Questions and Replies

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

1. I have been informed by the Department that International travel since 1 June 2019 to 17 February 2023 is as follows.

(aa) Minister

(a) Destinations	(b i)Total cost accommodation	(b ii) Total cost travel	(b iii) Other cost
(21/09/2019 - 01/10/2019) United States Of America	R 104 041,40	R 254 478,89	R 24 855,80
(18 - 23/01/2020) United Kingdom	R 81 180,38	R 125 311,67	R 7 925,72
(25/06/2021 - 02/07/2021) Egypt	R 28 500,00	R 88 150,00	R 6 285,22
(24/03/2022 - 29/03/2022) Dubai	R 72 727,51	R 209 423,75	R 13 905,21
(25/04/2022 - 01/05/2022) Cuba	R 122 152,51	R 236 653,40	R 11 593,12
(16/07/2022 - 23/07/2022) United States Of America	R 112 660,00	R 293 050,08	R 20 460,33
(29/07/2022 - 02/08/2022) Singapore	R 0,00	R 113 001,40	R 11 361,02
(24 - 29/09/2022) United Kingdom	R 140 700,00	R 326 318,40	R 11 259,16

(bb) Deputy Minister

(a) Destinations	(b i)Total cost accommodation	(b ii) Total cost travel	(b iii) Other cost
(14 - 18/10/2019) Serbia	R 38 549,46	R 84 731,67	R 4 412,59
(12 - 23/11/2022) Cuba	R 0,00	R 156 526,40	R 18 584,81

2. Total cost incurred for domestic air travel since 1 June 2019 to 17 February 2023.

a) Minister: R 842 445, 55 spent on domestic air travel.

b) Deputy Minister: R 889 371, 65 spent on domestic air travel.

 

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

1. I have been informed by the Department that:

a) 87 Occupied

b) 20 Unoccupied

2. Yes, a case of damage to private property was opened at Grassy Park CAS 151/02/2023 for further investigation. No shooting report was however reported. Only a bullet was found at the scene suggesting a stray bullet damaged the rear window of the vehicle. Furthermore the house in question is located almost in the middle of the park which makes it near impossible for it to be exposed to stray bullets emanating from outside the park.

3. Security management in the Parliamentary Villages is the responsibility of the South African Police Services and assessment of security features is an ongoing exercise and where shortcomings are identified, they are reported to my department for repairs and or service. The following security features are continually assessed: CCTV cameras, Beams, motorised gates, access control readers.

4. No risk. The South African Police Services, Protection and Security Services are deployed at Pelican Park; administering access control procedures and protection services at the Parliamentary Village.

5. No, at this juncture there are no immediate plans to provide alternative accommodation as no threat to the lives of the residents of the park have been identified

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

1.(a) I have been informed by the Department that the security team is appointed on a 6-month basis at an approximate R60, 000.00 per month, two security guards during the day and two guards during the night.

(b) It is an on-going engagement between the DPWI and DSAC with an updated request for a response and meeting sent.

(c) The provisional scope of the redevelopment of this property has been qualified as part of the project pre-feasibility study completed. It should however be noted that the project scope is refined per stage and will eventually form part of the bid received from the appointed design and construct team as guided by the relevant output specification and tender. The project is currently in the pre-planning stage and will move onto the planning stage which includes development and formulation of the relevant scope depending on technical-, financial- and legal viability.

2. The old Jewish Synagogue and two adjoining properties were the subject of a pre-feasibility study inclusive of a highest and best use which proposed the redevelopment of said property to incorporate the new head office for the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture. This proposal was presented to the intended client for consideration and approval. Should this proposal not materialize for unknown reasons, an updated highest and best use will be conducted to evaluate an alternative option.

3. Application to National Treasury for any project approvals are subject to obtaining the client commitment first. This requirement once obtained will then allow the project to advance to planning stage inclusive of the completion of a project feasibility study which presents a procurement strategy to National Treasury for approval. This process has not yet been initiated.

4. Bids for potential Public Private Partnerships (PPP) are dependent in the outcome of the project feasibility study which includes a procurement strategy for National Treasury concurrence.

5. Should the proposed project obtain approval to continue as a PPP, the project will be advertised in the market as an open tender in accordance with the PPP manual within the ambit of the Government Technical Advisory Centre’s PPP Unit and National Treasury. No timelines can at this stage be commented on as the planning and development stages are subject to various approvals and processes to be concluded.

Reply:

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) needs to stress that any decision made to charge in respect of any offence, including terrorism, will be based on the evidence presented to the Prosecution by the South African Police Service (SAPS) and/or the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI). The NPA cannot pre-empt any decision since it is obliged to consider the evidence before a decision to prosecute is made.

The Protection of Constitutional Democracy Against Terrorist and Related Activities Amendment Act 23 of 2022 (to be referred to as “POCDATARA Amendment Act” (hereinafter referred to POCDATARA) was proclaimed under Government Gazette No. 47820 and came into operation on 04 January 2023.

Section 1(r) of the POCDATARA provides for the amendment/substitution of the definition of terrorist activity.

In so far as critical/essential infrastructure is concerned, we look at only six (6) subsections within section 1(a) of POCDATARA that informs the definition of terrorist activity with further reference to sections 2,3 and 17(2), although the definition provides for nine (9 subsections under Subsection 1(a).

Section 1(a) describes what must be the impact or potential impact of the unlawful actions which are described as terrorist activities.

Therefore, as a starting point, to be described as terrorist activities, the actions must have the potential of causing harm.

Section 1 (b) and (c) of POCDATARA prescribes what the prosecution must prove as the intended consequence or nature/context of the unlawful action(s) to be classified as terrorist activity.

While it is noted that most of the offences of damage to essential infrastructure which are in contravention of Section 3 of the Criminal Matters Amendment Act 18 of 2015, are consistent with the description of terrorist activities as defined in section 1(a) of POCDATARA, it is respectfully submitted that the definition of terrorist activities must be read in conjunction with section 1(b) and (c) of the same Act, which describes the intention of the said unlawful acts.

The facts presented in the case docket must fall squarely within the definition of terrorist activities as is set out in para 8 supra.

Should the facts not prove terrorist activities as per the definition and what is required in section 1(b) and (c), then the following charges would be preferred:

1. Contravention of section 3 of the Criminal Matters Amendment Act 18 of 2015, read with the Criminal Law Amendment Act 105 of 1997;
2. Theft, read with the Criminal Law Amendment Act 105 of 1997;
3. Contravention of section 36 and 37 of the General Law Amendment Act 62 of 1955 read with the Criminal Law Amendment Act 105 of 1977; and
4. Malicious damage to property.

The National Prosecuting Authority, Organised Crime Component utilises the Prosecutor Guided Investigations (PGI) methodology (in both projects and non-projects cases) and will continue to do so, so as to timeously identify the charges and monitor the cases.

It is therefore respectfully submitted that where the evidence in an Essential Infrastructure offence proves the elements of terrorist activity, the charges under POCDATARA must be preferred and prosecuted, subject to granting of written authorisation by the National Director of Public Prosecutions as prescribed in Section 14 of the POCDATARA.

Reply:

(i) No official vehicle has been purchased for the use of the Minister since 1 June 2019.

(ii) Approval was obtained for the procurement of official vehicles for the two (2) Deputy Ministers on 14 October 2021. Two official orders were placed with the approved suppliers on 01 December 2021:

Deputy Minister K Mashego-Dlamini

(a) Toyota

(b) Fortuner 2.8 GD-6 VX A/T

(c) 2022

(d) R667 333.50

(e) Vehicle delivered in June 2022

Deputy Minister A Botes

(a) Audi

(b) Q5 TDI QUATTRO S TRONIC

(C) 2022

(d) R718 459.99

(e) Vehicle delivered in September 2022

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:

(1)

a) I have been informed by the Department that the total number of identifiable properties currently registered under the National Government’s name at the Deeds Office is 27 385.

The National Government of the Republic of South Africa is a shared name between the National Custodians of the State and does not only constitutes assets of the Department. The name is shared by the following National Departments:

• National Department of Public Works and Infrastructure
• National Department of Agriculture , Land reform & Rural development
• National Department of Water Affairs & Sanitation
• National Intelligence Agency
• National Department of Forestry ,Fisheries & the Environment
• The National Department of Defence ( Defence endowment act of 1922 )

Out of the 27 385 properties, 12 575 are recorded by NDPWI.

However, it must be noted the number excludes properties reflecting historical names on deeds ( Republic of South Africa, Colonial Government, South African Development Trust etc ) which can be vested to the Department but not yet endorsed on the deeds.

The total number of assets recorded by DPWI including registered under National Government, reflecting historical names and unregistered but surveyed is 28 683.

b) The number of such registered State properties that have improvements on is 18 552.

c) The DPWI conducts continuous condition assessments on all approximately 133 000 buildings, therefore will not be able to provide estimates on the backlog maintenance.

(2)

a) The total number of the Government’s properties, both improved and unimproved, are currently being rented out are 1096

b) 

1. Detail attached as a spreadsheet
2. Detail is attached as a spreadsheet

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

1)

(a) I am informed by the Department that the number of courts with partially-functioning generators are three hundred and sixty (360), the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) has issued eighty (80) instructions for the installation of new generators.

(b) The Department is currently rolling-out the critical components programme for the balance. The generators, have been accessed by DPWI multidisciplinary technical team throughout a Condition Assessment Exercise, to determine whether the equipment needs to be replaced or maintained.

The department is also assessing other initiatives to supplement electricity supply using renewable energy sources.

2) The exemption from load shedding is not being dealt with by DPWI, as this matter was reported in recent meetings held with Office of the Chief Justice. The Department of Justice & Constitutional Development agreed to action direct applications with ESKOM for exemptions. 

3) N/A

Reply:

Part 9 of the National Water Act, Act 36 of 1998 (NWA) deals the review and renewal of licenses, and the amendment and substitution of conditions of licenses. Part 10 deals with contravention of or failure to comply with authorisations. None of these parts of legislation deal directly with sewage package plants.

a) (i) The details for each province are summarised in the table below.

(ii) The total number of authorized package plants (wastewater treatment and drinking water treatment) is 43. This number refers to facilities with a capacity of 2 mega litres per day and are authorised in terms of the NWA through general authorizations (GA) and water use licences (WUL).

PROVINCE	No. of AUTHORIZED PACKAGE PLANTS(≤2M/L)	AUDITS CONDUCTED
		2019	2020	2021	2022	2023
1	EASTERN CAPE	13	-	-		2	11
2	WESTERN CAPE	6	-	-	-	5	-
3	NORTHERN CAPE	4	-	-		3	-
4	FREE STATE	0	-	-	-	-	-
5	KWAZULU - NATAL	5	-	-	-	-	-
6	MPUMALANGA	10	-	-	-	-	-
7	LIMPOPO	1	-	-	-	-	1
8	NORTH WEST	2	-	-	-	-	-
9	GAUTENG	2	-	-	-	-	1
TOTALS	43	0	0	0	10	14

(i-ii) No inspection conducted. Audits were conducted on 56% of the package plants in the period 2009 until 2023. More audits were conducted in the years 2022 and 2023 due to the Blue Drop and Green Drop Programme

2. (a) Authorisations issued to the package plants have conditions prescribing how much waste and waste concentrations can be released to the environment. The teams that conduct audits of package plants are trained Environmental Management Inspectors (EMIs) with capabilities of determining whether the conditions have been breached or not. In cases of non-compliance resulting in pollution of the environment, such pollution can be quantified in terms on its impact to the environment.

(b) In terms of the NWA, any water use license holder who fails to comply with license conditions commits a criminal offense in terms of Section 151(1)(c) in which the offender becomes liable to a fine or imprisonment or both. Therefore, if a water user has failed to comply with any of the license conditions, DWS first exercises administrative enforcement in the form of Notices and Directives which affords the water user an opportunity to rectify any non-compliances. In cases of further failure to comply, the DWS proceeds with either or both criminal and civil enforcement actions.

---00O00---

Reply:

a) The Department of Water and Sanitation issued a directive to Jagersfontein Developments (Pty) Ltd on 12 September 2022, in terms section 20 (4) of the National Water Act (NWA), 1998 (Act No. 36 of 1998), relating to control of emergency incidents. Amongst other issues, the directive requested rehabilitation of all the affected areas from the Wolwas dam in the Proses Spruit and from the dam downstream towards the confluence of the Proses Spruit and Kromellenboog, downstream to the confluence of the Kromellenboog and Riet Rivers and into the Kalkfontein Dam.

Jagersfontein Developments (JD) has since submitted the incident and rehabilitation plans to DWS which were evaluated and sent back for corrections and improvements in October 2022. The rehabilitation action plan was resubmitted to DWS in December 2022 and DWS has provisionally accepted the plan with the view that the updated plan will be submitted after the appointment of additional specialists as stated in the response submitted in December 2022 by JD. The DWS is continuing to monitor progress regarding the implementation of the rehabilitation plan which has already commenced.

Further to that, the department has opened a criminal case with the Jagersfontein South African Police Services (SAPS) against the owners of Jagersfontein Mine, Jagersfontein Development, for possible contraventions of Section 151(1) (f) & (i) read with Section 1 and 151(2) of the NWA. The DWS is also in the process of appointing a panel of tailings experts to carry out an independent forensic investigation on the causes of failure of the tailings storage facility (TSF). The final report of the forensic investigation will be made available to Parliament.

b) The Department issued a Dam Safety directive in terms of section 118 of the NWA, compelling Jagersfontein Development (JD) to decant Compartment 2 which still had fine tailings to prevent a secondary failure of the TSF. In addition, JD was directed to appoint an Approved Professional Person (APP) to oversee and advise the mine on the safety and operations, including but not limited to decanting Compartment 2 of the TSF at an appropriate rate to safeguard the risk of failure of the said compartment. The APP appointment was approved by the department’s Dam Safety Office (DSO). The DWS is not able to respond on the query regarding the rebuilding of the houses. We are requesting the Honourable Member to redirect this question to the Department of Human Settlements.

---00O00---

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

The targeted $100 billion is inclusive of all investments. Infrastructure South Africa (ISA) provides oversight over the Infrastructure Fund, a blended finance fund to leverage private sector finance for public sector infrastructure investment projects and programmes. A commitment of R 100 billion capitalisation of the fund over ten (10) years was made. The blended finance vehicle is intended to catalyse $55 billion of infrastructure delivery within the country.

Projects that are potentially suited for blended financing solutions are appraised according to the ISA methodology and channelled to the Infrastructure Fund for project structuring. Of the R21 billion, R2.6 billion was approved from the 2021 Budget Facility for Infrastructure window 5, with the remainder to be sourced from project owners’ equity and a significant component from the debt capital markets. For projects and programmes considered in the 2022 Budget Facility for Infrastructure window 6 (2022), of the R39.8 billion, R19.1 billion was approved for fiscal allocation, with the remainder to be sourced from project owners’ equity and a significant component from the debt capital markets.

Reply:

a) Total number of calls to the Home Affairs Hotline number for the 2021-22 financial year

1. Total calls received by the Hotline = 602 607 calls
2. Total number of calls dropped by clients before they answered are 273 760.

b) The Contact Centre service level targets are as follows:

1. 80% of calls offered to agents by the integrated voice response system are to be answered within 20 seconds
2. 60% of calls relating to information requests (e.g. how much is an enabling document, which documents are required to apply for enabling documents, how do I apply online, how do I change my online application, live capture offices, location of offices, etc.) and status updates (how far is my application) are to be resolved within the first call (first call resolution).
3. Average call handling time = 6 minutes
4. Call abandonment rate= 20%. These are calls that are sometimes dropped or terminated by clients before being responded to.
5. Cases created and escalated to second line support are to be escalated within 24 hours of the case being created.

c) All service levels for the period under review, with the exception of the call abandonment rate were achieved. This was due to the centre operating at 50% capacity to ensure compliance with the lockdown and Covid-19 regulations as passed by the President of the Republic of South Africa and the World Health Organization.

d) The first call resolution percentage for the financial year 2021-22 was 61%.

e) At the moment there are no systems to measure customer satisfaction levels. The Centre however has a quality assurance unit that ensures that quality interactions happen and that clients are treated in line with the public service code of conduct and that the Bathopele principles are upheld. Where breakdowns in quality assurance are identified, coaching and calibration sessions are arranged to address the gaps. Where misconducts are identified, corrective measures are instituted accordingly.

The Department is in the process of procuring the latest Contact Centre solution with customer satisfaction surveys and questionnaire modules and feedback mechanisms to cover all elements of customer relationship management.

f) The Contact Centre does not have the customer satisfaction measurement module; as such the satisfaction level could not be measured.

g) The total number of Contact Centre Agents on the approved Home Affairs Contact Centre organizational structure is 120. The total number of agents for the 2021-22 financial year was 94. During this period the Contact Centre operated on a rotation system catering for 50% capacity per shift to ensure adherence to the Lockdown and Covid 19 regulations. The Centre therefore had on average 42 agents per shift excluding those with comorbidities and those on isolation as a result of the Covid-19 infections.

END

Reply:

(1) The construction of the Refengkgotso (Deneysville) Wastewater Treatment Works (WWTW) commenced in 2017/2018 with the Contractor appointed on 9 May 2017, after the Water Use License (WUL), (14/C83M/CFGI/4681) was issued on 7 June 2016. The effluent discharge pipeline was constructed in 2017 and halted in 2017 when it was at 95% towards completion. At the time, the outstanding scope of work included the construction of the discharge end and the connection to the WWTW.

The WUL which expired and for which a new application is in process, is for the discharging of treated effluent into a water course, not for the construction of the WWTW. Currently, no effluent from the Refengkgotso (Deneysville) WWTW is being discharged into either the Vaal Dam or the Vaal River. Furthermore, no treated effluent will be discharged from the Refengkgotso WWTW before a WUL is in place.

(2) An application for the WUL which expired on 7 June 2021, was submitted, and is expected to be finalised by 31 May 2023. It should be noted that a Public Participation Process is not required for an application for a previously authorized WUL. However, a public participation meeting is scheduled to be held at the Deneysville Municipal Offices on 23 February 2023 at 17h00.

(3)(a) A Public Participation Process was convened before the project construction commenced at the Deneysville Primary School in Tank Street on 08 October 2015.

(b) The public participation meeting which was scheduled for 28 November 2022 could not take place due to the Engineer on the project passing on. Furthermore, the contractual arrangements between the Consultant and Metsimaholo had to be resolved first before the project activities could resume.

(c) The meeting was originally planned to be held in Refengkgotso, the residential area where the Deneysville WWTW is located. Refengkgotso is not a neighbouring town, it is a residential area of Deneysville. As indicated above, the meeting has been moved to the municipal offices of Metsimaholo in Deneysville.

(4)(a-b) The Deneysville WWTW will be owned and operated by the Metsimaholo LM once the construction and commissioning of the infrastructure has been concluded. Therefore, the municipality will be responsible for the advertising of posts and the appointment of the required personnel to operate the plant. The municipality has reported that it is already in the process of advertising the relevant posts. The DWS is not aware of further relevant details relating to the nature of posts to be advertised, the requirements and financial implications thereof. It is however estimated that the Deneysville WWTW will be classified as a Class C plant which will require the following operational staff according to Government Gazette No. 36958 of 23 October 2013 (Schedule 2 for Class of Works Rating, Schedule IV for Supervisor and Process Controller):

• 1 x Supervisor - Class V
• 4 x Process Controllers - Class III

(5) The Department has included an operational contract in the project in terms of which the Consultant will be assisting the Metsimaholo LM with the operation of the plant for 12 months after completion of the project.

---00O00---

Reply:

1. Yes indeed frequent loadshedding has led to frequent faulty and/or broken UPS, uninterrupted power supply. Here is a list of those affected as of 17/02/2023.

 

EASTERN CAPE
1	Libode
2	Mt Ayliff
3	Tsolo
4	Mthatha
5	Bizana
6	Sterkspuit
7	Ngcobo
8	Cleary Park
9	Uitenhage
10	Graaff Reinet
11	Port Alfred
12	Willowvale
13	Butterworth
14	Mdantsane
15	King Willaims Town
16	Centane
2. FREE STATE (UPS)
1	Bloemfontein
2	Thaba Nchu
3	Koffiefontein
4	Ficksburg
5	Phutaditjhaba
6	Harrismith
7	Kroodstad
8	Sosolburg
9	Welkom
10	Bothaville
11	Bulfontein
3. GAUTENG (UPS)
1	Heidelberg
2	Sebokeng
3	Springs
4. KWAZULU-NATAL (UPS)
1	Empangeni
2	Richards Bay
3	Ndwendwe
4	Mondlo
5	Hluhluwe
6	Mbazwana
7	Mtubauba
8	Ixopo
9	Kokstad
10	Port Shepstone
11	Scottburg
12	Umngeni
13	Tongaat
5. LIMPOPO (UPS)
1	Thohoyandou
2	Malamulele
3	Vuwani
4	Musina
5	Mokopane
6	Mookgophong
7	Jane Furse
8	Nebo
9	Praktiseer
10	Mankweng
11	Dendron
12	Motjadhiskloof
13	Giyani
6. MPUMALANGA (UPS)
1	White iver
2	Hezyview
3	Mhala
4	Komatipoort
5	Malalane
6	Carolina
7	Piet Retief
8	Secunda
9	Standerton
7. NORTHERN CAPE (UPS)
1	Kimberly
2	Galeshewe
3	Barkley West
4	Pampierstad
5	Postmasburg
6	Kuruman
7	Sprinkbok
8	Calvinia
9	De Aar
10	Prieska
11	Colesburg
12	Douglas
13	Carnavon
8. NORTH WEST (UPS)
1	Swartruggens
2	Makwe
3	Potchefstroom
4	Wolmaranstad
5	Molopo
6	Lichtenburg
7	Taung
9 WESTERN CAPE (UPS)
1	Nyanga
2	Atlantis
3	Wynberg
4	Citrusdal
5	Worcester
6	Plettenburg Bay
7	Caledon
8	Mosselbay

(b) Generators are subjected to frequent breakdowns during loadshedding. Here is a list of those affected as at 23/02/23.

EASTERN CAPE (GENERATOR)
1	Ngqeleni
2	Cradock
3	Sterkspuit
4	Ngcobo
5	Uitenhage
6	Graaff Reinet
7	Port Alfred
8	Willowvale
9	Butterworth
FREE STATE (GENERRATOR)
1	Bloemfontein
2	Botshabelo
3	Thaba Nchu
4	Koffiefontein
5	Harrismith
6	Viljoenstroon
7	Welkom
GAUTENG (GENERATOR)
1	Centurion
2	Soweto
3	Evaton
KWAZULU-NATAL (GENERATOR)
1	Empangeni
2	Ndwendwe
3	Mondlo
4	Mbazwana
5	Paulpeitersburg
6	Ixopo
7	New Hanover
8	Umzikhulu
9	Kokstad
10	Port Shepstone
11	Scottburg
12	Pinetown
13	Commercial Road
14	Greytown
15	Ladysmith
LIMPOPO (GENERATOR)
1	Thohoyandou
2	Malamulele
3	Vuwani
4	Musina
5	Thabazimbi
6	Mookgophong
7	Jane Furse
8	Praktiseer
9	Mankweng
10	Dendron
11	Motjadhiskloof
12	Giyani
6. MPUMALANGA (GENERATOR)
1	White River
2	Hezyview
3	Mhala
4	Mashishing
5	Komatipoort
6	Malalane
7	Bethal
8	Secunda
9	Volksrust
NORTHERN CAPE (GENERATOR)
1	Galeshewe
2	Pampierstad
3	Jan Kempdorp
4	Calvinia
5	De Aar
6	Prieska
7	Colesburg
8	Douglas
9	Carnavon
8. NORTH WEST (GENERATOR)
1	Makwe
2	Klerksdorp
9. WESTERN CAPE (GENERATOR)
1	Nyanga
2	Atlantis
3	Bredasdorp
4	Wynberg
5	Citrusdal
6	Worcester
7	Plettenburg Bay
8	Caledon
9	Mosselbay
10	Mitchell's Plain
11	Ceres
12	Oudtshoon
13	Prince Albert
14	Vredendal
80

(i)The department has installed generators and Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) units in all its modernised offices throughout the country. The department has contracted a service provider to service and repair all the generators and UPS units where necessary.

(ii) This service provider is currently in all the Provinces. The challenge is the scarcity of UPS units within the country.

END

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:

(a) I have been informed by the Department that:

(i) The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure did not conduct any land audit on farms. The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, under Chief Surveyor General, conducted the land audit.

(ii) There was no land owned by Department of Public Works and Infrastructure identified as there was no land audit conducted by the Department.

(b) N/A

(c) N/A

Reply:

1. The details of the (a) destination and (b) total costs for (i) accommodation, (ii) travel and (iii) any other costs incurred for international travel of the (aa) Minister and (bb) Deputy Ministers since 1 June 2019 are as follows:

(aa) Since 1 June 2019, Minister Pandor travelled mainly to the following destinations (a) Africa, Americas, Europe, as well as Asia and the Middle East. The (b) total costs for (i) accommodation, (ii) travel and (iii) any other costs incurred for international travel were: R5 108 912.00.

(bb) Since 1 June 2019, Deputy Minister Botes travelled mainly to the following destinations (a) Americas and Europe. The (b) total costs for (i) accommodation, (ii) travel and (iii) any other costs incurred for international travel were: R R2 135 913.00

(bb) Since 1 June 2019, Deputy Minister Mashego-Dlamini travelled mainly to the following destinations (a) Asia and the Middle East. The (b) total costs for (i) accommodation, (ii) travel and (iii) any other costs incurred for international travel were: R1 674 935.00

2. The total cost incurred for domestic air travel for the (a) Minister and each (b) Deputy Minister since 1 June 2019 are as follows:

(a) The total costs incurred for Minister Pandor’s domestic travel since 1 June 2019 are: R495 382.00.

(b) The total costs incurred for Deputy Minister Botes’s domestic travel since 1 June 2019 are R1 501 404.00. The total costs incurred by Deputy Minister Mashego-Dlamini’s domestic travel since 1 June 2019 are R1 674 935.00

Reply:

1. The Department is developing a public transport subsidy policy that will locate the subsidisation of minibus taxi users within the wider, multi-modal subsidy framework as part of the public transport funding reforms. There are a number of different subsidy models being considered and explored that includes the minibus taxi industry based on applicable integrated transport plans.

2. The policy is at a stage where it is being submitted to Cabinet for consideration and only when it is approved will it be implemented

Reply:

1. The upgrading of the existing fence surrounding the land acquired by the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO), which was recently declared as the Meerkat National Park, will enable SANParks to manage the land as an environmentally protected area and provide opportunities for multi-disciplinary research. It is in the best interests of all parties to commence with the upgrade of the fence as soon as possible, and SARAO has endeavoured to keep local stakeholders informed and explored mitigation measures in the interim.

2. SARAO was able to confirm funding for the Meerkat National Park Fencing (MNPF) project in December 2022. The funding was secured as part of the overall SKA funding support from the Department of Science and Innovation. The project team, in collaboration with SANParks, has prepared the required fencing specifications - which is approximately 223km long - and undertook a successful cost optimization workshop in early February 2023 to ensure value for money in the delivery of the project.

3. The tender documentation is currently being finalised and the tender will be advertised in early April through relevant procurement portals. The fence construction project is expected to last for about 30 months after the award of the contract. SARAO will continue to work with local stakeholders to address and mitigate risks during construction.

Reply:

The Council on Higher Education (CHE) has Guides to Good Practice for the Quality Management of Short Courses. Universities and private higher education institutions are engaged in offering short courses that, where appropriate, could lead to part qualifications or qualifications. This is done to enable institutions to meet the rapidly increasing demand to equip both the young and mature members of the public with knowledge and skills.

The University of Cape Town (UCT) offers a suite of free online short courses that are hosted in partnership with Futurelearn, Getsmarter and Coursera. There are no entry requirements, a participant can choose to purchase a certificate upon completion.

The partnership with Coursera was launched in partnership with the Ministry of Communication and Digital Technologies so that free online courses are made available to young people.

The University of Johannesburg offers free fully online courses to members of the public.

The University of the Witwatersrand also] offers free online courses. These courses are on the edX platform. Like UCT the online courses are free, participants may purchase the certificates of completion. The Department of Higher Education and Training (the Department) has also adopted Massive Open Online Courses or offering of free online courses to increase access as per the HE ACT.

 

Reply:

(a)(i) No cases of illegal internal appointments were reported to the department;

(ii) (b) and (c) The DPSA does not keep a record of illegal appointments as there is no reporting requirement for departments. The process of recruitment is decentralised to individual Executive Authorities.

End

Reply:

1. The mandate of the Department of Public Service and Administration, the National School of Government and the Centre for Public Service Innovation is to support the Minister for the Public Service and Administration in furthering the roles and responsibilities contemplated in, amongst others, Chapter 10 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, read with the Public Service Act, 1994, the Public Administration Management Act, 2014 and the National Development Plan.

The professionalisation of the public sector is part of a broader process of ensuring a developmental State that is capable. Capability of the State is only enabled through the professionalisation of the public sector. The process to professionalise the public sector is driven by the Minister for the Public Service and Administration in the context of ensuring that the public sector is equipped with competent and qualified personnel, appropriately capacitated, and functioning optimally.

2. The work around the professionalisation of the public sector has overarching implications that traverse the areas of work of all the departments supporting the Minister for the Public Service and Administration. The National School of Government, supported by other departments and stakeholders, led the development of the National Framework towards the Professionalisation of the Public Sector. The Department of Public Service and Administration, supported by other departments and stakeholders, is leading the process to review the legislative frameworks, including norms and standards, to institutionalise the Framework.

End

Reply:

(a) The transportation of dangerous goods is regulated under Chapter VIII of the National Road Traffic Act, 1996 (“the Act”) and Chapter VIII of the National Road Traffic Regulations, 2000 in order to protect everyone directly involved (such as consignors or carriers), or those who might become involved (such as members of the emergency services and public). Suffice it to state that the Dangerous Goods Regulations, incorporate the SA National Standards (SANS) compiled by the SA Bureau of Standards, oblige transport operators involved in the carriage of dangerous goods, to ensure that they know what they have to do to minimise the risk of incidents as well as guarantee an effective response.

(b) In addition to the Chapters referred to above, section 49 outlines the duties of the operator” whereas section 50 provides for “power of MEC in respect of motor vehicles, drivers and activities of operators. It is the latter section which directly speaks to and will assist in my reply. The Act and its Regulations (incorporating SABS Standards) create several offences under the Dangerous Goods Chapter.

1. In terms of section 49 (a) read together with section (89)2) the operator of a dangerous goods motor vehicle must (and commits an offence if he fails to) notify the particular registering authority within seven days of any change in the circumstances in relation to his registration as the operator of such vehicle.

2. In terms of section 49 (a) read together with section 89(2) the operator must also return the operator card in respect of that motor vehicle to that registering authority, and contravenes the Act if he fails to do so.3. 4. 

3. In terms of section 49 (b) read together with section 89(2) the operator must also:

• keep safe and protect from theft an operator card issued to him;
• notify the nearest police station within 24 hours, and the registering authority where he is ordinarily resident within seven days, after becoming aware.

4. In terms of section 32 read together with sections 49-(c) and 89(2) if the operator does not exercise proper control over the driver of such dangerous goods motor vehicle, particularly to ensure compliance with all the relevant provisions of the Act, including regarding:

• the professional driving permit; and
• the loading of such vehicle, he commits an offence.

5. In terms of section 49 (d) read together with section 89 (2) offences are created if the operator fails to ensure that such dangerous goods motor vehicle does not comply with fitness requirements – the roadworthy certification, basically.

6. In terms of section 49 (f) read together with section 89(2) the operator commits an offence if he fails to ensure that all the requirements for the conveyance of dangerous goods and substances are not complied with.

7. In terms of sections 49 (f) and (g) read together with section 89(2), it is a criminal offence if the operator does not conduct his operations with due care as to the safety of the public, and fails to take all reasonable measures to ensure that such motor vehicle is operated on a public road in compliance with the provisions for the loading and transportation of goods as prescribed by or under the Act.

In addition to the above offences section 50 of the Act prescribe certain powers to be exercised by MEC of respective Provinces in matters pertaining to the transportation and conveyance of dangerous goods. For ease of reference, the aforesaid section provides as follows:

“Power of MEC in respect of motor vehicles, drivers and activities of operators

50. Power of chief executive officer in respect of motor vehicles, drivers and activities of operators

 

a) The chief executive officer may, on account of any evidence regarding the state of fitness of a motor vehicle in respect of which an operator is registered, produced to him or her in accordance with subsection (4), by written notice-

​(i) notify such operator that such motor vehicle is suspected of being unroadworthy and that the operator should forthwith take adequate steps to ensure its continued roadworthiness in accordance with Chapter V;

​(ii) require from such operator to indicate in writing what precautions he or she has taken to ensure the continued roadworthiness of such motor vehicle in accordance with Chapter V;

​(iii) direct such operator to produce such motor vehicle for inspection, examination or testing at a time and place specified in such notice; and

​(iv) suspend the operator card issued in respect of such motor vehicle, if such motor vehicle has been examined or tested under paragraph (c) and found to be unroadworthy in terms of Chapter V, for such period as such motor vehicle is so unroadworthy.

 

(b) The chief executive officer may, on account of the record of a driver of a motor vehicle in respect of which an operator is registered, by written notice-

​(i) inform such operator that it is suspected that he or she does not exercise proper control over the driver under his or her authority as required by section 49;

​(ii) require such operator to indicate in writing what precautions he or she has taken in order to ensure proper control over drivers under his or her authority;

​(iii) require such operator to produce for examination the records regarding drivers which an operator is required to keep in terms of this Act; and

​(iv) direct that the driver concerned be retested in terms of section 25.

 

​c) The chief executive officer may, if the record of an operator indicates that such operator does not comply with the provisions of this Act, by written notice-

​(i) direct such operator to carry out his or her duties in terms of section 49 properly;

​(ii) appoint a person whom he or she deems fit, to investigate the activities or specific activities of such operator and direct the person so appointed to make a written recommendation to him or her regarding what measures should be taken in respect of such operator;

​(iii) direct such operator to appear before him or her or before any other person appointed by him or her, in order to furnish reasons for his or her failure to carry out his or her duties in terms of section 49; and

​(iv) notify such operator-

 

​1. that an operator card shall only be issued to him or her on such conditions as the chief executive officer may deem fit;

​2. that no further operator card shall be issued to him or her for such period as the chief executive officer may specify in the notice; or

​3. that the operator card or cards relating to such motor vehicle or vehicles as the chief executive officer may determine in respect of which he or she is registered as the operator is or are suspended until the chief executive officer is satisfied that the grounds for the suspension have lapsed:

Provided that-

(aa) the period of any suspension under subparagraph (iii) shall not exceed 12 months;

(bb) any decision by the chief executive officer under this paragraph shall only be taken on the basis of a recommendation by a person appointed under paragraph (b); and

(cc) the chief executive officer shall, within 21 days after the date of the notice, in writing furnish such operator with the reasons for his or her decision.

 

​d) The chief executive officer may, in the exercise of his or her powers under this section-

​(i) equire any operator, subject to any lawful objection, to make discovery of documents by way of affidavit or by answering interrogatories on oath and to produce such documents for inspection;

​(ii) require any operator to allow inspection of any records and documents required to be kept by the operator in terms of this Act;

​(iii) appoint a commission to take the evidence of any person in the Republic or in a prescribed territory or in a foreign state and to forward such evidence to him or her in the same manner as if the commission were a commissioner appointed by a court; and

​(iv) at any time require that an inquiry be instituted into the operational activities of an operator by a person appointed by him or her for that purpose and, if such operator is a company, also into those of any other company in a group of companies to which the operator belongs or of which the operator is the controlling company”.

In view of the above, non-compliance with the Act will lead to criminal prosecution of the operator as the case may be and, if found guilty, a fine or jail sentence. Some of the penalties for non-compliance with the Act include–

• court orders for suspension or cancellation of a license or permit;

• disqualification of a person from obtaining a license or permit;

• cancellation of a license or/and permit; and

• fines for non-compliance, depending on the offence

Reply:

The Department of Home Affairs is responsible for determining the upcoming Zimbabwean Exemption Permits deadline for students who would like to further their studies and/or continue their current studies in the Republic. Students are allowed to apply for their study permits, the current permit deadline date is 30 June 2023.

The Department of Higher Education and Training has however, put in the necessary measures to ensure the enablement of internationalisation in the higher education space and ensure that there are no constraints hindering prospective international students to study in South Africa, within the allowed parameters. Structures that have been put in place include the overarching Policy Framework for Internalization of Higher Education guiding the mobility of student and staff in higher education.

Other measures that have been put in place to enable continuous and purposeful integration of students into the domestic learning environment in alignment with the Department’s internationalisation mission at local universities include the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Protocol on Education and Training. This international agreement is designed to enable student and lecturer mobility within the SADC region. This agreement requires all member states to reserve at least 5% of admission for students from SADC national, other than their own. South Africa at this stage hosts the largest number of international students within the SADC region than any other member country.

Reply:

The recent incessant heavy rains in many areas of the country have resulted in saturation of the soil and loosening of soil and causing landslides and rockfall on some slopes along some of the roads. The mudslides and rockfall that fell onto the N4 in Schoemanskloof were cleared the same day by the road authority. A similar occurrence on the R36 from Bambi towards Mashishing (Lydenburg) was also cleared the same day of occurrence. The respective road authorities for the two roads, SANRAL (TRAC) and Mpumalanga Public Works, Roads and Transport are constantly monitoring the road sections to ensure any recurrence can be attended to with minimum disruption of traffic movement and also to ensure all road users are safe at all times. It must be noted that the slopes are stable and hold firm under normal rainfall conditions.

Reply:

Find here: Reply

Reply:

Find here: Reply

Reply:

Find here: Reply

Reply:

 

Find here: Reply

Reply:

Find here: Reply

Reply:

Find here: Reply

Reply:

Find here: Reply

Reply:

Find here: Reply

Reply:

Find here: Reply

Reply:

Find here: Reply

Reply:

a) The total rental per month as at 31 December 2022 for office space for South Africa’s foreign missions amounts to R34 789 518.06.

b) The total rental per month as at 31 December 2022 for the residences for heads of foreign missions across the globe amounts to R10 701 028.57

Reply:

 

Find here: Reply

Reply:

Find here: Reply

Reply:

Find here: Reply

Reply:

1. South Africa’s position on the self-determination of Western Sahara is based on the principles of multilateralism and international legality in seeking a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution, which will provide for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara; the centrality of the African Union (AU) and the United Nations (UN) in the resolution of the conflict; the Constitutive Act of the AU, in particular the principle of the sanctity of inherited colonial borders in Africa and the right of peoples of former colonial territories to self-determination and independence; respect of international human rights law in the occupied territories, notably the right to freedom of association, assembly, movement and expression; respect of international humanitarian law and support for the provision of humanitarian assistance to the Saharawi refugees in a way that is predictable, sustainable and timely; and an end to the illegal exploration and exploitation of the natural resources of Western Sahara in the illegally occupied territory and the discouragement of the involvement of foreign companies in such activities.

South Africa consistently raises the issue of the right of self-determination of the people of Western Sahara during discussions on the matter at the UN and the AU and through bilateral engagements.

2. Concerning the position and integrity of the African Union on Western Sahara, it should be noted that South Africa completed its term as Chair of the African Union in 2020. To this end, South Africa cannot pronounce on behalf of the African Union on the matter regarding allegations of Moroccan bribery and spying activities. However, South Africa will to the fullest extent, ensure the safeguarding of its own position and integrity vis-à-vis Western Sahara. As a Member State of the African Union, South Africa will continue to support and champion the role of the African Union and its effective functioning.

Reply:

Find here: Reply

Reply:

i) No vehicle was purchased for the Minister since 1 June 2019.

ii) No vehicle was purchased for the former Minister since 1 June 2019.

iii) The following vehicle was purchased for the Deputy Minister (a) make: BMW (b) model: 520d (c) year of manufacture: 2019 (d) cost: R668 000 (e) purchase date: 19 December 2019.

iv) No vehicle was purchased for the former Deputy Minister of the department since 1 June 2019.

END

Reply:

Find here: Reply

Reply:

Find here: Reply

Reply:

Find here: Reply

Reply:

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

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

Reply:

(a)(i) In the period requested, the department had a total of 110 mobile units from 01 April 2022 to 30 September 2022. The breakdown per province is as follows:

Province	Number of Mobile Units	No of Units with Accident/ Mechanical Breakdown	Remaining Total Number of Mobile Unit
Eastern Cape	15	1	14
Free State	10	1	9
Gauteng	9	0	9
Kwazulu Natal	14	0	14
Limpopo	13	0	13
Mpumalanga	11	0	11
Northern Cape	10	0	10
North West	11	0	10
Western Cape	13	1	13
Head Office (Special Projects)	4	0	4
TOTAL	110	3	107

(a)(ii) Out of one hundred and ten (110) mobile units, one hundred and seven (107) were fully operational. The three (3) mobile units allocated to Western Cape, Eastern Cape and Free State respectively are not fully operational due to mechanical breakdown challenges as the units belong to an old fleet procured in FY 2005/06 and some of the units were previously involved in accidents.

(b) A total of 107/110 mobile units were deployed during the reporting period with planned day to day schedules. This averages a total of 95% of the total units deployed on day to day schedules to close the gaps where there is no DHA footprint and render services in remote rural areas.

During the above reporting period 464 areas/visiting points were visited by mobile units as per day to day schedules in terms of DHA Hybrid Access Model. A further 46 areas were visited during Ministerial service delivery outreach programmes in Eastern Cape, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and North West to promote early birth registration and Smart ID card products.

(c)(i) The total number of one hundred and eleven thousand nine hundred and sixteen (111 916) smart ID cards applications were collected by mobile units of which contributes to 8,44% of the national total applications collected on mobile units. A further, four thousand eight hundred and eighty-six (4 886) passport applications were collected by mobile units during the reporting period.

(c)(ii) A total number of two thousand two hundred and eight (2 208) schools were visited by mobile units during the above period in different provinces.

END

Reply:

a) During the period 2021/22 the Department concluded the closure of 10 missions. The remaining two missions are earmarked for closure during 2023.

b) Three construction projects were prioritised over the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) namely, New Delhi, Luanda and Gaborone. However, it may be noted that the Gaborone project is under review as the Government of Botswana has intentions to acquire the state-owned land portion from DIRCO.

Reply:

1. The management of the performance of staff including that of members of the senior management service (SMS) is the responsibility of each Executive Authority and Head of Department. Regulation 72 (15) b & c states that “based on the outcome of the performance assessment an Executive Authority (b) may reward, where appropriate, provide training and development for employees; (c) shall manage poor performance”. The DPSA monitors this through the report that departments are required to submit on the management of poor performance of members of the Senior Management Service (SMS) based on the outcome of the mid-year review of the current performance cycle and the annual assessment for the previous performance cycle by 31 March annually. Departments in their reports must also give an indication of the frequency of such poor performance, what plans are in place to address poor performance and the corrective or disciplinary actions taken.

2. According to the information provided by departments that submitted reports, since March 2020 no member of the SMS was subjected to incapacity hearings due to poor performance. Departments indicated that performance improvement plans have been put in place for members of the SMS who were under performing. The reports based on the outcome of the 2021/2022 annual assessments and the 2022/2023 mid-year reviews are only due on 31 March 2023.

End

Reply:

Find here: Reply

Reply:

Find here: Reply

Reply:

This question should be referred to the Minister of Public Enterprises as he provides oversight over Eskom’s operations.