Questions and Replies

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a) I have been informed that SA Tourism has engaged the Airlines Association of Southern Africa (AASA), which is the leading representative airline organisation within Southern Africa.

AASA works together with leaders of the aviation industry and senior public and government officials on policy, regulatory, planning, operational, safety, security and financial matters affecting the overall profitability of the airlines and their continued sustainability.

The purpose of the engagement was to explore possible collaborations on knowledge sharing.

There has also been improved engagement opportunities with international airlines through the various Air Access committees i.e., Cape Town Air Access, Durban Direct Air Access and Gauteng Air Access where the teams formulate possible incentive programmes for reducing operational costs.

Airline pricing is complicated, and airlines are doing their best to offer the best fare. The reality is that operating costs have substantially increased over the past 12 months due to the cost of jet fuel, amongst other factors.

Other costs have increased due to exchange rates of the Rand versus stronger currencies and airlines maintain aircraft leases and agreements with external suppliers.

b) SA Tourism forms part of the Air Access structures i.e., Cape Town Air Access, Durban Direct Air Access and Gauteng Air Access.

These structures play a key role of lobbying and advocacy for airlines to consider expanding their routes across key local destinations and to add frequencies on existing routes.

The role extends to working with airlines to consider special offers as part of the domestic tourism promotion activities they conduct.

The decision to introduce new airlines lies with airlines directly, based on economic factors and available slots which are issued by the Department of Transport.

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The question asked by the Hon Member falls within the purview of the MEC for Education in Eastern Cape, not the Minister of Basic Education. The Hon Member is kindly advised to refer the question to the relevant MEC. 

Reply:

(a) 

1. To support schools with no infrastructure for sport participation, the Department, in collaboration with the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) have initiated engagements with the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) to make municipal facilities accessible to schools at no cost. Engagements are also being extended to look at possibilities of how the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) can be accessed for the benefit of the schools.
2. Furthermore, through the Memorandum of Understanding between DBE and DSAC, signed in 2018, an entity of DSAC called the Sport Trust builds multi-purpose sport facilities in identified schools. These facilities are also accessible for utilisation by neighbouring schools.
3. The Department is also in partnership with partners like Supersport and UNICEF to build multi-purpose sport facilities in schools. These facilities are then shared and utilised by other the neighbouring schools.
4. In 2015, the Department, together with DSAC and Cricket South Africa (CSA) signed an operational agreement to fast track cricket development at schools through the Hub system. This initiative contributes to the revitalisation of sports development in the townships and rural areas, and it also improves educational outcomes in the basic education sector. These Hubs are committed to the following:

• develop cricketers at the Cricket Hubs;
• run cluster leagues to feed into the School Sport Programme;
• provide support to integrate the elite cricketers into the CSA High Performance Programmes through CSA’s existing integrated system of Talent Scouts, Coaching Mentors and Sports Science Programmes;
• support worthy educational and sporting causes, from time to time, as identified by the three parties;
• extend early learning and e-learning programmes through homework support, and
• dedicated cricket coaching educational programs are produced and aired on the MINDSET platforms.

(b)

1. The Department partnered with the Motsepe Foundation to further support the delivery of enrichment programmes in schools on 12 April 2016. This ten-year partnership agreement contributes towards the development of Schools Football, Netball, choral and traditional music across the country. This initiative concentrates on schools football (Under 19), schools netball (Under 15) and the Schools Choral Eisteddfod. These programmes start at a school level and proceed until the national level. The winning schools utilise the money for any development project that enhances or advances the mission and objectives of the school and/or its immediate community, e.g. building of extra classrooms, upgrading the soccer or netball pitch, school choral equipment, etc.
2. The Department implements the Integrated School Sports Programme, after-school, extra-mural and co-curricular activities in collaboration with the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) together with other partners. The main role of the Department of Basic Education (DBE) is to promote mass participation activities aimed at enriching the curriculum whilst DSAC focuses on social cohesion, talent identification and excellence in sports, arts and culture in line with the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in 2018 by the two Departments. The programme starts at a school level and proceeds up to the circuit, district, provincial and finally national level. The programme is comprised of the Autumn Games, Winter Games, Spring Games and Summer Games in the following prioritized codes: Athletics, Cricket, Chess, Gymnastics, Swimming, Softball, Tennis, Table tennis, Basketball, Football, Hockey, Netball, Rugby, Volleyball, Goal ball and Indigenous Games.
3. The Department established the Accelerated Schools Infrastructure Delivery Unit (ASIDI). The objective of ASIDI is to eradicate the Basic Safety Norms backlog in schools without water, sanitation and electricity and to replace those schools constructed from inappropriate material (mud, plankie, asbestos) to contribute towards levels of optimum learning and teaching. The Schools Infrastructure Backlog Grant (SIBG) funds the ASIDI portfolio. Sub-programme 1: Inappropriate Structures: Schools that were built from inappropriate material in their entirety are replaced with new schools that meet the department’s standards of basic functionality. This also includes the building of sport facilities depending on the available space in that particular area.

Reply:

Department

There were no services procured from Sihlesive Trading, Rally Business Consulting and Siyakhula Forestry Contractors JV Zumda Trading during the 2018/2019 to 2021/2022 financial year.

According to the information received from Alexkor

1. The service providers did not render any services to Alexkor SOC Limited
2. – (5) All subsequent questions are not applicable

According to the information received from Denel

1. Denel has not procured any services from the said companies since the 2018-19 financial year.
2. – (5) All subsequent questions are not applicable.

According to the information received from Eskom

1. Eskom has never done any business with the companies in question. Should there be a need for Eskom to do business with them, then a proper procurement process will be followed which will be aligned with the principles of section 217 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa.
2. – (5) All subsequent questions are not applicable.

According to the information received from SAFCOL

1. Yes, SAFCOL procured services from the three companies:

Service Provider	a) Services Procured
Sihlesive Trading	Provision of silviculture services
Rally Business Consulting	Provision of silviculture services
Siyakhula Forestry Contractors JV Zumda Trading	Provision of silviculture services

b) Total Amount Paid

Service Provider	Amount inclusive of VAT
Sihlesive Trading	R73 434 659
Rally Business Consulting	R76 294 287
Siyakhula Forestry Contractors JV Zumda Trading	R101 795 895

2. Whether the amounts paid to the three service providers were found to have resulted in irregular expenditure; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what total amount was declared and/or disclosed in each case;

a) Yes

b) Disclosed Irregular Expenditure Amounts: 2018-2019 to December 2021:

Service Provider	Amount inclusive of VAT
Sihlesive Trading	R73 434 659
Rally Business Consulting	R76 294 287
Siyakhula Forestry Contractors JV Zumda Trading	R101 795 895

3. Whether any investigations were conducted to identify employees responsible for irregular expenditure; if not, why not; if so, what total number of times were the investigations conducted;

SAFCOL carried out and finalized an investigation in accordance with the prevailing irregular expenditure framework, in relation to the financial years 2015-16 up to and including 2021-22.

4. Whether investigations were conducted in-house or outsourced; if outsourced, what total amount was paid in each case since the 2018-19 financial year;

The investigation was outsourced to be carried out by an external service provider at a cost of R344, 850 inclusive of VAT.

5. Whether any members of the board and/executive were held accountable for irregular expenditure; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) what are the names of such members and (b) will furnish Mr S Tambo with the investigation report with its recommendations?

The company is currently in the process of implementing consequence management based on the external service provider’s report in preparation for submission for condonation where applicable. None of the members of the Board and/or Executive were implicated in the irregular expenditure report.

According to the information received from SAA

1. South African Airways (SAA) have no record that the airline had any business relations with the three service providers mention, namely, Sihlesive Trading, Rally Business Consulting and Siyakhula Forestry Contractors JV Zumda Trading.
2. – (5) All subsequent questions are not applicable.

According to the information received from Transnet

1. The identified business entities are not registered on Transnet’s database. Transnet cannot trace any procurement of services from the identified companies.
2. – (5) All subsequent questions are not applicable.

 

 

Remarks: Reply: Approved / Not Approved

Jacky Molisane PJ Gordhan, MP

Acting Director-General Minister

Date: Date:

Reply:

a) The Department of Public Enterprises has not sourced a legal opinion. Please see my response to your question 237.

 

Remarks: Reply: Approved / Not approved

Jacky Molisane PJ Gordhan, MP

Acting Director-General Minister

Date: Date:

Reply:

No, there is no intention to introduce legislation in Parliament to grant Minister powers to make regulations in respect of learner pregnancy, nor has the Minister established a task team to draft such. A policy on the prevention and management of learner pregnancy in school has been developed by the sector, and approved by Cabinet to deal with learner pregnancy issues in schools.

Reply:

The BMA has trained and deployed Border Guards to various segments of the land border law enforcement areas and Ports of Entry. Their key responsibilities, amongst others, is to detect and prevent illegal persons from entering the country. Illegal foreign nationals who are apprehended in the border law enforcement area are handed over to Immigration Services who do verification of their nationality. Once the process is concluded, the deportation process will be initiated.

Inland within the borders of the Republic, the Department of Home Affairs has an Inspectorate Unit which coordinates operations with the SAPS. Persons who are apprehended by the Inspectorate Unit are processed for the verification of their status in the country. Once the status is verified and they are found to be undocumented / illegal, the process of deportation is initiated.

The Department is currently in the process of procuring handheld IT tools that will be used to remotely access and verify information on the National Population Register (NPR) in real-time. This system, which will have biometric capabilities, will assist in the verification of documents produced by people during citizenship-related operations. The budget for the procurement was received from the Criminal Asset Recovery (CARA) fund.

Further, the Department of Health has requested access to the NPR for their processes. In this regard, DHA’s IT Branch in conjunction with their counterparts at the Department of Health are looking into the request.

END

Reply:

1. The relocation of state-owned enterprises to the respective departments is the prerogative of the President.

In addition, in the State of the Nation Address of 2022 and 2023, reference was made to the work and recommendations of the Presidential SOE Council and, the global trend towards a centralised shareholder model as highlighted by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and various country experiences.

The lessons of State Capture and recommendations of Chief Justice Zondo, among others, must be taken into account to proactively prevent corruption.

 

Remarks: Reply: Approved / Not approved

Jacky Molisane PJ Gordhan, MP

Acting Director-General Minister

Date: Date:

Reply:

According to the South African Schools Act (SASA) Section 21, School Governing Bodies (SGBs), have the prerogative to select the sporting codes for participation by the learners, in consultation with the relevant Head of Department. To assist in ensuring that all schools are provided an opportunity to participate, School Governing Body Associations are now part of the Extended Joint National Task Team (ExJNTT) convened by the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) and the Department of Basic Education (DBE). This body also includes Teacher Unions, Sport Federations and School Sport Code Structures. This body is responsible for the implementation of the Integrated School Sports Programme, after-school, extra-mural and co-curricular activities in line with the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in 2018 by the two Departments. The programme starts at a school level and proceeds up to the circuit, district, provincial and finally national level. The programme is comprised of the Autumn Games, Winter Games, Spring Games as well as Summer Games in the following prioritizsd codes: Athletics, Cricket, Chess, Gymnastics, Swimming, Softball, Tennis, Table-Tennis, Basketball, Football, Hockey, Netball, Rugby, Volleyball, Goal-ball, and Indigenous Games.

Reply:

1. 

• The Accelerated School Infrastructure Delivery Initiative (ASIDI programme) was launched in 2012.  The inappropriate material sub-programme of ASIDI focussed on the replacement of schools made entirely of inappropriate materials.  At present, there are 331 schools on this sub-programme.  We are proud to announce that 315 such schools have now been replaced.
• The water supply sub-programme of ASIDI focussed on schools that reportedly had no water supply. At present, there are 1272 schools on this programme.  We are proud to announce that water supply projects at 1259 have progressed to practical completion.
• The electricity supplies sub-programme of ASIDI focussed on schools that reportedly had no electricity supply.  At present, there are 373 schools on this programme.  We are proud to announce that all 373 have now been served with electricity.
• The sanitation sub-programme of ASIDI focussed on schools that reportedly had no toilets.  At present, there are 1053 schools on this sub-programme.  We are proud to announce that all 1053 such schools have now been served with appropriate toilets.
• The Sanitation Appropriate For Education (SAFE programme) was launched in 2018.  This programme focussed on schools’ dependent on basic pit toilets.  The initial scope was 3898 schools.  As with ASIDI, there were some small and unviable schools that were closed, while other schools were added to the list as better information became available.  At present, there are 3357 schools on this sub-programme.  We are proud to announce that 2474 of the 3357 schools have now been served with appropriate toilets.
• Between ASIDI and SAFE, about 55 000 appropriate toilets were constructed at schools.  The sanitation projects at the remaining schools on the SAFE programme are all scheduled for completion in 2023/24.
• A high level analysis of growth in learners’ numbers revealed the following:
• FS : Constant growth of 1% over last 10 years
• EC : Average decline of 0.5% over last 10 years (1% decline over last 5 years)
• GP : Average growth of 2.5% over last 10 years (2% growth over last 5 years)
• KZN : Virtually no growth over last 10 year
• LP : Average growth of 0.5% over last 10 years (declining)
• MP : Constant growth of 1% over last 10 years
• NC : Constant growth of 1% over last 10 years
• NW : Average growth of 0.5% over last 10 years (declining)
• WC : Average growth of 2% over last 10 years (2.5% growth over last 5 years)
• Refinement of the analysis are ongoing to differentiate between:
• Over-crowding in Primary schools & secondary schools
• Over-crowding in Rural schools & urban schools
• A high-level analysis of the backlog in classrooms was determined based on the following:
• Learner numbers from EMIS (2021)
• Existing classroom number provided by Provincial Departments
• Preliminary indications are the following:
• More than 8 000 schools, there seems to be a shortage of classrooms.
• A total of 70 000 additional classrooms may be required.
• A capital investment of R44 billion may be required (Based on conventional implementation strategies).

2. The Hon Member will have to clarify what satellite schools are. 

Reply:

The 14th BRICS Summit, held on 23 June 2022, adopted the BRICS Beijing Declaration. In paragraph 73, BRICS Leaders supported promoting discussions among BRICS members on a BRICS expansion process. BRICS Leaders stressed the need to clarify the guiding principles, standards, criteria and procedures for this expansion process on the basis of full consultation and consensus.

The Islamic Republic of Iran and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia together with other countries have expressed an interest to join the BRICS formation.

At this stage, there is no common BRICS understanding on what process potential candidates should follow to officially apply for admission to BRICS and no common understanding on what standards and criteria should be taken into account when considering potential candidates.

Discussions among BRICS members to clarify the guiding principles, standards, criteria and procedures for a BRICS membership expansion process will continue in 2023. The outcomes of these discussions will provide clarity on the procedures to apply for admission to join BRICS. The outcomes will further provide clarity on the guiding principles, standards and criteria to be applied by BRICS members in the consideration of potential candidates to join BRICS.

 

Reply:

The Department of Basic Education (DBE) is responsible for the development of the National Catalogue for textbooks. Provinces procure and deliver LTSM to schools, including stationery. All provinces reported 100% delivery of the ordered stationery to schools during the weekly meetings. Further details regarding the delivery of Stationery to schools should be directed to the respective provinces.

Reply:

a) In response to the escalating crime and violence in schools, in addition to strengthening the codes of conduct of schools, the Department has signed a protocol with the South African Police Services to support all schools in dealing with the challenges faced by schools. The initiative is informed by the fact that crime and violence are beyond the scope of school principals and School Governing Bodies. Such an intervention is the competency of the law enforcement agencies. The Quality Learning and Teaching Campaign (QLTC) is focussing on the mobilisation of communities for a joint effort the tackle the challenge.

b) The funding allocated to infrastructure also covers fencing and gates. Guidelines and specifications for such fencing and gates are available. The prioritisation of infrastructure projects (including fencing projects) is the prerogative of the Province

c) The Department of Basic Education (DBE) uses the the National School Safety Framework (NSSF) as a guiding framework to address crime and violence in schools; including access control challenges in schools. The NSSF has led to the establishment of school safety committees, to address safety challenges in schools. As a new initiative, the DBE in partnership with the Wits RHI has developed a digital training on the NSSF for the broader school communities to strengthen the capacity of school based personnel in dealing with incidents of violence in schools. The DBE has also released circular, requesting all school safety committees to conclude the digital training by March 2023. 

The DBE and its partners, the South African Police Service and the following Departments: Social Development, Health, Home Affairs, Correctional Services, Justice and Constitutional Development, as a Communications and Constitutional Development are rolling out Inter-Departmental Campaigns on the Prevention of Violence, Bullying, Corporal Punishment, Learner Pregnancy, Drugs and Substance Abuse in schools. The Campaigns are led by the Deputy Minister of Basic Education and supported by Deputy Ministers of partner departments. To date, the Campaigns have been held in four provinces: Gauteng, Limpopo , Mpumalanga and the North West Province. The Campaign raises awareness on the social ills impacting negatively on teaching and learning in schools, and mobilises school communities to respond effectively to these social ills.  The Campaign will take place in the Eastern Cape, Nelson Mandela District on the 10th of March 2023. 

Reply:

Since 2009, the National Curriculum Statement has provided for two subjects directly relevant to the Ocean Economy, namely Maritime Economics and Nautical Science.  In 2019, the first cohort of Grade 12 candidates wrote and passed the National Senior Certificate Examinations in Marine Sciences, an internationally acknowledged and highly regarded novel subject incorporating Oceanography, Marine Biology, Humans and the Ocean Ecology. These subjects are all offered to Grade 12 at both Public Ordinary Schools and schools described in legislation as catering for 'learners with special talents' in Focus Schools, also referred to in some provinces as Schools of Specialization

There are three legislatively distinct categories of schools; Special Schools for learners with Special Educational Needs, Public Ordinary Schools and Focus Schools.

Regarding the provision of specialized subject offerings, and with appropriate foresight, the Minister of Basic Education promulgated an amendment to The South African Schools Act (SASA) (Act No. 84 of 1996) in section 12(iii), which provides for the establishment and recognition of Focus Schools as distinct entities within the Basic Education milieu. The types of subjects offered at Focus Schools constitute but one of the features that distinguish Focus Schools from Public Ordinary Schools. The overwhelming majority of Public Ordinary (Secondary) Schools, deliver a generalised curriculum, whereas the Guidelines for the Establishment and Management of Focus Schools provide Provincial Education Departments with the specific characteristics that Focus Schools should exhibit. The Department of Basic Education has developed the Three-Streams Curriculum Model to accommodate the multiplicity of learner's aptitudes, talents and interests, by developing curricula that provide Academic, Vocational or Occupational learning pathways.

Marine Sciences, Maritime Economics and Nautical Science are offered in both Public Ordinary Schools and Focus Schools, in the coastal provinces of the Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, as well as the inland province of Gauteng, in Sharpeville, at the Mohloli School of Specialization - the only inland Maritime Focus School, providing a highly relevant specialisation within the economic corridor encompassing the Vaal Dam and River.

Reply:

According to the information received from SAFCOL

(1)

SAFCOL contacted the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), and various other stakeholders for expanding its plantable area in the form of lease agreements. The stakeholders consist of:

	Stakeholders	Potential Plantable Area (ha)
1.	DFFE Plantations in Mpumalanga	4 086
2.	Mkhondo Municipality	2 528
3	Msunduzi Municipality	1 452
4	Madlangeni Community	1 100
5	Land under traditional authority	10 000
	Total	19 166

(2)

SAFCOL has formalised a land lease agreement with the Mamahlola community to operate their successfully claimed land as a timber estate as part of SAFCOL’s Woodbush plantation. A silviculture services contract has been ring-fenced for the community to allow them to participate in the timber farming activities on their land.

SAFCOL is in the process of negotiating with the Madlangeni community to lease their successfully claimed land for the purposes of re-establishing a commercial forestry estate (reforestation).

SAFCOL has formalised a Memorandum of Understanding with the nine communities in Entabeni to operate their claimed land as a timber estate as part of SAFCOL’s Entabeni plantation. SAFCOL’s information from the Land Claims Commission is that the transfer of the title deeds of the land to the communities are imminent. Upon transfer, SAFCOL will enter into a lease agreement with the communities. A sub-contracting opportunity to allow the communities to participate in timber logistics services has already been implemented.

SAFCOL has ring-fenced a silviculture services contract for the Kaapschehoop community to allow them to participate in timber farming activities on their claimed land. SAFCOL’s information from the Land Claims Commission is that the finalisation of the land claim is eminent. Upon finalisation and subsequent transfer of the land in title to the community, SAFCOL will enter into a lease agreement with the community.

Remarks: Reply: Approved / Not Approved

Jacky Molisane PJ Gordhan, MP

Acting Director-General Minister

Date: Date:

Reply:

(1)  As schools were divided into five quintiles according to the income of the communities where they are located a number of years ago, and as there were socio-economic shifts as well as school closures in the meantime, what is the current total number of schools in each quintile for each province;

(2)       what was the budget for each of the quintiles for the 2021-22 financial year in each province;

(3)   whether the quintiles ever get reviewed; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?     

The Department of Basic Education (DBE) does not decide which quintile a school should be placed in. Schools are placed in quintiles by the Provincial Education Departments (PEDs).  Paragraph 107 of the National Norms and Standards for School Funding state that PEDs must on an annual basis, subject to the availability of new data which is sufficiently reliable, consider reviewing the quintile of a school and make the necessary adjustments to effect equity. It is thus expected of all the PEDs to have a process in place that should be followed in their respective provinces to deal with this aspect. Such a process should allow the initiator to either be the school or the PED, depending on the circumstances. 

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

(1) The Department has not received any report that there is a DPWI staff being mistreated by any company contracted to DPWI.

(2) The use of local labour was not a prerequisite or a condition of Facilities Management contract.

(3) The Facilities Management contractor currently employs two hundred (200) general workers including EPWP staff, of the two hundred (200), one hundred and eighty three (183) are from Cape Town. The Contractor also has a core staff compliment of thirty four (34) individuals of which twenty six (26) are from Cape Town.

(4) The Facilities Management contractor reported that six (6) general workers/operators, four (4) team leaders, one (1) driver, two (2) irrigation specialists, one (1) quantity surveyor and one (1) site administrator have been brought from Johannesburg to Cape Town.

(5) No consequence management is applicable as the Facilities Management contractor is not contractually required to employ local labour.

Reply:

a) The Department will consider opening offices in Malls in accordance with its Access Model and Footprint Development Strategy and take advantage of lower costs for rental or where rent is free like in Menlyn Mall, where we got a five year rent free agreement.

b) The current DHA office in Ulundi is located next to the shopping centre but our rural communities strategy is to deploy mobile units to better service the communities.

END

Reply:

Eskom is being restructured into three subsidiaries Generation, Transmission and Distribution, wholly owned by the Eskom Holdings SOC LTD. The debt will remain with Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd. Each entity will be allocated its portion through an intercompany loan account. The allocation is based on a pre-agreed methodology.

These matters are currently being resolved in discussions with National Treasury.

Remarks: Approved / Not Approved

Jacky Molisane PJ Gordhan, MP

Acting Director-General Minister

Date: Date:

Reply:

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) was appointed by the President and will therefore be reporting to the President in this regard.

Reply:

QUESTIONS	2019/20	2020/21	2021/22
1. Total number of sexual misconduct cases reported	92	169	191
2. Total number of disciplinary hearings conducted against the specified educators for sexual misconduct	The information for this was soured from the previous audited Annual Reports. Therefore, for 2019 and 2020 financial years, we did not specify/breakdown the number of disciplinary hearings conducted.	23
3 (a) Total number of educators found guilty of sexual abuse only	17	07	19
3 (b) disciplinary hearings that SACE was unable to arrive at an outcome	N/A	N/A	N/A
(iii) Total number of teachers struck off indefinitely	19 17-sexual abuse 2- Severe assault	11 7-Sexual abuse 1-Gross negligence 1-Assault of a colleague 2- Severe assaults of learners	04 3-sexual relationships 1- removal from the register for a specified period for sexual assault of a learner
4. Total number of educators whose names were submitted to the Department of Social Development	10 This number does not include the other 9 as stated above on teachers struck-off, because the victims were above the age of 18 years.	11	19

Disciplinary  proceedings where SACE was unable to arrive at an outcome:

There were no cases where no decision could not be arrived at, at any disciplinary hearing by the disciplinary tribunal. There were however; sexual abuse cases that were closed for the following reasons:

1. Lack of evidence to substantiate the allegations.
2. Deliberate unavailability of witnesses (complainants)
3. Refusal by witnesses to cooperate with the SACE investigative or disciplinary processes, etc.

While SACE closed a number of cases for reasons mentioned above, these cases were not categorised on the breaches of the SACE code of Ethics, for an example, the cases do not indicate whether it is an assault case, sexual case, racism case, etc. A global number of that cases closed by SACE get provided.

Description	2019/20	2020/21	2021/22
Total number of cases closed by the Council where cases were resolved amicably between the parties, or at the request of the complainants, or owing to lack of evidence or owing to deliberate lack of cooperation by witnesses.	224	116	310

 

Reply:

a) The Department does not have records of Mr Maselo who is/was appointed as Parliamentary Liaison Officer in the Office of the Minister.

Reply:

(a) The elderly, frail, pregnant mothers, mothers with babies and learners in school uniform are always identified from the queue by the staff and brought in front on the queue.

(b) Yes, the service provider trains all guards deployed in our offices and the office managers are also instructed to brief the guards regularly on how to interact with clients.

END

Reply:

According to the Information received from Eskom.

(1)

The quality of coal exported by South Africa is completely different to that utilised by Lethabo Power Station. Lethabo Power Station was designed to run on approximately 16 CV coal (low-grade coal) while the coal quality typically exported ranges from 22 CV to 27 CV (higher-grade coal). The adjacent tied cost-plus mine has enough coal to supply the burn requirements for the power station.

From around 15 February 2023, the coal supply from New Vaal Colliery (NVC) to Lethabo Power Station began to reduce significantly because of several unexpected challenges.

• Mine production had decreased because of the following:
  • Rain – the mine recorded 186,5 mm of rain from 1 February to 14 February 2023.
  • The flooding of the Vaal River and the subsequent increase in the river level affected the safety risks on one of the mining faces close to the river. The coal seams being mined were below the increased river level. This created a scenario where it could have been potentially catastrophic if the risk of flooding materialised. The mine had to manage this risk responsibly.

The second mining face was inaccessible because the ramps used by the haul trucks to access the mining pits were flooded. Additional time was also required to construct new ramps to access this coal.

• • This meant all coal required by the station had to be reclaimed from the coal stockyard. During the rainy season, the mine and power station keep live stockpiles at around 10 days of station burn requirements as a mitigation against continual rain. The opening balance of live coal on the strategic stockpiles was approximately nine days (total stock days were more than 30 days). Because of the continuous rain during February, this nine day of stock was steadily being depleted. To replenish this, coal needed to be reclaimed from the strategic stockpiles and moved to the stockpiles, which are 150 m to 200 m away. The continuous rain resulted in the stockpiles getting extremely wet with the mine loading wet coal on the conveyor belts, which was blocking the chutes and transfer points of the conveyor belts (coal becoming sludge), which resulted in the coal belts being stopped continuously to clean the chutes and transfer points that were getting blocked. This resulted in the throughput to the power station significantly decreasing.
  • A continuous breakdown of one section of the two overland conveyors also severely affected the mine’s ability to supply coal. The repairs to the conveyors were also delayed at times because of the impact of lightning, which became a safety risk.

• With regard to rain preparedness, the biggest mitigating factor is the coal stock and strategic stockpiles that store dry coal, which is then used to feed the conveyors when the mine is not producing coal. There is also a Generation Engineering initiative involving a multidisciplinary team that conducts site assessments and recommendations to manage stockyard reclamation during rainy periods. The quantum of rain received, however, coupled with the other challenges, posed significant challenges to the mine to maintain the coal supply to the power station in February. The mine is now assessing the challenges experienced and the lessons learnt to improve the management of the stockpiles for future periods. (This particular stockyard is managed by the mine and not Eskom). These include reviewing the layout of the strategic stockpiles, reinforcing the haul roads within the mine to be able to move coal during inclement weather.

(2)

The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) is best placed to respond due to the fact that it is a coal regulator department.

 

Remarks: Reply: Approved / Not Approved

Jacky Molisane PJ Gordhan, MP

Acting Director-General Minister

Date: Date:

Reply:

1. We are not sure what the MP means by a national network of ECD centres.  However, in South Africa early learning programmes are delivered through a wide array of largely non-State providers, including sole-proprietors, micro-enterprises and non-profit organisations (NPOs). During the 2021 ECD Census, the Department mapped out 42,420 early learning programmes across the country. 

2. The Department is proposing an integrated Service Delivery Model, which seeks to increase access to quality ECD services, while bearing in mind the need to streamline services to ensure that the government can feasibly support all ECD programmes. This will entail seeking opportunities to provide services to ECD programmes in a way to enable programmes to benefit from economies of scale. However, it is also recognised that such a model needs to respond to the different needs of both caregivers and children. Some caregivers require full day-care for their children, whilst others do not. Children aged birth to 5 years require different support and interventions for their healthy growth, development and early learning. The DBE will therefore, enable the provision of multiple modalities of ECD provisioning to ensure that they are age- and developmental-stage appropriate. These modalities include independent ECD programmes, public-private provisioning ECD programmes, playgroups and home-based programmes. These modalities will be supported by toy-libraries and mobile ECD programmes.

3. Not all Primary schools have formal Grade R classes. Please See Annexure 

4. Grade R teachers are required to have a B.Ed degree in Foundation Phase (R-3). Grade RR teachers are required to have a National Diploma in Early Childhood Development. 

Reply:

1. (a)(b)(c) and (d)

There is a total of 231 staged locomotive, comprising of both new and legacy fleets.

New Fleet: there is a total of 151 staged locomotives, where the top 3 impacted fleets are 22Es, 21Es, and 19Es.

Legacy Fleet: there is a total of 80 staged locomotives, where the top 3 impacted fleets are 18Es, 10Es, and 7E2s.

2. The table below summarises the locomotive types and the reasons that they are staged. More detail, such as the date that the locomotives were stopped, can be seen in annexures A and B

Fleet	Main reasons for locos being staged
NEW	BT23E, CRRC20E, CRRC21E, CRRC22E	Delays in procurement of material. Most of the parts are purchased from Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM), thus resulting in Local Content (LC) issues. There are also contractual issues due to current litigations
	GE43D, GE44D, 43 Class	Delays in procurement and for contracted items there is a long leadtime from the OEM in terms of delivery.
	MITSUI19E	Delays in procurement.
LEGACY	GE34D, GE36D, 10E, 37D, 7E1, 18E, 34D, 35D, 37D, & 39Ds	Delays in procurement.

 

Remarks: Reply: Approved / Not Approved

Jacky Molisane P J Gordhan, MP

Acting Director-General Minister of Public Enterprises

Date: Date:

Reply:

1. This is a matter under consideration. No decisions have been made, safe that the President has indicated that the reconfiguration of government will occur after the next election in 2024.

2. No, I have not.

 

Remarks: Reply: Approved / Not approved

Jacky Molisane PJ Gordhan, MP

Acting Director-General Minister

Date: Date:

Reply:

As DIRCO, we received confirmation from the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) confirming an incident where an Oryx helicopter came under fire in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo, on 05 February 2023. A crew member, Sergeant Vusumuzi Joseph Mabena, was fatally shot. Major Omolemo Matlapeng suffered injuries but managed to continue flying the chopper and managed to land safely at Goma airport.

We believe that the investigation of the incident remains the responsibility of the SANDF, working with the United Nations Organization Stabilisation Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO). DIRCO will be informed of the progress and outcomes once the investigation is completed and shared.

Reply:

a) Eskom lenders plays a critical role in ensuring that the entity access required funding in the capital markets. Therefore, it is important that all lenders are taken through the restructuring process and assured that their investment is safe. All lenders from whom consent is required, have been contacted. Lenders have indicated that more clarification regarding the debt take-over by National Treasury is required before consent could be considered. This is currently being processed.

b) PIC, World Bank, Chinese Development Bank.

 

Remarks: Approved / Not Approved

Jacky Molisane PJ Gordhan, MP

Acting Director-General Minister

Date: Date:

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

1. The dilapidated fence at Fernwood is currently being replaced with new fencing. This is happening through the Facilities Management contract. The work is 80% complete and it is expected that the fence will be done in April 2023.

2. Fernwood is part of the areas covered by the Facilities Management contract and is currently receiving routine maintenance services. The planned services include repairs to buildings and roads, fencing etc.

__________________________

Hon. S ZIKALALA, MP

MINISTER OF PUBLIC WORKS AND INFRASTRUCTURE

DATE:

Reply:

Eskom diesel funding until the financial year was addressed through the approval by National Treasury Guarantee for the entity to borrow additional R4 billion to R5 billion in the capital markets. Any further assistance will depend on the financial projections for 2023/24 and NERSA’s decision on what may be recoverable in tariffs. The challenges presented by the pricing policy of PetroSA and the fate of the license application by Eskom to be designated an importer will also have a bearing on this matter.

It is absolutely self-evident that the cost of diesel usage pales into insignificance compared to the compared to the cost imposed on the economy and citizens by excessive loadshedding.

 

Remarks: Approved / Not Approved

Jacky Molisane Pravin Gordhan, MP

Acting Director-General Minister

Date: Date:

Reply:

The Department expressed its outrage at the callous conduct of criminals. The Department invited all heads of security to a workshop to understand common threats and risks, and resolved to meet every quarter with them, and develop a security framework for a national security policy for universities as well as norms and standards applicable to the PSET sector. The Department also consulted them on the possible terms of reference that would guide the work of the national task force as envisaged by the Minister. The Department asked all Vice-Chancellors to share security costs to understand the extent of the threat they confront, and establish what they are charged, and if they are charged fair prices for such services. The Department also supports the work of the SIU which will also expose other layers of risk around the Vice-Chancellors and has consulted the security sector extensively on evolving risks in the university and TVET sector.

Reply:

1. The Department of Human Settlements has incurred the following expenditure:

	a) destination	(b) (i) accommodation	(ii)Air travel	(iii) any other(ground transport and S&T)
(aa) Minister M. T Kubayi	Switzerland	R351 800	R108 999	R186 413
	Poland	R139 526	R139 590	R80 400
	Switzerland	R224 060	R89 963	R376 815
	United State of America	R108 530	R108 274	R163 250
	Kenya	R28 560	R74 285	R9 600
(bb)Deputy Minister P Tshwete	United State of America	R56 000	R166 333	R32 000
	United Arab Emirates	R10 968	R92 608	R84 734

2. (a) The cost for domestic air travel for the Minister

Minister M Kubayi

R614 116

(b) The cost for domestic air travel for the Deputy Minister since

Deputy Minister P Tshwete

R1 174 874

Reply:

(1) What percentage of (a) learners continued to write Matric examinations despite the challenges and (b) learners had to rewrite examinations during the COVID-19 pandemic years.

If question (a) is about the percentage of young South Africans who were ever learners continuing to write Grade 12 examinations in the schooling system, then the answer can be obtained from figures provided in the report National Senior Certificate 2022: Examination report of the Department of Basic Education. That report, using the General Household Survey, concludes that the percentage of youths who obtained a National Senior Certificate has risen to 62% in 2021, with increases continuing despite the pandemic. From this, it can be deduced that approximately 77% of youths get as far as writing the examinations (62% multiplied by 100% over the pass rate of 80.1%). As virtually all youths were at some stage a learner in a school, youths can be said to equal young people who were ever in school.

It should be noted that the repeated assertions by some stakeholders that the DBE is attempting to conceal a ‘real’ pass rate is not borne out by the evidence. The DBE has for many years published both the pass rate, and the percentage of youths who achieve the NSC – the aforementioned 62% in the case of 2022. A pass rate is internationally understood as those passing an examination over those writing the examination, and in this regard the DBE follows common practice. Moreover, the estimates of the ‘real’ pass rate (or, more correctly, the percentage of youths who obtain the Matric) as purported have always been under-estimates, because of a flawed methodology. In early 2023, the media reported on a figure of 54.6% put forward by the Democratic Alliance (DA). The method behind this is flawed because it ignores very high repetition rate in Grade 10; and hence, inflates the denominator. The fact-checking organisation Africa Check has examined this question some years ago and concluded that the DA’s method is flawed.

With regard to (b), recent analysis of grade repetition by the DBE (as yet unpublished) puts the percentage of Grade 12 learners who are repeating at 16%, 13% and 13% for the years 2018, 2019 and 2020 respectively. A separate analysis of the exceptionally large increase in the number of NSC candidates between 2020 and 2021 reveals that both the absolute number of repeat candidates and the percentage who are repeaters in 2021 was lower than the levels seen before the pandemic, specifically in 2018.

(2) What percentage of learners, during the COVID-19 pandemic, chose to attend technical vocational education and training colleges, instead of repeating Matric?

Details of the flows between schools and colleges are not known as student-level data that would allow for the required analysis are currently not merged across the systems of DBE and the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET). Had the required merged data existed, some analysis to address the question would be possible, though it should be noted that even with this data it would not be possible to know whether someone moving into a college ever intended repeating the NSC examinations. The DBE has been exploring solutions to the data gap. Currently, school-to-college flows are only known in broad terms, based on aggregates and household survey data – see for instance the DBE’s Action Plan to 2024.

Reply:

Over the past seven years (2015/16 to 2021/22), a total of R1.057 billion from the Department’s earmarked grants, namely, the Foundation provision (FP) , Infrastructure and Efficiency Grant (IEG), Student Housing Infrastructure Programme (SHIP) and Sibusiso Bengu Development Programme (SB-DP) has been allocated to fund various projects at the university. This support has enabled UFH to work towards improving the quality of their infrastructure significantly and has supported: the construction of new academic buildings, laboratories, and lecture theatres; the refurbishment, upgrading and conversion of academic buildings; development of student accommodation; and the acquisition of equipment and furniture. Summary of the projects funded through the Department’s four earmarked grants is shown in table 1 below.

Table 1: Summary of the funded Projects 2015/16 – 2021/22 for UFH

Project Name/Description	Funding (R' 000)
	Infrastructure & Efficiency Grant	Student Housing Infrastructure Programme	Sibusiso Bengu Development Programme	Foundation Provision	Total/Project
*University Priority Projects	10 500	0	0	0	10 500
#University Special Projects	35 000	0	0	0	35 000
Deferred Maintenance Projects	76 625	0	0	0	76 625
HDI Infrastructure Backlog FC10: Chemistry lab, network and telephone systems	30 200	0	0	0	30 200
Eskom Connection	19 073	0	0	0	19 073
Replacing the Obsolete Substation	12 903	0	0	0	12 903
Refurbishment of Lecture halls: Alice & East London Campuses	20 500	0	0	0	20 500
Early Childhood Development Centre: East London Campus	53 699	0	0	0	53 699
Student Centre & Parkade: East London Campus	63 059	0	0	0	63 059
Electricity Infrastructure Upgrades - Alice Campus	56 240	0	0	0	56 240
Occupational Health & Safety Compliance: All Campuses	55 850	0	0	0	55 850
Disability Access: All Campuses	36 546	0	0	0	36 546
Video projectors and sound lift in teaching venues	0	0	12 000	0	12 000
Access control to all buildings	0	0	22 000	0	22 000
CCTV to monitor activity in venues, admin building & open areas	0	0	14 000	0	14 000
Wireless access systems across campus	0	0	25 050	0	25 050
Legal compliance	0	0	18 000	0	18 000
Alice Water and Sanitation Project	57 606	0	72 394	0	130 000
Phase 2 of Alice Student Village for 1437 beds	0	122 000	0	0	122 000
Business Plan funds	0	0	1 000	0	1 000
HEDA analytical system implementation	0	0	5 000	0	5 000
Improve student to laptop ratios in open space access labs	0	0	32 000	0	32 000
Provide 700 academic and administrative staff with laptops	0	0	6 300	0	6 300
Chemistry lab equipments	0	0	500	0	500
Contracts management and review project	0	0	18 440	0	18 440
Safety and security	0	0	11 350	0	11 350
Asset management office	0	0	10 584	0	10 584
Graduate destination study	0	0	2 100	0	2 100
Development support funds	0	0	4 838	0	4 838
Programme management and CDT funds	0	0	13 365	0	13 365
Purchase of land in East London	0	0	20 000	0	20 000
Extended/foundation programmes (Inclusive of interests)	0	0	0	117 976	117 976
Total/Source	527 800	122 000	288 921	117 976	1 056 697

* University Priority Projects - Allocation is for the refurbishment and/or equipment purchase in any projects related to disability access, well-founded laboratories, security upgrades and ICT.

# University Special Projects - Allocation is for the ELECTRICAL RETICULATION ON THE ALICE CAMPUS - Upgrade of reticulation system comprises of 19 indoor substations (MV switchgear, transformers and LV distribution boards) and 5 mini-substations linked with underground cables laid out in a Eskom main ring formation.

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

The recent PQ 439 is the related to PQ 4169, which was published in IQP No. 47 on 11 November 2022, and the response was tabled on 18 November 2022. (See attached) Below here is the previous reply to PQ 4169, which serves as the response also to the recent PQ 439.

I have been informed by the Department that the properties located in the towns of Burgersdorp, Venterstad, Oviston and Steynsburg were unfortunately not included in the list of information provided for the Walter Sisulu Local Municipality. In addition to the 14 properties mentioned in the response to question 2802, the Department is the custodian of another 109 properties in the Walter Sisulu Local Municipal area:

• • Burgersdorp = 21,
  • Venterstad = 35,
  • Oviston= 23 and
  • Steynsburg= 30.

Reply:

a) The Department’s IT systems are not compromised but there has been instances during power failure or load-shedding where applications captured in offices do not automatically replicate in the central database, thus requiring the IT team to do manual replication which results in delays in the issuance of the documents.

b) The IT team is working on an alternative routing of the interfaces to minimize the impact of power failure.

END

Reply:

According to the information received from Eskom

1(a)

Reasons why Eskom is unable to provide the transmission capacity when it was aware of the President’s commitments:

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

To address this, the 10-year Transmission Development Plan (TDP 2022) identified the new infrastructure required to implement the IRP 2019 and Eskom’s 2035 Corporate Strategy. However, it takes time to establish new transmission infrastructure (especially the building of long lines and substations) mainly because of servitude acquisitions and constructability challenges. Eskom is aware of these challenges and is making every effort to expedite the building programme by engaging key stakeholders in the government, as well as in the private sector. A number of servitudes have already been acquired. Funds will also have to be mobilised for the capital expenditure. Different mechanisms are currently being explored.

1(b)

Reasons for the Generation Connection Capacity Assessment (GCCA) being incorrect:

At the time of publishing the GCCA 2024 in March 2022, based on information on the successful bidders from BW 1 to 5 of the DMRE IPP Procurement Programmes, the GCCA provided a correct indication of the potential capacity available on the transmission network to facilitate the connection of new generation projects. In summary, the potentially available capacities for the connection of new generation projects, taking into consideration the interest expressed by IPPs, as well as the environmental impact, is as follows:

• Southern regions of the country accounted for ~ 4.5 GW (Western and Eastern Cape, Hydra Cluster, excluding the Northern Cape that had already run out of capacity)
• Northern regions of the country accounted for ~ 12.1 GW (Free State, North West, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and Gauteng)

While the regulated procurement process, which was managed by the DMRE/IPP office and their timelines for BW 6, was progressing with procuring 4.2 GW of generation capacity, mainly from wind and solar. The privately procured IPPs secured most of the available capacity in the southern regions by following the due processes associated with grid connection applications. This resulted in a significant reduction in the generation capacity procured via BW 6 to around 1 GW.

The GCCA report was accurate at the time of release based on the snapshot view of committed generation projects and network assumptions. The national capacity published is based on the assumption of known generation commitments at the time of publication. Between publications, various applications for connections were made by IPPs that participate in the DMRE-/IPPO-regulated procurement programmes and the private sector IPPs.

2(a)

Which locations in the Republic does Eskom’s transmission grid have capacity to connect additional renewable energy from the IPPs:

Based on the GCCA 2024, approximately 12 GW of transmission network capacity is available in the northern regions of the country, for example, Free State, North-West, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, and Gauteng, as indicated in Figure 1 below.

Figure 1: Available grid capacity for renewable energy (RE)

2(b)

What justification can be given for the prioritisation of a long-term Karpowership deal over adding new capacity through wind:

The DMRE determines the supply options for the country and what takes priority. Eskom or DPE has NO role in this process, kindly direct all questions on “Karpowership deal” to DMRE.

Eskom must be an off taker of power and sign the required Power Purchase Agreements with parties determined by DMRE/IPPO. The role of Eskom Transmission is to provide open and transparent access to the interconnected power system for both load and generation customers. All applicants that require a connection to the transmission system follow a grid connection application process, as required by the South African Grid Code. In the case of Karpowership, the DMRE/IPPO procurement process for RMIPPP was followed, and on the announcement of their successful bid, transmission network capacity was allocated on the basis that all conditions for connection were met. In the event that the DMRE/IPPO or, for that matter, the IPP decides not to go ahead with the project for whatever reason, then the transmission capacity that was allocated for the project would be released back into the pool for other potential IPPs to consider.

3(a)

How does the grid have the transmission capacity in the Western Cape for power supplied by ships and/or barges but not by wind:

Following on from (2b), Transmission capacity is reserved on the announcement of preferred bidders by the DMRE/IPPO. Because of the lack of transmission network capacity in the broader Cape region, as explained above, no new generation capacity can be connected until new transmission infrastructure, as identified in the TDP, is implemented.

3(b)

What reforms are going to be put in place to restructure the bid procurement process so that IPPs are able to assist in the energy crisis as soon as possible:

The IPP procurement process is managed by the DMRE / IPPO. Eskom’s Grid Access Unit (GAU) is reviewing its processes and is coordinating on behalf of the electricity supply industry the introduction of Grid Capacity Allocation Rules to “level the playing field” in allocating grid capacity. It is expected that these rules shall require the sanctioning by NERSA’s structures, such as the Grid Code Advisory Committee, for implementation. These rules will facilitate the connection of projects on a ‘first ready – first connected’ principle which will result in a faster connection of new capacity to the grid.

We will ensure that further details on the implementation of the Transmission Development Plan and relevant timeframes are publicized as soon as possible.

 

Remarks: Reply: Approved / Not Approved

Jacky Molisane P J Gordhan, MP

Acting Director-General Minister

Date: Date:

Reply:

RESPONSE FROM SACE: See below

a)  (i) SACE Chief Executive Officer's salary is R 2 205 349 and (ii) Chief Financial Officer receives R 1 910 323, Total = R 4 115 672

(b) The executive personnel do not get sitting allowances for attending meetings.

RESPONSE FROM UMALUSI: Please see attached 

Reply:

a) The office has 18 funded posts and 17 of them are filled and there’s only one vacancy.

b) The post was advertised, interviews were conducted on 1 March 2023 and it is envisaged to fill the post w.e.f 1 April 2023.

END

Reply:

1. Yes, the National Department of Human Settlements has considered working with trade unions as it recognises the important role that is played by the trade union movement in terms of providing benefits and financial services for employees to realise their housing needs in partnership with the broadest range of organisations.

The Department through its National Implementing Agent, the NHFC, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government Employee Housing Scheme (GEHS) located in the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) and regularly engages with Organised Labour through the Public Service Co-ordinating Bargaining Council (PSCBC).

The PSCBC resolution 7 of 2015, whose founding objective of the Government Employee Housing Scheme (GEHS) is to assist employees to access affordable housing loans and finance. The resolution further requires the GEHS to facilitate and support access to housing finance, including housing subsidy instruments and other housing programmes. The GEHS serves a total of approximately 223 272 of the 1,1 million government employees who may qualify for First Home Finance (FHF) (previously named Help-Me-Buy-A-Home)

The guideline principles of the MoU are to fulfil government’s mandate of providing quality and affordable housing to low- and middle-income households. These are defined by the GEHS as those employed at levels 1-10 currently receiving a monthly housing allowance of R1456.00 and are within the FHF qualifying monthly gross income criteria of R3 501 to R22 000, which is reviewable periodically by the Department.

Furthermore, the Department through the PSCBC is advocating for measures to re-examine and recalibrate the GEHS implementation partnership arrangements for greater market participation. The benefits to the proposal will be valuable for prospective homeowners and consumers as it will: (i) enhance market competition amongst lenders; (ii) provide attractive and favourable interest rates; (iii) empower consumers to select appropriate loan instruments from diversified product offerings; (iv) enable consumers to choose repayment schedule that suits them; and (v) improve the quality of service.

With respect to other groups representing the gap housing market, one of the Department’s key priorities is to develop appropriate policy frameworks that address funding instruments, affordability issues and the leveraging of our subsidies and grants to enable sector growth and investments in the economy. We are introducing a policy-oriented Employer Assisted Housing (EAH) framework. At the heart of the EAH is the notion that employees should be able to afford to live in the communities in which they work as there are multiple spin-offs from both the demand and supply side perspectives. The implementable EAH policy advocates for a structured partnership approach between employers, governments, developers, financial institutions, and communities.

In addition to that, the NHFC has concluded a Memorandum of Association (MoA) with BASA which is aimed at stimulating the affordable housing market especially the informally employed households with irregular sources of income for housing finance.

2. The Department in partnership with NHFC and DPSA have designed a compelling marketing and communications strategy towards ensuring a broader market outreach to the GEHS-FHF target market. This is rolled out through various types of communication channels using both the print and electronic media platforms. Additionally, the GEHS-FHF advocacy and awareness campaigns are implemented through interaction with government employees, provision of brochures, use of social media pages, pre-screening assessment and providing GEHS-FHF employees with pre-approval FHF certificates.

Finally, we consider the digitization of the GEHS-FHF business as paramount thus we have introduced software solutions as part of our technological driven efforts to expand consumer access to home-financing and home-buying services. This is done by streamlining and interfacing both the front end and back-end processes at the point of origination, processing, underwriting, and loan servicing to enable smoother and faster consumer service experience.

Reply:

The details of the Executive and Senior management team of each of the entities is disclosed in the respective annual reports. The final printed annual report is tabled in Parliament by 30 September yearly. The Honourable member is requested to obtain from the officially published audited 2021/22 reports. The 2022/23 annual reports are noted yet audited or published.

Reply:

1. The following measures were taken over the festive season to reduce road crashes and fatalities.

• As an encompassing Strategy on Road Safety, the NRSS finds expression in the 365 plan, especially on critical roads and the heightened visibility of law enforcement.
• Critical routes with a high number of crashes and fatalities were identified and intensified law enforcement and road safety interventions were implemented.
• The interventions focussed on pedestrian management, overloading of cross-border vehicles, unlicensed/fraudulently registered vehicles, drunk driving, and speeding.
• Blitzes were conducted also conducted at points of departure and ports of entry to enforce the law on cross-border vehicles and drivers. This will continue over the festive season as heightened activations.
• Focussed attention was also given to truck operations, especially on the N3 Townhill and N2 Pongola including alternate provincial roads like R34, R33 especially in Mpumalanga and KZN Provinces.

2. Continuation of the festive season measures throughout the year

The said measures are part of the 365 plan with heightened operations during the Easter and festive season period and are being implemented throughout the year.

 

Reply:

a) (i), (ii) and (b)

National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC)

Entity	a) (i) CEO Salary	(ii) Top Executive Salary	b) Total paid to attend a meeting
NAMC	R2 194 379.25	Chief Financial Officer: R1 687 429.74.	NAMC Council Members: daily rate for attendance of meetings: Chairperson: R5 387. Vice Chairperson: R4 578 All other council members: R4 005. The total amount paid to Council members from April 2022 to February 2023 is R1 237 920.49.
		Senior Manager Statutory Measurers: R1 413 190.84.
		Senior Manager Markets & Economics Research Centre: R1 413 190.84.
		Senior Manager Human Resources: R1 413 190.84.
		Senior Manager Agricultural Trusts: R1 413 190.84.
		Senior Manager Agribusiness Development: R1 413 190.84.
		Company Secretary and Legal services: R 922 500.
		Manager Risk Management and Compliance: R740 950.

Agricultural Research Council (ARC)

(a) (i), (ii) and (b)

Entity	a)(i) CEO Salary	(ii) Top Executive Salary	b) Total paid to attend a meeting
ARC	R3 229 856	Chief Financial Officer: R2 500 000.	R0
		Group Executive – Animal Sciences: R2 075 196.
		Group Executive – Crop Sciences: R2 075 196.
		Group Executive –Information Systems: R2 035 312.
		VACANCIES
		Group Executive Human Capital Management.	N/A
		Group Executive Impact & Partnership.	N/A

Perishable Products Export Control Board (PPECB)

(a) (i), (ii) and (b)

Entity	a) (i) CEO Salary	(ii) Top Executive Salary	b) Total paid to attend a meeting
PPECB	R 3 228 319.	Chief Financial Officer: R2 694 998.	R0
		Chief Operating Officer: R2 258 582.
		Chief Information Officer: R1 960 241.
		Human Resource Executive: R1 664 335.

Ingonyama Trust Board (ITB)

1. (i),(ii) and (b)

Entity	a)(i) CEO Salary	(ii) Top Executive Salary	b) Total paid to attend a meeting
ITB	R1 850 000.	Chief Financial Officer: R1 460 000 (seconded).	Board Members: Chairperson: R 654 per hour. Vice Chair Member: R556 per hour. Other members: R486 per hour.
		Head: Tenure: R 1 350 000.
		Head: Corporate Support Services: R990 000.

Note: Part (b) Total amount paid to attend meetings. Executive members of management i.e. CEO and other top management do not get paid specifically to attend meetings but receive a salary as detailed above.

If the meeting is out of office, subsistence and travel (S&T) will be paid in line with the entity’s S&T policy. Board members, however, get paid per hour of work done within the entity i.e. for each meeting they would receive payment for preparation time and actual meeting attended, including S&T, the board member’s rates per hour have been included above. Annual board members’ remuneration for past the two years has been included below based on audited financial results. Board members’ rates have not changed in the past three years.

Name of Board Member	Role	2021	2022
Mr SJ Ngwenya	Chairperson	R1 817 000	R1 634 000
DR NZ Qunta	Vice Chairperson	R207 000	R362 000
Inkosi PR Bele	Member	R493 000	R245 000
Inkosi ZT Gumede	Member	R369 000	R236 000
Inkosi SE Shabalala	Member	R293 000	R279 000
Inkosi WT Mavundla	Member	R687 000	R268 000
Adv W.E.R Raubenheimer	Member	R185 000	R0

Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP)

a) (i),(ii) and (b)

Entity	a (i) CEO Salary	(ii) Top Executive Salary	b) Total paid to attend a meeting
OBP	R2 118 000.00 (Interim) Total cost to company per annum.	Company Secretary & Head of Legal: R1 287 401.95.	R0
		Chief Operating Officer: R1 446 525.62.
		Chief Financial Officer: R1 968 136.29.
		Sales and Business Development Executive: R1 482 544.01.
		Chief Scientific Officer: R1 446 525.62.
		Corporate Services Executive (Vacant).

Valuer General (VG)

b (i),(ii) and (b)

Entity	(i) CEO Salary	(ii) Top Executive Salary	b) Total paid to attend a meeting
VG	R2 068 458	Chief Financial Officer: R1 590 747.	R0

Reply:

The department does have the plan to deal with pedestrian fatalities on the roads.

In terms of that plan - which is encapsulated in the 365 days road safety programme, the Road Traffic Management Corporation, as the national lead agency on road safety, and provincial departments of community safety and transport jointly identify high-risk areas for pedestrian safety.

The plan identifies behaviour that puts pedestrians at risk such as jaywalking, drunk walking, distracted walking, scholar safety as well as the safe crossing of freeways and visibility.

The national and provincial teams then jointly deploy law enforcement and road safety operations in identified high-risk areas to discourage unsafe road usage by pedestrians.

The law enforcement and the road safety education and communication technical committees – comprised of the RTMC, traffic law enforcement authorities and road safety practitioners from all nine provinces – meet regularly to evaluate performance and decide on further required interventions.

The challenge with pedestrian crashes is that they take place within build-up areas where municipalities have jurisdiction. The mushrooming of informal settlements further exacerbates the situation as shops and transport amenities generally lie on the opposite side of major freeways requiring pedestrians to cross freeways when it is not safe to do so.

Reply:

a) The housing backlog numbers in the Republic are derived from Statistics South Africa (STATSSA). STATSSA General Household Survey 2020 indicated that 11.4% (1.9 million) households lived in informal dwellings and 4.3% (731 thousand) households lived in traditional dwellings.

The department has a National Housing Needs Register (NHNR) which is an application that is designed to register households/ individuals and their housing needs in South Africa. There are currently 2.3 million households/ individuals registered on the NHNR.

In terms of the NHNR, there are 2 456 773 households registered and awaiting assistance as at 02/03/2023. Below is a table with the stats per province.

Province	NHNR Households not yet assisted
Eastern Cape	604 594
Free State	265 110
Gauteng	1 030 099
KwaZulu Natal	34 603
Limpopo	86 814
Mpumalanga	254 027
Northern Cape	119 401
North West	62 125
Total	456 773

b) The province with the highest number is Gauteng with 1 030 099 households registered and awaiting assistance. Below is a table with the breakdown of numbers for Gauteng Province per municipality.

	NHNR Households not yet assisted
Gauteng	1 0303 099
City of Johannesburg	400 361
City of Tshwane	182 711
City of Ekurhuleni	280 584
Emfuleni Local Municipality	63 759
Lesedi Local Municipality	13 830
Merafong Local Municipality	12 829
Midvaal Local Municipality	9 281
Mogale Local Municipality	39 173
Randfontein Local Municipality	16 201
Westonaria Local Municipality	11 370

Reply:

a) The South African exploration landscape had reached its lowest ebb, notwithstanding its exceptional geology suggesting that the country remains host to the most prospective discovery of the world class mineral and hydrocarbons discoveries. Accentuated by these contradictions, the Government worked with the mining industry to develop a comprehensive “Exploration Implementation Plan” , which identifies, inter alia, the lack of appetite by the South African financial sector to invest in exploration, deemed to be the lifeblood of the future of the extractive industry, which remains the base of the country’s economy. The Plan was presented to Cabinet, with a proposed intervention to create a relatively small fund for the purposes of exploration, in order to demonstrate the capacity of a major discovery and affirm the importance of geology in de-risking exploration with maximum returns.

b) On this basis, the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy secured a Cabinet approval for R200 million towards this initiative. A further R300 million was committed by the IDC towards the fund, in order to give it sufficient impetus to start implementation thereof.