Questions and Replies
21 May 2018 - NW1148
Kruger, Mr HC to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and FisheriesQUESTION
With regard to assistance provided by the department to farmers in the Dr. J.S. Moroka Local Municipality and Thembisile Hani Local Municipality, what total amount of hectares in each case (a) are considered plant ready and (b) have been (i) planted, (ii) ploughed and (iii) harvested over the past three financial years?
Reply:
(a) Total amount of hectares considered plant ready
During 2017/18 financial year, a total of 2 693. 77ha were ploughed and planted in both the Local Municipalities broken down as follows: - Dr. J.S. Moroka (1 032. 7ha) and Thembisile Hani (1 661.07) Local Municipalities. In the current financial year, 2018/19, only 3 ha were cultivated in Thembisile Hani Local Municipality and ready to be planted.
(b) Total amount of hectares that have been;
(i) Planted over the past three (3) financial years: 2015/16; 2016/17 and 2017/18
The total hectares planted in the past three years in Dr. J.S. Moroka Local Municipality amounted to 3 231.92ha and for Thembisile Hani Local Municipality 3 561.96ha. These amount to a total of 6 793.88. Maize is the main crop grown in these two Local Municipalities.
(ii) Ploughed over the past three (3) financial years: 2015/16; 2016/17 and 2017/18
The total hectares ploughed in the past three years is the same for both in Dr. J.S. Moroka Local Municipality and Thembisile Hani Local Municipality which are:- 3 231.92ha and 3 561,96 respectively, amounting to 6 793.88 in total.
(iii) Harvested over the past three (3) financial years: 2015/16; 2016/17 and 2017/18
The average yield in these two Local Municipalities is estimated at 2.6 ton/ha. However, during 2015/16 financial year, the Province experienced severe drought conditions and this has resulted in significant yield reduction.
During 2015/16 and 2016/17 financial years a total of 1 576.964 tons were harvested. The total tonnage harvested from the Local Municipalities is as follow:-
- Dr. J.S. Moroka 845.853 ton
- Thembisile Hani is 731.111 ton
Harvesting for maize planted during 2017/18 financial year, will only commence in May / June 2018.
21 May 2018 - NW1250
America, Mr D to ask the Minister of Labour
Whether any disciplinary action was taken against a certain person (name and details furnished); if not, why not; if so, (a) what action was taken, (b) why was disciplinary action taken and (c) what was the outcome thereof?
Reply:
a) Disciplinary action was taken against Mr N Lubelwana.
b) Disciplinary action was taken due to a salary overpayment to an official that resigned with immediate effect.
c) The official was issued with a written warning.
21 May 2018 - NW1256
Majola, Mr TR to ask the Minister of Labour
What number of jobs have been (a) created and (b) saved through Productivity SA in the past three financial years?
Reply:
a) Productivity SA’s mandate is not to create jobs. It is important to carefully note that Productivity SA’s mandate is to assist companies in distress through its programmes, such as Work Place Challenge and Turn Around Solutions to sustain and save jobs. Therefore, there are no jobs created by Productivity SA in the past 3 financial years.
b) In the past 3 financial years Productivity SA had a total of 1 797 (One Thousand Seven Hundred and Ninety Seven) companies ranging from small to large corporates participated in the Workplace Challenge Programme and managed to assist in sustaining just over 143 429 (One Hundred and forty Three Thousand Four Hundred and Twenty Nine) jobs.
Furthermore during the period in question Productivity SA assisted just over 163 (One Hundred and Sixty Three) companies through the Turnaround Solutions Programme and managed to save a total of 20 251 (Twenty Thousand Two Hundred Fifty One) jobs.
21 May 2018 - NW1029
Paulsen, Mr N M to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and FisheriesQUESTION
(1) Whether, with reference to his reply to question 263 on 20 March 2018, he has been informed that a certain person is occupying a State house at Lower Zingcuka that was previously used as a community crèche; if so, (a) what are the terms and conditions attached to the continued use of the house and (b) will he furnish Mr N Paulsen with a copy of the signed agreement that allowed the person to use the house; (2) In view of the fact that the Amathole Forestry Company is not involved in agricultural production in the Lower Zingcuka and surrounding villages, what specific role does the person play that warranted the State granting him the use of the property over a community crèche?
Reply:
Response to Sub-question (1)
The matter of a state house being occupied by Amathole Forestry Company representative was only brought to my attention when the Honourable Member asked the question. Part of the state assets transferred to Lower Zingcuka community is a residential house that was used by agricultural extension officers during the Ciskei government. It should be pointed out that DAFF was never involved in this process. However, it was established that that house in question was abandoned and vandalised. The community took a decision to preserve the house and used it as a crèche. Unfortunately vandalism on the property continued unabated. Subsequently, Lower Zingcuka Agricultural Cooperative Limited in agreement with the community took over the use of the house for business purposes. The cooperative stores its implements and a tractor at the property. Through the partnership described under response to question 1028, Mr Jerry of Amathole Forestry Company was deployed to the Wolf River area by Rance Rural Development Agency to provide technical support to the cooperative and other villages in the area. Through the agreement of both the community and the cooperative, Mr Jerry was given permission to reside in the house.
Response to Sub-Question (2)
Even after the partnership between AFC and the cooperatives lapsed, Mr Jerry continues to reside in the house providing production related technical support to other communities in the area. Mr Jerry also services the tractor belonging to the cooperative and other equipment, even though there is no formal contract in place. It has been established that the continued stay of Mr Jerry at the house is per agreement by the community and the youth cooperative due to the value of the services that he provides to them. Mr Jerry has become part of the community and provides various forms of assistance to members of the community.
In conclusion, there are no formal agreements or documents signed between the state and Amathole Forestry Company allowing Mr Jerry to use the house in question. This is a matter between the community, Lower Zingcuka Agricultural Cooperative and Amathole Forestry Company. The continued stay of Mr Jerry at the house is purely based on the value that he (Mr Jerry) brings to the community. Should the community wish to reclaim the use of the house, it is envisaged that they will engage Mr Jerry personally who has expressed his willingness and readiness to vacate the property should the community so wish.
21 May 2018 - NW1066
Carter, Ms D to ask the Minister of Public Service and Administration
What (a) number of employees are currently in the employ of the Government, (b) is the quantum of the annual salary and wage bill of the Government and (c) percentage of the Government’s operational and total spend, inclusive of capital, is allocated towards salaries and wages in the 2018-19 financial year?
Reply:
The National Treasury is in better position to provide a response in this regard, since the Treasury is responsible for finance to the State.
21 May 2018 - NW1030
Ketabahle, Ms V to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and FisheriesQUESTION
What specified role has your departmental official, Ms Peteni, played in enabling the Amathole Forestry Company to operate with seeming impunity in and around Keiskammahoek and Stutterheim? What is her involvement in the management of the relationship between the Department and Amathole Forestry Company?
Reply:
According to the Persal system of the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) does not have an official by the name of Ms Peteni, so we are not in a position to confirm her role in enabling Amathole Forestry Company’s operation in Keiskammahoek and Stutterheim.
21 May 2018 - NW1133
Bergman, Mr D to ask the Minister of Public Works
Whether the old post office building in Irene is considered a historical building; if so, (a) what is his department doing to protect the building; and (b) on what date did officials from his department last inspect it?
Reply:
The property known as the Old Post Office building in Irene, Centurion, Pretoria, is privately owned and therefore not the responsibility of the National Department of Public Works.
(a) and (b) The department is not empowered to undertake any works on privately owned buildings.
________________________________________________________________________
21 May 2018 - NW1252
America, Mr D to ask the Minister of Labour
What (a) number of grievances have been filed against her department due to irregular appointments and (b) amount has been paid in compensation for irregular/unfair appointments in the past three financial years?
Reply:
a) There were no grievances filed against the Department due to irregular appointments.
b) n/a.
21 May 2018 - NW1273
Mbhele, Mr ZN to ask the Minister of Police
(1) With regard to the SA Police Service vehicle (details furnished), (a) to which (i) police station and (ii) section Is it allocated, (b) has the vehicle been diverted, at any stage, from being used for the purpose it was allocated; if so, what was the purpose It was deviated for; (2) are the (a) Automated Vehicle Location (AVL) records for the movements and locations of the vehicle and (b) fuel consumption records available since it was allocated; if so, wm he provide Mr Z N Mbhele with the AVL and fuel consumption records; (3) whether the vehicle has ever been used to escort civilians; if so, {a) what are the names of the civilians and (b) for what purpose were the civilians escorted by the specified vehicle? NW1373E
Reply:
(1)(a)(ii) Provincial Task Team.
(1)(b) No, the vehicle is being used by the Detective Trio Task Team, at the EThekwini Outer North Cluster Office.
(2)(a) Yes, available electronically, due to the size of the documents.
(2)(b} Yes, the AVL and fuel consumption records are available.
(3) No.
(3)(a) Not applicable.
(3)(b) Not applicable.
Original signed LIEUTENANT GENERAL
DIVISIONAL COMMISSIONER: VISIBLE POLICING
NPMASIYE
Date: 3 May 2018
Reply to question 1273 recommend
Original signed LIEUTENANT GENERAL
DEPUTY NATIONAL COMMISSIONER: POLICING
SFMASEMOLA
Date: 5 May 2018
Reply to question 1273 recommend
GENERAL NATIONAL COMISSIONER: SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE
KJ SITOLE 9SOEG)
Date: 2018/05/11
Reply to question 1273 approved
MINISTER OF POLICE
BH CELE, MP
Date: 2018/05/17
21 May 2018 - NW1327
Macpherson, Mr DW to ask the Minister of Police
(1) (a) What has he found to be the condition of the Umhlall Police Station, (b) what number of (i) police officers should and does the specified police station have and (ii) police vehicles (aa) should be available to the police station and (bb) are in working order and (c) for (I) what reasons are some of the police vehicles not in working order and (ii) how long have the vehicles been in this condition; (2) what is the total budget for the police station in the current financial year; (3) (a) what is the total number and the relevant details of the administration posts that are vacant and (b) for how long has each post been vacant?
Reply:
(1)(a) It needs be mentioned, that the Umhlali Police Station Is not a devolved police station and as ·a result, the South African Police Service Is reliant on the Department of Public Works for all minor and major repairs.
The police station's yard is not regularly maintained, as the grounds man that worked at the police station, passed away and the post has not yet been filled.
The glass door at the Community Service Centre (CSC) entrance Is shattered.
However, the Supply Chain Management (SCM) Commander, is currently looking for alternatives with which to replace the glass door. The roof of the CSC leaks when it rains.
There is a shortage of space for the storage of case dockets and other official documents. Currently, a detention cell is used to store case dockets.
The detention cells at the police station are in a poor condition. Rain water seeps through the roof.
Find here: (1)(b)(i)
21 May 2018 - NW1028
Paulsen, Mr N M to ask the MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES
(1) With reference to his reply to question 263 on 20 march 20 march 2018, what is the specific role of the Amathole forestry company in the operations of the Lower Zingcuka Agricultural Cooperative; (2) Whether he will launch an investigation into the role of the specified company in (a) the operations of the specified agricultural cooperative and (b) stifling the community-based agricultural initiatives around the Wolf River; if not, why not; if so (i) on what date will the investigation commence and (ii) what will be its terms of reference?
Reply:
Sub-question (1)
Amathole Forestry Company (Pty) Ltd (“AFC”) was created by government to house state forestry assets in the East Cape South package (Stutterheim and Hogsback region). Amathole Forestry Company owns the plantations and leases the plantations land from the state. In 2005, the Rance Group of Companies through Amathole Timber Holdings (The Holding Company) and its Black Economic Empowerment partners successfully won a public tender and acquired 84% stake in AFC from the state owned parastatal, SAFCOL.
To advance transformation in the sector and achieve Socio economic development as one of the elements of empowerment in terms of the Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment legislation by the Rance Group of Companies, Rance Rural Development Agency (RRDA) was created to provide support to rural communities along the Wolf River. AFC through Rance Rural Development Agency is currently supporting 83 rural communities along the Wolf River and Lower Zingcuka Agricultural Cooperative was among the beneficiaries. Predominantly, these rural communities are involved in chillies production as well as vegetables and maize with support from RRDA.
AFC through RRDA entered into a partnership with Lower Zingcuka Agricultural Cooperative Limited in 2012 in which the cooperative was to produce chillies on its land while AFC provide technical support, inputs, operational costs and markets. The product was delivered to a processing plant in Grahamstown that processes the chillies into spice. The facility (Plant) is owned by the Rance Group.
However, the partnership between AFC and the cooperative lasted for two years (2012 & 2013), after which it was terminated. The reasons for termination were cited as poor and declining yields as a result of viral infection in the soil. The cooperative indicated that they received no money from this partnership as AFC claimed to have made no profits owing to poor yields. Currently the cooperative produces vegetables and maize with support from the Office of the Premier which provided a tractor, fencing and production inputs.
Sub-question (2)
At this stage, there is no relationship between AFC and the cooperative as the partnership ended in 2013 and AFC plays no role in the operations of the cooperative. Consequently, DAFF will not be launching any investigation into the role of AFC into the operations of the cooperative.
21 May 2018 - NW1058
Groenewald, Mr HB to ask the Minister of Public Service and Administration
(1) What number of employees in the Public Service (a) in each government department and (b) at each post level is currently suspended on full salary; (2) What number of the specified employees (a) in each government department and (b) at each post level has currently been suspended for (i) less than 60 days, (ii) 60 to 90 days, (iii) 90 to 120 days and (iv) longer than 120 days; (3) What the total cost attached to the days of service losses amount to in each specified case; (4) Whether she will make a statement about the matter?
Reply:
(1) (2) (3) Audit process on the figures with regard to the cost and the numbers referred has not been completed.
(4) Not at this stage
21 May 2018 - NW1253
Bergman, Mr D to ask the Minister of Labour
(1) (a) What number of (i) job centres and (ii) mobile job clinics are in operation in each province, (b) where are they allocated, (c) on what date were they opened, (d) what was the total cost of opening the facilities and (e) what number of people have visited the facilities in the past three financial years; (2) (a) what number of (i) job centres and (ii) mobile job clinics will be opened in the 2018-19 financial year, (b)(i) what will the cost be to open them and (ii) by what date will they be operational?
Reply:
(1)
(a) The Department does not have job centres and/or mobile job clinics operational in Provinces; it has Labour Centres and 2 Mobile Buses.
(b) N/A
(c) N/A
(d) N/A
(e) N/A
2.
(a) The Department will not be opening any job centres and/or job clinics in the 2018/19 financial year. However, the Department intends to pilot Youth Employment Centres in the existing Labour Centres and the Compensation Fund intends to introduce 4 multipurpose mobile units and 4 mobile clinics to take services closer to the people.
21 May 2018 - NW1189
Purdon, Mr RK to ask the Minister of Environmental Affairs
What is the government’s position on the relationship between captive-bred predators and the survival of wild predator populations in southern Africa?
Reply:
The Government of South Africa manages its species in line with the provisions of the provisions of Chapter 4 of of National Environment Act: Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act No.10 of 2004). NEMBA has its objectives framed in the context of conservation, sustainable use and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of biological resources. The relationship between captive bred predators and the survival of wild populations is not simplistic or linear and therefore requires an understanding of interacting underlying factors as well as the potential risks. A precautionary approach which is evidence based and supported supported by regulatory tools and management systems constitute the government orientation.
The key wild predators that the South African government instituted additional protection measures on, include Lion, Leopard, Brown and Spotted Hyena, Cheetah and African Wild Dog. All of these are listed as threatened or protected species in line with the Threatened or Protected Species (TOPS) Regulations, 2007, and their trade is also regulated through the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). These regulatory tools accord additional conservation, hunting and trade restrictions to the use of these species. South Africa, cooperates with the SADC countries on approaches and conservation of predators in Southern Africa especially on areas of common interest. This is done despite the varying conservation philosophies of each country. South Africa adopts an evidence-based approach which is anchored on the regular advisories that are presented in the form of Non-Detrimental Findings(NDFs) from the established National Scientific Authority. The Scientific Authority has to date developed the NDFs for Leopard and Lion. The determination of the Leopard Quota was evidence-based precautionary approach and such led to the allocation of zero quota for 2016 and 2017, as well as a proposal for a limited quota in 2018. The government further developed and is finalizing the Draft Norms and Standards(N&S) for the Management and Monitoring of the Hunting of Leopards in South Africa for Trophy Hunting Purposes. These N&S are aimed at managing the impact of trophy hunting on the wild Leopard population. This is a clear demonstration of the government commitment to facilitating sustainable use while ensuring adequate protection and the survival of leopard population in the wild.
The relationship between captive bred predators and survival of wild populations in southern Africa may be best analysed in the context of lions in South Africa. Lion, like any other predator is managed with the aim, of safeguarding the survival of lion population in the wild. The South African population of Panthera Leo (African lion) is included in Appendix II to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora(CITES). In terms of Article IV of the Convention, an export permits shall only be granted for an Appendix II species when a Scientific Authority of the State of export has advised that such export will not be detrimental to the survival of that species. Government published the NDF for lion for implementation on 23 January 2018. The NDF analysed the threats to lions in South Africa in the wild and also presented a view on whether the hunting of captive bred lions in South Africa poses a threat to the survival of the wild lion population. The Scientific Authority determined that the trophy hunting of captive bred lions poses no threat to the survival of the wild lion population within South Africa. Furthermore, is the view that captive lions, may in fact serve as a buffer to potential threat to wild lions by being the primary source of hunting trophies and other associated derivatives.
The reference to the two species referred above may also be relevant to the other predators, however Government addresses each of the species and populations on their own merits. Government has since commissioned a research study to investigate how the international trade in products from the captive bred lions under an export quota system impacts on wild lion population. This will further assist in informing the policy orientation in the management of captive bred predators and ensuring the survival of lion population in the wild.
18 May 2018 - NW1307
Xalisa, Mr Z R to ask the Minister of Environmental Affairs
(1)What is the (a) total number of protected public areas in the country and (b)(i) name and (ii) size of each protected area; and (2) whether all of the protected areas are managed (a) by statutory bodies and/or (b) on a lease arrangement with private conservation agencies?
Reply:
(1) (a) There is a total of 1 471 protected areas in South Africa.
(b) A list of all protected areas are kept in the Register of Protected Areas in line with the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act, 2003 (Act No. 57 of 2003), Section 10, and can be downloaded from https://egis.environment.gov.za/. All the information on (i) and (ii) are contained in the file.
(2) (a)(b) Protected areas are managed by either goverment departments, statutury bodies or by a suitable person, organisation or organ of state as assigned by the Minister or Member of Executive Council in terms of Section 38 (1) and (2) of the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act, 2003 (Act No. 57 of 2003).
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18 May 2018 - NW696
Van Dyk, Ms V to ask the Minister of Communications
Whether Brand SA conducted any studies to determine the impact of state capture on the brand of the country; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
Not Applicable
18 May 2018 - NW815
Shinn, Ms MR to ask the Minister of Communications
Whether any meetings were held with the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) prior to the announcement of the analogue signal switch-off date in June 2019; if so, what are the relevant details of the (a) meetings, (b) discussions at each specified meeting, (c) date on which the switch-off date was communicated to her department by the ITU and (d) requirements to meet the specified deadline?
Reply:
No, there were never any meetings with the ITU on the June 2019 switch-off date. ITU resolutions are communicated through World Radio Conferences held every four years or through specific Circulars sent by the ITU.
The ITU mandated analogue transition date was June 2015, which has since passed. Beyond this date, the ITU no longer provides protection for analogue services in the affected spectrum bands. Beyond June 2015, it is up to the neighboring member states to negotiate mutual terms to avoid causing interference with each other. The ITU can merely be informed for the record on the progress made regarding analogue switch off in the affected member states.
South Africa has set June 2019 analogue switch off target, it is not an ITU directive.
a) Not Applicable
b) Not Applicable
c) Not Applicable
d) Not Applicable
____________________
Dr Boloka Mashilo
Department of Communications – Director-General (Acting)
Date:
Approved/ Not approved
_______________________________
Ms Nomvula Mokonyane
Minister
Date:
18 May 2018 - NW1105
Xalisa, Mr Z R to ask the Minister of Environmental Affairs
What (a) number of consulting firms or companies are currently contracted by (i) her department and (ii) the entities reporting to her and (b)(i) is the name of each consultant, (ii) are the relevant details of the service provided in each case and (iii) is the (aa) start date, (bb) time period, (cc) monetary value in Rands of each contract and (dd) name and position of each individual who signed off on each contract?
Reply:
The Department of Environmental Affairs is committed to utilising resources allocated through the Parliament appropriation process in the most cost effective and responsible way. As a first priority the Department utilises public servants in the department to do the work. Only if the specific expertise is not available internally, will the department consider using the services of consultants.
In making use of consultants, the department ensures cost effectiveness. Where possible, we aim to ensure that consultants transfer these skills to departmental officials. The Department will continue to ensure that the use of consultants are in line and guided by the PFMA and the relevant Treasury Regulations. The use of consultants is reported in our quarterly financial reports to the Portfolio Committee on Environmental Affairs (PCEA), and in our annual financial statements. These are audited by the Auditor General and are tabled in Parliament as part of our Annual Report.
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18 May 2018 - NW1150
Selfe, Mr J to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
(1)What is the (a) nature and (b) current status of the settlement agreement, Resolution 1/2016, which was entered into between the Department of Correctional Services and trade unions in November 2016; (2) (a) what payments (i) have been made and (ii) are scheduled to be made to beneficiaries in terms of the specified resolution and (b) in each case, what is the (i) date and (ii) total amount in Rand of the payments; (3) (a) by what date does he expect to have fulfilled all the terms of the specified agreement and (b) what are the relevant details of his plans in this regard?
Reply:
(1)(a) I have been advised that the nature of the Settlement Agreement is to address the outstanding matters connected with the Correctional Officials Occupational Specific Dispensation (OSD) 2nd Phase experience recognition for the production salary levels 03 to 08 that emanated from General Public Service Sectoral Bargaining Council (GPSSBC) Resolution 2 of 2009.
(b) The collective agreement allows for a multi-year implementation of back pay amounts. The Department has already paid 17% of the back pay amount owed to fourteen thousand two hundred and ninety (14290) qualifying correctional officials, and 6% back pay amounts to twelve thousand three hundred and sixty five (12365) qualifying correctional officials respectively. With regard to the six thousand three hundred and six (6306) qualifying correctional officials who terminated services, the Department has initiated an audit to determine the debt owed to them in relation to the OSD Departmental Bargaining Chamber settlement agreement. To date a total of three thousand two hundred and seven cases (3207) have been audited and submitted for payment. The agreed 4% payments which are due in the 2018/2019 financial year for both serving and terminated officials are scheduled for payment during the 2nd quarter starting July 2018 of the current financial year.
(2)(a):
(i) The 17% owed to qualifying officials plus 6% of the staggered payments have been paid.
(ii) 4% payments are scheduled to be made to serving officials during the 2nd quarter of the current financial year (2018/2019).
27% (17% + 6%+ 4%) payments are scheduled to be made to ex officials during the 2nd quarter of the current financial year (2018/2019).
(2)(b):
(i) The 17% payments were made during June 2017 and October 2017.
6% payments were made during February 2018.
4% to serving officials as well as 27% to ex-officials are scheduled to be paid during the 2nd quarter of the current financial year (2018/2019).
(ii) R57, 463 574.00 already paid to serving officials.
An estimated amount of R71 million is to be paid to both serving and ex-officials (4% for serving officials and 27% to ex-officials back log).
(3)(a) As agreed in the Settlement Agreement it is expected to conclude this matter not later than 31st March 2020.
(b) Utilisation of a task team to oversee payments centrally on a continuous basis and assist/guide regions with all relevant administrative processes to conclude the remaining 3% payments in the 2019/2020 financial year.
18 May 2018 - NW77
Van Dyk, Ms V to ask the Minister of Communications
Whether the Government Communication and Information System put out a tender for a procurement agency for community media; if so, (a)(i) on what date and (ii) where was it advertised, (b) what number of applications were received, (c) to whom was the specified tender awarded and (d) what was the total monetary value of the tender?
Reply:
a) (i)The tender to constitute a panel of advertising agencies to assist with the procurement of community media was advertised on 17 November 2017.
(ii) The tender was advertised on the GCIS website and on the Government Tender Bulletin.
b) There was a total of 8 bids received
c) The process of evaluation is still in progress.
d) There is no monetary value attached to the tender (the value/ budget will be dependent on the client’s expected demand.)
18 May 2018 - NW1236
Grootboom, Mr GA to ask the Minister of Arts and Culture
What consequence management strategies will be instituted against members of the Performing Arts Centre of the Free State (PACOFS) who are allegedly guilty of incurring irregular expenditure?
Reply:
The Performing Arts Centre of the Free State (PACOFS) will be guided by its policies and disciplinary code in instituting consequence management against any member of PACOFS who is found to be responsible for incurring irregular expenditure.
18 May 2018 - NW1237
Grootboom, Mr GA to ask the Minister of Arts and Culture
What (a) measures will he put in place to ensure that issues of diversity are addressed in the (i) PACOFS council and (ii) PACOFS management, (b) consequence management strategies will be instituted against members of the (i) Performing Arts Centre of the Free State (PACOFS) who have brought PACOFS into disrepute?
Reply:
(a)(I). The process of constituting Councils is prescribed in relevant enabling legislations that compel the Department to ensure that issues of diversity are addressed. The process of appointing Councils also prescribes that an open and transparent process is followed and as such the shortlist of recommended candidates is only drawn from the public nominations received. All efforts are made to ensure that diversity considerations are made in terms of age, gender, race, class and geographical spread during the selection process.
II). PACOFS Management
The Council of PACOFS will ensure that issues of diversity are addressed when filling the following managerial vacancies:
- Chief Executive Officer
- Technical Director
- ICT Manager
- Marketing Manager
(b). Leadership vacuum is a major contributor to the instability at PACOFS. To this end, my Department is working closely with the Council of PACOFS to complete and finalise the litigation cases which have held up the filling of critical leadership positions. Further, we have granted the Council of PACOFS permission to utilize the previously ring-fenced funding to upgrade the infrastructure of the entity which will enable the PACOFS to host national and or international programmes.
(c). The Performing Arts Centre of the Free State (PACOFS) will be guided by its policies and disciplinary code in instituting consequence management against any person found to have brought PACOFS into disrepute.
18 May 2018 - NW1486
Purdon, Mr RK to ask the Minister of State Security
1. Whether, with reference to the reply of the President, Mr CM Ramaphosa, to the debate on the State of the Nation Address on 22 February 2018 to implement lifestyle audits, (a) she, (b) senior management service members in her department and/or any of the heads of entities reporting to her have undergone a lifestyle audit in the past three financial years; if not, have any plans been put in place to perform such audits; if so, in each case, what are the details of the (i) date of the lifestyle audit, (ii) name of the person undergoing the audit, (iii) name of the auditing firm conducting the audit and (iv) outcome of the audit; 2. Whether she will furnish Mr RK Purdon with copies of the lifestyle audit reports?
Reply:
All employees of the SSA, including all levels of management, are subjected to extensive vetting every five years. The SSA also reserves the right to re-vet any of its employees during the course and scope of the five years should a need arise. Vetting is one of the core competencies of the SSA and is not outsourced to any service provider.
Information pertaining to vetting, as with other operational information of the SSA, forms part of the broader operational strategy of the agency and, therefore, as a matter of policy, the SSA does not disclose such information. It should, however, be observed that the SSA is overseen by the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence (JSCI) and the Inspector General of Intelligence amongst other regulatory bodies.
17 May 2018 - NW1192
Ollis, Mr IM to ask the Minister of Basic Education
What number of cases of attempted murder by (a) learners on learners, (b) learners on educators and support staff, (c) educators and support staff on learners, (d) educators on educators, (e) support staff on support staff, (f) support staff on educators and (g) educators on support staff have been reported in each district in each province (i) in each of the last three academic years and (ii) since 1 January 2018?
Reply:
The Department of Basic Education does not collect these data. The honourable member is advised to direct the question to the province.
17 May 2018 - NW637
Alberts, Mr ADW to ask the Minister of Transport
(1)Whether any new members on the Air Service Licensing Board were appointed in accordance with the Air Service Licensing Act, Act 115 of 1990, during the period 30 March 2017 to 26 February 2018; if so, (2) whether the specified persons appointed during the specified period possessed the required expertise and experience in aviation as determined by section 4(1) of the said Act; if so, in what way this expertise and experience had been verified; (3) whether consultation with the stakeholders took place as determined by section 4(2); if so, (a) on what date and (b) with whom such consultation was held; (4) whether the reappointment of the existing members had been considered during the specified period; if so, can he provide Adv A de W Alberts with a copy of the letter that was addressed to his department allegedly stating that consideration had been given to such reappointment and that a decision was taken against it and that his department had been instructed to advertise these posts?
Reply:
1. With reference to the question of Hounarable Adv A De Albets, it should be clarified that the Minister of Transport is still investigating the appointment of the Air Service Licensing Board members, in order to determine if the Board was properly constituted in terms of the Air Licensing Act, Act 115 of 1990.
(2) to (4) Falls away
17 May 2018 - NW1012
Ntlangwini, Ms EN to ask the Minister of Basic Education
What (a) number of (i) primary and (ii) high schools in each province do not have running water and electricity and (b) amount in funding is required to ensure that the specified schools have running water and electricity?
Reply:
a)
(i) According to the NEIMS Database, all schools have been provided with some form of infrastructure for water provision in a form of borehole, rainwater harvesting, water tanks, and communal supply or through municipal yard supply. Where a borehole or rainwater harvesting tanks have dried up, arrangements are made with municipalities to provide potable water.
(ii) All schools have been provided with some form of electricity, either through grid connection, solar, generator or other means of electricity provision. The sector is however, continuously affected by instances of theft and vandalism of solar panels and cables, which renders schools previously provided, to be without service.
b) Not applicable
17 May 2018 - NW1243
Esau, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
(1)With reference to external fees, (a) which service providers does Armscor make use of and (b) how are these service providers selected and then contracted; (2) (a) what are the details of the total legal fees related to dismissals and/or suspensions of employees for the past five years and (b) what is the name of each employee who was dismissed in the past five years; (3) have all the cases of dismissal and/or suspension been concluded; if not, (a) why not, (b) which cases have not been finalised, (c) on what date was each of the cases instated and (d) what are the reasons that each case has not been concluded?
Reply:
QUESTION 1
With reference to external fees,
Service providers that Armscor make use
There is a standing panel of legal firms that is utilised by Legal Services department as well the Employee Relations department. The panel was approved by EXCO and is reviewed every three years
How service providers are selected and contracted;
When the nature and the complexity of the dispute at hand warrants the appointment of a Labour Legal Expert, Employee Relations department would then recommend a service provider from the panel of approved service providers, for the approval of two Group Executives and the Chief Executive Officer. The recommendations of a service provider from the Employee Relations Department would be based on the availability, cost, experience, track record in disputes of the same nature. One of the cornerstones of fair labour practice as enshrined in both the Labour Relations Act and the Constitution is procedural fairness. Whilst each matter would be judged on its own merits Consistent application of the rule and precedence set in similar disputes is key in ensuring fairness when handling Employee Relations Disputes as result prior knowledge of the matter is some cases critical in appointing a service provider .
The Employee Relations Department is a small unit that is manned by one Specialist that specialises in labour law and looks after all the aspects of employee relations. Armscor legal department only has three commercial lawyers who focus mostly on projects and commercial contracts.
Whilst it is evident based on the summary below that majority of labour disputes are ruled in Armscor’s favour however some employees still chose to refer the matters to the labour court. Armscor would then exercise their right and oppose the matter, for example the below listed matters of employees who were dismissed for tender irregularities and the cases were ruled in Armscor’s favour by the CCMA however the employees still referred their cases to the Labour Court and Armscor opposed the matters.
Due to the nature of Armscor’s business there are cases which demand that we seek the intervention of external labour law experts .These matters involve intense investigations which deal with sensitive and secret information, they are lengthy due the evidence and voluminous documentation, for example the matter of the employee who was dismissed for being involved in espionage activities.
QUESTION 2
Details of the total legal fees related to dismissals and/or suspensions of employees for the past five years
Nature of Process |
Legal Fees 2013-2018 |
Disciplinary Enquiry |
R 1 299 932.99 |
CCMA |
R 1 179 156.75 |
Labour Court |
R 9 565 097 .10 |
Labour Appeal Court |
R 770 000.65 |
TOTAL |
R 10 214 321.51 |
Dismissal cases for the past five years
In the past five years Armscor has had an average of 5.8 dismissal cases per annum based on the following categories of misconduct. It is worth noting however that some employees resigned before their cases could be concluded and are thus not part of the below statistics. The Occupational Categories of the dismissed employees are as follows
Semi-skilled 8
Professionally Qualified 5
Unskilled 11
Skilled and Technical 2
Senior Management 1
Area |
Number of Cases |
Nature of the offence |
CCMA Outcome |
Labour Court Outcome |
Armscor Head Office ( Pretoria) |
1 |
Gross Misconduct -Theft |
No referral |
No referral |
1 |
Gross Misconduct - Attempting to solicit a bribe from a supplier |
CCMA ruled in favour of Armscor |
No Referral |
|
1 |
Poor work performance |
No referral |
No referral |
|
1 |
Misconduct -Unauthorised use of Company Property |
No referral |
No referral |
|
3 |
Gross Misconduct -Tender Irregularities |
In one matter the CCMA ruled in favour of employee. |
Armscor has applied for review and the matter at Labour Court |
|
The second matter the CCMA ruled in favour of Armscor |
No referral |
|||
Third matter CCMA ruled in favour of Armscor |
Labour Court ruled in favour of Armscor |
|||
1 |
Misconduct -Misuse of Company Vehicle |
CCMA ruled in favour of Armscor |
No Referral |
|
1 |
Gross Misconduct – Breach of Security |
CCMA ruled in favour of Armscor |
Labour Court ruled in favour of Armscor |
|
1 |
Misconduct – Loss of Security Clearance |
CCMA had no Jurisdiction |
Labour Court ruled in favour of Armscor |
|
Dockyard -Capetown |
1 |
Gross Misconduct -Fraud |
No referral |
No referral |
7 |
Misconduct – Desertion |
No referral |
No referral |
|
4 |
Theft |
No referral |
No referral |
|
1 |
Misconduct – Failure to Maintain Security Clearance due to a Criminal Record |
No referral |
No referral |
|
1 |
Constructive Dismissal |
Matter is with CCMA |
No referral |
|
Alkantpan |
4 |
Misconduct -Theft |
No referral |
No referral |
1 |
Misconduct -Misuse of Company Vehicle |
CCMA ruled in favour of employee |
Parties Reached Settlement |
|
2 |
Misconduct -Desertion |
No referral |
No referral |
|
IMT - Capetown |
1 |
Gross Misconduct –Insolence, using foul language and verbally abusing his manager |
CCMA referral was withdrawn by applicant |
No Referral |
QUESTION 3
Cases of dismissal and/or suspension that have not been concluded
There are two cases that are pending. One employee resigned in 2018 October and then proceeded to file a constructive dismissal dispute. The second matter is that of an employee who is on suspension since March 2018 and the disciplinary enquiry is scheduled for the 9 March 2018
Date when the disputes arose
The employee was placed on precautionary suspension on the 7 March 2018
The employee resigned on the 28 October 2018
Reasons that each case has not been concluded
In respect of the employee that resigned in October the case is part heard by the CCMA and the next arbitration date is the 15 May 2018. In respect of the employee who is on suspension the disciplinary enquiry is scheduled to resume on 9 May 2018.
17 May 2018 - NW1265
Boshoff, Ms SH to ask the Minister of Basic Education
What were the (a) repetition and (b) drop-out rates in (i) Grade 7, (ii) Grade 8 and (iii) Grade 9 in each (aa) province and (bb) district for each of the academic years since 1 January 2012?
Reply:
A) Percentage of learners repeating a grade by province and year
Currently, the best source of data available for estimating repetition rates is STATS SA’s General Household Survey (GHS). The most recent data is from 2016. The repetition rates per grade, year and province are shown below. Note that this is a nationally representative sample survey, and the figures presented below are therefore estimates rather than exact census type information. The sample is not designed to provide representative statistics per education district, and therefore this information is not available. For 2016, the estimated national repetition rate was 7.6% in grade 7, 11.0% in grade 8, and 11.9% in grade 9.
Province |
Grade 7 |
Grade 8 |
Grade 9 |
||||||||||||
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
|
Western Cape |
4.4 |
6.0 |
4.9 |
5.8 |
5.9 |
9.6 |
3.8 |
7.6 |
10.2 |
6.3 |
8.7 |
14.7 |
9.8 |
14.4 |
15.4 |
Eastern Cape |
7.8 |
7.9 |
8.4 |
9.5 |
7.5 |
11.9 |
11.3 |
7.6 |
13.7 |
5.8 |
10.0 |
11.2 |
14.7 |
11.1 |
4.7 |
Northern Cape |
7.7 |
10.3 |
10.0 |
21.1 |
12.8 |
8.0 |
8.6 |
10.6 |
17.2 |
12.0 |
6.5 |
13.0 |
22.3 |
18.1 |
9.2 |
Free State |
4.7 |
14.2 |
12.0 |
13.1 |
16.5 |
8.5 |
7.9 |
11.3 |
18.1 |
18.4 |
13.9 |
22.7 |
26.9 |
29.9 |
22.1 |
KwaZulu-Natal |
5.8 |
6.0 |
4.1 |
6.3 |
7.5 |
7.4 |
8.7 |
10.0 |
5.9 |
11.0 |
9.7 |
13.2 |
9.0 |
6.9 |
7.7 |
North West |
14.6 |
10.4 |
8.9 |
13.5 |
10.8 |
13.8 |
4.8 |
10.0 |
17.7 |
20.1 |
16.5 |
31.2 |
19.5 |
21.0 |
23.7 |
Gauteng |
3.5 |
4.9 |
3.1 |
3.6 |
5.0 |
8.3 |
4.4 |
9.1 |
6.5 |
8.2 |
13.9 |
8.4 |
11.4 |
8.9 |
7.9 |
Mpumalanga |
7.9 |
14.7 |
12.8 |
10.5 |
8.6 |
19.3 |
19.4 |
18.8 |
24.4 |
18.7 |
19.4 |
15.6 |
23.2 |
21.0 |
17.1 |
Limpopo |
7.7 |
7.9 |
8.8 |
7.8 |
5.9 |
8.9 |
10.2 |
7.0 |
17.2 |
11.7 |
27.4 |
24.5 |
32.9 |
24.1 |
16.6 |
South Africa |
6.5 |
7.9 |
6.8 |
7.9 |
7.6 |
10.3 |
8.6 |
9.8 |
12.3 |
11.0 |
15.0 |
16.2 |
17.3 |
14.8 |
11.9 |
Source: General Household Survey (GHS), DBE own calculation
B) Drop-out rate
Similarly, the best available estimates of drop-out rates by grade are derived using GHS data. The table below shows the drop-out rates and survival rates for 2 different age cohorts, those born during 1987-1989 (and surveyed between 2011-2013) and those born during 1990-1992 (and surveyed between 2014-2016). These two cohorts provide a justifiable comparison across time, because the individuals would have been the same age when surveyed (between 22 and 26 years old). The specific cohorts were chosen, because individuals aged 22 – 26 years old would have been old enough to have completed school at the time when the GHS data was collected, and we will therefore be able to gauge what percentage of them finished their schooling at which grades. The survival rates in the table show the percentage of individuals who reached each grade. The rate was then converted to show the number of individuals, out of a 1000 individuals who reached each grade. It was then also possible to calculate the percentage of all individuals reaching particular grades who then drop out before attaining the next grade.
Note that for several years the data has been combined for this analysis in order to ensure that there are sufficient sample sizes in each of the cells. It is also important to note that whilst this method provides the most reliable estimates of drop-out rates by grade, it does not reflect the drop-out that happened in a particular year – the data may have been collected from 22-26 year-olds between 2014-2016 but those youths may have dropped out of school in an earlier year.
Interpretation focusing on 2014-2016:
An estimated 0.7% of these youths in 2014-2016 reported to have not even completed Grade 1. Grade 12: 51.5% of this cohort attained Grade 12. It was also calculated that 26% of those with Grade 11 (NB: not of all youths) dropped-out before attaining Grade 12. Similarly, the drop-out rates for grade 7, 8 and 9 were 3.1%, 4.6% and 9.5% respectively.
Drop-out rates for each grade are also reported by province using the same methodology in the tables below, for both the 2011-2013 combined period and the 2014-2016 combined period. It is worth noting that in general the survival rates improved in the more recent period.
Survival rates and drop-out rates, associated with each grade
|
2011-2013 |
2014-2016 |
||||
|
Survival Rate |
Survival per 1000 |
Percentage dropping out with this Grade attained |
Survival Rate |
Survival per 1000 |
Percentage dropping out with this Grade attained |
Total cohort |
100% |
|
|
100% |
|
|
No schooling |
|
1000 |
0.7% |
|
1000 |
0.7% |
Grade 1 |
99.3% |
993 |
0.4% |
99.3% |
993 |
0.1% |
Grade 2 |
98.9% |
989 |
0.5% |
99.1% |
991 |
0.2% |
Grade 3 |
98.4% |
984 |
0.4% |
98.9% |
989 |
0.5% |
Grade 4 |
98.0% |
980 |
0.7% |
98.4% |
984 |
0.5% |
Grade 5 |
97.3% |
973 |
1.0% |
97.9% |
979 |
0.8% |
Grade 6 |
96.3% |
963 |
1.5% |
97.1% |
971 |
1.5% |
Grade 7 |
94.9% |
949 |
3.1% |
95.7% |
957 |
3.1% |
Grade 8 |
92.0% |
920 |
5.2% |
92.7% |
927 |
4.6% |
Grade 9 |
87.2% |
872 |
9.0% |
88.5% |
885 |
9.5% |
Grade 10 |
79.4% |
794 |
17.1% |
80.0% |
800 |
15.5% |
Grade 11 |
65.8% |
658 |
26.0% |
67.6% |
676 |
23.8% |
Grade 12 |
48.6% |
486 |
51.5% |
515 |
Data Source: General Household Survey, DBE own calculation
Drop-out rates, associated with each grade by province 2014-2016
Grade |
No schooling |
Grade 1 |
Grade 2 |
Grade 3 |
Grade 4 |
Grade 5 |
Grade 6 |
Grade 7 |
Grade 8 |
Grade 9 |
Grade 10 |
Grade 11 |
Western Cape |
1.0% |
0.1% |
0.2% |
0.4% |
0.3% |
0.3% |
0.8% |
3.1% |
4.7% |
9.9% |
16.9% |
22.3% |
Eastern Cape |
0.9% |
0.2% |
0.4% |
1.3% |
1.1% |
1.9% |
3.0% |
5.0% |
6.9% |
13.7% |
23.8% |
35.0% |
Northern Cape |
1.8% |
0.4% |
0.0% |
0.4% |
0.5% |
1.1% |
2.3% |
4.0% |
8.8% |
14.0% |
19.3% |
23.0% |
Free State |
0.9% |
0.1% |
0.1% |
0.1% |
0.4% |
0.8% |
1.8% |
3.4% |
5.2% |
12.5% |
17.1% |
21.5% |
Kwazulu-Natal |
0.7% |
0.3% |
0.4% |
0.5% |
0.6% |
0.8% |
0.8% |
2.5% |
4.1% |
7.8% |
13.3% |
25.3% |
North West |
1.4% |
0.2% |
0.5% |
0.3% |
0.7% |
0.9% |
2.1% |
2.5% |
6.3% |
14.5% |
20.2% |
22.6% |
Gauteng |
0.4% |
0.0% |
0.2% |
0.2% |
0.3% |
0.2% |
0.8% |
2.0% |
2.6% |
5.0% |
10.4% |
17.6% |
Mpumalanga |
0.5% |
0.0% |
0.0% |
0.3% |
0.5% |
1.5% |
1.6% |
3.7% |
2.9% |
8.1% |
16.6% |
28.7% |
Limpopo |
0.6% |
0.1% |
0.2% |
0.7% |
0.6% |
0.8% |
2.5% |
4.3% |
7.3% |
15.6% |
19.3% |
28.4% |
Data Source: General Household Survey, DBE own calculation
Note: data for 2014-2016 pooled together to overcome small sample errors
INTERPRETATION: This means that 28.4% of 22-26 year-olds in Limpopo who completed Grade 11 dropped-out before attaining Grade 12.
Drop-out rates, associated with each grade by province 2011-2013
Grade |
No schooling |
Grade 1 |
Grade 2 |
Grade 3 |
Grade 4 |
Grade 5 |
Grade 6 |
Grade 7 |
Grade 8 |
Grade 9 |
Grade 10 |
Grade 11 |
Western Cape |
0.4% |
0.3% |
0.3% |
0.1% |
0.2% |
0.5% |
0.8% |
2.7% |
5.5% |
11.1% |
21.1% |
23.1% |
Eastern Cape |
0.7% |
0.4% |
0.8% |
1.3% |
1.2% |
2.3% |
3.6% |
5.2% |
10.0% |
13.3% |
23.5% |
40.6% |
Northern Cape |
1.5% |
0.1% |
0.1% |
0.6% |
1.9% |
0.8% |
1.4% |
4.6% |
10.3% |
14.1% |
20.7% |
19.4% |
Free State |
0.3% |
0.4% |
0.2% |
0.2% |
1.0% |
0.4% |
1.9% |
2.8% |
4.9% |
12.7% |
19.1% |
20.3% |
Kwazulu-Natal |
0.5% |
0.6% |
0.6% |
0.7% |
0.8% |
0.9% |
1.1% |
2.4% |
4.0% |
7.5% |
15.2% |
23.2% |
North West |
1.8% |
0.7% |
0.4% |
0.5% |
0.8% |
1.9% |
2.3% |
5.4% |
6.1% |
10.1% |
19.2% |
27.3% |
Gauteng |
0.6% |
0.3% |
0.4% |
0.1% |
0.4% |
0.4% |
0.8% |
1.7% |
2.8% |
4.8% |
12.0% |
22.2% |
Mpumalanga |
1.2% |
0.1% |
0.6% |
0.2% |
0.9% |
1.2% |
1.4% |
2.9% |
6.5% |
8.9% |
16.3% |
29.4% |
Limpopo |
1.1% |
0.5% |
0.4% |
0.4% |
0.4% |
1.3% |
1.3% |
4.3% |
5.2% |
12.6% |
22.5% |
33.4% |
Data Source: General Household Survey, DBE own calculation
Note: data for 2011-2013 pooled together to overcome small sample errors
17 May 2018 - NW1193
Ollis, Mr IM to ask the Minister of Basic Education
What number of cases of assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm by (a) learners on educators and support staff, (b) educators and support staff on learners, (c) educators on educators, (d) support staff on support staff, (e) support staff on educators and (f) educators on support staff have been reported in each (i) district and (ii) province (aa) in the past three academic years and (bb) since 1 January 2018?
Reply:
The Department of Basic Education (DBE) does not collect or collate this information. The Honourable member is requested to direct the question to the relevant province as such may be in their possession.
17 May 2018 - NW1241
Marais, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
(1)Whether, with reference to her reply to question 665 on 13 April 2018, she has found that the old structure used by Armscor to respond to the demands of her department was insufficient; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) (a) will she provide a (i) detailed comparison between the old and the new structure, (ii) list of the demands and indicate if the demands are new or additional demands and (iii) detailed list of the new demands and (b) how will the new demands benefit Armscor and her department; (3) with reference to each general manager and chief executive officer (CEO) in the new structure, what (a) additional responsibilities were added to the job description of each, (b) were the percentage increases, (c) are the details of the previous total cost-to-company and current total cost-to-company remuneration packages paid to each and (d) were the last performance bonuses paid to each general manager and the CEO?
Reply:
665 Response: Armscor implemented an efficient structure in order to respond to the objective of the Armscor Act, respond to the demands of the Department of Defence, to be cost-effective and to achieve its Turnaround Strategy. A benchmarking study with similar organisations and state owned enterprises such as Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (NECSA) was undertaken.
The restructuring of the executive management took into consideration the delegation and accountability by streamlining and strengthening the executive decision-making to create fewer executive committee members with broader spans of control. Price Waterhouse Coopers (PWC) benchmarked the recommended remuneration and approval by the Board of Directors was obtained. No budgets were increased to fund new salaries and market benchmarks placed the salaries at the lower pay scale quartile which is below midpoint for executive management.
New Response: The old structure had limited capacity to respond to the demands of the DOD as well as the new business endeavours for revenue generation as per the Turnaround Strategy whilst providing effective and efficient service to the DOD.
QUESTION 2
Will she provide a (i) detailed comparison between the old and the new structure, (ii) list of the demands and indicate if the demands are new or additional demands and (iii) detailed list of the new demands and (b) how will the new demands benefit Armscor and her department;
RESPONSE
Figure 1: Old Structure
Figure 2: New Structure
The new structure provides for a wider span of control, leaner executive body to drive quick decision-making across the organisation, broader scope of services and devolution of authority. This has assisted in removing fragmentation and duplication of activities across the organisation. This has resulted in clear reporting lines and clear single person accountability thus expediting operational execution. This allows for a more focused organisation in delivering to its demands of the DOD and its new commercial imperatives. The new commercial imperatives relate to the strategic objectives of the Turnaround which are revenue generation, cost savings, efficient and efficient delivery and stakeholder engagement.
QUESTION 3
With reference to each general manager and chief executive officer (CEO) in the new structure, what (a) additional responsibilities were added to the job description of each, (b) were the percentage increases, (c) are the details of the previous total cost-to-company and current total cost-to-company remuneration packages paid to each and (d) were the last performance bonuses paid to each general manager and the CEO?
RESPONSE
The new structure entailed more responsibilities per Group Executive, combination of similar functions and centralising of the Supply Chain Management with the Acquisition function in order to ensure strategic sourcing and smart buying. The new executives who received promotions were benchmarked against the market and capped at 37.5th percentile of the market which is the lower quartile. Given the fact that the Board took a decision not to extend normal annual increase inflationary adjustment to all the GE’s who were promoted as a result of the restructuring, the real increase for the GE level amounted to 13% (factoring 0% annual increase). All new executives’ performance bonuses were capped at maximum of 8% for the last financial year. This equates to an extra months’ salary.
17 May 2018 - NW1045
Marais, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
(1)What was the total (a) amount spent by Armscor on legal costs in the past five financial years, (b) amount of (i) external legal costs and (ii) human resource related cases such as unfair dismissals and (c) number of cases that Armscor (i) won, (ii) was the default victor due to staff members not being able to fund the cases against Armscor; (2) (a) what is the name of each procured item that is still with the service provider and/or subcontractor and (b) what is the total rand value of each procured item for the past three years; (3) whether Armscor can account for each rand spent (a) from the Special Defence Account and (b) on the assets procured in the past 3 financial years; (4) whether all unaccounted assets plus their value have been reported to the Auditor-General (AG) and included in the Annual Financial Statement and AG reports?
Reply:
During the past five years Armscor was involved in the following litigation:
a) Beverly Securities v Armscor
The total amount in respect of legal costs from 1 April 2013 is R9 305 677 which represents the costs of external legal representatives, Gildenhuys Malatji in South Africa and Rui Pena & Arnaut in Portugal, including Counsel’s fees in South Africa and Portugal.
b) Quaker Peace Centre v The Government of the Republic of South Africa and Armscor
The total amount in respect of legal costs is R775 253 which represents the costs of external legal representatives, Maluleke, Seriti, Makume, Matlala Inc., including Counsel’s fees.
c) Steradian v Armscor
The total amount in respect of legal costs is R210 023 which represents the costs of external legal representatives Maluleke, Seriti, Makume, Matlala Inc, including Counsel’s fees.
d) New Generation Arms Management (PTY) Ltd v Armscor
The total amount in respect of legal costs is R69 431 which represents the cost of external legal representatives Gildenhuys Malatji Attorneys
e) MP Ngoasheng v Armscor
No legal costs have been invoiced up to date by the external legal representatives, Maenetja Attorneys.
f) Van Tonder v Armscor
The total amount in respect of legal cost is R1 228 380 which represents the cost of external legal representatives Mamabolo Phajane Attorneys, including Counsel’s’ fees.
QUESTION 2
What is the name of each procured item that is still with the service provider and/or subcontractor and (b) what is the total rand value of each procured item for the past three years;
RESPONSE
There are no items that are still with the service provider. All procured items are paid for upon receipt.
QUESTION 3
Whether Armscor can account for each rand spent (a) from the Special Defence Account (SDA) and (b) on the assets procured in the past 3 financial years;
RESPONSE
Armscor can account for all payments made in relation to the SDA.
QUESTION 4
Whether all unaccounted assets plus their value have been reported to the Auditor-General (AG) and included in the Annual Financial Statement and AG reports?
RESPONSE
All payments made in relation to the SDA are sent to Department of Defence for inclusion in the Annual Financial Statements and submitted to the AG annually.
17 May 2018 - NW1102
Paulsen, Mr N M to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
What (a) number of consulting firms or companies are currently contracted by (i) his department and (ii) the entities reporting to him and (b)(i) is the name of each consultant, (ii) are the relevant details of the service provided in each case and (iii) is the (aa) start date, (bb) time period, (cc) monetary value in Rands of each contract and (dd) name and position of each individual who signed off on each contract?
Reply:
DAFF
(a)(i) One
(ii) None
(b)(i) Enterprises University of Pretoria
(ii) Technical support in the preparing of SA Biennial Reporting on the 2014 commitment of Malabo Declaration on Agriculture, Growth and Transformation in Africa
(iii)(aa) 4 August 2017
(bb) No contract period applicable (once off payment)
(cc) R481 470,86
(dd) Director: Africa Relations
OBP
OBP does not have consultants on its books.
ARC
No consultants contracted to the ARC
NAMC
1. PRAXIS Computing:
1 November 2016 – 31 October 2019
Ongoing and pro-active maintenance of existing systems and network infrastructure, which includes full time onsite network support, as well as limited senior technical specialist support.
R 59 400 per month (excl VAT). (All Praxis rates and prices, may increase on the anniversary in accordance with the percentage annual increase in the Consumer Price Index, as published during the preceding month by Statistics SA.)
Signed by T. R Ramabulana: CEO
2. Finware Enterprise Services:
1 May 2017 – 30 April 2018.
Provide Pastel Support and the disbursement will be made upon the submission of invoice for services rendered at the rate of R 550.00 per hour.
Signed by Z. Xalisa: CEO
3. Nexia SAB&T:
31 March 2016 – 1 April 2018.
Internal Audit Services. Budget of R 360 000.
Signed by: T.R Ramabulana: CEO
PPECB
Consultant Name b(i) |
Service Provided b(ii) |
Start Date b(iii)(a) |
End Date |
Time Period b(iii)(b) |
Cost b(iii)(c) |
Name & Position Signed off b(iii)(d) |
GABRIELE GESS |
Legal |
01 Sep 2017 |
31 Aug 2018 |
12 months |
R240,000 |
Lucien Jansen (CEO) |
GARTNER |
Enterprise Resource Planning System |
01 Oct 2017 |
30 Sep 2018 |
12 months |
R726 900 |
Yanesh Ramiah (CIO) |
MSI SOLUTIONS (PTY) LTD |
Recruitment |
23 Jun 2016 |
n/a |
Month notice |
12% Fee on all placements |
Pinki Luwaca (HR Executive) |
SIMEKA CONSULTANTS & ACTUARIES (PTY) LTD |
Umbrella and Pension Fund |
01 Apr 2013 |
31 Dec 2018 |
12 months, annually renewable |
0.20% of pensionable remuneration per annum |
Pinki Luwaca (HR Executive) |
INFRACON CONSULTING (PTY) LTD |
Construction Building renovations and additional parking |
22 May 2017 |
Until completion of the project Estimate period 6 months |
R281 520 |
Lucien Jansen (CEO) |
|
LEROY WASSERFALL ARCHITECTS CC |
Architect Building renovations and additional parking |
18 Jan 2017 |
Until completion of the project |
Until completion of the project. Estimate period 6 months |
R110 944 |
Lucien Jansen (CEO) |
CLIFFE DEKKER & HOFMYER |
Legal |
26 Aug 2016 |
25 Aug 2018 |
24 months |
Hourly Rates |
Lucien Jansen (CEO) |
SAB&T |
BBBEE Advisory services |
01 Dec 2017 |
30 Nov 2018 |
12 months |
Hourly Rates |
Pinki Luwaca (HR Executive) |
MLRF
Name of each consultant |
Details of the service provided |
Start Date |
Time period |
Signature |
Amount Paid |
B Xulu and Partners |
Legal Fees for Frap, Wiljaro and Bengis |
27 January 2017 |
31 March 2018 |
They were appointed by Minister |
R 23,264,302.45 (see attached breakdown) |
Thulani Joseph Sithole |
Legal Fees For Frap Appeals |
30 January 2017 |
31 March 2018 |
They were appointed by Minister |
R 1,769,592.00 |
George Mukundi Wachira |
Legal Fees for Frap Appeals |
30 January 2017 |
31 March 2018 |
They were appointed by Minister |
R 1,922,744.00 |
ADV PM Matshulana |
Legal Fees For Frap Appeals |
30 January 2017 |
31 March 2018 |
They were appointed by Minister |
R 1,888,626.60 |
Emang Basadi Legal & Forensic Services |
TO PROVIDE STRATEGIC, LEGAL AND LITIGATION ADVISORY SERVICES TO DAFF |
27 January 2017 |
31 March 2018 |
They were appointed by DG |
R 9,432,539.23 |
The Ifirm Trading and Projects |
Investigation into Wiljaro and SA Fence and Gate |
28 June 2017 |
31 July 2018 |
They were appointed by DDG |
R 498,076.00 |
Nondzaba Consulting |
SERVICES OF A SUITABLE SERVICE PROVIDER TO CONDUCT A COMPLETE MONITORING AND EVALUATION ON THE WORKING FOR FISHERIES PROGRAMME OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES; BRANCH: FISHERIES MANAGEMENT |
31 May 2017 |
31 March 2018 |
Deputy Director General: Fisheries |
R 462,674.00 |
Ameen Amod |
Audit Comittee Member |
01 August 2017 |
31 July 2020 |
Deputy Director General: Fisheries |
R 459,859.00 |
Suleman Badat |
Audit Comittee Member |
01 November 2017 |
01 November 2020 |
Deputy Director General: Fisheries |
R 48,755.00 |
Ntombentsha Lillian Mnconywa |
Audit Comittee Member |
19 July 2015 |
19 July 2018 |
Deputy Director General: Fisheries |
R 435,113.80 |
Lahlang Shirley Somo |
Audit Comittee Member |
19 July 2015 |
19 July 2018 |
Deputy Director General: Fisheries |
R 417,376.42 |
Mmathebe Annah Faith Moja |
Audit Comittee Member |
19 July 2015 |
19 July 2018 |
Deputy Director General: Fisheries |
R 670,357.29 |
Maguga Attorneys INC |
Legal Fees For Frap Appeals |
26 January 2018 |
31 March 2018 |
Deputy Director General: Fisheries |
R 410,400.00 |
MONTH |
BXI FEES |
SERVICE PROVIDER DISBURSEMENTS |
PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND SECRETARIAT FEES |
TRAVEL AND ACCOMODATION |
VAT |
AMOUNT BILLED TO DAFF |
Jun-17 |
R 2 037 423.51 |
R 631 796.96 |
R 305 613.53 |
R 89 302.50 |
R 328 025.18 |
R 3 392 161.68 |
Jul-17 |
R 1 265 308.80 |
R 1 622 839.95 |
R 189 796.32 |
R 224 776.88 |
R 203 714.72 |
R 3 506 436.66 |
Aug-17 |
R 387 061.40 |
R 1 665 584.81 |
R 58 059.21 |
|
R 62 316.89 |
R 2 173 022.31 |
Sep-17 |
R 746 119.33 |
R 884 347.31 |
R 111 917.90 |
R 176 247.23 |
R 120 125.21 |
R 2 038 756.99 |
Oct-17 |
R 513 660.85 |
R 1 266 714.70 |
R 77 049.13 |
R 191 670.53 |
R 82 699.40 |
R 2 131 794.61 |
Nov-17 |
R 155 866.66 |
R 858 314.50 |
R 23 380.00 |
|
R 25 094.53 |
R 1 062 655.68 |
Dec-17 |
R 325 350.70 |
R 175 026.08 |
R 48 802.61 |
|
R 52 381.46 |
R 601 560.85 |
Jan-18 |
R 1 046 214.26 |
R 213 577.46 |
R 156 932.14 |
|
R 168 440.50 |
R 1 585 164.36 |
Feb-18 |
R 563 025.50 |
R 857 709.65 |
R 84 453.83 |
R 176 247.23 |
R 90 647.11 |
R 1 772 083.31 |
Mar-18 |
R 805 540.32 |
R 862 508.26 |
R 120 831.05 |
R 97 165.28 |
R 264 046.35 |
R 1 886 044.91 |
Total |
R 7 845 571.34 |
R 9 038 419.68 |
R 1 176 835.70 |
R 955 409.65 |
R 1 397 491.34 |
R 20 149 681.36 |
17 May 2018 - NW1242
Marais, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
With reference to her reply to question 666 on 13 April 2018, (a) what was a certain person’s (name and details furnished) (i) relationship and (ii) involvement with FeverTree Consulting before joining Armscor, (b) what were the amounts budgeted for the turnaround of Armscor, (c) what amounts have been spent on the turnaround as at the latest specified date for which information is available, specifically in favour of FeverTree Consulting, and (d) what are the details of (i) all the achievements and (ii) savings listed against the contractual milestones to date?
Reply:
a) (i) The status of Mr. Ramaphosa’s association with FeverTree Consulting (Pty) Ltd is as follows:
b) At the time of the appointment of FeverTree Consulting by Armscor, Mr Ramaphosa had resigned on 25 June 2012 from FeverTree Consulting and had no interest in the company and was not in any way associated with the company by any direct or indirect means.
c) What were the amounts budgeted for the turnaround of Armscor, (c) what amounts have been spent on the turnaround as at the latest specified date for which information is available, specifically in favour of FeverTree Consulting,
The total value budgeted for the Armscor Turnaround was R 56 283 616.00. The total amount paid to Fevertree Consulting by 30 April 2017 (end of Phase 1) amounts to R55 420 538.21. To date an additional R2 886 657.74 has been paid to Fevertree as part of Phase 2 of the turnaround implementation.
Payments made were against contracted deliverables and divided according to work streams. Six work streams were established with a total of 213 deliverables listed as follows:
Work streams |
No Deliverables |
Amount Paid |
1. Designing a new vision for the future |
23 |
R10 226 630.40 |
2. Developing New Revenue Driven Strategies |
42 |
R 9 695 641.71 |
3. Enhancing and Improving Core Functions |
28 |
R 5 861 433.40 |
4. Communication and Change Management |
40 |
R 5 318 500.78 |
5. A New Governance Model for Armscor |
45 |
R10 949 337.69 |
6. Driving Greater Efficiencies |
35 |
R13 230 201.60 |
Total |
213 |
R55 281 755.58 |
The contracting model adopted in phase 2, allows Armscor to approach various service providers by tender process, for support during the implementation using an approved panel of service providers. To date an additional R2 886 657.74 was paid to Fevertree Consulting, for 14 deliverables, as part of Phase 2 of the Armscor turnaround implementation, for the following projects:
Project No |
No of Deliverables |
|
Project 001 - Strategic Planning Implementation |
9 |
R2 402 192.64 |
Project 008 - Dockyard Sustainability Plan |
5 |
R 484 465.10 |
Total |
14 |
R2 886 657.74 |
QUESTION 3
And (d) what are the details of (i) all the achievements and (ii) savings listed against the contractual milestones to date?
RESPONSE
Phase 1 of the Armscor Turnaround focused on an As-Is assessment and the creation of plans to bridge the gap between the current and desired end state.
(i) This table lists the key achievements of Phase 1:
Drive Revenue by Leveraging Core Strengths |
|
Commercialisation of technologies & patents |
|
Championing Innovation (Business Development) |
|
Acquisition and SCM |
|
Technology Management and Administration |
|
Sweating Special Assets |
|
Defence SOE Collaboration |
|
The above mentioned frameworks and plans are the basis of the implementation Phase 2.
(ii) A total of R88,17m worth of savings were identified to be realised within a period of 12 months after the project. An amount of R 61,7m was accepted as potential savings for the organisation to pursue and implement. To date R23,45m of the accepted savings has been realised. Various Opex savings have been implemented and their consolidated gains will be quantified at the end of the FY 18/19.
17 May 2018 - NW881
Chance, Mr R to ask the Minister of Human Settlements
What (a)(i) is the purpose of the Community Schemes Ombud Service and (ii) services does it offer (b)(i) is the funding mechanism of the Ombud and (ii) was the total income and expenditure of the Ombud over the past three financial years, (c) was the performance of the Ombud over the past three financial years in terms of cases (i) heard and (ii) resolved, (d) was the original set up cost of the Ombud, (e) was its staffing structure, (f) is/are the location/s of its offices and (g) is the way in which the Ombud deliver services?
Reply:
(a) (i) What is the purpose of the Community Schemes Ombud Service?
The Community Schemes Ombud Service Act under which the Community Services Ombud Service has been established regulates the community schemes industry, to provide alternative dispute resolution mechanisms and management of all community scheme documentation.
(ii) What service does it offer?
The functions of CSOS include inter alia the following;
• Develop and provide a dispute resolution service in terms of this Act;
• Provide training for conciliators, adjudicators and other employees of the CSOS;
• Regulate, monitor and control the quality of all sectional titles scheme governance documentation and such other scheme governance documentation; as may be determined by the Minister by notice in the Gazette; and
• Take custody of, preserve and provide public access electronically or by other means to sectional title scheme governance documentation and such other scheme governance documents as may be determined by the Minister by notice in the Gazette.
In performing its functions the CSOS has an obligation to: -
• Promote good governance of community schemes;
• Provide education, information, documentation and such services as may be required to raise awareness to owners, occupiers, executive committees and other persons or entities who have rights and obligations in community schemes, as regards those rights and obligations;
(b) (i) What is the funding mechanism of the Ombud?
In terms of Section 22(1) of the CSOS Act, the Community Schemes Ombud Service derives its revenue sources from:
• Money appropriated by Parliament;
• Levies collected from community schemes with the approval of the Minister;
• Fees for services rendered based on cost recovery;
• Interest derived from investments of the Service;
• Donations or contributions received by the Service with the approval of the Minister; and
• Subsidies and grants from organs of state.
(ii) What was the total income and expenditure of the Ombud over the past three financial years,
(ii) Based on information provided by the Community Schemes Ombud Service the following is the income and expenditure of the CSOS for the following periods:
Find here: Income and expenditure of the CSOS
17 May 2018 - NW1489
Ollis, Mr IM to ask the Minister of Trade and Industry
(1)Whether, with reference to the reply of the President, Mr C M Ramaphosa, to the debate on the State of the Nation Address on 22 February 2018 to implement lifestyle audits, (a) he, (b) senior management service members in his department and/or (c) any of the heads of entities reporting to him have undergone a lifestyle audit in the past three financial years; if not, have any plans been put in place to perform such audits; if so, in each case, what are the details of the (i) date of the lifestyle audit, (ii) name of the person undergoing the audit, (iii) name of the auditing firm conducting the audit and (iv) outcome of the audit; (2) whether he will furnish Mr I M Ollis with copies of the lifestyle audit reports?
Reply:
Neither the department nor its Entities have conducted lifestyle audits. The department and its entities will implement any directive in this regard that’s developed for the public service.
17 May 2018 - NW1304
Dlamini, Mr MM to ask the Minister of Energy
With reference to the reply to question 573 on 9 April 2018, (a) when will the villages of (i) Khwenxura, (ii) Kalalo, (iii) Lower Tyholo, (iv) Upper Tyholo and (v) Thamsanqa, in the Eastern Cape in Ward 21 of Mqanduli, receive electricity that is not in the form of solar energy, (b) was any budget allocated for electricity supply to the aforementioned villages, (c) what was the total amount of the budget, (d) what number of households (i) have been connected with electricity that is not solar powered in the villages and (ii) still need to be connected to electricity that is not solar powered and (e) by what date?
Reply:
Ward 21 of Mqanduli is under the Eskom license area. Khwenxura and Kalalo villages are planned to be electrified by the King Sabata Dalindyebo (KSD) municipality under Schedule 5b and on the MTEF. The Lower Tyholo, Upper Tyholo and Thamsanqa are planned to be electrified by Eskom.
In line with municipal Integrated Development Plan (IDP), KSD municipality like all other municipalities, plan and priorities electrification for all villages under their areas. This includes the areas under Eskom license.
KSD Municipality is allocated over R122 million to prioritise the electrification projects as per their IDP.
The villages are tentatively planned by the KSD municipality to receive electricity that is not in the form of solar energy by financial year 2021, based on the 3 year Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF).
17 May 2018 - NW934
Malatsi, Mr MS to ask the Minister of Human Settlements
What number of contracts have been terminated by the (a) North West department of human settlements and (b) Free State department of human settlements during the 2017-18 financial year, including the (i) names of the companies, {ii) rand value of the contract, (iii) duration of the contract, (iv) number of houses each respective contractor was contracted to build, (v) the exact day and month when the contract was terminated, (vi) the number of houses that have been delivered by each respective contractor as at the date the contract was terminated and (vii) the exact reasons for the termination of each contract? NW1014E
Reply:
(a) The North West Department of Human Settlements has advised that no contracts were terminated during the 2017-18 financial year. (i) - (vii) Not applicable.
(b) The Free State Department of Human Settlements reported that it terminated two contracts for the 2017-18 financial year. The reasons provided for the termination by the Free State Department of Human Settlements is due to a contractual dispute. The further details as requested can be obtained from the Free State Department of Human Settlements subject to the provisions of the Promotion of Access To Information Act.
17 May 2018 - NW1315
Alberts, Mr ADW to ask the Minister of Basic Education
(1)With reference to her reply to question 3602 on 1 December 2017, what is the total number of (a)(i) school districts and (ii) schools in Gauteng and (b) learners that can be accommodated in each specified school; (2) in respect of each school district, (a) what is the total number of schools that is in use, not in use and/or partially in use, (b) what is the total number of new schools that is required and being planned and (c) by what date will the new schools be completed; (3) in respect of each school district, (a) what is the name of each specified school and (b) for what reason has Afrikaans single-medium, dual-medium and parallel-medium schools been identified by her department to accept non-Afrikaans speaking learners; (4) whether she is still unable to provide the requested information; if so, (a) why and (b) by what date will she provide the requested information
Reply:
The Department of Basic Education (DBE) does not collect or collate this information. The Honourable member is requested to direct the question to the relevant province as such may be in their possession.
17 May 2018 - NW1190
Boshoff, Ms SH to ask the Minister of Basic Education
(1)What number of (a) primary and (b) secondary schools have been identified as hotspot schools in each province and district (i) in each of the past three academic years and (ii) since 1 January 2018; (2) what number of cases of (a) verbal and (b) physical abuse committed by learners on (i) educators and (ii) support staff have been reported in each district in each province in each of the specified academic years; (3) what number of (a) educators and (b) support staff resigned due to abuse committed by learners in each district in each province in each of the specified academic years?
Reply:
The Department of Basic Education does not collect these data. The honourable member is advised to direct the question to the province.
17 May 2018 - NW1011
Mbete, Ms B to ask the Minister of Basic Education
What (a) number of (i) primary and (ii) high schools in each province do not have proper security measures and (b) amount in funding is required to install proper security measures at the specified schools?
Reply:
The Department of Basic Education does not collect these data. The honourable member is advised to direct the question to the province.
17 May 2018 - NW1194
Ollis, Mr IM to ask the Minister of Basic Education
What number of cases of (a) possession of dangerous weapons, (b)(i) trafficking in and (ii) possession of illegal substances on school premises and (c) the violation of the school’s disciplinary code by (i) educators, (ii) support staff and (iii) learners have been reported (aa) in each of the past three academic years and (bb) since 1 January 2018?
Reply:
The Department of Basic Education does not collect these data. The honourable member is advised to direct the question to the province.
16 May 2018 - NW933
Maynier, Mr D to ask the Mr D J Maynier (DA) to ask the Minister of Finance
With regard to the funds allocated for the purpose of fee-free higher education and training for students from households with income less than R350 000, (a) is the additional R57 billion allocated funding sufficient, (b) what are the assumptions used for costing free-fee higher education and (c) what is the breakdown of (i) what was used as the intake rate/enrolment rate, (ii) the time assumed for completing a qualification, (iii) cost per student and (iv) of the cost per student per (aa) university student and (bb) technical and vocational education and training college students for each financial year during the period 2018-19 up to 2020-21?
Reply:
a) The additional R57 billion allocated to the post-school education and training sector in the 2018 Budget was not only for the phasing of fee-free higher education and training for students from households with an income of less than R350 000; the additional allocation also covers increasing subsidies to universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges. This funding requirement was calculated based on certain assumptions about, amongst others, the rising full cost of study over the years and the number of students from households with an income of less than R350 000 that enrol in public universities and TVET colleges.
The National Treasury will use the actual data collected by Department of Higher Education and Training in the 2018 academic year on university, TVET college, and National Student Financial Aid Scheme applications, to verify the assumptions used. This actual data is expected later in the year. The question of whether the additional funding allocated is sufficient can therefore only be accurately addressed once this actual data has been collated and analysed.
b) Assumptions used for costing the phasing-in of fee-free higher education and training over the next five years are the following:
▪ The estimated number of university first-time entrants in the 2018 academic year is 208 308. The number of TVET college full-time equivalent students is estimated at 338 437 in the 2018 academic year.
▪ 40 per cent of the undergraduate university population and all (100 per cent) the full-time equivalent students at TVET colleges fall within the R350 000 household income threshold.
▪ The average full cost of study at public universities is estimated at R76 000 for the 2018 academic year. The average full cost of study at public TVET colleges for the 2018 academic year is estimated at R69 000 for the National Certificate Vocational (NVC) qualification, and R66 000 for the Report 191/NATED qualification.
(c) (i) The total intake of university first-time entrants in the 2018 academic year is estimated at 08 308 students, of which the 40 per cent qualifying in their first year of study in 2018 is 83 323. The assumed annual enrolment rate for first-time entrants at universities is 3.5 per cent over the 2018 medium term expenditure framework period (2018/19 – 2020/21).
At TVET colleges, the estimated intake of qualifying full-time equivalent (FTE) students in the 2018 academic year is 338 437. The assumed annual enrolment rate for FTE students at TVET colleges is 1.9 per cent over the 2018 medium term expenditure framework period (2018/19 – 2020/21).
ii) The new students that will benefit from this new bursary scheme as from the 2018 academic year will be funded for n+1 years to complete their undergraduate qualification; meaning that a single additional year to the regulation period of a qualification will be funded. Important to note however, is that the returning National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) students in 2018 will still be funded for n+2 years, in line with their agreements for NSFAS loans and bursaries signed in previous years under the general NSFAS rules.
(iii) An average cost per student was used, pending actual data to be collected from the 2018 student cohort later in the year. The average full cost of study at public universities is estimated at R76 000 for the 2018 academic year. The average full cost of study at public TVET colleges for the 2018 academic year is estimated at R69 000 for the National Certificate Vocational (NVC) qualification, and R66 000 for the Report 191/NATED qualification.
(iv) (aa) and (bb)
The actual breakdown of the cost per student for the 2018 academic year is not yet available. Determination of the actual full cost of study per student contains a number of factors. The actual costs of tuition vary according to specific fields of study and programmes that students register for (e.g. engineering, art, medicine, history); and vary according to the specific institution attended. Actual costs for the qualifying students that will stay in private accredited accommodation versus those that receive a travel allowance will differ significantly. The prescribed learning materials also vary in line with the actual courses taken. For example, a student that enrols for a fine art qualification may require paint/brushes/canvasses, while a graphics design student may require a laptop with a specific software package. Work is underway by the Department of Higher Education and Training, universities, TVET colleges, and National Student Financial Aid Scheme, to collect and verify these actual costs.
16 May 2018 - NW1123
Lees, Mr RA to ask the Minister of Finance
(1)With reference to the reported plans of the National Treasury to unlock R180 billion of dead assets (details furnished), what are the details of the (a) process that will be followed by the National Treasury to speed up the transfer of ownership of state-subsidised homes worth R 180 billion from April 2018, (b) estimated costs associated with the process, (c) geographic areas that will be targeted and (d) other Government departments that will participate in the process; (2) whether the state-subsidised homes that are to be transferred have been (a) identified, (b) surveyed and/or (c) registered with the Deeds Office if not, in each case, what (i) are the details of the land surveyor and other resources that will be required, (ii) costs that will be incurred in each case and (iii) measures that have been put in place to ensure that the Deeds Office will be able to deal with this volume of property registrations; if so, what are the relevant details in each case?
Reply:
- There is no plan by the National Treasury (NT) to unlock R180 billion in dead assets, per se. The Budget Review (Chapter 6, pg 73) refers to a backlog of around 1 million subsidised homes, which still need to be registered for title deeds, which is estimated at around R180 billion in equity.
- However, there is a programme to ‘eradicate’ the title deeds backlog. This is led, undertaken and overseen by the national Department of Human Settlements (DHS).
- DHS approached NT to create a separate Title Deeds Restoration Grant (TRG).
- Through the 2018 Budget process, and after obtaining Cabinet approval, NT created the TRG, amounting to R518.7 million in 2018/19, R547.7 million in 2019/20 and R577.8 million in 2020/21.
- Further details on the programme elements, monitoring and evaluation, must be referred to the DHS.
16 May 2018 - NW1056
Mulder, Dr CP to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
(1)What number of South Africans emigrated (a) in the financial year (i) 2013-14, (ii) 2014-15, (iii) 2015-16, (iv) 2016-17 and (v) 2017-18 and (b) since 1 April 2018 to (i) Australia and New Zealand, (ii) the United Kingdom and Europe, (iii) the Far East and (iv) North and South America; (2) Whether he will make a statement on the matter?
Reply:
1. South African citizens that leave the borders of the Republic do not register their purpose to emigrate hence there is no formal record by the department of South Africans emigrating to above countries.
There is no provision in legislation that compel the South African citizen to do so; Furthermore there is no reason to do so as South Africa permits dual citizenship. The only instance the department keeps these records, is when South African citizens are compelled by countries not permitting dual citizenship, to renounce their citizenship, moreover the information in this regard would not necessarily provide an adequate response to the question raised.
The Honourable Member may refer this question to Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) for information of South Africans residing in these countries as some foreign missions ordinarily keep such records.
2. No.
16 May 2018 - NW1085
Mkhaliphi, Ms HO to ask the Minister of Finance
Whether he took any action on the correspondence of employees of the Internal Audit division of the Department of Defence that was directed to the National Treasury on 11 September 2017 regarding the dysfunctional internal audit division of the Department of Defence that is failing to implement the internal audit framework and guidelines; if not, why not; if so, what action has he taken?
Reply:
The Minister of Finance had not previously seen the correspondence referred to but as a result of the parliamentary question has become aware.
The Minister notes that it raises a number of issues regarding the manner in which the Internal Audit function is managed. It is also clear in the letter that the internal audit staff have correctly escalated their concerns to the Accounting Officer, Audit Committee and the Executive Authority of the Department of Defence. These are the appropriate authorities to address their concerns. It is Minister’s humble representation that the leadership of the Department of Defence should respond to this parliamentary question, considering that:
The Accounting officer of the department is responsible per s38 (1) of the PFMA to establish and maintain an effective internal audit function, and to appoint an audit committee to control and direct the internal audit function.
Notwithstanding the aforementioned, the Minister further notes that the grievances were raised in September 2016 and that the staff are understandably anxious for answers. The National Treasury will consult the leadership of the Department of Defence to determine if and how assistance can be offered to speed up the resolutions to the problems that the staff have raised.
16 May 2018 - NW938
Lees, Mr RA to ask the Minister of Finance
(1)Whether the National Treasury will speed up the transfer of ownership of homes worth R180 billion to about one million poor persons from 1 April 2018 over a period of three years (details furnished); if so, what are the details of the (a) process to be followed, (b) estimated costs of the specified process and (c) geographic areas involved; (2) have the homes that are to be transferred been (a) identified, (b) surveyed and (c) registered with the Deeds Office; if not, what (i) are the details of the land surveyor resources that will be required, (ii) are the land survey costs, (iii) are the costs of legal fees to do the deeds offices’ registrations and (iv) is the ability of the deeds office to deal with the volume of property registrations; (3) which government departments will participate in this process?
Reply:
- There is no plan by the National Treasury (NT) to speed up the transfer of ownership to 1 million households, per se. The Budget Review (Chapter 6, pg 73) refers to a backlog of around 1 million subsidised homes, which still need to be registered for title deeds, which is estimated at around R180 billion in equity.
- However, there is a programme to ‘eradicate’ the title deeds backlog. This is led, undertaken and overseen by the national Department of Human Settlements (DHS).
- DHS approached NT to create a separate Title Deeds Restoration Grant (TRG).
- Through the 2018 Budget process, and after obtaining Cabinet approval, NT created the TRG, amounting to R518.7 million in 2018/19, R547.7 million in 2019/20 and R577.8 million in 2020/21.
- Further details on the programme elements, monitoring and evaluation, must be referred to the DHS.
15 May 2018 - NW1259
Basson, Mr LJ to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
(a) What is the current status of phase 2 of the Mokolo and Crocodile Water Augmentation Project, (b) on what date will construction (i) start and (ii) be completed, (c) who will be responsible for the construction and (d) what is the estimated cost of phase 2 of the project?
Reply:
a) The project is at the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Phase. Public participation was undertaken and the Final Scoping Report was submitted to Department of Environmental Affairs in April 2018.
(b)(i) Construction is scheduled to start in January 2020.
(b)(ii) Water delivery is scheduled for January 2024. After construction, there is a Defects Notification Period of one year, and servitude rehabilitation of 2 years, and project close out is scheduled for May 2027
c) An open tender procurement process will be undertaken where the successful contractor will be responsible for construction.
The estimated cost is R 12.1 billion.
15 May 2018 - NW1257
Basson, Mr LJ to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
(a) What is the current status of the Clanwilliam Dam, (b) on what date will construction (i) start and (ii) be completed, (c) who will do the construction and (d) what is the estimated cost?
Reply:
(a) Site establishment activities for the Raising of Clanwilliam Dam project commenced in June 2014 and were completed in September 2016. Our Department has utilised its internal Construction Unit for the completion of the necessary site establishment activities. The bid for the appointment of a private sector construction contractor was issued on 26 August 2016 and closed on 9 November 2016. However, due to unavailability of funds for the construction phase of the project the tender bid could not be awarded.
(b)(i) The Minister has ordered a budget reprioritization to accommodate construction start this financial year.
(b)(ii) The Minister has instructed that construction should start within five (5) months from May 2018.
(c) The Minister does not want to speculate on completion day. The construction unit of the Department will spearhead the construction.
(d) The estimated construction cost for the Clanwilliam Dam Raising only, is R2 200 million (2016).
15 May 2018 - NW736
Matsepe, Mr CD to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
(1)Whether his department has a sexual harassment and assault policy in place; if not, (a) why not and (b) by what date will his department have such a policy in place; if so, (i) how are reports investigated and (ii) what are the details of the consequence management and sanctions stipulated by the policy; (2) (a) What is the total number of incidents of sexual harassment and assault that have been reported in his department (i) in each of the past three financial years and (ii) since 1 April 2017, (b) what number of cases were (i) opened and concluded, (ii) withdrawn and (iii) remain open based on the incidents and (c) what sanctions were issued for each person who was found to have been guilty?
Reply:
(1)(a) Yes, our Department has a Sexual Harassment Policy in place.
(1)(b) Falls away.
(a)(b)(i) The allegations are investigated by an Employee Relations Officer, who after completing the investigation, writes a report. The decision to take or not to take disciplinary action is based upon the recommendations of the investigation report.
(a)(b)(ii) Our Department implements recommended sanctions according to the Departmental Labour Relations Policy and Labour Relations Sanctioning Guidelines for the Public Service; the Policy and guidelines stipulate sanctions that include verbal and written warnings, suspension without pay and a dismissal depending on the nature and circumstances of the case.
(2)(a) Three (3) incidents were reported in the past three financial years. During the 2015/16 there were no reports; during the 2016/17 one (1) incident was reported; and, during 2017/18 two (2) incidents were reported.
(2)(b) Three (3) cases were opened; and, were all concluded. Out of the three (3) two (2) were withdrawn.
(c) In the one case that was not withdrawn, the Chairperson found the alleged perpetrator not guilty of sexual harassment.
15 May 2018 - NW1251
America, Mr D to ask the Minister of Labour
(a) What (i) are the required qualifications for the post of Deputy Director: Risk and (ii) qualifications does a certain person (name furnished) have and (b) did the specified person meet the qualifications requirement; if not, why was the person appointed?
Reply:
(a)(i) The required qualification for the Deputy Director: Risk Management is a 3 year relevant Tertiary qualification in Risk Management/Financial Management or Equivalent qualification.
(a)(ii) The specified person has equivalent qualification and the requisite functional and management experience required as specified in the advertisement
(b) The person was appointed because he met the requirements of the position as specified in the advertisement