Questions and Replies
23 March 2023 - NW221
Breedt, Ms T to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
Whether she will furnish Ms T Breedt with a list of the State laboratories of the Department of Agriculture in each province that are (a) currently operational and able to conduct clinical tests and (b) not operational; if not, why not; if so; what are the relevant details; (2) whether there is a backlog of tests; if not; what is the position in this regard; if so, what is (a) the current backlog, (b) being done to improve the response period and (c) the average waiting period for test results at each laboratory; (3) whether outsourcing is ever used with regard to the testing at the specified laboratories; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) how much of the work was outsourced since 1 January 2022, (b) what are the financial implications of outsourcing the work and (c) which laboratories were used for outsourcing?
Reply:
(1)(a),(b) Yes. Please refer to Annexure A. The list of approved laboratories and their capabilities (scope of tests) is published on the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development’s (DALRRD) website at: http://www.dalrrd.gov.za/Branches/Agricultural-Production-Health-Food-Safety/Animal-Health/Epidemiology/Approved-Laboratories
It should be noted that Government laboratory services is a provincial veterinary mandate. Provinces decide on the location and feasability of maintaining a laboratory as well as the procurement of equipment, reagents and the scope of diagnostic tests. Maintenance of a laboratory that is able to provide diagnostics of an acceptable standard is very expensive; therefore most provinces opt to have only one laboratory. The decision to not provide a service and become inactive is mostly a financial decision, although staff shortages can also play a significant role.
(2) No. DALRRD is not aware of any current backlog in any of the laboratories. SANAS accredited and DALRRD approved laboratories must have a Quality Management System, which also deals with laboratory turn-around time. An average turnaround time for test results at each laboratory is 5 working days but exceptions do exist when test methods may require a longer period to be completed. Examples of these are Tuberculosis and Johne’s disease diagnostics which require a turnaround time of weeks or even months.
(a),(b),(c) Falls away.
3. Yes, some laboratories outsource as not all have the same diagnostic testing scope. Clients are therefore encouraged to ensure that samples are sent to the correct laboratory to minimise the need for outsourcing which could impact on turnaround times and costs. Samples may only be outsourced to laboratories that are accredited and approved for the required diagnostics.
a) The number of samples that were outsourced is not available at national level as it is an agreement between laboratories.
b) Outsourcing will inevitably result in increased costs and longer turnaround times.
c) Currently, all samples sent to the Western Cape Provincial laboratory will be sent to other laboratories as the laboratory is currently being upgraded. Samples are outsourced if specialised diagnostics are required such as sequencing of samples to determine the virus makeup as only a few facilities offer such a specialized and costly service. Examples are Avian Influenza and African Swine Fever. As indicated in (a) above, information on which laboratories were used for outsourcing is not available at national level as it is an agreement between laboratories.
Annexure A to NA-QUES 221 of 2023
STATUS OF GOVERNMENT AND PARASTATAL LABORATORIES
No |
Province |
Laboratory |
Laboratory type |
(1)(a),(b) Currently operational and able to conduct clinical tests and not operational |
SANAS accreditation |
1 |
Western Cape |
Department of Agriculture George State Veterinary Office |
Government |
Expired/Not active - |
|
2 |
Western Cape |
Department of Agriculture Swellendam State Veterinary Office |
Government |
Expired/Not active - |
|
7 |
Eastern Cape |
Grahamstown Veterinary Laboratory |
Government |
SANAS Accredited, DAH Approval pending - Audit Date: 2019-09-18 |
|
8 |
Eastern Cape |
Middelburg Provincial Veterinary Laboratory |
Government |
Expired/Not active - |
|
9 |
Eastern Cape |
Queenstown Veterinary Laboratory |
Government |
SANAS Accredited, DAH Approval pending - |
V0052 |
10 |
Free State |
Bloemfontein Provincial Veterinary Laboratory |
Government |
Expired/Not active - |
|
12 |
Free State |
Kroonstad Veterinary Laboratory |
Government |
SANAS Accredited, DAH Approval pending - |
V0044 |
24 |
Gauteng |
NICD Centre of Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases (CEZD) |
Government |
Expired/Not active - |
M0029B |
25 |
Gauteng |
NICD Centre for Respiratory Disease and meningitis (CRDM) |
Government |
Expired/Not active - |
Medical PCR |
26 |
Gauteng |
NICD Special Bacterial Pathogens Reference Laboratory (SBPRL) |
Parastatal |
Expired/Not active - |
Medical Micro |
27 |
Gauteng |
OVI Meat and Bone Meal (MBM) Laboratory |
Parastatal |
Suspended - |
|
29 |
Gauteng |
ARC-OVI Transboundary Animal Diseases Programme (TADP) |
Parastatal |
SANAS Accredited, DAH Approval pending - Audit Date: 2018-09-07 |
V0034 |
33 |
Gauteng |
ARC-OVI Tuberculosis Laboratory |
Parastatal |
SANAS Accredited, DAH Approval pending DAH-55 Audit Date: 2023-02-22 |
|
34 |
Gauteng |
ARC-OVI Biotechnology PCR Laboratory |
Parastatal |
SANAS Accredited, DAH Approval pending DAH-10 Audit Date: 2023-02-21 |
V0001 |
35 |
Gauteng |
ARC-OVI Rabies Laboratory |
Parastatal |
SANAS Accredited, DAH Approval pending DAH-02 Audit Date: 2019-04-03 |
V0003 |
36 |
Gauteng |
ARC-OVR Virology Laboratory |
Parastatal |
SANAS Accredited, DAH Approval pending DAH-46 Audit Date: 2022-09-12 |
V0001 |
39 |
Gauteng |
ARC-OVI Bacteriology and Zoonotic Diseases Laboratory |
Parastatal |
SANAS Accredited, DAH Approval pending DAH-01 Audit Date: 2023-02-15 |
V0003 |
40 |
Gauteng |
ARC-OVI Epidemiology Parasites and Vectors Diseases Diagnostic Laboratory |
Parastatal |
SANAS Accredited, DAH Approval pending DAH-30 Audit Date: 2023-02-14 |
V0017 |
45 |
Gauteng |
ARC-OVI BSE Laboratory |
Parastatal |
Expired/Not active DAH-56 Audit Date: 2019-06-27 |
V0003 |
46 |
Gauteng |
ARC-OVI Serology Laboratory |
Parastatal |
SANAS Accredited, DAH Approval pending DAH-57 Audit Date: 2023-02-16 |
V0003 |
52 |
KwaZulu-Natal |
DALRRD Vryheid Veterinary Laboratory |
Government |
Suspended - |
no |
54 |
KwaZulu-Natal |
KZN DARD Allerton Provincial Veterinary Laboratory |
Government |
SANAS Accredited, DAH Approval pending DAH-21 Audit Date: 2022-09-22 |
V0037 |
57 |
Limpopo |
DALRRD Lephalale Veterinary Laboratory |
Government |
Expired/Not active - |
no |
58 |
Limpopo |
DALRRD Makhado Veterinary Laboratory |
Government |
Expired/Not active - |
|
59 |
Limpopo |
DALRRD Mokopane Provincial Veterinary Laboratory |
Government |
Expired/Not active - |
no |
60 |
Limpopo |
DALRRD Thulamela/Sibasa Veterinary Laboratory |
Government |
Expired/Not active - |
no |
61 |
Mpumalanga |
DALRRD Ehlanzeni Veterinary Laboratory |
Government |
Suspended - |
no |
63 |
Mpumalanga |
DALRRD Lydenburg Veterinary Laboratory |
Government |
Suspended - |
no |
64 |
Mpumalanga |
Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land & Environmental Affairs Mpumalanga Provincial Veterinary Laboratory |
Government |
SANAS Accredited, DAH Approval pending - Audit Date: 2023-01-30 |
V0041 |
66 |
Mpumalanga |
DALRRD Skukuza Veterinary Laboratory |
Government |
Expired/Not active - |
no |
67 |
North West |
Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Vryburg Veterinary Laboratory |
Government |
SANAS Accredited, DAH Approval pending DAH-22 Audit Date: 2022-06-21 |
V0038 |
68 |
North West |
Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Potchefstroom Provincial Veterinary Laboratory |
Government |
SANAS Accredited, DAH Approval pending DAH-14 Audit Date: 2022-11-02 |
V0018 |
70 |
Northern Cape |
Department of Agriculture, Environmental Affairs, Land Reform & Rural Development (DAELR) Northern Cape Provincial Veterinary Laboratory |
Government |
SANAS Accredited, DAH Approved DAH-49 Audit Date: 2022-06-21 |
V0036 |
73 |
Western Cape |
Western Cape Department of Agriculture Western Cape Provincial Veterinary Laboratory |
Government |
Voluntary suspension DAH-29 Audit Date: 2018-10-12 |
V0029 |
76 |
Western Cape |
DALRRD Beaufort West Veterinary Laboratory |
Government |
Suspended - |
no |
23 March 2023 - NW110
Cebekhulu, Inkosi RN to ask the Defence and Military Veterans
Whether, in light of reports that Project Thusano will be expanded to introduce maritime service and that the Cuban repair team of the specified project will be utilised for the repair of, among other things, naval equipment and dockyard infrastructure, she will provide relevant details on the total amount that the inclusion of the maritime services will cost the SA national Defence Force; if not, why not, if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
Find here: Reply
23 March 2023 - NW58
Marais, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
(1) What total number of members of the (a) SA National Defence Force, especially (i) senior and (ii) general staff officers and (b) Department of Defence, especially those from higher post levels, who were on suspension at home as at 31 December 2022, are receiving their normal full monthly remuneration; (2) What are the relevant details of (a) their names with rank and/or civilian position, (b) the unit and/or place of work at the time of their suspension, (c) the period for which they have been suspended, (d) how long ago the specified persons have been suspended and (e) the reason and/or charges for their suspension in each case?
Reply:
Find here: Reply
23 March 2023 - NW82
Tarabella - Marchesi, Ms NI to ask the Defence and Military Veterans
What are the details of the (a) make, (b) model, (c) year of manufacture, (d0 cost and (e) purchase date of all the official vehicles purchased for (i) her, (ii) the former Minister, (iii) the Deputy Minister and the (iv) former Deputy Minister of her department since 1 June 2019?
Reply:
Find here: Reply
23 March 2023 - NW533
Mokgotho, Ms SM to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
With reference to the results of the latest Green Drop assessment which noted that 43% of the water waste systems in Mpumalanga were deemed to be in a critical state and that only six out of 76 systems in the province were operating well above capacity, what measures has his department put in place to ensure that all municipalities in Mpumalanga score 90% to comply with water waste standards?
Reply:
In response to the release of the Green Drop report for 2022, the department issued non-compliance letters to all Water Services Institutions (WSIs) with wastewater systems at critical state (achieved GD score of less than 31%). The non-compliance letters required the WSIs to develop the corrective action plan that will address the issues as identified on the 2022 report.
The department also engaged Local Municipalities within the Mpumalanga province on numerous occasions on the Green Drop (GD) 2022 report findings. This was meant to:
- Encourage those municipalities with wastewater systems that were found to be in a critical state to develop the corrective action plans
- Advise on best practices for wastewater management to improve performance
The department also provided training that was attended by all WSAs in MP to guide, improve and enhance the performance of the WSAs regarding management of the water and wastewater systems. In addition, a working session was held with all the municipal councillors to discuss the outcomes of the GD/BD reports and the poor performance of water & wastewater systems within the province. A commitment to support the GD/BD programme to ensure compliance was made on the date of the session.
The department, in collaboration with provincial Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) departments, District Municipalities and South African Local Government Association (SALGA), continues to strengthen engagements with municipalities to ensure that the WSAs manage water and wastewater systems in a sustainable way to protect the water resources and improve service delivery to the communities.
A Water Service Task Team has been established with all WSAs in Mpumalanga Province to address several critical factors caused by lack of capability to manage, operate, and maintain infrastructure. Other critical matters to be addressed by the Task Team include the following:
-
- Financial planning, budgeting, and expenditure
- Procurement processes
- Lack of preventative maintenance
- Poor capacity management
- Poor effluent quality
Furthermore, the department continues to monitor the performance of all water/wastewater systems within the province annually to ensure compliance with the Water Services Act and National Water Act. When there are failures to comply with the requirements of legislation, the department is compelled to initiate enforcement action against the WSAs.
---00O00---
23 March 2023 - NW248
Ismail, Ms H to ask the Minister of Tourism
(1) (a) What (i) did it cost the SA Tourism Board members to travel overseas to discuss the Tottenham Hotspur deal and (ii) total number of board members (aa) travelled and (bb) did not travel and (b) on what basis was the decision taken on which members would travel to discuss the Tottenham Hotspur deal; (2) whether (a) she and the (b) Deputy Minister were involved in every aspect and discussions with the board on the specified deal; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) on what date was consensus reached by the SA Tourism board to approve the deal?
Reply:
1. (a) (i) I have been informed that travel costs for the four board members amounted to R523 274.97, as indicated in NA PQ 367.
(ii) What total number of board members
(aa) Four (4) board members travelled,
(bb) Seven (7) board members did not travel.
(b) SA Tourism indicated that four members are the chairpersons of the sub-committees of the Board, led by the Chairperson.
2. (a) I was not part of any aspect of the discussions as I am new to the portfolio. However, records of the Tourism Portfolio Committee of 07 February 2023 indicate that the former Minister did inform the Committee that she was not involved. Furthermore, the Deputy-Minister indicated that he was not involved.
3. 31 January 2023
23 March 2023 - NW50
Winkler, Ms HS to ask the Minister of Tourism
What (a) steps has SA Tourism taken to engage airlines with regard to the increase in the costs of flying in the Republic and (b) are the prospects of introducing new airlines in the domestic market in the near future?
Reply:
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.
23 March 2023 - NW401
Chetty, Mr M to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
Whether any officials found to have been involved in the New York pilot project where at least R118 million was squandered on a property that does not exist have been criminally charged; if not, why not; if so, what are the details in each case; (2) What total amount of the R118 million has been recovered from officials that have been involved in the pilot project?
Reply:
(1) No criminal charges were brought against any officials at this stage as the arbitration processes are still ongoing and the outcome of the arbitration may strengthen any criminal case that the Department would institute.
(2) No money has been recovered from officials thus far.
23 March 2023 - NW59
Marais, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
With reference to the members of the (a) SA National Defence Force, especially (i) senior and (ii) general staff officers and (b) Department of Defence, especially those from higher post levels, who are on suspension at home while receiving their normal full monthly remuneration, (i) what are the reasons that they have not been charged, (ii) by what date(s) will they be charged and/or returned to the place of work to resume the work they have been employed for and (iii) what are the reasons that suspension charges have been withdrawn against certain persons?
Reply:
Find here: Reply
23 March 2023 - NW231
De Freitas, Mr MS to ask the Minister of Tourism
With reference to expenses on legal activities undertaken by the (a) National Department of Tourism and (b) SA Tourism (i) in the past three financial years and (ii) since 1 January 2023, what (aa) are the details of the legal work that was undertaken, (bb) are the reasons in each case, (cc) were the outcomes of each matter and (dd) were the total costs incurred in each matter?
Reply:
a) I have been informed by the Department
2019/20 Financial Year
(aa) What are the details of the legal work that was undertaken |
(bb) What are the reasons in each case |
(cc) What were the outcomes of each matter |
(dd)What were the total costs incurred in each matter? |
State Attorney was instructed to defend the Action and a Notice of Intention to Defend was served on the Plaintiff and filed at court by the State Attorney. A Plea was filed and the Plaintiff applied for a Summary Judgment, which was dismissed by the court. Parties have exchanged pleadings and Plaintiff has not taken the matter any further. |
Jean-Pierre Klein t/a SA Online and Entertainment brought an action against the Department claiming payment of the amount of R41 040-00 (Forty-One Thousand and Forty rand), alternatively damages suffered in the sum of R41, 040-00 arising from alleged breach of contract by the Department. The claim arises out of a contract entered into with the Department whereby services of the Programme Director were required by the Department for a function. State Attorney was instructed to defend the Action and a Notice of Intention to Defend was served on the Plaintiff and filed at court by the State Attorney. A Plea was filed and the Plaintiff applied for a Summary Judgment, which was dismissed by the court. Parties have exchanged pleadings and Plaintiff has not taken the matter any further. |
Litigation in progress. |
No costs paid |
2. Nkuna Lucky vs. Minister of Tourism: The Department has filed a Notice of Intention to Defend the matter. A Plea has been served and filed. Pleadings closed and waited for date of hearing. |
Mr Nkuna is an official of the Department and has brought a claim against the Minister for defamation of character by an official of the Department, who is Plaintiff’s supervisor. The Department has filed a Notice of Intention to Defend the matter. A Plea has been served and filed. We are waiting for progress report from the office of the State Attorney with regards to the status of the pleadings and date of hearing. |
Matter finalised. Court ordered against the Department. |
No costs paid |
3. OD Mokoena and Another vs. Minister of Tourism and Another: The Department opposed an Application which was set-down and postponed sine die. |
Claim against the Department to interdict the Minister and the Gauteng Tourism Authority from implementing the Tourism Safety Monitors/ Tourism Ambassadors Project at Vilakazi Street, Gauteng. The Applicants claim that the project is their brainchild. |
Litigation in progress |
No costs paid |
4. G Esitang vs. Department of Tourism and Another: The Department filed an Application to the Labour Court to review the decision of the GPSSBC. The Department was of the view that the award of the GPSSC was reviewable on the basis that the Arbitrator misdirected himself on legal aspects of the appointment and also that the Arbitrator’s Award was vague and not capable of being implemented. Review Application was heard on 2 November 2017 and our Application was dismissed with costs |
The Applicant referred for arbitration the decision of the Department to not shortlist him for the advertised position of the Director: Labour Relations. The Applicant sought an order from the General Public Service Sector Bargaining Council (GPSSBC) that he be appointed or compensated for the loss that he suffered as a result of the decision of the Department not to shortlist him for the position. At the GPSSBC, an order was made that the Department pay him twelve (12) months’ salary of the position he applied for as compensation. The Department filed an Application to the Labour Court to review the decision of the GPSSBC. The Department was of the view that the award of the GPSSC was reviewable on the basis that the Arbitrator misdirected himself on legal aspects of the appointment and also that the Arbitrator’s Award was vague and not capable of being implemented. Review Application was heard on 2 November 2017 and our Application was dismissed with costs. The court held that the Respondent be compensated the difference between the salary he receives and the salary he would have received, had he been promoted to the position of Director: Labour Relations and Employee Health and Wellness. The compensation to be limited to 12 months. The Department has satisfied the court judgment by effecting payment to the Applicant on 5 July 2019. |
Labour court ordered against the Department for payment of R175 009.00. |
R221 822.00 |
5. Gordon Darrol du Preez t/a Gordon Builders vs. Minister of Tourism: The Department instructed the State Attorney to defend the matter and a Notice of Intention to Defend was served on the Plaintiff and filed at Court by the State Attorney on 12 September 2016. |
Action against the Minister claiming for damages the plaintiff allegedly suffered as a result of not being awarded a tender by MBB, who has been appointed by the Department to implement one of its projects for social responsibility. The Department received Summons from Gordon Builders, which was served at State Attorney, Port Elizabeth. The Department instructed the State Attorney to defend the matter and a Notice of Intention to Defend was served on the Plaintiff and filed at Court by the State Attorney on 12 September 2016. |
Judgment in favour of the Department was delivered on 25 April 2019 including costs. |
R336 814.42 |
6. Lefa la Tshepo Projects (Pty) Ltd vs. Minister of Tourism and Another: To defend a claim against the Department. |
To defend a claim against the Department for supply of shortfall of the material. |
Department lost the case |
No costs paid |
7. J. van der Merwe and 5 Others vs. Minister of Tourism and Others: Defend the matter and raised a Special Plea that the Minister of Tourism is not a competent authority to be sued. |
The Plaintiffs allege that they were unlawfully arrested by game rangers at the Makuya Nature Reserve for allegedly trespassing. The Plaintiff issued Summons against several Defendants, including the Minister of Tourism. We are defending the matter and raised a Special Plea that the Minister of Tourism is not a competent authority to be sued. We instructed the State Attorney to request Plaintiff’s attorney to withdraw their claim against our Minister based on our Special Plea. The State Attorney indicated that he is of the opinion the Plaintiffs will not withdraw the action against our Minister but indicated that he will ensure that no order is made against the Minister. Despite the Department having instructed the State Attorney to apply for the dismissal of Plaintiffs’ claim with costs in the event Plaintiffs did not withdraw their claim against the Minister, we are however mindful that there are numerous government departments sued by the Plaintiffs and it may not be in our best interest to lodge an Application for Dismissal of the Claim on our own. We are following on the matter to ensure that the interests of the Minister are protected. |
Case was written off from litigation report |
No costs paid |
8. Minister of Tourism vs. Bonwelong Skills Development CC, Mr Inama and Nedbank Pty Ltd: Department filed and Urgent Application to have the Bank Accounts of Bonwelong Skills Development frozen. An Interim Order was granted with Return Date on Rule Nisi. |
Litigation initiated to recover the money owed to the Department. |
Litigation in progress |
No costs paid |
9. Minister of Tourism vs. Been Around GP Advert Consulting CC: Department issued summons against Been Around for a refund for money paid to finish a project and failed to account. |
Recovery of the amount owed to the Department |
Litigation in progress |
No costs paid |
10. Minister of Tourism vs Wings Naledi: Department issued summons against Wings Naledi to account on the amount of refunds and cancellation issued. Pleadings were exchanged |
Claim by Department for failure to account on the use of the Department’s credit card for payment of travel arrangement services. |
Litigation in progress |
No costs paid |
11. Minister of Tourism vs. KA Morritt/ Morritt CC: Summons were issued and served on the Defendant. |
Claim by the Department based on a collision between a departmental vehicle and a vehicle belonging to and/ or driven by KA Morritt. |
Litigation in progress |
No costs paid |
2020/21 Financial Year
(aa) What are the details of the legal work that was undertaken |
(bb) What are the reasons in each case |
(cc) were the outcomes of each matter |
(dd)What were the total costs incurred in each matter? |
1. Department of Tourism v Been Around GP CC: Litigating on behalf of the Department, including, perusal of documents; consultations and drafting court papers. |
To issue and serve Summons against the Defendant to recover the amount owed to the Department. |
Matter is withdrawn |
No costs paid |
2. Minister of Tourism vs. Wings Naledi: Department issued summons against Wings Naledi to account on the amount of refunds and cancellation issued. Pleadings were exchanged |
Claim by Department for failure to account on the use of the Department’s credit card for payment of travel arrangement services. |
Litigation in progress |
No costs paid |
3. Minister of Tourism vs. Corporate Skills Development Services: Application was filed to set aside the award of a tender and have the contract declared null and void abinitio. |
Claim by Department for the irregular award of a tender to Corporate Skills Development Services. |
Litigation in progress |
No costs paid |
4. Minister of Tourism vs. KA Morritt/ Morritt CC Summons were issued and served on the Defendant and Pleadings exchanged. |
Claim by the Department based on a collision between a departmental vehicle and a vehicle belonging to and/ or driven by KA Morritt. |
Litigation in progress |
No costs paid |
5. Minister of Tourism vs. Bonwelong Skills Development CC and Mr Inama: Department filed and Urgent Application to have the Bank Accounts of Bonwelong Skills Development frozen. An Interim Order was granted with Return Date on Rule Nisi. Summons have been issued and served on Bonwelong. |
A claim for money paid in advance to Bonwelong for the implementation of the Hospitality Youth Programme in respect of Limpopo and North West Provinces. Bonwelong cancelled the Agreement with the Department but failed to pay back the advanced payment. Summons have been issued and served on Bonwelong. |
Litigation in progress |
No costs paid |
6. Second Generation Consulting t/a Rivers vs. Minister of Tourism: For perusal of the summons, consultations with client and instruction to the Office of the State Attorney to file Notice to Defend on behalf of the Department, Filed Notice of Intention to Defend the matter, investigated the claim to determine prospects of success and advised the Minister on same. Recommended settlement out of the court, settlement approved by the Minister. Concluded and signed a settlement agreement with the Plaintiff that the matter be settled out of the court. |
Claim against the Department for breach of contract entered into between the Department and the Plaintiff. It is alleged that the Department failed to honour and comply with its payment obligations as provided for in the agreement. |
Litigation in progress |
No costs paid |
7. David D Mokoena and Another vs. Minister of Tourism and Another: Perusal of pleadings, consultation with client, drafting of pleadings and appearing in court on behalf of the Department. |
Claim against the Department to interdict the Minister and the Gauteng Tourism Authority from implementing the Tourism Safety Monitors/ Tourism Ambassadors Project at Vilakazi Street, Gauteng. The Applicants claim that the project is their brainchild. |
Litigation in progress |
No costs paid |
8. Solidarity Trade Union v Minister of Small Business Development, Minister of Tourism and others Afriforum v Minister of Tourism and others: To defend the Applications, including, perusal of documents, consultations, research, drafting of documents, court appearance and preparation of legal opinions. |
Applicants brought an urgent application to force the Respondents to provide access to certain information regarding various Funds established by government as a result of Covid-19 including the Tourism Relief Fund. The second part of the application is for an order to interdict the Ministers responsible for the various Funds to use the criteria that are allegedly discriminatory in terms of race. |
Litigation in progress |
No costs paid |
9. Greenshoots Project & Consulting vs. Minister of Tourism & Others: No legal work was under taken and case was withdrawn. |
The Applicant is challenging the procurement process of South African Tourism. |
Case withdrawn |
No costs paid |
2021-2022
(aa) What are the details of the legal work that was undertaken |
(bb) What are the reasons in each case |
(cc) What were the outcomes of each matter |
(dd) What were the total costs incurred in each matter? |
10. Solidarity and another v Minister of Tourism TEF & TRF: To defend the Applications, including, perusal of documents, consultations, research, drafting of documents, court appearance and preparation of legal opinions. |
This was an urgent application to interdict the implementation of the Tourism Equity Fund by the Department. Continued litigation. |
Litigation in progress. |
Junior Counsel’s fees: R99 791.25 Plus Senior Counsel’s fees: R299 718.75 Total: R339 510.00 |
11. Lefa La Tshepo Projects v Minister of Tourism: To defend a claim against the Department. |
To Department appealed the decision of the Court. |
Judgment was against the Department and matter is finalised. |
R43 500.00 |
12. Second Generation t/a 24 Rivers vs Department of Tourism: For perusal of the summons, consultations with client and instruction to the Office of the State Attorney to file Notice to Defend on behalf of the Department, Filed Notice of Intention to Defend the matter, investigated the claim to determine prospects of success and advised the Minister on same. Recommended settlement out of the court, settlement approved by the Minister. Concluded and signed a settlement agreement with the Plaintiff that the matter be settled out of the court. |
Litigation to defend alleged breach of contract by the Department. |
The matter was settled out of court. |
R 71 353.12 was legal fees. |
13. Minister of Tourism vs. Bonwelong Skills Development CC: Litigating on behalf of the Department, perusal of documents; consultations and drafting court papers. Service of combined summons by Sheriff. |
Litigation initiated to recover the money owed to the Department. |
Ligation in progress. |
R10 553.19 |
14. Department of Tourism v AIMS & Nombo Mabhele: Litigating on behalf of the Department, including, perusal of documents; consultations and drafting court papers. |
Litigation to recover money from the implementers of Social Responsibility Projects. |
Litigation in progress. |
R99 000.00
|
15. Department of Tourism v Been Around GP CC: Litigating on behalf of the Department, including, perusal of documents; consultations and drafting court papers. |
To issue and serve Summons against the Defendant to recover the amount owed to the Department |
Matter is withdrawn |
R82 150.00
|
2022 – 2023
(aa) What are the details of the legal work that was undertaken |
(bb) What are the reasons in each case |
(cc) What were the outcomes of each matter |
(dd) What were the total costs incurred in each matter? |
1. Solidarity Afriforum vs Minister of Tourism TEF & TRF: Continuation of litigation, including, drafting court papers: court appearances |
Consultations, court appearances, etc. |
Litigation in progress |
Not Audited |
2. Lefa La Tshepo vs Minister of Tourism: Consultations; drafting court papers, preparation for trial and court attendances. |
Litigation to defend a claim against the Department for supply of shortfall material. |
Judgment was against the Department and matter is finalised. |
Not Audited |
3. Second Generation t/a 24 Rivers vs Department of Tourism): Perusal of the summons, consultation with the client and instruction to the Office of the State Attorney to file Notice to Defend on behalf of the Department, filed Notice of Intention to Defend the matter, investigated the claim to determine prospects of success and advised the Minister on same. Recommended settlement out of the court which same was approved by the Minister. Concluded and signed the settlement agreement with the Plaintiff that the matter accordingly settled out of court. |
Litigation for alleged breach of contract by the Department. |
The matter has been settled out of court, and the settlement agreement was concluded for the Department to pay the Plaintiff an amount of R 544 000-00 instead of R732 519-22, which was originally claimed in the summons. |
Not Audited |
4. Amathemba Skills vs Minister of Tourism: Litigation on behalf of the Department including, issuing summons, drafting pleadings on behalf of the Department. |
Litigation costs for consultations and drafting court papers, amongst others |
Litigation in progress |
Not Audited |
5. David D Mokoena vs Minister of Tourism and other: Perusal of pleadings, consultation with client, drafting of pleadings and appearing in court on behalf of the Department. |
To defend a claim against the Department for alleged copyright infringement by the Department’s Implementer, GTA. |
Litigation in progress. |
Not Audited |
6. Minister of Tourism vs Nombo: Litigation against the Department, including, issuing summons to recover money due to the Department. |
Failure to perform in terms of the signed contract |
Litigation in progress |
Not Audited |
7. Umbuso Training Services (Pty) Ltd vs The Member of the Executive Committee, Department of Tourism: Defending the claim, which included, consultation; drafting court documents including Counter Claim. |
A claim for damages arising from breach of contract. |
Litigation in progress. |
Not Audited |
8. Chef’s Warehouse Canteen & Wine Bar and others v Minister of COGTA and Others: Litigation including: consultations; perusal of documents; preparations of memorandum of advise to Minister; preparation of the Answering affidavit for the Minister of Tourism; Perusal of Replying affidavits and heads of argument. |
To advise and draft all relevant court papers, including representing the Minister of Tourism in the Court Application. |
The application has been withdrawn |
Not Audited |
9. Minister of Tourism v Audrey Phindile Mathonsi: For service of summons upon the Defendant by the Sheriff. |
Litigation to recover money owed to the Department. |
Claim written-off |
Not Audited |
10. Minister of Tourism vs. Wayne Smith and Associates & Wayne Smith: To issue and serve Summons against the Defendant to recover the amount owed to the Department. |
Litigation to recover the amount owed to the Department. |
Litigation in progress. |
Not Audited |
b) EXPENSES ON LEGAL ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN BY SA TOURISM
(i) in the past three financial years and (ii ) and since 1 January 2023
2019/20 Financial Year
(aa) What are the details of the legal work that was undertaken |
(bb) What are the reasons in each case |
(cc) What were the outcomes of each matter |
(dd)What were the total costs incurred in each matter? |
1. GODFEY GWELE Unfair Dismissal- SAT dismissed Godfrey Gwele (Employee) on the 27 February 2017 and the latter subsequently instituted CCMA proceedings against SAT |
On 23 February 2019 the CCMA issued an arbitration award in favour of the Employee ordering reinstatement. SAT then proceeded to institute a review application at the Labour Court. The Labour Court then referred the matter back to the CCMA for determination of fairness of dismissal. On 19 March 2020 the CCMA issued an arbitration award in favour of SAT. The Employee has referred the matter to the Labour Court again on 03 August 2020. A replying affidavit was filed on 21 December 2020. Annual salary- R 1,247,750.00 |
The Applicant failed to set down the matter within the required timeframe, and SAT has decided to take no further action until a date for set down is confirmed. |
R 1,263,763.70 |
2. Brian Monare Unfair Dismissal & Breach of Contract |
1. Brian Monare was employed on a fixed term contract from 1 Feb 2010 to 31 January 2015. 2. On 30 September 2010 he was dismissed by SAT following a disciplinary hearing. 3. On 17 November 2010 he referred the matter to the CCMA and an arbitration award was granted in his favour on 31 August 2011. 4. On 13 October 2011 SAT took the arbitration award on review to the Labour Court and on 31 March 2014 granted judgement in favour of SAT finding that the CCMA lacked jurisdiction to entertain the matter. 5. On 11 November 2015 Brian Monare appealed to the Labour Appeal Court which found in his favour and ruled that the CCMA order be honoured, however by then his employment contract had already expired and he could not be reinstated. 6. On 18 November 2016 SAT upon receiving Brian Monare’s statement of claim responded and raised a special plea of prescription and after replication by Brian Monare the matter was set down for trial in the Labour Court. 7. On 2 May 2019 the Labour Court granted judgement in favour of Brian Monare which prompted SAT to apply for leave to appeal on 5 July 2019 and the matter was set down for hearing by the Labour Appeal Court on 27 August 2020. |
On 22 October 2020, the Labour Appeal Court (LAC) handed down judgment against SAT on this matter. SAT was ordered to pay the applicant £257 550.42 plus interest calculated from the date on which each salary fell due. SAT was also ordered to pay the applicant’s legal costs. In total excluding legal costs, SAT is liable to pay the applicant an amount of £559 262.94. Mr Monare’s claim has been settled. |
R1 387 589.46 |
3. Joe Public (Pty) Ltd |
Review Application- Application to declare Tender no. SAT 162/19 unlawful. |
Application dismissed with costs in favour of SAT with costs order. |
R342,708.00 |
2020/21 Financial Year
(aa) What are the details of the legal work that was undertaken |
(bb) What are the reasons in each case |
(cc) were the outcomes of each matter |
(dd)What were the total costs incurred in each matter? |
1. GF ANGILERI & 24 OTHERS Pleadings closed, awaiting date of set down. |
Breach of Contract- Tourism Grading Council of South Africa (TGCSA) Assessors alleged that the TGCSA breached the Assessor Service Provider Contract by unilaterally extending the membership of its establishments by a further period of 6 months due to covid-19 pressures. They argue that the change prejudiced them in that they would lose their right to grading the establishments in the extended period. The matter was then heard by an Arbitrator who ruled in favour of the TGCSA. Claim- R 6,130,471.14 |
Application dismissed with costs in favour of SAT. |
R 1,321,568.43 |
2. GREENSHOOTS PROJECTS & COMMUNICATIONS (PTY) LTD- Pleadings stage. |
Review Application- Application to review the awarding of SAT Tender 162/19 by the Applicant. No damages sought against SAT but the applicant seeks a cost order against any party opposing the application on a punitive scale and alternatively, a personal cost order against responsible officials. |
SAT Court papers served and filed, however the Applicant has failed to serve and file their Replying Affidavit and set the matter down for trial. SAT is waiting for the Applicant to move the application. |
R 149,240.00 |
3. Thomas Bouwer |
Unfair Labour Practice- 1. On 24 January 2020, the Applicant instituted proceedings at the CCMA for unfair labour practice relating to the payment of early retirements benefits in the form of medical contributions. 2. On 19 March 2020 the CCMA issued an arbitration award in favour of SAT dismissing the application. 3. Mr Bouwer took the award on review to the Labour Court on 7 May 2020 which was subsequently dismissed. |
Application dismissed in favour of SAT. |
R250,000.00 |
2021-2022
(aa) What are the details of the legal work that was undertaken |
(bb) What are the reasons in each case |
(cc) What were the outcomes of each matter |
(dd) What were the total costs incurred in each matter? |
1. SWIFT THINKING (PTY) LTD- Pleadings closed, awaiting date of set down. |
Review Application- The CEO of SAT in 2020 (Mr. Sisa Ntshona) contravened SAT's procurement processes by irregularly appointing the Respondent to provide services relating to international visitor tracking portal, techhub covid-19 tracking and data capturing. Furthermore, the CEO acted beyond his limits per DOA. In light of this, the Board of SAT had taken the matter on review for an order declaring the appointment unlawful and return of monies paid by SAT. Contract Value- R14,214,000.00 (only claim amount paid- R 8,169,109.40) |
Litigation in progress. |
R 1 728,475.15 |
2. LETSEMA CONSULTING AND ADVSORY (PTY) LTD- Pleadings closed, awaiting date of set down. |
Review Application- The CEO of SAT in 2020 (Mr. Sisa Ntshona) contravened SAT's procurement processes by irregularly appointing the Respondent to provide services relating to International Tourism Sector Recovery Strategy, Enterprise Programme Management and SAT Institutional Architecture Programme. Furthermore, the CEO acted beyond his limits per DOA. In light of this, the Board of SAT has taken the matter on review for an order declaring the appointment unlawful and return of monies paid. Contract Value- R10,130,269.59 |
Litigation in progress. |
R 1,750,695.61 |
3. WAVELA MTHOBELI Unfair Dismissal- |
Unfair Dismissal- Employee was employed as a Strategic Officer and was dismissed pursuant to a disciplinary enquiry on account of insolence. The employee referred the matter to the CCMA claiming reinstatement, which matter was opposed by SAT. The CCMA Arbitrator ruled in favour of the employee. SAT has, after considering its prospects of success, elected to apply to the Labour Court for the CCMA Award to be reviewed and set aside. Annual salary- R 1,451,115.38 |
The parties entered into a settlement agreement to severe the employment relationship. |
R 200,000.00 |
2022 – 2023
(aa) What are the details of the legal work that was undertaken |
(bb) What are the reasons in each case |
(cc) What were the outcomes of each matter |
(dd) What were the total costs incurred in each matter? |
1. ALFRED TLABUKWE MASEMENE- Pleadings stage. |
Unfair Dismissal- Employee was employed as a Sourcing Specialist who was dismissed on account of gross misconduct pursuant to a disciplinary hearing. Employee referred the matter to the CCMA which ruled in favour of the Employer- SAT. At present the employee has taken the decision of the CCMA Arbitrator to the Labour Court which SAT is opposing. Annual salary- R 576,418.66 |
Litigation in progress. |
NIL |
2. BLUEPRINT GROUP Pleadings Stage |
Review Application- The Applicant has instituted proceedings against SAT relating to SAT's refusal to grant access to records relating to SAT Tender- 182/20- Africa's Travel Indaba and Meetings Africa 2021-2023- Exhibition Management Company (Synergy Business Events and Exhibitions). Claim- Cost of suit |
Litigation in progress. |
NIL |
23 March 2023 - NW536
Makesini, Ms M to ask the Minister of Human Settlements
(1) What steps has she taken to ensure that those who were displaced by floods in the (a) Eastern Cape and (b) Gauteng are provided with housing?
Reply:
- A Response to the 2022 & 2023 Floods in the Eastern Cape
- In the Eastern Cape Province, the April 2022 disaster affected 4799 households wherein 2959 houses were destroyed, and the remainder were partially damaged. Households affected were mainly in OR Tambo; Alfred Nzo; Joe Gqabi; Chris Hani; Amathole Districts
- Because the partially destroyed homes were made up of mud houses, they are considered as requiring a total rebuild. The HDA completed the assessment of partially damaged houses in Alfred Nzo and OR Tambo regions and the report indicates that all those houses must be replaced with a permanent solution. Those households that are destitute would in the meantime receive TRUs.
- In the 2022/23 financial year, the Eastern Cape Province was allocated an amount of R84 million to address disaster incidents in the affected municipalities. The second tranche of R42 million will be disbursed once expenditure on the first tranche reaches 80%.
- To date, 931 Temporary Residential Units (TRUs) have been completed [435 units in Alfred Nzo and 496 units in OR Tambo Districts]. The HDA has appointed contractors to erect a further 1141 TRUs in OR Tambo, Chris Hani, Amathole and Joe Gqabi District Municipalities.
- In the 2022/23 financial year, the National Department of Human Settlements also approved an application from the Alfred Nzo District Municipality for the December 2021 disaster to the value of R16 million for the construction of 258 TRUs. 50% of funds (R8,3 million) were transferred in July 2022 however, thus far, only 47 Temporary Residential Units have been constructed.
- The reported reasons for the slow progress are heavy rainfall experienced in the affected areas and inaccessibility of sites due to terrain, inability of material suppliers to keep-up with the demand for the supply of the TRU wall cladding panels.
- In February 2023 the province was affected by heavy rains again. Assessment is underway. The Department of Human Settlements is in continuous discussions with the Province through the Joint Operations Committee to ascertain the number of households that require housing assistance and submit its application for evaluation, processing and approval of funding prior to the end of this financial year, or the province could reprioritise human settlements funding to address temporary housing for the affected households. The floods affected the following municipalities: Dr AB Xuma, Sakhiziswe, Emalahleni, Intsika Yethu and Enoch Mgijima.
- The Enoch Mgijima District Municipality has established a Joint Operations Committee with sector departments and other relevant stakeholders. The affected households that were mainly from the surrounding informal settlements were relocated to mass care centres around Queenstown, with the main one being the Gali Thembani Centre. An on-site inspection of the facility was conducted. It was established that the facility is of good quality and households are accommodated in family rooms with privacy. The province reported that of the 227 households accommodated at the facility. Plans are afoot to provide the households with TRUs in a site that has been utilised for TRUs during COVID19 relocation project.
b) A response to 2022 & 2023 Floods in Gauteng
- The Gauteng floods affected 3188 households where the majority was in the City of Johannesburg. The affected households in CoJ are 3096 where 2322 houses were partially destroyed. The West Rand District has 29 houses affected, where all were partially destroyed. Sedibeng District has 63 affected houses, where 25 were partially destroyed.
- A physical assessment and verification for all partially damaged houses is being finalised by the NHBRC. An application for funding shall be submitted as soon as this process is finalised. This will focus on assisting households on the repair of houses.
23 March 2023 - NW479
Ngcobo, Mr S to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
What (a) is the salary of each (i) chief executive officer and (ii) top executive position in each state-owned entity reporting to him and (b) total amount does each get paid to attend a meeting?
Reply:
a) The salary scales for top executives within entities of the Department of Water and Sanitation are as follows:
Entities |
Chief Executive officer R’00 |
Chief Financial Officer R’00 |
Chief Operations Officer / General Manager R’00 |
Magalies Water |
2 338 000 |
1 705 000 |
1 546 000 |
Umgeni Water |
2 601 000 |
2 601 000 |
2 033 488 |
Mhlathuze Water |
3 600 000 |
2 268 106 |
1 900 000 |
Bloem Water |
2 289 757 |
2 840 705 |
2 647 330 |
Overberg Water |
2 288 915 |
2 030 952 |
1 856 362 |
Rand Water |
4 400 000 |
3 401 000 |
3 418 000 |
Amatola Water |
2 200 000 |
2 032 000 |
2 594 000 |
Lepelle Northern Water |
2 118 376 |
1 928 511 |
1 483 723 |
Breede-Gouritz Catchment Management Agency |
1 715 005 |
1 715 005 |
- |
Inkomati-Usuthu Catchment Management Agency |
2 228 264 |
1 751 431 |
- |
Water Research Commission |
3 200 000 |
3 150 148 |
2 828 619 |
The Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority (TCTA) |
6 019 228 |
3 733 803 |
4 531 200 |
b) None of the entities mentioned above pay any of the executives for attending meeting outside of their all-inclusive benefits.
---00O00---
22 March 2023 - NW125
Ngcobo, Mr SL to ask the Minister of Basic Education ( to ask the Minister of Basic Education
1) Considering the challenges such as faulty and disrepair school infrastructure, teacher shortages, overcrowded learning spaces coupled with the country’s ongoing electricity crisis that will continue to plague some inland schools for the 2023 school year, what measures has her department put in place to address the specified challenges, especially the issue of infrastructure and overcrowding in rural schools; (2) whether her department has considered building satellite schools; if not, why not, if so, what are the relevant details?
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.
22 March 2023 - NW628
Bergman, Mr D to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
Whether the Government will continue with its BRICS see no – evil diplomacy stance and support the admission of Iran and Saudi Arabia into the group, taking into consideration the poor human rights records of the two specified countries; if not, will the Government oppose the specified admission; if so, what are the reasons that the Government will support the admission?
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.
22 March 2023 - NW161
Tafeni, Ms N to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
What are the reasons that there are still shortages in the provision of stationery packs to schools across the Republic and (b) on what exact date will all schools in Republic receive their stationery packs?
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.
22 March 2023 - NW590
Van Minnen, Ms BM to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
(a) What are the reasons that there is no queue to assist the elderly and disabled at the Home Affairs office located in Main Road, Somerset West in the Western Cape and (b) has he found that the security guards at the entrance have been sufficiently trained to deal with the public?
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
22 March 2023 - NW679
Thring, Mr WM to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises
(1) In light of the fact that the reason for the recent increase to stage 6 loadshedding was that the coal stockpile at Lethabo Power Station was wet and noting that South Africa’s export of quality coal to Europe increased by over 700% in 2022, what mitigating factors are in place to protect coal stockpiles for Eskom’s use from inclement weather; (2) whether the Republic, and particularly Eskom, is prioritised over and above those nations to which we export coal, with regard to quality coal needed by the power stations; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
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:
22 March 2023 - NW619
Van Der Walt, Ms D to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
(1) Whether her department has a national network of centres for children aged zero to four years; if not, (2) whether she intends to establish a national network of centres for children aged zero to four years; if not, why not; if so, by what date; (3) whether every primary school in each province has a formal Grade R class; if not, will she furnish Mrs D van der Walt with a list of schools where there is none in each province; if so, what are the relevant details; (4) what formal qualification is currently required for (a) Grade R and (b) Grade RR teachers?
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.
22 March 2023 - NW284
Cachalia, Mr G K to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises
(1) What are the details of each locomotive staged at the depots in (a) Richards Bay, (b) Koedoespoort, (c) Ermelo and (d) Swartkops in Port Elizabeth;? (2) What is the (a) class of each locomotive staged at each depot and (b)(i) date on which it was staged and (ii) reason that it was staged in each case? NW295E
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:
22 March 2023 - NW237
Van Minnen, Ms BM to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises
(1)What is the basis for considering the move of Eskom from Public Enterprises to Energy; (2) whether he has found that the move is going to contribute to solving the energy crisis; if not, what are the reasons that the move was considered; if so, how?
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:
22 March 2023 - NW376
Hlengwa, Mr M to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
Whether the following reports of the SA National Defence Force team deployed to the Democratic Republic of Congo being attacked, and the Oryx helicopter being shot at (details furnished), she will furnish Mr Hlengwa with an update of investigations undertaken by her department into the specified matter; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
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.
22 March 2023 - NW801
Hicklin, Ms MB to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
(1)In view of the fence at the Fernwood Parliamentary Sports Club in Rhodes Drive that is in dire need of attention since it has been vandalised and parts of it removed as far along as Kirstenbosch Gardens, what proactive maintenance is done on the fencing of Fernwood Parliamentary Sports Club Grounds; (2) whether the maintenance of places like the Fernwood Parliamentary Sports Club fall under the Prestige Portfolio in his department, and therefore under the facilities management contract with TEFLA; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
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:
22 March 2023 - NW238
Van Minnen, Ms BM to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises
Whether he has plans in place to assist Eskom purchase the required diesel for the rest of the financial year, given Eskom’s vast overspend in the current financial year; if not, what is the proposed way forward; if so, what are the relevant details?
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:
22 March 2023 - NW837
Zondo, Mr S S to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation
What steps is his department taking in respect of the safety of university leadership, following reports that the Vice-Chancellor of the Durban University of Technology, Professor T Z Mthembu, is now being protected by bodyguards after a security threat, making the specified person the second university head after the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Fort Hare, Professor Sakhela Buhlungu, to engage security guards while other institutions, such as North-West University and University of Johannesburg, offer security services to staff and students?
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.
22 March 2023 - NW199
De Villiers, Mr JN to ask the Minister of Human Settlements
What are the details of the (a) destination and, (b) total cost for (i) accommodation, (ii) travel and (iii)any other costs incurred for international travel of each (aa) Minister and(bb) Deputy minister of her department since 1 June 2019; (2) what is the total cost incurred for domestic air travel for each (a) Minister and (b) Deputy Minister of her department since 1 June 2019
Reply:
- 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 |
22 March 2023 - NW595
Ismail, Ms H to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
(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; (2) what percentage of learners, during the COVID-19 pandemic, chose to attend technical vocational education and training colleges, instead of repeating Matric?
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.
22 March 2023 - NW823
Zondo, Mr S S to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation
What is the detailed breakdown of the reported allocation of R1 billion to the University of Fort Hare in each of the past seven financial years?
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.
22 March 2023 - NW439
Van Zyl, Ms A M to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
Whether, with reference to her reply to question 2802 on 15 September 2022, her department owns no buildings in the towns of Burgersdorp, Venterstad, Oviston and Steynsburg; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
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.
22 March 2023 - NW393
Shaik Emam, Mr AM to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
What are the details of the (a) problems his department’s offices are experiencing with the ID system that is allegedly compromised, resulting in lengthy delays, and (b) steps that are being taken to resolve it?
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
22 March 2023 - NW215
Herron, Mr BN to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises
(1)With reference to the commitment by the President of the Republic, Mr M C Ramaphosa, in 2022, that the Government would procure and add an additional 6800 MW of energy capacity to the grid and 5200 MW was to be procured in Bid Window 6, which has not been met allegedly due to Eskom’s transmission capacity, what are the reasons that (a) Eskom is unable to provide the transmission capacity when it was aware of the President’s commitments and (b) the Generation Connection Capacity Assessment is incorrect; (2)(a) which locations in the Republic does Eskom’s transmission grid have capacity to connect additional renewable energy from the Independent Power Producers (IPPs) and (b) what justification can be given for the prioritisation of a long term Karpowership deal over adding new capacity through wind; (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 and (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?
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:
22 March 2023 - NW491
Ngcobo, Mr SL to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
Whether her department has any upgraded school management level initiatives on (a) governance, (b) infrastructure and (c) security, considering the amount of crime and violence that takes place in and around the school environment; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
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.
22 March 2023 - NW588
Van Minnen, Ms BM to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
Whether, given that a number of questions have already been asked about the Home Affairs office in Main Road, Somerset West in the Western Cape and despite the various assurances he had given, the problems at the specified office remain unresolved, the full staff complement has now been deployed to work in the specified office; if not, why not; if so, (a) what total number of vacancies are there at present and (b) how does his department intend to fill the specified vacancies?
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
22 March 2023 - NW561
Semenya, Ms MR to ask the Minister of Human Settlements
Whether her department considered working with trade unions and groups representing the so-called missing middle to enable them to buy homes through the Help-Me-Buy-A-Home housing scheme that has the potential to address the housing needs as they neither qualify for both the government housing subsidy scheme nor the private sector housing loans and/or bonds; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant detail. (2) What has been the approach of her department in disseminating information about the specified housing scheme?
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.
22 March 2023 - NW632
Hicklin, Ms MB to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
(1)What steps has her department taken to deal with the unhappiness of staff belonging to her department with the way that they are being treated by a certain company (name furnished); (2) whether the employment of local, Cape Town-based labour was a provision of the terms and agreement of the facilities management contract as the specified company is a Johannesburg-based company; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) what number of local, Cape Town-based staff are employed by the company, if the employment of local labour was a prerequisite of the facilities management contract, since much of the unhappiness experienced by its staff is because the company is said to bring most of its staff complement from Johannesburg and is not making use of local, Cape Town-based labour; (4) what number of staff have been brought down from Johannesburg to be employed in projects that are managed by the company in all the parliamentary villages; (5) whether there are any consequence management actions that have been taken against the company for its failure to honour the obligations to employ local, Cape Town-based staff for the duration of the facilities management contract; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details of the actions taken?
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.
22 March 2023 - NW458
Bagraim, Mr M to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
What (a) is the salary of each (i) chief executive officer and (ii) top executive position in each state-owned entity reporting to her and (b) total amount does each get paid to attend a meeting?
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
22 March 2023 - NW836
Zondo, Mr S S to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation
What are the details of the progress of the investigation by the Special Investigating Unit of the fraudulent registration of 15 politicians in post-graduate programmes at the University of Fort Hare?
Reply:
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) was appointed by the President and will therefore be reporting to the President in this regard.
22 March 2023 - NW618
Van Der Walt, Ms D to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
(1) What total number of cases of sexual misconduct were reported to the SA Council of Educators (SACE) in the (a) 2019-20, (b) 2020-21 and (c) 2021-22 financial years; (2) what number of disciplinary proceedings were instituted against the specified teachers; (3) (a) what number of (i) educators were found guilty, (ii) disciplinary proceedings was SACE unable to arrive at an outcome and (iii) teachers were struck of the roll in each specified period and (b) in each case, what were the reasons for SACE being unable to make a ruling at the disciplinary proceedings; (4) whether all teachers that were struck off the roll have been reported to the Department of Social Development for inclusion on the register for people unfit to work with children; if not, what were the reasons in each case; if so, what are the relevant details?
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
|
11
|
04
|
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:
- Lack of evidence to substantiate the allegations.
- Deliberate unavailability of witnesses (complainants)
- 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 |
22 March 2023 - NW546
Powell, Ms EL to ask the Minister of Human Settlements
On what basis was a certain person (details furnished) appointed in an acting position in her Private Office and (b) what are the terms under which the specified person has been appointed?
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.
22 March 2023 - NW825
van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
Whether, with regard to the official opening of a Home Affairs office at Menlyn Park Shopping Centre on 6 March 2023, wherein he stated that, if successful, the plan is to roll out similar offices at Cresta Shopping Centre in Johannesburg, then to The Pavilion Shopping Centre in eThekwini and Tyger Valley Shopping Centre in Cape Town, his department intends to open such offices in (a) smaller shopping centres such as N1 City in Cape Town to take advantage of lower costs for rental of the floor space and (b) the rural areas such as Ulundi Shopping Centre in KwaZulu-Natal to service the rural communities; if not, why not, in each case; if so, what are the relevant details in each case?
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
22 March 2023 - NW676
Yako, Ms Y to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
Whether her department has any plans to establish schools that will specialise in the oceans economy in light of the importance of the sector; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
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.
22 March 2023 - NW47
Essack, Mr F to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises
What action has the Government taken to assist the SA Forestry Company Limited to lease state-registered land for its operations in order to meet the rising demand for timber; (2) Whether there has been any attempt to partner with rural communities in developing timber farming estates in order to improve rural economies; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW47E
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:
22 March 2023 - NW737
Boshoff, Dr WJ to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
(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?
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.
22 March 2023 - NW770
Van Zyl, Ms A M to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
(1) (a) What total number of schools has her department started to build in the (i) Walter Sisulu Local Municipality and (ii) Senqu Local Municipality, (b) where have they started building and (c) what number of the specified schools have been completed in the past five financial years; (2) whether any of the building projects have exceeded their allocated period; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) which schools have exceeded the building period allocated, (b) how long is the period exceeded and (c) what is the extra cost for exceeding the build time; (3) what is the (a) envisaged time frame and (b) relevant details of the plans of her department to finalise the construction of schools that are still incomplete?
Reply:
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.
22 March 2023 - NW227
Ngcobo, Mr SL to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
Whether, with regard to the National Education Infrastructure Management System which reported in 2021 that 10 038 of the 23 276 public schools in the Republic, especially those located in rural inland areas, do not have sports facilities at all, her department will (a) liaise and/or create a cooperative relationship with other government departments to address the lack of infrastructure in public schools and (b) put measures in place to ensure that all South African learners are able to participate in sport; if not, why not; if so, what are the further relevant details?
Reply:
(a)
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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)
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
22 March 2023 - NW316
Tambo, Mr S to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises
(1)Whether his department and/or entities reporting to him procured services from three certain companies (details furnished) since the 2018-19 financial year; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what (a) services were procured in each case and (b) total amount was paid in each case; (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; (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; (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; (5) whether any members of the board and/or 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 he furnish Mr S Tambo with the investigation report with its recommendations?
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
- The service providers did not render any services to Alexkor SOC Limited
- – (5) All subsequent questions are not applicable
According to the information received from Denel
- Denel has not procured any services from the said companies since the 2018-19 financial year.
- – (5) All subsequent questions are not applicable.
According to the information received from Eskom
- 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.
- – (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
- 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.
- – (5) All subsequent questions are not applicable.
According to the information received from Transnet
- The identified business entities are not registered on Transnet’s database. Transnet cannot trace any procurement of services from the identified companies.
- – (5) All subsequent questions are not applicable.
Remarks: Reply: Approved / Not Approved
Jacky Molisane PJ Gordhan, MP
Acting Director-General Minister
Date: Date:
22 March 2023 - NW236
Van Minnen, Ms BM to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises
With regard to the potential shift of Eskom from Public Enterprises to Energy, has a legal opinion and/or advice been sought; if not, why was such advice not requested; if so, what are the contents of the advice?
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:
22 March 2023 - NW704
Sukers, Ms ME to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
Whether she intends introducing legislation in Parliament that will grant her the power to make regulations in respect of learner pregnancy or has established a task team to draft the regulations; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, who are the participants and the organisations and/or entities they represent?
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.
22 March 2023 - NW687
van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
With regard to the briefing on the Crime Statistics reporting 7 555 persons were murdered in the three months of reporting and the huge problem added by the high number of undocumented foreign nationals that are hard to trace after having committed of a crime, what measures has his department put in place to address the growing number of undocumented foreign nationals, considering that his department is responsible for managing borders and making sure all foreign nationals within the Republic are documented?
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
22 March 2023 - NW803
Buthelezi, Mr EM to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises
(1)Whether the plan to relocate state-owned enterprises to the respective departments has been abandoned; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
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:
22 March 2023 - NW670
Mathulelwa, Ms B to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
Whether she has any plans in place to re-introducing school sport as a compulsory activity in all schools; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
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.