Questions and Replies
25 March 2019 - NW449
Van Dyk, Ms V to ask the Minister of Health
(1)(a) What number of ambulances is currently used in (i) Namaqualand and (ii) the Northern Cape and (b) how large is the radius that each ambulance in Namaqualand covers; (2) what number of (a) ambulances provide a service to the local municipalities (i) Nama Khoi, (ii) Richtersveld, (iii) Khaima and (iv) Kamiesberg and (b) towns is covered by each ambulance; (3) whether any (a) licences and/or (b) safety certificates of ambulances that service both Namaqualand and Northern Cape have lapsed; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
(1) (a) (i) 14
(ii) 75
(b) Ambulances in Northern Cape is not bound by district borders and may be deployed anywhere within the Province when needed. However, the average coverage radius of ambulances is in the range of 100 to 150km depending on location of the town.
(2)
MUNICIPALITY |
TOWN |
NUMBER OF AMBULANCES |
(i) Nama Khoi, |
Springbok Komaggas Vioolsdrift Steinkopf |
1 1 0 1 |
(ii) Richtersveld |
Port Nolloth Alexanderbay Kuboes |
1 0 0 |
(iii) Khai-ma |
Pofadder Pella |
1 0 |
(iv) Kamiesberg |
Garies Hondeklipbaai |
1 0 |
(v) Hantam |
Calvinia Brandvlei Nieuwoudtville Loeriesfontein |
2 1 1 1 |
(vi) Karoo Hoogland |
Williston Fraserburg Sutherland |
1 1 1 |
(3) (a) 19 ambulances, 6 in Namaqualand and 13 for Northern Cape
(b) All vehicles have COF and Roadworthy certificates.
END.
25 March 2019 - NW107
Dreyer, Ms AM to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
(1)(a) How often must his department inspect dam infrastructure with regard to (i) dam walls and (ii) spillways and (b)(i) who conducts such inspections and (ii) under what statutory provisions is the person or entity authorised; (2) (a) on what date was the last inspection of each dam performed by his department in Gauteng and (b) what number of dams (i) passed and (ii) failed the inspection; (3) with regard to dams situated within the City of Ekurhuleni, (a) what concerns and recommendations were raised in respect of each dam, (b) on what date was the City of Ekurhuleni notified about the concerns and recommendations and (c) by what date was the City of Ekurhuleni expected to rectify all defects in the dam infrastructure, including dam walls and spillways, in each case?
Reply:
(1)(a) All dams classified as dams with a safety risk by the Directorate: Dam Safety Regulation (i.e. Dam Safety Office) and are category II and III in terms of size must be subjected to a compulsory 5 yearly dam safety evaluation by an Approved Professional Person (APP).
(1)(b) The owner of a Category II or III dam must appoint an Approved Professional Person (APP) to conduct a dam safety evaluation at 5 years intervals. This regulatory provision is in terms of Section 118 and 119 of the National Water Act as well as Government Notice R 139 of 24 February 2012 (i.e. Dam Safety Regulations).
(2) Refer to Annexure A for the inspection dates, number of dams that passed or failed the inspection in Gauteng.
(3)(a) Refer to Annexure B for the APP recommendations.
(3)(b) Refer to Annexure C for the letters of acceptance or rejection sent to the City of Ekurhuleni after receipt of the Dam Safety Evaluation report from the APP.
(3)(c) Refer to Annexure C.
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25 March 2019 - NW167
Lekota, Mr M to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
What (a) are the root causes of the current water crisis in the Makana Local Municipality and (b) steps has he taken to resolve the crisis?
Reply:
a) The root causes of the current water crisis in Makana Local Municipality (LM) are due to aged infrastructure, increased demand and some recent operational deficiencies and the current drought conditions.
The latter has led to electrical failure and therefore disruption of plant operations has affected the town area, but has since been fixed. The Eastern Cape Provincial Office is working very hard to ensure plant operations are restored to the maximum design capacity but it is partly functional and currently produces 50% of its capacity. The work is to be completed by end of March 2019.
b) The following interventions are in place to deal with the crisis:
- The Department has embarked on various Water Conservation and Demand Management Strategies which include rationing of water, dealing with major leaks, tankering to high laying areas and bottle water distribution in partnership with the “Gift of the Givers” a known Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO). In addition, alternative sources are being explored by drilling boreholes which are to be linked to the current systems across Makana LM including Riebeeck East and Alicedale.
- The linkages of both the East and West water supply systems will enable access to reliable controlled/restricted supply to cater for the Makhanda communities during the drought period and will be fully functional by end of March 2019.
- In dealing with the increased demands, the Department has appointed Amatola Water Board to double the current treatment capacity of one of the treatment works from 10 ML/d to 20ML/d to meet current and future demands until 2030. Phase 1 of 4 phases is to be completed in March 2019. This phase will allow pumping of treated water from the eastern side to the western side which is currently at critical storage levels.
- Furthermore, the Department has advised the Municipality to reprioritise its Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) to deal with the replacement of major components in the distribution system .This is due to the fact that the current funding trends and the revenue base of the municipality is inadequate to effectively address the current aged infrastructure and/or asset management in general. The Amatola Water Board is also in partnership with the Department in providing operational support to oversee and guide plant operators.
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25 March 2019 - NW463
Van Der Walt, Ms D to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
(1)(a) What number of boreholes were drilled by Mopani District Municipality in Ward 3, Tzaneen in the (i) 2015-16, (ii) 2016-17 and (iii) 2017-18 financial years, (b) what number of boreholes were drilled in each village of the specified ward, (c) who was the contractor in each case, (d) what was the total monetary value of each contract and (e) what was the success rate of each borehole; (2) whether communities are now receiving water in each case; if not, why not; if so; what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The information requested by the Honourable Member is not readily available in the Department. The information will be submitted to the Honourable Member as soon as it is available
Thank you
25 March 2019 - NW190
Boshoff, Ms SH to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
(1)What budget has been put aside for maintenance and the upgrade of the water purification plants at (a) Lydenburg, (b) Sabie and (c) Graskop which falls under the Thaba Chweu Local Municipality (i) in each of the past three municipal financial years and (ii) since 1 July 2018; (2) what percentage of flocculent has been used at each specified purification plant in the past six months; (3) how many of the tanks at the purification plants must be constantly filled with flocculants; (4) whether the sludge dams at the purification plants are operational; if not, (a) why not and (b) since what date have operations been shut down; if so, since what date; (5) whether the pump filters at the purification plants are replaced regularly; if not, why not; if so, on what date were they last replaced?
Reply:
The information requested by the Honourable Member is not readily available in the Department. The information will be submitted to the Honourable Member as soon as it is available
Thank you
25 March 2019 - NW426
Mileham, Mr K to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
(1)What are the details of the process followed to (a) call for nominations of Commissioners of the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities (CRL Commission) and (b) shortlist the candidates to appear before the selection panel for the CRL Commission; (2) (a) what is the name of each person serving on the selection panel, (b) what criteria were used to appoint the specified persons to serve on the selection panel and (c) on what date will the selection panel meet to interview candidate Commissioners; (3) on what date will the interviews for the CRL Commissioners take place?
Reply:
The information requested by the Honourable Member is not readily available in the Department. The information will be submitted to the Honourable Member as soon as it is available
Thank you
25 March 2019 - NW271
Khawula, Ms MS to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
What number of (a) tender briefings were held in 2018 by (i) his department and (ii) each of the entities reporting to him and (b) the specified briefings were compulsory?
Reply:
(a)(i) A total of four (4) tender briefings were held in 2018 by the Department.
(a)(ii) A total of 187 tender briefing were held in 2018 by the entities reporting to me.
(b) All four (4) tender briefings held by the Department were compulsory and a total of 186 tender briefings were compulsory and only one (1) briefing was non-compulsory for the entities reporting to me.
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25 March 2019 - NW232
Ngwezi, Mr X to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
Whether, with reference to the investigation conducted by the KwaZulu-Natal Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs department in 2012 on request by the former Mayor of Umhlathuze, Mr Elphias Mbatha, where allegations of corruption, maladministration and nepotism were made, and in light of the fact that the Auditor-General keeps on highlighting that the report has not been tabled in council nor given to the public, any plans are in place to resolve the matter?
Reply:
The information requested by the Honourable Member is not readily available in the Department. The information will be submitted to the Honourable Member as soon as it is available
Thank you
25 March 2019 - NW29
Xalisa, Mr Z R to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
Whether any municipality or municipal entity awarded contracts or tenders to certain companies (details furnished) between 1 January 2009 and 31 December 2018; if so, (a) what service did each company render, (b) what was the monetary value of each tender or contract, (c) what was the duration of the tender, (d) who approved the tender and (e) did the tender comply with all the National Treasury and departmental procurement regulations?
Reply:
The information requested by the Honourable Member is not readily available in the Department. The information will be submitted to the Honourable Member as soon as it is available
Thank you
25 March 2019 - NW417
Madisha, Mr WM to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
Whether, with regard to the Presidential Proclamation of 2014 that provided that izinduna should be paid a salary, funds have been budgeted and allocated for the remuneration of izinduna; if not, why not; if so, what amount?
Reply:
The information requested by the Honourable Member is not readily available in the Department. The information will be submitted to the Honourable Member as soon as it is available
Thank you
25 March 2019 - NW312
Mulaudzi, Adv TE to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
What was the conviction rate for (a) rape and (b) sexual assault in each province in each of the past two financial years?
Reply:
The National Prosecuting Authority has informed me that 5 419 sexual offences cases were finalized with a verdict during 2018/19 financial, i.e. during the period April 2018 – January 2019. Convictions were obtained in 4 034 of these cases, representing a conviction rate of 74.4%.
A break down in respect of each province for the 2017/18 financial year and current 2018/19 financial year (up to the end of January 2019) is provided in the table below:
Sexual Offences (SO) conviction rates per province for the past two (2) financial years
Province |
Financial Year |
SO Convicted Cases |
SO Acquitted Cases |
Total SO Finalised |
Sum of SO Conviction Rate |
|
Eastern Cape |
2017/2018 |
798 |
214 |
1 012 |
78,9% |
|
2018/2019 |
742 |
192 |
934 |
79,4% |
||
Free State |
2017/2018 |
697 |
238 |
935 |
74,5% |
|
2018/2019 |
504 |
161 |
665 |
75,8% |
||
Gauteng |
2017/2018 |
725 |
301 |
1 026 |
70,7% |
|
2018/2019 |
531 |
184 |
715 |
74,3% |
||
KZN |
2017/2018 |
899 |
393 |
1 292 |
69,6% |
|
2018/2019 |
660 |
262 |
922 |
71,6% |
||
Limpopo |
2017/2018 |
298 |
162 |
460 |
64,8% |
|
2018/2019 |
232 |
148 |
380 |
61,1% |
||
Mpumalanga |
2017/2018 |
367 |
123 |
490 |
74,9% |
|
2018/2019 |
309 |
72 |
381 |
81,1% |
||
North West |
2017/2018 |
327 |
126 |
453 |
72,2% |
|
2018/2019 |
263 |
87 |
350 |
75,1% |
||
Northern Cape |
2017/2018 |
171 |
70 |
241 |
71,0% |
|
2018/2019 |
181 |
70 |
251 |
72,1% |
||
Western Cape |
2017/2018 |
722 |
248 |
970 |
74,4% |
|
2018/2019 |
612 |
209 |
821 |
74,5% |
NB: Definition of Sexual Offences
Any case involving offences committed in terms of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act, 32 of 2007, and may include common law rape or indecent assault. Statistics reported in this response are in terms of this definition.
25 March 2019 - NW188
Dreyer, Ms AM to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
(1)(a) What number of licencing centres does the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Council currently have, (b) where are they situated, (c) what is the staff structure of each centre, (d) what number of the specified posts are filled and (e) what number of funded vacancies are there at each centre; (2) (a) by what date will all funded vacancies be filled and (b) what will the financial implications be for the filling of unfilled vacancies; (3) what number of (a) online applications and (b) walk-in applications did each centre receive for learners licences, drivers licences, renewal of licences and renewal of professional driving permits for the past three calendar years?
Reply:
The information requested by the Honourable Member is not readily available in the Department. The information will be submitted to the Honourable Member as soon as it is available
Thank you
25 March 2019 - NW224
Maimane, Mr MA to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
Whether, since he served in Cabinet, he (a)(i) was ever influenced by any person and/or (ii) influenced any of his department’s employees to take any official administrative action on behalf of any (aa) member, (bb) employee and/or (cc) close associate of the Gupta family and/or (b) attended any meeting where any of the specified persons were present; if so, what are the relevant details in each case?
Reply:
The information requested by the Honourable Member is not readily available in the Department. The information will be submitted to the Honourable Member as soon as it is available
Thank you
25 March 2019 - NW324
Moteka, Mr PG to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
What was the conviction rate for corruption in the period 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2018?
Reply:
According to the Head of the National Prosecutions Service, although the National Prosecuting Authority does not keep data according to specific crime typologies due to lack of electronic systems, it does record information related to corruption in respect to persons who have been convicted or acquitted. Unlike the normal calculation of conviction rates based on cases, the conviction rate is measured on the number of persons.
Therefore, the 2018 convictions, acquittals and percentages are indicated in the table below:
Period |
Persons Convicted |
Persons Acquitted |
Percentage of Persons Convicted |
January |
10 |
0 |
100.0% |
February |
21 |
3 |
87.5% |
March |
28 |
3 |
90.3% |
April |
19 |
1 |
95.0% |
May |
30 |
0 |
100.0% |
June |
39 |
1 |
97.5% |
July |
25 |
0 |
100.0% |
August |
35 |
1 |
97.2% |
September |
36 |
0 |
100.0% |
October |
34 |
0 |
100.0% |
November |
40 |
0 |
100.0% |
December |
15 |
1 |
93.8% |
Grand Total |
332 |
10 |
97.1% |
25 March 2019 - NW1
Dudley, Ms C to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
(1)(a) Where in the process the consideration and appointment of new commissioners currently is and (b) what the next step is as the imminent commencement date of the new commissioners’ 5-year term is 1 March 2019; (2) whether a selection panel in terms of section 11(1)(c) of the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities Act, Act 19 of 2002, has already been appointed; if not, why not; if so, what are the names of the persons serving on the panel; (3) whether the names of the persons who have been nominated and/or short-listed as new commissioners will be made public; if so, (a) where and (b) on what date?
Reply:
The information requested by the Honourable Member is not readily available in the Department. The information will be submitted to the Honourable Member as soon as it is available
Thank you
25 March 2019 - NW420
Lekota, Mr M to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
Whether any remedial action has been taken following a report by the Auditor-General that in KwaZulu-Natal a total amount of R368 709 in salaries had been paid to 29 dead izinduna, that R6 million had been paid to izinduna who are full-time employees of Government and that some R2 million had been lost as a result of paying 37 izinduna more than the stipulated salary; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The information requested by the Honourable Member is not readily available in the Department. The information will be submitted to the Honourable Member as soon as it is available
Thank you
25 March 2019 - NW311
Mulaudzi, Adv TE to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
What was the conviction rate for gang-related offences in each province in each of the past two financial years?
Reply:
I am informed by the National Prosecuting Authority that the regions only started to track and report on what is called gang-related offences during the 2018/19 financial year. It is important to note that there is no such crime or charge in our law. Therefore, statistics in this regard are not automatically tracked and recorded in the system.
Gang related offences are mostly prevalent in the Western and Eastern Cape Divisions.
During this financial year (April 2018 – February 2019), these two regions indicated that 87 verdict cases were finalised, obtaining 65 convictions. This therefore represents a conviction rate of 74.7%.
25 March 2019 - NW9
Wessels, Mr W to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
(1)Has his department been informed of the crisis regarding huge outstanding payments to third parties such as pension funds, medical aids and the SA Revenue Service by various municipalities; if so, can he provide Mr W W Wessels with a list of the relevant municipalities and the amounts owed to each third party; (2) does his department have a plan to intervene in municipalities that are guilty of utilising third party deductions for operational expenditure; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) has his department been informed of syndicates of municipal officials that paid third party deductions to their own bank accounts; if not, will his department investigate such allegations; if so, what is the relevant details; (4) how is his department assisting municipal officials who are at retirement age but whose pensions are affected by the non-payment of contributions to the respective pension fund by municipalities; (5) whether he will make a statement on the matter?
Reply:
The information requested by the Honourable Member is not readily available in the Department. The information will be submitted to the Honourable Member as soon as it is available
Thank you
25 March 2019 - NW191
Boshoff, Ms SH to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
(1)What budget has been put aside for maintenance and the upgrade of the water purification plants at (a) Dullstroom, (b) Belfast, (c) Machadodorp and (d) Waterval Boven which fall under the Emakhazeni Local Municipality (i) in each of the past three municipal financial years and (ii) since 1 July 2018; (2) what percentage of flocculent has been used at each specified purification plant in the past six months; (3) how many of the tanks at the purification plants must be constantly filled with flocculants; (4) whether the sludge dams at the purification plants are operational; if not, (a) why not and (b) since what date have operations been shut down; if so, since what date; (5) whether the pump filters at the purification plants are replaced regularly; if not, why not; if so, on what date were they last replaced?
Reply:
The information requested by the Honourable Member is not readily available in the Department. The information will be submitted to the Honourable Member as soon as it is available
Thank you
25 March 2019 - NW14
Groenewald, Dr PJ to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
(1)Whether, with reference to the reply to question 2434 on 13 November 2017 and his reply to question 1225 on 30 July 2018, his department has received the information; if not, (a) why not and (b) by what date will the information be available; if so, (i) what number of kings are currently recognised by the Government as traditional leaders and (ii) what is the name of (aa) each king and (bb) the tribe over which the specified senior traditional leader rules; (2) what amount has each specified tribal chief received in remuneration in each year since 1 January 2012; (3) what (a)(i) movable and (ii) immovable benefits did each specified senior traditional leader receive in each specified year and (b) did the costs amount to in each case; (4) whether he will make a statement on the matter?
Reply:
The information requested by the Honourable Member is not readily available in the Department. The information will be submitted to the Honourable Member as soon as it is available
Thank you
25 March 2019 - NW88
Mileham, Mr K to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
(a) What projects have been implemented to improve the living conditions and welfare of animals at the zoos in (i) East London and (ii) Bloemfontein, (b) what is the current status of each project and (c) by what date is each project expected to be completed?
Reply:
The information requested by the Honourable Member is not readily available in the Department. The information will be submitted to the Honourable Member as soon as it is available
Thank you
25 March 2019 - NW26
Nolutshungu, Ms N to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
What is the total number of employees in each (a) municipality and (b) municipal entity?
Reply:
The information requested by the Honourable Member is not readily available in the Department. The information will be submitted to the Honourable Member as soon as it is available
Thank you
25 March 2019 - NW413
Mulder, Dr CP to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises
(1)Whether, with reference to the reply by the Minister of Energy to question 3590 on 9 January 2019, there were any incidents at the Koeberg Nuclear Power Station during the period 1 January 2014 to date that could have led to or did lead to leakage or spillage of radioactive waste into the environment; if so, what are the (a) relevant details of each incident and (b) reasons it occurred in the first place; (2) were the surrounding residential areas warned or advised of such leakage or spillage; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) what measures (a) were taken to address such events and (b) have been put in place to prevent any such events from recurring?
Reply:
According to the information received from Eskom
(1) Yes, there has been three (3) incidents where negligible amounts of radioactivity were, or were assumed to have been released to the environment through an unmonitored pathway since 1 January 2014; May 24, October 2015 and November 2015
Releases to the environment are closely monitored and have to respect regulatory limits.Any release that is unmonitored is taken seriously and would be treated as a leak or spillage of radioactive waste.
(1) (a) (b)
- All these incidents were reported to the National Nuclear Regulator (NNR) in the quarterly Radio Waste and Effluent Report;
- The normal radio activity levels of what was released were of such levels that there was no impact to staff, members of the public or the environment.
(2) Assessments have conducted that the maximum amounts of radioactivity that could have been released were well below any regulatory limit and did not require a response or notification of the public.
(3) Each incident is reportable to the regulator and is thoroughly reviewed by Koeberg to identify the causes, and to determine the appropriate corrective actions.
The following actions were taken and fully implemented in order to prevent human error from happening again when these activities are performed:
- Malfunctioning equipment was repaired as priority. The instruction sequence for changing over between Reactor Building ventilation when connected to the plant ventilation system was improved. Cautions and limitations were added for changing over between modes while performing Reactor Building ventilation system filter efficiency tests during outages before or after reloading fuel into the reactor core.
- A plant modification to route the water to the Nuclear Island Vents and Drains System in the event of a tank overflow was done in the next Refuelling Shutdown in 2015.
- The controlling procedure to include a description on the removal and refitting of caps and blanks (outage and non-outage periods) has been updated on any system that is being drained or vented.
25 March 2019 - NW396
Mkhaliphi, Ms HO to ask the Minister of Finance
(a)(i) what total amount and at what rate per day was Mr (details furnished) paid for the work of the Nugent Commission of Inquiry into Tax Administration and Governance by the South African Revenue Service (the Commission) and (ii) for what number of days in total and (b) on what date was his last day of remunerated work; (2) (a)(i) what total amount and at what rate per day was Advocate (details furnished) paid for the work of the Commission and (ii) for what number of days in total and (b) on what date was his last day of remunerated work; (3) (a)(i) what total amount and at what rate per day was Mr (details furnished) paid for the work of the Commission and (ii) for what number of days in total and (b) on what date was his last day of remunerated work?
Reply:
1. (a) Mr (details provided) provided his services for free to the Nugent Commission of Inquiry and was therefore not paid for the work that he performed for the duration of the Commission.
(b) worked up to 30 November 2018 without remuneration.
2. (a) Advocate was paid a total amount of R1 869 300.00 at a rate of R18 000.00 per day for the work of the Commission and for 104 days.
(b) Advocate last day of remunerated work paid was 30 October 2018, and must still submit an invoice for work performed in November 2018.
3. (a) has not been remunerated to date, however he has submitted invoices in January 2019 for the amount of R842 292.00
(ii) has performed remunerated worked until 11 December 2018.
25 March 2019 - NW187
Dreyer, Ms AM to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
(1)What number of power outages have the suburbs of Glen Marais and Edleen, which are situated in the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Council (EMC) boundaries experienced in each of the past three calendar years; (2) what (a)(i) were the reasons and (ii) was the duration of the power outages in each case and (b) what time of day did the specified outages take place; (3) whether he found the EMC negligent and therefore responsible for any of the outages; if so, whether residents can submit claims against the EMC; (4) (a) on what date will (i) the EMC upgrade the infrastructure in the area to prevent further outages and (ii) work commence and be completed on the upgrades and (b) what is the cost of the upgrade; (5) does the EMC have a plan to ensure that all the relevant sub-stations are not damaged during the upgrades and that fuses are not stolen?
Reply:
The information requested by the Honourable Member is not readily available in the Department. The information will be submitted to the Honourable Member as soon as it is available
Thank you
25 March 2019 - NW349
Van Der Walt, Ms D to ask the Minister of Public Service and Administration
(1)What number of (a) employees are currently on suspension pending disciplinary action in each (i) national and (ii) provincial department and (b) the specified employees have been on suspension for (i) more than six months but less than one year, (ii) more than one year but less than two years and (iii) two years or more; (2) what amount has been paid to employees who are on suspension pending disciplinary action in each (a) national and (b) provincial department (i) in the 2017-18 financial year and (ii) since 1 April 2018?
Reply:
Auditing process on the amount and number of employees currently on suspension since 1 April 2018 has not been completed
25 March 2019 - NW185
Waters, Mr M to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
(1)What (a) number of vehicles does the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) currently have for (i) EMPD precincts, (ii) Specialised Units and (iii) Head Quarters and (b) is the make, model and year of each vehicle; (2) (a) what number of the specified vehicles are currently out of commission in each of the divisions, (b) for how long has each vehicle been out of commission and (c) what are the reasons for each vehicle being out of commission; (3) is the number of available vehicles in accordance with the Norms and Standards for a Law Enforcement Agency; if not, what (a) number of additional vehicles does each division need in order to meet the norms and standards and (b) will the financial cost be in order to purchase the needed vehicles? NW195E
Reply:
The information requested by the Honourable Member is not readily available in the Department. The information will be submitted to the Honourable Member as soon as it is available
Thank you
25 March 2019 - NW377
Jooste, Ms K to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
(1)Whether the appointment of the Acting Municipal Manager of !Kheis Local Municipality on a month-to-month basis following the conclusion of a three-month appointment in the same position relied on section 54A of the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act, Act 32 of 2000; if not, (a) why does the appointment not rely on the legislation and (b) what action will he take to rectify the appointment; (2) whether the specified municipality has embarked on a process to appoint a permanent municipal manager; if not, by what date will the municipality start the process of appointing a permanent municipal manager; if so, (a) what are the relevant details and (b) by what date is a permanent appointment expected; (3) whether he will consider to urgently intervene in the specified municipality in terms of section 139 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, by what date does he intend to intervene?
Reply:
The information requested by the Honourable Member is not readily available in the Department. The information will be submitted to the Honourable Member as soon as it is available
Thank you
25 March 2019 - NW24
Xalisa, Mr Z R to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
What (a) number of (i) technicians and (ii) artisans are employed by (aa) his department and (bb) each municipality and (b) is the profession of each technician and artisan?
Reply:
The information requested by the Honourable Member is not readily available in the Department. The information will be submitted to the Honourable Member as soon as it is available
Thank you
25 March 2019 - NW451
Jooste, Ms K to ask the Minister of Health
(1) (a) What fees are paid by (i) ambulance staff such as (aa) paramedics, (bb) ambulance emergency assistants and (cc) basic ambulance attendants and (ii) nursing staff to the Health Professions Council of South Africa and (b) why he found that there is such a large monetary difference between, for example, ambulance emergency assistants and nursing staff; (2) by what date will the Okiep Clinic in the Northern Cape be upgraded after the fire damage; (3) whether his department would consider keeping the specified clinic open 24 hours to relieve the pressure experienced at Springbok Hospital?
Reply:
(1) (a) (i) (aa) R1030
(bb) R1030
(cc) R845
(ii) Fees for nursing staff are regulated by South African Nursing Council and not Health Professions Council of South Africa. The fees for nurses are as follow:
- Registered Nurses and Midwives: R640
- Enrolled Nurses and Midwives: R380
- Enrolled Nursing Auxiliaries: R270
(b) Fees are determined by the respective regulatory bodies annually after due consideration of annual budgeting processes. Income received for these regulatory bodies is solely from member fees.
2. (a) Okiep is a fixed Primary Health Care clinic which is currently operational. The clinic did not burn. It operates from 7:30 till 16:00 from Monday to Friday and provides a one-day-a-week satellite Health Care Services to Rooiwinkel and Bulletrap.
(b) The PHC facility that burnt is Steinkop Fixed Clinic and with operational hours from 07:30 to 16:00 from Monday to Friday. No afterhours services are available due to shortage of staff. The services have been moved to a temporary accommodation while waiting for the clinic to be fixed.
3. Springbok Hospital is surrounded by three clinics that reduces patient load on the hospital. These are Springbok Clinic within Springbok, Bergsig Clinic approximately 2km away and Matjieskloof Clinic about 5km away from the hospital.
END.
25 March 2019 - NW173
Van der Westhuizen, Mr AP to ask the Minister of Public Works
(1) With reference to his replies to question 71 on 24 February 2017 and question 3882 on 15 December 2017 regarding the vandalised property at 18 Market Street, Stellenbosch, (a) on what date and (b) why was the appointed security service terminated; (2) what was the estimated cost to restore the property as per the condition assessment dated May 2017; (3) what has been the department’s response to the offers that were being considered during May 2017; (4) what is the department’s decision regarding the future of this house; (5) on what date will the department be implementing its decisions regarding the future of this property?
Reply:
(1) (a) The contract of the security service provider, which was appointed to secure the property at No. 18 Market Street, Stellenbosch, Western Cape Province, came to an end on the 30th April 2018.
(b) The contract was not renewed after expiry due to budgetary constraints.
(2) The estimated cost to restore the property as per the condition assessment conducted in May 2017 is R1 562 560.00
(3) The Department of Public Works has reviewed its letting out process to ensure that a free, open and fair process is undertaken during the letting out of surplus State-owned properties. In February 2019, the Department issued an interim circular all its regional offices, which outlines the process to be followed in the letting out of State-owned properties. The Department plans to advertise all surplus State-owned properties, including the property in question, No. 18 Market Street, Stellenbosch, through a Request for Proposals process. All offers submitted prior to this process must be resubmitted.
(4) The property is a surplus State-owned property and thus should be leased out.
(5) All surplus, vacant and unused State-owned properties will be advertised for letting out. The Department aims to begin the letting out process by April 2019.
____________________________________________________________________
25 March 2019 - NW378
Mileham, Mr K to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
(1)What are the details of the processes followed by the Maruleng Local Municipality in Limpopo to appoint (a) the municipal manager and (b) each manager in terms of section 57 of the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act, Act 32 of 2000; (2) whether he has found that each of the specified appointments complied with the provisions of the specified Act and related legislation; if not, what are the relevant details; (3) whether he has found that the specified municipal officials possess the minimum competencies, as required by the Municipal Regulations on Minimum Competency Levels; if not, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The information requested by the Honourable Member is not readily available in the Department. The information will be submitted to the Honourable Member as soon as it is available
Thank you
25 March 2019 - NW450
Van Dyk, Ms V to ask the Minister of Health
(1)(a) What is the reason that the Health and Other Services Personnel Trade Union of South Africa recently prevented ambulance staff from continuing to provide further services in Namaqualand, (b) what impact it had on the industry and (c) whether it has already been settled; (2) whether there are any rescue vehicles serving Namaqualand; if so, what number of (a) rescue vehicles provide a service to Namaqualand and (b) trained personnel was appointed for the entire area; (3) whether Namaqualand has any minibuses that transport outpatients; if so, (a) what is the number of minibuses that transport outpatients in each of the four municipalities in Namaqualand and (b) where is each assigned; (4) (a) what number of ambulances have been involved in accidents in Namaqualand over the past three years and (b) what were the reasons for these accidents; (5) what number of ambulance staff work in Namaqualand?
Reply:
(1) (a) Dispute from HOSPERSA was regarding unpaid overtime and one-person crews being used.
(b) There was a limited provision of service resulting in prolonged response times.
(c) The overtime issue has been settled, however the issues regarding the staff shortages has not been resolved.
(2) (a) 5
(b) 29
(3)
MUNICIPALITY |
NUMBER OF MINIBUSES |
LOCATION |
(i) Nama Khoi, |
2 |
Springbok Steinkopf |
(ii) Richtersveld |
1 |
Port Nolloth |
(iii) Khai-ma |
0 |
- |
(iv) Kamiesberg |
1 |
Garies |
(v) Hantam |
1 |
Calvinia |
(vi) Karoo Hoogland |
1 |
Fraserburg |
(4)
YEAR |
NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS |
REASON |
2016 |
5 |
Wild animals |
2017 |
9 |
Wild animals and human error/fatigue |
2018 |
3 |
Wild animals |
(5) 120
END.
25 March 2019 - NW392
Groenewald, Dr PJ to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
What the costs of the SA Police Service (SAPS) amounted to regarding court cases dealing with firearms during the period 1 January 2008 up to the most recent specified date for which information is available; (2) (a) in which year each of the specified court cases took place, (b) what were the legal costs of the SAPS legal representatives, (c) whether the SAPS won or lost the case in each case and (d) what the legal costs to the State amounted to regarding the legal representatives of the other parties; (3) whether he will make a statement about the matter?
Reply:
- I have been informed by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development that the Offices of the State Attorneys do not categorise cases that are dealt with and their cost thereof, and do not keep such information separately. Additionally, the South African Police Service could be the relevant Department to provide the Honourable Member with the requested information.
- Falls away
- Falls away
- No.
25 March 2019 - NW462
Van Der Walt, Ms D to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
(1)What (a) number of boreholes were drilled by the Mopani District Municipality in Joppie Village, Tzaneen, Limpopo in the (i) 2015-16, (ii) 2016-17 and (iii) 2017-18 financial years, (b) was the total cost of each borehole, (c) number of boreholes were drilled in the backyards of residents, (d) was the reason for drilling in citizens’ backyards, (e) number of boreholes produced water and turned out to be unused and (f) number of boreholes were drilled on the property of traditional leaders and/or headmen; (2) were all unused boreholes covered for the safety of the community; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) will action be taken against alleged negligent officials and contractors after the death of a minor child (details furnished) in an unused uncovered borehole on 5 November 2018; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The information requested by the Honourable Member is not readily available in the Department. The information will be submitted to the Honourable Member as soon as it is available
Thank you
25 March 2019 - NW372
Lees, Mr RA to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
What (a) are the details of the processes followed by the Uthukela District Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal in awarding contracts for the transport and supply of water by road tanker transport to consumers from 1 January 2014, (b) are the (i) names, (ii) identity or company registration numbers and (iii) physical and postal addresses of each person and/or company contracted to deliver water to consumers, (c) is the (i) duration, (ii) value and scope of each contract and (iii) total amount paid in each case and (d) is the number of loads delivered and distances travelled by each contractor?
Reply:
The Hounorable Member is requested to refer the question to the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs who will be in better position to respond to the awarding contracts for the transport and supply of water by road tanker to consumers by the Uthukela District Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal.
---00O00---
25 March 2019 - NW131
Bucwa, Ms H to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
With reference to the reply of the Minister of Public Service and Administration to question 3797 on 21 December 2018, what was the total expenditure incurred by his department relating to the travel privileges contained in the 2007 Ministerial Handbook of former (a)(i) Ministers and (ii) their spouses, (b)(i) Deputy Ministers and (ii) their spouses, (c) Ministers’ widows or widowers and (d) Deputy Ministers’ widows or widowers (i) in each of the past five financial years and (ii) since 1 April 2018?
Reply:
I am advised by the Department that this question was asked to the Former Minister as question 1821 of 2018. I refer the Honorable Member to the same answer.
25 March 2019 - NW242
Khawula, Ms MS to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
(a) What is the total amount of drought relief that was allocated to each province in (i) 2016, (ii) 2017 and (iii) 2018, (b) what amount has been spent by each province to date and (c) what have been the most common items on which the money has been spent?
Reply:
Refer to the table below for Main Account Allocated Budget for Drought Relief:
(a) |
(b) |
(c) |
||
Financial Year |
Province |
Adjusted Budget R’000 |
YTD Expenditure R’000 |
Expenditure Items |
2015/16 |
Kwa-Zulu Natal |
50 500 |
50 500 |
Transfers & Subsidies: Water Services Operating Subsidy (WSOS) 5B grant reprioritised for Drought Relief Intervention |
106 270 |
111 836 |
Payments for capital assets: Buildings and other fixed structures |
||
Total |
156 770 |
162 336 |
||
2016/17 |
Eastern Cape |
5 883 |
5 725 |
Goods & Services: Contractors – Water tankering |
Kwa-Zulu Natal |
290 700 |
301 168 |
Payments for capital assets: Buildings and other fixed structure |
|
Free State |
21 100 |
20 363 |
Goods & Services: Contractors – Water tankering |
|
North West |
24 512 |
24 512 |
Goods & Services: Contractors – Water tankering |
|
Total |
342 195 |
351 768 |
||
2017/18 |
Eastern Cape |
17 548 |
17 548 |
Goods & Services: Contractors, Water Tanks and Travel & Subsistence – Water tankering |
Kwa-Zulu Natal |
10 432 |
10 432 |
Goods & Services: Contractors, Water Tanks and Travel & Subsistence – Water tankering |
|
Free State |
11 498 |
11 498 |
Goods & Services: Contractors, Water Tanks and Travel & Subsistence – Water tankering |
|
North West |
545 |
545 |
Goods & Services: Contractors and Travel & Subsistence – Water tankering |
|
Mpumalanga |
1 093 |
10 93 |
Goods & Services: Contractors and Water Tanks– Water tankering |
|
Total |
41 116 |
41 116 |
||
2018/19 |
Eastern Cape |
647 214 |
49 021 |
Payments for capital assets: Buildings and other fixed structures, Transfers & Subsidies |
Kwa-Zulu Natal |
122 366 |
- |
Payments for capital assets: Buildings and other fixed structures |
|
Limpopo |
97 475 |
- |
Payments for capital assets: Buildings and other fixed structures |
|
Mpumalanga |
56 800 |
56 800 |
Buildings and other fixed structures, Transfers & Subsidies |
|
Northern Cape |
9 788 |
- |
Payments for capital assets: Buildings and other fixed structures |
|
North West |
309 649 |
10 000 |
Payments for capital assets: Buildings and other fixed structures, Transfers & Subsidies |
|
Western Cape |
58 919 |
- |
Payments for capital assets: Buildings and other fixed structures |
|
Total |
1 302 211 |
115 821 |
||
Grand Total |
1 815 292 |
671 041 |
Refer to the table below for Water Trading Entity (WTE) Allocated Budget for Drought Relief:
(a) |
(b) |
(c) |
||
Financial Year |
Province |
Adjusted Budget R’000 |
YTD Expenditure R’000 |
Expenditure Items |
2016 |
Kwa-Zulu Natal |
306 278 |
302 910 |
Boreholes, Water Tanker Rental and Programme Management |
2017 |
Kwa-Zulu Natal |
2 961 |
2 597 |
Boreholes, Water Tanker Rental and Programme Management |
2018 |
Kwa-Zulu Natal |
Nil or no budget was allocated |
||
Total |
309 239 |
305 507 |
---00O00---
22 March 2019 - NW602
Majola, Mr TR to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
With regard to fire fighters at the Primrose Fire Station situated in the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality, what (a) is the (i) optimal and (ii) actual number of full-time fire fighters, (b) number of the full-time fire fighters have passed the (i) final examinations of the SA Emergency Services Institute, (ii) written examination and (c) full set of practical evaluations and (c) total number of reservists does the fire station currently have? NW725E
Reply:
1. The information requested by the Honourable Member was obtained by the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) from the City of Ekurhuleni (CoE). Table 1 below outlines the relevant details:
Optimal and actual number of firefighters at the Primrose Fire Station
Name of the Fire Station |
|
|
Number of fulltime Firefighters who passed final written examination of the Southern African Emergency Services Institute (SAESI) |
|
|
Primrose |
37 |
37 |
All completed Fire Fighter 1 & 2 |
All completed practical components for firefighting and Hazmat Awareness & Operational |
5 |
The fire station has thirty-seven firefighters placed in four different shift systems. Each shift consists of a Shift Manager who reports to the Station Manager from the Operations Section. The station also has five reservists and two learnership students placed accordingly within different shifts. It is important to note that across all fire stations within the CoE, each operational and fully functional firefighter must be in possession of the basic qualifications required for one to be a Firefighter i.e. (a) Firefighter I and II, (b) Hazardous Material Awareness and Operations and the (c) Basic Ambulance Assistant (BAA) course. Firefighter I and II, Hazardous Material Awareness and Operations are International Fire Services Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) accreditation courses under the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Service Standard 1001 and 472 respectively. Locally, these courses are conducted at Boksburg Fire Station Training Academy under the CoE which is accredited by IFSAC. These courses include both theoretical and practical aspects of fire fighting. Individual firefighters are at liberty to study through a block course system with Tshwane University of Technology in Pretoria to obtain a National Diploma in Fire Technology, B-Tech in Fire Technology and upgrade through to a Masters qualification.
Firefighting is a profession which is one of the most stressful, physically demanding and hazardous occupation. Thus, Firefighters must master a complex mix of three core competencies namely: foundational knowledge, physical skill and work experience to be successful in their occupation. The nature of work carried out by firefighters requires not only adequate training when entering the profession but also continuous professional development to ensure that firefighters stay abreast with the constant technological changes in their working environment.
It is important to note that training of firefighters must be benchmarked against globally accepted standards. Within the South African context, the Southern African Emergency Services Institute (SAESI) is accredited to provide occupational training for firefighters by the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC), which is based in the United States of America (USA). IFSAC is a non-profit, peer-driven, self-governing system of both fire service certifying entities and higher education fire-related degree programs. IFSAC's mission is to plan and administer a high-quality, uniformly delivered accreditation system with an international scope.
Thus, IFSAC courses which are provided by SAESI such as Firefighter I and II, Hazmat Awareness and Operational are utilised by fire services in South Africa to recruit entry-level firefighters. These courses are based on the American National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standards and are utilised both in the USA and several other countries for the basic training of firefighters. The Local Government Sector Education and Training (LGSETA), has also developed a qualification known as the Fire and Rescue Operations, Level 4 in terms of the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) based on the same NFPA Standards. Firefighters must obtain formal qualifications in order to progress in their careers within the fire services.
Qualifications in Fire Technology are currently provided by the Tshwane University of Technology (TuT) and includes a National Diploma, BTECH Degree and Masters Degree. These are the qualifications that are also utilised by fire services to recruit Senior Fire Officers in the country. The NDMC is finalising the review of the Fire Brigade Services Act, 1987 and as part of the revised legislation and policy framework, a national fire services education and training strategy will be developed to guide the provision of training in the fire service.
Ends…
22 March 2019 - NW580
Mbhele, Mr ZN to ask the Minister of Police
On what date will the final report of the panel of experts that flowed from the Farlam Commission be released publicly and (b) what are the key (i) findings and (ii) recommendations of the panel’s report?
Reply:
The Minister will release the report in due course, and,
(b) (i) findings will be released when the report is made public
(ii) Recommendations will also be tabled when the report is publicized.
Ministér of Police BH Cele ) Date:
22 March 2019 - NW601
Majola, Mr TR to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
With regard to the fire on 26 August 2018 at a house in Sycamore Street, Cresslawn, Kempton Park, what (a) are the reasons that emergency services did not answer the first several calls made at around 01:00am, (b) is the time recorded that a call was made to the emergency services notifying them of the fire and (c) time did the fire fighters arrive at the scene; 2) What are the reasons that (a) there was no water in the fire engine tanks, (b) the hose connection did not fit the nearest fire hydrant and (c) the fire fighters only started dousing the flames at 02.50am; 3) What actions have been taken with regard to a missing laptop and the safe being tampered with; 4) Whether he will initiate a full inquiry to investigate all of the above? NW724E
Reply:
The information requested by the Honourable Member was obtained by the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) from the City of Ekurhuleni (CoE). The response to the question and its sub-components by the CoE is as outlined below.
1)
a) Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS) confirms that the well alight house in Sycamore Street Kempton Park was serviced on the 26th of August 2018 by firefighting crews from Kempton Park Fire station, which is the primary firefighting station in the area. It is important to note that the emergency call centre receives a high volume of calls on its emergency lines from community members reporting emergencies, hence the result in overloading of the emergency lines and delays in answering all the calls. The primary role and objective of Emergency Services is to render quality service delivery to the entire community and take preventative measures to save lives and properties from fires. Thus, at all times, Fire Engines and Ambulances are always ready to respond to all emergencies that the City of Ekurhuleni is legally expected to respond to. The city also has capabilities to respond and support other cities beyond its borders.
b) DEMS would like to highlight that the first call received was at 01:27 in the morning and the firefighting crew from the Kempton Park fire station as primary responders, rapidly responded accordingly to the address given, 11 Sycamore road Kempton Park. It took firefighting crews only eight minutes to arrive on the scene after pulling out of the station to the address.
c) Firefighters arrived on the scene of fire eight minutes after leaving the Kempton Park Fire Station.
2) On arrival of fire engines from Kempton Park fire station i.e. (i) Major Industrial Pumper, (ii) Hydraulic Platform (HP) and (iii) Grass Unit, part of the house`s roof had already collapsed. Immediate intervention was initiated to extinguish the blaze. Water from the first arriving Major Pumper was used prior to connection from the water tanker which responded from Tembisa. The first Major pumper that arrived on scene had 3 400 litres of water in the tank, which can be emptied within minutes depending on the number of discharge hoses in use and the diameter thereof. On arrival of the water tanker which had 12 000 litres capacity tank, relay pumping was initiated to complement water from the first pump. HP is a fire engine without a water tank as per specifications. It consists of a hydraulically operated extension ladder which has water way leading to the tip of the same ladder. Its main purpose is to rescue people from high rise buildings and it gets its water supply from other pumpers, water tankers and water sources such as hydrants. In this case, it was not utilised because the structure was a single-storey building. The CoE, for illustrative purposes has attached pictures of the hydraulic platform and the water tanker that was utilised on this incident as outlined below:
Picture 1: Hydraulic Platform based in Kempton Park
Picture 2: Type of water tanker used
- With regard to water hydrant connections, there are two main types of connections that are used within the Fire Brigade services and these are bayonet type or screw type standpipes. Both types of connection stand-pipes are part of the basic equipment readily available in the fire engines. Bayonet standpipe fits on a bayonet water hydrant outlet and the screw type standpipe is compatible with a screw type system water hydrant. It is important to note that these connections are not marked hence a Firefighter must open the lid and inspect before connecting the correct stand pipe. The correct standpipe was used on the day to sustain relay water supply to the fire through the pumps. Laying out of attack lines was done swiftly because firehoses are pre-packed. Thus, firefighting was initiated immediately on arrival. The CoE, for illustrative purposes has attached pictures of the different types of standpipes as outlined below:
Picture 3: Types of Standpipes
b) With regard to the time Firefighters started dousing the flames, it is important to note that upon arrival Firefighters started extinguishing the fire. Firefighters found members of the public busy trying to salvage what they could from the fire. Members of the public were respectfully requested to evacuate the scene for safety reasons during firefighting operations.
3. The primary obligation of firefighters is to save lives and property. The DEMS cannot account for the missing equipment (Laptop). The City encourages the complainant to report the matter to the South African Police Services for further investigation.
4. There is no need for the Minister to institute an enquiry regarding the response of CoE to this fire incident. From an operational perspective, Standard Operating Procedures were followed for the management of the incident and adequate resources (measured against South African National Standard 10090: Community Protection Against Fire) were deployed to the incident.
1. BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The delivery of fire services is supported by various international and national standards. These standards are being used widely in the fire service sector in the country. The primary standard relevant for the provision of fire services is the South African National Standard (SANS) 10090: Community Protection Against Fire. This standard is the primary barometer utilised by most municipalities to measure the performance of fire services. The purpose of this standard is to provide advice on the measures that should be taken to ensure that fire services are efficient. It includes a schedule against which the performance potential of each aspect, as well as of the whole, of a fire service can be judged. A fire-risk rating based on this schedule will indicate the extent to which loss of life and property can be avoided in any particular given area. The SANS 10090 is based on the premise that successful control and extinguishing of fires depend on sufficient appliances responding with adequate manpower and arriving within a reasonable time. It is important to highlight that although most fire services comply with the requirements of this standard, it only becomes applicable once a municipality adopts it as its service delivery standard. The City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) has adopted this standard as its service delivery standard. From the report/ response received from CoE, it is clear that the City complied with the standard in its deployment of firefighters and resources to this incident. In terms of this standard, the weight of response to fires is as outlined below:
Weight of response in terms of SANS 10090: Community protection against fire
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Risk Category |
Minimum number of pumping units |
Minimum manning level per appliance |
Minimum pumping capacity of each unit (L/min) |
A (Central business districts and extensive commercial and industrial areas normally found in cities and large towns (areas where the risk to life and property due to fire occurrence and spread is likely to be high). |
2 |
5 |
3850 |
B (Limited central business districts, smaller commercial or industrial areas normally associated with small towns and decentralized areas of cities and large towns (areas where the risk to life and property due to fire occurrence and spread is likely to be moderate). |
2 |
4 |
3850 |
C (Residential areas of conventional construction). |
1 |
4 |
2 250 |
D (Rural areas of limited buildings and remote from urban areas). D1 (Houses > 30 m apart) D2 (Houses 10,1 m – 30 m apart) D3 (Houses 3 m – 10 m apart) D4 (Houses < 3 m apart) |
1 |
4 |
2 250 |
E (Special risk areas. Individual areas requiring a pre-determined attendance over and above the predominant risk category in an area. Includes large shopping/entertainment centres, informal settlements, harbours, hospitals, prisons, large airport buildings and petrochemical plants). |
As determined by individual risk assessment |
||
Note: Arrangements for vehicle fires, grass/bush and special services and the need for specialist vehicles such as aerial appliances and water carriers will be determined by local conditions. |
Ends…
22 March 2019 - NW608
Stubbe, Mr DJ to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
(1)Whether (a) his department and/or (b) any entity reporting to him contracted the services of a certain company (Bosasa known as African Global Operations), in each of the past 10 financial years; if so, what (i) number of contracts were signed, (ii) was the date on which each contract was signed, (iii) was the duration of each contract, (iv) services did the company render and (v) was the monetary value of each contract in each case; (2) whether any irregular expenditure relating to the contracts was recorded and/or condoned in each case; if so, what are the relevant details?NW4410E
Reply:
(1) (a)(b)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)
The Department of Cooperative Governance did not enter into any contracts with Bosasa known as African Global Operations, in each of the past 10 financial years.
(2) Not applicable.
SOUTH AFRICAN LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION (SALGA)
(1) (a)(b)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)
(1)(a) Not Applicable
(1)(b) SALGA has not contracted the services of Bosasa (known as African Global Operations) in each of the past 10 financial years
(1)(b)(i) Not applicable
(1)(b)(ii) Not applicable
(1)(b)(iii) Not applicable
(1)(b)(iv) Not applicable
(1)(b)(v) Not applicable
(2) Not applicable
MUNICIPAL DEMARCATION BOARD (MDB)
- MDB has not entered into any contract with Bosasa (known as African Global Operations) in each of the past 10 financial years.
- None.
SOUTH AFRICAN CITITES NETWORK (SACN)
- The South African Cities Network has not contracted services of Bosasa (known as African Global Operations) in the last 10 financial years.
Ends…
22 March 2019 - NW604
America, Mr D to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
(a) What number of waste management depots are in the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality, (b) where is each depot situated, (c) which geographical areas does each depot cover in relation to waste collection and (d) what number of households and businesses are within the collection area of each depot; (2) what is the minimum ratio of refuse collection trucks to households or businesses to ensure that refuse is collected at least once a week in line with the National Environmental Management Act, Act 62 of 2008; (3) what (a) was the (i) optimal and (ii) actual number of refuse collection trucks at each depot in the municipality on 1 October 2018, (b)(i) number of the trucks were not in working order and (ii) number of days has each truck not been in working order and (c) are the reasons that each truck has not been in working order? NW727E
Reply:
The information requested by the Honourable Member is not readily available in the Department. However, the Department has written a letter to the Provincial Department responsible for Local Government in Gauteng to obtain the relevant information from Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality. The information will be submitted to the Honourable Member as soon as it is available
Ends…
22 March 2019 - NW538
Khawula, Ms MS to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
Has he been informed of the plight of of Ms Florence Xoliswa Nxamashe (details furnished) from Kwamashu in KwaZulu-Natal who, despite being reliant on a SA Social Security Agency pension, has bills from the municipality in excess of R60 000; if not, what steps will he take in this regard; if so, what steps has he taken to assist the specified person to have the bills cancelled?
Reply:
My Department has not been informed about the matter of Ms Florence Xoliswa Nxamashe. This is the first time it is brought to the attention of my Department.
However, based on our preliminary investigations, the eThekhwini Metro was able to confirm that Ms Nxamashe has bills from the Municipality in excess of R61 800. 99. The bill is mainly for water and it accumulated from 2005. It was also confirmed that Ms Nxamashe is a pensioner who is reliant on a SA Social Security Agency pension. The investigations also revealed that irrespective of Ms Nxamashe being a pensioner, she is currently not registered on the indigent register of the eThekhwini Metro, due to the following reasons:
a) The eThekhwini Metro uses a targeted approach to identify indigent households. According to the Indigent Policy of the Metro, the targeted approach is for all customers that own properties valued at R230 000 and below, and do not pay for rates, qualify for prepaid electricity meter without any charges and also qualify for debt relief programme (DRP) for water. The current value of Ms Nxamashe’s property exceeds R230 000. 00 and therefore she does not qualify in terms of the eThekhwini’s Indigent Policy.
b) The Municipal Systems Act (MSA) No. 32 of 2000 under Regulation 10(b), states that the percentage of households earning less than R1 100 per month have access to free basic services”. This is contrary to the Indigent Policy prescripts, which has set a threshold of a combined household income calculated at a minimum of equivalent to 2 (two) state old age pension, and is compulsory for all municipalities.
Steps taken to address the problem:
My Department thoroughly engaged the eThekhwini Metro in this regard. On the basis of the engagements, the eThekhwini Metro committed to the following:
a) that the amount of R39 762.27 for water will be reversed out of her account and the balance of R22 038.72 will remain which is a portion of rates she is liable for. This transaction will be done by the end of March 2019. She gets a pensioner’s rebate for future rates charges.
b) that Ms Nxamashe will be advised to apply for a prepaid meter on 50/50 basis at the electricity customer services nearest to her property where 50% will go towards the debt of R22 038.72.
c) that a flow limiter will be installed to limit her water consumption to 6 kilolitres per month. The flow limiter will also be installed by the end of March 2019.
d) The letter to this effect will be sent to Nxamashe on Friday 15 March 2019.
In addition:
e) My Department has already initiated a process to amend the MSA Regulation 10(b), to categorically prescribe the set threshold of a combined household income calculated as equivalent to 2 (two) state old age pension as minimum to qualify for free basic services. The amendment will ensure that indigent households are not excluded and are the only bona fide beneficiaries of free basic services.
f) To seek a permanent solution to this problem and similar cases in other municipalities, my Department will conduct in-depth and yet thoroughly informative analysis motivating the cancellation of the Municipal Services Indigent Debt of the citizens of South Africa and pointing out a practical solution and implications thereof. To achieve this, my Department will work closely with the Provincial CoGTA’s and municipalities throughout the country to establish the status quo in regard to indigent households with excess bills and gather information that will be required to determine the indigent debt so that appropriate support is applied to cancel the debt based on merit.
The Free Basic Services Programme is government’s commitment to address the needs of the masses of impoverished South African citizens and to provide basic services to them to ensure that they can begin to live a dignified life. The right of all citizens to have at least a basic level of services is a right that is entrenched within the South African Constitution (Act 108 of 1996). This right has been actualized in government’s commitment towards the provision of free basic water; free basic sanitation, free basic electricity and free basic refuse removal to economically disadvantaged communities (indigents).
The SA Constitution requires municipalities to provide services to local communities in a manner that is sustainable, developmental, and safe and encourages community involvement. Section 74 of the Municipal Systems Act (1998) requires municipalities to develop procedures for revenue management, credit control, as well as to make provision for indigent cases in ensuring that the amount individual users pay for services should generally be in proportion to their use of that service.
Numerous debates have ensued on how best to address the needs of the masses of impoverished citizens of our country, and give effect to the Country’s Constitution (Act 108 of 1996), wherein, even those who are unable to afford services are nevertheless entitled to the basic level of services. The quest for a better life by the poor has placed measures to eradicate poverty high on the priority list of government, nationally. Increasing anti-poverty measures has become associated with both increased access to services and the improvement in the quality of life of the poor.
It is also understood that alleviating poverty will require more than the provision of basic services to the poor, and while economic growth and access to economic opportunities is essential to moving people out of poverty, it cannot on its own be sufficient. This poses a number of political, financial and institutional considerations and challenges for municipalities and government as a whole. Among these is the reality that the burden of economic change in South Africa has fallen greatly upon those who bore the heaviest burden under apartheid. This is illustrated by an analysis of the South African labour market, which has shown, that African workers are a declining proportion of the labour force. For African employees the loss in occupations has been concentrated in the less skilled and lower paid occupations, and the rural poor and migrant labourers often lag in their access to the provision of infrastructure and the social wage.
Cogta, in response to this critical challenge, is working towards initiating a nation-wide study to wipe out the debt owed by the poor to municipalities. The debt write–off will also ensure that the poor municipalities are not further burdened with the debts, which affect their credit ratings and abilities to raise capital for the development of the communities. The very basis of ensuring the sustainability of new poverty initiatives rests on the extent to which communities are able to approach the delivery of these services and programmes from a fresh perspective - thereby, entering into a new contract with a new government, free of the baggage of the past.
The majority of our municipalities provide free basic services to all supposedly indigent households, regardless of their present financial standing or ability to pay for municipal services. This continues to be so despite the fact that government has made it clear in the National Development Plan that free basic services should be provided only to indigent/poor households.
Ends…
22 March 2019 - NW695
Van Dyk, Ms V to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
What is the (a) make, (b) model, (c) price and (d) date on which each vehicle was purchased for use by (i) him and/or the former minister and (ii) his deputy ministers (aa) in the (aaa) 2016-17 and (bbb) 2017-18 financial years and (bb) since 1 April 2018?
Reply:
(aaa) 2016/17 |
(bbb) 2017/18 |
(bb) Since 1 April 2018 |
||
(i) Minister |
(a) None (b) None (c) None (d) None |
None |
None |
|
And or the Former Minister |
(a) BMW (b) X5 (c) R917 619.99 (d)September 2016 |
(a) Audi (b) Q7 (c)R938547.18 (d) September 2016 |
None |
None |
(ii) Deputy Minister |
(a)VOLVO (b) XC90 (c) R1194650 (d)December 2017 |
None |
None |
Ends…
22 March 2019 - NW563
Hunsinger, Dr CH to ask the Minister of Transport
(1)With reference to appointments made within the past three months at the Road Traffic Management Corporation, (a) what number of (i) applications were received and (ii) new appointments were made and (b) for what positions in each case; (2) (a) what criteria are used to accept applicants into the National Traffic Police and (b) why have some applicants for the National Traffic Police been accepted despite failing physical tests; (3) (a) where will the training of new National Traffic Police recruits take place, (b) who will be conducting the training and (c) what qualification(s) will the recruits receive?
Reply:
1. (a) number of (i) applications for Traffic Officer Posts and 45 692 applications for Traffic Trainees were received.
(ii) Three (3) new appointments for Traffic Officers and 279 for Traffic Trainees were made.
(b) Traffic Officers and Traffic Trainees ;
2. (a) what criteria are used to accept applicants into the National Traffic Police as prescribed in a said Advert : -
- South African Citizenship
- A senior Certificate/ Grade 12 or equivalent
- A Traffic/ Metro and Traffic Policing diploma issued by an approved Traffic Training Centre
- Valid driver’s License
- At least 2 years practical experience as a Traffic Officer
- A valid proof of Traffic Officer Registration in terms of the National Road Traffic Act (NRTA)
- Extensive Experience as an Examiner of Vehicles or Examiner of Drivers License Programme
And for Traffic Trainee Advert
- South African Citizenship
- A Senior Certificate/ Grade 12 or equivalent
- A valid code B drivers license
- Below the age of thirty-five (35)
- No criminal record
(b) The RTMC isn’t aware of any applicant appointed without meeting minimum requirements.
3. (a) new National Traffic Police recruits will take place at Denel Technical Academy in Bonaero Park, Kempton Park, Atlas Road.
(b) The RTMC Training Provisioning Unit
(c) The recruits receive the Basic Traffic Diploma NQF Level 6
22 March 2019 - NW623
Carter, Ms D to ask the Minister of Police
In line with the Independent Police Investigative Directorate Act, Act 1 of 2011, what are the details of the skills, qualifications and experience that he took into account in his decision to appoint Mr Victor Senna as the Acting Director of the Independent Police Investigative Directorate?
Reply:
In terms of provisions of section 6 (4) and (5) of Independent Police Investigative Directorate Act 1 of 2011, the Minister May designate another person to act as Executive Director when the Executive Director is unable to perform his/her functions or when the vacancy exist. In appointing the Acting Executive Director the Minister has taken into account his seniority in the IPID, his qualifications and experience.
Below is the profile of Mr Victor Senna.
1. EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
QUALIFICATIONS |
MAJOR SUBJECTS |
Senior Certificate |
Accounting, Economics, Business Economics |
B.com |
Accounting, Auditing, Economics, Business Management |
Find here: Educational Qualifications continues
22 March 2019 - NW598
Bagraim, Mr M to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
(a) What number of criminal charges were brought against members of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department over the past 24 months, (b) what was the outcome of each specified case and (c) at which police station were the charges laid?
Reply:
The information requested by the Honourable Member is not readily available in the Department. However, the Department has written a letter to the Provincial Department responsible for Local Government in Gauteng to obtain the relevant information from Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality. The information will be submitted to the Honourable Member as soon as it is available
Ends
22 March 2019 - NW607
Stubbe, Mr DJ to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
(1)What are the reasons that residents in the (a) Kempton Park and (b) Germiston areas within the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality are experiencing constant sporadic and unreliable refuse collection services; (2) (a) in what number of instances has the municipality transgressed the National Environmental Management Act, Act 107 of 1998, by failing to collect refuse once a week within seven days this calendar year, (b) which areas were affected, (c) what are the reasons for each transgression and (d) what steps is the municipality taking to ensure that it provides basic services to residents according to applicable legislation? NW730E
Reply:
The information requested by the Honourable Member is not readily available in the Department. However, the Department has written a letter to the Provincial Department responsible for Local Government in Gauteng to obtain the relevant information from Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality. The information will be submitted to the Honourable Member as soon as it is available.
Ends…
22 March 2019 - NW651
Mashabela, Ms N to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
What is the total number of staff members who are employed in each (a) South African embassy and (b) consulate?
Reply:
The information requested by the Honourable Member is attached.