Chairperson, I want to thank the hon Mashamaite in absentia for the question. The question relates to chief executive officers, CEOs, in our various hospitals. There are 119 hospitals currently without appointed CEOs. All 119 posts were advertised in March 2012 for filling, with new requirements that have been established by the Minister in consultation with the National Health Council on which various MECs for health sit. The shortlisting process is under way, and the director-general, DG, is overseeing that process together with the various HODs of the provinces. Currently, all 119 public hospitals have acting CEOs.
With regard to CEOs who have been in acting positions for more than a year, may I ask that we verify the details with the provinces before we provide the answers to this particular question? Thank you.
Hon Dikgale, I understand that you have been asked to represent the hon Mashamaite. Do you have any follow- up questions?
On behalf of the mayor, I don't have any questions. [Laughter.]
Hon Chair, hon Deputy Minister, with regard to the 119 vacancies for CEOs and the process which is now being followed to fill those vacancies, does that process require that all 119 applicants who will get those positions will have some medical training, as is now required by law? If not, why not?
Secondly, Deputy Minister, these questions were submitted some time ago. Could you explain to us why you are not able to answer that part of the question?
Order, hon Lees! Hon Chief Whip.
Chair, I am sorry! The kind of follow-up that has now been asked has another supplementary question. This means that hon Lees is asking a new question.
Thank you. Hon Lees, it is a new question.
Hon Chair, I haven't finished my questions.
Finish them, but just know that that one is a new question.
Hon Chair, the second part of my question is to ask the Deputy Minister, given that this question was submitted some time ago, what is the reason that the information requested in section (ii) is not available this afternoon.
Thank you very much, Chair. The requirements for the filling of those posts have been determined and published. The appointments will be made in accordance with them. This includes having prior exposure and experience in the medical and health professions. We also acknowledge that those managers who do not have a health background find it difficult, even if they are skilled managers, to manage the specific needs and requirements of the health sector. So, we want health- sector-based experience and expertise in management.
With regard to the final question, as to why we do not have the full details, I have asked that we verify the details that are currently in our possession before we submit them to Parliament. Chair, through you, we ask to be given the opportunity to verify the information that we have with the various provinces before we submit it. Thank you.
Hon Deputy Minister, we will certainly allow you to verify that information.
Through you, hon Chair, to the hon Deputy Minister: Why was that verification process not done before today?
Hon Lees, can you accept the fact that it is going to be done? They have the information and are still verifying it. I hear what you are asking, but could you allow the department to complete that work and submit the information to the Council?
Hon Chair, the difficulty I have with that is that when the information is presented, it won't be presented in this forum so that we can ask follow-up questions. That is the difficulty.
Thank you. We will not open a debate on this one. We will allow the department to furnish the information. We will cross that bridge of other follow-ups or information that we need when we reach it. All members are allowed to ask questions and this is not the last batch of questions that members are allowed to ask. You can always ask questions. Thank you very much.
Departmental intentions regarding the engaging of state-owned enterprises to release land for human settlement 34. Ms B V Mncube (ANC) asked the Minister of Human Settlements:
Whether his department has any plans in place to engage state-owned enterprises to release abundant land they own to provinces and/or municipalities for human settlement (details furnished); if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?