The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:
1. (a) The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) has informed me that a total 189 NPOswhich were compliant to the central supplier database (CSD) requirements,were contracted by way of an addendum in this current financial year to implement the COVID-19 response project in support of the Department of Healthfor a period of 3 months. Of the 189 NPOs, 143 NPOs have commenced with the COVID-19 Response.
(b) Of the 189 appointed NPOs, 46have delayed implementation due to various challenges at a local level such as (i) late or non-confirmation of deployment sites due to limited capacity to utilise the participants(ii) change of scope of work by someprovincial Departments of Health, (iii) provinces and district municipalities querying participants’ recruitment strategiesand therefore not accepting placement, (iv)district municipalities and provinces not having the required tools for participants to deliver the Public Health Hygiene Strategy interventions at the implementation sites.
(c) So far 171 NPOs have received their personal protective equipment (PPE). The PPEs include hand sanitisers, masks and gloves. Eighteen (18) NPOs (1 in Mpumalanga and 17 in KZN) will receive their PPEsonce the sites have been identified,by municipalities and the provincial Departments of Health, for the deployment of the participants.
2. (a)In terms of the 46 NPOs awaiting commencement, this question is addressed inresponse 1 (b) above.
(b)This is addressed in response 1(c).