Questions and Replies
19 May 2023 - NW1286
Mashabela, Ms N to ask the Minister of Health
In light of the revelations that more than R700 million was spent irregularly each year on security contracts for Gauteng hospitals alone, what (a) is the status of hospitals in other provinces with regard to irregular monies spent on security contracts each year in each province and (b) are the reasons that he has not considered and/or implemented the recommendation to insource all cleaning and security services in hospitals and facilities in the public sector?
Reply:
(a) Limpopo, Free State, Western Cape, and Mpumalanga Provinces do not have irregular expenditure associated with provision of security services. Mpumalanga Department of Health does not have the budget nor expenditure incurred, the security contracts are centralised at Mpumalanga Department of Safety and security in the province.
Eastern Cape incurred R34.9 million irregular expenditure in 2019/20 Financial year (FY), R108.5 million in 2020/21 FY and in 2021/22 FY an amount of R76.1 million. In total for the past three years the Department incurred R219.6 million irregular expenditure on security contracts. There were delays in the appointment of a new service provider as were investigations for the previous contract, however, a new contract has been appointed in 2022/2023 financial year.
The Northern Cape committed R28.4 million irregular on security service in 2020/21 FY, R191.5 million in 2021/22 FY and R208 million in 2022/23 FY. The total expenditure incurred amount to R427.9 million for the past three years on security services due to month-to-month contracts and exceeded the allowed threshold for variation. The procurement process was interrupted by local business forum in several attempts to source new contractor.
North West spent R524.1 million in 2021/22 FY and R583.7 million in 2022/23 FY. The total irregular expenditure incurred on security services amount to R1.1 billion for the past two years, the irregular expenditure is in the process of condonations.
Kwazulu Natal Department of Health incurred R1.377 billion irregular expenditure on average on security services due to month to month contracts after the contracts expiry dates. There were appeals by the bidders hence the Department had to continue with month to month with service providers those contracts have expired.
(b) The National Department of Health has considered insourcing of cleaning and security services in health facilities through National Health Council however it remains the competency of Provincial Health Department to implement the operational services.
The Free State, Limpopo, and Mpumalanga insourced the cleaning services. Eastern Cape, and North West partially outsourced the cleaning services in some areas where there are budget pressures to insource.
The Eastern Cape has partially implemented insourcing as the feasibility of insourcing security services, is unaffordable in some areas. Once the financial position improves it will be reconsidered. The Limpopo, Northern Cape and North West outsourced the security services due budget constraints. The security contract in Mpumalanga Department of Health is centralised at the Mpumalanga Department of Safety and security in the province hence contracts are managed at that level.
KwaZulu-Natal outsourced the security and cleaning services, the insourcing of all services for the department is part of the strategic and operational plan, the implemantation is delayed by budget cuts by impacting negatively on compensation of employees economic classification. However, the provinces opted to implement insourcing in phases for various services.
END.
19 May 2023 - NW43
Bodlani, Ms T to ask the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies
(1) Whether, with reference to her reply to question 4482 on 21 December 2022, the process of capturing transactions manually when post offices are load shed and later on the system when power is restored delays any other operations at the SAPost Office; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) what procedures have been put in place to ensure that criminal activity does not take place when transactions are processed manually? NW43E
Reply:
(1) In case of loadshedding or any other offline situation the SA Post Office has procedures in place that all manual transactions must be captured within 24 hours on an online platform. It will not interrupt normal operations.
(2) It is procedural for branch managers to conduct end of day balancing. Daily reports are generated from Finance and IT of any branch that did not capture an end of day and forward to regional operations for correction. Quality and oversight audits are conducted to ensure procedures and processes and adhered to. Receipt book are used to verify capturing.
Thank You.
19 May 2023 - NW1210
Kohler-Barnard, Ms D to ask the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies
With reference to the reply of the former Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Ms K P S Ntshavheni, to question 2364 on 21 July 2022, what (a) are the reasons that his department has chosen to redesign the Digitech website that was launched on 17 May 2022 (b) progress has been made in redesigning the Digitech website (c) features and improvements are included in the redesign, (d) will be the total cost of the redesign? (e) is the date on which the redesign is expected to be completed? NW1351E
Reply:
I have been advised by the Department as follows:-
a) The old Digitech website did not meet DCDT specifications.
b) The site has been redesigned and is now live on www.digitech.gov.za
c) The security of the new Digitech site has been enhanced and new design has been implemented.
d) R 743 644.95
e) The redesign was concluded on 30 March 2023 and the site has now live.
Thank You.
19 May 2023 - NW905
Bodlani, Ms T to ask the Minister of Communication and Digital Technologies
1. What total amount did the three-day SA Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) sales conference at Sun City cost? 2. Whether he will furnish Ms T Bodlani with a full breakdown of the cost of the conference; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? 3. Whether the conference was a trade exchange with Sun City as the client; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) for what period will the trade exchange last and (b) what total amount were the hard costs? 4. Whether there are any confirmed new commitments to spend by clients who attended the SABC sales conference at Sun city; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what is the Rand value of the potential new revenue? NW1011E
Reply:
1. Hosting clients is a standard practice in any commercial environment. The SABC has not had a sales conference in years. The total cost was R1 448 085. The original booking was made on 22-24 August 2022, but the event was postponed to February 2023 to ensure that the right attendees attend.
2. Conferencing: R628 975
Accommodation: R589 811
Transport: R43 554
Merchandise: R150 000
3. This was not a trade exchange transaction.
4. This was a combined Marketing and Sales event to optimise costs and maximise benefits. The clients that attended the conference already spend more than R2,5bn annually across SABC platforms. The event showcased the SABC’s capabilities and transformational efforts with the objective to protect the current revenue as well as to increase the revenue spend. Clients responded very favourably and were very excited about the SABC’s plans, which enabled them to plan better.
Thank You.
19 May 2023 - NW746
Kohler-Barnard, Ms D to ask the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies
1) What total amount is the SA Post Office (SAPO) set to save annually from the (a) 40% pay cut to SAPO employees and (b) 6 000 retrenchments; (2) What total amount has been collected from the penalties that SAPO branches need to pay for not meeting service standards in the past four financial years? CW62E
Reply:
(1)
(a) 40% salary cut all employees R1 078 405 519 (annually)
(b) 6 000 employees R1 139 217 297 (annually)
(2) SASSA only started to charge penalties from the 2020/2021 FY. Penalties to the value of R75 624 598 have been imposed on the SA Post Office from 2020/21 FY to 2020/23 FY.
Find here: SASSA PENALTIES
19 May 2023 - NW1276
Shaik Emam, Mr AM to ask the Minister of Health
What additional measures is his department putting in place to ensure that food products such as energy drinks, fizzy drinks, confections and fast foods have reduced levels of sugar and less unhealthy ingredients, in order to move to a more preventative healthcare system, given the fact that the demand for healthcare services is increasing at an alarming rate whilst the current measures that are in place are inadequate?
Reply:
The Department has published the draft Regulations relating to the Labelling and Advertising of Foodstuffs for public comments in April 2023. These regulations include mandatory Front of Pack Labelling (FOPL) on the main panel of any foodstuff that has high levels of sugar, saturated fats and salt or contain artificial sweeteners. The closing date for public comments is Thursday, 20 July 2023.
Furthermore, the Department has updated the Strategy for the Prevention and Management of Obesity in South Africa 2023 – 2028. The sixth strategic objective intends to create an enabling policy and legislative environment to prevent and manage obesity. The activities include the extension of the Health Promotion Levy (HPL) to other unhealthy foods and developing a regulatory framework/instrument that restricts the marketing of unhealthy foods to children in South Africa.
END.
19 May 2023 - NW48
Horn, Mr W to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
Whether, in light of the Draft Backlog Reduction Framework announced in March 2022 when it was revealed that the percentage of sexual offences on the backlog roll rose from 52% in March 2021 to 81,4% on 31 December 2021, the Backlog Reduction Framework has been (a) finalised and (b) implemented; if not; what is the position in this regard; if so, what (i) are the relevant details and (ii) percentage of the sexual offences in the criminal court is currently on the backlog roll?
Reply:
I wish to inform the Honourable Member as follows:
a) The Backlog Reduction Framework has been finalised and approved on 7 April 2022.
b) The Framework has been partially implemented.
(i) The initial Phase was implemented with the establishment of the Departmental Backlogs Reduction Committee. At this stage, as part of the second phase of implementation and in order to establish a Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) Stakeholders’ Forum, the Department has developed a National Integrated Criminal Court Optimization (NICCO) Framework and Governance Structure that seeks to address challenges to the efficient running of our courts in an integrated criminal justice system manner with the participation of all relevant stakeholder JCPS departments and entities. We are currently seeking the approval of the JCPS Directors-General Cluster to implement this Framework and Governance Structure which seeks to report to the JCPS Directors-General Cluster to ensure the responsibility and accountability of all stakeholder departments and entities to optimize the efficiency of our criminal courts.
In the meantime, the Provincial Heads of the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (DoJ&CD) are meeting with the JCPS role-players at the provincial level, and attending meetings of the Judges President of the Provincial Efficiency Enhancement Committees (PEEC) to discuss and unblock any blockages encountered in court performance at provincial level. Meetings of the Regional Efficiency Enhancement Committees (REEC) chaired by the Regional Court Presidents of the Provinces, as well as District Efficiency Enhancement Committees (DEEC) chaired by the Chief Magistrates or Judicial Heads of Offices are further attended, where the matters concerned are addressed at the Court levels.
(ii) It should also be noted that the percentage of the sexual offences in the criminal court, which are currently on the backlog roll as at the end of February 2023, is at 36, 9%.
Furthermore, the DoJ&CD is committed to collaborate with all the relevant stakeholders in the JCPS Cluster as well as the Judiciary to reduce the relevant backlogs, and thus improving citizens access to speedy and efficient justice.
19 May 2023 - NW1280
Maotwe, Ms OMC to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises
Whether (b) any of his entities reporting to him have any current contracts with the security company G4S; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what (i) are the relevant details of the specified contracts and (ii) is the monetary value of each contract?
Reply:
According to information received from, Alexkor; Denel; Eskom; Safcol, SAA and Transnet
ENTITY |
RESPONSE |
DPE |
(a)The Department of Public Enterprise does not have any current contracts with the security company G4S. (i)(ii) Not applicable |
Alexkor |
(b) Alexkor SOC Ltd does not have any contracts with the security company G4S. (i)(ii) Not applicable |
Denel |
(b) Denel has not procured any services from the said companies since the 2018-19 financial year. (i)(ii) Not applicable |
Eskom |
(b) G4S is not a security service provider to Eskom or any of its subsidiaries. (i)(ii) Not applicable |
SAFCOL |
(b) The SA Forestry Company (SAFCOL) Ltd and its subsidiaries have not signed contracts with the security firm G4S. (i)(ii) Not applicable |
SAA |
(b) SAA does not have any contract with G4S (i)(ii) Not applicable |
The following table provides details of the current contract with the security company G4S in Transnet.
(b) (i) & (ii)
Transaction Advisor/s (Supplier Name) |
Operating Division (OD) |
Contract Description |
Contract Expiry Assessment |
Contract Start End |
Contract End Date |
The monetary value of contract |
G4S Secure Solutions (SA) |
Transnet Port Terminals |
Supply and installation and commissioning of Embedded Application Biometric Readers (EABR) |
Contract Expires in 31 - 60 Days |
Friday, February 3, 2023 |
Wednesday, May 31, 2023 |
R 758,825.22 |
Remarks: Approved / Not Approved
Melanchton Makobe PJ Gordhan, MP
Acting Director-General Minister
Date: Date:
19 May 2023 - NW887
Kohler-Barnard, Ms D to ask the Minister of Communication and Digital Technologies
What was the reason for the (a) Postbank activation drive in Struisbaai and (b) date chosen which preceded the by-election that took place in Ward 5 of Cape Agulhas the following week? NW993E
Reply:
(a)&(b) Postbank has a pre-schedule annual marketing programme that include on the ground engagements with customers and prospective customers for the purposes of creating its brand visibility as well as products awareness. This is in addition to offering financial literacy programmes to the unbanked and under-banked in line with its founding mandate.
The marketing programme is annually pre-scheduled during the beginning of each financial year to access all provinces of the Republic of South Africa. In each province Postbank systematically identifies historically disadvantaged areas utilising publicly available market data which demonstrates the areas where the financially unserved and under-served are predominantly located. In addition, the periods of the activations are timed around significant national calendar events including public holidays and weekends to maximise their reach.
The Western Cape Province’s activations was timed in Postbank’s marketing programme calendar to coincide with the State of the Nation Address. Prior to this, it had anticipated announcements relating to the progress in relation to the Postbank corporatisation journey and developments in relation to the Postbank Amendment Bill. Similar activations in accordance with its annual calendar were also activated in other provinces including KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, Free State, and the Eastern Cape. Langa Township, Gugulethu Township, Struisbaai, Grabouw (Taxi Rank), Hermanus (next to the local clinic) and Strand (Broadway square) were areas already scheduled for activation during in the period in question in Western Cape province.
Thank You.
19 May 2023 - NW1176
Arries, Ms LH to ask the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies
What is the total number of Post Offices that have alternative sources of energy to ensure that services to our elderly people continue irrespective of load shedding? NW 1317E
Reply:
The total number of standby generators at SA Post Office sites is 32 across all provinces. Post Office branches within shopping centres make use of the centre’s generators during loadshedding. Other standalone sites are not equipped with emergency generators.
Post Office branches are able to continue providing services in an offline situation during loadshedding. They are able to process transactions on a manual basis and capture these as soon as power is restored and the branch goes online again. Mail delivery and acceptance can also continue during loadshedding.
Thank You.
19 May 2023 - NW321
Madokwe, Ms P to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises
(b) who has been held accountable if a mistake was made in how a certain company (Econ Oil) was handled compared to admitted fraudsters from another certain company (Swiss company ABB) that the State is still doing business with and (c) what disciplinary action has been taken in this regard?
Reply:
According to the information received from Eskom
Eskom is of the view that the approach related to Econ Oil and ABB was carried out fairly, within the prescripts of the law and to protect Eskom’s financial and reputational interests as is required by the Public Finance Management Amendment Act (PFMA). Eskom is of the view that there was no mistake in the of supplier discipline process and the correlating sanction imposed on Econ Oil and its director.
Ms Madokwe focuses on just two companies, being Econ Oil and ABB. Eskom is currently working through a backlog of ~230 supplier disciplinary matters and has, within the past two months, initiated ~50 supplier disciplinary actions. All may not translate into a deregistration from Eskom’s supplier database, however various sanctions including deregistration, may be levied once the disciplinary process for each supplier is finalised.
As relates to the action taken against Econ Oil, Eskom is dealing with a highly litigious company which is exercising its legal rights through “forum shopping” by initiating action in multiple judicial fora tying up Eskom in spurious litigation. Eskom acknowledges that Econ Oil has the constitutional right to seek just and equitable legal remedy and is accordingly dealing with these matters (despite the time and cost) as they arise.
The ABB matter is distinguishable from Econ Oil in a number of respects. ABB was awarded the contract for the supply and installation of the Control and Instrumentation Systems at Kusile Power Station (the Project).
ABB made a voluntary disclosure in respect of conduct relating to the Project and is cooperating in all relevant criminal investigations related thereto, which has been facilitative of criminal charges being brought against implicated Eskom officials, including Mr Matshela Koko, Eskom’s former Chief Executive Officer. In addition, in December 2020, ABB repaid approximately R1.56 billion to Eskom. In December 2022, ABB agreed to repay an additional R2.5 billion to the NPA. The ABB matter is also distinguishable as ABB was midway through performing an existing Scope of Work as related to the Project, which Eskom requires ABB to compete.
Nevertheless, ABB is flagged on the Eskom supplier database and is unable to bid for future contracts. As such, ABB is effectively in the same position as Econ Oil and cannot be awarded future contracts. Once all relevant processes have been completed in respect of ABB, ABB will be taken through Eskom’s supplier disciplinary process and the consequent time period of its removal from the Eskom Supplier Database will be determined.
Remarks: Reply: Approved / Not Approved
Jacky Molisane PJ. Gordhan, MP
Acting Director-General Minister
Date: Date:
19 May 2023 - NW926
Breytenbach, Adv G to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
Whether there are any outstanding and/or additional documents that the United Arab Emirates has asked for with regard to the extradition of the Guptas as at 1 February 2023; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, how has the specified request impacted either the hearing and/or the start thereof?
Reply:
1. The formal extradition request, together with the Arabic translation thereof, was delivered by South Africa to the authorities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on 25 July 2022.
2. No additional documentation was requested by the UAE authorities relating to the extradition request as at 1 February 2023. All documentation was submitted in the initial extradition request.
19 May 2023 - NW902
Ismail, Ms H to ask the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies
(a) What are the reasons that the Post Office in Actonville closed down, (b) what total number of staff have been laid-off from work, (c) on what date will the specified post office reopen and (d) how have the post office box holders been accommodated since the sudden closure of the post office?
Reply:
I was advised by SAPO as follows:
(a) The Post Office branch was loss making and was identified as part of the postal network optimisation programme and amalgamated with the Benoni Post Office.
(b) There were three employees – 2x Tellers opted for a voluntary severance package at end of March 2023 and 1x was transferred to the Dunswart Post Office.
(c) The branch has been permanently closed.
(d) The box holders will be reallocated post boxes at the Benoni Post Office. There is also a street delivery in the area.
Thank You.
19 May 2023 - NW1035
Kohler-Barnard, Ms D to ask the Minister of Communication and Digital Technologies
Whether his department has implemented a rationalisation plan for state-owned entities that report to him; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW1145E
Reply:
Yes, the rationalisation project has been undertaken by the Department, with the initial phase involving the acquisition of Broadband Infraco (BBI) by Sentech. This will entail the transfer of the 74% shareholding in BBI by the State to Sentech, whilst the 26% will remain with the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC). Sentech has since concluded and submitted a due diligence report and turnaround plan to the Department, which together with the Sale Share Agreement are still under consideration by the Department.
The Department is also working on the repurposing of the State Information Technology Agency (SITA) so that it can timely and adequately respond to its clients whilst leading the digitalisation of Government and other related deliverables. In this regard the Department will employ the expertise of an external service provider to conduct a deep study of the SITA business model, with the aim to improve Government services to Departments and the citizens. This aim is to conclude this work by end of FY2023/24.
The Universal Service and Access Agency of South Africa (USAASA) is also in the process of being dissolved due to duplication of roles. On 30 November 2022 the Cabinet approved the:-
a) commencement of the process to disestablish the Universal Service and Access Agency of South Africa (USAASA);
b) transfer of the USAASA functions to the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies and relevant entities under the portfolio
c) transfer of the management of the Universal Service and Access Fund (USAF), temporarily to the Department while formalizing the corporatization of the South African Postbank SOC Limited.
Thank You.
19 May 2023 - NW1211
Khakhau, Ms KL to ask the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies
a) What are the reasons that the Lansdowne Post Office in Cape Town has been closed; and b) What arrangements have been made to ensure residents receive their (i) municipal bills and (ii) other postal items?
Reply:
(a) The Lansdowne Post Office is fully operational and has not been closed. During loadshedding, the Post Office is closed as it does not have a standby generator. It is also unable to operate manually owing to its location with limited lighting being available during the hours of loadshedding.
b) No alternative arrangements are required for residents to receive their (i) municipal bills and (ii) other postal items - as neither the Lansdowne Post Office nor the Mail Delivery Depot have been closed.
Thank You.
19 May 2023 - NW964
Majozi, Ms Z to ask the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies
With reference to the recent Cabinet reshuffle during which his department’s leadership has changes, and considering that he was shifted from an Office with a vastly different mandate , what are the details of the plans that his department had in place to ensure that the change in Ministers did not cause instability in the rest of the department. NW1012E
Reply:
The Department and its Entities presented to Minister, Programmes of Action (PoA) being undertaken and executed in collaboration with the sector. The Minister was satisfied with the PoA and called for the acceleration, so that digital transformation enables efficiency in service delivery; and that digital communication services are affordable and accessible.
In this regard, the Minister has negotiated his PA with the President which include the PoA.
There was no disruptions or instability as the Department and its entities continues to implement his PoA which support the MTSF.
Thank You.
19 May 2023 - NW1254
Breytenbach, Adv G to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
What (a) total number of reported cases of rape were (i) heard in courts in the (aa) 2018-19, (bb) 2019-20, (cc) 2020-21 and (dd) 2021-22 financial years and (ii) successfully prosecuted in each financial year and (b) were the primary reasons for each unsuccessful prosecution of each reported rape case in each financial year?
Reply:
a) (i) The records of the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development reflects that the following number of rape cases were heard in courts during the financial years requested:
FINANCIAL YEAR |
REGIONAL COURT |
2018/2019 |
5 720 |
2019/2020 |
5 616 |
2020/2021 |
3 863 |
2021/2022 |
3 640 |
(ii) The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) extracted information from the
Electronic Case Management System (ECMS).
As at 31 March 2023, the extracted information indicates that the number of verdicts for the financial years requested, as well as convictions and acquittals during each of the financial years, is depicted in the Table below:
Financial Year |
No. of Convictions (Per Charge) |
No. of Verdicts (Per Case) |
No. of Convictions (Per Case) |
No. of Acquittals (Per Case) |
2018/19 |
3 055 |
4 215 |
2 820 |
1 395 |
2019/20 |
2 910 |
3 984 |
2 684 |
1 300 |
2020/21* |
777 |
1 045 |
724 |
321 |
2021/22 |
1 979 |
2 826 |
1 841 |
985 |
Total |
8 721 |
12 064 |
8 066 |
3 998 |
- The number of rape matters reported to the South African Police Service declined during the 2020/21 financial year due to the restricted movement during the COVID-19 pandemic. The details on the afore-mentioned numbers could be obtained from the South African Police Service (SAPS). Coupled with this, the courts were also limited in their operations as accused, witnesses and parties to proceedings had limited ability to travel or visit court proceedings.
Statistics of prosecuted cases regarding matters reported at the Thuthuzela Care Centres (TCCs) for the financial years as requested are reflected in the table below:
Financial Years |
Conviction rate and actual number of all TCC sexual offence cases prosecuted |
Number of Rape charges – conviction versus acquittal |
Percentage of rape charges in TCC sexual offence cases prosecuted |
2018/19 |
73.5% (1636 / 2225) |
1914 (1328 / 586) |
86% |
2019/20 |
74.9% (1408 / 1881) |
1628 (1156 / 472) |
86.5% |
2020/21* |
73.9% (734 / 993) |
858 (604 / 254) |
86.4% |
2021/22 |
76.7% (1033 / 1346) |
1080 (789 / 291) |
80.2% |
*The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic resulted in less court hours and less cases prosecuted due to Disaster Management Act restrictions which limited the courts in their operations. However, the 2021/22 financial year returned an increase of 35.5% in court performance compared to the previous year regarding the number of TCC-cases being finalised in court.
b) Various factors are taken into account collectively by the court and thus no list can be regarded as a finite list because the acquittal of cases depends on these various factors based on the impact and consideration by the court of the importance of each of such factors which can seldom if ever, be quantified.
c) On a broad level, below are the possible reasons that will result in an acquittal of these cases in court:
(i) Credibility of witnesses, that include cases where the court is unable to rely on the evidence presented; and
(ii) Furthermore, in most of these cases the State relies on a single witness and/or solely on circumstantial evidence, this present challenges in court which may lead to an acquittal. This will specifically be the position in the absence of any other substantial or corroborating evidence.
19 May 2023 - NW604
Bodlani, Ms T to ask the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies
(1) Whether she has found that she is on track to deploy 5G networks to 100% of South African cities; if not, what percentage has been achieved to date; if so, what are the relevant details. (2) Whether she has found that she is on track to deploy 5G networks to 70% of secondary cities; if not, what percentage has been achieved to date; if so, what are the relevant details. (3) Whether she has found that she is on track to deploy 5G networks to 50% of rural towns; if not, what percentage has been achieved to date; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
(1), (2), (3)
Find here: National 5G coverage
19 May 2023 - NW767
Graham-Maré, Ms SJ to ask the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies
(1) What number of staff are employed (a) full-time and (b) part-time at the Nieu-Bethesda Post Office; (2) whether all salaries and benefits of the specified staff are up-to-date; if not, will he furnish Ms S J Graham with the details of what payments are outstanding, including salaries and benefits for each staff member; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) whether the specified post office will continue to operate; if not, what provisions are being made for postal services to the residents of Nieu-Bethesda; if so, will he furnish Ms S J Graham with the details of the staffing structure for the post office? NW866E
Reply:
1. Nieu-Bethesda is a Retail Postal Agency (RPA) and the owner is Grace Nel.
(a) No Post Office staff are allocated to RPA
(b) No Part Time staff at RPA
2. The last payment loaded was for end of February 2023, an amount of R1500.
3. The Nieu-Bethesda RPA’s contract is still valid.
Thank You.
19 May 2023 - NW638
Maotwe, Ms OMC to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises
With reference to his response to the interview of Mr A M de Ruyter, whereby he remarked that Mr A M de Ruyter focused too much on renewables instead of fixing existing plants of Eskom to ensure a stable supply of energy, (a) on what date did he realise that the conduct of Mr A M de Ruyter was a threat to Eskom’s ability to provide a stable supply of energy to the Republic and (b) what steps did he take upon realising that Mr A M de Ruyter was derailing Eskom?
Reply:
a) The role of the Shareholder representative is to ensure that the Board of a State-Owned Company (SOC) is held accountable and the Board in turn holds the Executive accountable. In the case of Eskom, the shareholder was concerned about the devastating impact of loadshedding on the households, businesses and the South African economy. On 30 September 2022, a new Eskom Board was reconstituted with a task to reposition Eskom to play a key role in the energy sector. Furthermore, the new Board had to deal with immediate loadshedding issues, procurement, elimination of corruption and ensuring that there is reliability of energy supply in the medium to long term.
It is for that reason that the Board had to evaluate the tenure of the former Eskom Executive management including Mr Andre De Ruyter to account for his tenure as the Eskom Group CEO. Unfortunately, in the course of the process, Mr De Ruyter choose to resign before the Board evaluation process.
b0 That was not for the shareholder to determine as explained in the above response, that was for the Board to determine unfortunately, Mr De Ruyter chose to resign before that evaluation process by the Board could commence.
Nonetheless, there were many engagements with the Board, Management and CEO on the declining performance of generation and my concerns about the lack of improvement in output of generation plant.
Remarks: Approved / Not Approved
Melanchton Makobe PJ Gordhan, MP
Acting Director-General Minister
Date: Date:
19 May 2023 - NW792
Horn, Mr W to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
With reference to his reply to oral question 55 on 1 March 2023, what number of the 15 605 sexual offences cases he reported to have been on the criminal case backlog roll as at 31 December 2021 were (a) withdrawn and (b) finalised with a guilty verdict?
Reply:
As indicated in the oral reply question 55 given on 01 March 2023, the number of sexual offences backlog cases have declined since 31 December 2021 and thus the number of sexual offences backlog cases as at 31 December 2022 is significantly lower than the year before.
With regards to the number of sexual offences backlog cases as at 31 December 2021 (a) 2844 charges were withdrawn,
(b) of the 2797 cases finalized with a verdict, 1844 cases were finalized with a guilty verdict.
We remain concerned about the high rates of charges withdrawal and attrition in cases sexual offences. However, it must be noted that the December 2021 period fell within the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic when the restrictions of COVID-19 regulations were still operational. This inevitably led to a decline in the number of witnesses and accused persons who came to court and this unfortunately contributed to a higher figure of withdrawn charges. However, it should be noted that some cases are subsequently reinstated on the court roll as soon as the challenges that led to the withdrawal of the charges had been resolved.
END
18 May 2023 - NW1347
Ismail, Ms H to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
With Gauteng and other provinces currently experiencing major water shortages and residents continuously having to suffer with either extremely low water pressure or no water at all, what are the detailed steps that have been taken to ensure that Rand Water has the additional funds for (a) upgrading and (b) improving water infrastructure?
Reply:
Gauteng has been experiencing water shortages in recent weeks. Water supply interruptions have largely been a function of unstable electricity supply as well as incidents of vandalism. Rand Water has always maintained that their infrastructure capacity is sufficient to meet the current real demand. Nevertheless, Rand Water has ringfenced R42 billion to rehabilitate and augment their infrastructure. Rand Water has sufficient funding headroom to fund this programme and does not require additional government funding yet.
The improvement of supply is being ensured through engagements with Eskom and other electricity suppliers. To this extent, Rand Water is also implementing their own strategies towards an energy mix approach which includes hydropower generation, photovoltaic and installation of generators to mitigate the risk of energy supply. These initiatives are all underway and being implemented.
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18 May 2023 - NW1473
Tafeni, Ms N to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
What form of assistance has his department provided to the residents of the Mbhashe Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape, who are currently facing water challenges?
Reply:
The Mbashe Local Municipality is supported by the Department of Water and Sanitation through the Water Services Infrastructure Grant (WSIG) and is implementing two water augmentation projects over a three-year period to address water supply challenges in the municipality. The table below provides details of the projects:
Project Name |
Number of people to benefit |
Budget |
Implementation year |
Equipping of boreholes in Mnquma and Mbhashe |
1 886 |
R37 599 984 |
2023 - 2026 |
Drilling and testing of boreholes in Mbhashe, Mnquma and Great Kei |
9 830 |
R21 881 418 |
2023 - 2026 |
The Xhora and Sundwana Bulk Water Schemes (BWS) currently being implemented by the Amathole District Municipality funded by DWS through the Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant (RBIG). The Sundwana Bulk Water Scheme is at an advanced stage of planning which is expected to be concluded in 2023/2024; whilst commencement of construction is planned for 2024/2025. Construction on the Xhora BWS which includes a dam, Wastewater Treatment Works, reservoirs, and bulk pipelines has been completed. Construction for additional pipelines and reservoirs is at 61% and planned for completion in September 2023. The summarised details for both projects are indicated in the table below.
Project Name |
Number of people to benefit |
Budget |
Implementation year |
Status |
Xhora BWS |
67 000 |
R494, 082, 388.00 |
2009 - 2020 |
Contracts 1-7 all 100% completed |
2020 - 2023 |
Contract 8 is at 61% anticipated to complete in September 2023 with pipelines and reservoirs. |
|||
Sundwana WSS |
126 782 |
R682 873 392 |
2024/25 |
Advanced stage of planning |
Areas affected by outages due to the electricity crisis are provided with water through water tankering. There are ongoing discussions between the municipality and Eskom for the exemption of water infrastructure from loadshedding.
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18 May 2023 - NW1274
Herron, Mr BN to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
Considering that victims of the apartheid regime and many who were excluded from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) for reparations, continue to advocate for financial support and the administration of justice against perpetrators and noting that the monetary reparation fund in the form of The President’s Fund still remains largely unused, what new initiatives are currently underway to engage and/or assist those who are still seeking reparations and justice; (2) Following the Khulumani Galela campaign in 2022 that saw protestors camping outside the Constitutional Court, what communication and co-operation has been undertaken to address the concerns raised by various nongovernmental organisations and other organisations focused on TRC reparations; (3) What (a) is the most recent communication received from foreign donors regarding their investment into the President’s Fund and (b) concerns were expressed
Reply:
1.The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development is mandated and limited to implementing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC)’s recommendations approved by the fourth Parliament and pay the recommended reparations to people that have been declared as victims by the TRC. Therefore, the Department cannot, not under this mandate, come up with initiatives to consider victims of apartheid excluded from the TRC process and reparations.
Below are the TRC’s recommendations, approved by the fourth Parliament, that the Department must implement:
- Once off Individual grant of R30 000.00;
- Symbols and monuments;
- Medical benefits and other forms of social assistance; and
- Community Rehabilitation.
2. The Department met with Khulumani Galela campaign in 2022 and undertook to receive a list of the Khulumani members on protest at the Constitutional Court for purposes of verifying the campaign members that are TRC identified victims and to enable the members’ access to Parliament’s approved TRC reparations. The Department provided the information to Khulumani as requested. The Department also indicated its obligation to implement the decisions of Parliament to pay the recommended reparations to people that have been declared as victims by the TRC.
3. The President’s Fund does not have any investors but has donors with the last donation received in 2012. In terms of concerns expressed, the President’s Fund is not aware of any correspondence in this regard.
18 May 2023 - NW263
Lees, Mr RA to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
(1)With regard to grant funding paid to the Uthukela District Municipality in KwaZuluNatal from 1 July 2016 to 31 January 2023, what are the details of each payment made, including but not exclusively with reference to the (a) total amount of each payment, (b) date of each payment and (c) conditions attached to each payment; (2) whether the funds were used and/or expended strictly in terms of the conditions imposed and for the purposes prescribed; if not, what are the details of the purposes for which each payment was used; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) whether any funds were paid to the specified municipality specifically for the payment of outstanding debt with Umgeni Water; if not, (a) why not and (b) what are the details of what the funds were actually used for; if so, (4) whether the total amount was paid to Umngeni Water by the municipality; if not, what amount was actually paid to Umngeni Water; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
(1) Details of grant funding paid to the Uthukela District Municipality in KwaZulu Natal from 1 July 2016 to 31 January 2023 provided in table below:
Financial year |
(a) total amount of each payment |
(b) date of each payment |
2016/17 |
RBIG: R 64 000 000 WSIG: R 81 807 000 Total = R145 807 000 |
Paid in tranches as per payment schedule for schedule 5B allocations approved by National Treasury: RBIG dates: 29/08/2016 (R40 000 000) 21/10/2016 (R24 000 000) WSIG dates: 15/07/2016 (R24 542 000) 14/10/2016 (R40 904 000) 20/01/2017 (R16 361 000) |
2017/18 |
RBIG: R 75 052 000 WSIG: R 82 500 000 Total: R157 552 000 |
Paid in tranches as per payment schedule for schedule 5B allocations approved by National Treasury: RBIG dates: 21/07/2017 (R30 000 000) 25/01/2018 (R45 052 000)
WSIG dates: 28/07/2017 (R41 250 000) 27/10/2017 (R24 750 000) 09/03/2018 (R16 500 000) |
2018/19 |
RBIG: R 45 000 000 WSIG: R108 493 000 Total: R153 493 000 |
Paid in tranches as per payment schedule for schedule 5B allocations approved by National Treasury: RBIG dates: 29/01/2019 (R40 000 000) 25/03/2019 (R5 000 000)
WSIG dates: 20/07/2018 (R20 000 000) 19/10/2018 (R25 000 000) 26/03/2019 (R63 493 000) |
2019/20 |
RBIG: R 10 000 000 WSIG: R108 000 000 Total: R118 000 000 |
Paid in tranches as per payment schedule for schedule 5B allocations approved by National Treasury: RBIG dates: 07/11/2019 (R5 000 000) 27/03/2020 (R5 000 000)
WSIG dates: 16/08/2019 (R30 000 000) 22/11/2019 (R40 000 000) 28/02/2020 (R38 000 000) |
2020/21 |
RBIG: R 39 399 000 WSIG: R 90 000 000 Total: R129 399 000 |
Paid in tranches as per payment schedule for schedule 5B allocations approved by National Treasury: RBIG dates: 31/03/2021 (R39 399 000)
WSIG dates: 31/07/2020 (R36 000 000) 27/10/2020 (R30 000 000) 09/02/2021 (R24 000 000) |
2021/22 |
RBIG: R 0 WSIG: R80 000 000 Total: R80 000 000 |
Paid in tranches as per payment schedule for schedule 5B allocations approved by National Treasury: RBIG dates: n/a
WSIG dates: 29/07/2021 (R25 000 000) 20/10/2021 (R30 000 000) 07/03/2022 (R25 000 000) |
2022/23 |
RBIG: R 0 WSIG: R60 800 000 Total: R60 800 000 |
Paid in tranches as per payment schedule for schedule 5B allocations approved by National Treasury: RBIG dates: n/a
WSIG dates: 02/09/2022 (R20 800 000) 27/10/2022 (R40 000 000) |
Total |
R845 051 000 |
(c) Conditions attached to each payment:
- RBIG condition: Funds are to be used for implementation of the Driefontein Bulk Water Project
- WSIG condition: Funds are to be used to implement projects approved by the Department of Water and Sanitation
(2) Yes, funds were expended in terms of the conditions imposed and for the purposes prescribed in terms of the grant frameworks gazetted every year. The details of the conditions are mentioned in 1(c) above. With regards to the purpose, the details are as follows:
RBIG:
- To develop large regional bulk infrastructure serving numerous communities over a large area within a municipality.
WSIG:
- Facilitate the planning and implementation of various water and sanitation projects to accelerate backlog reduction and enhance the sustainability of services;
- Provide basic and intermittent water and sanitation supply that ensures provision of services to identified and prioritised communities, including spring protection and groundwater development;
- To implement water conservation and water demand management projects.
(3) No funds were paid to the municipality for the payment of outstanding debt with Umgeni Water. The RBIG funds were used for implementation of the Driefontein Bulk Water Project. The WSIG funds were used for implementation of projects approved by the Department of Water and Sanitation. The projects that were implemented with the WSIG funds are as follows:
- Ezakheni/ Ladysmith Water Conservation and Demand Management (Lombardskop)
- Mimosadale Water Project
- Indaka & Okhahlamba Boreholes
- Wembezi Water Conservation and Demand Management
- Imbabazane ward 7 sanitation
- Kwanobamba/Ezitendeni Water Supply Project (phase 1F)
- Wembezi Water Conservation and Demand Management
- Ezakheni/ Ladysmith Water Conservation and Demand Management
- Reticulation to Ennersdale , Epangweni and Bhekuzulu
- Estcourt Industrial Pipeline Upgrade
- Moyeni/Zwelisha Water Treatment Works Upgrade and Bulk Rising Main
- Spring Protection District Wide
- Ladysmith Network Pipeline Replacement
- Loskop (Mqedandaba) Water Reticulation Phase 1
(4) None of the RBIG and WSIG funds were paid to Umgeni Water by the municipality.
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18 May 2023 - NW534
Mokgotho, Ms SM to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
What (a) has been the total costs of the partially achieved Vaal River Intervention Programme since its inception and (b) are the projected costs for the long-awaited completion of the specified programme?
Reply:
a) The total cost of the partially achieved Vaal River Intervention Programme since its inception is as follows:
Vaal River Intervention Programme expenditure |
|||||
Vaal River Intervention Programme expenditure classification |
2019/20 |
2020/21 |
2021/22 |
2022/23 |
Costs to date |
Goods and services (OPEX) |
224,701,156 |
168,332,863 |
200,721,371 |
159,649,698 |
753,405,090 |
Payments for capital assets (CAPEX |
- |
- |
23,375,713 |
103,404,225 |
126,779,939 |
Total Vaal River Intervention Programme |
224,701,156 |
168,332,863 |
224,097,085 |
263,053,924 |
880,185,029 |
b) The projected cost for the entire intervention has been estimated at a value of R7.6 billion.
18 May 2023 - NW1392
Horn, Mr W to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
What progress has been made to enable the (a) Department of Justice and (b) Department of Correctional Services to undertake day-to-day maintenance to an amount higher than the monthly amount of R100 000,00 previously agreed to with the Department of Public Works?
Reply:
a) The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (DoJ&CD) has requested the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) to increase the day-to-day maintenance threshold from R100 000.00 to R1 000 000.00 per incident.
DPWI has granted approval to the request and DoJ&CD has revised the delegations accordingly effective from 01 October 2022. This increase has since been communicated to all Provincial Offices of DoJ&CD for immediate implementation. The devolution does, however, have limitations with regards to the disciplines and specialised work that will remain within the custodianship of DPWI as per the current approved day-to-day Maintenance guidelines.
DPWI as custodians have reviewed the current day-to-day Maintenance guidelines to ensure process improvements, in relation to execution of the maintenance and operations services function to ensure alignment in respect to asset care obligations between the DoJ&CD and DPWI. A workshop on Day-to-day Maintenance and Devolution of R1 million to DoJ&CD was conducted by DPWI to DoJ&CD on 23 March 2023. Discussions and engagements were undertaken on contents and implementation of the reviewed guidelines and DoJ&CD requested more time to review and peruse the guidelines with all provinces. The current 2019 Guidelines remain in effect until such a time that they are rescinded.
There have been 70 completed projects implemented through the newly approved delegation threshold of R1 million per incident. These refurbishments will improve the conditions of the courts and ensure that the infrastructure is maintained and fit for the intended purpose.
18 May 2023 - NW1296
Ceza, Mr K to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
What steps of intervention has he taken with regard to the water-scarce area of the Victor Khanye Local Municipality?
Reply:
The Victor Khanye Local Municipality is supported by the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) through the Water Services Infrastructure Grant (WSIG) to implement Water Conservation and Water Demand Management (WCWDM) projects to reduce non-revenue water.
The DWS approved funding of R68 million over a period of three financial years (2022/2023 -2024/2025) to be allocated to the municipality for the WCWDM projects. The intended outcomes are:
- To reduce water losses in Botleng Ext. 3 to 7
- Ensure that water is supplied to Botleng Ext. 3 to 7 through the reconfiguration of existing pipelines and installation of new pipelines to address the intermittent water supply
- Ensure installation of water meter in every household
- Management of different water pressure in the water supply systems in Botleng Ext. 3 to 7
- Raise awareness on water conservation.
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18 May 2023 - NW1561
Horn, Mr W to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
What progress has been made with the roll-out of (a) caselines and (b) other online court filing systems following the completion of the pilot projects?
Reply:
The Office of the Chief Justice (OCJ) continues to embrace the advantages that technology present and leverages on it. The modernisation of court processes remain key priority areas for the OCJ to improve access to justice for all in accordance with section 34 of the Constitution.
The Court Online system has been rolled out to the Gauteng Division of the High Court in Pretoria and Johannesburg. The CaseLines evidence management platform, is an integral part of the total Court Online Solution, and is being utilised in the Gauteng Division of the High Court. The implementation of the total Court Online solution is subject to the litigation process which is underway in the courts.
END
18 May 2023 - NW1445
Yako, Ms Y to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
Whether, considering that the judges of the Land Claims Court (LCC) are acting judges in the specified court and permanent appointments of the respective divisions of the High Courts in the Republic, and noting that their respective divisions call on them to work when there is not much work at the LCC, he will furnish Mrs Y N Yako with a detailed list of cases allocated to the specified judges by (a) their respective divisions and (b) the LCC since the beginning of 2020; if not, why not; if so, will he ensure that the specified list includes work done at the LCC by acting judges who are not permanent appointments of any division of the High Court?
Reply:
The question relates to the performance of judicial functions, which falls under the purview of the Judiciary and the Chief Justice. It is advised that information relating to the performance of judicial functions, be directed to the Chief Justice.
18 May 2023 - NW1461
Marais, Ms P to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
Considering that the community of Pabalelo in the Northern Cape has had a pit latrine crisis for decades with no manifestation of promises from the Government on eradicating the bucket system in the specified community, (a) what are the reasons that the eradication of the bucket system had not been a reality in Pabalelo to date, (b) what steps will he take to ensure that promises to eradicate the bucket system will become a reality and (c) by what date will the bucket system in Pabalelo eventually be done away with?
Reply:
a) The Department through the Bucket Eradication Programme implemented 5 projects in David Kruiper Local Municipality from 2013 to 2017. These include
Area |
No. of toilets eradicated |
Pabalelo |
596 |
Kalksloot |
120 |
Rosedale |
1771 |
Louisvale |
600 |
Dakota Weg |
306 |
Total |
3393 |
b) Several areas or settlements are being formalised which still use the bucket toilet system and are considered “new” buckets. These cases occurred after the implementation of interventions aimed at reaching the target set in 2015, hence they have not yet been addressed.
c) The Department has noted the moving target however, an implementation plan will be developed to attend to the remaining bucket toilets including the required bulk services necessary for planning and budgeting purposes.
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18 May 2023 - NW1475
Mokgotho, Ms SM to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
What measures have been put in place to ensure that the community of Motlhabe village in North West receive adequate water supply as the taps that had been installed in their yards do not supply any water, and the specified community have lodged complaints with the Moses Kotane Local Municipality, but to no avail?
Reply:
There has been sporadic water supply especially in the high lying areas such as the Rampodi and Thabeng sections in the Motlhabe Village due to increased demand, unauthorised household connections in the area and ongoing loadshedding.
In the short-term, the Moses Kotane Local Municipality (LM) has made funds available for drilling and equipping of additional boreholes to augment the current water supply. It is envisaged that this work will be completed by end of June 2023. The municipality is providing water through water tankers in the affected areas, whilst exploring medium to long term interventions.
In addition, the municipality has resolved that all unauthorised household connections should be formalised and metered to ensure sustainability of water supply as most of these connections are on the main pipeline supplying the village.
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17 May 2023 - NW1552
Mhlongo, Mr TW to ask the Mr. TW Mhlongo: to ask the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture
(1). (a) On what date did he and/or his department honour all SA Grammy Award winners, (b) what total number of guests attended, (c) at which venue, (d) what total amount did it cost to host the event and (e) what are the details and breakdown of cost of venue, sound, food and music and others.). (2). (a) what are the full details of the company that received the tender, including the full details and contact information, (b) on which budget line item was the money sourced from and (c) for which financial year? NW1795E
Reply:
a) The event was held on 20 April 2023
b) The event had 360 guests.
c) The event was held at a venue called Galleria Conference Centre, Woodmead
d) The total amount spent to host the event was R16 097 000.00. More than two thirds of this budget went towards incentives and funding for the Grammy winners to develop cultural workers in their respective fields, this will be co-ordinated together with the department and the recipients.
a) The name of the company that received the tender is Abstract Group Media & Marketing Events
b) The budget was sourced from the Cultural and Creative Industry Development budget.
c) It was for the 2023/24 financial year.
17 May 2023 - NW1436
Cebekhulu, Inkosi RN to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
What total number of applications (a) have been received for the Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme since 2020, which provides support for processing infrastructure and (b) were successful; (2) whether any of the applications were not successful; if not, why not; if so, what are the reasons for this?
Reply:
1. (a) Nationally, approximately 15 000 applications.
(b) The total number of applications that were successful since 2020 is 1 595.
2. Yes. As an example; using just two provinces for 2023/24 financial year. Mpumalanga received 310 applications and only 22 (7%) applications were approved for funding. While in North West the province received 8 088 applications and only 68 (1%) could be approved. Reasons for this amongst others are as follows:
- Some of the applications that were declined do not have proof of land ownership/access: no title deed, no lease agreement nor permission to occupy. State resources cannot be spent on land illegally occupied.
- Some applications are declined due to conflicts amongst beneficiaries. The conflicts must be resolved first before the investment is made available from public funds.
- Availability of water for the envisaged production plays a major role in whether the projects or application will be approved. In some instances, the water source must first be identified, and authorisations be received before the project is approved for funding of infrastructure. This work (pre-funding support) gets done in all instances where production potential is established.
- The demand for support far exceeds the amount of money available (the resources from government).
The Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme (CASP) programme is only responding to 11% of the need for support as expressed through the number of applications received versus the number of applications that can be supported.
17 May 2023 - NW1372
Engelbrecht, Mr J to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
(1)What precisely was done to investigate the very obvious crime of murder related to the escape of the convicted rapist, Mr Thabo Bester, in light of the ineluctable conclusion that the person found in Mr Thabo Bester’s cell had died before being set alight and that the specified person suffered blunt force trauma and did not exhibit smoke inhalation; (2) (a) on what exact date was the crime reported to the SA Police Service and (b) what are the details of the relevant case docket; (3) what progress has been made in the investigation, bearing in mind the seriousness of the situation and that it occurred over a year ago; (4) what are the reasons that his department did not divulge the full facts about the murder and the escape to the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Correctional Services and its subcommittee and the public at large?
Reply:
1. As per the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), the scene was handed over to South African Police Services (SAPS) for investigation in relation to the fire that had occurred in the affected cell. It was based on the SAPS investigation by means of an autopsy that it was determined that the body found in the cell did not match that of offender Bester. The investigation also revealed that the individual suffered blunt force trauma and did not exhibit smoke inhalation. The matter is currently under investigation by the SAPS, therefore all further details in relation to the investigation should be directed to the SAPS.
(2)(a) The initial incident of fire which was purported to be a suicide was reported to SAPS on 03 May 2022.
(2)(b) The inquest case in relation to the purported suicide was recorded as CAS25/05/2022 by the SAPS.
(3) The case is currently under investigation by the SAPS of which this is the only institution which is able to provide progress in this regard.
(4) Facts about the escape were provided to the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Correctional Services on 13 April 2023, as conclusive information became available. No information was provided to the subcommittee as it forms part of the Portfolio Committee. Media briefings were held by the DCS on the following dates: 30 March 2023 and 13 April 2023, to ensure that the public is informed on the matter.
The facts relating to allegations of murder fall outside the scope of DCS and as such should be directed to SAPS.
END
17 May 2023 - NW1373
Engelbrecht, Mr J to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
(1)With reference to the convicted rapist, Mr Thabo Bester, (a) what was done to ensure the safety and protection of the victims of the escaped convict and (b) on what exact date were each of them informed of the material risk posed to themselves and (c)(i) who informed the specified victims and (ii) via which medium; (2) (a) on what exact date was the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) informed of the circumstances, (b) who informed the NPA and (c) via which medium?
Reply:
(1)(a) As soon as the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) discovered that the offender had indeed escaped from lawful custody the matter was reported to the South African Police Service (SAPS) for investigation.
(1)(b) A case of escape was opened with the SAPS on the 12 January 2023. In addition a track and tracing team was established to re-enforce the tracing and re-arrest of the offender. None of the victims were informed of the escape in line with the General Procedure in relation to informing victims about offender/perpetrators who died, escaped from custody.
(1)(c) Not applicable.
(2) The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) was not informed directly by DCS. However, a criminal case was reported to the SAPS for further investigation and possible prosecution by the NPA.
END
17 May 2023 - NW1227
Breytenbach, Adv G to ask the Minister of Finance
Whether, with regard to a legal obligation on a certain person (name furnished) to declare the person’s possession of currency in terms of section 15 of the Customs and Excise Act, Act 91 of 1964, upon his entry into the Republic, and in light of the fact that the failure to so declare is an offence in terms of section 81 of the specified Act, wherein the definition of goods includes currency, the SA Revenue Service has laid a criminal complaint with the SA Police Service in terms of the statute above read with section 34(2) of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act, Act 12 of 2004; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
Section 4(3) of the Customs and Excise Act prohibits the Commissioner and/or SARS officials from disclosing any information relating to any person, firm or business acquired in the performance of SARS duties, except in circumstances outlined in the Act. Accordingly, SARS is not able to disclose information requested to the Minister and Parliament.
17 May 2023 - NW1441
Montwedi, Mr Mk to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development:
Whether her department quantified the financial losses suffered by farmers as a result of natural disasters over the past three years; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what (a) was the extent of the specified financial losses and (b) steps has her department taken to support farmers who suffered such losses?
Reply:
a) The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) has not quantified the losses but relied on the comprehensive information submitted by the affected provinces. The extent of losses reported for the past three years since 2020/21 is approximately R1 054 000 000 attributed to floods and drought combined. This amount excludes fires and small incidents that are not reported.
b) DALRRD supported the affected provinces with:
- R138 million in 2020/21 financial year through the funding from National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC). Breakdown:
Provinces |
Purpose of funding |
Allocations |
Eastern Cape |
Borehole development and fodder production |
R35 000 000 |
KwaZulu-Natal |
Dam rehabilitation, re-scooping silted dams |
R4 000 000 |
Limpopo |
Siting, drilling, testing, equipping, water tanks and drinking troughs, wind mills, installation of reservoir, ground reservoirs with troughs, installation of pump cage and generator, stands and energy source |
R18 640 000 |
Mpumalanga |
Production inputs, ripping, ploughing, planting, rolling, spraying herbicides, fire breaks, fencing, cutting, racking, bailing, discing, swathing/ windrower, transport and piling of bales, drilling and equipping of boreholes, provision of animal feed. |
R12 160 000 |
Northern Cape |
Fodder provisions; extension of fodder bank irrigation, clearing of prosopis, transportation of fodder to all districts |
R35 689 000 |
North West |
Provision and transportation of fodder |
R8 000 000 |
Western Cape |
Vouchers for provision of fodder |
R25 000 000 |
Total |
R138 489 000 |
|
- During the year 2021/22 DALRRD supported the Western Cape farmers with R48 million for fodder support for drought-stricken farmers in the Karoo. This funding was obtained through the NDMC.
- During 2022/23 DALRRD allocated R30 million to support KwaZulu-Natal farmers with repairs of damaged infrastructure, fertilisers and seeds following the flood disaster.
Furthermore, DALRRD continues to issue early warning information and advisories as well as awareness to assist farmers with their preparedness plans. For the 2023 floods, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal Provinces have submitted the request for funding to the NDMC with the support from DALRRD. The NDMC is yet to respond to these applications.
17 May 2023 - NW1290
Madlingozi, Mr BS to ask the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture
Whether (a) his department and/or (b) any of the entities reporting to him have any current contracts with the security company G4S; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what (i) are the relevant details of the specified contracts and (ii) is the monetary value of each contract?
Reply:
(a) & (b). My department and the Entities reporting to me have no contract with the security company G4S.
17 May 2023 - NW1277
Shaik Emam, Mr AM to ask the Minister of Finance
(1)Whether all tenders awarded by municipalities are reported to the National Treasury; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, 2. whether he will furnish Mr A M Shaik Emam with a list of the (a) tenders awarded in the Zululand District Municipality, (b) names of the companies, (c) monetary value of the tenders, (d) itemised billing and (e) legal costs in the past financial year; if not, why not, in each case; if so, what are the relevant details in each case?
Reply:
1. No, municipalities do not currently report all their tenders to the National Treasury.
National Treasury issued MFMA Circular 83 (2016) regarding the advertisement of bids and the publication of notices in respect of awarded bids, cancelled bids, variations, and extensions of existing contracts on the eTender Publication Portal. This circular makes provision for the publication of tender opportunities and awards on the National Treasury Tender portal. Since this is a Circular, it is not mandatory for municipalities to publish procurement opportunities on the Treasury tender portal, unless the Municipality Council adopts the circular as policy. Some municipalities publish their tender opportunities while others are not publishing on the eTenders portal. National Treasury is considering reforms to make such publication of tender awards mandatory, but this will likely require legislative amendments.
2. We do not have any tender information regarding Zululand District Municipality or any procurement-related data for this municipality.
17 May 2023 - NW1631
Masipa, Mr NP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
Whether, with reference to her reply to question 142 on 23 March 2022, her department will implement a mechanism that would make it possible to drastically shorten the time frame required for newly developed and tested vaccines to be registered in emergency situations in order to allow for mass production and use in a short period of time; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; 2) whether, due to the exceptional circumstance of high shortages of vaccines, she ever considered to fast-track the registration of new vaccine product applications by the private sector in terms of the Fertilisers, Farm Feeds, Agricultural Remedies and Stock Remedies Act, Act 36 of 1947; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1. Yes. Registration for newly developed vaccines may be granted within a shorter time frame in emergency situations. Following the support of the need to make the vaccine available by the Director of Animal Health and consultations with potential manufacturers of the vaccine if available in the country, there will be speeding up of the evaluations for urgent consideration by the Registrar of Fertilizers, Farm Feeds, Seeds and Remedies Act, 1947 (Act No. 36 of 1947), and these will be considered if such products meet the requirement in terms of safety, efficacy, and quality.
2. Yes. In exceptional circumstances, where there is no other product for the intended use, the Department may fast track the review of registration applications in terms of the Fertilizers, Farm Feeds, Agricultural Remedies and Stock Remedies Act, 1947 (Act No 36 of 1947). The registration of new vaccine product applications by the private sector in terms of the Fertilisers, Farm Feeds, Agricultural Remedies and Stock Remedies Act, 1947 (Act No. Act 36 of 1947) is receiving attention and registration may be granted within a shorter time frame.
17 May 2023 - NW1271
Madokwe, Ms P to ask the Minister of Finance
(1)Whether the National Treasury is informed of any investigations into the affairs of municipalities; if not, why not; if so, (2) whether he was informed of the squandered millions of Rand that were allocated to build the Ngcobo stadium in the Dr A B Xuma Local Municipality without being completed; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) whether he has been informed that the stadium was not completed when the municipality asked for a top up for the Nogqala bridge in Ward 19 that was initially allocated a budget of approximately R12,9 million, but left incomplete; if not, why not; if so, (4) whether the National Treasury has any obligation to regularly assess projects that municipalities claim to have spent money on and commission speedy investigations into corruption with the intention to ensure the prosecution of persons who are accountable; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1. I presume the Honourable Member is referring to a criminal investigation by the South African Police Services (SAPS). Like all such criminal investigations, the National Treasury is generally not informed of such investigations, unless any specific request is required from the National Treasury by SAPS. In terms of section 106 of the Municipal System Act, the MEC for Local Government (Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs) may conduct investigations if there are allegations of maladministration, fraud and corruption and other serious malpractices. The MEC would generally inform the National Treasury of the outcome of the investigation.
Also in terms of Section 5(2)(d) of the Municipal Financial Management Act (MFMA) “National Treasury may investigate any system of financial management and internal control in any municipality or municipal entity and recommend improvements”
2. National Treasury was not informed of the millions of Rand that was allocated by Dr A B Xuma Local Municipality to build Ngcobo Stadium.
a) The Transferring Officer i.e., the national department administering the conditional grant is responsible for the allocation and monitoring of funds to municipalities, as well as the approval of projects to be implemented and the budgets for the projects. The Department of Cooperative Governance (DCoG) administers the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) and National Treasury receives monthly financial reports, and quarterly financial and non-financial reports on the overall programme performance, and not on specific projects.
b) The specific details pertaining to the said project would be at the disposal of DCoG, i.e. the budgeted amount for the project, the progress on the project, and whether the project has been completed or not and also the reasons.
3. National Treasury was not informed that the stadium was incomplete when the municipality asked for a top up for the Nogqala bridge in Ward 19.
a)The National Treasury is not ordinarily informed of what projects have been approved for implementation and specific project budget for a particular year. The department administering the conditional grant is responsible for the administration of the programme and the said department must hold recipient municipalities of the grant accountable on the funding, approved projects and also ensure compliance with the conditions of the funding as outlined in the conditional grant framework.
4.Unless this is a conditional grant with such conditions, the DCoG is responsible to ensure compliance with the MIG framework in the Division of Revenue Act by holding municipalities accountable on allocated funding and approved projects to ensure projects are implemented and completed at the approved amounts, in compliance with the set conditions. Where funds are unspent at the end of the year and are not eligible for rollover and or funds are not spent in line with the intended purpose, the DCoG will not recognise such expenditure and, National Treasury will be duly informed and the said funds will be recouped from future transfers due to the municipality. Where maladministration, fraud and corruption and other serious malpractice is suspected, the onus is on the MEC of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs to initiate an investigation in terms of section 106 of the Municipal Systems Act.
17 May 2023 - NW1437
van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
What (a) were the outcomes of the Ministerial Task Team that was assigned the responsibility of reviewing the employment of foreign nationals, particularly considering that the Minister of Employment and Labour and other government officials admitted that some sectors employ up to 100% foreign nationals and (b) are the full, relevant details of the (i) joint programmes that are currently being run with the Departments of Small Business and Employment and Labour to address the employment of illegal migrants, (ii) total number of programmes annually and in which sectors and (iii) outcomes and progress made to address the employment of illegal foreign nationals
Reply:
(a&b) The inter-Ministerial Committee that was assigned the responsibility off reviewing the employment of foreign nationals is chaired by the Minister of Employment and Labour and the Minister of Home Affairs. The task team includes departments in the security and economic cluster as well as employers and unions. The following departments are involved: Department of Transport, Department of Employment and Labour, Department of Home Affairs, South African Police Services and the Bargaining Council. The task team also includes the All Truckers Driver Forum (ATDF), the Road Freight Association (RFA), The Truckers Association of South Africa (TASA), amongst others.
The task team has so far developed an 11point plan with the employers and unions involved in the trucking and logistics sector. This plan was finalised in June 2022. The plan includes the following:
i) Facilitate the appointment of the Task Team
ii) Validity of Foreign Driving Licences
iii) Enforcement of the VISA requirement in issuance of a work visa
• Validity of SA driving licences issued to Traffic Register Number (TRN);
• Interphase between NaTIS, DHA and SAR
iv) Registration with the labour laws ATDF and other organisation to provide details of companies that they are aware of employing foreign nationals
v) Operating Licence processes for freight industry
vi) Driver Capacity and skills (Driving training project)
vii) Integrated and Multi-disciplinary joint law enforcement operations conducted
viii) Amendment of the National Road Traffic Regulations, 2000
ix) Review the Cross-Border Road Transport Legislation
x) Review of the TRN
xi) Registration of operator in terms of section 45 of the National Road Traffic Act, 2000 (NRTA) - Assessment of the requirements for an “Operator Permit/Card” as per the National Road Traffic Act to determine its effectiveness to achieve the objectives to seek compliance to other laws in South Africa
Due to the economic challenges that arise when there is disruption in this sector, the plans of the IMC have focussed on the trucking and logistics sector. Meetings on this matter are held monthly led by senior officials of the Department of Transport and the Department of Employment and Labour. With regard to addressing the employment of foreign nationals, a total of 1291 drivers have been inspected for their immigration status with 131 found to be undocumented. The Department of Home Affairs through its Annual Performance Plan has planned to conduct 1296 inspections/operations in this financial year to combat the employment of illegal foreign nationals.
END
17 May 2023 - NW1401
Masualle, Mr PG to ask the Minister of Finance
Whether, given that in March 2023 the International Monetary Fund cut the Republic’s gross domestic product growth outlook to 0,1% for 2023 (details furnished), he has found that at this rate of negligible growth the Republic is likely to experience a recession this year; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
Yes, the IMF has projected growth of 0.1 per cent for 2023 in its latest World Economic Outlook, published last month during its Spring Meetings, which is lower than the National Treasury’s projected GDP growth of 0.9 per cent in 2023 published in the 2023 Budget Review. There are other more recent projections on growth in 2023, and market consensus is currently for growth of 0.6 per cent in 2023. While growth projections are low and risks are high, the likelihood of a recession will largely depend on the impact of load shedding along with high inflation, rising borrowing costs and weak external demand. The National Treasury will announce a further update on its projections in the MTBPS later this year in October 2023.
The 2023 Budget projection itself was a downward adjustment from projected growth of 1.4 per cent for 2023 in the MTBPS last year. The 2023 Budget revision was informed by the negative impacts of loadshedding on the economy, stubbornly high inflation and accompanying rising borrowing costs and a relatively less supportive external environment among others. Since the publication of the Budget Review, some of the risks to the economy that were identified have materialized. These include the further worsening of domestic structural constraints in electricity and logistics, which continue to limit production and exports; a higher cost of living and higher borrowing costs which are expected to weigh on consumption and investment. Additionally, real GDP growth in the final quarter of 2022 was worse than anticipated by most forecasters, including the Treasury, (declining by 1.3 per cent). This contraction meant that annual GDP in 2022 came out weaker than expected, at 2 per cent, posing adverse carry-over effects into 2023. Beyond this, significant risks still remain including weaker global growth and lower commodity prices.
On balance however, while the occurrence of these risks weighs on the 2023 Budget Review economic growth outlook, available high-frequency data at the start of 2023 points to a marginal rebound in GDP growth in the first quarter. This is also supported by the lower than initially anticipated intensity of load-shedding in the first quarter of 2023. Moreover, GDP growth is expected to gradually recovery in the second half of 2023, as the worst impact of the electricity supply shortages start to ease following the peak winter demand period, and some electricity generation capacity is restored. Taken together, the prevailing view is for a positive GDP growth in 2023, albeit with higher downside risks compared to the time of the Budget Review. Lastly, the additional potential impact of the prevailing risks to the outlook can be seen in the uniform downward revisions by other official forecasters, which on aggregate still show positive growth projections in 2023.
17 May 2023 - NW1397
Denner, Ms H to ask the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture”.
(1). With reference to his reply to question 1 000 on 16 April 2023, what is the Rand value of the costs related to the mentioned name changes of each of the three towns to (a) his department, including (i) the mentioned public consultation notices and (ii) honoraria for the committee and council sittings, (b) each local municipality and (c) the Eastern Cape fiscus; (2). what are the details of all 103 name changes that have been done in the Eastern Cape, in terms of the (a) old name, (b) new name and (c) total amount in related costs in each case?
Reply:
(1)(a)(i)(ii). The costs incurred by the Department relates to the sitting of the South African Geographical Names Council including public awareness workshops, honoraria, travel, and accommodation is R12 732 430,32.
The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture does not have information related to costs incurred by (b) each local municipality and (c) the Eastern Cape province fiscus relating to public consultations and committee sittings.
(2). The details of the 103 names given in the previous answer include existing name registrations that have been done in the Eastern Cape. The name changes are 23 and are listed in the tables below and include (a) old name and (b) new name.
(c) However, the Department does not determine the rand value cost related to name changes but pays for Council sittings, public awareness workshops and honoraria for members as indicated above.
No |
New_Name |
Feature Description |
Date |
Province |
Previous Name |
|||
Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport |
Airport |
2021-02-22 0:00:00 |
Eastern Cape |
Port Elizabeth Airport |
||||
Gqeberha |
City |
2021-02-22 0:00:00 |
Eastern Cape |
Port Elizabeth |
||||
Kariega |
City |
2021-02-22 0:00:00 |
Eastern Cape |
Uitenhage |
||||
King Phalo Airport |
Airport |
2021-02-22 0:00:00 |
Eastern Cape |
East London Airport |
||||
Makhanda |
Town |
2018-06-29 0:00:00 |
Eastern Cape |
Grahamstown |
||||
Makhazi |
Village |
2019-03-22 0:00:00 |
Eastern Cape |
Makazi |
||||
Marhubeni |
Village |
2020-03-23 0:00:00 |
Eastern Cape |
Marubeni |
||||
Khwenxurha |
Village |
2022-08-26 0:00:00 |
Eastern Cape |
Mooiplaas |
||||
Gxarha |
Town |
2022-08-26 0:00:00 |
Eastern Cape |
Morgan’s Bay |
||||
Enxuba |
Town |
2022-08-26 0:00:00 |
Eastern Cape |
Cradock |
||||
Qumrha River |
River |
2022-08-26 0:00:00 |
Eastern Cape |
Komga River |
||||
Tlokoeng |
Town |
2021-03-16 0:00:00 |
Eastern Cape |
Mount Fletcher |
||||
Mahlubini |
Village |
2021-03-16 0:00:00 |
Eastern Cape |
St Augustine |
||||
Makhalitseng |
Human Settlement |
2021-12-10 0:00:00 |
Eastern Cape |
Kinirha Poort |
||||
Ngqayi |
Village |
2021-02-22 0:00:00 |
Eastern Cape |
Katkop |
||||
Nqanqarhu |
Town |
2021-02-22 0:00:00 |
Eastern Cape |
MaClear Town |
||||
Ntabozuko |
Town |
2021-02-22 0:00:00 |
Eastern Cape |
Berlin |
||||
Qonce |
Town |
2021-02-22 0:00:00 |
Eastern Cape |
King William’s Town |
||||
Pirie Mission |
Village |
2021-02-22 0:00:00 |
Eastern Cape |
Pierie Mission |
||||
Khohlombeni |
Settlement/Village |
2021-02-22 0:00:00 |
Eastern Cape |
Mfabantu |
||||
KwaMaqoma |
Town |
2023-03-13 17:00:04 |
Eastern Cape |
Fort Beaufort |
||||
Ben Mbizweni |
|
2023-03-13 17:03:27 |
Eastern Cape |
Brooksnek |
||||
KwaNojoli |
Town |
2023-03-13 17:05:36 |
Eastern Cape |
Somerset East |
(PQ 1397 21 April 2023)
17 May 2023 - NW1561
Horn, Mr W to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
What progress has been made with the roll-out of (a) caselines and (b) other online court filing systems following the completion of the pilot projects?
Reply:
The Office of the Chief Justice (OCJ) continues to embrace the advantages that technology present and leverages on it. The modernisation of court processes remain key priority areas for the OCJ to improve access to justice for all in accordance with section 34 of the Constitution.
The Court Online system has been rolled out to the Gauteng Division of the High Court in Pretoria and Johannesburg. The CaseLines evidence management platform, is an integral part of the total Court Online Solution, and is being utilised in the Gauteng Division of the High Court. The implementation of the total Court Online solution is subject to the litigation process which is underway in the courts.
END
17 May 2023 - NW1510
Masipa, Mr NP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
Whether her department has any early warning system in place to detect outbreaks of animal diseases before they spread to the rest of the Republic; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) whether (a) a national contingency plan with emergency practices exists in her department in response to outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease and/or (b) any generic plan is in place for high impact, transboundary and trade-sensitive diseases during the outbreak of controlled animal diseases; if not, why not in each case; if so, (3) whether the plan (a) is available to the relevant stakeholders and (b) was implemented; if not, why not in each case; if so, what are the relevant details in each case?
Reply:
1. Yes. The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development has a general disease detection and notification protocol to detect and notify of outbreaks of animal diseases before they spread to the rest of the Republic. For Foot and Mouth Disease, there is a continuous survey in the FMD protection zones to identify possible spread of FMD from neighbouring countries or the Kruger National Park. Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia and Pestes des Petits Ruminants are two diseases that South Africa is currently free from, and this internationally accepted freedom status is based on ongoing surveillance for these two diseases in the higher risk areas to the north of the country. There is also continuous surveillance for highly pathogenic avian influenza through regular testing of commercial poultry farms, commercial ostrich farms and backyard poultry farms. In addition, there is a passive surveillance system, whereby any suspect case of high impact diseases such as Foot and Mouth Disease, African Swine Fever, Avian Influenza, Rift Valley Fever, etc will be followed up by the state veterinarian, who will submit samples for which DALRRD will pay.
2. (a) Yes, there is a generic plan or protocol to control Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) through the movement of buffalos which are well known to introduce FMD and a general disease contingency plan that is used in case of the outbreak of disease.
(b) There is a contingency plan for highly pathogenic avian influenza and a general disease contingency plan in place to handle trade-sensitive diseases.
3. (a) Yes, the plans are always available to the stakeholders and always implemented during disease outbreaks.
(b) Yes, the plans are always implemented during disease outbreaks. Control measures on the ground are implemented by the provincial veterinary services. Such measures will differ, depending on the disease and the affected area and population, but in general it will include quarantine of affected premises and movement control. Further control measures will be agreed upon between the affected provinces and the National Directorate Animal Health.
17 May 2023 - NW1440
Hendricks, Mr MGE to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
(1) Whether (a) any concessions are made to speed up applications of work visa renewals for the staff of embassies and consulates and (b) staff in his department are briefed on such concessions; if not, why not, in each case; if so, what are the relevant details in each case; (2) what is the position of his department on the case of a staff member at the Indonesian Embassy (details furnished), who has been struggling since November 2022 to have a work visa renewed; (3) whether he can intervene as requests for his department’s assistance have only led to a dead end; if not, why not; if so, when?
Reply:
(1)(a) There are no special concessions in place to speed up applications of work visa renewals for the staff of embassies and consulates.
(1)(b) All special concessions by the Minister or Director-General are shared with staff, both local and abroad. The interpretation and the application of the contents of these concessions are shared with all staff to ensure uniformity.
(2) The work visa application of the staff member at the Indonesian Embassy was received by the Department on the 19th of September 2022. It was adjudicated and the rejection outcome dispatched on the 24th of October 2022. As per the checklist attached to the application at the time of submission, the applicant was informed that his application was incomplete. He insisted to submit without the required documents.
(3) The Immigration Act prescribes the manner in which the Minister can intervene in the processing of visa applications. Section 8(6) stipulates that an applicant aggrieved by a decision of the Director-General contemplated in subsection (5) may, within 10 working days of receipt of that decision, make an application in the prescribed manner to the Minister for the review or appeal of that decision. The applicant has not submitted an Appeal to the Minister regarding the rejection.
END
17 May 2023 - NW1579
Madlingozi, Mr BS to ask the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture
(a). Which policies is the creative ambassador concept based on and (b) what are the details of the criteria used in appointing the ambassadors? NW1831E
Reply:
(a). The policy supporting the concept of the Creative Ambassadors is the Culture Promotions Act, Act 35 of 1983, read with Culture Promotion Amendment Act, 1998, which is stated under sub-paragraph (iii) below, was used to take this decision by the Minister. Amendment of section 2 of Act 35 of 1983 (Culture Promotion Amendment Act, 1998), as amended by Proclamation No. R36 of 1995.
1. Section 2 of the Culture Promotion Act, 1983, is hereby amended-
(a) by the substitution in paragraph (a) of subsection (1) for the words preceding subparagraph (i) of the following words: "(a) in order to foster develop and promote arts and culture.in the Republic-”.
(b) by the addition to paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of the following sub-paragraphs:
"(iii) develop pilot projects in order to further the work of the Department in promoting arts and culture throughout the country”.
The Creative Ambassadors concept is being piloted in 2023/24 for a year and is important in addressing the absence of targeted programmes that positively caters and engages the plights of many heroes/heroines of the creative industries sector in their post-careers lives.
(b). The criteria used is as follows:
In its Pilot/Inaugural Phase, the Minister used simple criteria to appoint Creative Ambassadors. Also, during this Pilot, the Minister will make a determination of whether to continue this way or whether to invite the public to make nominations that will later lead to their appointment.
The Ambassador:
- must be a practitioner within the cultural and creative industry.
- must be a leader in their Cultural Domain, with over 5 years’ experience.
- must be a resident of South Africa and over 18 years of age.
- must have national popularity and following based on having showcased their craft on National, and/or Continental and/or international level.
- must have participated in community arts and culture initiative(s)/project(s) as either a leader or a supporter or a mentor.
In addition to the abovementioned, the Minister will use his prerogative (using Culture Promotion Amendment Act, 1998) to appoint Ambassadors in an inclusive manner that these persons represent all domains, considering – gender, geographic spread, disability, expertise/experience, and age (i.e., youth)
17 May 2023 - NW1591
Makesini, Ms M to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
Considering his department’s operation in Sandton on 28 April 2023, in which officials raided restaurants in search of undocumented migrants, what (a) motivated the operation and (b) likely outcomes is his department hoping for?
Reply:
a) The department as part of its mandate to ensure all persons in South Africa are here on lawful basis regularly conducts business inspections and operations to ensure that businesses are not employing undocumented foreign nationals.
b) The department in conducting this operation, wanted to ensure that all employees were correctly documented and legally in South Africa. At this operation 5 restaurants were inspected and 15 undocumented persons were arrested including the employers who paid fines for employing undocumented persons.
END