Questions and Replies

29 March 2023 - NW219

Groenewald, Dr PJ to ask the Minister of Police

(1) What total number of incidents of mass murder where two or more than two persons were killed in the same incident occurred in each respective province (a) in the (i) 2019-20, (ii) 2020-21 and (iii) 2021-22 financial years and (b) since April 2022; (2) what total number of persons were (a) murdered in each incident, (b) arrested (c) have appeared in court and (d) were found guilty ?

Source
Link

Reply:

Find here: Reply

28 March 2023 - NW422

Masango, Ms B to ask the Minister of Social Development

1With reference to theft, corruption, mismanagement, irregular payments, system outages, cyber-attacks, system glitches and card duplication in the past 10 years, what consequence management measures were employed on implicated persons, including officials and/or personnel; 2 (a) what number of ongoing disciplinary procedures have been initiated, (b) on what date were they initiated and (c) by what date will they be finalized; 3 what amount (a) has been recouped and (b) is in the process of being recouped?

Source
Link

Reply:

1. For the period referred to in the parliamentary question (10 years) and with reference to the specified nature of misconducts, the consequence management measures taken by the SA Social Security Agency are recorded as follows: -

NATURE OF MISCONDUCT	No OF CASES	CONSEQUENCE MANAGEMEMENT MEASURES EMPLOYED ON OFFICIALS AND SANCTIONS
Theft	3	Sanctions Suspension without pay x 1. Suspensions without pay combined with final written warning x 1. Resigned while case in progress x 1.
Corruption	259	Sanctions Dismissal x 69. Demotion x 2. Demotion coupled with final written warning x 4. 3 months suspensions without pay coupled with final written warning x 8. 2 months suspension without pay coupled with final written warning x 5. 1 month suspension without pay coupled with final written warning x 15. 1 month suspension x 11. 2 weeks suspension without pay coupled with final written warning x 1. Final written warning x 12. Written warnings x 13. Not guilty x 13. Resigned while case in progress x 15. Case withdrawn x 75.
Mismanagement	61	Formal / Informal discipline instituted. Sanctions Dismissals x 2. Demotion coupled with final written warning x 1. 3 months suspension without pay coupled with final written warning x 1. 2 months suspension without pay coupled with final written warning x 1. 1 month suspension without pay x 1. 1 month suspension without pay coupled with final written warning x 1. Final written warning x 8. Final written warning coupled with counselling x 2. Written warning coupled with counselling x 1. Written warning x 25. Verbal warning x 11. Not guilty x 4. Withdrawn x 2. Resigned while case in progress x 1.
Irregular Payments	61	Formal / Informal discipline instituted. Sanctions Dismissal x 1. Final written warnings x 2. Written warning x 21. Verbal warning x 7. Counselling x 22. Withdrawn x 6. Not guilty x 2.
Cyber attacks	0	0
System Outage	0	0
System glitches	0	0
Card duplication	0	0
Grand Total	424	424 (with direct and or indirect financial implications).
NB: The total number of reported cases in the past was 445, and the latter number was inclusive of 21 minor misconduct cases which were not necessarily having financial implications

ONGOING DISCIPLINARY CASES

No.	Region	Date case Initiated	Act Of Misconduct
1	EASTERN CAPE	23-Feb-22	GROSS DISHONESTY
2	EASTERN CAPE	11-Jul-22	GROSS DISHONESTY
3	EASTERN CAPE	24-Jan-22	ABSENTEEISM
4	EASTERN CAPE	23-Feb-22	GROSS DISHONESTY
5	EASTERN CAPE	22-Jul-22	ABSENTEEISM
6	EASTERN CAPE	23-Nov-22	DISHONESTY
7	EASTERN CAPE	9-Feb-22	DERELICTION OF DUTY
8	EASTERN CAPE	11-Nov-22	NEGLIGENCE
9	EASTERN CAPE	8-Nov-22	ABSENTEEISM
10	EASTERN CAPE	3-Mar-22	GRANT FRAUD
11	EASTERN CAPE	17-May-22	CONTRAVENTION OF TRANSPORT POLICY
12	EASTERN CAPE	23-Feb-22	GROSS DISHONESTY
13	EASTERN CAPE	1-Mar-22	ABSENTEEISM
14	EASTERN CAPE	1-Mar-22	ABSENTEEISM
15	EASTERN CAPE	22-Oct-21	CONTRAVENTION OF TRANSPORT POLICY
16	FREE STATE	14-Jul-22	DISRESPECT TOWARDS SUPERVISOR
17	GAUTENG	5-Apr-21	GRANT FRAUD
18	GAUTENG	31-May-22	ABSENTEEISM
19	GAUTENG	5-Aug-22	NON-DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION
20	HEAD OFFICE	21-Oct-19	INSUBORDINATION
21	KWAZULU-NATAL	26-Sep-19	ABSCONDMENT
22	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Jul-22	CONTRAVENTION OF TRANSPORT POLICY
23	KWAZULU-NATAL	21-Sep-17	FLOUTING GRANT PROCESS
242	KWAZULU-NATAL	19-Feb-19	BRIBERY
52	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Jul-22	CIRCUMVENTING SCM PROCESSES
6	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Jul-22	CIRCUMVENTING SCM PROCESSES
27	KWAZULU-NATAL	28-Sep-17	FLOUTING GRANT PROCESS
28	KWAZULU-NATAL	18-Aug-21	CONTRAVENTION OF TRANSPORT POLICY
29	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Jul-22	CONTRAVENTION OF TRANSPORT POLICY
30	KWAZULU-NATAL	16-Jul-19	FLOUTING GRANT PROCESS
31	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Jul-22	LINKED TO ENTITIES WITH OTHER SASSA OFFICIAL
32	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Jul-22	LINKED TO ENTITIES WITH OTHER SASSA OFFICIAL
33	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Jul-22	CONTRAVENTION OF TRANSPORT POLICY
34	KWAZULU-NATAL	21-Jun-16	GROSS NEGLIGENCE
35	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Jul-22	CONTRAVENTION OF TRANSPORT POLICY
36	KWAZULU-NATAL	6-Apr-22	CONTINUOUS LATE COMING
37	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Jul-22	APPROVAL OF THE GRV ORDER NO. 193103
38	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Jul-22	CONTRAVENTION OF TRANSPORT POLICY
39	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Jul-22	LINKED TO ENTITIES WITH OTHER SASSA OFFICIAL
40	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Jul-22	LINKED TO ENTITIES WITH OTHER SASSA OFFICIAL
41	KWAZULU-NATAL	2-Jul-20	BRINGING THE IMAGE OF THE AGENCY INTO DISREPUTE
42	KWAZULU-NATAL	23-Feb-17	ABUSE OF SASSA VEHICLE
43	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Jul-22	CONTRACTION OF SASSA CODE OF CONDUCT, SASSA ACCOUNTS PAYABLE
44	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Jul-22	CONTRAVENTION OF TRANSPORT POLICY
45	KWAZULU-NATAL	5-Mar-20	MISUSES POSITION
46	KWAZULU-NATAL	27-Sep-19	BRIBERY
47	KWAZULU-NATAL	4-Jan-21	FLOUTING GRANT PROCESS
48	KWAZULU-NATAL	2-Jul-20	BRINGING THE IMAGE OF THE AGENCY INTO DISREPUTE
49	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Jul-22	LACK OF SUPPLIER ROTATION AND COMMON DIRECTOR 192332
50	KWAZULU-NATAL	8-Aug-16	FLOUTING GRANT PROCESS
51	KWAZULU-NATAL	2-Jul-20	BRINGING THE IMAGE OF THE AGENCY INTO DISREPUTE
52	KWAZULU-NATAL	7-Oct-20	FLOUTING GRANT PROCESS
53	KWAZULU-NATAL	13-Feb-19	FLOUTING GRANT PROCESS
54	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Jul-22	NON- DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION
55	KWAZULU-NATAL	7-Apr-21	FLOUTING GRANT PROCESS
56	KWAZULU-NATAL	13-Jan-21	FLOUTING GRANT PROCESS
57	KWAZULU-NATAL	23-Nov-17	FLOUTING GRANT PROCESS
58	KWAZULU-NATAL	12-Apr-19	FLOUTING GRANT PROCESS
59	KWAZULU-NATAL	21-Sep-17	FLOUTING GRANT PROCESS
60	KWAZULU-NATAL	13-Aug-21	CONTRAVENTION OF TRANSPORT POLICY
61	KWAZULU-NATAL	6-Oct-17	FLOUTING GRANT PROCESS
62	KWAZULU-NATAL	12-Apr-19	FLOUTING GRANT PROCESS
63	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Jul-22	ABDICATION OF FIDUCIARY DUTIES OF THE PUBLIC FINANCE MANAGEMENT ACT
64	KWAZULU-NATAL	2-Jul-20	BRINGING THE IMAGE OF THE AGENCY INTO DISREPUTE
65	KWAZULU-NATAL	4-Jan-21	FLOUTING GRANT PROCESS
66	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Jul-22	CONTRAVENTION OF TRANSPORT POLICY
67	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Jul-22	LINKED TO ENTITIES WITH OTHER SASSA OFFICIAL
68	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Jul-22	LINKED TO ENTITIES WITH OTHER SASSA OFFICIAL
69	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Jul-22	LINKED TO ENTITIES WITH OTHER SASSA OFFICIAL
70	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Jul-22	CONTRAVENTION OF TRANSPORT POLICY
71	KWAZULU-NATAL	28-Sep-17	FLOUTING GRANT PROCESS
72	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Jul-22	CONTRAVENTION OF TRANSPORT POLICY
73	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Jul-22	CO-DIRECTOR IN MTIZILI PRIMARY CO-OPERATIVE LIMITED
74	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Jul-22	COMPILING RFQ SELECTING SUPPLIER WITH COMMON DIRECTORSHIP
75	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Jul-22	CONTRAVENTION OF RATE PRESCRIPTS DUE DILIGENCE IN RESPECT OF ADJUDICATION SCM3 REPORT
76	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Dec-18	FLOUTING GRANT PROCESS
77	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Jul-22	CONTRAVENTION OF TRANSPORT POLICY
78	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Jul-22	CONTRAVENTION OF TRANSPORT POLICY
79	KWAZULU-NATAL	11-Sep-18	FLOUTING GRANT PROCESS
80	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Jul-22	CONTRAVENTION OF TRANSPORT POLICY
81	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Jul-22	UNDECLARED INTERESTS WITH A SERVICE PROVIDER
82	KWAZULU-NATAL	16-Jul-19	FLOUTING GRANT PROCESS
83	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Jul-22	LINKED TO ENTITIES WITH OTHER SASSA OFFICIAL
84	KWAZULU-NATAL	16-Jul-19	FLOUTING GRANT PROCESS
84	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Jul-22	CONTRAVENTION OF TRANSPORT POLICY
85	KWAZULU-NATAL	2-Jul-20	BRINGING THE IMAGE OF THE EMPLOYER INTO DISREPUTE
86	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Jul-22	CONTRAVENTION OF TRANSPORT POLICY
87	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Jul-22	CONTRAVENTION OF TRANSPORT POLICY
88	KWAZULU-NATAL	13-Feb-19	FLOUTING GRANT PROCESS
89	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Jul-22	LINKED TO ENTITIES WITH OTHER SASSA OFFICIAL
90	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Jul-22	CONTRAVENTION OF TRANSPORT POLICY
91	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Dec-18	FLOUTING GRANT PROCESS
92	KWAZULU-NATAL	16-Jul-19	FLOUTING GRANT PROCESS
93	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Jul-22	CONTRAVENTION OF TRANSPORT POLICY
94	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Jul-22	CIRCUMVENTING SCM PROCESSES
95	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Jul-22	LINKED TO ENTITIES WITH OTHER SASSA OFFICIAL
96	KWAZULU-NATAL	3-Jan-22	CONTRAVENTION OF TRANSPORT POLICY
97	KWAZULU-NATAL	28-Sep-17	FLOUTING GRANT PROCESS
98	KWAZULU-NATAL	6-Apr-22	UNAUTHORISED ABSENCE
100	KWAZULU-NATAL	7-Oct-20	FLOUTING GRANT PROCESS
101	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Jul-22	CONTRAVENTION OF TRANSPORT POLICY
102	KWAZULU-NATAL	27-May-22	GROSS NEGLIGENCE
103	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Jul-22	CONTRAVENTION OF THE SCM POLICY
104	KWAZULU-NATAL	24-Aug-20	FLOUTING GRANT PROCESS
105	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Dec-18	FLOUTING GRANT PROCESS
106	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Dec-18	FLOUTING GRANT PROCESS
107	KWAZULU-NATAL	1-Jul-22	CONTRAVENTION OF TRANSPORT POLICY
108	LIMPOPO	13-Aug-21	DISHONESTY
109	LIMPOPO	9-Sep-22	CONTRAVENNING SASSA SOCIAL ASSISTANCE ACT
110	LIMPOPO	7-Dec-20	INTIMIDATION/VICTIMISATION
111	LIMPOPO	7-Dec-20	INTIMIDATION/VICTIMISATION
112	LIMPOPO	14-Jul-21	GRANT FRAUD
113	LIMPOPO	7-Dec-20	INTIMIDATION/VICTIMISATION
114	LIMPOPO	1-Apr-22	SEXUAL ASSAULT
115	MPUMALANGA	2-Aug-22	NEGLIGENCE
116	MPUMALANGA	10-Aug-22	CONTRAVENTION OF TRANSPORT POLICY
117	MPUMALANGA	8-Aug-22	NEGLIGENCE
118	MPUMALANGA	11-Apr-22	IMPROPER CONDUCT
119	MPUMALANGA	8-Aug-22	NEGLIGENCE
120	MPUMALANGA	2-Aug-22	NEGLIGENCE
121	NORTHERN CAPE	15-Sep-20	REMUNERATIVE WORK
123	NORTHERN CAPE	23-Jun-22	ASSAULT
124	NORTHERN CAPE	3-Dec-20	FAILURE TO UTILISE NEW SERVICE PROVIDER WHEN DELIVERING FOOD PARCEL
125	NORTHERN CAPE	21-Jan-22	LEAVE WITHOUT AUTHORISATION
126	WESTERN CAPE	1-Jul-22	CONTRAVENTION OF SCM POLICY
127	WESTERN CAPE	1-Jul-22	CONTRAVENTION OF SCM POLICY
128	WESTERN CAPE	1-Jul-22	CONTRAVENTION OF SCM POLICY
129	WESTERN CAPE	1-Jul-22	CONTRAVENTION OF SCM POLICY
130	WESTERN CAPE	10-Mar-22	DISHONESTY
131	WESTERN CAPE	1-Jul-22	CONTRAVENTION OF SCM POLICY
132	WESTERN CAPE	1-Jul-22	CONTRAVENTION OF SCM POLICY
133	WESTERN CAPE	1-Jul-22	CONTRAVENTION OF SCM POLICY
134	WESTERN CAPE	1-Jul-22	CONTRAVENTION OF SCM POLICY
135	WESTERN CAPE	1-Jul-22	CONTRAVENTION OF SCM POLICY
136	WESTERN CAPE	1-Mar-22	GROSS NEGLIGENCE
137	WESTERN CAPE	30-Oct-22	ABSENTEEISM
138	WESTERN CAPE	1-Jul-22	CONTRAVENTION OF SCM POLICY
139	WESTERN CAPE	1-Jul-22	CONTRAVENTION OF SCM POLICY
140	WESTERN CAPE	13-Dec-22	ABSENTEEISM
141	WESTERN CAPE	1-Jul-22	CONTRAVENTION OF SCM POLICY
142	WESTERN CAPE	1-Mar-22	GROSS NEGLIGENCE
143	WESTERN CAPE	1-Jul-22	CONTRAVENTION OF SCM POLICY
144	WESTERN CAPE	18-Sep-20	ABSENTEEISM
145	WESTERN CAPE	18-Sep-20	FAILED TO SUBMIT SECOND SEMESTER REVIEW

2. (a)There are 145 disciplinary cases ongoing.

(b)The cases were initiated from 2016 until 2022 (Refer to the table below for details on (a) and (b)).

(c) Formal disciplinary processes are underway. However, no dates can be provided nor determined when cases will be finalised.

3. (a) and (b)

Disciplinary processes in the public service are guided by Chapter 7 of the SMS Handbook (March 2021) wherein the administration, standards and application of disciplinary processes is regulated. Several sanctions may be issued such as warning letters, suspension, demotion and other sanctions, however the regulations preclude financial recovery of a loss that may have occurred as a result of theft, corruption that may have arisen through the officials conduct.

28 March 2023 - NW109

van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Social Development

In light of reports of children’s homes in Gauteng facing closure due to the late payment and/or non-payment of departmental subsidies notwithstanding that some children’s homes have submitted compliance documents by June 2022, what (a)(i) total number of (aa) nongovernmental organisations and/or (bb) nonprofit organisations have not been paid their full subsidies for 2022 and (ii) is the breakdown of the specified figure in terms of each province, (b) vulnerable groups have been affected by the non-payment of the subsidies and (c) steps will be taken to ensure that the late payment and/or non-payment of subsidies will not reoccur in 2023?

Source
Link

Reply:

The Department views the NPOs as important stakeholders in the delivery of services. Whilst acknowledging that there were delays with few provinces, it should be taken into consideration that the payment of organizations is a dual responsibility for both the Department and the NPOs. For NPOs to be paid, they need to be compliant and to submit the relevant reports and claims, failure to which the Department is unable to process their payment. The majority of the non-payments relate to non-compliance, specifically in Gauteng as indicated below.

EASTERN CAPE

a). (i)(aa) n/a

(bb) n/a

(ii) n/a

b) n/a

c) n/a - all subsidies and claims were processed upon submission of the relevant documents.

FREE STATE

a) (i)(aa) n/a

(bb) n/a

(ii) n/a

b) n/a

c) n/a – all subsidies and claims were paid.

GAUTENG

a) (i) (aa) 42

(bb) 42 Non-Compliant NPOs could not be paid due to non-compliance.

(ii) Find attached Annexure C (i), list of NPOs in Gauteng not paid due to non-compliance.

(b) The response to (a) above notes the NPOs affected and the targeted groups which include Children, Older Persons, Youth and People with Disabilities.

(c) The Department does not withhold payments for NPOs that are compliant. The delayed payment or non-payments relate to non-complying NPOs. For the NPOs to be considered for payment, it is their responsibility to maintain compliance status. Review of the application is considered once the status of compliance has improved.

KWA-ZULU NATAL

a) (i)(aa) n/a

(bb) n/a

(ii) n/a

b) n/a

(c) The reasons for the delays in payments for KwaZulu Natal emanated from the huge budget cuts during the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) which seriously affected the payment of organizations and consequently hampering services delivery. The Department’s budget for 2021/22 financial year was R3,897 485 billion whilst for the 2022/23 it is R3,332 172 billion. The 2022/23 budget is R565,313 million less than the previous financial year. The budget cuts implemented by the Provincial Treasury were done without due consideration of the existing long-term agreements the Department had signed with the Non- Profit Organisations (NPOs).

However, all payments due to the NPOs that were delayed, were subsequently paid in February 2023.

Prior to that, a written communication was sent to all affected NPOs making them aware of the situation, apologising about the delayed payments and confirming when payments will be made. Also, the Department is continuously engaging with the Provincial Treasury for additional budget.

LIMPOPO

a) (i)(aa) n/a

(bb) n/a

(ii) n/a

b) n/a

c) n/a Subsidies and claims processed including Children’s homes that are paid on a six-monthly basis.

MPUMALANGA

a) (i)(aa) 29

(bb) (ii) as below

NPO not Paid their full subsidies for 2022 and Vulnerable Groups affected	Breakdown	Reasons
Older Persons	2	1 Centre - Claim not submitted 1 Centre closed
Persons with Disabilities	9	Varying reasons including: 1 centre no longer functional; 6 - Organizations with challenges; 2 NPOs - claims not submitted
HIV and AIDS	2	1 Organization has not been submitting claims since they had functional problems; 1 NPO under investigation
Drop-In-Centres	8	1 organisation is under investigation 7 claims processed as they were submitted late, not yet paid.
CYCC	1	CYCC did not submit claims
Child Protection Organization	1	Awaiting outstanding documents from the Organization
VEP	3	2 withdrawn for funding due to challenges; 1 under investigation
Youth Development	3	1 Centre mis-management of funds; 1 Center SLA not signed due to challenges experienced by organisation; 1 Centre had to change the board of directors due to mismanagement of funds

b) Monthly claims are processed on submission of the relevant documents.

NORTH WEST

Report not received at time of submission

a) (i) (aa)

(bb)

(ii)

(b)

(c)

NORTHERN CAPE

a) (i)(aa) None

(bb) n/a

(ii) n/a

b) n/a

c) Monthly claims of stipend and salaries are processed on submission of the relevant documents.

WESTERN CAPE

a) (i)(aa) n/a

(bb) n/a

(ii) n/a

b) n/a

c) Quarterly payment dates have been set and are measured for compliance against the payment date.

28 March 2023 - NW570

Stock, Mr D to ask the Minister of Social Development:

Considering the decision taken by the SA Post Office to cede all its rights and obligations of the Master Services Agreement entered into with the SA Social Security Agency to Postbank SOC Ltd, what are the updates on the finalisation of the process?

Source
Link

Reply:

The Master Services Agreement (MSA) was ceded and assigned with its obligations as-is to Postbank in September 2022, and Postbank assumed responsibility for the function from 01 October 2022. The matter of ceding has thus been finalised.

However, in the cession agreement, an option to review the MSA has been provided for. This process started in November 2022 and is still in progress with the expected date of completion being April 2023. It is important to note that the original MSA was ceded as-is and will remain in operation until the new MSA is concluded. Thus, there should be no change in terms of service delivery.

28 March 2023 - NW937

Hlengwa, Mr M to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation

What total amount does her department intend to spend on (a) building new properties and/ or offices and (b) the maintenance of already existing structures in the 2023 – 24 financial year?

Source
Link

Reply:

a) The Department of International Relations and Cooperation has allocated R25 499 000 for the construction of new properties.

b) The Department of International Relations and Cooperation has allocated R118 331 500 for the maintenance and renovation of existing state-owned properties abroad.

28 March 2023 - NW571

Hlongo, Ms AS to ask the Ms A S Hlongo

How will her department and/or the SA Social Security Agency administer, apply and implement the top-up amount in the case of caregivers of orphaned children who are beneficiaries of the child support grant?

Source
Link

Reply:

The Child Support Grant Top Up (CSG Top Up) is targeted at two categories of children; they are:

Orphans in the care of relatives; and
Orphans in child-headed households in terms of s137 of the Children’s Act.

The CSG top up is not a new grant. Instead, it builds on the existing Child Support Grant (CSG), complementing it, by increasing the amount allocated to orphans in the care of relatives and orphans in Child Headed Households (CHH).

In order to receive a CSG Top up, an application needs to be lodged at any SASSA office or via the SASSA online platform.

The following persons can apply for a CSG Top Up:

A child heading a household who is aged between 16 and 18 can apply for and receive the child support grant for him/herself as well as receive the CSG Top Up for the children under his/her care.
A caregiver, or relatives of orphans taking care of orphaned children can apply for the CSG Top Up;
CSG Top up applicants are subjected to the means test, where the applicant’s income and /or his/her spouse is considered.

The following requirements need to be adhered to in order to qualify for a CSG top up:

Relatives will need to provide proof that they are related to the child.
Applicants need to provide proof that the child is an orphan by producing:
- A death certificate/s of the child’s parents or
- An affidavit attesting to their lack of knowledge as to whether the child’s parent is dead or alive.

28 March 2023 - NW559

Masango, Ms B to ask the Minister of Social Development

________________________________________ NATIONAL ASSEMBLY QUESTION NUMBER: 559 DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 03 MARCH 2023 INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NUMBER: 6 - 2022 559.Ms B S Masango (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development: [112] [Question submitted for oral reply now placed for written reply because it is in excess of quota (Rule 137(8))]: (a) What exercise was taken to come up with the list of merchants from which beneficiaries of SA Social Security Agency grants could withdraw their money and (b) who were part of the negotiations that determined that grant beneficiaries have to buy from those specified merchants NW614E REPLY: SASSA pays social grants into client’s bank accounts and where clients do not have bank accounts, SASSA refers such clients to the Postbank, who opens bank accounts for them. These clients are given a SASSA branded card; however, this card is a fully functional bank card backed by a bank account. This card is a VISA card which can be used at any merchant that accepts VISA cards. No negotiations were held to determine, or limit where beneficiaries can purchase goods. SASSA gives beneficiaries as much choice as possible, hence the Agency request clients to supply their bank details for payments, or to open a Postbank account if they do not have a bank account. This enables clients to access the same National Payment System used by everyone when buying goods and services. No client is limited or compelled in any way to purchase goods from specific merchants. Clients are free to use their cards to purchase from any merchant of their choice.

Source
Link

Reply:

a) SASSA pays social grants into client’s bank accounts and where clients do not have bank accounts, SASSA refers such clients to the Postbank, who opens bank accounts for them. These clients are given a SASSA branded card; however, this card is a fully functional bank card backed by a bank account.

This card is a VISA card which can be used at any merchant that accepts VISA cards.

b) No negotiations were held to determine, or limit where beneficiaries can purchase goods. SASSA gives beneficiaries as much choice as possible, hence the Agency request clients to supply their bank details for payments, or to open a Postbank account if they do not have a bank account. This enables clients to access the same National Payment System used by everyone when buying goods and services. No client is limited or compelled in any way to purchase goods from specific merchants. Clients are free to use their cards to purchase from any merchant of their choice.

28 March 2023 - NW936

Hlengwa, Mr M to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation

Whether her department has had a relook at whether they can source ICT equipment for the modernisation project from within the borders of the Republic to ensure that maintenance of the equipment is not costly to her department; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Source
Link

Reply:

No. The successful service provider was selected following an open bid process based on government prescripts and National Treasury guidelines with the bid advertised in South Africa. Most of the ICT equipment procured by DIRCO are packaged within South Africa.The signed contract for ICT equipment includes a warranty and a three-year maintenance plan.

28 March 2023 - NW996

Mathulelwa, Ms B to ask the Minister of Small Business Development

Whether she has found that she makes meaningful contributions to the meetings of the Portfolio Committee on Small Business Development; if not, why not; if so, how does she achieve this if she only attends meetings of the committee for a mere three minutes, just to tick the attendance register and log out?

Source
Link

Reply:

The meetings of the Portfolio Committee of Small Business Development are convened on Wednesdays at 09:30 which is the same time as the ESIEID Cabinet Committee or Cabinet Meetings. HE President Ramaphosa directed that Ministers need to prioritise the business of Cabinet over other responsibilities. However, to balance my Cabinet responsibilities and other responsibilities like those of Parliament structures I ensure that I split my attendance in these structures. Further, to ensure the department is responsibly and adequately represented in all structures we are legally obligated to, we divide our work with the Deputy Minister and the Director General and conduct pre and post briefing sessions on all engagements to share the information and prepare for those briefings with adequate information.

STELLA NDABENI-ABRAHAMS

MINISTER: DEPARTMENT OF SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

28 March 2023 - NW251

Masango, Ms B to ask the Minister of Social Development

(a) Which SA Social Security Agency grant types had payment problems in each month since January 2020 up to the latest specified date for which information is available, (b) what caused the payment problems in each case and (c) on what dates did the affected beneficiaries receive their outstanding payments?

Source
Link

Reply:

a) The SA Social Security Agency provides social assistance in the form of social grants (namely: Grant in Aid, Older Persons; War Veterans, Disability, Child Support, Foster Child and Care Dependency Grant) as well as Social Relief of Distress for disasters and the COVID-19 SRD.

Social Grants

No payment issues were encountered since January 2020, except for an incident of duplicate payments that occurred in May 2020 in the Free State and KwaZulu-Natal region. It’s important to note that social grants are deemed to be paid once SASSA transfers the money into beneficiary’s accounts.

Status quo: The above-mentioned error was rectified, and beneficiaries were paid later during the expected payment date and any overpayments were fully recovered.

1. Covid -19 SRD R350

Following announcement by the President on 21 April 2020, the directions to administer the provision were issued on 09 May 2020 for immediate implementation.

SASSA had to develop and implement a new system to accommodate online digital application platforms to administer the new provision.

SASSA was able to leverage off existing technology investment to provide the solution in time. The online system was launched by Minister on 11 May 2020, with the first payments effected on 15 May 2020.

Although the above mechanisms were in place there were external enablers to make the solution work from end-to-end as discussed below:

i) Databases from external entities for verification processes:

Across all iterations of the administration of the grant, SASSA has been experiencing challenges in sourcing data, as well as sourcing updated data, which has led to late payments, inclusion and exclusion errors as well as audit findings.

Status quo: SASSA still continues to engage with stakeholders on this matter. However, to eliminate late payments, an internal control process was implemented, which uses the latest available data to enable timeous payments.

ii) Accounts Verification Services (AVS)

During the first iteration of the provision, there were delays in receiving bank account bank accounts verification which ultimately delayed payment to beneficiaries.

Status quo: Improvements were made during subsequent iteration of the grant, and it can be reported that the function has now stabilised.

iii) Payments and Disbursement Processes

Beneficiary payment detail challenges such as:
- Omission of payment method details by the client at time of application. This requires the client to upload payment details.

- Payment method failed the account verification process. This could be due to incorrect account details or because the account does not belong directly to the client. This requires the client to either correct their details or supply a new payment method.

- SASSA assists by sending new account details daily to Banks through National Treasury. The standard time for this process is 3 - 5 days. However, some banks may take longer due to internal verification controls.

Referred cases
- These are approved applications that cannot be paid due to a challenge with identity verification i.e., ID number has been confirmed to have been used in fraudulent matters such as Identity theft.

- The clients were notified to confirm their identity through a biometric verification process.

Payments returned by the bank due to challenges with a bank account (EF70)

- The most common reasons are, for instance, closed accounts, account does not accept credits, and account pending FICA verification.

- Affected clients are sent a SMS message to resolve the issue with their banks.

- Once the client resolved the matter with the bank, the account must be re-uploaded, or a new account should be provided to SASSA by the client.

Cash send clients
- Verification of the client cellphone number takes longer than with EFT accounts being provided. Several clients have, for instance not RICA’d their cellphone numbers and when the number cannot be tied irrefutably to the client, the cash payment cannot be made.

- Clients who registered for this payment method have an option to change to other payment methods and communication was sent to them to exercise this option.

- SASSA is currently paying all clients for whom successful cellphone verification was completed in the past and who were reconciled by banks as successfully paid.

PostBank account holders
- There are about half a million clients who have not yet complied with FICA requirements on their Postbank accounts.

Clients are required to finalise this FICA process or to upload alternative banking details, to enable payments.

(b). Social Grants

This was shortly after the introduction of COVID-19 Regulations and the instatement of various COVID-related benefits for clients such as the Top-up grants and the staggering of payments. The incident involved duplicate files being extracted for payment for KZN and FS regions.

The root cause of the error was determined to be from the implementation of multiple projects in a short space of time i.e., Top-up grants and staggering of payments.

The former was linked with the use of the legacy system for which the coding and implementation periods generally is much longer than with new technology solutions. There was, however, pressure to expedite the implementation of solutions given the COVID-19 challenges.

COVID-19 SRD

Payment challenges were caused by:

Stabilisation of the environment following tight timelines to implement the grant, as well as changes in governing rules across all iterations;
Sourcing of databases timeously and sourcing of current databases;
Prolonged Government procurement processes, especially as it relates to banks and cell phone verification companies who are critical enablers of the verification and payment processes.
The remainder of the challenges are mainly due to the clients not having bank accounts, which payment method (EFT) is more successful than the cash send option (which is still a developing channel in SA, laden with strict PFMA regulations to verify identity to cell phone numbers) as well as the Postbank retail payment challenges.

The delayed payments were made later on the same day affected clients were supposed to receive the monies.

COVID-19 SRD R350

Payments where the verification databases and the required payments details are available and verified are made in the month of payment i.e., a week after the payment of social grants.

Clients whose payments details were not available and have been verified at the time of the scheduled payment period, are revisited after the normal payments are processed.

Any outstanding historic payments requires action on the part of the client. It is not possible to provide a date when all clients will be paid. Once the client’s payment method is corrected by the client, and verified by the agency, it is then that SASSA is able to effect payment to the client.

28 March 2023 - NW6

Breedt, Ms T to ask the Minister of Social Development

(1) What (a) are the requirements to qualify for the Child Support Grant (CSG), (b) total number of caregivers receive the CSG, (c) is the current total number of children that the CSG is paid out to and (d) is the estimated increase in the number of persons that the CSG will be paid out to annually in the next five years; (2) whether she will make a statement on the matter?

Source
Link

Reply:

1.(a) In terms of Social Assistance legislation, Section 6 of the Social Assistance Act, 2004 as amended and, Regulations 7 & 8 thereof, the qualifying requirements for the Child Support Grant (CSG) are as follows:

The primary care giver must be a South African citizen, permanent resident, or refugee.
Both the applicant and the child must reside in South Africa.
The applicant must be the primary care giver of the child/ children concerned.
The dependent children must be under the age of 18, cannot be cared for in state institution, not in receipt of the Foster Child Grant or Care Dependency Grant.
There is no limit on the number of biological children that a caregiver can claim for but, a maximum of six non-biological children.

The CSG is paid to primary caregivers aged 16 or above.

In addition, the CSG is subject to a means test, meaning that the applicant/ primary caregiver needs to meet the financial criteria set out in the Social Assistance Regulations. Currently, to qualify for a CSG, a single primary caregiver should earn less than R57 600 per year, while married primary care givers should earn less than R115 200 per year (combined income) to be eligible for a CSG.

(b) The total number of caregivers receiving CSG is 7 367 265 by end January 2023.

(d) The following are MTEF estimates of CSG:

2022/2023 – 13 242 635
2023/2024 – 13 412 796
2024/2025 – 13 577 519
2025/2026 – 13 745 529

(2) The Social Assistance Legislation which provides for the qualifying criteria was gazetted and is a public document. Further, information on qualifying requirements is available on the SASSA website (e.g., You and Your Grant) and at SASSA local offices. SASSA & DSD continuously conducts awareness session on same.

28 March 2023 - NW493

Luthuli, Mr BN to ask the Minister of Small Business Development

(1)With regard to the township and rural economies continuing to be marginalised in the prioritisation of funding, how does her department intend to make sure that the programme achieves its goal to transform and integrate opportunities in townships and rural areas into productive business ventures; (2) how is her department able to measure and reliably report on the contribution of the township and rural economy, considering that it is failing to create a regulatory environment which would foster their growth?”

Source
Link

Reply:

1. The Township and Rural Enterprise Programme (TREP) is a dedicated programme to transform and integrate opportunities in townships and rural areas into productive business ventures. The focus is mainly on enterprises owned and managed by the designated groups (Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities) that have the potential or capacity to supply goods and services to public and private sector, local, provincial and national government departments on a sustainable basis.

TREP seeks to overcome the legacy of economic exclusion by creating conducive environment for entrepreneurial activity and provide dedicated business support.

The DSBD is attempting to balance supporting of established SMMEs with high growth-potential to contribute to jobs and growth across priority sectors with the need to support survivalist start-up, and informal businesses. This requires DSBD to play a co-ordinating role, taking a whole of government approach to small business development as well as having its own enterprise support and financial support instruments.

Informal and micro enterprises should be supported to graduate within township and rural areas to access other places (locally and internationally) allowing more opportunities.

- Enabling informal and micro enterprises to access wider markets.
- Accepting the predominately residential characteristic of townships and rural areas therefore a service and retail focus.
- Treating designated areas as a special economy zone for the sole purpose of reducing unnecessary regulatory obstacle, in respect to business licencing or land use.

The programmes are meant to stimulate and facilitate the development of sustainable and competitive informal and micro enterprises through the efficient provision of effective and accessible incentive measures that support national priority sectors. The key objective is to ensure that informal and micro businesses are accounted for in the wider economy. The interventions support all the targeted enterprises that meet the qualifying criteria including but not limited to the following sectors:

- Spaza shop and General dealers
- Bakeries and Confectionaries
- Fruit and Vegetable vendors and Butcheries
- Food retailers, Shisanyama and Cooked food outlets
- Hairdressers, beauty salons and barber shops/facilities.
- Small Scale Manufacturing
- Clothing and Textiles
- Automotives Support, Mechanics and Sales
- Artisanry and Crafts
- Professional Services
- Infrastructure Developers
- IT Support

The Department will continue provide both financial and non-financial support to formal and informal enterprises as immediate intervention and within the available financial resources whilst working on the medium and long terms sustainable solutions.

2) The Department of Small Business Department together with its agencies, the Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda) and the Small Enterprise Finance Agency (sefa), is strengthening its monitoring and evaluation mechanism with the aim of continuously improving on the measurement of the effectiveness as well as the impact of its programmes.

STELLA NDABENI-ABRAHAMS

MINISTER: DEPARTMENT OF SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

28 March 2023 - NW992

Kruger, Mr HC to ask the Minister of Small Business Development

Whether there is a masterplan on co-operative development; if not, why not; if so, will she furnish Mr H C C Krüger with a copy of the masterplan?”

Source
Link

Reply:

There is no masterplan solely dedicated for co-operatives. Co-operatives support is incorporated as part of the National Integrated Small Enterprise Development Strategic (NISED) Framework and any matter and support that is dedicated to small enterprises include the co-operatives development support, as articulated on section 13 of the Cooperatives Policy. The NISED Strategic Framework provides for the promotion of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) development through a specific focus on four Pillars that will drive small business development in the country. The proper implementation of the Pillars will bring out positive outcomes that will propel MSMEs, including co-operatives, to the forefront economic development. The Pillars are (1) well informed SA on MSMEs with continuous monitoring, evaluation, and learning (better data), (2) policy, laws and regulations reformed to enable MSME growth and efficient governance, (3) effective support and services delivered for MSME growth (financial and non-financial), and (4) Coordinated government with strengthened private sector partnerships for MSME growth.

Moreover, the sector focused masterplans that have implications for SMMEs have also made provision for support of MSMEs, including co-operatives. Amongst others, the masterplans have made a clear intention to transform the various sectors of the economy through the improved participation of MSMEs. Such participation will be facilitated via supplier development interventions – which should bring about increased pool of competitive small enterprises and more market access opportunities.

The Department has already taken a strategic decision to move our co-operatives support intervention from sefa to Seda to be modeled on the Technology Transfer Assistance Programme, e.g. 90% grant and 10% own contribution. A transfer to Seda would ensure a seamless process between the business development support provided by the agency.

STELLA NDABENI-ABRAHAMS

MINISTER: SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

28 March 2023 - NW818

Luthuli, Mr BN to ask the Minister of Small Business Development

(a) What are the full details of the progress made regarding letters that were reportedly written by the Red Tape Reduction Task Team in The Presidency in November 2022 to the Premiers of each province to encourage the establishment of red tape reduction units in each province and (b) how will such red tape reduction units help small businesses in each province?” NW918E

Source
Link

Reply:

The matter is handled by the Presidency and not by our department. As such the Presidency has at its disposal the necessary information to address the contents of this question and thus, requests the Honourable Member to direct the question to the Presidency.

STELLA NDABENI-ABRAHAMS

MINISTER: DEPARTMENT OF SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

28 March 2023 - NW523

van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Social Development:

What is her department doing to increase support to nonprofit organisations and nongovernmental organisations which provide vital services on behalf of the State in service of vulnerable citizens?

Source
Link

Reply:

To increase support to organisations (NPOs), the Department relies on allocations made available by treasury, and given the current fiscus constraints, there is limited room to channel more funding. However, the PFMA Section 43(1)(4) allows for departments to shift savings from their operational budget (if any) to transfer payments subject to National Treasury approval.

Secondly, other support provided by the Department to the NPO sector is through capacity building programmes to ensure that NPOs comply with applicable legislation for services they provide. The department also assist with strengthening the management and governance of NPOs to improve their performance and impact through the provision of skills development training facilitated by departmental officials and/ or through partnership with relevant Stakeholders.

Amongst others, the in-house training entails-

Basic Financial Management and record keeping
Compliance with the NPO Act, other related legislation and the signed MOA.
Leadership and Governance
Resource Mobilization
Management and Administration

The department further collaborates with Stakeholders such as NDA (National Development Agency), SARS (South African Revenue Service), SEDA (Small Enterprise Development Agency), SAIBA (South African Institution for Business Accountants) and other partners in the Private Sector to provide capacity building training such as:

Project Management
Conflict Management
Financial Literacy
Tax Compliance / PBO Status

The Department also undertakes NPO Outreach Programmes to the far-flung communities to empower and ensure access to NPO services. These include NPO Roadshows and Compliance Drives e.g. (Know-Your-NPO-Status).

28 March 2023 - NW506

Herron, Mr BN to ask the Minister of Small Business Development

(1)With reference to the announcement by the President of the Republic, Mr M C Ramaphosa, in April 2020 of additional COVID-19 Economic and Social Relief measures aimed at assisting small, medium and micro enterprises, spaza shop owners and other informal businesses in the form of loans, grants and debt restructuring, which to date has a value of over R100 million with an additional amount of R2 billion that will be made available, what number of spaza shops (a) applied for the support and (b) were successful with their applications; (2) what methodology was used for the distribution of the funding to successful applicants; (3) whether there was a fixed amount for each applicant; if not, what was the (a) minimum and (b) maximum amount an applicant could be approved for; if so, what was the amount; (4) what (a) total amount of R175 million was distributed, (b) amount of the funds remained unspent and/or unallocated and (c) has become of the unallocated funds?” NW551E

Source
Link

Reply:

(1)(a) Since the inception of the Spaza Shop Support Program (SSSP) up to the period that ended on 31 January 2023, a total of 10 446 spaza shops applied for funding.

(1)(b) 6 350 have been assisted with funding equating to R58 507 000, creating and sustaining 7116 jobs. The applicants that were not approved were not spazas, such as electronics, plumbers, fruit and vegetable hawkers and in these cases they were advised to apply for assistance to the other support other support programmes of the Small Enterprise Finance Agency (sefa).

(2) The distribution of the funds is done through commercial banks, currently Nedbank and Standard Bank, which are providing this service free of charge to the applicant, to sefa and to the Department of Small Business Development (DSBD). The bank model was opted for as it proved to be quickest and securest method of disbursing funds. It provides for secure bank cards that are managed through the secure bank platform. The bank provides close loop purchasing cards which only works at approved wholesalers who partnered with sefa for the provision of the SSSP. This means that the cards can only work at those wholesalers and only for the purchase of approved basket of goods comprising of goods which are normally sold at spaza shops.

3(a)&(b) The maximum amount per applicant is R15 000 which is split into a grant of R10 500 and credit of R4 500 that is accessible at wholesalers that are offering credit. The R4 500 is further protected by a guarantee cover from sefa.

4(a)-(c) Though the total amount at the inception of the SSSP was R175 million the DSBD was required to reprioritise R 87.5 million to the Business Viability programme to assist SMMEs affected by the floods in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province and those affected by the riots and looting in KZN and Gauteng provinces. As a result of the reprioritisation the SSSP was left with R87.5 million of which R58.5 million has already been disbursed leaving a balance of R30 million. The continuous popularisation of the scheme will result in the demand exceeding the funds available. This will require additional funding to be allocated via the approved through proper governance structures. On a monthly basis sefa continues to approve spaza applications as they come in either directly at sefa offices, the Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda) offices and even through the commercial bank branches.

STELLA NDABENI-ABRAHAMS

MINISTER: DEPARTMENT OF SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

28 March 2023 - NW252

Masango, Ms B to ask the Minister of Social Development

What total number of (a) SA Social Security Agency offices in each province experienced problems with the (i) system being down and (ii) their telephones not working in the period 1 January 2022 up to the latest specified date for which information is available and (b)(i) days in each month did each office experience (aa) system and (bb) telephone problems and (ii) what were the reasons in each case?

Source
Link

Reply:

(i)

Province	Number of offices
Free State	26
Limpopo	46
Western Cape	28
Northern Cape	49
KwaZulu Natal	86
Gauteng	49
Eastern Cape	67
Mpumalanga	43
North West	41

(a) (ii)

Province	Number of offices
Free State	26
Limpopo	18
Western Cape	0
Northern Cape	19
KwaZulu Natal	38
Gauteng	18
Eastern Cape	17
Mpumalanga	20
North West	19

(b) (i) + (ii)

Free State:

Month	System downtime	Telephone downtime
	Number of days	Reason	Number of days	Reason
January 2022	0	N/A	0	N/A
February 2022	0	N/A	0	N/A
March 2022	26 offices down for 1 day	BAS & Socpen system challenges	0	N/A
April 2022	26 offices down for 1 day	Biometric system challenges	26 offices down for 1 day 1 office down for 9 days	MS Teams malfunction; Migration to Microsoft Skype
May 2022	26 offices down for 6 days	Biometric system challenges	1 office down for 6 days	N/A
June 2022	0	N/A	0	N/A
July 2022	26 offices down for 2 days	Socpen & Biometric system challenges	26 offices down for 5 days	MS Teams malfunction
August 2022	0	N/A	26 offices down for 1 day	MS Teams malfunction
September 2022	0	N/A	0	N/A
October 2022	26 offices down for 1 day	BAS & Socpen system challenges	0	N/A
November 2022	26 offices down for 1 day	Biometric system challenges	0	N/A
December 2022	0	N/A	0	N/A
January 2023	0	N/A	0	N/A

Western Cape:

Month	System downtime	Telephone downtime
	Number of days	Reason	Number of days	Reason
January 2022	1 office down for 2 days 1 office down for 1 day 28 offices down for 3 day	Network challenges; SocPen system challenges	00	N/A
February 2022	1 office down for 1 day	Electricity outage	00	N/A
March 2022	28 offices down for 1 day	SocPen system challenges	00	N/A
April 2022	00	N/A	00	N/A
May 2022	2 offices down for 1 day	Network challenges; electricity outage	00	N/A
June 2022	00	N/A	00	N/A
July 2022	28 offices down for 3 days	SocPen system challenges	00	N/A
August 2022	00	N/A	00	N/A
September 2022	1 office down for 1 day	Network challenges; electricity outage	00	N/A
October 2022	1 office down for 1 day	Network challenges; electricity outage	00	N/A
November 2022	3 offices for 1 day	Network challenges; electricity outage;	00	N/A
December 2022	4 offices for 1 day	Network challenges; Electrical outage	00	N/A
January 2023	1 office down for 2 days 2 offices down for 1 day	Network challenges; electricity outage;	00	N/A

Limpopo:

Northern Cape:

KwaZulu Natal:

Gauteng:

Eastern Cape:

Mpumalanga:

North West:

Month	System downtime	Telephone downtime
	Number of days	Reason	Number of days	Reason
January 2022	2 offices down for 2 days 1 office down for 8 days 1 office down for 3 days 41 offices down for 1 day	Network challenges, Biometric and Socpen systems challenges	16 offices down for 3 days	Network challenges
February 2022	3 offices down for 1 day 1 office down for 2 days	Network challenges, BAS, ERP, and Biometric systems challenges.	12 offices down for 5 days	Network challenges
March 2022	3 offices down for 2 days 3 offices down for 1 day 41 offices down for 1 day	Network challenges, BAS, ERP, SocPen and Biometric systems challenges	19 offices down for 5 days	Network challenges
April 2022	1 office down for 4 days 1 office down for 6 days 2 offices down for 2 days 1 office down for 3 days	Network challenges, BAS systems challenges.	10 offices down for 2 days	Network challenges
May 2022	3 offices down for 1 day 1 office down for 3 days 1 office down for 2 days	Network challenges, BAS and Biometric systems challenges	03 offices down for 1 day	Network challenges
June 2022	6 offices down for 1 day 3 offices down for 2 days	Network challenges, BAS, BRM, Customer Care and Kofax system challenges	02 offices down for 1 day	Network challenges
July 2022	1 office down for 5 days 1 office down for 3 days 2 offices down for 1 day 2 offices down for 2 days 41 offices down for 1 day	Network challenges, BAS, Socpen and Biometric system challenges.	03 offices down for 5 days	Network challenges
August 2022	3 offices down for 2 days 5 offices down for 1 day 2 offices down for 4 days	Network challenges, Email Challenges	00	N/A
September 2022	2 offices down for 2 days 2 offices down for 4 days 3 offices down for 1 day 1 office down for 6 days 1 office down for 3 days	Network challenges, Biometric systems challenges	00	N/A
October 2022	5 offices down for 1 day 4 offices down for 2 days 1 office down for 9 days 1 office down for 7 days	Network challenges, electricity outage,	00	N/A
November 2022	4 offices down for 1 day 3 offices down for 2 days 3 offices down for 3 days	Network challenges, electricity outage, Biometric system challenges	00	N/A
December 2022	1 office down for 5 days 6 offices down for 1 day 3 offices down for 2 days 1 office down for 8 days	Network challenges and Biometric system challenges	00	N/A
January 2023	12 offices down for 1 day 1 office down for 7 days 2 offices down for 3 days 3 offices down for 2 days 1 office down for 4 days	Network challenges, Biometrics, Kofax system challenges	13 offices down for 2 days	Network challenges

28 March 2023 - NW94

Krumbock, Mr GR to ask the Minister of Social Development

What are the details of the (a) make, (b) model, (c) year of manufacture, (d) cost and (e) purchase date of all the official vehicles purchased for (i) her, (ii) the former Minister, (iii) the Deputy Minister and the (iv) former Deputy Minister of her department since 1 June 2019?

Source
Link

Reply:

The Department did not have any changes in political leadership since 1 June 2019. No vehicle was purchased for the Minister during this period.

The following official vehicles were purchased for the Minister and Deputy Minister:

	(a) make	(b) model	(c)year of manufacture	(d) cost	(e)purchase date
(i) Minister / (ii) Former Minister	None	None	None	None	None
(iii) Deputy Minister/ (iv) Former Deputy Minister	1) Lexus	NX300	2020	R 664 723	06/03/2020
	2) Lexus	NX300	2020	R 664 723	06/03/2020

Please note the two Lexus vehicles purchased for the Deputy Minister were 1) for use in Pretoria and 2) for use in Cape Town.

28 March 2023 - NW372

Masango, Ms B to ask the Minister of Social Development

(a) Against what number of SA Social Security Agency officials and/or personnel were criminal cases opened for (i) theft, (ii) corruption, (iii) mismanagement, (iv) irregular payments, (v) system outages, (vi) cyber-attacks, (vii) system glitches and (viii) card duplication in each year in the past 10 years and (b) what (i) total number of officials were prosecuted and found guilty and (ii) were their sentences?

Source
Link

Reply:

(i) ii) response in the table below

iii) to viii) not applicable

NO	YEAR	NUMBER OF SASSA OFFICIALS INVOLVED ON THE CASES REFERRED TO THE SAPS
1	2021/2022	50
2	2020/2021	20
3	2019/2020	16
4	2018/2019	52
5	2017/2018	195
6	2016/2017	22
7	2015/2016	337
8	2014/2015	3
9	2013/2014	56
10	2012/2013	10
	Subtotal	761

(ii) The total cases represent allegation of fraud, theft and corruption cases referred to the South African Police Service (SAPS) for further investigation.

(b) (i) and (ii)

NO	YEAR	PROSECUTED AND FOUND GUILTY BY COURT	THEIR RESPECTIVE SENTENCES
1	2021/2022	1 official found guilty	5 years imprisonment - Judgment handed down during February 2023
2	2020/2021	1 official found guilty	Suspended Sentence
3	2019/2020	None	N/A
4	2018/2019	None	N/A
5	2017/2018	1 official found guilty	10 years imprisonment Matter was referred to the SAPS in 2011 and judgment was handed down in 2018
6	2016/2017	1 official found guilty	2 years imprisonment sentence- Judgement handed down in January 2023
7	2015/2016	2 officials found guilty	two officials were convicted to 5 years direct imprisonment - Judgment handed down during February 2023
8	2014/2015	1 official found guilty	Suspended Sentence - Loss recovered from Pension
9	2013/2014	1 official found guilty	One sentenced to 7 Years imprisonment
10	2012/2013	5 officials	All five officials sentenced to respective 7 Years imprisonment
	Subtotal	13 Officials

28 March 2023 - NW503

van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Social Development

With reference to the dire circumstances faced by the entire non-profit organisation sector which is caused by persistent problems of cash flow that is threatening the health and wellbeing of the thousands of children and other vulnerable persons that the organisations support, particularly the child protection sector and child and youth care centres in KwaZulu-Natal (details furnished), what (a) are the full, relevant reasons for allowing the situation to prevail and (b) immediate steps has she taken to prevent the persistent late payments which force staff who have not received their salaries to take drastic steps to make ends meet?

Source
Link

Reply:

(a) The reasons for the cash flow challenges emanates from the fact that the Department had huge budget cuts during the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) which seriously affected the payment of service providers and consequently service delivery. The Department’s budget for 2021/22 financial year was R3,897 485 billion whilst for the 2022/23 it is R3,332 172 billion. The 2022/23 budget is R565,313 million less than the previous financial year. The budget cuts implemented by the Provincial Treasury were done without due consideration of the existing long-term agreements the Department had signed with the Non- Profit Organisations (NPOs).

The Provincial Treasury on a monthly basis, makes available R277, 681 million each month for all payments including salaries but the Department’s monthly expenditure is on average R281, 786 million. This leaves the department with a short fall of about R4, 105 million monthly.

All payments due to the NPOs that were delayed in January 2023, were subsequently paid on 08 February 2023. The Department is not aware of any NPOs that had to close their doors due to payment delays but understands the ripple effects of late payments.

A written communication was sent to all affected NPOs making them aware of the situation, apologising about the delayed payments and confirming when payments will be made.

(b) The Department is continuously engaging with the Provincial Treasury for additional budget and to obtain approval to pay the NPOs in tranches on quarterly basis.

28 March 2023 - NW502

van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Social Development

With reference to representatives from the nongovernmental sector who have indicated that they have repeatedly been faced with cash-flow issues arising from late payments for more than 10 years, what steps has her department taken in terms of investigating their proposed solution that the financial awards transfer system be adjusted so that organisations can be paid in advance as is the case in some provinces?

Source
Link

Reply:

The steps that the Department has taken in terms of proposed solution include the development of the NPO Funding System for management of transfers. This will be a centralised system that will replace existing outdated systems and it will be interfaced with the current systems utilised by some Provinces to process the transfers. On completion of this system, the departmental staff will manage and automate the complete life cycle of the NPO application process up to the payment of funds to the organizations.

Secondly, the department has introduced the multi-year funding cycle more specifically for residential care facilities. This approach is a replacement for the annual funding cycle which contributes to the delay on payments due to tedious administration. Within the multi-year funding, the organizations sign a contract for three years although the reviews and allocations are made on a yearly basis.

28 March 2023 - NW501

van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Social Development

(1)What options has she explored in order to channel more funding into subsidies for non-profit organisations that are providing essential services, in particular to vulnerable and at-risk children; (2) whether she has found that it will be possible to reallocate funding when there has been underspending on provincial budgets of the departments of social development; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details in this regard?

Source
Link

Reply:

1. The Department is mandated through various legislative and policy frameworks to deliver services in line with set strategic priorities in partnership with NPOs where the capacity of the state is inadequate to provide such essential services to vulnerable and at-risk children.

This mandate is guided by section 38 (1) (j) and (k) of the Public Finance Management Act (Act No. 1 of 1999 as amended by Act 29 of 1999).

Funding for children constitutes 33% of the total budget of R5.804 billion of the NPO transfer budget in comparison to other programmes. In relation to more funding into subsidies for non-profit organisations (NPOs); it is important to note that given the current fiscus constraints, there is limited room to manoeuvre to channel more funding as there are no additional allocations.

However, the Department is cognisant that until such time that the services can be fully funded according to cost and levels of demand, the Department has to explore other ways towards progressive realization of the needs of most-vulnerable.

To that effect, the Department is developing a Prioritization Framework which is proposing the ranking of services according to their level of priority. The ranking will assist to guide the provinces as and when there is additional funding available - to allocate such funding accordingly as per the Prioritised List of Services.

Secondly, the Department is currently developing a guideline that will assist the provinces to motivate for budget submissions as and when such a call is made by the National or Provincial Treasuries. On that basis, there are engagements with Treasuries to ascertain their expectations and to gage the kind of information that is required in preparing a comprehensive and well-documented Budget Submission. This guideline will be a toolkit for reference when such opportunities arise for a call for submissions, that the provinces are fully aware of the nature of information to submit.

2. The PFMA Section 43(1)(4) allows for departments to shift savings from their operational budget to transfer payments subject to National Treasury approval.

28 March 2023 - NW494

Luthuli, Mr BN to ask the Minister of Small Business Development

Whether she and/or her department have put any measures in place to ensure that the small business sector does well, considering her department’s failure to provide adequate and effective operational support to small and medium enterprises; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, how does her department intend to drive investment amidst the specified difficulties?”

Source
Link

Reply:

The work of the Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) is carried out as a portfolio in collaboration with its agencies, the Small Enterprise Finance Agency (sefa) and the Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda) aiming to provide financial and non-financial support to SMMEs across the country. The National Development Plan, Vision 2030 (NDP) through its five-year implementation plan ascribes a critical role to small businesses, which includes increasing their contribution to GDP from 35% to 50% by the year 2024. The Department is expected to play a much more direct role in respect of Priority 2: Economic Transformation and Job Creation, with its expected outcomes being the creation of more decent jobs and inclusive economic growth.

Seda is mandated to implement government’s small business strategy, design and implement a standard and common national delivery network for the development of small enterprises. The main focus is on township, rural and informal business development. From the Seda allocation, Seda is meant to facilitate the roll out of the incubation and digital hubs programme, an approach intended to support start-up entry level enterprises to stabilise and provide linkages to other relevant delivery programs designed with the intention to accelerate small enterprise development. The intention is to support small enterprises, targeting those that promote inclusivity of designated groups, namely, women, youth, disabled people, township and rural enterprises. The new incubators will assist with the establishment of approximately 1 290 new enterprises that are expected to create at least 25 000 new jobs.

sefa exists to streamline access to finance to SMMEs. The agency functions as both a wholesale lender, capacitating SMME financial intermediaries, and as a direct lender to SMMEs and co-operatives, supporting government economic policy. The allocation to sefa will be channelled towards supporting the Small Enterprise Manufacturing Support Programme to enable SMME-focused Localisation Programme and the Township and Rural Entrepreneurship Programme.

Below are but the agglomeration and brief interventions as measures that support the small enterprise sector leveraging on an array of support from many of the ecosystem players:

SMME-FOCUSED LOCALISATION POLICY FRAMEWORK

The implementation of the localisation policy framework seeks to encourage more SMMEs and Co-operatives to break-out into manufacturing and agro-processing sectors. These sectors are well known for stimulating economic growth and job creation. It is also vital that the country reduces its dependency on imported products by supporting locally manufactured products. The DSBD and its agencies have established working relationships with large retailers and wholesalers across the country to list and purchase the products manufactured by SMMEs.

TOWNSHIP AND RURAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAMME (TREP)

Through the TREP, the Department aims to support 24 000 township and rural enterprises in various sub-sectors. The programme is meant to support the following subsectors and operations amongst others: Spaza Shops and General Dealer Support Scheme, the Small-Scale Bakeries & Confectionaries Programme, the Small-Scale Clothing & Textile Programme and Open Air Food Outlets Support Scheme.

MARKET ACCESS SUPPORT

The Department has begun international market linking activities for SMMEs and Co-operatives including on the African continent in the current fiscal year as a prelude to a comprehensive programme anticipated for the next fiscal year. While the epidemic has been contained, 2023 has witnessed a surge in the opening of international trade prospects and face-to-face engagements, to encourage investment and collaborations among small scale manufacturers on the continent and around the world, the Department plans to expose export-ready SMMEs and Co-operatives to international markets in the 2023–2024 fiscal year through trade exhibitions, business to business meetings, and trade missions. This will include inter alia, emerging manufacturers who benefit from the Small Enterprise Manufacturing Support Programme and women owned enterprises registered on the ShetradesZA programme are intended to benefit from this program's ability to support expansion.

The Department in partnership with Seda and International Trade Centre have supported just 2 400 women through the SheTrades programme since its inception in 2020/21. The programme offers women owned business as a unique opportunity to participate in local and global value chains and markets. The platform targets supporting businesses in the agro-processing, manufacturing, renewable energy, clothing and textile, cosmetics, creative industries, pharmaceuticals, retail and wholesale, exporters and importers, logistics and payment systems. In this financial year, we hope to encourage at least 2 500 women own enterprises to register on the SheTradeZA platform.

At a domestic level, the DSBD will continue to strengthen its partnership activities with the private sector in order to ensure that more opportunities are opened up by these large companies so that SMMEs and Co-operatives can take advantage of them. To enhance its partnership activities with the private sector, the Department has established a community of practice on Enterprise and Supplier Development (ESD) in collaboration with other government departments such as the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD), the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic), and the National Treasury. The aim of this initiative is to engage all private sector organisations and State-owned Entities (SoEs) on issues of ESD and highlight the importance of transforming the economy through working together. The Minister of Small Business Development will launch this initiative in May 2023.

YOUTH ENTREPRENEURS

Through the youth entrepreneurs programme, the Department supports youth entrepreneurship, working together with sector departments and the private sector. The initiative entails supporting young entrepreneurs through:

Access to business skills training;
Access to funding;
Product or service quality; and
Market facilitation or market access.

The Youth Challenge Fund (YCF) was developed as a key intervention to stimulate innovative businesses in response to youth unemployment, described as a major national challenge that needs urgent and coordinated response. The goal is to support young entrepreneurs with opportunities for self-employment and enable a generation of job creators.

POLICY

In the 2022/23 financial year ending in March, the focus of the Department has been on making funding accessible to small enterprises and in the process reduce the prevailing credit gap estimated to be R346 million. This will be further attained by finalising the maiden South African SMMEs and Co-operatives Funding Policy aimed at strengthening the provision of development finance by unlocking funding opportunities to the SMME sector, ensuring that there is a proper coordination of SMMEs funding programmes, enhancing development reach and impact and putting in place measures to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness and relevance of all funding programmes in South Africa.

RED-TAPE REDUCTION

At a local level, the Department focuses on municipalities, which are key in servicing our communities and small businesses. Municipalities administer the laws of our land at a local level, with often poor administrative systems, skills deficits, resource constraints, high levels of corruption and agency, as well inadequate performance management systems and consequence management. At the Provincial Level, we focus on creating a “community of practise”, through the Inter Provincial Task Team on Red Tape Reduction, that assists provincial authorities (Local Economic Development, Enterprise Development and Business Regulations Units), better support local municipalities in their efforts at reducing red tape and creating a business enabling environment conducive to local and regional economic development.

Furthermore, the Department will conduct an assessment review of SMME regulatory impediments to reform. With this assessment review, the Department aims to develop a more specific and intentional agenda for regulatory SMME reform through engagement with representatives from small enterprises and public officials. The DSBD also aim to clarify the approach to be followed in addressing both existing regulatory burdens and preventing additional ones from arising through new laws/regulations/by-laws. Furthermore, the DSBD will be working closely with other government departments/agencies at all levels of government that are already trying to impact positively on the regulatory environment in order to improve the Business Enabling Environment in South Africa. Also, the DSBD will continue to work closely with the Red Tape Champion and his team based in the Presidency to further contribute to the commitment that was made in the SONA.

NISED STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK

The Department of Small Business Development, in collaboration with all key role players in the small enterprise development ecosystem, have developed the draft National Integrated Small Enterprise Development (NISED) strategic framework. The draft NISED framework was presented and subsequently approved by Cabinet to be published in the gazette for public comments. The strategy was presented and approved by Cabinet. The Department and its agencies also embarked on conducting roadhsows across the country as a platform to engage with different stakeholders from different sectors on the framework.

STELLA NDABENI-ABRAHAMS

MINISTER: DEPARTMENT OF SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

27 March 2023 - NW654

Montwedi, Mr Mk to ask the Minister of Finance

Whether, in light of the disastrous weather conditions that have affected the wine grape subsector for the 2022 harvest, the National Treasury would be willing to review the excise tax burden for wine which is currently standing at 11% significantly above other emerging markets’ duties on wine; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Source
Link

Reply:

There are many considerations when determining the rate of any tax. The National Treasury has undertaken an alcohol taxation review process and will soon publish a discussion paper for public consultation. The discussion paper will consider all the developments and relevant issues pertaining to the overall alcohol industry and the taxation of alcoholic beverages since the last review was performed in 2014. The excise duty regime for wine will also be specifically considered in relation to the industry and the excise duty regime for other alcoholic beverages.

27 March 2023 - NW265

Macpherson, Mr DW to ask the Minister of Finance

Whether, with reference to the press statement issued by the National Treasury on 1 April 2022 where it was announced that the 4,5% increase in the Health Promotion Levy will be postponed for a year in order for consultations to take place on lowering the 4g threshold and extending the levy to fruit juices, the specified consultations have taken place; if not, (a) why not and (b) on what date will the consultations take place; if so, (i) on what date did the consultations take place, (ii) with whom and (iii) what were the outcomes?

Source
Link

Reply:

As announced in the 2023 Budget, the planned increase on the health promotion levy on 01 April 2023 has been suspended for two years. This has been done to enable stakeholders in the sugar industry to restructure or diversify, given the challenges on jobs and farmers from greater regional competitive pressures and the effect of recent floods and public violence.

No consultations generally take place before any tax announcement but is done after such an announcement as part of the legislative process that follows.

Government does, however, consult on policy proposals as explained in the 2022 and 2023 Budget. Government will also soon publish a discussion paper on the levy for consultation on proposals to extend the levy to pure fruit juices and lower the 4-gram threshold. Consultations on the proposals will take place after written comments on the discussion document have been received.

27 March 2023 - NW490

Buthelezi, Mr EM to ask the Minister of Finance

Whether the National Treasury has any fiscal measures in place to support the recovery of the agricultural sector which has suffered a major economic setback through issues relating to the (a) crumbling roads and rail networks and (b) increase in taxes; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what measures?

Source
Link

Reply:

We acknowledge the importance of the agricultural sector and its potential to generate low-skilled jobs needed to address unemployment in South Africa, however, the Honourable Member’s question is not clear, as we do not necessarily agree on the underlying causes and potential impact of the reasons he has stated in his question for example we are not in agreement with his assumption that an increase in taxes is a factor responsible for the major economic setback to the agricultural sector. The Honourable Member may kindly provide more details on the economic setback in agriculture referred to.

The fiscal support for agricultural sector is determined through the budget allocations to the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, as articulated in the Estimate of National Expenditure (ENE) - Vote 29 and to provinces though the Division Revenue Act, and this information is available in various provincial budgets.

27 March 2023 - NW849

Madokwe, Ms P to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises

(1) Whether the current Eskom Board Chairperson was a member of the Nedbank Board, which has substantially invested in renewable energy projects; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) what are the relevant details of the activities of past and present Eskom Board Members as business professionals holding positions on other boards? NW955E

Source
Link

Reply:

According to information received from Eskom:

1. Mr Makwana is currently serving as an Independent Non-executive Director at Nedbank Group Ltd since November 2011. He previously served as Lead Independent Director and Acting Chairperson at Nedbank Group Ltd and was later appointed Chairperson of the Board at Nedbank Group Ltd on 2 December 2021.

2. In terms of section 75 of the Companies Act and Eskom Conflict of Interest Policy, non-executive directors are required to disclose or declare any interests they have. Where a conflict exists, such conflict should be managed. One of the mechanisms to manage a conflict of interest, is to request the director not to participate in decision making relating to that interest, including excusing him/herself from meetings where such interest is discussed.

Remarks: Approved / Not Approved

Jacky Molisane PJ Gordhan, MP

Acting Director-General Minister

Date: Date:

27 March 2023 - NW771

Van Zyl, Ms A M to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises

Whether, with reference to his reply to question 4492 on 3 January 2023, (a) he has been informed that have indeed been many outages, recorded on Eskom’s bot, Alfred, with reference numbers from the farmers in the specified areas which records 75 screenshots of the reference numbers whereby faults were logged with Alfred (details furnished); if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) whether, noting the information provided, he will send a team to (a) upgrade the infrastructure in the areas and (b) provide a time frame on the upgrade that will be undertaken; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Source
Link

Reply:

According to the information received from Eskom:

(1)(a)

There were adverse weather conditions, storms and lighting in the area since October 2022, which resulted in various faults on that 22kV network. These MV faults included poles and cross-arms being hit by lightning and the failure of insulators.

In January 2023, a decision was taken by Eskom’s Aliwal North Technical Team to patrol that section of the line and conduct a line inspection in order to consolidate the number of defects caused by these storms.

(2)(a) and (b)

After completion of the line patrol and inspections, the following outage and maintenance plan to

upgrade the inline 22kV DOT-1 was put in place:

14 – 16 February 2023: Eskom’s Live Work Teams carried out defect clearance on the affected section.
28 February 2023: Another update work was carried out on the affected section of the 22kV line by Eskom’s construction teams.
The outage was successful as Eskom managed to clear 80% of the defects on the accessible areas.
The continuity of electricity supply in the area has since improved since the work that was executed between 14 – 18 February 2023.
The plan is to get Eskom’s Live Work and Construction Teams back to clear the rest of the defects.

Remarks: Approved / Not Approved

Jacky Molisane PJ Gordhan, MP

Acting Director-General Minister

Date: Date:

27 March 2023 - NW266

Macpherson, Mr DW to ask the Minister of Finance

Whether the National Treasury plans to conduct consultations with the sugar industry on the impact of the Health Promotion Levy on the sector ahead of the planned increase on 1 April 2023; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Source
Link

Reply:

As announced in the 2023 Budget, the planned increase on the health promotion levy on 01 April 2023 has been suspended for two years. Consultations with key stakeholders, like the health sector and sugar industry will take place after the publication of a discussion paper to extend the levy to pure fruit juices and lower the 4-gram threshold.

27 March 2023 - NW543

King, Ms C to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation

On what evidence did the National Student Financial Aid Scheme rely to cap the accommodation allowance for beneficiary students at R 45 000 in each year?

Source
Link

Reply:

The NSFAS relied on the World Bank’s International Finance Corporation report, existing NSFAS data for accommodation claimed historically across all institutions, both universities and TVET colleges, recommendations from the MTT report and available market data which looked at the generic student housing market.

27 March 2023 - NW194

Chetty, Mr M to ask the Minister of Finance

(1)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 the National Treasury since 1 June 2019; (2) what is the total cost incurred for domestic air travel for each (a) Minister and (b) Deputy Minister of the National Treasury since 1 June 2019?

Source
Link

Reply:

(1)	(aa) Minister	(bb) Deputy Minister
(a) Destination	Dubai	Boston
	Egypt	Botswana
	Ethiopia	Dakar
	Germany	Egypt
	Ghana	Paris
	Indonesia	Senegal
	Japan	Swaziland
	London	Windhoek
	Morocco
	Niger
	Rwanda
	Singapore
	Switzerland
	Tanzania
	Washington
(b)(i) Accommodation	R1 022 286,58	R 68 232,47
(b)(ii) Travel	R1 808 642,36	R402 893,88
(b)(iii) Other costs	R 220 082,08	R 16 833.29

(2)

(a)

Minister

(b)

Deputy Minister

Total cost incurred for domestic air travel

R637 211,56

R783 050,91

27 March 2023 - NW519

Zondo, Mr S S to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation

Considering that the increasing student debt has been a persistent problem for the Republic’s economy and the higher education sector due to inflation and the limited funding provided by his department, causing a gradual increase by at least R2 billion annually over the past decade, having snowballed from R13,162 billion in the 2019-20 financial year to R16,5 billion in the 2021-22 financial year, (a) what measures has his department put in place to curb the increase in student debt for the 2022-23 financial year and (b) how has his department capacitated the National Student Financial Aid Scheme for the 2023 academic year to meet the financial needs of disadvantaged students?

Source
Link

Reply:

a) Government contributed R1.7 billion to NSFAS following a due diligence exercise that was undertaken in 2018 towards historic debt owed to universities by continuing or returning NSFAS qualifying students, registered in 2018. The allocation targets students who were subject to the R122 000 family income threshold and the NSFAS funding cap, and covers students registered in 2019, 2020 and 2021. Students must meet the academic progression criteria for the years being claimed for and had to sign an acknowledgment of debt with their institutions. This project is work in progress as it is subject to an audit process required by NSFAS and is yet to be finalised.

Secondly, as for the 2022 academic year, NSFAS applied the household income threshold of R350,000 to all students who applied for financial aid for the 2022 academic year and beyond. This means continuing students who were subjected to the R122 000 threshold and NSFAS cap, qualified for the full cost of study and thus would not incur debt.

Thirdly, there have been yearly compacts between my Ministry and the councils of universities to ensure fees remain affordable for poor and working-class students as well as missing middle students. In 2022 a compact was reached with universities to increase tuition fees and accommodation fees to a maximum of CPI at 4.23% for tuition fees and CPI+2 to a maximum of 6.23% for accommodation fees.

b) The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) allocation for the 2023 academic year for universities is R38.674 617 billion covering an estimated 62% of the undergraduate population studying towards an approved qualification at an institution, and who meet the qualifying criteria. The Minister has also approved the 10% increase in allowances, institutions have started to load registration data inclusive of this confirmed increase.

27 March 2023 - NW547

Khakhau, Ms KL to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation

(a) By what date will the review of the outdated prescribed curriculum for mechatronics students be reviewed and (b) what total number of students are currently enrolled for studies in mechatronics?

Source
Link

Reply:

Since 2007, when the NC(V) programmes were first introduced, the NC(V): Mechatronics programme has been offered supported by workshops and equipment that enables the development of relevant skills needed by industry. Many of these workshops match those at some Universities of Technology used by first year students.

Over the past 5 years various components of the NC(V): Mechatronics programme have been reviewed and updated. These include Practical Assessment Tasks (PATs) and Integrated Summative Assessment Tasks (ISATs) for the following subjects:

Vocational Subject reviewed	Implementation date of the reviewed subject

Mechatronics Systems L2	2020
Electro-technology L3	2023
Stored Programme Systems L3	2023
Machine Manufacturing L3	2023
Mechatronic Systems L3	2023
Electro-technology L4	2017
Stored Programme Systems L4	2017
Computer Integrated Manufacturing L4	2017
Mechatronic Systems L4	2017

From 2019 – 2022, the DHET developed an additional stream in the NC(V): IT & Computer Science programme which focuses on Robotics. This Robotics programme is implemented in 10 TVET colleges from January 2023, including Capricorn TVET College.

In preparation for the implementation of the Robotics programme (which is an integration of Mechatronics and Software Programming), TVET colleges had to upgrade their Mechatronics workshops so that they can accommodate equipment to facilitate learning in both Mechatronics and Robotics. These workshops were then earmarked for use by both the Mechatronics and Robotics programmes.

The assertion that the curriculum of the NC(V): Mechatronics programme is irrelevant / outdated is incorrect. The curriculum does not specify the brand or version of equipment to be used in teaching. A standard resource list is provided to colleges providing minimum requirements for facilitating learning in a programme. The curriculum states the specific learning outcomes that have to be achieved and which will be assessed across all colleges offering the programme, irrespective of the choice of equipment they are using.

An illustration of this aspect of national curriculum development is that, for an example: in the Computer Practice and Computer Literacy curricula there would not be mention made of Microsoft Office. The learning outcomes will describe what students need to achieve / learn e.g. how to compile and edit documents, to capture and process data and statistics, do presentations, etc without prescribing the specific software package.

The DHET endeavours to continue supporting TVET colleges in aligning their Programmes and Qualifications Mix (PQMs) with the needs of industry. Linking programme offerings with priority skills needs reflected in national and local initiatives such as Local Development Plans, Occupations in High Demand (OIHD), the South African Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan, and the National Digital Skills Strategy.

27 March 2023 - NW808

Hlengwa, Mr M to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation

With reference to continental trading under the African Continental Free Trade Area agreement that has been reported to potentially exacerbate the inequality lines in countries due to the disproportionate gains in economies, how will her department advocate for the complementary inclusion of regional value chains that include smaller economies?

Source
Link

Reply:

Since African economies are at different stages of development, there is a risk that smaller economies might not reap equal benefits of the AfCFTA as compared to the more advanced and diversified economies. It is for this reason that the AfCFTA provides provision for the asymmetric reduction of tariffs depending on the size of the economy of each State Party. In this regard, the AfCFTA makes provision for the less advanced countries or least developed countries (LDCs) to eliminate their tariffs over 10 years for the first 90% of products as compared to five years that is allocated to the more developed economies, such as South Africa. The remaining 7% of tariff lines which are designated as sensitive will be eliminated over a longer time frame- the developing African countries will do this over 10 years whilst the LDCs are given 13 years. These provisions were specifically made to cushion and provide policy space for smaller African economies against the shocks that may come with trade liberalisation.

South Africa views the AfCFTA as a catalyst for economic growth and development for the entire Continent. Furthermore, South Africa actively encourages investment in the development of Regional Value Chains (RVC) across the Continent. South Africa has and continues to actively participate in the ongoing work of the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA), the Presidential Infrastructure Championship initiative (PICI), chaired by South Africa, and the Specialised Technical Committee (STC) on Trade, Industry, Tourism and Mineral Resources, which deals with industrialisation and development of RVCs on the continent.

27 March 2023 - NW555

Tarabella - Marchesi, Ms NI to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation

Whether he has been informed that the R45 000 cap on accommodation for National Student Financial Aid Scheme beneficiaries often results in such students not being able to afford suitable accommodation, or even end up living on the streets in some cases; if not, will he undertake to deal with the specified issue; if so, what are the relevant details of the steps he will take to deal with the matter?

Source
Link

Reply:

I have not been informed about the Cap leading to students not being able to afford suitable accommodation. Men my department presented on readiness for the academic year, we reported that universities made provision for emergency accommodation for students where possible. On 20 March 2023, USAF too confirmed that emergency accommodation has been offered to students. Following my meeting with USAF on 3 March 2023, where on concerns with the R45000 Cap were raised by some Vice Chancellors, I established a task team consisting of affected universities, officials from the Department and NSFAS. Relevant data from all 26 public universities is being collected to establish how many students are affected and which accommodation categories they are allocated within. Once all the data is collated a workshop will be held with relevant stakeholders. In the interim, internal analysis has been conducted by the Department to analyse which universities will not cope financially with the Cap, and what adjustments need to be made to ensure they are supported. Recommendations will be submitted to the Department. NSFAS has also informed me that it plans to redirect NSFAS students to the more affordable accredited accommodation identified by its team of accreditors.

27 March 2023 - NW752

Van Zyl, Ms A M to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises

Whether he has been informed that Direct Eskom Customers in the Enon area in the Sunday’s River Valley Local Municipality have been without power since December 2022 (details furnished); if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) what (a) is the turnaround time for lines to be fixed that are logged onto the Alfred Application (App) and (b) steps will he take to ensure that the turnaround time for attending to faults logged on the Alfred App is faster than the two months it has taken for the vulnerable residents living in the rural Eastern Cape?

Source
Link

Reply:

According to the information received from Eskom

1. The Enon area in Sundays River Valley Local Municipality has reliable Eskom electricity networks, but they are frequently negatively affected by acts of theft and vandalism. There were no major faults affecting the area during the said period of December 2022. Eskom has, however been dealing with an increase in vandalism, stolen power cables, stolen airdac cables and stolen reclosers in the area. Eskom has identified that there is a high number of stolen airdac cables on the Sunday’s River and Greater Kirkwood areas of Moses Mabhida, Msengeni, Enon and Beshiba.

(2)(a) Eskom started by replacing airdac cables on the Moses Mabhida and Msengeni area on 15 February 2023 and that project is now completed. The observation is that in these areas, the customer airdac cables are being repeatedly stolen as soon as they are being replaced.

The focus of replacing airdac cables in now on Enon and Beshiba areas where there has been a spate of cable theft. The stealing of airdacs is an on-going issue which Eskom has been dealing with for a long time now.

(2)(b) Eskom Distribution Eastern Cape has been mitigating the theft of power and airdac cables by:

Replacing all copper airdac and power cables with aluminium cables.
Embarking on community mobilisation and co-operation (a plan is now being finalised to launch a community co-operatives programme with Sundays River Valley Local Municipality).
Strengthening of security initiatives.

Prioritisation of faults considers the circumstances around a particular fault; and the channel used does not have any influence on how a fault is handled. Customers are encouraged to continue using Eskom’s digital platforms. The two cases highlighted in paragraph 2(b) are being investigated and resources will be assigned to ensure that they are attended to should it be found that the customers are still without supply.

Remarks: Approved / Not Approved

Jacky Molisane PJ Gordhan, MP

Acting Director-General Minister

Date: Date:

27 March 2023 - NW429

Lees, Mr RA to ask the Minister of Finance

What are the details of all instances where (a) an accounting officer is alleged to have committed financial misconduct according to the National Treasury Regulation 4.1.3, (b) the National Treasury ensured that the relevant executive authority initiated an investigation into the matter and (c) a disciplinary hearing was held where the allegations were confirmed?

Source
Link

Reply:

(a), (b) and (c) Section 81(1) of the PFMA states that an accounting officer for a department or a constitutional institution commits an act of financial misconduct if that accounting officer willfully or negligently (a) fails to comply with a requirement of section 38, 39, 40, 41 or 42 or (b) makes or permits an unauthorised expenditure, an irregular expenditure or a fruitless and wasteful expenditure.

Section 85(1)(a) of the PFMA provides that, the Minister must make regulations prescribing the manner, form and circumstances in which allegations and disciplinary and criminal charges of financial misconduct must be reported to the National Treasury, the relevant provincial treasury and the Auditor-General including (i) particulars of the alleged financial misconduct; and (ii) the steps taken in connection with such financial misconduct.

Treasury Regulation 4.1.3 states that, if an accounting officer is alleged to have committed financial misconduct, the relevant treasury, as soon as it becomes aware of the alleged misconduct, must ensure that the relevant executive authority initiates an investigation into the matter and if the allegations are confirmed, holds disciplinary hearing in accordance with the prescripts appliable and agreement applicable in the public service. The relevant treasury may also direct that (a) an official other than the employee of the department conducts the investigation or (b) issues reasonable requirement regarding the way in which the investigation should be performed as provided in Treasury Regulations 4.1.4.

Information related to investigations conducted against accounting officers and disciplinary action instituted in departments can be found in the annual reports of those departments. In addition, the Frameworks issued by the National Treasury on unauthorised, irregular and fruitless and wasteful expenditure prescribes the process and requirements that should be followed by departments, constitutional institutions, trading entities and public entities when dealing with matters of financial misconduct linked to these expenditures. The Frameworks can be found on the National Treasury website at the following link:

https://www.treasury.gov.za/legislation/pfma/TreasuryInstruction/Annexure%20A%20%20PFMA%20Compliance%20and%20Reporting%20Framework%20Instruction%20No%204%20of%20202223.pdf

27 March 2023 - NW574

Mkhatshwa, Ms NT to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation

What strategies has his department implemented, particularly for institutions in rural and less urbanised locations, to increase access to quality student accommodation which is becoming scarce resulting in inflationary pressure on student accommodation costs?

Source
Link

Reply:

My department has established a Student Housing Infrastructure Programme (SHIP) which is aimed at addressing student housing backlog through the implementation of large student housing projects that deliver more than 1000 student beds each across universities and TVET Colleges. From the onset, SHIP was established to ensure that a minimum of 60% of the student beds it delivers are for campuses in rural and peri-urban areas. For the less urbanised spaces, under Phase 1 of the SHIP which commenced in 2019, R1.464 billion was allocated towards the development of 13005 student beds at University of Fort Hare (UFH) Alice Campus, North-West University (NWU) Mahikeng Campus, University of Limpopo (UL), University of Zululand (UNIZULU), King Hintsa TVET College, and Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU). To date 3165 beds have been completed, 5500 are currently under construction, and 4340 have been scheduled.

Under Phase 2 of the SHIP, R1.382 billion has been allocated towards the development of 6300 beds at Central University of Technology (CUT) Welkom Campus, Gert Sibande TVET College, Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) Ga-Rankuwa Campus, and Walter Sisulu University (WSU). In addition, R1.209 billion has been allocated to student housing projects that are not under the SHIP, and the projects are currently under construction. These projects are located at CUT Welkom Campus, TUT Ga-Rankuwa Campus, UL, UNIVEN, WSU and University of Zululand (UNIZULU). Furthermore, R1.261 billion was allocated for previous projects which have already been completed at CUT Welkom Campus, NWU Mahikeng Campus, SMU, UFH Alice Campus, UL, UNIVEN, UNIZULU, WSU, and University of the Free State (UFS) Qwa-Qwa Campus.

27 March 2023 - NW664

Komane, Ms RN to ask the Minister of Finance

(a) On what date will the thousands of pensioners under the Ciskei Government Pension Fund be paid out what is due to them and (b) what reasons has he found lie behind the unnecessary delays?

Source
Link

Reply:

(a)

The Ciskeian Civil Servants Pension Fund (CCSPF) of the former Ciskei was administered by the former Ciskei Government until 1993 when Sanlam took over the administration. The GEPF took over from Sanlam in 1999. The Ciskeian Civil Servants Pension Fund was, together with certain other pension funds as specified in the Government Employees Pension Law, 1996 (GEP Law), amalgamated into the Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF).

Any member of the CCSPF whose pensionable service data was received from the CCSPF correctly, was transferred to the GEPF as part of the amalgamation. Such a member’s GEPF pensionable service includes his/her CCSPF pensionable service for which such a member was not already paid and is recognised as a continuous pensionable service record.

Members who exited the CCSPF prior to amalgamation, would have been paid their pension benefits through the then administrator being Sanlam.

Any member who was amalgamated into the GEPF as explained above, has his/her CCSPF pensionable service recognized as part of their GEPF pensionable service. When such a member exits the GEPF the full pensionable service (inclusive of the CCSPF) is considered to determine the pension benefits.

There is accordingly no knowledge of “thousands of pensioners” who were not paid what is due to them as any such member whose data was correctly transferred and who was not paid any benefit under the CCSPF, has their pensionable service for such period recognized as part of their GEPF pensionable service. The GEPF investigates any individual case where it is submitted that a member’s pensionable service record differs and assesses such in respect of each individual case.

(b)

Accordingly, the Fund is not aware of any delays in the payment of pensions for former CCSPF members.

27 March 2023 - NW782

Ismail, Ms H to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation

What regulatory bodies does her department deal with to (a) correlate tourism and (b) oversee pilgrims during the Hajj and/ or pilgrimage to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; (2) (a) On what basis and (b) who appointed the SA Hajj and Umrah Council (SAHUC) to oversee the Hajj and / or pilgrimage process to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; (3) Whether she will furnish Ms H Ismail with all the documentation stating full details with regard to the process; if not, why not, if so, what are the relevant details; (4) Noting that the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia issues the visa quotas to the SA Government and that the SAHUC is given the visas, what (a) are the reasons for the process and (b) happens to the visas after the quota is given?

Source
Link

Reply:

1. The Department of International Relations and Cooperation does not deal with any regulatory bodies to correlate tourism and oversee pilgrims during pilgrimage to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. DIRCO only provides consular assistance to South African pilgrims visiting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

2. The Department of International Relations and Cooperation recently appointed a Ministerial Committee on the Efficient Management of the Annual Hajj and Umrah Pilgrimages. The mandate and role of the Ministerial Committee is to provide strategic direction to support the efficient management of the annual Hajj and Umrah Pilgrimages and to ensure that the South African pilgrims may enjoy a well-organised pilgrimage by an appropriate system under the auspices of the relevant Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. As a result of several complaints regarding arrangements made by many travel agencies facilitating travel services for South African pilgrims at that time, the Saudi Arabian Government, in 1994, approached the Members of Parliament of the South African National Assembly to address the matter. It was therefore deemed necessary for one entity to manage the entire Hajj process. The then Department of Foreign Affairs, through the then Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Aziz Pahad, facilitated meetings for engagements among Non-Governmental Organisations representing the interests of Muslim Communities as well as political parties representing Muslim constituencies with the view to establishing a single entity to manage the Hajj process. As a result of these engagements, a Management Committee was formed, which led to the formation of the South African Hajj and Umrah Council (SAHUC) and the Government of Saudi Arabia was informed of SAHUC’s formation and its objective to facilitate the Hajj pilgrimage for South African pilgrims.

3. The formation of SAHUC was done through multi-stakeholder engagements with entities representing the interests of Muslim Communities. The Government of Saudi Arabia was informed of the formation of SAHUC to facilitate Hajj pilgrimages for South African pilgrims.

4. The entire Hajj process for South African pilgrims is facilitated through SAHUC, in its capacity as the Pilgrims Affairs Office according to the procedures set by the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which includes the annually set quota, therefore it is not issued to the South African Government. The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah implements two systems for the purpose of organising pilgrimages, i.e., that of a Pilgrims Affairs Office or that of Organisers. SAHUC resorts under the category of a Pilgrims Affairs Office and administers the distribution of visas.

27 March 2023 - NW463

Chetty, Mr M to ask the Minister of Finance

What (a) is the salary of each (i) chief executive officer and (ii) top executive position in each state-owned entity reporting to him and (b) total amount does each get paid to attend a meeting?

Source
Link

Reply:

State-owned entity	(i)(a) Chief Executive Officer	(ii)(a) Top Executive Position	(i)(b) Chief Executive Officer	(ii)(b) Top Executive Position
Accounting Standards Board (ASB)	R2 861 287	R2 139 230	The chief executive officer and top executives do not receive payment to attend meetings.
Co-operative Banks Development Agency (CBDA)	R594 000[1]	R1 214 000
Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA)	R8 061 383	R4 128 919
Financial and Fiscal Commission (FFC)	R1 759 809	R1 450 275
Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC)	R3 068 000	R2 073 000
Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA)	R4 166 667	R3 621 890
Government Pensions Administration Agency (GPAA)	R2 137 000	R1 304 000
Government Technical Advisory Centre (GTAC)	R1 466 778	R1 601 147
Independent Regulatory Board for Auditors (IRBA)	R3 303 398	R2 651 221
Land and Agricultural Development Bank of South Africa (Land Bank)	Vacant	R3 535 999
Office of the Ombud for Financial Services Providers (FAIS Ombud)	R2 385 313	R1 593 228
Office of the Pension Funds Adjudicator (OPFA)	R2 586 223	R1 807 125
Office of the Tax Ombud (OTO)	R2 697 684	R1 903 092
Public Investment Corporation SOC Limited (PIC)	R9 500 000	R7 563 600
South African Revenue Service (SARS)	R6 156 000	R3 023 000
South African Special Risks Insurance Association (SASRIA)	R4 100 000	R3 800 000

All the related information is available in the Annual Report of the Public Entities reporting to the Department.

The Managing Director of the CBDA’s contract ended on 30 September 2021. ↑

27 March 2023 - NW673

Msane, Ms TP to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation

What progress has been made within the Southern African Development Community region to facilitate free movement of people and goods in the region?

Source
Link

Reply:

1.1 Progress is being made within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to facilitate free movement of people and goods in the region. The SADC Protocol on Facilitation of Movement of Persons, which was signed on 18 August 2005 by nine Member States, has only been ratified and domesticated by seven countries, including South Africa. This means that it is not yet in force. In the meantime, SADC Member States grant visa exemptions to each other’s citizens on a bilateral basis. In the spirit and letter of this Protocol, South Africa has already exempted 13 SADC Member States ordinary citizens entry and residence for a period of 90 days per annum without visas.

1.2 Regarding the movement of goods, it should be noted that SADC has developed the SADC Protocol on Trade which was signed in 1996 and entered into force in 2008. So far, it has been ratified by 13 out of 16 Member States, including South Africa. The Protocol serves as a framework for the establishment of the SADC Free Trade Area (FTA). Since the establishment of the FTA, intra-regional trade has increased 20% among participating Member States.

27 March 2023 - NW636

Groenewald, Mr IM to ask the Minister of Finance

(1)Whether, in light of section 121 of the Municipal Finance Management Act, Act 56 of 2003 (MFMA) that requires all municipalities to table their annual reports to their respective municipal councils by 31 January every year, and/or request an extension from their provincial Members of the Executive Council (MECs), he and/or the National Treasury must be provided with reports of any municipalities that have failed to table their reports by 31 January 2023; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) which municipalities failed to table their reports, (b) what were the reasons for non-compliance, (c) did the specified municipalities timeously apply for an extension to the respective MECs and (d) of the municipalities that failed to table their reports by 31 January, which municipalities have also failed to apply for extensions to their respective MECs; whether he will make a statement on the matter?

Source
Link

Reply:

The provisions of section 121 of the Municipal Finance Management Act, Act 56 of 2003 (MFMA) together with section 127(2) – (3)(b) of the Municipal Finance Management Act, Act 56 of 2003 (MFMA) states that the mayor of a municipality must, within seven months after the end of a financial year, table in the municipal council the Annual Report of the municipality and of any municipal entity under the municipality's sole or shared control. Should the mayor, for any reason, be unable to table the Annual Report of the municipality or any municipal entity under the sole or shared control within 7 (seven) months after the end of the financial year to which the report relates, the mayor must: (a) promptly submit to the council a written explanation referred to in section 133(I)(a) setting out the reasons for the delay, together with any components of the Annual Report listed in section 121(3) or (4) that are ready and (b) submit to the council the outstanding Annual Report or the outstanding components of the Annual Report as soon as may be possible.

The responsibility to discharge this requirement in terms of the MFMA, vests with the respective municipality.

I have been advised from a report to the National Treasury, that Annexure A lists the municipalities that did not table their Annual Reports to Council by 31 January 2023 based on information received by the National Treasury. I am further advised however, the updating of such information for monitoring compliance, is ongoing.

Annexure A

Number	Name of Municipality	Province
1	Senqu	Eastern Cape
2	Emalahleni	Eastern Cape
3	Ngqhuza Hill	Eastern Cape
4	Koukamma	Eastern Cape
5	Kopanong	Free State
6	Mohokare	Free State
7	Masilonyana	Free State
8	Tokologo	Free State
9	Nketoana	Free State
10	Maluti-a-Phofung	Free State
11	Mantsopa	Free State
12	Mafube	Free State
13	City of Johannesburg	Gauteng
14	uMkhanyakude	KwaZulu Natal
15	Steve Tshwete	Mpumalanga
16	Richtersveld	Northern Cape
17	Ubuntu	Northern Cape
18	Magareng	Northern Cape
19	Renosterberg	Northern Cape
20	Sol Plaatje	Northern Cape
21	Thembelihle	Northern Cape
22	Siyathemba	Northern Cape
23	Tsantsabane	Northern Cape
24	Kgatelopele	Northern Cape
25	Phokwane	Northern Cape
26	JB Marks	North West
27	Naledi	North West
28	Mamusa	North West
29	Ditsobotla	North West
30	Ngaka Modiri Molema	North West
31	Cederberg	Western Cape

27 March 2023 - NW489

Buthelezi, Mr EM to ask the Minister of Finance

Considering that the lack of proper financial management practices, insufficient financial reporting and widespread corruption are some of the biggest ills burdening our local government, and considering that the specified issues affect the development of the Republic and compromises the fiscal resources, what actions will the National Treasury take to address the abuse of public expenditure and consequent lack of service delivery to promote the appropriate use of public and private financial resources for social and economic development and infrastructure investment in line with its mandate?

Source
Link

Reply:

Generally, the causes of South Africa’s poor economic growth and development are complex and multi-faceted. It includes the impact of state capture, as outlined by the Zondo Commission findings published in 2022. The National Treasury provides a bi-annual update on the performance of the economy and the policy proposals to improve it in the annual Budget Review and in the Medium Term Budget Policy Statement.

From a local government perspective, interventions in terms of section 139 of the Constitution are being more actively pursued as a measure to address the lack of service delivery and poor financial management in municipalities. Where necessary, such interventions in terms of Section 139(5) are mandatory, and require a financial recovery plan to be imposed on the municipality. Monthly reporting on the recovery plan is a legislative requirement and creates the mechanism to monitor the performance of the municipality, including how funding is being utilised by the municipality, prioritization of service delivery and inclusion of programmes to enhance social and economic development. However, interventions are led by the relevant Provincial Executive Committee and the role of the National Treasury is limited in terms of the Constitution to the preparation of the financial recovery plan and overseeing the monthly reporting on progress.

For more details on some of the policy work done by the NT to enhance transparency of local government spending, please refer to Parliamentary Question 293.

27 March 2023 - NW954

Cebekhulu, Inkosi RN to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

Whether her department has taken any urgent steps to minimise the threat posed by locust outbreaks which according to Agri SA affected 23 million hectares of land, of which 90% was agricultural land, during the 2021-22 season, and noting that outbreaks have already been witnessed in the Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, and Western Cape with weather forecasts for some regions indicating that there will be above-average rainfall which heightens the risk of devastating swarms developing; if not, why not; if so, (a) what are the relevant details and (b) on what date will the locust officer’s contracts be finalised?

Source
Link

Reply:

Yes.

a) Details are as follows:

400 000 litres of insecticide have been procured for effective and efficient control of the locust outbreak;
Locust control officers have been appointed in all locust outbreak areas to be on standby to control the locust outbreak if it occurs;
Personal protective equipment has been procured for the control officers controlling the locust outbreak;
Locust spray equipment has been procured; and
The National Bid Adjudication Committee of Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) has approved the appointment of a locust aerial spraying service provider to be on standby to complement the locust control officers on the ground and the contract is in the process of being signed with the service provider.

b) The locust officer’s contracts have been finalised. Locust officers are appointed in all locust outbreak areas.

27 March 2023 - NW518

Shaik Emam, Mr AM to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation

What steps is his department taking to address the high drop-out rate of first-year students at technical and vocational education and training colleges which comes at a very high cost?

Source
Link

Reply:

The Department of Higher Education and Training has various strategies in place to improve retention of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) college students. In respect of student admissions, the Department has developed the Policy Framework on Administration and Management of Student Admissions in TVET Colleges to facilitate access to young people, particularly from disadvantaged backgrounds to TVET college programme offerings. Furthermore, administration of the student selection and placement tests is compulsory in all colleges to ensure that students are appropriately enrolled in programmes aligned to their cognitive abilities. To promote student access, financially and academically deserving students may apply for the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) which covers tuition (inclusive of textbooks, consumables, and safety gear), personal care allowance, living allowance, and transport or accommodation.

Students who do not meet entry requirements for a particular programme as outlined in the college’s admission policy may be enrolled into the Pre-Vocational Learning Programme (PLP) which is a one-year academic programme intended to bridge the gap in students’ foundational knowledge in subjects such as English, Mathematics and Science, and over and above includes computer literacy and life skills. In respect of on-course support, the Department has developed the Academic Support Guidelines to assist colleges to develop their own academic support programmes and interventions for underperforming students in order to improve their retention and academic performance.

The physical, emotional, social health, and well-being of students have a bearing on their retention and academic performance. In this regard, the Department, in collaboration with Higher Health is offering health, wellness and psychosocial support to students with socio-economic challenges ranging from gender-based violence, substance abuse, health care, STD and HIV/AIDS screenings, and mental health to enable them to adapt to the demands of college life and their studies.

27 March 2023 - NW781

Ismail, Ms H to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation

With regard to the protocol agreements regarding pilgrimages to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, what are the relevant details of the classification whereupon agreements between the Republic and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia were based; (2) Given that the Republic is registered as a majority Muslim country according to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and therefore the Hajj quota system is applicable, what are the reasons for such registration; (3) (a) on what basis and (b) by what date will the specified registration be rectified, as such registration negatively impacts on the Muslims of the Republic who wish to go on a pilgrimage; (4) (a) who is signing international inter – governmental agreements and/ or treaties in her department, as the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has confirmed that her department is signing the agreement details of the Hajj arrangements; (5) Whether she has found that the matter is indeed the mandate of her department; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so what are the relevant details? NW881E

Source
Link

Reply:

1. The Saudi Arabia Ministry of Hajj and Umrah confirmed that it has a two-system approach, which can be defined as follows:

A Pilgrims Affairs Office, which is an office that is official appointed by the country to facilitate Hajj on behalf of the said countries’ pilgrims. In this regard, SAHUC is considered a “Pilgrims’ Affairs Office.”

Organisers, (Tour Operators and Travel Agents) who contract directly with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. This system (Organisers, tourist companies and Agencies) is the responsibility of a different section where they will have a different set of requirements and criteria as well as guarantees that would need to be completed and approved before the Organisers may operate.

2. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has indicated that no such classification exists and if such is made, it would be communicated through official channels.

3. Not applicable - South Africa is not registered as a Muslim country.

4. The Hajj protocols and agreements are signed by the head of the South African Hajj and Umrah Council (SAHUC) and the Government of Saudi Arabia.

5. This is not a mandate of DIRCO. The Constitution guarantees freedom of religion in Section 15. It is accepted in the philosophy of religious freedom that the role of the State must be neutral in States where religious freedom is guaranteed. In other words, the State should treat all religions equally and impartially.

This in effect means that the Department does not become involved in arrangements for the pilgrimage, nor in arrangements for religious pilgrimages or ceremonies for any other religion. However, as the pilgrims in questions are South African nationals, it is appropriate to provide them with consular services, as the case will be with any other South African national.

It has been noted that the Department did play a role in facilitating consultations within the South African Muslim community concerning the problems that were experienced with the Hajj. It is our opinion that such a role is perfectly compatible with the Department’s mission as it assists in managing bilateral relations with a foreign State and does not intend to favour one religion over another.

The Chairperson of the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities has also formally responded that South Africa is a secular state and that the Department of International Relations and Cooperation is not obliged, constitutionally, to co-ordinate the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimage.

27 March 2023 - NW933

Steenhuisen, Mr JH to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises

With reference to the commitment made in 2019 to unbundle Eskom and the urgent imperative of inadequate transmission capacity that must be resolved, what (a) progress has he made with the unbundling process and (b) are the reasons for his delay?

Source
Link

Reply:

According to the information received from Eskom

Eskom is continuing to work on implementing the legal separation of the transmission entity (or unbundling), which remains a key strategic priority and aspect of Eskom’s Turnaround Plan envisaged under the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) Roadmap.

According to the roadmap:

The corporatisation of Transmission was completed in December 2021. A legally binding merger agreement was entered into between Eskom and its wholly-owned subsidiary, the National Transmission Company South Africa SOC Limited (NTCSA).
Reasons for the delays in unbundling Transmission substantively relate to external dependencies such as obtaining lenders’ consent, acquiring electricity licences, and designation of the Transmission Entity as a Buyer.
The next step is to operationalise the NTCSA, and this is subject to the satisfaction of certain suspensive conditions, which include, but are not limited to:

(a) the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) granting all applicable licences required for NTCSA to operate the Transmission business; and

(b) Eskom obtaining all applicable creditor consents to the transaction.

Future phases of the legal separation will be dependent on legislative changes, which are currently being driven by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) and the DPE. These changes include the amendment of the Electricity Regulation Act (ERA) regarding licensing and the Electricity Pricing Policy (EPP) of the South African Electricity Supply Industry. The amended Electricity Regulation Act (ERA) is expected to be in place during 2023.

Efforts to accelerate the addition of new Transmission capacity through expansion of the grid are being addressed through the implementation of the Transmission Development Plan (TDP) with the support of the government through, among others, the NECOM structures.

Since the launch of the DMRE Independent Power Producer (IPP) programmes (Bid Windows 1 – 4), close to 6.1 GW of new generation capacity has already been integrated into the power system. Following the announcement of the preferred bidders for Bid Window (BW) 5 / 6, there have been IPPs that participated in the private procurement process, who quickly secured grid capacity, mainly in the Western, Eastern and Northern Cape areas. The Transmission network capacity in these areas has been taken up, as per grid code requirements, which require Eskom to provide non-discriminatory open access to the grid. This has resulted in network constraints, and this will require substantial augmentations before new generation capacity can be connected to the system.

To address this, the 10-year TDP 2022, identified the new infrastructure that would be required to implement the IRP 2019 and Eskom’s 2035 Corporate Strategy. However, it takes time to establish new transmission infrastructure (especially the building of long lines and substations) mainly due to servitude acquisitions and constructability challenges. Eskom is aware of these challenges and is making every effort to expedite the build programme by engaging key stakeholders in government, as well as the private sector.

Remarks: Approved / Not Approved

Jacky Molisane PJ Gordhan, MP

Acting Director-General Minister

Date: Date:

27 March 2023 - NW528

Mogale, Mr T to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation

Whether he has considered engaging with municipalities and the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure in order to repurpose buildings owned by the Government for student accommodation; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Source
Link

Reply:

The Department has considered the use of redundant buildings to house satellite campuses for PSET institutions in general and Community Learning Centres in particular.

The exercise has been managed at the regional and institutional level because many of the redundant buildings are schools owned by Provincial Departments of Public Works. However, the Department has started a process establishing a schedule of all redundant buildings that can be used as satellite campuses. The exercise is scheduled to be completed by the end of 30 March 2023.

27 March 2023 - NW572

Sibiya, Ms DP to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation

(1) What is the extent of online education in the Republic as information technology is critical in expanding access to higher education; (2) whether he has found that the higher education system has the capacity to expand access through online education; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Source
Link

Reply:

The Department of Higher Education and Training has embraced the digital transformation journey and has prioritised utilising technology to improve the quality of teaching and learning which will ultimately improve institutional efficiency and student success.

1. The extent of online education has not been quantified by different institutions in the PSET sector. However, the Department has introduced multiple initiatives including amongst others:

(a) Investment in the development of a National Open Learning System (NOLS) that aims to:

progressively harness open learning principles in all PSET institutions;
provide students in the PSET system with an efficient open learning system with viable options for learning;
use ICT as an enabler for teaching and learning in PSET; and
make high quality, shared teaching and learning resources increasingly available as Open Educational Resources (OER).

b) Commissioned a research project with an international partner (GIZ — German Agency for International Cooperation) on the current use of technology in South African TVET colleges.

c) Funded the South African National Research Network (SANReN) which was mandated to connect all 50 TVET Colleges with more than 300 sites covering the length and breadth of the entire country (TCCP) including rural institutions. 90% of TVET students are from poor homes. The project is 80% complete. Learning sites that were connected have provided very positive feedback, with high-speed connectivity achieved across vast and deep rural and mountainous regions of the country

2. On the question of building capacity to expand access through online education is work in progress, the DHET has developed a National Guideline on using technology to enhance teaching and learning. All Colleges were capacitated on the use of the National Guidelines during 2021/2022.

The Department further initiated a project on blended learning which aims to build lecturer and tutor capacity in blended learning of mathematics and statistics education, tutoring and support. Currently, there is no formalized programme to capacitate lecturers and tutors for blended tuition. The objective of the project is to conduct workshops and work with Inter-university and Faculty communities of practice that consist of lecturers and tutors who will focus on sharing best practices and creating new knowledge to advance their ability to educate optimally will be established.