Questions and Replies

Reply:

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

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

END.

Reply:

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

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

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

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

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

(a) and (b)

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

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

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

__________________________

MR. S ZIKALALA, MP

MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS AND INFRASTRUCTURE

DATE:

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

(1)

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

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

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

(3)

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

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

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

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

__________________________

MR. S ZIKALALA, MP

MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS AND INFRASTRUCTURE

DATE:

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

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

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

3. The

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

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

__________________________

MR. S ZIKALALA, MP

MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS AND INFRASTRUCTURE

DATE:

Reply:

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

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

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

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

The summary of the findings are as follows:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2.1. External audits

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

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

2.2. Internal Audits

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

__________________________

MR. S ZIKALALA, MP

MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS AND INFRASTRUCTURE

DATE:

Reply:

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

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

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

c) Procuring LTE network backup for each District.

d) Continue to replace copper links to fiber.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

END

Reply:

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

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

END

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

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

a) N/A

b) N/A

c) N/A

d) N/A

_________________________

Reply:

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

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

Reply:

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

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

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

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

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

__________________________

MR. S ZIKALALA, MP

MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS AND INFRASTRUCTURE

DATE:

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

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

___________________________

MR. S ZIKALALA, MP

MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS AND INFRASTRUCTURE

DATE:

Reply:

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

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

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

COMPILED BY:

MR E RAMASEDI MAFOKO

DIRECTOR: GRAND MANAGEMENT AND COMPLIANCE

DATE: 09/05/2023

OFFICIALS INVOLVED

QUESTION NO: 1505.   IS APPROVED

MR D VANDERWESTHUIJZEN

DEPUTY DIRECTOR GENERAL: SECTOR INFRASTRUCTURE

DATE: 11/05/2023

QUESTION NO: 1505.   IS APPROVED

DR G WHITTLE

ACTING DIRECTOR-GENERAL

DATE: 11/05/2023

QUESTION NO: 1505.   IS APPROVED

DR MR MHAULE, MP

DEPUTY MINISTER

DATE: 12/05/2023

QUESTION NO: 1505.   IS APPROVED

MRS AM MOTSHEKGA, MP

MINISTER

DATE: 15/05/2023

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

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

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

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

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

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

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

90 Plein Street Building to be completed end of May 2023

120 Plein Street Building to be completed end of April 2023

100 Plein Street Building to be completed end of April 2023

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

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

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

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

___________________________

MR. S ZIKALALA, MP

MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS AND INFRASTRUCTURE

DATE:

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

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

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

Reply:

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

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

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

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

END

 

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:

(1)

(a)

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

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

(b)

(i) 42 units currently occupied by Department of Defense

(ii) None.

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

(2)

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

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

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

(3)

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

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

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

__________________________

MR. S ZIKALALA, MP

MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS AND INFRASTRUCTURE

DATE:

Reply:

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

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

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

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

END

 

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

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

Reply:

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

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

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

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

1a) Efforts to reduce learner dropout

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

1b) Causes of dropout

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

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

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

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

Reply:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Reply:

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

b) None

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

Reply:

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

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

Reply:

Yes.

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

b) 34 clients were women.

Reply:

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

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

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

ANNEXURE A TO NA-QUES-635 OF 2023

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

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

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

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

Chris Hani District: Please refer to the table below.

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

Lejweleputswa District: Please refer to the table below.

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

(4) Gauteng Province: None to report on.

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

(4) Limpopo province. None to report on

 

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

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

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

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

1. None

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

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

(4) None

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

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

1. Please refer to the table below.

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

 

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

Reply:

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

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

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

Reply:

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

Reply:

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

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

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

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

(2)  

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

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

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

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

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

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

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

__________________________

MR. S ZIKALALA, MP

MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS AND INFRASTRUCTURE

DATE:

Reply:

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

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

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

Reply:

Yes.

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

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

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

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

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

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

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

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

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

c) With respect to:

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

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

Reply:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

End

Reply:

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

(a) in the past three financial years

Financial Year 2020/2021

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

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

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

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

iii) what were the reasons for the action,?

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

iv) what number of staff members were found?

(aa) guilty and fired,

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

(bb) guilty and not fired and

• Not applicable

(cc) innocent;

- Not applicable

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

- Not applicable

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

- Not applicable

Financial Year 2021/2022

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

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

• Three disciplinary cases took place in the organisation

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

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

iii) what were the reasons for the action,?

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

iv) what number of staff members were fired?

(aa) guilty and fired,

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

(bb) guilty and not fired and

• Not applicable

(cc) innocent;

- Employee under (c) was found not guilty

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

- Not applicable

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

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

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

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

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

• A total number of two disciplinary cases for the fiscal

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

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

iv) what were the reasons for the action?

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

(v) what number of staff members were found

(aa) guilty and fired,

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

(bb) guilty and not fired and

• Not applicable

(cc) innocent;

• Not applicable

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

- Not applicable

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

- Not applicable

Reply:

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

(a) in the past three financial years

Financial Year 2020/2021

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

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

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

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

iii) what were the reasons for the action,?

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

iv) what number of staff members were found?

(aa) guilty and fired,

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

(bb) guilty and not fired and

• Not applicable

(cc) innocent;

- Not applicable

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

- Not applicable

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

- Not applicable

Financial Year 2021/2022

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

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

• Three disciplinary cases took place in the organisation

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

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

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

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

(iv) what number of staff members were fired?

(aa) guilty and fired,

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

(bb) guilty and not fired and

• Not applicable

(cc) innocent;

- Employee under (c) was found not guilty

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

- Not applicable

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

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

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

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

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

• A total number of two disciplinary cases for the fiscal

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

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

(iv) what were the reasons for the action?

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

(v) what number of staff members were found

(aa) guilty and fired,

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

(bb) guilty and not fired and

• Not applicable

(cc) innocent;

• Not applicable

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

- Not applicable

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

- Not applicable

Reply:

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

Reply:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

End

Reply:

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

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

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

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

End

Reply:

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

(a) in the past three financial years

Financial Year 2020/2021

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

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

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

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

iii) what were the reasons for the action,?

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

iv) what number of staff members were found?

(aa) guilty and fired,

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

(bb) guilty and not fired and

• Not applicable

(cc) innocent;

- Not applicable

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

- Not applicable

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

- Not applicable

Financial Year 2021/2022

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

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

• Three disciplinary cases took place in the organisation

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

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

iii) what were the reasons for the action,?

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

iv) what number of staff members were fired?

(aa) guilty and fired,

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

(bb) guilty and not fired and

• Not applicable

(cc) innocent;

- Employee under (c) was found not guilty

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

- Not applicable

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

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

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

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

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

ii) 

• A total number of two disciplinary cases for the fiscal

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

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

iv) what were the reasons for the action?

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

(v) what number of staff members were found

(aa) guilty and fired,

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

(bb) guilty and not fired and

• Not applicable

(cc) innocent;

• Not applicable

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

- Not applicable

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

- Not applicable

Reply:

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

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

End

Reply:

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

(a) in the past three financial years

Financial Year 2020/2021

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

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

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

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

iii) what were the reasons for the action,?

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

iv) what number of staff members were found?

(aa) guilty and fired,

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

(bb) guilty and not fired and

• Not applicable

(cc) innocent;

- Not applicable

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

- Not applicable

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

- Not applicable

Financial Year 2021/2022

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

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

• Three disciplinary cases took place in the organisation

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

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

iii) what were the reasons for the action,?

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

iv) what number of staff members were fired?

(aa) guilty and fired,

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

(bb) guilty and not fired and

• Not applicable

(cc) innocent;

- Employee under (c) was found not guilty

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

- Not applicable

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

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

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

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

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

ii) 

• A total number of two disciplinary cases for the fiscal

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

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

iv) what were the reasons for the action?

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

(v) what number of staff members were found

(aa) guilty and fired,

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

(bb) guilty and not fired and

• Not applicable

(cc) innocent;

• Not applicable

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

- Not applicable

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

- Not applicable

Reply:

1. (aa) Minister

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

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

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

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

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

2. (a) Minister

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

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

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

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

Reply:

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

Table 1: Regional Offices

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

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

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

Table 2: Company names and Directors

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

 

Reply:

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

(a) in the past three financial years

Financial Year 2020/2021

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

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

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

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

iii) what were the reasons for the action,?

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

iv) what number of staff members were found?

(aa) guilty and fired,

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

(bb) guilty and not fired and

• Not applicable

(cc) innocent;

- Not applicable

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

- Not applicable

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

- Not applicable

Financial Year 2021/2022

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

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

• Three disciplinary cases took place in the organisation

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

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

iii) what were the reasons for the action,?

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

iv) what number of staff members were fired?

(aa) guilty and fired,

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

(bb) guilty and not fired and

• Not applicable

(cc) innocent;

- Employee under (c) was found not guilty

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

- Not applicable

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

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

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

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

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

• A total number of two disciplinary cases for the fiscal

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

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

iii) what were the reasons for the action?

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

(v) what number of staff members were found

(aa) guilty and fired,

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

(bb) guilty and not fired and

• Not applicable

(cc) innocent;

• Not applicable

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

- Not applicable

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

- Not applicable

Reply:

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

Reply:

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

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

Reply:

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

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

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