Reply:

The issue on the regularity of crime statistics release has been discussed at various meetings, in the Portfolio Committee on Police, in the previous financial years. However, Section 218 (f) of the Interim Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1993 (Act No. 200 of 1993) provides that, "subject to the directions of the Minister of Safety and Security, the National Commissioner will be responsible for the keeping and provision of crime intelligence data, criminal records and statistics".

The above section has been retained, in terms of item 24 of Schedule 6 to the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 (Act No. 108 of 1996).

Hence, it is only the Minister who can pronounce on the matter.
 

Reply to question 9 recommended
GENERAL NATIONAL COMMISSIONER: SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SREVICE
KJ SITOLE (SOEG)
Date: 2019-07-16

Reply to question 9 approved

GENERAL BH CELE (MP)
MINISTER OF POLICE
Date: 2019-07-24

Reply:

(a) The case docket was investigated and submitted to the Inquest Court for a decision. The Inquest Court found that there was no prima facie case against any person and a J56 was issued, in terms of the Inquests Act, 1959 (Act No. 58 of 1959). An offence of culpable homicide was registered and not murder.

(b) In the interest of cases being investigated without fear or favour, the particulars of the investigating officer cannot be divulged.

(c) No arrest was made, however, a warning statement was obtained from the other driver that was involved in the accident. A J56 was issued by the Inquest Court, on 15 January 2013. The docket was filed, on 17 April 2013.

Reply to question 30 recommended

GENERAL NATIONAL COMMISSIONER: SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE
KJ SITOLE (SOEG)
Date:


Reply to question 30 approved

GENERAL BH CELE (MP)
MINISTER OF POLICE
Date: 2019/07/24

 

 

Reply:

1. (a) R14 941 573.00.

(b) (i) – (v) Please refer to the attached table.

Reply:

I have been advised by the Department as follows:-

(a) R 16, 235 million

(b) See table below:-

(i) TOTAL REMUNERATION	(ii) SALARY LEVEL	(iii) JOB TITLE	(iv) QUALIFICATION	(v) JOB DESCRIPTION
R 1,521,591 pa	15 - Compensation level III	Special Advisor	National Senior Certificate National Diploma: Electrical Engineering Master of Arts: ICT Policy & Regulation	Special Advisor to Minister
R 1,251,183 pa	14	Chief of Staff	National Senior Certificate Bachelor of Arts Higher Diploma in Education MA: Public Health BA Hons: African Languages in Communications Diploma in Media Management Postgraduate Diploma: Monitoring and Evaluation Program in Monitoring and Evaluation Diploma in Project Management	Chief of Staff
R 1,073,202 pa	13	Parliamentary and Cabinet Support	National Senior Certificate Bachelor of Arts Bachelor of Laws Certificate in Money Laundering Control Advanced Public Project Management	Parliamentary and Cabinet Support
R 1,057,326 pa	13	Media Liaison	National Senior Certificate	Media Liaison

		Officer	BCOM: Marketing                           BCOM Hons: Communications	Officer
R 733,257 pa	11	Cabinet and Parliamentary Officer	National Senior Certificate	Cabinet and Parliamentary Officer
R 755,418 pa Acting allowance paid against first notch of SL 13 R 1,057,326	11 (acting in level 13 post and receives an acting allowance)	Acting PA to Minister	National Senior Certificate BCOM: Human Resource Management Diploma in Transport Management	Personal Assistant to Minister
R 733,257 pa	11	Community Outreach Officer	National Senior Certificate Primary Teachers Diploma Certificate: Report Writing Certificate: Basic Fire Fighter Certificate: Project Management	Community Outreach Officer
R 733,257 pa	11	Portfolio Co- ordinator	National Senior Certificate BA: Corporate Communications	Portfolio Co- ordinator
R 376,596 pa	9	Assistant Appointment Secretary	National Senior Certificate Certificate Basic Fire Fighter Secretary Skills Course Certificate: Commercial Law Diploma in Business Management	Assistant Appointment Secretary
R 257,508 pa	7	Secretary/Rece ptionist	National Senior Certificate BA: Environmental Management	Secretary/Receptio nist
R 257,508 pa	7	Registry Clerk	National Senior Certificate Certificate in HR	Registry Clerk
R 224,626 pa	3	Domestic Worker	Grade 11	Domestic Worker: Cape Town Residence
R 224,626 pa	3	Domestic Worker	Grade 11	Domestic Worker: Pretoria Residence
R 109, 534 pa + 37%	2	Food Aid	Grade 11 Auxiliary Nursing	Food Aid

MS STELLA NDABEBI-ABRAHAMS MINISTER

Reply:

(a) Any social grant beneficiary who experiences challenges with the receipt of the social grant should report to the nearest SASSA office or Post Office. The beneficiary will be required to complete a standardised affidavit, and submit this, together with a certified copy of both sides of the SASSA card in his/her possession, as well as a certified copy of his/her identity document to the officials. If these documents are submitted to SASSA, then they are submitted to the Post Office Fraud Unit. After a preliminary investigation, SAPO will refund the affected beneficiary with the amount lost. The full criminal investigation will continue and prosecutions will be made once all the facts are known.

The above processes have been made known to all of the local SASSA offices as well as the Post Office staff, in order to try an ensure that beneficiaries are not sent from pillar to post in trying to have these matters resolved.

(b) Both SASSA and SAPO are constantly endeavouring to improve the system controls, to prevent the continuation of this fraud. Issues which are being addressed by SASSA include:

• Roll out of biometric registration for all users who access the Socpen system, which is used to register new beneficiaries and generate payments. This biometric information will then be required to access the system, ensuring that there is non-repudiation for all transactions processed on the system.
• Implementation of a verification process for all changes to the method of payment elected by the beneficiary. This will mean that the change will not be implemented until verified by a second official, but that the initial method of payment will continue to remain in force until the change is verified, so as not to disrupt payments.
• Implementation of a daily bank verification where the details of the beneficiary (name, surname and identity number) is confirmed by the banks as matching those of the bank account into which the social grant is paid prior to payment extraction. Any records where the information does not match, apart from the payments to beneficiaries who receive payments through registered institutions, will not be extracted until such time as the record has been corrected. This will prevent payment into a bank account which does not belong to the beneficiary.
• Establishment of a working team, together with South African Reserve Bank, Bankserve, Banking Association of South Africa and South African Banking Risk Information Centre (SABRIC) to identify trends and weaknesses in the administrative processes, which will inform additional measures which should be implemented.

SAPO has implemented an automated card management system, which enables them to track each and every SASSA card, from point of receipt at their Head Office, to issuing to individual beneficiaries. This will enable the immediate blocking of any lost or stolen cards so that these cannot be issued to unsuspecting beneficiaries.

(c) As a result of the extensive delays in the investigations, SAPO has agreed to refund beneficiaries within 14 days of the fraud having been reported and the relevant documents as outlined in point (a) above having been submitted. The criminal investigation will continue, but should not impact negatively on the beneficiary.

The delays in dealing with the initial number of cases reported was a result of the need to establish processes and ensure accountability for dealing with these matters, which were not foreseen when the service was initially implemented. The backlog is currently being worked down, so that the time frame of 14 days for reimbursement, as agreed to, will be met.

 

Approved by the Minister on Date……………………….

Reply:

(a)(i) As at 28 June, a total of 20 787 fraud cases had been registered with the South African Post Office

(ii) Of these, 12 432 social grant beneficiaries have been reimbursed for the losses they suffered, to the total value of R21 779 451, 47. None of the cases can be considered resolved, despite the beneficiaries having been reimbursed, as the criminal investigations are still underway.

(b) No amounts have been recovered, as this is dependent on the outcome of the criminal investigation.

 

Approved by the Minister on Date……………………….

Reply:

1. (a) The Minister of Defence and Military Veterans has under her custodianship seven thousand one hundred and fifteen buildings, fifty eight properties (land portions) and one hundred and forty six facilities.

More work is being done to determine the value and the purpose for which each one is used.

 

Reply:

(a) (i) The strength for the FY2019/20 of the Department of Defence (DOD) is 74,901. The strength at 30 June 2019 was 74,053. The vacancy rate at 30 June 2019 was 848 (military and civilian).

(b) The military posts will be filled in January 2020 with the annual Military Skills Development Intake and the civilian posts are advertised and filled according the Department of Public Service and Administration processes.

 

Reply:

(a) According to the Department of Defence policies on Leave of Absence; (i.e. DODI/PERS/18/2000 Edition No: 3A and DODI/POL&PLAN/00036/2001 Edition No 2) a member has 36 working days normal sick leave in a three-year cycle where after a member is entitled to temporary and permanent incapacity leave. The previous sick leave cycle started on 01 January 2016 and ended on 31 December 2018. A total of 5 290 DOD officials were on extended periods of sick leave over the period 01 January 2018 to 31 December 2018.

(b) The estimated cost of the extended sick leave for the reporting period is R123 110 000.

 

Reply:

S/No	5G Network	Service Provider/s	Monetary Value	Remarks
	a.	b.	c.	d.
1	The current and future plans to roll out a 5G Network, a terms used to reference the next generation of high- speed mobile networks. She has been informed of the potential risks to humans when the specified technology is turned into use of weapons; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details.	None	None	The Department of Defence (DOD) is not rolling out nor planning to roll out any cellular network technologies including 5G in the foreseeable future. Currently the DOD is only a user of the cellular systems and services through Telkom, Vodacom, MTN, and Cell C.
				The custodian of the roll out of 5G network resides in the Department of Telecommunications & Postal Services and thus that department is responsible for the total scope of the threat assessment, risk management and related counter measures across the entire scope of the network sphere in the entire country”.
2	Whether she has any plans in place to ensure that the technology will not be used against the Republic’s civilians; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details of the plans?	None	None	The DOD is aware of the identified dangers and risks pertaining to the 5G technology roll-out. It is the DOD policy to invest only on tested and matured technologies that are safe in accordance to international best practices.

Reply:

1. Government delegates and social partners from 187 member states of the International Labour Organization (ILO) gathered for a historic session of the annual International Labour Conference as the Organisation celebrated 100 years (centenary) in Geneva from 10 – 21 June 2019. This very important session was also graced by 40 Heads of State and Government who came to not only congratulate the organization on this milestone but to also assist in providing direction and guidance for the future using as their base document the report of the Global Commission on the Future of Work.

2. H.E. President C.M Ramaphosa participated at this event as he formally submitted the report of the Global Commission on the Future of Work that he co-chaired with the Prime Minister of Sweden, H.E. Stephan Lofven to Conference.

3. The Minister of Employment and Labor, H.E. Thulas Nxesi, accompanied the President and also led the tripartite delegation that participated in different committees of the conference and plenary discussions that discussed the report of the ILO Director-General.

4. In accordance with Article 26(13.2) of the ILOs Constitution, Member States are obliged to cover the costs of participation of the Social Partners (Organised Business and Organised Labour) in annual Conferences. Due to the special nature of this International Labour Conference (ILC) (discussions on the future of work), the former Minister had agreed to also include representatives of the Community sector from NEDLAC as they participated in all national consultative meetings on the same. Furthermore, departmental entities also participate in the ILC sessions dependent on specific issues of interest.

5. It should be noted that payment of attendance costs for Social Partners is only related to the annual International Labour Conference (and not other ILO meetings) and includes flights, accommodation and subsistence allowances. The number of Social Partner delegates attending each ILC is determined by sitting Conference Committees at that particular year, that is, if there are four technical meetings, the Department is constitutionally obliged to cover the costs of 1 + four (Delegate and four advisors). Each advisor will then be dispatched to a specific committee.

6. Over the years and due to heightened interest on the importance of issues under discussion at the ILC, Social Partners have increased the number of participating delegates covering the full cost of such participation.

NB: It should be noted that the ILC also serves as a convenient platform for bilateral meetings as MOST Ministers and entities converge in Geneva during this period.

Response to A(i): 54 South African Delegates attended the 108th Session of the ILC. Dates of each delegates attendance is outlined in the excel spreadsheet annexed as A.

Response to A (II) (aa) and (bb): The South African delegation (names and designations) and committees attended are indicated hereunder:

	DELEGATE	DESIGNATION	CONFERENCE COMMITTEE	THEMATIC SESSION	HIGH-LEVEL SESSION
1.	NXESI Thulas, HE	Minister of Employment and Labour			X
2.	LEWIS Dr Jonathan	Advisor to the Minister			X
3.	BARLOW Albertina T. Ms	Personal Assistant of the Minister.			X
4.	LAMATI Thobile, Mr	Director-General, Labour.		X	X
5.	NDEBELE Sipho, Mr	Chief Director, International Relations	Rapporteur Committee of the Whole		X
6.	SEAFIELD Virgil, Mr	Deputy Director-General, Labour Policy & Industrial Relations	Committee of the Whole		X
7.	NTLEKI Malixole, Adv.	Director, Office of Director-General.	Committee on the Application of Standards		X
8.	MOROTOBA Sam, Mr.	Deputy Director-General, Public Employment Services		X	X
9.	MOILOA Aggy, Ms	Deputy Director-General, Inspections and Enforcement Services	Committee on the Application of Standards		X
10.	SEWLAL Varsha, Ms	Chief Legal Officer	Committee on the Application of Standards
11.	BRONKHORST Martha, Ms	Chief Operating Officer		X	X
12.	MARUPING Teboho, Mr	Commissioner, Unemployment Insurance Fund		X	X
13.	DOUW-JACK Nomfundo, Ms	Chief Director Provincial Operations (CDPO)	Committee on Violence and Harassment against women and men at the workplace		X
14.	MAMASHELA Ntsoaki, Mrs	Director, Employment Standards	Committee on Violence and Harassment against women and men at the workplace		X
15.	PETERSON Georgina, Ms	Deputy Director, International Relations.	Committee on Violence and Harassment against women and men at the workplace		X
16.	OLIVIER, Henrieta, Ms	DD Labour Market Information and Statistics (N. Cape)	Rapporteur Committee of the Whole		X
17.	MONYANE Motselisi, Ms	DD Labour Market Information and Statistics (Free State)	Rapporteur Committee of the Whole		X
18.	MAGAKWE Mishack, Mr	Provincial Communications Officer and Cameraman (Gauteng)	X	X	X
19.	CINDI Sibusiso, Mr	Director, Communications	X	X	X
20.	MOLAPO Batho, Mr	Assistant Director, Department of International Relations and Cooperation.	Committee on Violence and Harassment against women and men at the workplace		X
	COMMISSION FOR CONCILIATION, MEDIATION AND ARBITRATION (OWN ACCOUNT)
21.	MORAJANE Cameron, Mr	Director, CCMA	Committee on the Application of Standards		X
22.	VAN NIEKERK, Wilbur, Mr, CCMA.	Legal Researcher, CCMA Officer of the Director	Committee of the Whole		X
23.	LEDWABA, Makhulu, Mr,	Chairperson, CCMA Board	Committee on Violence and Harassment against women and men at the workplace		X
	PRODUCTIVITYSA (OWN ACCOUNT)
24.	MOTHIBA Mothunye, Mr	CEO, ProductivitySA.	Committee on Violence and Harassment against women and men at the workplace		x
25.	TSHIFULARO Justice, Mr	Executive Manager for the Turnaround Solutions, ProductivitySA.	Committee of the Whole
	EMPLOYER DELEGATES (BUSINESS UNITY SOUTH AFRICA)
26.	MDWABA Mthunzi, Mr		Overall Coordinator
27.	MOYANE Kaizer, Mr		Committee on the Application of Standards
28.	DE VILLERS Jahni, Ms		Violence and Harassment against women and men at the workplace
29.	MOABALOBELO Sinovuyo, Ms		Committee of the Whole
30.	JAMES Cheryl, Ms		Violence and Harassment against women and men at the workplace
31.	MANYONI Tilson, Mr		Committee of the Whole
32.	SERRAO Olivier, Mr		Committee on the Application of Standards
	ORGANIZED LABOUR
33.	NTSHALINTSHALI Bheki, Mr	General Secretary, Congress of South Africa Trade Unions (COSATU).	Committee of the Whole		X
34.	LOSI Zingiswa, Ms	President, COSATU.	Committee on the Application of Standards		X
35.	MULAISI Lebogang, Ms	COSATU	Committee of the Whole		X
36.	FAKUDE Xolani, Mr	COSATU			X
37.	MTSHWENI, Getrude, Ms	COSATU	Violence and Harassment against women and men at the workplace		X
38.	WITBOOI, Myrtle, Ms	COSATU	Violence and Harassment against women and men at the workplace		X
39.	MABIZELA, Nhlanhla, Ms	COSATU	Violence and Harassment against women and men at the workplace		X
40.	LEKOTA, Malesela Moses, Mr	COSATU	Committee of the Whole		X
41.	SOOBRAMONEY, Myan, Mr	COSATU	Committee of the Whole		X
42.	SELEMATSELA, Godfrey, Mr	President, Federation of Unions of South Africa	Committee on the Application of Standards		X
43.	MPHELA, Pat, Mr	President, NACTU	Committee on the Application of Standards		X
44.	MODISE, Brenda, Ms	FEDUSA	Violence and Harassment against women and men at the workplace		X
45.	AJAM, Riefdah, Ms	FEDUSA	Committee of the Whole		X
46.	NDHLOVU, Dorothy, Ms	Vice President, FEDUSA	Violence and Harassment against women and men at the workplace		X
47.	KEYTER, Martle, Ms	Vice President, FEDUSA	Violence and Harassment against women and men at the workplace		X
48.	OLIVIER, Ruby, Ms	FEDUSA	Committee on the Application of Standards		X
49.	FREDERICKS, Ivan, Mr	Vice President, FEDUSA	Committee of the Whole		X
	COMMUNITY CONSTITUENCY
50.	MATLAKALA, Conti, Ms	Woman's National Coalition	Violence and Harassment against women and men at the workplace	X	X
51.	JOSOPU, Thembinkosi, Mr	South African Youth Council Principal	Violence and Harassment against women and men at the workplace	X	X
52.	BALE, Lawrence, Mr	South African National Apex Cooperation Principal	Committee of the Whole	X	X
53.	NZIMANDE, Mbuzi, Mr	Disability People of South Africa	Committee of the Whole	X	X
54	RADEBE, Tebello, Mr	Financial Sector Coalition Campaign Principal	Committee of the Whole	X	X

OTHER ENGAGEMENTS:

45B AFRICAN REGIONAL LABOUR AND ADMINISTRATION COUNCIL (ARLAC)

• Ms Georgina Petersen

BRICS Employment Working Group

• Mr Thobile Lamati
• Mr Sipho Ndebele

G20 Employment Working Group

• Mr Sipho Ndebele
• Mr Kgomotso Letoaba

Productivity SA

Held consultative meetings with key stakeholders, similar institutions alongside the side-lines of the ILC with a view to forming strategic partnerships and alliances to promote productivity and competitiveness, both in South Africa and in the African continent in collaboration with the Pan African Productivity Association (PAPA)

The institutions which were consulted included:

• The ILO Team (Vick van Vuuren, Director: Enterprise Department and Cynthia Samuel-Olonjowun, Regional Director for Africa) reflecting on issues of full and productivity employment and decent work including support that can be provided to South Africa (Productivity SA as a conduit into providing support to Africa/PAPA) and the African Continent regarding the productivity movement and support to SMEs.
• World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) – Green Economy and SME divisions to reflect on possible collaboration on creating an eco-system for SMEs in South Africa in collaboration with the CSIR/NCPC and CIPC.
• World Economic Forum (WEF) – The team participated in the WEF Round Table /Meeting of Labour Ministers reflecting on the Global Platform for Shaping the Future of Inclusive Economies and Societies, and held a meeting with the Experts at the Centre for the New Economy and Society reflecting on possible collaboration of enhancing the capacity of Productivity SA in particular to strategically develop models and standards to address issues identified in the WEF Competitiveness Index as well as advancing dialogues and cooperation between stakeholders in South Africa.
• The Institute of Management Development (IMD) – The team met with the Researchers who are responsible for developing the IMD Competitiveness Report to reflect on possible collaboration and wide stakeholder engagement on the productivity and competitiveness issues as well as building our Research and Knowledge Management respond to these issues.

CCMA

 

• The CCMA also engaged in bilateral discussions with various key departments and people within the ILO structures which will benefit the labour market in South Africa, Southern Africa and beyond.

• The CCMA delegation also met with the Chairperson of the Freedom of Association Committee and the Chief of the Freedom of Association Department to discuss collaborative training possibilities to capacitate the labour market in South Africa and Southern Africa.

• The CCMA delegation met with the Director of the International Labour Standards (ILS) Department of the ILO to discuss collaborative contribution of the CCMA to the broader work of the ILS Department in its global development and application of labour standards.”

NB: List of South Africans accredited (in the list) but did not travel to Geneva. These delegates accreditation was requested by their Constituencies who were to cover the cost of their attendance.

• Mr Vuyo Mafata: Commissioner, Compensation Fund
• Ms Brenda Madumise: President, Interim Gender Based Violence Steering Committee
• Ms Nobuntu Sibisi, NEDLAC
• Ms Thandeka Msibi, COSATU
• Ms Patricia Snyman, COSATU
• Mr Bones Skulu, COSATU
• Mr Mike Tau, COSATU
• Mr Lucus Ramathlodi, COSATU

Response to (b) number of days the delegation stayed in Geneva and (c) details of the (i) total cost and (ii) breakdown of the costs incurred by the department in terms of accommodation, flights and daily allowances for each person in the delegation are outlined in the excel spreadsheet.

• NB: In line with Article 26(13.2) of the ILOs Constitution, the Department, over and above the departmental delegates, covered the cost of 5 Employer and 6 Worker delegates.

• The new Minister of Department of Employment and Labour (DEL) has charged his department with the task of reviewing the current policy on the composition and costs of overseas delegations with a view to containing and cutting costs of future delegations, whilst ensuring the effective participation and engagement of South Africa in ILO fora.

 

Reply:

The table below indicates Amabassadors according to regions, and number of days each Ambassador was at work.

A. Region: Global Governance and Continental Agenda	Number Of Days At Work
1	118
2	110
3	120
4	85
B. Region: Americas & Europé	Number Of Days At Work
1	119
2	98
3	129
4	111
5	85
6	83
7	103
8	110
9	92
10	85
11	146
12	49
13	96

14	112
15	121
16	105
17	116
18	114
19	117
20	181
21	111
22	163
23	123
24	109
25	123
26	109
27	89
28	111
29	117
30	168
31	59
C. Region: Asia and Middle East	Number Of Days At Work
1	150
2	84
3	170
4	181
5	63
6	125
7	171
8	174
9	145
10	72
11	163
12	61
13	158
14	90
15	112
16	152
17	173
18	176
19	15
20	64
21	111
D. Region: Africa	Number Of Days At Work
1	162
2	81
3	146
4	23
5	155
s	124
7	174

Reply:

(a) i Please refer to Annexure A&B

ii Please refer to the Annexure A&B

iii Please refer to the Annexure A&B

(aa) 36

(bb) 203

(b) i Please refer to Annexures A&B

ii Please refer to Annexures A&B

iii Please refer to Annexures A&B

(c) i Please refer to Annexures A&B

ii Please refer to Annexures A&B

iii Please refer to the attached spreadsheet

Reply:

I reply to both (a) and (b) based on information at our disposal currently. The current system that we use is making the attached information available to the Honourable Member.

Reply:

Department

a) No employees are on undue sick leave. Five employees are on approved incapacity leave due to injuries or illness.

b) The total cost to the department is as follows:

Employee	Period of absence	Cost
1	November 2018 to July 2019	R342 214.98
2	September 2018 to July 2019	R814 071.95
3	February to July 2019	R154 125.00
4	February to July 2019	R240933.60
5	February to July 2019	R138 725.82
Total		R1690 071.35

Branch: Fisheries

a) None.

b) None.

 

Branch: Forestry

(a) There are three officials in the Eastern Cape and one in Limpopo who applied for extended sick leave/temporary incapacity leave and receiving payment.

(c) Of cials who applied for extended sick leave are paid as follows:

No.	Province	Type of leave	Amount
1.	Limpopo and Mpumalanga (from November 2017 to date)	Temporary Incapacity leave	R136 065.00
2.	Eastern Cape (from December 2018 to date)	Extended sick leave	R217 850.55
3.	Eastern Cape (from December 2018 to date)	Extended sick leave	R238 756.75
4.	Eastern Cape (from June 2018 to date)	Extended sick leave	R196 330.59
Total:			R789 002.89

Regards

IIIS B D CREECY, MP

MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES

Reply:

Due to the cost containment measures and after reaching a ceiling for compensation of employees, the Department of Environment embarked on a process to reprioritise positions and realignment of the organisational structure to enhance efficiency and eliminate duplication. The process has subsequently been concluded. The concurrence letter on realignment of the structure was issued by MPSA on 10 May 2019.

The department has commenced with the process of filling the vacancies within a year in line with the Public Service Regulations, 2016 and will continue to reduce the vacancy rate to a target of 8% by the end of the current financial year in line with the Annual Performance Plan.

(a) Department of Environment

1. 211 vacancies
2. None. There are no provincial departments reporting to me.

Branch: Fisheries

1. 157 vacancies
2. The Branch: Fisheries Management does not have provincial branches.

Branch: Forestry

1. 13 vacant positions as of 01 July 2019.
2. The Forestry Branch in the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries has vacant positions in the following Provinces:

Province	Number of vacancies
Forestry Management: Eastern Cape	292
Forestry Management: KwaZulu-Natal	61
Forestry Management: Mpumalanga and Limpopo	117
Forestry Management: Other Regions (Free State, Gauteng, Northern Cape, North West & Western Cape)	19
Woodlands and Indigenous Forest Management (Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo and Mpumalanga)	84
Total in Provinces	573

(b) Department of Environment

The department fills in vacancies on a continuous basis in line with the Public Service Regulations, 2016.

 

Branch: Fisheries & Forestry

The National Macro Organisation of Government process is still underway, which will guide whether all these posts are required and whether there is budget to fill them.

 

 

Regards

MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES

Reply:

(A)

Department	Fisheries	Forestry
None	None	None

(B)

Department	Fisheries	Forestry
None	None	None

 

 

Regards

Ms. Barbara Creecy

Minister - Environment, Forestry & Fisheries Date : . . . . .

Reply:

The National School Safety Framework (NNSF) provides the Basic Education Department with an organising framework to coordinate all efforts in response to school related violence. This Framework provides evidence-informed approaches based on accurate and comprehensive data of the effectiveness of existing programmes.

A key pillar of the NSSF is collaboration and partnerships. School violence cannot be separated from the high levels of violence that are experienced in some of our communities. The Framework encourages partnerships with sister departments like the SAPS, civil society organisations, academic institutions and education stakeholders. The Minister convened a School Safety Summit in October 2018 and one of the recommendations of this summit was the establishment of a School Safety Steering Committee comprised of a wide spectrum of education stakeholders including SGB federations, learner formations and teacher unions.

The Department has provided a manual on how to address violence at school level to all schools. The provincial education departments continue to provide training and support to schools, particularly those schools in high crime areas, to effectively respond to school violence and bullying. These hotspot schools have also been linked to local police stations through a national partnership with the SAPS. The manual encourages all schools to establish school safety committees and provides evidence informed strategies to address bullying, homophobia, xenophobia and gangsterism.

In addition, through the Council of Education Ministers, the Department has made available two key protocols on how to address corporal punishment and sexual abuse in schools. The Department has provided training to all provinces and districts on how to utilise these protocols in schools.

The Department, in partnership with UNICEF and Save the Children, will be undertaking the third School Violence Survey in 2019 to continue to monitor the effectiveness of the implementation of the NSSF.

Reply:

(a) (2) One

(a)(ii) Transport is a concurrent function in terms of Schedule 4 of the Constitution. Provincial

Departments are accountable to their respective MECs.

(ii) R234 640

Reply:

Ward 79800043 in question is Meadowlands residential area, within the City of Johannesburg municipality district, Gauteng Province.

a) Yes, the Department has four (4) offices, namely the Dobsonville, Orlando, Roodepoort and Maponya Mall offices, which are all within a radius of 10 km of Ward 79800043 in Gauteng and are servicing the residents thereof. In line with the current geographical access norms, the travel distance to a Home Affairs office in Gauteng is 25km. The population in question is therefore covered in terms of the Department’s norms and standards.

b) No.

(i) Contact details of the offices are provided below for ease of reference:

Name of the Office	Adress	Office Manager	Services rendered	Contact Details
Soweto	11902 Kumalo Main Rd & Armitage St, Orlando West, Soweto, 1804	Pearl Poto	Smart Cards, Passports, Births, marriages and deaths	0119365666 072 610 0562
Dobsonville	Luthuli St, Dobsonville, Johannesburg, 1863	Pearl Poto	Births, marriages and deaths only.	0119365666 072 610 0562
Roodepoort	127 Albertina Sisulu Rd, Roodepoort, Johannesburg, 1724	Lingile Afrika	Smart Cards, Passports, Births, marriages and deaths	011 279 7300 072 611 7091
Maponya Mall	Shop 368,Chris Hani Road,Maponya Mall, SOWETO	Ruth Nthathe	Smart Cards, Passports, Births, marriages and deaths	072 919 9586 011 938 3296

(ii) The Orlando office is closest to serve residents of this ward as it is within a radius of 4 km and covers both the eastern and western side of Meadowlands. Dobsonville Home Affairs office is approximately 4 to 5km away and Maponya Mall office is approximately 7 Km away. The distance from Roodepoort Home Affairs office to the mentioned ward is at the most 10km.

END

Reply:

1. R199 million has been allocated to the SABC for the 2019/2020 financial year. This is to specifically cater for public broadcasting obligations, community radio stations, Channel Africa and programme production. More detail can be found within the Estimates of National Expenditure.

2. In the 2019 Budget Speech, the Minister of Finance indicated the following:

“On other state-owned enterprises, we are reviewing our framework for state-owned enterprise support. Government has revised the contingency reserve upwards to R13 billion for 2019/20 to respond to possible requests for financial support”

SABC is one of the entities that has applied for funding from the contingency reserve. The amount that the entity has applied for and the outcome of the funding request will only be determined after the normal budgetary and legislative processes have been finalised which is expected around August/September 2019.

3. In line with the 2019 Budget Speech, National Treasury has indicated to the SABC that government remains committed to supporting the entity and its funding requirements through the contingency reserve process which is currently underway.

4. None.

Reply:

(a)(i) Between 2015 and 2019, a total of 84 fraudulent marriage related cases involving officials alleged to have been involved in marrying citizens to foreign nationals were reported to the Counter Corruption Unit.

(a)(ii) 9 of these cases are currently being investigated internally.

(a)(iii) 59 cases have been resolved.

(b) 16 cases have been referred for disciplinary proceedings.

(c) The Department has a Counter Corruption & Security Branch responsible for fraud and corruption prevention and eradication. Moreover, in terms of the Departments’ Information Security Policy, all users responsible for capturing and registering marriages on the National Population Register system within the domain of the organisation, are assigned with biometric fingerprint authentication, to hold users liable for fraudulent activities detected and information stored digitally, at any point in the Department systems.

END

Reply:

(1) Yes, conveyance fines are issued to airlines where such contraventions occur.

(2)(a-b) The breakdown of the fines, from highest to lowest, is contained in the table below:

Conveyor	Value of fines issued 50(3) for 2017/18	Value of fines issued 2016/17
EMIRATES AIRLINE	6 960 000,00	2 670 000,00
SAA	4 440 000,00	2 160 000,00
ETHIOPIAN AIRLINE	4 095 000,00	1 665 000,00
KENYA AIRLINE	2 340 000,00	390 000
BRITISH AIRWAYS	1 350 000,00	975 000
QATAR AIRLINE	1 335 000,00	435 000
RWANDA AIRLINE	1 215 000,00	225 000
ETIHAD AIRLINE	825 000,00	285 000

Further detail in respect of the fines cannot be provided due to current challenges with the revenue management reconciliation mechanism. The Department is engaging the National Treasury with a view to implement improved measures, systems and revenue management (reconciliation) mechanism.

(3) No arrangements have been made with regards to the “arrears” as fines are not regarded as debt. National Treasury indicated in a letter dated 15 May 2018 that fines are not regarded as debt or revenue due to the Department since it is not money outstanding in respect of products or services rendered.

(4) No.

END

Reply:

(1) Cruise liners that are visiting our shores are an important revenue generator and contributor to economy of the country in general and the relevant Provinces in particular. It is for this reason that the designated maritime ports that deals with passenger liners are well prepared to facilitate passengers. The facilitation of passengers commenced with a joint planning session way in advance as soon as notification or a schedule is received from shipping agents. The planning session comprises of all the relevant border law enforcement entities that include immigration; customs; policing; agricultural, plant and animal inspections as well as port health. The planning sessions culminate in a comprehensive operational plan that is discussed with the shipping agent to ensure that all movements are efficient and seamless. In the event where passenger liners arrive with large number of visitors, additional Immigration staff are deployed for the period of clearance in order to ensure that processing of travellers are speedily done. It should be noted that not all eight maritime ports are designated for passenger clearance.

(2) (a) The following maritime ports are designated to clear passengers:

i. Richardsbay Port of Entry

ii. Durban Port of Entry

iii. East London Port of Entry

iv. Port Elizabeth Port of Entry

v. Cape Town Harbour

(b) The remaining Maritime Ports of Entry do not provide passenger clearance services as it has been designated for either crew changes or bulk goods and include the following:

i. Mosselbay

ii. Port of Ngqura

iii. Saldanhabay

(3) (a) All ports designated for passenger clearance either have permanent staff or services are provided from ports or Home Affairs offices where permanent staff is based. Advanced planning and engagements are done when services are needed.

(b) Permanent staff will be appointed when funding becomes available for the filling of posts.

(c) The timeframes and deadlines are unknown considering the current austerity measures implemented by National Treasury.

END

Reply:

(a) - (c) The Presidency legal team has collated all submissions, petitions and investigated areas of concern regarding the Bill. The team is currently analysing these submissions with the purpose of fully appraising the President on the Bill. As such, there is no task team established to consider the Bill.

Reply:

1. By 30 April 2019, National Treasury transferred a total of R13.5 billion to Eskom of the R17.652 billion that was approved by the Minister of Finance through invoking Section 16 of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA).

2. Government acknowledges that the R23 billion for 2019/2020 will not be sufficient and is thus tabling a Special Appropriation Bill to Parliament for urgent consideration and approval.

3. Given the strategic role that Eskom plays in pursuit of governments objectives, the Minister of Finance announced that government has committed to set aside R23 billion per year over the next 3 years to financially support Eskom. Moreover, beyond MTEF the current fiscal planning includes R23 billion per year to support Eskom over the next 10 years, with the total accumulated support amounting to R230 billion or R150 billion in net present value terms.

4. None.

Reply:

(a) (i) The total number of vacant and funded posts in the department are 117

(ii) N/A

(b) The above posts will be filled during the 2019/20 Financial Year that ends on 31 March 2020

Reply:

1. SAA was recapitalized with R5 billion during February 2019 to assist the airline to repay maturing government guaranteed debt. This was in accordance with the SAA Special Appropriation Bill which was tabled at the time of the Medium Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) in October 2018. The R5 billion formed part of the R21.7 billion funding request by SAA.

2. In the 2019 Budget Speech, the Minister of Finance indicated the following:

“On other state-owned enterprises, we are reviewing our framework for state-owned enterprise support. Government has revised the contingency reserve upwards to R13 billion for 2019/20 to respond to possible requests for financial support”.

SAA is one of the entities that has applied for funding from the Contingency Reserve. The amount the airline applied for and the outcome of the funding request will only be determined after the normal budgetary and legislative processes have been finalised which is expected around August/September 2019.

3. In line with the 2019 Budget Speech, National Treasury has indicated that government remains committed to supporting the airline and its funding requirements through the

contingency reserve process which is currently underway.

4. None

Reply:

1. The Minister has been briefed about the SKA project.

a) Impact studies have been conducted for all phases of the project. A Strategic Environmental Impact (SEI) assessment of the area was conducted in 2015/16 for SKA Phase 1. This assessment encompassed various specialist studies that included a socio-economic assessment, an agricultural economic assessment, and several environmental assessments, these studies were all incorporated into the Environmental Management Plan (EMP) for the project. These documents are publicly available on the CSIR and NRF websites. The EMP that was composed as a result of the SEI assessment was signed by the Minister of Environmental Affairs and gazetted on 22 March 2019. The South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) collaborates with organised agriculture to ensure that steps taken to counteract any negative impact that the project activities may have on farming activities are supported by the farming community. In addition, the project representatives interact with national, provincial, and local farming unions, as well as with individual farmers. Through this process of consultation and interactions, three projects have been identified that would ensure that the impact of livestock withdrawn from production would be mitigated and that possible negative effects are alleviated. It is standard practice that SARAO also review and consider any other suggestions and/or proposals from organised agriculture on sustainable initiatives to support agriculture in the area.

b) Several approaches have been adopted, in collaboration with different government departments and universities, to circumvent the impact on the meat processing industry by creating solutions to improve on environmental sustainability and creating new jobs. Two projects aimed at improving the overall sustainability of the red meat industry are being implemented. SARAO is collaborating with the Williston Cooperative to establish a feedlot that will contribute to sustainable supply of sheep to the local abattoir. The feedlot was constructed at a cost of R3.5 million, of which R2.4 million was financed by SARAO, and it now contains 3 300 sheep. This project created 4 new jobs but also ensured the sustainability of jobs by providing a consistent supply of livestock to the abattoir. As a result of this initiative, the Northern Cape Department of Agriculture Rural Development and Land Reform has since joined the project and has committed to developing an offal processing plant in Williston, on land provided by the Karoo Hoogland Municipality. In addition to this, ten youth from the Williston area are in college for meat processing training as part of the National Rural Youth Service Corps programme. In addition, SARAO is also in negotiations with the Carnarvon Kaap Landbou Korporasie (KLK) Abattoir on the development of a project that could also contribute to sustainability of the local meat processing industry.

c) The land procured by SARAO will be declared a national park and this process is underway. When this process is completed, SANPARKS will manage the surface water on the reserve. However, since the process has not yet concluded, a local farmer from Carnarvon was appointed four months ago, to ensure that all water pumps on the SKA land are operational and to monitor the water level of the surface dams. SARAO also supports the studies by the University of Cape Town on small mammal and predator that could assist the industry with the management of Jackal and Caracal, territorial wild animals that predominantly hunt livestock in the area with the ultimate objective of increasing livestock yields. In addition, Rhodes University and SANPARKS are collaborating with farmers on the management of Prosopus and other invasive species in the area that are responsible for depleting the underground water supply. These aspects will later be managed by SANParks and the studies will assist in optimizing farming activities in the area.

2. The Minister will not be making a statement on this issue, the Department and the NRF have put in place a communications strategy that keeps the public informed about developments in the SKA project.

Reply:

1. The Research Outputs Policy published in the Government Gazette No 38552 (Notice 188) of 11 March 2015, through which university research outputs are evaluated and then funded, applies only to universities. This funding forms part of baseline subsidies provided to universities.

2. In 2013, the Department of Science and Technology (now the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) published the Declaration of Research Institutions in the Government Gazette No. 36637 (Notice 46) which declares the research institutions that are eligible for research funding support by the National Research Foundation (NRF). According to the Declaration, the Iziko Museums of South Africa qualifies to receive research grants (for performing research).

Reply:

DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING: -

a) Sixteen government employees within the Department of Higher Education and Training are being paid whilst on undue and/or extended periods of sick leave. This figure includes employees in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and Community Education and Training (CET) colleges.

Long Term Incapacity Leave: 16 officials (Higher Education and Training)

b) Cost to government:

Employee	Cost to Government
1	R 132 525.76
2	R 79 070.60
3	R 22 049.75
4	R 85 937.70
5	R 71 081.47
6	R 112 606.75
7	R 117 174.41
8	R 229 265.87
9	R 73 229.59
10	R 56 003.42
11	R 104 282.28
12	R 29 462.81
13	R 29 301.73
14	R 36 481.23
15	R 114 565.43
16	R 52 393.91

DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY/ INNOVATION: -

a) Number – 1

b) Cost - R 12 368, 23.

Reply:

1. The construction activity happening is in fact not at the Durban High Court, but in the adjacent building at the Department of Labour Masonic Grove Building (which is a separate stand-alone building across the street). There renovations at the Durban High Court itself are planned for later and the project is still on the preparatory phase.

2. Yes there has been consultation with the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) and co-incidentally the DPWI responded to similar question asked by Honourable Nxumalo of the IFP. The consultation culminated to an arrangement with the Contractor who is revising the work schedule in order for the construction work to be performed after hours and at night. The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development is in the processes of facilitating a meeting between the contractor and the Judge President of the High Court, Judge President Jappie to confirm the agreement reached regarding the shifting of times for the on-going construction work.

3. The department of Labour Masonic Grove Building renovations are scheduled to be completed in May 2020.

 

NW1100E

Reply:

The current and future plans to roll out 5G mobile network in South Africa by strategic investment partners will not have any potential state security threats due to information being shared by partners as the existing adequate Regulations, Governance and Compliance are in place and adhered too.

 

The SG mobile nstwork is going to provide enhanced services/advantages (speed-faster, more coverage and more capacity). The current security applied on the existing mobile technologies (3G, 4G, Edge, etc) will not be impacted and will remain the same and be covered by the current security precautions and methods applied by SSA security advisory services and related stake holders.

 

SSA will (be required to) further verify and continuously monitor all hardware and software providing 5G services to detect potential threats and vulnerabilities as manda

Reply:

1 & 2.Through possible funding and strategic partnerships between PanSALB and my Department, PanSALB was able to initiate and support the following programmes in line with our mandate to ensure the promotion and development of Khoe and San languages.

(i) September 2013: Khoe and San languages Workshop and Strategic Partnership Meetings at Cape Town in the Western Cape.

(ii) Stakeholder engagement programmes, consultations, advancing PanSALB and KSNLB mandates by reaching out to Khoi and San communities. October 2015: Khoe and San Languages Heritage and Culture Celebration by PanSALB North West Provincial Office and NWPLC held at Vryburg in the North West Province.

• Promotion of Khoe and San languages, cultures, traditions and information sharing sessions on this heritage.

(iii) September 2016: Khoe and San languages Workshop and Dialogue at Springbok in the Northern Cape.

• Stakeholder engagement programmes, consultations, advancing PanSALB and KSNLB mandates by reaching out to Khoi and San communities.
• Launching of the KhoeKhoegowab Dictionary Glossarium at Steinkopf.
• Development and adoption of strategy for the promotion of Khoe and San languages.

(iv)  June 2017: Indigenous People’s Language Conference by PanSALB at Bloemfontein in the Free State

• It was a national conference > aimed at information sharing and developments to all provinces by PanSALB in relation to Khoe and San languages.
• Strategic partnerships and cross border relations at SADC level on progress and achievements with Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe.

(v)      July/Aug 2018: PanSALB/KSNLB supported the CRL Commission Heritage Restitution programme for Khoi and San communities

• Strategic partnership platform between PanSALB and CRL Commission reaching out to the Khoi and San communities of the Northern Cape based at Upington, Rietfontein and Andriesvale.
• Programme aimed at encouragement for the true identity and restoration of the Khoi and San languages, cultures, traditions and heritage.

vi) September 2018: Khoe and San Languages Linguistic Awareness Campaign targeting Khoi and San communities at Joubertina, Graff Reinette, Langkloof in the Eastern Cape.

• Stakeholders engagements, consultations, advancing PanSALB and KSNLB mandates as well as information sharing to Khoi and San communities.

vii) January 2019: Khoe and San Languages Linguistic Awareness Campaign targeting Khoi and San communities at Gamalakhe and Didima Rock Art Sites in KwaZulu Natal.

• Stakeholders engagements, consultations, advancing PanSALB and KSNLB mandates as well as information sharing to Khoi and San communities.
• Official Launching of 2019 as International Year of Indigenous Languages at Didima.

March 2018: PanSALB / KSNLB Nama Technical Committee Sessions held in Kimberley in the Northern Cape.

• Development and adaptation of Nama Spelling and Orthography Rules for South Africa from Namibia.

November 2018: PanSALB and the KSNLB strategic engagements meeting with NC Department of Education, NC Department of Sports, Arts & Culture, University of Namibia, Namibia Education, Sports and Cultural Affairs Department .

• Twinning agreement between Namibia and Northern Cape Province (South Africa) on education and cultural programmes for Khoi and San communities.
• Syllabus and Curriculum information exchange programmes.
• Teaching and Teacher Development programmes by the University of Namibia for Northern Cape / South Africa.

2004 – 2012: Teaching of Khwedam as Mother Tongue at foundation phase in Platfontein near Kimberley at XunKhweSA Combined School with the support of PanSALB through Molteno Project for the development of Teaching and Learning study materials.

• Teaching of Nama at various schools in the Northern Cape from Grade 1 to Grade 11 (Kuboes, Riemvasmaak, Steinkopf, Alexanderbay, Port Nolloth) and the provision of teaching and learning support materials through NADISA and SASI (Nama Development Institute of South Africa and South African San Institute).

4. PanSALB and the KSNLB can attest to the following spoken languages and not dialects in the case of the RSA.

• Khwedam, !Xunthali, Nama and !Nuu languages.

4. PanSALB and the KSNLB uncovered Khoi communities that strongly identifies with Nama in the Eastern Cape, Western Cape, Northern Cape, Gauteng and the KZN province.

We will rely on STATSSA Census results and other statistical information to determine the true identity and speakers of the Nama language in this regard.

Reply:

The CEO of the IDC, Mr Tshokolo P. Nchocho, provided the following response to the question:

“The IDC has made funding available to two companies where the person referred to has either a shareholding or directorship therein.

The first company is Ruslyn Minerals (Pty) Limited, in which the person had an indirect shareholding. A loan from the IDC of R6 849 800 was made available in 2006. The company subsequently experienced financial difficulty when a key customer contract was cancelled. To date, the IDC has been repaid R7 982 848.43, which includes accrued interest and fees. An amount of R2 235 746.98 has been written off by the IDC.

The second company is Dartingo Trading 178 (Pty) Ltd, in which the person had an indirect shareholding. A loan of R115 500 000 was made available by the IDC to the company in 2009. The loan was used to purchase a share in a listed company on the ALTX board of the JSE. The company subsequently went into liquidation. As a result, to date no principal has been repaid to the IDC, and the IDC has taken the decision to write off the entire loan amount. The IDC is currently pursuing legal action against the directors of the company for recovery of funds.

Mr Nchocho has further advised that to the best of the IDC’s knowledge, no other funding has been made available to the person referred to, nor any family member.”

-END-

Reply:

Based on the advice of the Khoe Nama and San National Language Body (KSNLB), we do not have what we call a Khoisan language. We however speak of Khoe and San languages referring to a family of language groups under the Khoi communities and the San communities.

For South Africa, Nama is one of the Khoe group of languages and mostly spoken in the Northern Cape and Western Cape Provinces. It is richer and mostly developed, as compared to all the other languages within the same family group. We have people in the country that can speak, read, write and teach Nama.

In the Northern Cape areas (Kuboes, Lekkersing, Riemvasmaak, Eksteenfontein, Pella, Nabapeeb, Sandrift, Alexanderbay and Steinkopf) Nama was taught in almost 10 schools from Grade 1 to Grade 11 until 2012. Currently Nama is a pilot study for teaching and learning at Riemvasmaak and Kuboes Primary Schools in Grade 1 through efforts of the KSNLB, PanSALB, NC Department of Education, NC Department of Sports, Arts & Culture through the Twinning Agreement for support from Namibia.

The NC Department of Education is busy with a Curriculum and Syllabus for the standardised teaching of Nama in South Africa with the support of PanSALB and Namibia. They have appointed a Provincial Co-ordinator to oversee implementation of the Nama programme in schools and strategic partnerships in this regard.

As for KhoeKhoegowab, it is one of the Khoe and San languages encompassing Nama, Haillom and Damara and mostly used in Namibia and not in South Africa. It is a Khoe language. There is some work, efforts, strides, programmes and initiatives undertaken in the Western Cape province by the Universities (in particular the University of Cape Town) to teach, promote, research and develop KhoeKhoegowab. In 2016 through partnerships with the University of Namibia, PanSALB and the KSNLB launched the KhoeKhoegowab Dictionary Glossarium as a way to show commitment to the promotion, preservation, teaching and development of the Khoe and San languages.

Reply:

(1)(a)The CFO was placed on precautionary suspension on the 20th June 2018.

(b) The grounds for the precautionary suspension was that further investigations needed to be conducted into allegations of impropriety against him.

(2)(a) The disciplinary process has been finalised and the outcome was communicated to the Department on 25th June 2019.

(b) The outcome was that the CFO was not found guilty on all charges levelled against him.

Reply:

In a letter dated 17 July 2019, I informed both the Speaker of the National Assembly and the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces that I have deployed 1,320 members of the South African National Defence Force for service in cooperation with the South African Police Service for the prevention and combating of crime, maintenance and preservation of law and order where needed in the Western Cape Province.

The deployment was authorised in terms of section 201(2)(a) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996.

This deployment is for the period 18 July 2019 to 16 September 2019, with a total expenditure of R23 391 351.00.

Reply:

I am informed by the relevant authorities that the investigation of this matter is still ongoing and is led by the National Prosecuting Authority. I therefore cannot and will not pre-empt the work that is being done. As soon as I am appraised of the outcomes of these investigations, I will consider the appropriate steps to be taken.

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works & Infrastructure:

The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure has acquired a new role, which is that of coordinating infrastructure development for the whole country. This is additional to the role that the Department had in terms coordinating the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), which aims to provide mainly short-term work opportunities, as well as provide income support to the poor and unemployed. The programme which started in 2004 is now in the fourth phase of implementation. For programme roll-out purposes, the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure has developed a well consulted EPWP Phase IV Business Plan covering the period 2019/20 – 2023/24, with a target of 5 million work opportunities.

We must acknowledge that South Africa needs to invest more in infrastructure in order to create conditions that are conducive to economic growth. A number of State-owned buildings do not provide environments where officials are able to execute their functions effectively, largely due to accessibility and maintenance issues. We must now begin to invest more in maintenance, which will not only assist to keep our buildings in a liveable state, but also create thousands of decent jobs, both long-term and short term. The aim is to ensure coordinated efforts, not only within the Public Works sector, but also among all Government departments and institutions that are responsible for infrastructure roll-out.

(2) We do not plan to fail. We will ensure robust monitoring and evaluation of our implementation in order to identify challenges and weakness and apply the right interventions where necessary. For instance, in terms of the implementation of the EPWP the strategy will include the signing of agreements with public bodies on the EPWP, provision of guidelines, provision of technical support, engaging public bodies to utilise their Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) allocations for the implementation of the Programme, as well as the continuous monitoring of the performance of public bodies.

The Business Plan will be monitored in terms of the EPWP Monitoring and Evaluation Framework with the following indicators included:

• Number of work opportunities created;
• Number of work opportunities disaggregated by the following categories: youth, women and people with disabilities;
• Income transferred to participants; and
• Contribution towards community assets and services rendered.

 

Reply:

a) (i) 46 , excluding posts in the Office of the Minister and Deputy Minister

(ii) Provincial departments do not report to the Minister of Tourism

(b)  Government has initiated a ceiling on the compensation Budget. Therefore filling of vacant posts is dependent on the availability of the compensations budget. The department intend to fill the posts indicated below by 1 September 2019.

 

Job Title	Date to be filled ( 9 posts)
Admin Assistant: Supply Chain	01 September 2019
Personal Assistant: Research Policy and International Relations	01 September 2019
Admin Assistant: Research and Knowledge Management	01 September 2019
Admin Assistant: Policy Planning and Strategy	01 September 2019
Personal Assistant: Destination Development	01 September 2019
CD: Tourism Enhancement	01 September 2019
Admin Assistant: Tourism Enhancement	01 September 2019
CD: Tourism Sector HRD	01 September 2019
Admin Assistant: Tourism Sector HRD	01 September 2019
Vacant Positions that will be filled based on the availability of funds (37post):
DD: IT Audit	ASD: Risk and Integrity Management
Branch Coordinator	Senior Health Practitioner
ASD: Buildings Management and Energy	DD: HR Planning
2x Cleaners	Communications Officer: Media and Electronic Communications
Registry Clerk	Communications Officer: Graphic Design
Legal Admin Officer MR1-5	ASD: Internal Communication
Legal Admin Officer MR1-5	DD: Internal Control and Compliance
Legal Admin Officer MR1-5	ASD: Asset Management
Snr Legal Admin Officer MR6	Snr State Accountant: Creditors, Travel, Accommodation and Subsistence
ASD: Monitoring and Data Management	Director: Bilateral Relations
ASD: Statistical Analysis	DD: Bilateral Relations and Cooperation
ASD: Policy Planning and Development	ASD: Bilateral Relations
ASD: Spatial Mapping and Database Management	Branch Coordinator
Spatial Mapping Officer	DD:BBBEE Liaison and Council Admin
Data Technologist	DD: Claims Capital Incentives
DD: Community Participation	ASD: Advocacy Awareness and Facilitation
DD: Tourism Guiding Growth and Development	Tourism Visitor Information Officer (ORTIA)
Admin Assistant: Tourism Visitor Services	Tourism Visitor Information Officer (KZN)

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works & Infrastructure:

It goes without saying that training within the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) contributes towards the development of participants and ensures that participants acquire skills to improve their productivity in projects they participate in, whilst ensuring they gain valuable skills that they can utilise when they exit the programme. However, it should be noted that the provision of training to participants is neither compulsory, nor funded through incentive grant. The provision of training is influenced by several factors, such as the funding available for the provision of training on the part of the implementing public body; programme productivity requirements; project design and duration and individual choice to access or not access training.

Training is also funded through resources sourced via the Department of Higher Education and Training Sector Education Training Authorities (SETAs) and in some cases partnerships are struck with the private sector to provide training for EPWP participants.

Through the EPWP Reporting System (EPWP-RS), reports on training interventions provided to participants are captured by public bodies on a regular basis. The information reported in the reporting system includes training plans by public bodies, as well as training interventions implemented in terms of the number of persons trained, number of days of training provided, the type of training received and the funding organisation.

Planned training interventions are included in Sector Business Plans, which are used in conjunction with data reports from the EPWP-RS to monitor the training interventions delivered against the plans.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Reply:

(a) - (b) As I have said in the State of the Nation Address, I will be signing performance agreements with Ministers and Deputy Ministers who will be delegated clear and meaningful programmes to lead.

We expect to finalise these performance agreements by September 2019 when the Medium Term Strategic Framework, with clear deliverables for each department, is approved by Cabinet.

Reply:

Following consultations between the National Treasury and the Economic Development Department, an investigation on the issues that were raised by the Auditor-General as findings in the 2017/18 Financial Year Audit was conducted.

The investigations are not yet completed. On completion of the investigation, the findings will be made public.

-END-

Reply:

(a) - (b) The Infrastructure Fund is expected to utilise funds from International Finance Institutions (IFIs), including the China Development Bank (CDB), as well as other Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) and private sector institutions. Work on the design of the Infrastructure Fund is continuing, involving the National Treasury, the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) and the Presidential Infrastructure Coordinating Commission (PICC).

As indicated above, consideration will be given to source funding from number of IFIs, DFIs and private sector institutions.

Government has committed R100 billion to the fund over ten years as a subsidy to leverage both private sector and development finance funding for well planned projects. This seed capital will be funded through reprioritisation or additional borrowing but may also include guarantees. There is R5 billion in the existing Medium-Term Expenditure Framework for this purpose. Adequate processes to enable borrowing on a competitive basis from multilateral institutions (such as World Bank, New Development Bank, Chinese Development Bank) already exist. The intention will be to access technical assistance that comes with concessional loans both for purely social infrastructure and for blended finance projects with social and economic elements.

The decision on the funding mix, and terms and conditions of the loan will be determined by several factors. Therefore, it would be premature to indicate what the loan amount would be and the terms and conditions of the loan.

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works & Infrastructure:

(1) Currently there are no renovations taking place at the Durban High Court. The Department is in planning for renovations and upgrades to the Durban High Court. The process is currently at the procurement stage (preparing to invite tenders from interested contractors). However, there is construction activity happening in the adjacent Department of Labour Masonic Grove building (separate stand-alone building across Dullah Omar Grove, as shown below.

The Department of Labour Masonic Grove building renovations are scheduled to be completed in May 2020.

(2) The Department has appointed the Independent Development Trust (IDT) as an implementing agent to oversee the refurbishment of the Department of Labour Masonic Grove building. In ensuring that there were no disruptions in the proceedings of High Court operations the Department of Public Works instructed the IDT to conduct a meeting with the Durban High Court management to sensitise them about the planned project and agree on a workable noise management strategy.

The meeting involving IDT Programme Manager, a representative of the Department of Justice, as well as the contractor was held at the Durban High Court 1st Floor Boardroom on the 11th September 2018. The contractor explained that most of the noisy works will only be carried out over weekends. The contractor would however do the less noisy work may during working hours.

It was expected that should there be any noise disruption the Durban High Court would notify the contractor, IDT programme manager or the Department of Public Works.

As a result of this Parliamentary Question, the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure will set about to investigate the noise matter, although it has not been formally reported. But, the contractor and IDT have since been notified of the noise issue and they committed to reduce any noisy activity that might create disruptions during court proceedings at Durban High Court.

In order to address a larger problem of the poor state of court buildings I will be convening a meeting with the regional court managers are other role players to assess the state of the courts and ensure that repair and maintenance plans are put in place and implemented at soon as possible. It is a matter of concern that many courts are inaccessible due to the state of the buildings they are housed in. In many cases one finds lifts and air-conditioning systems that in a state of disrepair. This has a great impact on the ability of the court officials to execute their duties. I will invite the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services to this meeting.

I will make the report on the assessment of the courts available to the public and also present it to the Portfolio Committee in Parliament. With regard to the Durban High Court, I will engage with the Department’s management to ensure that the undertaking not to disturb the court proceedings is observed.

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:

1. The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) has an approved disposal policy and business processes in place to facilitate the transfer of land to Government departments for various purposes. There are processes in place for the release of land parcels to support land reform, human settlements, as well as availing land for purposes of socio-economic development and for the benefit of public good (e.g. servitudes, road construction, expansion of airports, TVET colleges etc.)

2. There are 100 land parcels under the custodianship of DPWI that have been identified for restitution purposes by the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD). These will be processed once all supporting documents, i.e. Section 42D agreements have been received from DALRRD. Further, there are over 20 land parcels that have been identified to be released for human settlements purposes once the high level development plans have been received from the Department of Human Settlements. In contributing to economic development, more than 30 land parcels will be released as commercial disposals mainly to State-owned entities

_____________________________________________________________________

Reply:

a) Currently there are no officials in the Department who are on suspension.

b) None

 

Reply:

1. Yes. However the department subsequently withdew the appeal application on 10

2. The court action will not proceed as the department has withdrawn the appeal lodged against the ruling.

3. I am guided in this matter by the court judgement wherein the judge bund, intar alia that: '..the 2017/18 TAC detorninaton of termination of 1924.08 tons waa unlawful....". The judge saw, among other things, the fact that the decision-maker failed b have egaxl B mandatory objectives and principles concerning the need for lobster to be potected from over-exploitation and for the exploitation of lobster to be ecologically sustainable. However, the judge stopped short of instructing the Department to reduce the TAC allocation as the 2017/18 West Coast Rock Lobster season had already closed.
4. I am advised by the Department that the data considered in the scientific recommendation included:

(a) Commercial Catch Per Unit of Effort(CPUE);

(b) Somatic Growth Rata

(c) Fisheries Independant Monibring Survey(FIMS) Indices; and

(d) Poaching eatimatas.

(5)(a) West Coast Rock Lobster (WCRL) has been identified as one of the two priority species with a recovery plan and stately in place

(5)(b) These are improved eeea«›h and compliance efforts as well as a move forwards ensuring more effective cooperation with various lawenforcement agencies B reduce the levels of poaching. The Department has, through the Chief DiecBrate: Monitoring Control and Survaillance (MCS), embarked on a number of nearshore enforcement efforts to the WCRL and abalone sectors. This has been augmented by Operation Phakisa joint operators in partnership with South African Police Services (SAPS), the Department of Transport (Taxes), the Department of Home Affairs and various Municipal Metro Police.

Regards

MB B D CREECY, MP

MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES

DATE:....!.... . .. .

Reply:

1.(a) Why was her department’s blended finance programme suspended?

The Department noticed the need to address certain gaps that were identified during the implementation of the programme, hence the temporary suspension.

(b) What number of applications were funded through the programme since its inception:

Approval Date	Producer name	Approved BF amount by Funding Forum	Amount drawn	Undrawn amount
20/02/2019	Tete Somahasti Trading Enterprise CC	R 7 000 000.00	R7 000 000.00	R                           -
20/02/2019	FH Benade	R  4 000 000.00	R4 000 000.00	R                           -
20/02/2019	Ditaung Agricultural Cooperative	R   35 500 000.00		R  35 500 000.00
20/02/2019	Mway Trading Enterprise	R   12 057 500.00		R   12 057 500.00
20/02/2019	ADK Poultry	R   4 710 310.00	R  2 358 202.05	R  2 352 107.95
20/02/2019	Moatswi Trust	R   2 713 933.00	R   209 360.75	R  2 504 572.25
01/03/2019	Sign Farming	R    22 750 000.00		R    22 750 000.00
		R    88 731 743.00	R  13 567 562.80	R    75 164 180.20

NB: Those highlighted have been paid.

(c) What was the average Rand value of grant support and loan provided to each client and?

For these 4 transactions the:

Average project value – R10.054 mil

Average grant value – R4.606 mil

Average loan value - R5.449 mil

(d) What was the average turnaround time from application to the disbursement of any loans and/or grants;

Average turnaround time is 9 weeks

2. Whether she has found that the suspension of her department’s blended finance programme has had a negative impact on the commercialization of black emerging farmers and producers; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?

The aspirant beneficiaries of the programme are farmers/producers that are currently farming and could not have stopped their operations as the funding model’s intention is to support expansion of their operations towards commercialization, so the suspension would not adversely affect them negatively.

3.(a) Why could the review process not be conducted while continuing with the programme?

The review could not be conducted while continuing with the programme because there were policy and approval processes gaps that would have negatively affected further implementation should the programme had proceeded in its current form. In addition to that, the Department did not want to continue processing applications through a system that has gaps.

(b) On what date did the review process start?

The first meeting of the Task Team to review the funding model took place on 11 December 2018.

(c) How long is it anticipated to take to finalize it and?

The Task Team completed the assessment of gaps and the proposed revised model at the end of May 2019. However due to the merging of DAFF and DRDLR, the then DAFF’s Task Team work was extended to include members of the DRDLR to integrate the two processes and develop the policy and proposed funding model. The due date for the finalization of this task team work has been extended to the end of July 2019 and present to the Minister and thereafter Cabinet.

(d) When would the farmers start submitting applications going forward;

Once the Cabinet has approved the policy that guides this funding model. The revised model will specify clearly the date when the farmers may start sending applications through.

4. What are the full relevant details of the committee and/or panel constituted to perform the review?

4.1. Chief Director: Policy Development and Planning: Ms. B. Bopape - Chairperson

4.2. Chief Director: Cooperatives and Rural Enterprises: Ms Kwena Komape

4.3. CASP-Coordinator: Ms. E Mtshiza

4.4. Chief Director Development Finance: Mr N. Ramashia

4.5. Chief Director: Food Security: Dr J. Moeng

4.6. Director Plant Production: Mr T. Ramashala

4.7. Director: Programme Development Support: Ms R. Joemat

4.8. Director Small Scale Forestry: Mr T. Mathiane

4.9. Scientist Manager Animal Production: Dr N.B. Nengovhela

4.10. Director: Agro-processing: Mr. Victor Thindisa

4.11. Chief Director: Forestry Development and Regulations: Ms P. Nkhwashu.

4.12. Chief Director: Plant Production and Health: Dr. J. Japhta

4.13. Chief Director: Forestry Operations: Ms. M. Leseke

4.14. Chief Director: Financial Management: Ms Z. Lufele

4.15. Chief Director: National Extension Support Services: Mr B. Msomi

4.16. Chief Director Sector Capacity Development: Ms L. Botsheleng

4.17Chief Director Aquaculture and Economic Development: Mr B. Semoli

Secretariat – Deputy Director Development Finance – Ms. Vivian Pila.