Thread by @ANCParliament

Today in Parliament: Deputy President Cde @DDMabuza will join a virtual sitting of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) to respond to Questions for Oral Reply at 14H00 today. #MabuzaQandA #NationalCouncilOfProvinces

Watch the proceedings live on Parliament TV Channel 408 & Parliament's YouTube channel #StaySafe #WashYourHands #WearAMask

#MabuzaQandA Greetings to yourselves honourable members of the NCOP. I am very happy to be amongst you today. #LootingInKZNandGP

#MabuzaQandA As government we strongly condemn public violence and any accompanying acts of criminality such as looting of businesses and destruction of property that took place in the country last month. #LootingInKZNandGP

#MabuzaQandA No amount of grievance should lead us on a path of destruction and not uphold the rule of law. #LootingInKZNandGP

#MabuzaQandA The provinces of KwaZulu Natal and Gauteng were adversely affected by riots that resulted into disruption of delivery of basic services and stoppages to economic activity. #LootingInKZNandGP

#MabuzaQandA Most municipalities including eThekwini and Johannesburg had to seize rendering some of the basic services including bus transport, waste collection, construction work in the interest of protecting their workers, commuters and assets during this volatile period.

#MabuzaQandA As a measure to stimulate economic recovery government has availed R2.3 billion to support businesses affected by ongoing restrictions by COVID-19 pandemic and further exacerbated by the looting and destruction of logistical infrastructure during last months unrest.

#MabuzaQandA This amount is made up of the reprioritisation of R700 million by the Department of Trade and Industry and Competition and R300 million by the Department of Small Business and Development. #LootingInKZNandGP

#MabuzaQandA This government support is directed at critical infrastructure refurbishment to support bulk infrastructure development in the affected economic areas such as industrial parks, shopping centres and factories. #LootingInKZNandGP

#MabuzaQandA Industrial loan facilities to support manufacturing companies affected by the looting and COVID-19 with specific focus on rebuilding our infrastructure, fitting for the premises, restocking and working capital. #LootingInKZNandGP

#MabuzaQandA The Retail Support Fund which will provide interest-free loans to companies that have been affected by the unrest towards funding for the rebuilding of infrastructure also with fitting for the premises, restocking and working capital. #LootingInKZNandGP

#MabuzaQandA And the Business Survival Support Programme to assist affected small enterprises with working capital including stock, machinery & equipment, revolving credit facility, payment moratorium of up to 12 months and the repayment period up to 84 months. #LootingInKZNandGP

#MabuzaQandA There has been an additional R1.3 billion allocated to the Department of Trade and Industry and Competition for the funding of uninsured businesses that were affected by the riots. #LootingInKZNandGP

#MabuzaQandA Our immediate priority is to accelerate the implementation of our Economic Recovery Reconstruction Plan to revive all destroyed businesses and protect existing employment and drive inclusive growth. #LootingInKZNandGP

#MabuzaQandA Further to this government is working with social partners to implement social & economic relief packages that will support households and provide assistance to affected businesses & employees. #LootingInKZNandGP

#MabuzaQandA In addition the Unemployment Insurance Fund has set aside R5.3 billion for extension of the COVID-19 TERS coverage. #LootingInKZNandGP

#MabuzaQandA This will mainly cover those that have lost their jobs due the lock-down and the recent looting & destructionof businesses. #LootingInKZNandGP

#MabuzaQandA With regards to KZN the Office of the Premier has advised us that over 3000 businesses including facilities were looted, vandalised and burnt resulting in more than R15 billion of damage to property and equipment. #LootingInKZNandGP

#MabuzaQandA This has affected a number of small towns and other economic corridors that are dependent on grants for revitilsation of the local economy and business retention. #LootingInKZNandGP

#MabuzaQandA The province has developed a plan to renovate and support township shopping malls and shopping centres that are based in rural areas. #LootingInKZNandGP

#MabuzaQandA We want to commend the work that is being done by the Premiers of KZN and Gauteng in engaging and taking into confidence investors whose businesses have been affected by the looting and public violence to continue with their business & operations. #LootingInKZNandGP

#MabuzaQandA We also remain committed to our efforts of Economic Reconstruction and Recovery of our economy which should be our watch word in trying to empower our people & forge a sustainable development specifically for women & young people. #LootingInKZNandGP

#MabuzaQandA At a meeting that we held with #ESKOM that took place on the 13 August 2021 we were briefed on the extent that took place at Medupi Power Station Unit 4.

#MabuzaQandA We are advised that the generator failed incident that occurred on the 8 August 2021 has been classified as a very major event. #ESKOM

#MabuzaQandA It is anticipated that the affected Unit is likely to be offline for a considerable time and period. #ESKOM

#MabuzaQandA That is why an investigation team comprising of #ESKOM and experts and the original equipment manufacturer that has been appointed by #ESKOM to determine the root-cause and the full extent of the damage caused.

#MabuzaQandA The people contributory aspect of the failure is part of the investigation scope. For now it is too early to address remedial aspects. #ESKOM

#MabuzaQandA Having said that #ESKOM has in the meantime placed employees who were responsible for the management and the execution of the generator purging activity on precautionary suspension pending the outcome of the investigation.

#MabuzaQandA Upon completion of the investigation we expect that the leadership of #ESKOM take appropriate remedial action

#MabuzaQandA As government we have recognised that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on our efforts to create jobs, particularly on our youth and people with disabilities. #Unemployment

#MabuzaQandA Since the advent of COVID-29 in 2020 the share of young people under 35 years old in all employment levels has fallen from 56% before the pandemic to 50% today. #Unemployment

#MabuzaQandA Notwithstanding these current conditions government is making targeted interventions to address youth unemployment and poverty. #Unemployment

#MabuzaQandA These government-led interventions and multi-sectoral include a number of structured programmes. #Unemployment

#MabuzaQandA In response to the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy and livelihoods the President announced in October 2020 the Employment Stimulus aimed at generating employment. #Unemployment

#MabuzaQandA As of March 2021 it had supported almost 600 000 employment and self-employment opportunities. #Unemployment

#MabuzaQandA Through this programme government has allocated a total of R13 billion in the 2020/21 financial year which prioritises young people and women across various sectors. #Unemployment

#MabuzaQandA The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure as custodians of the Public Works Programme has created 963 650 work opportunities for young people across all sectors. #Unemployment

#MabuzaQandA Through the Expanded Public Works National Youth Service 3900 youths have been trained. #Unemployment

#MabuzaQandA Government is advancing an integrated service delivery model which is carried by the Department of Cooperative Governance contributing towards youth employment work opportunities through the Community Work Programme. #Unemployment

#MabuzaQandA During the 2020/21 financial year 65 000 young people benefited from the CWP by receiving an average income of R880. #Unemployment

#MabuzaQandA During the last 3 financial years the Industrial Cooperation has provided support of approximately to youth owned enterprises which contributed to the creation or retention of 3800 jobs in the past 3 years. #Unemployment

#MabuzaQandA By the end of March 2021 the National Empowerment Fund had already approved a total of 1146 transactions with a value of R11.1 billion. A total of 54 transactions are youth empowered & youth owned valued at R372 million. #Unemployment

#MabuzaQandA These programmes are cross sectoral interventions and seek to achieve the following objectives: provide relief packages to young people denied tangible participation in the economic mainstream; breakdown structural barriers that are keeping [CONT.] #Unemployment

#MabuzaQandA [CONT.] young people out of economic opportunities; prioritise continuous training & re-skilling of young people with requisite skills demanded by the new world of work; [CONT.] #Unemployment

#MabuzaQandA [CONT.] support young people who live in townships and rural areas to participate in economic hubs by addressing prohibitive issues such as transportation & high data costs. #Unemployment

#MabuzaQandA Over and above these interventions government in August 2021 reintroduced COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress Grant of R350. #Unemployment

#MabuzaQandA While this grant is specifically not targeting from the previous iterations we have noted that more 60% of the recipients of this grant are young people. #Unemployment

#MabuzaQandA The reintorudction of this grant will make a significant difference in reducing poverty and hunger. #Unemployment

#MabuzaQandA Moving forward & working with our social partners it will be important to find practical measures and incentives further discourage young work seekers and also scaling up our incentives to employers in both [CONT.] #Unemployment

#MabuzaQandA [CONT.] the public & private sectors to employ young people so that they can gain footholds with requisite experience. #Unemployment

#MabuzaQandA Among concrete measures is to ensure that there is high absorption capacity of young people and women and set asides in sectors such as agriculture, aggro-processing, mining, tourism & oceans economy. #Unemployment

#MabuzaQandA The 3 municipalities that are referred here (Maluti-a-Phofung Local Municipality, Masilonyana Local Municipality and Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality) like all others in the country do have service delivery challenges. #WaterCrisis

#MabuzaQandA Some of these challenges relate to the capacity of such municipalities to provide reliable and efficient water and sanitation. #WaterCrisis

#MabuzaQandA This is a matter of grave concern. It is for this reason that as government we have realised for a better coordinated and comprehensive approach to all intervention at municipalities through the District Development Model (DDM). #WaterCrisis

#MabuzaQandA For which the purpose of this question will result in communities having access to water and sanitation. #WaterCrisis

For example, in Masilonyana Local Municipality we have noted despite the considerable strides which have been made to overcome water provision challenges, concerns on the availability, on the quality & management of water in this municipality persists and requires attention.

#MabuzaQandA The same situation of inadequate access to clean water is applicable to Maluti-a-Phofung Local Municipality and Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality [CONT.] #WaterCrisis

#MabuzaQandA [CONT.] where challenges of water provision is as a result of inadequate maintenance of infrastructure & lack of inter-leakages of various schemes that are found in these municipalities respectively. #WaterCrisis

#MabuzaQandA In this regard on the 26 May 2021 Cabinet resolved to establish an Inter-Ministerial Committee on Water and Sanitation so that this IMC can provide leadership [CONT.] #WaterCrisis

#MabuzaQandA [CONT.] & technical assistance towards addressing & resolving challenges in the provision of water and sanitation services in the whole country. #WaterCrisis

#MabuzaQandA This IMC is established under the leadership of the Deputy President as an institution coordinating platform that brings together players involving government including infrastructure South Africa. #WaterCrisis

#MabuzaQandA The intention is the development and implementation of a multi-sectoral plan for to source funding for water and sanitation infrastructure projects. #WaterCrisis

#MabuzaQandA This will lead o municipalities effectively delivering water services, be able to bill communities for these services, be able to collect revenue that is due to these municipalities and also be able to elevate asset management. #WaterCrisis

#MabuzaQandA The President has recently announce the separation of the Ministry Water and Sanitation from Human Settlements [CONT.] #WaterCrisis

#MabuzaQandA [CONT] to build on improving our targeted strategies at ensuring that we secure our country's water supply services and ensure that every community has water. #WaterCrisis

#MabuzaQandA We take comfort in the progress we have made in the ongoing water resolution in Maluti-a-Phofung Local Municipality following our oversight visits on the 30 March, 21 May and 19 June 2021. #WaterCrisis

#MabuzaQandA The issue of lack of access to water in the municipality is a typical case of inadequate planning and implementation of an integrated water infrastructure. #WaterCrisis

#MabuzaQandA For instance in Maluti-a-Phofung Local Municipality water supply is inadequate for the 100 000 households that are found in the area. #WaterCrisis

#MabuzaQandA This dam becomes vulnerable during periods of lower than usual rainfall and the population that depends on this dam struggles due to this systemic problem of lack of integration of the bulk water supply infrastructure. #WaterCrisis

#MabuzaQandA In the true spirit of an integrated planning by the whole of government by the DDM we have developed a focused Action Plan as an outcome of our collaborative efforts to support Maluti-a-Phofung Local Municipality. #WaterCrisis

#MabuzaQandA This plan is focused on fast-tracking the implementation to linking of our 4 streams located in the area. #WaterCrisis

#MabuzaQandA We will continue to use this coordinated approach to address these similar challenges in other municipalities that are facing similar challenges. #WaterCrisis

#MabuzaQandA We will also elevate our efforts in restoring governance in municipalities across the country to prevent disruption of services. #WaterCrisis

#MabuzaQandA We are confident that through the IMC on Water & Sanitation and a dedicated Ministry we will overcome the prevailing challenges of water provision in many municipalities. #WaterCrisis

#MabuzaQandA The COVID-19 pandemic has indeed had an impact on our country's response to #HIVandAIDS especially on our ability to achieve the 90-90-90 targets by December 2020.

#MabuzaQandA The targets aimed to ensure that 90% of our people living with HIV know their status. #HIVandAIDS

#MabuzaQandA Also ensuring that 90% of all people that are diagnosed must receive sustained antiretroviral therapy and ensure that the 90% that is receiving the therapy have a viral suppression. #HIVandAIDS

#MabuzaQandA The impact of COVID-19 to our health system has not only affected South Africa but it is also evident throughout the whole world. #HIVandAIDS

#MabuzaQandA Drawing on studies undertaken in various countries the 2021 UN Global AIDS update also reported that people living with #HIVandAIDS appear to be at higher risk of COVID-19 illness and deaths.

#MabuzaQandA These studies also suggest that poor COVID-19 outcomes in people living with #HIVandAIDS appears to be as a result of advanced HIV diseases and/or the presence of chronic core morbidities such as TB, diabetes and hypertension.

#MabuzaQandA This also has the potential to alter the roadmap towards the end of #HIVandAIDS

#MabuzaQandA South Africa was on course to achieve the ambitious target of 90-90-90 as per the strategy to ensure that we end the #HIVandAIDS pandemic by 2030.

#MabuzaQandA However, the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the interruption in the fight against #HIVandAIDS

#MabuzaQandA By the end of December 2020 the country had managed to achieve 75% in terms of the people enrolled on our antiretroviral treatment against the target of 6.1 million. #HIVandAIDS

#MabuzaQandA The Department of Health in response to COVID-19 related challenges became very innovative by integrating our services in testing and provision of antiretroviral therapy. #HIVandAIDS

#MabuzaQandA Even as we response to the novel COVID-19 pandemic we should continue to respond to #HIVandAIDS and TB.

#MabuzaQandA This includes implementing a catch-up programme that integrates services relating to #HIVandAIDS, TB and COVID-19.

#MabuzaQandA And extending the term of our current National Strategic Plan for #HIVandAIDS, TB and STI's 2017 - 2022 to end in 2023.

#MabuzaQandA For instance #HIVandAIDS & TB services are being provided at sites designated for COVID-19 screening in order to ensure broader reach of our people is accomplished there.

#MabuzaQandA As alluded to earlier the recent unrest in KZN and Gauteng will go down in history as a major setback towards efforts of nation building and efforts of social cohesion. #RacialTensionsInKZN

#MabuzaQandA The ugly face of racism, lawlessness and vigilantism ought to bear the permeating fault-lines in our society that suggest the long road ahead in fulfilling our dreams we had at the dawn of our democracy. #RacialTensionsInKZN

#MabuzaQandA The rampant acts of criminality that were beamed the world over and the brutal killing of black Africans in Phoenix and surrounding areas left a very dark stain on our democracy. #RacialTensionsInKZN

#MabuzaQandA The socioeconomic conditions of poverty, unemployment and inequality that exists in our country are known by all of us and are the critical challenges of the moment. #RacialTensionsInKZN

#MabuzaQandA However, no amount of despair should have led to the violence and the destruction of property that we have witnessed over the past few weeks. #RacialTensionsInKZN

#MabuzaQandA The unfortunate events significantly reverse the progress we have made against racism. #RacialTensionsInKZN

#MabuzaQandA They challenge all of us to rethink the project of nation building, an inclusive economic growth to be fully reflective of aspiration contained in our constitution. #RacialTensionsInKZN

#MabuzaQandA For as long as the majority is feeling excluded from economic opportunities and shared growth, the journey towards a cohesive society will be steeper and harder to climb. #RacialTensionsInKZN

#MabuzaQandA It is therefore incumbent on all of us working across political lines to lead and address decisively the root caused of these unrest's and find shared sustainable solutions to ensure that this dark period in our history is never repeated. #RacialTensionsInKZN

#MabuzaQandA For its part, the moral regeneration movement and the social cohesion advocates have done considerable work in dispelling racial tensions, especially in KZN. #RacialTensionsInKZN

#MabuzaQandA Various organisations and civil society have also been on the ground right from the beginning of the social unrest visiting and engaging communities in affected areas like Phoenix, Chatsworth, Verulam and Umlazi. #RacialTensionsInKZN

#MabuzaQandA It is encouraging to note the work that has been done by the Premier of KZN in showing solidarity with affected families and communities in the province who lost their loved ones during this unrest. #RacialTensionsInKZN

#MabuzaQandA The KZN provincial government in partnership with the South African Police Service has facilitated engagement with the affected communities and community leaders through the establishment of the District Rapid Response Task Team. #RacialTensionsInKZN