Questions and Replies
28 December 2022 - NW4570
Arries, Ms LH to ask the Minister of Social Development
What is the total number of children who have been adopted in the past two years?
Reply:
The total number of children who have been adopted in the past two years is 1840. Breakdown of adopted children per province in the past two years is as follows:
Province |
2020-2021 |
2021-2022 |
Gauteng |
268 |
363 |
Western Cape |
292 |
309 |
KwaZulu-Natal |
111 |
88 |
Free State |
47 |
42 |
Limpopo |
22 |
36 |
North West |
26 |
27 |
Eastern Cape |
37 |
82 |
Northern Cape |
8 |
17 |
Mpumalanga |
38 |
27 |
Total |
849 |
991 |
1
28 December 2022 - NW3426
Arries, Ms LH to ask the Minister of Social Development
What is the (a) total amount of funds that her department returned to the National Treasury, which were originally intended to fund non-profit organisations (NPOs) in the past five years and (b) breakdown of the list of NPOs that have been funded by her department in the past five financial years?
Reply:
a) Below is the total amount of funds returned to the National Treasury, which were originally intended to fund non-profit organisations (NPOs) in the past five years.
PROV |
2017/18 |
2018/19 |
2019/20 |
2020/21 |
2021/22 |
EC |
|||||
FS |
R 1 184 935 |
R 7 394 312 |
R 7 231 186 |
R 46 172 865 |
R 20 322 839 |
GP |
|||||
KZN |
|||||
LP |
R 1 028 000 |
R 20 027 000 |
R 4 082 000 |
R 70 919 000 |
R 64 265 000 |
PROV |
2017/18 |
2018/19 |
2019/20 |
2020/21 |
2021/22 |
MP |
R 6 896 000 |
R 76 000 000 |
R 12 605 000 |
R 45 448 000 |
R 37 830 000 |
NW |
|||||
NC |
|||||
WC |
R 380 067 |
R 1 054 841 |
R 3 222.00 |
R 5 067 000 |
R 10 290 527 |
At the time of submission, the above Provinces have only responded.
b) Refer to NAPQ 3228.
28 December 2022 - NW4350
Masango, Ms B to ask the Minister of Social Development
How was the Chief Financial Officer of the SA Social Security Agency held accountable for the irregular expenditure incurred according to the 2021- 22 annual report?
Reply:
Kindly be advised that the Chief Financial Officer(CFO) has not been held accountable for the irregular expenditure;because in terms of the assessments and determinations undertaken in line with the Irregular Expenditure Framework,versions 2015 and 2018 it was other officials who were held liable for permitting/promoting irregular expenditure;and thus violating section 57 of the PFMA,1999.The identified officials have been subjected to the disciplinary processes in line with applicable labour laws.
Kindly also take note that the processes of dealing with irregular expenditure is not yet finalized; and should the assessment and determination currently underway happen to identify/implicate the CFO to have contributed or failed to prevent the irregular expenditure,the Agency will not hesitate to holding him accountable for his actions;
The current processes of dealing with the irregular expenditure and disciplinary proceedings are by nature very protracted; hence, the Agency has projected to finalize them on or before 31 March 2023.
28 December 2022 - NW3873
Shaik Emam, Mr AM to ask the Minister of Social Development
Whether her department has any plans in place to work with other stakeholders to introduce safety ambassadors at schools to identify learners from dysfunctional homes, in order to intervene through social workers and bring about a safer, secure and functional society; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details of the plans?
Reply:
The Department of Social Development is part of a tripartite agreement with the Departments of Health and Basic Education for the implementation of the Integrated School Health Programme which amongst other functions also identify learners from dysfunctional homes for intervention by social workers.
The Department already implements the 365 days child protection programme of action that mobilises all government departments, non-governmental organisations, communities, families, religious and traditional leaders in the identification and reporting of cases of vulnerable children so that such children are referred and linked to available services.
The Department also implements RISIHA, a community-based child protection initiative that is aimed at orphans and vulnerable children within their families and communities. Through this initiative, the Department and community-based organisations employ child and youth care workers who identify children in need of care. Through this initiative, there are continued education and awareness programmes as well as provision of community-based prevention and early intervention programmes to cushion vulnerable children. This is complemented by the National Child Care and Protection Forum, which is an intersectoral forum represented by all key departments, NGOs, religious and traditional leaders to ensure collaborative efforts in identification and responding to the needs of vulnerable children.
At the time of responding to this question, the following provinces have shared province-specific interventions to deal with vulnerable children:
Province |
Response |
Gauteng |
Working with other stakeholders to introduce safety ambassadors at schools is the mandate of the Gauteng Department of Community Safety. However, the Department of Social Development in collaboration with GDCS and stakeholders regarding safety ambassadors at schools and identification of learners from dysfunctional homes; continues School Social Work services and interventions through our School Social Workers and brings about a safer, secure and functional society. The aspect of safety ambassadors has been discussed and is in the evaluation and assessment of such learners in partnership with the Department of Community Safety. It follows that the noted Department already has safety ambassadors visa vie the safety patrollers programme with young adults who work in their respective communities and schools. The Plan is to utilise/ enjoin the safety patrollers towards the mentoring of teenagers in schools and thus institute learner- based safety ambassadors. These safety patrollers cum ambassadors will be shaped to mentor teenagers in schools in the strive to groom them towards learner-based safety ambassadors. This will serve a dual role in having positive pro- active mentoring between the young adults and the school-based learners. The Gauteng Department of Education has established an SLA program which serves as a student-led safety protocol program. This is currently under consideration for development and change evaluation. Due to GDSD being in partnership with GDE; it is |
subject to consideration within the SLA between the 2 Departments. These programs and Departments could ‘piggy - back’ and partner with each other in dealing with learners, school safety and the other young adults and school/community safety programmes. Aspects/ of Plans to work with Stakeholders: The provincial office in consultation & evaluation with the School Social Work team / School S/ W Managers & Supervisors at the Regional offices in the 5 Regions has instituted the creation of Regional School Social Work forums. These forums will have participating bodies of all stakeholders that work within the school social work ambit; and host relevant regional stakeholders in child protection, as well as other government departments that are pertinent to school and learner safety. The envisioned aim is to work coherently for stakeholders within government and civil society to aptly identify learners, families and communities that need care and through networking, partnerships have been able to meet and refer affected learners for psycho-social support and the accompanying social service delivery. |
|
Mpumalanga |
Yes. The Mpumalanga Social Development Department is working closely with NPOs in providing prevention and Early intervention services to schools. These include NPOs that the department is funding. The department further funds 51 Prevention and Early Intervention Community Based organizations that are having 456 Child and Youth Care Workers who are working within the community. They identify children and families with challenges and link them with relevant stakeholders. Local schools also refer cases to them and they refer them to local Social Development Offices for further management. These organizations are funded by the department. The department also funds NPOs that reach out to schools to provide support and early intervention programmes. |
Western Cape |
The department currently works with the Western Cape Education Department to identity children and youth at risk. When children are identified at the school, they are referred to DSD for the most appropriate support/interventions to address their needs. This also enables DSD to identify issues within the family context that |
must be addressed. The Department of Education has a Safe School Directorate with safety ambassadors who also refer children and youth risk to the Department of Social Development when required. |
|
Eastern Cape |
There are no plans to introduce safety ambassadors at schools. The Department of Social Development participates in the multi- disciplinary team to deal with social ills in school when invited. Interventions in schools are rendered by social workers who are deployed in each ward, for intervention on social ills and prevention programmes. |
Northern Cape |
Identification of learners from dysfunctional homes, provision of psycho social support and general welfare services are rendered by the Department of Social Development and partners at schools. RISIHA programme is implemented by the Risiha Child and Youth Care Workers rendering support services at Schools in the Province and NACCW implements the Esikolweni programme – which involves trained Child and Youth Care Workers, who are placed full time at Schools in Daniëlskuil and Postmasburg. Trained behaviour change facilitators also render social behaviour change programmes at schools in the Frances Baard and Pixley Ka Seme Districts. Trained coaches implement the Ke Moja Programmes – “No thanks I am fine without drugs” at Secondary Schools. Trained volunteers, Social Auxiliary Workers and Social Workers implement programmes at schools. Intervention and psycho-social support services. |
Limpopo |
The department is collaborating with the Department of Education in terms of child protection services. This is done in the form of capacity building for teachers and learners on child protection services. The department also conducts outreach services in the form of awareness campaigns, dialogues and life skills programmes at schools. |
KwaZulu Natal |
The Department have plans in place to work with all relevant stakeholders including the Department of Education to introduce safety ambassadors at schools to identify learners from |
dysfunctional homes, in order to intervene through social workers and bring about a safer, secure and functional society. Currently there are Provincial and Districts Inter-sectoral Child Care and Protection Forums which are functional in the Province. The purpose of the forum is to facilitate and coordinate the process of ensuring that all organs of the state and civil society organisations involved with care, protection and wellbeing of children cooperate in the development of a uniform approach aimed at the coordination and integration of services to children. The Department will strengthen partnership with the Department of Education and relevant stakeholders with the aim of establishing Task Team that will look at introducing Safety Ambassadors at schools to identify learners from dysfunctional homes in order render psychosocial support services and other relevant services to the affected children. |
|
Free State |
The Free State Department of Social Development does not have any plans to introduce safety ambassadors at Schools. However, the Department currently works with the Child and Youth Care Workers in the employ of NPO’s through the Isibindi Ezikolweni program as well as the RISIHA program to implement the early intervention program. These programs are aimed at identifying learners from dysfunctional homes and refer to Social Workers. |
28 December 2022 - NW4327
Masango, Ms B to ask the Minister of Social Development
What plans has her department put in place to continue payments of SASSA grants following the developments that Telkom might ditch its communication services contract with the SA Post Office?
Reply:
SASSA has engaged Postbank as its service provider, to ascertain the risk related to the media article on the possibilities of Telkom ditching its communication services with the South Africa Post Office (SAPO). SAPO has assured Post Bank that there is no official development or notice served by Telkom indicating their intention to withdraw from the communication’s services contract.
To further reduce this risk, Postbank is currently implementing an IT modernisation project which will enable the migration of Postbank’s banking platforms and other key applications from SAPO’s data center to a new Postbank compliant data center.
The financial position of SAPO continues to be a risk to grant payments both for Postbank and SASSA. However, it is important to note that all grants are paid directly into individuals’ bank accounts which are integrated to the National Payment System (NPS), therefore, if any channel is compromised, clients have the ability to withdrawn or transact at any Point Of Sale (POS) service at merchants and ATM’s using their cards.
We continually encourage SAPO/SASSA card holders and grant recipients using this card to use these other options, and would be grateful if members of Parliament can also educate and actively encourage their different constituents to do so. The use of cash is not only risky but also very expensive to beneficiaries.
28 December 2022 - NW4412
Khumalo, Dr NV to ask the Minister of Social Development
What is the (a) total number of staff employed and/or provided as departmental support in (i) her and (ii) the Deputy Minister’s private offices and (b)(i) job title and (ii) annual remuneration package of each specified person?
Reply:
It is important to note that the Ministry support staff in the Office of the Minister and Deputy Minister are appointed in terms of the provision of the Guide for Members of the Executive (Ministerial Handbook). Their employment contract is linked to the term of office of the Minister and Deputy Minister.
(a)(i) Currently, the Ministry support staff is as follows:
(b)(i) job title |
(b)(ii) annual remuneration |
Private Office (Handbook) |
|
Chief of Staff |
R1,388,331.00 |
Community Outreach Officer |
R1,121,979.00 |
Media Liaison Officer |
R1,121,979.00 |
Private & Appointment Secretary |
R978,726.00 |
Assistant Appointment & Administrative Secretary |
R766,584.00 |
Receptionist |
R277,362.00 |
Household Aide |
R128,166.00 |
Household Aide |
R128,166.00 |
Departmental Support (Handbook) |
|
Parliamentary and Cabinet Support |
R1,138,800.00 |
Administrative Support & Coordination |
R1,105,383.00 |
(b)(i) job title |
(b)(ii) annual remuneration |
Registry Clerk |
R399,609.00 |
Driver/Messenger |
R234,918.00 |
Food Aid Service |
R195,621.00 |
Food Aid Service |
R181,599.00 |
Departmental Support |
Deputy Minister
(a)(ii) The Ministerial Handbook makes provision for Deputy Minister to appoint additional support in consultation with the Minister of Public Service and Administration due to her special needs.
(b)(i) job title |
(b)(ii) annual remuneration |
Private Office (Handbook) |
|
Technical Specialist |
R1,138,800.00 |
Administrative Secretary |
R949,992.00 |
Community Outreach Officer |
R801,615.00 |
Household Aide |
R128,166.00 |
Household Aide |
R128,166.00 |
Departmental Support (Handbook) |
|
Chief Registry Clerk |
R269,214.00 |
Driver/Messenger |
R181,599.00 |
Food Aide Service |
R107,196.00 |
Departmental Support |
|
Special Needs Coordinator |
R789,750.00 |
Senior Guide |
R393,711.00 |
Senior Guide |
R411,681.00 |
Chief Registry Clerk |
R269,214.00 |
Chief Registry Clerk |
R269,214.00 |
Driver/Messenger |
R181,599.00 |
Senior Administration Officer |
R336,012.00 |
28 December 2022 - NW2452
Marawu, Ms TL to ask the Minister of Social Development
Noting that the State responded to the impact of COVID-19 by increasing grant provision within the Republic, thereby creating a co-dependent civilization, what is her department’s two-year plan in negating a grant dependent nation, and rather providing a sustainable development solution that will allow our people to be independent and create their own wealth?
Reply:
In line with international standards, South Africa’s Constitution states that everyone has a human right to access to social security.
The Department is proposing a Basic Income Support (BIS) for adults aged 18- 59 as part of the social wage guarantee. This is viewed as key to alleviate poverty and promote development. The grant is likely to start small in value and will need to be complemented by programmes to create growth and jobs, as well as other parts of the social protection package. Ongoing consultations are being held on the draft policy options on Basic Income Support (BIS) with key stakeholders. Among others, these include social grant beneficiaries, DSD and SASSA, International Labour Organisation (ILO), civil society organisations, non-governmental organisations, research institutions, government departments such as Department of Home Affairs (DHA), the National Treasury, and the Presidency.
This proposed programme builds on the highly successful Covid-19 R350 SRD grant. Research findings show that households receiving support enable
individuals to actively seek for work opportunities. Additionally, the research revealed that 93% of beneficiaries use the grant for food. 80% reported that even though the grant was small, it made a positive difference in their lives as well as their households. Therefore, the main idea is that government should continue with the BIS policy is being finalised.
Government is also refining the green paper on comprehensive social security and retirement reform, which would provide income security for individuals, both formal and informal sector workers, in old age inclusive of survivors’ benefits. A comprehensive social security system is critical in ensuring that non- contributory and contributory measures are available to provide cover to members and beneficiaries against life cycle risks.
28 December 2022 - NW4487
Abrahams, Ms ALA to ask the Minister of Social Development
With reference to the early childhood development (ECD) Employment Stimulus Relief Fund, supported by the Presidential Employment Stimulus, meant for ECD practitioners, what (a) total amount was (i) paid to each province in Phase 1 and Phase 2 and (ii) returned to the National Treasury by each province in Phase 1 and Phase 2 and (b) are the reasons that funds were unspent in each province?
Reply:
Please note at the time of submission the following Provinces have not yet responded:
- North West
- Northern Cape Summary sheet:
Province |
(a)(i) the total amount paid |
(ii)returned to NT |
||
Phase 1 |
Phase 2 |
Phase 1 |
Phase 2 |
|
EC |
R 59 792 000 |
R 26 000 000 |
R 38 308 513 |
R 26 000 000 |
FS |
R 25 291 842 |
No Stimulus Relief Fund batches were received in respect of Phase 2 |
R 18 258 000 |
No Stimulus Relief Fund batches were received in respect of Phase 2 |
Province |
(a)(i) the total amount paid |
(ii)returned to NT |
||
Phase 1 |
Phase 2 |
Phase 1 |
Phase 2 |
|
GP |
R 77 763 000 |
R 25 623 000 |
R 38 430 000 |
R 25 623 000 |
KZN |
R 89 898 000 |
R 38 24 5000 |
R 44 170 000 |
*Refer to notes below under KZN |
LP |
R 58 241 000 |
R 24 164 000 |
R 54 454 000 |
R 24 164 000 |
MP |
R 6 199 000 |
R 0 |
R 36 173 000 |
R 16 214 000 |
WC |
R 53 252 680 |
R 17 200 000 |
R 0 (ii)refer to notes under WC |
R 0 (ii)refer to notes under WC |
Please find the reasons for the unspent funds below:
EASTERN CAPE
b) the reasons that funds were unspent are stated below Phase 1
- Sourcing of bank accounts
- Incorrect bank accounts and non-availability of signatories.
- Lack of capacity building and proper handing over by Data Innovators and National DSD.
Phase 2
The second phase allocation (R 26 million) was not disbursed to ECD centers due to the following reasons:
-
- The allocation letter was received in November 2021, and the province projected to disburse funds in January 2022. Upon submission to the National Office, the Province was informed that the funds will be available beginning in February 2022. Considering the above, the province was left with only 2 months before the end of the Financial Year and therefore foresees a risk of underspending which would lead to accruals.
- The funds were appropriated only during March 2022 by the treasury, which was very late for the Department to process it, considering the procurement processes that need to be followed.
- A request for rollover was done and the Department of Education follow-up function was shifted on the 1st of April 2022.
FREE STATE
b) The reasons for the unspent relief funds in the Free state Province were due to the following reasons:
- Late receipt of payment batches.
- Some NPOs did not submit complete information, and this hampered payment processes.
- Some of the unregistered ECDs were not on the Central Supplier Database (CSD).
KWAZULU NATAL
*An amount of R 44,170 million was returned to Treasury at the end of the 2021/22 financial year and a rollover application of R 38,245 million was submitted to Provincial Treasury in respect of the Phase 2 balance, which was to be allocated to DOE upon approval due to function shift.
(b)The reason for unspent funds or underspending against Presidential Employment Initiative Grant is attributable to the fact that this grant was centrally managed at national Level in terms of beneficiary applications, verification of beneficiary banking details, and all other processes required to authenticate the payment. The Department only received the batches of certified beneficiaries to process the payment.
This Task was outsourced to a firm of consultants whose contract expired before the project was completed and had to be renewed which also caused delays during November 2021, as there was no service provider to generate batches for payment, and some of the beneficiaries could not be traced.
As means to try and expedite the spending on the grant, the Department issued an advert that took one month via KZN Radio stations calling for the beneficiaries who applied for the Presidential Stimulus Package to visit the Social Development offices for assistance. The Department also submitted a proposal to National Department requesting to utilize funds otherwise but could not succeed due to conditions attached to the Grant.
LIMPOPO
a) Bank, staff, and site verifications had to be conducted for the unfunded and unregistered ECD centers, and the challenges encountered are as follows:
Bank verifications:
-
- Incorrect ID number or company registration number,
- Incorrect company name,
- Incorrect bank account number, and
- Incorrect names and surnames.
Staff verifications:
-
- Duplicates (one staff member registered in more than one ECD centre.
Site verifications:
-
- Untraceable,
- Some closed,
- Some not registered on the Central Supplier Database (CSD),
- Some do not have bank accounts,
- Some have savings accounts,
- Some were not from the province,
- Some organisations which have been approved are not ECD centres,
GAUTENG
a) (i) Amounts paid for Gauteng province in phase 1 and phase 2 are illustrated in the table below:
Phase 1 |
Phase 2 |
Received R ’000 |
Received R ’000 |
77 763 |
25 623 |
Amounts returned to the National Treasury by Gauteng province in Phase 1 and Phase 2 is illustrated in the table below:
Phase 1 |
Phase 2 |
||
Spent R ’000 |
Returned R ’000 |
Spent R ’000 |
Returned R ’000 |
39 333 |
38 430 |
0 |
25 623 |
Gauteng province spent R 39 333 million of the total allocation of R 103 386 million for the ECD Employment Stimulus Relief Fund in phases 1 and 2 by end of the 2021/22 financial year.
An amount of R 64 053 million not spent in 2021/22 was rolled over to the 2022/23 financial year and was allocated to the Gauteng Department of Education in the adjustment budget period following the function shift from the department of Social Development.
b) In the 2020/21 financial the allocated budget of
R 77.7 million for the ECD Employment Stimulus Relief Fund was not spent because the verification process for qualifying non-profit organisations was finalised late in the financial year.
The allocation of R 25.6 million received in the 2021/22 financial year for the ECD Employment Stimulus Relief Fund was not spent due to rejections caused by unverified bank accounts, ECD centres registered as Companies, Partnerships, and other forms of businesses other than non-profit organisations. In the 2020/21 financial the allocated budget of R 77.7 million for the ECD Employment Stimulus Relief Fund was not spent due to the:
- The appointment and verification of Non-Profit Organisations were done by the National Department of Social Development and the Provinces were only responsible for effecting payments to the appointed NPOs.
- Verification process for qualifying non-profit organisations was finalised late in the financial year by National Social Development.
- The first finalised batch for qualifying non-profit organisations was received in March 2021 two weeks before the Gauteng Provincial Treasury's last payment run to date.
- The summary of batches received from the National Department during phase 1 and phase 2 are enlisted in the table below amounting to
R 56 653 324. Two subsequent batched 24 & 25 were received also two weeks before Gauteng provincial treasury last payment run for the 2021/2022 financial year.
- The budget allocation of R 103 300 000 compared to the summary batches received amounting to R 56 653 324 makes 54,8% of batches received to be paid
MPUMALANGA
a) (i)The total amount allocated to the province is reflected in the table below Table 12.1: budget allocation of phase 1 and 2
Phase 1 |
Budget allocated |
Amount Spent |
Unspent funds |
R'000 |
|||
Presidential Employment Stimulus package ECD |
42 372 |
16 214 |
58 586 |
(ii)The tables below reflect the budget allocated and expenditure for both phases 1 and 2
Table 12.2: budget and expenditure of phase 1 for the period ended 31 March 2021
Phase 1 |
Budget allocated |
Amount Spent |
Unspent funds |
R'000 |
|||
Presidential Employment Stimulus package ECD |
16 214 |
- |
16 214 |
Table 12.3 budget and expenditure of phase 2 for the period ended 31 March 2022
Phase 1 |
Budget allocated |
Amount Spent |
Unspent funds |
R'000 |
|||
Presidential Employment Stimulus package ECD |
42 372 |
6 199 |
36 173 |
An application was made to roll over the unspent funds amounting to R
30.495 million which was subsequently approved during the budget adjustment of 2021/22 financial year. Expenditure amounting to R 15. 938 million was incurred for the period ended 31 March 2022. In total, the expenditure incurred from the allocation of phase 1 amounts to R 22.137 million
Phase 2
There was no expenditure incurred from the allocation of phase 2 which was appropriated as additional funding during the budget adjustment of the 2021/22 financial year. An application was made to roll over the unspent funds amounting to R 23.320 million which has been subsequently approved during the budget adjustment of 2022/23 financial year. The rollover funds were appropriated to the Education Vote as the ECD function shifted to the Department of Education with effect from 01 April 2022.
Under-expenditure recorded from the phase 1 allocation is attributed to the fact that the processing of batches of claims commenced late in the last week of March 2021. This is due to the fact that batches were received late from National Department, thus other claims were carried to the 2021/22 financial year for payment processing.
The under-expenditure on the phase 2 allocation was due to the fact that by the financial year ending 31 March 2022, the National Department was still finalising a list of NPOs to benefit from the allocation. An application of rollover was also made to fund the NPOs migrated to the Department of Education with effect from 01 April 2022.
WESTERN CAPE
With reference to the early childhood development (ECD) Employment Stimulus Relief Fund, supported by the Presidential Employment Stimulus,
(ii) no funds were returned to National Treasury since a service provider has been appointed until March 2023 to assist with the verification and validation of remaining sites and practitioners and
(b) Any unspent funds will only be declared by the end of March 2023.
28 December 2022 - NW4569
Arries, Ms LH to ask the Minister of Social Development
Noting the arrest of two elderly persons for allegedly defrauding SA Social Security Agency grants, while they are directors in companies, what (a) total number of grant beneficiaries who are owners of businesses have been arrested in the past five years and (b) is the total amount that has been recouped?
Reply:
Social Assistance is provided to individuals based on their income and asset status that they declare upon application, or when there is a change in their circumstances. SASSA does not check employment status, or director status of applicants, other than to confirm income levels.
a) Therefore, no records are kept of individuals based on their employment status or directorships.
b) SASSA does not have a record of funds recouped from directors of companies and who are also social grant beneficiaries.
It is important to note that being employed and/ or a director of a company (for profit or not- for- profit) does not disqualify a person from receiving a grant. Eligibility is determined by the income they receive from these activities; thus income needs to be assessed.
SASSA undergoes continuous reviews of social grants and investigates cases where fraud may have occurred. On the 4th of December 2021, 10 company directors were arrested on other matters, which were not social grant related fraud. Recovery of loss in relation to the aforementioned case will be done in terms of the Criminal Procedure Act, which goes concurrently with criminal prosecution. The case in question is at the criminal prosecution stage.
28 December 2022 - NW4431
Arries, Ms LH to ask the Minister of Social Development
What (a) is the total number of safe havens for abandoned children in the Republic and (b) total number of such havens are funded by her department?
Reply:
a) There are no safe havens for abandoned children in the Republic as that category is not known and registered with Social Development.
However the Department has records of temporary safe care persons and places where children in need of care and protection including abandoned children requiring alternative care are kept whilst awaiting finalisation of court proceedings for placement into foster care, Child and Youth Care Centres, as well as family permanency option such as adoption.
According to provincial submissions by provinces who responded to the question on safe haven; provinces also responded that there are no safe havens for abandoned children, but temporary safe care and places regulated in accordance with the provisions of the Children’s Act 38 of 2005. The provincial response from KwaZulu Natal did not provide statistics of temporary safe care persons and place.
The provincial breakdown for temporary safe persons and places is as follows:
Province |
Temporary safe care persons |
Temporary safe care places (Child and Youth Care Centre) |
Free State |
67 |
9 |
Northern Cape |
26 |
10 |
Eastern Cape |
80 |
30 |
Mpumalanga |
58 |
29 |
Limpopo |
0 |
15 |
GP |
126 |
6 |
WC |
800 |
53 |
TOTAL |
1 157 |
152 |
b) There are no funded safe havens as they are not registered with the department.
23 December 2022 - NW3859
van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Social Development:
Whether, considering that 50 000 parents have asked Premier Panyaza Lesufi to assist their children who are addicted to drugs and need rehabilitation, she has found that her department has an effective plan to combat substance abuse in communities; if not, why not; if so, what plan?
Reply:
The Department of Social Development has a National Drug Master Plan (NDMP) 2019-2024 which is a product of broad consultation with relevant stakeholders. NDMP has been endorsed by Parliament and is clarifies roles and responsibilities of different government departments and other stakeholders. The Central Drug Authority (CDA), established in terms of the Prevention of and Treatment for Substance Abuse Act (Act 70 of 2008) is responsible for the coordination and monitoring of the implementation of the NDMP. The implementation of the NDMP at Provincial and local levels is guided by the Provincial Substance Abuse Forums and Local Drug Action Committees established in terms of Act 70 of 2008. Annually CDA submits to Parliament Progress Report on the implementation of the NDMP. The following are the goals of the NDMP:
Goal 1: Demand reduction through prevention and treatment of drug use, misuse and abuse.
Goal 2: Supply reduction through multi-sectoral cooperation.
Goal 3: Ensuring availability of and access to controlled substances exclusively for medical and scientific purposes, while preventing their diversion.
Goal 4: Identify trends and control of new psychoactive substances.
Goal 5: Promote governance, leadership, and accountability for a coordinated multi- sectoral effective response, including economic development at community levels.
Goal 6: Strengthening data collection, monitoring, evaluation and research evidence for an evidence-based response.
Goal 7: Stimulate robust and sustainable economic growth aimed at reducing poverty, unemployment and inequalities.
Government developed an Integrated Anti-Drug and Alcohol Abuse Programme of Action aimed at addressing the Substance Use and Abuse at community level. The following are the Objectives of the Programme of Action:
To review and align liquor, Policy and legislations
To educate and create awareness on alcohol and substance abuse
To increase and strengthen the availability of services and resources to civil society organizations dealing with alcohol-related harm across South Africa
To review institutional mechanisms to prevent and manage alcohol and drug use in the country
23 December 2022 - NW4634
Abrahams, Ms ALA to ask the Minister of Finance:
(1) Considering that the social work profession plays a critical role in ensuring the wellbeing of all vulnerable sectors of society against escalating levels of abuse in the Republic, and given that there is a critical shortage of social workers (details furnished), (a) which government departments have written to the National Treasury since the 2018 Cabinet resolution on the recruitment of social work professionals, to request additional budgets to employ social workers, (b) what is the frequency of such requests since the 2018 Cabinet resolution and (c) what total amounts have been requested; (2) whether the National Treasury will make additional funds available for this purpose; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW5756E
Reply:
(1) The Department of Social Development is responsible for the hiring and bidding for funds for social workers. Since the 2018 Cabinet resolution allocations for the employment of social workers within the social development sector were as follows:
In Budget 2019, an average of R226.3 million per annum was shifted to provinces through the Provincial Equitable Share to sustain the employment of over 600 social worker graduates that were employed through the Social Worker Employment Conditional Grant.
In the 2019 Adjusted Budget the National Department of Social Development shifted R93.0 million from other programmes towards Social Crime Prevention and Victim Empowerment subprogramme for the employment of 200 social workers in areas of high prevalence of gender-based violence.
In Budget 2020, an average of R132.7 million per annum was shifted to provinces to sustain the employment of the 200 social workers in areas where they were most needed.
In the 2020 Supplementary Budget, the National Department of Social Development shifted R33.0 million from other programmes for the temporary employment of 1809 social workers.
In the 2020 Adjusted Budget, the Department received a further R92.5 million as unforeseeable and unavoidable expenditure to sustain employment of these social workers.
Most recently, in the 2021 Adjusted Budget, R120 million was added to the Provincial Equitable Share as part of the Presidential Employment Stimulus for the employment of 2000 social workers over a period of 10 months.
(2) Any announcement on additional funds will be made in the Budget Speech in February 2023. We do not announce such allocation decisions before the Budget.
23 December 2022 - NW3832
George, Dr DT to ask the Minister of Social Development
Whether a SA Social Security Agency office will be established in Knysna; if not, why not; if so, (a) on what date will it be established and (b) what services will be offered?
Reply:
a) The Agency cannot provide an exact date on which a Fixed Service Office will be established in Knysna. The acquisition process has both Municipal and Agency dependencies. This includes the procurement process which is done through the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure.
SASSA services are currently provided on a scheduled basis in the following areas within Knysna:
- Hornlee
- Sedgefield
- Rheenendal
- Khayalethu
- Karatara
b) SASSA met the Municipality on 20 October 2022 to enquire about the availability of government owned sites in Knysna to establish a Fixed Service Office and the following resolutions were agreed to:
- The Municipality to provide SASSA with a comprehensive list of government owned sites by 31 October 2022.
- SASSA must determine the best option and provide the Municipality with an expression of interest by the 3rd week of November 2022.
- Should there be no feasible site available, the procurement process through the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure will commence.
23 December 2022 - NW4678
Motsepe, Ms CCS to ask the Minister of Health
What measures have been taken by his department in each province to make provision for an increase in the number of porters in public hospitals? NW5801E
Reply:
The National Department of Health can confirm that from the total of 3 510 posts for porters, 3 193 are filled. The 148 posts were filled during the current financial year 2022/2023 in the nine (9) Provincial Health Departments, respectively, as recorded in the PERSAL date set of 31 October 2022.
Due to financial constraints, Provinces have implemented a systematic process of approving funding and advertisements of both health related and administrative posts by accounting officers in consultation with Provincial Treasuries. This process, supersedes filling of vacant posts to avoid exceeding Cost of Employment (COE) budgets. END.
23 December 2022 - NW3853
Siwisa, Ms AM to ask the Minister of Social Development
With reference to the reply to question 3364 on 10 October 2022, pertaining to the lack of shelters for victims of gender-based violence and femicide in the Northern Cape rural areas, what (a) are the reasons that there are none and the specified province has to rely on neighbouring provinces for assistance and (b) plans have been put in place to establish shelters in the Northern Cape?
Reply:
a) There are two districts with no shelters in the Province, it is Namaqua and John Taolo Gaetsewe districts. The Department did not establish a shelter in Namaqua District in the past years due to the fact that there was no statistics of victims needing sheltering services in the district.
John Taolo district also does not have a shelter but has a White Door Centre to accommodate victims who need sheltering services.
b) Plans are underway to finalize the establishment of shelters in Namakwa and JTG Districts. There is a white door in Bankara Budulong in JTG District for emergency placement. Clients who prefer sheltering services are not taken to neighbouring Provinces, but are given the option to be admitted to a shelter in the Northern Cape Province.
The renovations for the shelter in Nababeep and purchasing of furniture is completed and the agreement between the Municipality and Department, must be finalized, before operationalization can occur.
The decision regarding the condition of the shelter between DSD and Kathu Solar Park, will be finalized in November 2022, which will determine the Plan of Action.
23 December 2022 - NW4679
Marais, Ms P to ask the Minister of Health
What are the details of the measures of intervention that have been taken recently by his department to tackle the challenge of the shortage of medication, especially antiretroviral drugs, in health facilities? NW5802E
Reply:
There are no current systems-wide shortages of medication in health facilities although facilities do run out from time to time owing to operational reasons.
It is the Departments of Health’s policy to ensure equitable access to quality healthcare through availability of safe, effective and cost-effective medicines at the appropriate level of care. The National Department of Health manages contracts of approximately 1 200 essential medicine items. Contracts are awarded to suppliers (manufacturers) following an open tender process in accordance with the Public Finance Management Act. Provinces procure medicines directly from contacted suppliers. Note that the public sector services the healthcare needs of 84% of South Africa’s population.
The NDOH continuously engages with the contracted suppliers to identify any possible supply challenges, to adjust the demand forecast (where necessary) and to work together to mitigate the risks. Furthermore, the NDOH established a decision-making forum where all provinces are represented; to identify interventions aimed at addressing any medicine supply challenges, to improve medicine availability and to reduce the potential impact of stock outs.
Where supply constraints are identified, the NDOH works with the provinces to identify and implement interventions to minimize stock outs and impact on patients. These interventions are informed by the cause of the supply challenge:
Where the supply constraint is due to operational matters e.g., machine breakdown, labor unrest, theft, post importation testing, etc. the NDOH would source products from alternative local suppliers with registered products using the quotation process.
Should the supply constraint result in a longer term supply challenge, such as regulatory matters including amendments to the dossier that requires approval from South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA), including a change/addition of an active pharmaceutical ingredient source and/or manufacturing site, the transfer of ownership of dossiers which results in a change of marketing authorization, delays in the issuing of the permits for imported medicines, manufactured products requiring additional quality checks by SAHPRA, etc. and no alternative local suppliers with registered products are available; an application would be made to SAHPRA for the acquisition of unregistered medicines for human use in terms of Section 21 of the Medicines and Related Substances Act.
With regard to antiretroviral medication, there are no wide-spread supply challenges. As on 05th December 2022,
Overall medicine availability across all facilities is 87.1%
Availability of antiretrovirals is 91.1% Availability of 1st line antiretrovirals is 97.4%
END.
23 December 2022 - NW4568
Chirwa-Mpungose, Ms NN to ask the Minister of Health
When will the municipal clinic in Merafong, Khutsong Extension 3 be opened 24/7, as it is the only public healthcare facility that operates during the week and only until 4pm? NW5697E
Reply:
In line with the Primary Health Care Package Norms and standards, clinics operates 8 hours a day and 5 days a week and a Community Health Centres (CHC) operates 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. For the PHC facility to qualify to operate for 24 hours, the following criteria need to be met:
• Annual facility head count should be ± 120 000
• Monthly average headcount of 10 000.
According to the District Health Information System (DHIS) Annual Report 2021/2022, the head count for the Clinic in Extension is 22 779 which is far below the required head count, whilst monthly average headcount was 1898. For the current year, the monthly average headcount is 2170. In addition, acceptable travelling distance to the nearest facility is 5 km. The Clinic in question is within 3.8 km radius to the Khutsong CHC which is open for 24 hours and 7 days a week. The Clinic in Extension 3 therefore does not meet the criteria to operate for 24 hours and 7 days a week.
END.
23 December 2022 - NW4497
Ismail, Ms H to ask the Minister of Health
What (a) number of (i) people claimed from the COVID-19 Vaccine Injury No-Fault Compensation Scheme, (ii) claims were (aa) rejected and (bb) processed, (b) are the (i) reasons that the claims were rejected and (ii) full relevant details of the (aa) types of vaccines that were administered and (bb) age groups of people who were affected after vaccinations? NW5625E
Reply:
(a) (i) As on 02 December 2022 a total of 48 claims were received.
(ii)(aa)-(bb) To date none of the claims were assessed.
(b) (i) The adjudication panel has been appointed and assessments of claims will be conducted.
(b)(ii) |
Types of vaccines administered |
Age groups of people affected |
||
(aa) |
(bb) |
|||
Johnson & Johnson |
Pfizer |
Age group |
Number |
|
21 |
27 |
80+ |
3 |
|
70-79 |
2 |
|||
60-69 |
11 |
|||
50-59 |
8 |
|||
40-49 |
9 |
|||
30-39 |
2 |
|||
20-29 |
7 |
|||
12-19 |
6 |
23 December 2022 - NW4099
Marais, Ms P to ask the Minister of Social Development
What steps have been taken to intervene in instances where loan sharks take possession of the cards of SA Social Security Agency beneficiaries in exchange for loans?
Reply:
The SASSA/SAPO card is owned and managed by the South African Postbank according to the South African Reserve Bank designation. However, the card is given to beneficiaries for the purpose of utilising the money to meet their basic needs.
SASSA has no control over beneficiaries who use their card as collateral to secure loans, nor does SASSA condone this act.
It is worth noting that the practice of exchanging beneficiaries cards for loans is a contravention of Section 20 of the Social Assistance Act 13 of 2004 (the Act) which states “a grant may not be transferred, ceded, pledged or in any other way encumbered or disposed of unless the Minister on good grounds in writing consents thereto”, and also read in conjunction with Section 133, Section 90(2) (l) and Section 91(b) of the National Credit Act 34 of 2005.
This matter is regulated by section 35 of the Act, which prohibits credit providers and other persons conducting and marketing credit provider services within areas of agency offices and pay points. Section 35 of the Act (1) Subject to the provisions of section 10(1) and (2) of the Act states; a) a person must not market or offer any form of credit , whether or not that person is registered as a credit provider, within any Agency offices or pay-point for the purpose of soliciting or enticing a beneficiary to engage in any form of credit granting, funeral scheme or life insurance scheme; b) the card must not be ceded, pledged or retained to secure a loan, repayment of loan debt or payment of a funeral or insurance premium.
Therefore, the Agency continuously communicates with social grants beneficiaries through various channels to discourage them from dealing with loan sharks. There are ongoing media awareness campaigns directed at all social grant beneficiaries not to hand over their SASSA cards to anyone.
Through these channels, social grant beneficiaries and members of the public are encouraged to report loan sharks in possession of their social grant cards and/or identity documents to curb these fraudulent acts.
SASSA also conducts awareness sessions among its employees so that they can share the information with grant beneficiaries and the broader public.
In tandem with the above measures to combat the phenomenon of loan sharks preying on social grant beneficiaries and to prevent this type of fraud, corruption and contravention of the Social Assistance Act, SASSA takes concerted steps to coordinate and approach this task, together the South African Post Office and within the ambit of multidisciplinary law enforcement agencies, which includes the National Credit Regulator and the National Prosecuting Authority to appraise them of the gravity of the moneylending activities and request that stiff sentences are meted out by the Courts.
The on-going collaborative effort has culminated in several arrests of suspected loan sharks who were found in possession of SASSA cards. In the current financial year, there were successful projects which led to the arrests and sentencing of loan sharks.
Herein below is a breakdown of the successes achieved to date:
Table: Breakdown of cases regarding possession of SASSA card(s)
No |
Description of activities |
No of arrested loan sharks |
Date of arrest/ sentencing |
1. |
The Hazyview Magistrate’s Court (Mpumalanga) sentenced 1 money lender to 12 months imprisonment with an option of a fine |
1 |
28 April 2022 |
2. |
Masoyi Magistrate’s Court (Mpumalanga) sentenced 2 money lenders to 12 months imprisonment with an option of a fine |
2 |
04 May 2022 |
3. |
Three (3) suspected moneylenders arrested in KwaZulu-Natal with 50 SASSA/ SAPO cards, 20 EasyPay cards and R34,000 cash in Umkomaas |
3 |
03 June 2022 |
4. |
One (1) suspected moneylender arrested in Malmesbury, Western Cape for possession of SASSA/ SAPO cards) |
1 |
27 June 2022 |
5. |
Douglas Magistrate court in Northern Cape sentenced 1 moneylender with a fine of R10 000 and five (5) years imprisonment, wholly suspended for 3 years |
1 |
18 July 2022 |
6. |
31 suspected moneylenders arrested in Springs, Gauteng with 256 SASSA/ SAPO cards and 151 various bank cards. The suspects were found in possession of R100, 000 in cash. |
31 |
04 August 2022 |
7. |
Five (5) suspected moneylenders arrested in Bronkhorstspruit, Gauteng with 1 X SASSA/SAPO card and 6 various bank cards. The suspects were found in possession of R36,270.00 in cash |
5 |
02 November 2022 |
23 December 2022 - NW3864
Masango, Ms B to ask the Minister of Social Development:
What (a) total number of civil society organisations were invited to the Presidential Social Sector Summit and (b) are the details of the role her department played in inviting the specified organisations?
Reply:
a) A Presidential Social Sector Summit which was held on the 4th and 5th August 2022, was physically attended by a total of 1 032 civil society organisations.
To maximise reach, various online platforms were created to ensure participation. A total of 59 251 Civil society organisations connected and provincial breakdown attendance by location was as follows:
Cape Town – 12 411
Pretoria – 11 387
Durban – 8 542
Soweto – 5 868
Johannesburg – 6 069
Port Elizabeth – 3 481
Polokwane – 3 249
Bloemfontein – 3 243
East London – 2 538
Pietermaritzburg – 2 463
Those who connected virtually were represented with gender proportion of 38.6% males and 61.4% females.
b) The Department of Social Development was a coordinating department responsible for organising the summit. A steering committee was set up consisting of Department of Social Development, Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME), National Planning Commission (NPC), National Development Agency (NDA) and Civil Society represented by National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC) Community Constituency.
The Department was responsible to invite other government departments from the Social Cluster, and to invite about 406 NPOs, in addition, the National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC) Community Constituency was also allocated a responsibility to invite 50 civil society organisations from its constituency.
23 December 2022 - NW3814
Masipa, Mr NP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
What (a) are the (i) detailed estimates and (ii) all important variables of the long- term damage of the KwaZulu-Natal floods on the sugar sector and (b)(i) total number of farmers ceased operations and exited the market due to losses incurred in the floods and (ii) is her department doing to help them; (2) what (a) are the details of other crops that were affected by the KwaZulu-Natal floods and (b) actions are being taken to support affected farmers?
Reply:
(1)(a),(i) Information received from five of the Millers (Umfolozi, Malelane, Sezela, Eston and Noodsberg) indicates that the Small-Scale Growers (SSGs) deliveries against expected delivery estimates are behind the mill percentage as at the end of October 2022. Out of the five Millers, two Milling areas (Umfolozi and Malelane) have indicated that SSGs will catch-up with deliveries by the end of the season. The remaining Millers which are Sezela, Eston and Noodsberg plus Felixton, have indicated that SSGs will not deliver full season sugarcane estimates and will carryover cane into 2023/2024. Commercial growers are on track and will deliver the estimated tonnage.
(ii) The harvesting cycle of sugar cane in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) ranges from 12 to 24 months and the main affected areas are on the 16-month cycle. It should be noted that off farm infrastructure (i.e. local roads, access roads, bridges etc) and on farm infrastructure which broadly inhibits optimal operations, will take some time to repair. The latter is further dependent on the availability of resources that its anticipated to be reprioritised based on the disaster declaration process.
(b)(i) The April 2022 report issued by the SA Canegrowers, indicates that 308 producers across five regions in KZN have been affected. The report does not indicate ceasing of operation but indicated the inability to deliver to the market due to extensive on and off farm infrastructure damage. The report further indicates that 2516.65 hectors have experienced severe root damage and thus necessitates replating of the hectors. The estimated damage for infield is R 194, 9 million while the on-farm infrastructure is R 27, 9 million.
(ii) The KZN provincial Department of Agriculture is part of the response teams that are engaged in the assessment process and further ensuring that a speedy provision of support is in place and operation. It is however noted that a ratoon programme(replanting) with an estimated amount of R 7, 5 million has been secured to assist the small-scale sugar growers in the rural parts of the province.
(2)(a) The South African Farmers Development Association (SAFDA) report of April 2022 indicates that heavy rains in the province had devastating impact on several farmers who lost both cash crops and in the main livestock and the support infrastructure. A total of 5178.53 hectors of crops were damaged costing farmers a total of R 236 979 436. Livestock farmers were faced with a loss totalling R 61 686 150.
(b) The main income generating activities are supported through the ratoon programme while activities in terms of crops and livestock, will benefit through the provincial reprioritisation of allocated funds to ensure that the food security element for affected households is maintained. The latter stems from the fact that a disaster has been declared and thus allows for the reprioritisation of interventions or reassignment of funds to be implemented.
23 December 2022 - NW3751
Marais, Ms P to ask the Minister of Social Development
Noting how her department has underspent on nonprofit organisations (NPOs), what measures has she taken to ensure that functional NPOs receive much- needed funding?
Reply:
The Department provide funding to variety of NPOs to render Social development services in all nine Provinces. These NPOs are functional as they deliver of much needed services. Functional NPOs do receive the funding based on the amounts agreed upon the service level agreements (SLAs).
Certain processes are followed before the funds are transferred to these functional organizations including:
- Timeous submission of progress reports and relevant documents by the NPOs
- Proof that the funds are utilized for the intended purposes.
- Compliance with the registration and governance principles as stated in the SLAs and the NPO Act.
Most of the funds that were returned to National Treasury related to the ECD conditional grant and as such cannot be diverted to other programmes.
In addition, NPO’s are also exposed to capacity building programmes that empowers them on number of aspects including financial management, governance and resource mobilization. All these efforts are aimed at empowering NPOs to render quality
services and to empower them to mobilize resources from various sources thus building a sustainable NPO sector in the country.
23 December 2022 - NW4565
Siwisa, Ms AM to ask the Minister of Health
What (a) total number of cancer awareness campaigns have been initiated in black communities, especially in rural areas and (b) total number of cancer centres have been opened across the Republic in the past two financial years? NW5694E
Reply:
(a) Total number of cancer awareness campaigns:
1. Nine (9) provincial cancer awareness programs were conducted for Traditional Health Practitioners on identifying and referring the most common cancers in collaboration with CANSA.
2. One (1) cancer awareness campaign on breast, cervical and prostate cancer was conducted in Upington in Northern Cape in collaboration with Pink Drive.
3. Five (5) lung cancer awareness programs were conducted in collaboration with CANSA in KwaZulu-Natal.
(b) Cancer centres:
1. Three (3) Regional Breast Units were established.
2. There are twelve national oncology centers in the public health sector which provide access to cancer care for all citizens nationally. One of these has been established the last two years. This is the Mpumalanga medical oncology center. There are an additional eight centers across the country that are in various stages of being built. This will bring the total number of national oncology centers to 21 throughout the country.
END.
23 December 2022 - NW4651
Lorimer, Mr JR to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy:
(a) How much geological mapping has the Council for Geoscience conducted in each of the past three years, (b) what are the details of the (i) precise area and (ii) type of mapping that was completed, (c)(i) where and (ii) on what dates were the results of each type of mapping published and (d) on what terms have the results been made available? NW5773E
Reply:
a) How much geological mapping has the Council for Geoscience conducted in each of the past three years,
20/21: 15 maps published to attain off-shore coverage of 8.9%, 21/22: 35 maps published, reaching 10.75% coverage, and 22/23 (Q2) 7 maps published to achieve 11.12% coverage.
b) What are the details of the:
precise area and maps published in each province since 20/21:
Limpopo: 6, Mpumalanga: 0, North West: 0, Gauteng: 0, Northern Cape: 23, KZN: 12, Free State: 0, Eastern Cape: 10, Western Cape: 6
Type of mapping that was completed
integrated geological mapping, meaning a combination of geology, geophysics, hydrogeological and geotechnical
c) (i) Where is the data published?
All data are on the CGS data portal, i.e., maps.geoscience.org.za
(ii) On what dates were the results of each type of mapping published
The bulk of CGS data, maps and publications were released via the portal in June 2021.
Thereafter the 1:50 000 data and maps will only be released a year after the publication
d) On what terms have the results been made available?
Most of the data are free to download and some are available at cost
23 December 2022 - NW4174
Abrahams, Ms ALA to ask the Minister of Social Development
Whether, with reference to voluntary associations registered with the non- profit (NPO) directorate in her department, she will provide the (a) reasons that voluntary associations require NPO status, (b) total number of registered voluntary associations in the Republic in each province, (c) list of requirements by the voluntary associations to be registered by her department, (d) monitoring and evaluations requirements and processes, (e) relevant details of what constitutes de-registration by her department and (f) necessary information regarding the positive and negative impact voluntary associations have had in society and the lives of vulnerable groups; if not, why not, in each case; if so, what are the relevant details in each case?
Reply:
a) Registration as a non-profit organisation is voluntary therefore any organisation that seek registration do so voluntarily. NPOs are registered in terms of the NPO Act 71 of 1997. The NPO Act does not require the organization to provide the reason why they apply for registration. Voluntary Associations are regulated under the NPO Act 71 of 1997. The NPO status provides organisations with a legal status which in turn makes them credible and accountable and gives them public confidence and easier to access funding.
b) The total number of registered voluntary associations (NPOs) in the Republic of South Africa in each province are listed below:
Number registered |
Voluntary Associations |
Trusts |
NPCs |
|
EC |
25 900 |
23 328 |
269 |
2 303 |
FS |
13 572 |
12 266 |
87 |
1 219 |
GP |
84 399 |
73 936 |
936 |
9 527 |
KZN |
47 431 |
43 357 |
728 |
3 346 |
LP |
26 434 |
24 618 |
95 |
1 721 |
MP |
19 742 |
18 405 |
59 |
1 278 |
NW |
15 389 |
13 668 |
60 |
1 661 |
NC |
6 030 |
5 679 |
30 |
321 |
WC |
28 162 |
24 085 |
969 |
3 108 |
267 059 |
239 342 |
3 233 |
24 484 |
c) Section 12 of the NPO Act (Act 71 of 1997), provides for the requirements for registration. For a Voluntary Association to be registered they must submit a fully completed application form as regulated and the organization founding document, which in this instance it’s a constitution. Section 12(2) further provides, unless the laws in terms of which a nonprofit organisation is established or incorporated, the constitution of a nonprofit organisation that intends to register must comply with requirements (a) to (o) as set out. Further, Section 13 of the NPO Act stipulates that organisation may apply for registration by submitting the completed application form and copies of the constitution which met the requirements in terms of section 12 as mentioned above.
d) Section 18 (1)(a) of the NPO Act requires registered non-profit organisations to submit annual reports in the form of a narrative report in the prescribed manner and financial statements that has income and expenditure, balance sheet and accounting officer’s report. The department scrutinizes the submitted annual reports and check if the organisation carries out its activities or programmes as per its founding document and looks at the nature of expenditure incurred by the organisation.
e) Section 21 of the NPO Act provides for cancellation of registration of an organisation if it has failed to comply with the NPO Act. This means the obligation of NPOs to submit annual reports or makes material false representations in any document or a narrative, financial or other report submitted to the department. This decision is taken after an organisation would have been issued with a notice of non-compliance that would have provided the organisation with reasons for noncompliance and the steps that the organisation needs to take to address the noncompliance.
f) The Department has not undertaken any scientific study or review regarding the impact of voluntary associations in society and the lives of vulnerable groups as these organisations are funded by different government departments and independent doors.
23 December 2022 - NW4633
Abrahams, Ms ALA to ask the Minister of Finance
Whether, considering that the child support grant of the SA Social Security Agency plays a critical role in improving child nutrition, health and education outcomes of vulnerable South African children, and noting that thousands of children continue to die due to malnutrition in public hospitals with many deaths not recorded, the National Treasury will approve an increase in the child support grant to be in line with the food poverty line; if not, why not; if so, by what (a) date and (b) amount will the specified grant be increased? NW5755E
Reply:
All budget related matters including increases to social grants will only be announced by the Minister of Finance in the February 2023 Budget Speech. The National Treasury does not make budgetary announcements before Budget Day
23 December 2022 - NW3866
Opperman, Ms G to ask the Minister of Social Development:
What steps will her department take to address the increase in irregular expenditure from R3 million in the 2020-21 financial year to R 14,6 million in the 2021-22 financial year?What steps will her department take to address the increase in irregular expenditure from R3 million in the 2020-21 financial year to R 14,6 million in the 2021-22 financial year?
Reply:
The following steps have been taken by the Department in an effort to reduce irregular expenditure going forward.
1. The Supply Chain Management unit has undergone internal training on fraud and corruption indicators. This training was considered essential to ensure that the unit is capacitated on these aspects.
2. The Supply Chain Management officials and Bid Committees officials continuously attend relevant training that is coordinated by the National Treasury.
2. The CFO has written a letter to the National Treasury requesting assistance with price index and Central Supplier Database (CSD) compliance issues.
4. A Contract Management unit will also be incorporated within the Supply Chain Management Unit. The Contract Management team will monitor the SITA
transversal contracts for updates and validity to ensure that all SITA transversal contracts that the department utilises are valid during the procurement process.
5. The SCM Policy will be reviewed during the month of November 2022. The irregular expenditure cases have been referred to Internal Control for investigation. The outcome of the investigations will determine if any official is liable for the expenditure and the Directorate Labour Relations will assist with the disciplinary processes.
6. Over and abovementioned preventative, detective, and corrective control measures, the SCM staff and the Finance management, in general, will attend the root cause identification training for empowering the entire SCM officials to identify any non-compliance to prevent potential irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure before they are realised in the departments underlying accounting records.
7. The department’s governance structures such as risk management and the internal audit units will also work closely with management to provide advisory services while internal audit will also provide assurance services.
23 December 2022 - NW3882
van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Social Development
Whether it was the policy position of her department to not register new Child and Youth Care Centres (CYCCs) as they were not at capacity, and that no new CYCCs will be funded by and/or registered with her department in the 2021-22 financial year; if not, what evidence does her department have in support of the specified policy position that CYCCs are not at capacity; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) whether it remains the position of her department that it will no longer fund CYCCs; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) whether her department has the long-term goal to centralise funds into a central account and fund projects directly without making use of the services of nongovernmental organisations (NGOs), and/or does her department continue to value its partnership with NGOs and nonprofit organisations; if not, what is the position in each case; if so, what are the relevant details in each case?
Reply:
1. The Provincial Departments of Social Development continue to register new Child and Youth Care Centres (CYCCs) that meet the minimum norms and standard as per the relevant legislation. There is no policy
position that the department will not register or fund new Child and Youth Care Centres for 2021/2022 financial year.
The department funds CYCCs to provide residential care services to children in need of care and protection. Funding is dependent on the need and availability of budget during a particular financial year. Specific to the Gauteng Department of Social Development (GDSD), the said Provincial Department is reviewing its service delivery modalities in line with the Institutional Re-alignment Project. The said Project is informed by the approved Service Delivery Model and the Organizational Re-alignment which are aligned to the GDSD Organogram. The main aim of the GDSD Project is to build capacity of the state towards the delivery of services that are constitutional mandates. This re-alignment will take place from the 2023/2024 financial year, and, will be funded mainly from within the Department. The retrieval of services will not be considered for residential care facilities at this point due to limited capacity on the side of the Department. This includes CYCCs, Shelters for Homeless, Shelters for victims of GBV, Residential Facilities for Older Persons, Residential Facilities for Persons with Disabilities, In-patient Treatment Centres and Halfway Houses. Reference to capacity therefore relates to the Gauteng Department of Social Development and not to CYCCs.
2. Based on available funding allocated by the Treasuries, the Department will continue to fund CYCCs as well as process their registration as per the legislative prescripts
3. The Department has not explored the long-term goal to centralise funds into a central account to fund projects directly without making use of the services of Non-Profit Organisations. Specific to the Gauteng Province and in line with the Institutional Re-alignment Project (IRP), the Department will identify and retrieve services from the following organizations:
- Non-performing/dysfunctional NPOs (non-centre-based services, non-compliant NPOs or NPOs suspended from service)
- Certain statutory services (e.g., new foster care cases, adoption services, etc.)
The aim of this IRP is to ensure that funding is directed toward priority areas and programmes. This Project is a Gauteng provincial initiative and does not imply to other provinces.
23 December 2022 - NW4540
Hlengwa, Ms MD to ask the Minister of Health
Whether his department has any particular oversight mechanisms put in place to ensure the adequate functioning of rural healthcare clinics; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW5669E
Reply:
Yes, the department does have an oversight mechanism for all healthcare clinics in the country irrespective of the area of location. The district health system of the country has been set up to take supervision of health facilities closer to where they are, and to ensure a fair and realistic management workload. The provinces have gone a step further in ensuring responsive supervision and support to all clinics and community health centers including rural clinics by dividing the 52 health districts into subdistricts. In addition, the clinics committees comprising members from the communities play a vital oversight role for service delivery in each primary health care facility.
END.
23 December 2022 - NW4627
Ismail, Ms H to ask the Minister of Health
(1) Whether, given that adolescents are more likely than youth and adults to stop taking their tuberculosis (TB) medication before the end of their regimen, his department has a TB treatment programme specifically geared towards the needs of teenagers; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details of the specified programme; (2) whether his department has conducted research into adjusting TB treatment programmes for teenagers; if not, why not; if so, what are the findings of the research; (3) whether he will furnish Ms H Ismail with the findings of the research; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW5749E
Reply:
The department has no evidence that adolescents are more likely to stop TB treatment compared to youth and adults. Given that this speculation is not backed by any scientific evidence, the department does not have specific programmes that are focused at preventing TB treatment interruption among adolescents, instead, the National TB Programme, through TB recovery plan, is aimed at essentially finding people with TB, linking them to care and retaining them in care until they finish their treatment, irrespective of age.
(1) Considering data at our disposal, there is no justification for such a programme, as we have a comprehensive programme.
(2) There are no research findings to share with Ms. H Ismail, because no research has been conducted by the National Department of health regarding prevention of treatment interruption among adolescents. END.
23 December 2022 - NW4115
Pambo, Mr V to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy
What is his department’s position regarding the 32% increase in electricity tariffs that Eskom has applied for at the National Energy Regulator of South Africa? NW5128E
Reply:
The Minister does not get involved in Eskom tariff decisions. This is a domain of an independent Regulator, NERSA, which is guided by a published and well consulted methodology, which is a condition of Eskom licence.
23 December 2022 - NW4541
Hlengwa, Ms MD to ask the Minister of Health:
Whether, with reference to the process of applications for the establishment of healthcare clinics about which communities have been complaining of submitting applications and never receiving feedback, his department will furnish Ms M D Hlengwa with the details of (a) how applications for healthcare clinics are processed and reviewed, (b) how long after the application is made by a community can the community expect feedback on the success or failure of the application and (c) what mechanisms will his department use to communicate the feedback to applicants? NW5670E
Reply:
The responsibility and process for receiving and reviewing requests and granting permission for new clinics to be developed is with provincial and district health management.
(a) In the case of a private health facility, applications for new facilities are made to the district management. District management then makes a recommendation to a provincial committee and the provincial committee will make a decision based on documentation received from the district. The provincial committee will make a recommendation to the accounting officer of the provincial health department to approve or not. The district recommendation will be based on the following:
(i) A detailed explanation of why the facility is required
(ii) Is an existing building considered or is a new building required
(iii) Size of population to be served
(iv) Proximity and utilisation rate of facilities in the same catchment area.
(v) Human Resource Plan
(vi) Stakeholder inputs
In the case of a public health facility, a decision will be made based on the size of the community to be served and the proximity and utilization rate at the nearest existing health facilities. If after considering the above factors, it is found that the community does need a new clinic, the construction of the clinic will be planned for in terms of the availability of land, and human and material resources.
(b) In the case of a private facility, it can take up to 90 days since provincial review meetings generally take place once a quarter. In the case of a public facility, the community will be involved in discussions through local community leaders and the district health council. Through these structures continual feedback is provided with regard to progress.
(c) In the case of a private facility communication will be in writing. In the case of a public facility, the community will be informed through community and district structures, whether the building of a clinic has been approved or not, and if approved for which year its planning has been entered into the provincial department’s infrastructure plan. Should community members engage Department’s in writing they should receive responses in writing as well.
23 December 2022 - NW3869
Wilson, Ms ER to ask the Minister of Health
Since his reply to question 2474 on 15 September 2022, what (a) is the current extent of the backlog of surgeries in the public health sector and (b) steps has his department taken to address the specified backlog?
Reply:
NW4823E
a) The National Department of Health is still consulting with Provincial Departments of Health to verify the figures in each province. This information will be furnished to the Honourable Member as soon as it is received from Provinces.
b) The table below illustrates the steps taken to address the backlog
Province |
(b) What steps have been taken to address the specified backlog |
Eastern Cape |
Information not yet received |
Free State |
|
Gauteng |
|
KwaZulu Natal |
|
Limpopo |
|
Mpumalanga |
Rob Ferreira Hospital:
Witbank Hospital:
Ermelo Hospital:
Mapulaneng Hospital:
|
Themba Hospital:
|
|
Northern Cape |
Information not yet received |
North West |
|
|
|
Western Cape |
|
END.
23 December 2022 - NW4669
Langa, Mr TM to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy
(1) What is the total number of transaction advisors in his department; (2) whether the Central Energy Fund forms part of the transaction deals; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details? NW5792E
Reply:
(1) None. The Department has not appointed any transaction advisors.
(2) No. The Department has not appointed any transaction advisors
23 December 2022 - NW4019
Masipa, Mr NP to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
Considering that at the Subtrop Transformation Summit held in Tzaneen on 26 May 2022, she pointed out that the Government was ready to deal with the contentious issue of national communal land tenure and in taking steps towards the regularisation of communal land rights, what (a) percentage and (b) hectarage of communal land is currently not surveyed in (i) the Republic and (ii) each of the nine provinces?
Reply:
(a)(b)(i),(ii) The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) is not in a position to indicate the extent of communal land currently not surveyed in the Republic and in each nine provinces. However, DALRRD will investigate the extent of properties falling under communal land that are still to be surveyed in the Republic and the report will be provided.
23 December 2022 - NW4576
Thembekwayo, Dr S to ask the Minister of Health
Whether he has considered not rushing the implementation of the National Health Insurance Bill and instead pay attention to the infrastructure challenges faced across the Republic; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW5705E
Reply:
The Department is not implementing the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill in a rushed manner. The Department is following the provisions outlined in the approved 2017 NHI White Paper that provides for the NHI to be implemented in a phased manner. Section 309 of the White Paper provides for Health Systems Strengthening initiatives to continue being undertaken concurrently as the finalisation of the legislative process and the establishment of institutional arrangements for the NHI Fund are undertaken.
Furthermore, Clause 57 in the NHI Bill makes provision in the Transitional Arrangements where-in Clause 57 (1)(a) states that despite anything to the contrary the NHI must be implemented over two phases. Clause 57 (1)(b) states that National Health Insurance must be gradually phased in using a progressive and programmatic approach based on financial resource availability. Clause 57 (2) further provides health system’s strengthening initiatives such as addressing of infrastructure challenges to be undertaken during the transitional period.
It is indisputable that public hospitals do need infrastructure maintenance and investment. The Department quantified the anticipated cost at close to R200bn, which is clearly not going to be available in the short to medium term. There are nonetheless projects that are being attended to within the limits of available budget.
END.
23 December 2022 - NW4629
Ismail, Ms H to ask the Minister of Health
(1) With reference to the high level of lead poisoning in the Republic (details furnished) since 2006, what total number of cases of lead poisoning have been reported to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases nationally and provincially; (2) (a) how will his department ensure that doctors, nurses and medical staff are sufficiently trained to identify lead poisoning and (b) what total number of (i) health facilities, such as clinics and hospitals, and (ii) laboratories in the Republic can identify lead poisoning nationally and provincially; (3) (a) how does his department monitor and enforce adherence to legislation of only 0.009% lead particles allowed in paint and (b) what are the consequences of contravening the Hazardous Substances Act, Act 15 of 1973; (4) how does his department intend to remove lead in buildings that were painted before 2006; (5) (a) on what date did the SA Medical Research Council launch its education campaign and (b) what does the specified campaign entail? NW5751E
Reply:
(1) Since 2006, there has been 4 lead poisoning cases that were notified to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) nationally. Two (2) cases were reported in 2017, one from Free State Province and the other one from Mpumalanga province. The other two (2) cases were reported in 2022, one from Eastern Cape province and the second one from Western Cape province.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), clinical diagnosis of lead poisoning is difficult, as a result, it can be misdiagnosed. The reason being most lead poisoned individuals are often asymptomatic and even when signs and symptoms are present, they are difficult to differentiate and relatively non-specific poisoning symptoms such as anorexia, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, constipation, poor concentration, headache, fatigue, language and speech delay, behavioral problems, etc. Lack of clear history of exposure, also contributes to difficulty in making a clinical diagnosis. Laboratory investigation which can only happen based on the clinician/medical practitioner`s perception of the need for it, is the only reliable way to diagnose leadexposed individuals (WHO. 2011.Brief Guide to Analytical Methods for Measuring Lead in Blood; WHO.2010. Childhood Lead Poisoning).
(2) (a) Education and training on lead poisoning is part of doctors and nurses undergraduate education and training and there are continual in service initiatives that are ongoing to raise awareness and improve the knowledge on lead poisoning and other related matters.
(b) The fact that nurses and doctors receive under-graduate training plus the continuous awareness programmes that are currently underway, means that all health facilities should be able to act (get patients tested/refer for tests) on suspicion. Tests from health facilities are done at the National Health laboratory Services.
(3) (a) The 0.009% lead content limit in paint is not yet in force. The relevant government Gazette Notice where this 0.009% lead content limit was legislated was published for public comments and comments are in the process of being incorporated. Therefore, the current lead in paint declaration as a hazardous substance law, Gazette Notice No. 801 of July 2009, is still applicable until repealed by the new law. The lead paint law is monitored by Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) at national, provincial and at municipal level. Chemical safety and hazardous substances control functions fall within the work scope of EHPs in terms of the Scope of Profession for Environmental Health, R888 of 26 June 1991. Monitoring is done through inspections, sampling, seizure and detaining paint products and subjecting suspected or randomly selected sampled paint product to laboratory analysis and taking any further necessary legal action.
(b) The consequences of contravening the Hazardous Substances Act, Act 15 of 1973; range from a fine to imprisonment for a period between 6 months and 10 years depending on the offence or to both a fine and such imprisonment.
(4) The Department does not remove lead from buildings. According to WHO, as long as the paint on painted wall surfaces remains intact, the lead content is not a hazard unless it deteriorates or ages showing peeling, chipping, chalking or cracking as it releases lead into dust (WHO. 2020. Global elimination of lead paint: Policy brief). It is the responsibility of each building owner to ensure that its building paint is in intact condition.
(5) (a) The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) started its education campaign on lead in 2004.
(b) The campaign has developed a number of lead hazards awareness raising materials, including training toolkit in collaboration with the Department of Health. The leaflets embraced various lead exposure sources and pathways such as paint, painted surfaces, toys, cookware, lead bullet ammunition, and melting fishing sinkers. It has also shared information on lead exposure, research findings and recommended intervention measures for government and communities in various government events and academic platforms through presentations, exhibitions, and lectures, targeting various health and education professionals and students.
END.
23 December 2022 - NW4580
Marais, Ms P to ask the Minister of Health
Which methods of intervention have been put in place to deal with the dilapidated mental health care facilities? NW5709E
Reply:
Mental health facilities are being renovated as part of the Health Facilities Revitalisation Grant (HFRG) projects. Provinces also make renovations to health facilities including mental health facilities utilising their equitable share. Furthermore, mental health units are being built in general hospitals in compliance with the Mental Health Care Act, 2002 (Act No 17 of 2002) which prescribes integration of mental health into the general health services environment. Attaching mental health units to general hospitals is also relieving pressure on specialised psychiatric hospitals as these units provide mental health care, treatment and rehabilitation services and only refer to specialised psychiatric hospitals, those persons who require specialised and complex mental health interventions. The table below shows mental health infrastructure projects that are currently underway and funded through the HFRG.
Province |
Facility |
Project |
Stage |
Gauteng |
Weskopies Specialised Psychiatric Hospital |
Forensic mental observation unit |
Tender stage |
Sebokeng Hospital |
Attaching a new mental health unit |
Design stage |
|
Limpopo |
Hayani Specialised Psychiatric Hospital |
Forensic mental observation unit |
Tender stage |
Evuxakeni Specialised Psychiatric Hospital |
Hospital revitalisation |
Clinical brief stage |
|
Thaba Moopo Specialised Psychiatric Hospital |
Forensic mental observation unit |
Design stage |
|
Mpumalanga |
KwaMhlanga Hospital |
Attaching a new mental health unit |
Tender stage |
Witbank Hospital |
Revitalisation of the mental health unit |
Design stage |
|
New facility |
Building a new mental health hospital |
Clinical brief stage |
|
KwaZuluNatal |
Benedictine Hospital |
Attaching a new mental health unit |
Design stage |
Bethesda Hospital |
Attaching a new mental health unit |
Design stage |
|
Estcourt Hospital |
Attaching a new mental health unit |
Design stage |
|
Ladysmith Hospital |
Attaching a new mental health unit |
Design stage |
|
Murchison Hospital |
Attaching a new mental health unit |
Design stage |
|
Northdale Hospital |
Attaching a new mental health unit |
Design stage |
|
Port Shepstone Hospital |
Attaching a new mental health unit |
Tender stage |
|
Prince Mshiyeni Hospital |
Attaching a new mental health unit |
Design stage |
|
RK Khan Hospital |
Attaching a new mental health unit |
Design stage |
|
Stanger Hospital |
Attaching a new mental health unit |
Tender stage |
|
Umphumulo Hospital |
Attaching a new mental health unit |
Design stage |
|
Umzimkhulu Hospital |
Forensic mental observation unit |
Design stage |
|
North West |
Bophelong Specialised Psychiatric Hospital |
Building the general psychiatry section |
Tender stage |
General De La Ray Hospital |
Attaching a new mental health unit |
Design stage |
|
Itsoseng Hospital |
Attaching a new mental health unit |
Design stage |
|
Western Cape |
Swartland Hospital |
Attaching a new mental health unit |
Design stage |
Belhar Hospital |
Attaching a new mental health unit |
Design stage |
END.
23 December 2022 - NW4095
Arries, Ms LH to ask the Minister of Social Development
What are the reasons that the R350 Social Relief of Distress grant of caregivers did not reflect on their SA Social Security Agency accounts for the month of October 2022?
Reply:
The COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress for the period of October 2022 was assessed and paid during the month of October. SASSA is not aware of any challenge experienced by beneficiaries relating to non payment for the month in question. However, there may, be challenges with individual accounts that SASSA is not aware of. Individuals who need further clarity on their payment status for a particular month or this month in question (October 2022) can review such on the application portal or by contacting the call centre on 0800 60 10 11 or [email protected]
23 December 2022 - NW4613
Clarke, Ms M to ask the Minister of Health:
(1) What is the (a) total number of acting positions in each hospital in the Republic and (b) breakdown of the specified number in each province; (2) what total number of the acting positions are held by senior staff; (3) what (a)(i) total number of such senior staff have disciplinary processes and/or cases against them and (ii) are the relevant details of the specified cases and (b) disciplinary measures are being taken by his department in this regard? NW5735E
Reply:
The Honourable Member is requested to indicate the levels of the positions she is referring to. The manner in which the question is phrased is very broad as there are many categories and levels.
END.
23 December 2022 - NW4539
Hlengwa, Ms MD to ask the Minister of Health
Whether his department, in collaboration with the Department of Basic Education, has any specified programmes in place to provide spectacles to learners who are visually impaired and who are unable to afford them; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details of (a) the number of learners who have been provided with glasses through the specified programmes and (b) how citizens can access the programmes? NW5668E
Reply:
The department of Health, in collaboration with the Department of Basic Education provides integrated school health program (ISHP) to learners in schools, to among others prevent barriers to teaching and learning. Some of the service include provision of spectacles to learners who are visually impaired. The service provided through this programme include visual assessment which may result in referral of the learner to the next level of care for possible provision of spectables.
(a) the number of learners who have been provided with glasses through the specified programmes and
The actual number of learners who were provided with spectacles are in provinces and Districts as the programme implementerand are reflected here below:
Province |
Data Element |
Apr 2020 to Mar 2021 |
Apr 2021 to Mar 2022 |
Apr 2021 to Sep 2022 |
Totals to date |
Eastern Cape |
Spectacles issued to child - total |
160 |
362 |
264 |
366 |
Free State |
Spectacles issued to child - total |
33 |
401 |
23 |
142 |
Gauteng |
Spectacles issued to child - total |
1 284 |
3 405 |
2 109 |
3 091 |
KwaZulu-Natal |
Spectacles issued to child - total |
3 374 |
4 620 |
3 466 |
3 912 |
Limpopo |
Spectacles issued to child - total |
329 |
494 |
590 |
732 |
Mpumalanga |
Spectacles issued to child - total |
213 |
659 |
469 |
703 |
Northern Cape |
Spectacles issued to child - total |
28 |
56 |
27 |
36 |
North West |
Spectacles issued to child - total |
21 |
188 |
127 |
218 |
Western Cape |
Spectacles issued to child - total |
384 |
3 511 |
1 702 |
3 184 |
South Africa |
Spectacles issued to child - total |
5 826 |
13 696 |
8 777 |
12 384 |
(b) The programme is a school health-based intervention, which is tailor-made for the learners only, due to limited number of school health nurses, hence the modality is delivered for specific grades and not all learners in a school. Citizens can still visit their nearest health care facilitities, where they can be screened for vision and referred to Optometrist for further diagnosis and provision of spectacles if indicated.
END.
23 December 2022 - NW3865
Opperman, Ms G to ask the Minister of Social Development
What steps will her department take in response to the Auditor-General’s finding that her department has not adequately addressed material irregularities related to payments made to beneficiaries who did not qualify to receive the R350 Social Relief of Distress grant?
Reply:
The AGSA made the following recommendations to address the material irregularity findings, which SASSA intends to comply with:
1. Reasonable steps should be taken to implement internal controls to prevent and detect payments to ineligible beneficiaries and these should include verifying the applicants against the latest available databases, maintaining an audit trail of verifications that were performed and cancellation of further payments to ineligible beneficiaries.
a) SASSA has already implemented this at the time the material irregularity was issued. It was also found that a fair amount of the AGSA data was incorrect; thus further pointing to the reliance only on database to be insufficient.
b) As it is not possible to have every single database in the country and noting that these databases are not perfect – a further verification step was implemented in April 2022; whereby SASSA also checks funds in bank accounts against a predetermined threshold. While these have risks as well, they do provide a more reliable, real time data source than the other databases.
2. Appropriate action should be taken to recover payments made to ineligible beneficiaries that were working for the state at the time of applying for the grant. The recovery process should not be unduly delayed.
- SASSA has written to the all the departments who have public servants that may have unduly benefited from the COVID SRD grant requesting them to verify the employment of the officials in their department; and to assist SASSA with debt recovery if employment is confirmed.
- Many of the departments have acknowledged receipt of the request and are eager to assist.
- The Public Service Commission will also assist the department with following up with the government departments; especially those that do not assist.
3. Appropriate action should be taken to obtain legal advice on the process to be followed to recover monies paid to ineligible beneficiaries who are not employed by the state. Based on the legal advice, the feasibility and cost effectiveness of recovering the money should be determined and if it is determined that such recovery is feasible and cost effective then such money should be recovered from the ineligible beneficiaries who are not employed by the state.
a) SASSA will undertake the investigation into determining the feasibility of recovering debt from the non-public servants.
Over and above the AGSA’s recommendations, SASSA is also working with the fusion centre as well as law enforcement agencies to investigate the criminal aspect of defrauding the state. To date, criminal referrals against these public servants is at 887. More cases will be referred during the current and next quarters respectively.
23 December 2022 - NW3861
Hlongo, Ms AS to ask the Minister of Social Development
In line with the theme of Social Development Month, United in the Fight Against Poverty and Other Social Ills, as well as the commitment by her department to build self-reliant communities, what (a) opportunities and (b) partnerships will her department to roll out in the remainder of the current administration to link beneficiaries of grants with sustainable opportunities to sustain their livelihoods?
Reply:
a) The opportunities that the Department will roll out include investing in the capacities of our people and the support of the sustainable livelihood’s interventions in all nine provinces. In celebrating social development Month in October, the department promote procurement from community-based entities especially from women and youth that can participate in the value chain of delivering social development services, e.g. SRD uniforms for kids are sourced from the local cooperatives) These are used as part of empowerment and providing them with opportunities to ensure that they access economic empowerment. All these creates a market for the local producing cooperatives and SMMEs, thereby fostering local economic development through the income generated from the departmental funding.
The department also create opportunities through developing appropriate interventions at Individual, Household and Community level, as support for them through
-
- Further education and training particularly for youth and women
- Linkage with Public employment programs (CWP/EPWP)/Private.
-
- Facilitating the establishment of Co-operatives and SMME (small &medium enterprises).
b) The department through provinces partners with several stakeholders and NPOs to provide sustainable livelihoods to vulnerable and poor individuals and households.
Over the next 3 years the social development portfolio, DSD, SASSA and NDA will be partnering with local NPOs, FINMARK Trust, that has received donor funds from one of the world largest development agencies, BRAC, to pilot the linking of child support grant caregivers to sustainable livelihoods.
The pilots will be conducted in three provinces, KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng and the Free State. This will give a good break down of rural, peri-urban and urban sites.
The pilot phase is lengthy, however the goal is to not only determine feasibility of the project, but to attempt to produce a sustainable programme that is adequately quantified and that can be considered for scaling up.
Two sites have been identified in each province, with a SASSA local office being the focal point. Engagements were held with the local leadership in most of the provinces and the project has been well received. Project managers have been appointed and are expected to assume duty soon. The appointment of firms to do market and livelihood assessments are also in an advance stage.
In addition, the Department is entering into a partnership with the UNDP on the following:
-
- To establish, support and strengthen an integrated Social Entrepreneurship Ecosystem in South Africa
- To support government to provide a robust, coherent and harmonised enabling environment for social enterprises to thrive, including strengthening coordination, partnership, policy, research, advocacy and resource mobilization; and
- To promote a culture of social entrepreneurship through capacity development
It is planned that through this partnership we will further the objective of linking beneficiaries of grants with sustainable opportunities to sustain their livelihoods.
23 December 2022 - NW4697
Hlengwa, Ms MD to ask the Minister of Health
In light of the fact that the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has stated that students who have already completed a qualification and are looking to gain a second qualification do not qualify for NSFAS funding, and considering that the SA Medical Association is calling for urgent action to address the scarcity of healthcare workers in public hospitals, especially doctors, as they report that there is currently less than one doctor per a thousand patients, what plans does his department have in place to collaborate with the Department of Higher Education, Science and Innovation to provide funding for students who are pursuing their undergraduate degree in the medical field whilst already having an undergraduate degree in a different field? NW5820E
Reply:
The Department of Health provides bursaries that are administered by Provinces for students in the medical field to ensure supply of these professionals for the sector. In addition, funding of undergraduate training in the health sciences is subsidized by the Department of Higher Education through allocations to higher education institutions.
Admission to an undergraduate medical training programme is the prerogative of a medical school where the student has applied. Each provincial Department of Health would then evaluate its ability to support such students. The Minister encourages the provincial Departments of Health to provide funding assistance to undergraduate students in the medical field as much as possible.
END.
23 December 2022 - NW4094
Arries, Ms LH to ask the Minister of Social Development
What number of the total number of 761 officials of the SA Social Security Agency who were found to have been involved in fraudulent activities, (a) have faced disciplinary hearings and (b) have repaid the monies they accumulated through fraudulent activities?
Reply:
The figure of 761 is not the number of officials but it is the number of financial misconduct cases. These cases are not related to fraudulent activities, but to the following
- failure to prevent occurrence of irregular expenditure;
- fruitless and wasteful expenditure;
- damages and losses within SASSA.
In addressing these cases, SASSA has implemented the following disciplinary corrective actions: :
a) Disciplinary corrective measures were completed were completed against two hundred and twenty-one (221) officials . The outcomes were used to support submissions of condonation to National Treasury for irregular expenditure cases. It is a requirement that before any condonation is granted the Agency should have completed disciplinary corrective measures.
Consequence measures finalised in relation to employees are reflected in the table below:
Financial Misconduct Cases |
No employees |
No of cases |
Damages and Losses |
105 |
129 |
Fruitless and Wasteful |
15 |
35 |
Irregular expenditure |
101 |
597 |
221 |
761 |
b) Recovery is largely pursued in cases of fruitless and wasteful expenditure or damages and losses.
c) R92 826.39 has been recovered to date based on the payment/recovery agreement with a particular debtor (recovery at times is based on monthly payments).
23 December 2022 - NW3966
George, Dr DT to ask the Minister of Social Development
Whether her department and the National Treasury have agreed on a comprehensive social relief package to address the growing levels of food insecurity in the Republic; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The pandemic and the consequent lock-down exacerbated the loss of household income and increased hunger, which heightened the demand for the Department to provide food relief and Social Relief of Distress (SRD). As a result, the Department, in consultation with the Presidency, National Treasury and other relevant stakeholders, developed and implemented a social relief package for a period of six (6) months which was inclusive of the COVID-19 SRD (cSRD) and social grant top-ups.
However, most of the relief packages came to an end in October 2020 with an exception of the cSRD. It should be noted that the cSRD was initially extended by 3 months to January 2021, then by a further 3 months to April 2021. In July 2022, it was further extended to March 2022, after which it was extended for a full financial year from April 2022 to March 2023 under the Social Assistance Regulations. At its peak, the SRD grant was able to support 10.9 million beneficiaries in March 2022, but this has declined to 8.1 million people as at mid-November, due to stricter qualification criteria. The majority of beneficiaries have confirmed that they used the money primarily for food, followed by electricity and masks for personal protection during the pandemic.
The Minister of Finance in his Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement has announced a further extension of the cSRD until the end of the 2023/24 financial year, which is welcomed by the Department.
The extension of the provision until 2023/24 financial year will provide some assistance to cushion the effects of poverty, food insecurity and the high inflation rate amongst the poor, particularly the working-age population, who have been hardest hit by the pandemic, whilst a sustainable permanent intervention is being explored. Further engagement is ongoing with the National Treasury regarding longer term interventions, including other complementary measures linked to labour activation measures.
The Department also implements the Household Food and Nutrition security programme throughout nine Provinces. Vulnerable and poor individuals aged 19 -59 years are provided with cooked meals served at 282 Community Nutrition and Development Centres (CNDCs) that are spread in the most remote areas of the country.
23 December 2022 - NW4566
Chirwa-Mpungose, Ms NN to ask the Minister of Health
(1) What (a) is the detailed breakdown of the costs of the National Health Insurance (NHI), considering the provincial demands and requirements and (b) are the details of the envisaged and/or proposed means of how the money will be sourced, noting the proposed reallocations; (2) (a) what are the details of the reallocation of funds meant to accommodate the NHI, (b) how will the reallocation impact the current public health system and (c) what are the further, relevant details in this regard? NW5696E
Reply:
(1) (a) The National Health Insurance (NHI) will fund health care for 60m people. The Fund will be established once the Bill is enacted. The current spending on healthcare in the country is R554bn, which is split as follows:
FY21/22 |
||
Rand (bn) |
% |
|
Total public sector health |
265 844 |
48,9% |
Total private sector health |
277 402 |
51,1% |
543 246 |
Donors contribute R11 095bn, bringing total spend to R554 341bn
The NHI Bill provides that the bulk of the public sector health spend will be allocated to the NHI Fund by the normal appropriation route through Parliament.
(b) There is a provision in section 49 of the Bill for progressive introduction of taxes to move voluntary contributions into the Fund. In 2021/22 financial terms around R500bn is the equivalent funding of the present health system and it is these funds that will constitute the resource available to the NHI. This is in the order of 8,5% of GDP. Funds for non-personal health services, and capital for infrastructure development, will remain with the provincial departments.
(2) (a) The sources of funds that are presently spent in the health care system are as follows:
GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT AND ENTITY |
R (millions) |
National Department of Health core |
12 947 |
National Department of Health Indirect Conditional Grants |
85 |
National Department of Health Direct Conditional Grants |
60 000 |
Provincial Departments of Health Provincial Equitable Share |
175 892 |
Defence (SAMHS) |
5 474 |
Correctional Services |
1 216 |
Local government (own revenue) |
5 138 |
Workmen's Compensation contributions |
* 3 502 |
Road Accident Fund levies |
** 1 675 |
Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases (COIDA) |
***????? |
Medical schemes (Employer contribution public service) |
230 618 |
Medical schemes (Employer contribution private employer) |
|
Medical schemes (Employee contribution) |
|
Out of pocket |
38 653 |
Medical insurance |
5 501 |
Employer private (including Occupational Health) |
2 630 |
Donors |
11 95 |
* Unclear what portion is for medical expenses as opposed to other benefits
** Unclear what portion is for medical expenses as opposed to other benefits
*** Unclear what portion is for medical expenses as opposed to other benefits
(b) The public health system will continue to receive the present budget allocation but once the NHI is established the route of funding will change from te current route of Provincial Equitable Shares (PES) via block allocations to provincial governments and managed by provincial treasuries, through the National Vote to the Fund (as the South African Medical Research Council, Council for Medial Schemes and other entities are funded presently). The Fund will pay for the benefits and services provided. The leverage of the monopsony will obviate the challenges of patients moving between provinces and will allow for national interventions to communities that are under-funded (through strategic purchasing). By setting prices nationally the Fund will be able to control excessive pricing and purchase more care with the same funds.
(c) The Fund will also purchase benefits (patient care) from private providers who are presently not accessible to people who do not have medical scheme cover. This will increase the footprint of available services and improve accessibility.
END.
23 December 2022 - NW3880
van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Social Development
With regard to her department’s call centre, (a) what (i) total number of calls are received on average in each month and (ii) number of the specified calls are prank calls and (b) what total number of (iii) calls are not related to issues of gender-based violence and (iv) total gender-based violence cases are successfully attended to in each month through the call centre?
Reply:
a) (i) The department’s call centre during the period April 2022 – October 2022 received a total number of 4148 calls average per month.
ii) Currently GBVCC does not have a system to identify prank callers, all cases are treated as real cases. It is only after many times and or months that a specific official will determine if it is a prank call. Their numbers will reflect as regular callers. Victims of GBVF can sometimes call and drop calls when facing threats, which makes it difficult to always determine prank callers. There are also regular callers who either give feedback, refer cases or need further assistance. This is an area for development.
iii) A total number of 2648 calls were received during the period April –October 2022 that are not related to issues of gender-based violence
Incident Type |
Number of Calls Received: Non GBV Cases |
April |
May |
June |
July |
August |
Septemb er |
October |
Total |
|
Anger Management |
2 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
7 |
21 |
Behavioural Problems |
4 |
9 |
7 |
7 |
5 |
7 |
10 |
49 |
Child Adoption |
1 |
4 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
9 |
Child Custody/Visitation |
12 |
23 |
20 |
10 |
12 |
13 |
10 |
100 |
Child Maintenance |
7 |
4 |
9 |
9 |
8 |
2 |
8 |
47 |
Counselling Death |
1 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
Counselling Depression |
7 |
14 |
17 |
13 |
21 |
8 |
5 |
85 |
Counselling Marriage & Relationships |
22 |
44 |
32 |
18 |
47 |
35 |
35 |
233 |
COVID - 19 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
Economic/Financial Abuse |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
1 |
2 |
8 |
Funding |
0 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
8 |
Home Affairs Related |
9 |
3 |
7 |
2 |
4 |
1 |
5 |
31 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Labour Dispute |
3 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
3 |
3 |
1 |
14 |
Legal Advice |
6 |
11 |
7 |
2 |
12 |
14 |
5 |
57 |
Matric |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
Other type of Incident |
241 |
270 |
218 |
231 |
384 |
213 |
232 |
1789 |
SASSA Grants |
19 |
13 |
25 |
12 |
10 |
15 |
14 |
108 |
Substance Abuse |
8 |
12 |
17 |
8 |
17 |
9 |
9 |
80 |
Xenophobia |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Total |
342 |
415 |
368 |
316 |
535 |
326 |
346 |
2648 |
iv) A total number of 1958 Gender-based violence cases were successfully attended to in each month through the call Centre during the period
Incident Type |
Number of Calls Received: GBV Cases |
|||||||
April |
May |
June |
July |
August |
Septembe r |
October |
Total |
|
Abandoned Children |
2 |
3 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
7 |
Abduction/ Kidnapping |
2 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
0 |
11 |
Assault |
9 |
13 |
6 |
10 |
12 |
14 |
11 |
75 |
Bullying |
2 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
6 |
2 |
4 |
21 |
Child Neglect |
20 |
42 |
38 |
16 |
35 |
29 |
18 |
198 |
Child Pornography |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Elderly Neglect |
2 |
5 |
1 |
7 |
8 |
4 |
6 |
33 |
Emotional Abuse |
41 |
33 |
35 |
37 |
41 |
49 |
28 |
264 |
Forced Initiation |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
Forced Prostitution |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Hate Speech |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
Human Trafficking |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
Incest |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
Indecent Assault |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
Molestation |
0 |
0 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
6 |
Physical Violence |
155 |
175 |
113 |
122 |
158 |
137 |
125 |
985 |
Rape/Corrective Rape |
16 |
34 |
29 |
15 |
23 |
27 |
22 |
166 |
Sexual Harassment |
1 |
2 |
3 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
9 |
Stalking |
0 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
9 |
Verbal Abuse or Intimidation |
24 |
25 |
24 |
24 |
27 |
26 |
16 |
166 |
Total |
276 |
339 |
259 |
238 |
317 |
294 |
235 |
1958 |
23 December 2022 - NW4615
Alexander, Ms W to ask the Minister of Health
What (a) total amount has the National Health Insurance (NHI) cost to date and (b) is the breakdown for each financial year that a budget was allocated toward the NHI, indicating how the money was spent? NW5737E
Reply:
(a) The expenditure that has been ascribed to National Health Insurance (NHI) money has been used to fund efforts to strengthen the health system’s performance in preparation for NHI and not on the actual functions of the NHI Fund. This funding has been allocated through the NHI Grant and has been used to develop and test provider payment mechanisms, expanding the national insurance beneficiary registry, and purchasing and providing a prioritised set of health services. The funding has also been allocated for quality improvement initiatives within the non-personal services component of the NHI indirect grant with the aim of helping facilities meet the envisaged standards required for NHI accreditation.
(b) The breakdown of the NHI Grant allocation is based on both the Direct and Indirect Grants allocated as follows:
Find here: National Health Insurance Direct Grant
23 December 2022 - NW3881
van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Social Development
What are the relevant details of her plans (a) for the employment of social workers who have been trained by the State, but remains unemployed and (b) to have funds ring-fenced for the employment of social workers?
Reply:
What are the relevant details of her plans
a) For the employment of social workers who have been trained by the State, but remain unemployed.
- The Department has developed a draft sector strategy for the employment of social service professionals inclusive of social workers. This sector strategy addresses the employment of Social Service Professionals (SSPs) in Departments, Provinces, Agencies, Local Government, and the private sector.
The plan looks at various opportunities to employ SSPs, but not limited to;
- Employment by Provinces
- Employment by Sector Departments
- Internship program targeting unemployed graduates
- Short-term contracts based on the availability of funds (Presidential Employment Stimulus)
-
-
- Employment through the Health & Welfare Sector, Education, and Training Agency
-
b) To have funds ring-fenced for the employment of Social Workers?
-
- The Department is currently reviewing the request for funding bid for the employment of SSPs, to focus only on Provincial Departments for Social Development.
- The funding bid will be submitted to National Treasury.
- The Department is continuously engaging the provinces and other Departments such as Education, SAPS, and Defence to prioritize and fill vacant SSPs posts.