Questions and Replies
23 March 2023 - NW50
Winkler-Lidgett, 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.
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 - 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 - 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 - NW20
Van Minnen, Ms BM to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises
Since 2020, what progress has been made regarding the decision on the Eskom group debt that remains an outstanding matter to which a solution will be needed as to how the debt is allocated to each division prior to the attainment of the legal unbundling of Eskom?
Reply:
Eskom is being restructured into three subsidiaries Generation, Transmission and Distribution, wholly owned by the Eskom Holdings SOC LTD. The debt will remain with Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd. Each entity will be allocated its portion through an intercompany loan account. The allocation is based on a pre-agreed methodology.
These matters are currently being resolved in discussions with National Treasury.
Remarks: Approved / Not Approved
Jacky Molisane PJ Gordhan, MP
Acting Director-General Minister
Date: Date:
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 - 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.
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 - NW21
Van Minnen, Ms BM to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises
(a) What progress is being made with regard to engaging creditors in respect of the decision on a long-term solution for the Eskom group debt and (b) who are currently the biggest creditors?
Reply:
a) Eskom lenders plays a critical role in ensuring that the entity access required funding in the capital markets. Therefore, it is important that all lenders are taken through the restructuring process and assured that their investment is safe. All lenders from whom consent is required, have been contacted. Lenders have indicated that more clarification regarding the debt take-over by National Treasury is required before consent could be considered. This is currently being processed.
b) PIC, World Bank, Chinese Development Bank.
Remarks: Approved / Not Approved
Jacky Molisane PJ Gordhan, MP
Acting Director-General Minister
Date: Date:
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 - 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
20 March 2023 - NW700
Sithole, Mr KP to ask the Minister of Transport
Whether, with regard to reports that pedestrians account for up to 40% of the Republic’s road accident deaths, his department has any plans to deal with the specified matter; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The department does have the plan to deal with pedestrian fatalities on the roads.
In terms of that plan - which is encapsulated in the 365 days road safety programme, the Road Traffic Management Corporation, as the national lead agency on road safety, and provincial departments of community safety and transport jointly identify high-risk areas for pedestrian safety.
The plan identifies behaviour that puts pedestrians at risk such as jaywalking, drunk walking, distracted walking, scholar safety as well as the safe crossing of freeways and visibility.
The national and provincial teams then jointly deploy law enforcement and road safety operations in identified high-risk areas to discourage unsafe road usage by pedestrians.
The law enforcement and the road safety education and communication technical committees – comprised of the RTMC, traffic law enforcement authorities and road safety practitioners from all nine provinces – meet regularly to evaluate performance and decide on further required interventions.
The challenge with pedestrian crashes is that they take place within build-up areas where municipalities have jurisdiction. The mushrooming of informal settlements further exacerbates the situation as shops and transport amenities generally lie on the opposite side of major freeways requiring pedestrians to cross freeways when it is not safe to do so.
20 March 2023 - NW468
De Villiers, Mr JN to ask the Minister of Human Settlements
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:
The details of the Executive and Senior management team of each of the entities is disclosed in the respective annual reports. The final printed annual report is tabled in Parliament by 30 September yearly. The Honourable member is requested to obtain from the officially published audited 2021/22 reports. The 2022/23 annual reports are noted yet audited or published.
20 March 2023 - NW699
Sithole, Mr KP to ask the Minister of Transport
(1)What are the detailed road safety measures deployed over the festive season; (2) whether, in the context of damaged, unsafe roads and numerous large-scale road accidents, the festive season measures cannot be continued throughout the year; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1. The following measures were taken over the festive season to reduce road crashes and fatalities.
- As an encompassing Strategy on Road Safety, the NRSS finds expression in the 365 plan, especially on critical roads and the heightened visibility of law enforcement.
- Critical routes with a high number of crashes and fatalities were identified and intensified law enforcement and road safety interventions were implemented.
- The interventions focussed on pedestrian management, overloading of cross-border vehicles, unlicensed/fraudulently registered vehicles, drunk driving, and speeding.
- Blitzes were conducted also conducted at points of departure and ports of entry to enforce the law on cross-border vehicles and drivers. This will continue over the festive season as heightened activations.
- Focussed attention was also given to truck operations, especially on the N3 Townhill and N2 Pongola including alternate provincial roads like R34, R33 especially in Mpumalanga and KZN Provinces.
2. Continuation of the festive season measures throughout the year
The said measures are part of the 365 plan with heightened operations during the Easter and festive season period and are being implemented throughout the year.
20 March 2023 - NW480
Ngcobo, Mr S to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
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:
a) (i), (ii) and (b)
National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC)
Entity |
a) (i) CEO Salary |
(ii) Top Executive Salary |
b) Total paid to attend a meeting |
NAMC |
R2 194 379.25 |
Chief Financial Officer: R1 687 429.74. |
NAMC Council Members: daily rate for attendance of meetings:
The total amount paid to Council members from April 2022 to February 2023 is R1 237 920.49. |
Senior Manager Statutory Measurers: R1 413 190.84. |
|||
Senior Manager Markets & Economics Research Centre: R1 413 190.84. |
|||
Senior Manager Human Resources: R1 413 190.84. |
|||
Senior Manager Agricultural Trusts: R1 413 190.84. |
|||
Senior Manager Agribusiness Development: R1 413 190.84. |
|||
Company Secretary and Legal services: R 922 500. |
|||
Manager Risk Management and Compliance: R740 950. |
Agricultural Research Council (ARC)
(a) (i), (ii) and (b)
Entity |
a)(i) CEO Salary |
(ii) Top Executive Salary |
b) Total paid to attend a meeting |
ARC |
R3 229 856 |
Chief Financial Officer: R2 500 000. |
R0 |
Group Executive – Animal Sciences: R2 075 196. |
|||
Group Executive – Crop Sciences: R2 075 196. |
|||
Group Executive –Information Systems: R2 035 312. |
|||
|
VACANCIES |
||
Group Executive Human Capital Management. |
N/A |
||
Group Executive Impact & Partnership. |
N/A |
Perishable Products Export Control Board (PPECB)
(a) (i), (ii) and (b)
Entity |
a) (i) CEO Salary |
(ii) Top Executive Salary |
b) Total paid to attend a meeting |
PPECB |
R 3 228 319. |
Chief Financial Officer: R2 694 998. |
R0 |
Chief Operating Officer: R2 258 582. |
|||
Chief Information Officer: R1 960 241. |
|||
Human Resource Executive: R1 664 335. |
Ingonyama Trust Board (ITB)
- (i),(ii) and (b)
Entity |
a)(i) CEO Salary |
(ii) Top Executive Salary |
b) Total paid to attend a meeting |
ITB |
R1 850 000. |
Chief Financial Officer: R1 460 000 (seconded). |
Board Members: Chairperson: R 654 per hour. Vice Chair Member: R556 per hour. Other members: R486 per hour. |
Head: Tenure: R 1 350 000. |
|||
Head: Corporate Support Services: R990 000. |
Note: Part (b) Total amount paid to attend meetings. Executive members of management i.e. CEO and other top management do not get paid specifically to attend meetings but receive a salary as detailed above.
If the meeting is out of office, subsistence and travel (S&T) will be paid in line with the entity’s S&T policy. Board members, however, get paid per hour of work done within the entity i.e. for each meeting they would receive payment for preparation time and actual meeting attended, including S&T, the board member’s rates per hour have been included above. Annual board members’ remuneration for past the two years has been included below based on audited financial results. Board members’ rates have not changed in the past three years.
Name of Board Member |
Role |
2021 |
2022 |
Mr SJ Ngwenya |
Chairperson |
R1 817 000 |
R1 634 000 |
DR NZ Qunta |
Vice Chairperson |
R207 000 |
R362 000 |
Inkosi PR Bele |
Member |
R493 000 |
R245 000 |
Inkosi ZT Gumede |
Member |
R369 000 |
R236 000 |
Inkosi SE Shabalala |
Member |
R293 000 |
R279 000 |
Inkosi WT Mavundla |
Member |
R687 000 |
R268 000 |
Adv W.E.R Raubenheimer |
Member |
R185 000 |
R0 |
Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP)
a) (i),(ii) and (b)
Entity |
a (i) CEO Salary |
(ii) Top Executive Salary |
b) Total paid to attend a meeting |
OBP |
R2 118 000.00 (Interim) Total cost to company per annum. |
Company Secretary & Head of Legal: R1 287 401.95. |
R0 |
Chief Operating Officer: R1 446 525.62. |
|||
Chief Financial Officer: R1 968 136.29. |
|||
Sales and Business Development Executive: R1 482 544.01. |
|||
Chief Scientific Officer: R1 446 525.62. |
|||
Corporate Services Executive (Vacant). |
Valuer General (VG)
b (i),(ii) and (b)
Entity |
(i) CEO Salary |
(ii) Top Executive Salary |
b) Total paid to attend a meeting |
VG |
R2 068 458 |
Chief Financial Officer: R1 590 747. |
R0 |
20 March 2023 - NW535
Makesini, Ms M to ask the Minister of Human Settlements
What is the current total number of housing backlogs in the Republic and and (b) which province has the highest number?
Reply:
a) The housing backlog numbers in the Republic are derived from Statistics South Africa (STATSSA). STATSSA General Household Survey 2020 indicated that 11.4% (1.9 million) households lived in informal dwellings and 4.3% (731 thousand) households lived in traditional dwellings.
The department has a National Housing Needs Register (NHNR) which is an application that is designed to register households/ individuals and their housing needs in South Africa. There are currently 2.3 million households/ individuals registered on the NHNR.
In terms of the NHNR, there are 2 456 773 households registered and awaiting assistance as at 02/03/2023. Below is a table with the stats per province.
Province |
NHNR Households not yet assisted |
Eastern Cape |
604 594 |
Free State |
265 110 |
Gauteng |
1 030 099 |
KwaZulu Natal |
34 603 |
Limpopo |
86 814 |
Mpumalanga |
254 027 |
Northern Cape |
119 401 |
North West |
62 125 |
Total |
|
b) The province with the highest number is Gauteng with 1 030 099 households registered and awaiting assistance. Below is a table with the breakdown of numbers for Gauteng Province per municipality.
NHNR Households not yet assisted |
|
Gauteng |
1 0303 099 |
City of Johannesburg |
400 361 |
City of Tshwane |
182 711 |
City of Ekurhuleni |
280 584 |
Emfuleni Local Municipality |
63 759 |
Lesedi Local Municipality |
13 830 |
Merafong Local Municipality |
12 829 |
Midvaal Local Municipality |
9 281 |
Mogale Local Municipality |
39 173 |
Randfontein Local Municipality |
16 201 |
Westonaria Local Municipality |
11 370 |
17 March 2023 - NW816
Msimang, Prof CT to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy
What are the details of the (a) origin and (b) breakdown of the R500 million exploration fund that his department created in partnership with the Industrial Development Corporation, which he announced during the 2023 Investing in African Mining Indaba on 6 March 2023?
Reply:
a) The South African exploration landscape had reached its lowest ebb, notwithstanding its exceptional geology suggesting that the country remains host to the most prospective discovery of the world class mineral and hydrocarbons discoveries. Accentuated by these contradictions, the Government worked with the mining industry to develop a comprehensive “Exploration Implementation Plan” , which identifies, inter alia, the lack of appetite by the South African financial sector to invest in exploration, deemed to be the lifeblood of the future of the extractive industry, which remains the base of the country’s economy. The Plan was presented to Cabinet, with a proposed intervention to create a relatively small fund for the purposes of exploration, in order to demonstrate the capacity of a major discovery and affirm the importance of geology in de-risking exploration with maximum returns.
b) On this basis, the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy secured a Cabinet approval for R200 million towards this initiative. A further R300 million was committed by the IDC towards the fund, in order to give it sufficient impetus to start implementation thereof.
17 March 2023 - NW729
Gondwe, Dr M to ask the Minister of Public Service and Administration
With reference to the National Framework towards the Professionalisation of the Public Service, what steps has she and/or her department taken to date to introduce the proposed (a) Public Administration Management Amendment Bill and (b) Public Service Amendment Bill in the National Assembly as a matter of urgency?
Reply:
The Public Administration Management Amendment Bill and the Public Service Amendment Bill have both been drafted, consulted publicly and processed in terms of the requisite internal and statutory processes. The Bills are being processed to Cabinet for approval to table to Parliament by 31 March 2023.
End
17 March 2023 - NW726
Schreiber, Dr LA to ask the Minister of Public Service and Administration
Whether, with reference to the recommendation of the Framework for the Professionalisation of the Public Service, any steps have been taken to outlaw the practice of cadre deployment in favour of a merit-based recruitment and selection system; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The recruitment and selection in the Public Service is regulated in terms of the Public Service Act, 1994 and Regulations 65 and 67 of the Public Service Regulations, 2016. Furthermore, the Executive Protocol provides principles and procedure for the employment of Heads of Department (HoDs) and DDGs at National government. The provincial governments are encouraged to follow the practice. This a merit-based recruitment and selection system that is applied in the Public Service. Therefore, cadre deployment is not used to fill the vacancies in the public service.
1. Section 9 of the Public Service Act, 1994 states that an executive authority may appoint any person in his or her department in accordance with this Act and in such a manner and on such conditions as may be prescribed.
2. Section 11(2) of the Act stipulates that in the making of any appointment in terms of section 9 in the Public Service-
a) All persons who applied and qualify for the appointment concerned shall be considered; and
b) The evaluation of persons shall be based on training, skills, competence, knowledge and the need to redress, in accordance with Employment Equity act, 1998.
3. Regulation 65 (1) of the Public Service Regulations, 2016 provides that an executive authority shall ensure that vacant posts in the department are advertised as efficiently and effectively as possible to reach the entire pool of potential applicants, including designated groups.
End
17 March 2023 - NW719
Maneli, Ms ST to ask the Minister of Public Service and Administration
In light of the Public Service Regulations of 2016 read with section 8 of the Public Administration Management Act, Act 11 of 2014, which forbids officials from conducting business with any organ of state and/or being a director of a public and/or private company conducting business with the State, 379 senior managers have been reported in the latest report of the Public Service Commission, including Heads of Departments at national departments, to be engaged in other remunerative work, what measures will she put in place to strengthen and enforce the implementation of section 8 of the specified Act and the Public Service Regulations to establish order and discipline among public servants?
Reply:
In terms of section 30 of the Public Service Act, 1994 (PSA), public service employees (including senior managers and heads of departments) are allowed to perform other remunerative work outside their employment with the written permission of the executive authority of the department. This would also apply to the 379 senior managers identified in the Public Service Commission Report to be performing other remunerative work.
Regulation 24 of the Public Service Regulations, 2016 (PSR), established a formal process that employees must follow to apply for permission to perform other remunerative work. This process includes the criteria listed in Section 30 of the PSA for executive authorities to consider when approving an application.
Therefore, if permission was received to perform other remunerative work by completing the prescribed form, and the application was approved by the executive authority or delegated authority, the employee concerned will be allowed to perform other remunerative work for 12 months, after which the permission will expire and the employee will have to request for new approval.
If successful, the employee will be provided with a certificate of approval that is valid for twelve calendar months. This certificate of approval is attached when the employee concerned completes his/her financial disclosures on the eDisclosure system, and serves as proof of permission to perform other remunerative work. This certificate is verified during the lifestyle review process to determine if approval was sought and serves as a measure to detect employees performing other remunerative work without permission and those conducting business with the State.
The procedure that allows employees to perform other remunerative work (as per Regulation 24 of the PSR) does not in any way permit public service employees to request permission to conduct business with the State.
Section 8 of the Public Administration Management Act, 2014 criminalizes the act of public service employees conducting business with the State, as the contravention of this section is a criminal offence. Any person found guilty of the offence is liable to a fine or imprisonment for a period not exceeding 5 years or both such fine and imprisonment. It also constitutes serious misconduct.
To strengthen the implementation of Section 8, the Department of Public Service and Administration monitors the Central Supplier Database (CSD) on a monthly basis. This database (hosted by National Treasury) contains the information of all individuals seeking to tender business with government. The information on this system is compared with information on the Personnel Salary System (PERSAL) to identify public service employees attempting to register on the CSD. As soon as the DPSA detects employees on the CSD list, their departments are informed to take disciplinary steps and if guilty of conducting business with the State, to open a criminal case with the South African Police Service (SAPS). The DPSA follow up with the affected departments monthly to establish progress made. The DPSA, SAPS and National Prosecuting Authority also formed a Task Team that assists departments with the investigation process and to fast track cases for prosecution.
End