Questions to ministers | 28 Nov – 9 Dec 2024

09 December 2024 – NW1462

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Cebekhulu, Inkosi RN to ask the Minister of Police

Given that the rise in crime statistics, especially in rural areas, calls for the capacitation of the SA Police Service with increased resources and policemen, and noting the lack of police cars and inadequate personnel in police stations, what strategy has he put in place to assist the communities of (a) Ntambanana, (b) eMakhwezini and (c) Kwesakwa-Mthethwa whose police stations lack even police cars to patrol the wide area of the surrounding communities?

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09 December 2024 – NW1424

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Mhlongo, Ms N to ask the Minister of Police

Noting that Eskom is reported to have suffered a staggering R5,6 billion loss due to illegal connections and related criminal activities during the 2022-23 financial year, what total number of persons have been (a) arrested and (b) prosecuted for illegal connections?

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06 December 2024 – NW1560

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Smit, Mr CF to ask the Minister of Agriculture

What has he found to be the (a) level of efficiency and (b) challenges experienced with sector education and training authority in providing services to the (i) divisions and/or directorates of his department, (ii) Onderstepoort Biological Products, (iii) National Agriculture Marketing Council, (iv) Perishable Products Export Control Board, (v) SA Veterinary Council and (vi) Agriculture Research Council?

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06 December 2024 – NW1561

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Smit, Mr CF to ask the Minister of Agriculture

What impact (a) on efficiency of operations and (b) cost implications have the sector education and training authority had on the (i) division and/or directorates of his department, (ii) Onderstepoort Biological Products, (iii) National Agriculture Marketing Council, (iv) Perishable Products Export Control Board, (v) SA Veterinary Council and (iv) Agriculture Research Council; (2) what alternatives are proposed in each of the abovementioned entities and divisions?

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6 December 2024 – NW1559

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Smit, Mr CF to ask the Minister of Agriculture

What is the role of the sector education and training authority in the (a) divisions and/or directorates of his department, (b) Onderstepoort Biological Products, (c) National Agriculture Marketing Council, (d) Perishable Products Export Control Board, (e) SA Veterinary Council and (f) Agriculture Research Council?

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06 December 2024 – NW1559

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Smit, Mr CF to ask the Minister of Agriculture

What is the role of the sector education and training authority in the (a) divisions and/or directorates of his department, (b) Onderstepoort Biological Products, (c) National Agriculture Marketing Council, (d) Perishable Products Export Control Board, (e) SA Veterinary Council and (f) Agriculture Research Council?

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06 December 2024 – NW1560

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Smit, Mr CF to ask the Minister of Agriculture

What has he found to be the (a) level of efficiency and (b) challenges experienced with sector education and training authority in providing services to the (i) divisions and/or directorates of his department, (ii) Onderstepoort Biological Products, (iii) National Agriculture Marketing Council, (iv) Perishable Products Export Control Board, (v) SA Veterinary Council and (vi) Agriculture Research Council?

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Trollip, Mr A to ask the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition

Considering the recent election of Mr Donald Trump as the President of the United States of America (USA) and his expressed intentions to end the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and to impose a 10% tariff on all products imported into the USA, and in light of the fact that the Republic currently exports approximately R100 billion worth of goods to the USA, what (a) proactive measures is his department implementing to secure and maintain the Republic’s critical access to the trade benefits provided under AGOA and (b) strategies or interventions is his department pursuing to mitigate the potential imposition of an additional 10% tariff on South African exports to the USA, which could severely impact the Republic’s export economy?

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05 December 2024 – NW1990

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Zondo, Mr S S to ask the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition

What are the full details of the Republic’s (a) priorities and (b) expected outcomes in respect of the opportunity of assuming G20 presidency on 01 December 2024, considering that the G20 is a critical forum for global economic cooperation, influencing trade, investment and addressing pressing global issues such as sustainable development and economic recovery?

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03 December 2024 – NW2085

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Ngobeni, Ms LM to ask the Minister of Home Affairs

(1) Whether there has been an observed increase in the number of attempted illegal border crossings at the border between South Africa and Mozambique since the onset of the political violence in Mozambique; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details of the total number of (a) attempted illegal border crossings recorded since the start of the unrest and (b) successful illegal border crossings during the same period; (2) whether, given the need to control the flow of people and protect the sovereignty of the Republic, there has been an increase in personnel deployment to the Mozambican border, including but not limited to (a) Border Management Authority personnel, (b) police officers, (c) SA National Defence Force members and (d) Home Affairs officials; if not, what is the position in each case; if so, what are the relevant details of the (i) total number of personnel deployed in each category, (ii) specific roles and responsibilities of each category, (iii) proposed duration of their deployment and (iv) additional costs associated with each deployment?

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02 December 2024 – NW2130

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Montwedi, Mr Mk to ask the Minister of Agriculture

Whether his department utilises the farmer register it developed when planning for its programmes; if not, why not; if so, how credible has he found the farmer register to be?

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02 December 2024 – NW2138

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Mkhonto, Ms C N to ask the Minister of Employment and Labour

What (a) total number of labour inspections were conducted in the trucking industry during the 2023-24 financial year and (b) what were the findings?

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02 December 2024 – NW2124

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Ngcobo, Mr SL to ask the Minister of Employment and Labour

Given that eight construction workers lose their lives every month in the Republic, what (a) immediate steps will her department take to strengthen compliance with Occupational Health and Safety Act, Act 85 of 1993 standards across the construction industry and (b) stricter penalties is her department considering for employers who fail to comply with occupational health and safety regulations?

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02 December 2024 – NW2105

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Davids, Ms S to ask the Minister of Agriculture: [ê663]

How is he dealing with the impact of weak commodity prices when engaging in the international trade of agricultural products? NO3462E

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02 December 2024 – NW2008

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Basson, Mr LJ to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation

(1) With reference to the two canals in the Mooi Rivier Water Scheme in the J B Marks Local Municipality, North West, which are dilapidated what total number of (a) agricultural, (b) industrial and (c) residential and/or municipal water use licences have been issued for the scheme; (2) what is the (a) annual billing and (b) actual income to the scheme for each classification of water use licence; (3) what is the breakdown of the (a) current and (b) required staff component at the scheme in terms of (i) positions, (ii) annual remuneration and (iii) education requirements for each position?

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02 December 2024 – NW2007

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Basson, Mr LJ to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation

(1) Whether she has been informed about the two canals in the Mooi River Water Scheme in the J B Marks Local Municipality, North West, that are dilapidated; if not, what steps will she take to investigate and resolve the matter; if so, what are her plans to (a) rehabilitate the two major canals, (b) deal with reed infestations as a result of persistent flooding and (c) engage with the affected scheme beneficiaries to improve water supply as per the water use licences granted; (2) what (a) is the (i) actual infrastructure maintenance time frame and (ii) funding backlog at the specified scheme and (b)(i) was the annual budget towards maintenance in the (aa) 2022-23 and (bb) 2023-24 financial years and (ii) is the allocated annual budget towards maintenance in the 2024-25 financial years?

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29 November 2024 – NW1304

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Mngxitama, Mr A to ask the Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development

Following reports that 90% of communal property associations are dysfunctional, what plans are in place to address the specified challenge?

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29 November 2024 – NW1318

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Mncwango, Mr MA to ask the Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development

(a) What concerns were raised with him and/or his department by traditional leaders regarding the Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act, Act 16 of 2013, since he took office and (b) how is he addressing such concerns by relying on the provisions of the specified Act?

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29 November 2024 – NW1350

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Nhanha, Mr M to ask the Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development

What action has he and his department taken to address the challenge of the Commission on Restitution of Land Rights that is operating at a 50% vacancy rate, which hampers the efforts of meaningful land restitution and restoration? NW1642E

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29 November 2024 – NW1325

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Matiase, Mr NS to ask the Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development

(1) Whether, in view of his right to grant an advance or a subsidy for the development or management of, or to facilitate the settlement of persons on, land which is the subject of an order of the Court in terms of section 42C of the Restitution of Land Rights Act, Act 22 of 1994, from money appropriated by Parliament, his department, through the budget allocation, has set aside or appropriated money for the purpose of the abovementioned legislative provision; if not, why not; if so, (2) whether he has received any applications from beneficiaries of land and/or communal property associations (CPAs) in terms of the abovementioned section; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the names of beneficiaries and/or CPAs concerned

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Trollip, Mr A to ask the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development

What was the annual conviction rate of the Scorpions for all categories of crime relevant to their mandate since their establishment in 1999 up until their disbanding in 2009?

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29 November 2024 – NW1723

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Trollip, Mr A to ask the Minister of Agriculture

Whether, noting that the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Toxics and Human Rights in the environments report of September 2024 recommends under Section: Pesticides that government prohibits aerial spraying and also bans imports of pesticides that are banned in their country of origin, he intends to act on the recommendations; if not, why not; if so, what (a) detailed plan of steps is he going to take and (b) is the timeline of implementation in this regard?

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29 November 2024 – NW1333

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Madikizela, Mr BS to ask the Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development

Whether, with reference to the current land tenure system governed by the Interim Protection of Informal Land Rights Act, Act 32 of 1996 (IPILRA), which was introduced in 1996 as a temporary solution to secure the land rights of people living in the former Bantustans, and noting that IPILRA does not address the issue of land ownership for rural residents who remain tenants on their own land, he intends to initiate amendments to the IPILRA in order to bring to fruition the objectives of section 25(6) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, by ensuring that rural communities whose tenure of land is legally insecure as a result of past racially discriminatory laws or practices receive tenure which is legally secure and/or comparable redress; if not, why not; if so, (a) on what date and (b) what are the relevant details?

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29 November 2024 – NW1624

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Smit, Mr CF to ask the Minister of Agriculture

(1) With reference to the Onderstepoort Biological Products experiencing failure of its cooler rooms where vaccines are stored, what type of vaccines were found to be (a) compromised, (b) unusable and (c) in need of discarding in each month since April 2020; (2) whether clear records are kept of vaccines that were compromised due to the break in the cold chain; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW2003E

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29 November 2024 – NW1332

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Madikizela, Mr BS to ask the Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development

Whether he and/or his department have a plan to fast-track the outstanding 5 700 land claims that amount to about R70-80 billion to settle while the current budget of his department for the programme is R2,6 billion; if not; why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

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29 November 2024 – NW1582

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Cebekhulu, Inkosi RN to ask the Minister of Agriculture

(1) Regarding the critical role of small-scale farmers in the Republic, particularly in the context of climate change, food security and the upcoming World Food Day, what specific resources and investments are being allocated to enhance the capacity of small-scale farmers to produce food sustainably; (2) what strategies does the Government have in place to change the negative perception of farming among youth and encourage them to pursue agricultural careers; (3) how is the Government supporting educational programmes that promote sustainable agricultural practices among young farmers?

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29 November 2024 – NW1548

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Masango, Ms B to ask the Minister of Agriculture

(1) Whether, given the ever-increasing food prices while social grant increases are way below food inflation, he will furnish Ms B S Masango with an update on the progress made in implementing the National Policy on Food and Nutrition Security for the Republic of South Africa that was gazetted in 2014 by his department; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; 2) (a) what total number of South Africans have benefitted from the implementation of the policy and (b) how have they benefited; (3) what are the relevant details of the improvements on (a) the policy and (b) its implementation going forward, as the negative effects of food insecurity such as child stunting, recorded at 18% by the policy to have taken place in 2005 and now at 27%, and severe and acute malnutrition seem to continue unabated?

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28 November 2024 – NW2121

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Mhlongo, Ms N to ask the Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources

With reference to illegal mining which is dangerous and also takes away the Republic’s precious minerals while it invites illegal immigrants and puts the lives of citizens at risk, what (a) is the total number on of abandoned and/or closed mines specifically in the Rustenburg area and (b) measures are implemented to prevent illegal mining activities to initiate land rehabilitation programmes around the closed and/or abandoned sites to ensure environmental and community safety?

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28 November 2024 – NW2168

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Beesley, Mr AD to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment

(1) Whether he will furnish Mr A D Beesley with all permits granted to the City of Cape Town for the discharge of raw effluent into marine protected areas in Cape Town, particularly with respect to the stipulations in section 48A(3) of the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act, Act 57 of 2003; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) What are the details of the consultations with SANParks as the management authority that is responsible for managing the relevant marine protected areas and other relevant stakeholders regarding the permits, including the (a) dates of the consultations and (b) resolutions taken during the consultations?

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28 November 2024 – NW2109

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Ndalane, Ms NA to ask the Minister of Agriculture:

Whether there are any contingency measures in place to deal with the disease outbreaks in the livestock industry and climate-related matters which had a negative impact in the sector in the past year; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

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28 November 2024 – NO676

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Peach, Mr WD to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment

In light of the fact that his department has a poor legacy of financial management as it has accumulated over R5 billion in irregular expenditure and a staggering R280 million in fruitless and wasteful expenditure in the previous five financial years, what (a) number of officials of his departmental are subject to disciplinary action in terms of consequence management and (b) amount has been recovered thus far?

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28 November 2024 – NO661

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Makasi, Ms N to ask the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment

(1) In light of global climate change, what specific early waming measures has his department implemented to reach deep rural communities (details furnished); (2) whether he has found the specified measures to have been effective; if not, what challenges were encountered in the implementation of the specific early warning measures; if so, what are the relevant details?

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28 November 2024 – NW2129

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Montwedi, Mr Mk to ask the Minister of Agriculture:

Considering that extension services are a fundamental service for farmers, particularly emerging farmers, and noting that currently there is a serious shortage of extension officers, how does his department plan to deal with the shortage of extension services in the short , medium to long term? NW3498E

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