2023-w2717 - 09 October 2023

Wendy Robyn Alexander to ask the President of the Republic

Whether he intends to sign a proclamation that extends the scope of the investigation of the Special Investigating Unit into alleged corruption in the National Lotteries Commission (NLC) to include investigation of procurement by the NLC; if not, why not; if so; on what date does he intend to sign a proclamation in this regard?

Reply from the President of the Republic on 9 Oct 2023

I am advised that allegations relating to procurement irregularities and maladministration at the National Lotteries Commission (NLC) are currently undergoing the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) internal assessment processes.

Once the internal assessment processes are complete, the SIU will decide whether to submit a motivation to amend the scope of the proclamation.

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2023-w2735 - 27 September 2023

John Henry Steenhuisen to ask the President of the Republic

(1)With reference to his recent African Peace Mission to provide mediation in the war between Russia and Ukraine, what (a) was the full cost to South African taxpayers of the entire South African contingent, including the 120-person security detail, the media component, the delegation itself and the chartered SA Airways plane that transported the security detail and media component and (b) is the detailed breakdown of all costs; (2) what are the full details of the (a) list of names for the entire South African contingent and (b) justification for each individual’s inclusion; (3) whether he stands by the statement made by his head of protection services that their denial of entry into Poland was due to racism and sabotage on the part of the Polish authorities; if not, what is The Presidency’s official explanation for the South African contingency being denied entry to Poland; (4) whether Ivor Ichikowitz and Jean-Yves Ollivier had any role in the African Peace Mission; if not, what are the reasons that they were present at the 5 June meeting of African leaders ahead of the Peace Mission; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply from the President of the Republic on 27 Sep 2023

The Russia-Ukraine conflict has caused great devastation in lost human life, destruction of infrastructure and displacement of people. It has also disrupted the supply of grain to world markets and thus precipitated food insecurity particularly in Africa.

Recognising the dangers arising from the instability caused by the conflict, together with other African Heads of State, we committed ourselves to working with both parties involved ...

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2023-w2470 - 17 July 2023

Samantha Jane Graham to ask the President of the Republic

(1)On what date was the Presidential Climate Finance Task Team (PCFTT) established; (2) what total number of meetings have been held by the PCFTT since its establishment; (3) whether the PCFTT has put together a programme of action for the roll-out of the Just Energy Transition Implementation Plan with time frames; if not, on what date will the programme of action for the roll-out be available; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply from the President of the Republic on 17 Jul 2023

1. The Presidential Climate Finance Task Team (PCFTT) was established in February 2022.

2. The PCFTT held bi-monthly meetings during its tenure in 2022.

3. The Just Energy Transition Investment Plan (JET IP) was endorsed by Cabinet in November 2022. Its implementation is ongoing and is currently managed by a Project Management Unit that reports to the Project Management Office in the Private Office ...

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2023-w2017 - 17 July 2023

Werner Horn to ask the President of the Republic

Whether he intends to review and adjust the judicial post establishment of the Labour Court, given the substantial increase in the workload of the court?

Reply from the President of the Republic on 17 Jul 2023

I am advised by the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services that there are currently 13 Judges in the Labour Court.

To deal with the current backlog of cases, the court is using Acting Judges appointed on a pro bono basis.

The Minister of Justice and Correctional Services has agreed with the Judge President of the Labour Court on a process to address this ...

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2023-w2223 - 17 July 2023

Dean William Macpherson to ask the President of the Republic

(1) With reference to his speech during Africa Day celebrations on 25 May 2023, wherein he stated that some countries, including the Republic, are being threatened with penalties for pursuing an independent foreign policy for adopting a position of non-alignment, (a) which countries have threatened the Republic with penalties, (b) on what date did the threat take place, (c) how and (d) what is the nature of the specified penalties; (2) (a) which other African countries were also threatened with penalties, (b) on what date and (c) how; (3) whether he has made the threats that were made by other countries known to Cabinet; if not, why not; if so, on what date?

Reply from the President of the Republic on 17 Jul 2023

The pressure that has been placed on South Africa and other African countries to adopt a particular position on the Russia-Ukraine conflict takes different forms.

Some of these are direct in nature, such as the Countering Malign Russian Activities in Africa Act, which was introduced in the United States Congress in March 2022. Pressure is also applied through other means, some of which are ...

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2023-w2050 - 17 July 2023

Nicholas George Myburgh to ask the President of the Republic

Whether, during the visit of the Prime Minister of Singapore, Mr Lee Hsien Loong, he was able to extract the most important lessons that Singapore, a former British colony, learned along the way towards becoming one of the world’s economic success stories; if not, why not; if so, (a) what were the lessons that were learnt, and (b) how does he plan to implement the lessons in the Republic?

Reply from the President of the Republic on 17 Jul 2023

The visit provided South Africa and Singapore with an opportunity to discuss areas of cooperation that are firmly focused on the future. This included cooperation in the fields of digitalisation, communications and technology, water and sanitation, and skills development, among others.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Skills Development that was signed during the official visit on 16 May 2023 aims to enhance skills ...

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2023-w1965 - 13 June 2023

Omphile Mankoba Confidence Maotwe to ask the President of the Republic

Whether, since his reply to oral question 7 on 11 May 2023 and the creation of a Ministry in the Presidency for Electricity, he has fully developed the key performance areas of the specified Ministry; if not, why not; if so, what (a) exactly is the Minister in the Presidency for Electricity’s key performance areas, (b)(i) legislative and (ii) other core energy-related functions have been transferred to the authority of the specified Minister and (c)(i) total budget has been allocated to the Minister and (ii) budget vote has the money been sourced from?

Reply from the President of the Republic on 13 Jun 2023

The President appointed the Minister in the Presidency responsible for Electricity to focus on the following key priorities:

  1. Reduce the severity and frequency of load shedding as a matter of urgency.
  2. Oversee all aspects of the electricity crisis response, including the work of the National Energy Crisis Committee and implementation of the Energy Action Plan.
  3. Facilitate the coordination of the numerous departments and entities ...
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2023-w1833 - 13 June 2023

Natasha Wendy Anita Mazzone to ask the President of the Republic

Whether, with reference to the reply of the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies to question 244 on 4 May 2023 and with regard to the forensic audit that he initiated via a proclamation in 2013 and conducted by the Specialised Security Group on Mismanagement at the SA Post Office, he will furnish Mrs N W A Mazzone with the (a) forensic report and its findings and (b) report of the Special Investigating Unit on the non-resolution of the forensic audit report and its findings; if not, why not, in each case; if so, what are the relevant details in each case?

Reply from the President of the Republic on 13 Jun 2023

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) produced a report on the investigation into the South African Post Office (SAPO) pursuant to proclamation R5 of 2014 amended by proclamation R56 of 2014. A copy of the SIU report was sent to former Acting CEO: SAPO, Adv Ivumile Nongogo and former Minister of Communications, Ms Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams.

The Honourable Member may seek a copy of the report ...

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2023-w1864 - 13 June 2023

John Henry Steenhuisen to ask the President of the Republic

With reference to his statement released on 11 May 2023 in response to the allegations by the United States that the Republic has provided materials of war to the Russian Federation, stating that he has appointed an independent investigation into the matter that will be led by a retired judge, (a) on what date did he institute the investigation, (b) what is the name of the retired judge he has appointed and (c) what are the terms of reference of the investigation?

Reply from the President of the Republic on 13 Jun 2023

A three-member independent panel was appointed on 25 May 2023 to enquire into the circumstances of the docking of the Russian vessel known as Lady R in Simonstown, Western Cape, in December 2022.

The panel consists of Judge PMD Mojapelo as Chairperson, Adv Leah Gcabashe SC and Mr Enver Surty.

The panel has been tasked to:

  • establish the circumstances that led to the docking ...
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2023-w2072 - 13 June 2023

John Henry Steenhuisen to ask the President of the Republic

(1) With reference to his statement on 11 May 2023 in response to allegations by the United States ambassador, Mr Reuben Brigety, that the Republic provided materials of war to the Russian Federation, stating that he has appointed an independent investigation into the matter to be led by a retired judge, (a) on what date did he first hear that there were allegations of war materials having been loaded on the Russian vessel, Lady R, at Simon’s Town Naval Base in December 2022, (b) what did he do about it then and (c) on what date did he first ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans to brief him on the serious issue; (2) whether he had sight of the ship manifest of Lady R; if not, (a) why not and (b) what are the reasons that he appointed an independent investigation by a retired judge instead of asking the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans to furnish him with the information he requires; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) on what date is it envisaged that the independent investigation will be completed, given that this is an urgent matter where the global reputation and trade benefits of the Republic are at stake?

Reply from the President of the Republic on 13 Jun 2023

I have appointed an independent panel to enquire into the circumstances of the docking of the Russian vessel known as Lady R in Simonstown in December 2022. The enquiry was established because of the seriousness of the allegations, the extent of public interest and the impact of this matter on South Africa’s international relations.

The inquiry has to establish the circumstances that led to ...

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