Questions and Replies
06 March 2019 - NW134
Cachalia, Mr G K to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
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:
The travel privileges of former Ministers/Deputy Ministers and their spouses are paid for and administered by Parliament and I would therefore suggest that the Honourable Member approach Parliament in this regard.
06 March 2019 - NW168
Lekota, Mr M to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises
(a) what is the current status of the Promotion of Access to Information Act 2 0f 2000 application lodged in September 2018 by a certain person (Mr IE Lebelo) on behalf of former Aventura employees for a copy of the Sale and Purchase Agreement of Aventura Bela Bela to Forever Resorts and (b) were any negotiations and/or was any deal struck in terms of which the Aventura employees would receive shares in the transaction?
Reply:
DPE response
a) The Department has decided to grant the request by Mr IE Lebelo for a copy of the Sale and Purchase Agreement.
b) No provision is made for Aventura employees to receive shares in the agreements entered into between the Department, Aventura and Forever Resorts Siyonwaba Consortium.
06 March 2019 - NW10
Singh, Mr N to ask the Minister of Sport and Recreation
Why does KwaZulu-Natal, despite the high number of cricket fans in the province, have a low number of international cricket fixtures in (i) test, (ii) limited overs and (iii) T20 scheduled for 2019 and (b) what steps will her department take to correct such an anomaly? NW12E
Reply:
1. The official Cricket South Africa (CSA) gate numbers from the International Cricket Committee (ICC) approved stadia, does not confirm this claim.
2. CSA therefore designed a nationally agreed Stadium Model Agreement to maximise efficiencies to ensure an equitable arrangement in the allocation for all international match allocations (i, ii iii) amongst its Members.
MS. Y. XASA, MP
MINISTER OF SPORT AND RECREATION
DATE: /
06 March 2019 - NW262
Mashabela, Ms N to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
What number of (a) tender briefings were held in 2018 by (i) her department and (ii) each of the entities reporting to her and (b) the specified briefings were compulsory?
Reply:
In response to the Honourable Members’ question, my department advised as follows:
(a) (i) Eight (8) tender briefings were held in 2018 by the department.
(ii) One (1) tender briefing was held in 2018 for entity reporting to DIRCO.
(b) Eight (8) compulsory tender briefing were conducted in 2018.
06 March 2019 - NW145
Mhlongo, Mr TW to ask the Minister of Sport and Recreation
With reference to her reply to question 3558 on 7 December 2018, what was the total amount of the cost to her department of the Committee of Inquiry into the Governance Affairs of the South African Sport Confederation and Olympic Committee?
Reply:
In total, an amount of R978 550.19 was spent for the Committee of Inquiry into the Governance Affairs of the South African Sport Confederation and Olympic Committee which is broken down as follows:
Stenography and transcription services: R171 450.00
Catering: R 37 500.00
Venue: R 61 560.00
Fees of Committee Members: R580 254.99
Public Relations Branding: R 70 338.00
Witness costs: R 57 447.20
TOTAL COSTS: R978 550.10
MS. T. XASA, MP
MINISTER OF SPORT AND RECREATION DATE: & “ /
06 March 2019 - NW263
Mulaudzi, Adv TE to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
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) what number of the specified briefings were compulsory?
Reply:
(i) The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (DoJ&CD) conducted nine (9) tender briefing sessions in 2018 and seven (7) were compulsory tender briefings.
(ii) The entities under the Ministry of Justice and Correctional Services informed me as follows:
A. National Prosecuting Authority (NPA)
The NPA advertised 16 tenders in 2018. Of these, there were 10 compulsory briefing sessions. Six (6) tenders did not require briefing sessions.
B. Legal Aid South Africa
The Legal Aid SA held 52 briefing sessions in the 2018 calendar year and only two (2) required compulsory tender briefings.
C. Special Investigating Unit (SIU)
The SIU advertised 38 tenders during the period, 1 April 2018 to date, and none required briefing sessions.
The Department of Correctional Services number of tender briefings were held in 2018 are as follows:
(a) Tender briefings held in 2018 |
(b) Number of briefing sessions compulsory |
|
(i) His Department; and (ii) Entities Reporting to him |
Number of briefing sessions held in 2018 |
|
Head Office |
5 |
5 |
Eastern Cape |
7 |
7 |
Free State and Northern Cape |
16 |
16 |
Gauteng |
2 |
2 |
Kwazulu Natal |
4 |
4 |
Limpopo, Mpumalanga and North West |
26 |
26 |
Western Cape |
15 |
15 |
Total |
75 |
75 |
The Office of the Chief Justice:
1. (a) Three (3) tender briefings were held during the 2018/2019 financial year;
(i) by the Office of the Chief Justice (OCJ).
(b) Three (3) briefing sessions were compulsory.
06 March 2019 - NW237
Hlonyana, Ms NKF to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises
What has he found to have been the financial impact of load shedding on the economy in the period 1 January 2018 to 12 February 2019?
Reply:
According to the information received from Eskom
- Eskom cannot provide a financial estimate for the cost of load shedding. The last relevant study was conducted in 2008, where Deloitte was commissioned by Eskom to look at the economic impact and how to reduce the short-term economic losses. Various key assumptions used in this study are no longer applicable e.g. GDP contributions by various industries have changed drastically. The study indicated that the cost of load shedding was R9 515/MWh for all industries. However, this study is outdated and cannot be used to estimate financial impact of load shedding in 2019. The 2008 study is provided as Annexure A.
Eskom can confirm that for the period 01 January 2018 to 12 February 2019 there was a total of 316 030.33 MWh (over certain periods of the day over 18 days) that were impacted by load shedding.
06 March 2019 - NW124
Bagraim, Mr M to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
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 her 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:
We do not have any former Ministers or Deputy Ministers for the time periods requested as the current appointees hold their portfolios since before the dates mentioned in the question.
06 March 2019 - NW270
Moteka, Mr PG to ask the Minister of Sport and Recreation
What number of (a) tender briefings were held in 2018 by (i) her department and (ii) each of the entities reporting to her and (b) the specified briefings were compulsory?
Reply:
Number of tender briefings held in 2018 by
(a) (i) the department (SRSA) has held SIX (6) TENDER BRIEFING SESSIONS.
(ii) the entities reporting to her department (SRSA) - NONE
(b) the specified briefings were compulsory? ALL THE TENDER BRIEFINGS WERE COMPULSORY
MS T. XASA, MP
MINISTER OF SPORT AND RECREATION DATE: IQ
05 March 2019 - NW223
Van Damme, Ms PT to ask the Minister of Telecommunications, Postal Services and Communications
Whether, with reference to a memo purportedly sent by the Group Executive: Human Resources of the SA Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) on 27 September 2018, which suspended with immediate effect submissions for the creation and/or filling of positions, advertising of positions and all new offers of employment, the SABC hired any staff following the circulation of the memo; if so, (a) who was hired, (b) on what salary and (c) who allowed the deviation from the memo?
Reply:
I have been advised by the department as follows:
After publication of the memorandum, all vacancies were frozen, except for the appointments relating to core and critical functions.
(a)
Name |
Positions filled |
N Gcabashe |
Accountant |
J Mocoma |
Senior Producer |
M Ramsimphi |
Climatologist |
L Snyman |
Account Executive |
b) All appointments were done in line with the SABC’s recruitment and selection policy and salaries were determined in line with the SABC’s remuneration guidelines. Specific salary information cannot be divulged as this is confidential information pertaining to an individual.
c) The Vacancy Committee which was established to deal with critical appointments took the decision. All requests to deviate from the memo are sent to the vacancy committee who then determines the merits of the request and take a decision if recruitment can go ahead. Once a decision is taken by the vacancy committee, HR manages the recruitment process in conjunction with the relevant line manager.
_____________________________
Ms. Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, MP
Minister
Date:
05 March 2019 - NW66
Mokoena, Mr L to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
(1)Whether she has been informed that she has been implicated in testimony made under oath and in written documents by Mr Agrizzi at the Judicial Commission of Inquiry to Inquire into Allegations of State Capture, Corruption and Fraud in the Public Sector including Organs of State, chaired by Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo; if so, were the allegations made by Mr Agrizzi in respect of her true; (2) whether she declared any financial or material gifts from Bosasa as required by the Executive Members’ Ethics Act, Act 82 of 1998; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1. I have not been informed by the Commission that evidence has been or will be led.
2. In 2009, in response to Parliamentary question 1661, I confirmed that I am a founding member of Dyambu and that I have always declared this in the Register of Members’ Interests. I further indicated that I have not received any dividends from Dyambu and that I have declared such in either the public or private part of the Register of Members’ Interests over the years. I have continued to declare same in both the Parliamentary register, as well as the Register of Member’s Interests of the Presidency.
05 March 2019 - NW255
Nolutshungu, Ms N to ask the Minister of Higher Education and Training
What number of new rooms for accommodation were built at each (a) university and (b) technical and vocational education and training college in 2018?
Reply:
a) The number of additional beds (not rooms) constructed and completed at each university in the 2018 academic year is as follows:
Institution |
Number of beds |
Durban University of Technology |
260 |
University of the Free State |
268 |
Mangosuthu University of Technology |
630 |
University of Mpumalanga |
100 |
Rhodes University |
264 |
Vaal University of Technology |
300 |
University of the Witwatersrand |
351* |
Total number of beds completed |
2 173 |
*Extension of various residences
Larger projects are at different phases of planning, procurement and construction. As part of the first phase, eight universities are embarking on large projects for which funding is being secured. These projects once finalised, will yield about 18 000 new beds over the next three years starting in 2019.
The Department’s Student Housing Infrastructure Programme (SHIP) aims to provide 300 000 new student beds, 200 000 at universities and 100 000 at TVET colleges over the next ten year period. More than R4.1 billion has been allocated from the Infrastructure and Efficiency Grant for university student housing for the period 2015/16 to 2020/21 and are mostly for equity in large projects (2000 beds) although some smaller projects have been funded (250 to 500 beds). At this stage no specific funding is available to TVET student housing within the baseline grant to colleges. Additional funds are in the process of being sourced for TVET Colleges.
(b) No new beds were constructed at Technical and Vocational Education and Training colleges during 2018.
05 March 2019 - NW288
Rawula, Mr T to ask the Minister of Tourism
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:
Institution |
(a)What number of tender Briefings held in 2018 |
(b) What number of the specific briefings were compulsory |
(i)Department |
Seven |
Seven |
(ii)Entity – South Africa Tourism |
One |
One |
04 March 2019 - NW211
Van Damme, Ms PT to ask the Minister of Telecommunications, Postal Services and Communications
(1) Why did she not invoke section 8(3)(a) of the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa Act, Act 13 of 2000, for the removal of a certain person (name furnished) as soon as Parliament began proceedings; (2) whether the specified person has appealed the (a) conviction and (b) sentencing; if not, why has this not been reported to Parliament; if so, what are the relevant details.
Reply:
I have been advised by the department as follows:
1. The Minister intended to invoke section 8 (3) of Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) Act, Act 13 of 2000, at the time. However, Mr Mohlaloga filed urgent application to interdict the process of Parliament on consideration to removal before the Western Cape High Court. Settlement agreement was reached between the parties to remove item on the agenda dealing with removal of Mr Mohlaloga. The settlement agreement was made an order of the court.
2(a) Mr Mohlaloga was convicted on 15 January 2018. Subsequent to conviction, he lodged an application an application for leave of appeal against the whole judgement.
(b) On 14 February 2019, Mr Mohlaloga was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment by Regional Court for Gauteng (held at Pretoria). Subsequently, Mr Mohlaloga lodged an application for leave of appeal against the sentence which was granted.
Ms. Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, MP
Minister
Date:
04 March 2019 - NW55
Matiase, Mr NS to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
What number of grant applications for military veterans is waiting to be processed?
Reply:
The Department of Military Veterans does not disburse grants to military veterans.
04 March 2019 - NW192
Van Dyk, Ms V to ask the Minister of Minister of Telecommunications, Postal Services and Communications
Whether she intends to merge the Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA) with the Universal Services and Access Agency of SA (USSASA); if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) what are the relevant details, (b) on what ground(s) will the two entities with different mandates be merged and (c) how will the board members of each entity be accommodated after the merger; (2) are any of the specified persons relatives of other employees of her department; if so, who?
Reply:
1. In line with the Presidential pronouncement that there will be a configuration of Government departments as well as entities to improve efficiency in the delivery of Government services, there has been engagements with various entities to look for synergies. This is still work in progress and currently there is no definite decision that has been made on the merger of USAASA and MDDA.
2. Once discussions are finalized and a decision is made, further details will be provided. However, it should be noted that the Board Members referred to were not removed following a damning report by the Public Protector, but instead the Board was dissolved due to a fundamental breakdown of their relationship with Minister.
Ms. Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, MP
Minister
Date:
04 March 2019 - NW276
Yako, Ms Y to ask the Minister of Telecommunications, Postal Services and Communications
What number of (a) tender briefings were held in 2018 by each of (i) her departments and (ii) each of the entities reporting to her and (b) the specified briefings were compulsory?
Reply:
I have been advised by the departments and entities as follows:
Dept. and Entities |
What number of tender briefings were held in 2018? |
What number of tender briefings were compulsory? |
DoC |
None |
Not applicable |
DTPS |
Four (4) |
All briefings were compulsory |
GCIS |
4 |
All briefings were compulsory |
FPB |
Three (3) |
Two briefings were compulsory |
Brand SA |
3 |
All briefings were compulsory |
ICASA |
Fifteen (15) |
Twelve of the briefings were compulsory |
MDDA |
None |
Not applicable |
SABC |
Forty (40) |
Twenty three briefings were compulsory |
SENTECH |
Forty four 44 |
Twenty five briefings were compulsory |
SAPO |
Seventy four 74 |
All briefings were compulsory |
NEMISA |
One (1) |
One was compulsory |
zaDNA |
1 |
None |
USAASA and USAF |
7(seven) (USAASA) 2 (two) (USAF) |
All the briefings were compulsory |
BBI |
1 |
The briefing was compulsory |
SITA |
35 (thirty five) |
One briefing was compulsory |
_____________________________
Ms. Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, MP
Minister
Date:
04 March 2019 - NW193
Van Dyk, Ms V to ask the Minister of Minister of Telecommunications, Postal Services and Communications
By what date will the interviews for the board members of the Media Development and Diversity Agency be conducted?
Reply:
As members of Parliament would know, the appointment of MDDA board members is a Parliamentary process in terms of section 4(1) (b) of the MDDA Act. The date for the interviews is determined by the Portfolio Committee on Communications.
Ms. Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, MP
Minister
Date:
04 March 2019 - NW25
Mhlongo, Mr P to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
(1)Does the National Codification Bureau employ certain persons (names furnished); if so, (a) in what position is each specified person employed, (b) were the positions advertised, (c) what are the qualifications of each person, (d) what salary level is each person currently getting paid on, (e) on what date was each person appointed and (f) who approved the appointment of each person; (2) are any of the specified persons relatives of other employees of her department; if so, who?
Reply:
(1) Yes; the National Codification Bureau employed contractors between year 2015, 2016, and 2018 respectively. The total amount of contractors employed is 71.
a) The persons specified are currently utilised as codifiers since they were all trained for the codification environment.
b) No; the positions were not advertised since in line with the provision of the Department of Defence Instruction C PERS NO 89/99 the advertisement of contract positions within the Department of Defence is not regulated.
c) Contracted members qualification in various fields are as follows:
i. Honours (1)
ii. National Diploma (18)
iii. N4 (2)
iv. N5 (1)
v. N6 (3)
vi. Matric (46)
d) Salary Lev 7 (47), Salary lev 8 (23) and Salary Lev 9(1).
e) The appointment of contract workers took place in the following dates:
i. 01 October 2015 – 37 casual workers were appointed.
ii. 01 April 2016 – 3 casual workers were appointed.
iii. 01 February 2018 – 31 casual workers were appointed.
f) The Chief of the Division approved all appointments of contract workers.
(2) Seven (7) are related to already retired military veterans and 3 are related to active members of the Department of Defence.
04 March 2019 - NW152
Carter, Ms D to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
Has the National Prosecuting Authority initiated any investigation to ascertain whether funds used to pay for the family holiday of former Minister of Sport and Recreation, were the proceeds of money laundering, as recommended by the Public Protector; if not, why not; if so, what is the current status of the investigation?
Reply:
The National Director of Public Prosecutions has informed me that the matter was referred to the Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) for investigation. The National Prosecuting Authority will only be involved after the investigation has been finalized and the docket is forwarded to them.
04 March 2019 - NW210
Van Damme, Ms PT to ask the Minister of Minister ofTelecommunications, Postal Services and Communications
Whether she has appointed a panel to advise her on the 2018 turnaround strategy of the SA Broadcasting Corporation (SABC); if so, what (a) is the name of each person serving on the panel, (b) is the expertise of each member, (c) are the qualifications of each member, (d) amount is each member paid to serve on the panel, (e) is the total number of meetings that have been held since the panel was appointed and (f) was the outcome reached by the panel regarding the turnaround strategy of the SABC?
Reply:
No, the Minister did not appoint a panel to advise her on the 2018 Turnaround Strategy of the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC).
Ms. Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, MP
Minister
Date:
01 March 2019 - NW16
Hlonyana, Ms NKF to ask the Minister of Human Settlements:
What is the basis on which the residents of Steenvilla Housing Project in Steenberg, Cape Town, are being evicted?
Reply:
The reason for the evictions at Steenvilla is that there is an order of court to this effect following non-payment of rentals by residents, which is a breach of the lease agreement.
In October 2016, SOHCO applied to court for an eviction order for 22 households. The High Court granted the eviction order at the end of March 2017.
01 March 2019 - NW159
Carter, Ms D to ask the President of the Republic
Whether any steps have been taken to give effect to the recommendations of the Nugent Commission of Inquiry Into Taxation and Governance by SARS that criminal prosecution be instituted against Mr Tom Moyane for awarding a certain contract (details furnished); if not, why not; if so, (a) what steps and (b) what is the current status of the specified steps?
Reply:
Government has started implementing the most pressing recommendations that were made by the Commission. These include terminating the appointment of Mr Tom Moyane as the Commissioner of SARS on 1 November 2018, and initiating the process to appoint a new Commissioner.
A new commissioner is expected to be appointed in the near future.
While some of the organisational recommendations can only be implemented by the Commissioner, the Minister of Finance announced during the Budget speech that the Acting Commissioner has already taken steps to:
- Re-establish the large business unit, which will be formally launched in early April 2019.
- Launch an illicit economy unit to investigate syndicated tax evasion schemes in high-risk sectors, including the tobacco trade.
- Harnessing opportunities from information-sharing agreements between tax authorities to fight cross-border tax evasion.
- Reviewing contracts that breached procurement regulations and acting to recover funds from any fruitless and wasteful expenditure.
The Minister of Finance has requested Judge Davis to assess the tax gap, which is the difference between revenue collected and what ought to be collected.
The Minister also intends to introduce legislative amendments this year, giving effect to a number of the Commission’s governance recommendations. These matters will be included in this year’s draft tax legislation.
01 March 2019 - NW64
Ntlangwini, Ms EN to ask the Minister of Police
Whether he has been informed that he has been implicated in testimony made under oath and in written documents by Mr Agrizzi at the Judicial Commission of Inquiry to Inquire into Allegations of State Capture, Corruption and Fraud in the Public Sector including Organs of State, chaired by Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo; if so, were the allegations made by Mr Agrizzi in respect of him true; (2) whether he declared any financial or material gifts from Bosasa as required by the Executive Members’ Ethics Act, Act 82 of 1998; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
(1) Yes, the Minister of Police, Honorable B.H Cele is aware of the testimony
given by Mr Agrizzi at the Judicial Commission of Inquiry to Inquire into Allegations of State Capture, Corruption and Fraud in the Public Sector including Organs of State, chaired by Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo. In his capacity of the former Deputy Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Honorable B.H Cele was invited by the former President of the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency G.J Zuma to go and view an Aqua Cultural project by two (2) brothers, which was later known to be the Bosasa CEO and his blood brother who manages the Aqua Cultural prawn farm in the Vaal.
(2) No, there were no gifts either financial or material received from Bosasa by the former Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Honorable
B.H Cele.
R O POLICE, MP
B.H CEL DATE:
01 March 2019 - NW346
Bergman, Mr D to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
(a) On what date were the invitations to the 2019 Ubuntu Awards sent to the various foreign missions in the Republic, (b) why was the event cancelled and (c) was the cancellation communicated?
Reply:
(a) Honourable Member, I am not aware of any invitation issued or sent out for the Ubuntu Awards in 2019.
(b) Falls away.
(c) Falls away.
01 March 2019 - NW230
Hlengwa, Mr M to ask the President of the Republic
Whether he will take action against the (a) Minister of Environmental Affairs, (b) Minister of Mineral Resources and (c) Deputy Minister of Justice and Correctional Services responsible for Correctional Services who are implicated through allegations in testimony given at The Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details of the action he intends to take?
Reply:
The Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate allegations of state capture, corruption and fraud in public institutions is currently underway.
Following the conclusion of the inquiry, the Commission will submit findings and recommendations to the President. The President will await the report of the Commission before determining what action needs to be taken, including against any Members of Cabinet that may be implicated in the report.
Nothing prevents the relevant authorities within the criminal justice system from investigating allegations of impropriety by Ministers or any other persons. In any such instances, legal processes must be allowed to be concluded with due regard for the rule of law.
01 March 2019 - NW222
McLoughlin, Mr AR to ask the Minister of Finance
(1)(a) What is the total current value of South Africa’s gold reserves, (b) where are the reserves currently stored, (c) what is the annual total cost of transporting the reserves to respective places of storage and storage and (d) what procurement process was followed in identifying service providers in respect of each separate service required; (2) what are the details of the date and results of each complete and thorough stock-take and audit of the gold reserves that has been undertaken in the past three financial years; (3) (a) when last did South Africa sell any of its gold reserves, (b) whose decision was it to make the sale, (c) at what price per ounce of gold was the sale made, (d) what total quantity of gold was sold, (e) to whom was the gold sold and (f) for what purpose was it considered necessary to make such a sale?
Reply:
The South African Reserve Bank publishes information on our gold reserves every month, which can be accessed from its website. In particular, for this question, I refer you to the following link on its website:
I also refer the Honourable Member to the previous response to his question PQ2333 (as published on 19 June 2015).
1. (a) The value of the official gold reserves as at 31 October 2018 was US$4,9 billion (ZAR72,4 billion) (as outlined in the above monthly release), which is approximately 4 million fine ounces.
(b) The SARB holds a large percentage of South Africa’s gold reserves in vaults of official sector institutions at offshore bullion centres, while a smaller amount is held locally. It is operationally efficient to store gold at offshore bullion centres should the need arise to conduct gold transactions. The exact percentage allocation per location is not made public.
(c) There is no material transportation cost incurred currently, as the bulk of the gold reserves were transferred to the respective places of storage in the 1990s.
(d) No particular procurement processes have been conducted in recent years as no service provider has been required for many years. In the past, the South Reserve Bank utilised government and state institutions to provide the necessary services.
2. The SARB performs monthly reconciliations on its gold reserves held at various centres, while senior SARB officials conduct due diligence visits as well as formal audits (which include sample verifications) at offshore centres, every three years and at local centres, on an annual basis. An audit of locally held gold is also conducted annually.
3. (a) 31 March 2004 (b) The South African Reserve Bank (c) USD423.00 (d)161.51 fine ounces (to put it into perspective, a standard gold bar weighs approximately 400 fine ounces) (e) A Bullion Bank (Nova Scotia) (f) Settlement of a gold swap transaction
01 March 2019 - NW166
Lekota, Mr M to ask the Minister of Finance
Has the National Treasury found that the Government’s policy of fee-free higher education for the poor is fiscally sustainable?
Reply:
Under this new bursary scheme where funded students are not required to pay back money, the scheme is reliant on an allocation from the fiscus to meet its obligation to students in line with government’s commitment in this regard. Thus, any shortfalls, should they arise, will be met by the fiscus in line with resources available in the fiscal framework.
01 March 2019 - NW205
Kohler-Barnard, Ms D to ask the Minister of Police
(a) What is the total amount of Mr Robert McBride’s legal costs which his department was ordered to pay in terms of the ruling in the Constitutional Court case of McBride v Minister of Police and Another (CCT255/15) [2016] and (b) on what date did his department pay Mr Robert McBride the costs as ordered by the court?
Reply:
I have provided my reasons to the Police Portfolio Committee on the 18th of February 2019.
Kind reg ds,
MINIS ER OF POLICE
B.H CELE DATE:
01 March 2019 - NW261
Mkhaliphi, Ms HO to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
What number of (a) tender briefings was held in 2018 by (i) his department and (ii) each of the entities reporting to him and (b) the specified briefings were compulsory?
Reply:
The Department and entities responded as follows:
(i) Department of Home Affairs
- Twenty seven (27) tender briefings were held in 2018 by the Department of Home Affairs.
- Twenty five (25) specified tender briefings were compulsory
(ii) Electoral Commission
- The Electoral Commission held fifty-nine (59) briefing sessions.
- None of these briefing sessions were compulsory.
(iii) Government Printing Works
- Five (5) tender briefings were held.
- Four (4) out of the five (5) tender briefings were compulsory.
Remarks: Reply: Approved / Not Approved
Ms N Mohoboko Dr Siyabonga Cwele, MP
A/Director-General Minister of Home Affairs
Date: Date:
01 March 2019 - NW177
Mackenzie, Mr C to ask the Minister of Minister of Telecommunications, Postal Services
Whether the post office in Ennerdale in Gauteng has been closed due to non-payment of rent; if not, what are the relevant details in this regard; if so, (a) what total amount in rent is outstanding, (b) by what date will the outstanding amount be settled by the SA Post Office and (c) what arrangements have been made for the collection of postal items from the specified post office?
Reply:
I have been informed by SAPO as follows:
The Ennerdale Post Office has been closed due to a dispute with the landlord regarding rental amount for the office. A meeting between SAPO and the landlord took place on 21 February 2019 to reconcile. Agreement has been reached on the following:
(a) That total amount outstanding is R489,846.36
(b) That settlement for the total outstanding amount will be effected on 08 March 2019.
(c) After negotiations with the landlord and partial payment, the branch was re-opened on 21 February 2019.
Ms. Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, MP
Minister
Date:
01 March 2019 - NW453
Steenhuisen, Mr JH to ask the Minister of Finance
(1)(a) On what date did the National Treasury last conduct an audit of artwork owned by Government which is under the curatorship of the National Treasury and (b) what are the details of each artwork under the curatorship of the National Treasury according to the Generally Recognised Accounting Practice 103; (2) whether any artworks under the curatorship of the National Treasury have gone missing (a) in each of the past five financial years and (b) since 1 April 2018; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
(1)(a) The artwork under the curatorship of National Treasury is recorded in its asset register and audited on an annual basis by the Auditor General of South Africa. There is no artwork owned by the rest of Government under the curatorship of National Treasury;
(1)(b) The National Treasury does not have any artwork under its control that meets the definition of Heritage Assets in accordance with Generally Recognised Accounting Practice 103.
(2)(a) During the past five financial years the National Treasury has not written off any artworks after completion of its physical verification process, due to loss or other reason. During the current financial year starting 1 April 2018 to date, no artwork has been found missing;
(2)(b) There is no applicable detail, as there is no missing artwork at the National Treasury.
28 February 2019 - NW285
Matiase, Mr NS to ask the MINISTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND LAND REFORM
What number of (a) tender briefings were held in 2018 by (i) her department and (ii) each of the entities reporting to her and (b) the specified briefings were compulsory?
Reply:
(a) Tender Briefings: 242
(i) Department: 218
(ii) Entities: 24
Entity |
No of tender briefings |
Ingonyama Trust Board (ITB) |
4 |
Office of the Valuer General (OVG) |
2 |
Deeds Trading Account |
18 |
(b) Compulsory Tender Briefings: 234
Department |
214 |
ITB |
4 |
OVG |
2 |
Deeds Trading Account |
14 |
28 February 2019 - NW72
Brauteseth, Mr TJ to ask the MINISTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND LAND REFORM
(1) With reference to the reply to question 2700 on 26 September 2017, (a) what are details of the total amount (i) actually paid to Okhahlamba Local Municipality up to 31 December 2018 and (ii) committed to be paid to the Okhahlamba Local Municipality for the Bergville Sports Complex project; (2) whether she will furnish Mr T J Brauteseth with a copy of the formal request from the Mayor of Okhahlamba Local Municipality dated 24 February 2018; (3) did any person or entity, including a certain company (name furnished) act as an agent for the Okhahlamba Local Municipality; if so, what are the details of such agent?
Reply:
1. (a)
(i) The Department contributed R20 million to the now successfully completed project which is approximately half of the total value of the project; the other half was funded by Okhahlamba Municipality. R20 million was paid in total to Okhahlamba Municipality, in 2 payments of R10 million during the 2016/17 and 2017/18 financial years.
(ii) The agreement was to pay R20 million which has been paid already. The project is completed and so are the payments for this exemplary first class facility that provides amenities to youth and the larger rural community of Bergville.
2. No. The Department is not aware of such a request. The decision to support the project was made years prior to that date following engagements between officials of the Department and the Okhahlamba Local Municipality.
3. No.
28 February 2019 - NW291
Mhlongo, Mr P to ask the Minister of State Security
(a) What number of tender briefings were held in 2018 by (i) her department and (ii) each of the entities reporting to her and (b) what number of specified briefings were compulsory? RESPONSE: (i) SSA held eight (8) briefing sessions in 2018. (ii) Not applicable Eight (8) compulsory briefing sessions were held in 2018.
Reply:
a) (i) SSA held eight (8) briefing sessions in 2018.
(ii) Not applicable
b) Eight (8) compulsory briefing sessions were held in 2018.
27 February 2019 - NW286
Paulsen, Mr N M to ask the Minister of Science and Technology
What number of (a) tender briefings were held in 2018 by (i) her department (ii)and each of the entities reporting to her and (b) the specified briefings were compuIsory?
Reply:
|
Number of tender briefings in 2018 |
Number of Compulsory briefings |
|
Department of Science Technology |
6 |
5 |
|
Entities reporting to the DST |
|||
Council for Scientific and Industrial Research |
86 |
82 |
|
National Research Foundation |
22 |
22 |
|
Technology Innovation Agency |
3 |
3 |
|
Human Sciences Research Council |
11 |
11 |
|
South African National Space Agency |
5 |
1 |
|
Academy of Science of South Africa |
None |
None |
27 February 2019 - NW394
Nkomo, Ms SJ to ask the Minister of Trade and Industry
(1)Whether he can provide the (a) names and surnames and (b) dates of birth of the (i) company directors and (ii) managing directors of African Global Operations, formerly known as Bosasa Operations, since its inception in 1991 to date; (2) whether he can provide the (a) broad-based black economic empowerment certificates, (b) financial statements and (c) annual turnover of the specified company from the time of inception to date? NW418E
Reply:
1. (a) and (b)(i) Please refer to the enclosed Annexure A and (ii) CIPC does not have a record of the managing directors of African Global Operations.
(2) (a) CIPC cannot provide B-BBEE certificates. (b) CIPC can only provide the enclosed financial years statements referred to as Annexure B. (c) CIPC can only provide Turnover from 2005 at this stage as per the table below.
Year |
Turnover total declared to CIPC[1] |
2005 |
R133 434 460 |
2006 |
R248 349 915 |
2007 |
R390 507 954 |
2008 |
R445 554 000 |
2009 |
R467 509 494 |
2010 |
R432 884 566 |
2011 |
R345 212 894 |
2012 |
R0 |
2013 |
R648 181 225 |
2014 |
R753 166 122 |
2015 |
R818 397 894 |
2016 |
R806 893 890 |
2017 |
R115 497 288 |
Please note that according to the CIPC, the figures for 2015 and 2017 as provided by the companies as contained in the table below, differ from the recently received audited financial statements. The CIPC will be investigating the difference in figures. ↑
27 February 2019 - NW251
Nolutshungu, Ms N to ask the Minister of Higher Education and Training
What is the projected number of teachers that will graduate from the higher education institutions in each of the next three academic years?
Reply:
The targeted number of teacher education graduates for 2019 as approved in the mid-term review of the Enrolment Plan (2014 to 2019) is 20 414.
Universities are currently working on their new enrolment plans for the period 2020 to 2025 for approval by their Councils. These plans are due to be submitted to the Department on
15 April 2019 for consolidation and finalisation. Once the enrolment planning statement has been approved by the Minister, the enrolment and graduate targets for the next period will be made available.
27 February 2019 - NW266
Matiase, Mr NS to ask the Minister of Higher Education and Training
What number of (a) tender briefings were held in 2018 by (i) her department and (ii) each of the entities reporting to her and (b) the specified briefings were compulsory?
Reply:
a) (i) The following tender briefings were scheduled and concluded by the Department during 2018:
Bid Number |
Number of tender briefings held in 2018 |
(b) Compulsory / |
DHET118 |
1 |
Compulsory |
DHET120 |
1 |
Compulsory |
b) (ii) The entities reporting to the Department have provided the following responses to the questions posed:
Entity |
Number of tender briefings held in 2018 |
(b) Compulsory / |
1. Agricultural Sector Education and Training Authority |
1 |
Compulsory |
2. Banking Sector Education and Training Authority |
13 |
12 Compulsory and 1 non-compulsory briefing |
3. Construction Education and Training Authority |
3 |
Compulsory |
4. Council on Higher Education |
5 |
Compulsory |
5. Chemical Industries Education and Training Authority |
2 |
Compulsory |
6. Education Training and Development Practices Sector Education and Training Authority |
3 |
Compulsory |
7. Energy and Water Sector Education and Training Authority |
4 |
Compulsory |
8. Finance and Accounting Services Sector Education and Training Authority |
6 |
Compulsory |
9. Food and Beverage Sector Education and Training Authority |
7 |
Compulsory |
10. Fibre Processing and Manufacturing Sector Education and Training Authority |
1 |
Compulsory |
11. Health and Welfare Sector Education and Training Authority |
5 |
Compulsory |
12. Insurance Sector Education and Training Authority |
14 |
5 Compulsory and 9 non-compulsory briefings |
13. Local Government Sector Education and Training Authority |
1 |
Compulsory |
14. Manufacturing Engineering and Related Services Sector Education and Training Authority |
3 |
Compulsory |
15. Media, Information and Communication Technologies Sector Education and Training Authority |
4 |
Compulsory |
16. Mining Qualification Authority |
3 |
Compulsory |
17. National Student Financial Aid Scheme |
4 |
Compulsory |
18. Public Sector Education and Training Authority |
10 |
Compulsory |
19. Quality Council for Trades and Occupations |
2 |
Compulsory |
20. South African Qualifications Authority |
4 |
2 Compulsory and 2 non-compulsory briefings |
21. Safety and Security Sector Education and Training Authority |
14 |
Compulsory |
22. Services Sector Education and Training Authority |
10 |
Compulsory |
23. Transport Education Training Authority |
15 |
13 Compulsory and 2 non-compulsory briefings |
24. Wholesale and Retail Sector Education and Training Authority |
4 |
Compulsory |
27 February 2019 - NW8
Alberts, Mr ADW to ask the Minister of Transport
(1)Whether, with reference to the reply to question 2618 on 7 September 2017, he was informed of the proposed plan in due course to close the roads adjacent to the entrances of O R Tambo International Airport to the public because of security considerations; if not, what are the relevant details of the plan, including (a) the full explanation of the plan and concomitant periods of time, (b) the legal grounds on which the execution of the plan is based, (c) any traffic, social and economic impact studies undertaken in this regard, (d) any public participation opportunities in which role players were offered the chance to make inputs and (e) any workable alternatives for (i) travellers who will be affected by the intended plan and (ii) businesses conducting parking services from the specified airport; (2) whether he has been informed that the Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) has been in contact with the SA National Airport Parking Association (SANAPA) and that ACSA has given SANAPA an undertaking to participate in the process regarding the proposed road closures; (3) whether he has been informed of the current form of intimidation being conducted against parking operators by ACSA and the Ekurhuleni metro police, who allegedly are having cars picking up and dropping passengers at the entrances towed and stored, and that this has the result of random removal and storage of the cars of bona fide users of the pickup and drop-off points; if not, will he conduct an investigation in this regard; if so, (a) why is this happening and (b) what steps will he take in order to ensure that individuals are given a reasonable time to pick up or drop off passengers?
Reply:
Airports Company South Africa SOC Limited (ACSA)
(1)(a) The terrorist attacks in the landside area of Brussels Airport on 22 March 2016 and Istanbul Airport on 28 June 2016, has brought aviation security sharply into focus from all aviation stakeholders, governments and the media. Ensuring the security of the traveling public is a top priority for ACSA. The appropriate authority has defined “landside.” To include areas of mass gathering inside or close to the terminal, where there is a regular concentration of people. There is collaboration with the appropriate authority responsible for civil aviation security matters and other security agencies to conduct risk and vulnerability assessment of Airports to determine if any adjustments to current security measures are warranted. This requirement is contained in our National Civil Aviation Security Programme that allocate responsibilities to state agencies. Engagement with the National and Airport Security Committees on appropriate measures to implement on specific threat scenarios.
(i) Metal barriers and bollards are being used to prevent drive-in attacks
(ii) The separation of vehicle drop-off and pickup areas from the terminal building
(iii) Relocation of vehicle parking close to the terminal building to open areas further from the buildings
(iv) Management of crowds around the landside areas to reduce gatherings of meters and greeters has been implemented.
(v) Security considerations have been considered for access areas such as balconies, terraces or windows that open, close to the terminal building where an active shooter or bomber might have access to crowded public areas by enhancement of patrols and CCTV surveillance.
(vi) Airport workers & passenger awareness & communication, there is a continuous reminder through the public-address system to passengers and visitors to be vigilant and report unattended baggage or suspicious behavior.
(vii) Security awareness training is provided for all Airport workers (both airport and non-airport employees, including those not involved directly in security) to recognize suspicious behavior, and provide a simple and quick means to report it.
(b) Airports Company South Africa is not obligated under any legal grounds to implement the restricted road access. This road is under the jurisdiction of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan municipality. The municipality is charged with this legal responsibility. The management of O.R Tambo International Airport has raised its concerns and suggested that the airport controls the access and egress onto the airport frontage roads.
(i) Aviation-specific security regulations focus on the airside spaces (non-public spaces of airports accessible only to air passengers who hold a valid boarding pass and to security cleared staff). These regulations are designed to prevent unlawful interference with air transport. Landside spaces (airport spaces accessible to the public) are subject to general security regulations enacted by national civil aviation authority. It is therefore up to the national civil aviation authority to review and coordinate with airports to identify the appropriate measures that match their specific threat scenario.
(ii) A new set of standards regarding landside security are included in Amendment 15 to Annex 17 of the Chicago Convention (April 2017) which require States to ensure that landside areas are identified, that measures are established to mitigate and prevent attacks based on a risk assessment, that measures are appropriately coordinated, and that responsibilities are allocated within a State’s national civil aviation security programme.
(iii) Accompanying this standard is guidance material within Doc8973, International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Security Manual, which provides additional information on how measures might be implemented. DOC 8973 states that no vehicle shall park within 50 meters from the terminal building.
(iv) The following list provides some best practices in detection, deterrence or mitigation of landside threats that reflect current ICAO guidance material and other industry best practices.
(v) Consider infrastructure and airport design features to mitigate the threat from attack. These might include:
(vi) bollards, flowerpots and other structures to prevent drive-in attacks
(vii) the separation of vehicle drop-off and pickup points from the terminal
(viii) Reduce access areas (such as terraces) where an active shooter or bomber might have access to crowded public areas.
(c) Studies was conducted by a traffic consultant in accordance to municipal by laws
(d) Public participation will be done prior to implementation
(e) Workable alternatives are:
(i) the separation of vehicle drop-off and pickup points from the terminal
(2) (a) none
3. (i) ASA and the Ekurhuleni metro police, doesn’t intimidate parking operators at the airports. In terms of ICAO Doc 9873 and National Civil Aviation Program vehicles cannot be left unattended on the roadway and within 50 meters from terminal building.
(ii) ACSA must ensure adequate road marking and appropriate signages in accordance to road ordinance act.
27 February 2019 - NW32
Mkhaliphi, Ms HO to ask the Minister of Finance
Has any (a) municipality, (b) state-owned entity and (c) department opened an account or deposited money in any other mutual bank other than the VBS Mutual Bank during the period 1 January 2009 up to the latest specified date for which information is available; if so, (i) who opened such accounts or deposited money in a mutual bank, (ii) what amount was deposited in each case and (iii) in which mutual bank was the money deposited?
Reply:
a) According to information at our disposal there are only two other mutual banks operating in South Africa which are:
- GBS Mutual Bank; and
- Finbond Mutual Bank.
There are no records of any municipal investments for 01 January 2009 to 30 June 2014. Based on municipal reports submitted to the National Treasury from 01 July 2014 to December 2018, there were no municipal investments in either GBS Mutual Bank or Finbond Mutual Bank.
b) In terms of section 7(2) of the PFMA the above-mentioned banks are not approved in writing by the National Treasury.
- Therefore, approval was not granted to national or provincial departments or national or provincial public entities to invest funds with these institutions.
In terms of section 7(3) of the PFMA Schedule 2 entities (SOE’s) may open bank accounts without the approval of the National treasury.
In terms of Treasury Regulation 31.2.1 The South African Library for the Blind reported that they held an account with GBS Mutual Bank.
27 February 2019 - NW34
Mente-Nkuna, Ms NV to ask the Minister of Finance
Whether the National Treasury awarded any contract to a certain company (name furnished) in the period 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2017; if so, (a) what was the (i) duration, (ii) value and (iii) purpose of the specified contract and (b) was the contract approved by the relevant Minister in the specified period?
Reply:
(a)(i)(iii) and (b) No contract was awarded during the period 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2017.
27 February 2019 - NW175
Bozzoli, Prof B to ask the Minister of Higher Education and Training
(1)With reference to the reply to question 647 on 11 April 2018 regarding the Rules and Guidelines for the Administration and Management of the Department of Higher Education and Training’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training College Bursary Scheme, which was to be completed by no later than 30 September 2018, what led to the specified document only being released to technical and vocational education and training (TVET) colleges on 14 December 2018; (2) has she found that the late release and downward changes in amounts when comparing the specified document with an earlier draft that was circulated, created risks for the management of budgets and learner-relationships at our public TVET colleges; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) what new steps will her department introduce to prevent a re-occurrence of the continued late release of this important document to TVET colleges;
Reply:
1. The Department was exploring the possibility of converting the bursary tuition amount into a conditional grant to minimise the bursary administrative processes, which would have had an impact on the 2019 Bursary Rules and Guidelines. However, it was not possible to implement this for the 2019 academic year. In addition, the process of introducing standardised allowances for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges were also protracted.
2. The Department introduced a new category of allowance, i.e. a personal care allowance, for all bursary recipients to assist them with their necessities. The introduction of standardised allowances and a new category of allowance changed the amounts that were initially considered for travel and accommodation contained in the draft version that was sent out to colleges for their comments.
The Department, in collaboration with the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), had numerous engagements with Principals and financial aid practitioners towards the end of 2018 and beginning of 2019 to prepare for the administration of bursaries. In addition to the ongoing engagements with colleges, the Department also issued Circulars to all colleges which set out the immediate and key steps that colleges had to follow to ensure a smooth 2019 bursary application process.
3. Preparing the draft guideline documents for my approval by June at the latest.
4. Engagements with college Principals and Student Representative Councils will start in June 2019 to finalise the 2020 Bursary Rules and Guidelines, which the Department aims to release early in October 2019. Concluding all of these activities timeously will allow colleges and students to focus on teaching and learning rather than on student financial aid matters.
27 February 2019 - NW184
Waters, Mr M to ask the Minister of Transport
(1)With reference to the reply to question 3520 of 10 November 2017, on which specific date did (a) the Bus Rapid Transport kerbside and (b) trunk route both become fully operational; (2) have negotiations with taxi associations been completed; if not, what are the obstacles preventing finalisation of the negotiations; (3) on what date were all the pedestrian bridges (a) completed and (b) opened?
Reply:
(1) With reference to the reply to question 3520 of 10 November 2017, on which specific date did (a) the Bus Rapid Transport kerbside and (b) trunk route both become fully operational;
(a) The Kerbside operations of the City of Ekurhuleni’s Bus Transport commenced in October 2017 with an introductory service (operating with limited buses) which will be ramped up to full operations as the system matures.
(b) The trunk route is not fully operational. The operations of the trunk route have been delayed by the construction of median trunk stations and the stream crossing. The trunk route is expected to be fully operational early 2019/20 financial year.
(2) Have negotiations with taxi associations been completed; if not, what are the obstacles preventing finalisation of the negotiations;
Significant progress has been made regarding the negotiations with the Taxi industry, however the negotiations were suspended due to the expired contract of the Taxi Industry Technical Advisory (TITA) Team. The pending appointment of TITA and Market surveys are the main obstacles preventing the conclusion of the negotiations.
(3) On what date were all the pedestrian bridges (a) completed and (b) opened?
(a) The pedestrian bridges are still underway construction. The completion of the pedestrian bridges was delayed by design related issues including the bulk water pipeline which was detected during construction and plexiglass specifications.
(b) The planned completion date for pedestrian bridges is during May 2019.
27 February 2019 - NW321
Ntlangwini, Ms EN to ask the Minister of Trade and Industry
What was the contribution of artificial intelligence to the gross domestic product in 2018?
Reply:
i) Artificial intelligence (AI) is intelligence demonstrated by machines. At the present time, there is no globally agreed methodology for calculating the contribution of artificial intelligence to gross domestic product (GDP).
ii) Nevertheless, it is expected that AI will impact economies in at least three inter-related ways. Firstly, on the production side the deployment of artificial intelligence capabilities will raise the productivity of firms by reducing costs, and/or production time, and/or improve product customisation.
iii) Secondly, on the consumption side artificial intelligence will upgrade or fundamentally modify traditional goods and/or services, thereby increasing their utility and value to consumers. In additional, artificial intelligence will likely reduce the time required for routine tasks to be concluded, thereby freeing consumers’ time which can be spent on other activities including consumption of other goods and services.
iv) According to Price Waterhouse Coopers (PWC), 2017, “AI to drive GDP gains of $15.7 trillion with productivity, personalisation improvements”, global GDP will be 14% higher in 2030 as a result of artificial intelligence.
26 February 2019 - NW278
Mashabela, Ms N to ask the Minister of Energy
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) Twelve (12) tender briefings were held in 2018 as follows:
Number |
Reference |
Date |
1. |
DoE/001/2017/18 |
1 February 2018 |
2. |
DoE/002/2017/18 |
3 April 2018 |
3. |
DoE/003/2017/18 |
3 April 2018 |
4. |
DoE/004/2017/18 |
5 April 2018 |
5. |
DoE/005/2017/18 |
5 April 2018 |
6. |
DoE/001/2018/19 |
3 May 2018 |
7. |
DoE/002/2018/19 |
3 May 2018 |
8. |
DoE/003/2018/19 |
15 May 2018 |
9. |
DoE/004/2018/19 |
16 May 2018 |
10. |
DoE/005/2018/19 |
28 May 2018 |
11. |
DoE/006/2018/19 |
11 June 2018 |
12 |
DoE/007/2018/19 |
24 July 2018 |
b) Yes, all the twelve (12) briefings were compulsory.
Entity |
a) (ii) Number of tender briefings held in 2018 |
b) The specified briefings were compulsory |
Central Energy Fund (CEF) |
86 (inclusive of PetroSA and SFF) |
CEF 10 briefings – 9 compulsory 1 non-compulsory SFF 11 briefings – All compulsory PetroSA 65 briefings – 1 compulsory 17 non-compulsory 45 non-briefings
|
National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) |
5 |
Yes |
National Nuclear Regulator (NNR) |
1 |
Yes |
National Radioactive Waste Disposal Institute (NRWDI) |
None |
N/A |
South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI) |
7 |
Yes |
South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (NECSA) |
13 |
Yes |
26 February 2019 - NW82
Van Der Walt, Ms D to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
What is the name of the (a) company and (b) owner of the specified company who was awarded the contract by the Mopani District Municipality for drilling boreholes in Ward 6, Joppie Village, Tzaneen, where a toddler was found dead on 5 November 2018?
Reply:
The information requested by the Honourable Member is not readily available in the Department. However, the Department has a letter to all the Provincial Department of Cooperative Governance Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs to engage municipalities to provide the relevant information. The information will be submitted to the Honourable Member as soon as it is available.
Thank you
26 February 2019 - NW89
Mileham, Mr K to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
(1)Whether a certain person (name and details furnished) is employed in any capacity within the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agency (MISA) and/or any other entity reporting to him; if so, (a) what position does the specified person hold and (b) on what basis was the specified person employed; (2) whether he has found that the specified person’s role within the specified political party does not pose a threat of a conflict of interest in any way with his position within MISA or another entity reporting to him; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
(1) The person referred to in the question, Mr Faiez Jacobs, is not employed by the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent (MISA). Mr Jacobs was, however, previously employed by MISA as a Programme Manager for the Western Cape Province on a consultancy contract from 2012 to August 2015. He resigned immediately after he was elected as the Provincial Secretary of the ANC in the Western Cape in 2015.
(a) The person referred in the question is currently not occupying any position in MISA.
(b) As explained above, Mr Jacobs is currently not employed, in any way, by MISA.
(2) There is no threat of conflict of interest in relation to the person referred to in the question since he is not employed by MISA.
Thank you
26 February 2019 - NW325
Ntlangwini, Ms EN to ask the Minister of Trade and Industry
How many tons of steel has the country produced in each of the past 15 years?
Reply:
Over the past 15 years, South Africa’s primary steel industry consisted of the following major flat and long steel producers: ArcelorMittal SA, Evraz Highveld Steel and Vanadium, Cape Gate, Columbus Stainless Steel and SCAW. Small mini-mill players (Agni Steel, Fortune Steel, SA Steel Mills, Cape Town Iron and Steel Works and Veer Steel Mills have started operation in recent years.
The steel industry has been in decline in the last 15 years. Apart from weak demand, a major cause of the decline is the influx of steel imports which adversely affect the profitability and capacity utilization rates of the domestic steel producers. This trend has been aggravated over the years by massive global excess capacity, high production costs and aged plants.
The table and diagram below depict the decline from 2004 where production was 9.4 million tons per annum compared to current production of 6.3 million tons per annum in 2018. Highveld Steel and Vanadium closed in 2015 accounting for a reduction in 1 million tons per annum of steel capacity.
SA’s crude steel production per annum (2004-2018)
Year |
SA Crude steel production (tonnes) |
2004 |
9 405 568 |
2005 |
9 393 123 |
2006 |
9 603 324 |
2007 |
8 985 805 |
2008 |
8 154 958 |
2009 |
7 483 932 |
2010 |
7 616 762 |
2011 |
7 546 489 |
2012 |
6 938 400 |
2013 |
7 161 900 |
2014 |
6 412 200 |
2015 |
6 417 100 |
2016 |
6 141 300 |
2017 |
6 299 200 |
2018 |
6 328 300 |
Source: South African Institute of Iron and Steel
26 February 2019 - NW171
Van der Westhuizen, Mr AP to ask the Minister of Energy
Whether, with reference to his reply to question 494 on 20 April 2018 in which he indicated that trial runs to commence with the production of isotopes at Pelindaba resumed on 21 February 2018 after its temporary closing on 17 November 2017, full and uninterrupted production of all previously produced isotopes has been restored since then; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details, including dates, production rates and types of isotopes produced; (2) what (a) was the estimated loss of income suffered by a certain company (name furnished) to date because of the interruption in production and (b) effect has the closure had on the (i) customers and (ii) image of the specified company; (3) what (a) were the findings of the investigation commissioned by the board of the specified company regarding the closure of the facility and (b) recommendations and/or decisions flowed from the investigation; (4) whether he has found that the decisions taken by the board and subsequent remedial actions will prevent a reoccurrence of similar unplanned closures; if not, what more needs to be done to achieve certainty regarding future production; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1. Production of Medical Isotopes did resume in February 2018 with limited runs and stopped in May 2018 following another safety incident.
The plant resumed production in November 2018 and has been producing steadily for local customers and international customers. Both MO-99 and I-131 are produced and dispatched.
Major improvements have been made in maintenance of the old facilities and enhancement of safety culture is ongoing.
(2)(a) NTP Radioisotopes reported a profit of R108 million in 2018 compared to R184 million in 2017. The estimated loss for 2019 is R224 million. NTP is confident it will rebuild market share in 15 months.
(b) NTP Radioisotopes did not lose any customers during this period; however, market share has severely eroded. With the support of international backup supply partners.
(i) Its customers were supplied with product based on the NTP Radioisotopes contracts.
(ii) There is continuous effort to communicate with customers on production status.
(3)(a) The decisions taken by the Board to cease disciplinary processes of Senior Executives and to take them through a counselling process aimed at addressing the mistakes identified, has had a positive impact on the performance of NTP. They also indicated how the challenges were to be managed and committed to reporting periodically to the Board on the progress. Safety and Security is included in the agenda of Board meetings, and the return to service plans highlighted both operational efficiencies and improvement on safety and security standards.
(b) New strategies, plans and systems were developed to strengthen the safety standards and performance of the operations. International and local experts were also allowed to come and assess the operations. In particular, the Regulator played a crucial role in guarding and monitoring to ensure compliance. A culture of heightened safety awareness and performance has been established which will promote sustainability and ongoing growth and development of the company. The Minister of Energy and the Department promoted policy alignment between the various institutions responsible for the cycle of production to enhance compliance.
4. The plant is building on its history of outstanding excellence and performance under the leadership of the outstanding executives. The staff morale is high and the lessons learnt from many months of the shutdown have enhanced focus on both safety and performance. Production levels are increasing and the global market is responding positively.