Questions and Replies
18 April 2023 - NW226
Denner, Ms H to ask the Minister of Employment and Labour
(1) Whether, with reference to the alleged planned R5 billion investment in Thuja Capital Fund and his subsequent instruction to delay the investment pending an investigation, he has been informed that a certain office bearer (name and details furnished) has declared his interest in the fund during the process of adjudication of the specified investment or elsewhere; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) whether he has found that involvement of the specified person constitutes a gross conflict of interest; if not, why not; if so, what further steps does he intend to take in this regard; (3) (a) what is the current status of the investigation into the alleged investment with Thuja Capital Fund, (b) who is conducting the investigation and (c) on what date (i) is it envisaged that the investigation will be completed and (ii) will the report be presented to the Portfolio Committee on Employment and Labour?
Reply:
In response to question (1) and (2) above I want to advise Honourable Denner that the process that she is referring to in question (3) will assist my office in establishing whether:
(1) The certain individual referred to declared his/her interest in the Fund or anywhere else, and
(2) The involvement of the specified person constitutes a gross conflict of interest or not.
(3) (a) An appointment process for a qualified institution to undertake the process is on its final stages.
(b) I will know once the appointment process has been finalized.
(c) I cannot determine the finalization date at this point, however I want the process to be finalized before end of May 2023.
(i) Yes, it is envisaged that the process will be completed, and
(ii) Yes, I will present the report to the Portfolio Committee on Employment and Labour.
18 April 2023 - NW287
Majozi, Ms Z to ask the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies
Following reports that government websites were down in KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, Mpumalanga and North West, as a result of cable theft according to the State Information Technology Agency (SITA), what steps have been taken by her department to protect the relevant infrastructure against theft; 2. whether her department has had any communication with the SITA on measures to protect the infrastructure; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
I have been advised by SITA as follows:
1. Vandalism and theft of private sector operator infrastructure as well as that of State-owned Enterprises (SOEs), that have partnerships with SITA through contracted services, have been one of the biggest challenges, negatively impacting delivery of ICT services to government. These acts of vandalism and theft manifest as follows:
a) Overhead routes are targeted, where wooden poles are vandalised and stolen leaving optic fibre cables damaged.
b) Equipment facilities at various network sites are vandalised and batteries stolen, that negatively impact backup power that mitigates against load sheading or loss of power.
c) Rail infrastructure is targeted for various metals and other material, thereby damaging optic fibre cables that use the rail infrastructure routes.
d) Underground infrastructure routes are targeted through manholes for copper and other metals thereby damaging optic fibre cables. The incident that affected access to government websites on 8 February 2023 was related to this type of vandalism and theft.
There have been various interventions as follows:
a) SITA has been working with organisations owning the infrastructure to ensure speedy restoration of services to government.
b) Implementation of service improvement interventions with organisations owning the infrastructure, in the form of establishing alternative routing to improve the already existing layers of redundancy.
c) The South African Police Service (SAPS) and private security companies have been engaged through the relevant processes to address these acts of vandalism and theft. This is through frequent monitoring of targeted areas and investigations to hopefully apprehend those responsible.
(2) SITA has been in communication with its shareholder department, the DCDT, on these challenges and the required interventions to address these matters with the relevant stakeholders.
Thank You.
PQ 287: Hon. Z Majozi (IFP) to ask the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, NW298E
18 April 2023 - NW46
Kohler-Barnard, Ms D to ask the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies
Whether the sales management of the SA Broadcasting Corporation requests advertisers to pay upfront in order to pay for staff salaries and in return give up to 700% added value; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
I have been advised by the SABC as follows:
The SABC Sales division uses various standard trading models with associated payment plans to commercialise inventory and generate revenue. In the case of unsold inventory for prime and shoulder time, the SABC offers advertisers who pay upfront an 86% discount or a 700% exposure deal in order to boost sales revenue. The exposure deal implies that advertisers who buy exposure and pay upfront for, example, R100 from the SABC get value of R700 or an 86% discount.
The respective models are mutually agreed to by the client and the SABC based on the nature of the requirements and deals, and the revenue generated is used for various business operations.
Thank You.
PQ 46: Hon.D Kohler (DA) to ask the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, NW 46E
18 April 2023 - NW190
Bagraim, Mr M to ask the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies
What are the details of the (a) destination and (b) total costs for (i) accommodation, (ii) travel and (iii) any other costs incurred for international travel of each (aa) Minister and (bb) Deputy Minister of her department since 1 June 2019; 2. What is the total cost incurred for domestic air travel for each (a) Minister and (b) Deputy Minister of her department of her department since 1 June 2019?
Reply:
I have been advised by the department as follows:
1.(a) |
Destination |
See attached Annexure A |
(b) |
Total Costs |
R 3 932 531.49 |
(i) |
Accommodation |
R 1 144 763.13 |
(ii) |
Travel (International flights) |
R1 918 800.35 |
(iii) |
Other costs (road transport and VIP lounges) |
R 868 968.01 |
(aa) |
Total costs in respect of Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams |
R 1 620 661.01 |
Accommodation |
R 530 502.63 |
|
Travel (International flights) |
R 797 093.45 |
|
Other costs (road transport and VIP lounges) |
R 293 065.20 |
|
- |
||
(aa) |
Total costs in respect of Minister Khumbuzo Ntshavheni |
R 1 835 961.26 |
Accommodation |
R 513 778.56 |
|
Travel (International flights) |
R 934 207.03 |
|
Other costs (road transport and VIP lounges) |
R 387 975.67 |
|
(bb) |
Total costs in respect of Deputy Minister Pinky Kekana |
R 218 838.31 |
Accommodation |
R 38 452.80 |
|
Travel (International flights) |
R 82 938.36 |
|
Other costs (road transport and VIP lounges) |
R 97 447.15 |
|
(bb) |
Total costs in respect of Deputy Minister Philly Mapulane |
R 257 070.64 |
Accommodation |
R 62 029.14 |
|
Travel (International flights) |
R 104 561.51 |
|
Other costs (road transport and VIP lounges) |
R 90 479.99 |
|
2. |
Total cost incurred for domestic flights |
R 1 381 782.95 |
|
||
(a) |
Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams |
R 684 705.78 |
(a) |
Minister Khumbuzo Ntshavheni |
R 328 875.00 |
(b) |
Deputy Minister Pinky Kekana |
R 112 450.17 |
(b) |
Deputy Minister Philly Mapulane |
R 255 752.00 |
Thank You.
18 April 2023 - NW42
Kohler-Barnard, Ms D to ask the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies
Whether the Government is demanding that the specified company gives away an ownership share to a local black economic empowerment (BEE) partner before approving its licencing application, if not, why not; if so, (a) what are the relevant details and (b) who is the 2. Whether the Government is demanding that the specified company gives away an ownership share to a local black economic empowerment (BEE) partner before approving its licencing application, if not, why not; if so, (a) what are the relevant details and (b) who is the Government’s preferred BEE partner for the transaction. 3. What are the reasons that the launch of the company in the Republic has been indefinitely delayed while other African countries, including Mozambique, Nigeria, Angola, Eswatini, Gabon, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, and Tanzania, will all gain access to the services of the company in early 2023?
Reply:
I have been advised by ICASA as follows:
1. The Authority has no information in its possession indicating that StarLink has submitted an application either for Radio Frequency Spectrum, Individual Electronic Communications
PQ 42: Hon.D Kohler (DA) to ask the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies
Network Service (I-ECNS) and an Individual Electronic Communications Service (I-ECS) licences or transfer applications to the Authority.
2. The Authority’s prevailing legislative and regulatory provisions section 9(2) (b) of the Electronic Communications Act 36 of 2005 read with regulation 3(4) of the Regulations in respect of the Limitations of Control and Equity Ownership by Historically Disadvantaged Groups (HDGs) 2021, requires Individual IECS/IECNS applicants or licensees to have a minimum 30% equity ownership held by persons from historically disadvantaged groups (HDGs), which includes black people, women, youth and people with disabilities. Therefore, in order for Starlink to operate in South Africa, they require the IECS and IECNS licences and to comply with the above.
3. See (a) above.
Thank You.
PQ 42: Hon. D Kohler (DA) to ask the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, NW42E
18 April 2023 - NW4
Zungula, Mr V to ask the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies
1. In light of the fact that MTN was fined billions of rands in Nigeria for failing to disconnect unregistered SIM cards that were used by criminals to commit crimes, what measures has her department put in place to compel telecommunications companies to disconnect all unregistered SIM cards. 2. Whether any fines have been imposed on such companies for violations of relevant laws; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
I have been advised by ICASA as follows:
1. Section 68 (1) (a) of the Electronic Communications Act (Act No. 36 of 2005) as amended (“the ECA”), enjoins the Authority to make regulations prescribing a numbering plan which must be amended and updated as the Authority considers necessary for efficient use and allocation of numbers. In this regard, the Authority is empowered to regulate the use of numbering resources. The Authority is not empowered to regulate the provision of SIM cards. Thus, compliance with registration of SIM cards and monitoring thereof fall outside the Authority’s jurisdiction. Although the Authority receives audits from licensees regarding active numbers in their networks, it does not receive information on unregistered SIMs.
The Department of Justice is responsible for the registration of SIM cards empowered through Regulation of Interception of Communications and Provision of Communication‑Related Information Act (RICA) and therefore, the Department should be able to deal with issues pertaining to activation thereof.
2. Not Applicable
Thank You
PQ 4: Hon. V Zungula (ATM) to ask the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, NW4E
18 April 2023 - NW41
Bodlani, Ms T to ask the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies
Whether, with reference to her reply to question 4481 on 21 December 2022, charges were brought against any of the specified individuals implicated in issuing fraudulent vehicle licences?
Reply:
I have been advised by SAPO as follows:
Yes, charges have been brought against individuals implicated in issuing fraudulent vehicle licenses:
a) 24 criminal cases have been registered with the South African Police Services (SAPS) for fraud and contravention of the section 7 of the Cybercrimes Act No. 19 of 2020 - unlawful acquisition, possession, provision, receipt or use of a password, access code or similar data or device.
b) Internal disciplinary proceedings have also been instituted for contravention of the Cybercrimes Act and not protecting usernames and passwords as well as not following policies as required by the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC):
87 employees were identified for contravening the Cybercrimes Act and policy:
- 3 employees resigned prior to their suspension;
- 84 employees in total were suspended, of which 15 disciplinary hearings have been concluded and following a guilty conviction, these employees were dismissed. 69 employees are currently on suspension awaiting conclusion of the disciplinary processes.
Thank You.
PQ 41: Hon.T Bodlani (DA) to ask the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies
PQ 41: Hon. M Bagraim (DA) to ask the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies
18 April 2023 - NW243
Kohler-Barnard, Ms D to ask the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies
What total number of call centre agents are currently employed at SA Post Office ; 2. Whether the number of employed call centre agents is sufficient, if not, what plans have been put in place to increase the number, if so what are relevant details; 3. Whether the SAPO intends to retrench call centre employees found to be in excess or above the requisite number, if not, what is the position in this regard, if so what are the relevant details: NW247E
Reply:
I have been advised by SAPO as follows:
1. The total number of call centre agents employed by Post Office is currently 55.
2. SAPO plans are to consolidate all call centres within Post Office into one platform. This includes revising the organisational structure, upgrading the Call Centre IT systems, should funds permit.
3. The Post Office is currently right-sizing throughout the company due to volume drops and call centre will be affected one way or another. The right-sizing will ensure customer calls are not compromised and the acquisition of another telephone management system will enhance capacity more than adequately.
Thank You.
PQ 243 Ms D Kohler (DA) to ask the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, NW247E
18 April 2023 - NW309
Majozi, Ms Z to ask the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies
Whether, following the appointment of the Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Broadband Infraco as at 16 November 2022, she had any communication with the Broadband Infraco board on the process of the appointment of a permanent CEO; if not, why not; if so, (2) whether the entity had set a deadline for the appointment of a permanent CEO; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1. Yes, there was communication to effect that the position of the CEO will not be filled on a permanent basis due to considerations of the future organisational structure of BBI post the acquisition of BBI by Sentech. For this reason, the position is filled on a short-term contract basis with the approval of the Minister.
2. No, there is no deadline set for appointment of the permanent CEO because the future organisational structure of BBI post the acquisition of BBI by Sentech will dictate what happens to the CEO position.
Thank You.
PQ 309: Hon.Z Majozi (IFP) to ask the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, NW323E
17 April 2023 - NW989
Thembekwayo, Dr S to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation
Following the rape of a female student at a private unaccredited residence in Soshanguve, north of Pretoria, which additional safety measures has his department taken to improve security in the technical, vocational education and training colleges in the Republic?
Reply:
The college has received R30 000 000 to renovate hostels at Soshanguve to accommodate students from Soshanguve South and Soshanguve North. There are only three hundred (300) beds for the college therefore priority will be given to female students. The college is looking at other measures to brief security in the student residence.
17 April 2023 - NW427
Gondwe, Dr M to ask the Minister of Public Service and Administration
What (a) total number of vacancies for Deputy Director-General positions does the public service currently have and (b) period have the positions been vacant in each (i) national and (ii) provincial department?
Reply:
a) There are 121 vacancies for Deputy Director-General positions based on available reports provided by individual departments up to 31 January 2023.
b) (i) Please note Annexure A (National status as at 31 January 2023) which provides the full detail of the vacancies.
(ii) Please note Annexure B (Provincial status as at 31 January 2023) which provides the full detail of the vacancies.
The above Annexures reflect information as reported by individual departments with respect to the vacancies they have at Deputy Director-General level.
End
17 April 2023 - NW958
Buthelezi, Ms SA to ask the Minister of Human Settlements
Whether her department has been informed of the lack of coordination that will inadvertently delay projects and negatively undermine the good intentions of the projects, as is the case with a housing project along the Ladysmith/Zakheni main road in northern KwaZulu-Natal that has been stalled for over a decade, with planning for the project, whose estimated yield is 504 units, having begun in 2012, with bulk infrastructure delays as well as poor cohesion between the KwaZulu-Natal provincial department of Human Settlements and the uThukela District Municipality having been highlighted as the reasons for the stalling of the multi-million rand housing project; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, how can her department use the steps of the National Unblocking Programme Plan to revitalise the specified project?
Reply:
The uThukela District Municipality had originally committed to supporting the housing project through the provision of bulk infrastructure, which allowed the Provincial Department of Human Settlements to proceed with the implementation of the housing project.
During the 2020/2021 financial year, however the uThukela District Municipality indicated it was no longer be in a position to honour its commitment. The district further requested that the Provincial Department of Human Settlements fund the bulk infrastructure.
The Provincial Department of Human Settlements is currently implementing the required bulk infrastructure, which is part of the District’s function.
The Provincial Department will complete the houses for beneficiaries to occupy.
17 April 2023 - NW872
Mohlala, Ms MR to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
What (a) reasons lie behind the delayed completion of the James Kleynhans Water Treatment Works upgrade, (b) steps have been taken to avoid such delays in the future, (c) are the long-term implications for the Republic’s water infrastructure if such delays continue and (d) total amount in funding will be required to complete the specified upgrade by 31 December 2023?
Reply:
a) The delays in the completion of Phase 2 upgrade of James Kleynhans Water Treatment Works (WTW’s) are due to the following:
- The Covid 19 hard lockdown resulted in work stoppages and revised health and safety measures that needed to be implemented
- The lockdowns also brought about increases in costs of various materials and equipment for the project
- The contractor initially appointed experienced financial difficulties which slowed progress of activities and ultimately liquidation of the company which resulted in the contract being terminated.
- Procurement processes to appoint a new contractor were also delayed as the advertisement of the tender had to be repeated due to unresponsive bids during the first round.
The contractor was eventually appointed and the has been on site since January 2023.
b) The Department is closely monitoring the turnaround plan of the Amatola Water Board and the municipality convenes monthly progress meetings.
c) Any further delays in completing water infrastructure projects may result in water shortages in cities and towns as the ageing Water Treatment Works may eventually not be able to meet the increased demands for water.
d) An estimated amount of R88,4 million is required to complete Phase 2 of the project by December 2023.
---00O00---
17 April 2023 - NW869
Arries, Ms LH to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
What (a) measures has her department put in place to accommodate learners with autism in the schooling system and (b) total number of children living with autism are not in schools?
Reply:
a) Provincial education departments have put in place the following measures to accommodate autistic learners:
- Building schools to accommodate autistic learners;
- Accommodating them in existing special schools; and
- Introducing special classes in schools.
b) The Department of Basic Education does not have this data as it is the prerogative of Statistics South Africa.
17 April 2023 - NW846
Tambo, Mr S to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation
Whether, in light of the recent protests at the University of Witwatersrand and across institutions in KwaZulu-Natal which have been characterised by violent clashes between students and private security personnel, he has found any means of regulating the procurement of private security services by public institutions of higher learning; if not, why not; if so, (a) are their methods of engagement with student protestors regulated and (b) is there consequence management when they use excessive force against student protestors?
Reply:
The Higher Education Act (Act 101 Of 1997) as amended, does not give the Minister the authority to regulate procurement of private security services by public universities.
(a)The conduct of private security companies, including how they engage with student protesters, is regulated by the Private Security industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA). Through the PSIRA Act of 2001, PSIRA is granted powers to "exercise effective control over the practice of the occupation of security service providers in the public and national interest", "promote a private security industry which is characterised by professionalism, transparency, accountability, equity and accessibility" as well as "promote high standards in the training of security service providers amongst others".
(b) PSIRA has developed a code of conduct and a complaints management process through which affected members of the public can lodge complaints against a security company.
17 April 2023 - NW843
Montwedi, Mr Mk to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation
What (a) total number of persons have completed electrical-related qualifications at all institutions of higher learning during the period 1 January 2015 up to 31 December 2022 and (b) are the relevant details of each (i) such institution of higher learning and (ii) specified year in which such qualifications were obtained?
Reply:
The table below reflect graduate numbers in electrical-related qualifications per year in each institution. The 2022 audited data will be available at the end of November 2023.
Year |
|||||||
Institution |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
Cape Peninsula University of Technology |
278 |
263 |
257 |
186 |
169 |
112 |
124 |
Central University |
258 |
213 |
216 |
246 |
354 |
338 |
359 |
Durban University of Technology |
315 |
369 |
360 |
363 |
424 |
458 |
452 |
Mangosuthu University of Technology |
258 |
275 |
206 |
252 |
247 |
195 |
304 |
Nelson Mandela University |
87 |
119 |
71 |
84 |
83 |
84 |
80 |
North-West University |
74 |
65 |
44 |
49 |
57 |
49 |
67 |
Tshwane University of Technology |
520 |
509 |
564 |
638 |
649 |
619 |
605 |
University of Cape Town |
133 |
108 |
99 |
112 |
109 |
137 |
89 |
University of Johannesburg |
320 |
338 |
299 |
374 |
425 |
286 |
248 |
University of Kwazulu-Natal |
61 |
52 |
63 |
66 |
68 |
73 |
74 |
University of Pretoria |
175 |
178 |
210 |
168 |
190 |
171 |
170 |
University South Africa |
189 |
207 |
207 |
215 |
173 |
288 |
347 |
University Stellenbosch |
142 |
145 |
149 |
175 |
185 |
170 |
173 |
University of the Witwatersrand |
134 |
147 |
144 |
161 |
154 |
158 |
122 |
Vaal University of Technology |
316 |
320 |
346 |
442 |
271 |
217 |
277 |
Walter Sisulu University |
10 |
53 |
60 |
115 |
92 |
91 |
76 |
Grand Total |
3269 |
3360 |
3293 |
3546 |
3647 |
3446 |
3566 |
17 April 2023 - NW1003
van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
(1) In view of inclusive education having been defined as addressing diverse needs, addressing barriers that negatively affect learning, supporting removal of barriers to learning and ensuring that education is non-discriminative, and noting her department’s statement that there are approximately 410 000 teachers in approximately 25 000 schools across the Republic who are responsible for around 12,9 million students, what total number of the teachers have the necessary training to provide inclusive education as defined to learners with diverse needs; (2) whether any mechanisms are in place to ensure that all educators are exposed to inclusive education methodology; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1) 90 255
2) Yes, there is a dedicated programme for training teachers on specialised areas of inclusion. In addition, the collaborative partnership between Department of Basic Education and Department of Higher Education and Training has led to the development of specialised university qualifications in education of learners who are/have Deaf and hard of hearing (University of Witwatersrand); Visually impaired (University of Pretoria); and Neuro-developmental conditions (University of Western Cape and University of Johannesburg).
17 April 2023 - NW850
Madokwe, Ms P to ask the Minister of Human Settlements
(1)In light of the finger-pointing between the Department of Human Settlements in KwaZulu-Natal, the uThukela District Municipality and the National Home Builders Registration Council regarding a multimillion-rand housing project that has stalled in Steadville, what (a) steps has she taken to establish the facts surrounding the debacle and (b) are the relevant details; (2) who will be held accountable for the wasteful and fruitless expenditure of taxpayers’ money which should have been used to improve the lives of hundreds of families around uThukela?
Reply:
(1) (a) The uThukela District Municipality had originally committed to supporting the housing project through the provision of bulk infrastructure, which allowed the Provincial Department of Human Settlements to proceed with the implementation of the housing project.
During the 2020/2021 financial year, however the uThukela District Municipality indicated it was no longer in a position to honour its commitment. The district further requested that the Provincial Department of Human Settlements fund the bulk infrastructure.
1 (b) The Provincial Department of Human Settlements is currently implementing the required bulk infrastructure, which is part of the District’s function.
(2) There is no wasteful and fruitless expenditure – no one will be held accountable. The houses are structurally sound, and on completion of the bulk infrastructure, the Department will complete the houses for beneficiaries to occupy.
17 April 2023 - NW1014
Chirwa-Mpungose, Ms NN to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation
With reference to the ministerial task team that was commissioned to look at the reconfiguration of the National Skills Fund business operating model so that it becomes an effective, efficient and economically efficient skills development entity, (a) what is the update on the work the ministerial committee has done to date, (b) what impact and/or influence has been noted and (c) how has the entity been improved in becoming an economically efficient skills development agency?
Reply:
The Ministerial Task Team (MTT) on the reconfiguration of the NSF completed its work in July 2023 and presented its report with recommendations to the Minister.
The recommendations in the report for the purpose of implementation are both medium and long term in nature.
Those of a long-term nature require the amendment of certain parts of the legislation (the Skills Development Act 1998).
The Director General of DHET appointed an NSF MTT Report Implementation Task Team which has started its work through the drafting of an Implementation Plan.
The Implementation Plan is driven by five (5) workstreams who in turn have compiled disaggregated activity plans around these five (5) workstreams through target setting activities. The workstreams are:
- Governance workstream. (Primarily addresses issues of the NSF governance and legal structure).
- Strategy and Innovation workstream. (Primarily address the NSF skills development strategy in line with other government's skills development priorities and plans).
- Business model, operating model, and vale chain workstream. (Primarily addresses the flow of the NSF full value chain of skills development funding which combines the core and the support function of the NSF.
- Human Resource workstream. (Primarily addresses the recruitment, development, and support of appropriately qualified personnel).
- Change management workstream. (Addresses the theory of change aimed at instilling a new ethical culture and value system in the NSF).
The medium-term targets are meant to be achieved by the end of the 2023/24 financial year.
The long-term targets (legislative in nature) are meant to be achieved beyond the 2023/24 financial year.
17 April 2023 - NW549
Van Zyl, Ms A M to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
How does her department intend to deal with overcrowding in schools (details furnished) to maintain the focus on quality education and learning?
Reply:
The Department intends to deal with overcrowding in schools through a programme called Special Intervention Programme on Overcrowding in Schools (SIPOS). The proposal involves the supply of additional classrooms to affected schools at a reduced cost and time, than it would normally cost; and take when following conversional methods of procurement and appointing service providers to reduce overcrowding in schools. This will be done through a strict direct transfer of funds by the Provincial Education Departments (PEDs) to schools, and self-built classrooms. Discussions are at an advanced stage with National Treasury for funding.
In the short them, in collaboration with the PEDs, we are continuing with the supply of mobile classrooms in affected schools; and we are establishing satellite schools to accommodate unplaced learners. Some specialist rooms are temporarily used as classrooms to alleviate overcrowding until the self-built programme commences.
17 April 2023 - NW821
Buthelezi, Ms SA to ask the Minister of Human Settlements
Whether her department has facilitated any partnerships between stakeholders in the private sector, with particular focus on including innovative, low-cost housing solutions such as prefabricated modular housing in the upgrading of human settlements; if not why not, if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
Yes, the Department has together with the National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC) facilitated partnerships with stakeholders in the private sector. This was not only with regards to prefabricated modular housing in the programme upgrading informal settlements but with regards to different types of innovative technology housing solutions such as light steel, heavy steel, hybrid material and water-wise devices in all types of settlements. This was done to fulfill the research and policy agenda with the ultimate objective of ensuring the inclusion of sustainable innovative technologies in housing and human settlements policies and programmes.
The partnership has been done in many ways including amongst others; allowing the private sector to showcase their technologies at Eric Molobi Innovation Hub in Soshanguve and creating an enabling environment for the NHBRC to undertake the testing of innovative building technologies. The Department has through these partnerships hosted several stakeholder engagements with the private sector role players, and institutions of higher learning such as the University of Free State and the University of Johannesburg who have shown keen interest in sustainable innovative building technology to develop accredited training programmes. The Department working with these role-players agreed to establish an Innovation Building Technology Task Team comprised of both private and public sector players and even advised the private sector players to form an Innovative Building Technologies (IBT) Association.
These partnership engagements focused on creating an information-sharing platform to improve knowledge and understanding regarding the advantages, disadvantages, cost implications; demand, and supply elements of various technologies that are available.
The engagements yielded inputs into the policy guidelines on IBTs, revision of norms and standards, and the development of a Dynamic IBT Database which currently has more than 40 approved IBT Systems Developers. These partnerships also contributed to streamlined processes between the NHBRC and Agrément South Africa where roles and responsibilities are solidified in a form of a memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to be signed between the NHBRC and Agrément South Africa.
More partnership engagements are still required with the private sector and the National Treasury. The Department plans to continuously engage stakeholders regarding supply chain processes and competitive bidding processes so there could be a clear understanding of business processes, policies, institutional arrangements, and interventions for the ease of doing business and there would be seamless processes of registering innovative technologies that could be used by Provinces and municipalities in the housing subsidy programme.
Additional Information
- The partnerships are not in written form
- IBT System Developers who are Agrément South Africa South Africa certified would be registered with the NHBRC.
- Provinces and Municipalities must follow supply chain processes in procuring suitable private sector companies that would construct subsidy houses.
- The process of procurement becomes difficult because the technologies are nit the same which makes the competitive bidding process flawed .
- The NHBRC has assisted various Municipalities and Provinces to build affordable housing and by advising on the technical standards, guidelines as well as training. This is also reflected on NHBRC’s previous Annual Reports.
- The following service providers were part of IBT discussions at different periods. The list is not exhaustive.
- Moladi Construction
- 3d Build Tech Building System ;
- Ilima Digital Foundary;
- Lokissa Lighting Solutions;
- Bubbles Precast Construction System (BPCS),
- PTW Connect;
- David Lieberman Architects;
- XY Innovative Housing & Communities
- Solutionist Multiserve (Pty) Ltd;
- Habitat Modular;
- Agri-Village Housing Projects,
- Isedeleke Company;
- AV Light Steel
- Block Solutions OY in Finland.
- Over and above these engagements the Department in collaboration with the Department of Science and Innovation developed an innovative strategy road map and launched in the past.
- This strategy entailed proposals for partnership with the Private Sector on capacity development initiatives among others prefabricated modular housing in IBT.
- The stakeholders engagements amongst other include the Black Business Council ( BBC) which made proposals on training and development and setting up knowledge hubs for Built Environment professionals.
- BBC also proposed the establishment of 34 assembly and distribution centers as part of youth entrepreneurship development.
- BBC also made a proposals for Manufacturing development Plan and Construction Development Plan which covers training and licensing of contractors
- The Department has tasked the NHBRC to play a more prominent role in piloting IBTs in the subsidized housing sector for low-income persons in terms of the Housing Consumers Protection Measures Act, as amended (No. 95 of 1998) and contribute towards finding solutions for performance issues.
- The role of NHBRC in IBT is to quality assure enforce compliance with National Building Regulation requirements by the home builders in the home building industry.
- NHBRC has established a database of companies that are manufacturing housing products that satisfy the National Building Regulations excluding those covered in the SANS Codes of Practice.
- The process is that the NHBRC assesses whether the companies product meets necessary technical requirements in four stages namely: Submission, Technical Evaluation, Practical Evaluation, Agrément Certificate and NHBRC company Registration.
17 April 2023 - NW856
Marais, Ms P to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
What is the total number of early childhood development centres for children living with disabilities in the Republic?
Reply:
The Department of Basic Education (DBE) received the Early Childhood Development (ECD) function 'as is' from the Department of Social Development (DSD). In the manner in which the function had been set up, which currently obtains. There had been no ECD centres that had been built specifically for children with disabilities. The 2021 ECD Census found that there are 42,420 ECD programmes in South Africa. Therefore, following the principle of inclusive education, it is expected that all these ECD centres should accommodate children with developmental delays, or physical disabilities. The improvements the DBE is making in this area are, the development of a screening tool for developmental delays or disabilities for use by ECD practitioners, to enable the early identification of delays or disabilities. The DBE also continues to train ECD practitioners in inclusive practices through Uhambo Foundation. The DBE will further be working with the Department of Health in developing referral networks to ensure that children with delays or disabilities receive early intervention and support.
17 April 2023 - NW633
Gondwe, Dr M to ask the Minister of Public Service and Administration
(1)On what date was the position of the Eastern Cape Director of the National Rural Youth Service Corps advertised; (2) whether a certain person (name furnished) applied for the specified position when it was initially advertised; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, will he furnish Dr M M Gondwe with the proof of the application; (3) whether the specified person met the shortlisting criteria; if not, what are the reasons that the person did not meet the criteria; if so, (a) was the person shortlisted for the position and (b) on what date was the person interviewed for the position; (4) (a) what number of candidates were shortlisted for the position, (b) on what date did the shortlisting take place and (c) what criteria were used to shortlist candidates for the position; (5) whether the human resources department and the union(s) were represented during the entire (a) recruitment and (b) selection process; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The filling of posts within a department is the responsibility of the relevant Executive Authority in terms of Section 3(7) of the Public Service Act, 1994. The practice of recruitment is therefore decentralised to the relevant Executive Authority.
The Minister for the Public Service and Administration and the DPSA support departments through policy and setting of norms and standards in order to efficiently fill vacancies within the parameters of the legislative framework. The responsibility to fill such vacancies resides with the relevant Executive Authority. The questions on the selection process for the filling of the post should therefore be directed to the relevant Department.
End
17 April 2023 - NW999
Shembeni, Mr HA to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
Which measures has he taken to erect boreholes for residents of Nkomazi, Mpumalanga, as they currently have no access to water and instead have to buy water from other residents who have drilled their own bore holes?
Reply:
The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has drilled a total number of 4 boreholes during the 2018/19 financial year funded by Water Services Infrastructure Grant (WSIG) as indicated below:
- Steenbok 1
- Mangweni 1
- Boschfontein 1
- Gomora 1
The DWS provided financial support through the WSIG to the Nkomazi Municipality for water reticulation projects to the areas of Madadeni and Magogeni in the municipality.
The DWS is also providing financial support to the municipality through the Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant (RBIG) for the implementation of the Sibange and the Driekoppies Regional Water Supply projects to improve water supply in the Nkomazi Municipality.
17 April 2023 - NW1011
Ceza, Mr K to ask the Minister of Human Settlements
Which measures has she taken in the past three years to ensure that (a) unfinished housing projects are completed timeously and (b) incomplete projects are not vandalised?
Reply:
a) I convened a Sector-wide Strategic Planning Session on 19 and 20 October 2021, where it was agreed among others that unblocking of incomplete projects will be amongst my apex priorities. The Department has commenced working in earnest with all relevant sector stakeholders to develop and implement a three-year programme to unblock all projects from 2022/2023 to 2024/2025 financial years.
All Provincial Departments have put in place plans to activate all the blocked projects as agreed in the Diagnostic Report. A total of 320 projects will be unblocked in the 2023/2024 financial year followed by 299 projects in the 2024/2025 financial year, as contained in the Business Plans.
b) Human Settlements is a concurrent function. Provinces and Municipalities, as implementing agents, are tasked with the responsibility of planning, appointment of service providers, approval and allocation of beneficiaries and have the responsibility to make sure that human settlements projects are secured. It is responsibility of these spheres of government to make sure that housing projects are not vandalised and as a national department, we allocate funds for this on our grant funding.
17 April 2023 - NW857
Komane, Ms RN to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation
Following the brutal murders and attacks against students in tertiary institutions over the past few months, (a) what immediate intervening steps has he taken to ensure that security is strengthened in (i) institutions of higher learning and (ii) all accredited student residences and (b)(i) by what date(s) will the specified intervention(s) be implemented and (ii) how will it be monitored?
Reply:
The Department) has been working towards finding mechanisms to address the scourge of violence on campuses and residences. Following several engagements with the sector the Department undertook to develop a programme of engagement with all relevant stakeholders with the aim of developing strategic partnerships across the sector to address issues of violence and violent cultures on university campuses. This work was progressed through engagements with Universities South Africa (USAf), South African Police Service (SAPS) and Campus Protection Society of Southern Africa (CAMPROSA. The aim is to assess and understand the different threats experienced by universities and identify urgent matters that need to be addressed at institutions, including the need to improve the capacity of institutions to maintain peace and keep campuses safe and secure.
The training of security officers placed on campuses and student residences was identified as one of the areas that should be prioritised. USAf committed to work closely with SAPS and CAMPROSA to ensure that universities security officers are well trained. A training manual will be developed to ensure that training of security officers across universities is standardised. In terms of monitoring the Department has committed to meet with universities through CAMPROSA to discuss progress on training of security officers.
All universities were requested to provide some basic information to the Department detailing immediate plans to address safety and security matters, and highlighting areas that require urgent intervention to improve safety and security, including infrastructure-related projects to be prioritized. This information was scrutinized to identify projects that could be urgently funded through earmarked grants. Funds were made available to universities through the Infrastructure and Efficiency Grant towards safety and security projects over six distinct cycles. To date an amount of R519.344 million has been allocated to universities for projects aimed at improving security at universities.
The Department is also supporting the Historically Disadvantaged Institutions (HDIs) to improve institutional infrastructure and facilities including enhancing security fixtures on campuses and residences. The programme is implemented in five-year cycles, accompanied by an annual allocation of the Sibusiso Bengu Development Grant. An amount of R240 355 836 has been allocated to HDIs over a five-year period to implement the approved projects aimed at enhancing overall campus and residence safety at universities.
The projects approved under the two earmarked grants include, but not limited to, upgrading of CCTV surveillance system on various campuses and residences, improving access control technology to enable advanced access control management, installation of perimeter fencing and enhancement of lighting in certain areas of residences and campuses.
Universities submit to the Department audited progress reports of projects funded through the earmarked grants annually. It is required that each report should be accompanied by a financial and narrative report indicating the progress in implementing the funded projects. In addition, the Department also conducts institutional oversight visits to verify the information submitted to the Department, discuss the implementation progress of each project approved and funded and assist where there are blockages in implementing the projects.
The Minister has also commissioned research through the University of Zululand to assess the state of safety and security at universities in South Africa, what security measures exist on campuses, and what university management has done to promote safety and security. Amongst others, the methodological approach used was the review of universities security policies and procedures and undertaking physical audit of security infrastructure.
There is also a Ministerial commitment to establish a National Task Force on safety and security in PSET institutions. The development of the Terms of Reference for this work is underway. The Department and Heads of security of universities have also agreed to meet every quarter to assess progress with developing common security standards and norms, so as to develop a security blue print similar to that established for the TVET sector, as well as improving lighting at campuses.
17 April 2023 - NW871
Mohlala, Ms MR to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
What immediate intervening steps has his department taken to ensure the safety and security of workers at water projects, who are currently being held to ransom by construction mafias?
Reply:
The Department of Water and Sanitation has encountered challenges with business forums that demand 30% of funds allocated for Regional Bulk infrastructure Grant (RBIG) and Water Services Infrastructure Grant (WSIG) projects be allocated to them.
The DWS through project steering committees, engages business forums to find amicable solutions to address contract management matters. This is spearheaded by different implementing agents and supported by the Ministry, and senior officials of the Department. Where necessary, the Department will request police protection for its staff, and/or provide private security protection.
---00O00---
17 April 2023 - NW994
Mohlala, Ms MR to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
Which measures of intervention have been taken regarding the ageing infrastructure, burst pipes, leaks and unmetered connections causing financial losses in the Matjhabeng Local Municipality?
Reply:
The Matjhabeng Local Municipality (LM) has challenges of aged and dilapidated infrastructure leading to frequent pipe bursts which contribute to high water losses and reduced pressure in the reticulation system. The municipality is estimated to be losing more than 56% of clean water due to the frequent pipe bursts and aged infrastructure. The municipality is further challenged by a high percentage of non-revenue water which contributes to financial losses for the municipality.
To deal with the challenges indicated above, the Matjhabeng LM has compiled a business plan for replacement of old asbestos and old galvanized pipes with an estimated cost of R1,4billion. The plan was submitted to the Infrastructure South Africa (ISA). However, the municipality was also advised to submit a business plan to the Department of Water and Sanitation for implementation of water conservation and water demand management while awaiting the response from ISA. Should funding for the business plan be secured, implementation of this business plan would reduce the high water losses and improve water supply to the consumers.
To further remedy the challenges relating to water losses and non-revenue water the following interventions are being implemented by the municipality:
- Procurement of over six thousand (6,000) water meters in the 2022/2023 FY to start addressing the issue of unmetered consumers and to improve on revenue collection.
- Appointment of qualified Civil Engineers, Technologists, Technicians and thirty (30) qualified artisan plumbers and
- Purchasing of four (4) new heavy equipment vehicles (TLBs) to assist in water network maintenance and pipe bursts.
- In the 2023/2024 FY, the technical service will run the following water business programmes:
- Pressure management to reduce pipe bursts and water losses
- Non-Revenue Water Management to reduce water loses and improve revenue collection
- Installation of the SCADA System to measure and monitor water losses in the reticulation system
- Active leak detections to locate invisible pipe bursts
- The municipality will also appoint a suitable Professional Services Provider (PSP) to develop a Water Demand and Water Conservation Management (WDWCM) Strategy as a fundamental step in promoting water use efficiency and to be compliant with both the Water Services Act and the National Water Act, Act 36 0f 1998, which together emphasizes effective management of water resources and supply services.
---00O00---
17 April 2023 - NW866
Montwedi, Mr Mk to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation
(1)What total number of students are accommodated by (a) universities and (b) private student residences at each university in the Republic; (2) whether there are any plans to reduce private student residences in the next three financial years; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details
Reply:
- Total number of students accommodated by universities are approximately 367 047.
- Total number of students accommodated by private student residences are approximately 335 387.
CAPE PENINSULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY |
University owned |
Private Owned |
Not Private |
23 641 |
|
Private |
|
4 034 |
UNIVERSITY OF CAPE TOWN |
|
|
Not Private |
12 177 |
|
Private |
|
1 920 |
UNIVERSITY OF STELLENBOSCH |
|
|
Not Private |
6 208 |
|
Private |
|
4 892 |
UNIVERSITY OF THE WESTERN CAPE |
|
|
Not Private |
4 970 |
|
Private |
|
7 920 |
GAUTENG PROVINCE |
|
|
TSHWANE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY |
|
|
Not Private |
41 395 |
|
Private |
|
31 137 |
UNIVERSITY OF JOHANNESBURG |
|
|
Not Private |
6 511 |
|
Private |
|
61 149 |
UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA |
|
|
Not Private |
7 603 |
|
Private |
|
28 595 |
UNIVERSITY OF THE WITWATERSRAND |
|
|
Not Private |
8 559 |
|
Private |
|
18 238 |
SEFAKO MAKGATHO HEALTH SCIENCES UNIVERSITY |
|
|
Not Private |
- |
|
Private |
|
5 193 |
VAAL UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY |
|
|
Not Private |
6 325 |
|
Private |
|
18 956 |
FREE STATE PROVINCE |
|
|
CENTRAL UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY |
|
|
Not Private |
1 026 |
|
Private |
|
21 244 |
UNIVERSITY OF FREE STATE |
|
|
Not Private |
3 662 |
|
Private |
|
46 330 |
KWAZULU-NATAL PROVINCE |
|
|
DURBAN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY |
|
|
Not Private |
34 372 |
|
Private |
|
2 773 |
MANGOSUTHU UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY |
|
|
Not Private |
23 888 |
|
Private |
|
- |
UNIVERSITY OF KWAZULU NATAL |
|
|
Not Private |
35 399 |
|
Private |
|
4 762 |
UNIVERSITY OF ZULULAND |
|
|
Not Private |
1 260 |
|
Private |
|
8 340 |
EASTERN CAPE PROVINCE |
|
|
NELSON MANDELA METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY |
|
|
Not Private |
17 402 |
|
Private |
|
18 296 |
RHODES UNIVERSITY |
|
|
Not Private |
6 983 |
|
Private |
|
3 225 |
UNIVERSITY OF FORT HARE |
|
|
Not Private |
16 267 |
|
Private |
|
5 806 |
WALTER SISULU UNIVERSITY |
|
|
Not Private |
38 455 |
|
Private |
|
- |
NORTH-WEST PROVINCE |
|
|
NORTH-WEST UNIVERSITY |
|
|
Not Private |
13 928 |
|
Private |
|
31 079 |
NORTHERN CAPE PROVINCE |
|
|
SOL PLAATJE UNIVERSITY |
|
|
Not Private |
4 336 |
|
Private |
|
1 242 |
LIMPOPO PROVINCE |
|
|
UNIVERSITY OF LIMPOPO |
|
|
Not Private |
31 786 |
|
Private |
|
- |
UNIVERSITY OF VENDA |
|
|
Not Private |
10 166 |
|
Private |
|
9 816 |
MPUMALANGA PROVINCE |
|
|
UNIVERSITY OF MPUMALANGA |
|
|
Not Private |
10 728 |
|
Private |
|
440 |
3. Government is unable to address the student housing shortage on its own. The student accommodation deficit requires us to partner with Emerging/Small Private Student Accommodation Providers, Established/Large Student Accommodation Providers, Development Finance Institutions, and Commercial Banks. This is why in 2016, the Department established the Student Housing Infrastructure Programme (SHIP) which aims to converge these stakeholders in order to leverage on their resources and expertise for the purpose of addressing the student housing shortage. Considering the above, there are no plans to reduce private student accommodation. Instead, plans are underway to strengthen the regulation of the student accommodation market by reviewing the 2015 Policy on Minimum Norms and Standards for Student Housing.
17 April 2023 - NW693
Ngcobo, Mr SL to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
(1) Whether, with regard to schools in provinces such as Mpumalanga and the Eastern Cape that have some of the most dilapidated and crumbling school infrastructure, the two provinces have furnished her and/or her department with any reasons for their inability to spend its R400 million school infrastructure grant, considering that there are hundreds of schools which need infrastructure refurbishment in the provinces; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what were the reasons; (2) whether (a) there will be any accountability measures implemented to bring those in charge to account for the waste of resources and (b) her department will intervene in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, to capacitate the two provinces to increase their ability to use the grants effectively for their intended use; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details in each case?
Reply:
1. The DBE engages with all Provincial Education Departments (PEDs) on a regular basis, to discuss with and assist PEDs that are not performing as expected. Some of the reasons for poor performance by the two PEDs include, but not limited to the following - :
- Project delays by business forums and community contestations;
- Procurement delays;
- System downtime ;
- Poor performance by Implementing Agents and contractors; and
- High staff turnover in the provincial infrastructure units.
2. (a) These provinces have developed and are implementing recovery plans to mitigate against their underperformance; and these are monitored by the DBE on a regular basis. If there are cases of negligence that lead to the underperformance, these are investigated, and measures taken in line with applicable legislation and regulations.
(b) As indicated above, the DBE is already intervening and providing assistance to these provinces. Matters relating to capacity and staff turnover, are dealt with in terms of the capacitation framework; and additional capacity has also been provided to these provinces.
14 April 2023 - NW601
Abrahams, Ms ALA to ask the Minister of Social Development
(1)What total number of mothers and fathers under the age of 18 years, either by themselves and/or via a caregiver, have applied for (a) the one child support grant and (b) more than one child support grant, during the past five years in each province; (2) what parenting programmes are offered to such teenage parents?
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.
14 April 2023 - NW1174
Arries, Ms LH to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
(a) What is the total number of municipalities that have been issued with Section 106 notices since 1 January 2019, (b) who is the investigative service provider investigating the municipalities and (c) what is the total cost paid to the service provider for investigating the municipalities regarding the specified section?
Reply:
The response below was provided by the provincial departments of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs from the various provinces. Out of the 9 provinces, 7 provinces have submitted responses. We are still awaiting responses from KwaZulu Natal and North West provinces. A total of 35 municipalities have been issued with Section 106 notices since 1 January 2019. The details are provided below:
Province |
Total no of municipalities. |
Service provider appointed to investigate. |
Total cost paid to service provider. |
Eastern Cape |
15 |
15 Section 106 notices issued since 2019. Out of the 15, 14 of the investigations were conducted internally. Service provider appointed was Integrated Forensic Accounting Firm (Buffalo City Metro). |
R750 000.00 |
Free State |
5 |
5 Section 106 notices issued. All investigations were done internally, as such no service provider was appointed. |
N/A |
Gauteng |
2 |
2 Section 106 notices issued since 2019. Service provider appointed for both was Adv. William Mokhare SC, assisted by two Junior Advocates. (i) Sedibeng DM; and (ii) Rand West LM. |
R 4 869 362.06. |
KwaZulu Natal |
Still awaiting response from the province. |
N/A |
N/A |
Limpopo |
6 |
6 Section 106 notices issued since 2019. All investigations were done internally, as such no service provider was appointed. |
N/A |
Mpumalanga |
7 |
7 Section 106 notices issued since 2019, conducted by service providers listed below: (i) AGNOWIZ (Dr JS Moroka LM); (ii) TMN Kgomo & Associates Inc ( Pixley Ka Isaka Seme LM); (iii) Motlatsiseleke Inc (Govan Mbeki LM); (iv) SAMBA Solutions (Dipaleseng LM); (v) Motlatsiseleke Inc (Nkomazi LM); (vi) Analytical Forensic Investigation Services (Emalahleni LM); and (vii) RCA & Company (Bushbuckridge LM) |
(i) AGNOWIZ (R456 205.00) (ii) TMN Kgomo & Associates Inc (R495 650.00) (iii)Motlatsiseleke Inc (R498 950.00) (iv) SAMBA Solutions (R953 748.00) (v) Motlatsiseleke Inc (R498 950.00) (vi) Analytical Forensic Investigation Services (R787 228.00) (vii) RCA & Company (R885 753.00). |
North West |
Still awaiting response from the province. |
N/A |
N/A |
Northern Cape |
No Section 106 notices issued since 2019. |
N/A |
N/A |
Western Cape |
5 |
6 Section 106 notices issued since 2019, conducted by service providers (persons designated) listed below: (i) Ms Annelita Mentoor & Mr Anthony Botha; and Adv Etienne Vermaak, Ms Annelita Mentoor & Mr Pieter Van Hansen (George LM); (ii) Ms Carmelita Beerwinkel & Mr Marius Pretorius (Central Karoo DM); (iii) Ms Deirdre Viljoen & Mr Marc Diergaardt (Kannaland LM); (iv) Adv Charl Strydom & Ms Estelle Mynhardt (Matzikama LM); and (v) Mr Charl Gerber & Ms Nimerah Singh (Beaufort West LM) |
(i) Ms Annelita Mentoor & Mr Anthony Botha (R1 479 356.20); and Adv Etienne Vermaak, Ms Annelita Mentoor & Mr Pieter Van Hansen (R1 833 050.00). (ii) Ms Carmelita Beerwinkel & Mr Marius Pretorius (R908 050.00); (iii) Ms Deirdre Viljoen & Mr Marc Diergaardt (R714 999.00); (iv) Adv Charl Strydom & Ms Estelle Mynhardt (R1 203 585.00); and (v) Mr Charl Gerber & Ms Nimerah Singh (R1 110 500.00) |
End.
14 April 2023 - NW840
Abrahams, Ms ALA to ask the Minister of Social Development
Whether, with reference to her reply to question 2287 on 22 July 2022, she will furnish Ms A L A Abrahams with the (a) lease agreement, (b) square meterage with justification for the high rental amount and (c) name of each director and/or member of each landlord for the regional office in Pretoria owned by Centpret Properties; if not, in each case; if so, by what date?
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 |
14 April 2023 - NW841
Gondwe, Dr M to ask the Minister of Social Development
(1)What total number of doctors in the SA Social Security Agency (SASSA) are contracted to serve in the (a) George area and (b) entire Garden Route District; (2) (a) how often do the specified SASSA contracted doctors pay visits to the specified areas and (b) what total number of persons are the SASSA contracted doctors expected to serve in the areas; (3) what is the average waiting period for patients to be able to be attended by the SASSA contracted doctors?
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
14 April 2023 - NW925
Breytenbach, Adv G to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
Regarding the SA Government and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) which confirmed that the Gupta brothers were arrested in Dubai in June 2022, on what dates, between 2 June 2022 and 24 February 2023, did his department receive official updates from the UAE on progress in respect of the extradition process; (2) What is the name of each member of the team from the Republic responsible for the extradition application; (3) Whether the team that was assigned and announced in 2022 remains the same; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
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.
14 April 2023 - NW959
Buthelezi, Ms SA to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
What (a) is the role of her department in situations where local governments are unable to provide basic services like water and sanitation, as is the case in the Theewaterskloof Local Municipality that is unable to provide the services to the increasing number of persons occupying land in the Khoisan settlement of Knoflokskraal on land that is earmarked for forestry plantations and not human settlement and (b) plans does her department have in place to cooperate with other governmental departments who own the land of traditional settlements but fail to provide essential municipal services?
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.
14 April 2023 - NW824
van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Social Development
What (a)(i) is the total number of (aa) inverters and (bb) generators that the SA Social Security Agency has procured to date to mitigate against the impact of load shedding on service delivery and (ii) number of the specified items were procured for each (aa) province and (bb) office and (b) was the price of each specified inverter and generator?
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 |
|
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 |
14 April 2023 - NW920
Gondwe, Dr M to ask the Minister of Public Service and Administration
(1)What (a) total number of funded posts are currently vacant in the Public Service and (b) is the breakdown of the specified number (i) nationally and (ii) in each provincial department; (2) (a) what are the reasons that the funded posts are currently vacant and (b) by what date is it envisaged that the vacant positions will be filled?
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
14 April 2023 - NW797
Breytenbach, Adv G to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
In view of the extradition treaty between the Republic and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) that sets out specifics in terms of process, (a) on what date did the extradition hearing of the Gupta brothers start in Dubai and (b) what number of hearings specifically for extradition, but not for bail, have taken place to date; (2) Whether the Gupta brothers attended the extradition hearings; if not, why not; if so what are the relevant details; (3) Whether the UAE laws and/or systems permit the Republic to have independent representatives present as observers in the extradition hearings; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) who represented the Republic in such hearings and (b) what are the further relevant details in this regard; (4) What number of official reports has his department received thus far about the (a) extradition process and (b) extradition hearings; (5) Whether the reports are his department’s only source of information about what is happening in Dubai regarding the Gupta brothers; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
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.
14 April 2023 - NW796
Breytenbach, Adv G to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
Whether Atul and Rajesh Gupta were arrested after a stakeout by Interpol in Dubai; if not, how did they end up in custody; if so, what are the full relevant details in this regard; (2) (a) Whether representatives of his department requested to physically see the Guptas, even once, since they were arrested in June 2022; if not, why not; if so, (3) Whether the request was granted; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, on what date did the site visit take place; (4) Whether his department was furnished with mugshots of Atul and Rajesh Gupta as confirmation of their capture; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
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.
14 April 2023 - NW795
Breytenbach, Adv G to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
(a) Where and (b) in what type of custody are the Gupta brothers, Rajesh and Atul Gupta, held, following the confirmation by the Government and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) that they were arrested in Dubai in June 2022, but the South African public has no details of the circumstances around the arrest and no details of where the Gupta brothers are being held; (2) Whether his department has requested the UAE for the details and/or information of where the Gupta brothers are held; if not, why not; if so, (3) Whether the information was provided to his department; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, on what date; (4) Given that the above information is mere background information which ought not to impact their formal extradition process, what information was his department given with regard to the circumstances around the arrest of the two Gupta brothers?
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.
14 April 2023 - NW685
van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Social Development
Whether, with regard to her statement on 27 February 2023, during which she thanked all non-governmental organisations (NGOs) as key partners of Government in initiating and implementing programmes in local communities that ensure no one is left behind, she will make a commitment in writing that all NGOs in each province will, as key partners of the Government, be paid their subsidies on time so that they can deliver their essential services to the communities they operate in; if not, why not; if so, by what date?
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.
14 April 2023 - NW998
Mathulelwa, Ms B to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
Whether she has been informed that the residents of the Ugu District Municipality have been without clean water for a period of over five years; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, which interventions will she take in this regard?
Reply:
No, the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs has not been informed that the residents of the Ugu District Municipality (UDM) have been without clean water for a period of over five years. The Minister is aware of intermittent supply of water to certain areas every now and then, but not for the entire Ugu District municipal area not to have clean water for a period of over five years.
The following interventions have been taken to support Ugu District Municipality to attend to intermittent water supply to communities:
- A Municipal Infrastructure Support Intervention Plan (MSIP) for UDM was developed after Cabinet considered a State of Local Government (SOLG) report in 2021 that highlighted that UDM was deemed dysfunctional. The implementation of the MSIP, and monitoring thereof led by DCOG, has led to improvement of water supply and service delivery protests have been minimized.
- KZN COGTA seconded a Project Management Unit (PMU) comprising of Engineers and Project Managers in May 2022 to support and strengthen UDM to fast-track implementation of grant funded projects. KZN CoGTA also availed funding for strategic infrastructure projects related to provision of basic services to accelerated water provision, and for repairs and maintenance of aged infrastructure through the Accelerated Infrastructure Renewal Programme in the 2022/23 financial year.
- UDM developed a turnaround plan in June 2022 for addressing water challenges and established a Water War Room that sits every fortnight to monitor the implementation of the Water Services Turnaround Plan. The multi stakeholder Water War Room includes representatives from DCOG through the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent (MISA), the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), the provincial Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (KZN COGTA).
- MISA funded and drilled 2 boreholes completing the project in March 2023 in the uMdoni Local Municipality area benefitting 44 households. MISA has also deployed a professionally registered Civil Engineer as well as two Civil Engineering Young Graduates to support and strengthen UDM.
End.
14 April 2023 - NW910
Abrahams, Ms ALA to ask the Minister of Social Development
With regard to the temporary disability grant backlog which is an ongoing crisis due to the lack of SA Social Security Agency (SASSA) assessment doctors, (a) what is the current backlog status in each province, (b) what number of temporary disability grants have lapsed and (c) what is the current number of assessment doctors in each province, (d) how efficient has the online appointment booking system proven to be and (e) what other inventions has SASSA implemented to address the backlog?
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”.
14 April 2023 - NW927
Breytenbach, Adv G to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
Whether, according to reports submitted to him, the extradition hearing of the Gupta brothers has (a) taken place and/or (b) been concluded; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) Whether (a) there has been a ruling and/or (b) an appeal is pending; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) Whether the National Prosecuting Authority will be able to file a new extradition request afresh, should the 2022 application be lost on appeal; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (4) Whether the National Prosecuting Authority will furnish Adv G Breytenbach with a short summary of the status of the hearing detailing whether it has (a) started and/or (b) been concluded as yet; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
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.
14 April 2023 - NW581
Shaik Emam, Mr AM to ask the Minister of Social Development
Whether her department has a system and/or some mechanism in place to monitor children who receive social grants to ensure that they are attending school regularly and benefiting from the specified social grants, by providing annual reports on performance attendance and so forth; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
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).
14 April 2023 - NW1060
Mileham, Mr K to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy
(1) What is the rand value of (a)(i) diesel, (ii) petroleum and (iii) black oil products that have been purchased by PetroSA through prepayment to the suppliers since 1 July 2022 and (b) the specified products that have actually been delivered to PetroSA; (2) whether there has been any discrepancy between the two specified values; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what (a) are the reasons for such a discrepancy and (b) steps have been taken to recover the shortfall in delivery and/or reimburse the supplier for over-delivery?
Reply:
(1) PetroSA has indicated that the rand value of prepayments are as follows:
(a)(i) R4,083,366,060.00
(ii) None
(iii) None
(b) Volume of diesel
(2) See attached table
(a) The main discrepancy in shipping diesel or petroleum products is due to allowance for temperature differentials, undischargeable product, product remaining in the ship’s lines and the potential for apparent losses due to evaporation.
(b) Yes, if there are any product shortfalls or over delivery the balance is recovered or reimbursed.
14 April 2023 - NW909
Abrahams, Ms ALA to ask the Minister of Social Development
With regard to her department’s consultation workshop which took place in June 2022, to discuss regulations for the Victim Support Services Bill, (a) what criteria were used to invite the participants, (b) what are the names of the organisations that attended the specified workshop, (c) which provinces were represented and (d) what was the purpose of the consultation workshop?
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.
14 April 2023 - NW599
Abrahams, Ms ALA to ask the Minister of Social Development
With reference to her reply to question 1863 on 30 May 2022 and the implementation of the new ticket queue management system at SA Social Security Agency offices, (a) what is the current status of the pilot project, (b) what are the names and addresses of the two local offices in each province where it has been piloted, (c) who received the contract for the new system and (d) what is the detailed expenditure for the setup of the pilot project in each office?
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 |
14 April 2023 - NW845
Mkhaliphi, Ms HO to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
Whether her department determines where councillors and/or municipalities may hold meetings; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (2) Whether the Matatiele Local Municipality held their annual meeting at Umhlanga Rocks north of Durban; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what (a) hotel did they use and (b) total amount was spent at the specified hotel? NW951E
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.