Question NW329 to the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

Reply:

Reply 1
1.i. The relevance and importance to the SANDF: It provides Control and Administrative Node Western Cape for the Defence Signal Network for Chief Command Management Information Systems (C CMIS} server connectivity, with Pretoria network infrastructure and Administrator function.
1.ii. Security of the Republic. To Support the People of South Africa: Support to the people of South Africa means supporting of the population of South Africa by means of operations other than war, during periods when the responsible state departments do not have the capacity. The provision of hydrographic services for use by the SA Navy, South African and international mariners, and for other mariners in terms of regional and international treaties and agreements obligations. SA has an international obligation to issue promulgation of radio navigation warnings, notices for mariners, and tidal and related meteorological data for mariners in terms of international obligations. The communications center’s capability is key to fulfilling these strategic mandate and international obligations.

1.iii. Maritime.
i. The primary objective of this system (Communications Centre) is to provide the backbone for local, national, and global maritime communications in support of safety of life at sea, naval and maritime exercises and operations, both during force preparation and force employment activities, sufficient for peace, and expandable to war. 
ii. The collective being operationally available 24/7, provide for a number of communications means and methods, thereby ensuring reliability of service through area broadcasting and coverage.
iii. Radio Weather Facsimile Service to SA Navy vessels and Mariners commercial / recreational craft including yachts on behalf of the South African Weather Service.
iv. Serves as an alternate radio site to Telkom Cape Town Radio for Maritime Search and Rescue in co operation with MRCC Cape Town where the SANDF is tasked through J Ops.
v. The SAN provides the communications link when SAN vessels are tasked as Search and Rescue platform with SAR on Scene Commander and Coordinator staff of MRCC onboard.
vi. Naval and Maritime Air communications organisation is designed to provide communications between:
(1) Headquarters (HQ) including inter-service HQs;
(2) controlling HQs ashore, ships and authorities at sea;
(3) controlling HQs ashore and Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA);
(4) widely separated units at sea;
(5) ships and naval authorities at sea with such Army and SAAF HQs, aircraft and troop formations as the strategically and tactical situations require; and

(6) Ships in company.
1.iv. Air traffic in and Around the Coast of the Republic. The Maritime Air Radio Organisation and Station within the Silvermine Bunker provides the primary communications capability for the SA Airforce (SAAF) amplified as follows:
i. The station's primary role in support of the SA Navy is to provide for co-ordination and safety of aircraft and helicopters flying over the sea.
These include routine coastal patrols and interactions with ships and submarines at sea. Vessel activity around the coast is reported directly to Silvermine for further action by Maritime Patrol Aircraft.
ii. The station is utilized by the SAAF for the co-ordination and safety of all military flights both nationally and within the Sub-Saharan African territory where the SAAF is required to operate, typically in peace keeping missions and disaster relief roles.
iii. The station provides co-ordination and safety of Presidential Flights on a global basis.
iv. Air Traffic in and around the coast of the Republic.
v. The station provides for Safety Notices to Airmen (NOTAM) as in-flight
information for military aircraft.
1.b. It is hereby stated that no part of the fence has been stolen. The fence is being replaced due to its condition and the contractor's material for the remainder of the fence is on site. The contractor responsible for the work was appointed by the Department Public Works and the indication from this department is that the work will be completed by Mar 2020. Correspondence was sent to the department to receive a new end date but no feedback has been received to date. Notwithstanding, all building infrastructure are in a sound condition and receives ongoing maintenance as and when required.
1.c. The cost of the contract for the fence is RM 13 paid to date is RM 10.5.

Reply 2
The vandalism and cable theft at Silvermine Antenna Farm transpired between 2015 and 2017 and was replaced at a cost of R 868 804.10, by Reutech Solutions. The antenna farm is currently being safeguarded by members of Maritime Reaction Squadron whilst waiting for completion of the perimeter fence (the antennas are currently enclosed, awaiting completion of approximately 4 meters of underdig and thereafter the handing and taking over).

Reply 3
The Naval Communications Centre (NCC) at Silvermine will not be decommissioned due to its strategic and operational role to South Africa and the SANDF. In addition the Hydrographic Act 35 of 2019, places an obligation on the SA Navy. In the event of total communications equipment failure at NCC, all communications services will be handled by the alternative secondary broadcast station which is located in Durban.