Questions and Replies

Reply:

1. (a) According to PERSAL data as at 31 December 2022, the total number of funded posts that are currently vacant in the Public Service stood at 166 365.

b) The breakdown of the specified number of vacant funded posts nationally and in each provincial department is presented (as at 31 December 2022) in the attached Annexure A.

National	38 151
Provinces
Eastern Cape	31 062
Free State	2 849
Gauteng	23 687
KwaZulu-Natal	22 267
Limpopo	13 226
Mpumalanga	6 336
North West	10 564
Northern Cape	5 186
Western Cape	13 037

2.(a) Departments have in the past reported the following causes and challenges that cause delays in the filling of vacancies:

(i) Managing the prioritisation of posts to be filled due to budget constraints or reprioritization of funds.

(ii) 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.

(iii) 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.

(iv) 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.

(b) In terms of Regulation 65(7) of the Public Service Regulations,2016 a funded vacant post shall be advertised within six (6) months after becoming vacant and be filled within twelve months after becoming vacant.

End

Reply:

1. A total of 6,225 mothers and fathers under the age of 18 years have received the Child Support Grant in the past five (5) years for one child, that is, from 2018/19 financial year to end of February 2023. A provincial breakdown is depicted in the table below:

b) A total of 221 mothers and fathers under the age of 18 years have received the Child Support Grant for more than one child, during the past five years. A provincial breakdown is depicted in the table below:

2. The following programmes are rendered to teen parents:

• Active Parenting of Teenagers- The main aim is to improve communication between parents and teenagers, a lack of which has a potential of breaking up relationships and creating unnecessary tension between parents and their teenagers, which often leads to delinquent behavior.
• Sinovuyo Teen Parent Programme- The purpose is to improve caregiver-teen relationship through active social learning, improving mental health through social support and improving communication about risky situations for teens in the community.
• Teenage Parents Programme- The aim is to explore the challenges around this area, support systems and the kind of support social workers can render to teenage parents through group work initiatives to enable them to be effective parents to their children.

In addition the following Frameworks have been developed to guide implementation of parenting programmes:

• Integrated Parenting Framework- The Framework was designed to address the issue of lack of effective parenting within families which could lead to the abuse and the neglect of children
• Fatherhood strategy- The Strategy was designed to revive and promote the role of fathers as protectors and providers within families because parenting is the role of both parents.

Reply:

a) The NDA, through the Department of Social Development (DSD), was allocated R95 million from the Department of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Criminal Asset Recovery Account (CARA) fund to fund 312 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to support victims of GBVF in communities across all 9 provinces. To date, a total of 297 CSOs have received funding for implementation of the project of supporting victims of GBVF. Each CSO received funding up to R300 000 depending on the experience and capacity to implement the GBVF support programme. During the assessment of CSOs capacities, seventy-eight (78) of these CSOs were found to be lacking capacity in governance, financial management and project management. These CSOs have been put on a mentoring and coaching programme to build their capacity on these areas. Special effort by the NDA and CSOs have been made to ensure that the GBVF hotspots Districts are all covered by the interventions provided by the CSOs.

The CSOs approved were through request for proposals (RFP) nationally, without a condition that they must be operating in hotspots identified by the SAPS. However, some of the CSOs who responded to the RFP were based in some of the hotspots identified by SAPS. The funding was based on preventative programmes which includes, awareness, workshops, home visits, referrals, shelters, paralegal support, abuse of grant recipients, counselling, therapy, child violence and court cases. To date, a total of 913 952 victims of gender-based violence have been reached through the Programme.

The table below indicates the number of funded CSOs and the number of GBVF victims supported by the programme per Province:

Activities	KwaZulu Natal	Limpopo	Free State	Gauteng	Eastern Cape	Northern Cape	Mpumalanga	Western Cape	Total
Awareness/Advocacy	27290	15747	73	792548	1825	3341	8464	1370	850 658
Child Victims	1069	614	50	171	316	23	61	37	3781
Therapy	2335	521	34	291	16	15	20	549	3422
Counselling	3630	1664	247	1015	761	167	1582	139	9205
Referrals	964	1703	167	221	423	167	321	75	4041
Home Visits	1536	2500	58	618	1329	20	1531	30	7622
Workshops	619	533	28	686	97	28	1890	1192	5073
Ex-combatants	0	13	0	0	0	0	0	0	13
Shelter	89	1298	12	101	48	21	42	17	1998
Paralegal	2	592	107	44	61	14	0	317	1137
Trauma	1244	609	30	8	93	21	53	170	2228
Emotional Abuse	1441	799	99	340	282	7	196	268	3432
Financial/Grant Abuse	146	341	0	199	141	0	67	10	904
Physical Abuse	685	1019	138	180	216	6	176	130	2188
Substance Abuse	1537	285	0	68	238	4	56	10	2188
Sexual Abuse	571	333	62	64	376	28	159	17	1610
Economic Programme	301	88	0	284	30	0	45	10	758
Domestic Violence	33	57	91		35	45	64	12	337
Conflict & Mediation	7	35	47		67	33	101		189
Uncontrollable Child			4			171			175
Social Media						12983			12983
Nutrition						171			171
Total	43 499	28 751	1 247	796 838	6 354	17 265	14 828	4 353	913 952

The NDA appointed VPK Business Venture (Pty) and Makhophila Training service providers through SCM process to render mentorship and coaching to CSOs identified and funded in the programme.

The table below indicates the number of approved CSOs per Province and the rand value of the funding by Province:

Province	No. of CSOs approved by Board for funding	Total value of approved funding
Gauteng	60	17 200 000
*Eastern Cape	67	15 900 000
Western Cape	23	6 900 000
Mpumalanga	37	10 500 000
Free State	20	5 700 000
Northern Cape	13	3 400 000
North West	9	2 300 000
Limpopo	57	16 200 000
KZN	26	7 500 000
	312	85 600 000
* Adjusted approval	85 700 000

 

An additional 36 CSOs have been verified and recommended for funding to provide additional support for GBVF. These will be funded from the balance from the funding that the NDA received from DSD for this project. The 36 CSOs will commence with the implementation of the project in April 2023.

The additional 36 CSOs recommended for funding comes from all nine provinces and are listed in the table below:

 

Province	No of CSOs
Gauteng	6
Eastern Cape	6
Western Cape	3
Mpumalanga	5
Free State	3
Northern Cape	4
North West	2
Limpopo	1
KwaZulu Natal	6
Total	36

b) The NDA undertook an evaluation of the programme in the current financial year to evaluate all the aspects of the programme, a draft report was submitted at the end of February 2023, we are currently finalising the report which will be concluded by the end of March 2023. The recommendations of this report will be used as lessons to improve and enhance the quality of services to GBVF victims as we continue with this programme. In addition, the Department of Social Development has integrated the implementation of the National Strategic Plan on Gender Based Violence and Femicide into its Annual Performance Plans and Operational Plans which allocated the budget accordingly. We are in the process of engaging the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development to request for another CARA funding to sustain the funded Civil Society Organisations for provision of GBVF services has commenced. Furthermore, DSD is engaging more donors and private businesses to fund Gender Based Violence and Femicide related projects in line with National Strategic Plan on Gender Based Violence and Femicide. Donors such as the European Commission and First Rand Foundation have responded positively to this call and the process of finalising the funding agreements are underway.

Reply:

The Department was informed that the extradition proceedings in the UAE have not been concluded.

The National Prosecuting Authority indicated that they will await the final decision by the Government of the UAE on the extradition application and only then decide what appropriate legal actions, if any, will be taken further.

Reply:

1.(a) The total assessment backlog picture inclusive of all the provinces, stands at 2 818 as of 18 March 2023.

CLIENTS AWAITING ASSESSMENTS
Region	Awaiting  Assessments	Awaiting ≥ 30 days (Backlogs)
Eastern Cape	2464	30
Free State	2212	32
Gauteng	5084	238
Kwa Zulu-Natal	6246	470
Limpopo	3608	67
Mpumalanga	2956	77
Northern Cape	2521	4
North West	2040	207
Western Cape	7297	1693
TOTAL	34428	2818

(b) A total of 232 505 Temporary Disability Grants has lapsed between April 2022 and February 2023.

Number of Temporary disability grants lapsed between April 2022 and February 2023
Region	Number of TDGs per month of lapsing
	Apr 22	May 22	June 22	July 22	Aug 22	Sept22	Oct 22	Nov 22	Dec 22	Jan 23	Feb 23	Total
EC		1 237	1 261	1 010	506	418	1976	1713	1153	1351	1079	11 704
FS	1 599	1 387	1 231	1 553	1 680	1600	1750	1160	1448	2082	2299	17 789
GP	3 372	2 348	1 946	2 656	3 118	2867	3254	2460	2853	4023	5254	34 151
KZN		3 766	2 858	4 335	4 245	3880	4663	3499	4045	5209	5259	41 759
LP	767	1 467	1 692	1 975	2 007	1835	1863	1303	2348	3555	3950	22 762
MP		1 330	1 330	1 409	1 599	1260	1308	984	1154	1712	2206	14 292
NC	1 877	1 754	1 574	2 052	2 288	1969	2064	1819	1478	2369	2516	21 760
NW	1 330	1 159	1 159	1 270	1 278	1113	1138	952	1075	1383	1309	13 166
WC	6 481	5 328	3 879	4 755	4 635	4282	4974	4531	3713	5467	7083	55 128
Total	15 426	19 776	16 924	21 015	21 356	19224	22990	18421	19267	27151	30955	232 505

(c) SASSA has contracted a total of 315 doctors across the country, however, it should be noted that for the Western Cape Region, assessments are largely conducted through Service Level Agreements held with the Districts Health Care System. In the WC Tertiary, Secondary and Districts Hospitals also undertake assessments to in-patients clients deemed to be meeting the eligibility criteria prior to their discharge. Regional Distribution of doctors as below:

Number of Assessment Doctors Per Region
Region	No. of doctors
Eastern Cape	30
Free State	32
Gauteng	49
KwaZulu-Natal	74
Limpopo	49
Mpumalanga	25
Northern Cape	26
North West	19
Western Cape	11
TOTAL	315

(d ) A total of 3 502 appointments were made through the Online platform from April 2022 until February 2023 and the system has been highly efficient where clients elected to utilize it to make assessment bookings.

(e ) SASSA has an institutionalized backlog Strategy that is activated upon realization of risk of backlog build up, this may include:

• Booking System (EMAST) red-flagging clients that are booked in a backlog fashion at point of booking (Pro-active flagging of clients wherein the difference between the booking and scheduled assessment dates is more than 30 days defined as a backlog);
• Ferrying assessors from far flung areas into backlog prone areas to undertake assessments;
• Increasing assessment seating frequencies and number of assessors per seating;
• Increasing the number of assessments an assessor may conduct per assessment seating (This requires a prior approval from the GM for Grants Administration in Regions); and  
• As a last resort the Agency has endorsed paper-based assessments in certain parts of the Western Cape in instances wherein there is sufficient/ adequate clinical information for such format of an assessment to take place (Prior Approval for this format of assessment is required from the GM for Grants Administration).
• Recruitment of additional doctors through the publication of Tender Bids, especially in the Western Cape Region. The region is currently exploring placing another Tender Bid subsequent to a poor response to the previous Bid;
• Engaging the Western Cape Public Health System/ clinicians on the eligibility criteria so as to empower them on conducting of social assistance assessments and lobbying them to undertake assessments on inpatients prior to discharge instead of referring clients to seek assessments bookings on their own subsequent to discharge (Clinician initiated Assessments in clients with a high likelihood of qualification and the Tag Strategy is “Why Refer When you can Assess”.    

Reply:

On 6 June 2022, the UAE Ministry of the Interior’s Directorate General for the Federal Criminal Police in Abu Dhabi informed the National Criminal Bureau, Interpol Pretoria, that Mr Atul Kumar Gupta and Mr Rajesh Kumar Gupta were arrested in the UAE. The authorities in the UAE followed this up with a Note Verbale dated 6 June 2022, informing the Minister that the suspects have been arrested.

The Department was further informed during an official visit to the Central Authority of the UAE that the Gupta brothers remain incarcerated in prison, but the exact details were not disclosed, as this is not standard practice in the UAE to disclose this information.

Reply:

a) SASSA has commenced planning for the rolling out of alternative power supply country wide. The first phase will start at the beginning of the 2023/24 financial year and the second phase at the third quarter of the same financial year.

During the first phase, an appropriate alternative power supply will be considered for each local office, e.g., generator, solar, backup power, etc. For implementation of the phase, SASSA has identified ninety (90) critical local offices country wide (ten per region). However, in the medium term, SASSA plans to develop a strategy to roll out alternative power supply in all local offices across the country.

It is anticipated that the procurement processes for the first phase will be finalised by the end of the second quarter (30 September 2023). The second phase which involves the initial rollout will commence by 01 October 2023. This process will be completed before end of the 2023/24 financial year.

Due to the emerging national crisis, a task team has been established to focus on priorities and develop a strategy for implementation of alternative power supply roll out for 2024/25 financial year. This will ensure that scaling up is in line with the strategy and also allow for sufficient funds to be secured for this project.

b) An amount of R44 million is budgeted for in 2023/24 financial year. R29 million of the funds will be utilised to secure alternative power supply and R14 million will be used for local office improvements which will include, physical accessibility, branding, provision of dignity services and network connectivity for 54 offices.

It is important to note the needs of each office are unique therefore assessments must be done for all offices to ensure specifications are accurate before the supply chain processes begin.

The strategy will inform the second phase (2024/25) of the roll out which will also determine the allocation and availability of funds.

Reply:

(i) The department has taken the following steps to put a stop to social media pages, such as Facebook where persons are selling children, thereby bypassing legal adoption processes are as follows:

(a) Continuous education and awareness-raising programmes in a form of webinars, radio talk shows, twitter space discussions in order to increase understanding of online use, advantages and risks as well as abuse taking place on online platforms, violating the rights of children. These awareness and education programmes target the general public, including children, child ambassadors and caregivers.

(b) The department closely monitors and analyse social media platforms identifying and addressing complaints and matters of concern for the department, responding and referring to relevant programmes for intervention.

(c) The department collaborates and partners with government departments, non-governmental organizations, Domestic Internet Service Providers, law enforcement, privacy experts, and technology companies who assists to develop realistic mandatory regulations for filtering and formal reporting mechanisms within online platforms, including social media and instant messaging platforms. The department recently celebrated Safer Internet Day in Gqeberha in collaboration with UNICEF, Films and Publications Board, SAPS, Department of Basic Education, Communications and Digital Technology, as well as MTN.

There is also strengthened integrated response by the multi-stakeholders who are empowered with current updated knowledge and skills to recognise risky online situations and to effectively deal with challenging situations when confronted with cases of online violation of children. The partnership with helplines and hotlines facilitates reporting and response for appropriate services.

(d) The department also undertakes training and capacity building of relevant stakeholders in government and non-governmental organizations on legislation relevant to adoption services, trafficking of children and online safety of children as well as roles and responsibilities with regard to identification, reporting, referral and rendering of appropriate services in order to address online violation of children, trafficking or illegal adoption.

(e) Training on the provision of the Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Person and the Children’s Act interfaces with the legal processes of adoption, illegal methods used in trafficking and online violation of children. The specific roles and responsibilities of respective government departments and non-governmental organizations are outlined in the Guidelines for the Prevention of and response to Child Exploitation according to legislative mandates.

(f) The department is in a process of establishing the Coordinating Structure for online safety comprising of government departments, non-governmental organizations, Internet Service Providers, law enforcement, privacy experts, and technology companies.

(g) UNICEF is providing technical support to the department through appointment of secondment to DSD, to support the development and implementation of the Model of National Response for protection of children on and offline platforms, as well as the implementation of the recommendations of the Disrupting Harm Study.

Reply:

(a)(i) (aa) Total number of inverters procured: 59.

(a)(i) (bb) Total number of generators procured: 66.

Province	(a)(ii)(aa) The total number of inverters procured by SASSA per province.	(a)(ii)(aa) The total number of generators procured by SASSA in per province.	(a)(ii)(bb) The number of inverters procured per office (name of the office).	(a)(ii)(bb) The number of generators procured per office (name of the office).	(a)(ii)(b) The price of each specified inverter procured by SASSA in region (Unit price per item).	(a)(ii)(b) The price of each specified generator procured by SASSA in regions (Unit price per item).
KwaZulu Natal	0	25	N/A	Pungashe Local Office	N/A	R14,000.00
				Ingwavuma Local Office Jozini (Ulundi)	N/A	R19,950.00
				Dukuza Local Office	N/A	R19,950.00
				Ulundi District Office	N/A	R19,950.00
				Ubombo Local Office Mkhuze (Ulundi)	N/A	R19,950.00
				Underburg	N/A	R14,000.00
				Kzn Regional Office	N/A	R19,950.00
				Nqutu Local Office	N/A	R14,000.00
				Harding Local Office	N/A	R19,950.00
				Kwamsane Local Office	N/A	R14,000.00
				Umbumbulu Local Office	N/A	R14,000.00
				Impendle Local Office	N/A	R14,000.00
				Ndwedwe Local Office	N/A	R14,000.00
				Weenen Local Office	N/A	R19,950.00
				Kwangwanase Local Office	N/A	R111,777.00
				Ulundi District Office	N/A	R19,950.00
				Richardsbay Local Office (Ulundi)	N/A	R19,950.00
				Ndwedwe Local Office	N/A	R14,000.00
				Prophet Isiah Shembe Local Office	N/A	R14,000.00
				Weenen Local Office	N/A	R14,000.00
				Mahlabathini Local Office	N/A	R19,950.00
				Ezakheni Local Office	N/A	R19,950.00
				Richmond	N/A	R14,000.00
				Hlabisa Local Office	N/A	R132,981.00
				Riverside Local Office	N/A	R132,270.78
Gauteng	0	1	0	Orlando West	0	R 44 850.00
	1	0	Dobsonville		R 43 000.00
Free State	0	0	0	0	N/A	N/A
Western Cape	0	0	0	0	N/A	N/A
North West	19	6	1. Bojanala (Rustenburg) District Office 2. Kgetleng Local Office 3. Madibeng Local Office 4. Mogwase Local Office 5. Moretele Local Office 6. Rustenburg Local Office 7. Dr. Kenneth Kaunda District/Matlosana x 2 8. Jouberton Local Office 9. Maquassi Hills Local Office 10. Tlokwe Local Office 11. Ventersdorp Local Office 12. Naledi LO 13. Kagisano Local Office 14. Lekwa-Teemane Local Office 15. Taung Local Office 16. Ditsobotla Local Office 17. Mafikeng Local Office 18. Ramotshere Moiloa Local Office 19. Tswaing Local Office	1. Dryharts Local Office 2. Tlokwe Local Office 3. Madikwe Local Office 4. Mabeskraal Local Office 5. Moretele Local Office 6. Mantserre SP	All the inverters/UPS procured for each office at cost R30 000.00	Dryharts LO = R156 000.00 Tlokwe LO = R260 000.00 Madikwe LO = R156 000.00 Mabeskraal LO = R156 000.00 Moretele LO = R156 000.00 Mantserre SP = R68 00.00
Northern Cape	4	0	2 inverters for Tlhokomelo Local Office 1 inverter for Jan Kempsdorp Local Office 1 inverter for Dithakong Local Office	N/A	R214 565,11 (vat incl)	N/A
Mpumalanga	0	0	0	0	N/A	N/A
Eastern Cape	0	34	N/A	Amathole Local Office	N/A	R 20,500.00
				Butterworth Local Office		R 69,474.65
				Kieskammahoek		R 20,500.00
				Stutterheim Local Office		R 69,474.65
				Idutywa Local Office		R 20,500.00
				Alice Local Office		R 20,500.00
				Nqamakwe Local Office		R 78,000.00
				Middle Drift Local Office		R 78,000.00
				Centane Local Office		R 20,500.00
				Elliotdale Local Office		R 20,500.00
				Fort Beaufort Local Office		R 69,474.65
				Mdantsane 1 Local Office		R 20,500.00
				Peddie Local Office		R 20,500.00
				Adelaide Local Office		R 20,500.00
				Willowvale Local Office		R 69,474.65
				Chris Hani Local Office		R 233,000.00
				Lady Frere Local Office		R 147,685.15
				Tsomo Local Office		R 7,500.00
				Whittlesea Local Office		R 62,790.00
				Engcobo Local Office		R 62,790.00
				Burgersdorp Local Office		R 25,415.00
				Maclear Local Office		R 31,395.00
				Mount Fletcher		R 31,395.00
				Sterkspruit Local Office		R 44,166.38
				District Office		R 177,270.00
				Flagstaff Local Office		R 23,493.50
				Libode Local Office		R 26,131.00
				Lusikisiki Local Office		R 163,789.00
				Ngqeleni Local Office		R 76,490.00
Limpopo	35	0	Mopani District Office	Nil	R238 968. 97	Nil
		0	Giyani Local Office	Nil	R238 968. 97	Nil
		0	Namakgale Local Office	Nil	R238 968. 97	Nil
		0	Maruleng Local Office	Nil	R238 968. 97	Nil
		0	Kgapane Local Office	Nil	R238 968. 97	Nil
		0	Bahananoa Local Office	Nil	R238 968. 97	Nil
		0	Ceres Local Office	Nil	R238 968. 97	Nil
		0	Mankweng Local Office	Nil	R238 968. 97	Nil
		0	Molemole Local Office	Nil	R238 968. 97	Nil
		0	Senwabarwana Local Office	Nil	R238 968. 97	Nil
		0	Seshego Local Office	Nil	R238 968. 97	Nil
		0	Zebediela Local Office	Nil	R238 968. 97	Nil
		0	Dr CN Phatudi Local Office	Nil	R238 968. 97	Nil
		0	Apel Local Office	Nil	R238 968. 97	Nil
		0	Leeuwfontein Local Office	Nil	R238 968. 97	Nil
		0	Luckau Local Office	Nil	R238 968. 97	Nil
		0	Manganeng Local Office	Nil	R238 968. 97	Nil
		0	Praktiseer Local Office	0	R238 968. 97	0
		0	Schoonord Local Office	0	R238 968. 97	0
		0	Sekhukhune District Office	0	R238 968. 97	0
		0	Musina Local Office	0	R238 968. 97	0
		0	Mutale Local Office	0	R238 968. 97	0
		0	Rabali Local Office	0	R238 968. 97	0
		0	Makwarela Local Office	0	R238 968. 97	0
		0	Tshaulu Local Office	0	R238 968. 97	0
		0	Hlanganani Local Office	0	R238 968. 97	0
		0	Vhembe District Office	0	R238 968. 97	0
		0	Bela-Bela Local Office	0	R238 968. 97	0
		0	Thabaleshoba Local Office	0	R238 968. 97	0
		0	Lephalale Local Office	0	R238 968. 97	0
		0	Thabazimbi Local Office	0	R238 968. 97	0
		0	Witpoort Local Office	0	R238 968. 97	0
		0	Bakenberg Local Office	0	R238 968. 97	0
		0	Mokopane Local Office	0	R238 968. 97	0

 

Reply:

The Department was informed by the Central Authority in the UAE that extradition hearings in the UAE takes place in a closed court and that only the accused, their legal representatives and the prosecution team are allowed in court. This is in terms of Article 19 of Federal Law 39 of 2006 of the UAE, the domestic legislation in the UAE that govern International Judicial Co-Operation.

Extradition proceedings in the UAE are further guided by the Guide to International Judicial Cooperation in Criminal Matters (Surrender of Persons and Things – Judicial Assistance), Ministry of Justice, 1444 Hijri – 2022 A.D.

The Department liaises with the UAE Central Authority via diplomatic channels as per Article 2(2) of the Extradition Treaty between the two countries. The South African Embassy in Abu Dhabi assist the Department in this regard.

Reply:

South African Social Security Agency (SASSA)

1. (a)) SASSA does not owe any amount of money to Walter Sisulu Local Municipality and (ii) Senqu Local Municipality as reflected in the table below:

A (i) Municipality	(ii) Amounts owed	(b) Age analysis
Walter Sisulu Local Municipality	R0 (nil)	n/a
Senqu Local Municipality	R0 (nil)	n/a

(b) Not applicable as displayed in the table above.

(2)

(a) Not applicable based on response in 1(a) above.

(b) The buildings are used to provide administration of social grants.

(3) Not applicable based on the response in 1(a) above.

Department of Social Development Eastern Cape

1. (a)(i) Walter Sisulu District Municipality

R 1,401,887.73

(ii) Senqu Local Municipality R 250 000

2. (b)(i) Walter Sisulu District Municipality

(90days)

(ii) Senqu Local Municipality (90days)

The table below reflects details and use offices and residential institution

Town	Street	Erf numbers	Type /Use	Municipalities
Barkly East	23 De Villiers Street	1482	Service office	Senqu
Barkly East	8 Stuart Street	1485	Community Development Centre	Senqu
Lady Grey	29 Baduza Street	29	Service office	Senqu
Aliwal North	1521 Robison Rd (Ambulance base)	1521	Community Development Centre	Walter Sisulu local
Burgersdorp	3515 Tembisa,Mzamomhle (Burgersdorp	3515	Laluma Futshane Child and Youth Care Centre	Walter Sisulu local

There are four offices and one residential institution for kids that are in conflict with the law.

3. The Eastern Cape Provincial Department is sourcing funds within on SCOA items that are slow spenders and is planning to settle outstanding debts in April 2023.The accruals exert pressure on the 2023/24 financial budget.

Reply:

The Department makes every effort to ensure that the subsidies are paid to NPOs on time so that they can deliver their essential services to the communities they operate. In the past there were significant delays with the processing of payments due to various reasons from the Department, the NPOs and budget cuts which impact on service delivery. However, for the current financial year Provinces paid the NPOs on time.

Where there were delays it is due to non-submission of documents, and non-compliance by the NPOs. As per February 2023, the status of funding NPOs is as follows:

PROVINCE	NPOs RECOMMENDED	PAID	% PAID
Eastern Cape	1 234	1 234	100 %
Free State	757	634	84 %
Gauteng	1 924	1 852	96 %
KwaZulu-Natal	1 070	1 030	96 %
Limpopo	798	770	97 %
Mpumalanga	638	607	95 %
Northern Cape	442	401	91 %
North-West	372	281	76 %
Western Cape	1 149	1 132	99 %
TOTAL	8 384	7 941	95 %

The Department is currently developing an NPO System that will automate the various stages of funding processes and this will contribute to improving the payment of transfers.

Reply:

Regulation 7(6) of the Social Assistance Regulations of 2022 places an obligation on the caregiver to ensure that a child between the ages of 7 and 18 is enrolled and attends school or an educational institution. Such proof has to be provided to SASSA upon approval of the Child Support Grant. However, the Department has observed that the enforcement of this provision is not feasible.

To close this gap, the Department has developed a draft policy on integration of children’s grants with services amongst others, education, health and early childhood development. The draft policy emphasises the need of building linkages between children’s grants and other developmental services for children. The approval of the policy and amendment of the legislation will enable the Department to share data with the Department of Basic Education (DBE) amongst others. In this manner, the Department will be empowered to monitor and track school attendance in compliance with the regulations. Consultations on the draft policy will be concluded by the end of the 2023/24 financial year and processes to seek Cabinet approval of the draft policy will be initiated in the next financial year (2023/2024).

Reply:

a) The provincial DSD Heads of Departments in all nine provinces were sent invitation letters to participate in the Development of the Victim Support Services Regulations Workshop. Furthermore, as part of the criteria, the Department invited stakeholders from the Justice Crime Prevention Security (JCPS) cluster, the Social Protection Community and Human Development (SPCHD) cluster, and the National Civil Society Organisation operating in the Sector;

b) The DSD is in possession of the names of persons who participated in the consultations on the development of the Draft Victim Support Services (VSS) Regulations however, (i) all the departmental consultation workshops must comply with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA). Hence names of persons who were in attendance cannot be shared, (ii) National Organisations that were in attendance from Civil Society were Child Line South Africa, National Shelter Movement and National Institute Community Development and Management (NICDAM). The Government Departments were, National Prosecution Authority (NPA) and the South African Police Services (SAPS).

c) Below are Provincial DSD teams who were in attendance:

• Gauteng
• North West
• Free State
• Eastern Cape
• Western Cape
• Northern Cape
• Mpumalanga

The Free State and Limpopo Province could not attend or even connect virtually. (Most of the provinces joined the session virtually via the zoom platform).

d) The purpose of consultation workshop was the development of the Draft VSS Regulations. This is an ongoing process pending the finalization of the VSS Bill. The Draft VSS Regulations document is in place for further consultations and the second round of the consultation workshops will extend to Provincial CSOs and Local CSOs in the next financial year, 2023/24.

Reply:

a) The current status of the project per province is as follows:

Province	Local Office	Current Status
Eastern Cape	East London	100% Complete - System Live
	Queenstown	90% Complete - QMS equipment delivered, installed and configured
Free State	Bloemfontein	70% Complete - Supplier of QMS equipment appointed
	Qwaqwa	70% Complete - Supplier of QMS equipment appointed
Gauteng	Roodepoort	100% Complete System Live
	Johannesburg	100% Complete System Live
Kwazulu-Natal	Durban	70% Complete - Supplier of QMS equipment appointed
	Osizweni	70% Complete - Supplier of QMS equipment appointed
Limpopo	Seshego	70% Complete - Supplier of QMS equipment appointed
	Giyani	70% Complete - Supplier of QMS equipment appointed
Mpumalanga	Mbombela	80% Complete- Awaiting delivery of QMS equipment
	Emalahleni	80% Complete Awaiting delivery of QMS equipment
Northern Cape	Tlhokomelo	100% Complete System Live
	Upington	100% Complete System Live
North-West	Mahikeng	90% Complete - Equipment delivered and Installed
	Rustenburg	90% Complete - Equipment delivered and Installed
Western Cape	Gugulethu	60% Complete- Finalization of Procurement
	Athlone	60% Complete - Finalization of Procurement

(b) The names and addresses of the two local offices in each province where the system was piloted are as follows:

Province	Local Office	Physical Address
Eastern Cape	East London	34 Argyle Street, East London CBD
	Queenstown	Sanlam Building, 10 Hexagon Street, Komani
Free State	Bloemfontein	Cnr. Aliwal and Saint Andrews Street, Bloemfontein
	Qwaqwa	Old Post Office Building, De Beeld Road, QwaQwa
Gauteng	Roodepoort	40 Hoofde Street, Roodepoort, JHB
	Johannesburg	1 De Villiers Street, JHB CBD
Kwazulu-Natal	Durban	65 Masabalala Yengwa Avenue, Durban, PRASA Building
	Osizweni	4181 Ob31 St, Osizweni A,
Limpopo	Seshego	7946 Stand St, Seshego A,Seshego,0751 Coordinates: S23.854040, E29.39481
	Giyani	387 Giy A 3 St,Giyani Unit A,Giyani,0826 Coordinates: S23.31658 E30.72114
Mpumalanga	Mbombela	10 Paul Kruger, Nelspruit
	Emalahleni	Gerry Mann Building, Athlone street, Emalahleni CBD
Northern Cape	Tlhokomelo	776 Corner Letsholo & Matanzima Street. Mankuruwane. Kimberly
	Upington	38 Schroder Street. Upington.
North-West	Mahikeng	7 First Street, Industrial Site, Mafikeng
	Rustenburg	18 Heystek Street, Rustenburg
Western Cape	Gugulethu	Social Development Building Cnr NY3 and Steve Biko Streets Gugulethu GPS: -33.987025, 18.567991
	Athlone	Melofin Center 94 Old Klipfontein Road Athlone GPS: -33,960645, 18,502246

(c) No service provider was appointed to develop the new QMS system. The system was developed in-house by SASSA.

(d) The expenditure for the set-up of the pilot project in each office is as follows:

Province	Local Office	Detailed Expenditure
Eastern Cape	East London	R 171 918.91
	Queenstown	R 80 580.50
Free State	Bloemfontein	R 52 250.00
	Qwaqwa	R 62 200.00
Gauteng	Roodepoort	R 147 257.50
	Johannesburg	R 210 266.00
Kwazulu-Natal	Durban	R 229 792.39
	Osizweni	R 202 726.24
Limpopo	Seshego	R 184 587.39
	Giyani	R 184 587.39
Mpumalanga	Mbombela	R 276 008.89 for both offices
	Emalahleni
Northern Cape	Tlhokomelo	R 98 802.45
	Upington	R 95 589.00
North-West	Mahikeng	R 243 900.00 - for both offices
	Rustenburg
Western Cape	Gugulethu	To be confirmed once the procurement process is finalised
	Athlone	To be confirmed once the procurement process is finalised
Total		R 2 180 879.41

Reply:

a) The lease agreement for the Pretoria local office as requested is attached as Annexure A.

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

Office Name	Square Meter	Price per square meter
Pretoria Local Office Centprop Properties	Office Space: 878 Parking bays 10	Office Space: R102.81/m2 Parking: R628.09

c) Directors and/or members of Centpret Properties

Company Name	Directors	Position
i) Centprop Properties	Jeffrey Percy	Wapnick	Director
	Elize	Greeff	Company Secretary
	Anabela	Vieira	Director

 

Reply:

a) On 6 June 2022, the UAE Ministry of the Interior’s Directorate General for the Federal Criminal Police in Abu Dhabi informed the National Criminal Bureau, Interpol Pretoria, that abovementioned suspects were arrested in the UAE. The authorities in the UAE followed this up with a Note Verbale dated 6 June 2022, informing the Minister that the suspects have been arrested and requesting the Department, as Central Authority to forward the official extradition request to the UAE as soon as possible.

b) The formal extradition request was delivered by South Africa to the authorities in the UAE on 25 July 2022.

c) The Director-General of the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, in his capacity as the Central Authority, wrote to His Excellency Addullah bin Sultan bin Awad Al Nuaimi, the Minister of Justice in the UAE, in September 2022 as a follow up to the request.

d) During October 2022, the Central Authority travelled to the UAE to meet with Judge Al Balushi, and other representatives from the UAE Central Authority, including the prosecutor who is attending to the extradition request in Dubai. Judge Al Balushi was requested to keep the South African Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Department abreast of developments.

e) As directed by the Central Authority, on 16 January 2023, the South African Embassy in Abu Dhabi directed a Note Verbale to the Ministry of Justice requesting to be informed regarding the current status of the extradition request. The Embassy has indicated that they are waiting for a formal response from the Ministry of Justice in the UAE.

f) On 20 February 2023, the Central Authority addressed a further letter to His Excellency Addullah bin Sultan bin Awad Al Nuaimi, referring to his previous correspondence and again requesting a written update on the extradition proceedings of Mr Rajesh Gupta and Mr Atul Gupta.

g) The Department has not yet been favoured with a response by the authorities in the UAE, and the issue is being pursued via the diplomatic route, where DIRCO has been requested to arrange a meeting with His Excellency Ambassador Mahash Saeed Alhameli, the UAE Ambassador to South Africa in order to discuss the Gupta matter.

 

Reply:

1. (a) and (b)

SASSA Western Cape (WC) has an Service Level Agreement (SLA) with the Consolidated Health Districts- Garden Route and Central Karoo, but it only provides for Health Practitioner initiated assessments, access to records and use of Health facilities.

SASSA WC therefore must employ its own doctors where assessments initiate from the SASSA local offices. These contracted doctors must service the Garden Route and other parts of the Central Karoo. During the current financial year, SASSA WC contracted 4 doctors to the following Garden Route areas:

Service Area	No. of Servicing Dr/s
i) George	1
ii) Pacaltsdorp	1
iii) Mossel Bay	1
iv) Plettenberg Bay/ Knysna	1

2. (a) The 2 contracted doctors in George and Pacaltsdorp visit and complete assessments once a week while the 2 contracted doctors visit and complete asessments in Mosselbay and Knysna/ Plettenberg Bay once a month.

(b) The SLA with the contracted doctors are aligned to the Disability Management Policy permitting each doctor to complete 40 physical assessments per day

3. The Norms and standards applied by the SASSA stipulate that an assessment should be completed within 30 days of booking a client. Any assessment to be completed beyond 30 days is considered a backlog. Currently, there are backlogs in the following areas:

Service Area	Backlogs	Number of Days
i) George	95	>30days
ii) Pacaltsdorp	70	>30days
iii) Mossel Bay	305	>60 days

The Region has gone out on tender for the appointment of contracted doctors and could only secure the services of seven doctors to perform assessments. Four of the contracted doctors have been allocated to the Garden route areas as indicated above. Approval has been received from the Regional Executive Manager for the direct sourcing of additional doctors to address the need and to deal with backlog cases.

Furthermore, approval was also provided in line with applicable legislation, for paper based assessments to be conducted. This approval will allow the doctors to complete assessments to a maximum of 60 per day

Reply:

After being informed on 6 June 2022, that Mr Atul Kumar Gupta and Mr Rajesh Kumar Gupta have been arrested by the police in Dubai, the Department travelled to the UAE on three separate occasions to meet with the Central Authority in the UAE. The Department has received both official and unofficial updates from the UAE Central Authority on the extradition proceedings in the UAE.

The Department is of the view that the names of the team responsible for the extradition application should not be disclosed. The team members from the Investigating Directorate and Department of Justice and Constitutional Development have remained the same.

Reply:

a) Botshabelo Local Office is accommodated in Reahola Complex, which is shared with other private businesses. The lease agreement for the Local Office was signed by National Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) on behalf of the Agency. The landlord (Basfour 3324 (PTY) LTD) procures electricity from Centlec and supplies all the business units in the complex, including the SASSA office. The landlord has installed separate meters for each business site and bills tenants including DPWI (to recover usage costs for the SASSA Office). DPWI in turn recovers the paid electricity costs from SASSA.

It is important to note that the complex did not have electricity for three (3) working days starting from Thursday, 09 February 2023 to Monday, 13 February due to a technical failure of an electrical cable which Centlec has since repaired and services were restored on Monday, 13 February 2023.

The same applies with Mangaung Metro and there are no amounts due by SASSA.

There are no outstanding debts to settle.

Reply:

During February 2022, Interpol South Africa issued a Red Notice pertaining to Messrs Gupta. The Red Notice was forwarded to the UAE via the official police channel.

The Department was informed that Mr Atul Kumar Gupta and Mr Rajesh Kumar Gupta were arrested by the authorities of UAE during June 2022. The exact date of arrest is unknown to the Department.

On 6 June 2022, the UAE Ministry of the Interior’s Directorate General for the Federal Criminal Police in Abu Dhabi informed the National Criminal Bureau, Interpol Pretoria, that abovementioned suspects were arrested in the UAE. The authorities in the UAE followed this up with a Note Verbale dated 6 June 2022, informing the Minister that the suspects have been arrested and requesting the Department, as Central Authority to forward the official extradition request to the UAE.

The Department was not granted access to the Gupta brothers and was not furnished with mug shots of them.

Reply:

a) SASSA is up to date with all assessments and payments for the COVID-19 SRD. There are, however, a number of clients that could not be paid due to challenges with their payment method. These include:

• No payment method details were added to the application / provided by the client. The client is required to upload payment details.
• Payment method failed verification.  This could be due to incorrect account details or due to the fact that the account does not belong directly to the client. This requires the client to either correct their details or supply a new payment method.
• The largest area of failed verifications are those who selected payments to their mobile number.

(i) There is currently a challenge with the cash send verification process as the contract for this has expired and SASSA is in the process of following a formal procurement process. However, since the vast majority of these assessments fail due to the cell phone numbers provided not being RICA’d, clients are advised to use a different payment channel such as providing their banking details. Those who have been previously approved and paid through this specific mobile payment channel will continue to be paid.

• A small number of clients are on “referred status”. These are approved applications that cannot be paid due to a challenge with identity verification i.e. ID number has been confirmed to have been used in fraudulent matters such as Identity theft. The clients have been advised and a process has been put in place for clients to confirm their identity through a biometric verification process.
• There are about half a million clients who have not yet complied with FICA requirements on their Postbank accounts. Clients are required to finalise this FICA process or to upload alternative banking details, to enable payments.

b) As these challenges (in most part) require action on the part of the client, it is not possible to provide a date on when all clients will be paid. Once the client’s payment method is corrected by the client, and verified, SASSA will be able to effect payment to the client.

Reply:

1. No. The department does not determine to councilors and/or municipalities where they should hold their meetings.

The response below was provided by Matatiele Local Municipality:

2. Yes

a) Garden Court Umhlanga

b) R1, 177, 895. 20

End.

Reply:

a) The role of the Department of Cooperative Governance (DCOG), like all other provincial and national departments, is to support and strengthen municipalities to perform their functions in accordance with section 154 of the Constitution. In situations where municipalities fail to perform their functions, despite the support mentioned above, the provincial executive in local government may intervene by taking any appropriate steps in terms of section 139 of the Constitution. If a provincial executive does not adequately perform the functions, the national executive must intervene in terms of section 139 (7) of the Constitution.

The Theewaterskloof Local Municipality (TLM) will only start planning for the sustainable provision of basic services to the communities occupying land on Knoflokskraal, that is earmarked for forestry plantations and not human settlement, after a response expected by 19 May 2023 by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) on whether continued occupation will be allowed. The commitment by DPWI to provide the response emanated from a community meeting that was held on 25 March 2023 on the occupied land on Knoflokskraal.

b) DCOG is leading on the implementation of the District Development Model (DDM) to ensure alignment of all of government plans, budgeting and implementation of programmes and projects. The DDM ensures that the planning undertaken by a municipality for provision of municipal services, among other issues, is aligned with the development plans of other organs of state as provided for on Section 24(1) of the Municipal Systems Act, No. 32 of 2000 and to give effect to the principles of co-operative government contained in section 41 of the Constitution.

End.

Reply:

1. See Annexure A for Limpopo

See Annexure B for North West and

See Annexure C for Free State

2. See Annexure A for Limpopo

See Annexure B for North West and

See Annexure C for Free State

Reply:

a) The department has not entered into any Private Public Partnerships (PPP) as defined by the PFMA and Treasury Regulations to date.

b) The department has, however, signed an agreement with the Commercial Mining Sector to jointly fund the Olifants Management Model (OMM) on a 50:50 basis. This is part of an innovative drive to collaborate with the private sector to fund public infrastructure to the benefit of all water users within a government water scheme. The Olifants River Water Resource Development Project (ORWRDP) experienced delays due to public funding constraints. and This collaboration has allowed the department to fast-track the construction of bulk and reticulation water infrastructure to supply the communities and mines by 2030. This R25 billion project started in November 2022 and is targeted for completion in 2030. The Lebalelo Water User Association is the Implementing Agent for the project. Similar collaborations are being explored in anticipation of similar benefits in other areas of the country, where local economic drivers could mutually benefit water services to local communities.

Reply:

(1) SA Gymnastics Federation (SAGF) is receiving ongoing criticism with regards to the one case mentioned in case 1. While the reflection is that SAGF dropped the ball, the cases were managed in accordance with the safeguarding policy in place at the time of the case being reported was one of misconduct and was therefore handled by an external safeguarding partner. In the internal process an allegation of rape was made, and the safeguarding partner recommended that the adult disclosing opens a criminal case against the alleged perpetrator.

As soon as there was a SAPS case Number, SAGF suspended the coach and immediately contacted SAPS and handed over the internal investigation notes as well as the hearing recordings. Through the process of this case SAGF co-operated with SAPS and followed the investigating officers lead once a case number was given to the federation.

The second case was referred to SAGF by Olivia Jasriel with a vague accusation without detail, evidence or alternatively SAPS case numbers and requests for this information from Athletes Against Abuse were met with no information being sent through but rather an email asking what credit their organisation would get. (Copies of this mail can be made available)

This second case is still ongoing after a second person had received disclosures and contacted SAGF directly with more detailed information enabling action to be taken. What is important to note in this second case is that the rape victim never filed a report with SAGF nor opened a case. We have been working with the victim over the last few months after we were able to get their name and contact information.

SAGF notes with concern that there is a constant narrative that they have done nothing with regards to the cases mentioned in 1. As they are ongoing investigations SAGF has chosen not to disclose the detailed information in line with the directives from SAPS in the interest of not jeopardizing the case.

The original case led to direct changes in policy as well as the contracting of an external safeguarding officer to assist in managing cases. The benefit of this has been seen in the case referred to in question 4. Where swift action was able to be taken.

2 (a) As per SAGF Safeguarding policy available on the website https://gymnasticssa.co.za/health/Safeguarding Clause 1.72 on page 12 of the policy the process for criminal matters to report directly to SAPS and work with the Investigating officer with regards to process going forward. In the case where an adult is disclosing abuse SAGF will encourage and support the adult to open a criminal case. In the case of a minor disclosing SAGF will follow one of two approaches in consultation with the victim. - Assist the minor with their care giver and the person who received the disclosure to report the case to SAPS FCS in their local community. - Where knowledge of abuse of a minor is disclosed to assist the first person to report the case to SAPS FCS in their local community.

(b) With regards to referral of criminal cases. All criminal matters where there is a clear disclosure will be referred directly to the local SAPS FCS for investigation. All Criminal matters where there is suspicion of abuse will be referred to the Statutory social work services in the local community of the victim. Should a criminal matter be dismissed by SAPS or the court SAGF will still maintain the ability to run an internal disciplinary process with regards to the code of conduct to act against members who have failed to adhere to the safeguarding policy and codes of conduct in accordance with the policies.

(3) This case refers to a minor disclosing abuse to a coach. The coach immediately contacted the National safeguarding officer, and we assisted the victim, parent, and coach to go an open a case with the local SAPS FCS station. The alleged perpetrator was immediately suspended from SAGF and FIG. There has been regular follow up with the family (initially daily, then weekly, now every 3 weeks) and with the coach as well as the investigating officer (around each new court date) with regards to the case, and SAGF offered therapeutic support to the victim through a psychologist in the community.

Through discussion between the parent and National Safeguarding Officer, the parent decided to have the child supported by the therapist at their school as there was already an established therapeutic relationship.

Reply:

During the South Africa-Tanzania Bi-National Commission, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Political and Diplomatic Consultations and a Memorandum of Understanding between the Mozambique-Tanzania Centre for Foreign Relations of the United Republic of Tanzania and the Diplomatic Academy of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa were signed. The objective of the MoU on Political and Diplomatic Consultation is to conduct regular and structured political consultations to exchange views on bilateral, regional, and international issues of mutual interest. The objective of the MOU between the Mozambique-Tanzania Centre for Foreign Relations of the United Republic of Tanzania and the Diplomatic Academy of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa is to encourage and promote collaboration between the two institutions by sharing of training resources, exchange of lecturers, joint research, as well as capacity building and exchange programmes.

Reply:

(1) A cost estimate was not done for name changes of Fort Beaufort, Somerset East and Brooksnek in the Easter Cape, (a) all the work of both the Provincial Geographical Names and the South African Geographical Names is funded by departmental programmes as part of the allocation as per government mandate.(b) there will be no impact on the fiscus through the work of both provincial and national geographical names support as this forms part of budgeted mandates

(2) Yes, there was public participation in each of the three locations and the details are as follows:

(a)&(b) Brooksnek on 12 October 2022,

Fort Beaufort on 31 October 2022 and

Somerset East on 14 November 2022.

(b) These public consultation meetings were advertised in both the Daily Despatch and Isolezwe lesiXhosa and Hartland newspapers.

(c) All public hearing meetings supported the three name changes.

(3) (a) The total number of geographical name changes that took place in the Eastern Cape since 2019 is one hundred and three (103)

(b) The cost related to these name changes relates to public consultation notices, honoraria for Committee and Council sittings. These are budgeted for within government departments.

Reply:

Records at our disposal do not have an operator by the name of Transnet Coachline. Nonetheless, subsidised bus operators contracted to provinces are always advised to prioritise their contractual obligations anytime when the demand for special hires is high. All subsidised bus operators were urged to prioritise and honour their normal schedules in terms of the approved timetables as per contract conditions. Operators would then use their discretion as it relates to offering special hire transportation as long as it did not interfere with contractual obligations.

Reply:

a)  The total number of licences issued to historically disadvantaged persons and communities is as follows:

REGIONAL OFFICE	NUMBER OF HDI’S ISSUED WITH LICENCES
Eastern Cape	197
Free State	19
Gauteng	5
KwaZulu-Natal	1388
Limpopo	647
Mpumalanga	113
North West	27
Northern Cape	46
Western Cape	8
Grand Total	2450

b) KwaZulu-Natal province is where the highest number of licences were issued to Historically Disadvantaged Individuals.

---00O00---

Reply:

Ahead of the opening of two more gates at Vaal Dam, warnings were issued to the public through various media platforms and an official media statement issued by the department.

a) Development of a flood preparedness plan takes place every year before the rainy season. The implementation of flood monitoring and forecasting systems is a continuous process that the department uses to monitor the state of water flow in the rivers. This ultimately informs decision making regarding issuance of early warnings and opening of flood gates whenever necessary.

b) The alarm measures implemented and exposed to the communities around the dam include issuing of official media statements, dam operators post warnings in social media groups of exposed communities about impending flood control releases and the inevitable increase of water levels downstream.

This ensures that these warnings reach communities swiftly once decisions to release water are confirmed to allow sufficient lead time to react to the interventions.

Reply:

MINISTER OF WATER AND SANITATION

1. The Minister of Water and Sanitation published the National Water Resource Infrastructure Agency Bill on 16 September 2022 in Government Gazette notice: 46917 p137, for a period of 90 days which concluded on 16 December 2022. During the 90-day period, the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) embarked on an extensive consultation process to solicit comments on the Bill from its various stakeholders. The comments received to date have been found favourable and supportive towards the establishment of the National Water Resource Infrastructure Agency, as an institution proposed in the Bill.

The period for consultation has been formally extended in government gazette notice: 48017 p43 published 10 February 2023, which period will conclude on 17 March 2023. The reason for the extension of the consultation period to is to ensure a comprehensive all-inclusive consultation process, by providing the primary creditors of the Trans- Caledon Tunnel Authority (TCTA) with an independent legal and financial opinion on the terms of the loans agreements currently entered with the TCTA in relation to the provisions of the Bill and also to allow for the National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC’s) Development chamber to appoint a task team that will be considering the Bill.

2. Yes, the National Economic Development and Labour Council’s Development Chamber was consulted on 12 December 2022. The NEDLAC’s Development chamber is expected to appoint a task team to further consider the Bill.

Reply:

According to the information received from the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture

(a) The project is currently at 95% progress (practical completion), service providers are currently attending to identified snag-list, it is anticipated that the snag-list will be completed within the next two weeks and the project will be handed over back to the department for further handling.

(b) The challenges faced by the department in the development of the project are as follows.

1. Termination of 1st Implementing Agent due to poor performance
2. Termination of contract by the initial contractor
3. Stoppages and delays due to Covid-19
4. Project stoppages due to strikes (Local Business Forums, National Shutdown, KZN-Strike) and KZN Floods

(c) The Department appointed Independent Development Trust (IDT) as the implementing agent however the Memorandum of Agreement was terminated due to unsatisfactory workmanship on site. The department then appointed the private company Risimati Consulting Engineers as an implementing agent on its behalf. The department then established a project steering committee to monitor and steer the project towards completion, the steering committee initially sat once a month, however due to challenges especially related to local business forum, the steering committee has been sitting on weekly basis so as to ensure progress and that deliverables of the project are realized by the set completion date.

Reply:

1. (a) The Daveyton train station has not been operational since 18 January 2020.

(b) Following the declaration of the state of disaster, the country was placed on lockdown level 5 that included prohibition of rail services. During that period, due to absence of security the station infrastructure was vandalised.

(c) PRASA has since deployed physical security to protect the commuter rail infrastructure, including stations. In the Gauteng East Region, where the station is located, a total of 926 physical security guards, which includes armed and unarmed have since been deployed.

2. An estimated budget of R15m has been set aside under the National Station upgrade programme. The funds will be used to upgrade the station including retail or shops to serve secondary mandate. The actual construction works will be sequenced and aligned to train service timelines, which have not been operationalised, as PRASA is bringing back corridors in phased approach to ensure that all aspects of operating the corridor are attended to.

3. (a) Commuters could travel to the following stations from Daveyton Station: Alliance, Van Ryn, Northmead, Avenue, Dunswart, Boksburg East, Boksburg, East Rand, Angelo and Delmore;

(b) Based on the prices in the table below, it was relatively cost-effective to travel by train between Daveyton – Johannesburg which means that commuters with destinations before Johannesburg were paying an even lesser amount.

Type of ticket	Price
Single	R 11.50
Return	R 22.50
Weekly	R 75.00
Monthly	R235.00

(c) The travel cost for commuters without train services is currently unknown to PRASA.

(4) The PRASA legal mandate to provide commuter rail services is not premised on a profit objective, but rather on rendering the service to communities as directed by government. It is therefore on this basis that the routes in question are not profitable. The rail operations work on a cost coverage model, recovering all input costs through fare revenue generation supplemented by the allocated government subsidy as total income. The overall cost coverage in the region is at 4%. PRASA is currently undertaking a corridor costing model that will assist in determining or apportioning the cost per line. As things currently stand, the costs of running the train services are centralised.

(5) Taking into account that the rail operations work on a cost coverage model, measures that were put in place were not meant to achieve profitability, but rather ensure sustainability and financial viability of the service. These included increasing the capacity of the train service to meet commuter demands through the repairs to damaged infrastructure, developing a timetable that is aligned to travel patterns; restoring the home and destination station to increase access to the system as well as improving security and guarding services.

Reply:

On 25 January 2023, President Ramaphosa in his capacity as the Chair of BRICS, signed letters inviting the President of the Federative Republic of Brazil, the President of the Russian Federation, the Prime Minister of the Republic of India, and the President of the People’s Republic of China, to the Fifteenth BRICS Summit to be held in-person in South Africa from 22 to 24 August 2023.

On 17 March 2023, the International Criminal Court issued a Press Release stating that it had issued a warrant of arrest for Mr Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation. Cabinet is currently seized with this matter.

 

Reply:

a) The Department is guided by the provisions of the National Land Transport Act No. 5 of 2009 which empowers provinces to take decisions and/or steps to deal with and address any conflict situation. Section 79(2) and 91 of the NLTA empowers MECs to consider a number of interventions and remedial steps, which includes the withdrawal of operating licenses or closure of routes in extra ordinary circumstances of conflict or violence. These powers are legally bestowed to provinces and the Minister may only intervene and exercise any of these powers in consultation with the MEC and relevant planning authorities.

b) Same as in (a) above

c) Same as in (a) above

Reply:

(a) Robben Island Museum (RIM) and the University of Western Cape (UWC) have established a joint Task Team that is working on improving the relationship between the two institutions and look at practicalities of the possible relocation of Mayibuye Archives, thus developing a plan to be endorsed by the Governance Bodies from both institutions. The process faced minor delays, new RIM Council was appointed on 1 July 2022. This had an impact on the progress as the new Council had to be apprised and orientated on the Mayibuye Archives matter.

(b) Discussions with various stakeholders are underway for resumption of the Joint Task Team meetings with a view to put plans in place for the relocations.

Reply:

No international agreements were signed during the State Visit of the King and the Queen of the Belgians as the responsibility for the signing of international agreements falls within the domain of the Government.

Reply:

1. Rail remains the most cost-effective form of transportation as the fares are significantly much lower than other land-based modes of transport, making it more affordable. Below was the comparative pricing between Daveyton and Johannesburg for various modes:-

Type of ticket	Price
Single	R 11.50
Return	R 22.50
Weekly	R 75.00
Monthly	R235.00

2. Yes, there are plans to re-activate the Daveyton Station.

a) The improvement and upgrade of the Daveyton Station will be undertaken as part of the National Station upgrade program. The cost to upgrade the station, including retail or shops to serve secondary mandate, is estimated at R15m. The actual construction works will be sequenced and aligned to train service timelines. The project is anticipated to last for 12 months.

b) The upgrade of the Daveyton Station is planned for the 2023/2024 financial year under and the project will be completed over 12 months. The station is planned to be operational by 2023.

Reply:

According to the information received from the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture

a) The National Arts Council received 654 applications from arts practitioners in the various disciplines by the 9th of January 2023, which was the closing date. A total of 339 applications were served at panel for review after passing the compliance stage. On 06 March 2023, the Panel of Chairpersons Committee (POCC) received recommendations from the Panel and raised the following concerns:

1. It did not seem that this exercise was done for the intended purpose of the call. A concern was raised that the panel approached this call similarly to project funding.
2. The amounts recommended by the panel were minuscule and not justifiable for a three-year arts organisation support funding.
3. The provincial spread guidelines were adhered to by the panel. The guidelines also detail that marginalised groups require funding in the interest of redress and transformation and to ensure provincial equity in allocations.
4. The panel elected to consider applications receiving the highest scores over redress imperatives.

The Panel has been requested to review their allocations to be in line with the intensions of the three-year arts organisation support funding.

(b) Arts Organisations Support Funding (AOSF) aims to support arts organisations’ operations and artistic programmes to ensure the sustainability of these organisations for a period of three (3) years.

Organisations were required to apply within the 3 different phases under AOSF and they were to demonstrate the capacity to utilise the funding with integrity and comply with principles and practices of sound governance.

To ensure that arts creatives are assisted during application phases, the NAC published AOSF guidelines detailing all the required information. The assessment criteria for AOSF are attached for ease of reference.

Reply:

According to the feedback received from the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture

(1) The 2019 budget alludes to the budget that was distributed together with the Heads of Terms which the first document is outlining the key aspects of Agreement between International Netball Federation now known as World Netball and Netball South Africa.

The 2019 budget and the current budget are continuously being compared to highlight how revenue and expenditure have changed from 2019 to the present. The following revisions have been offered to show the real changes to the budget. The anticipated revenues substantially increased, whilst the anticipated expenses have significantly increased.

Revenue

	Bid Budget 2018	Head of Terms 2019	Current Budget
Public Funding	47 000 000	58 000 000	101 175 000
Commercial funding	30 000 000	30 000 000	111 500 000

1. The anticipated revenue shows a pattern of growth since 2018.
2. The initial public financing secured was R47 million in 2018, but after evaluation and the sourcing of additional funds, the revenue secured climbed to R58 million in 2019.
3. The national government provided additional guaranteed contributions, bringing the total public funding revenue to almost R101 million rands.
4. Commercial funding is made up of income from ticket sales, sponsorship, broadcasting, licensing, merchandise, and lodging fees, among other sources.
5. The amount of commercial support secured remained unchanged between 2018 and 2019.
6. In contrast to 34% in 2019 and 39% in 2018, commercial funding accounts for 52% of the budget currently.

Expenditure

	Bid Budget 2018	Head of Terms 2019	Current Budget
Business Operations Costs	R6 415 600	R6 415 600	R37 755 303
Tournament Operations Costs	R36 375 100	R31 675 100	R07 853 922
Personnel Costs	R16 000 000	R16 000 000	R5 501 910
International Federation Costs	R8 780 000	R8 780 000	R27 923 460
TOTAL	R67 570 700	R62 870 700	R189 034 596

1. Since 2018, the anticipated costs have progressively risen.
2. Cost assessments during the bid preparation process, followed by the signature of the hosting agreement in 2019 up to the present, have contributed to an increase in the Tournament's preparation and delivery expenditures over the years.
3. The advent of Covid 19 also had a detrimental impact on the costs.
4. Costs for competition locations have significantly increased since 2018.
5. To ensure viability after the event, legacy costs are maintained.

(2) The set budget has not been exceeded instead the data above shows that the money allotted has increased since 2019. Both the projected spending and the anticipated revenue have increased to a greater level as a result of the previously indicated causes.

Reply:

1. Cabinet approved the publishing of the National Water Resource Infrastructure Agency (NWRIA) Bill for public comment for a period of ninety days on 17 August 2022. The NWRIA Bill was published on 16 September 2022 in the Government Gazette notice: 46917 p137, for a period of ninety days which concluded on 16 December 2022. During the ninety days period, the department embarked on an extensive consultation process to solicit comments on the Bill from its various stakeholders.

The period for consultation has been formally extended in the government gazette notice: 48017 p43 published on 10 February 2023, which period will conclude on 17 March 2023. The reason for the extension is to ensure a comprehensive consultation process, by providing the primary creditors of the Trans- Caledon Tunnel Authority (TCTA) with an independent legal and financial opinion on the terms of the loans agreements currently entered with the TCTA in relation to the provisions of the Bill and to allow for the National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC’s) chamber to appoint a task team that will be consider the Bill.

2. It is the intention of the Minister of Water and Sanitation, to have the Bill processed before the end of the sixth Parliament.

---00O00---

Reply:

The R415 from Matatiele to Qachasnek was only gazetted as a National Road under SANRAL’s jurisdiction on 5 August 2022. SANRAL immediately commenced with routine road maintenance on the route and also obtained SANRAL Board Approval in December 2022 for Project R.415-010-2024/1 for the Improvement (Surfacing) of R415, Section 1, from Matatiele (km 0) to Qachasnek (km 23.6). The tenders for consultant appointment for detail design, environmental approval and the construction tender documentation for the improvement project above will be issued during the 2023/24 financial year.

Reply:

Before providing a detailed breakdown and total cost of the SA Sport Awards that were held on Saturday, 25 March 2023, at the Sun City Superbowl in the North West it is important to share the strategic intent and steps being undertaken to realise such.

The National Sport and Recreation Plan (NSRP) specifically Strategic objective 8 is, “To acknowledge the achievements of individuals within the South African sport and recreation sector through the establishment of a recognition system. As a country it is important that we give recognition to the exceptional performances of our athletes, coaches, administrators and technical officials”. The South African Sport Awards is one of four programmes of the Department that are part of the Recognition System.

When the Department revised the South African Sport Awards in 2011, the vision was to build the Awards to a level of a self-funding premium brand. Remarkable strides were made towards the realization of an objective of attracting sponsors. To this end companies such Mercedes Benz came on board hence the Sports Star of the Year and the People’s Choice walked away with Mercedes Benz vehicles during the period up to 2016. During the same period other companies such as Carducci also partnered with the Department in dressing the nominees and other role-players with the Awards. The standard of the Awards declined over the years resulting in numerous negative feedback from the partners such as Official Broadcaster SABC, other partners such as SASCOC and Super Sport, the athletes and general sport enthusiasts.

After the Awards held in March 2022 at the Durban ICC the Department resolved to make appropriate investment to revise and reposition the Awards as the Premium Brand for Sport again. This to attract the sponsors and partners which will assist in attaining the vision of self-funding product.

(a) and (b) Below is a detailed breakdown and the total cost of the SA Sport Awards held on 25 March 2023;

COST AREA	AMOUNT
Prize Money	R3,390,000
Sports Star of the Year	R500,000
People Choice	R500,000
Steve Tshwete Life Time Achievers (5 x R100,000)	R500,000
Minister’s Excellence (9 X R50,000)	R450,000
Winners of 16 Categories (16 X R50,000)	R800,000
Non Winning Nominees in 16 Categories (16 x R20,000 X 2)	R640,000
Event Presentation (Below are the various covered)	R7,962,131.38
Invitation Management, Accreditation and Seating
Voting line
Presenters and Anchor of the Main Event
Set up and décor for Gala Dinner for 1000 people
Technical Production of the Show
Catering, meals, and refreshments (Set days)
Accommodation (Hosts, Anchors, Choreographers, Artists, and Crew
Transportation
Safety and Security
Emergency and Medical Services and Public Liability Insurances
Photography and Videographer
Public Relations, Marketing and Collaterals
Trophies and Medallions
Nominees Blazers and Local Apparel
Coffee Table Book
Panel Members (including debriefing)
Operations Venue Requirements and equipment
Researchers
Main Venue (Superbowl), Dinner (one thousand) Accommodation for Nominees, Panel Members (Adjudication Panel And Panel Of Journalists)	R2,052,122
TOTAL	R13,404,253

Reply:

The Department has requested input response from the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee and awaiting their response.

Reply:

1. No agreements were signed during the Southern Development Community (SADC) Council of Ministers Meeting held from 18-19 March 2023 in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

2. The decision on the operationalisation of the SADC Humanitarian and Emergency Operations Centre (SHOC) was first taken by the Council of Ministers in its meeting held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania in August 2019. Subsequent Council meetings of this body considered and approved standard operating procedures, staffing and budgetary issues pertaining to SHOC as well as a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to establish the SHOC, with Mozambique as the host. The SADC Secretariat continues to work with the Government of Mozambique to expedite the signing of the Hosting Agreement for the SHOC. Once the Hosting Agreement is signed, the Secretariat will commence with deployment of staff to the SHOC in Mozambique.

Reply:

1. No, South Africa is not a member of the Muslim World League. Membership is not considered given the fact that the Muslim World League is an international non-governmental organisation.

2. The Government does not regulate international travel to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for any South African citizen, including pilgrims.

Reply:

In the Free State there are 10 202 buckets that are still to be eradicated. Contractors were appointed for the remaining seven (7) projects and contractors are currently on site. Several sections of the outfall sewer line have been completed whilst others are in progress. Work on the construction of pumpstations in the respective projects has also commenced.

Whilst the challenges are common in most projects, the Free State Bucket Eradication Programme experienced the following:

• Delays with procurement for goods and services for its Construction Unit. The Department is in the process of addressing this by putting in place a new Infrastructure Procurement Policy and Strategy.
• Interruptions by Local Business Forums demanding to be given a greater share of the work.
• Local labour disputes
• Contractual disputes between the main contractors and their subcontractors which have caused delays.
• Some projects encountered unexpected high-water tables, which resulted in a need to pump out water before work could proceed.
• Poor soil conditions requiring changes to the designs mid-construction.
• Some projects cannot be completed because the wastewater treatment works are not yet ready (in terms of functionality or capacity to receive the additional sewage). Efforts to address the Wastewater Treatment Works are underway through either procurement (Senekal) or Conditional Assessments (through DWS) to determine the extent of the work to be done on each plant. Such projects will be packaged independently for implementation.

In the Northern Cape, a new procurement process has ensued and the procurement process including the appointment of a contractor is expected to be completed by April 2023.

---00O00---

Reply:

Yes, we are delighted to share the update on this project. For a very long period the National Archives and Records Service of SA (NARSSA) partnered with other institutions to digitise archival records due to lack of resources. The first digitisation project started in 2014/2015.

In 2020/21, as part of the Presidential Employment Stimulus Package (PESP), the National Archives and Records Service of South Africa (NARSSA) was allocated an amount of R30 million in response to the job losses that came as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic. The allocation was mainly used towards the appointment of 163 unemployed youth to assist in the digitisation of archival records. Another portion was to procure digitisation equipment. The project came to an end on 31 August 2022, however, the National Archives continues to digitise more records.

The success of digitisation at NARSSA was made possible by the funding received through PESP and through partnerships with other institutions. To date the following projects have been undertaken.

Rivonia Trial Dictabelts:

The digitisation of the Rivonia Trial dictabelts emanated from a joint project between the DAC and the INA (French National Audio-Visual Institute). This project started in 2013 when the first agreement was signed with France with INA. The first batch of dictabelts were handed over in 2014 and the 2nd batch in 2015, and handed over to DAC in 2016. Training of archivists formed part of the agreement and the first training took place in France in 2018. In total 591 Rivonia Trial dictabelts were digitized and were thereafter made available for public access on the National Archives website. SA now has equipment to digitise other collections that are in this format such as the Dimitri Tsafendas’ case which is preserved at the Western Cape Archives

Treason Trial dictabelts:

The collection is estimated to 3 250 dictabelts in total. To date 1650 dictabelts were digitised. The project was made possible by the employment of the youth who were appointed as part of the Presidential Employment Stimulus Package Project

Truth and Reconciliation Commission audio tapes: 2100 audio visual records were digitised. This was also made possible by the employment of PESP Interns.

Truth and Reconciliation Commission: 118 375 records have been digitised. These include the Amnesty Decisions, Special Sector Hearings, Human Rights Violation Hearings of Cape Town, Gauteng, East London and KwaZulu Natal. Currently NARSSA is digitising Amnesty Hearings

CODESA, Multi-Party Negotiating Forum, the Constitutional Assembly: The National Archives partnered with the Constitutional Hill Trust to digitise records that led to Democracy. CODESA was the first to be digitised. The collection comprises of 37 796 -paper records CODESA and the Multiparty Negotiating Forum are the only collection that is now accessible online. NARSSA will be digitising approximately 870 boxes of the Independent Electoral Commission before the end of the current financial year.

The targets that were set for the 2022/23 financial year are as follows:

ITEM	TARGET	ACHIEVEMENT
Number of pages digitised	30 000	84 982
Number of photographs digitised	0	21 791 (the collection was initially not included for digitisation as an investigation regarding online publishing was required
Number of Treason Trial dictabelts digitised	150	463
Number of TRC Audio tapes digitised	90	1 721

It should be noted that the film digitisation equipment is still not available to allow NARSSA to digitise records. This is due to the fact that the equipment is not available in the country, it needs to be imported in order to digitise film. NARSSA is currently investigating other alternatives such as the identification of other partners who might have the equipment or to outsource this function or import the equipment.

Digitisation is an ongoing process that requires skilled personnel and resources. For the 2023/24 financial year, the National Archives has appointed 10 unemployed youth for a period of 6 months to assist in the digitisation of records. It is envisaged that this number and the project period will increase pending the approval of the digitisation project proposal submitted to the National Treasury.

The ultimate goal is to avail these records for online access.