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05 January 2024 - NW730

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Sharif, Ms NK to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

What (a) are the relevant details of how the Secretariat of the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide has facilitated the implementation of the National Strategic Plan, given that the Council has not been established yet and (b) total amount has been spent on the Secretariat and its work to date?

Reply:

a) The Secretariat of the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF Secretariat) serves as an interim structure of the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (NC on GBVF) for the coordination and implementation of the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (NSP on GBVF).

The functions/activities of the GBVF Secretariat include, but are not limited to:

  1. The compilation and submission of monthly progress reports on the implementation of the NSP on GBVF to all FOSAD Clusters;
  2. The compilation and submission of quarterly progress reports on the implementation of the NSP on GBVF to the Presidency;
  3. Providing secretariat services to the multisectoral END GBVF Collective, a voluntary platform with 700 members that creates space for stakeholders from government, civil society, development agencies, and private citizens to think, plan, and work together in the implementation of the 6 pillars of the NSP on GBVF;
  4. The convening of information sessions with national and provincial government departments on the integration of the NSP on GBVF targets to departmental plans;
  5. The implementation of the 100-Day Challenge Capacity Building Programme, which was a pilot to accelerate local implementation of the NSP on GBVF in seven districts with intentional focus and systems design to create the enabling conditions for collaboration, innovation and execution;
  6. The provision of technical support to the planning and organising of the Presidential GBVF Summit 2 working groups; organised Pillar Dialogues; and trained all nine provinces on pre-summits guidelines in line with the Presidential Summit theme: “Accountability, Acceleration and Amplification NOW”;
  7. Drafting the NSP on GBVF two and a half years reflective report which formed the key base document for the Presidential Summits on GBVF; and
  8. Provides secretariat support services to all Presidential Summits on GBVF inclusive of final summit reports.

These are some of the highlights of the overall work coordinated by the GBVF Secretariat to implement the NSP on GBVF.

b) The total amount incurred over the period 2020/21 to 2022/23 by the GBVF Secretariat amounts to R6 635 834.

05 January 2024 - NW3280

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Mkhonto, Ms C N to ask the Minister of Public Service and Administration

Whether her department has a welfare unit in place that offers financial support to public servants who are about to leave the work system onto pensions; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

The Employee Health and Wellness (EHW) Strategic Framework for the Public Service calls for all departments to provide pre-retirement support which includes advising employees to access financial planning advise from authorised advisors. This is a decentralised function that is not centrally located within the DPSA.

Pre-retirement financial counselling services is therefore one of the key aspects of the EHW Framework and is implemented in partnership with the Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF). The Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) as mandated by the Public Service Act monitors the implementation of the EHW programme in the Public Service; conduct audits on an annual basis to ensure the implementation of the EHW programme, including pre-retirement programme.

Pillar 4 (Wellness Management) of the EHW Strategic Framework calls for all departments in the Public Service to implement the following four sub-objectives of the pillar:

    1. Individual Wellness (Physical Wellness)
    2. Psycho-Social wellness (Social, Emotional, Spiritual, Intellectual and Financial/ Economical Wellness)
    3. Organizational Wellness (Creating and maintaining a positive and safe working environment)
    4. Work Life Balance (promoting a balance to ensure that work does not negatively interfere with the private lives of employees including family, leisure, and health and vice versa).

End

05 January 2024 - NW1564

Profile picture: Hicklin, Ms MB

Hicklin, Ms MB to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

Whether, with reference to the reply to question 1293 on 9 July 2021 regarding property at 398 Malherbe Street, Tshwane, (details furnished), the process of handover to the Department of Social Development was completed; if not, (a) why not and (b) will what remains of the property be donated to the Capital Park Ratepayers' Association who are still desperate for a shelter; if so, (i) was the house renovated as it was in a considerable state of disrepair, (ii) who was responsible for the renovation, (iii) what was the total cost of the renovation and (iv) which department paid for the renovations?

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

Kindly note that address provided on Parliamentary question number 1293 & 1564 which is 398 Malherbe Street Capital Park does not belong to state, it is privately owned. See attached Aktex.

Response provided on Parliamentary question number 1293 & 1564 provided relate to state owned property on address 227 Malherbe Street, Capital Park.

(a) Department of Public Works and Infrastructure is still waiting for response from the Department of Social Development. KAM sent email to DSD on the 01/06/2021 with three months to respond.

(b) The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure does not have a record of an application seeking a donation of property in question from Capital Park Residents and Ratepayers Association. The organization is welcome to make such application through the Regional office to Director, REMS: Mr. Ndivhoni Mathivha or Deputy Director, REMS: Mr. Sylvester Tshilwane.

(i) There is no house on the property, it’s a vacant land.

(ii) Not applicable.

(iii) Not applicable.

(iv) Not applicable

05 January 2024 - NW728

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Bagraim, Mr M to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

Whether, with reference to the recent increase in the national minimum wage, and against the background that the implementation of a national minimum wage has already forced many sheltered employment workshops attached to various non-governmental organisations to close their doors as they cannot afford to pay the national minimum wage to their employees with disabilities, she has been or intends monitoring the impact of the national minimum wage increases on vulnerable groups for the purpose of making recommendations to Cabinet that will exempt the sheltered employment workshops from implementing the national minimum wage; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

Sheltered employment workshops form part of the skills development programmes coordinated by the Department of Employment and Labour in collaboration with the Department of Social Development. This question may be directed to these relevant Departments for reply.

05 January 2024 - NW2783

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Sharif, Ms NK to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

Considering that youth and persons with disability programmes run by her Office have been merged into one programme which is underfunded, what are the details of the plans of her Office to protect the (a) budgets allocated to and (b) integrity of the programmes of the two critical components of the mandate of her Office?

Reply:

The Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities (DWYPD) has obtained approval from the National Treasury to split the Youth and Persons with Disabilities into two separate programmes effective 1 April 2024.

The allocation of funds to departments from the fiscus is a mandate of the National Treasury. This question may be directed to the Ministry of Finance for reply.

05 January 2024 - NW3200

Marais to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

(1 )Whether, with reference to the incidents of army brutality during the early days of the lockdown to curb the spread of COVID-19 in 2020, she has communicated and/or reported any incidents of army brutality to the public and/or their parliamentary representatives; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2)(a) What are the details of accessible channels that were put in place by her department for citizens to report incidents of army brutality and (b) how were the reports handled; (3) What are the relevant details of the (a) support mechanisms that were established for victims of army brutality during the lockdown and (b) avenues that were available to persons for seeking justice, medical assistance and/or legal aid; (4) Whether any valuable lessons have been learnt from the incidents; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (5) Whether any resultant reforms and/or changes have been implemented in procedures, training and oversight of law enforcement during domestic deployments to prevent similar incidents in the future; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

Find reply here

05 January 2024 - NW1713

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Alexander, Ms W to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

Whether she will furnish Mrs W R Alexander with a comprehensive breakdown of the procurement allocation of (a) her Office and (b) every entity reporting to her in terms of the percentages allocated to (i) small-, medium- and micro-enterprises, (ii) cooperatives, (iii) township enterprises and (iv) rural enterprises with a view to evaluating the effectiveness of the set-aside policy of the Government in fostering an inclusive and diverse economic landscape (details furnished) in the (aa) 2021-22 financial year and (bb) since 1 April 2023?

Reply:

The procurement allocation for the department is apportioned in line with the Annual Performance Plan (APP) and Operational Plan (OP) targets to ensure achievements of these targets. Further, procurement is facilitated through the Central Supplier Database (CSD) located in the National Treasury. The question may be directed to the Ministry of Finance for detailed reply.

05 January 2024 - NW3227

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Sharif, Ms NK to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

Given that the SA Police Service (SAPS) remains the first line of defence in the fight against the scourge of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF), (a) how does her Office work with the SAPS to ensure that proper training on GBVF is done and (b) will she furnish Ms N K Shariff with evidence of the work done?

Reply:

a) The Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities in collaboration with the South African Police Service (SAPS) has developed a Gender-Based Violence and Femicide and sexual offences action plan. This plan is grounded on the priorities of the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (NSP on GBVF) with one focus on training and development. The training which is provided by the SAPS includes both proactive and reactive training on GBVF related matters. The former is important for the prevention of GBVF, while the latter is important for ensuring appropriate services that inhibit secondary victimisation of those affected by GBVF.

b) The below table shows training embarked on the SAPS during the 2023/24 financial year reported to the DWYPD as part of NSP on GBVF implementation.

Proactive Formal Training

Name of Course

Trained

Competent

Human Rights and Policing Programme

984

984

Vulnerable Groups Course

1577

1577

First Responder to Sexual Offences

1442

1442

National Victim Empowerment Training Programme

656

656

 

Total Trained

4659

4659

Proactive Non-Formal Training

Name of Course

Trained

Competent

Buccal Sample

164

164

Dignity, Diversity and Policing

135

135

Missing Persons

35

35

Domestic Violence

515

515

Total Trained

849

849

 

Reactive Formal Training

Name of Course

Trained

Competent

Resolving of Crime Skills Training

586

586

Basic Crime Investigative Practice

658

653

Family Violence, Child Protection, Sexual Offences

221

220

Sexual Offenses for Investigations Learning Programme

559

559

Psychological Motivated Crimes Learning Programme

49

48

Missing Persons

420

420

Domestic Violence Learning Programme

2080

2079

Biological: DNA Evidence Recovery Crime Scene Examiner

78

72

Biological: Body Fluid Detection Dog Course

0

0

DNA Evidence Recovery for Bio Body Fluid Dog

0

0

Collection Non-Intimate Forensic DNA Buccal Sample

4494

4471

Dignity, Diversity and Policing

5087

5087

Total Trained

14232

14195

 

Reactive Non-Formal Training

Name of Course

Trained

Competent

Domestic Violence

31

31

Total Trained

31

31

05 January 2024 - NW3163

Profile picture: Msimanga, Mr ST

Msimanga, Mr ST to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services

(1)What total number of prisoners have (a) escaped and/or (b) attempted to escape in the past five years in both (i) public and (ii) private correctional facilities; (2) whether he has been informed of the total number of (a) prisoners who are currently under the care and/or supervision of correctional facilities and (b) prison guards in each province; if not, why not, in each case; if so, what are the relevant details in each case?

Reply:

(1)(a) Total number of inmates escaped in the past five years in both public and private correctional facilities as reported by regions.

Region

2019/20

2020/21

2021/22

2022/23

April 2023 To Date

Limpopo, Mpumalanga & North West

01

06

07

05

02

Free State & Northern Cape

09

11

03

03

02

KwaZulu-Natal

05

03

06

02

03

Western Cape

04

75

03

05

02

Gauteng

10

12

02

02

01

Eastern Cape

05

10

01

10

03

TOTAL

34

117

22

27

13

The following number of escaped inmates were re-arrested to lawful custody

Region

2019/20

2020/21

22021/22

2022/23

2023/24

Limpopo, Mpumalanga & North West

01

03

01

05

01

Free State & Northern Cape

08

09

03

03

0

KwaZulu-Natal

04

02

05

02

02

Western Cape

03

75

03

05

0

Gauteng

06

02

02

01

01

Eastern Cape

05

10

01

05

03

TOTAL

27

101

15

24

07

1 (b) Total number of inmates attempted to escape in the past five years in both public and private correctional facilities as reported by regions.

Region

2019/20

2020/21

2021/22

2022/23

April 2023 To Date

Limpopo, Mpumalanga & North West

0

0

01

0

01

Free State & Northern Cape

03

03

03

01

02

KwaZulu-Natal

01

0

0

02

01

Western Cape

04

01

03

01

02

Gauteng

05

01

02

0

02

Eastern Cape

03

25

02

02

02

TOTAL

16

30

11

6

10

(2)(a) whether he has been informed of the total number of (a) prisoners who are currently under the care and/or supervision of correctional facilities; and

Community corrections population is composed of the three categories of offenders such as Probationers, Parolees and Awaiting Trial Persons. The national population / total caseload within the system of community corrections as at 30 September 2023, is outlined as per table below:

REGIONS

PROBATIONERS

PAROLEES

AWAITING TRIAL PERSONS(ATP)

TOTAL PER REGION

Eastern Cape

886

8 455

29

9 370

Free State & Northern Cape

568

5 179

123

5 870

Gauteng

595

7 810

54

8 459

KwaZulu-Natal

881

10 100

06

10 987

Limpopo, Mpumalanga & North West

633

7 758

243

8 634

Western Cape

1 262

4 185

376

5 823

TOTAL

4 825

43 487

831

49 143

The total number of probationers and parolees within the system of community corrections is 48 312 and Awaiting Trial Persons (ATP) population is 831. The total nationally is 49 143.

(b) Prison guards in each province; if not, why not, in each case; if so, what are the relevant details in each case?

The post establishment /structure within the system of community corrections per region as at 02 October 2023 is delineated/outlined as per table below:

REGION

FILLED POST

VACANT

TOTAL POST FUNDED

Eastern Cape

246

30

276

Free State & Northern Cape

233

31

264

Gauteng

346

52

398

KwaZulu-Natal

270

24

294

Limpopo, Mpumalanga & North West

421

28

449

Western Cape

331

55

386

Head Office

19

18

37

TOTAL

1 866

238

2 104

A total of 1 866 posts are currently filled nationally within the system of community corrections with 238 vacant posts.

END.

05 January 2024 - NW3600

Profile picture: Mkhwebane, Adv B

Mkhwebane, Adv B to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services

What processes have been put in place to ensure that the National Prosecuting Authority handles cases in a fair and impartial manner, particularly cases that involve high profile individuals and politically sensitive matters?

Reply:

The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa provides in section 179(4) that:

“National legislation must ensure that the prosecuting authority exercises its functions without fear, favour or prejudice.”

The National Prosecuting Authority Act, 32 of 1998, in compliance with the Constitution, provides in section 32 (1) (a):

“A member of the prosecuting authority shall serve impartially and exercise, carry out or perform his or her powers, duties and functions in good faith and without fear, favour or prejudice and subject only to the Constitution and the law.”

All prosecutors are required to take an oath in this regard, before commencing to exercise, carry out or perform their powers, duties or functions in terms of the NPA Act.

Not only does the law require prosecutors to handle cases in a fair and impartial manner, but the National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) has issued directives which require prosecutors in the prosecution of sensitive or contentious nature, including cases involving high profile individuals, to inform the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) concerned in writing, of the nature and details of such matters, and for the DPP to similarly inform the NDPP.

This ensures that there is adequate oversight of cases that involve high profile individuals and politically sensitive matters.

04 January 2024 - NW3956

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Bond, Mr M to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation

Whether (a) she, (b) the Deputy Minister and (c) any other official in her Office attended the Rugby World Cup final in France in October 2023; if not; what is the position in this regard; if so, what (i) are the relevant details of each person in her Office who attended the Rugby World Cup, (ii) is the total number of such persons and (iii) were the total costs of (aa) travel, (bb) accommodation and (cc) any other related costs that were incurred by her Office as a result of the trip(s)? [

Reply:

a) The Minister did not attend the Rugby World Cup final.

b) The Deputy Minister attended the Rugby World Cup quarter-final which was sponsored and declared to the President. The trip was undertaken within the context of ongoing stakeholder management.

c) No other official in the Ministry attended the Rugby World Cup.

(i) No officials from her office attended Rugby World Cup.

(ii) No officials from her office attended the Rugby World Cup.

(iii) No costs incurred.

(aa) No costs incurred for travel.

(bb) No costs incurred for accommodation.

(cc) There were no other related costs incurred.

04 January 2024 - NW3845

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Bond, Mr M to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

How has the Commission for Gender Equality’s failure to obtain a certificate from the Legal Practice Council impacted on women who needed legal representation from the Commission for Gender Equality?

Reply:

The Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) is a Chapter 9 Institution that is accountable directly to Parliament in terms of Section 181(5) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (Act 108 of 1996) which states that "These institutions are accountable to the National Assembly, and must report on their activities and the performance of their functions to the Assembly at least once a year." Consequently, the question may be re-directed to the CGE for reply.

04 January 2024 - NW4181

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Graham, Ms SJ to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Electricity

(1) Whether his Office has determined the total cost of implementing the smart meter project; if not, (a) why not and (b) what cost modelling has been done; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) (a) who is the designated service provider for the (i) installation and (ii) maintenance of the smart meter, (b) how was the service provider selected and (c) what criteria were used in the selection process; (3) what is the (a) commencement date of the specified project, (b) timeline for the completion of the smart meter roll-out and (c) timeline for each province?

Reply:

Annexure

Find reply here

 

04 January 2024 - NW3186

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De Freitas, Mr MS to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

What (a) plans has his department put in place for the Johannesburg Tower in Johannesburg, (b) research has been undertaken into the best use for the tower going forward, (c) research and/or investigation has been undertaken to examine the possibility of making the tower a tourist attraction in future and (d) is the cost analysis of each possibility that has been considered?

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:

I have been informed by the Department that the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure does not own any towers within the City of Johannesburg.

04 January 2024 - NW3861

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Masiko, Ms F to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

What (a) measures has her Office, in partnership with the private sector and The Presidency, put in place to strengthen the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention, noting the repurposing of funds from other schemes such as the Expanded Public Works Programme and Community Work Programme to the Presidential Employment Stimulus and (b) are the enablers for its effectiveness?

Reply:

a) The Presidential Youth Employment Intervention (PYEI) is delivered through a partnership approach, and a Project Management Office (PMO) has been established in the Presidency which is responsible for overall coordination and strategic oversight. Key government departments lead implementation of various youth employment initiatives such as the National Youth Service, the Expanded Public Works Programme, and the Community Works Programme, among others, which are all coordinated through the PMO.

b) The Department has partnered with the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) to conceptualise the SANDF-led National Service, which is a programme for young people to be trained on certain skills to restore dignity and provide for their livelihood. Cabinet has designated the departments of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries; Employment and Labour; Higher Education, Science and Innovation; Small Business Development; Transport; Public Works and Infrastructure; Defence and Military Veterans; Trade, Industry and Competition; the Government Communication and Information Services and the Presidency to be a part of the technical team that will lead this initiative. The effectiveness of our initiatives to address youth unemployment hinges on the availability of resources to implement these initiatives at a scale proportional to the magnitude of the problem. We anticipate that resources will be repurposed to fund this initiative.

04 January 2024 - NW1393

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Spies, Ms ERJ to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

(1) Whether, with reference to the reply to question 267 on 3 April 2023, from the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, her office, any organisation and/or association in which she has or had any interest of any kind and/or in which she exercises or exercised influence or control ever received a donation in money or in kind from a certain company (name furnished) and/or any company trading under the specified name and/or any person(s) (names furnished) and/or any other person who is or has been a director, associate and/or employee of the specified company and/or any company trading under the specified name; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (2) whether she complied with all statutory requirements relating to the disclosure of each such donation; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

I have not received donations from the referenced company and/or individuals.

04 January 2024 - NW1395

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Sukers, Ms ME to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

Whether, with reference to the reply to question 73 on 3 April 2023 from the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, she has ever met two certain persons (names furnished) and/or any other person who is or has been a director, associate and/or employee of a certain company (name furnished) and/or any company trading under the name of the specified company; if not, what is the position in each specified case; if so, in each case, (a)(i) on what date and (ii) where did each such meeting take place, (b) who was present at each meeting and (c) what was discussed at each meeting?

Reply:

No.

04 January 2024 - NW4169

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Buthelezi, Ms SA to ask the Minister of Human Settlements

Whether her department has the relevant details of the number of Government Subsidized Houses under construction in each province during the 2013 – 2023 period; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

The Housing Subsidy System (HSS) reveals that since 2013 to date, the Department with the support of Provinces and Municipalities built the houses illustrated in the table below.

 

2013/14

2014/15

2015/16

2016/17

2017/18

2018/19

2019/20

2020/21

2021/22

2022/23

EC

12 646

13 469

13 198

12 491

11 123

9 817

8 757

5 427

6 833

5 550

FS

6 920

5 308

5 322

4 064

3 330

3 695

2 290

1 890

1 647

311

GP

22 352

14 984

14 968

16 003

17 606

9 623

12 153

9 495

7 354

6 982

KZN

29 151

29 312

26 552

22 467

20 290

20 564

15 737

10 315

12 033

9 325

LIM

3 080

2 149

8 476

10 251

9 050

10 513

8 135

4 518

4 269

4 808

MPU

8 126

8 293

9 226

3 670

8 739

8 522

6 710

4 522

2 955

1 900

NC

2 464

2 133

1 337

1 449

809

541

620

221

591

173

NW

9 362

9 206

10 873

9 152

6 552

6 523

6 739

2 847

2 734

3 918

WC

11 835

10 348

10 355

9 793

8 380

7 828

8 184

6 354

6 200

5 665

TOTAL

105 936

95 202

100 307

89 340

85 879

77 626

69 325

45 589

44 616

38 632

04 January 2024 - NW4182

Profile picture: Graham, Ms SJ

Graham, Ms SJ to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Electricity

(1)What are the full details of incentives that have been put in place for private households to install rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) systems to mitigate the demand for electricity and lessen load shedding; (2) Whether the incentives that are currently in place will be extended; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) whether he has been informed that certain municipalities are charging residents a fee (details furnished) where consumers are off the grid and using their own renewable energy; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) which other local municipalities and/or metros are following the strategy of charging consumers for being off the grid, (b) on what basis is the levy being charged and (c) what steps will he take to stop this as a disincentive to private households to be part of the rooftop solar PV programme?

Reply:

1. To encourage the uptake of rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV), the government eased private generator regulation giving customers more private generation energy options through across-network wheeling and on-site self-generation. This year, the government introduced further incentives like SARS tax rebates and National Treasury energy bounce loan guarantee programmes making Roof Top PV systems more affordable to households and small businesses. This is against the backdrop of customers seeking reliability during loadshedding, affordable electricity and climate change objectives.

To make rooftop PV more attractive, in the same way that Eskom does, many municipalities also offer grid services like net-billing (i.e. using PV surplus energy to offset billed consumption), and

wheeling (i.e., using the grid to transport generator production to customers). In addition, work is being done through the National Energy Crisis Committee (NECOM) on the development of a feed-in tariff (i.e., the utility buying customer surplus PV energy) which also encourages uptake.  Eskom also has a standard offer programme in place where customers can sell excess energy to Eskom under a short-term power purchase agreement.  Under the NECOM draft, frameworks were developed on net billing and wheeling to guide the industry with a standardised approach. These two draft frameworks are currently with the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA).

2. The National Treasury is the custodian of the incentive and have not expressed any indication of whether the scheme will be extended. There is however an ongoing discussion on the expansion of scheme (coverage as opposed to time-line), to the extent that it be expanded to include the battery and inverter which are the largest cost components of roof top solar solutions.

3. With regard to Municipalities the determination of tariffs and fees is a function of municipal budgeting, as provided for by the Municipal Finance Management Act, and as such the legislative competence of the respective Municipal Council, subject to due process. Under these circumstances whilst the fees may be a counter-incentive to upscaling rooftop solar/embedded generation, the Minister cannot “stop” legitimate fees imposed by Municipalities. There is also a question of municipal revenue loss (which impact the viability of Municipalities), in the context of self generation. These are broader consideration in respect of division of revenue across government, and must be addressed through the structures of Government in the context of the strategic approach to the energy distribution sector.

In respect of Eskom, only grid-tied solar PV solar systems on the Eskom networks require Eskom permission even if they are not exporting their surplus on the Eskom network. Such grid-tied customers will be liable for upfront costs for quotation, and connections (including bi-directional time-of-use meters where required). It should be noted, if a customer is off-grid, this means there is no connection and therefore no charges will be raised by Eskom.  A customer that has grid-tied generation and uses the system as a backup must pay network fair charges for this backup.

 

04 January 2024 - NW3844

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Bond, Mr M to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

What are the reasons that the Commission for Gender Equality is slow to address the audit (a) findings and (b) action plan?

Reply:

The Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) is a Chapter 9 Institution that is accountable directly to Parliament in terms of Section 181(5) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (Act 108 of 1996) which states that "These institutions are accountable to the National Assembly, and must report on their activities and the performance of their functions to the Assembly at least once a year". Consequently, the question may be re-directed to the CGE for reply.

04 January 2024 - NW2973

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Hlonyana, Ms NKF to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

What monitoring steps of intervention has her Office taken regarding the reports of forced and coerced sterilisation?

Reply:

The Department of Health is the custodian of the National Integrated Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) Policy. This question may be directed to the Department of Health for reply.

04 January 2024 - NW3955

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Bond, Mr M to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

Whether (a) she, (b) the Deputy Minister and (c) any other official in her Office attended the Rugby World Cup final in France in October 2023; if not; what is the position in this regard; if so, what (i) are the relevant details of each person in her Office who attended the Rugby World Cup, (ii) is the total number of such persons and (iii) were the total costs of (aa) travel, (bb) accommodation and (cc) any other related costs that were incurred by her Office as a result of the trip(s)?

Reply:

The Minister, Deputy Minister and officials in the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities did not attend the 2023 Rugby World Cup final in any official capacity. Consequently, no expenditure has been incurred therewith by the Department.

04 January 2024 - NW3003

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Graham, Ms SJ to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Electricity

(1) With respect to the contractual relationship with Mozambique for the provision of electricity to the Republic, what (a) quantity of MWs (i) has Mozambique undertaken to provide to the Republic and (ii) is the Republic currently using and (b) are the terms of the agreement in respect of the (i) period, (ii) pricing matrix and (iii) other material elements of the agreement; (2) Whether the Republic uses the full allocation in terms of the agreement; if not, what are the reasons for the underutilisation of electricity in the midst of the loadshedding crisis; if so, what are relevant details?

Reply:

(1)-(2) (1)-(2) We have received an offer of between 80-100 megawatts from Mozambique, Eskom is ceased with processing the power purchase agreement in terms of the current Ministerial determination for cross-broader purchases. Eskom has since issued the Standard Offer Cross Border Programme (CBSOP), in terms of which the Mozambique offer will have to be processed.

The CBSOP enables Eskom to procure energy on a short-term basis (less than three years) from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. This standard offer approach permits Eskom to purchase cross-border energy at an established price calculated at the avoided cost of Eskom’s own generation (including long-term energy purchases from local independent power producers). The standard offer allows for a static price, which is established each year based on the regulatory-approved cost recovery mechanism, and benchmarks the variable cost of local generation. This programme is designed to simplify the procurement of energy from existing and new facilities in the region.

Once the applicable governance processes have been concluded, the Ministry will make the necessary pronouncement.

 

04 January 2024 - NW3950

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Khakhau, Ms KL to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Electricity

Whether (a) he and (b) any other official in his Office attended the Rugby World Cup final in France in October 2023; if not; what is the position in this regard; if so, what (i) are the relevant details of each person in his Office who attended the Rugby World Cup, (ii) is the total number of such persons and (iii) were the total costs of (aa) travel, (bb) accommodation and (cc) any other related costs that were incurred by his Office as a result of the trip(s)?

Reply:

(a)-(b) We confirm that neither the Minister nor official(s) in his Office attended the Rugby World Cup final in France in October 2023.

(i)-(ii)-(iii)_(aa)-(bb) & (cc) please refer to the reply for (a) & (b)

04 January 2024 - NW3001

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Graham, Ms SJ to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Electricity

(1) Whether, in developing a sustainable energy mix to address the energy crisis, the National Energy Crisis Committee (Necom) has investigated (a) geothermal energy and (b) wave energy; if not, why not in each case; if so, what (i) were the determinations in terms of the suitability of the specified energy source in each case and (ii) are the relevant details in each case; (2) whether Necom has investigated funding for energy innovation geared towards developing solutions to address the energy needs of the Republic; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

1. (a/b) The draft IRP 2023 reviews the approved IRP 2019 and covers two-time horizons, namely the 2030 and 2050 time horizons. Several key assumptions used in the IRP 2019 have significantly changed, including the electricity demand projection, Eskom’s energy availability factor, Eskom’s coal fired power plants shutdown plan, as well as the cost of new power generation technologies.

The 2030-time horizon (Horizon One) focuses on addressing prevailing generation capacity constraints, whereas the 2031 – 2050 time horizon (Horizon 2) focuses on an analysis of the energy mix pathways for sustainable security of supply.

For Horizon One – five scenarios have been developed and assessed based on the state of readiness of projects in the pipeline. The scenarios considered include first the RMIPPPP, REIPPPP 5 and business projects currently under construction. Second, all project initiatives with commercial operation date (COD) and a specified location. Third, all project initiatives include those with no grid capacity reservation, COD, and specified location. Additionally, two scenarios, one comprising the reference case and current gas programme, and another based in improved plant performance according to the generation recovery plan have been modelled.

For Horizon 2, six energy pathways were considered to assess the impact of the different energy technologies in ensuring the country’s power system security of supply at the least cost to the economy. The reference pathway establishes a benchmark against other pathways and it is based on least cost. The five other pathways are based on certain guiding policy principles and they are designed to be exploratory in nature. These policy principles were formulated with a focus on decarbonising the power system, shutting down of existing coal-fired power stations post 2035, and exploring clean coal technologies including carbon capture.

Technology specific options (including geo-thermal / wave energy) will be enabled once the 2023 IRP has been through public participation process, based on the least cost principal.

2. NECOM, has 5 outcomes to address the immediacy of energy security and reducing the frequency of load shedding. As such, no specific funding has been considered for energy innovation. Never the less, the Department of Science and Innovation remains the custodians of the National research and innovation strategic path, in concert with the relevant line Departments.

The Department’s Technology Innovation programme plays a key role in developing a sustainable and globally competitive South African energy knowledge base and industry, especially in relation to the emerging global hydrogen economy, by informing and co-shaping the national energy policy in coordination with the Department of Energy and other key stakeholders.

04 January 2024 - NW3215

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Seitlholo, Mr IS to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

With reference to the ongoing renovations and structural building of the Park Road Police Station in Bloemfontein, Free State, what are the relevant details of the (a) intended handover of phase 1 of the renovations, (b)(i) available budget for the continuation of phase 2 of the project and (ii) intended time frame for completion of phase 2, (c) total amount allocated for the entire project since inception and (d) implementing agent acting on behalf of his department in this regard?

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:

I have been informed by the Department that:

a) The intended handover of phase 1 of the renovations is 03 May 2024

b) (i) The available budget for Phase 2 is R 51,828,205.97

(ii) The intended time frame for completion of Phase 2, is 14 months with the anticipated completion date for Phase 2 is planned for 30 March 2026

c) The total amount allocated for the entire project since inception is R 82,766,187.19

d) The Implementing Agent for the project is the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA)

04 January 2024 - NW3733

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Sonti, Ms NP to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

What are the reasons that the formation of the National Youth Development Agency does not include (a) LGBTQI+ persons and (b) persons with disabilities on their board?

Reply:

Members of the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) board are appointed in terms of Section 9 of the NYDA Act (Act No. 54 of 2008) by the President based on a recommendation from Parliament. This question may be ventilated with the Portfolio Committee on Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities as the primary process holder.

04 January 2024 - NW3876

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Mthethwa, Mr E to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation

(1)Whether performance agreements have been signed with all current Cabinet Ministers; if not, why not; if so, what are the prescribed consequences for nonperforming Ministers; (2) what (a) tools are used by her Office to monitor performances of Ministers and (b) periodical time frames are set for evaluations of the performances; (3) which Ministry is the (a) worst performing and (b) best performing to date?

Reply:

1. Yes, the President signed performance agreements for the 2019/24 term with all the ministers starting in October/November 2020 and annual agreements for 2023/24 financial year during the month of June 2023.

The President regularly assesses the performance of the Ministers and he is responsible for consequence management at his discretion.

(2) (a) The Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME), developed a system to track progress against indicators and milestones in the performance agreements. The toolkit draws from the different forms of data including the annual reports of the departments, the bi-annual reports of DPME, self-evaluations by the Ministers and the verification of frontline services by the DPME.

(b) For the current cycle, the President committed to assessing the progress against the agreements in October 2023 and April 2024. The assessments for October 2023 have started and it is ongoing.

(3) The assessment of ministers’ progress against the performance agreements do not score and rank Ministers’ performance. However, the management of performance is an ongoing process and seeks to improve performance by addressing implementation challenges which includes coordination between and within the sectors and the three spheres of government.

 

04 January 2024 - NW4164

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Msimang, Prof CT to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services

Whether his department has records of the number of reported fraud cases against public officials during 2009 – 2022 period; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

Find reply here

04 January 2024 - NW3002

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Graham, Ms SJ to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Electricity

(1) What are the full relevant details of the projects that are in the development stage for implementation under the Just Energy Transition Programme (JETP); (2) what (a) are the full relevant details of the projects that (i) have been and (ii) are being implemented under the programme in terms of the (aa) funding, (bb) timelines and (cc) location and (b) portion of the $8,5 billion has been utilised and/or assigned to each of the projects?

Reply:

Cabinet approved the JET implementation plan, which will guide South Africa’s transition to low carbon economy through the scaling up of renewable energy sources. Three priority areas to support the economy of the future has been identified, being, electricity sector, New Energy Vehicles (NEV) and Green Hydrogen. The Investment Plan supports South Africa’s goal of achieving a low carbon economy and a climate resilient society through the following interventions

  1. Creating quality jobs in new sectors like electric vehicles, green hydrogen, renewable energy, and manufacturing
  2. Increasing our energy security and ending load shedding through a massive rollout of new, sustainable energy sources
  3. Addressing the risks of climate change and positioning South Africa to be an important global player in the green economy of the future
  4. Boosting economic growth through more than R1 trillion of new investment in the South African economy

The JET IP sets out a number of interventions South Africa needs and investments required the country to transition to a low carbon and climate resilient economy in line with the National Determined Contributions presented to the United Nations. The JET IP will be driven by a combination of reforms in the energy sector including the Mpumalanga Just Transition, New Energy Vehicles and Green Hydrogen, among others.

The plan further responds to South Africa’s commitments under the Paris Agreement and United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change as well as NDP commitments. The Jet IP will enable South Africa to gradually meet its carbon emissions reduction commitments while at same time, it will ensure inclusive economic growth, energy security and employment.

The full extent of the JET IP is available on the following link, and Annexure B contains the – electricity sector modelling assumptions and technical analysis, and Eskom jet project pipeline

https://pccommissionflo.imgix.net/uploads/images/South-Africas-Just-Energy-Transition-Investment-Plan-JET-IP-2023-2027-FINAL.pdf

04 January 2024 - NW3216

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Seitlholo, Mr IS to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

What are the full details of the (a) current state of the renovations and building of the Odendaalsrus Police Station in Free State, (b) total amount spent on the project thus far and (c) the intended date of completion of the specified project?

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:

I have been informed by the Department that:

a) The contractor was terminated due to poor performance and the process to get a replacement contractor is underway. The tender is scheduled to go to the market on 26 October 2023.

b) The amount spent to date is R 51,676,923.29

c) The anticipated date of completion is 18 July 2025

04 January 2024 - NW4141

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Siwisa, Ms AM to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

With reference to his reply to question 3313 on 15 November 2023, what (a) number of buildings will his department release and/or hand over to private ownership, excluding the buildings that have been identified for the Public Private Partnerships pilot project and (b) plans will he put in place to accommodate other government departments?

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:

I have been informed by the Department that:

  1. DPWI is identifying a further 25 buildings for the ROT programme. The pilot programme consists of 5 buildings, bringing the total to 30.
  2. Government departments that are willing to move into the refurbished state owned building will stay in their current accommodation until such time that their identified and refurbished buildings are ready.

04 January 2024 - NW3300

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Herron, Mr BN to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

With reference to his recent announcement of Operation Bring Back which targets over 1 260 hijacked buildings belonging to his department, what resources and structures does his department intend to rely upon in order to repurpose the buildings that have been successfully brought back into the hands of Government, considering that many of the buildings are derelict and unable to fulfill the purpose for which they were designed?

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:

I have been informed by the Department that in order to repurpose the buildings that have been brought back successfully into the hands of Government, the Department will employ two approaches which in the main are:

1. Government use;

Existing resources including DPWI and User departments’ CAPEX budget will be utilised. Where the scale and the financial extent of the repurposing projects exceed available resources, Public Private Partnership (PPP) approach will be considered

2. Revenue generation:

Based on highest and best use analysis of the properties, the Department will approach the market in refurbishing the buildings for short and long-term letting for income generation purposes.

04 January 2024 - NW3863

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Herron, Mr BN to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

Given the seriousness of the case about the inhumane treatment of learners with disabilities at the Ikhwezi Lokusa Special School where disabled children were disregarded and placed in unregulated facilities, what (a) course of action has her Office taken in relation to its investigation into those responsible and (b) are the relevant details of the plans that her Office, in collaboration with the relevant stakeholders, has put in place to develop the facility and make it conducive for learners with disabilities?

Reply:

The management of schools for children with special needs is vested with the Departments of Education and Social Development. The Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities (DWYPD) provides policy direction on all matters relating to persons with disabilities in the Republic.

a) Consequently, when this issue was brought to the attention of the DWYPD, we engaged the Office of the Director-General in the Eastern Cape Provincial Government on 24 November 2023. This engagement was organised to ascertain the course of action by the Eastern Cape Provincial Government toward ensuring that the situation at the school is improved and to ensure that the infringements of the rights of children with disabilities at Ikhwezi Lokusa Special School are decisively dealt with.

b) Following the above referenced engagement, the Eastern Cape Provincial Government undertook to facilitate a response to the challenges. Meetings will be coordinated in due course to provide an update thereto.

04 January 2024 - NW2731

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Cachalia, Mr G K to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Electricity

With reference to his statement that a reduced unplanned capacity loss factor from 19000mw to 15000mw, coupled with increased generation of 29000mw due to the intentional delay of scheduled maintenance, was responsible for the improved load shedding situation, and that, as winter draws to a close, loadshedding will be alleviated due to a decline in demand, while he did not explain that the coming predicted period of reduced demand will coincide with the necessary maintenance of the generation units which have been running overtime during the winter, what are the full details of the measures that he will implement to ensure that Eskom manages the maintenance of generation units in such a way that the loss of generation does not exceed the expected decline in demand?

Reply:

First, with respect, the assumptions or statements attributed to the Minister in the preamble to the question are a mis-representation of fact and or any comments that were made. In respect of Unplanned Capacity Loss Factor (UCLF), what was reported is that over a period of time, using the average May 2023 UCLF (17369 MW) as a baseline, unplanned outages averaged 15510 MW for September 2023. There was also no “intentional delay of scheduled maintenance” in fact, for Month of September 2023, planned maintenance improved to 4874 MW (compared to the May 2023 Baseline of 3120 MW.

As codified in the summer 2023 outlook, Eskom remained committed to increase the available generation, with a specific focus over the summer period, by:

  1. Adding 2880MW¹ from Kusile units (2160MW from U1-3 recovery and 720MW from U5 Synchronisation)
  2. Supporting the system with diesel burn at the open cycle gas turbines (OCGT)
  3. The return to service of the Koeberg steam generator on the 3rd of November 2023 (which will be followed by planned upgrades on Koeburg Unit 2)
  4. Demand side initiatives of almost 250 MW have been developed to contribute to reducing load shedding.

04 January 2024 - NW3897

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Graham, Ms SJ to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Electricity

(1)Whether his Office has determined the total cost of implementing the smart meter project; if not, (a) why not and (b) what cost modelling has been done; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) (a) who is the designated service provider for the (i) installation and (ii) maintenance of the smart meter, (b) how was the service provider selected and (c) what criteria were used in the selection process; (3) what is the (a) commencement date of the specified project, (b) timeline for the completion of the smart meter roll-out and (c) timeline for each province?

Reply:

(1) (a) Yes, Eskom has determined the total cost of implementing smart meters.

(b) Eskom has a financial evaluation model that is used for all its projects and the same model was used to evaluate the financial viability of the various

phases of the smart metering project.

(2) Eskom does not have a designated installer as multiple contractors are appointed to install meters in various regions each time a project is initiated. For projects like this where a large number of meters are to be installed at one go (as a project), an open Request for Proposals (RFP) for potential installers is issued to the market and successful bidders are awarded tenders to install meters in various areas.

(3) Eskom started installing smart meters in 2010 when a pilot project was commissioned in Sandton (Gauteng) and Margate (KZN) for 5000 meters.

This was followed by Phase 1 of the project that was implemented in Sandton/Midrand in 2015, where about 33 000 smart meters were installed.

A decision was taken in June 2021 to only use smart meters going forward and as such, all faulty meters are now replaced by smart meters.

There is no official commencement date yet for a project to replace all meters with smart meters as the project is still going through internal

governance processes and an RFP still has to be issued to the market.

 

 

04 January 2024 - NW3846

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Sharif, Ms NK to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

In light of the Disability Rights Awareness Month (DRAM) which started on 3 November through to 3 December 2023 and considering her statement that Cabinet had approved the sixth annual report on the White Paper on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and urged other departments to implement an action plan to recruit persons with disabilities, (a) what plans has her department put in place for DRAM and (b) how does she intend to hold other departments accountable for their lack of inclusion of persons with disabilities?

Reply:

a) The Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities (DWYPD) launched the Disability Rights Awareness Month (DRAM) by releasing a statement on 3 November 2023 to highlight the country’s commitment to uplift and empower persons with disabilities.

A national DRAM calendar was developed and circulated widely to ensure that events and activities conducted to commemorate DRAM in all provinces throughout the country were supported and attended by relevant stakeholders. The DRAM calendar of activities is attached as Annexure A.

The DRAM activities covered discussions on challenges and responses around persons with albinism, promoting implementation of South African Sign Language (SASL), sensitizing officials on disability rights and service delivery issues, access to transport, employment equity, the impact of climate change has on persons with disabilities, and access to sport, among many other areas. The objective was to increase awareness in the country on disability inclusion, equity and equal opportunities for persons with disabilities in all sectors of society.

b) In line with the performance reporting template on the White Paper on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, all government departments are expected to provide reports to the DWYPD on employment equity targets on a quarterly basis and include challenges experienced by departments to recruit, support and retain persons with disabilities in the workplace.

The DWYPD holds two meetings a year to provide technical support to all national government departments and offices of the premier to provide them with technical support and to create a platform for departments to share best practices and challenges. Organisations for and of persons with disabilities are also invited to attend and participate in these bi-annual meetings.

All employment equity data collected from government departments is analysed and included in the Annual Progress Report on the White Paper on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (WPRPD) which is processed to Cabinet for consideration.

04 January 2024 - NW4071

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Van Zyl, Ms A M to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Electricity

(1)Whether there is a maintenance plan in place for the Eskom’s farm lines for Venterstad, Oviston and Steynsburg in the Eastern Cape; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details of the plan; (2) whether he has been informed that when there are power outages the specified farm areas and towns are left without power for more than five days; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the reasons that it takes Eskom so long to fix the lines; (3) whether his department will provide a new maintenance plan and time frame to ensure that the lines are investigated to pick up defects; if not, why not; if so, on what date?

Reply:

1. Steynsburg Town and the surrounding farming areas are fed from the Bulhoek Steynsburg 22kV overhead power line. This is an Eskom Eastern Cape electricity network. This network is 205 km in length and is maintained yearly by Eskom.

Eskom is aware of a couple of prolonged power line faults in the area in the last year up to now. The inspections and defects clearing described above are part of a mitigation strategy which is aimed at reducing such incidents.

Power line inspections are carried out yearly and defects picked up are cleared by Eskom maintenance teams. The next maintenance event emanating from this year’s already-completed power line inspections for the power line supplying the Steynsburg area is planned for February 2024.

2. Venterstad, Oviston Town and the surrounding farming areas are fed from Badsfontein Venterstad's 11kV overhead power line. This is an Eskom Northern Cape electricity network. This network is 139.92 km in length and is maintained yearly by Eskom.

The inspections are carried out annually and defects picked up are cleared by Eskom maintenance teams. Eskom is aware of thirteen (13) power line faults in the area thus far this year.

Five (5) of the thirteen (13) line faults affecting the Venterstad and Oviston areas are considered long-duration faults with the longest lasting for two days. Inspections of the power line have been completed and next the planned maintenance event for the power line supplying the Venterstad and Oviston areas is scheduled for 22 February 2024.

3. The inspections and defects clearing described above are part of a mitigation strategy which is aimed at reducing such incidents. It is in our interest to make sure we provide the customers in these areas with reliable power supply taking into consideration their farming, commercial and residential activities

 

04 January 2024 - NW3490

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Sarupen, Mr AN to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

(1)Whether his department is aware of the illegal dumping taking place on Farm Portion R/7 of Groen Kloof 358-JR in the City of Tshwane, especially along the portion close to the Gautrain railway line and N14 road; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what steps is his department taking to prevent this illegal dumping; (2) what plans does his department have for the use of this land; (3) considering the location of this land, surrounding amenities and the lack of housing opportunities in the City of Tshwane, whether his department intends using this land for human settlement; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:

I have been informed by the Department that:

1. Remainder of Portion 7 of Farm Groenkloof 358-JR has been allocated to the Department of Defence (DOD) for Utilization. The property in question is subject to the Endowment Act No. 33 of 1922.

2. Remainder of Portion 7 of Farm Groenkloof 358-JR is subject to the Endowment Act No. 33 of 1922. The property can be used exclusively for the benefit of the Defence force organizations and establishments.

3. Remainder of Portion 7 of Farm Groenkloof 358-JR is subject to the Endowment Act No. 33 of 1922. The property can be used exclusively for the benefit of the Defence force organizations and establishments.

04 January 2024 - NW1394

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Spies, Ms ERJ to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

Whether, with reference to the reply to question 268 on 3 April 2023 from the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, she and/or any member of her Office has met with any representative of any public and/or private company, nonprofit company, association and/or organisation in the tobacco industry and/or a company with an interest in public policy related to the import, export, distribution and/or control of tobacco-related products since her appointment as Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a)(i) on what date and (ii) where did each such meeting occur, (b) who was present at each meeting, (c) at whose request did each meeting take place and (d) what was discussed at each meeting?

Reply:

No.

04 January 2024 - NW4192

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Essack, Mr F to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Electricity

(1)What total number of kilometres of the transmission lines in the Eskom transmission network (a) have already reached their life expectancy, (b) will reach their life expectancy and (c) are due for replacement in the 202324 financial year?

Reply:

(1) Transmission owns and operates over 33 245 circuit kilometres of power lines, and regularly conducts asset health reviews on all its infrastructure, including the power lines, using international benchmark standards. Our last power lines condition assessment report was published in 2021 (the next revision is due in March 2024). The response below applies to the 2023/24 financial year:

(a) Transmission’s asset management approach prescribes that power lines do not generally reach life expectancy to the extent that they must be completely rebuilt. It is the transmission line components that reach the end of life and that are replaced. This applies to conductors, insulators, towers (steelworks), foundations and hardware. Therefore, individual parts are assessed for their performance and risk, and replaced or refurbished as needed.

Only when critical structural components such as foundations and/or tower member steel are condemned would an entire power line be deemed to have reached its expected life. A refurbishment or replacement project for such a power line would then be initiated.

(b)Same response as above.

(c) Projects are classified into two groups: Projects to address the end-of-life components, and projects to address the performance of lines.

  • End of life component: 23 lines, 1 105 circuit kilometres are currently being worked on with a total value of R523 million.
  • Performance: 28 lines, 2 358 circuit kilometres are currently being worked on (majority is bird guards in hotspot areas), total value R129 million.

More projects are planned for future years as Transmission continuously reviews the status of its transmission lines.

 

 

03 January 2024 - NW3382

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Msimang, Prof CT to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services

Whether there are any new practical and actionable plans to address the intimidation of prisoners, human rights abuses and gang violence amongst prisoners in correctional facilities; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

South Africa signed the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) in January 1993 and ratified it in December 1998. It also signed the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture (OPCAT) in September 2006. Due to mounting pressure on South Africa, both at international and national levels, to ratify OPCAT, the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces approved the ratification of OPCAT on 19 March and 28 March 2019.

In accordance with the OPCAT requirement to establish a National Prevention Mechanism, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) along with government undertook an extensive process of revising and re-conceptualising the proposed NPM model. The model had to take into account certain factors, such as the fact that OPCAT is a preventive treaty which introduces a system of regular visits to places of detention, by means of the establishment of a mechanism.

In 2022, the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) approved a Gang Combatting Strategy that has been implemented through the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).

The Strategy has six objectives mainly:

  • To maintain secure and safe environment that is conducive to the rehabilitation of inmates and the attendance of remand detainees in court processes;
  • To reduce and eradicate the culture of gangs, number of attacks and illegal activities in order to increase protection and safety of inmates and the society;
  • To encourage a multi-disciplinary approach to reduce and eradicate the existence of gangs;
  • To enable Inter-Sectorial Co-operation (i.e Government and Civil Society Organisations);
  • To address the potential negative effects of incarceration;
  • To develop and build knowledge on gangs in order to develop effective responses.

The A Gang Combatting Strategy is in place with the following action Plans:

STRATEGY

ACTIVITY

Working with Intelligence Agencies

  • Collaboration with Intelligence agencies i.e., SSA, SAPS Crime Intelligence, SADF Intelligence.
  • Information sharing and actions to be taken on High Risk offenders, officials, members of the community and illegal activities taking place inside and outside correctional facilities.

Vetting and Screening of all Officials

  • Policy and Guidelines to be developed on compulsory vetting.
  • Officials to undergo vetting / screening.

Establishment of Security Committees

  • Committees have been established in order to effectively manage security activities in centers such as searching, segregation of offenders, discipline, etc.
  • Hold monthly meetings to analyze incidents, security breaches and compliance to security protocol.

Management of security information

  • Identify gang members and high-risk inmates upon admissions
  • All warrants (J7) and relevant documents are screened upon admission.
  • All cases of intimidation/threats must be registered with the HCC.
  • HCC must liaise with Area Commissioner and external law enforcement agencies such as the SAPS/NIA in cases of intimidation and threats.
  • Identified high risk inmates (syndicates/organized crime and high-risk awaiting trials) should be transferred to Correctional centers away from their power base.
  • All cases of intimidation/threats must be registered with the HCC.

Mitigation of gang activities

  • Ensure separation of inmates involved in gang activities from the rest of inmate population.
  • Vulnerable inmates and first-time offenders are separated from hardened criminals and offenders with further charges.

END

03 January 2024 - NW3907

Profile picture: Engelbrecht, Mr J

Engelbrecht, Mr J to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services

With reference to the special remission programme and the release of 15 000 inmates, (a) how many of the released inmates have been (i) arrested (ii) charged, (iii) found guilty of a criminal offence, and (b) how many are (i) out on bail and (ii) currently standing trial for a criminal offence since their release?

Reply:

As at the project end date of 02 November 2023, a total of 16 472 offenders were released comprising of 2 459 conditional and 14 013 unconditional releases.

The below table depicts the total number of those rearrested, charged, found guilty, out on bail and currently standing trial:

REGION

(a)(i)

arrested

(a)(ii)

charged

(a)(iii)

found guilty

(b)(i)

out on bail

(b)(ii)

currently standing trial

KwaZulu-Natal

06

06

05

01 (case withdrawn)

0

0

Limpopo,

Mpumalanga & North West

03

01 charged

(02- released by court)

0

0

0

Eastern Cape

18

18

08

02 (cases withdrawn

0

08 standing trial

Free State & Northern Cape

13

13

0

01

12 standing trial

Gauteng

02

01 charged

(01 - released by court)

01 found guilty

0

0

Western Cape

59

59 charged

(09 - released by court)

(03 - cases withdrawn)

05 found guilty

03

39

TOTAL

101

98

20

04

59

NB: Released by court include: bail granted/ paid; charge/s withdrawn; found not guilty or released on warning.

END.

03 January 2024 - NW3357

Profile picture: Kohler-Barnard, Ms D

Kohler-Barnard, Ms D to ask the Minister in the Presidency

(1)Whether she has been informed that the server of the State Security Agency (SSA) was allegedly hacked by certain intelligence agencies (names and details furnished); if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, who in her Office was assigned to ascertain the veracity of the claims that the SSA server was hacked by the specified agencies; (2) whether she has addressed the claims with the relevant persons in each of the specified entities; if not, why not; if so, who else may be implicated; (3) whether the SSA has the ability to prevent hacking; if not, why not; if so, how has she found could the system have been hacked; (4) whether the persons who claim that the two entities hacked the system are the same staff tasked with keeping the system safe from hackers; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

The reply to this question has been logged with the Parliamentary Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence (JSCI).

REPLY COORDINATOR

Name :

Designation :

Contacts :

Recommended / Not recommended

___________________________

Ambassador Thembisile C Majola

Director-General: State Security Agency

Date:

Approved / Not Approved

________________________

Khumbudzo Ntshavheni , MP,

Minister in the Presidency

Date:

03 January 2024 - NW3358

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Kohler-Barnard, Ms D to ask the Minister in the Presidency

(1)Whether, with reference to the alleged hacking of the server of the State Security Agency (SSA) (details furnished), she was informed of any other countries’ servers that were also hacked; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so (2) whether the information has been shared with the Chairperson of the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence (JSCI); if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) whether a certain person (name furnished) was forced to resign; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what number of days did it take for the full investigation to be completed; (4) whether the specified person was (a) arrested and (b) found guilty; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what was the charge?

Reply:

The reply to this question has been logged with the Parliamentary Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence (JSCI).

REPLY COORDINATOR

Name :

Designation :

Contacts :

Recommended / Not recommended

___________________________

Ambassador Thembisile C Majola

Director-General: State Security Agency

Date:

Approved / Not Approved

________________________

Khumbudzo Ntshavheni , MP,

Minister in The Presidency

Date:

03 January 2024 - NW3595

Profile picture: Engelbrecht, Mr J

Engelbrecht, Mr J to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services

Whether, considering that the rise in crime levels and the Government’s perceived inability to construct and maintain additional correctional centres have compounded the unacceptable levels of overcrowding in correctional facilities, he has found that his department’s special remission programme has achieved its aim of reducing the unacceptable levels of overcrowding in correctional facilities; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

Granting of Special Remission of sentence is the prerogative of the President in terms of the powers vested in him by Section 84 (2) (j) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 (Act No 108 of 1996).

DCS continuously implements the direct and indirect measures outlined by the DCS Overcrowding Reduction Strategy in dealing with population levels in all correctional facilities. Special Remission is one of the short-term direct measures for dealing with overcrowding.

The implementation of the 2023 Special Remission of sentence by the Department of Correctional Service (DCS) has achieved its aim of reducing levels of overcrowding in correctional facilities.

As on 11 August 2023, which is the inception date of the 2023 Special Remission of sentence, the inmate population stood at 154 327 against 107 582 bed spaces resulting in an excess of 46 745 which constitute 143% occupancy level and an overcrowding level of 43%.

As on 30 October 2023, a total of 16 247 (13 958 unconditional and 2 289 conditional) offenders were released after benefitting from Special Remission of Sentence.

As on 30 October 2023, the inmate population stood at 149 619. The inmate population decreased from 154 327 to 149 619 which translates into a decrease of 4708.

The reasons that the inmate population reflects only a decrease of 4 708 on 30 October 2023 and not 16 247 released are the following;

  • Releases are competing with daily admissions on both remands and sentenced categories. Bedspace gained due to the 2023 Special Remission of sentence is immediately occupied by new admissions.
  • The decrease in the approved and available bedspace from 107 582 of 104 558 (a decrease of 3 024 bedspaces from 107 582 due to the temporary closure of Kutama Sinthumule Correctional Centre) has further strained the available bedspaces.

END.

03 January 2024 - NW3606

Profile picture: Sithole, Mr KP

Sithole, Mr KP to ask the Minister in the Presidency

Whether, since the outbreak of COVID-19 and the subsequent constituent decline of the economic position of the Republic and the recent attacks on foreign tourists in the Republic, Brand South Africa has developed any specific proactive strategies to encourage tourism in response to the specified challenges; if not, why not; if so what are the relevant details?

Reply:

Yes, Brand South Africa has developed proactive and responsive campaigns in support of the economic recovery plan.

International Investment Drive

  • This is why we matter

Brand South Africa, through its international media campaign, used the thematic approach to reassure investors, why they should invest in South Africa. This is aligned to positioning South Africa as an investment hub in Africa through the "This is Why We Matter” campaign, which gives investors information and facts around South Africa's regulatory systems/bodies in some of the following sectors: financial, technological, legal etc.

The campaign highlights the role of regulatory / professional bodies related to the sectors and how they set standards ato enforce compliance without the need of government intervention – leading to more effective regulation. The campaign was flighted on business platforms targeting Facebook and Programmatic Displays via the Insider online magazine, CNBC online and Forbes Online.

  • Reuters

Brand South Africa's international media partnership with Reuters was implemented, targeting key business decision-makers in key markets through video, highlighting the role of South African Exports and encouraging investment and growth of South Africa. Target markets included Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Columbia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, Venezuela to reach key business decision-makers as well as the BRICS bloc, as South Africa prepared to chair the bloc later in the year.

 

Domestic - Entrepreneurial Skills Development Campaigns: To indirectly contribute towards economy growth and job creation.

  • Play Your Part Ignite

 

PYP Ignite is a cross-country roadshow providing mentorships to a variety of educational centres and TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) colleges and providing youth the opportunity to reach their entrepreneurial dreams through mentorship and onthe-ground guidance (how to pitch their businesses). To date, Brand South Africa hosted

PYP Ignite activations in Gauteng, North West, KZN, Mpumalanga & Western Cape,

The Play Your Part Ignite Masterclass hosted students and entrepreneurs of varying ages, from a multiple TVET Colleges.

  • Play Your Part Academy

Brand South Africa’s Play Your Part Academy was launched with the aim of highlighting small businesses’ potential impact aligned to the economic recovery and reconstruction strategy, and how South Africans at large can play a part in contributing to their business growth. The campaign seeks to empower small business owners through financial and non-financial tools that will help recover their businesses back to financial health after the challenges that the country has been facing.

The ‘PYP Small Business Academy’ provides free practical courses for aspiring entrepreneurs who seek to grow their businesses. The online academy hosts world-class practical business courses that empower business owners with the tools and skills to achieve their business goals. The courses have been designed to assist with a hands-on approach, whether accessed by a student, a startup, small business, or a working professional.

Pertaining to the tourism promotion strategies, the entity better positioned to respond, is South African Tourism, SAT as this specifically speak to their mandate.

 

 

 

 

NAME OF THE DRAFTER : Sithembile Ntombela

DESIGNATION : Acting Chief Executive Officer, Brand South Africa

CONTACT DETAILS : [email protected]

 

SIGNATURE : ____________________________

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

_____________________________

Nomonde Mnukwa (Ms)

Acting Director General

 

Date:

 

 

 

 

__________________________

Khumbudzo Ntshavheni

Minister in the Presidency

 

Date:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

03 January 2024 - NW3906

Profile picture: Engelbrecht, Mr J

Engelbrecht, Mr J to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services

With reference to the special remission programme, and noting that 97 inmates released have since reoffended, what (a) were the offences committed by each reoffender and (b) defines a reoffender in this context?

Reply:

(a)

STATUS OF CUMULATIVE RE-ARREST CASES AND REASONS REPORTED BY REGIONS AS AT 26 OCTOBER 2023

REGION

REASONS

TOTAL

RE-ARRESTS

EC

1 x offender released unconditionally on 23/08/2023 was readmitted on 11/09/2023 for Theft; 1 x offender released unconditionally on 23/08/2023 was readmitted on 11/09/2023 for House Breaking and Theft; 1 x offender released unconditionally on 21/08/2023 was readmitted on 11/09/2023 for Damage of Essential Infrastructure; 1 x offender released unconditionally on 21/08/2023 was readmitted on 11/09/2023 for Robbery Aggravating: 1 x offender released unconditionally on 22/08/2023 was readmitted on 29/08/2023 for House Breaking and Theft; (5 x Amathole MA).

18

 

1 x offender released unconditionally on 18/10/2023 was readmitted on 19/10/2023 for 3 counts of House Breaking 7 Theft; 1 x offender released unconditionally on 15/08/2023 was readmitted on 20/10/2023 for Robbery Aggravating; 1 x offender released conditionally on 20/10/2023 was readmitted on 23/10/2023 for Parole Violation (3x East London MA)

 
 

1 x offender released unconditionally on 16/08/2023 was readmitted on 15/09/2023 for failure to appear in court (1x Kirkwood MA)

 
 

1 x offender released unconditionally on 14/08/2023 was readmitted on 29/09/2023 for Contravention of protection order; '1 x offender released unconditionally on 15/08/2023 was readmitted on 06/09/2023 for Shoplifting (2x Mthatha MA)

 
 

1 x offender released unconditionally on 12/08/2023 was readmitted on 18/08/2023 for House Breaking; 1 x offender released unconditionally on 12/08/2023 was readmitted on 23/08/2023 for Shoplifting; 1 x offender released unconditionally on 15/08/2023 was readmitted on 18/09/2023 for House Breaking and Theft; 1 x offender released unconditionally on 14/08/2023 was readmitted on 28/09/2023 for House Breaking and Theft; 1 x offender released unconditionally on 14/08/2023 was readmitted on 19/09/2023 for Stock Theft; 1 x offender released unconditionally on 12/08/2023 was readmitted on 16/08/2023 for Theft; 1 x offender released unconditionally on 14/08/2023 was readmitted on 29/08/2023 for Trespassing; (7 x SADA)

 

FSNC

1 x offender released unconditionally on 12/08/2023 was readmitted on 22/09/2023 for House Breaking & Theft; 1 x offender released conditionally on 13/09/2023 was readmitted on 27/09/2023 for Common Assault (2x Bizza Makhate MA).

15

 

1 x offender released unconditionally on 14/08/2023 was readmitted on 08/09/2023 for House Breaking & Theft (1x Colesberg MA).

 
 

'1 x offender released unconditionally on 21/08/2023 was readmitted on 28/08/2023 for House Breaking & Theft; '1 x offender released unconditionally on 26/09/2023 was readmitted on 04/10/2023 for House Breaking & Theft; 1 x offender released unconditionally on 14/08/2023 was readmitted on 09/10/2023 for House Breaking & Theft; 1 x offender released unconditionally on 14/08/2023 was readmitted on 06/10/2023 for Assault GBH (4x Grootvlei MA)

 
 

1 x offender released unconditionally on 14/08/2023 was readmitted on 18/08/2023 for House Breaking & Theft; '1 x offender released unconditionally on 15/08/2023 was readmitted on 22/08/2023 for House Breaking & Theft (2x Groenpunt MA).

 
 

1 x offender released unconditionally on 12/08/2023 was readmitted on 07/09/2023 for House Breaking & Theft (1x Bizza Makhate MA).

 
 

1 x offender released unconditionally on 15/08/2023 was readmitted on 03/10/2023 for House Breaking; '1 x offender released conditionally on 18/08/2023 was readmitted on 17/10/2023 for House Breaking (2x Kimberly MA)

 
 

1 x offender released unconditionally on 11/09/2023 was readmitted on 21/09/2023 for Theft; 1 x offender released unconditionally on 11/09/2023 was readmitted on 21/09/2023 for House Breaking &Theft; 1 x offender released unconditionally on 04/09/2023 was readmitted on 20/10/2023 for House Breaking & Theft (3x Upington MA).

 

GP

1 x offender was released unconditionally on 12/08/2023 and was re-admitted on 21/08/2023 for 2x Theft; 1 x offender was released unconditionally on 04/09/2023 and was re-admitted on 19/10/2023 for Theft (2x Kgoši Mampuru II MA).

2

KZN

1 x offender released unconditionally on 21/08/2023 was readmitted on 22/09/2023 for Theft; 1 x offender released unconditionally on 18/08/2023 was readmitted on 22/09/2023 for Theft; 1 x offender released unconditionally on 06/09/2023 was readmitted on 11/10/2023 for Theft (3x Durban MA)

7

 

1 x offender released unconditionally on 12/08/2023 was readmitted on 05/09/2023 for Theft; 1 x offender released unconditionally on 12/08/2023 was readmitted on 05/09/2023 for Theft; 1 x offender released unconditionally on 12/08/2023 was readmitted on 05/09/2023 for Theft (3x Empangeni MA).

 
 

1 x offender released unconditionally on 16/08/2023 was readmitted on 05/09/2023 for Theft (1x Kokstad MA).

 

LMN

1 x offender released unconditionally on 15/08/2023 was readmitted on 28/08/2023 for Theft (1x Bethal).

2

 

1 x offender released unconditionally on 18/08/2023 was readmitted on 11/10/2023 for Theft & illegal Immigrant (1x Thohoyandou MA)

 

WC

1 x offender released unconditionally on 22/08/2023 was readmitted on 28/08/2023 for Theft; 1 x offender released unconditionally on 22/08/2023 was readmitted on 28/08/2023 for House Breaking & Theft; 1 x offender released unconditionally on 12/08/2023 was readmitted on 23/10/2023 for Theft; 1 x offender released unconditionally on 14/08/2023 was readmitted on 23/10/2023 for Theft (4x Breede River MA).

53

 

1 x offender released unconditionally on 25/08/2023 was readmitted on 31/08/2023 for House Breaking & Theft; 1 x offender released unconditionally on 26/08/2023 was readmitted on 31/08/2023 for Trespassing; 1 x offender released unconditionally on 14/08/2023 was readmitted on 25/08/2023 for Theft; 1 x offender released unconditionally on 28/08/2023 was readmitted on 29/08/2023 for Assault; 1 x offender released unconditionally on 21/08/2023 was readmitted on 04/09/2023 for Bees/Fish/Game Protection Act; 1 x offender released unconditionally on 18/08/2023 was readmitted on 05/09/2023 for House Breaking & Theft; 1 x offender released unconditionally on 28/08/2023 was readmitted on 30/08/2023 for Stolen Goods;1 x offender released unconditionally on 18/08/2023 was readmitted on 30/08/2023 for Theft; 1 x offender released unconditionally on 17/08/2023 was readmitted on 19/09/2023 for House Breaking & Theft; 1 x offender released unconditionally on 24/08/2023 was readmitted on 04/10/2023 for Attempted Robbery (10 x West Coast MA).

 
 

1 x offender released unconditionally on 14/08/2023 was readmitted on 17/08/2023 for Dealing in Drugs; 1 x offender released unconditionally on 15/08/2023 was readmitted on 28/08/2023 for Robbery Aggravating; 1 x offender released unconditionally on 18/08/2023 was readmitted on 05/08/2023 for Robbery Aggravating (3x Goodwood MA).

 
 

1 x offender released unconditionally on 23/08/2023 was readmitted on 29/08/2023 for House Breaking with intention to steal and Theft; 1 x offender released unconditionally on 23/08/2023 was readmitted on 12/09/2023 for House Breaking and Theft; 1 x offender released unconditionally on 22/08/2023 was readmitted on 06/10/2023 for House Breaking and Theft (3x Overberg MA).

 
 

'1 x offender released unconditionally on 21/08/2023 was readmitted on 06/09/2023 for House Breaking and Theft; 1 x offender released unconditionally on 28/08/2023 was readmitted on 06/09/2023 for House Breaking and Theft; 1 x offender released unconditionally on 21/08/2023 was readmitted on 21/09/2023 for Theft; 1 x offender released unconditionally on 21/08/2023 was readmitted on 21/09/2023 for Robbery; 1 x offender released unconditionally on 01/09/2023 was readmitted on 26/09/2023 for House Breaking; 1 x offender released unconditionally on 18/09/2023 was readmitted on 13/10/2023 for Theft; 1 x offender released unconditionally on 30/08/2023 was readmitted on 13/10/09/2023 for House Breaking and Theft; 1 x offender released unconditionally on 12/08/2023 was readmitted on 13/10/2023 for House Breaking and Theft; 1 x offender released unconditionally on 29/09/2023 was readmitted on 16/10/2023 for Robbery Aggravating; 1 x offender released unconditionally on 24/08/2023 was readmitted on 18/10/2023 for Family Violence; 1 x offender released unconditionally on 30/08/2023 was readmitted on 19/10/2023 for House Breaking & Theft; 1 x offender released unconditionally on 24/08/2023 was readmitted on 19/10/2023 for House Breaking &Theft (12x Voorberg MA).

 
 

'1 x offender released unconditionally on 18/08/2023 was readmitted on 04/09/2023 for Assault with intent to do Grievous Bodily Harm; 1 x offender released unconditionally on 23/08/2023 was readmitted on 06/09/2023 for Robbery Aggravating. (2x Allandale MA).

 
 

1 x offender released unconditionally on 18/08/2023 was readmitted on 31/08/2023 for Theft, Fail to Appear in court; 1 x offender released unconditionally on 05/09/2023 was readmitted on 07/09/2023 for Theft out of Motor Vehicle;1 x offender released unconditionally on 21/08/2023 was readmitted on 11/09/2023 for Robbery; 1 x offender released unconditionally on 21/08/2023 was readmitted on 12/09/2023 for House Breaking with intention to steal and Theft; 1 x offender released unconditionally on 21/08/2023 was readmitted on 18/09/2023 for Robbery; 1 x offender released unconditionally on 21/08/2023 was readmitted on 14/09/2023 for Assault; 1 x offender released unconditionally on 21/08/2023 was readmitted on 19/09/2023 for House Breaking with intention to steal and Theft; 1 x offender released unconditionally on 21/08/2023 was readmitted on 22/09/2023 for Theft; 1 x offender released unconditionally on 21/08/2023 was readmitted on 21/09/2023 for Theft; 1 x offender released unconditionally on 22/08/2023 was readmitted on 06/10/2023 for House Breaking & Theft; 1 x offender released unconditionally on 21/08/2023 was readmitted on 09/10/2023 for Robbery; 1 x offender released unconditionally on 21/08/2023 was readmitted on 09/10/2023 for Theft out of a Motor Car; 1 x offender released unconditionally on 21/08/2023 was readmitted on 09/10/2023 for Theft out of a Motor Car; 1 x offender released unconditionally on 07/09/2023 was readmitted on 09/10/2023 for Theft out of a Motor Car; 1 x offender released unconditionally on 21/08/2023 was readmitted on 09/10/2023 for Malicious Damage to Property; 1 x offender released unconditionally on 21/08/2023 was readmitted on 10/10/2023 for Robbery; 1 x offender released unconditionally on 21/08/2023 was readmitted on 11/10/2023 for Robbery; 1 x offender released unconditionally on 26/09/2023 was readmitted on 13/10/2023 for Theft; 1 x offender released unconditionally on 21/08/2023 was readmitted on 24/10/2023 for Theft (19x Southern Cape MA).

 

TOTAL

 

97

(b) A reoffender in context of this programme is a person who was released either conditionally or unconditionally after benefitting from the 2023 Special Remission of Sentence and was rearrested for allegedly committing crime as indicated above.

END.

03 January 2024 - NW3787

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Joseph, Mr D to ask the MINISTER OF SPORT, ARTS AND CULTURE

(1). Whether, in light of the fact that Boxing South Africa board (BSA) was taken to court by a promoter based in Kwazulu-Natal (name and details furnished), he has found that the attack on the judiciary by a certain official (name furnished) was justified; if not, what (a) is the position in this regard and (b) action will he take against the official for his unjustified attack on the judiciary; if so, what are the further relevant details, (2). what are the reasons that the bsa did not appeal the judgement as stated by the specified official?

Reply:

1(a). Boxing South Africa indicated that they are of the view that the CEO’s comments did not constitute an attack on the judiciary. Boxing SA is of the view that the CEO’s comments around the fact that there was no compliance with the regulations is factually and legally correct. The CEO stated in the same article that BSA respects the law therefore the allegation that he attacked the judiciary is incorrect.

Boxing SA further indicated that the South African Boxing Act, Act 11 of 2001 and the Boxing Regulations provide clarity in terms of processes and procedures used in the administration of boxing in the country. Thus, the Act and Boxing Regulations sets out various legal requirements that must be met by a promoter intending to stage a tournament.

The legal requirements are referred to as compliances within Boxing SA and no tournament can be staged without satisfying these requirements and the Sanctioning Committee, an independent body which approves tournaments checks applications for compliance. BSA indicates that these requirements had not been met by the

complainant. Amongst the requirements to be met before a tournament can be sanctioned or approved are the following:

  1. Payment of purse monies of boxers and officials at least fourteen days
  2. before a tournament.
  3. Medical tests to be conducted on the participating boxers.
  4. The Weigh-in to determine whether the boxers are evenly matched.

b). Given the above response, no need for action to be taken against the CEO has been identified.

(2). Boxing South Africa has indicated that Ms. Nomfundo Malinga instituted an application in the Pretoria High Court. The Application was in two parts:

Part A which was an urgent application to temporarily set aside her suspension pending the review of the Board’s decision to suspend her promoter’s licence.

Part B: To challenge BSA’s decision not to sanction the planned boxing tournament due to non-compliance with BSA regulations. There is nothing to appeal as the tournament did not take place and the suspension of the promoter’s license has been temporarily withdrawn pending the hearing.

 

03 January 2024 - NW3788

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Joseph, Mr D to ask the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture

(1). In light of the fact that multiple boxing promoters host commemorative tournaments to honor the late father of the nation, Mr Nelson Mandela, with promoters of the tournaments being sponsored by government departments (details furnished), and in view of letters issued by the Nelson Mandela Foundation attorneys that many of these promoters do not have their permission to host these tournaments, what measures has he put in place to address the situation; (2). Whether he intends to involve law enforcement agencies to recover public money that has been paid out to promoters based on false pretenses; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details in this regard.

Reply:

(1). The promoters have a prerogative of naming conventions of their tournaments so long the naming will not jeopardize the image of the department as well that of Boxing SA. In line with the mission to strengthen social cohesion boxing promoters are encouraged to intertwine tournaments with national days that are celebrated and commemorated within the country. However, it is upon the promoter and the respective family or organization, in this case the Nelson Mandela Foundation to agree on the usage of the name and the agreement will be between the promoter and the respective family. Promoters are urged to respect the families and approval must be sought before the usage of the name for a tournament.

(2). An investigation on the matter will be conducted and relevant information will be acquired from all parties concerned in a quest to make informed decision on steps to be followed. Any abuse of public funds requires relevant government law enforcing entities to act and the perpetrators must face the might of the law.

(3). A new board of Boxing South Africa, comprising of credible personalities was appointed and assumed duty on 12 December 2023. One of the key main mandates

and priorities is to bring stability and order in the boxing fraternity, provide credible leadership, governance, and administration. The board is also tasked to build a financially stable and self-sustainable entity that will not only rely on government grant but also attract sponsors and bring back the glory days of boxing.