Questions and Replies
22 February 2023 - NW132
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 - NW7
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.
- (aa) See below the number of hospitals that are exempted to date across the country:
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 - NW28
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:
Find here: Reply
22 February 2023 - NW29
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:
Find here: Reply
22 February 2023 - NW183
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:
Find here: Reply
22 February 2023 - NW64
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:
- 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
- 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
- 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
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
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
Chirwa-Mpungose, 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
- BMW
- Mercedes Benz
(ii) Dr MR Mhaule MP Deputy Minister
- BMW [No new vehicles were purchased. Current DM uses same vehicles that were used by the previous DM Surty]
- 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
- BMW
- AUDI
(b) Model
(i) Mrs AM Motshekga, MP Minister
-
- 535i
- GLE 500
(ii) Dr MR Mhaule MP Deputy Minister
- 530i [No new vehicles were purchased. Current DM uses same vehicles that were used by the previous DM Surty]
- 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
- 530i
- 3.0 Q7 TDI Quattro
(C) Year of Vehicle Manufacture
(i) Mrs AM Motshekga, MP Minister
- 2014 : BMW Sedan
- 2016 : Mercedes-Benz
(ii) Dr MR Mhaule MP Deputy Minister
- 2018 : BMW Sedan [No new vehicles were purchased. Current DM uses same vehicles that were used by the previous DM Surty]
- 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
- 2018 : BMW Sedan
- 2018 : AUDI Q
(d) Price
(i) Mrs AM Motshekga, MP Minister
- BMW : R769,022.76
- Mercedes-Benz : R849,900.00
(ii) Dr MR Mhaule MP Deputy Minister
- BMW : R833,488.41 [No new vehicles were purchased. Current DM uses same vehicles that were used by the previous DM Surty]
- 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
- BMW : R833,488.41
- Audi : R1,015,702.05
(e) Vehicles purchase date
(i) Mrs AM Motshekga, MP Minister
- BMW : 25 September 2014
- Mercedes-Benz : 26 October 2016
(ii) Dr MR Mhaule MP Deputy Minister
- BMW : 28 March 2018 [No new vehicles were purchased. Current DM uses same vehicles that were used by the previous DM Surty]
- 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
- BMW : 28 March 2018
- Audi :13 December 2018
22 February 2023 - NW108
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 - NW53
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 - NW140
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
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
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
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
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 - NW105
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
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
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
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
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
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
22 February 2023 - NW162
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
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
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.
21 February 2023 - NW75
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.
20 February 2023 - NW173
Yako, Ms Y to ask the Minister of Police
What (a) progress has been made in investigating the persons who were responsible for the murder of Mr Vesele, the protector of the Vice Chancellor of the University of Fort Hare and (b) further investigations have been done to identify and arrest those who want to kill the Vice Chancellor?
Reply:
Find here: Reply
20 February 2023 - NW121
Majozi, Ms Z to ask the Minister of Police
1. What are the most common reasons given by SA Police Service (SAPS) officers for resigning from the SAPS (details furnished); 2. Whether he will furnish Ms Z Majozi with an overview of the employment conditions of the SAPS; if not, why not, if so, how have the specified conditions been adapted to minimise the number of resignations, especially considering the already limited number of SAPS officers in the country?
Reply:
Find here: Reply
20 February 2023 - NW89
De Villiers, Mr JN to ask the Minister of Human Settlements
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) former Minister and (iii) the Deputy Minister and the (iv) former Deputy Minister of her department since 1 June 2019?
Reply:
1. The Department of Human Settlements purchased only one (1) vehicle since 1 June 2019: The details are as follows
(a) Make (AUDI)
(b) Model (Q5 40 TDI )
(c)Year of manufacture is 2022
(d) Cost (R 795 280.97) and
(e) Purchase date for;
(i) Minister, None
(ii) the former Minister, None
(iii) the Deputy Minister, 27 July 2022
(iv) former Deputy Minister, None
20 February 2023 - NW170
Pambo, Mr V to ask the Minister of Police
Whether his department has resolved the dispute regarding the use of grabbers by the Crime Intelligence Division of the SA Police Service, of which permission was reported to be on hold; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
Find here: Reply
20 February 2023 - NW159
Shembeni, Mr HA to ask the Minister of Police
What measures does he intend to take regarding the police station in Chatty township in Eastern Cape which closes at night due to the shortage of staff and resources?
Reply:
Find here: Reply
20 February 2023 - NW172
Yako, Ms Y to ask the Minister of Police
Whether he has provided the Vice Chancellor of the University of Fort Hare, Prof Sakhela Buhlunhu, with adequate police security following various attempts on his life; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
Find here: Reply
14 January 2023 - NW1159
Pambo, Mr V to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
What is the (a) total number of persons who have been declared insolvent and finally sequestrated by the courts in the past five years and (b) breakdown of the specified number according to (i) race, (ii) highest debt and (iii) lowest debt?
Reply:
a) The table provides details of the total number of persons who have been declared insolvent and finally sequestrated by the courts in the past five years:
Year |
Insolvencies (Natural Persons) |
Liquidations (Legal Persons) |
Total |
|
2018 |
2 691 |
3 697 |
6 388 |
|
2019 |
3 329 |
4 071 |
7 400 |
|
2020 |
1 911 |
4 223 |
6 134 |
|
2021 |
2 481 |
4 099 |
6 580 |
|
2022 |
2 249 |
3 877 |
6 126 |
|
Total |
12 661 |
19 967 |
32 628 |
|
b) The Master of the High Court does not keep statistics with regards to race and debt value. It should also be noted that the true value of the assets is not necessarily finalised at application date but only finally established by the appointed trustee or liquidator during winding up.
08 January 2023 - NW4113
Gondwe, Dr M to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises
(1) Whether a certain person (details furnished) was suspended from his department during the period 1 January 2014 up to 31 December 2016, if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) what were the reasons for the suspension, (b) what were the charges brought against the person, (c) were any of the charges brought or matters uncovered related to irregular appointments made by the person and (d) were such irregular appointments reported to the Public Service Commission. (2) Why did this person resign before the conclusion of the disciplinary hearing, (3) Was Cabinet informed of the persons previous disciplinary record as Director General (DG) of the Department of Public Service and Administration; if so, why did Cabinet concur with the appointment despite the known previous disciplinary record; (4) Why was no reliance places on the provisions of Section 16(4)(b) of the Public Service Act, Act 103 of 1994 with regard to the person; (5) Was the chairperson of the disciplinary hearing at his department the same advocate who was appointed by the person at the Department of Public Service and Administration during the persons tenure there as DG?
Reply:
1. Yes, the person was suspended,
(a) The employer believed that the presence of the official may jeopardize the investigation into alleged misconduct and / or endanger the state property.
(b) Charges were gross negligence, in failing to take appropriate remedial steps against a subordinate on alleged breaches of policies in respect of to appointments, salary upgrades, a approving job evaluation recommendations which led to improper salary upgrades and approving an invoice which led to irregular expenditure.
(c) None of the charges relates to irregular appointments by the official.
(d) None of the charges relates to irregular appointments by the official.
2. The resignation letter did not state the reasons for resignation.
3. The Department does not have any records tabled at Cabinet in relation to the appointment of the official. The Department of Public Service and Administration maybe in a position to respond on how processing of the appointment of the official was facilitated including reference checks.
4. Parties (DPE and the official) reached a settlement agreement to all disputes between them. As a result, the settlement extinguished any misconduct issue DPE had against the official in which Section 16(4)(b) could not be applied because there was no longer any pending case against the official which needed further processing to enable the transferring of the matter to the Department of Public Service and Administration.
5. The Department of Public Service and Administration is the sole custodian of records of any appointments done by them. The Department of Public Enterprises is not in a position to assist in validating the said appointment due to restricted access to the records system of the Department of Public Service and Administration.
Remarks: Reply: Approved/Not Approved/Comments
q
Jacky Molisane PJ Gordhan, MP
Acting Director-General Minister
Date: Date:
06 January 2023 - NW4216
Steenhuisen, Mr JH to ask the Minister in the Presidency
(1)Whether, with reference to the reply to question 2617 on 26 October 2022 by the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Ms T R Modise, on whether the Armaments Corporation of South Africa SOC Ltd (Armscor) sells arms and ammunition, propellant powder and/or explosives to the Russian Federation, noting her refusal to deny this outright, and further noting Armscor’s own stated limitations on selling armaments to or trading in conventional arms with countries involved in the systematic violation and/or suppression of humanitarian rights and fundamental freedoms, countries, individuals, groups, undertakings and entities involved in international terrorism, and countries involved in armed conflict, all three of which clauses would exclude the Russian Federation, and further noting the moral responsibility of the Republic to strive for global peace and defend the freedom of sovereign nations, the National Conventional Arms Control Committee received any request from any South African arms manufacturers for permission to export to the Russian Federation and/or Belarus arms, munitions, propellants and/or technology that may be used in the manufacture of the specified products since 24 February 2022; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) whether he, including Armscor and Denel, discussed the possibility of the export of arms, munitions, propellants and/or technology that may be used in the manufacture of the products since 24 February 2022 with any representative of the Russian Federation and/or Belarus government; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) whether any arms, munitions, propellants and/or technology that may be used in the manufacture of the products have been exported to a country that may in turn export them to the Russian Federation and/or Belarus since 24 February 2022; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (4) whether Government has taken any steps to ensure that the Republic is not in breach of its own restrictions on the export of arms, munitions, propellants and/or technology that may be used in the manufacture of the products to the Russian Federation and/or Belarus since February 2022; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details of the steps?
Reply:
1. The National Conventional Arms Control Committee has not received any request from any South African arms manufacturers for permission to export to the Russian Federation and/or Belarus arms, munitions, propellants and/or technology that may be used in the manufacture of the specified products since 24 February 2022. The records of the of the NCACC in the past 5 years refelect the following:
(i) Russia
Nr. |
Date of Permit |
Categories |
Value |
1. |
21/05/2018 |
C = Airborne Observation |
R2,230,000 |
2. |
21/05/2018 |
C = Airborne Observation |
R2,230,000 |
3. |
21/05/2018 |
C = Airborne Observation |
R2,230,000 |
4. |
29/07/2019 |
C = Argos Obserbvation |
R59,178,602 |
(ii) Belarus,
Nr. |
Date of Permit |
Categories |
Value |
1. |
05/03/2018 |
C = Data Packs |
R6,045,000 |
respectively.
2. The NCACC applies the criteria in Section 15 of the National Conventional Arms Control Act 41 of 2002 (as amended), strictly. This is to ensure that, South Africa is not in breach of its own restrictions on the export of arms, munitions, propellants and/or technology that may be used in the manufacture of the products to any Country including the Russian Federation and/or Belarus. This, notwithstanding the United Nations Charter authorising a Sovereign Entity to a right to self defence.
Thank You.
04 January 2023 - NW3963
Kohler-Barnard, Ms D to ask the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies
Whether she will furnish Ms D Kohler with Special Investigating Unit investigation report as done when Mr Mark Barnes was employed at the SA Post Office; if not; why not; if so, (a) on what date and (b) what are the further relevant details? NW 4931E
Reply:
There was no investigation undertaken by the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) during or relating to the tenure of Mr Mark Barnes as Chief Executive Officer of the South African Post Office. (a) Not applicable (b) Not Applicable
04 January 2023 - NW3826
Kohler-Barnard, Ms D to ask the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologie
(a) What are the grievances against the Chairperson of the Board of the SA Broadcasting Corporation and (b) how did the board see it fit to appoint its own members on the panel and then exonerate him without due process? NW4722E
Reply:
I have been informed by the SABC as follows :-
(a) A grievance was lodged by the former Group Executive: News regarding alleged interference by the Chairperson of the SABC Board.
(b) The Committee/Panel was appointed in line with the Procedure on how to deal with grievances and/or complaints against Non-Executive Directors. This Procedure was approved by the Board. In terms of section 15(1)(a) of the Broadcasting Act No. 4 of 1999 (as amended), the President, as the appointing body defined in the Act, may remove a Non-Executive Director on account of misconduct or inability to perform his or her duties efficiently after due inquiry and upon recommendation by the Board. It was on this basis that the Board developed the Procedure to address/test/adjudicate the complaints and/or allegations of misconduct (“due inquiry”). If the allegations were found to be true the Board would only then recommend his removal to the President.
04 January 2023 - NW4192
Kohler-Barnard, Ms D to ask the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies
With reference to the 389 cases of irregular expenditure by staff from the SA Broadcasting Corporation, what total (a) number of the staff have had disciplinary hearings and (b) amount has been recovered from those convicted of such activities? NW5258E
Reply:
I have been advised by SABC as follows: (a) The 389 instances under investigation relates to the period 1 April 2018 to 31 March 2022. From 2020 to date, disciplinary actions have been taken against sixteen (16) Supply Chain Management officials following the conclusion of the determination tests and the investigations. Approximately 100 incidents are currently under investigation and in the process of identifying responsible officials. A further 200 of these incidents are scheduled to be investigated and finalised over the next 12 months, with set targets in place. (b) None thus far.
04 January 2023 - NW4322
Buthelezi, Ms SA to ask the Minister of Human Settlements
(1) Whether her department will provide a detailed update on the Mooikloof Mega Residential City project that was announced in 2020; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details of the total (a) number of apartments that have been built and (b) cost of such apartments; (2) whether the stated green-classification target of the specified project has been met; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) whether the price for the specified apartment remains in the initially projected range; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW5439E
Reply:
(1) (a) The Mooikloof Mega City Project is currently in the construction of phase one (1) and phase two (2) for five hundred and forty-six (546) units and is due for completion in September 2023. (b) The Mooikloof Mega City units commence with a starting price of R604 900.00.
(2) (a) The green classification for the Mooikloof Mega City will be done when the construction of the units is completed and will be certified for solar and battery storage to confirm that it has been incorporated into the development to mitigate the effects of load shedding.
(3) The developer initially projected that the apartments in the development would start selling between R495 799 and R 799 00.00. However, the apartment starting prices now commence at R604 900.
04 January 2023 - NW4643
Roos, Mr AC to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
What (a) are the reasons that his department failed to file the heads of argument on the matter of Zimbabwean Exemption Permits as directed by the Court to do on 14 November 2022, (b) remedial action will be taken against the person accountable for filing the heads of argument and (c) action will he take to deal with repeated instances of contempt of court by his department? NW5765E
Reply:
(a) The reasons for failing to file Heads of Argument on 14 November 2022 will be subject to an application for condonation in court. In the circumstances, I am hamstrung to answer the question at this stage.
(b) In light of the answer above, it is premature to speculate on the remedial action.
(c) The Department of Home Affairs (“DHA”) has adopted a strict internal communication protocol in 2020 dealing, inter alia, with failure to comply with Court Orders by officials of the DHA. Failure to comply with Court Orders is visited by disciplinary action. Furthermore, in terms of the said internal communication
04 January 2023 - NW3516
Bodlani, Ms T to ask the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologie
Whether she will furnish Ms T Bodlani with a full list of those whom she consulted with when drafting the Next Generation Radio Frequency Spectrum Policy for Economic Development; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW4329E
Reply:
In terms of Section 3(5) when issuing a policy the Minister must consult the Authority (ICASA) and must, in order to obtain views of interested persons, publish the text on such policy in the Gazette; (i) declaring her intention to issue the policy or policy direction; and (ii) inviting interested persons to submit written submissions in relation to the policy or policy direction in the manner specified in such notice in not less than 30 days from the date of the notice. On 08 September 2022 the Minister issued a notice in Gazette 46873 of the draft Next Generation Radio Frequency Spectrum Policy for Economic Development and the closing date is 20 October 2022. On receipt of all the written submissions a list will be compiled as requested
04 January 2023 - NW1211
Hendricks, Mr MGE to ask the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies
Whether her department has any plans in place to prepare rural villages under the Ugu District Municipality, which includes villages in Harding and uMdoni in KwaZulu-Natal, that have been identified to become part of the second smart city; if not, why not; if so, will they receive free data when licences are issued for the wide spectrum after the much-anticipated auction? NW1464E
Reply:
I have been advised by the Department as follows:
The Department (DCDT) has received Cabinet approval to roll out services to schools, health facilities and communities as part of SA Connect Phase 2. The Department consulted with various National Departments and Provinces to develop plans aligned with the District Development Model. The outcome of the consultations led to prioritisation of areas to be connected based on the input from beneficiary departments, provinces and municipalities.
Mobile operators are also required to connect a number of the public service institutions such as public libraries, public schools, government clinics, government hospitals and traditional authority offices. ICASA is still in a consultation process with the relevant stakeholders to ensure that the abovementioned obligations are implemented.