Questions and Replies

Filter by year

15 April 2016 - NW502

Profile picture: Esau, Mr S

Esau, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

(1) (a) What are the details of the Service Level Agreement signed between her department and the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries to employ military veterans in the Elands Bay Infrastructure Improvement and Project Operational Phase of the Cederberg Fishing Infrastructure Development and Management Project on the West Coast in the Western Cape, (b)(i) what are the names of the military veterans who are employed in the specified project and (ii) to which former formations did they belong and (c) what are the relevant details of her department’s involvement in the specified project; (2) whether the specified military veterans (a) come from Elands Bay and (b) are verified on the National Military Veteran’s Database; if not, (i) why not and (ii) what are the further relevant details in each case; if so, what are the relevant details in each case; (3) whether her department requested an extension of employment for the specified military veterans working on the specified project; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

The MOU is a broad based document and is not limited to the Elands Bay area. A key output of the MOU is for the provision of work and other economic opportunities for military veterans through DAFF.

The Cedarberg Fishing Infrastructure Development and Management Project (CFIDMP) is a separate project of DAFF and does not include the DMV. The DMV is aware that the service provider to the DAFF on the CFIDMP has been used to facilitate payment of the stipends for the military veterans on the anti-poaching project in the Hermanus area.

(b)

(i) A list of names is provided (REFER TO APPENDIX A)

(ii) The name list shows the former forces to which the project participants belonged. Two members have passed on since the beginning of the project and another has resigned from the project. Three members are dependants of military veterans

(c) The project in question predated the establishment of the DMV. Subsequent to the establishment of the DMV, the office of the Deputy Director-General: Empowerment and Stakeholder Management was called in to a meeting on the project to discuss challenges in employment the military veterans. Since the initial intervention, the Acting DDG:ESM was instrumental in assisting in developing a Memorandum of Understanding between the DMV and DAFF. The office of the Provincial Coordinator in the Western Cape has also been represented at meetings through the Assistant Provincial Coordinator.

Therefore, to date, the DMV has been represented by the Acting DDG and the Assistant Provincial Coordinator.

During the engagements with the process, it came to light that the military veterans on the project were requesting to be employed in the DAFF. At one point there were around 8 positions available within DAFF with the entire group requesting absorption onto DAFF staff. The various DDGs who have managed the project have repeatedly indiacted that the project is an EPWP initiative and as such, has a defined timeframe. However, the group was advised to establish a co-operative which could be considered as a possible service provider to provide the very services in anti-poaching that they currently provide to DAFF.

(1) The team did establish a co-operative and the DMV also submitted a letter of support for this business entity. The process was submitted to DAFF to consider taking on the group as a preferred service provider. As part of service offering, the DMV enlisted the assistance of the Chief Operating Officer of SANMVA to assist in training the group and incubating them since she had been part of the initial meetings with the group when the DMV became involved in the project in June 2013. The intervention did not yield much fruit.

The recently appointed DDG (DAFF) had also initiated a committee that would map out a strategy which would have guided the transition process that would have resulted in the co-operative taking on the programme as a fully fledged service provider. A meeting with this committee has been scheduled for 08 April 2016 in Cape Town to discuss the extension of the project to other coastal provinces.

The current project phase has been extended to 31July 2016.

(2)

  1. The group in the project come from various areas around the Cape Peninsula area including Hermanus, Langa and Bonteheuwel amongst others. DAFF has been providing transport for the team to get to work daily. None of the project members are from Elands Bay.
  1. A request for database verification has been submitted to the DMV military veterans database unit.
  1. It is noted that some of the group might not be bona fide military veterans. This matter has been constantly raised with the group. Therefore, the intention of the establishment of a cooperative was also to facilitate that whilst the military veterans would be catered for through the DMV support, those who are not military veterans could be retained as employees to the cooperative, to avoid depriving families of an income. This was noted because of the fact that the project had been initiated before the advent of the DMV and had been running for a while before the DMV was approached for assistance.

(3) The current employment has been extended to 31 July 2016 after discussions on the matter.

APPENDIX A (QUESTION 502)

NAMELIST FOR HERMANUS ANTI POACHING EMPLOYEES

MKMVA PROJECT PARTICIPANTS

No.

SURNAME

NAME

ID NUMBER

BIRTH DATE

ETHNIC GROUP

GENDER

CELL NO

FORCE NO

                 

1

Daweti

Siyabulela (Deceased)

7101255524084

25/01/1971

Black

Male

0780050504

95071981PV

2

De Vos

John Paul

6906115791081

11/06/1969

Coloured

Male

0795523000

0746329/9

3

Fihlani

Makhaya Douglas

7111015321084

01/11/1971

Black

Male

0785375087

10871887

4

Genu

Siviwe Abner

6501295647086

29/01/1965

Black

Male

0736528408

94975844PE

5

Gobo

Lulamile Frederick

6506185664083

18/06/1965

Black

Male

0734039336

 

6

Lonzi

Simphiwe

6708315496085

31/08/1967

Black

Male

0715109160

94096674PF

7

Mamani

Vuyani Moses

(Now with PRASA)

6803046225083

04/03/1968

Black

Male

0799822296

94672359

8

Mdlungu

Makhaselina

6504220711084

22/04/1965

Black

Female

0780294371

94075173P

9

Mvulana

Zongamele

(Now with PRASA)

6806035817083

03/06/1968

Black

Male

0788888020

94069739

10

November Mettler

Venessa

6904240171089

24/04/1969

Coloured

Female

0846221903

96072368

11

Snyman

Bonakele Michael

6911185733088

18/11/1969

Black

Male

0730082342

97652309

 

Sanqela

Patrick

6903076208080

07/03/1969

Black

Male

0736220313

98151822RFN

 

Martin

Amanda Beatrice

7303210288081

21/03/1973

Coloured

Female

0782217812

 
 

May

Ellen

7507040081082

04/07/1975

Coloured

Female

0796679223

 
   

 

           
 

Mfengwana

Dumisa August

5910165806089

16/10/1959

Black

Male

0736541174

 
 

Mkoko

Wankie Lesley

7610105632086

10/10/1976

Black

Male

0768899180

 
 

Mtimkulu

Simphiwe

7311035610086

03/11/1973

Black

Male

0835836924

 
 

Ndzabela

Lizo

7305245507088

24/05/1973

Black

Male

0733772601

 
 

Ngcime

Simon

6612166092086

16/12/1966

Black

Male

0833330887

 
 

Nokatywa

Nomonde

6311080300085

08/11/1963

Black

Female

0789389391

 
 

Snyman

Bonakele Micheal

6911185733088

18/11/1969

Black

Male

0730082342

 
 

Stofile

Howard

6509125388086

12/09/1965

Black

Male

0783866117

 
 

Xaga

Jamangile

6603255773082

25/03/1966

Black

Male

0731239688

 
 

Yola-Xundu

Nomalungisa

6405160675083

16/05/1964

Black

Female

0825364850

 
 

Arendse

Christine Cheryl

6506120771084

12/06/1965

Coloured

Female

0846270153

No F NO

 

Cader

Feroza

6907240081083

24/07/1969

Coloured

Female

0730256698

 
 

Deniels

Joan

7207260191089

26/07/1972

Coloured

Female

0837285117

 
 

Dayimani

Simon Mayibuye (MKMVA - Dependant)

8609076476086

07/09/1986

Black

Male

0732747611

 
 

Dunga

Joy

6811201111089

20/11/1968

Black

Female

0824245710

 
 

Fihlani

Makhaya Douglas

7111015321084

01/11/1971

Black

Male

0785375087

10871887

 

Flotman

Simon

6501225304089

22/01/1965

Black

Male

0735785912

 
 

Fransch

Donovan

7306125163083

12/06/1973

Coloured

Male

0736673403

 
 

Jonkers

Lilian

6912160574083

16/12/1969

Coloured

Female

0832662647

 
 

Kapa

Thabisa

7511260535082

26/11/1975

Black

Female

0837422401

 
 

Le Roux

David

7212025856083

02/12/1972

Coloured

Male

0745271093

 
 

Minnie

Mathews

6101245626080

24/01/1961

Black

Male

0833647122

 
 

Maphuza

Michael Nkululeko (MKMVA -Dependant)

8102285414083

28/02/1981

Black

Male

0797658003

 

APLA MEMBERS

No.

SURNAME

NAME

ID NUMBER

BIRTH DATE

ETHNIC GROUP

GENDER

CELL NO

FORCE NO

                 

1

Maduba

Siphiwo

6406235728089

23/06/1964

Black

Male

0732441041

 

2

Magwentshu

Nqaba (Dependant)

8008195620088

19/08/1980

Black

Male

0783617548

 

3

Ngqisha

Lindilekile

(Has exited)

7011165955089

16/11/1966

Black

Male

0735823214

 

4

Ntlabathi

Desmond

7005055603080

05/05/1970

Black

Male

0793993723

 

5

Ntsila

Ndoda

7312085350082

08/12/1973

Black

Male

0781353000

 

6

Qashani

Witness

7011115412082

11/11/1970

Black

Male

0732794308

 

7

Sidina

Mzoxolo Arthur (Deceased)

7104175549081

17/04/1971

Black

Male

0731288548

 
 

Smouse

Simon

6402095634087

09/02/1964

Black

Male

0785459964

 
 

Williams

Mzwamadoda

7503305412088

30/03/1975

Black

Male

0736242200

96845599

 

Madasi

Vuyisile

6911205896089

20/11/1969

Black

Male

0780782742

98001092

15 April 2016 - NW471

Profile picture: Marais, Mr S

Marais, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

(1)With reference to her reply to question 3524 on 19 October 2015, and subsequent reports that the procurement of a new VIP jet by Armaments Corporation of SA for use by the President of the Republic, Mr Jacob G Zuma, has commenced, (a) what is the status of this procurement process and (b) when will the (i) Joint Standing Committee on Defence and (ii) the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans be briefed by her on the progress made with the procurement process to date; (2) whether the procurement of the specified VIP jet will be funded from the Special Defence Account; if not, how will the specified jet be funded; if so, what steps will be taken to ensure that the specified VIP jet will be procured at the lowest possible cost given the country’s current dire economic situation; (3) how much (a) has been budgeted for the new VIP jet and (b) will it cost?

Reply:

The Department established a Task Team comprising relevant units of the department, the Airforce and Armscor to advise on the most viable and suitable acquisition option including cost implications thereof for this project.

The Task Team already issued public communication on the progress in this regard during a press briefing in November 2015.

15 April 2016 - NW143

Profile picture: Lotriet, Prof  A

Lotriet, Prof A to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

(a) What is the (i) status and (ii) capacity of each provincial office of her department and (b) why was there an under spending on provincial offices in the 2014-15 financial year?

Reply:

(a) (i) In each of the nine provinces, a Provincial Coordinator and Assistant have been appointed and they are placed in provinces. The challenge for the Department of Military Veterans (DMV) is the reliance on the Department of Public Works (DPW) for the procurement of office space. Since 2013 the DMV has been engaging with the DPW on office space.

In the interim, the DMV has submitted requests to various entities for the provision of office space. At present, the provincial coordinators are housed in various venues.

  • Eastern Cape: The Provincial Offices are currenlty housed at the East London City Hall
  • Free State: Temporarily housed in the DoD sick bay at Tempe Military Base in Bloemfontein
  • Gauteng: Temporarily housed at the DMV head office in Pretoria
  • KwaZulu-Natal: The Provincial Coordinators are housed in a very small office at the sickbay in Pietermaritzburg
  • Mpumalanga: Temporarily housed in an DoD military sick bay in Nelspruit
  • Limpopo: Temporarily housed at the military base in Polokwane
  • Northern Cape: Housed at the military base in Kimberley
  • North West: Provincial Offices are temporarily in the old Premier’s Offices,  Mafikeng
  • Western Cape: Office of the Director-General (10 floor, Parliament Towers, Plein Street, Cape Town)

The DPW has reported that office space has been now sourced and secured in Gauteng, Mpumalanga and North West Provinces. The DMV national Office will visit the spaces during April 2016 to assess compliance with the DMV specifications and to determine occupancy date. Once this has been established, the DMV will commence with providing additional human resources and required office resources at these offices. The DMV shall do the same in other provinces as space becomes available.

(b) The underspend on provincial offices in the 2014-15 financial year was a result of the lack of adequate capacity in provincial offices.

15 March 2016 - NW158

Profile picture: Mackay, Mr G

Mackay, Mr G to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

What (a) plans and (b) strategies have been put in place for the (i) Armaments Corporation of South Africa and (ii) South African defence industry to benefit from the predicted growth in total sector revenues of the global aerospace and defence industry in 2016?

Reply:

Armscor’s Strategy departs from the premises as indicated below and contains objectives as indicated.

  1. The SANDF is Armscor’s client and as such Armscor must firstly focus on the SANDF’s requirements as defined and scheduled by them.
  2. Armscor is, however, also sensitive to the greater socio-economic issues that come into play with defence expenditure. In this regard Armscor had studies conducted to assess the socio-economic impact of different types of acquisition programs related to the requirements of the Defence Review.  The insights from these studies are used to advise the SANDF, to try and position the local defence industry for optimal socio-economic impact in the RSA or to define the required characteristics of agreements with international suppliers where necessary, for example to protect the balance of payments and to transfer skills to the RSA.  
  3. Armscor is also in consultation with the Departments of Science and Technology and Trade and Industry to optimize possible defence expenditure with their departmental initiatives.
  4. Armscor is not the representative body for the local defence industry (AMD), but it is cooperating with the body to define and implement initiatives to strengthen the local defence industry.
  5. In addition to existing support to marketing events such as the upcoming Africa Aerospace Defence (an international and continental) event, Armscor reacts to opportunities as they show themselves within the relevant oversight policies. The approach is not only reactive but also proactive as Armscor Research and Development is involved in forums that are aimed at optimizing the continent’s military output through improved logistic support and interoperability. Armscor Research and Development is also providing insights to the focusing of technology development to ensure an ability to react to opportunities.

SUBMITTED ON: 15 MARCH 2016

15 March 2016 - NW33

Profile picture: Mncwango, Mr MA

Mncwango, Mr MA to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

Whether her Ministry has any frozen vacant positions; if so, (a) how many of the specified positions are vacant, (b) what are the designations of the specified positions and (c) for how long have the specified positions been vacant?

Reply:

There are no frozen posts at the moment all posts are active and funded.

SUBMITTED ON: 15 MARCH 2016

15 March 2016 - NW78

Profile picture: Steenkamp, Ms J

Steenkamp, Ms J to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

Whether she has entered into a performance agreement with the President, Mr Jacob G Zuma, with regard to the implementation of the Medium-Term Strategic Framework (MTSF) 2014-2019; if not, why not; if so, (a) which key indicators and targets from the MTSF are reflected in the agreement, (b) how many performance assessments has she undertaken in consultation with the President since the agreement was signed, (c) what progress has been made in meeting the key indicators and targets from the MTSF, (d) what are the key obstacles to implementation and (e) what is the plan to address such obstacles?

Reply:

Yes, all Ministers are subject to Performance Agreements with the President.

(a) The Performance Management Framework (MTSF) fpr 2014-2019, which is the first 5-year implementation plan of the National Development Plan (NDP) 2030. The performance targets and indicators are derived from 14 outcomes which government seeks to achieve.

These outcomes and targets constitute government’s Programme of Actio (POA), against which performance is tracked and reported at least on a quartely basis. POA reports are publicly available on the govenments web site.

(b) to (e) Cabinet closely monitors the implementation of the NDP 2030/MTSF 2014-2019 through POA reports. The reports are tabled before an Implementation Forum of a Cluster of Ministers collectively responsible for MTSF outcomes, and then submitted to Cabinet, where progress is noted, bottlenecks to implementation are discussed, and recommendations to address bottlenecks are considered and approved.

SUBMITTED ON: 15 MARCH 2016

15 March 2016 - NW133

Profile picture: Esau, Mr S

Esau, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

Whether any skills audit of her department’s employees was conducted to urgently address the high risk of a lack of competent and professional staff in the (a) 2012-13, (b) 2013-14 and/or (c) 2014-15 financial years; if not, why not; if so, what were the outcomes in each case?

Reply:

During the indicated financial year, skills audit was not conducted due to capacity challenges however gaps were identified and all employees per branches were identified according to their placement, qualification, skills and knowledge.

Process is underway regarding the skills audit project. Therefore skills audit will be conducted before the end of the financial year 2016/17.

15 March 2016 - NW134

Profile picture: Esau, Mr S

Esau, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

(a) What is the total breakdown of additional Department of Military Veterans employees in terms of (i) contract posts, (ii) secondments and (iii) internships, (b) where exactly are these employees utilised in each case, (c) how have these additional posts been funded and (d) what are the relevant cost for each post?

Reply:

The following is the total breakdown of employees per nature of appointment:

(i) Contract posts

The department has appointed 73 Contract workers, these contract workers are placed within the three branches at Head Office and Provinces for Health Care services, Education Support and database (National Military Veterans Database), Call Centre, Auxiliary component for cleaning services after the cancellation of the contract of the outsourced cleaning services , other contract workers are placed at Information and Communication Technology (ICT), the ICT environment is made up of 3 permanent posts on the approved establishment, this has created a daunting situation as a newly established department that needs to implement an ICT infrastructure. Contract posts are funded in the short term through virements from other funded but vacant posts in the Department.

(ii) Secondments

The department has 6 seconded staff members from State Information Technology (SITA). They are remunerated by SITA as per the signed SLA.

(iii) Internship

The department has appointed 24 interns that are placed at Education Support Section, Legal and Compliances, Health Care Services and Policy environment. These interns are remunerated from annual skills levy of 1% of the compensation of employees for skills development.

15 March 2016 - NW136

Profile picture: Krumbock, Mr GR

Krumbock, Mr GR to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

With reference to the 18 key issues raised by the Auditor-General’s Report in her department’s 2014-15 Annual Report, what has her department done to correct the specified issues, item by item, up to the 3rd Quarter of the 2015-16 financial year?

Reply:

Annual report 2014-15

The Minister appointed a Turnaround Support Initiative (TSI) team during September 2015 for a renewable period of six (6) months to address audit findings identified in the 2013-14 and 2014-15 Auditor General South Africa reports and to assisting with implementation and/or operationalisation of the projects and programmes to complement the long term service delivery capacity challenges of the Department.

The TSI is characterized of a steering committee led by Convener Mr S Majombozi through a programme management office and the deputy programme manager, Mr T Nemahagala, and a resource panel.

15 March 2016 - NW138

Profile picture: Krumbock, Mr GR

Krumbock, Mr GR to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

(a) What changes are envisaged with regard to the (i) Burial Support Policy and (ii) Medical Healthcare Policy, (b) what are the financial implications of such amendments and (c) how does her department intend to fund the specified changes?

Reply:

(a) (i) There are currently no approved changes to the burial support policy.

(ii)

In lieu of the current Act, there are no envisaged changes on the Healthcare Policy.

(c) Not applicable since there are no approved changes at present.

15 March 2016 - NW139

Profile picture: Kruger, Mr HC

Kruger, Mr HC to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

(1)What are the exact powers, roles and responsibilities of the SA National Military Veterans Association (SANMVA), vis-à-vis the powers, roles and responsibilities of her department; (2) whether her department has aborted the special purpose vehicle to co-ordinate business opportunities for military veterans; if so, has SANMVA assumed this role; (3) (a) what are the detailed expenses incurred by SANMVA in this regard and (b) how much of the specified expenses were covered by her department; (4) does SANMVA (a) receive a budget allocation from her department and (b) manage its own budget; (5) did SANMVA comply with its mandate and submit its statutory annual report to her?

Reply:

(1) The South African National Military Veterans Association (SANMVA) has been established to function as an entity that will assist the Department to reach its goals in servicing military veterans. Its core function is to mobilise military veterans across all individual associations and to ensure that all military veterans are aware of all of the benefits that are provided by the Department of Military Veterans and other government Departments.

(2) The Department has not aborted the special purpose vehicle (SPV). At present, a process is underway to probe the best possible solution towards establishing an SPV that would function efffectively and make sure that it does provide the intended benefit to all military veterans. Explorations include probing whether or not the provision of funding to military veterans will be in the form of a grant or loan and what the criteria would be in each instance. The Minister of Defence and Military Veterans is in full support of an SPV and has recommended that the Department continues to establish the SPV to give effect to a process that will be of benefit to military veterans to the extent that they necome self sufficient and are able to become less relaint on funding from the Department.

SANMVA has not assumed the role of an SPV. On the contrary, the Department is beginning to benefit from interventions wherein SANMVA engages with the private sector to open up business and employment opportunities for military veterans. Such opportunities are fed back to the Department for implementation. One such engagement has resulted in the Department beginning to pilot the training of military veterans in the installations of Set Top Boxes in conjunction with Ellies, one of the companies that has been awarded a contract to implement the Government’s Digital Migration programme under the Department of Communications. The roles are more complimentary rather than SANMVA assuming a role of the Department.

(3

(a) To give effect to its functions, SANMVA requests assistance in the form of transport and accommodation, where required.

(b) The Department covers all requests when funds are available.

(4)

(a) The Department does make a budget allocation for SANMVA activities under the Chief Directorate: Provincial Offices and Stakeholder Management.

(b) No funds have been transferred to SANMVA to date for personal managemrent by SANMVA. The mechanism for this has not yet been instituted.

(5) SANMVA has submitted one annual report to the office of the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, to date, since the establishment of SANMVA under the new Military Veterans Act, No 18, of 2011.

15 March 2016 - NW159

Profile picture: Mackay, Mr G

Mackay, Mr G to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

(1)(a) What are the reasons for not renewing (i) contracts and (ii) agreements with South African entrepreneurs to service military vehicles and equipment, who have been servicing the specified vehicles and equipment since 1994, (b) how will the work done by the specified entrepreneurs be replaced, (c) who will now be responsible for carrying out this work and (d) what is the cost-benefit of this strategy; (2) whether any study has been conducted to determine the extent of (a) job losses and (b) the potential negative impact of this decision on the economy; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

a. Ref Par 1 (a): The intention of the SANDF is not to have contracts for servicing of military vehicles and equipment.

b. Ref Par 1 (b): First and second line maintenance and repair tasks including limited depot repairs will be performed by internal capability.

c. Ref Par 1 (c): Through Project Thusano, internal capability and capacity the SANDF will do the internal work.

d. Ref Par 1 (d): It will save cost, military vehicles and equipment will be maintained and repaired as a far less cost as it will be done internally.

It is important that the SANDF becomes self-sustainable. We are not ruling out possibilities of working with the private sector on some of our projects. However, the SANDF must develop internal capacity to deal with such matters.

15 March 2016 - NW157

Profile picture: Marais, Mr S

Marais, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

(1)(a) What is the operating status of Airforce Base Langebaan and (b) what are the (i) medium-term and (ii) long-term (aa) plans and (bb) objectives for using the specified airforce base for both training and operational purposes; (2) are there any plans to commercialise the specified airport; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

Questions (1) (a)

SAAF Response

What is the operating status of AFB Langebaanweg?

The main function of this base is to provide basic flying training to the SAAF pilots. The utilisation of the base as SAAF basic flying school is planned to continue for the foreseeable future.

Question (1) (b) (i and ii)

 

What are the medium and long term plans and objectives for using AFB Langebaanweg for both training and operational purpose?

To make SAAF combat ready.

Question (2)

 

Are there plans to commercialise the base?

The DOD (SAAF) has no intention or plans to commercialise the base.

15 March 2016 - NW142

Profile picture: Lotriet, Prof  A

Lotriet, Prof A to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

(1)Is a letter of authorisation still required in order for a bona fide registered and verified military veteran to access medical healthcare; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) whether a military veteran, that may access healthcare from a general hospital, a day hospital and local clinic as an ordinary citizen, may only access a military hospital as a bona fide registered and verified military veteran; (3) whether a military veteran may resort to private medical practices to receive the necessary treatment where a military hospital and public medical healthcare facilities are not available and may only be reimbursed by her department if he/she is duly registered and verified on the National Military Veterans Database; (4) whether she has found that the incomplete database of military veterans has become a serious threat to the health of deserving military veterans who are not registered and verified?

Reply:

(1) According to Regulations in terms of the Military Veterans Act 18 of 2011, a bonafide registered military veteran must apply for all benefits of which healthcare is one of them. Upon application, DMV will issue a once off  authorization letter to the South African Military Healthcare Services (SAMHS) in order to capture the details of the approved military veteran. The military veteran will then have access to healthcare for life at SAMHS and SAMHS approved private facilities.

(2) A military veteran has accesss to health care as outlined in the Constitution of South Africa. Military Veterans are free to access healthcare at the public institution and military hospitals.

(3) The military veteran can access private medical practice only when authorised to do so either by DMV through  SAMHS and /or authorised directly by the SAMHS.

(4) NO. Section 5 benefits are provided to registered and/or verified military veterans.

15 March 2016 - NW141

Profile picture: Kruger, Mr HC

Kruger, Mr HC to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

(a) Who are the members of her department’s Advisory Council and (b) what is their current capacity?

Reply:

The following are the members of the Advisory Council Members and their capacity:

Mr T. Magingxa (Chairperson)

Members

Dr P.P Dyantyi

Mr A. Apleni

Mr K. Bokala

Col (ret) P.M Kubu

Brig Gen (Ret) M. Fihla

Mr O. Mabena

Ms D. Phama

Mr M. Vena

Ms N. Khwezi

Dr S. Zikalala

Mr Mika Xayiya

Dr T. Ndlovu-Molokwane

Ms Vuyiswa Lieta

Dr A. Mahapa

15 March 2016 - NW472

Profile picture: Marais, Mr S

Marais, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

Whether the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) engaged in any disaster relief actions and activities from 1 January 2015 to the latest specified date for which information is available; if not, why not; if so, (a) what are the relevant details in terms of (i) drought and (ii) flood disaster relief actions that the SANDF was engaged in and (b) what were the costs of the related activities in each case?

Reply:

Yes, the South African National Defence Force participated in the disaster relief operations from 01 January 2015 to the latest specified date.

(a) Relevant details:

i) Drought: Water supply in Smithfield in the Free State during period of 13–30 November 2015.

ii) Flood disaster: No flood disaster relief actions were conducted during this period.

(b) Cost: R504 845.34

The SANDF is always ready to give support and assist the communities in any disaster relief operations.

15 March 2016 - NW395

Profile picture: Marais, Mr S

Marais, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

(a) How many burglaries were reported at the Military Police Service in the (i) 2012-13, (ii) 2013-14 and (iii) 2014-15 financial years, (b) what was the nature of the stolen goods in each case and (c) what was the monetary worth of such losses, if they have already been determined by the SA National Defence Force?

Reply:

(a) (i) 2012/13 - 260

(ii) 2013/14 – 252

(iii) 2014/15 – 224

(b) Garden tools, weed eater & extension cord, Water pump, Laptop, desktop, printer & TV, Electric cables, fencing poles, Sound system, cd case, till drawer, beers & shooters, Camouflage uniform and civilian clothes, Liquor, PlayStations, Mini HIFI system, home theatre system, Copper, Handbags, ID books, bankcards & cell phones, Bicycle/Golf Equip, Bicycles, Paint and thinners, Washing machine

(c) (i) (ii) and (iii) The monetary worth of such losses have not yet been determined by the SA National Defence Force

15 March 2016 - NW394

Profile picture: Marais, Mr S

Marais, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

(1)With reference to the Armed Forces Day to be celebrated in Port Elizabeth on 21 February 2016, (a)(i) what is the motivation and (ii) what are the objectives regarding the specified celebration, (b) what is the budget for this, (c) how does this compare with the expenditure of previous years and (d) how is the expenditure justified in the present constrained spending climate; (2) whether there were any other greater priorities on which the budget for the specified day could rather have been spent; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

  1. (a) (i-ii) The motivation is to honour our soldiers and to encourage the citizens on what the SANDF is made of and to promote patriotism.

(b,c and d) The budget cannot be compared but can be justified on economic benefits of the businesses around Port Elizabeth. The business community can indicate economic benefit out of Armed Forces Day.

(2) This is one greater priority that makes public awareness about the SANDF capability. The South African citizens deserve to know how their money is utilised.

15 March 2016 - NW317

Profile picture: McLoughlin, Mr AR

McLoughlin, Mr AR to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

(1)How many (a) SA Air Force (SAAF) Gripen aircrafts are serviceable and (b) are unserviceable; (2) what (a) is the precise and comprehensive reason for the unserviceability of each of the specified aircrafts and (b) steps are being taken to bring each specified aircrafts to a serviceable condition, (3) (a) when last was each of the serviceable aircrafts serviced and (b) what is the exact cost of servicing of each of the specified aircrafts; (4) (a) how many fully trained pilots for the specified aircrafts are currently employed by the SAAF and (b) in what specific roles are these pilots utilised when they are not engaged in flying or flight training duties?

Reply:

Due to security reasons, the response to this question can only be presented to the closed session of the JSC on Defence.

15 March 2016 - NW269

Profile picture: Groenewald, Dr PJ

Groenewald, Dr PJ to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

(1)Whether, with reference to her reply to question 4116 on 8 December 2015, the security clearance of the military judges in the Permanent Force has been completed in order to expedite their appointment; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant particulars; (2) (a) how many cases in military courts are still in arrears and (b) what is or are the reason(s) for this; (3) whether she will make a statement on the matter?

Reply:

Question 1. Yes, Defence Intelligence is in the process of vetting the outstanding security clearance applications of members to be assigned as Senior Military Judges and Military Judges.

Question 2(a). The number of outstanding cases in military courts is 2 176.

Question 2(b). The reasons for the number of cases in arrears in the military courts are (i) unavailability of witnesses or accused and (ii) finalisation of specialised investigations. The vetting back log also causes delay. No military courts were conducted to date for the FY 2015/16.

Question 3. No.

15 March 2016 - NW160

Profile picture: Macpherson, Mr DW

Macpherson, Mr DW to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

(1)(a) How many (i) military vehicles are in the ambit of the (aa) SA National Defence Force and (bb) Armaments Corporation of South Africa and (ii) of the specified vehicles, are (aa) officially in operation, (bb) actually in usable condition but not operational and (cc) in storage, both serviceable and unserviceable and (b) what is the detailed breakdown of each of the specified vehicles; (2) whether any strategies are in place to optimise the usability of specified vehicles, especially the vehicles that are in storage; if not, why not; if so, how will South African (a) companies and (b) workers benefit from this in terms of (i) business and entrepreneurship opportunities, (ii) training and (iii) job creation?

Reply:

Any question which relates to the capacity or capabilities within the defence force shall not be made available to the public and therefore we are not able to answer this question.

15 March 2016 - NW240

Profile picture: Khoza, Mr NP

Khoza, Mr NP to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

Whether she and/or her department has bought advertising space in The New Age in the (a) 2012-13, (b) 2013-14 and (c) 2014-15 financial years; if so, (i) what number of times and (ii) for what amount in each specified financial year?

Reply:

The Department of Defence did not spend on any advertisement in the New Age newspaper during the above mentioned period.

SUBMITTED ON: 15 MARCH 2016

15 March 2016 - NW140

Profile picture: Kruger, Mr HC

Kruger, Mr HC to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

(a) Who are the members of her department’s Appeals Board and (b) what is their current capacity?

Reply:

The following are the members of the Appeals Board Members and their capacity:

Mr M Msimang (Chairperson)

Mr F Hartzenburg (Member)

Adv C.O Morolo (Member)

Ms N.E Mkhwanazi (Member)

Adv M.A Tshivhase (Member)

15 March 2016 - NW135

Profile picture: Esau, Mr S

Esau, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

Why did her department underspend with (a) 42,2% on its Goods and Services and (b) 56,8% on its Payment of Capital Assets?

Reply:

Programme classification

Goods and services

Payment for capital assets

Reasons for underspending on goods and services

Reasons for underspending on capital assets

Administration

94.3%

38.7%

The underspending was mainly because of billing not received from the Department of Public Works for infrastructure and property management

The department budgeted for furniture for the new employees but because of limited space capacity the process of purchasing the furniture was withheld.

         

Socio Economic Support

16.0%

29.3%

Dependency on other departments to roll out benefits

The department budgeted for furniture for the new employees but because of limited space capacity the process of purchasing the furniture was withheld.

         

Empowerment and Stakeholder Management

78.9%

100%

Dependency on other departments to roll out benefits

The programme spent its budget accordingly

TOTAL

51.8%

43.2%

   

11 December 2015 - NW4261

Profile picture: Atkinson, Mr P

Atkinson, Mr P to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

Whether her department has any embargo against any country for the procurement of any military item; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) which countries are embargoed and (b) why in each case?

Reply:

This question must be redirected to the Minister in the Presidency responsible for Performance, Monitoring, Evaluation and Administration. In addition the Minister is the current Chairperson of the National Conventional Arms Control Committee (NCACC)

DATE OF SUBMISSION: 11 DECEMBER 2015

11 December 2015 - NW4162

Profile picture: Lekota, Mr M

Lekota, Mr M to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

Whether she had met with (a) officials in her department, (b) representatives of the Defence Force Service Commission and (c) the Military Ombud to go through the Budgetary Review and Recommendation Report of the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans in order to address (i) slow bureaucratic processes, (ii) unfilled posts, (iii) poor working environment, (iv) reduced flying time for pilots and (v) inefficient management; if not, why not in each case; if so, what was the outcome of each specified meeting?

Reply:

I have already briefed the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans on the implementation plan for milestone 1 of the Defence Review on the 26th November 2015.

I have also undertaken to provide regular briefings to the Committee on the progress made at each stage of the implementation plan. I have similarly recently met with the Defence Service Commission and the Military Ombud.

DATE OF SUBMISSION: 12 DECEMBER 2015

11 December 2015 - NW4168

Profile picture: Carter, Ms D

Carter, Ms D to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

Whether she has kept the pressure on Armscor to get the suppliers of the Exocet surface-to-surface missiles (a) to honour their outstanding industrial participation obligation and/or (b) to take action against such suppliers to enforce compliance; if not, why not; if so, what was (i) the outcome and (ii) her reaction to the outcome?

Reply:

I do not engage suppliers. Armscor continually interacts with all suppliers on a range of projects with an aim to ensure that suppliers honour their contractual obligations at all times.

.

11 December 2015 - NW4205

Profile picture: Marais, Mr S

Marais, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

(1)whether she table the Special Defence Account’s annual financial statements in Parliament as required by the annual Appropriations Act in each financial year since the account became operational; if not; if so, (a) when was the last financial statement tabled in this regard and (b) when will the next financial statement be tabled?

Reply:

a) Yes, Annual financial statements of the Special Defence Account (SDA) were always tabled with the Annual report of the Department of Defence as required by the Appropriations Act, and the last SDA Annual financial statements for the 2014/15 financial year were tabled in Parliament on 29 September 2015 with the tabling of the annual report of the Department of Defence.

b) The next Annual financial statement of the SDA will be for the financial year 2015/16, and the tabling thereof will be done with the tabling of the Annual Report after the financial statements have been completed and audited, which is usually around September/October each year

DATE OF SUBMISSION: 12 DECEMBER 2015

11 December 2015 - NW4216

Profile picture: Esau, Mr S

Esau, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

What is the status of (a) medals and (b) medal parades to honour military veterans of all former (i) statutory and (ii) non-statutory forces?

Reply:

(a) The Department of Military Veterans still has a number of medals in stock to be awarded to members of the non-statutory force of uMkhonto we Sizwe for whom the first set of medals were designed and cast. At present the Department of Military Veterans has gone into negotiations with the former APLA for approval of designs of medals for their organisation.

(b) There have been no medal parades since 2012 to honour any military

Veterans.

(i) No medal parades were held nor planned to honour Statutory Forces.

(ii) The Department held three medal parades to award medals to uMkhonto we Sizwe non-statutory force.

DATE OF SUBMISSION: 11 DECEMBER 2015

11 December 2015 - NW4217

Profile picture: Esau, Mr S

Esau, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

(1)With reference to her department’s 2014-15 Annual Report, how many houses will (a) be constructed and (b) receive the top-up subsidy for military veterans from the R 31,9 million transferred from her department to the Department of Human Settlements in terms of the target of 1 000 houses set by her department; (2) whether the Minister of Human Settlements submitted her plans for the execution of the construction of the specified houses to the Department of Defence and Military Veterans within the 14 days as specified; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) whether the portions of land for these houses have been (a) identified and (b) transferred; if not, why not in each case; if so, what are the relevant details in each case; (4) whether a self-help model to construct the specified houses have been approved by the Department of Human Settlements; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (5) what amount has been allocated by the Department of Human Settlements for (a) these housing developments and (b) planned recreational parks?

Reply:

  1. (a) During the 2014-15 financial periods the Department had planned to build 1000 houses for the benefit of Military Veterans through its partnership with the Department of Human Settlements.

(b) The R31.9 million top-up transfer to the Department of Human Settlement was in respect of the planned construction of 400 houses.

2. The Department of Human Settlements plans as agreed with the Department was for the building of 400 houses in the following provinces:

  • Kwa-Zulu Natal
  • Eastern Cape
  • Free State and
  • Mpumalanga3. 

3. Questions 3-5 must be redirected to the Department of Human Settlements as they have the constitutional mandate to address housing issues in the Republic of South Africa.

DATE OF SUBMISSION: 11 DECEMBER 2015

11 December 2015 - NW4218

Profile picture: Jooste, Ms K

Jooste, Ms K to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

How does her department reconcile its housing targets for its members over the Medium Term Expenditure Framework with those of the Department of Human Settlements, specifically with reference to the Minister of Human Settlements’ pronouncement that 5 000 houses will be built for military veterans in the 2015-16 financial year?

Reply:

Both Department’s Accounting Officers and Senior Officials responsible for housing portfolio for Military Veterans met to reconcile housing targets over the Medium Term Expenditure Framework and agreed on delivering 2000 houses which is a realistic figure.

DATE OF SUBMISSION: 11 DECEMBER 2015

11 December 2015 - NW4219

Profile picture: Jooste, Ms K

Jooste, Ms K to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

(1)With reference to her department’s 2014-15 Annual Report, (a) what are the reasons for her department’s failure to achieve its target for updating and verifying the National Military Veterans Database by merely achieving 37% instead of 75% of the target and (b) what plans have been put in place to ensure that the database is completed as a matter of urgency instead of being delayed to the 2019-20 financial year as per her department’s strategic plan; (2) why was the indicator referred to as Information-Level of Credibility of Database, as reflected in her department’s 2015-16 Annual Performance Plan, removed from the specified annual report when it is a prerequisite for accessing military veteran benefits; (3) what is the detailed breakdown of the 21 322 military veterans whose personal files were updated on the specified database in terms of (a) the number of military veterans and (b) each former (i) statutory and (ii) non-statutory force to which each military veteran belonged?

Reply:

(1) The reason why the target was not achieved is because the Department relies on the military veterans to approach the department with requests to update their records. It is assumed that those Military Veterans who are not updating their records, their personal details have not changed.

(2) As per the Act the listing of Military Veterans in the National Military Veterans database is a permanent function which is not expected to end as it caters for the transition of members of the defence force who exit service.

(3) The 21 322 updated files completed was not broken down as per former force, at the time of reporting, due to the nature of our system we may not be able to go back at the end of the reporting period to track the composition of the batch. With the current improvements on the system, we will make sure such a break-down is provided in future.

 

 

DATE OF SUBMISSION: 11 DECEMBER 2015

11 December 2015 - NW4221

Profile picture: Robertson, Mr K

Robertson, Mr K to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

(1)(a) When will the military pension for all military veterans be finalised and (b) what are the cost implications of the military pension; (2) whether the military veterans from the former non-statutory forces will continue to receive the special pension in addition to the military pension; if not, why not; if so, (a) what are the further relevant details, (b) what is the current amount for the special pension and (c) how is the specified amount scaled; (3) in what ways will the military pension impact on any other pension that a military veteran may receive; (4) whether her department budgeted for the military pension; if not, why not; if so, what (a) are the relevant

Reply:

(1) A process of consultation with role players is underway.

(2) Depending on the outcome of the consultations, the department proposes to prioritise the former non-statutory force members who did not qualify for Special Pensions from 1996 and destitute World War military veterans in the provisioning of pension.

(a) In instances where the value of the Special Pensions is lower than the value of the military pension’s value, top-up is proposed.

(b) and (c) Special Pensions does not pay a standardized pension amount to the beneficiaries but utilizes a formula which considers the age of the beneficiary and the years spent in service.

(3) Whilst there are on-going consultations, the view of the Department is that any pension granted to Military Veterans may be offset against other benefits received from the State, such as the Special Pensions.

(4) During the 2014-15 financial periods, the department made contingency provisions to provide pension to 500 Military Veterans at an estimated cost of approximately R23 million.

DATE OF SUBMISSION: 11 DECEMBER 2015

11 December 2015 - NW4222

Profile picture: Robertson, Mr K

Robertson, Mr K to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

Why did her department fail to comply with the employment equity targets set out in its 2014-15 annual report?

Reply:

For 2014/15 financial report the department had met the 2% disability target. Female representation on SMS level has reached 42%, the deviation is caused by the number of vacant post at SMS level, where resignations of female SMS members had an impact on the focused target.

 

DATE OF SUBMISSION: 11 DECEMBER 2015

11 December 2015 - NW4223

Profile picture: Robertson, Mr K

Robertson, Mr K to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

What (a) urgent measures has her department put in place to deal with its 22% vacancy rate which impacts negatively on its performance, (b) are the costs related to each of these funded positions in the 2014-15 financial year and (c) are the relevant details of the new organogram that is envisaged by her department?

Reply:

(1) (a) Advertisements have been placed and short listing is underway.

(b) VACANCY RATE AS AT 01 APRIL 2014 TO DATE

SN

POST TITLE

SALARY LEVEL

TOTAL COST

1

Personnel Officers x 2

5

R 264, 798

2

Senior personnel Officers x 3

6

R 476, 955

3

Admin Assistants x 3

7

R 588, 834

4

Admin Officer x 1

8

R 243, 747

5

Assistant Director x 1

10

R 361, 659

6

Deputy Director x 1

12

R 674, 979

7

Director x 1

13

R 864, 177

8

Chief Director x 2

14

R 2, 085, 000

9

DDG x 2

15

R 2, 535, 612

10

DG x 1

16

R 1, 656, 618

GRAND TOTAL

R 9, 752,379

(c) The Department of Military Veterans (DMV) in collaboration with the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) developed its Service Delivery Model (SDM) which is fundamental to the design of the organogram. Discussions are underway to fine tune the first draft of the organogram.

 

DATE OF SUBMISSION: 11 DECEMBER 2015

08 December 2015 - NW3861

Profile picture: Groenewald, Dr PJ

Groenewald, Dr PJ to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

(1)What is the reason why several medals have been handed over to the Military Shop in Pretoria to be sold to the public; (2) (a) which types of medal and (b) how many of each type of medal have been handed over to the specified shop; (3) who gave the authority for the specified medals to be sold; (4) whether any steps are being considered against the relevant person; if not, why not; if so, what steps; (5) whether she will make a statement on the matter?

Reply:

The SANDF is not aware of any Military Shop in Pretoria that sells military medals. The SANDF remains the custodian of all the South African military medals.

 

DATE OF SUBMISSION: 08 DECEMBER 2015

08 December 2015 - NW4268

Profile picture: Hoosen, Mr MH

Hoosen, Mr MH to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

(1)Whether, with regard to the contract between her department and Zeal Health Innovations to provide medical care to military veterans, all medical fees due to the specified company have been paid within the prescribed 30 days payment arrangement; if not, (a) why not and (b) what amount is still outstanding since the awarding of the specified contract; if so, (i) how were the medical fees for the provision of the specified medical services structured, (ii) what were the terms and conditions of payment for the specified fees and (iii) what amount of the specified fees have been paid as at the latest specified date for which information is available; (2) why does the specified company claim to serve 14 000 military veterans when her department only registered 6 795 deserving military veterans with access to healthcare services in the 2014-15 financial year; (3) whether the contract for the provisioning of medical care services to military veterans was previously awarded irregularly to another company which resulted in the contract being cancelled; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) what are the relevant details of the irregular awarding of the specified contract, (b) what were the financial implications for her department and (c) who was held responsible for the irregular awarding of the specified contract?

Reply:

This matter is currently the subject of litigation between the Department and the company concerned and as such any comments at this stage are likely to prejudice the Department’s case.

DATE OF SUBMISSION: 08 DECEMBER 2015

08 December 2015 - NW4220

Profile picture: Jooste, Ms K

Jooste, Ms K to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

(1)With regard to the contract between her department and Zeal Health Innovations to provide medical care to military veterans, what (a) are the details of the processes that were followed by her department to award the specified contract to the specified company, (b) were the terms and conditions of the specified contract and (c) medical services were rendered by (i) the specified company and (ii) any other sub-contractor to the specified military veterans; (2) whether all military veterans who received medical treatment through the specified contract with the specified company were bona fide military veterans registered in the National Military Veterans Database; if not, why not; if so, (a) who are the military veterans who received medical care from the specified company and (b) to which former statutory and non-statutory forces did each military veteran belong?

Reply:

This matter is currently the subject of litigation between the Department and the company concerned and as such any comments at this stage are likely to prejudice the Department’s case.

DATE OF SUBMISSION: 08 DECEMBER 2015

08 December 2015 - NW4156

Profile picture: Groenewald, Dr PJ

Groenewald, Dr PJ to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

(1)What is the curriculum for the training of a fighter pilot in the SA National Defence Force; (2) whether students are allowed to repeat any of the courses in the curriculum if they do not pass the first time; if so, (a) which parts of the curriculum and (b) how many times this may be repeated; (3) how many students are currently being trained as fighter pilots; (4) whether she will make a statement regarding the matter?

Reply:

The information required is classified and the response to the above questions can be provided in a closed session of the Joint Standing Committee on Defence.

DATE OF SUBMISSION: 08 DECEMBER 2015

08 December 2015 - NW4155

Profile picture: Groenewald, Dr PJ

Groenewald, Dr PJ to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

(1)Whether any acquisition process for the purchasing of aircraft for (a) the President or (b) the VIP Unit of the SA Air Force has commenced; if so, (2) (a) when the acquisition process in each specified case (i) commenced and (ii) should be completed, (b)(i) what amount has been budgeted for each aircraft and (ii) from which budget item each separate aircraft will be funded and (c) when will the specified process be completed up until the acceptance of the specified tender is completed; (3) if the acquisition process has not yet commenced, when she envisages the process will commence; (4) whether she will make a statement regarding the matter? NW5028E

Reply:

  1. Yes
  2. (a)(i) The process underway has been initiated by Armscor to test the market for information through the issuance of RFI (Request for Information).

At this stage Armscor has only done the RFI (Request for Information), depending on the findings from the RFI, the process can stop or be moved to the next step which will be a request for Offer (RFO).

(ii) Same as previous answer.

(b)(i) There is no specific amount allocated to the project, the request for information will assist in terms of the budget.

(ii) As above.

(c) This will dependent on whether we go ahead with the project in the first place. So far no such decision has been made.

3. The outcome of the findings will provide guidance on the way forward.

4. No statement will be made

DATE OF SUBMISSION: 07 DECEMBER 2015

08 December 2015 - NW4116

Profile picture: Marais, Mr S

Marais, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

(1)(a) When will she finalise the appointment of military judges to the military courts and (b) what are the reasons for the delay in the appointments of military judges; (2) (a) what are the practical consequences of the specified delay in respect of the backlog of cases and (b) how will this be addressed? NW4989E

Reply:

  1. (a) On 13 October 2015, I made the following appointments: Statutory Directors (Director Military Judges, Directory Military Prosecutions, Director Military Defence Counsel and Director Military Judicial Reviews); Reserve Force Military Judges (2 Senior Military Judges and 4 Military Judges).

(b) Regular Force Military Judges will be appointed as soon as their secret security clearances are in place.

(2) (a) As indicated above, I have appointed Statutory Directors and Reserve Force Military Judges to deal with cases in the military justice system.

(b) Once vetting is completed of Regular Force Military Judges these appointments will further alleviate pressure on the system.

DATE OF SUBMISSION: 08 DECEMBER 2015

08 December 2015 - NW4059

Profile picture: Maimane, Mr MA

Maimane, Mr MA to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

(1)With reference to various replies received from her predecessors pertaining to the movement of the President, Mr Jacob G Zuma, and all relevant operational planning requirements (details furnished) and with reference to her replies to question 1221 on 9 June 2015, question 1941 on 9 June 2015 and question 3510 on 20 October 2015, on what basis is she refusing to provide the requested information in each case, since former ministers did provide similar detailed information when it was requested; (2) whether she submitted the specified information requested through a parliamentary channel that protects such security sensitive information; if not, why not; if so, in each case, on what date? NW4930E

Reply:

  1. I am not going to provide security sensitive information about the movement of the President
  2. No

DATE OF SUBMISSION: 08 DECEMBER 2015

08 December 2015 - NW4058

Profile picture: Baker, Ms TE

Baker, Ms TE to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

With reference to her department’s 2014-15 Annual Report, (a) what are the names of the 160 military veterans who received burial support and (b) to which former (i) non-statutory forces (names furnished) or (ii) statutory forces (names furnished) did each veteran belong?

Reply:

The information can be processed through the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans in the new year, as the beneficiaries names are considered confidential.

DATE OF SUBMISSION: 08 DECEMBER 2015

08 December 2015 - NW4057

Profile picture: Baker, Ms TE

Baker, Ms TE to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

With reference to her department’s 2014-15 Annual Report, (a) what are the names of the 1 343 military veterans who accessed counselling services and (b) to which former (i) non-statutory forces (names furnished) or (ii) statutory forces (names furnished) did each veteran belong?

Reply:

Due to the voluminous nature of the information requested, I would recommend that the member approaches the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans and request to have this information tabled in a meeting of the Portfolio Committee in one of their sessions in 2016.

DATE OF SUBMISSION: 08 DECEMBER 2015

08 December 2015 - NW4054

Profile picture: Mbhele, Mr ZN

Mbhele, Mr ZN to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

With reference to her department’s 2014-15 Annual Report, (a) what are the names of the 2 450 military veterans who accessed training and skills development and (b) to which of the former (i) non-statutory forces (names furnished) or (ii) statutory forces (names furnished) did each veteran belong?

Reply:

Due to the voluminous nature of the information requested, I would recommend that the member approaches the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans and request to have this information tabled in a meeting of the Portfolio Committee in one of their sessions in 2016

DATE OF SUBMISSION: 08 DECEMBER 2015

08 December 2015 - NW4053

Profile picture: Marais, Mr S

Marais, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

With reference to her department’s 2014-15 Annual Report, (a) what are the names of the nine military veterans whose houses were rescued from repossession by the banks and (b) to which of the former (i) non-statutory forces (names furnished) or (ii) statutory forces (names furnished) did each veteran belong?

Reply:

The information can be processed through the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans in the new year, as the beneficiaries names are considered confidential.

DATE OF SUBMISSION: 08 DECEMBER 2015

08 December 2015 - NW4052

Profile picture: Marais, Mr S

Marais, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

With reference to her department’s 2014-15 Annual Report, (a) what are the names of (i) the 645 military veterans and (ii) their dependents who received bursaries and (b) to which of the former (i) non-statutory forces (names furnished) or (ii) statutory forces (names furnished) did each veteran belong?

Reply:

The information can be processed through the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans in the new year, as the beneficiaries names are considered confidential.

DATE OF SUBMISSION: 08 DECEMBER 2015

08 December 2015 - NW4051

Profile picture: Esau, Mr S

Esau, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

With reference to her department’s 2014-15 Annual Report, (a) what are the names of the 1 803 military veterans who were provided with healthcare cards and (b) to which former (i) non-statutory forces (names furnished) or (ii) statutory forces (names furnished) did each veteran belong?

Reply:

Due to the voluminous nature of the information requested, I would recommend that the member approaches the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans and request to have this information tabled in a meeting of the Portfolio Committee in one of their sessions in 2016

DATE OF SUBMISSION: 08 DECEMBER 2015

08 December 2015 - NW4049

Profile picture: Esau, Mr S

Esau, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

With reference to her department’s 2014-15 Annual Report, (a) what are the names of the 693 military veterans who received Social Relief Distress through the SA Social Security Agency and (b) to which former (i) non-statutory forces (names furnished) or (ii) statutory forces (names furnished) did each veteran belong?

Reply:

The information can be processed through the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans in the new year, as the beneficiaries names are considered confidential.

DATE OF SUBMISSION: 08 DECEMBER 2015

08 December 2015 - NW4005

Profile picture: Marais, Mr S

Marais, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

With reference to the diplomatic visit to the Republic of Cuba in October 2015 by the Deputy President, Mr M C Ramaphosa, South African Ambassador to Cuba Ms Naphtalie Manana‚ Deputy Ministers Mr L T Landers‚ Mr M E Surty‚ Dr M J Phaahla‚ Mr G G Oliphant‚ Ms P Tshwete and Mr K B Manamela, what was the (a) traveling cost for (i) each member of the specified delegation and (ii) their support staff and (b) breakdown of these costs in each case?

Reply:

The Department of Defence was not involved in the travel arrangements for the diplomatic visit to the Republic of Cuba by the Deputy President, Mr C Ramaphosa, and his entourage during the month of October 2015.

Please refer your question to the Presidency.

DATE OF SUBMISSION: 08 DECEMBER 2015