Premier
With reference to the reply to question 18 of 14 May 2021 and his public statements that the Western Cape will procure its own vaccines:
- (a) What engagements took place with the two companies listed in Annexure A and (b) why was no response captured for the companies;
- whether he has engaged any other private companies or individuals with regard to the direct procurement of a vaccine for the province; if not, why not;
- whether he and/or persons in his office have been engaging in correspondence with a certain person of the Hazendal Wine Estate, whose name has been furnished to his Department for the purpose of his reply, as part of efforts to secure possible access to Russian COVID-19 vaccines; if so, (a) what are the names of the individuals from the Western Cape Government who have been in contact with this person, (b) when was such correspondence entered into or when did the engagements take place, (c)(i) who initiated such correspondence and (ii) why and (d) what has been or will be undertaken by this person and/or the Hazendal Wine Estate in this regard;
- whether the engagements have been concluded with this person; if so, what are the relevant details;
- whether the dealings between him and/or his office and this person and/or the Hazendal Wine Estate resulted in the Western Cape Government securing the procurement of COVID-19 vaccines for the province; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
- whether his office is simultaneously assisting, directly or indirectly, this person and/or the Hazendal Wine Estate with an access-road issue; if so, (a) what are the relevant details and (b) what assistance is the Western Cape Government providing in this regard?
- ]a] From the Office of the Premier, letters were addressed to the Head Offices of the two companies mentioned in Annexure A enquiring regarding the availability of additional vaccines.
- This was an oversight. Correspondence was sent out to the headquarters of Pfizer and Johnson and Johnson on 06 April 2021. The South African subsidiaries of the two countries both responded, Pfizer on the 09th of April 2021 and J & J on the 20th of April 2021, highlighting that supply agreements are being entered into at a national level at this stage.
]2] An excel table of the proactive outreaches by myself to individuals and companies has already been supplied, as per the response on 14 May. I have subsequently also interacted via mail with a person of the Hazendal Wine Estate. In addition, since announcing that the Western Cape hoped to procure its own vaccine supply, I have received many approaches in this regard, in person, via calls and correspondences, which have been referred to the administration for follow up.
]3]]4]]5] During an event at the premises mentioned, I was approached by the person referred to, who advised me that he may be able to source vaccines. I sent an email to this person on the 13th of May 2021 to offer my thanks for this person’s proactive approach in attempting to source vaccines and noted that the vaccine procurement team would be in touch in that regard. Finally, I stated that any vaccines explored for usage in South Africa must be SAHPRA approved.
The vaccine procurement team has supplied the person referred to with the necessary documentation to ascertain whether any follow-up action is required, however no further correspondence has been received from this person.
]6] The Premiers office is not assisting the person in question. An access road issue was referred to the Department of Transport and Public Works.
