Questions and Replies

Reply:

Attached find here: Reply

Reply:

Attached find here: Reply

Reply:

Attached find here: Reply

Reply:

Attached find here: Reply

Reply:

Attached find here: Reply

Reply:

Attached find here: Reply

Reply:

Attached find here: Reply

Reply:

Attached find here: Reply

Reply:

Attached find here: Reply

Reply:

Attached find here: Reply

Reply:

Attached find here: Reply

Reply:

Attached find here: Reply

Reply:

Attached find here: Reply

Reply:

Attached find here: Reply

Reply:

Attached find here: Reply

Reply:

Attached find here: Reply

Reply:

Attached find here: Reply

Reply:

Attached find here: Reply

Reply:

Attached find here: Reply

Reply:

Attached find here: Reply

Reply:

Attached find here: Reply

Reply:

Attached find here: Reply

Reply:

(a –c) (i) No vehicle was purchased for myself during the said period
(a –c) (ii) Deputy Minister
 

Make	bmw
Model	X4
Year of Manufacture	2021
Price	R 756510 ( seven hundred and fifty six thousand five hundred and ten rand only)
Purchase Date	08 September 2021

Reply:

Attached find here: Reply

Reply:

Attached find here: Reply

Reply:

Attached find here: Reply

Reply:

Attached find here: Reply

Reply:

Attached find here: Reply

Reply:

Attached find here: Reply

Reply:

(1) (a) There are a hundred and five (105) SANDF members from all Services who departed to Cuba for the following training programmes at the end of August 2021:
(i) 30 x members for Senior Courses (SDSP & JSCSP).
(ii) 75 x members for various vocational/cadet training.
(b) From the SANDF appreciation with specific reference to medical expertise and their ongoing assistance to the Department of Health, Cuba was the obvious choice to train and qualify medical specialists. Through Project Thusano, Cuba also demonstrated their skills and knowledge in terms of the maintenance and repair of various technical capabilities. In addition, Cuba was the only country that has opened its training opportunities in bigger numbers to the SANDF and that could tailor make training programmes according to the SANDF's unique training requirements.

  (2) Only the extended courses i.e. medical and pilot courses are presented in Spanish which requires the one (1) year Spanish Language Training. All the other courses are presented in English.

(3) It is in the interest of the SANDF that members are conversant with other foreign languages including Spanish due to the multi-lateral military relationships of the SANDF with the international community.

(4) The SANDF only became aware of the allegations of ill-treatment of Cuba learners via the social media platform as no formal complaint has been received in this regard. The organisation has however directed the Defence Attaché in Cuba to look into these allegations.

(5) (a) As indicated in par 2 above, not all courses are presented in Spanish. The one year language intervention for extended courses is of such a nature that learners are able to grasp the learning material without any additional intervention. However, it must be noted that, where further language interventions are required, learners are provided with interpreters and or translators. (b) Even though the training is available in South Africa, the SANDF did a skills gap analysis and ascertained that there is a backlog which necessitated the current arrangement with the Cuban Government.

Reply:

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

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

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

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

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

Reply:

(1) The President appointed the National Conventional Arms Control Committee (NCACC} in terms of s5 of the NCAC Act (Act 41 of 2002 as amended). The NCACC is a Cabinet Committee Sui Generis. The role of the NCACC is to approve export permits in line with the NCAC Act and its attendant Regulations
(2) The Committee may not be chaired by (a) Minister(s) with a line responsibility interest in trade in Conventional Arms s5 (3). That would exclude from Chairpersonship inter alia: Defence, Trade and Industry and Competition and Finance, as prime examples.
(3) It is common cause notwithstanding that, the Minister of Defence while appointed to the NCACC as per provisions (supra). The Chair of the NCACC is the primary person responsible for the overall performance of the Committee.
(4)Therefore, the correct procedure would be to direct questions/the Parliamentary Question of/about the NCACC to the Chair of the NCACC, who is tasked with responding for the Cabinet Committee, or otherwise at the Chair's direction.

 

Reply:

(1) There were no deployment of the SANDF soldiers in KwaZulu-Natal beyond the 13 September 2021. The incident of the 27 September 2021 was not related to the deployment of SANDF soldiers previously authorised.
(2) No extension or unauthorized extension of deployment was ever granted or issued for the SANDF under Operation PROSPER beyond the 13 September 2021, in KwaZulu-Natal.

Reply:

1) Response to Paragraph (a)
As at 14 February 2022 the DOD had Three Thousand Nine Hundred and Thirty-Six (3936) unpaid invoices.
(aa) Suppliers invoices currently unpaid and older than 30 days (96)
(bb)  Suppliers invoices currently unpaid and older than 60 days (35)
(cc) Suppliers invoices currently unpaid and still within the 30 days (3526)
(dd) Suppliers invoices currently unpaid and older than 90 days (204)
(ee) Suppliers invoices currently unpaid and older than 120 days (75)

2)
Response to Paragraph (b)
(aa) Suppliers’ invoices currently unpaid and are still within 30 days payment period amounts to RM 188 400 872.01
(bb) Suppliers’ invoices currently unpaid and are already over the 30 days payment period amounts to RM 14 131 214.52
(cc) Suppliers’ invoices currently unpaid and are already over the 60 days payment period amounts to R 392 467.30
(dd) Suppliers’ invoices currently unpaid and are already over the 90 days payment period amounts to R 139 133.27
(ee) Suppliers’ invoices currently unpaid and are already over the 120 days payment period amounts to RM 3 120 208.38

Reply:

No correspondence was ever received in June 2020 by myself or the departments from any political organisation in any format either email, WhatApp, or hardcopy.

a – c; are not applicable.

Reply:

 

(1) Following the Military Ombud (MO) Investigation Report MO/DIA/12/1/0008/18-19 dated 27 January 2020, the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans (MOD&MV) commissioned an inclusive and comprehensive audit of the Occupation Specific Dispensation (OSD) for nurses in the South African Military Health Service (SAMHS). The aim of the audit was to ensure accuracy and guarantee that no nurse with a similar complaint was left out. Subsequent to the audit, a submission, which included the possible complainant, was approved by the MOD&MV for the payment of all affected personnel.

(2) The Department of Defence (DOD) is in the process of capturing and finalising all outstanding final compensation resulting from the audit and submission as approved by the MOD&MV. The payment of all outstanding compensations will be finalised before the end of the 2021/2022 financial year.
a) Recommendations were not yet ratified by the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans for implementation, but rather for all-inclusive and Comprehensive audit of OSD for nurses in the South African Medical Health Services (SAMHS) to ensure accuracy and guarantee that no nurse with a similar complaint is left out.

(b)It is not necessary to take actions against any person in the Department and the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) as this was structural issues rather than negligence or human error.
(c) No date can be provided yet for the person to receive the payments which are in line with the findings and recommendations by the MO. The Minister is yet to pronounce implementation based on her approval of the comprehensive audit report. However, determination has been made to identify areas for funding the shortfalls on approval by the Minister.
(d) The findings and recommendations of the MO in terms of the Mil Ombud Act are advisory in nature until they are endorsed by the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans. The OSD audit for all nurses was completed and is receiving further attention from the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans. For further endorsement.
(e) Money spent on the Office of the MO is still valuable, and the Department sees the Military Ombud as a force multiplier to accomplish other successes than without it.

Reply:

 

His Excellency President M.C. Ramaphosa on the 03 September 2021 during his oral reply, stated that the “…whenever the President or the Deputy President goes, at any given time, the transportation is the responsibility underline of the government. When they fly it is the responsibility of the Airforce…” The Honourable Member is invited to listen to the recording of the President again. The VVIP unit of the SAAF did not task or undertake any flights for the Deputy President to Russia from 01 January 2020 to date. The unit and the Department is not privy to any arrangements the Deputy President may or may not have made regarding his travel to Russia. Arrangements for flights are only made through the Office of the President or the Deputy President. We have no record of such request and therefore did not make any arrangement.   The Department is unable to comment on question number 2 and 3.

Reply:

 

(1) The investigating team could trace invoices to the total amount of R 15 640 487.95 paid to Maponya 911 Services. The actual amount was supposed to be R 3 439 084.75 as per findings which has a difference of R 12 201 403.20 as over billing. The services has been suspended with effect from March 2021. These amounts can only be finalised pending further investigation. (2) At this stage there is an investigation underway in optometry services, names of companies and individuals cannot be confirmed at this stage as the investigation still need to be finalised. (3) Investigation of the matters are still pending, only on their conclusion can appropriate measures be taken to prevent any future occurrences.

Reply:

 

1(a) Soldiers are deployed in protection of the borderline 24/7 against the illegal immigrants of all nationalities. 1(b) The SANDF conducts foot patrols, vehicle patrols; and has observation posts; along the borderline as to prevent illicit goods of all types; including weapons; from illegally entering the borders of RSA. In executing its mandate in terms of the Constitution, the SANDF ascribe to all international and national prescripts as well as regulations in the conduct of its duties along the borderline. As part of the ongoing efforts by members of the SANDF deployed along the borderline, in January 2022 they have stopped one thousand five hundred and eighty two (1 582) illegal immigrants from the South Africa- Zimbabwe borderline to highlight just one of many successes that are made by our soldiers.

Reply:

 

1) Yes, the SA Air Force has a Section within the Directorate Human Resource Management namely, Transformation Management who are managing the process on behalf of Chief of the Air Force. The Transformation Management Section is mandated to set targets to be realised by each mastering/specialisation in the SA Airforce.   (2) The Transformation Management Section’s Plan is to manage aspects which includes gender equity, members with disability and racial equity. As per the guidance from CDTM, the SAAF has drafted a SAAF Transformation Management and Equity Plan dated 14 February 2020. This plan provides the detail which include all the goals, objectives and outcomes that are required. The plan is a broad ambition of the SA Airforce and is work in progress.

 

Reply:

(1.) From the SANDF appreciation with specific reference to medical expertise and their ongoing assistance to the Department of Health, Cuba was the obvious choice to train and qualify medical specialists. Through Project Thusano, the Cubans also demonstrated their skills and knowledge in terms of the maintenance and repair of various technical capabilities. Cuba was the only country that has opened its training opportunities in bigger numbers to the SANDF and that could tailor make training programmes according to the SANDF's unique training requirements which is the most cost-effective way to train and qualify large numbers of military personnel.

(2) Based on the above motivation, the training provided to the SANDF by Cuba is currently the best possible training intervention available based on the unique SANDF training requirements.

 

Reply:

(1.) The SANDF continues to expose its members to various Foreign Learning  Opportunities (FLOs) in many countries including in Africa, the Americas, Asia and Europe where various languages are spoken. The purpose of utilizing FLOs has primarily been to enable the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to adopt 'best practice' approaches to military doctrine based on exposure of other Defence forces' practices, with the premise that those members identified for such exposure are well versed in SANDF doctrine.
Yes, members of the SANDF did training in African countries such as Zambia, Uganda, the Americas and Asia, to mention a few. It must be noted that most nation states had restricted training opportunities during COVID-19 periods.

 (2.) Yes all the specified countries were considered to empower members of the SANDF through its bilateral-lateral military relationships with the international community. During 2019/2020FY we had senior officers in the specified countries.

(3.) The South African Air Force is facing shortages of reliable training aircraft and relies on FLOs to keep up with the demand to have trained and skilled workforce in the aviation sphere. The Cuban FLOs provide a value chain training in aviation such as pilots, aviation technicians, aviation engineers, Air traffic controllers and Aircraft Preservation, including simulator developer and software developer programmes that South Africa and the SANDF are highly in need of. The Cuban Pilot Training is using the L 39 Albatross Fighter Jet, which is used in several countries as a versatile Jet trainer for their fighter pilots.

(4.) As indicated above, the SANDF, within its means, continues to expose its members to various FLOs in many countries including Africa, the Americas, Asia and Europe. It is in the interest of the SANDF that its members are empowered in various militaries.

(5.) (a) The following is the total cost of the Cuban training in each year since it started:
(i) 2014 - R15 838 547, 00
(ii) 2015- R24 485 149, 62
(iii) 2016- R15 967 981, 88
(iv) 2017 - R83 477 610, 24
(v) 2018 - R73 625 956, 67
(vi) 2019 - R72 697 854, 04
(Vii) 2020 - Training was suspended due to Covid 19.
(viii) 2021- R73 074 191, 20

Reply:

Engagements on the budget deficit are ongoing and at present there are no new developments to report in this regard.

Reply:

(1)(a)(i) and (ii) Non-availability of members who agreed to serve on the Task Team for various reasons relating to health, other commitments etc led to a further search for members to serve on the Task Team.

(b) The appointment was announced once members were appointed on 1 March 2021.

(c) (i) The Task Team is expected to finalise their report into all matters relating to their mandate within 6 months as of 1 March 2021.

(c) (ii) The task team is to investigate the allegations contained in 3 separate submissions: (i) An anonymous report of October 2019 alleging fraud, corruption and misuse of State funds in the Department of Defence (DoD), particularly in the South African National Defence Force (SANDF); (2) A submission made to the State Capture Commission by Maj Gen (ret) Sizani and Maj Gen B Ngcobo which similarly contained serious allegations of alleged criminal activity in the environment of the Defence Intelligence Division; and (3) A memorandum from Maj Gen L. Ford outlining concerns regarding some procurement irregularities by the SANDF in the purchasing of Interferon-B from the Republic of Cuba when Coronavirus reached our shores in March 2020.

(c)(iii) Members of the Task Team not in the employ of the State are remunerated hourly rates as prescribed by National Treasury for Commissions / Committees of this nature and must submit time sheets to claims such on a monthly basis.

(2) Members of the Task Team were selected based on their knowledge and understanding of Government and especially the security cluster. The Chairperson is Mr Zola Ngcakani and the other two members are Dr RC Lubisi and Mr B Masethla.

(3) As can be noted from their Terms of Reference they will be investigating the environment of Defence Intelligence and as such it is best suited that they be vetted by another security agency.

(4) The final report will be shared with the relevant oversight structures in a manner that will be dictated by the nature of the findings and recommendations given that some of it relates to the environment of Defence Intelligence, which may be better shared with the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence.

 

Reply:

The response is detailed in the table below.

1. Department of Correctional Services – Veterinary Services

2. Department of Health (North West Province) – Medical assistance during strikes

3. Department of Health (Kalafong Hospital) – Transfer of patients

4. Department of Health (Steve Biko Academic Hospital) – Transfer of patients

5. Department of Military Veterans – Medical assistance

6. Department of Public Works and Infrastructure – Building of bridges

7. National Treasury – Medical treatment for military pension officers

8. South African Police Services - Veterinary Services

With regard to the feedback on the Budget Review and Recommendation Report to the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans on 5 May 2021, where it was reported that several departments still owe her department for services rendered (details furnished), (a) what is the total amount owed by each specified department, (b) for what period has the debt been outstanding in each case, (c) what are the details of the payment arrangements that were agreed to with each department and (d) by what date will the outstanding accounts be settled in full? NW1766E

9. South African Revenue Services - Veterinary Services

Whether she will please confirm what

(a) is the total amount owed by each department;

(b) is the total period for which the debt has been outstanding;

(c) payment arrangements were agreed to with each department and

(d) confirm when these outstanding accounts will be settled in full?

OUTSTANDING AMOUNTS FOR SERVICES RENDERED TO DEPARTMENTS
S/N	Department Name	Type	Number of cases	(a) the total amount owed by each department	(b) the total period for which the debt has been outstanding	(c) payment arrangements agreed to with each department	(d) confirm when these outstanding accounts will be settled in full
1	Correctional Services	Veterinary Services	22	R35 093,23	Ongoing service and most outstanding amounts are in the current financial year less than one year.	Payments will be made on a regular bases	Probably in the current financial year as payments are received regularly
2	Dept Health: NW	Medical Assistance During Strike	1	R12 275 216	Two to three years	In the year the service was provided however the institution does not keep to its promise. Continuous follow up is being made.	Dept. of Health / North West indicates that there was no contract in place, hence payment cannot be made until there is a contract. Engagements between the two departments are ongoing to settle the amount owing.
3	Kalafong Hospital: Gauteng	Patient Transferred	20	R264 108,37	More than three years	In the year the service was provided however the institution did not keep to its promise. Continuous follow up is being made.	Probably in the current financial year, since engagements with the relevant department are in process for settlement of the account.
4	Steve Biko Academic Hospital: Gauteng	Patient Transferred	17	R50 036,86	More than three years	In the year the service was provided how ever the institution did not keep to its promise. Continues follow up is being made.	Probably in the current financial year, since engagements are in process for settlement of the account.
5	Military Veterans	Medical Assistance	4 671	R99 033 939,62	Ongoing service and 58% of the amount outstanding is between 1 year to 3 years.	In the year the service was provided however the institution has had challenges making payments. Continous engagements are ongoing.	The relevant department reconciles with the DOD on a quarterly basis. In most years the debts raised are greater than the payments received. DMV has requested for some of the historic debts to be written off
6	Nat Dept Public Works	Operations: Building Of Bridges	2	R12 568 571,08	One debt is less than one year and the other more than three years.	In the year the service was provided however the institution does not keep to its promise. Continues follow up is being made.	Probably in the current financial year, since engagements with the relevant department are in process for settlement of the account.
7	National Treasury	Medical Treatment For Military Pension Officers	1 292	R6 724 103,65	Ongoing service and most outstanding amounts are more than three years.	In the year service was provided. However, in the financial year 21/22 National Treasury has requested to review long outstanding claims for settlement.	Probably in the current financial year, since engagements with the relevant department are in process for settlement of the accounts.
8	SAPS	Veterinary Services	6	R39 802,81	Ongoing service and most outstanding amount is in the current financial year less than one year.	Payments will be made on a regular bases	Probably in the current financial year as payments are received regularly
9	SARS Veterinary Service	Veterinary Services	1	R3 255,74	Two to three years	In the year the service was provided however the institution does not keep to its promise. Continues follow up is being made.	Probably in the current financial year, since engagements with the relevant department are in process for settlement of the account.
				R130 994 127,36

Reply:

(1) (a) Section 19 of the Government Employees Pension Law, 1996 (Proclamation No. 21 of 1996) states, inter alia, that a member shall have the right to retire on pension and shall be so retired on reaching the age determined by the law governing his or her employment. Section 52 of the Defence Act, 2002 (Act 42 of 2002) makes provision for members to be appointed and utilised in the Regular Force from the age of 18 to 65 years of age. In terms of Regulation 21 of Chapter III of the General Regulations for the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and the Reserve an officer serving in the Permanent Force shall have the right to retire on pension and shall be so retired, on the date when he or she attains the age of 60 years. Regulation 22 of Chapter III also states that the maximum age limit for temporary service in the Permanent Force shall be 65 years. The incumbent Surgeon-General (SG) of the SA Military Health Services (SAMHS) reached the age of 60 on 20 October 2016.

(b) The following are the reasons and motivation for allowing his continued service beyond the official exit age:

i. To ensure continuous effective strategic direction and management to the SAMHS (SANDF).

ii. To ensure the effective management of medical and health services to the Department of Defence (SANDF).

iii. To retain specialist skills, especially where there is a shortage of skilled members in the Senior Management System, such as Medical Officers and Special Forces Operators.

iv. To ensure the retention of experienced members to mentor young and inexperienced members.

(2) The SG will retire on 31 October 2021.

(3) The process for the appointment of the next surgeon-general has been finalised and the next SG will assume duty with effect from 01 November 2021.

Reply:

(1) Liaison between the Department of Defence (DOD) and other role players, including the Department of International Relations and Cooperation took place in this regard to streamline diplomatic and protocol procedures that will allow the Department to proceed with measures to hold the individuals accountable and to remedy the situation. Diplomatic processes are considered according to the Memorandum of Agreement to ensure that the Department’s actions are embodied thereon and are binding to all the affected parties involved.

(2) Yes,

(3) I have asked the CSANDF to provide same.

Reply:

a) The details of the skills transfers that the Cubans completed are as indicated in the paragraphs below.

(i) One-thousand-three-hundred-and-eighty-six (1 386) SANDF members formed part of the Project THUSANO skills transfer.

(ii) Three-hundred-and-nineteen (319) SANDF members received official qualifications as an outcome of the project.

b) Four-hundred-and-eighty-three (483) SANDF members are currently working in their respective units.

c) Due to a bilateral agreement between Cuba and South Africa, there are no costs involved as a result of the dependency on the Cubans to service and maintain SANDF vehicles and equipment.

Reply:

1. (a) The below figures indicate the payment according to the contract and administration per Financial Year

Year	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021
Total Cost	6,125,800	143,952,671	170,662,596	274,393,655	219,595,670	252,386,010	9,,555,856

(b) The current amount spent over six years on VIP protectors for S & T, accommodation and food is R 2, 683,239.46.

2. (a) A total number of sixty-seven (67) vehicles have been dismantled over the past five years.

(b) Eleven-thousand-six-hundred-and-twenty-three (11 623) vehicles have been repaired.

3. (a) This is a lengthy process and requires more time to effectively determine the value of the re- introduced spares. So far twelve-thousand-six-hundred-and-ninety-one (12 691) spare parts have been re-introduced into the vehicle maintenance system over the period of five years. Spare parts such as starter motors, alternators, brake boosters, differentials and engines are received and repaired, and then returned to the vehicles as part of the repair process. The spare parts from dismantled vehicles are also serviced and taken to the depot. The cost of the spare parts is not yet determined, as the internal capability within the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) is utilised.

(b) (i) and (ii) The spare parts are supplied to the under-mentioned entities for their repair and return to the vehicles:

1. DOD Mobilisation Centre, Bloemfontein.
2. Regional Workshop Gauteng.
3. 102 Field Workshop, Potchfestroom.
4. 101 Field Workshop, Postmasburg.
5. 35 Engineering Support Regiment, Springs.
6. Army Support Base, Kimberly.
7. Army Support Base, Cape Town.
8. Air Defence Artillery School, Ermelo.

(c) The cost of the spare parts repair process has not been determined, as the internal capability within the SANDF is utilised to verify in the system the value of the parts when they are procured, and the current status of the re-introduced parts.

4. No military vehicle has been sold as scrap metal, as the approval for this process to proceed must first be finalised.

5. (a) Wahlmansthal is continuing with maintenance and repairs in their area. Tasks also include the preservation of vehicles. A total of one-hundred-and ninety (190) vehicles have been preserved at Wahlmansthal. The members also dismantled fifteen (15) vehicles.

(b) When there are severe electricity blackouts, a total amount of 4 450 litres of diesel is consumed weekly due to the electricity blackouts at a cost of R8 455.00. The monthly consumption is R33 820. 00. The Department of Defence is engaging ESKOM to upgrade the power supply. ESKOM has commenced with the feasibility study to determine the scope of work and costs for the upgrades.

Reply:

a) Twenty-one (21) members form part of the protection service to the Cuban representatives. These members’ tasks include:

(i) Reconnaissance, which is executed each time the Cubans have to deploy or visit a unit/entity.

(ii) En-route protection, during movement.

(iii) Protection at accommodation sites.

b) The current amount spent over six years on VIP Protectors; on S&T, accommodation and food; is R 2, 683 239.46.