Questions and Replies

Reply:

From the Department’s PERSAL records, there are 21 posts on salary levels 13 to 16. Of these posts, the NHI Branch has managed to fill ten (10).

a) The respective salary levels for each of the filled posts are shown in the column named ‘Notch’ of the table below.

b) Additionally, the Job Titles are listed in column 2 of the table. Detailed job descriptions for each post and key performance duties as were published in the advertisements for the posts are included as an annexure to this response.

	POST JOB TITLE DESCRIPTION	FILLED/ VACANT	FILLED/ VACANT DATE	POST SALARY LEVEL	NOTCH
1	DEPUTY DIRECTOR-GENERAL: NHI	FILLED	20210606	15	1663581
2	TECHNICAL SPECIALIST: HEALTH ECONOMIST	FILLED	20180401	15	1817142
3	DIR: MEDICAL DEVICES & HEALTH TECHNOLOGY PROCUREME	FILLED	20230701	13	1268919
4	CD: SECTOR WIDE PROCUREMENT	FILLED	20230201	14	1371558
5	TECHNICAL EXPERT	FILLED	20130201	14	1476000
6	DIR: PHARMACEUTICAL ECONOMIC EVALUATION	FILLED	20110401	13	1306665
7	DIR: BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE & DATA ANALYTICS	FILLED	20230601	13	1306665
8	CHIEF DIRECTOR: HEALTH SYSTEM DIGITAL INFORMATION	FILLED	20230101	14	1433289
9	CD:USER & SERVICE PROVIDER MANAGEMENT	FILLED	20230915	14	1371558
10	CD: HEALTH CARE BENEFITS & PROVIDER PAYMENT	FILLED	20230904	14	1371558

END.

Reply:

As was debated in the Portfolio Committee of the National Assembly during 2023 and described in Clause 49 of the National Health Insurance Bill, the possible tax amendments will be introduced through a Money Bill by the Minister of Finance as and when appropriate and earmarked for use by the Fund, subject to the transitional arrangements as provided in Section 57 of the Bill.

END.

Reply:

(1) and (2) Please see table below

Responses were received from the Free State, Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West and Western Cape Provinces only. Information from other provinces is yet to be received.

Free State Department of Health
Name of facility	Date of last service	How often are they serviced	Number of refrigerators not functional	Dates for repairs or replacements	Contingency plan
1. Bloemfontein Forensic Mortuary	December 2023	Every 3 months	5	Date of repair or replacement: awaiting infrastructure approval	Bloemfontein FPS currently has 12 functional refrigerators. Surrounding state hospitals like Pelonomi and Universitas, Botshabelo provide refrigeration and storage of bodies when the demand exceeds capacity of Bloemfontein Forensic mortuary.
2. Botshabelo Forensic Mortuary	December 2023	Every 3 months	0	N/A	Bloemfontein Forensic mortuary has enough capacity to provide refrigeration and storage of bodies when the demand exceeds capacity at Botshabelo mortuary
3. Phuthaditjhaba Forensic Mortuary	December 2023	Every 3 months	6	Date of repairs or replacement: appointed service provider for repairs to visit facility on the 28 March 2024
4. Bethlehem Forensic Mortuary	December 2023	Every 3 months	3	Date of repair or replacement: Appointed service provider for repairs to visit facility on the 28 March 2024	State hospitals in the region including Elizabeth Ross, Thebe and Phekolong hospital provide additional 26 body storage capacity for contingency refrigerating and storage of bodies, when the demand exceeds the capacity in the Forensic Mortuaries, in Phuthaditjhaba and Bethlehem
5. Welkom Forensic Mortuary	February 2024	Every 3 month	6	Date of repair or replacement: awaiting infrastructure approval.	Bloemfontein Forensic mortuary has enough capacity to provide refrigeration and storage of bodies when the demand exceeds capacity at Welkom mortuary.
6. Kroonstad Forensic Mortuary	March 2024.	Every 3 months	0	N/A
7. Sasolburg Forensic Mortuary	November 2023	Every 3 months	15	Date of repairs or replacement: awaiting infrastructure approval	Bloemfontein Forensic Mortuary has enough capacity to provide refrigeration and storage of bodies when the demand exceeds capacity for both Kroonstad and Sasolburg mortuary

Limpopo Department of Health
Name of facility	Date of last service	How often are they services	Number of refrigerators not functional	Dates for repairs or replacements	Contingency plan
1. Polokwane FPS	March 2024	Every 6 months	0	N/A	All refrigerators are functional, continue to monitor the gauges.
2. Lebowakgomo FPS	February 2024	Every 6 months	0	N/A	All refrigerators are functional, continue to monitor the gauges.
3. Mokopane FPS	December 2023	Every 6 months	0	N/A	All refrigerators are functional, continue to monitor the gauges.
4. Warmbaths FPS	27 November, 11 December, 1 February 5th March 2024	Every 6 months	3	May 2024	Contingency plan is available, all refrigerators functional, continue to monitor the gauges
5. Tshilidzini FPS	February 2024	Every 3 months	4	June 2024	Purchase order is in progress to procure compressors
6. Elim FPS	October 2023	Every 3 months	0	N/A	All refrigerators are functional, continue to monitor the gauges.
7. Groblersdal FPS	February 2024	Every 6 months	0	N/A	All the refrigerators functional, continue to monitor the gauges.
8. St Rita’s FPS	March 2024	Every 6 months	0	September 2024	Contingency plan available, all refrigerators functional, continue to monitor the gauges.
9. Letaba FPS	March 2024	Every 6 months	0	N/A	Contingency plan available, all refrigerators functional, continue to monitor the gauges
10. Kgapane FPS	November 2023	Every 6 months	4	April 2024	Contingency plan available,
11. Maphutha Malatji FPS	25 August 2023	Every 6 months	6	April 2024	Request to repair the broken refrigerators is under way, continue to monitor the gauges
12. Nkhensani FPS	21 November 2023 25 March 2024	Every 6 months	0	N/A	Contingency plan available, all refrigerators functional, continue to monitor the gauges

• 3 months vs. 6 months depends on the manufacturer specifications.

Western Cape Department of Health
Name of facility	Date of last service	How often are they services	Number of refrigerators not functional	Dates for repairs or replacements	Contingency plan
1. Beaufort West FPS	January 2024	Every 3 months	0	N/A	Maintenance plans are in place. Refrigerators are repaired immediately either via maintenance contracts or emergency delegations.
2. Ceres FPS	January 2024	Every 3 months	0	N/A	Maintenance plans are in place. Refrigerators are repaired immediately either via maintenance contracts or emergency delegations.
3. George FPS	March 2024	Every 3 months	0	N/A	Maintenance plans are in place. Refrigerators are repaired immediately either via maintenance contracts or emergency delegations.
4. Hermanus FPS	December 2024	Every 3 months	0	N/A	Maintenance plans are in place. Refrigerators are repaired immediately either via maintenance contracts or emergency delegations.
5. Knysna FPS	November 2023	Every 3 months	0	N/A	Maintenance plans are in place. Refrigerators are repaired immediately either via maintenance contracts or emergency delegations.
6. Laingsburg FPS	February 2024	Every 3 months	0	N/A	Maintenance plans are in place. Refrigerators are repaired immediately either via maintenance contracts or emergency delegations.
7. Malmensbury FPS	March 2024	Every 3 months	0	N/A	Maintenance plans are in place. Refrigerators are repaired immediately either via maintenance contracts or emergency delegations.
8. Mossel Bay FPS	January 2024	Every 3 months	0	N/A	Maintenance plans are in place. Refrigerators are repaired immediately either via maintenance contracts or emergency delegations.
9. Observatory FP Institution	March 2024	Every 3 months	0	N/A	Maintenance plans are in place. Refrigerators are repaired immediately either via maintenance contracts or emergency delegations.
10. Oudtshoorn FPS	March 2024	Every 3 months	0	N/A	Maintenance plans are in place. Refrigerators are repaired immediately either via maintenance contracts or emergency delegations.
11. Paarl FPS	March 2024	Every 3 months	0	N/A	Maintenance plans are in place. Refrigerators are repaired immediately either via maintenance contracts or emergency delegations.
12. Riversdale FPS	November 2023	Every 3 months	0	N/A	Maintenance plans are in place. Refrigerators are repaired immediately either via maintenance contracts or emergency delegations.
13. Tygerberg FPS	March 2024	Every 3 months	0	N/A	Maintenance plans are in place. Refrigerators are repaired immediately either via maintenance contracts or emergency delegations.
14. Vredenburg FPS	March 2024	Every 3 months	0	N/A	Maintenance plans are in place. Refrigerators are repaired immediately either via maintenance contracts or emergency delegations.
15. Vredendal FPS	November 2023	Every 3 months	0	N/A	Maintenance plans are in place. Refrigerators are repaired immediately either via maintenance contracts or emergency delegations.
16. Worcester FPS	February 2024	Every 3 months	0	N/A	Maintenance plans are in place. Refrigerators are repaired immediately either via maintenance contracts or emergency delegations.

North-West Department of Health
Name of facility	Date of last service	How often are they services?	Number of refrigerators not functional	Dates for repairs or replacements	Contingency plan
1. Mafikeng FPS	March 2024	When need arises	0	N/A	N/A
2. Lichtenburg FPS	December 2023	When need arises	0	N/A	N/A
3. Brits FPS		When need arises	0	N/A	N/A
4. Phokeng FPS		When need arises	0	N/A	N/A
5. Potchefstroom FPS	March 2024	When need arises	0	N/A	N/A
6. Tshepong FPS		When need arises	0	N/A	N/A
7. Vryberg FPS		When need arises	0	N/A	N/A

Gauteng Department of Health
Name of facility	Date of last service	How often are they services	Number of refrigerators not functional	Dates for repairs or replacements	Contingency plan
1. Johannesburg FPS	October 2023	Every 3 months	0	N/A	N/A
2. Roodepoort FPS	October 2023	Every 3 months	0	N/A	N/A
3. Germiston FPS	November 2023	Every 3 months	0	N/A	N/A
4. Springs FPS	December 2023	Every 3 months	1	Awaiting appointment of service provider
5. Heidelberg FPS	December 2023	Every 3 months	0	N/A	N/A
6. Diepkloof FPS	October 2023	Every 6 months	6	11/04/2024
7. Sebokeng FPS	February 2024	Every 3 months	0	N/A	N/A
8. Pretoria FPS	December 2023	Every 3 months	0	N/A	N/A
9. Bronkhorstpruit FPS	January 2024	Every 3 months	0	N/A	N/A
10. Ga-Rankuwa FPS	March 2024	Every 3 months	0	N/A	N/A
11. Carletonville FPS	October 2023	Every 6 months	0	N/A	N/A

• 3 months vs. 6 months depends on the manufacturer specifications

Mpumalanga Department of Health
Name of facility	Date of last service	Hoe often are they services?	Number of refrigerators not functional	Dates for repairs or replacements	Contingency plan in place
1. Themba FPS	8 April 2024	On request	2		Replacements 2022/2023 : 4-New body storage cabinets loading 6 bodies per unit (Completed) 2024/25:Cool room – work in progress New walk-in freezer – Work in progress
2. Tonga FPS	8 December 2023	On request	0	N/A	N/A
3. Mapulaneng FPS	20 March 2024	On request	0	N/A	N/A
4. Tintswalo FPS	22 March 2024	On request	1	Not stated	Contingency plans are available. Repairs are done between scheduled minor and major repairs.
5. Lydenburg FPS	16 March 2024	On request	0	N/A	N/A
6. Barberton FPS	26 June 2023	O request	1	Not stated	Contingency plans are available. Repairs are done between scheduled minor and major repairs.
7. Middelburg FPS	4 April 2024	On request	0	N/A	N/A
8. Witbank FPS	New units installed	On request	0	N/A	N/A
9. KwaMhlanga FPS	6 October 2023	On request	0	N/A	N/A
10. Belfast FPS	5 April 2024	On request	1	Not stated	Contingency plans are available. Repairs are done between scheduled minor and major repairs.
11. Mammethlake FPS	Reconstruction of the cold room	On request	1	Currently under construction	New facility
12. Delmas FPS	26 March 2024	On request	0	N/A	N/A
13. Ermelo FPS	6 December 2023	On request	2	Not stated	Contingency plans are available. Repairs are done between scheduled minor and major repairs.
14. Evander FPS	18 August 2023	On request	1		Contingency plans are available. Repairs are done between scheduled minor and major repairs.
15. Piet Retief FPS	23 February 2024	On request	0	N/A	N/A
16. Standerton FPS	25 January 2024	On request	1
17. Volkrust FPS	4 August 2023	On request	0	N/A	N/A
18. Embhuleni FPS	3 August 2023	On request	1	Not stated	Contingency plans are available. Repairs are done between scheduled minor and major repairs.
19. Balfour FPS	New refrigerators	On request	0	N/A	N/A
20. Bethal FPS	22 June 2023	On request	2	Not stated	Contingency plans are available. Repairs are done between scheduled minor and major repairs.
21. Carolina FPS	10 January 2023	On request	0	N/A	N/A

END.

Reply:

The following information is as received from the provinces.

PROVINCES	a) TOTAL AMOUNT OF ACCRUALS OUTSTANDING	b) AGEING - PERIOD THE AMOUNT BEEN OUTSTANDING IN EACH CASE	(C)TOTAL NUMBER OF SERVICE PROVIDERS NOT PAID WITHIN THE REQUIRED 30-DAY PERIOD 2023/2024
R THOUSAND	2022/23 FY	2023/24FY (29 FEB 2024)	2022/23 FY	2023/24 FY
Eastern Cape	R4, 764, 773	R5,132,000	Current: R1, 626, 945 More than 30 days R3, 137, 828	Above 30 days R525,685 Above 60 days R268,465 Above 90 days R345,637 Above 120 days R2,746,364	534 suppliers
Free State	R682,362	R922,130	Current: R369,764 More than 30 days R312,598	>R621,746 < Above R300,383	3121 number of suppliers/ invoices were not paid within 30 days
Gauteng	R6, 827, 872	R5, 926, 667	Current: R2, 040, 370 More than 30 days R4, 787, 502	Above 30 days R874, 366 Above 60 days R618, 711 Above 90 days R2, 928, 777	2, 099 number of suppliers
Kwazulu-Natal	R1, 838, 121	R1,694,242	Current: R1, 548, 239 More than 30 days R289, 882	R355,000 was more than 80 days overdue	514 service providers affected
Limpopo	R 767, 038	R 358 023	Current: R718, 330 More than 30 days R48, 708	1957 transactions amounting to R356 2667 are within 30 days. 40 outstanding transactions amounting to R1 756 are more than 30 days.	28 service providers were not paid within the required 30-day period.
Mpumalanga	R825, 870	R 87 081	Current: R706, 780 More than 30 days R119, 090	R952	1439 suppliers
Northern Cape	R514 622	R842 875	30 Days-R56 991 30+ Days R457 631	Current R153 429 Above 30 Days R689 446	170 354 service providers
North West	R 959 137	R339,687	Current: R619, 450 More than 30 days R339, 687	More than 30 days R339,687	4 330 suppliers
Western Cape Accruals (A) Payables (P)	R 589 529 R 289 746 (A) R 299 783 (P)	R 135 622 R 88 093 (A) R 47 528 (P)	R251 531 (A) (0-30days) R 38 215 (A) (30+ days) R293 951 (P) (0-30days) R 5 832 (P) (30+ days)	R 31 535 (A) (0-30 days) R 56 558 (A) (30+ days) R 42 869 (P) (0-30 days) R 4 659 (P) (30+ days)	1094 (for the period 1 April 2023- 29 February 2024) (equates to 1.75% of all payments)

END.

Reply:

a) According to the NHLS,

(i) the FCLs do not have toxicologists specifically appointed in their establishments. Instead, FCLs have analytical chemists who also perform the toxicology analyses. They are known as Forensic Analysts and are able to do toxicology tests because they possess and use the same skills / equipment to do the work as a toxicologist would do.

(ii) Analysts employed at each of the FCLs as follows:

FCL	Number of Forensic Analysts
Cape Town	Twenty-four (24) Forensic analysts in total. Of the twenty-four (24), eight (8) analysts are in the toxicology section.
Johannesburg	Thirty-six 36 Forensic analysts in total. Of the thirty-six (36), twenty-nine (29) are in the toxicology section.
Pretoria	Twenty-five (25) Forensic Analysts in total. Of the twenty-five (25), eleven (11) are in the toxicology section.
Durban	Eight (8) Forensic Analysts in total. Durban FCL will expand its service offering to include toxicology testing as soon as the laboratory has relocated to a larger and more suitable building.

 

b) The vacancy rates are as follows: Cape Town (4%), Durban (20%), Johannesburg (2%) and Pretoria (28%). In the calculation of the vacancy rate for the Pretoria FCL, ten new positions were included in the total staff establishment. These ten new positions were created to establish the new toxicology section at the Pretoria FCL. The new positions have been advertised and recruitment processes are underway.

c) (i) and (ii) The table below indicates the number of toxicology samples that were completed over the three months from 01 December 2023 to 29 February 2024 across the three laboratories that deliver toxicology testing services. The table also shows the monthly and daily averages achieved over this period. As indicated in the paragraphs below the table, the daily number of toxicology samples completed does not indicate productivity in the laboratories as tests run concurrently and completion periods vary.

Laboratory	Total completed over 3 months	Monthly average	Daily average
Cape Town	146	49	2
Johannesburg	431	144	7
Pretoria	243	81	4

Toxicology cases are allocated in batches of 15 cases per analyst per month. When cases are received for toxicology testing, the requesting pathologist does not always specify a specific substance to be tested for detection and quantification. Most cases that are received, require a general “screen” for various recreational or illicit drugs, pharmaceutical drugs, poisons, or other substances. Once a substance is detected, additional tests are required to confirm the presence of the substance and to quantify the amount of the substance that was detected.

If a new or rare (unusual) substance is detected through screening tests, a standard to confirm the substance must be procured. Some standards are procured from international suppliers and require special permits to be imported, resulting in delays in the process.

Each toxicology case that is registered in the laboratory may include a varying number of biological specimens that were taken during the autopsy and each specimen may require to be tested more than once or on different sets of instruments, depending on the test requirements. In the pre-analytic stage, specimens may require specialised preparation, depending on the tests that will be conducted.

As a result, it is difficult to quantify the number of toxicology tests that are processed in a day as tests run concurrently and completion periods differ vastly between cases.

END.

Reply:

The acquisition and replacement of official vehicles for the Minister is administered by the 2019 Ministerial Handbook which provides in paragraph 2.1 read together with 2.3, that National Members shall be provided with one vehicle for official use in each seat of office and that on assumption of office must make use of officials vehicles already purchased by the Department, unless such vehicle is to be replaced in terms of paragraph 2.9 of this chapter.

The Ministry was established after the 2023/24 budget allocation therefore no capital expropriation was made for the purchasing of the official vehicle, similarly in the 2023/24 budget adjustment. In light of the above, the Ministry has been renting the Minister’s vehicle on a monthly contract for his transportation in Gauteng and on ad hoc basis for travel outside of the province.

Reply:

The National Department of Health requested the Minister of Public Service and Administration to consider a request for strengthening the NHI Branch of the department on 16 May 2022.

On 2 June 2022, the Minister of Public Service and Administration approved the creation of 44 new technical positions for the NHI Programme in the Department.

The posts were advertised in the media (Sunday Times) on 28 August 2022. All job descriptions, duties and remuneration levels were advertised as per the Public Service requirements. The relevant remuneration levels of public servants are available in public domain. Details are contained in the annexure.

There are currently no plan for posts addition to the 44 posts mentions above to be created within the National Health Insurance Branch in the Department.

END.

Reply:

The Department of Employment and Labour will celebrate 30 years of democracy, just like any government department. However, the celebration will be aligned with the Department's mandate. The Honourable Bond knows that the Department of Employment and Labour receives its funding through voted funds to implement its mandate.

The Department consistently have funds that are used to assist registered trade unions.

In the celebration of this important milestone, the Department is planning to leverage on the existing May Day commemoration to celebrate 30 years of democracy as a cost effective way. By aligning the celebration with May Day, the Department intents to reach a broader audience and generate greater awareness about the milestone of 30 years of democracy.

Simultaneously, the Department is planning build-up activities towards celebration of 30 years of democracy within its mandate and aims to utilise existing resources and budget allocations for these activities without attracting additional cost.

Given that May Day is an event that has been commemorated every year, the difference this year is that the focus is on celebrating 30 years of democracy, its cost is R R2 550 000,00

END

Reply:

No.

a) In terms of section (8)(3)(c) of the CPA Act, on request and on payment of the prescribed fee the Registration Officer shall provide members of the public with information contained in the register and with a copy of the constitution of any registered association or similar entity however, the Promotion of Access to Information Act, Act 2 of 2000 (PAIA) provides a process to be followed to access information from a Public body and the Protection of access to personal information Act 4 of 2013 also takes precedence in relation to personal information that may held a Public body.

b) The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) does not issue appointment letters after any elective Annual General Meeting (AGM) however the new committee gets registered with the CPI Unit registration office upon receipt of a submission from the CPA. DALRRD has no obligation in terms of the Communal Property Associations Act, 1996 (Act No. 28 of 1996) and regulations to issue appointment letters of elected committee members.

Reply:

Indeed, Hon. Mkhonto, repositioning and restructuring of both Compensation Fund and Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) are essential and momentous. This is a project that needs to be carried through to its logical conclusion with zeal, verve and foresight.

We made Portfolio Committee on Employment and Labour and Hon. Mkhonto aware that in September 2021 we started an architectural review process which was intended to determine the fit for purpose of the Compensation Fund structure, systems, personnel capacity and processes to the mandate of this entity.

We also shared with the Portfolio Committee on Employment and labour the outcomes of the fit for purpose exercise that was completed in September 2023. Currently we are solidifying the setting up of the Project Management Office, which will be responsible for implementation of the recommendations, including setting up the new structure and recruitment of senior executives for the CF, including the Commissioner.

The reason that we are not approaching the filling of the two vacancies with haste is that we want to get individuals that are fit for purpose. Importantly, though they must arrive at an environment where formidable foundation has been put in place, and get into the moving train on its long journey, that has left the station and cannot make a U-Turn.

Furthermore, we intend that both the Department and Compensation Fund get the Director General (DG) and Commissioner respectively, who would have outside-in perspective, who think expansively in their consideration of the broader context, ambitious and who are able to cultivate agile team culture. They will have to excel in problem solving, planning and communicating. In addition, they must have fortitude to motivate, guide others and more importantly uphold strong ethical standards.

Reply:

1. The table below reflects vacancy rates as provided by provinces with the Nurses being a consolidated rate across the 3 different categories of nurses (namely: Professional, Registered and Assistant).

PROVINCIAL VACANCY RATES (%)
Category	EC	FS	GP	KZN	LP	MP	NC	NW	WC
Medical Officers	15.0	23.7	11.4	4.9	20.37	9.62	15.2	22.0	5.85
Nurses	9.0	26.5	11.2	11.2	2.96	8.0	17.4	39.0	7.39
Physiotherapist	18.0	38.8	11.0	10.4	2.03	7.0	11.8	26.0	1.73
Occupational Therapist	26.0	39.7	14.3	27.7	3.36	16.0	30.3	56.0	10.5
Psychologist	17.0	17.7	21.4	36.3	4.55	7.0	41.7	61.0**	9.90
Psychiatrist	20.0*	30.0*		15.4	87.9	73.0	50.0	50.0	8.89
Environmental Health Pract.	14.0	25.5	8.9	12.6	6.90	7.0	11.1	13.0	N/A

* Rate reflecting Medical Specialists combined

**Inclusive of the Vocational Counsellors

Community Health Workers are contract workers that are appointed on annual contract against abnormal appointments (extra ordinary staff) and vacancy rate not applicable. Furthermore, in the Western Cape the category is appointed through agency and NGO organisation and not accounted for directly under the department.

Provincial Departments are in the process of identifying positions which will be filled during the 2024/25 financial year through the Annual Recruitment Plan (ARP). Once the process is concluded and costed, within the available budget, provinces will be in a position to indicate which positions will be filled by when and recruit accordingly with adverts. There has also been ongoing communication with Provincial Departments of Health to establish the extent of the challenges experienced in this regard.

Table 1: Compensation of employees allocation to provinces

R Thousands	Financial Year
Programme	2023/24 Adjusted appropriation	2024/25 Revised Baseline
Eastern Cape	20 028 901	20 011 717
Free State	8 961 049	9 516 387
Gauteng	38 159 905	40 078 685
KwaZulu-Natal	33 031 152	32 976 479
Limpopo	16 441 824	17 351 170
Mpumalanga	10 927 652	11 706 368
Northern Cape	3 767 510	3 740 702
North west	10 567 007	11 281 207
Western Cape	17 340 851	18 055 309
Total	159 225 851	164 718 024

END.

Reply:

(1) Surgeries are conducted at the hospital level and every hospital monitors and maintains records of the number of patients awaiting surgery at all public hospitals in the Republic. Surgical backlogs numbers are not static. As provinces do operations, the numbers under each category and in each province change.

Province	Types of surgery backlogs
	a) at each specified hospital	(b) in each province
Limpopo	Mankweng Hospital Orthopaedic Trauma of femur and Tibia Paediatric surgery Hernia Operations (Inguinal and Umbilical hernia Plastic surgery Cleft lips	Orthopaedic Trauma of femur and Tibia Paediatric surgery Hernia Operations (Inguinal and Umbilical hernia Plastic surgery Cleft lips Urology Ear, Nose and Throat General Surgery Maxillofacial Cardio thoracic Orthopaedics Neurosurgery Paediatric cardiology Radiation oncology
	Polokwane Hospital: Urology Ear, Nose and Throat General Surgery Maxillofacial Cardio thoracic Orthopaedics Neurosurgery Paediatric cardiology Radiation oncology

Province	Types of surgery backlogs
	a) at each specified hospital	(b) in each province
Free State	Universitas hospital General Surgery Opthalmology Urology Orthopaedic Ear, Nose and Throat	Urology General Surgery Opthalmology Orthopaedic Maxillo Facial and Oral Surgery Obstetrics and Gynaecology Ear, Nose and Throat
	Pelonomi hospital Urology General Surgery Orthopaedic Maxillo Facial and Oral Surgery Obstetrics and Gynaecology
	Bongani hospital General Surgery Gynaecology Elective Surgery Urology Orthopaedic Elective Surgery Orthopaedic Trauma
	Boitumelo hospital General Surgery Elective Surgery Orthopaedic Emergencies Orthopaedic Electives
	Dihlabeng hospital General Surgery Gynaecology Elective Surgeries Opthalmology Orthopaedic Trauma Orthopaedic elective surgeries
	Mofumahadi Manapo hospital General Surgery Elective Surgeries

Province	Types of surgery backlogs
	a) at each specified hospital	(b) in each province
Kwa Zulu Natal	Prince Mshiyeni Hospital General Surgery Orthopaedics Obstetrics and Gynaecology Ophthalmology	General Surgery Orthopaedics Obstetrics and Gynaecology Ophthalmology
	Addington General Surgery Orthopaedics Obstetrics and Gynaecology
	Greys Hospital General Surgery Orthopaedics Ophthalmology
	Inkosi Albert Luthuli Hospital Obstetrics and Gynaecology
	RK Khan Hospital Orthopaedics Obstetrics and Gynaecology
	RK Khan Hospital Orthopaedics Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Province	Types of surgery backlogs
	a) at each specified hospital	(b) in each province
Mpumalanga	The hospitals that are affected by the backlogs are the following: Rob Ferreira Tertiary Hospital Witbank Tertiary Hospital Themba Regional Hospital Mapulaneng Regional Hospital Ermelo Regional Hospital Types of surgery backlogs Orthopaedics Gynaecology General Surgery Cataracts	Orthopaedics Gynaecology General Surgery Cataracts
Northwest	Klerksdorp / Tshepong Hospital Urology Ophthalmology Orthopaedic Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) Neurosurgery	Urology Ophthalmology Orthopaedic Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) Neurosurgery General Surgery Obstetrics and Gynaecology
	Job Shimankana Tabane Hospital Urology Ophthalmology Orthopaedic Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) General Surgery
	Potchefstroom Hospital Ophthalmology Orthopaedic Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) Obstetrics and Gynaecology Surgery
	Mafikeng Provincial Hospital Urology Ophthalmology Orthopaedic General Surgery Obstetrics and Gynaecology
	Joe Morolong Memorial Hospital Ophthalmology General Surgery Gynaecology

• According to Gauteng Department of Health, the province does not have any backlogs.
• The response from the Western Cape Department of health did not address the question that was asked.
• Response from Eastern Cape and Northern Cape Provinces still outstanding.

END.

Reply:

1. Upon the resignation of the Director General of DEL Mr. Thobile Lamati in October 2023, I appointed the Acting DG Dr. Alec Moemi who acted from the 01 November until 31 December 2023. On the 01 January 2024 I appointed Acting DG Ms. Onke Mjo for a period of 12 months or until the Director General for the Department of Employment and Labour is appointed, whichever comes first.

2. The Acting Commissioner of the Compensation Fund Ms. Farzana Fakir has been extended for further 6 months:

a) As you are aware in September 2021 we started an architectural review process which was intended to determine the fit for purpose of the CF structure, systems, personnel capacity and processes to the mandate of CF.

b) As you are now all aware the outcomes of the fit for purpose exercise was completed in September 2023.

c) We are currently in the process of setting up the Project Management Office, which will be responsible for implementation of the recommendations, including setting up the new structure and recruitment of senior executives for the CF, including the Commissioner.

Reply:

a) In terms of proclamation 88 of 2022, the SIU initiated investigations on potential misuse and/or misallocation of funds by the institutions. Once the SIU has concluded its report, the Department will study the report, and engage the NSFAS and institutions which are implicated by SIU before it takes any steps. The Department has in the interim asked universities to conclude outstanding financial reconciliations.

b) NSFAS is improving its internal controls and reconciliation processes to identify outstanding funds and recover or process payments due far sooner. The Department further monitors the performance reports of universities and conducts site visits, reviews audited financial statements and annual reports of the universities, and where substantial evidence or complaints on maladministration are reported to or detected by the Department, investigations are undertaken as per the empowering provisions of the Higher Education Act (1999).

Section 42 (1) of the Higher Education Act 101 of 1997, as amended, states that the Minister may issue a directive to the council of Public Higher Education Institution (PHEI) if the Minister has reasonable grounds to believe that the Council or the Management of the PHEIs, (a) is involved in financial impropriety or the PHEI is being otherwise managed’.

If Section 42 (1)(a) is not fulfilled, then the Minister may consider Section 42 (4), which states that “in the event that the Minister has reasonable grounds to believe that the council of the PHEI concerned has failed to comply with the directive contemplated in this section within the stated period, or the steps taken, fail to remedy the deficiency within a reasonable period of time, the Minister may, depending on the circumstances-

(a) appoint an independent assessor in accordance with section 44; or

(b) appoint an administrator in accordance with section 49B; or

(c) take any other appropriate action allowed by this Act or any other law”, as a form of intervention.

Reply:

Furnish (a) list and (b) full description of all events planned by her department to take place before 29 May 2024 in celebration of the 30 years of democracy in the Republic

The Ministry of Transport has a calendar of events that are scheduled to take place throughout the year 2024, in celebration of the 30 years of democracy in the Republic. The events covers the main modes of transport that are under the Ministry, namely Road, Rail, Public Transport, Aviation, Maritime and Integrated Transport Planning.

The October Transport Month Campaign, a flagship project of the Department will also be used to highlight the achievements and successes in the transport sector since the dawn of democracy.

The scheduled events are championed by the relevant Branches and line function in collaboration with provincial departments and municipalities, key stakeholders and communities and are subject to the necessary preparations being in place.

The Ministry will support other Departments in accordance with various government thematic months in celebration of the 30 years of democracy.

The list of events will cover

• Road safety campaign
• Road infrastructure
• Rail infrastructure
• Integrated Public Transport network
• Truck drivers safely and wellness
• Round table on ship register
• Skills training and development on transport
• Airports infrastructure

 

(i) projected total cost or expenditure of each event and (ii) breakdown thereof in terms of expenditure for (aa) catering, (bb) entertainment, (cc) venue hire, (dd) transport and (ee) accommodation;

The size and magnitude of an event is largely determined by the (a) nature of the event itself such as (a) how many guests are invited or expected to attend (b) the venue for the event, the type of event - and other logistical considerations which have a bearing on the total cost or expenditure.

Such an event will also require logistical preparations and considerations for support personnel in the form of travelling, accommodation and catering.

The financial considerations and implications therefore will vary from one event to the other and will be costed when all the details are confirmed.

 

Reply:

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Reply:

I have been advised that:

The DSBD is the custodian of red tape reduction (RTR) as it relates to SMME and co-operatives. The Department has been working collaboratively with Salga, COGTA and the Presidency since the 2017/18 financial year to implement measures to address the legislative and administrative burden faced by SMMEs and co-operatives, more specifically at the municipal sphere of government. These interventions have been primarily aimed at awareness raising, capacity building and commissioning research that:

• Investigates sector and sub-sectors wherein the influence of red tape is unpacked, to develop strategies and interventions that circumvent the negative effects of red tape.

The Department commissioned a study on Regulatory impediments affecting SMME growth and development in South Africa: Findings and Action Plan to investigate the regulatory environment and related legislation and compliance for SMMEs in the 2023/24 financial year. The report identified 29 pieces of legislations that act as primary inhibitors of business start-up and growth. These pieces of legislation were identified as either having a direct impact on SMMEs, whilst the impact of others relate primarily to the administration of the regulation rather than the regulation itself.

Excessive red tape with regards to compliance with labour laws, human and industrial relations, tax and tax-related issues, legal requirements, municipal regulations, and support for business start-ups are key obstacles experienced by SMMEs.

What are the relevant details of the progress that has been made in (a) reducing the regulatory impediments for small, medium, and micro-enterprises and co-operatives?

Through the initial regulatory impediments affecting small businesses and co-operatives in South Africa research work, to improve rates of SMME establishment and performance, the department has undertaken extensive consultative measures to review and critique the initial work on government-wide restrictive regulations and to seek, through its intergovernmental relations and ease of doing business initiatives, resulting in a Regulatory Impediments Implementation Plan.

The making of a Regulatory Impediments Implementation Plan has been conducted in the 2023/24 financial year involving consultations conducted with key stakeholders on regulatory impediments to SMME growth and report produced in quarter 1 and 2, where stakeholders such BUSA, NEDLAC, Chamber of Businesses (South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry, The Afrikaanse Handelsinsituut, NAFCOC, National Small Business Chamber, BUSA, Black Business Council (BBC), Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA), Business unity South Africa (BUSA), Small Business Institute, NEDLAC) include full list) were consulted. Report on inputs and feedback from key stakeholders incorporated into a prioritised Regulatory Reform Implementation Plan in Quarter 3 and the department is finalising a Regulatory Reform Implementation Plan to be submitted to Minister in Quarter 4.

The making of the Regulatory Impediments Implementation Plan which is planned to be concluded in the end of this financial year (2023/24), is a result of the relatively extensive consultations conducted with key stakeholder SMME and Coops sectors which regarded compliance with regulatory requirements as one of the primary impediments to their growth than the actual regulations and legislation. Relative to these small businesses’ turnovers, the cost of compliance was also noted as onerous as they often do not have employees or the internal capacity to attend to these - and that it is expensive to outsource such functions.

(b) implementing remedies to address the 29 major regulatory barriers identified through research?

To address the regulatory impediments affecting SMMEs and Co-operatives through the 29 pieces of legislation across the three spheres of government to support SMME growth and development, the department is establishing a comprehensive legislative framework for small businesses and co-operatives. The department has also identified priority legislation and sectors to address regulatory impediments impacting SMMEs and Co-operatives in the new MTSF period, including Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan and other priority government interventions. This will be achieved through a revised Regulatory Reform Implementation Plan to be concluded at the end of 2023/24 financial year.

The DSBD’s Regulatory Impediments Implementation Plan is a strategic tool to assist it in carrying out ongoing legislative review and development of the regulatory framework falling within its purview, in a strategic and focused manner. The Implementation Plan is, however, a rolling plan and will be reviewed and revised periodically to ensure that it remains up to date, effective and continues to align to the DSBD’s broader strategic objectives, also considering emerging risks and developments.

The results of the Regulatory Impediments Implementation Plan were subject to rigorous planning, prioritisation, and internal and external consultation. The considerations and approach undertaken in developing the revised Regulatory Implementation Plan included the approach to prioritisation. Therefore, the original recommendations of the regulatory impediments research work were updated as follow:

1. Category 1: Regulations and Legislation under DSBD Control –

The revised recommendations have reaffirmed the initial recommendations that DSBD to use its Mandated Legislative Powers, by using Section 18 of the National Small Business Act 102 of 1996 (NSBA) Chapter 4, General Provisions, Sections 18 2 (b) - (e) and 3 by notice in the National Gazette guidelines to address identified DSBD’s controlled legislations causing barriers to SMMEs and Coops by conducting further consultations and impact assessment as shown such as - National Business Act 71 of 1991 and the Businesses Amendment Act 186 of 1993, National Small Enterprises Act 102 of 1996 (and as amended in 2003), National Small Enterprise Amendment Bill 2021/22, and Cooperatives Development Act No 15 of 2005, Business Licensing Bill, 2023, and agencies related regulations, legislation, and procedures. The immediate work of the next financial year will on the engagement of State Attorney, the SA Law Reform Commission; formulation of new technical working groups, and participation in the existing committees such as the department’s Intergovernmental Relations (IGR).

2. Category 2: Economic Cluster Departments Control and Influence

DSBD to use advocacy by working with national departments, provinces and local governments on administrative inefficiencies related specific regulations and legislation impacting negatively on SMMEs and Co-operatives, requiring close involvement and consultation on: National Liquor Act 59 of 2003 & Liquor Amendment Bill of 2023, the National Road Traffic Act of 1996 & Traffic Regulations, National Environmental Management Act 107 of 1998, Companies Act 71 of 2008, Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act 5 of 2000, Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment 53 of 2003, National Land Transport Act 5 of 2009, Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995, and related regulations, legislation and procedures.

3. Category 3: Local Governance, Development and Planning

Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act 16 of 2013, Local government legislation such Municipal System, Property Rates, Municipal Finance, related provincial legislation and regulations, by-laws and procedures, related Agencies policies, regulations, processes, and procedures.

It is important to note that not every instance of “red tape” is a regulatory reform priority, we should look at educating our populace in the intent of the law, look to our capacity to administer the law and finally, ensure that our laws are aligned with the economic and social challenges we face as a country.

Inter-governmental Relations Framework

In advancing its advocacy and coordination role for the economic sector, the DSBD is in the process of developing an IGR Reporting and Monitoring Tool which forms part of the IGR Framework for SBD. The Tool introduces indicators for Ease of Doing business that stakeholders in Government that relate to number of legislations reviewed by National departments that affect SMMEs and Co-operatives as well as measures put in place to promote administrative simplification of such legislation. The department, in collaboration with National Treasury, Salga & COGTA, is investigating modalities to deploy the Reporting and Monitoring tool for adoption through the three spheres of government.

Reply:

(1)(a) Yes. Annexure A contains an inventory of all farms owned by the Agricultural Research Council (ARC), which are linked to specific research campuses.

(b) ARC has implemented a new strategy that involves professional property management agents to better manage its properties and agricultural land portfolio. This approach aims to cater to small-scale farmers by providing them with leasing opportunities.

(2) Since 2013, some ARC farms have been illegally occupied, starting with Umthiza farm in East London.

(a) The Legal Services Department, Facilities and Security Services, the Sheriff’s Office, and local courts worked together to evict the illegal occupiers.

(b) Evictions have also been carried out on the following farms:

- Kaalplaas – Soshanguve in August 2017;

• Umthiza again in September 2019; and
• Kaalplaas – N4 in June 2020.

Evictions were carried out via Court Eviction Orders with support from the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Sheriff.

(c) ARC is actively monitoring for potential invasions and taking preventative measures to address them before requiring legal intervention.

(3) Research farms are linked to research institutes of the ARC that prioritize research activities. The Infrastructure Division supports certain aspects of managing the research farms.

(4) Yes. ARC has developed a property management strategy to optimize the use and management of its properties and research farms. A significant initiative within this framework involves engaging a professional property agent to enhance the efficient management of ARC properties and research farms. This includes tasks such as advertising unused ARC properties and research farms. Additionally, any underutilized properties that cannot be leased out will be presented to the Minister for consideration and/or transfer to the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD).

Reply:

The Department will decide on the allegations once two related processes have been concluded. The first process emanates from the work of the Special Investigation Unit which is conducting an investigation at the University of Fort Hare, following the Presidential Proclamation published on 5 August 2022, in the Government Gazette no 47199. A report is expected during March / April 2024, and is likely to be delivered to the President’s office. The second process stems from the legal proceedings underway, involving the Premier of the Eastern Cape, Mr Oscar Mabuyane and the University of Fort hare.

Reply:

The Department of Small Business Development has two entities reporting to it, which are Small Enterprise Finance Agency (sefa) and Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda):

I have been advised that:

sefa disbursed approximately R413 million between December 2023 and end of February 2024. About 66% of the total disbursements emanated from the Wholesale Lending Channel activities via the Microfinance and the Credit Guarantee (see the highlight in the table below).

Financial Year 2024	FY 2023/2024 (1 Dec 2023 - 29 Feb 2024)
Loan SubProgramme	Disbursed Amount (R)	% of total disbursements
Direct Lending Loan Programme	R26 071 093	6.31%
ER - DL - Artisans Loan Programme	R953 761	0.23%
ER - DL - Automotive Loan Programme	R2 566 751	0.62%
ER - DL - BakConf Loan Programme	R799 906	0.19%
ER - DL - Butcheries Loan Programme	R1 667 729	0.40%
ER - DL - OpenAirFood Loan Programme	R2 771 870	0.67%
ER - DL - Personal Care Loan Programme	R174 858	0.04%
ER - DL - Retail Loan Programme	R6 585 176	1.59%
ER - DL - SEntManfct Loan Programme	R12 536 551	3.03%
ER - DL - TexClothLeat Loan Programme	R1 423 065	0.34%
EU - ESD Loan Programme	R4 920 856	1.19%
Funds	R23 235 626	5.62%
Land Reform	R9 908 225	2.40%
Micro-Finance	R115 286 615	27.90%
Portfolio Credit Guarantee	R156 334 505	37.83%
Purchase Order Finance Loan Programme	R9 492 039	2.30%
SBIF WL	R8 977 882	2.17%
Spaza Shop Loan Programme Facility	R4 763 500	1.15%
Supplier Credit Guarantee	R22 360 398	5.41%
Youth Challenge Fund Loan Programme	R2 407 892	0.58%
Total	R413 238 299	100.00%

Furthermore, the total amount Seda has spent on Enterprise Development fund for the period 1 December 2023 to 29 February 2024 is R10,406,609.85. Other client related expenses include seminars and workshops to the value of R1,637,743.66 and Programme or project related expenses amounting to R8,039,136.91. Programme or project related expenses include but not limited to International Market Access, projects for focused groups such as women, the disabled and youth, and projects in collaboration with MerSeta, Wholesale and Retail Seta and the National Skills Fund.

Seda has also realised that there are still several areas where entrepreneurs and SMMEs need to travel far to access Seda services especially rural areas. Seda has therefore established 80 service access points and has disbursed R2,791,851.73 for the period 1 December 2023 to 29 February 2024.

Reply:

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Reply:

I have been advised that:

(a) The Act requires the Minister to determine the constitution for the Advisory Body through an open and transparent process. The draft constitution for the Advisory Body has been approved by Minister and published in the government gazette for public comments.

Once comments have been received the final adjustments will be finalised and presented to Cabinet. After the final endorsement by Cabinet the final constitution will be published in the government gazette and the recruitment for the appointment of members of the Advisory Body initiated in June 2024.

Furthermore, the Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) facilitated consultations with the National Treasury on the appropriate level of category for remuneration for members of the Advisory Body and in addition a remuneration policy was approved in consultation with the Department for members of the Advisory Body. This will coincide with prescripts for remuneration for members of statutory bodies as prescribed by the National Treasury.

(b) The primary function of the Advisory Body will be to advise the Minister on broad areas that affect small enterprise growth, including national standards pertaining to small enterprise development and regulation, existing or proposed policies that may affect small enterprises, programme interventions and their impact, the impact of existing legislation on small enterprises and constraints that affect the viability of small enterprises into value chains amongst others. The Advisory Body constitution will be finalised through public participation.

Reply:

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Reply:

I have been advised that:

Both sectors are catered for through the Small Enterprise Finance Agency (Sefa) funding through the Township and Rural Entrepreneurship Programme (TREP), provided they meet the requirements.

There is a plan to support not only small businesses in electricity and plumbing but to fund small businesses in the built environment value chains. To this end, sefa has partnered with Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) to fund small businesses in the construction and built value chains: construction, plumbing, electricity, carpentry, general buildings maintenance, etc. The total budget for this support is R300 million and sefa is committing R150 million and the CIDB is also contributing R150 million for the benefit of the small businesses in these sub-sectors. The MoU between the two entities was signed in February 2024, and sefa as the implementing partner in this programme is currently setting up the systems and the implementation processes.

Reply:

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Reply:

The Higher Education Act 101 of 1997, (the Act) as amended, states that degrees, diplomas, and certificates are awarded by higher education institutions subject to their statutes and the Act. Section 65 C of the Act adds that no degree, diploma, or certificate may be awarded upon any person who has not been registered as a student, against the qualification, for the period (and conditions) prescribed by the Senate of the institution.

Universities are established by the Minister in terms of the Act. Each university has a Programme and Qualification Mix (PQM) that is approved by the Minister; qualifications that are placed on the universities’ PQMs are approved by the Department of Higher Education and Training (the Department), accredited by the Council on Higher Education (CHE), registered on the National Qualifications Framework (HEQSF) and by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA), and supported by a professional body, where applicable. The Minister, therefore, determines the scope and range of operations for higher education institutions.

The Department, the CHE and SAQA have initiated a Data Validation Project (DVP); the aim of this project is to ensure that qualification types and naming conventions are consistent across the three databases. This exercise was necessitated by the emergence of different qualification types and nomenclatures that were used interchangeably after the HEQSF Alignment process.

The DVP is an ongoing process; where inconsistencies are identified, clarity is sought from institutions and due process is followed to secure the necessary approval of qualifications. There are cases where some qualifications need to be discontinued because universities conduct periodic reviews of PQMs to ensure viability of qualifications. In some cases, qualifications are discontinued because of national reviews, an example is the old two-year Bachelor of Laws. When qualifications are discontinued, the university engages with the Department and the last date of First Time Enrolment is recorded on the PQM. This record is then archived by the Department.

Where there are concerns around the quality of academic programmes, the CHE conducts reviews of the qualifications and improvement plans are developed and approved by the CHE, this information is then shared with the Department. The CHE and the Department adopt a developmental approach around quality assurance and enhancement hence the need for improvement plans, site visits and periodic institutional audits of universities.

Professional bodies play an important role in ensuring the integrity of professional qualifications and in protecting the public. The CHE has signed Memoranda of Agreement/ Understanding with several professional bodies to promote cooperation and collaboration that ensures the quality of qualifications that lead to professional registration.

Additional notes:

The role of the CHE in quality assurance of qualifications is upheld in the Higher Education Act and universities’ senates and councils play an important function in safeguarding the academic integrity of qualifications. While some universities still offer and award qualifications that are not aligned to the HEQSF to pipeline students that were registered before 31 December 2019, these are being phased out. This is done while offering and awarding HEQSF aligned qualifications with different nomenclature.

The Department will, for a period maintain two separate PQMs for each university, HEQSF aligned and non-aligned. The Department envisages that non-aligned qualifications for distance education programmes will be phased out by 2028 and non-aligned contact programmes, by 2026.

Reply:

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Reply:

a) The following strategies and plans have been put in place to address the 334.41 million reduction in Department’s baseline for Programme 3: Food Security, Land Reform and Restitution:

• Restitution:

Due to the declining budget, the Commission on Restitution of Land Rights (the Commission) reduced its Annual Performance Plan targets from 355 claims settled in 22/23 financial year to 349 in the 23/24 financial year and 319 for the 24/25 financial year. Taking cognisance of the increased value of settlements and the declining budget, the Commission has aligned the settlement and finalisation targets with the allocated budget.

• Land Redistribution and Tenure:

Equitable access of land includes the security of tenure; although the budget cut will restrict the acquisition of new land, the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) will effect transfer of state land under leasehold into freehold title which will increase the ownership of land and security of tenure. DALRRD will also fast-track the settlement of outstanding labour tenants’ claims as they cost less compared to land acquired for land redistribution and security of tenure will be enhanced.

b) Further details are as follows:

• Restitution:

The Backlog Reduction Strategy (this refers to the settlement of old order claims) that targets the pre-1998 claims is currently being implemented in the Commission in line with the allocated budget. The strategy was to reduce the target from 408 to 319 for the 2024/25 financial year.

• Land Redistribution and Tenure:

The Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on Land Reform, directed DALRRD to explore policy proposals to effect transfer of state land under leasehold to current lessees or occupants into freehold title. Consultation with the affected lessees has been done and concurrence with National Treasury has been obtained.

The decision is premised on the following:

• • Limitations of leasehold in terms of access to private capital to develop the land;
  • Limited government funding to support all lessees; and
  • Costs for maintaining and administering leased land.

Reply:

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Reply:

(a),(b),(c),(d),(e) None.

(i),(ii) Falls away.

Reply:

a) The students in question are not offering their services in the office in Cape Town but they are receiving training under the Work Integrated Learning (WIL) programme offered, either in partial fulfilment of their academic qualifications and / or in meeting the requirements for registration with the South African Geomatics Council (SAGC). These conditions are explained to them prior to commencement of the training. There are no contracts signed with the students.

b) There is no provision to remunerate students who are neither bursary holders nor persons in the internship programme.

Reply:

(a)& (b)

The following systems and precautionary measures are in place to prevent the involvement of officials of his department in identity theft:

• In terms of the Departments’ Information Security Policy, a model built around proactive risk assessment and risk management, Biometric Access Control Management (BACM) system is in place, that all officials responsible for capturing transactions on the National Population Register system within the domain of the organization, are assigned with biometric fingerprint authentication, to detect and hold users liable for fraudulent activities and information stored digitally, at any point in the Department systems.

• The Department in 2013 introduced and implemented the Live Capture system aimed at eliminating manual intervention by users, resulting in reduction of error rate and streamlining of business process for the issuance of Smart Identity Cards and Passports to citizens. The Department has also rolled out the system to 206 modernised offices. The Smart ID Card is engraved with security features that cannot be easily tampered with to prevent identity theft and fraud.

• Furthermore, the Live Capture system entails an online verification feature whereby any member of a public is verified against the Home Affairs National Identification System (HANIS), when applying for enabling documents. Similarly, the banks that offer Home Affairs services, have online verification whereby they can verify the legitimacy of client’s fingerprints as they are linked to departmental systems

• The Department reassessed the current business processes to close gaps identified within the passport application process. The department periodically reviews the passport security features in line with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Standards.

END

Reply:

1. The available information is attached as Annexure A.

2. The available information is attached as Annexure B.

END

Reply:

 

1. As the Minister of Transport, I am fully aware of the collaboration between Discovery, Avis South Africa and Edu Wize on Discovery Pothole Patrol academy that is accredited by the Insurance Sector Education and Training Authority (INSETA) to offer a 12-month practical skills training programme on NQF Level 3 qualification that kicked off on 1 February 2024.

2. Considering the rapid decline in the condition of South Africa’s roads and the lack of resources and technical capacity to fix potholes, My Department welcome the Pothole Patrol Academy`s initiative to provide on the job practical training in road Construction and Maintenance with the aim to improve the general condition of roads. My Department is engaging with various stakeholders and private sector for involvement and collaboration in addressing the bad condition of roads in the country of which Discovery, Avis South Africa and Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) are already in partnership. Furthermore, My Department support any initiative to create jobs for youth while fixing potholes.

Reply:

According to Information Received from Eskom:

(a)

The curtailment framework creates capacity by exploiting the intermittent nature of renewable energy resources. Since they are not producing the same energy all the time, more resources can be connected to the grid and for most of the time, the grid capacity will not be exceeded.

Only on rare occasions when the output exceeds grid capacity, will it be necessary to curtail production.

(b)

The comprehensive curtailment framework will be published as soon as all pending matters, such as the compensation mechanism, have been resolved. All matters are expected to be resolved no later than July 2024.

 

Remarks: Approved / Not Approved

Ms Jacky Molisane PJ Gordhan, MP

Acting Director-General Minister

Date: Date:

Reply:

ALEXKOR

According to the information from Alexkor:

(a) R189 202,87 paid to Mr. L Pitsoe in January 2022;

(b) The position of Chief Operations Office does not exist; and

(c) No bonus paid.

DENEL

According to the information from Denel:

Denel SOC Ltd has not paid out any bonuses to the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operations Officer and the Chief Financial Officer since May 2019.

ESKOM

According to the information from Eskom:

(a) (b) (c)

No bonuses have been paid out to any of the abovementioned positions since May 2019.

SAFCOL

According to the information from Safcol:

The South African Forestry Company SOC Limited made the following payments since May 2019.

Bonuses Paid during the below FY’s (2019-2023)
Position	2019/20	2020/21	2021/22	2022/23	2023/24
a) Chief Executive Officer	0	0	0	173,359	0
b) Chief Operations Officer	0	0	0	159,032	0
c) Chief Financial Officer	0	0	0	146,376	0
Grand Total	0	0	0	478,767	0

SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS

According to the information from SAA:

Since 2019, the following information should be noted with regards to South African Airways (SAA), bonus to CEO, COO and CFO since May 2019.

Year	Chief Executive Officer	Chief Operations Officer	Chief Financial Officer
2019	R nil	R nil	R nil
2020	R nil	R nil	R nil
2021	R nil	R nil	R nil
2022	R nil	R nil	R nil
2023

TRANSNET

According to the information from Transnet:

Transnet has not paid any incentive bonuses to either the Group Chief Executive or the Group Chief Financial Officer since May 2019

Remarks: Reply: Approved / Not approved/ Comments

Jacky Molisane PJ Gordhan, MP

Acting Director-General Minister

Date: Date:

Reply:

As the Honourable member may be aware, road and Transport is a concurrent function performed by all spheres of Government meaning that the province is responsible for Provincial road whereas the municipality looks after the municipal roads in terms of Section 4(a) of the constitution.

1. It is on this basis that Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport is responsible for the maintenance of traffic light on the provincial road R25.

2. A large number of Traffic Signals within the Ekurhuleni Metro are not functioning due to theft and vandalism. This means that the Department has to secure a budget to replace the damaged infrastructure and upscale the Regional Technical teams’ capacity to provide road maintenance.

The Department is currently working on securing a budget for restoration of traffic signals along the R 25 and other affected regions within Gauteng Province. Following the 2024/25 budgeting cycle, the Department plans to commence with restoration works in April 2024, with priority being given to R25 road.

3. The Minister of Transport has no plans to pronounce or make a public statement on this matter as outlined on paragraph (i) in terms of the constitution of the Republic.

Reply:

Public transport is defined by the Department of Transport as road-based public transport (buses, minibus taxis, taxis and e-hailing services). The Department of Transport monitors and evaluates public transport. The Province and Municipalities implement public transport systems.

The universal accessibility of these public transport systems is covered in the 2021 White Paper on National Transport Policy; the 2007 Public Transport Strategy and Action Plan; the Implementation Strategy to Guide the Accessibility of Public Transport Systems in South Africa, the National Land Transport Act and the Public Transport Network Grant (PTNG).

In rural areas 2016 Rural Public Transport Strategy, requires universal accessibility to services. There is a programme for learners with disabilities in the 2015 National Scholar Transport Policy.

The bus standard, 10370, which has been a national compulsory standard since 2009 in IPTN cities, includes access for wheelchair users. It is due to be revised next year, and will apply to all other areas of the country after that. In addition, the Department has developed minimum requirements for pedestrian crossings in 2017.

Reply:

According to the information received from DENEL

1. (a) Denel has materially implemented the first two phases of the turnaround which is the stabilise and sustain phases, starting with the growth phase.

(b) The turnaround plan will be implemented over a three- year period: 2022/23 financial year to 2024/25 Financial year.

2. (a) Denel has implemented the stabilise and sustain phase.

(b) The total amount for the completion of the implementation of the turnaround plans forms part of the recapitalisation allocated to Denel SOC Ltd.

3. The funding for the growth phase was included in the recapitalisation allocated to Denel SOC Ltd in 2023.

4. (a) R4 406m (Secured Order Book) and R16 580m (Order Pipeline/Winnable Projects) at the end of Dec 2023.

(b)

YEAR	Order Book/Backlog (Rm)	Order Pipeline/ Intake Rm
Dec 2019	17 487	8 290
Dec 2020	13 240	11 650
Dec 2021	11 977	8 316
Dec 2022	8 862	9 414
Dec 2023	4 406	16 580

Remarks: Reply: Approved / Not Approved/ Comments

Jacky Molisane P J Gordhan, MP

Acting Director-General Minister of Public Enterprises

Date: Date

Reply:

1. (a) The Vala Zonke Public Pothole Reporting APP was launched on 8 August 22, and to date we have had 21 341 downloads of the APP.

(b) (i) The Public has reported 46 693 potholes to date using the public APP

(b) (ii) Of the Public reported potholes a total of 7842 has been reported as closed to Vala Zonke War Room. This number excludes the blacktop patching numbers currently received from authorities. Indications are that this number is higher as not all Authorities are reporting back to the Vala Zonke War Room on actual repaired potholes or in the correct format to reconcile public potholes repaired. The War Room is trying to establish a mechanism to reconcile blacktop patching with potholes repaired.

2. (a) Various best practices national guidelines has been developed regarding road asset management and published under the auspices of the committee of transport Officials (COTO) as Technical Recommendations or Methods to be utlised by all spheres of Government.

b) (i) Various training initiatives using the above national guidelines are undertaken by the various spheres of Government and Service providers as and when new employees or sub-contractors are onboarded.

(b) (ii) SANRAL is in a process of entering in an MOU with the CETA. In terms of this MOU the CETA will provide the requisite accredited training to the supervisors and labour from the roads authorities engaged in the repair of potholes. A second aspect is the training of SMME’s and their teams in accredited training in the repair of potholes and in the management, operation of these small construction entities.

The CETA has developed accredited training courses specifically for the repair of potholes.

3. The role of the Vala Zonke War Room is not to actually perform the pothole repairs, these repairs are still performed by the responsible Road Authority for the section of road in their respective road networks as per provisions of the Constitution. The Vala Zonke War Room provides central oversight, reporting and monitoring on repair of potholes by the responsible road authority, establish reasons into the delay in repairing potholes by responsible road authorities and identify common reasons in delays that needs to be escalated to be unblocked at appropriate Authorithy level. The War Room also provides training on the use of the APP’s to the respective Road authority officials and the use of the central electronic database – Integrated Transportation Information System (ITIS).

Reply:

(1) The PRASA total asset values over the last 5 years are as follows:

• 2023 – R81,138,987,000
• 2022 – R81,761,207,000
• 2021 – R76,985,291,000
• 2020 – R80,904,701,000
• 2019 – R75,883,857,000

(2) Assets written off due to theft and vandalism amounts to R2,049,947,000 and assets impaired due to theft and vandalism amounts to R5,590,966,000.

Reply:

Make	Model	Year Manufacture	Cost	Purchase Date	Official
(a)	(b)	(c)	(d)	(e)
BMW	5 Series Sedan	2022	R 748 624.04	27/01/2022	Previous Minister

No other vehicles were procured during this period for the previous Minister, the current Deputy Minister or the previous Deputy Minister

Reply:

Cases reported through the National Anti-Corruption Hotline (NACH) are referred to departments, public agencies and other public bodies for investigation in accordance with the agreed protocols. These departments, public agencies and other public bodies are required to investigate the referrals in terms of their particular mandates on investigations within 40 days of the referral of the case. Generally, many investigations are prolonged due to a variety of factors depending on complexity of the case. Some of the problems experienced by the Departments in the handling of NACH cases appear to be link to the lack of investigative capacity, financial constraints and the fact that some departments do not have appropriate structures or specialised units to deal such cases as required by the Minimum Anti-Corruption Capabilities set by Cabinet.

The PSC has put in place mechanisms to monitor and to follow up regularly with departments.

End

Reply:

The provision of public transport is guided by transport plans, which are developed and implemented by municipalities as planning authorities and not national. These transport plans are used to design the most efficient public transport mode for an area or within a network in order to provide an efficient service to commuters.

Reply:

(a)&(b) The Department of Home Affairs does not have plans for the 30 years of democracy in the Republic. Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) is the lead department and once the department is invited, it will participate.

END

Reply:

The Department has collaborated and supported the Eastern Cape province in dealing with this matter. It should be stated that in terms of section 85 of the National Land Transport Act No 5 of 2009, the MEC is the enforcement authority responsible for land transport law enforcement and he intended to issue a notice indicating the intention to invoke section 91 of the Act, which includes closing down the affected taxi ranks. Ordinarily, the role of dealing with violence and ensuring safety within the taxi industry is for SAPS and other law enforcement agencies and the Department is always in support of those endeavours. As a result, the Department availed itself and participated in a high-level meeting called by the Minister of Police on 25 January 2024 to explore a number of possible interventions to address this matter. The meeting was attended by the Minister of Police, Minister of Transport, Premier of the Eastern Cape, MEC for Transport Eastern Cape, amongst others. The meeting resolved that SAPS and DOT should investigate and identify police officers who are taxi operators and submit names to DOT for verification. It was further resolved that law enforcement must ensure that all illegal operators in the area are dealt with in terms of the law.

Reply:

As the Honourable Member may be aware, my Department has already initiated a process to enter into Public Private Partnership (PPP) with Discovery Health Insurance Company that is already in partnership with Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA). Several meetings have already been convened with JRA and Discovery Health to determine the areas of collaboration and role clarification including skills development and job creation. Engagements are still ongoing with the South African Insurance Association to adopt a national integrated approach in partnership with the entire insurance sector with the view to align Government initiative with the broader skill development initiative. The PPP initiative will contribute significantly in addressing the high number of unemployment especially amongst the youth.

In addition to the above, the initiative will enable private companies to make donations towards the maintenance and upkeep of roads through their Corporate Social Responsibility and claim for BEE Scorecards and obtain Tax deduction for such donation in terms of section 18A of SARS.