Questions and Replies
25 November 2022 - NW4017
King, Ms C to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises
Whether, with reference to his comments during the oral question session of 28 September 2022 that training and skills development is done through the Eskom Academy of Learning, the specified academy is operational; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) what (i) total number of students are currently enrolled and (ii) courses are offered at the academy, (b) is work-based training done at Eskom sites (c) what total amount was budgeted for the academy (i) in the (aa) 2019-20, (bb) 2020-21 and (cc) 2021-22 financial years and (ii) from 1 April 2022?
Reply:
According to Information Received from Eskom:
The Eskom Academy of Learning was referred to as the Eskom College and was established in 1984. During the last few years, it went through changes and recently the mandate of the Eskom Academy of Learning (EAL) is: “To build critical capabilities in order to create a highly responsive, multi-skilled, flexible and innovative workforce that adapts to future markets and the new world of work, through cross cutting learning offerings, while simultaneously leveraging the hospitality and capabilities”.
(a)(i) Training that is offered at the EAL is tailor-made for Eskom employees and Year-To-Date (YTD), October 2022, 30 717 employees attended various training interventions.
(a)(ii) The Eskom Academy of Learning provides the following learning and development
offerings:
1. Leadership development:
Offers a suite of leadership development programmes tailored for Supervisors, Middle Managers and Senior Managers. These include but are not limited to:
- 3X core Management Development Programmes (MDP) across all leadership segments.
- 16X short courses. Most frequently booked: mentorship, tough conversations, personal resilience for leaders, leadership mindset.
- 3X Transition Programme for new Senior Managers, Middle Managers and Supervisors.
- Customised leadership offerings to address specific leadership competencies.
2. Functional training:
Offers training which is intended to enable employees to perform their duties and to ensure regulatory and legal compliance. These include, but are not limited to:
- Project Management
- Contract Management and Supply Chain Management e.g., suite of NEC, PIE, and Warehousing.
- Safety, Environment and Quality courses.
- Customer Services courses e.g., Care for Customers and Customer Revenue Billing.
- Finance e.g., Cost Centre Owner and Forex.
- Human Resources e.g., Performance Management and Employee Relations.
- Legal and compliance e.g., Ethics and PFMA.
- Security: National Key Point Management and Firm Arm handling.
3. Technical Training
The EAL offers on-site artisan training which comprises of Control, Measurement & Instrumentation, Electrical, Electrical Line Mechanic, Mechanical and Welding. Engineering training is also taking place at the EAL and at various sites of Eskom.
(b) On-job training is taking place within the different divisions at Business Unit level.
(c) The below table represents the overall Eskom training budget at organizational
level which is inclusive of the EAL’s budget.
Eskom annual training budget – R’m
FY |
Budget |
(aa) 2019-2020 |
1 225 |
(bb) 2020-2021 |
1503 |
(cc) 2021-2022 |
1 154 |
(dd) 2022-2023 |
1 141 |
25 November 2022 - NW3874
Wessels, Mr W to ask the Minister of Finance
(1)Whether, with reference to his reply to question 2436 on 6 July 2022, he will (a) furnish Mr W W Wessels with the data as requested in the specified question, at the available level, from the 1994-95 financial year up to the latest specified date for which information is available and (b) indicate what total number of individuals were reached and/or benefited in each case; if not, why not, in each case; if so, what are the relevant details in each case; (2) whether, in cases where the data applicable to (1)(b) is not available in detail from the 1994-95 financial year to date, it will be provided on the level available; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details
Reply:
With respect to historical spending on the detailed areas previously requested, the National Treasury previously provided a very detailed spreadsheet on each of those areas. This spreadsheet is attached again for your information. We are somewhat uncertain from your question, what further information you are seeking. With respect to beneficiary numbers for each of these services, these data are held by the line departments responsible for each of these services, e.g. the Department of Human Settlements for the number of houses built, or the Department of Higher education and Training for the number of NSFAS beneficiaries. You will need to approach the relevant departments for this information. However, with respect to the number of social grant beneficiaries historically, we are able to provide some information, as attached in the second accompanying spreadsheet.
25 November 2022 - NW3297
Buthelezi, Mr EM to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises
(1) Given that the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy recently announced that the Republic will be forging ahead with its plan to create a new state-owned power company by converting three coal-fired plants in relation to Eskom escalating the Republic to stage 6 load shedding due to the inability to prevent breakdowns at power stations, how has his department partnered with other government departments to address the operational difficulties at Eskom. (2) Whether a comparative cost analysis has been done on the feasibility of a new power company in relation to the current resources needed to financially capacitate Eskom; if not, why not; if so, what is the breakdown of such an analysis. (3) Considering the defects that occurred during the planning stages of projects at the (a) Medupi and (b) Kusile Power Stations, what are the relevant details of the steps that his department has taken to prevent a repetition of the problems that occurred at the specified power stations to occur at other power stations and the proposed new power station?
Reply:
1. The Department is working closely with Eskom and other Government Departments as part of the President Action Plan to address electricity crisis in the country. DPE participates In the National Energy Crisis Committee (NECOM) workstreams that aims to improve Energy Availability Factor (EAF) to reduce loadshedding. Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) is also part of NECOM, and the creation of the new state-owned power company is still speculative. Minister of DMRE is best placed to respond on the creation of the new state-owned power company.
2. The Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy will be appropriate to respond to the question of comparative analysis of creation of new State-Owned Company.
According to Information Received from Eskom:
3. Context – key insights and lessons learnt
Eskom has, over time, reviewed and reflected on the diverse challenges and key lessons learnt in the up-front conceptualisation, strategic decision-making, planning, and execution of the Eskom new build programme. The following Eskom key lessons and initiatives have been recognised to improve management and delivery in the Eskom new build programme and mega capital and investment projects:
- International benchmark lesson: engineering development of mega projects
- Adequate front-end engineering development (FEED) of mega projects: the approach taken in comparable benchmarked projects shows that investment in FEED reduces execution time, reduces capital expenditure, and increases schedule certainty.
- Key benefits of FEED are the development of comprehensive and complete engineering assumptions that significantly improve scoping, planning, plant designs, project schedule delivery, and execution integration and result in significant reduction in contractor claims and improvement in cost efficiencies through effective commercial, procurement, and tender award processes.
- Timely up-front investment decision-making and securing of project funding
- The decision to embark on the Eskom massive and complex new build programme, with three mega projects (Medupi, Kusile, Ingula) executed at the same time, and the national energy supply crisis of 2008 (that is, the loadshedding situation) led to the hurried executive decision for Eskom to start the construction of Medupi and Kusile power plants, which presented multiple risks, including a capital funding shortfall. The Kusile Project was suspended for several months due to a capital funding shortfall. In addition, some gaps were identified regarding a lack of suitably qualified, skilled, and experienced resources from both Eskom and contractors that were not readily available in the market (locally and internationally).
- At the time of the commencement of these mega projects, Eskom had not executed any projects of this magnitude and scale for decades, hence the lack of skills and experience. The critical skills and experience lacking from both Eskom and contractors included engineering planning and design, contracting and contracts management, commercial and procurement management, programme/project management (scheduling and monitoring), and construction management.
- Furthermore, the choice of the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) management multiple contracting strategy versus turnkey in the execution of the Ingula, Medupi, and Kusile Projects, to partly fulfil Eskom’s socio-economic mandate, introduced a project/contract management risk that resulted in ineffective co-ordination/management of the many contracts and contractors. The appointment of experienced and proven global execution partners was intended as a mitigation measure to provide assurance of successful delivery of the projects. Despite the appointment of the execution partners to assist Eskom, the projects experienced significant cost, schedule, and scope overruns. The cumbersome procurement approval processes in Eskom and government were a contributing factor.
- The hurried project development and shortened time spent on front-end engineering loading, with shortcuts taken in design and engineering, led to uncertainty, avoidable design changes, and integration issues, accompanied by significant mega project schedule delays, design defects, and cost escalations. The current major new plant defects are a significant consequence, impacting on the availability and reliability of the commissioned units. This situation, furthermore, led to outstanding licences and approvals that had to be obtained during the execution release approval (ERA) phase, as was the case with land acquisitions, which ultimately had a negative impact on the overall project completion time. Notwithstanding the aforementioned, Eskom managed to deliver the mega projects within the overall range of international benchmark time frames and overnight costs.
- An ineffective contracting strategy and framework, including an insufficient contractual penalties and claims management strategy, contributed to low levels of contractor performance (productivity).
- Ineffective project execution resulted in excessive cost, schedule, and scope overruns in the mega projects due to challenges and inefficiencies in several functional areas: engineering planning and design; project scheduling and controls; commercial and procurement management; contractor management and monitoring; and low levels of performance by execution partners, contractors, and Eskom staff. This inadequate project construction oversight of contractor performance resulted in significant rework (that is, major plant defects).
- Ineffective project governance, oversight, and compliance management resulted in serious non-compliance with Eskom governance processes in the areas of contracts, procurement, commercial, engineering, and National Treasury policies and guidelines, leading to the high incidence of financial irregularities, wasteful expenditure, malfeasance, and corruption.
- Ineffective management of the project statutory and regulatory requirements and risks related to safety, health, the environment, and quality, resulting in delayed project statutory and regulatory approvals (that is, water use licences, permits), with approvals obtained during the ERA phase, and leading to significant disruption and changes to the sequence of the construction schedule.
- Ineffective management of the project industrial relations and social developmental issues resulted in various site worker protests and local-to-site community protests, significantly contributing to project cost and schedule overruns.
Steps to prevent recurrence (Eskom improvement initiatives in the management and delivery of mega projects originating from the referred-to global benchmark and new build programme lessons)
In 2021, based on the key insights and lessons learnt from the disastrous outcomes of the execution of these mega projects, Eskom decided on the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) lump sum (turnkey) strategy for the execution of any future mega projects. This strategy was chosen to ensure the achievement of the best possible project results (that is, cost, schedule, scope) and to maximise the return on capital investment, while minimising risks to the owner (Eskom).
Eskom, through the EPC turnkey strategy, will outsource the critical front-end engineering development (FEED) scope and project execution and completion scope (construction, commissioning, and handover) to a proven, best-in-class, competent EPC turnkey contractor. The EPC turnkey contractor shall establish a single procurement contract to deliver the project for Eskom.
Key benefits of the EPC turnkey strategy for Eskom: the EPC turnkey contractor will appoint and manage subcontractors, which will address the various risks and challenges that Eskom experienced in the execution of the new build programme, while improving project delivery and improving the security of energy supply of the national grid. It will limit and avoid the reoccurrence of corruption, malfeasance, major plant defects, and reputational damage and improve the return on capital investment for Eskom. Eskom’s responsibility shall be limited to conceptual, basic engineering work as part of the Eskom project development function.
In addition, Eskom has created and implemented a project management system, informed by the high-performance utility model (EHPUM) and project life-cycle model (PLCM), with strong capabilities, processes, systems, and tools. The latter forms the basis for a structured approach to improve the management and delivery of mega capital and investment projects.
Progress on fixing the major defects at Medupi and Kusile
The roll-out of the major boiler plant defect solutions agreed with the contractor in 2020 for Medupi and Kusile has been completed. The results are encouraging, showing an improved average energy availability factor (EAF) of 82% over the six months (excluding Unit 4) at Medupi.
At Medupi, the gas air heater, pulse jet fabric filter (PJFF), and boiler plant modifications by the boiler contractor have been implemented on all six units, except for the long-lead milling modifications on all units and the duct erosion modifications on Unit 6.
The first phase of the roll-out (PJFF, GAH mechanical, mill short-lead items) has been completed for all Medupi units and for Kusile Units 1, 2, 3, and 4.
At Kusile, the major boiler plant modifications have been completed on four units (Units 1 to 4). Modifications on Units 5 and 6 are being rolled out during construction before commercial operation.
25 November 2022 - NW3447
Nolutshungu, Ms N to ask the Minister of Transport
What are the reasons that the Road Accident Fund (a) ignored the ruling of the North Gauteng High Court, (b) disregarded the Public Finance Management Act, Act 1 of 1999, and (c) changed its accounting policy in order to hide the R300 billion it has in liabilities?
Reply:
The Road Accident Fund (RAF),
(a) did not ignore the ruling of the North Gauteng High Court (NGHC). The ruling of the NGHC handed down on 24 February 2022 dealt with the merit of the interdict sought by the RAF to interdict the Auditor-General of South Africa from publishing its audit report of the RAF for the financial year ending 31 March 2021 (Part A of the Application), pending the resolution of the substantive dispute between the parties (Part B of the Application). Consequently, the ruling of the NGHC on Part A of the Application does not deal with the dispute related to the RAF’s adoption of a new accounting policy, which dispute is still before the court, to be determined in part B at a future date. The RAF subsequently launched an application for leave to appeal against the judgment in respect of Part A. The matter was heard on 21 April 2022 and judgment was granted in favour of the RAF on 4 May 2022. The judge stated that: “Having read the papers and having carefully heard counsel I come to the conclusion that there is a reasonable prospect that another court would come to a different conclusion on the order of the court.”
(b) did not disregard the Public Finance Management Act, Act 1 of 1999 (PFMA), quite the contrary, the PFMA in terms of section 55(2)(a) places an obligation on the Board of the RAF to ensure that the annual report and financial statements of the RAF fairly present the state of affairs of the public entity, its business, its financial results, its performance against predetermined objectives and its financial position as at the end of the financial year concerned. The RAF is a social benefit scheme as stated in the White Paper on the Road Accident Fund of 1998 approved by Cabinet and effected in the amendment of the RAF Act in 2008. Furthermore, the policy direction of the Road Accident Benefit Scheme as gazetted by the Minister of Transport on 21 November 2011, in the policy paper for the Road Accident Benefit Scheme makes it clear that the policy direction of RAF as a social benefit scheme continues. It is therefore clear that the RAF continues to be a social benefit scheme. Policy continues to be an exclusive competency of the executive arm of the State lead by Cabinet of South Africa. The RAF accounting authority is empowered by section 51(2) of the PFMA which reads thus: “If an accounting authority is unable to comply with any of the responsibilities determined for an accounting authority in this Part, the accounting authority must promptly report the inability, together with reasons, to the relevant executive authority and treasury.” The RAF accounting authority promptly reported its inability to comply, together with the reasons to the Minister of Transport and the National Treasury. The RAF has therefore duly complied with all prescripts including all provisions of the PFMA,
(c) The RAF must in terms of section 55(1)(b) of the PFMA prepare financial statements for each financial year in accordance with generally recognised accounting practice (GRAP) as published by the Accounting Standards Board (ASB). In accounting for its liabilities the RAF is expected to use a GRAP framework and standards as published by the ASB. The RAF as a social benefit fund (provides social welfare as per the White Paper on the Road Accident Fund of 1998), and is excluded from the application of GRAP 19 which provides in paragraph .02 that: “An entity that prepares and presents financial statements under the accrual basis of accounting shall apply this Standard in accounting for provisions, contingent liabilities and contingent assets, except: (a) those provisions and contingent liabilities arising from social benefits provided by an entity for which it does not receive consideration that is approximately equal to the value of goods and services provided directly in return from the recipients of those benefits;…” The RAF in accounting for its social benefits is expected to use the GRAP standard for social benefits. GRAP however does not have a standard for social benefits. GRAP 3, paragraph 8 states that: “In the absence of a Standard of GRAP that specifically applies to a transaction, other event or condition, management shall use its judgement in developing and applying an accounting policy that results in information that is: (a) relevant to the economic decision-making needs of users; (b) reliable, in that the financial statements: (i) represent faithfully the financial position, financial performance and cash flows of the entity; (ii) reflect the economic substance of transactions, other events and conditions, and not merely the legal form; (iii)are neutral, i.e. free from bias; and (iv)are prudent; and (c) are complete in all material respects.” Empowered by this provision of the GRAP standard, the accounting authority then developed and applied an accounting policy that is in line with paragraph 9, 10, 11 and 13 of the same GRAP 3. The RAF then applied its accounting policy developed as stated above to its financial statements which resulted in financial statements providing reliable and more relevant information on the entities financial position, financial performance and cash flows, in line with the GRAP standards and the PFMA. It is therefore incorrect to make an assertion that the RAF has hidden R300 billion. For more information, please refer to the attached explanatory memorandum to the Standing Committee on Public
25 November 2022 - NW3927
Msane, Ms TP to ask the Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities
Aside from drive shows, imbizos and other talk shops, what quantifiable action and measures has she and/or her Office implemented to reduce the rate of gender-based violence in the Republic?
Reply:
In light of the department’s regulatory mandate, we have set out to ensure monitoring and evaluation is a key component of our work. It is important to note that the department is not a service delivery department, but play a key coordination and oversight role.
The department has been at the forefront of coordinating the implementation of the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (NSP on GBVF). The key quantifiable action and measure is the department’s monitoring of the implementation of the NSP on GBVF. This has been done through monthly reports that are sent to the President’s office, as well as accounting to the IMC and through the production of annual reports that are published.
A reflective report on the implementation of the NSP on GBVF for the period May 2020 to September 2022 was developed.
Overall, 65% of the indicators had substantial progress and this comprises 22% achieved and 43% in progress. From a total of 203 indicators, 44 (22%) were achieved as at September 2022; 88 (43%) were in progress; and 71 (35%) of the indicators were either not achieved within the set time frame or not started. The latest report is the, “Reflective report on the implementation of the South African NSP on GBVF”, which was used as the base document for the Second Presidential Summit held from 01st-2nd of November 2022.
Aside from drive shows, imbizos and other talk shops; other progress areas include:
- The development of the comprehensive GBVF Prevention strategy;
- A simplified summary version of the NSP on GBVF was developed to make it easy to sensitise and mobilise;
- Strategic guidance and support was provided to National and Provincial departments including municipalities on the integration of the priorities of the NSP on GBVF in Strategic and Annual Performance Plans, Integrated Development Plans and District Development Plans as part of ensuring budgeting;
- Coordinating the voluntary multisectoral END GBVF collective platform which successfully piloted 100-day rapid response challenges across the six pillars of the NSP on GBVF; and
- Out of 52 District and Metropolitan Municipalities, the establishment of 21 (40%) District level GBVF Rapid Response Teams in five provinces (KZN, EC, Northern Cape, Free State, and Mpumalanga) have been supported.
Lastly, the approach taken for the 16 days of activism is also programmatic as part of ensuring impact of initiatives. This year we have an initiative to empower women through self-defence which is a game-changer in addressing the GBVF scourge.
___________________________
Approved by Minister
Ms M Nkoana-Mashabane, MP
Date:
25 November 2022 - NW3633
Wilson, Ms ER to ask the Minister of Finance
Whether, with reference to his reply to question 56 on 25 February 2022, in which he advised that the most recent update of the National Health Insurance (NHI) cost model was carried out in the 2019-20 financial year and that the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic had not yet been factored into the cost model, he will conduct further financial modelling, taking into account the effects of COVID-19 together with the dramatic increase in the cost of living recently, before any implementation of the NHI in the event it comes into operation in its current form; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
As stated in the previous response, the need for and timing of further updates the NHI costing model will be determined by practical progress with NHI, spending patterns, and the timing of the legislative process. Further cost modelling will need to be informed by further development of the NHI benefit package, healthcare utilization trends and projections, and unit costs. However, the cost model will not automatically translate into budget allocations as these would have to be made as part of the budget process which will take into account the macro-economic environment and fiscal space. We agree that inflationary pressures and effects of COVID-19 are important considerations. It is difficult to give a blanket commitment that any implementation of NHI will not come into operation without further detailed modeling. However, it is likely that a set of gradual, transitional reforms will require more detailed costing in order to assess budget requirements, as opposed to the full national implications of NHI as envisaged in the NHI Bill, which will almost certainly require a major updating of the existing and other cost models. Note that the NHI Bill is still in Parliament and the 2022 MTBPS emphasises that budget allocations in Budget 2023 are more likely to focus on fixing budgetary gaps that emerged after the economic slowdown due to COVID-19 and addressing service backlogs and is unlikely to have a substantial focus on NHI.
25 November 2022 - NW3673
Madokwe, Ms P to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy
(1)What are the reasons that his department did not use the same energy it is using on the Shell Wild Coast matter and lodge as many appeals as possible having understood the complexities and possible dangers associated with mining tailing dumps; (2) whether he has found that the Jagersfontein incident could have been avoided had his department taken heed of the cries of the community in relation to the activities occurring in the mine and appealed the court’s ruling; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The Minister took Office in 2018, almost 11 years after the Free State High Court pronounced that his department cannot exercise jurisdiction under the MPRDA in relation to the tailings dumps in question. Given the lapse of time and considering that the ruling prompted the legislature to consider amending the MPRDA to remedy the legislative lacuna as far back as 2013 when it adopted the MPRDA Amendment Bill of 2013, there are at this stage no prospects of successfully appealing the judgment.
25 November 2022 - NW3784
Msimang, Prof CT to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
(1)What total number of (a) prisons are currently overcrowded to date and (b) projects currently exist to capacitate the specified prisons with the required resources and equipment; (2) Whether there have been any links between the overcrowding of prisons and the health deterioration of some inmates; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) How has he found did overcrowding negatively impact the human incarceration, rehabilitative and human rights imperatives of his department?
Reply:
(1) Attached as Annexure A.
(2) The Department does not have any evidence suggesting a link between overcrowding of prisons and the health deterioration of inmates. Inmates are provided with primary health care services in the correctional centres based on identified health needs and clinical conditions. Where applicable, inmates are referred to external public health facilities for secondary and tertiary levels of health care.
(3) Overcrowding places limitation in terms of space in the facilities for conducting group rehabilitation programmes.
Professionals share offices in some cases and that limits the number of inmates they can consult with per day since they have to alternate and share available common office spaces.
END.
25 November 2022 - NW3914
Madokwe, Ms P to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises
What (a) amount has Eskom invested in power generation since the start of load shedding in 2007 to date and (b) does he make of the concerns raised that Eskom has been producing less and less electricity over the years and had been requesting more funding in spite of significant investment over time?
Reply:
(1)(a) Eskom spent a total of R632.9 billion (excluding capitalized interest) between the start of Financial Year (FY) 2008 (1 April 2007) and the end of FY 2021 (31 March 2021), of which R320.1 billion (50.6%) was focused on increasing installed generating capacity, at:
New stations |
Return to Service (RTS) stations |
1. Medupi 2. Kusile 3. Ingula 4. Sere 5. Angerlig 6. Gourikwa |
1. Camden 2. Komati 3. Grootvlei 4. Arnot |
During this period, total installed capacity increased by 19.9% from 43.0 Gigawatt (GW) to 51.1 GW.
The remainder of the capital spend relates to the expansion of power grids, the refurbishment of all plant and the acquisition of transport fleet, computing equipment, land, buildings, furniture, workshops, and other production equipment. During the period, over 23 000 km of transmission, distribution and reticulation voltage network was commissioned, with an excess of 96 000 transformers being installed, adding over 94 000 Megavolt-ampere (MVA) to the grid.
The annual capital expenditure grew from R23.4 billion in FY 2008 to a peak of R60 billion in FY 2017 during the peak of the generation capacity expansion programme, but subsequently returned to R24 billion in the FY 2021 period.
(b) Energy sales in the period reduced from 224.4 Terawatt-hour (TWh) in FY 2008 to 191.9 TWh in FY 2021 (an annual average contraction of 1.2%). However, the FY 2021 period was impacted by the initial stringent COVID-19 lockdowns, which saw sales decrease by 6.7% from 205.6 TWh in FY 2020 to the 191.9 TWh in FY 2021. Re-working the annual contraction to the end of FY 2020 results in an annual average contraction of 0.7%. In total, over the FY 2008 – FY 2021 period, Eskom sales amounted 3 004.4 TWh; estimated loadshedding impacts over the same period totalled 5.7 TWh (the equivalent of 0.2% of the total adjusted sales in the period).
While of significant impact to the economy, the underlying sales reduction over the period cannot be wholly attributed to the impact of loadshedding since underlying shifts to more energy efficient technologies and a shift/reduction in energy consumption across sectors because of other economic factors, also play a part.
Insofar as Eskom’s energy send out is concerned, cognisance must also be taken of the impact on the country, the Independent Power Producers (IPPs) programme had over the period. Eskom’s contribution has reduced from 95.4% of the energy needed to meet consumer demand in FY 2008 to 90.0% in FY 2021, with the IPP (introduced in FY 2011) contributing 6.0% of the supply in FY 2021 – the balance is linked to the import of energy. Finally, there must also be an appreciation that the Generation plant became 15 years older during this period.
25 November 2022 - NW3555
Herron, Mr BN to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
(1) Considering that according to the Police Statistics released on 19 August 2022, a total number of 286 rapists were convicted between 1 April and 30 June 2022, what total number of rape cases are currently being prosecuted by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA); (2) what total number of rape cases were referred to the NPA in the 2021-22 financial year for a decision on prosecution; (3) of the specified rape cases that were referred to the NPA in the past financial year for a decision, what (a) total number of such cases (i) are currently being prosecuted, (ii) were nolle prosequi and (iii) were referred back to the SA Police Service for further investigation and (b) is the status of the balance of the cases?
Reply:
1. The total number of outstanding rape cases on the court rolls is: 10 118 in the Regional Courts and 5 355 in the District courts. The above is the total number of outstanding cases involving charges of rape as at 28 October 2022. The cases are not recorded in accordance with the dates on which the crimes have been reported at the South African Police Service and cannot directly be linked to the 286 cases reported by the Police for quarter one of the financial year.
2. During the financial year 2021-22, the NPA received 767 799 new dockets for decision. The NPA does not distinguish between crime types.
3. (a) (i) Of the 767 799 decision dockets, which include rape matters, prosecution was instituted in 79 319 cases.
(ii) Of the 767 799 dockets which include rape matters, prosecution was declined in 401 191 cases.
(iii) Of the 767 799 dockets which include rape matters, 283 719 cases were referred for further investigation.
(b) Regarding the balance of the cases, 2 749 were mediated, 770 were adult iversions and 1 816 cases were finalised by way of an admission of guilt. The rest of the cases were referred for an Inquest in terms of the Inquest Act No. 58 of 1959, the accused were referred for mental observation in terms of Criminal Procedure Act No. 51 of 1977, the accused were referred for criminal capacity assessment, finalized by way of an alternative dispute resolution method, diverted where the accused were young offenders and the rest of the cases are pending awaiting the arrest of the accused who absconded after enrolment of the case.
25 November 2022 - NW3390
Nolutshungu, Ms N to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises
In light of the fact that earlier in 2022, the President, Mr M C Ramaphosa, assured South Africans that loadshedding would be a thing of the past, but for the weekend of 10 September 2022 the Republic was on stage six loadshedding, what concrete steps are being taken to make loadshedding a thing of the past?
Reply:
According to the Information Received From Eskom
Loadshedding is used as a last resort when there is inadequate capacity available to supply the demand. This is to protect the system from a total blackout which will be costly to the country.
The main reasons for the inability to meet demand are a national capacity shortage of between 4 000 and 6 000 MW and the availability of Eskom’s Generation fleet, which is below aspiration.
In order to address the availability of the Generation fleet, Eskom is focusing on operational recovery and capacity increase which include:
- Bringing the remaining two (units) at Kusile Power Station online and expediting the return of Medupi Unit 4;
- Implementing reliability maintenance through focus on quality, recruitment of experienced staff, and the utilisation of original equipment manufacturers;
- Addressing Eskom debt to enable required investments;
- Use of climate funding to invest in repurposing and repowering of stations to be shut down;
- Co-ordinated efforts with law enforcement to address sabotage, theft, and fraud at the power stations;
- Focus on six (6) priority stations (Duvha, Kendal, Kusile, Majuba, Matla and Tututka) where the maximum benefit can be achieved by improved performance; and
- Implementation of Presidential Energy Action Plan to address electricity crisis in the country.
The root causes of the current performance were due to late decision to allow Eskom to build new capacity and many years of sub-prudent and efficient cost-reflective tariffs which led to over a decade of “running the stations very hard” with less-than-ideal reliability maintenance and mid-life refurbishments. Until both the inadequate capacity and availability of the Generation fleet are addressed, the risk of loadshedding will remain high.
25 November 2022 - NW3965
George, Dr DT to ask the Minister of Finance
Whether the National Treasury and the Department of Social Development 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 two departments are still engaging on this very complex policy framework given the challenges faced fiscally and the need for better economic growth. As Minister of Finance stated in the MTBPS, “Discussions on the future of the grant are on-going and involve very difficult trade-offs and financing decisions. Despite the provision made in this budget, I want to reiterate that any permanent extension or replacement will require permanent increases in revenue, reductions in spending elsewhere, or a combination of the two.”
Ongoing discussions on social relief responses involve the Department of Social Development, Presidency, Department of Employment and Labour, Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, and are exploring various options taking into account affordability, efficacy in addressing poverty, and possibilities of enabling developmental and long-term economic inclusion outcomes as opposed to focusing only on short term food provision.
DPME is coordinating some of the work assessing performance against the National Food and Nutrition Security Plan, 2018 - 2023. Assuming that 70% of social grant expenditure is spent on food, we estimated that approximately R182.1 billion was spent on food related interventions in 2021/22, as shown in Table 1 below. This includes spending on the school nutrition programme, feeding in ECD centres, clinic based nutritional support and other areas. In our view, the major problem pertaining to access to food is due to demand side factors, such as low household incomes, as opposed to supply side factors.
Table 1. Summary of food and nutrition spending
There is some evidence that child malnutrition and fatality rates from malnutrition have declined over the years (see table 12 and Figures 22 inserted in Annexure 1). There is also some indication that the substantial increase in social grants and UIF during COVID-19 gave some protection against hunger (see Figure 5).
Nevertheless, we acknowledge the pressures on households arising from substantially higher inflation. This is partly why the MTBPS indicates that the SRD 350 grant will be extended by a further year and why temporary support was given to cushion the fuel price increase. The MTBPS suggests that total non-interest expenditure will increase by R52.4 billion in 2023/24 (as compared to Budget 2022 projections). Extension of the SRD 350 grant will be by far the biggest item within this and this reflects prioritisation given to this area.
ANNEXURE 1
25 November 2022 - NW3151
Masango, Ms B to ask the Minister of Social Development
(1)What number of criminal cases has (a) her department and (b) the SA Social Security Agency (SASSA) lodge against (i) any persons who unduly benefited from receiving social grants through fraud and/or corruption and (ii) officials who have helped such persons to unduly benefit from receiving social grants through fraud and/or corruption in the past 10 years in each case; (2) what number of the charges were (a) prosecuted and (b) successfully prosecuted; (3) how regularly does her department train officials from (a) her department and SASSA in order to (i) recognise and (ii) prevent scams and/or fraudulent activities to obtain social grant payments? NW3861E
Reply:
1. (a-b) (i) During the period under review (2012/2013 to 2021/2022 financial years) SASSA referred a total number of 489 cases for criminal investigations and possible prosecution. These cases involved 1174 individuals, (ii) of which 761 were officials as reflected in the table below.
No. |
Year |
Beneficiaries |
Officials |
Money Lenders |
Other |
1 |
2021/2022 |
- |
50 |
- |
- |
2 |
2020/2021 |
17 |
20 |
- |
- |
3 |
2019/2020 |
83 |
16 |
3 |
|
4 |
2018/2019 |
73 |
52 |
1 CPS Official 6 Public Works Officials 5 Former SASSA Officials |
|
5 |
2017/2018 |
38 |
195 |
53 |
7 private person 1 CPS |
6 |
2016/2017 |
1 |
22 |
- |
3 Private Persons |
7 |
2015/2016 |
9 |
337 |
5 Doctors 5 Private persons 3 Former SASSA Officials |
|
8 |
2014/2015 |
- |
3 |
64 |
16 Private Persons 2 CPS Officials |
9 |
2013/2014 |
- |
56 |
- |
|
10 |
2012/2013 |
- |
10 |
- |
03 Former SASSA Official 15 Agents/Tout |
Subtotal |
221 |
761 |
120 |
72 Private persons |
|
Total |
1174 |
2. (a) Of the 489 cases referred to Law Enforcement Agencies, b) 31 were successfully prosecuted.
3. SASSA has an approved Fraud Prevention Strategy that is aligned to the National Anti-Corruption Strategy. (i) Fraud awareness campaigns are conducted on a quarterly basis as per the operational plan. (ii)The emphasis of the strategy is on fraud prevention through fraud awareness capabilities.
25 November 2022 - NW3730
Sithole, Mr KP to ask the Minister of Transport
(1)Whether, considering that the report of the Auditor-General for the 2021-22 financial year states that one of the root causes for the lack of improved audit outcomes and the non-achievement of service delivery objectives is the inadequate monitoring of entities by accounting officers and authorities (details furnished), his department has plans in place to improve the quality of monitoring and oversight of grant management; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) whether his department has plans in place to build capacity and skills within the accounting officers and/or authorities in order to rectify the inadequacies in their monitoring of departmental entities; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1. RRAMS and PRMG is managed through a Conditional Grant Framework which stipulates various responsibilities of the National Transferring Officer (NTO) and the Receiving Officer (RO). Monitoring is done quarterly and through bilaterals and intervention meetings.
There are also Roads Coordinating Body meetings of all Provinces that also help to interface with Provinces and Municipalities on performance and compliance matters.
2. RRAMS has a Capacity Human Development Provision where by the receiving authorities are at liberty to recruit requisite skills and competencies to perform the functions expected from this program.
With regards, the monitoring and oversight of Road Agencies, the capacity at Public Entity Oversight will augment the Roads Branch with highly skilled and experienced persons.
In addition, further training and development programmes will be implemented to further build capacity.
The receiving authorities have been advised to address the shortage of critical skills, which include CFOs and technically skilled personnel both at Provincial and Municipal levels. However, it is worth mentioning that it is difficult for Municipalities to keep these technical skills.
25 November 2022 - NW3634
Masango, Ms B to ask the Minister of Social Development
(a) What total number of SA Social Security Agency offices have outstanding (i) rent and/or (ii) other expenses (aa) in each province and (bb) nationally and (b) for what period has the specified rent and/or expenses been outstanding in each case?
Reply:
a) The total number of SASSA offices with outstanding rent, and other expenses are displayed in the table below:
Province |
i) Rent |
ii) Other Expenses |
Eastern Cape |
1 (one) office |
(0) Nil |
Free State |
3 (three) offices |
2 (two) offices |
Gauteng |
1 (one) office |
(0) Nil |
Kwazulu-Natal |
7 (seven) offices |
1 (one) office |
Limpopo |
3 (three) offices |
(0) Nil |
Mpumalanga |
(0) Nil |
(0) Nil |
Northern Cape |
2 (two) offices |
4 (four) offices |
North West |
2 (two) offices |
(0) Nil |
Western Cape |
(0) Nil |
(0) Nil |
Total Nationally |
19 offices |
7 offices |
b) The period of outstanding rent and other expenses per provinces are displayed in the tables below:
Office |
Rent |
Other Expenses- Municipal service costs |
Reasons and Amount outstanding |
|
Eastern Cape |
||||
1 |
Nelson Mandela Metro District Office |
10 months |
(0) Nil |
The SASSA Nelson Mandela District Office occupies the 6th floor of South African Post Office Main building in Gqeberha. The lease still has 3yrs to go but there has been security, health and Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) related issues that have resulted in actions by organized labour. SAPO has failed to attend to problems that were raised on numerous occasions. It also come to the attention of SASSA Eastern Cape Region that the Department of Labour has also raised OHS non-compliance issues with SAPO. To get SAPO’s attention, SASSA Regional Management resolved to invoke the lease penalty clause and hold back the monthly rental until SAPO attends to matters raised. Amount: R1 026 169.60. |
Free State |
||||
2 |
Hertzogville Local Office |
6 months |
The invoices submitted were invalid. SASSA is waiting for the Local Municipality to correct these before payment can be processed. Amount: R68 603.10. |
|
3 |
Zastron Local Office |
6 months |
6 months |
There are delays in receiving rental invoices from the local municipality for payment. Due Amount: R36 155,20. The municipality submitted invalid invoices for municipal services. The local municipality needs to correct the invoices before payment can be processed (municipal services). Amount: R10 046.10 |
4 |
Welkom Local Office |
8 months |
Delays on signing of the lease agreement by the Provincial Department of Public Works and infrastructure. Amount: R 711 000.00. |
|
5 |
Bethlehem Local Office |
8 Months |
Delays on signing of the lease agreement by Provincial Department of Public Works and Infrastructure. Amount: R 447 096. 00. |
|
Gauteng |
||||
6 |
Kempton Park Satellite Office |
7 months |
There were delays in receiving invoices from the Ekurhuleni municipality, even after consistent follow-ups were made. The invoices were received on 21 October 2022 and payment will be effected by 28 October 2022. Amount: R87 500.00. |
|
Kwazulu-Natal |
||||
7 |
Mbazwana Office |
1 year, 6 months |
Invoices have not yet been received. SASSA was told there is dispute between the District Municipality and Local Municipality as to who holds the centre. There is no lease agreement therefore, the costs have been provided as a contingent liability. Amount: R 284 903.14. |
|
8 |
Archie Gumede Office |
9 years, 10 months |
Invoices have not yet been received. There is also an outstanding lease agreement therefore, they have been provided for as contingent liability. |
|
9 |
Gamalakhe Office |
7 years, 2 months |
No invoices have been received. There is no lease agreement that has been finalised between Ray Nkonyeni Municipality and SASSA. SASSA considered the amount owed as a contingent liability. Amount: R 290 344.76. |
|
10 |
Highflats Office |
3 years |
Invoices have not been received. There is no lease agreement therefore, the amount has been provided for as a contingent. The lease agreement has not been signed by the local Municipality. Amount: R192 544.13. |
|
11 |
Umnini Office |
2 years |
SASSA has not received invoices. The amounts indebted for have been provided for in the provisions and contingent liability. There is a dispute with the municipality over their standard lease clause on insurance for space occupied by SASSA. The municipality is insisting on having the clause included in the lease agreement whilst this is unattainable. The matter is receiving the necessary attention. Amount: R 439 775.54. |
|
12 |
Durban District Office |
5 years,1 month |
Partial payment is being made for space confirmed as correct by SASSA as per invoices for the Local Office. The amounts outstanding have been provided for in the provisions and contingencies as there is a dispute between DPWI acting on behalf of SASSA and PRASA on the actual space provided by PRASA as well as the effective date of the lease. DPWI has been facilitating the addendum to address same. Amount: R 6, 219, 519.29. |
|
13 |
Mbonambi Office |
6 months |
Invoices have not been received. The lease has not been finalised, but SASSA is utilising the space and is obligated to pay for the period agreed upon. Amounts due, have been provided in the contingency and provisions. Amount: R 95 760.00. |
|
14 |
Umlazi Local Office |
13 years |
Payments have been made as per what SASSA determined as the accurate amount owing but there is a dispute as to the amount owed and amounts paid. The amount has not yet been determined. SASSA is in continuous engagements with the municipality in this regard. |
|
Limpopo |
||||
15 |
Mabatlane |
12 months |
The lease was extended in September 2021 and the expense has not been interfaced with Property and Accounts Payable modules. Facilities Management Unit at Head Office has been contacted for assistance. The lease for the previous financial year was accrued. Amount: R62 520.00. |
|
16 |
Limpopo Regional Office |
03 months |
None |
The lease was extended in August 2022, payment will be finalised during October and November 2022. |
17 |
Limpopo Records Management Centre |
02 months |
None |
The lease was extended in September 2022 and payment is in the process of being finalised for payment in October and November 2022. |
Northern Cape |
||||
18 |
Northern Cape Regional |
9 months |
National Department Public Works and Infrastructure has not finalised negotiations with the landlord on certain conditions of the lease agreement. No invoice has been issued by landlord yet. Amount: R2 976 177.00. |
|
19 |
Ritchie Local Office |
10 years |
The Municipal building was previously occupied by DSD. Thus, with establishment of SASSA, it was then shared with DSD and other organisations. Thus, there was no lease agreement between all parties. Various attempts were made with the municipality to correct this matter. The municipality wants to charge SASSA for the entire building instead of a portion that is being occupied. SASSA is disputing the R150 576.18 as it is not apportioned correctly. Amount: R150 576.18. |
|
20 |
Prieska Local Office |
7 years, 9 months |
Siyathemba Municipality (Prieska): In the SLA, SASSA is supposed to pay for municipal services. However, invoices are not forthcoming despite follow-ups made to determine amounts outstanding to make the necessary provisions. |
|
21 |
Phillipstown Local Office |
6 years, 3 months |
Renosterberg Municipality (Phillipstown) SASSA is sharing the building space with the Municipality. Three (3) SASSA officials occupy the building, and the rest of the building is occupied by the Municipality. There is one (1) meter for electricity and water, however SASSA is expected to pay for all municipal services. SASSA has challenged this therefore the correct amount due by SASSA has not been determined. |
|
22 |
Hanover Local Office |
6 years, 9 months |
The Emthanjeni Local Municipality SASSA – In terms of the SLA, SASSA is responsible for 50% of municipal services costs. In SASSA’s books the municipal services have been paid up, whilst on the Municipality’s books SASSA is in arrears. The Hanover Municipality is reconciling its books. The amount to be paid has not been determined. |
|
23 |
Noupoort Local Office |
8 years, 2 months |
Umsobomvu Municipality (Noupoort) In terms of the SLA, SASSA is responsible for 50% of municipal services costs. In SASSA’s books the municipal services have been paid up, whilst in the Municipality’s books SASSA is in arrears. The Umsobomvu Municipality (Noupoort) is reconciling its books. The amount to be paid has not been determined. |
|
North West |
||||
24 |
Moretele Local Office |
one year |
The landlord is a Traditional Council and payment could not be effected as they are not registered on the Central Supplier Database. Intervention from COGTA was obtained to assist them to be CSD complaint, the matter was resolved on 14 October 2022 and as such they will be included in next payment cycle. Amount: R 20 160.00. |
|
25 |
Ratlou Local Office |
five months |
The municipality has not been submitting the invoices on time and in line with the contract conditions. Invoices for the Ratlou Local Office were only received on 05 October 2022 for rental backdating to 01 April 2022. Due Amount: R135 072.52. |
|
25 November 2022 - NW3249
Matumba, Mr A to ask the Minister of Social Development
Whether her department has a plan in place to distribute sanitary towels in the North West the same way free condoms are distributed; if not, why not; if so what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The implementation of the Sanitary Dignity Implementation Policy Framework and the Sanitary Dignity Programme is coordinated and monitored by the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities. The equitable share budget allocation is given to various implementing provinces from the National Treasury. At National level, the implementation of the programme is shared between the Department of Basic Education (DBE) and the Department of Social Development (DSD). National DSD implements the programme in four (4) provinces, which is Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Western Cape and Eastern Cape while DBE is implementing in five (5) provinces, namely Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Northern Cape and North-West.
Moreover, this province has strategically included the target for the provision of sanitary towels in the Annual Performance Plans. Learners who are mostly vulnerable and those in quintile 1 and 2 schools in the townships, villages and farm schools are being provided with dignitary packs on a quarterly basis.
The Department provides sanitary towels, on a small scale, to targeted learners from impoverished households and disadvantaged schools. Also, the provision of sanitary towels is made as a form of intervention during disasters. The Department is targeting 10 000 beneficiaries to receive dignity packs throughout this financial year. In 2016, the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities scaled up the provision of sanitary towels to benefit the majority of girl-children in quintile 1 and quintile 2 schools. During this period, it was decided that the North West Province Department of Education is strategically positioned to roll-out the large scale provisioning of sanitary towels to beneficiaries in that province.
The Department of Basic Education may be in a better position to provide specifics in terms of the number of sanitary towels provided and cost implications.
25 November 2022 - NW3263
Shaik Emam, Mr AM to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
Given the lessons we have learnt as a result of the war between Russia and Ukraine, what is her department doing to increase the production of (a) wheat, (b) maize and (c) other agricultural products to ensure that the Republic is self-sufficient?
Reply:
In order to ensure the production of key grains such as wheat, maize and other agricultural products the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) focuses its efforts on:
- Breeding for high-yielding cultivars and distributing production guidelines;
- Management of plant pests and diseases;
- Release of new varieties with improved performance; and
- Development support to black producers.
Breeding for high-yielding cultivars and distributing production guidelines:
a) DALRRD together with the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) collaborates with partners and role players across value chains to increase agricultural production and productivity of wheat, maize, and other agricultural products to ensure that the Republic is self-sufficient as follows:
- Increase local production of wheat and reduce reliance on imports by breeding for high-yielding cultivars and distributing production guidelines and making information on cultivar choices widely available to producers across major wheat production areas. Production guidelines give farmers information about cultivars that yield more in their respective production areas. Furthermore, better price on wheat has encouraged more farmers to plant wheat this year than in previous years. Expansion of wheat production and other grains in the Eastern Cape is being pursued with a view to initiate wheat breeding programmes directed at releasing high-yielding cultivars for the Eastern Cape.
b) South Africa is currently self-sufficient in maize and is experiencing increased production levels in other crops such as soybean. The ARC conducts National Cultivar Evaluation Trials on an annual basis in collaboration with seed companies, farmers and other stakeholders to ensure increased production and productivity of key crop commodities. These trials are essential for producers to determine cultivars that are mostly adapted to specific production areas with respect to yield, stability and major pests and diseases and therefore crucial for farmers to make correct cultivar choices. Results are disseminated widely in the form of cultivar recommendation booklets, reports, popular publications as well as the ARC website. Diagnostic services are rendered to producers on soil health, pests and diseases together with information on suitable production practices, among others. Regular training services are conducted across provinces focusing on emerging farmers to capacitate them on the efficient and sustainable production of different crops. Emphasis is placed on the adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices such as conservation agriculture and drought-tolerant cultivars. Crop production manuals, such as the Maize Information Guide (MIG), are also available on cell phone Applications (Apps) and updated regularly.
Management of plant pests and diseases:
Surveillance for Tilletia indica (Karnal bunt for wheat) is ongoing and all infested areas are placed under quarantine to control the movement of infested host materials in order to reduce the spread of the disease. Regulatory measures are also in place to prevent the further spread and release of new varieties with improved performance;
Import measures are in place to reduce the risk of the introduction of Maize Lethal Necrosis Disease (MLND) of maize into South Africa. MLND causes stunting, leaf necrosis, premature plant death, malformed partially filled ears, etc. in maize.
Following the introduction of the Fall Armyworm (FAW) in South Africa, the following measures were put in place:
- Surveillance for FAW was initiated and it ensures early detection of the pest and leads to rapid response.
- As collaboration is important in dealing with emergency response to plant pests, a steering committee, comprising of DALRRD, provincial departments, scientists and other industry role players, was formed and it meets regularly. The steering committee discusses best management strategies for the FAW.
- Regulatory measures are in place by way of making amendments to Control Measures R.110 of the Agricultural Pests Act 36 of 1983.
Chemicals to control FAW were distributed to the affected provinces and farmers/growers were encouraged to apply registered chemicals while maize is still at an early stage to suppress FAW.
Release of new varieties with improved performance:
c) The attached tables summarise the number of new varieties released under the Plant Breeder’s Right Act, 1976 as well as the Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) approvals. The availability of new and improved plant varieties contributes to the sustainability and competitiveness of the production of individual commodities.
Table 1: Number of varieties granted Plant Breeder’s Rights for the year 2021/2022
Commodities Financial year 2021/ 22 |
Number of Varieties Financial year 2022/ 23 (to date) |
Number of Varieties |
Maize |
64 |
18 |
White Conventional |
0 |
0 |
Yellow Conventional |
1 |
0 |
White Genetically modified |
26 |
18 |
Yellow Genetically modified |
37 |
0 |
Wheat |
1 |
15 |
Other grains |
||
Sorghum |
0 |
1 |
Sunflower |
7 |
0 |
Soybean |
30 |
24 |
Oats |
2 |
0 |
Barley |
1 |
0 |
Groundnut |
3 |
0 |
Canola |
4 |
0 |
Table 2: New GMO events approved in 2021/2022
Crop |
Event |
Trait |
Category |
Maize |
Bt11xMIR162xMON89034xGA21 |
Insect resistance and Herbicide tolerance |
General release |
Maize |
Bt11xMIR162xGA21 |
Insect resistance and Herbicide tolerance |
General release |
Maize |
NK603 x T25 x DAS40278 |
Herbicide tolerance |
Commodity clearance |
Soybean |
DAS-81419-2xDAS-44406-6 |
Insect resistance and Herbicide tolerance |
Commodity clearance |
Soybean |
MON87701 x MON89788 |
Insect resistance and Herbicide tolerance |
General release |
Table 3: New GMO events approved in 2022/2023 |
|||
Crop |
Event |
Trait |
Category |
Maize |
3272 x Bt11 x MIR162 x MIR604 x TC1507 x 5307 x GA21 |
Insect resistance and Herbicide tolerance |
Commodity clearance |
Development support to black producers
The DALRRD implements a number of farmer support and development programmes such as the Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme and Ilima/Letsema conditional grants aimed at promoting and facilitating agricultural development and increased production by beneficiaries of land reform or other black producers who have acquired land privately. In the 2022/23 financial year, these programmes are targeting to put 88 867 ha of land under the production of which 90% would be grains. The table below reflect the planned production in 2022/23 per province through these conditional grants:
HA |
EC |
FS |
GP |
KZN |
LP |
MP |
NC |
NW |
WC |
TOTAL |
Fruit |
298 |
|
0 |
|
291 |
50 |
|
10 |
|
649 |
Wine & Table Grapes |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6 |
6 |
Vegetables |
1616,8 |
12 |
200 |
2 073 |
878 |
1140 |
140 |
267 |
0 |
6 327 |
Grains (Maize, Dry Beans, Groundnuts, Wheat, Sunflower, Sorghum) |
36 365 |
1414 |
4 000 |
10 465 |
6446 |
15050 |
200 |
6 288 |
0 |
80 228 |
Macadamia/Nuts |
|
|
|
30 |
|
|
|
24 |
|
54 |
Chicory |
120 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
120 |
Cotton |
|
|
|
|
462 |
|
|
|
|
462 |
Fodder |
701 |
210 |
0 |
|
|
|
|
110 |
|
1021 |
TOTAL |
39 100,8 |
1 636 |
4 200 |
12568 |
8077 |
16240 |
340 |
6 699 |
6 |
88 867 |
25 November 2022 - NW3472
van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Social Development
(1)Whether she has been informed of the comments made by the Department of Social Development in Gauteng that no new child and youth care centres (CYCCs) will be funded and/or registered going forward; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) whether she intends to clarify the policy position of her department on nongovernmental organisations (NGO) and nonprofit organisations (NPO) as there is an anti-NGO and/or NPO sentiment emanating from some sectors of her department and some provincial departments; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) whether she will furnish Ms L L van der Merwe with a copy of the report that was said to have been commissioned by her department in December 2020 that looked at CYCCs in the past seven years and pointed to the fact that they are not full to capacity; if not, why not, if so, (a) on what date and (b) what are the relevant details; (4) what continues to cause the late payment and/or nonpayment of NGOs/NPOs?
Reply:
1. The National Department is aware that the Gauteng Department of Social Development will not fund new CYCCs in the 2023/2024 financial year in line with the Institutional Re-alignment Project (IRP) that seeks to build state capacity and reduce over-reliance on NPOs. The Gauteng Department will continue to partner with NPOs that are compliant with the funding requirements and are registered in terms of the provisions of Children’s Act 38 of 2005 as CYCCs or any other relevant programme legislation such as Older Persons Act 13 of 2006 or Prevention of and Treatment for Substance Abuse Act 70 of 2008. Furthermore, funded NPOs must be compliant with the NPO Act. The CYCCs that were funded during 2022/2023 and are compliant with above-mentioned legislation will continue to be funded during 2023/2024. The Department continues to register CYCCs or any other NPO/entity that applies for service registration provided that these comply with all the registration requirements. It must be noted that NPO registration does not automatically translate in funding by the Department. Funding is informed by priorities of the provincial department such as programme emphasis, service areas, geographic priorities and the availability of funds. Building state capacity to deliver constitutionally-mandated services, while retaining critical identified partnerships with the NPO sector, remains a priority for the Gauteng Department of Social Development (GDSD).
2. In line with the IRP, the GDSD is strengthening its monitoring of NPOs and ensuring compliance with relevant legislative mandates. The Department is also reviewing how NPOs were previously funded. These level-headed initiatives have caused discomfort in some sections of the NPO sector. As a result, the narrative that the Department is introducing these initiatives primarily to close NPOs down is being publicised. Of course this is incorrect. NPOs continue to play a critical role in identifying social problems, finding solutions, and even achieving social objectives in numerous areas that the Department cannot cover efficiently. They operate at the coal-face. It is for this reason that, in service of the people, effective partnerships between government and NPOs will continue. Therefore, it is not correct that the Department has anti-NPOs. It remains the responsibility of the NPO to comply fully with relevant legislation while demonstration return-on-investments on public resources.
3. (a) and (b)
The department is not aware of the report commissioned in 2020 that looked at CYCCs in the preceding seven years. However, as part of ongoing monitoring, funded CYCCs and other residential facilities are expected to submit their occupancy status reports.
4. Reasons for the delays on payments is non-compliance by NPOs which are not meeting all funding requirements as legislated. Funding of non-compliant NPOs poses a huge risk for the Department and the public as the quality of services to beneficiaries may be compromised due to non-adherence to prescribed legislation and norms and standards.
25 November 2022 - NW3629
Abrahams, Ms ALA to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
With reference to the Quarter One SA Crime Statistics for the 2021-22 financial year, pertaining to crimes committed against children, what is the total number of (a) successful convictions, (b) cases that were dismissed and/or acquitted as a result of poor and/or incomplete investigations by the SA Police Service, (c) cases withdrawn by the victim and/or victim’s family, (d) cases awaiting trial, (e) cases awaiting sentencing and (f) cases still under investigation in each province for (i) rape, (ii) sexual assault, (iii) attempted sexual offence and (iv) kidnapping?
Reply:
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) prioritises all Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) matters and more especially where the victims are children. The Sexual Offences and Community Affairs (SOCA) Unit within the NPA is tasked with, inter alia, ensuring increased access to justice for victims of GBV as well as optimal management of these matters in a victim responsive manner, in line with the Strategic Plan of the NPA. This is done by providing pre-trial and court preparation services, often in collaboration with Civil Society Organisations (CSO), at its sixty-one (61) Thuthuzela Care Centres (TCCs) across the country. These one-stop centres provide a variety of essential psycho-social, medical and legal services thus creating a safe space for child victims to report offences against them and receive services that are empowering them to transform into survivors. Specialised training is also provided to prosecutors in dealing with child victims and their testimonies. Whilst prosecutors in court are prioritising these matters, data is not kept for offences committed against children specifically.
During the Quarter 1 of 2021/22 financial year (April to June 2021), the following was not recorded in respect of crimes against children:
- The total of successful convictions;
- The total number of dismissals or acquittals, nor the reason(s) for the acquittal;
- The information regarding cases withdrawn by the victim and/or victim’s family;
- The number of cases awaiting trial;
- The number of cases awaiting sentencing; and
- The NPA is also unable to supply information pertaining to cases still under investigation in each province for (i) murder, (ii) attempted murder, (iii) assault with the intent to inflict grievous bodily harm and (iv) common assault as it is not recorded by the NPA but the SAPS.
The number of cases reported by SAPS includes matters where the decision was taken to not prosecute where the offender is also a child and below the age of criminal capacity or whether the child victim was too traumatised to proceed or where there is insufficient evidence to proceed.
25 November 2022 - NW3936
Ismail, Ms H to ask the Minister of Health
(1)What (a) number of bursary programmes does his department run annually, (b) is the (i) total monetary value and (ii) breakdown of all programmes, (c) number of persons receive bursaries from his department annually and (d) total amount has his department lost because of the irregularities in the allocation of the specified bursaries; (2) whether any officials of his department have been suspended, disciplined and/or dismissed from his department because of the alleged irregularities; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details with regard to the (a) number of the officials who were suspended, disciplined and/or dismissed from his department, (b) date on which they were suspended, disciplined and/or dismissed, (c) positions of the officials against whom the steps were taken and (d) number of persons who have been found to have benefited irregularly from the bursaries and how they allegedly benefited irregularly; (3) whether any officials of his department have been suspended, disciplined or dismissed from his department because of the irregularities; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details with regard to the number and the positions of the officials?
Reply:
(1. a) The National Department of Health has one Corporate Bursary Programme which targets only employees of the National Department of Health and its satellite offices.
(b) (i) The funding allocation for audited years:
Audited Year |
Allocation |
Expenditure |
2020/21 |
R1,200,000.00 |
R408,240.88 |
2021/22 |
R1,500,000.00 |
R746,040.45 |
(ii)
The department has only 1 Corporate Service Bursary programme.
(c) Employees who received bursaries are as follows:
Audited Year |
Number of beneficiaries |
2020/21 |
06 |
2021/22 |
16 |
2022/23 |
The Study Assistance Committee is finalizing the adjudication process |
(d) The department did not encounter any irregularity for the audited financial years and as such did not lose any money. The programme is audited on a regular basis and no findings were flagged during the audited financial years.
(2) (a) there are no officials that were suspended, disciplined and/or dismissed because there has not been any reported irregularly in relation to the bursaries offered by the National Department of Health.
(b) based on the response in part (a) above, the question is therefore not applicable
(c) based on the response in part (a) above, the question is therefore not applicable
(d) based on the response in part (a) above, the question is therefore not applicable
(3) There are no officials that were suspended, disciplined and/or dismissed because there has not been any reported irregularly in relation to the bursaries offered by the National Department of Health
END.
25 November 2022 - NW3370
Chabangu, Mr M to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises
Whether he has found that Eskom can be rescued under the present conditions it operates in; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the full details of the rescue plan?
Reply:
According to Information Received From Eskom
Eskom is critical to the economy of South Africa, and it is thus imperative that Eskom is enabled to provide consistent and reliable electricity to the country. In order to achieve this, assistance in addressing Eskom’s unsustainable debt is required from the Government and this will be done as committed by the Minister of Finance in his Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement on 26 October 2022.
Secondly, additional capacity is urgently required nationally, not only to address the current shortfall, but also to provide Eskom enough maintenance space to execute essential reliability maintenance and to replace the capacity of its coal units that are to be shut down.
Thirdly, Eskom will improve its operational performance and increase its generation capacity through a number of interventions, including:
- Bringing the remaining two (units) at Kusile online and expediting the return of Medupi unit 4;
- Implementing reliability maintenance through focus on quality, recruitment of experienced staff, and the utilisation of the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs);
- Addressing Eskom debt to enable required investments;
- The use of climate funding to invest in repurposing and repowering of stations to be shut down;
- Coordinated efforts with law enforcement to address sabotage, theft, and fraud at power stations; and
- Focus on six (6) priority stations (Duvha, Kendal, Kusile, Matla, Majuba and Tutuka) where the maximum benefit can be achieved by improved performance.
Fourthly, the Presidential Energy Action Plan was developed to address Eskom generation challenges. The root causes of the current performance are due to late decision by the Government to allow Eskom to build new generation capacity and many years of sub-prudent and efficient cost reflective tariffs which led to over a decade of “running the stations very hard” with less-than-ideal reliability maintenance and mid-life refurbishments.
The “Rescue Plan” of Eskom requires inadequate capacity and inadequate funding as well as availability of the Generation fleet to be addressed.
25 November 2022 - NW2538
Siwisa, Ms AM to ask the Minister of Social Development
What (a) recent initiatives has she taken to abolish the practice of Ukuthwala, which remains prevalent in some parts of the Republic and (b) measures have been put in place to ensure that parents and/or guardians who subject young girls to the specified practice are held accountable?
Reply:
a) The practice of ukuthwala is not legalized in the country, and the Department of Social Development together with all of government supports this stance. Therefore, the Department is against the practice of ukuthwala and advocates against its practice. On this backdrop, it is important to note that the continuity of this practice has been masked as a customary practice. This is notwithstanding the fact that it is being denounced by the custodians of customary practices. Ukuthwala occurs without the consent of its victims. It violates the victims’ right to dignity. This practice is associated with the kidnapping, assault and rape of young girls by older men who force them into customary marriages. It is a cross-cutting issue and fighting it requires collaboration with other departments such as, for instance, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) and South African Police Service (SAPS). This practice has been reported mainly in KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape provinces.
The Department of Social Development in partnership with other government departments is on a standing 365 days campaign on the protection and prevention of violence against women and children. Among the messages that we communicate through this permanent campaign is to advocate against the practice of ukuthwala. In particular in the Eastern Cape province we are embarking on a number of initiatives in this regard, including conducting educational programmes at schools and communities to empower children and parents about the infringement of children’s rights through ukuthwala. Where cases of statutory rape and forced marriages are identified, these cases are reported to SAPS and victims are provided with therapeutic services. In KwaZulu Natal, the district municipalities that are mostly affected by the scourge of ukuthwala are Uthukela and Harry Gwala. Led by Social Development, the relevant prevention and intervention programmes were implemented in an integrated approach together with all the stakeholders including the Department of Health, Amakhosi and the National Prosecuting Authority. A stakeholder’s forum has been established whereby Amakhosi in the affected areas are leading the awareness campaign against ukuthwala and other social ills. These ongoing initiatives have resulted in reduced cases of ukuthwala. Now there are improved levels of assertiveness by families and young girls against ukuthwala, ant these cases are being reported to SAPS. The social workers that we placed in police stations through lifeline as well as in Thuthuzela centres are providing psychosocial support and therapeutic services to the affected community members.
Further, from May 29 to 5 June 2022 the Department was part of the government-wide annual Child Protection Week Campaign. This year’s campaign had a particularly strong focus on teenage pregnancy. It is important to point out that some of the young girls who are victims of ukuthwala get pregnant and miss out on their rights to education, dignity and health. Furthermore, the Department worked with the provincial offices on child rights (ORCs) during this year’s commemoration of the Day of the African Child under the theme: “Advocating against harmful cultural practice” with the focus on protecting girls against ukuthwala as well as boys against attending unregistered initiation schools. The outcome of the two campaigns led to increased awareness on the violation and protection of the rights of children.
Even though the incidents of ukuthwala have only been reported in KZN and EC, the Department plans to extend its campaign to other provinces as a preventative measure. It is believed that awareness campaigns may limit the spread of ukuthwala as these target changing mindsets about the practice. The next campaign is targeted in Mpumalanga during the current financial year.
b) The perpetrators of ukuthwala (including the instigator and parents if they collaborate with the instigator) are administered in terms of the applicable legislative framework relevant to the specific matter that is associated with ukuthwala such as rape (including statutory rape if the victim is a child), contravening the Marriage Act, kidnapping, trafficking of persons, defeating the ends of justice, etc. Criminal charges should send a strong message to discourage the practice of ukuthwala.
Furthermore, the victims of ukuthwala are offered psycho-social support services by qualified professionals and they can reach out to the Department via our toll-free number 0800 428 428. This is supported by a USSD, “please call me” facility: *120*7867#. A Skype Line ‘Helpme GBV’ for members of the Deaf community also exists. (Add ‘Helpme GBV’ to your Skype contacts). An SMS-based Line 31531 for persons with disabilities (SMS ‘help’ to 31531) also exists. Victims of ukuthwala are further referred to applicable health and justice services.
25 November 2022 - NW3480
Msimang, Prof CT to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
What (a) is the total number of wrongful convictions that were handed down in the Republic in the past three financial years and (b) is the position of his department in this regard? [
Reply:
1. Wrongful convictions are not part of the key Judicial Indicators although the number of Appeals finalised are being monitored.
2. Judicial functions were delineated from the Office of the Chief Justice planning documents from 2017/2018 going forward.
3. The Chief Justice however presents the Judiciary Annual report at the Judiciary day. The report is available on the Judiciary website.
25 November 2022 - NW3999
Siwisa, Ms AM to ask the Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities
(1)(a) What initiatives has she taken regarding the shortage of shelters for gender-based violence victims and (b) how does her department assist the specified victims where there are no shelters; (2) Whether any assistance has been requested from the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure pertaining to the availability of buildings; if not, what are the reasons for not requesting such buildings; if so, what was the response regarding the request?
Reply:
1. Shelters and interim housing arrangements do not fall within the department’s remit. However, the Department in its key role in overseeing the implementation of the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide took the initiative and reached out to the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure pertaining the availability of unused government buildings to be used as shelters for abused women. Specifically, this effort aimed to (a) address the shortage of shelters for victims/survivors; and (b) ensure establishment of additional shelters in communities so that victims/survivors can better be served as well as accommodate LGBTQIA+ community, children and persons with disabilities.
2. The Department monitored the Department of public works and Infrastructure on the buildings they planned to offer to the Department of Social Development and also facilitated ongoing discussions between both departments to conclude on drafted Memorandums of Understandings (MOUs) on this initiative.
___________________________
Approved by Minister
Ms M Nkoana-Mashabane, MP
Date:
25 November 2022 - NW3501
Kruger, Mr HC to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
What (a) number of skill development programmes for small-scale farmers does her department offer and (b) amount has her department spent on each respective skill development programme for entrepreneurs in each of the previous five financial years?
Reply:
a) The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) offers training and capacity-building programmes to smallholder farmers/producers with the Provincial Departments of Agriculture through the Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme (CASP). Skills development and mentorship was provided under the following 5 broad categories:
- Production: livestock, pig, goat, poultry, vegetable/crop, plant, beef, dairy etc;
- Business and Entrepreneurship: farm management, marketing, financial management, project management, organisational management, conflict management, record keeping;
- Technical: welding, tractor and irrigation maintenance, fencing, etc;
- Occupational Health and Safety: safe use of chemicals, first aid, pest control etc; and
- Mentorship: people management skills, business management skills, production/technical skills and activities, social skills etc.
b) For the last 5 years, 2017/18 – 2021/22, DALRRD offered skills programmes and mentorship to 104 660 beneficiaries and R398 565 000 was spent as outlined below.
Table 1: Budget spent on training and mentorship per province per financial year for the previous 5 years (2017/18 - 2021/22):
Province |
Year |
Total Budget over 5 Years |
||||
2017/18 |
2018/19 |
2019/20 |
2020/21 |
2021/22 |
||
Eastern Cape |
R5 773 000 |
R6 391 000 |
R8 600 000 |
R6 232 000 |
R16 201 000 |
R 43 197 000 |
Free State |
R10 231 000 |
R7 194 000 |
R6 900 000 |
R8 700 000 |
R15 043 000 |
R 48 068 000 |
Gauteng |
R9 307 000 |
R7 724 000 |
R7 489 000 |
R3 000 000 |
R8 100 000 |
R 35 620 000 |
KwaZulu-Natal |
R7 100 000 |
R10 500 000 |
R8 000 000 |
R8 000 000 |
R15 043 000 |
R 48 643 000 |
Limpopo |
R8 691 000 |
R9 165 000 |
R8 276 000 |
R10 000 000 |
R15 043 000 |
R 51 175 000 |
Mpumalanga |
R7 322 000 |
R4 545 000 |
R7 033 000 |
R12 143 000 |
R13 886 100 |
R 44 929 100 |
Northern Cape |
R2 800 000 |
R1 800 000 |
R1 500 000 |
R8 520 000 |
R9 257 400 |
R 23 877 400 |
North West |
R10 695 000 |
R9 000 000 |
R13 767 000 |
R12 468 000 |
R13 886 100 |
R 59 816 100 |
Western Cape |
R8 995 000 |
R9 406 000 |
R9 751 000 |
R5 830 000 |
R9 257 400 |
R 43 239 400 |
Total |
R 70 914 000 |
R 65 725 000 |
R 71 316 000 |
R 74 893 000 |
R 115 717 000 |
R 398 565 000 |
Table 2: Number of beneficiaries trained per province per financial year for the previous 5 years (2017/18 - 2021/22):
Province |
Year |
Total Beneficiaries Trained over 5 Years |
||||
2017/18 |
2018/19 |
2019/20 |
2020/21 |
2021/22 |
||
Eastern Cape |
2 137 |
2 919 |
1 683 |
1 108 |
1 550 |
9 397 |
Free State |
1 816 |
0 |
402 |
811 |
1 221 |
4 250 |
Gauteng |
3 373 |
4 130 |
698 |
154 |
1 526 |
9 881 |
KwaZulu-Natal |
833 |
2 133 |
755 |
536 |
734 |
4 991 |
Limpopo |
1 268 |
2 561 |
2 802 |
2 451 |
3 297 |
12 379 |
Mpumalanga |
8 246 |
9 596 |
7 372 |
5 911 |
3 155 |
34 280 |
Northern Cape |
1 854 |
2 416 |
2 201 |
1 206 |
295 |
7 972 |
North West |
1 010 |
1 711 |
1224 |
488 |
1 193 |
5 626 |
Western Cape |
2 943 |
1 693 |
1746 |
2 557 |
4 352 |
13 291 |
Total |
23 480 |
27 159 |
18 883 |
15 222 |
17 323 |
102 067 |
Table 3: Number of beneficiaries who received mentorship per province per financial year for the previous 5 years (2017/18 - 2021/22):
Province |
Year |
Total Beneficiaries Mentored over 5 Years |
||||
2017/18 |
2018/19 |
2019/20 |
2020/21 |
2021/22 |
||
Eastern Cape |
116 |
375 |
0 |
0 |
14 |
505 |
Free State |
17 |
0 |
0 |
104 |
205 |
326 |
Gauteng |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
KwaZulu-Natal |
0 |
0 |
0 |
343 |
81 |
424 |
Limpopo |
57 |
73 |
71 |
119 |
103 |
423 |
Mpumalanga |
43 |
200 |
65 |
0 |
262 |
570 |
Northern Cape |
25 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
25 |
North West |
14 |
0 |
0 |
30 |
0 |
44 |
Western Cape |
36 |
159 |
9 |
37 |
35 |
276 |
Total |
308 |
807 |
145 |
633 |
700 |
2 593 |
25 November 2022 - NW3929
Tshwaku, Mr M to ask the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition
Whether he has found that the Republic, through its industrial policy, is going backwards and de-industrialising; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; 2) by what date will the Republic stop exporting raw materials and start with the beneficiation of minerals especially chrome and platinum to create jobs; 3) whether he has found that industrialisation that is led by the State, in a similar fashion as in Vietnam and China, is the best way to practice industrialisation; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
During the Uruguay Round of multilateral trade talks that commenced in 1986, the National Party government of the time bound South Africa to substantial trade liberalization commitments that were incorporated in the terms of South Africa’s accession to the World Trade Organisation in 1994. Details of the background hereto was provided in a presentation made by the Ministry to the Portfolio Committee on Trade and Industry on 15 November 2022. The rapid liberalization without supportive industrial policies to address the lack of competitiveness of major parts of the pre-1994 industrial base, led to a sharp decline in the proportion of GDP made up by manufacturing output, in other words, a de-industrialisation of the economy.
In 2019 at the start of the current Administration, the President outlined the basic elements of a ‘re-imagined industrial strategy’ that placed deeper local industrialisation at the core of public policy. Though interrupted by the global economic disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, key elements of this reindustrialization strategy are being implemented. These include the following:
- the focus on sector-level industrial plans agreed with business and labour, through a number of Master Plans agreed for a number of sectors, complemented by efforts during Covid-19 to build the medical industrial sector
- the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery plan and the Accord on Localisation agreed with social partners at Nedlac, covering 42 product categories and a number of value-chains
- protection of local industry through appropriate tariff increases on industrial and agricultural products; or where warranted, decreases in duties applicable through rebates of duty;
- industrial support measures to address structural inefficiencies and assist with structural transformation of sectors
- the focus on trade with the rest of the African continent, including through trade agreements such as the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (the AfCFTA); and
- the identification of and support to beneficiation and green industrial projects.
The Portfolio Committee on Trade and Industry has been provided with periodic reports on progress made in these areas, including most recently with the detailed half-year report on the 2022/23 Annual Performance Plan, provided to the Committee on 1 November 2022. The Honourable Member is invited to consider the details provided therein.
Reports on mineral beneficiation have been provided in the quarterly updates by the Department to the Portfolio Committee. Our natural endowment of primary minerals and its beneficiation is an opportunity to promote further industrialisation. At the start of this year the dtic along with the IDC and the DMRE institutionalised the Inter-Agency Working Group on Minerals Beneficiation to align priorities and improve the impact. The Working Group focus currently is on Minerals that go into our renewable energy distribution and generation transition, including battery energy storage, and jewellery minerals.
With regards to Platinum Group Metals (PGMs), a PGMs roadmap is being worked on with Mintek with the departments responsible for mineral resources and energy (DMRE) and science and innovation (DSI) that includes projects focused on the hydrogen economy, batteries, new medical equipment and products, and catalysts.
The chrome beneficiation value-chain already focuses on stainless steel products manufacturing and smelting within the Republic. Impediments to our mineral endowment beneficiation strategies include inadequate freight rail infrastructure and the availability and price of energy.
South Africa is learning from experiences of industrialisation by a number of countries, including fast-growing Asian economies such as China, though conditions in each country are different. For example, China is able to leverage off its massive domestic market of 1,5 million consumers and its early phase of industrialisation was based inter alia on lower input costs that what applies in South Africa. To address scale, South Africa is working with neighbouring countries to finalise a free-trade agreement covering countries on the African continent to create a larger market for local producers. To address input costs, the focus will be on improved industrial dynamism and multi-factor productivity.
Our industrialisation efforts are focused on strategic industries, defined by their capacity to be labour absorbing or providers of critical public goods or significant earners of foreign exchange. Many of the world’s largest economies including the United States, China, India and countries in the European Union continue to actively protect and promote their domestic firms through a range of policy measures in order to retain and change the structure of their respective economies.
Government’s industrialisation initiatives such as encouraging localisation of production; social compacts in the form of Master Plans; strong industrial supply chains to underpin our response to COVID-19 and create an African medical productive hub; or our work on the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), have all sought to provide local industry with the space and opportunity to acquire the know-how and capabilities to develop dynamic firms, grow the economy, create jobs for the citizens of the South Africa.
-END-
25 November 2022 - NW3995
De Freitas, Mr MS to ask the Minister of Health
With reference to the South Rand Hospital in Johannesburg, what (a) is the current staff complement, (b) was the absentee record (i) in each month (aa) in the (aaa) 2020-21 and (bbb) 2021-22 financial years and (bb) from 1 April 2022 to date and (c) processes, procedures and mechanisms are in place to ensure that staff is always present during all required working hours in each case?
Reply:
(a) According to the South Rand hospital management the current staff complement in the hospital is six-hundred and twenty-nine (629) with a vacancy of twenty-six (26).
(b) (i)(aa)(aaa) Table 1 below indicate absentee record in each month for financial year 2020/21
Financial year 2020/21 |
Absentee record (raw number) |
Absentee record (percentage) (N=629)
|
April |
19 |
3% |
May |
31 |
5% |
June |
38 |
6% |
July |
57 |
9% |
August |
25 |
4% |
September |
38 |
6% |
October |
31 |
5% |
November |
25 |
4% |
December |
25 |
4% |
January |
25 |
4% |
February |
25 |
4% |
March |
19 |
3% |
Annual average |
31 |
5% |
(b) (i)(bbb) Table 2 below indicate absentee record for financial year 2021/22
Financial year 2021/22 |
Absentee record (raw numbers |
Absentee record (percentage) (N=629) |
April |
19 |
3% |
May |
25 |
4% |
June |
57 |
9% |
July |
31 |
5% |
August |
31 |
5% |
September |
25 |
4% |
October |
13 |
2% |
November |
31 |
5% |
December |
57 |
9% |
January |
38 |
6% |
February |
16 |
2.5% |
March |
19 |
3% |
Annual Average |
31 |
5% |
(bb) Table 3 below indicate absentee record for financial year 2022/23
Financial year 2022/23 |
Absentee record (raw numbers |
Absentee record (percentage) (N=629) |
April |
25 |
4% |
May |
25 |
4% |
June |
31 |
5% |
July |
38 |
6% |
August |
25 |
4% |
September |
25 |
4% |
(c) The hospital has processes, procedures and mechanisms to always ensure staff attendance
- All employees are required to record their attendance in the Z8 register daily by entering the time they report for and leave work.
- The leave register is also used to manage staff attendance for both sick and vacation.
- Shift supervision in each department to verify employee attendance during all required working hours.
END.
25 November 2022 - NW3850
De Freitas, Mr MS to ask the Minister of Health
(a) What total budget and/or grants were provided to the South Rand Hospital in Johannesburg (i) in the past three financial years and (ii) from 1 April 2022 to date, (b) what mechanisms and processes exist to ensure that the highest level of service is provided at the specified hospital and (c)(i) what is the current staff vacancy rate, (ii) what are the reasons that the specified positions have not yet been filled in each case, (iii) how are the functions being fulfilled whilst the respective posts are unfilled in each case and (iv) on what date will the current staff vacancies be filled in each case and (d) what are the time frames and deadlines for filling each vacancy?
Reply:
According to information received from the Gauteng Provincial Department of Health, the response is as follows:
a) (i)–(ii) The total budget and/or grants provided to the South Rand Hospital in Johannesburg in the past three fiscal years and from 1 April 2022 to date
VOTED FUNDS |
|||
Budget allocated |
Expenditure |
Over/Under spending |
|
i) Voted funds 2019/20 |
|||
i) Voted funds 2020/21 |
R 302,152,000.00 |
R 318,170,000.00 |
-R 16,018,000.00 |
i) Voted funds 2021/22 |
R 310,035,000.00 |
R 339,099,000.00 |
- R 29,064,000.00) |
ii) Voted funds 2022/23 |
R 328,027,000.00 |
R 161,235,000.00 |
R 166,792,000.00 |
CONDITIONAL GRANTS |
|||
Budget allocated |
Expenditure |
Over/Under spending |
|
i) HIV Conditional grant 2019/20 |
|||
i) HIV Conditional grant 2020/21 |
R 16,309,000.00 |
R 14,517,018.22 |
R 1,791,981.78 |
i) HIV Conditional grant 2021/22 |
R 22,150,000.00 |
R 15,300,366.32 |
R 6,849,633.68 |
ii) HIV Conditional grant 2022/23 |
R 21,653,000.00 |
R 10,892,673.01 |
R 10,760,326.99 |
Budget allocated |
Expenditure |
Over/Under spending |
|
i) COVID-19 Conditional grant 2019/20 |
|||
i) COVID-19 Conditional grant 2020/21 |
R 5,199,000.00 |
R 6,694,786.78 |
-R 1,495,786.78 |
i) COVID-19 Conditional grant 2021/22 |
R 18,641,000.00 |
R 20,064,170.97 |
-R 1,423,170.97 |
ii) COVID-19 Conditional grant 2022/23 |
R 1,305, 000.00 |
R 1,497, 383.80 |
-R 192,383.80 |
b) The hospital conducts the mandate as stipulated by the strategic objectives of Gauteng Department of Health. It shares the vision of a responsive, value-based and people centred health system.
The hospital also ensures delivery of highest level of health care by strengthening clinical governance and building a culture and practice that ensures that quality assurance, patient safety and accountability are a priority.
To realize clinical effectiveness, the hospital’s management continue to monitor annual performance plan clinical indicators and make appropriate adjustments within the available human, material, and financial resources to ensure delivery of services.
c) (i) The current staff vacancy rate is s at 4% and is derived from the following:
- Funded posts - 655
- Filled posts - 629
- Funded vacant posts – 26
(ii) All vacant posts are in the process of being filled and are at various stages of the recruitment and selection process.
iii) The provision of essential services continues despite the vacant posts within the hospital. The hospital renders effective and efficient health services with the available resources while awaiting the formal appointment of the officials in all the critical vacant posts.
iv) The process is currently at various stages of the recruitment and selection. Filling of the posts depends on a number of processes and cannot be definitely calculated at this stage. However, it is envisaged that a number of these posts will be filled by the first quarter of 2023.
d) It takes an average of 3 months to complete the recruitment and selection process for a position. The hospital will fill all the funded vacant posts by the first quarter of 2023.
END.
25 November 2022 - NW3627
Van Minnen, Ms BM to ask the Minister of Transport
Considering that the Road Accident Fund (RAF) has claimed to the Standing Committee on Public Accounts that it is not a state-sponsored insurer, but a social benefit scheme and the RAF is described in its official government website clearly and publicly as providing indemnity insurance to personal injury and death insurance (details furnished), what are the reasons that the RAF is thus involved with litigation against the Attorney-General to deny the assertion with regard to the Generally Recognised Accounting Practice standards?
Reply:
On 4 February 1998, the Department of Transport issued a white paper on the Road Accident Fund which was approved by Cabinet on 21 January 1998. In the preface to this paper, it is stated: “The system has evolved from the original private insurance to public compensation. The demands of a new socio-economic and constitutional dispensation - and with them, the constraints on public spending – require a transition from a delict-based compensatory system to a system of affordable state benefits.”
The white paper further went on to state that “the RAF in future will have elements of social welfare in the form of state benefits and risk cover… the main objective of the RAF is to provide adequate medical care and benefits to road accident victims, within an affordable and sustainable financial framework.” It was also communicated that a Road Accident Fund Commission would be set up by government to reconsider in its entirety the system of benefits and or compensation for victims of road accidents.
From 1942 to 1986 the RAF effectively operated as a compulsory insurance fund, where owners were required to purchase third party insurance. From 1986 the former system of compulsory third party insurance was replaced with a system of statutory assumption of liability by the Fund, and was instead of insurance premiums, financed by Fuel Levies.
The object of the RAF, per section 3 of the Road Accident Fund Act, is “the payment of compensation, in accordance with this Act, for loss or damage wrongfully caused by the driving of motor vehicles.” The liability of the RAF, if applicable, are therefore towards persons injured in motor vehicle accidents and not the wrong doer who caused the accident. Kindly note that the contributor to the fuel levy is not the beneficiary, the beneficiary gets this benefit without contributing any “premium”.
The honourable member should recognise the provisions of Sections 17 to 24 of the act that creates conditions for RAF to be liable. The benefits only flow after all those conditions are met. It therefore follows that RAF’s liability cannot be at the time of the accident but only when all conditions are met by the victim or claimant.
Thereafter, Section 21(1) of the RAF Act States “No claim for compensation in respect of loss or damage resulting from bodily injury to or the death of any person caused by or arising from the driving of a motor vehicle shall lie (a)against the owner or driver of the motor vehicle; or (b)against the employer of the driver.”
A significant characteristic of insurance is that the insurer accepts risk on behalf of a policy holder in exchange for a premium or contribution. The insurer has the ability to adjust the premiums in relation to the risk accepted.
The RAF, however, receives no premium or contribution from the persons who participate in and benefit from the scheme. The Fuel Levy received is not adjustable by the RAF and is not in any way reflective of or connected to the risk the Fund accepts according to the RAF Act. The principles of insurance therefore do not apply to RAF as will be demonstrated below.
The Insurance Act, No. 18 of 2017 (“the IA”), which commenced on 1 July 2018 defines an insurer as “… a person licensed to conduct insurance business under this Act, and includes, unless specifically otherwise provided for in this Act, Lloyd's, a Lloyd's underwriter and a reinsurer”.
The RAF is not an insurer as contemplated in the IA, i.e. the RAF is not issued with a license to conduct its business, but derives its mandate from an Act of Parliament. The RAF performs a public function [as contemplated in paragraph (b)(ii) of the definition of “organ of state” as per section 239 of the Constitution of South Africa, 1996] and is listed as a national public entity [as prescribed in Part A of Schedule 3 of the Public Finance Management Act, 1999 (Act No. 1 of 1999) (the PFMA)].
The issue of whether the RAF is an insurer was comprehensively considered and settled by the Road Accident Fund Commission, appointed on the 01 June 1999 to inquire into the Road Accident Fund system (the Satchwell commission). The Satchwell commission received various submissions from stakeholders on this matter, including AGSA, who we must add were vehemently opposed to a Pay-As- You-Go system. The commission nonetheless concluded in their 2002 report that, “a pragmatic approach suggests that the proposed road accident benefits scheme should function as a partly funded scheme within a comprehensive system of social security…”. It further concluded, “A pay-as-you-go approach will situate the scheme within the context of a system of social security”
The Prudential Authority is the regulator of the Road Accident Fund in accordance with the Financial Supervision of the Road Accident Fund Act No.8 of 1993. In paragraph 2.3.3 of its Directive 1 (RAF), the Prudential Authority states, “In assessing the viability and sustainability of the RAF and its compliance with the provisions of the STI Act (Short Term Insurance Act) identified under paragraph 2.2 consideration will be given to the status and nature of the RAF as a public entity that is fundamentally a social security fund.”
Section 2.3.3 goes on to state “In assessing the RAF’s compliance with the prudential requirements of the STI Act, consideration will be given to the fact that
- The RAF’s business model is not based on insurance principles as the premium payable (in this case the fuel levy) does not directly correlate to the benefits provided.”
The classification of the RAF as either an insurer or a social benefit has material implications on the accounting standards that should be used to develop accounting policies in its annual financial statements. The fact that RAF is a social benefit is actually common cause between the AGSA and RAF. This is confirmed by the fact that RAF is not allowed to apply GRAP 19 because the standard specifically excludes social benefits.
The AGSA has, recently inexplicably changed its the position that the RAF is an insurer, and its benefits are not social benefits. It should be noted that in determining which accounting standard to apply, the nature of the RAF is not as important as the nature of the transaction or event. Once the AGSA issued its finding, the RAF then declared a dispute as provided for in the Public Audit Act. The RAF then followed the dispute resolution process as set out by the AGSA. This process, however, was unsuccessful and consequently, the AGSA has issued a disclaimer of opinion on the 2020/21 Annual Financial Statements. In protection of the RAF’s rights and those of the “users of financial statements”, and in compliance with the PFMA, specifically Section 55 (2) (a), the RAF was left with no option but to reluctantly approach the courts for resolution of the dispute.
The Minister has recently instructed the Board to withdraw from the litigation and pursue less confrontational dispute resolution mechanisms. The parties are engaging in that process at the moment.
25 November 2022 - NW3207
van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Social Development
What total number of field social workers, excluding supervisors and managers, have been employed by her department in each province, to deal with programmes and cases relating to (a) child protection services, (b) substance abuse, (c) older persons, (d) victim empowerment and (e) services to persons with disabilities in each specified financial year in the period 1 April 2016 to 31 March 2021?
Reply:
It should be noted that where there is no responses, information has not yet been provided by the affected province(s) at the time of responding to this question.
Table 1: Total Number of field Social Workers employed in provincial DSD
YEAR |
PROG |
PROVINCE |
||||||||
EC |
FS |
GP |
KZN |
L |
MP |
NC |
NW |
WC |
||
2016/17 |
a) Child protection Services |
180 |
0 |
601 |
853 |
1326 |
472 |
|||
b) Substance Abuse |
79 |
0 |
264 |
52 |
||||||
c) Older Persons |
154 |
0 |
287 |
52 |
||||||
d) Victim Empowerment |
111 |
0 |
259 |
30 |
||||||
e) Services to Persons with Disabilities |
104 |
0 |
288 |
|||||||
2017/18 |
a) Child protection Services |
279 |
0 |
601 |
845 |
1458 |
493 |
|||
b) Substance Abuse |
104 |
1 |
254 |
52 |
||||||
c) Older Persons |
109 |
0 |
289 |
52 |
||||||
d) Victim Empowerment |
142 |
0 |
249 |
30 |
||||||
e) Services to Persons with Disabilities |
107 |
0 |
290 |
|||||||
2018/19 |
a) Child protection Services |
292 |
2 |
851 |
1492 |
526 |
||||
b) Substance Abuse |
100 |
3 |
255 |
52 |
||||||
c) Older Persons |
119 |
0 |
296 |
52 |
||||||
d) Victim Empowerment |
145 |
0 |
248 |
30 |
||||||
e) Services to Persons with Disabilities |
106 |
0 |
292 |
|||||||
2019/20 |
a) Child protection Services |
278 |
5 |
601 |
825 |
1472 |
417 |
|||
b) Substance Abuse |
103 |
2 |
244 |
52 |
||||||
c) Older Persons |
131 |
1 |
270 |
52 |
||||||
d) Victim Empowerment |
139 |
4 |
237 |
30 |
||||||
e) Services to Persons with Disabilities |
105 |
1 |
265 |
|||||||
2020/21 |
a) Child protection Services |
319 |
0 |
601 |
835 |
1444 |
469 |
|||
b) Substance Abuse |
98 |
0 |
243 |
52 |
||||||
c) Older Persons |
126 |
1 |
270 |
52 |
||||||
d) Victim Empowerment |
139 |
236 |
30 |
|||||||
e) Services to Persons with Disabilities |
101 |
1 |
265 |
25 November 2022 - NW3765
Ceza, Mr K to ask the Minister of Human Settlements
What support mechanism has her department provided people left homeless after the floods particularly with regards to the total number of houses that need to be built in the aftermath of the KwaZulu - Natal flood disaster.
Reply:
In response to the question raised, The KwaZulu -Natal Province accessed funds of R342 million from the Provincial Emergency Housing Grant to assist 4983 households and as of 17 October 2022 a total of 1 442 temporary residential units have been erected in various municipalities. The balance of the households will be assisted through other interventions. Hence the Kwa-Zulu-Natal Province has also through this Department and with the approval of the National Treasury sought consent to utilise the funding to accommodate the balance of the affected households in Transitional Emergency accommodation whilst a permanent solution is being addressed simultaneously.
25 November 2022 - NW3645
Mbhele, Mr ZN to ask the Minister in the Presidency
What is the total number of staff employed to support the (a) the President, (b) the Deputy President, (c) each Minister and (d) his or her Deputy Minister(s) in the Presidency; (2) in the case of each Executive Member, what (a) total number of staff members are employed (i) in their Private Office and (ii) as administrative support seconded from the permanent establishment of other government departments and (b) is the job title of each specified staff member
Reply:
1. The total number of officials in the (a) Private Office of the President is 53 and (b) in the Office of the Deputy President is 37.
2. (a) The total number of staff members employed in the Private Office of the President is 53, The Private Office of the President does not have officials seconded from the permanent establishment of other government departments. The titles are as below
COMPONENT DESCRIPTION |
JOB TITLE DESCRIPTION |
DEPUTY DIRECTOR-GENERAL: PRIVATE OFFICES PRESIDENT |
OFFICE MANAGER |
DEPUTY DIRECTOR-GENERAL: PRIVATE OFFICES PRESIDENT |
SENIOR ADMINI OFFICE |
DEPUTY DIRECTOR-GENERAL: PRIVATE OFFICES PRESIDENT |
PERSONAL ASST |
DEPUTY DIRECTOR-GENERAL: PRIVATE OFFICES PRESIDENT |
DEPUTY DIRECTOR GEN |
PRESIDENTIAL SUPPORT |
ADMIN SEC |
PRESIDENTIAL SUPPORT |
SECRETARY |
PRESIDENTIAL SUPPORT |
DIRECTOR |
PRESIDENTIAL SUPPORT |
MESSENGER/DRIVER |
PRESIDENTIAL SUPPORT |
SECRETARY |
PRESIDENTIAL SUPPORT |
SECRETARY |
PRESIDENTIAL SUPPORT |
APPOINT SECRETAR(D) |
PRESIDENTIAL SUPPORT |
ASST ADMIN SEC (AD) |
PRESIDENTIAL SUPPORT |
ASST ADMIN SEC (AD) |
PRESIDENTIAL SUPPORT |
SECRETARY |
PRESIDENTIAL SUPPORT |
APPOINT SEC(DD) |
PRESIDENTIAL SUPPORT |
ASST APPOINT |
PRESIDENTIAL SUPPORT |
ASST APPOINT |
PRESIDENTIAL SUPPORT |
SECRETARY |
PRESIDENTIAL SUPPORT |
SECRETARY |
ADVISORS: PRESIDENT |
SPEC ADV |
ADVISORS: PRESIDENT |
SPEC ADV |
ADVISORS: PRESIDENT |
SPEC ADV |
ADVISORS: PRESIDENT |
SPEC ADV |
ADVISORS: PRESIDENT |
SPEC ADV |
ADVISORS: PRESIDENT |
SPEC ADV |
ADVISORS: PRESIDENT |
SPEC ADV |
ADVISORS: PRESIDENT |
SPEC ADV |
CD: STRATEGIC PROJECTS (PRESIDENT) |
SECRETARY |
CD: STRATEGIC PROJECTS (PRESIDENT) |
SECRETARY |
CD: STRATEGIC PROJECTS (PRESIDENT) |
SECRETARY |
CD: STRATEGIC PROJECTS (PRESIDENT) |
SECRETARY |
CD: STRATEGIC PROJECTS (PRESIDENT) |
DIRECTOR: ADVI SUPP |
CD: STRATEGIC PROJECTS (PRESIDENT) |
CHIEF DIRECTOR |
CD: STRATEGIC PROJECTS (PRESIDENT) |
DIRECTOR PMO |
CD: STRATEGIC PROJECTS (PRESIDENT) |
DD: RESEARCH (SA) |
CD: STRATEGIC PROJECTS (PRESIDENT) |
DIRECTOR PMO |
CD: STRATEGIC PROJECTS (PRESIDENT) |
PARLIAMENTARY OFFICE |
CD: STRATEGIC PROJECTS (PRESIDENT) |
SECRETARY |
CD: STRATEGIC PROJECTS (PRESIDENT) |
SECRETARY |
DIRECTOR: SPECIAL PROJECTS (PRES) |
SENIOR ADMINI OFFICE |
DIRECTOR: SPECIAL PROJECTS (PRES) |
DD: STAKEHOLDER MANA |
DIRECTOR: SPECIAL PROJECTS (PRES) |
DD: INSTITUTIONS |
CD: MEDIA LIAISON PUBLIC RELATIONS (PRESIDENT) |
SPECIALIST MEDIA LIA |
CD: MEDIA LIAISON PUBLIC RELATIONS (PRESIDENT) |
CD COMMUN SUP SERVIC |
CD: MEDIA LIAISON PUBLIC RELATIONS (PRESIDENT) |
SPECIALIST MEDIA LIA |
CD: MEDIA LIAISON PUBLIC RELATIONS (PRESIDENT) |
SPEC RES DRAF & SPEC |
CD: MEDIA LIAISON PUBLIC RELATIONS (PRESIDENT) |
DIRECTOR: MEDIA LIAI |
CD: MEDIA LIAISON PUBLIC RELATIONS (PRESIDENT) |
SPOKESPERSON |
CD: MEDIA LIAISON PUBLIC RELATIONS (PRESIDENT) |
ASS SPEC RES DRAF SP |
CD: MEDIA LIAISON PUBLIC RELATIONS (PRESIDENT) |
SECRETARY |
CD: MEDIA LIAISON PUBLIC RELATIONS (PRESIDENT) |
COMMUNICATION OFF. |
CD: MEDIA LIAISON PUBLIC RELATIONS (PRESIDENT) |
SPEC RES DRAF & SPEC |
CD: MEDIA LIAISON PUBLIC RELATIONS (PRESIDENT) |
DIRECTOR: CONTENT SU |
- (b) The total number of staff members employed in the Office of the Deputy President is 37, The Office of the Deputy President does not have officials seconded from the permanent establishment of other government departments. The titles are as below
COMPONENT DESCRIPTION |
JOB TITLE DESCRIPTION |
DIRECTOR: CONTENT SUPPORT/ANALYST (DP) |
DD: M&E |
DIRECTOR: CONTENT SUPPORT/ANALYST (DP) |
SECRETARY |
DIRECTOR: CONTENT SUPPORT/ANALYST (DP) |
DD: CONTENT SUPPORT |
PERSONAL SUPPORT DEPUTY PRESIDENT (ADMINISTRATION) |
ADMINISTRATION OFFI. |
PERSONAL SUPPORT DEPUTY PRESIDENT (ADMINISTRATION) |
ADMINISTRATIVE SECRE |
PERSONAL SUPPORT DEPUTY PRESIDENT (ADMINISTRATION) |
ADMIN SEC |
PERSONAL SUPPORT DEPUTY PRESIDENT (ADMINISTRATION) |
SECRETARY |
PERSONAL SUPPORT DEPUTY PRESIDENT (ADMINISTRATION) |
MESSENGER/DRIVER |
PERSONAL SUPPORT DEPUTY PRESIDENT (ADMINISTRATION) |
ADMINISTRATION OFFI. |
PERSONAL SUPPORT DEPUTY PRESIDENT (ADMINISTRATION) |
SECRETARY |
PERSONAL SUPPORT DEPUTY PRESIDENT (ADMINISTRATION) |
REGISTRY CLERK |
PERSONAL SUPPORT DEPUTY PRESIDENT (ADMINISTRATION) |
ASST APPOINT |
DIRECTOR: SPECIAL PROJECTS (DP) |
DEPUTY DIRECTOR |
DIRECTOR: SPECIAL PROJECTS (DP) |
DIRECTOR |
ADVISORS TO THE DEPUTY PRESIDENT |
SPEC ADV IV |
ADVISORS TO THE DEPUTY PRESIDENT |
SPEC ADV IV |
ADVISORS TO THE DEPUTY PRESIDENT |
SPEC ADV IV |
COMMUNICATIONS IN THE OFFICE OF THE DP |
SPECIALIST MEDIA LIA |
COMMUNICATIONS IN THE OFFICE OF THE DP |
SECRETARY |
COMMUNICATIONS IN THE OFFICE OF THE DP |
SPECIALIST MEDIA LIA |
COMMUNICATIONS IN THE OFFICE OF THE DP |
SPEC RES DRAF & SPEC |
COMMUNICATIONS IN THE OFFICE OF THE DP |
SECRETARY |
COMMUNICATIONS IN THE OFFICE OF THE DP |
SPECIALIST MEDIA LIA |
DDG:PRIVATE OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY PRESIDENT |
PERSONAL ASST |
DDG:PRIVATE OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY PRESIDENT |
DEPUTY DIRECTOR GEN |
CHIEF DIRECTOR STRATEGY AND SPECIAL PROJECTS (DP) |
DIRECTOR: CONTENT SU |
CHIEF DIRECTOR STRATEGY AND SPECIAL PROJECTS (DP) |
SECRETARY |
CHIEF DIRECTOR STRATEGY AND SPECIAL PROJECTS (DP) |
SENIOR ADMINI OFFICE |
CHIEF DIRECTOR:PERSONAL SUPPORT SERVICES (DP) |
SECRETARY |
CHIEF DIRECTOR:PERSONAL SUPPORT SERVICES (DP) |
CHIEF DIRECTOR |
ADVISORY SUPPORT SERVICES DEPUTY PRESIDENT |
DIRECTOR |
ADVISORY SUPPORT SERVICES DEPUTY PRESIDENT |
SECRETARY |
ADVISORY SUPPORT SERVICES DEPUTY PRESIDENT |
DD: RESEARCH (SA) |
ADVISORY SUPPORT SERVICES DEPUTY PRESIDENT |
SECRETARY |
ADVISORY SUPPORT SERVICES DEPUTY PRESIDENT |
SECRETARY |
ADVISORY SUPPORT SERVICES DEPUTY PRESIDENT |
SECRETARY |
ADVISORY SUPPORT SERVICES DEPUTY PRESIDENT |
DD:RESEARCH (PC) |
COMPONENT DESCRIPTION |
POST JOB TITLE DESCRIPTION |
Filled |
OFFICE OF THE MINISTER |
HOUSEHOLD AIDE |
1 |
OFFICE OF THE MINISTER |
HOUSEHOLD AIDE |
1 |
OFFICE OF THE MINISTER |
RECEPTIONIST |
1 |
OFFICE OF THE MINISTER |
ASSISTANT APPOINTMENT & ADMIN SECRETARY |
1 |
OFFICE OF THE MINISTER |
COMMUNITY OUTREACH OFFICER |
1 |
OFFICE OF THE MINISTER |
MEDIA LIAISON OFFICER |
1 |
OFFICE OF THE MINISTER |
PARLIAMENTARY OFFICER |
1 |
OFFICE OF THE MINISTER |
PRIVATE & APPOINTMENT SECRETARY |
1 |
OFFICE OF THE MINISTER |
CHIEF OF STAFF |
1 |
OFFICE OF THE MINISTER |
SPECIAL ADVISOR |
1 |
OFFICE OF THE MINISTER |
SPECIAL ADVISOR |
1 |
|
|
11 |
OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY MINISTER |
FOOD SERVICES AIDE |
1 |
OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY MINISTER |
HOUSEHOLD AIDE |
1 |
OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY MINISTER |
HOUSEHOLD AIDE |
1 |
OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY MINISTER |
MESSENGER / DRIVER |
1 |
OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY MINISTER |
RECEPTIONIST |
1 |
OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY MINISTER |
REGISTRY CLERK |
1 |
OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY MINISTER |
COMMUNITY OUTREACH OFFICER |
0 |
OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY MINISTER |
SPECIALIST: INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS |
1 |
OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY MINISTER |
PARLIAMENTARY & CABINET SUPPORT |
1 |
OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY MINISTER |
PRIVATE & APPOINTMENT SECRETARY |
1 |
OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY MINISTER |
HEAD OF THE OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY MINISTER |
1 |
|
|
10 |
OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY MINISTER (NEW) |
FOOD SERVICES AID |
1 |
OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY MINISTER (NEW) |
HOUSEHOLD AIDE |
1 |
OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY MINISTER (NEW) |
HOUSEHOLD AIDE |
1 |
OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY MINISTER (NEW) |
MESSENGER/DRIVER |
1 |
OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY MINISTER (NEW) |
RECEPTIONIST |
1 |
OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY MINISTER (NEW) |
PARLIAMENTARY & CABINET SUPPORT |
1 |
OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY MINISTER (NEW) |
COMMUNITY OUTREACH OFFICER |
1 |
OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY MINISTER (NEW) |
PRIVATE & APPOINTMENT SECRETARY |
1 |
OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY MINISTER |
HEAD OF THE OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY MINISTER |
1 |
|
|
9 |
TOTAL |
30 |
|
SECONDED STAFF |
||
OFFICE OF THE MINISTER |
SENIOR MANAGER |
2 |
CABINET & PARLIAMENTARY SUPPORT (LEVEL 11) |
1 |
Thank You.
25 November 2022 - NW2606
Van Der Walt, Ms D to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
What number of requests have been received by the Director-General of her department under section 11(6)(d) of the Communal Property Associations Act, Act 28 of 1996, to (a) require the members of an association to conduct an election for a new management committee where the integrity, impartiality of effectiveness of the incumbent committee or a member of that committee was placed in question, (b) undertake an enquiry into the activities of an association and (c) obtain annual financial records from an association since 1 January 2012?
Reply:
(a)(b),(c) None. Section 11(6)(d) of the Communal Property Associations Act, 1996 (No. 28 of 1996) does not make provision for members of an association to request the Director General of the Department of Agriculture Land Reform and Rural Development to conduct an election for a new management committee, undertake an enquiry into the activities of an association and obtain annual financial records from an association.
Section 11(6)(d) of the Communal Property Associations Act, 1996 (Act No. 28 of 1996) makes provision for Director General of the Department of Agriculture Land Reform and Rural Development to conduct an election for a new management committee, undertake an enquiry into the activities of an association and obtain annual financial records from an association.
25 November 2022 - NW3788
Buthelezi, Mr EM to ask the Minister of Finance
Whether any other companies with public sector and government-related contracts have been red-flagged for corruption and fraudulent practices as in the case of a certain company (name furnished) that has been banned from obtaining any government-related contracts by the National Treasury; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
National Treasury receives an intention to restrict a supplier from an organ of the state; such a receipt triggers a review/analysis process based on the documents submitted by the state organ. A review/analysis entails that National Treasury must check if the state organ has complied with all restriction requirements (such as enforcing the audi alteram partem rule). Furthermore, a review/analysis entails that National Treasury must check if all restrictions' applicable laws were complied with; amongst others are:
- PFMA- General Conditions of Contract – Section 23.
- Preferential Procurement Regulations, Regulation 14.
- MFMA, Section 112.
- MFMA Regulations – Regulation 38.
- MFMA - General Conditions of Contract – Section 23.
- MFMA Circular 43.
- PFMA SCM Instruction Note 3 of 2021/2022, paragraph 6.
Suppose all supplier restriction requirements were met and the state organ also complied with all applicable laws; in that case, the National Treasury goes ahead to list the supplier on the National Treasury Database of Restricted Suppliers (publicly accessible). Otherwise, the National Treasury rejects an application to restrict a supplier and provides reasons for the rejection and where to fix it (if any).
Therefore, the trigger to restrict any supplier begins with each state organ's accounting officer/accounting authority or by court order, according to the applicable laws. The organ of the state must ensure that the restriction process followed is procedurally fair as per the applicable laws because National Treasury also checks all the applicable laws and requirements before a restriction is allowed.
National Treasury is not in a position to comment on whether companies have been red-flagged for corruption and fraudulent practices since such processes must be triggered by each state organ. Suppliers, directors, and/or shareholders that have been restricted may be accessed from the National Treasury website under the Database Of Restricted Suppliers.
25 November 2022 - NW3803
Gondwe, Dr M to ask the Minister of Social Development
(1)With reference to her reply to question 2094 on 30 June 2022, on what date were criminal cases opened against the 198 public servants whose information was received by the SA Social Security Agency (SASSA) from her department on 29 March 2022; (2) With regard to the level 13 public servant who benefited from the R350 Social Relief of Distress Grant, (a) in which provincial department is the employee in question currently employed and (b) what total amount did the specified employee benefit in this regard; (3) what are the reasons that SASSA has not informed the relevant head of the provincial department that the employee in question is under investigation? NW4696E
Reply:
1. Referral to law enforcement was done between 01 May and 30 June 2022. Referral was done to the South African Police Service Coordinators who were dully appointed to be the nodal points on the Project. The breakdown of cases referred is reflected on the table below:
Province |
Name of SAPS Coordinator to whom referral was made |
Number of cases referred |
Gauteng |
Colonel Naidoo |
14 |
Northwest |
Colonel Moahlodi |
21 |
Limpopo |
Brigader Ramokolo |
4 |
Mpumalanga |
Colonel Majola |
24 |
Free State |
Lt Col Mathakoe |
7 |
KwaZulu-Natal |
Colonel Narayan |
94 |
Eastern Cape |
Colonel Dyasi |
34 |
Total |
198 |
(2)
(a) The public servant occupying a level 13 position who benefitted from the R350 Social Relief of Distress is employed at Limpopo Provincial Department of Transport and Community Safety.
(b) The total amount the specified employee benefited in this regard is R350.00
(3) SASSA did in fact inform the province, through a letter dated 14 July 2022 addressed to the Director-General: Limpopo Office of the Premier, requesting for his intervention and coordination to institute disciplinary action and recovery/acknowledgement of debt from the officer. The letter was acknowledged by the Office of the Premier on 19 July 2022. A follow up letter was sent at the beginning of October 2022 for a status update, and SASSA is still awaiting a response.
25 November 2022 - NW3739
Madokwe, Ms P to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy
Given that more than a month has passed since the Jagersfontein tragedy, during which the lives of residents were abruptly destroyed, and that his department chose not to challenge a court ruling that transferred responsibility for tailing dams to the Department of Water Affairs and Sanitation, despite the fact that such dams had mining-related activities and consequences, what (a) are the reasons that his department did not challenge the ruling and (b) steps has he taken to address the issue in light of the negative effects of its previous inaction?
Reply:
The Minister took Office in 2018, almost 11 years after the Free State High Court pronounced that his department cannot exercise jurisdiction under the MPRDA in relation to the tailings dumps in question. Given the lapse of time the Department had attempted to remedy the situation through an amendment which was adopted in 2013, however the Bill lapsed with the end of term of the administration. The Department has resuscitated the amendment of the MPRDA to include tailing dams and an Amendment Bill will be submitted to the Legislature in due course.
25 November 2022 - NW3562
van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Social Development
(1)What total number of recipients from grants of the SA Social Security Agency (SASSA) are being paid (a) in person, (b) through electronic funds transfer and/or bank accounts and (c) through CashSend; (2) what (a) total number of SASSA grant recipients are awaiting their appeals for grants to be finalised and (b) is the breakdown of such grant types; (3) what (a) total number of grants have not been paid to date and (b) are the reasons that the grant payments are being delayed?
Reply:
1. SASSA clients are divided into two groups. Those who receive social grants and those that receive the Social Relief of Distress (SRD), including the COVID-19 SRD.
a) No social grants or SRD, with the exception of SRD for disasters, are paid in person as all grants are paid into bank accounts or via a mobile money option.
SRD for disasters are provided in-kind. This is in the form of food, blankets, mattresses, etc. that are supplied to individuals in shelters; or as vouchers that can be redeem at merchants.
In rural areas where normal banking infrastructure is limited, the Postbank provides cash paypoints for SASSA clients to access their funds from via Postbank accounts. The number of clients who utilise this facility varies from month to month from between 100 000 to 200 000. In the month of August 2022, 118,981 clients utilised this option.
b) All clients – both for SRD and social grants – and with the exception of those who are paid in-kind, are paid into their indicated bank accounts; and
c) approximately a 100 000 COVID-19 SRD clients are paid via a mobile money transfer (cash send) option.
2. In relation to the appeals relating to SASSA grant decisions:
(a) As at 30 September 2022 the Independent Tribunal for Social Assistance Appeals (ITSAA) received a total of 2 591 appeals that are related to the decisions of SASSA on social assistance applications to various grant types. A total of 1 014 appeals have been finalised and 1 577 is currently in the adjudication process. The total outstanding is still within 90 days period as the related appeals were all received during August and September 2022.
(b) The appeals are disaggregated as follows in terms, of the various grant types:
Grant Type |
Total Received |
Total Adjudicated |
Outstanding |
DISABILITY GRANT |
2 335 |
933 |
1 402 |
OLD AGE GRANT |
95 |
29 |
66 |
CARE DEPENDENCY GRANT |
77 |
24 |
53 |
GRANT-IN-AID |
50 |
24 |
26 |
FOSTER CARE GRANT |
0 |
0 |
0 |
CHILD SUPPORT GRANT |
33 |
3 |
30 |
WAR VETERANS GRANT |
0 |
0 |
0 |
SRD (NORMAL) |
1 |
1 |
0 |
GRAND TOTAL |
2 591 |
1 014 |
1 577 |
In addition to the above, as at 30 September 2022, the Independent Tribunal received a total of 3 595 147 appeals in respect of the third (current) iteration of the Covid-19 SRD for the period of April 2022 to July 2022. The appeals were recorded for April, May, June and July totaling 1 165 369, 1 297 776, 516 442 and 588 401, respectively. Some appeals related to the month of June 2022, the 90-days period expired during the 1st week of October 2022. However, the Independent Tribunal has adjudicated all appeals received against the Covid-19 SRD applications declined by SASSA for the month of June 2022. The rest of the appeals that are outstanding are still within 90-days period which will expire during the relevant months in line with the period they were received. Below are the details in relation to the Covid-19 SRD appeals received as from 27 June 2022:
Grant Type |
Total Received |
Total Adjudicated |
Outstanding |
Covid-19 SRD |
3 595 147 |
516 442 |
3 078 705 |
The adjudication processes relating to April – May 2022 are underway.
3.
(a) There are no social grants or SRD for disasters that are not paid to date. Payment challenges do however persist with the COVID-19 SRD assessments and payments. At present, assessments are running about 1 month behind (September assessments were conducted in October) and approximately 80% of approved clients have been paid. In August 2022, this represented approximately 1.4 million clients.
(b) The main reasons for delayed payments include:
- Awaiting bank account verification – before making a payment for the first time, SASSA needs to confirm with the bank that the bank account uploaded by the client belongs to the client to ensure that we are paying the correct person.
- Failed bank account verification – often clients upload incorrect banking details.
- For cash send options a similar verification of the mobile number used by the client for payment is required. A huge majority of these fail due to clients not using mobile numbers that are directly linked to them in terms of the Regulation of Interception of Communications and Provision of Communication Related Information Act 70 of 2002 (RICA).
25 November 2022 - NW3561
van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Social Development
For the past five financial years, what (a) total number of South Africans have benefited from shelters for victims of gender-based violence operated by her department and (b) is the breakdown of the specified number in each province?
Reply:
a) For the past five financial years, a total number of 31 376 South Africans have benefited from shelters for victims of gender-based violence operated the department of Social Development.
b) The breakdown of the specified numbers in each province is as follows (where there are gaps, please note that the concerned provinces had not provided the said information at the time of replying):
PROVINCE |
FINANCIAL YEARS AND NUMBER OF BENEFICIARIES |
||||
2018/19 |
2019/20 |
2020/21 |
2021/22 |
2022/23 |
|
Eastern Cape |
220 |
417 |
510 |
451 |
188 |
Free State |
363 |
345 |
336 |
202 |
237 |
Gauteng |
12991 |
||||
Kwa-Zulu Natal |
3767 |
3970 |
2438 |
2746 |
|
Limpopo |
83 |
97 |
104 |
104 |
93 |
Mpumalanga |
489 |
508 |
720 |
739 |
420 |
Northern Cape |
223 |
244 |
199 |
215 |
|
North West |
62 |
82 |
222 |
102 |
85 |
Western Cape |
1963 |
1851 |
|||
TOTAL |
5207 |
5663 |
6492 |
6410 |
14014 |
25 November 2022 - NW3893
Buthelezi, Mr EM to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises
Whether, considering the ending of Transnet’s 12-day strike and the commitment made by the organisation to implement recovery plans, the specified recovery plans extend beyond the focus of stabilising performance operations to include financial compensation for small-scale farmers in rural areas that were heavily impacted by the strike; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
According to the information Received from Transnet:
Transnet contracting specifically precludes claims that are regarded as consequential losses by all our customers. Any possible financial losses by farmers as a result of the strike qualify as such and will therefore not be considered on the basis of the above exclusion. All farmers, small and large scale, are expected to have insurance in place to underwrite risks of this nature.
25 November 2022 - NW3557
van der Merwe, Ms LL to ask the Minister of Social Development
For the past five financial years, what (a) total number of South Africans have benefited from her department’s substance abuse and rehabilitation programmes and (b) is the breakdown of the specified number in each province?
Reply:
a) The total number of people who benefited from substance abuse and rehabilitation programmes for the past five years is 14 276 241
b) The following is the breakdown of the specified number in each province:
- Eastern Cape
FINANCIAL YEAR |
NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT ACCESS REHABILITATION PROGRAMMES |
2017-2018 |
1 482 |
2018-2019 |
1 380 |
2019-2020 |
2 576 |
2020-2021 |
2 013 |
2021-2022 |
2 974 |
- Western Cape
Indicator |
2017-2022 |
Number of service users who completed inpatient treatment services at funded NPO, DSD own services treatment centres and DSD CYCCs. |
5 383 |
Number of service users who accessed community-based treatment services. |
14798 |
Number of service users that have received early intervention services for substance abuse. |
31330 |
Number of service users that have received aftercare and reintegration services for substance abuse. |
9568 |
- Free State
Indicator |
2017-2022 |
People benefitted from Department’s substance abuse prevention programmes. |
205 806 |
People benefitted from rehabilitation and treatment programme for substance use disorder. |
2738 |
people benefitted from the re-integration and after care programmes |
742 |
Total |
209 286 |
- Gauteng
SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES |
TOTALS |
Numbers reached through people reached through prevention programmes |
7461131 |
Number of children 18 years below reached through the Ke –Moja drug prevention |
3360020 |
Number of youth (19-35) reached through the Ke-Moja drug prevention programme |
1499097 |
Number of parents and care givers participating in Ke-Moja programmes |
298452 |
Service user who accessed outpatient-based treatment services |
42232 |
Number of service users who have access to public in patient treatment center |
5418 |
Number of services who accessed inpatient treatment services at funded treatment centre |
36371 |
Number of persons who received substance abuse treatment participating in aftercare programme |
41353 |
Number of service users who accessed funded substance abuse community based service |
59950 |
Number of service users who completed inpatient treatment services at funded treatment centres |
16610 |
Number of service users who accessed |
118447 |
Number of service users admitted at registered and funded halfway house |
2079 |
- KwaZulu-Natal
Key Performance Indicator |
Total |
Number of children 18 years and below reached through substance abuse prevention programmes. |
770889 |
Number of people (19 and above) reached through substance abuse prevention programmes. |
295669 |
Number of service users who accessed out-patient based treatment services. |
7733 |
25 November 2022 - NW3434
Montwedi, Mr Mk to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
What (a) are the reasons that it takes almost six months for a case on the normal roll for the North West High Court to finally be heard in court and (b) steps of intervention have been taken to reduce the extended waiting period? [
Reply:
1. Reserved Judgments form part of the Judicial performance indicators and targets relating to Judicial functions.
2. Judicial functions were delineated from the Office of the Chief Justice planning documents from 2017/2018 going forward.
3. The Chief Justice however presents the Judiciary Annual report at the Judiciary day. The report is available on the Judiciary website.
4. All questions relating to judicial functions should be directed to the Chief Justice.
25 November 2022 - NW3679
Arries, Ms LH to ask the Minister of Social Development
What (a) total number of (i) refugees and (ii) asylum seekers are receiving the Social Relief of Distress Grant in the Republic and (b) is the total amount that was paid to this category of beneficiaries in the past five years?
Reply:
a) (i) Refugees: 4 102
(ii) Asylum seekers: 15 258
NB: Figure are as at September 2022, the figure varies from month to month depending on the approvals.
b) (i) Refugees: R34 456 800.00
(ii) Asylum seekers: R63 113 750.00
NB: Figures are for the 2 years since Covid SRD R350 has been running.
25 November 2022 - NW4021
Clarke, Ms M to ask the Minister of Health
(1)Following reports that the current nursing shortage in public health care stands at 1 nurse per 218 patients and noting that a total number of 12 000 posts are vacant in the public health sector, (a) what steps has his department taken to fill such posts and (b)(i) in which provinces will the specified vacancies be filled and (ii) what number of the total number of vacant posts will be filled; (2) whether his department will be partnering with Temporary Employment Services to address the shortages; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what total number of posts in each province will be filled using the specified partnership?
Reply:
After consulting with the Provincial Departments of Health, the Minister is convinced that Provincial Departments of Health have developed efficient and effective plans to ensure that despite financial challenges they encounter within the Cost of Employment (COE), viable plans have been developed to sustain service delivery across all nine Provinces. This is substantiated by the information in the table below:
Question |
EC |
FS |
GAU |
KZN |
LIM |
MPU |
NW |
NC |
WC |
1(a) what steps has his department taken to fill such posts |
The Department has approved its Annual Recruitment Plan for 2022/23 which comprises 1057 critical posts (including nursing) to be filled. The funding emanated from equitable share and conditional grants. Advertisements are published monthly and posts have been filled, whilst others are still in selection phases. |
Due to the current pressure on the compensation of employees, the department has appointed a Recruitment Task Team that looks at reprioritization of critical posts in line with the available budget |
As of the 30th September 2022, there were 4 392 unfunded vacant nursing posts in the organisational structure of the Gauteng Department of Health. The Department has requested for additional funds to fill the critical vacant nursing posts. |
As at 31 October 2022, the Department has prioritized filling of 426 Nursing posts: Professional Nurses 176 Staff Nurses 164 Nursing Assistants 86 |
The Department has advertised professional nurses’ posts, already shortlisted and interviews have been conducted. |
The Department Annually identifies critical posts and demands that need to be filled throughout the year. The Department has the following posts with no funding to fill them however, identified to be critical to ensure continuity of quality health care in the province. |
The Department identified critical vacant nursing posts vacated prior to 01 April 2022 to be filled during the 2022/23 financial year within the available compensation of employees' budget. Posts are filled as soon as possible considering the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA)'s prescripts in terms of advertising, shortlisting, interviews and verification processes |
The Department prioritised the filling of the critical and scarce skills within the nursing fraternity. The HR Plan addresses the need as a priority for the 2022/2023 financial |
Vacancies are filled on a continuous basis through block adverts and recruitment throughout the year in response to the service demands. |
1(b)(i) in which provinces will the specified vacancies be filled and (ii) what number of the total number of vacant posts will be filled) |
The department prioritized the filling of 867 posts (i.e. 230 permanent vacant posts in different categories, including Operational Managers, Professional Nurses: General, Professional Nurses: Specialty, Staff Nurses and Nursing Assistants and 637 Professional Nurses: General under the Vaccination Programme for a contract period of twelve (12) months). |
The department prioritized the filling of 477 nursing posts dependant on availability of the budget |
Awaiting for approval of additional funds |
The department prioritized the filling of nursing posts in levels of care as they become vacant |
A total of 254 posts ranging from Nursing Manager to the level of Nursing Assistant will be filled |
A total of 155 staff Nurses for various hospitals and PHC Centres and 142 posts that are vacated, earmarked to be filled by Specialised nurses in the following fields of speciality: Oncology, Trauma, Advanced Midwifery, Surgery, Ophthalmic, ICU, Theatre, and Nephrology. |
A total of 233 nursing posts will be filled (Professional Nurses for District Health Services = 147and Professional Nurses for Hospital and Clinical Support Services = 86) |
The department is prioritising the filling of speciality and supervisory/managerial posts. The following total number per category will be filled; Operational Manager General/Speciality – 30, Assistant Managers General/Speciality – 20 and Professional Nurse General/Speciality – 30. Total - 80 |
As at 17 October 2022, the Western Cape had 808 vacant funded nursing posts that are being in the process of being filled. |
2. Eight Provincial Departments of Health conduct their own advertisement and recruitment processes; and do not involve any other Employment Services. Only the Western Cape has partnered with agency personnel to supplement its capacity details of which were not provided in the response.
END.
25 November 2022 - NW3951
Cuthbert, Mr MJ to ask the Minister of Finance
What total amount in Rands and cents has been lost in revenue to the illicit trade in (a) tobacco and (b) alcohol industry in the period 1 March 2020 until 28 February 2022?
Reply:
a) Illicit Cigarettes
(i) 01 April 2020 to 31 March 2021
The unit conducted 432 interventions during the period and has had 284 detentions of 91,790,304 cigarettes valued at R72,686,107.77
The unit has achieved 322 seizures of 89,356,949 cigarettes to the value of R102,878,429.40
(ii) 01 April 2021 to 31 March 2022
The unit conducted 102 interventions during the period and has had 106 detentions of 190,795,489 cigarettes valued at R273,527,115.63
The unit has achieved 97 seizures of 81,241,405 cigarettes to the value of R92,071,583.81
Illicit Tobacco
(iii) 01 April 2020 to 31 March 2021
The unit conducted 30 Illicit Tobacco interventions during the period and has had 9 detentions of 207,036 units valued at R5,240,665.00
The unit has achieved 7 seizures of 1,240 units (combination of weight in kg’s and boxes) Illicit Tobacco to the value of R19,282.00
(iv) 01 April 2021 to 31 March 2022
The unit conducted 45 Illicit Tobacco interventions during the period and has had 13 detentions of 536,774.50 units (combination of weight in kg’s and boxes) valued at R55,951,740.00
The unit has achieved 3 seizures of 23,039 units (combination of weight in kg’s and boxes) Illicit Tobacco to the value of R110,762.00
b) Illicit Alcohol
(i) 01 April 2020 to 31 March 2021
The unit conducted 56 Illicit Alcohol interventions during the period and has had 43 detentions of 227,292.53 units (combination of liters/ bottles & cans) valued at R9,376,353.83
The unit has achieved 25 seizures of 25,146,924.25 units of Illicit Alcohol to the value of R8,931,872.30
(ii) 01 April 2021 to 31 March 2022
The unit conducted 39 Illicit Alcohol interventions during the period and has had 35 detentions of 578,304.17 units (combination of liters/ bottles & cans) valued at R19,491,172.39.
The unit has achieved 11 seizures of 12,730.25 units of Illicit Alcohol to the value of R6,915,339.00
Summary of the above data.
Period |
01 April 2020 to 31 March 2021 |
||||||
Illicit Industry |
Number Interventions |
Detentions |
Seizures |
||||
Number |
Quantity |
Value |
Number |
Quantity |
Value |
||
Illicit Cigarettes |
432 |
284 |
91,790,304 |
R72,686,107.77 |
322 |
89,356,949 |
R102,878,429.40 |
Illicit Tobacco |
30 |
9 |
207,036 units |
R5,240,665.00 |
7 |
1,240 units |
R19,282.00 |
Illicit Alcohol |
56 |
43 |
227,292.53 units |
R9,376,353.83 |
25 |
25,146,924.25 units |
R8,931,872.30 |
Period |
01 April 2021 to 31 March 2022 |
||||||
Illicit Industry |
Number Interventions |
Detentions |
Seizures |
||||
Number |
Quantity |
Value |
Number |
Quantity |
Value |
||
Illicit Cigarettes |
102 |
106 |
190,795,489 |
R273,527,115.63 |
97 |
81,241,405 |
R92,071,583.81 |
Illicit Tobacco |
30 |
9 |
207,036 units |
R5,240,665.00 |
7 |
1 240 units |
R19,282.00 |
Illicit Alcohol |
39 |
35 |
578,304.17 units |
R19,491,172.39 |
11 |
12,730.25 units |
R6,915,339.00 |
24 November 2022 - NW4086
Mokgotho, Ms SM to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
On what date will adequate water supply be provided for the community of Boitekong in Ward 19 in Rustenburg, North West province, which is currently without water and has been requesting the municipality to make provisions since 2016?
Reply:
Due to the current high-water demand exacerbated by the ongoing power outages, the Rustenburg Local Municipality (LM) is implementing water demand management in the greater Boitekong areas including the new stands (Extention 13). According to the Rustenburg LM, the water restrictions schedules have been communicated with relevant Ward Councillors and the affected residents.
In the medium to long term, funds have been made available through the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) administered by Department of Cooperative Government and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) for the upgrade of Bospoort Water Treatment Works from the 12ML/d to 24ML/d. I have been advised that the outstanding mechanical and electrical works are envisaged to be completed by the end of June 2023. This will ensure adequate water provision to the Boitekong area.
---00O00---
24 November 2022 - NW4209
Roos, Mr AC to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
Given that on 1 November 2022 the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs was informed that staff in the Home Affairs legislative drafting unit do not have the necessary legislative drafting expertise, what (a) total number of staff are in the legislative drafting unit, (b) is the total salary and benefits of the staff in the specified unit, (c) are the reasons that staff were hired to the positions without the relevant experience, (d) work are the staff currently busy with given that they do not have legislative drafting expertise, (e) are the reasons that legislative drafting training was not undertaken for the staff, (f) period has the position of Director: Legal Drafting been vacant and (g) are the reasons that an independent legislative drafter was appointed and the skill was not brought in-house?
Reply:
(a) Six (6)
(b) R4 555 841 per annum.
(c) The Senior Legal Administration Officers have the requisite qualifications, as well as experience, to be appointed within the Unit. There is however a distinction between these competencies and that of a Specialist Legislative Drafter, who, has advanced knowledge and expertise required for the formulation of Draft Bill into a legislative framework for submission to Cabinet and Parliament, and ultimately, tabling as an Act.
(d) Currently, the Unit is developing the draft Bills relating to;
- Electoral Amendment Bill;
- Marriage Bill;
- National Identification and Registration Bill;
- One Stop Border Post Bill;
- Public Holidays Bill. This Bill is initiated as a result of request to determine whether or not certain public holidays should be declared as non-trading days;
- Security Printer’s Bill;
- Section 34 of the Immigration Act, 2002.
(e) Legal officials within the Legal Services Drafting Unit possess the requisite drafting skills and experience, and have been instrumental with the development of the Draft (foundation) Bill’s as detailed in (d) above. However, the process does not end within the Department and as an outcome of consultations across government Clusters and concerned entities, an integrated legislative formulation of the Draft Bill becomes possible, but prior to it being advanced to Cabinet and then Parliament for approval, it must conform to a specific framework and drafting language, and this is where the skills of a Specialist Legislative Drafter is required.
(f) The erstwhile Director: Drafting left the employment of the Department in November 2021. The Department proceeded to advertise the vacant position and is in the process of finalising the appointment of the Director: Drafting.
(g) Refer to the reasons alluded to in (e) supra above.
END
24 November 2022 - NW4208
Roos, Mr AC to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
In light of the fact that the SA High Commission Canada charges CAN$127 for a passport and CAN$253 for a maxi passport and the SA High Commission New Zealand charges NZ$135 for a passport and NZ$270 for a maxi passport, what are the reasons that (a) the prices are far higher than the R1 200 for a passport and R2 400 for a maxi passport advertised on 1 November 2022, (b) non-first-time United Kingdom (UK) applicants pay the equivalent of R1 200 for a passport and R2 400 for a maxi passport when they are forced to pay an additional GBP35 to apply through Visa Facilitation Services Global and (c) non-first-time UK applicants do not have the option to apply directly at the SA High Commission?
Reply:
a) New passport and travel document tariffs were gazetted in the Government Gazette No. 47256 dated 9 September 2022. In accordance with this Gazette, the tariff for a normal 32-page adult and child passport applied for at a South African mission is R1 200.00 while the tariff for a maxi passport applied for at a South African mission is R2 400.00. These new tariffs became effective 1 November 2022.
The missions were informed of the new tariffs for passports and travel documents under cover Revenue Circular No. 6 of 2022, dated 31 October 2022. In this regard, the missions were informed of the ‘spot rate’ to be used in instances where the tariff needs to be converted into a foreign currency. Using these ‘spot rates’ for Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, the indicative prices for normal 32-page passports and maxi passports should be as per the table below:
Country |
Spot rate |
32 page passport |
Maxi passport |
Canada |
0.0753383665 |
CAD91.00 |
CAD181.00 |
New Zealand |
0.095299378 |
NZD115.00 |
NZD230.00 |
United Kingdom |
0.047938754 |
GBP58.00 |
GBP116.00 |
Spot rates are used to ensure consistency in the applicable exchange rate. The Department therefore does not vary tariffs payable at the missions on a daily basis as the exchange rates fluctuate. The prices at the missions are rounded up to eliminate the need for change.
The mission in Canada applied the wrong spot rate and did not immediately update its webpage with the correct amounts for Canadian dollars. This oversight has been rectified and the current rates for passports as per the website is the following:
Adult / child passports (32 pages): CAD91:00 (http:///www.southafrica-canada.ca/regular-south-african-passports-c55-processing-fee/ )
Maxi passport (48 pages): CAD181 (http://www.southafrica-canada.ca/maxi-passports/ )
The mission in New Zealand also applied the wrong spot rate. This mission was requested to update its webpage with the correct amounts, in New Zealand dollars, for South African passports applied for at the mission.
b) The introduction of a passport pilot project in the UK through VFS was as a result of high volumes of applications and over six to nine months turnaround times with limited staffing in the Mission in London. The pilot turnaround time is one month and the service fee charged is to cover the overhead costs of VFS.
(c) The applicants may still apply at the Mission should they opt to do so and avoid paying the VFS service fee.
END
24 November 2022 - NW4141
Roos, Mr AC to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
(1)Whether he will furnish Mr A C Roos with a list of the court cases in the 2022-23 financial year, in which his department has been instructed to amend regulations and/or legislation, that have not been done; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) whether he will furnish Mr A C Roos with a list of the (a) deadlines given by the court to effect the order for each case and (b) actions taken to satisfy the requirements of the court order in each case; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1. During 2022-2023 financial year the Department was instructed to amend certain sections of the Immigration Act, 13 of 2022 on the matter of Tereza Rayment & 5 others v The Minister of Home Affairs: court case No. 3919/20, as summarised hereunder:
The Applicants sought to declare the Immigration Act, 13 of 2002, unconstitutional based on Sections 10(6), 11(6), 18(2) and 43, and Regulation 17 thereof. The Western Cape High Court held that Sections 10(6), 11(1)(b) and 18(2), read with Regulation 9(5) and 9(9) are inconsistent with the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. That declaration of invalidity was suspended for 24 months from the date of the order, to enable Parliament to remedy the inconsistency.
The Western Cape High Court ordered that the Department must consider granting the Applicants authorization to remain in the RSA in terms of Section 32(1), pending the outcome of such applications. Costs were ordered to be paid by the Department, including the costs of two Counsel.
Both the Applicants and the Department were not satisfied with the order and therefore appealed, and cross appealed respectively, resulting in the stay of the court order and thus it cannot be implemented.
2. The above-mentioned court application is the only court case during the 2022-23 financial year wherein the Western Cape High Court instructed the Department to amend its regulations and/or legislation. As mentioned above, the court order has been stayed due to the pending appeal processes.
END
24 November 2022 - NW4128
Singh, Mr N to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
With regard to the dismissal of a certain employee (name furnished) who has since passed on, which was later found to be substantively and procedurally unfair by an arbitrator, what (a) has been the progress with regard to the arbitrator’s award of R232 916,67 to the specified employee’s family and (b) measures has his department actioned to ensure that their disciplinary and consequence management processes are fair to their employees?
Reply:
a) The Department does not have any outstanding arbitration award to the amount of R 232 916.67 that is due to Mr Moodley’s family.
The Department received an arbitration award dated 27 July 2010, in respect of Manickum Moodley which ordered that: -
- Mr Moodley be paid a sum of R232 916.67 in outstanding salary for the period May 2009 to May 2010;
- The first payment to the amount of R154 028.60 was paid to Mr Moodley on 31 March 2011;
- The second payment to the amount of R288 061.50 was paid to Mr Moodley on 14 April 2011;
- Mr Moodley was paid a total amount of R442 090.10 which was outstanding salary payments.
b) The Department applies the Disciplinary Code and Procedures for the Public Service which is premised on the principles of prompt, fair and consistent, amongst others.
END
24 November 2022 - NW4217
Steenhuisen, Mr JH to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
Whether he will furnish the Leader of the Opposition with a list of all South Africans who are in possession of a diplomatic passport; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The Honourable Member is herewith informed that Diplomatic passports are issued according to the South African Diplomatic Passport Policy and that the Department of Home Affairs is not the custodian of this policy, and similarly not responsible for the application(s) as well as the issuance of this category of passports whatsoever. Hence it is requested that any information relating to Diplomatic Passports should be addressed to the Department of International Relations and Co-operation (DIRCO).
END