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24 February 2023 - NW38

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De Freitas, Mr MS to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment

What (a) is the visitor statistics for (i) day visitors and (ii) more than one day visitors in each month at the Tsitsikamma National Park for the past three financial years and since 1 April 2022, (b0 amount was (i) generated in each month, (ii) budgeted for maintenance and repairs and (iii) spent in each month and (c) are the details of the expenditure in each month?

Reply:

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24 February 2023 - NW17

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Van Dyk, Ms V to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy

(1)With regard to the takeover of the management contract from Kernel Resources Proprietary Limited, owned by Mr Christopher Kimber and Mrs Nathiera Kimber, related to West Coast Resources (WCR) that is in business rescue at Koingnaas, wherein Government also apparently holds a 20% stake, how did a certain person (name furnished) obtain the mine management contract with no track record; (2) whether he has found that the correct tender process was followed with the sale of the management contract, as prescribed by the Public Finance and Management Act, Act 1 of 1999; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) whether he has found that it is procedure to put such an opportunity up for tender when the Government is involved; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, on what date was this advertised and/or put on tender; (4) (a) which other companies submitted bids for the tender of the mine management contract and (b) what are the reasons that the specified companies were unsuccessful?

Reply:

1. The process of appointment of contractors is handled by the Business rescue Practitioners in terms of the Companies Act, 2008 and not the Department.

2. The process is outside the Department’s scope of mandate, and it is handled by the Business rescue practitioners.

3. The government is not involved in this process its privately conducted by the Business Rescue practitioners.

4(a) The Department is not involved in the bids for tenders as this is outside the Department’s scope of mandate.

(b) See (a) above.

24 February 2023 - NW24

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Bryant, Mr D W to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment

(1). With reference to her reply to question 3509 on 14 October 2022, what (a) steps will she be taking to protect threatened baboon sub-populations in KwaZulu-Natal from extinction and (b) has she found to be prevailing circumstances that let to the impending extinction of baboon sub-population in KwaZulu-Natal; (2) whether she intends ti raise the impending extinction of baboon sub-populations with the relevant Minister of Executive Council in KwaZulu-Natal; if not, why not; if so; on what date; (3) On what date is it envisaged that the SA National Parks will publish its Draft Cape Peninsula Baboon Strategic Management Plan ?

Reply:

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24 February 2023 - NW16

Profile picture: Van Dyk, Ms V

Van Dyk, Ms V to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy

Whether, with regard to the takeover of the management contract from Kernel Resources Proprietary Limited, owned by Mr Christopher Kimber and Mrs Nathiera Kimber, related to West Coast Resources (WCR) that is in business rescue at Koingnaas, wherein Government also apparently holds a 20% stake, he will provide Mrs V van Dyk with a copy of the (a) court order relating to the business rescue of WCR and (b) management contract between WCR and Kernel Resources Proprietary Limited; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

The Mine is under business rescue, which is administered in terms of the Companies Act, 2008. The requested documents can be duly obtained from the Business Rescue Practitioners.

24 February 2023 - NW54

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Mileham, Mr K to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy

With regard to each project that was rejected as a preferred bidder in the Bid Window 6 of the Renewable Independent Power Producer Programme, (a) where was the project located, (b) what was the source of generation and (c) what were the detailed reasons for the rejection of the bid?

Reply:

With regard to (a), (b) and (c)

a) The projects were in Eastern and Western Cape supply areas.( Attached, see list))

b) 16 wind projects amounting up to the allocated 3200MW were not appointed.

c) The projects were not appointed because there was no grid capacity.

 

LIST OF AFFECTED ONSHORE WIND PROJECTS,

RENEWABLE ENERGY IPP PROCUREMENT BID WINDOW 6

Rank

Bid ID

Capacity (MW)

Province

Latitude

Longitude

1

RE_OW_0166_002

153.00

Northern Cape

- 32.7181

20.7494

2

RE_OW_0166_001

140.00

Western Cape

- 32.9756

20.6339

3

RE_OW_0052_020

238.00

Western Cape

- 31.7542

22.3950

4

RE_OW_0052_021

238.00

Western Cape

- 31.8103

22.4672

5

RE_OW_0052_022

238.00

Western Cape

- 31.8942

22.4319

6

RE_OW_0165_003

240.00

Western Cape

- 32.7639

20.8472

7

RE_OW_0165_004

240.00

Western Cape

- 32.7294

21.0306

8

RE_OW_0165_006

240.00

Eastern Cape

- 31.4881

26.3839

9

RE_OW_0026_003

123.90

Western Cape

- 33.4884

19.2107

10

RE_OW_0037_013

140.00

Eastern Cape

- 32.6862

28.2290

11

RE_OW_0166_006

140.00

Eastern Cape

- 32.8144

25.9044

12

RE_OW_0165_005

212.40

Eastern Cape

- 31.4531

26.4461

13

RE_OW_0035_004

205.80

Western Cape

- 32.5025

22.4806

14

RE_OW_0035_005

205.80

Western Cape

- 32.5025

22.4806

15

RE_OW_0037_018

225.00

Western Cape

- 32.9604

22.6657

16

RE_OW_0037_017

162.00

Western Cape

- 32.9077

22.6432

24 February 2023 - NW18

Profile picture: Van Dyk, Ms V

Van Dyk, Ms V to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy

(1) Whether, with regard to the takeover of the management contract from Kernel Resources Proprietary Limited, owned by Mr Christopher Kimber and Mrs Nathiera Kimber, related to West Coast Resources (WCR) that is in business rescue at Koingnaas, wherein Government also apparently holds a 20% stake, (a) Main Street 1252 (PTY) Ltd, Reg no: 2014/064647/07, is a state-owned enterprise; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) whether Main Street 1252 (PTY) Ltd holds shares in WCR; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) who are the directors of Main Street 1252 (PTY) Ltd?

Reply:

  1. Main Street is not a state-owned entity, but a Special purpose vehicle created to hold shares that would eventually be transferred to the State
  2. Yes, it holds 20% shares
  3. Main street shares are held by De beers group Services and Kerspuy, Daryl Charles as active directors

24 February 2023 - NW66

Profile picture: Mileham, Mr K

Mileham, Mr K to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy

(a) What total volume of diesel did (i) PetroSA and (ii) the Strategic Fuel Fund (SFF) procure for wholesale purposes in each month of 2022 and (b) in each case, (i) who did they purchase the diesel from, (ii) how much diesel was purchased, (iii) how much diesel was sold to Eskom and (iv) what markup did (aa) PetroSA and (bb) the SFF put on the diesel that was sold to Eskom?

Reply:

SFF Reply:

Strategic Fuel Fund (SFF) never bought and/or sold diesel in 2022.

PetroSA Reply:

a) What total volume of diesel did

(i) PetroSA procure for wholesale purposes in each month of 2022

This is commercially sensitive information which cannot be disclosed in the public domain as it may end up in the hands of PetroSA’s competitors. This relates to PetroSA’s market share which is commercially sensitive information.

b) in each case, (i) who did they purchase the diesel from,

In terms of the confidentiality provisions contained in the agreements with the Suppliers, providing the information would be a breach of such confidentiality provisions.

(ii) how much diesel was purchased

See response in a) (i) above

(iii) how much diesel was sold to Eskom

As already alluded in a) (i) above, it is not in PetroSA’s interest to disclose information pertaining to its volumes as it is commercially sensitive information because it relates to PetroSA’s share in the market..

(iv) what markup did (aa) PetroSA put on the diesel that was sold to Eskom?

This is commercially sensitive information as it relates to PetroSA’s competitive margin in the market.

 

24 February 2023 - NW56

Profile picture: Bergman, Mr D

Bergman, Mr D to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation

In the past six months, (a) what (i) overseas trips has he undertaken in his capacity as Minister or a representative of the Government and (ii) was the purpose of the specified trips and (b) has he found that the objectives were achieved?

Reply:

List of Minister’s trips in last 6 months (1 August 2022 until 31 January 2023)

(a)(i)

(a)(ii)

(b)(i)

Date

Country

Purpose

Achieved objectives

31 August to 2 September 2022

Indonesia

G20 Education Working Group and Minister’s Meetings

Minister participated in the Education Minister's meeting held in Bali on 1September 2022. Ministers discussed the G20 education agenda under Indonesian Presidency namely, universal education, digital technology in education, solidarity and partnerships in education and future of work. The Ministers welcomed the Report and Compendium from the Education Working Group meeting on education strategies in 26 countries detailing more than 150 programs and best practices. The Minister held bilateral meetings with the i) UNESCO Assistant Director-general for Education, Ms Stefania Giannini to share updates regarding the Transformation Education Summit and South Africa’s participation thereof at this landmark event and updated each other on UNESCO work in the field of higher education. The Minister also met with the ii) Brazilian Minister of Education, HE Victor Godoy Beige and agreed on deepening cooperation with BRICS countries and agreed to renew the MOU focusing on skills development for green economy in the context of green energy and hydrogen research, exchange delegation of officials to visit each other's countries to study each other's systems and learn from each other.

30 September to 8 October 2022

Japan

The Minister undertook an official visit to Japan to participate in the 19th Annual Science and Technology in Society (STS) Forum and bilateral engagements at the margins of the Forum.

As part of Minister’s participation at the STS Forum, the Minister shared the platform with the Prime Minister of Japan, Mr Kishida in the opening plenary session of the Forum where he delivered a speech on the topic: “The World in 2022 - What do we need from Science”.

At the margins of the Forum, Minister attended the following courtesy bilateral meetings with:

  • Dr Mariya Gabriel, EU Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth,
  • Minister Robbert Dijkgraaf, Minister of Education, Culture and Science of the Netherlands (where an MoU on STI between the two countries was signed),
  • Minister NAGAOKA Keiko, Japanese Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
  • Deputy Minister Sallehi of the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran
  • Dr Ishizuka, President of the New Energy Industrial Development Organization (NEDO)
  • Dr Hashimoto, President of the Japanese Science and Technology Agency (JST)
  • Vice Minister MAKOTO Nagamine, Japanese Vice Minister of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry

These meetings provided an opportunity to strengthen STI cooperation particularly with Japan and with the EU, the Netherlands, and Iran.

19 to 21 October 2022

Senegal

Official visit, to Senegal to participate in a consultative and planning meeting on Panafrika’s Postgraduate University for Policy studies in Africa

Participation in the PanAfrika Postgraduate University for Policy Studies in Africa consultative meeting

The Minister participated in the consultative and planning meeting of the PanAfrika Postgraduate University for Policy Studies in Africa on 21 October 2022. The consultative meeting was arranged by the Southern Africa Political Economy Series (SAPES) Trust in partnership with the Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA). The purpose of the consultative and planning meeting was to mobilise resources and support for the PanAfrika University. The SAPES Trust was seeking support from partners for a Planning Grant for the Inception Phase of the project. The consultative and planning meeting seeks to come up with an organisational design for the university to make it a success and sustainable institution. Minister agreed to support the establishment of the PanAfrika University, given the need to strengthen the social science and humanities research in the continent, which is critical in solving Africa’s pressing challenges and unlocking Africa’s potential.

A meeting with Prof Moussa Balde, the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research in Senegal

The Minister was able to hold a Ministerial bilateral meeting with his Senegalese counterpart, Prof Balde, who is the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research. The meeting allowed the two ministers to review the achievements of the cooperation since the signing of the bilateral agreement and to identify areas of opportunities that the two countries can jointly pursue as a mutual response to the socio-economic development challenges of the two countries.

Visit the Cheick Anta Diop University.

Minister Nzimande also visited Cheick Anta Diop University, which is one of the key Universities in Senegal that has been playing a critical role in the human capital development element of some of the key bilateral programmes. The meeting allowed for the identification of exchange programmes for students and lectures, especially in the areas the University is strong.

19 November 2022

United Kingdom

The Minister travelled to the UK as part of the Presidential entourage, on the King’s invitation. Minister Nzimande also attended to bilateral consultations with the UK counterparts on the STI and higher education cooperation matters. The Minister further advanced cooperation on hydrogen with the University of Teesside during the signing of an MoU with Stellenbosch University.

Significantly the visit saw the re-signing of the MoU on STI with the UK government. These cooperation efforts advanced our science diplomacy with one of our long standing, traditional and historic partners, the UK.

24 February 2023 - NW23

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Bryant, Mr D W to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment

(1) Whether, with reference to her recent trip to Antarctic, there is any collaboration between the South African Antarctic teams, scientists and those involved in Russian expeditions to Antarctica; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so; what is the extent to the collaboration and/or support; (2) whether her trip included discussions regarding the ongoing seabed prospecting by Russia, including extensive seismic blasting along the east of Antarctica; if not; why not, what are the relevant details ; (3) whether the refueling and servicing of Russian Antarctic-bound vessels by the Republic will be reconsidered, taking into account the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine; if not, why not; if so; what are the relevant details

Reply:

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24 February 2023 - NW45

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Schreiber, Dr LA to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation

Whether, with reference to his reply to question 3520 on 30 September 2022, the amendment to the Language Policy Framework for Higher Education Institutions to recognise Afrikaans as an indigenous language has been duly published in the Government Gazette; if not, what are the reasons that the amendment has not been implemented despite his repeated undertakings to do so; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

The Language Policy Framework for Public Higher Education Institutions (the Policy Framework) of 2020 does not discriminate against Afrikaans as one of our indigenous official languages. My department has consistently stated that the focus of the Policy Framework is on promotion of multilingualism and upliftment of the historically under-developed and previously disadvantaged indigenous languages as languages of communication and academia within our universities. The technicalities around the definition of ‘indigenous language’ as articulated in the Policy Framework has been duly acknowledged and are being addressed accordingly.

The objective of our very own policies is aligned with the Constitution, and we have championed equality of all official languages of the Republic. Furthermore, my department is mobilising sufficient resources to support the development of indigenous languages in universities. The consultative processes have been completed and the publication of the amended definition will be done in due course, most likely, in the first half of this year.

24 February 2023 - NW22

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Bryant, Mr D W to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment

(1). Whether, following recent reported incidents of conflict between wild seals and humans at South African beaches, her department has identified any verifiable evidence, locally or internationally, linking high levels of domoic acid or any other toxins present in water along the South African coastline with unproved aggression in fur seals; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) what total number of unproved aggression from seals towards humans is her department aware of over the past 10 years; (3) whether there has been any identifiable increase in incidents of aggression from seals towards human in the past 10 years; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (4) whether it is deemed necessary for her department to conduct any further assessment of seal behavior; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) on what date(s) and (b) where will the assessment be conducted?

Reply:

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23 February 2023 - NW90

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Faber, Mr WF to ask the Minister of Police

What are the details of the (a) make, (b) model, (c) year of manufacture, (d) cost and (e) purchase date of all the official vehicles purchased for (i) him, (ii) the former Minister, (iii) the Deputy Minister of his department since 1 June 2019?

Reply:

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23 February 2023 - NW160

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Majozi, Ms Z to ask the Minister of Police

What (a) steps does he intend to take in respect of cross-border crimes taking place in KwaZulu-Natal, where vehicles are stolen and taken across the border and (b) is the reason why the Commissioner of Police is not deploying the National Intervention Unit to deal with the situation?

Reply:

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23 February 2023 - NW182

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Groenewald, Dr PJ to ask the Minister of Police

With reference to the promotion of 11 364 members of the SA Police Service from 1 April 2022, what total number of the specified members are (a) black, (b) white, (c) brown and (d) Indian; What total number of (a) black, (b) white, (c) brown and (d) Indian members were promoted in each relevant rank; What was the initial rank in each case; What number of the total number of members are (a) men and (b) women?

Reply:

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23 February 2023 - NW171

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Pambo, Mr V to ask the Minister of Police

Whether he has been advised of the tension between the Crime Combating and Investigation Division and the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation in the nine provinces; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what (a) is the nature of this dispute and what (b) steps has he taken to resolve it ?

Reply:

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22 February 2023 - NW162

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Tafeni, Ms N to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education

What are the reasons that matric results are released as late as mid-January, thereby increasing anxiety amongst learners who may have failed and those hoping to get into tertiary institutions?

Reply:

The release of the NSC results has been moved to the third week of January, due to the late closure of the academic year in the last three years. In the last three years, schools have closed around 15 December, so as to allow for schools to catch-up on the loss of teaching time emanating from COVID-19.

The later release date was also prompted by the Quality Assurance Council, Umalusi, requesting additional time to conduct its quality assurance processes so that the accuracy and credibility of the results are not undermined.

The Department of Basic Education needs atleast six weeks from the last examination date to conduct the following critical processes:

(a) The marking of the 9.8 million scripts which uses schools as marking centres and therefore cannot commence long before schools have closed.

(b) The capture of the 15 million marks on the Integrated Examination Computer System (IECS) requires at least 14 days.

(c) The processing of examination irregularities.,

(d) The standardisation of the subject results by Umalusi.

(e) The processing, resulting of the candidate data and verification of the data by Umalusi.

(f) Preparation of reports for the Ministerial release

The later release date of the examination results was done in consultation with Universities South Africa (USAf), the body that represents all higher education institutions and therefore no candidate would have been disadvantaged by the later release date.

Attached is the 2022 NSC Management Plan, which provides the detailed activities and sub-activities and the time frame leading to the release of NSC Results.

For the 2023 NSC examinations, a meeting will be convened with Umalusi, USAf, Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) and the Provincial Education Departments (PEDs), so as to arrive at a release date that suits all institutions concerned, and also that is most suitable for candidates.

22 February 2023 - NW131

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Msimang, Prof CT to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy

Whether, in view of the fact that a draft Integrated Energy Plan has been in the works since 2016, he will furnish Prof C T Msimang with the reasons for the delay in implementing section 6 of the National Energy Act, Act 34 of 2008; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

The Integrated Energy Plan (IEP) must reflect sector plans i.e Electricity Master Plan (EMP), Gas Master Plan (GMP) and Liquid Fuels Master Plan (LFMP). For this reason, sector plans are currently being developed and will inform the IEP. Once sector plans are complete, work to bring section 6 of the Act into operation will commence with developing the Integrated Energy Plan.

22 February 2023 - NW137

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Buthelezi, Mr EM to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy

Whether his department, considering the difficulties surrounding electricity generation in the Republic, is considering a possible entry of Independent Power Producers to provide the services and assist the overwhelmed Eskom in electricity generation; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what enabling measures will his department implement to ensure a regulatory environment that promotes adequate safety standards, healthy competition, strong anti-exploitation laws and robust oversight?

Reply:

The Independent Power Producers are already generating and supplying energy into the South African grid. They carry their operations in line with the prevailing regulatory mechanism.

22 February 2023 - NW28

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Lees, Mr RA to ask the Minister of Police

What are the relevant details of all (a) attempted murders, (b) murders and (c) drive-by shootings that have been reported to police stations in ward 10 of the Inkosi Langalibalele Local Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal from 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2022?

Reply:

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22 February 2023 - NW29

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Lees, Mr RA to ask the Minister of Police

What are the relevant details of the SA Police Service (SAPS) responses to each incident of (a) attempted murder, (b) murder and (c) drive-by shooting that were reported at police stations in ward 10 of the Inkosi Langalibalele Local Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal from 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2022, including but not exclusively to the (i) time the SAPS took to respond to the incident, (ii) number of officers and vehicles that responded to each incident, (iii) distance from Escourt Police Station to the site of each incident, (iv) details of police intelligence received prior to each incident (v) details of the investigating officer for each incident and (vi) number of cases under investigation by each investigating officer

Reply:

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22 February 2023 - NW183

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Groenewald, Dr PJ to ask the Minister of Police

(1) What sum total of cases of the theft of corpses (a) in the (i) 2019-20, (ii) 2020-21 and (iii) 2021-22 financial years and (b) since 1 April 2022 have been reported; (2) what number of the sum total of theft in each specified financial year and time period occurred (a) at state mortuaries, (b) at private enterprises and (c) elsewhere?

Reply:

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22 February 2023 - NW64

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Macpherson, Mr DW to ask the Minister of Health

Whether his department possesses any research on the levels of obesity in the Republic prior to the implementation of the Health Promotion Levy; if not, why not; if so, (a) by whom was the research conducted, (b) on what date was the research conducted, (c) what did the research reveal about obesity levels in the Republic and (d) will he furnish Mr D W Macpherson with a copy of the research?

Reply:

Yes, the Department relies on scientific evidence, when analysing South Africa’s risk factors to non-communicable diseases. Obesity is one of the risk factors.

(a) and (b) In this regard please see the two studies below:

  1. Wandai M, Aagaard-Hansen J, Day C, Sartorius B, Hofman KJ. Available data sources for monitoring non-communicable diseases and their risk factors in South Africa. S Afr Med J, March 2017;107(4):331-337. doi: 10.7196/SAMJ.2017.v107i4.11438. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28395686
  2. Moodley G, Christofides N, Norris S, Achia T, Hofman KJ. Obesogenic environments in SA: A pilot study in Soweto. Preventing Chronic Disease. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5888/pcd12.140559, 2015
     
  3. South Africa Demographic and Health Survey 2016 https://dhsprogram.com › pubs › pdf

(c) Studies revealed that obesity levels in South Arica are on the increase. The NDHS also revealed that obesity in South Africa was on the increase and that 31% of adult males, 67% of adult females, and 13% of children under five years old were either overweight or obese.

(d) Copies of the studies are available from the links in (a) and (b) above.

END.

22 February 2023 - NW52

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Ismail, Ms H to ask the Minister of Health

(1)What total number of public (a) hospitals and (b) clinics have attained the ideal status; (2) whether he will furnish Ms H Ismail with a comprehensive report for each province on the stage that each hospital and/or clinic has reached on the ideal hospital and/or clinic status; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) (a) what number of public healthcare facilities are (i) compliant and (ii) not compliant with the requirements for the implementation of the National Health Insurance in each province and (b) by what date will all the public healthcare facilities be compliant with the requirements and pre-requisites of the national health regulations in each province?

Reply:

1. (a) Hospital services

Total number of Hospitals is 394. The hospitals which conducted status determinations are 290. The total number of Ideal Hospitals at the end of 2021/2022 is 146 (37%). The summary of provincial status is as follows:

Province

# of Hospitals

Tot # of Hospitals with Ideal Status

% Hospitals with Ideal status

# of Hospitals with Silver Status

# of Hospitals with Gold Status

# of Hospitals with Platinum Status

Eastern Cape

90

20

22%

19

0

1

Free State

32

16

50%

16

0

0

Gauteng

37

30

81%

23

6

1

KwaZulu-Natal

73

22

30%

20

0

2

Limpopo

41

17

41%

16

0

1

Mpumalanga

33

11

33%

11

0

0

North West

20

10

50%

10

0

0

Northern Cape

15

0

0%

0

0

0

Western Cape

52

20

38%

18

0

2

South Africa

394

146

37%

133

6

7

 

(b) Primary health Care ( PHC) facilities (clinics and Community Health Centres)

The total number of number of PHC facilities are 3477. The total number of PHC facilities that conducted the status determination is 3477. The total number of Ideal clinics and community health centers at the end of 2021/2022 is 1928 (55%). The summary of provincial status are:

Provinces

# of Facilities

# Facilities with IC status REMAINED Ideal

# Facilities with NEW IC status

Total # Facilities with IC status

% of Facilities with IC status

TOTAL # of Facilities with Silver Status

TOTAL # of Facilities with Gold Status

TOTAL # of Facilities with Platinum Status

Eastern Cape

775

138

40

178

23%

27

67

84

Free State

218

123

20

143

66%

12

48

83

Gauteng

369

332

9

341

92%

58

107

176

KwaZulu-Natal

605

472

39

511

84%

40

138

333

Limpopo

482

123

44

167

35%

13

53

101

Mpumalanga

293

136

37

173

59%

20

60

93

Northern Cape

162

29

6

35

22%

10

12

13

North West

310

150

30

180

58%

43

68

69

Western Cape

265

187

13

200

75%

11

23

166

South Africa

3479

1690

238

1928

55%

234

576

1118

2. For a comprehensive report for each province on the stage that each hospital and/or clinic has reached on the ideal status please see attached annexures.

(3) The legislation on the National Health Insurance (NHI) has not been passed yet and NHI compliance of health facilities have therefore not been measured. Clause 39 of the NHI Bill provides for accreditation of all provider establishments, public and private. The regulations and standard operating procedures to achieve accreditation over the coming years is yet to be drafted, published, consulted and adopted.

END.

22 February 2023 - NW323

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Marais, Ms P to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education

Whether her department intends intervening under the provisions of the Constitution of the Republic, 1996, to ensure that more schools are built across all provinces; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

1. Under the Accelerated School Infrastructure Delivery Initiative (ASIDI programme), the Department of Basic Eduction identified 331 schools made entirely of inappropriate materials. By February 2023, the Department has already replaced 315 of these schools.  The balance will be completed in 2023/24.

2. The various Provincial Departments of Education prepare annual asset management plans where infrastructure needs are defined.  In 2022/23, the target was to complete 38 new schools.  By December 2022, 16 of such schools had already reached Practical Completion.  In 2022/23, the target was to construct 1094 additional classrooms.  By December 2022, this target was exceeded with 1154 new classrooms constructed.

3. Over-crowding in schools is a major challenge.  The Minister of Basic Education and the Minister of Finance are negotiating the extension of the School Infrastructure Backlog Grant beyond 2023/24.  One of the focus areas will be to address over-crowding.  Following the address on the budget, more details of the planned approach will be defined. 

22 February 2023 - NW148

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Chirwa, Ms NN to ask the Minister of Health

What steps has he taken to ensure that the new information system that is in place at the O R Tambo Memorial Hospital does not inconvenience patients, especially the elderly, who have lodged grievances regarding the wait in long queues for their files?

Reply:

The Patient Information System implemented in OR Tambo Memorial Hospitals is owned and implemented by the Gauteng Department of Health. The Gauteng Provinces adopted the Modernisation Strategy aimed at improving the overall public services. “Gauteng health services will be modernized through effective management of information systems and the development and implementation of e-health strategies towards creating a paperless environment. The implementation of the new Patient Information Systems was to replace the two legacy systems used in the Gauteng facilities, being Medicom 2X and PAAB, the two systems were implemented in early 2000 and were no longer supported by their Original Software Manufacture (OSM).

The implementation of the system was expected to create queues only in the first two weeks of transitioning from the old system to the new system. This was due to data being migrated (data clean-up, data verification, data crossmatch, and data validation) from the old systems to the newly implemented system. To mitigate this expected issue, a change and adoption team was made available to the hospital to interact with patients while waiting in the queues and provided details on the new system and its benefits. The above intervention allowed the hospital to stabilise the system and transition from the old to the new system.

The hospital has a complaint and complement system in place which are monitored regularly. Based on the records for this system such complaints as per the question has not been recorded. The hospital also monitor patient waiting time for retrieval of files and this waiting time is within the benchmark waiting time of 30 minutes

Elderly patients have their own queues and should they come for a follow-up visit with a booking at the hospital, the files are retrieved the day before the booking. This significantly decrease waiting time for the retrieval of files at the administration.

END.

22 February 2023 - NW133

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Singh, Mr N to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy

What are the full details of the (a) progress made regarding the (i) 13 additional projects under Bid Window 5 of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Programme (REIPPP) and (ii) preferred bidders appointed under Bid Window 6 of the REIPPP that he announced in December 2022 and (b) appointment processes of the bidders?

Reply:

(a)

i) The 13 additional projects which signed project agreements in December 2022 are preparing for Commercial Close, which is planned to take place no later than end of March 2023 which will then lead to construction.

ii) BW 6 Projects announced on the 8th of December 2022, are preparing for signing Project Agreements no later than April 2023, which will then followed by Commercial Close which will lead to construction.

(b)

The process of appointing Preferred Bidders is as follows:

The bidders submit their proposals in response to the Request for Proposal (RFP), as issued by the Department.

Preferred Bidders then emerge from a competitive evaluation process specified in the RFP. The criteria include inter-alia, price, economic development, technical compliance and legal compliance.

 

22 February 2023 - NW123

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

What measures has her department put in place to address the (a) employment of fewer graduates to curb teacher salaries that increase at a faster rate than the budget of her department and (b) looming retirement of 17 300 teachers in 2029 which constitutes 49% of teachers who are 50 years old and above?

Reply:

a. Determination of salary increases in the public sector is a centralised process undertaken through the Public Sector Coordination Bargaining Council (PSCBC) with the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) leading the negotiations on behalf of government. Therefore, the teachers get salary increases as part of the rest of the public service. Budgeting for salary increases and other improvements in conditions of service is also centralised allocated at National Treasury to departments and entities. The process to increase the number of posts in schools is informed by a number of factors; chief amongst them being the increase in the number of learners and introduction of curriculum reforms that require additional teachers. The Department has in this regard approached Cabinet to request support to add  about  16 000 educator posts in schools focusing on the reduction of teacher learner ratios both in public ordinary schools and special schools; and address additional needs due to curriculum reforms. Cabinet has since referred the  request to the Minister’s Committee on the Budget (MINCOMBUD) to process.

b. As was indicated previously, the average overall attrition rate of teachers in public schools ranges between 3%-5%, which is relatively low by international standards; and thus, suggests a high retention rate overall. The Department, through its internal analysis and collaborative research with the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) and partners, such as ReSEP-Stellenbosch University, has taken note of the high retirement wave in the next 10 or more years; and working closely with the latter to address this concern.

The research into the retirement of South African teachers was also done by ReSEP-Stellenbosch University, which acknowledged that South Africa's universities appear prepared to deal with the retirement of teachers, and that university output is on a sound trajectory, and should be able to deal with a demand for a larger workforce.

In addition, and in anticipation of the injection of a high number of new entrants into the system, the Department will intensify the roll-out of a comprehensive induction programme. In short, the programme provides holistic support to new teachers, covering not only personal development, but professional and social support. This induction programme will ensure a smooth assimilation of young teachers into the system.

22 February 2023 - NW9

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Van Staden, Mr PA to ask the Minister of Health

(1)Whether there are enough vaccines available for each province for effective treatment of the measles outbreak that is currently taking place throughout the Republic; if not, what (a) measures are in place to overcome the shortages and (b) is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) whether the Government has taken steps to ensure that the private sector obtains the vaccines as well; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) whether he will make a statement on the matter?

Reply:

The measles outbreak was in five of the nine provinces namely Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Gauteng, Free State in Thabo Mofutsanyane district only, and Northwest.

1. Yes.

(a) In response to the current outbreak and seeing that there is a need to increase the age group from 6 to 15 year, the department worked with the relevant role players to get enough vaccines for the purposes of interrupting transmission.

(b) There is enough stock to conduct a supplementary immunisation campaign for children aged 6 months to 15 years in all provinces. The number of doses procured by provinces for outbreak/campaign is 10 123 300 for the target population of 16,3 million. The doses referred to here above exclude the stock on hand in the province before the campaign and outbreak.

2. In provinces where there is Public Private Partnerships (PPP) exists, with Service Level Agreement, for private sector, their facilities are supplied with vaccines and trained to manage data and submit to the local sub-district for capturing, however PPP is not in all provinces.

3. No.

END.

22 February 2023 - NW65

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Macpherson, Mr DW to ask the Minister of Health

Whether his department conducted any research on the potential effectiveness of the Health Promotion Levy (HPL) to reduce the level of obesity in the Republic prior to the implementation of the HPL; if not, why not; if so, (a) by whom was the research conducted, (b) on what date was the research conducted, (c) what did the research reveal about the likely impact of the HPL and (d) will he furnish Mr D W Macpherson with a copy of the research?

Reply:

(a) A desktop review on studies related to the effect of sugar on obesity and increasing the severity of NCDs was conducted. In 2016, 31% of adult males, 67% of adult females, and 13% of children under five years old were either overweight or obese.

(b) Further studies conducted in South Africa post implementation of the sugar tax, highlighted a decline in the consumption of sugar sweetened beverages by about 29% in the purchase of SSB and 51% in the incidence of persons adding sugar to beverages. The studies were conducted by Wottesley et al, 2020; Essman et al, 2022; Hofman et al, 2021; and Boachie, Thsehla and Hofman 2022. To access these research articles, click the link HPL implications articles.

END.

22 February 2023 - NW86

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Chetty, Mr M to ask the Minister of Health

What are the details of the (a) make, (b) model, (c) year of manufacture, (d) cost and (e) purchase date of all the official vehicles purchased for (i) him, (ii) the former Minister, (iii) the Deputy Minister and the (iv) former Deputy Minister of his department since 1 June 2019?

Reply:

Since 1 June 2019 the department only bought one vehicle for the current Minister: Dr MJ Phaahla, MP, whilst he was the Deputy Minister as per the table below:

Members of Executive Authority

a) Make

b) Model

(c) Year of Manufacture

(d) Cost

(e) Purchase date

(i) Minister:

Dr MJ Phaahla, MP

No Procurement was made

No Procurement was made

No Procurement was made

No Procurement was made

No Procurement was made

(ii) Former Minister:

Dr. ZL Mkhize

No Procurement was made

No Procurement was made

No Procurement was made

No Procurement was made

No Procurement was made

(iii) Deputy Minister:

Dr S Dhlomo, MP

No Procurement was made

No Procurement was made

No Procurement was made

No Procurement was made

No Procurement was made

(iv) Former Deputy Minister:

Dr MJ Phaahla

Audi

Q5

2020

R756,489.83

10/5/2020

END.

22 February 2023 - NW69

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Mabika, Mr M to ask the Minister of Police

(1) What total number of motor vehicles have been (a) stolen from uMkhanyakude to Mozambique in the period between 1 December 2022 and 25 January 2023 and (b)(i) recovered and (ii) returned to their rightful owners; (2) whether, given the increasing incidents, it is his position that the fight against stolen vehicles taken to Mozambique will be won under his leadership and the leadership of the current Government?

Reply:

Find here: Reply

22 February 2023 - NW124

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

Considering that her department in partnership with the University of South Africa has trained nearly 44 000 teachers in computer skills, (a) what additional training will teachers receive to equip them for an education system geared towards the fourth industrial revolution (4IR) and (b) how will her department ensure that training focusing on the 4IR does not worsen the disparity between teachers in urban schools and teachers in rural schools?

Reply:

a) The Department of Basic Education (DBE) does not have any information/data on the training of 44 000 educators that has been conducted by UNISA. This Department has over the past year covered extensive ground in ensuring that high quality teacher development opportunities are provided to teachers across all the nine (09) provinces in key areas such as the following:

  • Integration of ICT in Teaching and Learning for Foundation Phase Teachers; and
  • Skills for a changing world in collaboration with the Teacher Union Collaboration (TUC); and
  • Coding and Robotics.

b) The Department plans to continue to upskill teachers through the above offering of the above programmes by 2030, prioritizing the teachers in the lower quintiles especially the teachers in rural areas.  DBE working with other government departments will continue to address the connectivity and infrastructure for 4IR for teaching and learning.

22 February 2023 - NW103

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

What are the details of the (a) make, (b) model, (c) year of manufacture, (d) cost and (e) purchase date of all the official vehicles purchased for (i) her, (ii) the former Minister, (iii) the Deputy Minister and the (iv) former Deputy Minister of her department since 1 June 2019?

Reply:

What is the (a) make

        (i) Mrs AM Motshekga, MP Minister

  1. BMW                                          
  2. Mercedes Benz              

        (ii) Dr MR Mhaule MP Deputy Minister  

  1. BMW       [No new vehicles were purchased. Current DM uses same vehicles that were used by the previous DM Surty]                               
  2. AUDI       [No new vehicles were purchased. Current DM uses same vehicles that were used by the previous DM Surty]   

        (iii) Mr E Surty Mr Former Deputy Minister 

  1. BMW                                      
  2. AUDI  

(b) Model

 (i) Mrs AM Motshekga, MP Minister

    1. 535i                                                   
    2. GLE 500                                             

(ii) Dr MR Mhaule MP Deputy Minister 

  1. 530i                            [No new vehicles were purchased. Current DM uses same vehicles that were used by the previous DM Surty] 
  2. 3.0 Q7 TDI Quattro    [No new vehicles were purchased. Current DM uses same vehicles that were used by the previous DM Surty] 

(iii) Mr E Surty Mr Former Deputy Minister 

  1. 530i
  2. 3.0 Q7 TDI Quattro

(C)  Year of Vehicle Manufacture                 

        (i) Mrs AM Motshekga, MP Minister

  1. 2014          : BMW Sedan
  2. 2016          : Mercedes-Benz

        (ii) Dr MR Mhaule MP Deputy Minister 

  1. 2018          : BMW Sedan  [No new vehicles were purchased. Current DM uses same vehicles that were used by the previous DM Surty] 
  2. 2018          : AUDI Q7        [No new vehicles were purchased. Current DM uses same vehicles that were used by the previous DM Surty] 

       (iii) Mr E Surty Mr Former Deputy Minister 

  1. 2018          : BMW Sedan
  2. 2018          : AUDI Q

(d) Price

        (i) Mrs AM Motshekga, MP Minister

  1. BMW                     : R769,022.76                                     
  2. Mercedes-Benz     : R849,900.00 

        (ii) Dr MR Mhaule MP Deputy Minister 

  1. BMW                     : R833,488.41         [No new vehicles were purchased. Current DM uses same vehicles that were used by the previous DM Surty] 
  2. Audi                       : R1,015,702.05     [No new vehicles were purchased. Current DM uses same vehicles that were used by the previous DM Surty]        

       (iii) Mr E Surty Mr Former Deputy Minister 

  1. BMW                     : R833,488.41
  2. Audi                       : R1,015,702.05   

(e) Vehicles purchase date

        (i) Mrs AM Motshekga, MP Minister

  1. BMW                     : 25 September 2014                                                 
  2. Mercedes-Benz     : 26 October 2016                                                

        (ii) Dr MR Mhaule MP Deputy Minister 

  1. BMW                     : 28 March 2018          [No new vehicles were purchased. Current DM uses same vehicles that were used by the previous DM Surty] 
  2. Audi                       :13 December 2018    [No new vehicles were purchased. Current DM uses same vehicles that were used by the previous DM Surty] 

       (iii) Mr E Surty Mr Former Deputy Minister 

  1. BMW                     : 28 March 2018
  2. Audi                       :13 December 2018

22 February 2023 - NW108

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

(1)Whether, following the deployment of border guards of the Border Management Authority (BMA) at the Beitbridge border post and footage taken over the festive season detailing illegal movement and/or activity between Zimbabwe and the Republic (details furnished), he has met with the Minister of Police, Mr B H Cele, to discuss the SA Police Service (SAPS) allegedly sabotaging the work of the BMA; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) given that the specified border post has been known for many years for the corrupt activities of officials from his department and SAPS, what are the reasons that (a) he has taken no steps to end such corrupt activities and (b) staff from SAPS and his department who are deployed there have not been removed and/or replaced; (3) whether, given that with rising levels of lawlessness in the Republic, the rise of illegal migration and the movement of illicit goods and trafficking of humans being commonplace at the specified border post, and noting that the BMA border guards were touted by the Government and the President of the Republic, Mr M C Ramaphosa, as the answer to the crisis notwithstanding that their work is being hampered, he will raise the matter at Cabinet level; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (4) with regard to cross-border movement, what (a) total number of foreign nationals in possession of (i) refugee and/or (ii) asylum-seeker permits left the shores of the Republic in (aa) December 2022 and (bb) January 2023 to return to their countries of origin and (b) is the breakdown of the specified figure in terms of countries of origin?

Reply:

1) On 14 July 2022 the BMA deployed the first 200 cohort of the Border Guards in various ports of entry and some vulnerable segments of the borderline. Forty (40) Border Guards were deployed at Beit Bridge Port of Entry and are responsible for the implementation of border law enforcement in conjunction with members of the SAPS. This is due to the fact that the Border Guards are not yet fully capacitated to full take over the functions. Currently, these functions are implemented through a Multi-Agency approach which is coordinated by the BMA through a Multi-Party Agreement. In fact, the BMA would fully take over the functions from the 1st of April 2023 through the implementation of an integrated model.

The port operational functioning has a process flow managed through various cascading Border structures overseen on quarterly basis by the Legislated Committees, the Border Technical Committee (BTC) and the Inter Ministerial Consultative Committee (IMCC). The two latter structures the BTC and IMCC were designed to deal with all challenges that cannot be solved by the Border Management operational structures. The BTC and IMCC have already met 3 times in 2022 and the final 4th quarter meeting will take place respectively on the 15th and 24th March 2023. In that upcoming meeting the BMA will present the feedback review and reflections on operations conducted in the border environment especially during December 2022/January 2023 festive season. It should be noted that Ministers of Police and Home Affairs are permanent members of IMCC, so all issues that are part of the review and reflections of the festive season would be dealt with in the meeting of 24 March 2023.

(2)(a) With regard to challenges of insider threat and possible corrupt activities by officials, the BMA would through during the integration process embark on extensive vetting processes of all officials to be integrated into the BMA as required by section 13 of the BMA Act, 2020.

(2)(b) The BMA and SAPS have entered into an Implementation Protocol in accordance with the provisions of the BMA Act which details the coordination and cooperation between the two state organs towards the implementation of border law enforcement functions. The Protocols were signed by both BMA and SAPS Commissioners on the 9th of June 2022.

(3) Matters, including challenges, related to border management are discussed by the BMA’s Inter-Ministerial Consultative Committee (IMCC) on Border Management which comprises of ten (10) members of Cabinet including the Ministers of Police, Home Affairs, Defence, State Security and others. Identified interventions to resolve such challenges are endorsed by the Committee for implementation.

(4) The number of refugees who travel across borders cannot be determined due to the fact that they do not travel with passports reflecting their asylum seeker status. Those who happen to travel do not inform the department and the responsible unit (Asylum Seeker Management) that they are leaving the country. Therefore, the Department is unable to provide the required statistics.

END

22 February 2023 - NW132

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Msimang, Prof CT to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy

Whether, with the unexpected breakdowns which further reduce generation capacity in this time of crisis, his department has implemented plans to increase and improve the monitoring of generation units in order to mitigate potential future breakdowns; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

The monitoring of generation units is an operation matter that falls within the purview of the Eskom. The reports on plant performance are regularly tabled at the National Crisis Committee wherein we participate.

22 February 2023 - NW53

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Ismail, Ms H to ask the Minister of Health

(1)(a) What is the total number of public healthcare facilities that have (i) been assessed and (ii) not been assessed to ensure that they comply with the Health and Safety specifications, (b) by what date will the facilities be assessed, (c) what steps will he take to ensure that the health facilities that do not comply with the health and safety prerequisites will be compliant and (d) by what date will the specified issues be addressed; (2) (a) what total number of healthcare facilities that were assessed need to be demolished and new premises identified and (b) by what date will the new facilities be built?

Reply:

1. (a) According to the information extracted from 2022/23 provincial User Asset Management Plan (U-AMP), all public healthcare facilities have been assessed in accordance with the requirements of GIAMA (Government Immovable Asset Management Act).

(b)-(d) Not applicable

2. (a) None of the facilities that were assessed need to be demolished.

(b) Not applicable.

END.

22 February 2023 - NW7

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Van Staden, Mr PA to ask the Minister of Health

(1)Whether all government (a) hospitals and (b) clinics in each province are exempt from load shedding under the current Eskom crisis of electricity blackouts; if not, why not; if so, (i) which government (aa) hospitals and (bb) clinics in each province are still not exempt from load shedding and (ii) what measures are being put in place to ensure that all state- and provincial hospitals and clinics are exempt from load shedding; (2) whether he will make a statement on the matter?

Reply:

1. (a-b) Not all government facilities have been exempted from the load-shedding. However, the National Department of Health has provided Eskom with a total of 213 hospitals to be considered for possible exclusion from loadshedding. About 67% of these hospitals are supplied by municipalities while Eskom supplies about 33% of the identified hospitals. Out of the 213 hospitals, 76 hospitals have been exempted of which 26 are directly supplied by Eskom and 50 by Municipalities. The number of hospitals exempted to date have doubled since the meeting held on 22 September 2022 between Eskom and National Department of Health.

  1. (aa) See below the number of hospitals that are exempted to date across the country:

Table

Description automatically generated

i. (bb) Clinics and Community Health Centres are going to be covered within the solar energy roll-out programme.

ii. The National Department of Health in partnership with CSIR (Council for Scientific & Industrial Research) is currently conducting a due diligent exercise for the installation of solar panels at all our health facilities

END.

22 February 2023 - NW140

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Buthelezi, Ms SA to ask the Minister of Health

What are the reasons that the seven-year lease of the Exxaro building for his department amounts to R144,7 million more than the lease agreement that was signed by the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs for the same building for the same period?

Reply:

The procurement of the seven-year lease building was done by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure. However, the National Department of Health has four times the staff compared to those of the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs. The square meterage that was required by the Department of Cooperate Governance and Traditional Affairs was far less compared to the one that was required by the National Department of Health due to the size of the Department. The rental price of the building is based on the required size of the square meterage.

END.

22 February 2023 - NW95

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

(1) What are the details of the (a) make, (b) model, (c ) year of manufacture, (d) cost and (e ) purchase date of all official vehicles purchased for (i) him, (ii) the former Minister, (iii) the Deputy Minister and the (iv) former Deputy Minister of his Department since 1 June 2019? (NW99E)

Reply:

Since 1 June 2019, the Ministry of Sport, Arts and Culture has Minister EN Mthethwa and Deputy Minister N Mafu.

For the Minister.

Vehicle

Minister

(a) Make

No vehicles purchased.

(b) Model

N/a

(c ) Year

N/a

(d ) Price

N/a

(e ) Purchase date

N/a

For the Deputy Minister

Vehicle

Deputy Minister

(a) Make

BMW

(b) Model

520

(c ) Year

2020

(d ) Price

R649 000.00

(e ) Purchase date

15 January 2020

22 February 2023 - NW30

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Lees, Mr RA to ask the Minister of Police

What (a) are the details of all persons who have been charged and/or convicted of (i) attempted murder, (ii) murder and (iii) drive-by shooting that have taken place in ward 10 of the Inkosi Langalibalele Local Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal from 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2022 and (b) measures have been and/or will be put in place by the SA Police Service to prevent any further attempted murders, murders and drive-by shootings in specified ward?

Reply:

Find here: Reply

22 February 2023 - NW139

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Buthelezi, Ms SA to ask the Minister of Health

What are the (a) reasons for including Thaba Tshwane in tender specifications for the new Department of Health Headquarters and (b) benefits of the location for providing efficient and effective public services?

Reply:

a) The Thaba Tshwane building had enough space to accommodate the staff of the National Department of Health. And it was complying to all requirements of the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

b) The location of the building is not affecting the mission of the National Department of Health. The compliance of the building to OHS Act brings back the focus of the health staff, it is assisting the National Department of Health to put more focus on measures that can assist the provincial health departments to improve the health status through the prevention of illness, disease and the promotion of healthy lifestyles, and to consistently improve the health care delivery system by focusing on access, equity, efficiency, quality and sustainability.

END.

22 February 2023 - NW135

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Singh, Mr N to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy

In light of the fact that under Bid Window 6 Eskom did not have any grid capacity to connect any of the proposed onshore wind projects, and with regard to his undertaking that he was engaging with Eskom to find ways around these grid challenges, what are the details of (a) how he has engaged with the challenges and (b) the plans and time frames to rectify the issues?

Reply:

a) The engagements between Eskom and DMRE have culminated into a revised framework that seeks to mitigate the challenges as arisen with Bid Window 6 procurement that led to contracting less Mega Watts than been anticipated.

b) The upcoming Bid window 7 will apply this new framework designed to mitigate against grid constrains to achieve optimal sourcing of additional Mega Watts into the grid.

22 February 2023 - NW350

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Siwisa, Ms AM to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education

Whether, in light of the infrastructure of Relebogile High School in Khutsong, Merafong Municipality in Gauteng, that has been affected by sinkholes which put the lives of persons on the premises in danger, her department has requested any further assessment of the premises; if not, why not; if so, what (a) is the extent of the sinkholes and (b) plans have been put in place to relocate the learners, educators and support staff to other premises to avoid any loss of life?

Reply:

The question has been referred to the Gauteng Department of education and a response will be provided as soon as it is received. 

22 February 2023 - NW105

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Clarke, Ms M to ask the Minister of Health

In light of the damage at the Tambo Memorial Hospital in Boksburg caused by the gas tanker explosion that has been fixed very quickly and is of a high standard, by what date will the structural damage of the rest of the hospital be repaired, as it has been declared as unfit for human habitation and was considered to be an occupational hazard in 2017?

Reply:

The National Department of Health is expecting to start fixing the structural damages at the beginning of March 2023.

The implementation work going to cover the following areas:

Part 1 – The Remedial Works caused by the Boksburg LPG explosion;

Part 2 – Health Technology Equipment that were affected by the Boksburg LPG explosion;

Part 3 – Occupational Health and Safety issues (structural damages) that were identified in 2017.

The estimated date of completion is September 2024.

END.

22 February 2023 - NW8

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Van Staden, Mr PA to ask the Minister of Health

(1)Whether the COVID-19 Compensation Fund is in operation; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what total (a) number of vaccine injury claims has the fund received since 1 January 2021, (b) number of the claims were successful and (c) amount has been paid out; (2) whether he will make a statement on the matter

Reply:

(1) Yes the adjudication committee has been appointed, trained and the 1st meeting was held on the 14 December 2022. The appeal committee is in the process of appointment 

(a)  82 cases have been linked to the use of the vaccine, and claims are being processed

(b) 3 claims have been approved for payment

  (c) 0

(2) No.

END.

22 February 2023 - NW181

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Groenewald, Dr PJ to ask the Minister of Health

(1)What (a) is the total backlog of toxicological reports at the laboratories currently, (b) is the total number of reports that have been outstanding for (i) 1-5 years, (ii) 5-8 years, (iii) 8-9 years, (iv) 9-10 years and (v) more than 10 years, (c) are the reasons for the specified backlog and (d) how does he intend to eradicate the backlog; (2) whether his department intends to establish public-private partnerships to assist the State in conducting toxicology tests in order to reduce the significant backlog; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

(1) (a) Total backlog for FCLs is 35 776 tests (CPT, JHB and PTA labs

(b) Outstanding reports:

(i) 1-5 years = 11 948

(ii) 5-8 years=3 391

(iii) 8-9 years= 2 158

(iv) 9-10 years = 1 749

(v) more than 10 years = 2555

(c) Backlogs were cause by, amongst others:

● old laboratory equipment that constantly broke down.

● Insufficient goods and services

● Delays in procurement

● Shortage of skilled staff

The nature of the samples that must be tested, and the volume of new samples and a high incidence of urgent requests. There normally are multiple samples per case, thus one case can consist of blood, urine, stomach content, liver, bile and a drug which all linked to one body.

Additionally the import of Certified Reference Materials to confirm and quantify controlled substances, is a very lengthy process which delays laboratory testing.

(d) The NHLS is streamlining activities in this discipline and the focus is on improving productivity to reduce the backlog.

(2) The backlog developed since the National Department of Health did not have the expertise and resources to effectively address the backlog. The laboratories have now been transferred from the NDOH to the NHLS given the efficiency of the NHLS as a specialised laboratory service. NHLS is leveraging its resources and expertise to turn things around and strives to address the backlog.

Public private partnership is a legislated process which requires a defined procurement approach which requires Treasury approval. The NHLS will explore amongst others the possibility of a public private partnership.

END.

22 February 2023 - NW186

Profile picture: Engelbrecht, Mr J

Engelbrecht, Mr J to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy

What are the details of the (a) make, (b) model, (c) year of manufacture, (d) cost and (e) purchase date of all the official vehicles purchased for (i) him and (ii) the former Minister and (iii) the Deputy Ministers and the (iv) former Deputy Ministers of his department since 1 June 2019?

Reply:

No vehicles were purchased since 1 June 2019.

22 February 2023 - NW116

Profile picture: Luthuli, Mr BN

Luthuli, Mr BN to ask the MINISTER OF SPORT, ARTS AND CULTURE

What (a) job opportunities has his department created in the sport, cultural and creative industries in line with their departmental mandate and (b)(i) total number of individuals are currently employed through the specified initiative and (ii) percentage of such individuals are permanent employees?

Reply:

(a). The job opportunities created in the Sport sectors within the Programme under various outputs of the Annual Performance Plan (APP) and the Operational Plans for the financial year 2022/23; are as follows: -

  • 256 school sport coordinators
  • 440 jobs created through the Municipal Infrastructure Grant Project
  • 50 job opportunities during the construction of community gyms and children’s play parks

(a). Job opportunities Created in the Creative and Cultural Industries through Programmes and the Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme (PESP). 

A total of 42 464 job opportunities were created.

This figure is made up of 12 534 Job opportunities created from the targets in the APP; including MGE-funded projects; and the additional 29 930 jobs created or retained by the end of March 2022 through the implementation of the nine PESP.

22 February 2023 - NW107

Profile picture: van der Merwe, Ms LL

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

(1)Whether, with regard to the recent arrest of an alleged Mozambican national, Mr Esmael Malude Ramos Nangy, in an upmarket estate in Centurion, and in light of reports that the alleged human trafficking kingpin was in possession of multiple bank cards for South African banks as well as other documentation, any paperwork and/or documentation of his department allowed the specified person to reside in the Republic; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) whether, with regard to alleged syndicates run by illegal foreign nationals who are dealing in the trafficking of humans and drugs, the hijacking of buildings and the smuggling of illicit goods and stolen vehicles, his department has any plan in place to identify the criminals and act against such criminality, which is now rife within the borders of the Republic; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details of the plan; (3) what (a) total number of foreign nationals were deported in 2022 and (b) is the breakdown of the specified figure in terms of country of origin?

Reply:

1. According to departmental system, Mr Esmael Maulide Ramos Nangy, is a Mozambican national holder of a non-South African Identity document. He applied for permanent residence permits in 1991 for himself and family which were subsequently issued in 1992.

The arrest of Mr Esmael Maulide Ramos Nangy was as per warrant of arrest and extradition request by the government of Mozambique through INTERPOL, where he is alleged to be linked to multiple kidnappings criminal activities.

There is no information at the disposal of the department that link him to be involved as the kingpin in human trafficking activities as alleged. He is still in detention pending court appearance in court on 20 February 2023 for bail hearing and commencement of extradition process.

2. The department is primarily responsible for illegal migration and collaborates with the South African Police Service (SAPS) as a way of addressing any illegal activities including dealing with criminal syndicates, human trafficking and smuggling activities. This is done through enforcement operations guided by the Immigration Act that empowers police and immigration officers to detain persons suspected of being in contravention of the Act in order to verify their status. The department is running its own Siyasebenta operation which has targeted a number of areas such as security industry, mining and factories.

The Immigration Act regulates the immigration of legal status as well as the processes related to arrest, detention, prosecution and deportation of any person entering and remaining in the country illegally. This legislation retains the strong security border control and the use of law enforcement to manage migration inland and at ports of entry as well as manning of the borderline by the newly established Border Management Agency (BMA) in collaboration with South African National Defence (SANDF).

(3)(a) The total number of persons deported from Jan to Dec 2022 is 22258.

Month

Number of deportees

Jan 2022

1731

Feb 2022

2209

March 2022

2040

April 2022

1161

May 2022

1583

June 2022

1840

July 2022

1514

August 2022

1471

September 2022

1770

October 2022

1785

November 2022

2242

December 2022

2912

Total

22258

(3)(b) The breakdown of country of origin of the highest numbers of foreign nationals deported in the calendar year from Jan to Dec 2022 are as follows:

Annual: Jan 2022 to Dec 2022

Nationality

Number of deportees

 

Mozambique

7102

 

Zimbabwe

5776

 

Lesotho

4861

 

Malawi

2907

 

Swaziland

1149

END

21 February 2023 - NW75

Profile picture: Seitlholo, Mr IS

Seitlholo, Mr IS to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure

Whether, given the news that the Gauteng provincial government will compensate two families whose children died in a quarry in the Skierlik Mountain View informal settlement in Mamelodi, her department also compensated the two families who lost two children in a similar manner in Lebotlwane village in the Moretele Local Municipality; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:

The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure has assessed Parliamentary Question 75 and had since established that both incidences referred to in the questions, fall outside the National Department of Public Works’ purview therefore, our colleagues in the Provincial Department of Roads and Public Works in Gauteng and North West Provinces will be best suited to response to this question. It will be advisable to re-refer the question to the relevant MECs, accordingly.