QUESTION: On Government efforts to address the challenges in the Local Government Sector.

REPLY BY DEPUTY PRESIDENT MASHATILE:

Madam Speaker,

Let me thank Hon. Ntuli for bringing up this crucial question on interventions to address structural constraints in our ailing local government sector.

The deteriorating levels of municipal performance have emerged as a significant constraint to growth and investment. As a result, several municipalities are affected by weak or unstable governance, poor revenue collection, and funding shortfalls.

To address these challenges, in September 2024, the Cabinet resolved to establish an Inter-Ministerial Committee on Municipal Performance Turnaround Plan (MPTP) chaired by the Minister of CoGTA. The MPTP aims to address local government underperformance by addressing governance, service delivery, budget, revenue management, and mandatory Financial Recovery Plans.

The IMC on MPTP will further prioritise interventions focusing on 10 municipalities deemed most distressed by the Presidency. These include the Enoch Mgijima, Maluti-a-Phofung, Mafube, Kopanong, Emfuleni, uMzinyathi, Thabazimbi, Thembelihle, Ditsobotla, and Mamusa local municipalities. Already, eight of the ten identified municipalities have held meetings with the Technical IMC and are currently developing their turnaround strategies.

Madam Speaker,

Yesterday, 07 May 2025, President Cyril Ramaphosa officially launched Phase 2 of Operation Vulindlela. Phase 2 will expand its 'second wave' with more structural reforms in electricity, freight logistics, telecom, water, and skills to enhance economic growth over the next five years.
Phase 2 of OV will target three major reforms in the local government sector. Two of these reforms, the Review of the 1998 White Paper on Local Government and the Review of the Local Government Funding Model aim to fix deep-rooted problems in the sector and will apply to all municipalities. To this effect, CoGTA has published a discussion document on April 10, 2025, aiming to initiate public debate for a revised White Paper on Local Government, expected to be published by March 2026 after public consultation.

With regard to the Review of the Local Government Funding Framework, the National Treasury has completed a review of local government conditional grants and this process will be implemented in various stages.

The third reform will specifically target the eight metropolitan municipalities (City of Tshwane, City of Johannesburg, City of Ekurhuleni, City of Cape Town, eThekwini Municipality, Buffalo City Municipality, Mangaung Municipality, and Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality).

This reform is referred to as the Metro Trading Services Program (MTSP). The programme will incentivise and support a turnaround in the financial, technical, and corporate performance of these trading services through institutional reform and increased investment for improved service outcomes. The implementation of the MTSP will be effective on July 1, 2025.

In addition to these reforms, the President has launched two District Development Model (DDM) support mechanisms to address declining service delivery in eThekwini and Johannesburg in the short to medium term. These support mechanisms are known as the Presidential eThekwini Working Group (PeWG) and the Presidential Johannesburg Working Group (PJWG).

Several interventions are being undertaken through these support mechanisms, including, but not limited to, providing technical and financial support for turnaround plans in water and electricity distribution.

I thank you.
 
 
QUESTION: On measures to prevent the negative effects that could result from the withdrawal of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).

REPLY BY DEPUTY PRESIDENT MASHATILE:

Madam Speaker,

In light of the significance of Hon. Dr. P. le Roux’s question, I would want to reassure this House that our government is currently taking measures to prevent the negative effects that could result from the withdrawal of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).

A report by UNAIDS and other partners indicates that a funding withdrawal of the PEPFAR in South Africa without adequate replacement could lead to a significant increase in HIV-related deaths and new infections over the next 10 years. The abrupt withdrawal of the funding has resulted in job losses and a negative impact on the national response to HIV, TB, and STIs.

To this effect, the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Blade Nzimande, has announced the establishment of a Working Group on Science, Technology, and Innovation Funding to advise the Minister on the implications and impact of the recent withdrawal of funding on key research and development programmes in South Africa.

Accordingly, the working group will examine risk mitigating considerations related to external funding of research and development programmes in critical areas of the National System of Innovation.  

As I indicated during Human Rights Commemoration, government, through the National and Provincial Departments of Health, has a contingency plan to address the gaps resulting from this funding withdrawal to sustain the delivery of health services. The Minister of Health is engaging with the Minister of Finance to discuss the possibility of funding these gaps from the fiscus.

The Department of Health and the National Treasury, working with the provincial departments, are assessing the level of need in relation to the programmes in each of the 27 priority districts that were supported by PEPFAR. This is with a view to rationalising and consolidating the implementing partners and integrating some of the programmes into the primary health care and district health system.

Based on the analysis of the extent of the impact of the reduced financial support, a team led by the Director-General of Health is already in talks with the National Treasury to discuss funding options.

In addition, the South African National AIDS Council has approached the National Lotteries Commission and the SANAC Private Sector Forum to garner further funding support. The National Lotteries Commission has submitted a funding application for the "Close the Gap" HIV Treatment Campaign and the "End TB Campaign," which is being considered under its discretionary emergency funding.

Madam Speaker, we are hopeful that all these resource mobilisation efforts will yield positive results, as we cannot afford to have service delivery gaps in relation to health programmes, particularly those focusing on HIV and TB.

We will continue with our efforts to find sufficient resources to sustain our health programmes.

I thank you.

QUESTION: On investigations of the painful case of the sexual abuse of a manner.

REPLY BY DEPUTY PRESIDENT MASHATILE:

Madam Speaker,

Let me thank the leader of the MK Party for raising this important question. We strongly condemn all forms of violence against women, children, people with disabilities, and vulnerable members of our society.

The prevalence of sexual abuse among young children in South Africa remains a cause for concern due to its traumatic and long-term impact on victims and their families.

The painful case of allegations of sexual abuse of a seven-year-old child in the area of Matatiele in the Eastern Cape Province and other separate cases of sexual assault of minors are investigated by the South African Police Service (SAPS).
 
According to the reports we have received from SAPS, investigations are still underway to collect additional evidence that may lead to the arrest of the perpetrators in the case of the Matatiele minor. We are, however, concerned about the delays in finalising investigations on these cases, as these perpetuate emotional trauma to victims and family members.

On 31 March 2025, the National Commissioner of Police appointed the National Intervention Team led by the National Head of Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences Units (FCS) to revisit the Matatiele case.

According to the SAPS, approximately 30 statements have been taken to date, mainly from the staff of the school in question, medical personnel who examined the victim, the children who were with the victim, and family members.

Madam Speaker,

We all have the responsibility to protect our children. We must make every effort to ensure that our homes and schools are safe havens for our children.

Together as government, civil society formations, and stakeholders including faith-based organisations and traditional leaders, we need to foster multi-sectoral approaches to put an end to Gender-Based Violence, and the scourge of sexual abuse directed at women and children.
We also urge the Department of Social Development and its agencies to continue to provide the necessary support to the affected families.

Similarly, our law enforcement agencies have an obligation to speedily finalise investigations that will lead to the successful prosecution of the perpetrators.

The SAPS, in particular, needs to capacitate and allocate more resources to Forensic Science Laboratories to ensure speedy analysis of forensic exhibits collected from the victims of sexual abuse.

Upon the completion of these investigations, the Minister of Police and the National Commissioner will communicate the findings to the public. Justice must be served.

I thank you.
 

QUESTION: On the critical role to be played by men in ending HIV and launch of the Dissemination of Better Men 4 Tomorrow Campaign.

REPLY BY DEPUTY PRESIDENT MASHATILE:

Madam Speaker,

Honourable Xego, indeed, men play a critical role in ending HIV, and for this reason, on World AIDS Day which was held on 01 December 2024, we officially launched the “Better Man 4 Tomorrow” campaign in collaboration with the SANAC Men's Sector and various other men's formations.

The campaign received backing and support during a joint session of the 4th National Men's Parliament, held in Cape Town on December 7, 2024.

The “Better Man 4 Tomorrow” campaign will strategically establish a coherent network of change agents committed to improving men's health across South Africa, with a target of reaching one million men through comprehensive advocacy, communication, and social mobilisation initiatives. The initiative further seeks to:

- Encourage regular visits to health facilities for physical, mental, and psychological check-ups every six months.
- Address high-risk behaviours, including excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, substance use, poor dietary habits, lack of physical activity, and high-risk sexual behaviour.
- Encourage adherence to treatment and promote a stigma-free environment for those seeking healthcare assistance.

The “Better Man 4 Tomorrow” campaign supports the broader HIV treatment campaign, which the Minister of Health launched on 25 February 2025. This campaign, known as “Close the Gap,” aims to reach 1.1 million people living with HIV and place them on antiretroviral treatment.

In this regard, the “Better Man 4 Tomorrow” campaign will target 650,000 men and adolescent boys as a contribution to the 1.1 million people to be initiated or re-engaged on antiretroviral treatment by 31 December 2025.

The men's sector will leverage its strengths in awareness raising and advocacy, collaborating with experienced practitioners in clinical healthcare and related services, to enhance capacity and efficacy in these efforts.

Madam Speaker,

In terms of implementation, the “Better Man 4 Tomorrow” campaign is guided by milestones and key timelines on a quarterly basis. During the first quarter of 2025, the focus is on promoting awareness around the campaign and generating demand for health services among boys and men, leveraging various events, including customary male initiation schools and sporting events.

In the second quarter, the campaign will seek to enhance partnerships and collaboration with traditional health practitioners and faith-based communities for the effective referral of adolescent boys and men to health services. District and Provincial Men’s Parliaments will also be used as platforms for this purpose.

In the following quarters, the Men’s Movement will document success stories across the country in supporting the sustainability of the campaign activities.

These activities of the “Better Man 4 Tomorrow” campaign will move beyond dialogue to action—encouraging disengaged men to return to health facilities, adhere to treatment, and support a long-term culture of health-seeking behaviour among men and boys.

We urge all of you, Honourable Members, to support this and related campaigns to achieve better health outcomes for all, as we strive to achieve the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets.

I thank you.

 
QUESTION: On the independence of the judiciary and other law enforcement agencies.

REPLY BY DEPUTY PRESIDENT MASHATILE:

Madam Speaker,

I would like to thank Honourable Malema for this important question.

Today marks the 29th anniversary since the adoption of our country’s constitution which was adopted in 1996.This marked a crucial step in our country’s transition from apartheid to democracy towards building a non-racial, non-sexist and united South Africa.

Honourable Speaker, I would like to first affirm the independence and impartiality of our law enforcement agencies and judicial system.

As activists and elected public representatives, we have no authority to interfere with their operations or use our justice system to pursue our personal political interests.

We will continue to condemn anyone that continues to use state institutions for their political interests and ambitions, without fear or favour.

We will also continue to invest in building strong institutions of the State so that they protect the most vulnerable in our society. The matter that relates to Hon Malema’s question has gone through three courts of law, and the latest, this matter was dismissed with costs by the Supreme Court of Appeal.

In conclusion, those who still feel that they are not satisfied with the outcome of the Supreme Court, are allowed to take the matter to the Constitutional Court for further review, this is the beauty of our democracy.

Madam Speaker,

Besides being the Chairperson of the Justice, Crime-Prevention, and Security Cabinet Committee, I hold great concerns about any attempt at misuse of state institutions for political purposes. Political interference in the justice system not only undermines democracy; it erodes public trust, fosters corruption, and may lead to instability.

In this regard, the misuse of state institutions for political interests is currently being addressed through the implementation of recommendations of the State Capture Commission, some of which have already been adopted by this Parliament through the passing of relevant legislation.

I thank you.

QUESTION: On government efforts to eradicate Gender Based Violence and Femicide.

REPLY BY DEPUTY PRESIDENT MASHATILE:

Honourable Hadebe, the question you are raising is important in that it calls for a national debate on finding lasting solutions to the societal challenges of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF).
Honourable Speaker, as a nation, we have been grappling with the scourge of GBVF for many years.

According to Statistics South Africa, one in three women aged 16 and older have experienced physical violence, and one in five have experienced sexual abuse. This is a stark reality that requires our collective efforts to address.

Furthermore, the study conducted by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), whose report was handed over to the Department of Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities (DWYPD) on 18 November 2024, reveals that 33.1% of all women aged 18 years and older had experienced physical violence in their lifetime. We cannot allow this situation to continue.

Hence, we condemn the case of a 7-year-old girl from Matatiele and others who have suffered such inhuman abuses. We reiterate our call for our law enforcement agencies and all relevant stakeholders to work diligently to expedite justice, not only for her but for all victims of GBVF.

We are aware that there are challenges in the management of GBVF cases. In this regard, the National Prosecution Authority has adopted a victim-centric approach when dealing with cases of GBVF.

This includes the establishment of the Sexual Offences and Community Affairs (SOCA) Unit within the NPA to ensure optimal management of GBVF matters while focusing on best practices and training.

This Unit offers mandated training sessions on Sexual Offences, Child Justice, Domestic Violence, Maintenance, Trafficking in Persons as well as a GBVF module to all prosecutors.

The Sexual Offences and Community Affairs also introduced the Thuthuzela Care Centre Model that seeks to strengthen the existing response, care, and support services as offered by the state and the civil society. Through this model, the NPA has witnessed a considerable increase in the GBV conviction rate; however, much more still needs to be done.
 
Over the past few weeks, we have regrettably witnessed the acquittal of Mr. Timothy Omotoso in a trial that lasted over eight years. Among other shortfalls, this judgment has demonstrated a need for the government to strengthen existing mechanisms to deal with cases of Gender-Based Violence, which include evidence-gathering and witness protection. Thus, the Eastern Cape DPP is weighing an appeal and an external team to probe the prosecutors' actions.

Madam Speaker,

The Department of Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities (DWYPD) is also an important player in monitoring, coordinating, and lobbying for systemic accountability and change. To address these systemic failures, the DWYPD in collaboration with other relevant stakeholders, is implementing a number of initiatives to track and monitor responses to GBVF cases.

To this end, I have already met with the Ministry of Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities, in my capacity as the Chairperson of the Cabinet Committee on Justice, Crime Prevention, and Security (JCPS), with the aim to strengthening Inter-Ministerial accountability and response to address the GBVF pandemic.

I thank you.