Questions and Replies

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08 March 2023 - NW147

Profile picture: Chirwa-Mpungose, Ms NN

Chirwa-Mpungose, Ms NN to ask the Minister of Health

(a) What steps does he intend to take in response to the verbal communique issued to the hospital and clinic management of the OR Tambo Memorial Hospital in Boksburg by the Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Health in Gauteng that they should not engage public representatives who are on oversight without her having granted permission, which was discovered during the unannounced oversight visit at the specified hospital and (b) on what date will his department issue a follow-up communique to correct the assertion and threat to management of hospitals and clinics issued by the MEC?

Reply:

It is our considered view that visitations to healthcare facilities, especially hospitals, are properly arranged ahead of time, with the relevant authorities, for visitors to be accommodated in the schedule and operations of the facility. This is so because all staff in our healthcare facilities are extremely busy all the time and if the visitation is not pre-arranged or arranged in an orderly manner, the operations of the facility will be negatively affected. Honourable Members are very well aware that our facilities are overburdened with demand for healthcare services, while at the same time experiencing shortages of staff of various sorts. We therefore do not want the staff in these facilities to operate in an unplanned and uncoordinated manner as this could even result in the Honourable Members ending up not receiving proper attention being taken on walk-abouts or being attended to by staff during such visits. The risk is therefore that the same Honourable Members will as a result complain that they went on a visit and they were not attended to and that no one was available to answer their questions. Also, the Honourable Member will wonder around in the facility and have a risk of causing even more disruption. It is our considered view therefore that visits by everyone to our healthcare facilities, including public representatives, are pre-arranged, but that in the case of Members of Parliament, such visits are further coordinated under the auspices of the relevant Parliamentary Committee. In this way, the Honourable Members will make a positive contribution in improving the quality of healthcare service delivery in our healthcare facilities in particular, and in the entire healthcare system in general.

The Honourable Member is well aware that a healthcare facility is a very sensitive area and allowing uncontrolled access to any healthcare facility poses risks to staff and patients both in terms of security as well as infection control.

END.

08 March 2023 - NW196

Profile picture: Chetty, Mr M

Chetty, Mr M to ask the Minister of Health

(1)What are 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 each (aa) Minister and (bb) Deputy Minister of his 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 his department since 1 June 2019?

Reply:

It is important to remind Honourable Members that all these trips are in fulfillment of the obligations for the Portfolio for various representations of the country in various fora in the world, and further, that the international ones are strictly approved by the Head of State before they can be undertaken.

1. The details of the destination, total costs for accommodation, travelling and any other costs incurred for international trips for each Minister and Deputy Minister since 01 June 2019 are as follows:

  • Minister R3 712 892.05
  • Deputy Minister R1 919 384.33

(aa) The former Minster

The Current Minister

(bb) Former Deputy Minister

Current Deputy Minister

2. The total costs incurred for domestic air travel for each Minister and Deputy Minster since 01 June 2019 were as follows:

a) The total cost for domestic air travel incurred for Minister, Dr. ZL. Mkhize was R1 343 877.00 up to the year 2021, and cost incurred for the current Minister, MP Dr. MJ Phaahla amount to R310 271.79 to date.

b) Costs incurred for former Deputy Minister, Dr. MJ Phaahla since 01 June 2019 until 2021 amount to R616 929,28 and current Deputy Minister, MP Dr. S Dhlomo with effect from 2021 to date sits at R718 054.54.

END.

08 March 2023 - NW205

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Khakhau, Ms KL to ask the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture

1. What are 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 each (aa) Minister and (bb) Deputy Minister of his 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 his Department since 1 June 2019

Reply:

International Travel since 1 June 2019.

International Travel

Minister

Deputy Minister

(a) Destination

Report attached.

Report attached.

(b)(i) Total cost accommodation

R 115 395.00

The rest of accommodation was done through DIRCO.

R 7 690.00

The rest of accommodation was done through DIRCO.

(b)(ii) Total cost air/road travel

R 1 305 811.69

R 478 464.35

(b)(iii)Any other cost

R 5 866.65

R 600.00

08 March 2023 - NW319

Profile picture: Thembekwayo, Dr S

Thembekwayo, Dr S to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education

What steps of intervention did she take under the provisions of the Constitution of the Republic, 1996, to provide relief to Okhukho Primary School at Mahlabathini in KwaZulu-Natal regarding their ablution facilities, which remain unresolved notwithstanding it being reported to the province?

Reply:

The question asked does not fall within the purview of the Minister of Basic Education but the Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Education in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). The question should therefore be referred to the MEC in KZN. 

08 March 2023 - NW258

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

Considering the world heritage status and political history of Robben Island, (a) which stakeholders were consulted, given the political sensitivity around the event of the Robben Island Museum (RIM) silent disco party, (b) what were the main objections received that led to the cancellation of the event and (c) what future events are in the 2023-24 annual performance plan to promote the mandate of RIM?

Reply:

Consultation took place with internal stakeholders (RIM’s Ferries Department, Infrastructure and Facilities Management Department, Operations Department, and Heritage Department that includes the Environmental Unit) as well as external stakeholders, however, discussions were underway with the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA).

There were no formal objections received. However, after Silent Events advertised their event before RIM’s internal processes and consultations with relevant stakeholders was concluded, negative publicity was received from the public. This led to the cancellation of the event by Silent Events cancelled their event.

Future events which are captured in the RIM APP for 2023/2024, include the following:

  • Coastal clean ups
  • Events relating to engage with issues related to Archiving and Collections
  • Various academic seminars and workshops
  • Educational camps
  • Training and educational sessions
  • Tourism trade familiarization trip

08 March 2023 - NW14

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Masipa, Mr NP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

What are the details of the (a) breakdown of the total amount paid by her department to purchase Limburg Farming Enterprise for the Communal Property Associations (CPA), (b) breakdown of the amount paid by the department to support the CPA towards input and infrastructure costs since the start of the CPA to date and (c)(i) size of the farm, (ii) types of farming taking place on the farm, (iii) productivity levels and (iv) challenges faced by the CPA?

Reply:

a) The Land was bought in 1978 by Government prior to the democratic dispensation. The Department, under the current democratic dispensation did not pay any money for the acquisition of the land; a deed of donation was used to donate the land.

b) A detailed breakdown of the amount paid by the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) to support the CPA towards input and infrastructure costs since the start of the CPA to date are:

  • 2001: R11 584 000.00;
  • May 2011: R5 895 846.00;
  • October 2011: R354 706.62; and
  • November 2011: R2 301 748.59.

(c) (i) Size of the farm is 25 700 hectares.

(ii) Citrus and Livestock production.

(iii) Currently, there is no production on the farm.

(iv) Challenges faced by the CPA are conflicts amongst members.

08 March 2023 - NW277

Profile picture: Mbhele, Mr ZN

Mbhele, Mr ZN to ask the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition

(1)Whether, with reference to his reply to question 2269 on 4 October 2021 and his speech in his Budget Vote on 20 May 2022, the Draft Patents Amendment Bill, which will have a far-reaching impact on the Republic’s pandemic readiness and the local manufacturing of medicines, therapeutics and diagnostics, was submitted to Cabinet for consideration by October 2022 as announced; if not, (a) why not, (b) on what date will it be submitted to Cabinet and (c) on what date will the Cabinet consideration process be completed; if so, on what date was it submitted; (2) Whether the Cabinet has finalised its consideration of the Bill; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, on what date will the Bill be released for public comment?

Reply:

During the dtic Budget Vote in May 2022, I advised that the dtic completed comprehensive work on a draft Patents Bill (PB) to be submitted to Parliament after consideration by Cabinet. The aim of the draft Bill is to update and reform SA’s patent legislation by synchronizing the legislation with international developments.

The draft Bill was indeed subsequently completed.

Following the Budget Vote debate however, further consultations were required to take account of two additional developments:

First, the final agreement reached at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) on waivers and flexibilities relating to pandemic use of patented vaccines, contained a provision to conclude discussion on therapeutics and diagnostics with an extended timeframe. This follows a request from developed countries for such facility; and

Second, discussions that took place during the latter half of 2022 at the African Union, through the Council of Ministers responsible for the AfCFTA, on a Protocol on Intellectual Property Rights, which was formally reported to at the African Union Assembly during February 2023.

Both these international agreements may impact on the contents of the Bill.

As soon as the implications of these two developments have been considered, the final version will be submitted to Cabinet.

-END-

08 March 2023 - NW283

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Clarke, Ms M to ask the Minister of Health

(1)What is the total number of senior and/or executive positions in each public hospital in the Republic that are currently occupied in an acting capacity with no permanent contract, where such positions are being held by someone with a total remuneration package of level 6 or higher; (2) what (a)(i) total number of senior staff in the employ of his department with a level 6 remuneration package or higher have disciplinary processes and/or cases pending against them and (ii) are the relevant details of the specified cases and (b) disciplinary measures are being taken by his department in this regard?

Reply:

1. In accordance with information extracted from the PERSAL Data Set of 28 February 2023, a total of 8 employees are occupying positions in acting capacity on senior and/or executive positions in public hospitals in the Republic with no permanent contract on salary level six and higher.

The table below is the data as extracted from PERSAL and its accuracy is being verified with Provincial Departments of Health:

ACTING PERSONNEL WITHOUT PERMANENT CONTRACTS AS Feb 2023

POST CLASS DESC

ACTING PERSONNEL

EC

FS

GAU

KZN

LP

MPU

NC

NW

WC

Grand Total

DEP MAN NURS(LEV1&2)

ASSIST MANAGER NURSI

0

0

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

HEAD CLIN DPT MED

HEAD CLIN UNIT MED

0

0

0

1

0

0

0

0

0

1

HEAD CLIN DPT MED

MEDICAL SPECIALIST

0

0

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

HUMAN+SUPPORT SR10

HUMAN+SUPPORT SR8

0

0

0

1

0

0

0

0

0

1

LINE FUNC + SUP SR11

LINE FUNC + SUPP SR9

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

1

LINE FUNC + SUPP SR9

HEALTH AND SUPP SR8

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

1

MANAGE+SUPPORT SR10

MANAGE+SUPPORT SR9

0

0

0

0

0

1

0

0

0

1

MANAGE+SUPPORT SR13

LINE FUNC + SUP SR11

0

0

0

1

0

0

0

0

0

1

Grand Total

 

 0

 0

2

3

 0

1

 0

 0

2

8

2. The table below indicates total number of senior staff in the employ of his department with a level 6 remuneration package or higher who have a disciplinary process and/or cases pending against them.

(2)(a)(i) total number

(ii)details of cases

Level 6=1

Theft

Level 8=1

Gross Absenteeism

Level 8=1

Corruption and maladministration

   

(b)disciplinary measures

Yes

END.

08 March 2023 - NW303

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Luthuli, Mr BN to ask the Minister of Sport, Arts & Culture

(a). How does his department intend to ensure the protection of artists, considering that they have been left out of most national addresses which speak to their marginalisation, and (b). What efforts will the departments make to ensure that artists are protected seeing that a policy that provides such protection is currently non-existent NW317E

Reply:

(a). The Department does not determine but contributes to what the President conveys to the public through his national addresses. My department’s interpretation is that the President has expressed himself on the plight of the creative sector through his national interventionary programs such as Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme (PESP). This has a significant budgetary contribution, deliberately and specifically for the retention, creation of jobs, inclusion, and access.

(b). The Department has an approved White Paper on Arts, Culture and Heritage whose core objective is to protect the interest of all practitioners in the sector. To further solidify that, the Department has developed and is processing the following specific policy instruments to regulate and protect the sector:

b.1 Masterplan on Cultural and Creative Industries- Approved

b.2. Copyright Amendment Bill- At Select Committee level.

b.3. Performers Protection Amendment Bill- At Select Committee level.

b.4. Theatre and Dance Policy- en route to the Clusters

b.5. Design Policy -Sector consultations

b.6. National Book Policy-Sector consultations

Additionally, the department: (1) has a strategy that assists creatives financially (MGE) (2) has developed an intervention programme to assist artists with their psycho-social well-being (Silapha Wellness Programme) (3) has an initiative that takes into consideration artists living with disabilities (We Can Arts Festival).

08 March 2023 - NW264

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Macpherson, Mr DW to ask the Minister of Health

(1)Whether, since the implementation of the Health Promotion Levy, his department conducted any research into its effect on levels of obesity in the Republic; if not, why not; if so, (a) who conducted the research, (b) on what date was the research conducted, (c) what did the research reveal about the effectiveness of the levy, (d) what is the reason that the research has not been made public and (e) on what date will the research be made public; (2) whether the research has been shared with the National Treasury; if not, why not; if so, (3) whether there has been any discussion of the research between his department and the National Treasury; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details of the discussions; (4) whether there are any plans to conduct such research now or in the future; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

(1) (a) No specific research has been conducted on the effect of Health Promotion Levy (HPL) on obesity, however, studies have been conducted on the effects of HPL on the consumption of Sugar Sweetened Beverages.

(b)-(c) Scientists have shown that the HPL is working, for example, evidence shows that in the first year after the introduction of the HPL, urban household purchases of sugary beverages fell by 51% (Stacey et al, 2021). Similar results were shown in young adults in Langa Cape Town (Essman et al, 2022) where a 37% in volume and 31% in sugar intake was demonstrated. In Soweto, the frequency of Sugar Sweetened Beverages (SSB) intake amongst heavy consumers fell from 10 beverages per week before the tax to 4 beverages per week one year later (Wrottesley et al 2020).

(d) The results on the effectiveness of SSBs on consumption are published papers that are accessible to the public.

(e) Not Applicable

(2) Yes, the research has been shared with National Treasury by the researchers.

(3) There has not been any discussion between the DOH and National Treasury on above mentioned studies by the Department since the researchers shared the results directly with National Treasury.

(4) There is currently no planned research focussing only on the impact of HPL on obesity. The Department is finalising the Dietary intake study which will reveal other foods including those with sugar that are consumed by South Africans. The information will assist the Department to identify additional interventions that should be taken to control obesity and reduce the risks of NCDs. Considering that Obesity is caused by multiple factors, with sugar being the major contributor.

END.

08 March 2023 - NW104

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Nodada, Mr BB to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education

(1)       What (a) total number of schools in the Republic still have (i) pit toilets, (ii) mud structures, (iii) asbestos structures and (iv) asbestos roofs as at 1 February 2023 and (b) is the name of (aa) each school (bb) in each province; (2) by what date does her department envisage to have the use of (a) pit toilets, (b) mud structures, (c) asbestos structures and (d) asbestos roofs eradicated at each specified school in the Republic?

Reply:

 (1)      What (a) total number of schools in the Republic still have (i) Pit toilets, (ii) mud structures, (iii) asbestos structures and (iv) asbestos roofs as at 1 February and (b) is the name of (aa) each school (bb) in each province;

(a) (i)

Province

No. of school with Pit Toilets

EC

  984

FS

  33

KZN

 1 495

LP

 1 948

MP

  551

NC

  5

NW

  185

National

 5 201

Note: Most of schools do have other appropriate forms of sanitation, as indicated in the attached list,  but the Pits toilets  still need to be demolished. Schools that have pit latrines only are part of the SAFE programme to address the demolition of pit latrines

(a) (ii)

Province

No. of school with Mud Structure

EC

  506

KZN

  110

LP

  36

MP

  18

NC

  3

NW

  13

National

  686

(a) (iii)

Province

No. of school with Asbestos Structure

EC

  4

KZN

  1

MP

  2

NC

  25

NW

  15

National

  47

(a) (iv)

Province

No. of school with Asbestos roofs

EC

 1 010

FS

  6

GT

  92

KZN

 1 447

MP

  26

NC

  39

NW

  34

WC

  31

National

 2 685

Annexure A: List of school attached. Please note that the DBE has embarked on a process of conducting a condition assessment of all school that will culminate in an up to date information on all schools across the country

(2)   by what date does her department envisage to have the use of (a) pit toilets, (b) mud structures, (c) asbestos structures and (d) asbestos roofs eradicated at each specified school in the Republic?

The sector is in the process of reviewing the Regulations relating to Minimum Uniform Norms and Standards for Public School Infrastructure, which provide for timelines for the eradication of the said backlogs, as the timelines in the current regulations are obsolete. the revised timelines will be provided as soon as the process of revision is concluded.

08 March 2023 - NW289

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Ngcobo, Mr SL to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education

In light of reports by the National Education Infrastructure Management System in 2021 that 10 038 of the 23 276 public schools in the Republic, especially those located in rural inland areas, have no sport facilities, what are the relevant details of the (a) co-operative relationship between her department and other government departments to address the sport infrastructure lacking in public schools and (b) measures that her department has put in place to ensure that all learners are able to participate in sport?

Reply:

(a) 

  1. To support schools with no infrastructure for sport participation, the Department, in collaboration with the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) have initiated engagements with the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) to make municipal facilities accessible to schools at no cost. Engagements are also being extended to look at possibilities of how the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) can be accessed for the benefit of the schools.
  2. Furthermore, through the Memorandum of Understanding between DBE and DSAC, signed in 2018, an entity of DSAC called the Sport Trust builds multi-purpose sport facilities in identified schools. These facilities are also accessible for utilisation by neighbouring schools.
  3. The Department is also in partnership with partners like Supersport and UNICEF to build multi-purpose sport facilities in schools. These facilities are then shared and utilised by other the neighbouring schools.
  4. In 2015, the Department, together with DSAC and Cricket South Africa (CSA) signed an operational agreement to fast track cricket development at schools through the Hub system. This initiative contributes to the revitalisation of sports development in the townships and rural areas, and it also improves educational outcomes in the basic education sector. These Hubs are committed to the following:
  • develop cricketers at the Cricket Hubs;
  • run cluster leagues to feed into the School Sport Programme;
  • provide support to integrate the elite cricketers into the CSA High Performance Programmes through CSA’s existing integrated system of Talent Scouts, Coaching Mentors and Sports Science Programmes;
  • support worthy educational and sporting causes, from time to time, as identified by the three parties;
  • extend early learning and e-learning programmes through homework support, and
  • dedicated cricket coaching educational programs are produced and aired on the MINDSET platforms.

(b)

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

08 March 2023 - NW153

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Tito, Ms LF to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education

What (a) measures have been put in place by her department to tackle the challenge of bullying in schools, which is costing lives and causing learners to drop out of schools and (b) are the current statistics of bullying in schools in the Republic?

Reply:

What (a) measures have been put in place by her department to tackle the challenge of bullying in schools, which is costing lives and causing learners to drop out of schools?

1. The Department has trained schools on the implementation of the National School Safety Framework (NSSF) which is the sector's guiding framework for school and assists school to manage and respond to violent incidences in schools including bullying. The NSSF empowers schools to identify and manage all safety requirements and to mitigate against threats faced in a school. The NSSF requires every school to establish a school safety committee which is comprised of stakeholders such as teachers, police officers, school governing body members, learner representative council members amongst others. Furthermore, The NSSF also empowers schools to develop incident reporting mechanisms, establish collaborations with external stakeholders such as the South African Police Service (SAPS), the Department of Social Development and civil society organisations, as well as develop school safety plans and policies to respond effectively to all the safety needs and challenges.

2.  The Department also requires schools to develop and implement anti-bullying policies, in line with the schools' codes of conduct. These policies define bullying and explains the different types of bullying (e.g physical, verbal, non-verbal, cyber, gender-based, etc.) so that the behaviours are recognisable; the policies make explicit the disciplinary procedures to be undertaken once and incidence is reported and the sanctions which will be undertaken against the perpetrators.

3. The Department and its partner Departments: Social Development, Justice and Constitutional Development, Correctional Services, the South African Police Service and the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies have embarked on an Inter-Departmental Campaign on the Prevention of Violence, Bullying, Corporal Punishment, Gender-Based Violence (GBV), Learner Pregnancy, Alcohol and Drug Abuse. This Campaign raises awareness on the importance of tackling these social ills and rasies awareness of the negative effects they have on teaching and learning in schools and on learners self esteem. The Campaign has been championed by the Deputy Minister of Basic Education and is supported by other Deputy Ministers from the partner Departments. It targets districts and schools with high prevalence of violence in provinces. To date, the Campaign has been rolled out in five provinces: Gauteng (Gauteng West District), Limpopo (Sekhukhune East District), Mpumalanga (Nkangala District) and the North West (Dr Kenneth Kaunda District).  The next Campaign is scheduled to take place in the Eastern Cape, Nelson Mandela Bay District in March 2023.

4. The Department through the Life Orientation Curricular covers bullying in detail and how to prevent it. The Department has prepared lesson sets for the delivery of these topics. Understanding peaceful approaches to conflict management are also covered systematically across the grades. The Life Orientation Curricular further encourages learner agency, which is important as it encourages learners to stand up for the values and rights enshrined in the Constitution.

Are there current statistics of bullying in schools in the Republic?

5.  Yes. The statistics on bullying is routinely collected through Statistics South Africa and TIMMS. 

08 March 2023 - NW297

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Hlengwa, Ms MD to ask the Minister of Health

Whether he has been informed that members of Operation Dudula have been protesting and chasing away immigrants from outside and within health facilities in Johannesburg, resulting in the specified individuals being denied the provision of healthcare and increasing the risk of xenophobic violence in healthcare practices; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details of the steps that have been taken to uphold (a) the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, as well as (b)(i) domestic and (ii) international legal obligations, which ensure the right to health for all?

Reply:

I was made aware of Operation Dudula protesting outside public health facilities around Gauteng province including Johannesburg and Kalafong Hospital.

a) In Kalafong Hospital, Operation Dudula protest caused an obstruction of free access to the facility, hence the need to intervene, which was done in collaboration with the Gauteng Provincial Department of Health and Kalafong Hospital management.

b) (i) Gauteng Provincial Department of Health applied for an urgent court interdict against Operation Dudula. Subsequently, the Court order preventing disruption to free access to the hospital was granted. Over and above working with the Gauteng Provincial Department of Health, we prevailed with the South African Police Service to be more decisive in implementing the interdict, thus ensuring the protection and safety of all healthcare users, including foreign nationals. The court was applied mainly to prevent obstruction of healthcare facilities from being accessible to all users, including foreign nationals.

(ii) I, together with the Director-General gave the leadership of Operation Dudula an audience, who by the way also had other allegations against the Kalafong Hospital management. Operation Dudula leadership was informed that there are other ways of addressing their allegations against the hospital management. Having visited the Kalafong Hospital and assisting the Gauteng Provincial Department of Health and subsequently meeting with Operation Dudula leadership, was done as an attempt to open the lines of communication so that Operation Dudula are free to talk to us about specific matters they might have.

END.

08 March 2023 - NW257

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

(1)(a). Whether he will furnish the Portfolio Committee on Sport, Arts and Culture with the contract between the Robben Island Museum (RIM) and Silent Events SA with regard to the silent disco party; if not, why not; if so on what date; (2). what was the (a) estimated budget contribution for the event from the side of RIM and (b) financial loss after the event was cancelled?

Reply:

1. There was no contract entered into between Robben Island Museum (RIM) and Silent Events. Silent Events requested to hire a RIM venue. An inception meeting was held to understand their requirements and to determine if the nature of the event aligned with RIM’s vision, mission and values.

Subsequently, a site visit was conducted to determine if RIM had the capacity to host such an event and determine if the event would have any negative impact on the Island, including the impact the event would have on RIM’s carrying capacity assessment, which is part of the World Heritage Convention requirements, and if mitigations were required. In respect to RIM’s internal procedures, based on RIM’s Events and Financial policies, a quotation was prepared, after acceptance of such a quotation, an invoice was generated and sent to Silent Events. A follow up meeting was planned with Silent Events, which did not materialise as such an agreement was not entered into.

2.(a). There was no financial contribution from the side of the Robben Island Museum (RIM)

(b).There was no financial loss incurred except the loss of potential revenue, which would have been an amount of R76 395.00.

08 March 2023 - NW212

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Bagraim, Mr M to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education

(1)       What are 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 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:

(1) What are the details of the 

(a) destination

aa) Minister:

  • 2019: Dubai
  • 2019: Paris 
  • 2019: Dubai
  • 2021: France
  • 2020: New York
  • 2022: Kenya
  • 2022: London
  • 2022: Ghana
  • 2022: Tanzania
  • 2022: Cuba 

(bb) Deputy Minister:

  • 2019: Dubai
  • 2019: Ghana

(b) total costs for: 

aa) Minister:

(i) accommodation:                    R667 280.51

(ii) travel:                                   R496 564.94

(iii) any other costs incurred:    R2 853.00

 

(bb) Deputy Minister:

(i) accommodation:                    R74 400.05

(ii) travel:                                   R91 617.86

(iii) any other costs incurred:    R1 142.00

 

(2) What is the total cost incurred for domestic air travel for each 

(a) Minister:                   R342 905.44

(b) Deputy Minister:        R768 696.44  

08 March 2023 - NW175

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Montwedi, Mr Mk to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

Whether, with reference to her reply to question 1393 on 8 June 2022, her department is planning to introduce funding for organic farming which would dedicated towards subsidies, research and development in the near future; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

No. Funding is allocated as indicated in the reply to question 1393. The Agricultural Products Standards Bill, currently in the parliamentary process, seeks to regulate organic farming in that anyone who makes ‘organic farming claims’, should have in place an auditable management control system. The same applies to “free-range” and similar claims. Once the Bill is passed into law, regulations will be developed to govern/guide requirements for organic farming.

07 March 2023 - NW223

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Van Staden, Mr PA to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

1)Whether, with regard to the establishment of Infrastructure South Africa in November 2019, the set target to raise an amount of $100 billion (USD) investments was achieved; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) what (a) amount was actually received by Government from international investors and (b) are the details of how the investments will be utilised?

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.

07 March 2023 - NW256

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Graham-Maré, Ms SJ to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

(1)What number of houses are (a) occupied and (b) unoccupied in the Pelican Park Parliamentary Village; (2) whether a case has been opened in respect of the recent shooting incident where a stray bullet went through the windscreen of a car in the Park; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) what assessments have been done with respect to the security of residents entering and exiting the Park in light of the ongoing gang violence in the area; (4) whether she has found that there is a high risk to the safety of the residents of the Park; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (5) whether her department will consider alternative accommodation for the residents of the Park; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

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

07 March 2023 - NW276

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

(1)What (a) are the details of the 24-hour security presence at the old Jewish Synagogue in Tshwane, (b) has been the response from the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) to the proposed feasibility study as it is long past the 12-months’ deadline since the study was completed and (c) are the specifications of the scope of the project for the redevelopment of the existing Old Synagogue site and the adjacent sites; (2) whether the site will be the new headquarters of the DSAC; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) whether approval has been received from the National Treasury; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (4) whether bids for public-private partnerships (PPPs) will be opened and/or encouraged; if not, why not; if so, (5) whether Tshwane’s Jewish community will be one of the PPPs considered in the mix because of the synagogue’s significant relevance to the Jewish community; if not, why not; if so, on what date is the project likely to begin?

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.

07 March 2023 - NW320

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Madokwe, Ms P to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation

What role has his department played in holding the mine accountable for (a) the slimes dam disaster in Jagersfontein in the Free State and (b) enforcing safety regulations, given that it has been nearly five months since the disaster and that victims have been left stranded with family members in nearby towns and those whose homes are being rebuilt are receiving subpar housing that is not close to the houses that were destroyed?

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---

07 March 2023 - NW32

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Roos, Mr AC to ask the Minister of Home Affairs

What (a) total number of calls to the Home Affairs Hotline number 0800 60 11 90 were (i) received by the hotline and (ii) dropped before they were attended to, (b) are the service level targets of the call centre, (c) was the achievement against the service level target, (d) is the percentage of first contact resolution, (e) mechanism of customer satisfaction is in place, (f) measure of customer satisfaction was achieved and (g) total number of call centre agents were in the call centre on any one shift in the 2021-22 financial year?

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

07 March 2023 - NW405

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van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Home Affairs

Whether, he will clarify the position on e-visas as stated by the President of the Republic, Mr M C Ramaphosa, during the State of the Nation address that after the Government has completed a comprehensive review of the work visa system, it will move quickly to implement the recommendations put forward and will also introduce a remote worker visa, compared to his statement in 2022 that the current visa categories are legislated by the Immigration Act, Act 13 of 2002, and that in its current form the Act does not make provision for a digital nomad e-visa, therefore there are no plans to implement a digital nomad e-visa; if not, (a) why not and (b) what are the timeframes in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

a) Honourable Speaker, the Department has developed a plan for the implementation of the recommendations from the Vulindlela Team that compiled a report on the review of the work visa regime and part of the implementation plan is the amendment of the Legislation and Regulations to include the remote work visa.

b) The amendment of the Regulations will be undertaken in the new financial year, 2023/2024, while the Legislation is still at the Green Paper stage.

END

07 March 2023 - NW224

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Van Staden, Mr PA to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

(1)What is the (a) total number of identifiable properties currently registered under the National Governments’ name at the Deeds Office, (b) number of such registered State properties that have improvements on them and (c) current maintenance backlog in respect of months and years for each of the specified properties; (2) (a) what total number of the Government’s properties, both improved and unimproved, are currently being rented out and (b)(i) to whom are they rented out and (ii) at what amount in each month? NW228E

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

07 March 2023 - NW337

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Montwedi, Mr Mk to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

(a) What number of hectares of land has the land audit identified as (i) farms and (ii) land owned by her department, (b) what economic activities take place at the farms and (c) on what date will they be redistributed to local communities?

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

07 March 2023 - NW202

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Krumbock, Mr GR to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

(1)What are 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 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 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.

 

07 March 2023 - NW184

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Engelbrecht, Mr J to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation

What is the (a) make, (b) model (c) year manufacture, (d) price and (e) purchase date of each vehicle purchased for use by (i) her and (ii) the Deputy Ministers since 01 June 2019?

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

07 March 2023 - NW228

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Whitfield, Mr AG to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services

In light of the recent and constant spate of intentional acts of sabotage against critical Eskom infrastructure, which as a consequence further exacerbates Eskom’s inability to adequately provide the Republic with a consistent supply of electricity, will his department and/or the National Prosecuting Authority be charging any person found to be sabotaging critical infrastructure with acts of terrorism, in terms of the new extended definition of terrorist activity, as the Protection of Constitutional Democracy Against Terrorist and Related Activities Amendment Bill has been passed and signed into law by the President?

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.

07 March 2023 - NW387

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Tito, Ms LF to ask the Minister of Home Affairs

What (a) progress has he made in dealing with the problem of long queues at the offices of his department and (b) are the reasons that he has been unable to resolve the crisis to date?

Reply:

a) In its effort to eliminate long queues in front offices, the department has rolled out the Branch Application Booking system to all one hundred and ninety-eight (198) offices with live capture system for clients to book a slot before they can visit our offices. In addition, twenty (20) additional mobile trucks have been procured making the fleet now stands at a total of one hundred and twenty-seven(127) and they are deployed at schools and at offices with high volumes of clients to deal with the issue of long queues.

The department in partnership with Banks and Malls will be expanding its footprint where there will be DHA offices in Banks and Malls. Currently The department has twenty-eight (28) bank branches rolled out with live capture system for both ID Cards and Passports applications as well as collections. For this financial year the department will also roll out its services to the Malls. The pilot will commence at Menlyn Shopping Mall in March 2023 and will be rolled out in phases to other provinces.

b) The department is continuously engaging with private partners to ensure that its footprint is expanded and this will resolve the problem of long queues.

END

07 March 2023 - NW381

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Chabane, Mr MS to ask the Minister of Home Affairs

Considering that since the establishment of the Border Management Authority (BMA) significant progress has been made to date, notwithstanding, the Republic still experiencing persons entering the country illegally, what measures are put in place by the BMA to tackle such challenges?

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. Since their deployment, the Border Guards have registered multiple successes in preventing cross-border crime, including illegal migration.

Further, from the 1st of April 2023 officials from the Departments of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development; Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment; Health; and Home Affairs, who are responsible for the execution of border law enforcement functions at Ports of Entry, will be integrated into the BMA which will be characterised by a single command and control structure at Ports of Entry. Guided by the Authority’s SOPs, such a structure will streamline processes for the detection and handling of persons attempting to enter the country illegally by the Authority’s personnel.

END

07 March 2023 - NW394

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Roos, Mr AC to ask the Minister of Home Affairs

What urgent steps will his department take to resolve the matter of disappearing (a) ID and (b) passport applications as a result of load shedding?

Reply:

Applications for Passports and IDs do not disappear as a result of load shedding. When there is load shedding, replications stop because servers of the affected Branches are off. However, the applications captured before load shedding appear on the database. The officials then run a process to reconcile the information.

END

07 March 2023 - NW31

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Roos, Mr AC to ask the Minister of Home Affairs

Whether he will furnish Mr A C Roos with a list of the Home Affairs offices with (a) faulty and/or broken Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) systems and (b) no functioning generator; if not, why not; if so, by what date will the (i) UPS be repaired and (ii) emergency power supply systems be installed in each of the specified offices?

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.

 

  1. 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.

  1. EASTERN CAPE (GENERATOR)

1

Ngqeleni

 

2

Cradock

 

3

Sterkspuit

4

Ngcobo

 

5

Uitenhage

6

Graaff Reinet

7

Port Alfred

8

Willowvale

9

Butterworth

  1. FREE STATE (GENERRATOR)

1

Bloemfontein

2

Botshabelo

3

Thaba Nchu

4

Koffiefontein

5

Harrismith

6

Viljoenstroon

7

Welkom

 
     
  1. GAUTENG (GENERATOR)

1

Centurion

2

Soweto

 

3

Evaton

 
     
     
  1. 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

     
     
  1. 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

 
     
  1. 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

07 March 2023 - NW385

Profile picture: Msane, Ms TP

Msane, Ms TP to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation

Whether the Government has made any recommendations for member states to intervene in the killing of the citizens of Eswatini by their head of state, since assuming the Presidency of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

His Excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa during his tenure as Chairperson of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Organ on Politics, Defence, and Security Cooperation, was seized with finding a lasting solution to the political challenges in Eswatini.

As a SADC member, South Africa concurs with the decisions taken by SADC, including the most recent decisions of the Extraordinary SADC Organ Troika Summit held in Namibia on 31 January 2023, regarding the Kingdom of Eswatini. These decisions, amongst others, condemn all killings and property destruction in the Kingdom, and calls for the Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini to urgently initiate the National Dialogue process. The Summit also calls for the Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini to conduct a swift, transparent, and comprehensive investigation into the killing of Mr Thulani Maseko.

South Africa, therefore, continues to urge all affected parties in the Kingdom of Eswatini to maintain calm and peacefully engage in the National Dialogue. South Africa is always available to contribute to the stabilisation efforts in the Kingdom of Eswatini for the benefit of the two countries.

South Africa aligns itself with the decision of the 36th African Union Assembly of Heads of State and Government which expressed concern at the unfolding situation in the Kingdom of Eswatini. The Assembly requested the African Union Commission to work in partnership with SADC and the Kingdom to coordinate interventions for the promotion of peace and inclusive dialogue amongst the Kingdom’s stakeholders, with a view to achieving a peaceful resolution to the political and social crisis in the country. This decision is based on the well-established AU principle of subsidiarity and the ethos of the AU’s Peace and Security Architecture. Also, the decision was taken following the consideration, by the Assembly, of the report of the AU Peace and Security Council, chaired by South Africa for the month of February 2023, on its activities and the status of peace and security on the Continent.

07 March 2023 - NW432

Profile picture: Graham-Maré, Ms SJ

Graham-Maré, Ms SJ to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

(1)Whether, her department is the registered owner of Erven (a) 6515 to 6519 and (b) 33 to 41 Tassenberg Street, Alphen Park, Benoni X24; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what is the status of each lease on each property; (2) whether the rental on each specified leased property is market-related; if not, why not; if so, are the specified rentals aligned to the recent valuations undertaken by the City of Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality; (3) whether all rentals due to her department are up to date; if not, what steps have been taken to collect the rental arrears, if so, what are the relevant details; (4) (a) on what date was the last assessment of the condition of each specified property done, (b) what is the condition of each property and (c) who is responsible for the maintenance of each property?

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

(1) (1) I have been informed by the Department that the National Department of Public Works and Infrastructure is not the registered owner of Erven (a) 6515 to 6519 and (b) 33 to 41 Tassenberg Street, Alphen Park, Benoni X24.

(2) Not applicable.

(3) Not applicable.

(4) Not applicable.

07 March 2023 - NW241

Profile picture: Bryant, Mr D W

Bryant, Mr D W to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation

(1)With reference to Parts 9 and 10 of the National Water Act, Act 36 of 1998, which deals with licensed sewage package plants, (a) what is the total number of licensed plants in (i) each province and (ii) total in the Republic and (b) of those licensed plants, what percentage were (i) inspected and (ii) audited correctly in each year since 2009 until the latest date of which information is available in 2023; (2) with reference to the specified Act which deals with unlicensed sewage package plants, upon conducting inspections and audits, (a) how does his department assess what environmental damage has resulted from non-compliance and (b) what action has been taken by his department where plants were found to be non-compliant with their licensing conditions?

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.

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07 March 2023 - NW225

Profile picture: Van Staden, Mr PA

Van Staden, Mr PA to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

(1)With regard to the matter of court buildings that cannot function properly due to the ongoing Eskom electricity blackout crisis, what (a) total number of courthouses throughout the Republic cannot function properly due to a lack of generators and the maintenance thereof and (b) measures has she put in place to ensure that the courthouses are fully equipped with functional generators; (2) whether she will put measures in place to ensure that courthouses are exempt from load shedding; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) whether she will make a statement on the matter?

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

07 March 2023 - NW222

Profile picture: Breedt, Ms T

Breedt, Ms T to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation

(1)What are the reasons that work continued on the multi-million Rand sewage project in Deneysville, Free State, while the existing license has apparently expired in 2021; (2) whether there is a new application to continue the project; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details. (3) what are the reasons that public participation (a) was not done before embarking on the project, as is required with a project of this nature, (b) is only scheduled for the end of February, a month before planned completion and (c) is not to be held in the town affected, but in a neighbouring town; (4) whether, considering that the project is set to be completed by end of March 2023, posts have been advertised for the plant; if not, why not; if so, (a) which posts have been advertised and (b) what are the (i) requirements and (ii) financial implications of the positions; (5) whether the plant will open on time with relevant employed staff; if not, why not; if so; what are the relevant details?

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.

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07 March 2023 - NW433

Profile picture: Graham-Maré, Ms SJ

Graham-Maré, Ms SJ to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

(1)With respect to the Property and Construction Industry Policy and Research Branch of her department, what is the allocated budget for Construction Policy and Research separate from the transfers to the Property Management Trading Entity and the entities reporting to her; (2) what costs were incurred for legal researchers and consultants who have done the legislative work of the branch in the (a)(i) 2019-20, (ii) 2020-21 and (iii) 2021-22 financial years and (b) first half of the 2022-23 financial year?

Reply:

1. 

I have been informed by the Department that the break-down of the Goods and Services budget is provided for below, for the period 2019/20 to 2022/23 for each of the three (3) units within the Property, Research and Regulation (PRR) Branch.

#

UNIT

GOODS AND SERVICES BUDGET/ YEAR

   

2019/20

2020/21

2021/22

2022/23

1.

Construction Sector Regulation (CSR)

7 687 000

6 499 000

3 000 000

3 000 000

2.

Property Sector Regulation (CSR)

7 780 000

6 661 000

4 000 000

4 000 000

3.

Office of the DDG

1 024 000

1 087 000

1 000 000

1 000 000

TOTAL

16 491 000

14 247 000

8 000 000

8 000 000

2. 

Legal consultants provide various services including legislative drafting to the Department of Public works and Infrastructure (DPWI). The function and the budget for these services reside with the Chief Directorate: Legal Services (CD: LS). Legislative drafting undertaken for the PRR Branch are consistent with activities in the Annual Performance Plan (APP) and Annual Operation Plan (AOP). The costs incurred by DPWI for the services of legal consultants encompasses any of the following services: drafting of legal opinions, consultations, legislative drafting & presentation to the Portfolio Committee based on the following projects:

No.

Legal Consultancy

Financial Year

ITEM TOTAL

   

2019/2020

2020/2021

2021/2022

2022/2023

 

1.

Expropriation Bill

R170 634, 25

R166 405.00

R227 010.00

R325 295.00

R889 344.25

2.

Law Reform Report

-

-

R203 550,00

-

R203 550.00

3.

Draft Construction Industry Development Board Amendment Bill

-

R64 900.00

R142 145.00

R103 385.00

R310 430.00

4.

Draft Public Works Bill

-

-

-

R223 100.00

R223 100.00

Sub-Total

R170 634, 25

R231 305.00

R572 705.00

R651 780.00

R1 626 424.25

TOTAL

R1 626 424.25

The total amount of R1 626 424.25 was the cost incurred for legal researchers and consultants who undertook legislative work of the branch.

07 March 2023 - NW351

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

(a) What are the reasons (i) for the very poor conditions of the accommodation at the parliamentary villages and (ii) that the curtains are torn and facilities such as the swimming pool, tennis courts and playgrounds are in a state of dilapidation and (b) by what date will the poor conditions of the villages be addressed?

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

a)(i)  I have been informed that the Department appointed a new Facilities Management service provider on the 08 March 2022 who has commenced with the scheduled and corrective maintenance at the Parliamentary Villages. This includes the residences, grounds and facilities such as the swimming pool and tennis courts.

(i) The curtains at the residences within the Parliamentary Villages are satisfactory, however, the voile curtains are in poor condition because of the lifespan of voile material, which is approximately three (3) years, maximum; depending on the handling as well as weather conditions. Voile is not as durable as standard lined curtains. It fades and becomes fragile because of the direct sun and is not resistant to stains such as mould.

b)  For the residences, particularly the brick residences, occupied by Members of Parliament, there is currently a project underway, which commenced in 2020. Acacia Park is completed, Laboria Park residences are currently being refurbished and Pelican Park residences will be next. The completion date for the said project is in December 2023. In addition, due to the condition of the prefabricated residences in Acacia Park, the Department has registered a project to demolish all prefabricated residences and rebuild brick residences. The estimated financial tender date for the said project is 24 November 2023, as the approval to allocate the project to an implementing agent is awaited.

  • With respect to the curtains, the Department is currently conducting moveable asset condition assessments at all residences in the Parliamentary Villages, in preparation for window treatments tenders and rehabilitation or replacement of furniture where necessary.
  • The grounds and facilities are currently being attended to by the Facilities Management service provider.

06 March 2023 - NW144

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Tambo, Mr S to ask the Minister of Transport

What (a) regulatory and (b) consequence management measures has his department put in place for companies such as a certain company (name furnished), whose alleged negligence resulted in the devastating gas tanker explosion in Ekhuruleni?

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

06 March 2023 - NW509

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Boshoff, Dr WJ to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation

Whether he will furnish Dr W J Boshoff with the details on progress with regard to erecting a fence around the terrain of the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) telescope which would enable SANParks to commence with management of the land surrounding the SKA radio telescopes purchased by the SA Radio Astronomy Observatory, as well as enable neighbouring stock farms to operate without the challenge of unmanaged land, including the proliferation of problem animals, adjacent to their own small-livestock operations; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

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.

06 March 2023 - NW488

Profile picture: Zondo, Mr  S S

Zondo, Mr S S to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation

Whether, in view of the fact that education is a key catalyst of economic emancipation, and with open and distance education being designed to serve as a tool to make higher education accessible to everyone and everywhere (details furnished), his department has any plans in place to partner with higher education institutions to create open-access online short courses for South Africans, especially the youth, who are unable to afford formal education and do not qualify for funding; if not, why not; if so, what are the details of the plans?

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.

 

06 March 2023 - NW426

Profile picture: Gondwe, Dr M

Gondwe, Dr M to ask the Minister of Public Service and Administration

What (a) total number of cases of illegal internal appointments were reported to (i) his department and (ii) across the departments in the public service, (b) steps of consequence management were taken against the officials who were implicated in the specified illegal and irregular appointments and (c) total number of public servants have been disciplined for facilitating the illegal and irregular appointments since 1 March 2020 in each case?

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

06 March 2023 - NW280

Profile picture: Gondwe, Dr M

Gondwe, Dr M to ask the Minister of Public Service and Administration

1)What mandate does his department have with respect to the professionalisation of the Public Service; (2) what are the reasons that the Framework towards the Professionalisation of the Public Service was driven by the National School of Government when the legal mandate of his department is the formulation and implementation of public service policy and norms and standard?

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

06 March 2023 - NW113

Profile picture: Zondo, Mr  S S

Zondo, Mr S S to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation

With reference to the upcoming Zimbabwean Exemption Permits deadline, which poses a potential obstacle to students who would like to further their studies and/or continue their current studies in the Republic, what steps has his department taken to ensure that there is continuous and purposeful integration of students into the domestic learning environment in alignment with his department’s internationalisation mission in universities?

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.

06 March 2023 - NW362

Profile picture: Engelbrecht, Mr J

Engelbrecht, Mr J to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation

What are 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 each (aa) Minister and (bb) Deputy Ministers of her department since 1June 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? NW196E

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

06 March 2023 - NW317

Profile picture: Thembekwayo, Dr S

Thembekwayo, Dr S to ask the Minister of Transport

What urgent steps of intervention has (a) he, (b) his department and/or (c) agencies reporting to him taken regarding the landslide and rock falls in De Beers Nek, Schoemanskloof in Mpumalanga which caused road closures?

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.

06 March 2023 - NW157

Profile picture: Nolutshungu, Ms N

Nolutshungu, Ms N to ask the Minister of Transport

(1)On what exact date will the taxi subsidy be fully implemented as it has been almost two years that the taxi operators and/or owners have been waiting for the subsidy; (2) what is the timeline of the status of the process?

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

03 March 2023 - NW358

Profile picture: Paulsen, Mr N M

Paulsen, Mr N M to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment

Whether she has put a policy in place for all government departments, especially the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure and of Transport to use climate resilient construction techniques to mitigate the impact that sporadic floods could have on infrastructure; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

 

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03 March 2023 - NW359

Profile picture: Paulsen, Mr N M

Paulsen, Mr N M to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment

What are the relevant details of programmes that are implemented by her department to (a) deal with global warming and (b0 reduce greenhouse gas emissions other than those for transitioning from fossil fuels?

Reply:

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