Questions and Replies
12 July 2023 - NW2509
Mafanya, Mr WTI to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
What are the reasons that the new uniform of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF is being Manufactured in other countries when the Republic is the most viable country to produce it?
Reply:
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12 July 2023 - NW2284
Marais, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
(1) What are the details of the outcomes of the Second Board of Inquiry established to inquire into the non payment of the 815 members from the Umzimvubu Regiment who reported for training and deployment as part of Operation Prosper in response to the 2021 civil uprisings; (2) Whether the specified 815 reserve force and regimental members have received the remuneration due to them for the period that they were at their base; if not, why not, if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1. The Board of Inquiry (BOI) on Umzimvubu Regiment is with C SANDF’s legal office for review and assessment on the recommendations made by C Army, details of which can only be divulged on the conclusion of the review process.
2. The members have not yet been paid because the BOI is still with C SANDF’s legal office for a review process, which will give guidance as to future administrative actions to be implemented, including payment to deserving members.
12 July 2023 - NW1647
Shelembe, Mr ML to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
(1) Whether, with reference to the Chetty 491 housing project for military veterans in Port Elizabeth, a service-level agreement was signed between the Department of Human Settlement and the Department of Military Veterans; if not, why not; if so, are the specified houses built in line with the adequate housing requirements. (2) Whether she will furnish Mr M L Shelembe with a copy of the service-level agreement; if not, why not; if so, by what date. (3) Which representative of the Department of Military Veterans will be monitoring the process to ensure that there is compliance?
Reply:
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30 June 2023 - NW1389
Marais, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
(1) In light of the fact the Poland is a sovereign country and a member of the United Nations that is entitled to arm and defend itself, and with reference to her role in the National Conventional Arms Control Committee regarding the consideration of munitions exports permits by members of the South African Defence Industry, what are the reasons for disallowing and/or putting on hold export permit to Poland (2) Whether any negative intelligence reports have been corroborated; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) Whether any Government called on an inspection in terms of the end-user-certificate provisions; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
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11 April 2023 - NW811
Cebekhulu, Inkosi RN to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
Whether negotiations and terms of the contract between her department and the Central Energy Fund to supply the SA National Defence Force with fuel in order to get its aircraft off the ground have been concluded, which were estimated to be finalised by 31 October 2022; if not, why not; if so, what are the details of the agreement?
Reply:
The DOD has a Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) with Central Energy Fund (CEF) which was signed by the Sec Def (Accounting Officer) as the Head of the Department in 2019.
The DOD is in the process of concluding a new Service Level Agreement (SLA) with Petro SA, which is a subsidiary of CEF, for the supply and delivery of fuel.
11 April 2023 - NW671
Mafanya, Mr WTI to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
Whether she has assessed the efficacy of the deployment of the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) to the Cape Flats to assist in fighting violent crimes; if not, why not; if so, lo what extent has she found did the deployment of the SANDF assist in fighting violent crime in Cape Town?
Reply:
The efficacy of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) deployment in the Cape Flats or anywhere else it is deployed is always under constant review as the situation evolves, with force levels up scaling or downscaling, or even withdrawal of forces, as the situation demands. The deployment of the SANDF on the Cape Flats must be regarded as part of the support provided to the South African Police Services as requested and mandated by the President of the Republic of South Africa.
However, the question of whether the deployment has reduced crime in the Cape Flats is best answered by the SAPS and through monitoring and evaluation, which fall outside the ambit of the defense establishment.
11 April 2023 - NW382
Mmutle, Mr TN to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
By what date will vacant posts (a) in the board of Armscor and (b) of senior positions in the Department of Defence and Military Veterans be filled?
Reply:
a) The ARMSCOR Board of Directors currently has three (3) vacant positions. The Ministry and ARMSCOR intend to ·fill these vacant positions as soon as possible, but no later than the conclusion of the first quarter of the current fiscal year, which begins on April 1, 2023.
b) Following the completion and upgrading of the job profiles, the senior vacant positions in the Department of Defence, namely the Secretary for Defence and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), will be posted.
Other senior positions in the Department of Defence, including Chief Defence Material (C Def Mat), Chief Director(ate) International Affairs (COIA), Chief Director(ate) Legal Services (COLS), and Chief Audit Executive (GAE), were submitted to DPSA, but there was disagreement about rank levels. The Department of Defense is working with the DPSA on the topic.
Furthermore, the senior empty jobs in the Department of Military Veterans have been re-advertised because the period in which they were advertised had since lapsed without any acceptable candidates being selected .
11 April 2023 - NW383
Mmutle, Mr TN to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
What (a) progress has she made in implementing the resolution to relocate Denel from the Department of Public Enterprises to the Department of Defence and (b) are the timelines in this regard?
Reply:
a) The relocation of Denel, the state-owned armaments manufacturing institution, necessitates the participation of the entire government, especially the Department of Public Enterprises, under which it falls, as well as National Treasury. The Ministry of Defence and Military Veterans cannot execute this process on their own; they must also be satisfied that there is due diligence prior to relocation. There will also be legal ramifications from the relocation.
b) The deadlines cannot yet be defined because they are dependent on the fulfillment of the conditions outlined in the preceding paragraph. (a).
11 April 2023 - NW1068
Marais, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
(1) With reference to her reply to question 662 on 27 October 2022, what are the reasons that she stated that there were no losses incurred while both the Auditor General of South Africa and her department reported the amount paid for purchasing Heberon lnterferon-Alpha-28 is now irregular and will probably be a loss; (2) whether she will furnish Mr S J F Marais with the reasons for the apparent misrepresentation of the related facts; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) whether she will authorise that the outstanding R33,4 million be subtracted from the Project Thusano payments that the Government makes to the Cuban government; if not, why not; if so, (a) how, (b) on what date will the payment be recovered from the Cuban government and (c) what are the further, relevant details?
Reply:
1) The arrangement to get the medication from Cuba came into being when the country was faced with a crisis of COVID 19 and the whole country was in a state of disaster. The AGSA's findings indicated that the Department of Defence (DOD) did not follow procurement processes. The DOD then recorded the Rm33.4 as irregular expenditure due to AGSA's findings. The return of the medication back to Cuba came out of a court order which the department had to comply with.
2) There was no misrepresentation of facts, on the matter, the Department had always recorded the irregularity in the financial records as irregular expenditure.
3) (a) The irregular expenditure will be treated as per the irregular expenditure framework prescribed by National Treasury.
(b) The process indicated above will determine the outcome.
(c) There are no further relevant details surrounding the matter.
11 April 2023 - NW876
Mafanya, Mr WTI to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
(a) By what date will military veterans be provided with answers on the release of their special pensions and (b) What are the further relevant details in this regard?
Reply:
As a result of the process and procedure that must be followed and finished before the final regulation can come into effect, the Department of Military Veterans is working tirelessly to ensure that the military veterans pensions benefit can be paid out, but there is no precise date as to when the military veterans' pension will be paid until all due processes are completed.
11 April 2023 - NW830
Cebekhulu, Inkosi RN to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
(1) Whether, with regard to reports of trespassing and poaching on SA National Defence Force (SANDF) occupied land in Makhanda, which led to her department registering a project to construct perimeter fencing around the training area, the specified fence has been erected; if not, why not.(2) If so, whether the perimeter fencing resulted in reduced reports of trespassing; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details.(3) Whether the SANDF is involved in any collaborative anti-poaching efforts in the area with other departments; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1. The Chief of Logistics registered and approved the project to build a perimeter fence around the training area because it falls under his responsibility, but it was unable to be executed due to lack of funding.
2. The project will be carried out depending on the availability of funds after it was unable to be executed owing to financial restrictions.
3. The SANDF is currently not involved in any collaborative anti-poaching efforts in the area with other departments due to roles and functions as well as boundary management.
23 March 2023 - NW110
Cebekhulu, Inkosi RN to ask the Defence and Military Veterans
Whether, in light of reports that Project Thusano will be expanded to introduce maritime service and that the Cuban repair team of the specified project will be utilised for the repair of, among other things, naval equipment and dockyard infrastructure, she will provide relevant details on the total amount that the inclusion of the maritime services will cost the SA national Defence Force; if not, why not, if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
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23 March 2023 - NW82
Tarabella - Marchesi, Ms NI to ask the Defence and Military Veterans
What are the details of the (a) make, (b) model, (c) year of manufacture, (d0 cost and (e) purchase date of all the official vehicles purchased for (i) her, (ii) the former Minister, (iii) the Deputy Minister and the (iv) former Deputy Minister of her department since 1 June 2019?
Reply:
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23 March 2023 - NW59
Marais, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
With reference to the members of the (a) SA National Defence Force, especially (i) senior and (ii) general staff officers and (b) Department of Defence, especially those from higher post levels, who are on suspension at home while receiving their normal full monthly remuneration, (i) what are the reasons that they have not been charged, (ii) by what date(s) will they be charged and/or returned to the place of work to resume the work they have been employed for and (iii) what are the reasons that suspension charges have been withdrawn against certain persons?
Reply:
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23 March 2023 - NW58
Marais, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
(1) What total number of members of the (a) SA National Defence Force, especially (i) senior and (ii) general staff officers and (b) Department of Defence, especially those from higher post levels, who were on suspension at home as at 31 December 2022, are receiving their normal full monthly remuneration; (2) What are the relevant details of (a) their names with rank and/or civilian position, (b) the unit and/or place of work at the time of their suspension, (c) the period for which they have been suspended, (d) how long ago the specified persons have been suspended and (e) the reason and/or charges for their suspension in each case?
Reply:
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16 March 2023 - NW112
Cebekhulu, Inkosi RN to ask the Defence and Military Veterans
Whether, following reports of the involvement of the SA National Defence Force in a widely shared and published video of bodies being burnt in Mozambique, she will provided an update on investigations into the specified incident; if not, why not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
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16 March 2023 - NW111
Cebekhulu, Inkosi RN to ask the Defence and Military Veterans
Whether, with reference to a letter dated 2 December 2022 the speaker of the National Assembly, Ms Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, wherein the President of the Republic, Mr M.C Ramaphosa, estimated that the Operational Prosper for the deployment of 2 700 soldiers towards the protection of Eskom infrastructure and sites would cost R206 031 24, she will provide a detailed breakdown of the budgeted amount; if not, why not, if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
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09 November 2022 - NW2613
Marais, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
(1) Whether any internal investigation was started involving a certain person (name and details furnished) on allegations of corruption, fraud and other irregularities; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are relevant details; (2) Whether the investigation has been completed; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the outcomes of the investigation and (b) are the further relevant details; (3) What are the reason that the specified person was moved to Army Support Formation while investigation was ongoing?
Reply:
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09 November 2022 - NW2645
Shelembe, Mr ML to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
(1) With reference to her reply to question 821 on 22 April 2022, regarding the men and women in the Reserve Force and the Military Veterans who honoured the Presidential call to report for work at Umzimvubu Military Base to assist during the July 2021 riots in KwaZulu-Natal, wherein it is stated that the South African Army has started investigating the matter to resolve the situation, and that a Board of inuiry has been instituted and as soon as it is concluded the outcome will be provided to the Minister for further actions, and in view of the specified men and women have been waiting for their payment for more than a year, some of whom have passed on, on what date (a) was the specified investigation institute and (b) is the finalization of the investigation envisaged?
Reply:
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09 November 2022 - NW2612
Marais, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
(1) Whether, with reference to her reply to question 936 on 18 March 2022, the Inspector-General of the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) has completed the investigation referred to in her reply; if not, why not; if so, what steps have been taken to account for the money spent on SANDF and/or government property; (2) What are the requirements and regulations of the Public Fiance Management Act, Act 1 of 1999 (PFMA), the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA) and the National Treasury with regard to the use of non-public funds; (3) whether all the requirements and regulations of the (a) Public Finance Management Act, Act 1 of 1999 (PFMA), (b) the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA) and (c) the National Treasury have been complied with; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (4) whether any funds from her department’s annual budget are appropriated to any entity, military base, army support base garrison and/or beneficiary to commercialise military units and/or bases; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) how are the appropriated public funds accounted for and reported to (i) the AGSA, (ii) National Treasury and (iii) Parliament and (b) what are the further relevant details in this regard?
Reply:
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27 October 2022 - NO662
Marais, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
With reference to the recent findings of the Auditor-General and the Public Protector, that the Project Thusano contracts and the Supplementary agreements were concluded irregularly and in contravention of the supply chain management processes, what steps has her department taken to (a) cancel the specified irregular agreements and (b) recover any losses suffered as a result of the specified irregular agreements?
Reply:
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27 October 2022 - NO645
Mafanya, Mr WTI to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
What (a) is the backlog on maintenance of key SA National Defence Force equipment and (b0 are the full, relevant details of such backlogs?
Reply:
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27 October 2022 - NO622
Mmutle, Mr TN to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
Considering that the SA Navy has consistently failed to achieve the target set for itself in terms of sea hours and often notes the lack of availability of naval platforms as the reason, what steps will she put in place to (a) increase the sea hours of the SA Navy and (b) ensure that the Republic’s territorial waters are regularly patrolled and efficiently controlled?
Reply:
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27 October 2022 - NO621
Xaba, Mr VC to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
Considering that over-expenditure on compensation of employees remains the largest contributor to irregular expenditure in her Department of Defence (DOD), and noting that the DOD previously indicated to Parliament that it intends to bring the specified expenditure under control by the 2024-25 financial year through a number of interventions, has she found that DOD (a) is on track with the implementation of the Mobility Exit Mechanism for 2022-23 financial year according to the agreement with National Treasury and (b) Will have over-expenditure on compensation of employees under control by the 2024-25 financial year?
Reply:
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27 October 2022 - NO620
Xaba, Mr VC to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
Given that the Auditor-General found during her audit of the Department of Defence (DoD) in the 2021-22 financial year, a lack of process in the implementation of the action plans to address audit findings in the DoD and a slow application of consequence management in areas identified, what short-term steps will she put in place to address the specified findings with regard to (a) lack of progress in the implementation of the action plan and (b) The slow application of consequence management?
Reply:
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26 October 2022 - NW2511
Mafanya, Mr WTI to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
What (a) are the details of the current status of the SA National Defence Force deployment to other parts of the continent and (b) total amount do the deployment cost the Republic annually?
Reply:
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26 October 2022 - NW2505
Xaba, Mr VC to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
Whether, with regard to the SA Military Health Service (SAMHS) that had to outsource certain SERVICES to private service providers in recent years due to its declining capability, there are any efforts being undertaken to restore the required capability of the SAMHS to improve service provision in this regard; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
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26 October 2022 - NW2617
Steenhuisen, Mr JH to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
Whether the Armaments Corporation of South Africa sells arms and ammunition, propellant powder and/or explosives to the Russian Federation (1); if not, what is the position in this regard (2), if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
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14 September 2022 - NW2503
Mothapo, Adv MR to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
(1) What challenges were faced by the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) in KwaZulu-Natal during Operation Chariot, whereby the SANDF provided support to the disaster management team? (2) Whether the SANDF suffered any casualties in the process; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
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14 September 2022 - NW2502
Mothapo, Adv MR to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
(1) In view of the fact that the President of the Republic, Mr M C Ramaphosa, recently deployed more soldiers to provide support in Mozambique to intensify Operation Vikela in Cabo Delgado, what progress has been made in bringing stability in Mozambique; (2) Whether the SA National Defence Force have suffered any casualties as a result of the operation; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what number of casualties?
Reply:
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14 September 2022 - NW2396
Marais, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
(1) Whether, with reference to the findings by the Ministerial Task Team (MTT) into thee irregular procurement of the Cuban drug Herberon recombinant interferon alpha-2b, the final decision to irregularly procure the unregistered drug to use as a treatment against Covid-19 infections in the Republic was taken by the Surgeon General, regardless of who signed it off; (2) what was the role logistic in the process, with specific reference to the role of the Chief of Logistics and Major General Tyhalisi, specifically with regard to (a) receiving the drugs 9b) dealing with the declaration to the SA Revenue Services and the SA Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) and (c) the illegal importation of the drug at air force base Waterkloof and OR Tambo international airport; (3) whether, based on the findings and recommendations by the MTT and the Auditor General of South Africa, and her promise that heads must roll as a consequence , anyone has been held accountable before a disciplinary committee and/or the National Prosecuting Authority, if not, 9a) why not and (b) what will the consequences be if nobody is held to account, if so, what are the case number and relevant details; (4) whether all the drugs were sent back to Cuba, if not, why not, if so, have the Cubans accepted everything back and agreed not to hold South Africa accountable for only the 10 vials approved by SAHPRA; (5) (a) what is the final value of the drugs returned and (b) has the Cuban government and/or TECHNOIMPORT Enterprise returned the R33m that was irregularly paid to the Cuban government; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
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14 September 2022 - NW2497
Shelembe, Mr ML to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
What (a) total number of current applications for benefits of the military veterans have not received a notification from her department advising of the decision to grant or reject the application within the stipulated 30 working days and (b) action does she intend to take to ensure that her department complies with the 30-working day provision?
Reply:
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14 September 2022 - NW2519
Cebekhulu, Inkosi RN to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
(1) What number of the total number of members of the SA National Defence Force who are on extended leave and/or suspension, are included in the exit of approximately 3 048 members through the Mobility Exit Mechanism?
Reply:
(1) There are no members of the South African National Defence Force who are on extended leave and/or suspension who have been offered the Mobility Exit Mechanism (MEM).
MS.T.R.MODISE
MINISTER OF DEFENCE AND MILITARY VETERANS: MP
14 September 2022 - NW2504
Xaba, Mr VC to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
1. With reference to the matter between Lembede v Minister of Defence and Military Veterans and others, case number 9642/2020, in which the High Court Gauteng Division on 15 December 2021 held that the findings and recommendations of the Military Ombud made in terms of section 6(8) of the Military Ombud Act, Act 4 of 2012, were nothing but a mere recommendation with no binding effect, and in refusing to accept the invitation to find that the decisions of the Military Ombud stand until implemented or reviewed and/or set aside, what purpose has she found would be served by the Office of the Military Ombud when its proposed relief could simply be ignored; 2. Whether she intends to appeal the judgment and/or introduce amending legislation to give the Military Ombud more authority; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
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31 August 2022 - NO333
Basopu, Dr M to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
(a) Whether there are plans within her Department of Military Veterans to forge partnerships with municipalities in the implementation of the projects of the military veterans given that the projects are implemented in municipalities; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
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31 August 2022 - NO360
Mafanya, Mr WTI to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
What (a) is the current state of defence capabilities of the SA National Defence Force (SANDF), following reports that the SANDF is not in a position to defend the sovereignty of the Republic should there be a need and (b) steps is she taking to address the cause of the decline?
Reply:
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31 August 2022 - NO334
Basopu, Dr M to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
What has been the progress with regard to the finalization of the database of military veterans?
Reply:
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31 August 2022 - NO332
Mmutle, Mr TN to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
On what date does her department intends to dispose of the scrap metals at the depot in Walmansdal, which is at the risk of both fire and theft, in order to generate some income out of the scrap and mitigate the chances of possible fires breaking out again?
Reply:
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31 August 2022 - NO331
Mmutle, Mr TN to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
(a) On what date did her department contract the suppliers of essential services, like rations and fuel supplies, and (b) what is the status of the specified contract?
Reply:
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31 August 2022 - NO329
Legwase, Ms TI to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
What (a) are the reasons for the slow progress in Armscor sweating its assets such as Gerotek and others and (b) plans she have in place in order to capacitate Armscor to speed up the process to sweat its assets and generate income?
Reply:
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31 August 2022 - NO310
Marais, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
By what date can each of the 815 military Veterans and former SA National Defence Force members who were called up to the Umzimvubu at SA Infantry to assist with Operation Prosper expect to receive full remuneration?
Reply:
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31 August 2022 - NO304
Cebekhulu, Inkosi RN to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans:
(1) )a) What portion of the proposed budget of her department is used to service inoperative members and (b) Total number of members off the SA National Defence Force are on extended leave and/or suspension and considered as being inoperative?
Reply:
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15 August 2022 - NW2055
Mafanya, Mr WTI to ask the Defence and Military Veterans
(1) With reference to Operation Koba-Tlala, what total number of parcels are earmarked for agricultural produce under the SA National Defence Force; (2) Whether the quality of the soil has been assessed to ascertain suitability for agricultural production; if not, why not, if so; what are the relevant details?
Reply:
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15 August 2022 - NW2397
Marais, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
(1) With reference to Project Thusano with the two main contracts being (a) TI 17-001 SUDAFRICA, that is meant to provide for collaboration on professional and technical services and (b0 TI 17-002 SUDAFRICA, that is meant to provide for collaboration on vocational training services, what (i) number of subcontracts have been entered into between her department and/or the SA National Defence Force and the Cuban government under each of the two main contracts and (iii) amount of money was (aa) spent and (bb) actually paid to the Cuban on Project Thusano since its inception to date; (2) (a) what are the current remaining terms of the two main contracts and each of the sub-contracts and (b) is the monetary value of the contracts from the date of inception until its maturity dates; (3) whether, given that the Auditor-General South Africa has declared the two main contracts and all its subcontracts irregular and wasteful expenditures, and that it will certainly lead to audit qualifications, and their recommendation to suspend and end all the said contracts immediately, any consideration has been given to end all contracts and/or relations with the Cuban under the specified contracts; if not, why not; if so what are the details and dates to end the contracts?
Reply:
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15 August 2022 - NW2329
Marais, Mr S to ask the Defence and Military Veterans
(1) With reference to the continuous reliance on Reserve Force members for every authorized operation of the SA National Defence Force, (a) on what date will the new Chief of the SA Reserve Force be appointed after the termination of the term of the previous Chief on 31 May 2021 and (b) what are the reasons that the Chief of the SA Reserve Force has not been appointed for a full year; (2) (2) whether, with the term of the Reserve Force Council (RFC) members that ended towards the end of 2021, she has met with the previous RFC members; if not, why not; if so, on what date will the new members of the RFC appointed; (3) (3) What are the (a) reasons that the new members of the RFC have not been appointed and (b) consequences of not appointing the members ?
Reply:
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15 August 2022 - NW1890
Marais, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
(1) Given that the Auditor-General South Africa (AGSA) highlighted two material irregularities on property payments and asset management contracts and her reporting on expenses on unplanned and new leases, what were the processes followed fort hr lease on the St Georges Hotel in Tshwane atR5 million per month; (2) (a) on what sections of the Public Finance Management Act, Act 1 of 1999, and other relevant legislative and regulated processes did her department rely before considering and entering into the lease and (b) who 9i) signed off on the lease and (ii) will take responsibility for the irregular lease; (3) whether she will confirm that her department and the Government have no other properties and/or facilities which can be used for the same purpose: if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the further, relevant details?
Reply:
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15 August 2022 - NW2291
Marais, Mr S to ask the Defence and Military Veterans
(1) Whether, with reference to the findings and recommendations by the Auditor General of South Africa on all the contracts under Project Thusano, more specifically the irregular, illegal and fraudulent procurement and importation of the Cuban drug Heberon Alfa R (Heberon), any implicated and/or involved official of the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) and/or her department, at the time of the alleged transgressions in 2020, has been subjected to any disciplinary charges and hearings; if not, why not; if so, (a( on why date, (b) what are the names of the officials and (c) what were the outcomes of the disciplinary charges and/or hearings; (2) whether any criminal case has been opened with the SA Police Service and/or the National Prosecuting Authority against any implicated and/or involved official of the SANDF and her department, at the time of the transgressions in 2020; if not, (a) why not and (b) by what date such charges be instituted; if so, what are the relevant details, including the progress of any such investigation?
Reply:
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15 August 2022 - NW1943
Clarke, Ms M to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
(1) (a) Which company was award the for the 1 Military Hospital at Thaba Tshwane in Pretoria, (a) what total amount in funds were paid to the specified company and (c) has the company been blacklisted from doing business with the State; (2) Whether she will furnish Mrs M O Clarke with the contract agreement, if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant the relevant details?
Reply:
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15 August 2022 - NW1991
Marais, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
(1) With reference to Project Thusano with the two main contracts being (a) TI 17-001 SUDAFRICA, that is meant to provide for collaboration on professional and technical service and (b) TI 17-002 SUDAFRICA, that is meant to provide for collaboration on vocational training services, what (i) number of subcontracts have been entered into between her department and/or the SA National Defence Force and the Cuban government under each of the two main contracts, (ii) is the nature of each subcontract and how do they relate to each of the main contracts and (iii) amount of money was (aa0 spent and (bb) actually paid to the Cubans on the Project Thusano since its inception to date; (2) (a) what are the current remaining terms of the two main contracts and each of the sub-contracts and (b) is the monetary value of the contracts from the date of inception until its maturity dates; (3) whether, given that Auditor-General South Africa has declared the two main contracts and all its subcontracts irregular and wasteful expenditures, and that it will certainly lead to audit qualifications, and their recommendation to suspend and end all the said contracts immediately, any consideration has been given to end all contracts and/or relations with the Cubans under the specified contracts; if not, why not; if so what are the details and dates to end the contracts?
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15 August 2022 - NW1992
Marais, Mr S to ask the Defence and Military Veterans
(1) With reference to 1 Military Repair and Maintenance Project and the obligatory consequence management, on what date will the finding and recommendation of the Board of Inquiry subsequent to the findings and recommendations contained in the forensic Report be made available to the Portfolio Committee of Defence and the Joint Standing Committee on Defence; (2) whether any disciplinary action were taken against any staff who were implicated directly and/or indirectly; if not, why not; if so, what is the progress in each case, as it was done by the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure report in December 2021; (3) what (a) was the value of the newly procured equipments as reported, specifically the one CT scanner, two X-ray machines and one mammogram machine that became outdated and obsolete years before it could be used, and (b) are the numbers of equipment and value of the equipment that were sold and had to be written off; (4) whether anyone has been held responsible and accountable for the fruitless and wasteful expenditure; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (5) whether the organisation and businesses mentioned and or implicated in the forensic report, specifically Tectura as mentioned on page 39 and 41 of the forensic presentation, have been barred from rendering further service to her department and or the South African National Defence Force; if not, why not; if so, what steps have her department and or SANDF in various projects?
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