long-standing solutions to challenges faced by Sudan.

Reply:

1. Hopefield farm falls under the portfolio of the National Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, not the National Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD).

(a), (b) Falls Away.

2. Falls Away.

Reply:

a) The conservation provisions refer to any applicable legislation dealing with the conservation of animals. These could be under the Department of Fisheries, Forestry and the Environment, or even provincial government.

b) The inclusion of this provision serves to ensure that animals that are slaughtered under the Meat Safety Act, No 40 of 2000 must be slaughtered in compliance with provisions of any other applicable legislation in the Republic of South Africa.

Reply:

The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD), working with the Onderstepoort Biological Products (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:

(a)(b) The business analysis and approval of submissions made by prospective producers for assistance are against a standardised measure of guidance as given through computerised budget (commonly called ComBud). Based on economic data generated the enterprise budget per hectare of a commodity under analysis is determined/created to guide an approval process.

The general norm for these two production factors is that labour contributes approximately 15% cost to the total farming cost while machinery contributes approximately 9% cost to the total gross value of the operation. Thus, the Department provides support using such margins as apportioned per data attributed to a commodity per given geographical area.

It should be noted that labour classification includes both seasonal and permanent personnel while the kind of commodity being analysed for support might include a variety of machines (this includes combine harvester, fertilizer equipment, planting equipment, spaying equipment etc.) and all are measured and costed.

(c) DALRRD through producer support programmes like Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme (CASP), Land Development Support (LDS), Ilima//Letsema, Blended Funding Scheme (BFS), and Farmer Production Support Units (FPSUs) assisted small and medium scale farmers with mechanisation and overhead related costs including labour for the specified period.

Reply:

1. Active surveillance of high impact animal diseases is taking place and the general farming community is advised to observe and report all conditions to the nearest State Veterinarian.

2. Most of the time a farm that experiences outbreaks of animal disease is quarantined. The farmers are advised to establish their own biosecurity protocols and to observe those principles. The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development establishes guidelines in terms of Veterinary Procedural Notices (VPN) to guide all in sundry on the necessary approaches.

3. Yes. Areas around the Kruger National Park are hotspots for animal diseases. The other area of concern is Hluhluwe Umfolozi Game Reserve and other game parks.

Reply:

The error that affected Marveke Shibambu in the November 2022 examination, is regretted; and is certainly the exception to the highly rigorous processes and control measures in place in the national examination system.

The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has developed over the years a rigorous and robust National Marking system that targets zero defect at every step.  Answer scripts from every examination centre, are subjected to four levels of moderation and a range of checks and control measures, and this avoids errors. The DBE on an annual basis conducts a review of all its processes with the individual Provincial Education Departments, post the examination; and the error that occurred will be thoroughly discussed, and additional measures will be put in place to mitigate errors of this nature.

The Provincial Education Department (PED) has completed a full enquiry on this error and has established that this is an administrative error relating to mark transfer from one document to another. There are tracking mechanisms in place on candidate scripts and control sheets with responsibility codes attached to Markers and Administrators, that would have gone through this script.  The implicated individual has been identified and appropriate disciplinary action will be taken.

It also needs to be noted that the DBE has an appeal process in place to allow candidates who think they may have been disadvantaged to request for a remark or a recheck and also to view their scripts. This is part of the principle of fairness and justice in the examination process.

The DBE will continue to reinforce its oversight and control of marking and moderation processes and PEDs will be instructed and supported to improve their control measures based on the review that will be conducted with each province. The DBE will also embark on standardising the roles and responsibilities of Examination Assistants and Quality Checkers to ensure greater accountability across the value-chain of the marking process. In standardising the roles and responsibilities, one of the examples to be used is the error that affected Marveke Shibambu especially its negative impact on a learner's life career.

Reply:

(a)(i) (aa) (bb) (cc)

Province	(a)(ii)	(aa)	(bb)	(cc)
	Total No. of Schools	Generators	UPS	Generators and UPS
	All Schools	Public Schools
EC	5 311	5 046	**	*	**
FS	1 029	953	24	0	0
GP	2 991	2 056	2	0	0
KZN	6 021	5 895	51	8	10
LP	3 847	3 646	**	**	**
MP	1 784	1 673	156	5	9
NC	586	545	11	0	0
NW	1 548	1 448	66	0	0
WC	1 754	1 464	**	**	**
National	24 871	22 726	310	13	19

**Note: Schools have been installing Generator, UPS and Solar systems using school budgets and provinces are in the process of collecting the information to update the infrastructure system.

(b) Annexure A is attached

Reply:

(a) Limpopo and Eastern Cape Provincial Education Departments are the two provinces that had such cases and can be best placed to respond on what form of support they offered to parents. 

(b) The Department of Transport, in collaboration with the Department of Basic Education, have developed a National Learner Transport Policy (NLTP); which was approved by Cabinet in 2015, with the sole intention of regulating the implementation of learner transport programme.  The 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.  The National Policy provides that national government will oversee the implementation of the Policy in consultation with relevant stakeholders, including provinces, municipalities and school governing bodies (SGBs) amongst others. 

In cases where parents have lost their children through subsidised learner transport programme, the provincial Departments of Education and Transport provide psycho-social support to the affected learners and parents.

Reply:

The National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) Conditional Grant Framework, as gazetted in the Division of Revenue Act, stipulates the targeting criteria as "provide nutritious meals in quintile 1 - 3 primary and secondary schools as well as identified special schools on all school days".  Most schools in rural areas participate in the school feeding programme.  The DBE will welcome the names of the schools (in rural areas) not participating for consideration. 

Reply:

No, Thabo Bester does not have an Identity Document- at least not one issued by the Department of Home Affairs.

a) The question should be referred to the Department of Correctional Services

b) The Department does not do any audit of inmates at Correctional Services facilities. We expect the Department to approach us if there are any issues of identity to be dealt with.

END

Reply:

(a)(i) The number of calls to the Home Affairs Contact Centre toll-free number: 0800601190 received during 2022 are as follows:

aa) Daily average calls for the period under question is 2647 calls

bb) Weekly average calls answered for the period is 12828

cc) Monthly calls answered, cases created and resolved are as below

Month	Calls Answered	Cases Created	Cases Resolved	Percentage Resolved
Jan-22	41474	17850	16065	90%
Feb-22	41953	16151	14374	89%
Mar-22	76536	19889	18098	91%
Apr-22	58116	13247	11922	90%
May-22	65736	19827	17844	90%
Jun-22	57940	12267	11040	90%
Jul-22	58796	17034	15160	89%
Aug-22	65180	18406	16197	88%
Sep-22	61436	13389	11648	87%
Oct-22	50871	12935	10994	85%
Nov-22	52417	13523	10953	81%
Dec-22	36649	6488	5190	80%
Total calls	667104	181006	159953	88%

(a)(ii) Total calls answered by the Contact Centre through the 0800601190 number for 2022 calendar year is 667104

(a)(iii) Calls answered by the Contact Centre through the 0800601190 number from 01 January to 31 March 2023 is 120721 is tabulated below:

Month	Calls Answered	Cases created	Cases resolved	Percentage resolved
Jan-23	41994	18437	16040	87%
Feb-23	45300	19012	16920	89%
Mar-23	33427	4609	3779	82%
Total calls	120721	42058	36739	86%

b) Total number of Contact Centre Agents is 88 and the number of Contact Centre Agents handling calls from the toll-free line is 68

END.

Reply:

The sports field in Ward 20 in Moretele is not the responsibility of the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs. It is advised that the honorable member send the inquiry to the Ministry of Sport, Arts, and Culture so that appropriate solutions can be provided..

End.

 

Reply:

a) As a response to the specific skills shortage challenge affecting both the Department and the national water sector, the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) established the Learning Academy in 2007 which is a technical and scarce skills development programme. It represents an investment in sustaining quality in DWS entry level human resources, thereby ensuring that in the long term, the DWS will remain competitive and be able to deliver on its mandate.The Learning Academy is designed to meet specific organisational requirements, lead a sustained campaign to secure a steady supply of high-level skills in water-related science, engineering, and technical disciplines in order to meet projected demands within DWS and the water sector as a whole.

The Learning Academy responds to the imperatives mentioned with a dual focus by addressing both the academic and professional development components that will provide aspiring engineers, scientists and technicians with the opportunity to be exposed to real-time professional experiences and valuable work experience in order for them to register with relevant professional bodies such as the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA), the South African Council for Natural Science Professions (SACNSP) and the Geomatics Council for Surveyors (ex PLATO).

The Learning Academy has signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with strategically selected Institutions of Higher Learning. The Institutions of Higher Learning serve as administrators of the bursaries and administer the funds on behalf of DWS. As the bursary scheme feeds the Professional Development Component, bursaries are granted pre-graduate to post-graduate levels within a wide variety of scarce, critical and technical skills that can address the needs of DWS and the water sector. The DWS has allocated 1050 comprehensive bursaries to deserving students since 2007.

The Work Integrated Learners are defined in the context of the Learning Academy as individuals who must successfully undertake a period of Experiential Training in order to obtain their academic qualifications. There are 358 Work Integrated Learners that have completed the work since 2007.

The Professional Development Component deals with the development of Graduate Trainees. The Graduate Trainees are predominantly bursars of DWS who, on completion of their qualifications, are appointed and placed in the workplace for a minimum period of four years, where they are exposed to real-time service delivery aspects, skills development and Departmental projects (on-the-job training) under the guidance of a mentor. The trainees are thus guaranteed practical, instructional and hands-on experiences which will allow them to acquire relevant professional knowledge and skills and attain formal professional registration and recognition through the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA), the Geomatic Council or the South African Council for Natural Science Professionals (SACNASP). All Learner Interns and Graduate Interns are appointed as per Directive on Developmental Programme in the Public Service (18 May 2018). In total the Learning Academy has contracted 855 Graduate Interns since April 2007.

b) With regard to the integration of young and established professionals in the water sector, the Water Institute of South Africa (WISA) has an established board of Young Water Professionals that have created a community of Young Water Professionals all over South Africa. The Department has recently established a branch for Young Water Professionals to integrate our newly registered Young Water Professionals into this community and by doing this, empowering them with the latest and best information in the Sector.

In addition to this, the Department has signed a Memorandum of Agreement with Wetskills (a Netherland organisation) which will give South African Young Water Professionals the opportunity to participate in international competitions to expose and integrate them into the international water community.

 

---00O00---

Reply:

1 (a) Between 2012/13 and 2021/22, state-owned companies (SOCs) received about R266.6 billion in bailouts from government, which has crowded out important social and other expenditure. The 2022 Budget Review outlined the need for a new framework for managing bailouts to state-owned companies to reduce fiscal risks and promote long-overdue reforms. In addition, National Treasury has issued an Instruction Note in 2020 (No.09 of 2020/21) on the minimum criteria which must be met before entities submit for approval or concurrence with regards to guarantees, indemnities, security and restriction on borrowings. The above-mentioned Instruction Note has resulted in a decrease in requests for government guarantees from SOCs as a result of requests not meeting minimum criteria. Managing the state’s guarantee portfolio is therefore a key mechanism to decrease the continued support for loss-making SOCs.

(b) The COVID-19 SRD grant has been extended only until 2023/24. Government is still considering various options, including employment and labour market activation initiatives, in providing support to the working-age population. No final decision yet.

(c) Between the 2022 Budget and 2023 Budget, the consolidated budget deficit expected for 2022/23 declined from 6 per cent to 4.2 per cent of GDP. The deficit is projected to narrow to 4 per cent of GDP in the fiscal year ending 31 March 2024 before reaching 3.2 per cent of GDP in 2025/26, as the main budget deficit narrows and social security funds, provinces and public entities move into a combined cash surplus in the outer year. Over the medium term, the composition of consolidated spending improves, continuing the shift towards capital rather than current spending. The medium-term fiscal strategy aims to:

i. Achieve fiscal sustainability by narrowing the budget deficit and stabilising debt.

ii. Support economic growth by maintaining a sustainable fiscal stance, directing resources towards infrastructure, increasing spending on policy priorities and contributing to energy reforms.

iii. Reduce fiscal and economic risks, including building fiscal buffers for future shocks and providing targeted conditional in-year support to key public entities and by taking a portion of Eskom’s debt with strict conditions.

2. To this end, the National Treasury remains committed to narrowing the budget deficit and stabilising debt. In the medium term, this will be achieved mainly by controlling non-interest expenditure growth and the use of a portion of revenue improvements to narrow the budget deficit and keep debt stabilisation on track. In-year allocations are made to mitigate economic and fiscal risks associated with selected SOEs.

Reply:

I have been advised that the department, through the Small Enterprise Finance Agency (sefa), conducted a research study in August 2022 on the impact of loadshedding on its funded clients. This study was commissioned as a survey to 1 500 sefa clients, however only 214 clients responded, and the following are some of the findings identified:

• • Respondents suffered loss of revenue and production due to loadshedding.
  • 76% of respondents indicated that they do not have alternative power in place to mitigate the effect of loadshedding.
  • To cope with the impact of loadshedding, most respondents indicated that they utilised the loadshedding schedule to plan their business operations and have reduced their production.
  • Majority indicated that they require assistance with funding to acquire alternative energy source and assistance with restructuring of their loans in respect of their loan repayment obligation with us.
  • Most respondents were operating in manufacturing, retail trade, hotels and restaurants, construction, transport, community services, financial services, agriculture, mining and quarrying.
  • Majority of these businesses were in operation for 1 to 5 years.

The DSBD together with its agencies, the Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda) and sefa, is considering the introduction of interventions to address these challenges. The DSBD and its agencies are looking at a three-pronged approach for supporting SMMEs and Co-operatives affected by loadshedding:

(i) The Power Purchase Product (PPP) is an immediate relief for formal and informal enterprises (alternative power sources). It is an initiative of the Small Business Development Portfolio (DSBD, Seda and sefa) to support SMMEs with alternative energy generating equipment (generators and Photovoltaic installations - PV). The programme will be implemented via the existing programme structures as follows:

• • Informal business to be supported via DSBD’s Informal and Micro Enterprise Development Programme (IMEDP).
  • Micro businesses to be supported through Seda’s Asset Assist Programme
  • Small to Medium enterprises to be supported through sefa’s Township and Rural Entrepreneurship Programme (TREP).

(ii) Guarantee programme via the Bounce Back Scheme administered by Khula Credit Guarantee (KCG) on behalf of government. This is a medium to long term intervention that still require intense discussion relevant parties including the National treasury who are the custodian of the scheme.

• • Ongoing discussions with National Treasury indicate their interest and consideration of opening up the bounce back scheme to all Development Finance Institutions.

(iii) Consultation with various stakeholders for a broader offering (key focus on promoting innovative ideas).

• • Ongoing consultations with various departments and relevant agencies with a view of working together to come up with long-term and sustainable energy supply solutions.

The Department is currently awaiting endorsement from National Treasury before all these schemes can be implemented.

Reply:

The PIC’s does not provide any loans to individuals in their personal capacity. The PIC invests in companies or entities through the provision of funding using debt instruments that are disclosed in clients’ Integrated Annual Reports and its Annexures, that is available on the websites of the Clients.

Reply:

(a-b) It is the responsibility of the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) to ensure adequate water availability through the development and management of infrastructure for water resources, as well as enhance the provision of sustainable and reliable water supply and sanitation by local government. The responsibility to supply water and sanitation services lies with municipalities that are Water Services Authorities (WSAs). Regional Bulk infrastructure is provided and managed through Water Boards as water providers.

To deliver on its mandate, the DWS’ plans for water and sanitation services are to:

• Implement 25 large bulk infrastructure projects over the medium term.
• Supporting 44 district municipalities with developing water and sanitation reliability plans over the medium term.
• Assess annual municipal strategic self‐assessments across all WSAs authorities on an ongoing basis.
• Transfer funds and monitor the performance of municipalities that receive funds through the regional bulk infrastructure grant and water services infrastructure grant in terms of the annual Division of Revenue Act.

The DWS monitors the condition of municipal water and sanitation infrastructure through three incentive-based regulatory mechanisms:

• The Green Drop Report, which focuses on sanitation (waste-water treatment systems and effluent quality).
• The Blue Drop Report, which focuses on water (water treatment and water quality).
• The No Drop Report, which focuses on non-revenue water and water losses through leakages.

(i) There are several initiatives underway to improve the management of water and sanitation countrywide which include the following:

• National Government will ensure that grant funding in the water sector is allocated with the objective of restoring functionality of existing wastewater infrastructure according to the findings of the Green and Blue Drop reports. VROOM-informed restoration-focussed grant management will be effected with support from National Treasury.
• DWS as a Regulator will improve the implementation of Section 19 of the National Water Act (Act 36 of 1998) to ensure that directives are issued with timeframes for implementation. Failure to respond will trigger remedial action being taken at cost of the non-complying entity or municipality.
• DWS will take steps to improve its capacity to be more effective in this duty. There are engagements with the Department of Cooperative Governance as well as National Treasury to explore ways of utilising conditional grants for the purpose of remedial intervention.

(ii) The DWS has allocated R23billion from the Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant and R15bn from the Water Services Infrastructure Grant over the medium term. The purpose of the grants is to provide financial support to municipalities to:

• Build new bulk water and sanitation infrastructure.
• Refurbish and upgrade ageing infrastructure.
• Provide secondary bulk infrastructure (new or augmentation projects).
• Develop sources such as boreholes and spring protection.
• Implement water conservation and water demand management projects.

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Reply:

The South African Police Service deals with the criminal element of cable theft and vandalism. It is advised that the question be forwarded to the Ministry of Police, who can respond to it appropriately.

End.

 

Reply:

The Minister of Human Settlements has not received any report regarding the above-mentioned matter. The question from Hounouable Member Ceza was referred to the Mpumalanga Department of Human Settlements and it reported as follows:

1. The Mpumalanga Department of Human Settlements is fully aware of the matter and is conducting an internal investigation so as to get all the facts regarding the allegations that monies were paid by the community of Delmas in Victor Khanye Local Municipality. Once the investigation is completed, its outcomes will be shared with the Minister of Human Settlements who will in turn share the same with the Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements.

2. Currently, the information at the disposal of the Mpumalanga Department of Human Settlements suggests that in July 2008, the Province appointed the South African People’s Homeless Federation, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), as a Support Organisation for the construction of 50 fully subsidised RDP houses, as part of the then Peoples Housing Process (PHP) Programme for R4, 331, 840.70. The project took place in Botleng Ext 3 within the erstwhile Delmas Municipal area of jurisdiction. All fifty (50) fully subsidised RDP houses were delivered and paid for by the Department.

3. In June 2010, the South African People’s Federation was appointed by the Mpumalanga Department of Human Settlements to construct One Hundred and Fifty (150) RDP houses within Botleng Ext 3, still as part of the PHP Programme, within the area which is now under the jurisdiction of the Victor Khanye Local Municipal for R3, 611, 008.00.

According to the provincial department of Human Settlements, this project was subsequently scaled down to Fifty Five (55) RDP houses as some of the beneficiaries could not qualify on Housing Subsidy System (HSS) because they received Seven Thousand Five Hundred Rands (R7 500) as part of the Discount Benefit Scheme from the Independent Development Trust [IDT], providing for serviced sites and Title Deeds to qualifying beneficiaires. Most of these beneficiaries had title deeds due to serviced sites acquired as part of the Discount Benefit Scheme. All fifty (55) fully subsidised RDP houses were delivered but some were not paid in full for by the Department, this due to delays in the submission of claims for services rendered by the said Support Organisation.

Reply:

1. Sole proprietors earn business income as the base for the personal income tax. To calculate the taxable business income they would be able to claim depreciation and other capital allowances just like any other business. Therefore, should their investment conform to the requirements of the allowance, they will be able to claim the 125% tax deduction.

2. The rebate of 25% will not be available on any expenses that already enjoyed the 125% deduction against business income. If that deduction was not claimed, then a sole proprietor will be able to claim the rebate.

The policy process for the 2023 tax legislative amendments is underway. The Frequently Asked Questions document that was published on the day that the Minister of Finance delivered the Budget Speech states (and available on the website www.treasury.gov.za) that :

“This incentive will be included in the annual tax amendments. A draft version of the legislation will be published for public comment no later than the publication date of the 2023 Draft Taxation Laws Amendment Bill. The Minister tables tax bills during the Medium Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) in October each year. Parliament considers the amendments after which the President can assent to the amendments – usually by January of the year after the announcement. The aim of this note [the FAQ document] and the draft legislation to follow is to provide as much upfront clarity as possible so that individuals do not feel they need to wait for the tax bills later in the year before making a decision to invest and benefit from the incentive. The guidance provided is, nevertheless, subject to the outcome of the consultative process on the proposal and Parliament’s ultimate decisions on the legislation giving effect to the

proposal.”

Reply:

1. The National Treasury regularly revises or transfers funds of different programmes, when allowed by the law, via the Budget or Adjustment processes, published in various Adjusted Appropriation Bills and the Adjusted Estimates of Expenditure. Information is available in such Budgetary documents.

a) R755.303 million was transferred from the Department of Social Development to the Department of Defence to cater for the extended deployment of about 1 495 members of the South African Defence Force members in Mozambique until 15 April 2023. These funds will be used for compensation of employees and for items such as food rations, fuel, ammunition and transport. Additional details on the funding shift are provided on page 80 and 202 of the 2022 Adjusted Estimates of National Expenditure.

b) R2.937 billion was shifted to the Department of Public Enterprises to assist Transnet SOC Limited to repair infrastructure and assets that were damaged by the floods that occurred in April 2022 in KwaZulu-Natal. The National Treasury has put conditions on the allocation, to ensure that funds are spent towards approved areas and this will be monitored through monthly meetings to be held between the National Treasury, the Department of Public Enterprises and Transnet.

2. The shift was approved by Parliament through the Adjusted Appropriation Act. This was done after the Department of Social Development (DSD) declared savings. This was once-off adjustment.

3. No other departments had funds shifted for these purposes.

4. (a) A total of R9.162 billion savings was declared by DSD in 2022/23 and approved by parliament through the Adjusted Appropriation Act and the 2nd Adjusted Appropriation Act. R5.462 billion in the Adjusted Appropriation Act and R3.7 billion in the 2nd Adjusted Appropriation Act. The shifts in the adjustment budget are described above. (b) In the 2nd adjustment budget:

(i) R2.4 billion was shifted to the Department of Communication and Digital Technologies for the recapitalisation of the South African Post Office;

(ii) R1 billion was shifted to the Department of Public Enterprises for settlement of business rescue plan obligations; and

(iii) R300 million was shifted to the Department of Home Affairs for political party funding.

Despite these shifts, it is likely that DSD has underspent in 2022/23, to be confirmed when DSD submits its Section 32 Report (and the statement) in terms of the Public Finance Management Act.

Reply:

The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs does not maintain the data that the honorable member requested regarding the cost incurred by each municipality in each province to replace wires that have been stolen.

End.

 

Reply:

a) Status of the amendments to the Protected Disclosures Act, Act 26 of 2000

(i) The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development has conducted a review of the Protected Disclosures Act and Witness Protection Act, amongst other pieces of legislation, that have a bearing on whistle-blower and witness protection. This is intended to assess the level of protection to witnesses and whistle-blowers, identify and address gaps, if any, in the current legislation.

(ii) This review, which will include consultation with stakeholders and the National Anti-Corruption Advisory Council, will be implemented by the end of April 2023.

b) At this point, there are no delays as the comprehensive review is on track to be completed as per the deliverables in the State Capture response plan by the President by the end of April 2023.

END

Reply:

The Department of Correctional Services has not entered into any contracts with the mentioned service provider, however the mentioned company is a sub-contractor of the Bloemfontein Correctional Contracts (Pty) Ltd (BCC) which operates the Manguang Correctional Centre (MCC) as a Public Private Partnership (PPP) Correctional Centre under sections 103 – 112 of the Correctional Services Act 111 of 1998, as amended (CSA)

END

Reply:

The Public Investment Corporation (PIC) invests according to the mandates of its clients in line with section 10(4) of the PIC Act as amended. Any potential investment in Eskom will be in line with client mandates or their approval and assessed on its merits taking into account the expected returns and associated terms and conditions, especially the security thereof.

Reply:

a) The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) allocates Presidential Employment Stimulus (PES) vouchers according to the verified commodity including size of operation. All vouchers that were issued were from R1000.00 as the prescribed minimum amount, no beneficiary received less than the minimum amount. Voucher amounts that appear to be below the prescribed minimum amount are re-issue vouchers after initial redemption was done (balance of the farmers’ allocated awards). The process allowed farmers to partially redeem their vouchers up to five times to use up the allocated amount.

b) No farmer was allocated R7.00 voucher.

Reply:

a) The table below records the reported African Horse Sickness outbreaks: summary report from December 2022 to April 2023.

Province	2022 Dec	2023 Jan	2023 Feb	2023 Mar	2023 Apr		Total
Gauteng	1	5	11	33	2		55
Limpopo	0	0	0	0	0		0
KZN	0	0	0	0	0		1
Free State	0	1	1	0	0		2
ECP	0	13	2	0	0		15
NWP	0	0	1	3	0		4

b) The main cause the death of the reported horses that died from African Horse sickness is the disease itself.

Reply:

It is important to highlight that thus far, there is no empirical evidence to indicate that the employment equity amendments in relation of regulation of sector EE targets might have unintended consequences on employment or in encouraging employers to change their operations to pursue restructuring or computerise and /or mechanise operations. Noteworthy is that, investors and all employers operating within the Republic are required to comply with national labour laws.

END

Reply:

Yes. Some success has been observed in area of job placement.

The NARYSEC programme was mainly focused on providing the youth with skills programmes since inception. In 2022/23 the NARYSEC policy was revised to make provision for partnerships with the private and public sector as well as civil society for exit employment opportunities and business enterprises to increase.

After the revised policy, the first group of young people from rural areas was 705 who reported for the programme in line with the revised policy and commenced their Induction and Youth Leadership Development Programme (YLDP) on 18 July 2022. The youth who completed the programme participated in the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) pass out parade. 21 of the 705 dropped out from the programme. Currently 684 youth completed YLDP and are attending skills development programmes with various colleges for a duration of between six and 18 months depending on the type of training programme they have enrolled for. This will then be followed by exit into identified opportunities. (Please refer to Annexure A).

With regard to up-skilling youth trained since 2010, the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development is currently auditing the learner database by tracing all the young people who have been trained since the inception of the programme, to determine their current economic status. The outcome of the audit will form the basis for the development of a structured up-skilling programme to assist those who might still be unemployed. Since the implementation of the new NARYSEC policy in March 2022, a total of 280 rural youth located in Gauteng and Limpopo have been upskilled during the 2022/23 financial year and have been linked to exit opportunities. (Please refer to Annexure B).

ANNEXURE B OF NA-QUESTION 207 OF 2023

Province	Economic Opportunity	No. Youth	Learning Programme
Gauteng West Rand District, Sedibeng District and City of Tshwane, Gauteng	Upskilling of exited NARYSEC youth. Through South West Gauteng’s collaboration with Lulaway, these youth will be place into temporary employment at various Guvon Hotels for a period of 12 months.	25	Skills Programme: Hospitality Reception
	Upskilling of exited NARYSEC youth. As part of the YES Programme with Lulaway, South West Gauteng College will host these youth at their Call Centre upon completion of training for a period of 12 months during which time the youth will receive a stipend.	50	Skills Programme: Contact Centre Management
	Upskilling of exited NARYSEC youth. South West Gauteng College will fund these youth for 12 months upon completion of training at various Two Oceans Marketing outlets, which are distribution and merchandising outlets. Youth will receive a stipend during the 12 months from the College.	50	Skills Programme: Wholesale and Retail Operations
	Upskilling of exited NARYSEC youth to place them in a better position to access employment in the areas they have previously been trained in.	25	Skills Programme: New Venture Creation
LIMPOPO Waterberg District Modimolle Mookgophong Mogalakwena Lephalale Bela Bela Thabazimbi	These learning programmes will have direct potential opportunities for the 130 youth upon the completion of their training. Most of the youth to be upskilled have registered enterprises and are already in production. Through the Directorate Cooperative and Enterprise Development (CED), 80 of the youth have been assisted to register primary cooperatives in poultry production and goat farming, while another50 youth are already producing in small scale backyard gardens.	50	Skills Programme: Animal Production (Broiler)
		30	Skills Programme: Animal Production (Small Stock)
		50	Skills Programme: Vegetable Production & Small Business
TOTAL	280

Reply:

a) Total number of 82 761 claims have been settled since inception until 31 December 2022.

b) R51 billion. The breakdown is as follows:

• Land cost is R25 billion;
• Financial Compensation is R21 billion; and
• Grants is R5 billion.

END

Reply:

a) The Onderstepoort Biological Products OBP) was never expected to produce Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccine. It has never produced FMD vaccines. This is owing to the fact that the disease is classified as a trans- boundary animal disease which is very infectious, and its vaccine should be produced under very strict biosecurity environment. The laboratory capability at the OBP is therefore not suitable for production of this vaccine.

For some years, ARC had been experiencing budgetary constraints, which got exacerbated by dilapidating and aging equipment and infrastructure. Owing to budgetary constraints, the ARC could not retain expertise that brain drained to competing industries. This has resulted in the Department importing vaccine from a suitable facility in Botswana.

b) Government spent R78 286 339 during financial year ending 31 March 2023 in procuring the vaccine from Botswana through the OBP (SOC) Ltd.

Reply:

a) The procurement process is at an advertisement stage with SITA Bid Reference Number RFB 2713-2022 initially meant to close on the 31 March 2023, however, due to an Erratum that had to be issued by SITA the bid closing date had to be extended to 05 May 2023.

b) The current contract was extended for a period of three (3) months ending 26 June 2023 and this extension is contingent on the long-term maintenance and support contract that is being procured through State Information Technology Agency (SITA) being awarded successfully. The Department is also working on a long-term solution which is a virtual courtroom platform that enables face-to- face online court sessions from anywhere in the country.

Reply:

(a) The claim is targeted for settlement in the third quarter of the 2023/24 financial year. Upon the settlement of the claim, the Department will commence with the payment process and payment will be effected within 90 working days after signing of the distribution agreement with the individual households.

(b) The implementation of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) by the Department in 2022 had resulted in the discontinuation of financial compensation payment in phases. As a result, this necessitated the Department to also include Lower Nqgumeya and Upper Zingcuka villages in the verification.

The process of verifying and screening those villages took longer than projected, due to the confirmation of legitimate beneficiaries and the delays in submitting the necessary documents by the beneficiaries. The list of beneficiaries has been adopted.

END

Reply:

1. The packaging facility at the FSPU is not functional due to disputes among the members of the Secondary Cooperative. The Department has on several occasions attempted to intervene, without much success. In addition, the Department is encouraging the Secondary Cooperative to convene an elective Annual General Meeting to ensure that the new leadership is elected. The appointment of the new leadership is likely to address some of the social dynamics within the Cooperative. At the moment, the Department has security services at the FPSU to safeguard the facility.

2. No specific action was taken against any person, especially the officials of the Department as they are not directly responsible for the non-functionality of the Huntington Packhouse. Additionally, the Department intervened by taking the members through cooperative governance training, which covers aspects of conflict resolution. This was done with the hope that the training will equip the members with skills to resolve their conflicts.

Reply:

a) The land claim has been referred to court under case number: LCC62/2019 for adjudication on the merits of the claim and the matter is still pending.

b) The Claimants are aware of the status of the matter, they are legally represented and participating in the matter.

 

END