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03 January 2024 - NW3356

Profile picture: Kohler-Barnard, Ms D

Kohler-Barnard, Ms D to ask the Minister in the Presidency

By what total amount has, the National Treasury proposed that the State Security Agency budget be cut?

Reply:

National Treasury has reduced the SSA Budget by R 120.0m

REPLY COORDINATOR

Name : NA Marotholi

Designation : Chief Financial Officer

Contacts :

Recommended / Not recommended

___________________________

Ambassador Thembisile C Majola

Director-General: State Security Agency

Date:

Approved / Not Approved

________________________

Khumbudzo Ntshavheni , MP,

Minister in The Presidency

Date:

03 January 2024 - NW2898

Profile picture: Gondwe, Dr M

Gondwe, Dr M to ask the Minister in the Presidency

(1)(a) What (i) are the reasons that it took her and the President, Mr M C Ramaphosa, nine months to appoint a new board for Brand SA and (ii) process did she use to designate Ms S Ntombela to act as the accounting authority of Brand SA in the absence of a duly appointed board of trustees, (b) on what date did Ms S Ntombela receive the letter from the National Treasury delegating her to act as the executive authority of Brand SA in terms of the Public Finance Management Act, Act 1 of 1999, and (c) did the letter give her all the powers of the board; (2) for how long (a) did she designate Ms Ntombela to act as the accounting authority and (b) has Ms Ntombela been acting as the accounting authority of Brand SA in the absence of a duly appointed board of trustees? NW3325E

Reply:

1(a)(ii) Brand SA is listed as schedule 3A in the PFMA and is not required to conclude a Shareholder’s Compact, however Minister signs-off Governance Agreement with the Board. As a start, on 8 July 2021, the former Acting Minister Ms Khumbudzo Ntshavheni granted concurrence to then Chairperson of Brand SA, Ms Thandi Tobias for the appointment of Ms Sithembile Ntombela, the current acting CEO. At that time, the Board complied with various sections of the Trust Deed, which allow the Board to make an appointment subject to concurrence being granted by the Minister. On the extension of the acting tenure of the incumbent, at the Board meeting held on 27 October 2022, a resolution was taken that the term of office of the Acting CEO be extended until June 2023 or until the new Board decides otherwise.

b) The Board of Trustees of Brand SA in their meeting of the 27th of October 2022 resolved to extend the Acting appointment of the CEO to June 2023 or until the new Board decide otherwise and therefore the new Board that has been appointed will be given an opportunity as per its powers to decide. (c) Not Applicable;

(2) (a) Not Applicable and (b) Not Applicable NW3325E

Name of the Drafter: Mr Sandile Nene

Designation: Chief Director

Contact details: 012 473 3658


_____________________

Nomonde Mnukwa (Ms)

Acting Director - General

Date:

_________________________

Khumbudzo Ntshavheni (Ms)

Minister in the Presidency

Date:

03 January 2024 - NW2373

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Graham, Ms SJ to ask the Minister in the Presidency

(1)Whether, with reference to the Reconfiguration Project of The Presidency, what are the details of the (a) Review and Reconfiguration Task Team and (b) Government Technical Advisory Centre; (2) whether she will furnish Ms S J Graham with a copy of the As-Is Report; if not, why not; if so, on what date; (3) whether any progress has been made with the reconfiguration; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details of the action that has been taken in this regard?

Reply:

1(a) The Presidency reconfiguration project is aimed at repositioning the Presidency / the strategic center of government to be “fit-for-purpose” to support the President and Deputy President in the execution of their responsibilities. The Reconfiguration Task Team was appointed in 2020 to oversee the implementation of this project.

(b) The Presidency strategically partnered with GTAC to assist the organisation with the development of a future service delivery model and configuration of the strategic center of government.

2. As part of the diagnostic phase, the RRTT conducted a critical analysis of the “as-is” of the Presidency, DPME, and GCIS, with a view to determine whether they are optimally configured to deliver on their respective mandates. This assessment is an internal working document, and will be included as part of the final business case developed for this reconfiguration.

3. In March 2020, following the declaration of the COVID-19 National State of Disaster as well as following the July 2021 unrest, the Presidency had to reprioritise its efforts and refocus its work on the implementation interventions to firstly mitigate and fight the pandemic and to deal with the socio- economic impact of both the pandemic and the July 2021 unrest. This resulted in the delay in the finalisation of the reconfiguration project.

 

NAME OF THE DRAFTER: Nombongo Zwelibanzi

DESIGNATION: Chief Director: Office of the COO

CONTACT DETAILS :012 3005375/0794996991

SIGNATURE: ____________________________


_____________________________

Phindile Baleni (Ms)

Director General and Secretary of Cabinet

Date:

__________________________

Khumbudzo Ntshavheni

Minister in the Presidency

Date:

03 January 2024 - NW2899

Profile picture: Gondwe, Dr M

Gondwe, Dr M to ask the Minister in the Presidency

What are the reasons that Brand SA did not reinstate Ms Nadine Thomas in her position as the Chief Finance Officer (CFO) in accordance with the ruling of the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) and the Labour Court; (2) (a) what are the reasons that Brand SA opted for a settlement with Ms Nadine Thomas despite the CCMA and Labour Court ruling that she be reinstated as the CFO, (b) what total amount was paid to Ms Nadine Thomas by Brand SA as a settlement to leave Brand SA and (c)(i) who decided on the settlement with Ms Nadine Thomas and (ii) how did they arrive at the settlement amount?

Reply:

1. Brand South Africa reinstated Ms Nadine Thomas in her positions as the CFO, in May 2023 according to the ruling of the Labour Court.

2.(a) After the Labour court ruling, Ms Nadine Thomas and her lawyers presented a proposal to Brand South Africa, which included a separation proposition. Based on the proposal, Brand South Africa entered into negotiations and subsequently, both parties entered into a voluntary confidential mutual separation agreement.

(b) Ms Nadine Thomas and Brand South Africa entered into a voluntary confidential mutual separation agreement, which included a nondisclosure agreement. The terms thereof may not be disclosed unless with the consent of both parties. Brand SA does not have Ms Nadine Thomas’ consent to disclose the terms of the mutual separation agreement, at this time.

(c)(i) Following negotiations between Brand South Africa and Miss Thomas’ lawyers, an agreement on the settlement amount was reached. Ms

Sithembile Ntombela, in her capacity as the Accounting Authority/Acting Chief Executive Officer, approved the settlement agreement.

(ii) The settlement amount took into account the following factors:

    1. The Labour Court judgment which stated that Ms Thomas be compensated for monies which she would have earned but for her dismissal.
    2. Considerations of what she would have earned at the time of the payment of the settlement including adjustments applied to Brand South Africa salaries during the said period which included, Total Cost to Company (TCTC) at 55th percentile, Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA) at 3%, Notch increases at 1,5 % and Performance bonus payout at 18% of her TCTC, her Leave payout.

 

NAME OF THE DRAFTER: Sithembile Ntombela (Ms)

DESIGNATION : Acting Chief Executive Officer – Brand SA SIGNATURE:

 

 

 

 

_____________________

Nomonde Mnukwa (Ms)

Acting- Director General: GCIS Date: 12 September 2023

 

 

 

 

__________________________

Khumbudzo Ntshavheni Minister in the Presidency Date:

 

 

 

 

02 January 2024 - NW4155

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van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Social Development

(1)Whether her department monitors all the listed Gender-Based Violence (GBV) contact channels 24/7; if not, why not; (2) Whether the reported GBV matters are referred to SA Police Service or any other agencies; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) Who is responsible for manning the GBV channels for each contact line; (4) What are the relevant (a) job descriptions and (b) qualifications of the persons who respond to the GBV contacts?

Reply:

(1) Yes, the Department monitors the GBV Command Centre on a daily basis through social workers and social work supervisors. The Technical Shift Supervisor performs at least one test per shift per channel to test that the channel is active, monitored and promptly responded to. In addition, the Quality Assurers of the GBV Command Centre provide quality assurance as part of monitoring and improving the times in which these channels are responded to.

(2) Depending on the nature of the call, the callers are referred for various services, including the SA Police Service, Civil Society Organizations including GBV Shelters in cases of domestic violence and rape. They are further referred to both Government and Non-governmental organisation (NGOs) i.e. the Department of Justice for protection orders, Department of Health for injuries and NGOs such as Family and Marriage Society of SA (FAMSA), Lifeline for face-to-face counselling on family preservations. The GBV Command Centre also refers cases to the Local DSD offices through the provincial offices.

(3) The GBV Command Centre is managed by qualified Social Workers and Social Work Supervisors with the support of Technical Shift Supervisors in terms of testing and ensuring that all the channels are fully operational.

(4) (a) Please see below attached annexure A on the three Job Descriptions as per the Occupation Specific Dispensation (Social Auxiliary Worker, Social Worker and Social Work Supervisor).

(4) (b) The qualifications are BA Social Work or Bachelor of Social Science in Social

Work for Social Workers and Social Work Supervisors; and a Certificate in

Social Auxiliary Work for Social Auxiliary Workers.

02 January 2024 - NW4079

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Cuthbert, Mr MJ to ask the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition

Whether he will furnish Mr M J Cuthbert with a list of special economic zones that offer a reduced income tax rate; if not, why not; if so, what (a) total number of companies have utilised the specified benefit in the (i) 2021-22 and (ii) 2022-23 financial years and (b) is the corresponding value of the tax discount for each specified financial year?

Reply:

a) The Special Economic Zone (SEZ) tax incentive was introduced into the Income Tax Act to promote investment, growth and job creation in the South African manufacturing sector and the development of designated regions. On 6 July 2018, the Minister of Finance issued Government Gazette 41758, with the following SEZ’s eligible for purposes of the reduced income tax rate:

• COEGA Special Economic Zone

• Dube Trade Port Special Economic Zone

• East London Special Economic Zone

• Maluti-a-Phofung Special Economic Zone

• Richards Bay Special Economic Zone

• Saldanha Bay Special Economic Zone

A qualifying company can only benefit from the tax incentive if it is located within an eligible SEZ and based on financial considerations to the state, as required by section 12E(3) of the Income Tax Act. The potential benefits are:

  • A reduced corporate income tax rate of 15%; and
  • An accelerated depreciation allowance of 10% on cost of any new and unused buildings or improvement owned by the qualifying company.

In terms of the qualifying criteria, 90% of the companies income must be derived from the carrying on of business or provision of services within that SEZ; and no more than 20% of the deductible expenses incurred or 20% of the income received by or accrued to the company are from transactions with connected persons that are residents or with non-residents and those transactions are attributable to a permanent establishment in the Republic.

With regards to the depreciation allowance, companies do not qualify, if the buildings are owned by the SEZs themselves.

(i) and (ii) According to information provided by the qualifying SEZs for the financial years 2020-21 and 2022-23, 9 companies applied for the reduced income tax rate. Three (3) companies in COEGA and six (6) companies applied in Dube Trade Port for the reduced income tax rate.

b) The disclosure of the total value of the tax discounts for companies is governed in terms of the Tax Administration Act, 2011, administered by SARS. Taxpayer information is subject to the confidentiality provisions, which contained in Chapter 6 (sections 67 to 74) of the Act.

Access to information can be directed through the relevant portfolio committee to SARS.

 

-END-

02 January 2024 - NW3726

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Komane, Ms RN to ask the Minister of Finance

Considering that the Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration paid an oversight visit to the (a) Northern Cape and (b) Free State in May 2023, where it identified the common challenge to be that the State lacked internal capacity as most reports were not showing alignment between the budget and procurement plans, what steps has the National Treasury taken to date to address the specified issue of misalignment between budget and procurement?

Reply:

Section 27(3) of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) states that an annual budget must be in accordance with a format prescribed by the National Treasury. The Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) Technical Guidelines 2024 for provinces were issued in June 2023 to make such prescriptions, provide government departments, as well as provincial public entities, with guidance on how to prepare their medium-term estimates for the 2024 Budget and to promote alignment between the budget and procurement plans.

As part of these guidelines, infrastructure projects and programmes must be undertaken following the Infrastructure Delivery Management System (IDMS) supported by the Framework of Infrastructure Delivery and Procurement Management (FIDPM). Infrastructure (User) Asset Management Plan (IMAP/U-MAP) must be prepared and updated annually outlining the asset activities and resources required. The plan must include a list of programmes and projects for a minimum period of five years. To promote alignment between the budget and procurement plans, the IAMP/UAMP must inform the development of the Infrastructure Programme Management Plan (IPMP) and Infrastructure Procurement Strategy (IPS) which specifies what the department intends to achieve in the next 3 years of implementation of projects/programmes.

In May 2023, the National Treasury also published a Guideline on Budget Submissions for Large Strategic Infrastructure Proposals. This guideline invites submissions from public institutions in respect of large infrastructure projects and/or programmes that require budget support over the 2024 MTEF. To promote alignment between the budget and procurement plans, each proposal should include a procurement strategy that details the selected packaging, contracting, pricing and targeting options for all the required goods and services or a combination thereof as well as the procurement procedure to ensure alignment to Constitutional requirements and other legislative requirements. Furthermore, all proposals that require direct budget support over the 2024 MTEF must be shovel ready – in other words, they should be ready for immediate procurement, contracting and construction.

02 January 2024 - NW4044

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Msimang, Prof CT to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services

Whether his department conducts lifestyle audits on its employees; if not, why not; if so, (a) how often are these lifestyle audits conducted, (b) when was the last time the lifestyle audit was conducted, (c) how many employees were lifestyle audited and (d) what were the relevant details of the findings?

Reply:

1. Whether lifestyle audits are conducted: Yes

a) How often? Annually, in accordance with the schedule provided by the Public Service Regulations on Financial Interests Disclosure Framework, DPSA Directives and DPSA Guide on Lifestyle audit.

b) When last was lifestyle audit conducted? As the first phase of the audit, lifestyle review was last conducted in the 2022/2023 financial year [financial disclosure forms were submitted by SMS members in April 2022 and by other designated employees from June to July 2022].

c) How many employees were lifestyle audited? In the lifestyle reviews, 135 verifications were conducted for SMS members and 536 other designated employees in 2022.

d) What were the relevant details? There were no referrals for investigations and therefore no finding on lifestyle audit against these employees.

 

 

02 January 2024 - NW3621

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Nodada, Mr BB to ask the Minister of Basic Education

(1)       Whether her department will put in place safety measures at schools with open pit toilets; if not; what is the position in this regard; if so, what (a) support has her department provided to the Nomagaga Primary School in the Harry Gwala District Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal and (b) what are the relevant details; (2) whether temporary safety measures have been put in place to mitigate the risk of open pit toilets for the duration of the sanitation project at the specified school; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

The question falls under the Executive Authority of the Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Kwa Zulu Natal. The Member is kindly requested to refer the question to the MEC for Kwa Zulu Natal as per section 92(3)(b) of the Constitution and Rule 134 (5)(b) of the NA rules. 

02 January 2024 - NW3455

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Nodada, Mr BB to ask the Minister of Basic Education

Regarding the sanitation project at the Nomagaga Primary School in the Harry Gwala District in KwaZulu-Natal, what is the latest specified update on the status of the specified project, including the (a)(i) total number and (ii) types of toilets that have been (aa) installed and/or (bb) completed and (b) timeline for the (i) completion and (ii) handover of the project?

Reply:

1. The question falls under the Executive Authority of the Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Kwa Zulu Natal. The Member is kindly requested to refer the question to the MEC for Kwa Zulu Natal as per section 92(3)(b) of the Constitution and Rule 134 (5)(b) of the NA rules. 

02 January 2024 - NW4219

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Marais, Mr EJ to ask the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition

(1)Whether, with the reference to the 5-year tax rebate offered to businesses that invested in the Saldanha Bay Industrial Development Zone (SBIDZ) to cushion them from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, he will consider extending the tax rebate period with at least another two years; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details? (2) what additional benefit would be added to attract further investment in the SBIDZ to advance job creation efforts?

Reply:

I am advised as follows. On 6 July 2018, the Minister of Finance issued Government Gazette 41758 indicating that companies located in the Saldanha Bay IDZ can be eligible for tax incentives/rebates based on qualifying criteria.

These incentives include:

    • A reduced corporate income tax rate of 15%.
    • An accelerated depreciation allowance of 10% on cost of any new and unused buildings or improvement owned by the qualifying company.
    • Customs Control Area Incentives (CCA).

Currently National Treasury has put a sunset clause for SEZ Tax Incentives/ Rebates ending 2031. In terms of the SEZ Act No. 16 of 2014, the Minister of Trade and Industry and Competition must consult with the Minister of Finance on tax incentives for special economic zones. The Minister of Finance is the authority to extend tax incentives/rebates. Should a clear business case be made out for extension of a tax incentive, the dtic will assist to bring same to the attention of the National Treasury for consideration.

Saldanha Bay Industrial Development Zone (SBIDZ) is a designated as an SEZ which is specifically focused on the maritime, energy, logistics and green hydrogen sectors, it offers a platform for global exports by attracting foreign and local investment in the associated manufacturing and services industries.

 

Value Proposition of the SEZ:

  • Strategically located within the deep-water port of Saldanha Bay, which allows for easy access to worldwide shipping routes and road linkages to the Saldanha – Northern Cape Logistics Corridor, Cape Town and beyond, and as such represents a prime logistics location.
  • Tenants and qualifying investors have access to various incentives and support, including top structures and CCA benefits.
  • 356-hectare footprint of secure and prime serviced industrial land, investor sites are available for occupation.
  • Saldanha has also established the Saldanha Bay Innovation Campus to boost skills development in innovation and technology in the Marine and Energy Sectors.

 

-END-

02 January 2024 - NW3622

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Nodada, Mr BB to ask the Minister of Basic Education

(1)       Whether her department is accountable for sanitation projects at schools; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) with regard to the sanitation project at the Nomagaga Primary School in the Harry Gwala District Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal, are there stipulations contained in the contractors’ agreement for legal ramifications in case of project delays and/or substandard work and (b) what are the relevant details of the consequences; (2) what other accountability mechanisms are in place in the agreement to hold both the contractor and her department accountable for project delays and related risks; (3) what specific measures have been undertaken to (a) expedite the completion of the pit toilet project and (b) ensure the safety of learners and staff; (4) whether she and/or her department intend to undertake a personal oversight visit at the specified primary school to gain firsthand understanding of the situation; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

1. The question falls under the Executive Authority of the Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Kwa Zulu Natal. The Member is kindly requested to refer the question to the MEC for Kwa Zulu Natal as per section 92(3)(b) of the Constitution and Rule 134 (5)(b) of the NA rules. 

02 January 2024 - NW4037

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Msimang, Prof CT to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services

Whether he intends to reinstate the Aspirant Prosecutor Programme in 2024; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

The impact that the budget cuts have on the Aspirant Prosecutor Programme is that the group that is due to complete their training in January 2024, cannot be absorbed into the NPA and appointed into the entry level District Court posts, as has been tradition. However, the NPA is considering another option to be able to keep them within NPA’s employ, through their current contracts.

The Estimated National Expenditure (ENE) reflects further major budget cuts for the next 3 years of the MTEF for the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, which affects the NPA. The severe budget cuts have a devastating effect for the NPA, to the extent that it will be a struggle to even cover the salaries of existing staff. Under these circumstances, the possibility of a new intake for 2024 is virtually impossible to accommodate.

.

02 January 2024 - NW4221

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Marais, Mr EJ to ask the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition

Since Saldanha Bay Industrial Development Zone is the first special economic zone in the Republic to include a commercial port, what additional incentives will be given to investors that specifically invest in (a) oil and gas and (b) marine repair and engineering?

Reply:

I am advised that the following key tax incentives and support apply:

  • A reduced corporate income tax rate of 15%
  • An accelerated depreciation allowance of 10% on cost of any new and unused buildings or improvement owned by the qualifying company, where applicable.
  • Customs Control Incentives (CCA).
  • Building of Top Structures for tenants in the SBIDZ.

These incentives and support are subject to applicants meeting application criteria and budgetary availability. National Treasury considers tax incentives relating to SEZs.

-END-

02 January 2024 - NW4207

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Smalle, Mr JF to ask the Minister of Social Development

(1)What systems are in place to verify and prohibit deceased SA Social Security Agency (SASSA) grant recipients or card holders from getting paid; (2) whether there have been instances where deceased SASSA grant recipients were paid; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what (a) (i) total number of such recipients were wrongly paid in the past three years and (ii) steps were taken to recoup the funds and (b) is the monetary value of such payments in each of the past three years?

Reply:

1. SASSA works closely with the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) on deceased data validation and conducts monthly checks to confirm the life status of beneficiaries before a payment is generated. Payment is effected to beneficiaries who are confirmed to be alive, as per validation outcomes.

(2) Yes, there are instances where deceased social grant recipients have been wrongly paid. This happens when a grant beneficiary dies after proof of life is confirmed by DHA and when the payment run is released to the beneficiary’s bank account.

(a) The numbers of such social grant recipients in the past three years are as follows:

(i) 2021/2022 = 32920

2022/2023 = 26512

2023/2024 = 15204

(ii) To prevent the withdrawal of social grant monies, SASSA freezes the accounts of the deceased beneficiaries through Post Bank and follows up with a letter to the next of kin to return the money to SASSA. Where a withdrawal has already taken place, a SASSA debt recovery process is followed.

b) The monetary value of such payments in each of the past three years is as follows:

2021/2022 = R59 256 000

2022/2023 = R50 372 000

2023/2024 = R31 928 000

02 January 2024 - NW4143

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Makesini, Ms M to ask the Minister of Human Settlements

With reference to her reply to question 3267 on the 13 November 2023, what (a) total number of projects were implemented for the 770 blocked projects to remain and (b) percentage constitutes the 770 blocked projects; (2) Whether she will furnish Ms M Makesini with relevant detailed report of all the 770 blocked projects, including the regions where the specified projects are allocated?

Reply:

1. (a) The Free State Provincial Department of Human Settlements included 96 blocked projects in the current business plan of 2023/24 financial year. Out of the 770 projects that have been reported as blocked, 96 of them have been targeted for implementation in the current financial year. The projects are currently at various stages of implementation. The completion of these projects will differ from one project to another based on the complexities of each one.

(b) This financial year alone, the province targeted to implement 96 out of 770 projects, which constitutes 12 percent of the blocked projects.

2. The list of blocked Projects is attached .

02 January 2024 - NW4144

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Makesini, Ms M to ask the Minister of Human Settlements

Whether she is responsible for regulating the stay of persons in temporary shelters; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, with regard to the temporary shelter that collapsed in Ntsitho Village, Ward 3 of Instika Yethu Local Municipality on 17 November 2023, what (a) are the time frames that her department puts in place for persons to leave and/or stay in a temporary shelter and (b) urgent assistance has been provided to help the persons who have been affected?

Reply:

(a) A temporary shelter should ideally not be occupied for more than 24 months. The National Department will develop policy guidelines in conjunction with the sector to determine the maximum time a household could be housed in a temporary shelter

(b) With reference to shelter that collapsed in Ntsitho Village, Ward 3 of Instika Yethu Local Municipality, the National Department did a physical verification of the affected household on 06 December 2023. The appointed service provider has been issued with a request to construct a new TRU with concrete foundation for the affected household.

.

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER

QUESTION NUMBER: 4144

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 01 DECEMBER 2023

K DITSHEGO

ACTING DEPUTY DIRECTOR-GENERAL: INFORMAL SETTLEMENTS UPGRADING AND EMERGENCY HOUSING

DATE:

Recommended/not recommended

N DUMALISILE

ACTING DIRECTOR-GENERAL:

DATE:

____________________________________________________________

Approved/Not approved

M.T KUBAYI, MP

MINISTER OF HUMAN SETTLEMENTS

DATE:

02 January 2024 - NW4135

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Komane, Ms RN to ask the Minister of Basic Education

In light of the recent incident in Ward 21 in the Shiyane Village in Umzinyathi, where a pit toilet collapsed and injured several learners, what urgent measures has she put in place to completely eradicate pit toilets at schools?

Reply:

The question falls under the Executive Authority of the Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). The Member is kindly requested to refer the question to the MEC for KZN as per section 92(3)(b) of the Constitution and Rule 134 (5)(b) of the NA rules. 

02 January 2024 - NW3926

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Van Der Walt, Ms D to ask the Minister of Basic Education

(1)       (a) What total number of pit latrines were replaced in each province (i) in the (aa) 2019-20, (bb) 2020-21, (cc) 2021-22 and (dd) 2022-23 financial years and (ii) since 1 April 2023 and (b) with what systems were the pit latrines replaced; (2) what (a) are the details of the funding programmes that were used in all cases, (b) was the total amount spent, (c) is the total number of projects currently underway to be finalised by the end of the 2023-24 financial year and (d) will be the total number of outstanding pit latrines be that still need to be eradicated?

Reply:

(1.a) The following number of sanitation facilities were provided in each province per financial year through SAFE Programme.

(ii.b) DBE provides wet or dry sanitation based on reliability of water supply by the water service authority where the school is located.

(2) (a) SAFE and ASIDI Programmes are funded through the School Infrastructure Backlog Grant (SIBG).

(b) SIBG Expenditure for 2019/2020 FY to date is as follows.

(c) All SAFE schools have been allocated to implementing Agents and their completion date has been affected by budget cuts.

(d) DBE planned to complete the SAFE programme by end of 2023/24 financial year subject to availability of funding.

02 January 2024 - NW4212

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Macpherson, Mr DW to ask the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition

(1)Whether he has found that the ideology of the Government’s appointment of cadres from a certain political party (details furnished) and the policy of preferential procurement was responsible for the deindustrialisation, unemployment, inequality and corruption that has been serious failures in Government policy; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (2) whether he intends to review his department’s policies that are undermined by these specified failures; if not, why not; if so, (3) whether he intends to set aside the policies of his department in favour of policies favouring industrialisation similar to those of economies that successfully grew their industries; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details? NW5495E

Reply:

Appointments made within the dtic-group are based on suitability of candidates for the job. In addition, the dtic-group has taken action to address any instances of corrupt and/or inappropriate financial behaviour, as evidenced by steps taken in respect of the National Lotteries Commission.

The reasons for deindustrialisation can inter alia be traced back to premature and sharp reductions in trade support to industry, following the binding offer made prior to 1994 by the National Party government during the global trade talks in the Uruguay Round of the Generalised Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). This was compounded by limited supply-side measures to assist firms to strengthen their competitiveness, which is normally applied to assist with a transition from high trade protection, at about the time when China and other Asian exporters expanded their manufacturing output. A number of structural factors that have been highlighted previously, have also served to constrain manufacturing growth.

The focus on sector-specific growth strategies as contained in masterplans, access to large export markets, support for local firms and other elements of the reimagined industrial strategy, are aimed at reversing these trends. Preferential procurement policies have included support for procurement from local manufacturers, which have helped to lean against deindustrialisation pressures.

Government considers lessons from global best-practice and research and insights from policy-thinkers in adjusting policies to address the extraordinary challenges faced from the legacy of our past.

-END-

02 January 2024 - NW3563

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Tito, Ms LF to ask the Minister of Basic Education

What is the total number of schools in each province where pit toilets were eradicated since she assumed office?

Reply:

2975 schools dependent on basic pit toilets have been provided with appropriate sanitation infrastructure through SAFE.

The table below provides a number of schools on SAFE provided with appropriate sanitation per province.

02 January 2024 - NW2664

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Nodada, Mr BB to ask the Minister of Basic Education

(1)       What total number of plain pit and bucket latrines are identified for demolition or improvement, (a) nationally and (b) in each province by the (i) Accelerated Schools Infrastructure Delivery Initiative, (ii) Sanitation Appropriate for Education Programme, (iii) provincial departments of education and/or (iv) any other sanitation programmes; (2) (a) what total number have (i) originally been identified for each programme and (ii) been eradicated and (b) by what date is it envisaged that the remaining toilets will be eradicated?

Reply:

(1) (a) Nationally, there were 3 898 schools initially identified on the SAFE programme and additional 809 schools were later added. 867 schools did not proceed due to some schools closing, some schools not meeting SAFE criteria, some of the schools are on private land and some have sufficient number of toilets in line with the Norms and Standards. DBE proceeded to intervene at 3 380 schools. 

(b) The following tables provides a breakdown of schools per Province.

(i) Accelerated School Infrastructure Delivery Initiative (ASIDI) focused on providing appropriate sanitation to schools with no toilets. The following schools have been provided with sanitation:

(ii) Sanitation Appropriate for Education (SAFE) initiative focused on providing appropriate sanitation at schools dependent on basic pit toilets. The following number of schools have been provided with sanitation. (iii) The table below includes sanitation provided by both provinvial education departments and Donors.

(2) (a) ASIDI sanitation projects have been completed. Number of SAFE schools completed are provided in (1.ii) above.

(b) The Completion date for the remaining SAFE schools has been affected by budget cuts. DBE had planned to complete the schools by end of 2023/24 financial year.

02 January 2024 - NW210

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Mbabama, Ms TM to ask the Minister in The Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities

(1)What are the details of the (a) destination and (b) total costs for (i) accommodation, (ii) travel and (iii) any other costs incurred for international travel of each (aa) Minister and (bb) Deputy Ministers of her Office since 1 June 2019; (2) what is the total cost incurred for domestic air travel for each (a) Minister and (b) Deputy Minister of her Office since 1 June 2019?

Reply:

1. The details of the destination, total costs for accommodation, travel and other costs incurred for international of each Minister and Deputy Minister since 1 June 2019 are depicted in the tables below:

International Travel

(aa)

 

(a)

(b)(i)

(b)(ii)

(b)(iii)

 

Date

Destination

Accommodation

Flights

Forex & Insurance

Minister

Oct 2019

BRAZIL

 

R90 264,43

R225,00

 

Oct 2019

ETHIOPIA

 

R32 700,93

R5 402,00

 

Sep 2019

KENYA

 

R28 213,43

R0,00

 

Feb 2020

ETHIOPIA

 

R66 062,93

R5 132,00

 

Feb 2020

UNITED STATES

 

R155 327,93

R0,00

 

Nov 2021

ETHIOPIA

 

R63 965,75

R0,00

 

Mar 2022

UNITED STATES

 

R108 409,75

R0,00

 

Jun 2022

MALAWI

 

R59 935,80

R225,00

 

Nov 2022

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

 

R109 106,00

R17 436,00

 

Nov 2022

TOGO

 

R48 584,40

R8 045,00

 

Jun 2022

RWANDA

 

R27 390,40

R5 810,00

 

Feb 2023

UNITED STATES

 

R228 927,45

R36 000,00

Total

 

 

R0,00

R1 018 889,20

R78 275,00

International Travel

(bb)

 

(a)

(b)(i)

(b)(ii)

(b)(iii)

 

Date

Destination

Accommodation

Flights

Forex & Insurance

Deputy Minister

Oct 2019

BELGIUM

 

R83 956,93

R225,00

 

Feb 2020

UNITED STATES

 

R170 091,43

R405,00

Total

 

 

R0,00

R254 048,36

R630,00

           

2. The total cost incurred for domestic air travel for each Minister and Deputy Minister of her Office since 1 June 2019 are depicted in the tables below:

(a)

Period

Total cost Domestic Air Travel

Minister

1 June 2019 to 1 Mar 2023

R578 096,79

(b)

Period

Total cost Domestic Air Travel

Deputy Minister

1 June 2019 to 1 Mar 2023

R327 696,51

________________________

Approved by Minister

Dr NC Dlamini-Zuma, MP

Date:

 

02 January 2024 - NW4227

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Cuthbert, Mr MJ to ask the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition

Whether he will provide Mr M J Cuthbert with a full list of the current investment portfolio of the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC); if not, why not; if so, what is the a. Size of the investment in each case, b. Nature and/or classification of the IDC investment instrument in terms of debt, equity, or any other classification and c. In which sector do the companies in which the IDC invested operate?

Reply:

I have been furnished with the information below by the IDC:

The IDC’s investment portfolio, in terms of exposure, is currently at R98.9 billion, made up of R65.7 billion (66%) in Debt and R33.2 billion (34%) in Equity. Debt investments are classified as Solely Payments of Principal and Interest (SPPI), and Equity investments are classified as Non-SPPI. The Mining Sector comprises the most significant exposure at 38%, followed by Chemicals (17%) and Energy (12%). Details are shown in Table 1 below.

Table 1: IDC Portfolio Per Sector

 

-END-

02 January 2024 - NW3687

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Buthelezi, Ms SA to ask the Minister of Human Settlements

(a) What is the nature of her department’s new partnership with the Republic of Ghana and (b) What are some of the best practise models followed by the Republic of Ghana concerning the provision of housing that she intends implementing?

Reply:

a) The partnership with the Republic of Ghana is a bilateral relationship that seeks to;

Establish and formalise exchanges on adequate and affordable housing delivery. The Department of Human Settlements has had ongoing exchanges with the Ministry of Works and Housing of the Republic of Ghana, mostly at international meetings, advancing the creation of sustainable human settlements.

The partnership also becomes a platform to facilitate the establishment of networks between sector actors outside of government to forge public-private collaboration that will enable the delivery of affordable housing. Moreover, the platform was instrumental for bringing together business entities to respond to the growing need for human settlements infrastructure that is required at scale and pace, in response to the trends of rapid urbanisation.

The Minister of Human Settlements undertook to advance the cordial relations between the two countries to deepen exchanges in respect to approaches in the provision of adequate housing and undertook an official visit in this regard during October 2023.

b) Some of the best practice models witnessed in Ghana include, but are not limited to;

  • Employer assisted housing, through which public-private partnerships are developed (government and a private companies/ employers) with the view to build houses for a predetermined category of employees who would ordinarily not be able to build houses for themselves.
  • Blended finance from government and private sector sources to raise capital in a complimentary manner in order to fund joint business ventures.
  • Property practitioner regulations and management, which regulates the affairs of all property practitioners, spells out the obligations of the property practitioners towards housing consumers and strives to maintain professional standards in the property practitioners’ sector.

These areas will be explored through further knowledge exchanges between the two countries.

02 January 2024 - NW4156

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van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Social Development

(1)With reference to her department’s Ten Point Plan which represents the priorities to be addressed by the social development sector during the period 2000 to 2005, what are the reasons that the outdated Plan is still displayed on the official website; (2) which of the ten priority points are still applicable to her department’s work; (3) in light of the tenth point which refers to training, educating, re-deployment and employment of a new category of workers in social development, how many social workers have been trained and employed by her department each year since 2000?

Reply:

(1) The 10 Point Plan was introduced in the year 2000 and was well encapsulated in the 2000-2005 Strategic Plan of the Department. The Ten Point Plan was published on the DSD homepage and is still there even today. Since these are public documents, the Department of Social Development took a conscious decision to retain archived documents on its home page in line with the Public Access to Information Act for easy access by the public for purposes of research and general information.

In terms DPME Framework for Strategic Planning and Annual Performance Plans, strategic priorities are reviewed on a medium-term basis, every 5 years, in line with the dispensation of the government administration. Therefore, the strategic priorities have been revised in line with the National Development Plan (NDP) and the Medium-Term Strategic Framework (MTSF).

(2) The Ten-Point Plan is still relevant to the work of the Department and have since been institutionalised to inform the Programmes and the structure of the Department. The plan still forms part of our Departmental mandate and still finds expression in the strategic documents such as the APP, and through the key outcomes for the 2019-2024 MTSF. The key outcomes are:

  • Outcome 1: Reduced levels of poverty, inequality, vulnerability, and social ills
  • Outcome 2: Empowered, resilient individuals, families, and sustainable communities
  • Outcome 3: Functional, efficient, and integrated sector

(3) The Recruitment and Retention Strategy for Social Workers, which includes the Social Work Scholarship Programme was introduced in 2007. Since then, the Department recruited, trained and appointed 8 821 social work graduates. Since the 2018/2019 financial year, the Department has been experiencing capacity challenges to absorb all social work graduates due to budgetary constraints.

As a result, our country faces the paradox of social work graduates unemployment co-existing with major social ills in many communities. To address this challenge, the Department is working jointly with other key departments in the sector on Sector Strategy for Employment of Social Service Professionals as guided by the National Development Plan, which puts the figure at 55 000 social service professionals.

02 January 2024 - NW4091

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Loate, Mr T to ask the Minister of Human Settlements

(1) Whether, with reference to the commitment by Government provide access adequate housing to all through the implementation of programmes and projects that support the creation of adequate housing in quality living environments, her department is in involved (a) in the development of and (b) channelling of investments to smart cities and/or Corridors of Freedom; if not, why not; if so, (2) whether, in pursuit of the creation of adequate housing in quality living environments for all, she intends to intervene to ensure (a) the discontinuation of the channeling of investments to corridors in the city centre by the City of Johannesburg, (b) the City of Tshwane seeks development in the rural areas verging where the smart city near Lanseria Airport is proposed and (c) the capacitation of Mogale City, which lacks capacity on the one hand and is crammed in by the Cradle of Humankind's World Heritage Site on the other (details furnished); if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are (i) the relevant details and (ii) time frames in this regard; (3) (a) how is her department planning to overcome the very serious problem of split jurisdictions and (b) what is the (i) timetable and (i) budget

Reply:

(1)(a) Section 14 of the Constitution states that the National and Provincial Departments of Human Settlements have a concurrent function of housing, necessitating strong collaboration between the three sectors in the planning and execution of human settlement development.

Hence, the Department collaborates with the Provinces, Municipalities, and pertinent sector Departments in the planning and development of Smart Cities.

(b) In accordance with the Division of Revenue Act (DORA), the Minister annually allocates funds to Provinces and Metropolitan Municipalities for the execution of National Housing Programs. The grants are allocated to the Provinces and transferred in line with the approved , who are mandated by DORA to submit grant business plans. The Provinces together with the affected municipalities will identify the human settlements projects in Smart Cities that require funding. These projects must be in line with the relevant policy and programme prescripts in the Human Settlements Code, 2009. This is the setting in which investments in smart cities are directed.

(2)(a) The Department monitors the grants it makes to the Province and the Metros in terms of performance. According to the terms of the Division of Revenue Act (DoRA), Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), and Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA), performance analyses are conducted on a monthly and quarterly basis and submitted to the National Treasury in accordance with the applicable guidelines. The National Department conducts several performance accountability sessions, such as quarterly performance reviews and MinMec meetings, and regularly communicates the performance challenges identified as impacting the Province and the Metros.

There are also structured visits undertaken by the National Department to verify reported performance and in certain circumstances,the verification visits are undertaken as and when the need arises. Letters of non-compliance are routinely addressed to the Province or Municipality that contravened the guidelines, and the Department does step in when either one of them contravenes the provisions of the Division of Revenue Act.

(b) By declaring the Lanseria Smart City area as a region in terms of the Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act (SPLUMA), 2013 (Act No. 16 of 2013), all three spheres of government are required to develop a Regional Spatial Development Framework (RSDF). This means that, in accordance with Section 19(d) of the Act, all three spheres of government must work together to create a Regional Spatial Development Framework (RSDF) that outlines the intended land use patterns in the area. The City of Tshwane must guarantee spatial integration, especially rural-urban integration, to accomplish this.

(c) The Mogale City is an Intermediate City and is earmarked for housing accreditation. The Provincial Department of Human Settlements will thus ensure the capacitation of the municipality as part of the process of accrediting the Mogale City.

(3) Section 18 of the SPLUMA defines a region as “A circumscribed geographical area characterized by distinctive economic, social, or natural features which may or may not correspond to the administrative boundary of a province or provinces or a municipality or municipalities”. To address the issue of divided jurisdictions and to implement national land use policies or priorities in any geographic area, the Department will collaborate with the Gauteng Province and municipalities to pursue the declaration of the Lanseria Smart Development as a region and the timetable and budget will be determined

02 January 2024 - NW3827

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van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Social Development

With reference to her department’s offices in KwaZulu-Natal that are currently experiencing a shortfall in funds that has resulted in the department’s petrol cards being blocked, thereby preventing the delivery of essential services, what (a) is the current state of the finances of her department’s offices in KwaZuluNatal, (b) interventions and/or assistance has she given to her department’s offices in KwaZuluNatal, considering that they are paying non-profit organisations late due to financial challenges and (c) total number of social workers were negatively impacted by the blocking of the petrol cards?

Reply:

  1. The question relates to the operations of the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Department of Social Development, which is under the political oversight of the MEC of Social Development. As reported in several meetings of the Portfolio Committee, the National Treasury is implementing budget cuts across all government departments, including provincial departments of Social Development.

02 January 2024 - NW3805

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Msimang, Prof CT to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services

What total number of correctional facilities are under construction in each province; (2) Whether he has found that the specified facilities comply with the National Building Regulations in respect of accessibility for persons living with disabilities; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

  1. The total number of correctional facilities under construction in each province are as follows:

Name of Province

Number

Gauteng

01

Eastern Cape

01

KwaZulu-Natal

01

North West

03

Free State

01

TOTAL

07

2. The details are as follows:

  • Gauteng: Emthonjeni - Baviaanspoort:
  • The centre has ramps to access all the sections;
  • All single cells do not have disability toilets;
  • Hospital cells have bathtubs without rails;
  • Hospital cells have ramps for access; but don’t have disability toilets
  • Correctional Centre is partially complying and this matter will be addressed under the auspices of the current project.   
  • Eastern Cape: Burgersdorp:
  • Complying with regards to accessibility for persons living with disabilities.
  • The new Correctional Centre, currently under construction will fully comply.
  • KwaZulu-Natal: Qalakabusha:
  • Major security system refurbishment project underway as well as storm damage repair. The Correctional Centre is equipped with disable ramps and ablution facilities. The Correctional Centre is not fully complying.
  • North West: Brits:
  • Complying with regards to accessibility for persons living with disabilities (construction is on hold after the termination of the contractor).
  • Correctional Centre is partially complying and this matter will be addressed under the auspices of the current project.   
  • Potchefstroom:
  • Complying with regards to accessibility for persons living with disabilities.
  • Correctional Centre is partially complying and this matter will be addressed under the auspices of the current project.
  • Klerksdorp
  • The is complying with regards to accessibility for persons living with disabilities
  • Free State: Parys:
  • Parys Centre under upgrading is designed in accordance to the National Building Standards in respect to access for people living with disabilities.
  • The new Correctional Centre, currently under construction will fully comply.

END

02 January 2024 - NW4206

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Macpherson, Mr DW to ask the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition

Whether the National Empowerment Fund paid for the Chief Executive Officer to be in France during the September and October months; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

I am advised that the National Empowerment Fund did not pay for the Chief Executive Officer or any other official to travel to France during the stated period. The NEF pays travel and related expenses exclusively for official business trips.

-END-

02 January 2024 - NW3577

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Maseko-Jele, Ms NH to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services

(1) Whether any practical results have been noted after he signed the Cybercrime Cooperation Protocol Agreement with the French Minister of Foreign Affairs, which offered training to judicial officers and prosecutors to improve the investigation of cybercrimes, that will benefit the Republic and particularly the Special Investigating Unit; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) what further measures has he put in place to expand the specified training?

Reply:

I wish to inform the honorable Member that I have been informed that

The following interventions has been identified for training of Judicial Officers, Prosecutors and Investigators within the Anti-Corruption and Law Enforcement Agencies, to build cybercrime expertise on the following courses:

Cyber Forensic First Responder Course

This course gives a broad view of Cyber equipment and the methods to collect and seize information from devices on a high level. It gives the delegate a broad understanding of the various methodologies which could be used in gathering information, determining the criticality of various information stored in digital media.

It also provide insight into the various Acts which would come into play when collecting digital information with a broad idea of the responsibilities of the first responder. It should be noted that this is not an advance technical course but rather an introduction to the various aspects of collecting information and the responsibilities of the first responder during an investigation. The course provides the first responder with a broad understanding of the various aspects relating to cyber forensic investigation after completion of the course, understanding the various conventions relating to the regulation of electronic evidence, laws, computer science, information security systems, cyber forensics and the management are key outcomes of the course.

Open Source Intelligence Training Course

This training allows the investigators to search the internet to find clues and evidence that could guide their investigations. The roll-out of this training was first for the SIU Trainers,

This is a five day training focusing on the understanding of the network theory, technical searches, IP Addresses, E-Mails, investigations using accounts created on the social networks etc

DARWIN TOOL (Data Analysis Response Windows)

The DARWIN Tool has been developed by the French Cybercrime Department (SDLC) and the French Judiciary Police Dept (DCPJ). This tool is used by the cybercrime investigators to boot a computer and to make technical searches and to fulfill the investigation report.

The course enables the First Responder (FR) to use the DARWIN tool while retrieving data and preserving the chain of custody. The aim is to perform a quick scan from a shutdown computer and realize a forensic copy of the data. It was created under Windows 10 environment and supports a program called LIBERKEY. This Program allows you to embed all the programs in a portable version that will be used for analysis.

Mobile Investigations Training

Building expertise on the use and application of UFED Cellebrite to extract and

analyse evidence

Arrangements has been made with the NPA, Civilian Secretariat Police Service, Campus Protection Services of South Africa (Camprosa) representing 24 universities, to train prosecutors in the case of the NPA and Investigators for others in the above indicated courses starting February 2024 and on a range of Investigation courses at the Anti-Corruption Academy (Justice college).

TRAINING OFFERED 2022/23

Topic

Target Audience

#

Open Source Intelligence

Prosecutors

16

(2) what further measures has he put in place to expand the specified training? NO4749E

Memorandum of Understanding (“MoU”) entered into with PSETA on 17 August 2023

The purpose of this Memorandum of Understanding (“MoU”) is for the Special Investigating Unit (“SIU”) and the Public Service Sector Education and Training Authority (“PSETA”) to record their intention to collaborate and partner in building the skills capabilities within the public service, and to fulfil both Parties’ constitutional and statutory obligations.

    1. Both committed to maintain accreditation status of courses identified for public servants, Certification of Learners and the achievement of accreditation status of the Anti-Corruption Academy by 4th Quarter of current financial year.
    2. PSETA and the SIU agreed on the training of public servants nationally on accredited courses over two phases
      1. Phase1: Corruption Prevention
      2. Phase 2: Public Education
    3. The SIU Submitted the Corruption Prevention course targeting public servants for accreditation to PSETA during September 2023 which contain the following modules:
    4. Corruption Prevention course scheduled for roll-out during January 2024, a total of 810 public servants targeted for training by 31 March 2024 with an increased number planned for the 2024/25 financial year.
    5. SIU Accredited trainers, Assessors and Moderators are already registered as part of the compliance requirements of the accreditation of the academy.
    6. SIU submitted Anti-Corruption Academy accreditation application to PSETA, accreditation process in final stages, accreditation expected by 30 November 2023.

MoU’s signed with SADC Member States Anti-Corruption Agencies

MoU’s signed with 5 SADC Member States Anti-Corruption Agencies on 01 August 2023, namely; the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission, Malawi Anti-Corruption Bureau, Zambia Anti-Corruption Commission, Namibia Anti-Corruption Commission, Independent Commission Against Corruption of Mauritius, the Independent Bureau Against Corruption of Madagascar and the Anti-Corruption commission of Seychelles to train their investigators on cyber forensic investigations, open source intelligence training from February 2024.

TRAINING OFFERED UNDER COOPERATION PROTOCOL SIGNED BETWEEN THE RESPECTIVE MINISTERS

Topic

Target Audience

#

Cyber Forensic First responder

Investigators, Public Education Officers and Corruption Prevention Officers from Anti-Corruption Agencies of Mauritius, Seychelles and Madagascar

36

Cyber Forensic First Responder

Investigators scheduled for 04-08 Dec 2023 Commonwealth Africa Anti-Corruption Agencies 19 Africa countries to be trained at the Academy in Pretoria

To be confirmed

(Attached please find a copy of MoU signed with PSETA, and a copy of MoU signed with SADC Member States, Malawi Anti-Corruption Bureau).

These MoUs serve as additional measures taken by the SIU to expand training offered. Training for the Public Servants as per MoU with PSETA and for SADC Member States as per MoU with the SIU to be offered at the Anti-Corruption Academy.

02 January 2024 - NW4061

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Breytenbach, Adv G to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services

What are the reasons that the matter of four people who were allegedly arrested on Sunday, 12 November 2023 of which three were ordered to appear in court on Monday, 13 November 2023 were not enrolled, following the incidents that occurred on Sunday, 12 November 2023 concerning a peaceful and authorised gathering by various Christian church groups set to be held in Sea Point, Cape Town which was disrupted by an aggressive, confrontational and eventually violent mob of pro Palestine supporters?

Reply:

The Director of Public Prosecutions, Western Cape reports as follows:

On 12 November 2023 three males were arrested by Metro Police Officers employed by the City of Cape Town. It was alleged that the three males were part of a group of pro-Palestinian supporters. It was further alleged that the group of pro-Palestinian supporters were initially peaceful but refused to move when they were advised that they were standing at an area that was reserved for the protest of another group. The pro-Palestinian group allegedly refused to move, damaged property, attacked the Metro Police Officers and police, and refused to follow their instruction to move from the area. Only three men were arrested.

It is alleged that there is video footage as to what had transpired on the day in question. However, when the matter was presented to the prosecutor, there was no video footage in the docket and that the investigation was incomplete. Some of the statements were also illegible. The prosecutor elected not to enroll the matter until the investigation, which includes the video footage, is filed in the docket. All three accused have fixed addresses and the matter may be enrolled as soon as the outstanding investigation is completed, and a decision is made that there is sufficient evidence to institute a prosecution.

02 January 2024 - NW4186

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Bond, Mr M to ask the Minister of Public Service and Administration

(1)(a) What (i) are the reasons that a certain person (name furnished) was transferred to her department at the beginning of November 2023 and (ii) offence was the specified person charged with and found guilty at the Department of Human Settlements and (b) on what grounds did her department agree to the transfer despite the scathing 2021 Labour Court judgment and her department being the custodian of ethical standards and conduct; (2) what (a) are the reasons that the specified person was transferred into the post of Deputy Director of Performance Management and Development System when there is a current job dispute by an unlawfully terminated employee in the same post and (b) were the conditions of the specified person’s demotion from Chief Director to Deputy Director; (3) whether corruption is a dismissible offence in terms of her department’s consequence management policy; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are reasons that the specified person not dismissed for dishonesty and corruption?

Reply:

1. (a) (i) The employee was transferred to perform the functions of the Deputy Director: Performance Management and Skills Development.

(ii) The information and details of the misconduct which arose at the Department of Human Settlements (DHS) has not been submitted to the DPSA from the DHS.

(b) The Department managed the transfer in terms of section 14 of the Public Service Act which does not preclude the transfer of employees who have been subjected to discipline and/or found guilty.

2. (a) The post of Deputy Director: Performance Management and Skills Development was a vacant and funded post and the dispute by an employee does not preclude the filling of the post.

(b) The employee was subjected to a disciplinary process and the outcome thereof was a demotion from a Chief Director position to Deputy Director.

3. Employees found guilty of corruption should be dismissed. Misconduct is managed in terms of the relevant Disciplinary Code applicable in the public service. The sanctions in respect of guilty findings are determined by relevant chairpersons presiding over the disciplinary process.

End

02 January 2024 - NW3456

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Nodada, Mr BB to ask the Minister of Basic Education

(1)       With reference to the sanitation project at the Nomagaga Primary School in the Harry Gwala District in KwaZulu-Natal, (a) what are the specific project milestones set for the toilet construction at the specified school and (b) have the contractors (i) met or (ii) missed the specified milestones; (2) what safety measures has her department implemented to ensure the safety of staff and learners regarding the unsafe pit toilets at the school; (3) (a) on what date was the last performance assessments and/or evaluations of the contractors performed and (b) what were the outcomes; (4) whether any corrective action was taken; if not, why not; if so, what action?

Reply:

The question falls under the Executive Authority of the Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Kwa Zulu Natal. The Member is kindly requested to refer the question to the MEC for Kwa Zulu Natal as per section 92(3)(b) of the Constitution and Rule 134 (5)(b) of the NA rules. 

02 January 2024 - NW3506

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Ngcobo, Mr SL to ask the Minister of Basic Education

With reference to the Accelerated Schools Infrastructure Delivery Initiative by her department, what are the relevant details pertaining to the (a) budget allocated for, (b) actual expenditure and (c) construction and/or maintenance of (i) primary and (ii) high schools in each province in the past four financial years?

Reply:

In 2011, the Department of Basic Education launched the Accelerated School Infrastructure Delivery Initiative (ASIDI-2011). This programme focused on the following:

  • Appropriate building for schools made entirely of inappropriate materials.
  • Appropriate water supply to schools with no water.
  • Appropriate sanitation at schools with no toilets.
  • Appropriate electricity supply to schools with no electricity supply.

In 2018, the Department of Basic Education launched the Sanitation Appropriate For Education (SAFE-2018) initiative.  This programme focused on the following:

  • Providing appropriate sanitation at schools dependent on basic pit toilets.

Both the ASIDI & SAFE programmes are funded from the School Infrastructure Backlog Grant (SIBG).  The Department submit weekly progress reports on the ASIDI & SAFE programmes to the Minister (DBE-2023).

(1) SIBG budget allocation in the past four financial years are:

(2) Actual expenditure in the past four financial years is:

(3) Construction and/or maintenance

330 of the 338 schools made entirely of inappropriate materials, have been provided with appropriate structures through ASIDI. This is 97.6% progress.

1 298 of the 1 307 schools with no water supply, have been provided with water infrastructure through ASIDI. This is 99.3% progress.

1 087 of the 1 087 schools with no toilets, have been provided with sanitation infrastructure through ASIDI. This is 100% progress.

373 of the 378 schools with no electricity supply, have been provided with electricity through ASIDI. This is 100% progress.

2 975 of the 3 380 schools dependent on basic pit toilets, have been provided with appropriate sanitation infrastructure through SAFE. This is 88% progress.

A list of the constructed schools is attached hereto indicating which are (i) Primary and (ii) High Schools.

ASIDI and SAFE do not do maintenance of schools.

02 January 2024 - NW3572

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Nodada, Mr BB to ask the Minister of Basic Education

(1)       Regarding the sanitation project at the Nomagaga Primary School in the Harry Gwala District in KwaZulu-Natal, what are the (a) names, (b) contact details and/or (c) all relevant details of the company of the contractors entrusted with the project; (2) whether any payments have been made to the contractors to date; if not, why not; if so, what (a) total amounts, (b) were the dates of payment and (c) criteria were employed to determine the specified payments?

Reply:

The question falls under the Executive Authority of the Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Kwa Zulu Natal. The Hon Member is kindly requested to refer the question to the MEC for Kwa Zulu Natal as per section 92(3)(b) of the Constitution and Rule 134 (5)(b) of the NA rules. 

02 January 2024 - NW3611

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van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Social Development

Whether she has been informed that a group of almost 50 nonprofit organisations (NPOs) in KwaZulu-Natal have launched an online petition to protest the ongoing late and/or nonpayment of subsidies from her department, with some organisations struggling since 2022 to get regular payments; if not, what steps will she take to investigate the issue and set things right; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

Yes, the issue was on the agenda of the MINMEC meeting held on 5 December 2023 and was discussed at length with all MECs. The meeting to discuss and find long term solution is scheduled for early next year with the KZN Provincial Department of Social Development. The meeting will address issues that are a challenge for both parties. All the NPOs that have signed the Service Level Agreement (SLA) with the Department have been paid their subsidies as in December 2023.

02 January 2024 - NW4154

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van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Social Development

In light of the fact that the website of her department lists a number of contactable options (details furnished) for victims of gender-based violence (GBV), what number of (a) calls were received and answered, (b) please-call-me notifications were received and in return received a call, (c) Skype calls and messages were received and responded to and (d) SMSs were received and responded to; (2) what number of (a)(i) GBV cases were referred to social workers and (ii) the specified cases have been resolved successfully and (b) how did the call centre of her department assist with resolving the cases in the past 12-months?

Reply:

Below is the statistical information on the contactable options for victim of Gender Based Violence:

a) Calls received

Date

Telephone Calls Received

01 November 2022 – 31 October 2023

54 398

b) Please-call-me notifications received

Date

Please-call-me Notifications Received

01 November 2022 – 31 October 2023

0

The Department of Social Development appointed a new service provider for the GBV Command Centre who started 01 November 2023. During that transition phase, certain channels for example SMS, USSD, Skype and Webpage were not fully operational hence, some of the statistical information on these channels for that period are not available.

c) Skype Calls Received and responded to

Date

Skype Calls Received

Skype Responded to

01 November 2022 – 31 October 2023

10

09

In addition, the following email/website requests were received and responded to for the same period:

Date

Email/Website Requests

01 November 2022 – 31 October 2023

572

(a)(i) GBV cases that were referred to Social Workers

The GBVCC Social Service Professionals conducted telephonic referrals to various stakeholders at an estimation of 1059 cases in the past 12 months. The Social Workers also conducted 496 written referrals to Social Workers in the different provinces.

ii) Below are the specified cases that have been resolved successfully

Over 1000 cases were resolved successfully based on follow ups conducted by Social Workers and Supervisors on all referred cases.

(b) The GBV Command Centre assist with GBV cases as they provide psychosocial services and support to victims telephonically in terms containment, emotional support, dealing and management of trauma as well as counselling. The Social Service Professionals are working closely with different stakeholders such as SA Police Service, National Prosecution Authority and the Department of Justice. The GBV Command Centre ensures that victims are promptly connected with relevant stakeholders in cases of emergency. They activate the SA Police Service to dispatch a vehicle to the scene immediately to ensure the victim is assisted in a domestic situation. Furthermore, the GBVCC Social Service Professionals will then make the necessary follow up with SAPS as well as the victim within a period of 30 minutes to ascertain that the victim is indeed receiving the required assistance.

02 January 2024 - NW4055

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

(1)Whether the current Director-General (DG) of her department previously worked for Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG) before being appointed at her department; if so, who was the DG of her department at the time when the current DG was appointed as GPG Head of Department: Community Safety and Liaison; (2) whether a certain person (name and details furnished) had the relevant experience, knowledge or qualification in Human Resources to be appointed; (3) what has she found had been the performance of the Human Resources Management Department during the person’s tenure from 1 April 2022 to date; (4) whether the irregular appointment of the specified person was reported to the Public Service Commission; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (5) whether the irregular appointments were reported to the DG: Presidency; if not, why not; if so, what action has her department taken against these irregular appointments within the Office of the DG to date?

Reply:

(1) The current Director-General (DG) of the department previously worked for Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG) before being appointed at the department. The DG of the department at the time when the current DG was appointed as GPG Head of Department: Community Safety and Liaison was Professor Richard Levin.

(2) The person met the requirements as the person was appointed to act in terms of section 32 of the Public Service Act, which requires that the person so acting must have the knowledge, skills, behaviour and aptitude that the person can apply in the work environment, which indicates a person’s ability to meet the requirements for a specific post, to act in the post.

(3) The performance of the Branch had been suffering from limited capacity, organisational restructuring and a lack of leadership for some time.

This is demonstrated by the challenge to achieve a number of targets including a Jobs Competency Framework which has been due since 2018 and a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Policy for the Public Service which has been outstanding since the White Paper for Post -School Education and Training (WP PSET) was approved by Cabinet on 20 November 2013 which called for the "RPL to be prioritised” as well as the Directive on Mandatory in-service training for the public service which has also been outstanding since 2018. It should be noted that all the three targets that were not met, predated the appointment of the said acting person including the integrated HRM&D strategy and implementation plan which was due since 2019.

The attainment of 25% of Annual Performance Plan (APP) targets and 67% of their Annual Operational Plan (AOP) targets for the 2022/2023 performance cycle should be noted against this backdrop. Following the stabilization of the leadership of the HRMD Branch, as at the 2nd quarter of the 2023/2024 performance cycle, the Branch achieved 75% of the APP targets and 95% of the AOP targets.

(4) The specified person’s appointment was not irregular. The Department is aware that a complaint on the appointment of the specified person was reported to the Public Service Commission and is being investigated.

(5) The Department is not aware of any irregular appointment as no institution has pronounced on any illegality. Consequently, nothing has been reported to the DG: Presidency and no action was required or taken in this regard.

End

02 January 2024 - NW4225

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Breytenbach, Adv G to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services

With reference to the challenges faced by the new service provider with regard to scanning files from the previous service provider at the Master’s Office for offsite storage, (a) what are the details of specific challenges that were experienced in the handover of the files which he referred to and (b) what was the (i) nature or matter of each file that could not be scanned, (ii) condition of each of the specified files and (iii) condition of each document within the specified files?

Reply:

(a) what are the details of specific challenges that were experienced in the  handover of the files which he referred to

1.. BACKGROUND

  • For several years, the DOJ&CD had contracted with a service provider to merely store and provide access to some of its records at off-site facilities in three provinces namely, Gauteng, KwaZulu -Natal and the Western Cape.
  • When the contract expired, approval was granted for these records to be taken over and managed by the current service provider
  • The primary incentive for transferring the records to the current service provider was that it was going to digitize them – digitization being part of the modernisation programme of the DOJ&CD.

2. TRANSFER OF FILES FROM PREVIOUS TO CURRENT SERVICE PROVIDER

  • The contract with the previous service provider entailed that, upon the expiry of the contract, all files had to be handed over to the Department within a period of four (4) months.
  • The handover process commenced at the beginning of March 2023 and it was completed on 21 August 2023. It took a long period – almost six (6) months – due to logistical challenges on the side of the previous service provider.
  • It was during the handover period that there were challenges in accessing the files in all of the above-mentioned offices, as most of those required were, at the time, still being processed.

3. CHALLENGES EXPERIENCED BY THE SERVICE PROVIDER

  • The challenges related to the undesirable condition of boxes and files received from the previous service provider are as follows:
    1. . Burnt files;
    2. . File covers cut;
    3. . Loose pages inside boxes;
    4. . Water-damaged files; and
    5. . Damaged boxes.

Interventions for 3.1. – 3.3.

Task teams consisting of officials from the relevant Master's Offices have been created for each province to assist the service provider to arrange the files and scan them properly.

Interventions for 3.4.

The service provider laboriously separates the pages, photocopies and then scans them properly.

Interventions for 3.4.

The service provider continues to repackage and index the boxes and files, so that they can be easily traceable and, upon request, made available speedily.

4. CHALLENGES EXPERIENCED BY DOJ&CD WITH ACCESSING FILE

4.1 The records at the off-site facilities (in addition to those of the Magistrates and High Courts) are of the following Masters Offices

  • Pretoria;
  • Durban;
  • Cape Town;
  • Johannesburg; and
  • Pietermaritzburg.

4.2 Major Challenge

  • During the handover period, there were challenges in accessing the files in all of the above-mentioned offices, as most of the required files were, at the time, still being processed.
  • However, currently the challenges with accessing the files mainly relates to the Pretoria and Pietermaritzburg Masters Offices, because the majority of their files haven’t been scanned. The additional challenge is that the majority of these files haven’t been repackaged and indexed, making the tracing process difficult.

Interventions

  • The current service provider has committed to complete the re-packaging and indexing process by the end of December 2023. This will result in that, come the new year, all files shall be easily traceable and made available immediately – even if such files haven’t been scanned on the system.

4.3 Other Challenges

  • 1. For security reasons, namely that no security updates can be done on Windows versions below 10, officials who don’t have Windows 10 on their computer equipment cannot connect to the portal.

Interventions– Processes to procure & and update computer equipment are underway.

  • 2. Network challenges and internet access – Unstable and/or slow internet connection results in officials being timed out and having to log in numerous times or not able to log-in at all

Interventions– Upgrading of bandwidth is being considered by ICT.

02 January 2024 - NW3521

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van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Social Development

In view of the KwaZulu-Natal nonprofit organisations network reporting that over 47 welfare organisations, 1 714 staff and approximately 422 826 grant recipients, including children, older persons, and individuals with disabilities, were directly impacted by late payment of subsidies as at 10 October 2023, what (a) measures are being taken by her department to ensure that such life-saving organisations receive their subsidies on time, (b) on what date will the unpaid subsidies from (i) August 2023, (ii) September 2023 and (iii) October 2023 be paid to organisations and (c) are the full relevant details in this regard?

Reply:

a) The Department has implemented new funding model with effect from October 2023. The new funding model entails paying NPOs in tranches on a quarterly basis. The tranche will be paid in April, July, September and January each financial year. This will ensure timeous payment of subsidies to NPOs

b) 

  1. Subsidies for August 2023 were paid in full on 06 October 2023;
  2. Most of NPOs have been paid subsidies for September, October and November 2023. The remaining unpaid NPOs will be paid on 2 November 2023.
  3. October is included on the New Funding Model, final payment will be made on 2 November 2023.

c) There were delays in payment of subsidies due to cash blocking resulting from budget cuts. The funds are allocated by Provincial Treasury on monthly basis. The department does not have enough cash to pay for its contractual obligations and operational costs.

The department has requested funds for NPO subsidies to be allocated quarterly in order to pay NPOs in tranches to avoid late payments. The tranche payment to NPOs will be paid in April, July, September and January each year. The first tranche for 2023/24 has been effected in October 2023 and the next one will be in January 2024.

02 January 2024 - NW4218

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Bergman, Mr D to ask the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition

What total number of (a) local companies closed down as a result of the ban of ferrous and non-ferrous metals and (b) businesses that are backed by the Industrial Development Corporation have shown growth as a direct result of the ban? [

Reply:

Restrictions on exports of certain scrap metal and copper cable products have been put in place since 30 November 2022, following research done on measures to curb widespread theft; and at the request of law enforcement and other entities.

Concerns have been raised by companies in the blast-furnace value chain and by scrap metal exporters. Support has been expressed by companies in the arc-furnace value-chain. The IDC is exposed to investments in both blast-furnace and arc-furnace value-chains. The export restriction is not however an industrial policy measure but is specifically focused on addressing the demand for scrap metal, which has been found to be a factor in incentivizing theft of cable and metal from public infrastructure. The impact of the measures is being considered and no information is ready for public release.

-END-

29 December 2023 - NW3859

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Kibi, Ms MT to ask the Minister of Public Service and Administration

What (a) measures has she put in place to ensure that the innovation from the Centre for Public Service Innovation (CPSI) is integrated as part of the Government plan to /professionalise the Public Service and (b) resourcing plans are in existence to increase the capacity of the CPSI?

Reply:

a) A professional public servant in a rapidly changing and evolving governance environment requires the capacity to innovate and manage innovation, especially in a digitised public sector. As such the CPSI is working closely with:

  • NSG to introduce relevant capacity building courses such and Managing Innovation in the Public Service, Design Thinking and soon Strategic Foresight.
  • DPSA and other Departments such as DCDT and Home Affairs and academic institutions such as Wits School of Governance to engage on, develop and implementing digital transformation initiatives.
  • Participated in the PSETA/TUT in the research on future skills for public servants.
  • Currently conducting a comprehensive assessment of public sector innovation in partnership with NACI to ensure evidence-informed innovation policy and practices.
  • Facilitating a ‘trailblazer’ network (ie a network of system developers) in provinces and departments to develop ‘in-house’ capacity and share code and documentation for replication across government.

b) CPSI has engaged extensively with all stakeholders to ensure a future-fit organisation. This culminated in 2021 in a comprehensive study by Wits School of Governance on the strategic direction, capacity and resource requirements of the CPSI. As such, a new structure was approved by the MPSA. Unfortunately, due to budget constraints and no additional allocation in the MTEF this cannot be operationalised and as such the CPSI would be reliant on reprioritisation within the MPSA portfolio.

End

29 December 2023 - NW4078

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George, Dr DT to ask the Minister of Public Service and Administration

What are the detailed statistics concerning occupation specific dispensation (OSD) employees across various government departments, specifically regarding (a) the number of OSD employees in each department, (b) their respective salary levels and the current total cost to the state for the specified employees and (c) projected forecasts for future uptake of OSD positions in the upcoming financial years?

Reply:

(a) and (b) The number of OSD employees in each department and current total costs

Sphere / Province

Name of the Department

a) Number of OSD officials

b) Current total costs

Eastern Cape

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs

38

32 000 277

 

Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism

146

76 439 952

 

Education

53 115

20 509 133 643

 

Health

28 877

10 615 391 757

 

Human Settlements

67

68 151 942

 

Office of the Premier

13

15 103 227

 

Provincial Treasury

2

1 328 907

 

Public works and Infrastructure

240

114 707 706

 

Rural Development and Agrarian Reform

172

112 685 385

 

Social Development

3 076

1 027 143 894

 

Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture

17

11 772 783

 

Transport

162

76 191 501

Free State

Agriculture and Rural Development

50

35 090 604

 

Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs

14

10 423 284

 

Community Safety, Roads, and Transport

83

42 955 533

 

Economic, Small Business Development, Tourism & Environmental Affairs

75

40 041 237

 

Education

23 156

8 819 080 161

 

Health

11 332

4 357 227 426

 

Human Settlements

8

5 619 375

 

Office of the Premier

5

6 382 212

 

Public Works and Infrastructure

128

52 014 009

 

Social Development

736

254 000 352

Gauteng

Agriculture and Rural Development

232

143 643 240

 

Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs

19

16 638 204

 

Community Safety

3

2 283 381

 

E-Government

2

1 701 510

 

Economic Development

2

2 078 754

 

Education

75 479

28 547 983 953

 

Health

46 336

19 798 096 956

 

Human Settlements

84

90 353 199

 

Infrastructure Development

691

297 457 170

 

Office of the Premier

8

8 685 627

 

Provincial Treasury

1

895 137

 

Roads and Transport

131

85 466 487

 

Social Development

3 359

1 066 815 162

 

Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation

2

1 864 659

KwaZulu-Natal

Agriculture and Rural Development

139

100 856 100

 

Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs

38

35 570 190

 

Community Safety and Liaison

1

351 618

 

Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs

187

102 382 005

 

Education

88 999

33 819 171 582

 

Health

46 429

18 651 581 223

 

Human Settlements

70

41 119 125

 

Office of the Premier

5

6 966 771

 

Public Works

202

121 996 509

 

Social Development

2 405

813 447 888

 

Sports, Arts & Culture

2

1 819 698

 

Transport

446

194 137 263

Limpopo

Agriculture and Rural Development

155

101 776 944

 

Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs

91

90 145 737

 

Economic Development, Environment and Tourism

149

109 694 280

 

Education

53 220

20 502 681 339

 

Health

22 201

8 913 796 371

 

Office of the Premier

8

12 697 959

 

Public Works, Roads, and Infrastructure

275

117 116 286

 

Social Development

2 168

768 332 787

 

Transport and Community Safety

22

8 509 869

Mpumalanga

Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs

117

83 281 068

 

Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs

13

9 777 660

 

Culture, Sport, and Recreation

2

1 536 432

 

Economic Development and Tourism

2

1 241 895

 

Education

34 119

13 007 176 482

 

Health

14 019

5 463 956 094

 

Human Settlements

17

15 940 116

 

Provincial Treasury

4

4 117 281

 

Public Works, Roads, and Transport

301

131 932 098

 

Social Development

1 196

415 166 202

North West

Agriculture and Rural Development

46

30 650 952

 

Arts, Culture, Sports, and Recreation

1

531 381

 

Community Safety and Transport Management

17

7 156 959

 

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs

10

5 447 409

 

Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism

82

50 903 394

 

Education

28 749

10 860 139 755

 

Health

12 790

4 977 296 637

 

Human Settlements

11

6 411 768

 

Office of the Premier

5

4 337 892

 

Provincial Treasury

1

543 969

 

Public Works and Roads

279

103 078 668

 

Social Development

1 583

502 267 020

Northern Cape

Agriculture, Environmental Affairs, Rural Development and Land Reform

92

54 943 071

 

Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs

6

4 213 749

 

Economic Development and Tourism

1

895 137

 

Education

10 098

3 819 470 646

 

Health

4 535

1 834 593 873

 

Office of the Premier

6

7 966 260

 

Roads and Public Works

44

30 301 173

 

Social Development

661

210 115 851

 

Sport, Arts and Culture

3

752 061

 

Transport, Safety and Liaison

1

1 081 953

Western Cape

Agriculture

94

56 350 647

 

Cultural Affairs and Sport

1

687 879

 

Education

36 424

13 786 617 735

 

Environmental Affairs and Development Planning

166

117 424 167

 

Health and Wellness

21 868

9 574 968 660

 

Infrastructure

323

230 986 251

 

Local Government

7

6 135 051

 

Social Development

1 828

540 649 101

 

The Premier

51

53 534 403

National

Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development

608

439 097 178

 

Basic Education

83

81 963 714

 

Cooperative Governance

80

85 110 819

 

Correctional Services

34 708

10 776 529 947

 

Employment and Labour

222

157 899 498

 

Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment

570

408 740 031

 

Health

75

66 344 493

 

Higher Education and Training

10 382

3 744 058 359

 

Home Affairs

139

47 709 462

 

Human Settlements

12

14 850 924

 

Independent Police Investigative Directorate

165

73 574 844

 

International Relations and Cooperation

11

12 206 517

 

Justice and Constitutional Development

5 378

3 859 592 781

 

Military Veterans

3

1 590 030

 

Mineral Resources and Energy

17

11 688 324

 

Office of the Chief Justice

109

49 778 241

 

Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation

3

3 794 706

 

Police

139 029

42 592 961 358

 

Public Service and Administration

6

4 101 528

 

Public Works and Infrastructure

497

346 447 563

 

Science and Innovation

3

3 651 852

 

Small Business Development

5

3 724 875

 

Social Development

134

85 216 542

 

Sport, Arts and Culture

9

6 471 867

 

Statistics South Africa

2

1 587 360

 

The Presidency

8

10 489 695

 

Tourism

6

5 636 835

 

Trade, Industry and Competition

5

5 494 335

 

Traditional Affairs

1

1 252 374

 

Transport

3

2 099 697

 

Water and Sanitation

1 260

804 582 825

In addition, the OSD salary levels range from level 3 to 12. Detailed breakdown of employees’ respective salary levels and the current total cost to the state are attached in Annexure A and B.

(c) With regard to the projected forecasts for future uptake of OSD positions in the upcoming financial years, note should be taken that salaries for Public Servants, including OSD categories would be adjusted in line with PSCBC Resolution 2 of 2023 with effect from 1 April 2024, which would adjust the salaries and the total cost to the state accordingly. Furthermore, the appointments of officials, including those within OSDs fall within the authority of the various Executive Authorities and therefore the uptake in terms of appointments would thus be in line with the relevant processes, including the availability of funding and prioritization by the respective departments. There are currently no new OSDs being considered in line with PSCBC Resolution 3 of 2010.

End

29 December 2023 - NW3556

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Komane, Ms RN to ask the Minister of Public Service and Administration

With reference to the latest report of the Auditor-General of South Africa to the Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration, wherein she highlighted that her department is lacking in the implementation of its oversight mandate over the departments, what (a) measures have been put in place by her department and (b) are the time frames for the implementation of the specified measures?

Reply:

(a) and (b)

The Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) is guided by Section 41 (1) h (ii) which call for all organs of state to “co-operate with one another in mutual trust and good faith by “assisting and supporting one another”. The following are some of the specific measures that have been initiated to improve the oversight capacity of the department and promote compliance on the norms and standards issued in line with its mandate:

  • In January 2022, the DPSA entered into a cooperation agreement with the Auditor General of South Africa (AG-SA) to include in the audit plans of departments norms and standards issued in pursuit of the mandate of the Department. The AG-SA is already implementing this agreement including an agreement on the auditing of performance of the Public Service against the Directive that is being developed to implement the Professionalisation Framework. This agreement allows the DPSA to borrow on the powers of the AG-SA, resulting in more enforcement capability.
  • In line with Section 16A (3) of the Public Service Act, 1994 the Minister for the Public Service and Administration (MPSA) prepares regular compliance reports to Cabinet or, through the relevant Premier, to the Executive Council of the relevant province on any non-compliance by an executive authority. These compliance reports are used to ensure that there is accountability at the executive authority level.
  • The Minister initiated one-on-one sessions with Executive Authorities of departments including Premier’s of Provinces that have been identified as having challenges with complying with the norms and standards set by the MPSA. These sessions, discuss specific areas of concern, which are then followed by specific technical assistance that is provided by the DPSA to address these challenges.
  • The Director General of the DPSA convene quarterly engagements with Heads of Cooperate Services which receives presentations on compliance trends and performances. In these engagements, lessons are shared on best practices towards improving compliance.

To introduce a systematic approach to compliance monitoring and reporting, the DPSA is currently developing an Early Warning System to actively monitor compliance with the provisions of the Public Service Act, 1994 or a regulation, determination and/or directive made in line with its mandate. This Early Warning System will be institutionalised to ensure that governance matters are monitored in an active manner to avoid the collapse of public institutions and services. In line with the Medium Term Strategic Framework (MTSF) tabled in Parliament, it is envisaged that the Early Warning System will become active during the 2024/25 Financial Year.

End

29 December 2023 - NW3329

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

(1) (a) What number of public servants have skills related to information and communications technology (ICT), and (b) how often do the relevant government departments upskill the specified skills. (2) what number of cyber security specialists are currently employed in the Public Service. (3) what number of ICT and/or e-Government-related courses does the National School of Government currently offer?

Reply:

Background

In pursuit of a comprehensive understanding of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) landscape within the public service, the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) utilized the PERSAL system to generate reports concerning ICT personnel within various departments. Regrettably, these reports revealed discrepancies, as many departments had failed to update the field designating personnel involved in IT-related roles, consequently compromising the accuracy of the reports.

Subsequently, the DPSA formulated a data collection instrument, mandating all departments to provide the following particulars regarding their respective ICT personnel:

• Department or Government Component Name

• Sphere of Government (National/Provincial)

• Province

• PERSAL Number

• Full Name

• Branch

• Chief Directorate

• Directorate or Unit

• Job Title

• Salary Level

• A concise summary of the job description

It's noteworthy that this data collection initiative did not aim to ascertain specific ICT skills; nonetheless, through a meticulous analysis of the data received, the DPSA managed to infer a rudimentary skill level based on the roles that were being undertaken. It is imperative to highlight that a more comprehensive collection of skills information will be undertaken as part of the broader public service skills audit initiatives currently in progress.

Of the anticipated 161 departments, 132 provided responses, revealing a salient opportunity for departments to enhance the quality of their human resources data, particularly in relation to personnel information, job descriptions, and job titles.

Response to Question 1

(a) What number of public servants have skills related to information and communications technology (ICT),

As indicated above, pending the completed public service skills audit, the skill levels will be inferred based on the functions being performed.

Furthermore, the majority of public servants that have access to computer technologies would have ICT skills that typically encompass basic competencies required for everyday tasks such as word processing and internet browsing, while specialist ICT personnel deployed in ICT functions would have skills that involve a deeper and specialized knowledge, often focusing on complex system development, cybersecurity, or network administration.

Therefore, the data collected reveals that there are 4548 ICT personnel deployed in departments’ ICT functions.

and (b) how often do the relevant government departments upskill the specified skills.

Upskilling and training of employees is decentralized with departments prioritizing resources based on their specific needs. The DPSA does not currently have a mechanism to track and report on the ICT specific training and upskilling by departments.

Response to Question 2

What number of cyber security specialists are currently employed in the Public Service?

From the 4548, 64 personnel have been identified as having either a job title of job description that involves ICT security / Cyber security. The data does not show the level of expertise and specialization at this point. The broader skills audit programme will provide further clarity upon its completion.

Response to Question 3

What number of ICT and/or e-Government-related courses does the National School of Government currently offer?

Currently the NSG has one programme.

The Digital Transformation for Public Sector Programme targets:

  • Chief Information Officers and ICT Practitioners.
  • Strategic managers in IT – dealing with service delivery improvement through digitization.

The programme was developed during the 2019/20 financial year in partnership with the curriculum development sub-committee for the Government Information Technology Officers Council (GITOC). The programme content was further peer reviewed in 2022 by colleagues from DPSA, DSI, SSA, SITA and DCDT.

The intention was to create a programme applicable and relevant to Government-wide needs in the digital transformation and ICT spheres and furthermore, to make it impactful in enhancing service delivery through 4IR and other transformative ICT tools.

Programme Overview

The programme is structured into four modules, each of which is divided into a varying number of units, as indicated below:

Module 1 - ICT Leadership in Government Information Communication and Technology

Unit 1: CIO Role

Unit 2: IT Organisation

Unit 3: IT Governance

Unit 4: IT Planning

Unit 5: Overview of Public Sector Procurement

This section focuses on the IT organisation, its leadership and management. It looks at how IT should be governed and the role of business and leadership in the corporate governance of ICT.

Module 2 - Technology Platforms

Unit 1: Service Oriented Architecture and Micro-services

Unit 2: Cloud Computing

Unit 3: The Fourth Industrial Revolution

    • Social Media & Mobile Technology
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Augmented and Virtual Reality
    • Internet of Things
    • Blockchain

This section covers current technology trends and how they are used to enable business. The information will help learners not only gain a deeper understanding of the technologies available but how they can be used in public sector service delivery and administration.

Module 3 - Public Sector Digitisation

Unit 1: Data Management

Unit 2: Business Process Management

Unit 3: Digital Government

This section covers the fundamentals of digitisation and how these fundamentals can be applied to the public sector.

Module 4 – Cyber Security

Unit 1: Cyber Law

Unit 2: Cyber Security

Unit 3: Cyber Security Governance

Unit 4: Cyber Threats

Unit 5: Cyber Attack Threat Vectors

This section covers the fundamentals of Information Security and the threats or challenges posed by ever increasing digitisation and connected cyber networks. The section will also look at the legal matters related to information security and what IT organisations must do in the public sector to protect the state.

End

29 December 2023 - NW4136

Profile picture: Komane, Ms RN

Komane, Ms RN to ask the Minister of Public Service and Administration

Whether the process of conducting lifestyle audits on public sector officials yielded the intended results; if not, what urgent steps will be taken to curb the increasing corruption in the public sector; if so, (a) how and (b) what are the relevant details in this regard?

Reply:

The implementation of lifestyle audits became compulsory from 1st April 2021 in the public service. The national departments, provincial departments and government components conduct lifestyle audits in their respective institutions and report annually to the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA).

The process of conducting lifestyle audits in the public service comprises three phases namely lifestyle review, lifestyle investigation, and lifestyle audit (quantification and evaluation).

a) The 2022/2023 financial year is the second year since the implementation of lifestyle audits in the public service. During the first year (2021/2022) of implementation, the DPSA focused on capacity building to capacitate more than two hundred Ethics Officers in the public service on how to conduct lifestyle reviews, which is the first step when conducting lifestyle audits. Currently, during the 2023/2024 financial year, the DPSA focuses on investigators in the public service to capacitate them on how to conduct lifestyle investigation, since the process of lifestyle audit is a new phenomenon in the public service. As a result of this training, about 200 Senior Management Members reviews were referred for investigation in this financial year.

b) The process of conducting lifestyle audits in the public service is in its second year and is still yet to be evaluated for effectiveness in preventing and detecting fraud and corruption. However, the improvement in the number of national departments from 24 (in 2021/2022) to 36 (in 2022/2023), and provincial departments from 71 (in 2021/2022) to 89 (in 2022/2023) who started to conduct lifestyle audits, indicates that departments are geared to conduct lifestyle investigations.

End

29 December 2023 - NW4185

Profile picture: Gondwe, Dr M

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

(1)What (a) legislative provisions were relied upon when amending the Public Service Regulation 61(6)(b), (b) constitutes privileged information as there is no such category in terms of Minimum Information Security Standards and (c) legislative provisions prohibit a whistleblower from disclosing privileged information to (i) a Parliamentary committee and (ii) the media; (2) whether she has found that amended Public Service Regulation 61(6)(b) is in line with the Protected Disclosures Act, Act 26 of 2000 as it is now an offence and misconduct for a Senior Management Service member to disclose any privileged and/or confidential information obtained during the course of duty to an unauthorised person or persons, with a prohibited reemployment period for five (5) years if found guilty; if not, why not; if so, which provisions of the specified Act does the amendment align with; (3) what (a) are the reasons that her department wants to manage the database public disclosures when it is not the custodian of the Act and gazetted procedures, as that is now contrary to the whistleblowing reporting regime of 2011 and (b) mechanisms and procedures have been made available to potential whistleblowers who intend to make a protected disclosure against her department itself, as what had happened recently?

Reply:

1. (a) the provisions of regulation 61(6)(b) of the Public Service Regulations, 2016 relate to the unauthorised release of information and is authorised by section 41 of the Public Service Act, 1994 read with section 17(4) of the same Act.

(b) Privileged information is information that is protected from disclosure due the rights vested in individuals or bodies by the Constitution, other laws and rules of the Republic of South Africa.

(c) Whistleblowing is managed through the Protected Disclosures Act, 2000 and authorises an employee to disclose information to authorities listed in the Practical Guidelines for Employees issued in terms of section 10(4)(a) of the Protected Disclosures Act. In addition, regulation 13(e) of the Public Service Regulations requires and authorises the reporting of fraud, corruption, nepotism, maladministration and any other act which constitutes a contravention of any law (including, but not limited to, a criminal offence) or which is prejudicial to the interest of the public, which comes to the attention of an employee during the course of his or her employment in the public service to relevant authorities.

(i) the authority to report certain protected disclosures to Parliament is contained in the Practical Guidelines for Employees issued in terms of section 10(4)(a) of the Protected Disclosures Act.

(ii) the authority to report certain protected disclosures to the media is contained in the Practical Guidelines for Employees issued in terms of section 10(4)(a) of the Protected Disclosures Act.

2. Yes, the amended Public Service Regulation 61(6)(b) is in line with the Protected Disclosures Act. The Protected Disclosures Act authorises the disclosure of certain information. If so authorised, the employee cannot be found guilty of misconduct relating to unauthorised disclosure of information as per the Public Service Regulations.

3. (a) A disclosure contemplated in section 1 of the Protected Disclosures Act can, in addition to the persons and bodies listed in section 8 of that Act, be made to the Public Administration Ethics, Integrity and Disciplinary Technical Assistance Unit (TAU) of the DPSA. The TAU therefore maintains a database of matters so referred.

(b) Protected disclosures may be made to other bodies provided for under the Protected Disclosures Act.

End

29 December 2023 - NW4188

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Schreiber, Dr LA to ask the Minister of Public Service and Administration

(1)Whether it remains the policy position of the Government to ensure control of the levers of the state by appointing cadres from a particular political organisation (name furnished) over prioritising a professional Public Service; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (2) whether the Government plans to abolish the preference of deploying cadres in the Public Service over prioritising a professional public service; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

Applicable to both questions one and two:

Government does not have and has never had a policy of cadre deployment. Employment in the public service operates on a merit-based recruitment and selection system, rendering the concept of cadre deployment inapplicable for filling positions. The Minister for the Public Service and Administration directs and guides departments in formulating norms and standards governing employment practices, ensuring strict adherence to a meritocratic framework and ethical recruitment practices.

The legislative and regulatory structure of the public service encompasses essential governance measures aimed at fostering a professional, ethical, competent, and merit-based state. These measures contain, but are not limited to:

  1. The Public Service Regulations (PSR), 2016, particularly sections 65 and 67, delineate the conditions for recruitment and selection in the public service. Under these regulations, the executive authority is obliged to publicly announce all vacancies within their department, setting forth guidelines and standards for recruitment and selection to promote a fair and open competition that attracts qualified candidates.
  2. The Public Service Act (PSA), 1994, requires adherence to sections 9 and 11(2) stipulating the necessity of merit-based recruitment.
  3. The Department of Public Service and Administration is consulting critical stakeholders on a draft directive to professionalise the public service. This draft directive outlines norms, standards, and ethical considerations in the employment management process.

The collective implementation of these processes and the comprehensive suite of services they represent, are instrumental in shaping a public service that is efficient, transparent and anchored in merit and ethical principles. Such a coordinated approach ensures the establishment of a capable and professional public service, which is crucial for effective governance and delivering high-quality services to the public. This synergy of regulations, standards, and directives reflects a robust commitment to excellence and integrity in appointments and administration across the Public Service.

End

29 December 2023 - NW4184

Profile picture: Gondwe, Dr M

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

(1)What (a) are the triggers and processes to periodically amend Public Service Regulations and (b) is the reason that Public Service Regulations 62 was amended to include operational reasons determined by her when she does not know the operational requirements for other executive authorities; (2) what (a) are the reasons that transfers were never prescribed in terms of section 14 of the Public Service Act, Act 103 of 1994, and only regulated now by the insertion of Public Service Regulations 62A and (b) are the reasons that this was not previously challenged when unilateral transfers were done in her department without regulations; (3) what has she found is the import that the definition of the public interest clause with regard to the Saloojee vs Minister of Police 2004 matter have on transfers when abused as punitive weaponised instruments against targeted Senior Management Service employees; (4) what are the reasons that (a) the proposed amendment to the transfer provision is overlapping with operational requirements reasons as such overlap allows for arbitrariness in decision making and (b) a conflict in decision making clause by a complicit functionary not included in the Public Service Act, Act 103 of 1994, as a necessary amendment to protect whistleblowers?

Reply:

1. (a) The authority for the Public Service Regulations is contained in section 41 of the Public Service Act. The review of regulations is usually triggered by gaps or challenges identified, policy changes, strengthening processes or managing interpretational challenges, amongst others.

(b) The requirement to seek the Minister’s determination on secondments that exceed 12 months is to ensure that secondments do not affect service delivery and do not become a mechanism to create long term employment which places undue burden on the seconding department and its employees to carry the tasks of the seconded employee over a protracted period. The Minister therefore assesses the operational requirements taking into account the circumstances and the impact of the secondment in excess of 12 months as motivated by relevant departments. It must be noted that this requirement was not introduced in the recent Public Service Amendment Regulations, 2023.

2. (a) Prior to the Public Service Amendment Regulations, 2023, transfers were regulated by section 14 of the Public Service Act. It became necessary to provide further clarity to ensure proper implementation of transfers by requiring-

  1. in respect of a transfer to another department, the executive authorities of the two relevant departments must agree in writing to such a transfer;
  2. due regard be had to the inherent requirements of the job and the employee’s competencies to perform the functions of the post to which he or she is being transferred; and
  3. that an employee is not transferred into a post in the Office of an executive authority, Deputy President or Deputy Minister.

(b) A challenge on transfers of employees without their consent cannot be sustained as it is authorised by section 14 of the Public Service Act and is not dependent on regulations.

3. We are not aware of a case of Saloojee v Minister of Police 2004 and therefore we are unable to respond on the import thereof in relation to transfers.

4. (a) The Public Service Amendment Regulations, 2023 does not make reference to operation requirements in respect of transfers.

(b) Regulation 7 of the Public Service Regulations, 2016 provides for decision-making in cases of conflict of interest.

End