Questions and Replies
18 April 2018 - NW505
Davis, Mr GR to ask the Minister of Energy
Whether, with reference to the reply to question 507 on 3 April 2017, the sale of South Africa’s strategic fuel stocks in December 2015 was concluded with concurrence from (a) the National Treasury, (b) the Strategic Fuel Fund and (c) the Central Energy Fund; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) on what dates was the Allen & Overy report into the specified sale (a) initiated, (b) concluded and (c) sent to the former Minister of Energy; (3) on what basis did the former Minister of Energy find the specified report defective; (4) whether any firms have been contracted to provide a new report on the specified sale; if so, (a) which firm has been contracted, (b) what are the terms of reference of the report and (c) by what date is the report expected to be completed?
Reply:
I wish to remind the Honourable Member that the matter is now before the Courts.
18 April 2018 - NW2
Madisha, Mr WM to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
(a) What was the total amount in funding that the Western Cape provincial government and its municipalities have requested from national government to mitigate the drought disaster, (b) what total amount has national government committed thereto and (c) what total amount of the funding has actually been made available?
Reply:
a) The Western Cape provincial government and municipalities requested a total amount of R138.3 million for drought intervention measures. (b) The Department of Cooperative Government (DCOG) committed an amount of R74.8 million from the Emergency Disaster Grants (c) An amount of R74.8 million was made available to the provincial government in August 2017. The details of the allocation are as follows:
(i) The Provincial Department of Agriculture was allocated R40 million for the provision and transportation of livestock feed to the affected farmers.
(ii) The allocations to municipalities for water infrastructure are as follows:
-
- City of Cape Town - R20.8 million
- Bitou Local Municipality – R10.9 million
- Theewaterskloof Local Municipality - R3.1 million.
Background Information
The allocated funds have assisted in alleviating the impact of drought situation and the province is reporting significant improvement with regard to the conditions on the ground. The department further establishes partnerships with the private sector and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) where intervention measures with significant impacts and contributions have been implemented within the province. The City of Cape Town has been able to avert chronic water scarcity situation, other municipalities such as Hessequa and George have moved from a red status to a green status in terms of drought and water shortages. The improvements are due to amongst other factors, the intervention measures by government, private sector and NGO’s, stringent water use and management measures as well as the rains received in some parts of the province.
Notable is that the focus for the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (DCOGTA) is on Disaster Risk Reduction measures, particularly on anticipating future disaster risks, reducing existing exposure, hazard or vulnerability as well as improving resilience within the communities in line with the Disaster Management Act (Act 57 of 2002). In this case, the department is working closely with the relevant government departments and organs of state such as the South African Weather Service (SAWS), Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) as well as the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) for the predictions of future risks and dissemination of warnings and advisories to enable informed decision making and resilience within provinces and communities.
The department has appropriate institutional arrangements within the country for continuous engagements to enable inputs and feedback from the relevant stakeholders across the spheres of government for the enhancement of government programmes in line with the Batho Pele Principles.
18 April 2018 - NW5
Lekota, Mr M to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
In view of the application from the Western Cape provincial government in November 2015 for the province to be declared a drought disaster area, (a) what has he found to have been the rationale behind and reasons provided for the initial refusal of the specified application and (b)(i) why was the Cape Town Metro excluded from the five municipal areas subsequently approved for drought disaster status in January 2016 and (ii) has he found this to be the correct decision? NW6E
Reply:
In terms of section 41(1) of the Disaster Management Act, 2002 (Act No 57 of 2002) (the DM Act), the responsibility for the declaration of a provincial state of disaster lies with the Premier of a province, after consultation with the other Members of the Executive Council (MECs). In light of the above, it is important to indicate that the Minister of Cooperative Governance does not have the responsibility to consider applications for disaster declarations. Accordingly, no application for the declaration of a provincial state of disaster was submitted by the Western Cape Provincial Government to the Ministry of Cooperative Governance and as such, the Minister did not refuse the application from the Western Cape provincial government in November 2015.
(a) Not Applicable.
(b)(i) According to records at the disposal of my department, the Department of Cooperative Governance records, the City of Cape Town was not included in the drought report submitted by the Western Cape province for November 2015 to be considered in the classification process in terms of section 23 of the DM Act.
(b)(ii) Not applicable.
Background Information
Notable is that the focus for the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs is on Disaster Risk Reduction measures regardless of whether disaster declarations in provinces and municipalities are in place or not. The department coordinates Disaster Risk Reduction measures, particularly on anticipating future disaster risk, reducing existing exposure, hazard or vulnerability as well as improving resilience within the communities in line with the Disaster Management Act (Act 57 of 2002). In this case, the department is working closely with the relevant government departments and organs of state such as the South African weather Service (SAWS), Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) as well as the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) for the prediction of future risks and dissemination of early warnings and advisories to enable informed decision making and resilience within provinces and communities.
The department has appropriate institutional arrangements within the country for continuous engagements to enable inputs and feedback from the relevant stakeholders across the spheres of government for the enhancement of government programmes in line with the Batho Pele Principles.
18 April 2018 - NW892
Davis, Mr GR to ask the Minister of Energy
With regard to the independent power producer contracts awarded to a certain company (name furnished) for renewable energy, (a) what is the name of each project that was awarded to the specified company in respect of the (i) type of energy, (ii) completion date, (iii) location, (iv) size in megawatt and (v) price per kilowatt, (b) what was the company’s tender score for each project, (c) what were the tender scores of the competitors for each contract and (d) why was the company chosen over the competitors in each case?
Reply:
The company in question has not been awarded any project for renewable energy. It is one of three black entity shareholders in six (6) projects acquired by a South African institutional investor, Old Mutual, after the announcement of Preferred Bidders in 2015.
17 April 2018 - NW119
Van Der Walt, Ms D to ask the Minister of Labour
With regard to her department’s offices vacating the Boulevard Building in Tzaneen, (a) for what time period during the rental period from 2000 to 2017 did the specified building not meet the requirements of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, Act 181 of 1993, (b) why did they move to the municipality’s old traffic building which does not represent a conducive working environment (details furnished) and (c) by which date will the working conditions of the staff be improved for them to be able to provide services to the citizens?
Reply:
a) The building started not to be compliant during 2009 when the landlord started renovations in a building; attempts by the Department of Labour to the Department of Public Works to acquire alternative accommodation were not successful
b) Due to the service rendered by the Department and the clients the Department serves, the Department did not want to break the services to the community. This was solely for the purpose of business continuity.
c) The infrastructure is being attended to however a suitable building has been identified by the Department of Public Works and will be available in April 2018.
17 April 2018 - NW578
Matiase, Mr NS to ask the Minister of Labour
Whether the proposed 1 Million jobs to be created over the next three years will include jobs in the Expanded Public Works Programme?
Reply:
The call by the President to create 1 million jobs in three years will involve multi-faceted government strategies covering a range of initiatives such as, sector-specific interventions in sectors like agriculture, forestry, clothing, tourism and aquaculture as key growth sectors and programmes such as the recent Youth Employment Services.
The full time equivalent jobs to be created under the Expanded Public Works Programme and other initiatives across other Departments may very well be part of the equation.
17 April 2018 - NW576
Moteka, Mr PG to ask the Minister of Labour
Has her department engaged the Minister of Health and the Minister of Social Development about establishing a minimum wage for community care givers and community health workers?
Reply:
Government was represented in all the engagements towards establishing the modalities of a national minimum wage and this by extension included all departments.
The intended coverage of the National Minimum Wage of R20 per hour is intended for all workers in South Africa with the exception of Farm, Forestry, Domestic and Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) workers.
If Community health workers/ community caregivers are not under the EPWP programme, then they are covered.
END
17 April 2018 - NW739
Alberts, Mr ADW to ask the Minister of Labour
(1)Whether affirmative action is a policy exception of her department regarding the principle of equality in terms of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996; if not, (2) whether the programme of affirmative action is an integral policy indicator of the principle of equality that will never be abolished; if not, in what manner and on what legal principle the programme is a permanent aspect of South African society; if so, (a) in terms of which criteria and which time line will the programme be concluded, (b) what are the legal grounds on which her department depends and (c) what measures will she institute to oppose certain negative aspects of affirmative action (details furnished); (3) whether she considers the creation of more posts based on economic growth more important than the replacement of blacks with whites in existing posts; if not, whether the replacement of whites by blacks addresses the unemployment problem in all existing posts; if so, what measures can the Government institute to accellerate economic growth; (4) whether this is an objective of affirmative action given the fact that in many cases in both the Public Service and the private sector whites are instructed to train black workers to take over their posts; if not, what is the postion in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details? NW816E]
Reply:
1. In South Africa, though, not only did gender limit opportunities, but so too did
race. Aligning itself with our Constitution, which guarantees non-discrimination on the basis of race, gender, age, political opinion and religious beliefs, amongst other things, employment equity’s overarching aim is to ensure equal opportunity for all, and, in so doing, ensuring that the discriminatory approach and practices of the past aren’t continued or repeated in future. These ideals of non-discrimination and equal opportunity are encapsulated in the Employment Equity Act, No. 55 of 1998, and as further amended in the Employment Equity Amendment Act, No. 47 of 2013.
Affirmative action falls under the Employment Equity Act but, unlike employment equity which takes the long-term view, affirmative action can be described as a short-term labour policy which is aimed at redressing the inequalities of the past and, in so doing, achieving a transformed workplace which is representative of the greater South African population. In short, the Employment Equity Act provides a framework for implementing affirmative action.
(2) Equality will always be an integral policy indicator with affirmative action being one of the key ingredients for its achievement, especially with the Equality Principle entrenched in our Constitution. Every policy is subject to periodic
Review, so is the Affirmative Action
(3) None of the above
(4) None of the above
17 April 2018 - NW839
Dreyer, Ms AM to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
(1)Whether, with reference to the reply to question 3976 on 18 December 2017, the Electoral Commission of South Africa reported any offences contained in the Public Protector’s report to police officials in accordance with section (34) of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act, Act 12 of 2004; if not, why not; if so, (a) what are the relevant details of each such report, (b) to whom was it reported, (c) who reported it and (d) what is the case number?
Reply:
1. The Electoral Commission (the Commission), can confirm that there was an investigation that was conducted by the Specialised Commercial Crime Unit in relation to the Public Protector’s Report. The Electoral Commission can also confirm that the Specialised Commercial Unit had finalised the investigation and indicated that there was no reasonable prospect of a successful prosecution.
(a)-(c) The details of the report to the Specialised Commercial Crime Unit, as well as the person to whom such report was filed, including the complainant in this matter is currently unknown to the Commission. The Commission has in the meantime requested such information from the Gauteng Regional Head of the Specialised Commercial Crime Unit, and will furnish such information as soon as it is in receipt of same.
(d) The case number is Sunnyside CAS 738/09/2014.
17 April 2018 - NW575
Moteka, Mr PG to ask the Minister of Labour
(a) Why does the Government include the jobs created under the Expanded Public Works Programme in the number of jobs it has created while still paying a poverty wage, (b) is it her position that it is acceptable that the Government employs persons at R 11 an hour and (c) is the R 11 an hour rate in line with the Government's position of a living wage?
Reply:
a) The Expanded Public Works Programme is a programme that falls under the Department of Public Works’ remit therefore I would not be qualified to respond to this question.
b) Same as Above
c) Same as Above.
17 April 2018 - NW325
Cassim, Mr Y to ask the Minister of Labour
What amount did (a) her department and (b) each entity reporting to her spend on the promotion or celebration of the Year of O R Tambo on the (i) Africa News Network 7 channel, (ii) SA Broadcasting Corporation (aa) television channels and (bb) radio stations, (iii) national commercial radio stations and (iv) community (aa) television and (bb) radio stations since 1 January 2017?
Reply:
What amount did (a) her department and (b) each entity reporting to her spent on the promotion or celebration of the Year of O R Tambo on the (i) Africa News Network 7 channel (ii) SA Broadcasting Corporation (aa) television channels and (bb) radio stations, (iii) national commercial radio stations and (iv) community (aa) television and (bb) radio stations since 1 January 2017? NW347E
Entity Name |
(b)(i) Africa News Network 7 Channel |
(b)(ii) SA Broadcasting Corporation |
(aa) television channels |
(bb) radio stations |
(iii) national commercial radio stations |
(iv)(aa) community television |
(iv)(bb) community radio stations |
DoL |
NONE |
NONE |
N0NE |
NONE |
NONE |
NONE |
NONE |
CCMA |
NONE |
NONE |
NONE |
NONE |
NONE |
NONE |
NONE |
UIF |
NONE |
NONE |
NONE |
NONE |
NONE |
NONE |
NONE |
CF |
NONE |
NONE |
NONE |
NONE |
NONE |
NONE |
NONE |
NEDLAC |
NONE |
NONE |
NONE |
NONE |
NONE |
NONE |
NONE |
SEE |
NONE |
NONE |
NONE |
NONE |
NONE |
NONE |
NONE |
PSA |
NONE |
NONE |
NONE |
NONE |
NONE |
NONE |
NONE |
17 April 2018 - NW360
Kopane, Ms SP to ask the Minister of Labour
What is the total amount that was (i) budgeted for and (ii) spent on her private office (aa) in each of the past three financial years and (bb) since 1 April 2017 and (b) what was the (i) remuneration, (ii) salary level, (iii) job title, (iv) qualification and (v) job description of each employee appointed in her private office in each of the specified periods?
Reply:
a)
Compensation |
Goods & Services |
|||||
Budget R’000 |
Expenditure R’000 |
Budget R’000 |
Expenditure R’000 |
|||
(aa)2014/2015 2015/2016 2016/2017 |
9 400 |
7 734 |
9 542 |
8 262 |
||
14 066 |
9 209 |
18 395 |
10 941 |
|||
15 971 |
10 327 |
16 217 |
9 613 |
|||
(bb)2017/2018 |
22 659 |
9 638 |
8 494 |
5 444 |
(b) The Ministerial Handbook provides guidelines on the appointment of the staff in the Private Office. It equally provides the recommended salary levels of each post. The salary levels are adjusted on an annual basis as prescribed in the Public Service Regulations.
The Office of the Minister has a staff complement of Nine (09) officials in line with the Ministerial Handbook. In line with the Protection of Personal Information Act (PoPi) and the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, I am unable to provide the members with such confidential information in the manner it is requested.
I however draw the honourable members to the department’s Annual Report wherein the organogram of the department provides the information required. Should it be insufficient, the department will make the personal files of the officials available for further scrutiny by the Auditor General as prescribed by the Act.
16 April 2018 - NW704
Stander, Ms T to ask the Minister of Arts and Culture
(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. Yes, my department has a sexual harassment and assault policy in place signed on 25 March 2013, copy attached for easy reference.
(i). The Chief Directorate Human Resource Management has been designated by the accounting officer of the department to deal with alleged cases of sexual harassment. According to the policy, an employee has two options to choose from to resolve the allegation, i.e. informal or formal procedure. See item 6.2 and 6.3 of the departmental policy.
(ii). Item 7.5 stipulate that the Employee Assistance unit shall provide a support structure for both the victim and the alleged perpetrator and recommend appropriate ways of dealing with the problem. Direct employees on how to access 24 hours counselling services as well as advising them on how to get legal support.
Item 7.6 stipulate that the Labor Relations officer shall inform both parties of their rights and ensure that a fair and just process ids followed in dealing with the complaint without compromising the urgency and confidentiality it deserves.
The accounting officer of the department will designate a person to deal with the alleged case of sexual harassment, appoint an investigating officer to establish the facts and made a decision based on the report of the investigating officer. He will also communicate the decision to the victim and instruct that the necessary action be taken against the perpetrator based on sufficient evidence.
2. To date the department has not received any complaint of sexual harassment from the employees.
16 April 2018 - NW977
Matsepe, Mr CD to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
How much land does (a) her department and (b) the entities reporting to her (i) own, (ii) have exclusive rights to and/or (iii) lease from the State to (aa) use and/or (bb) occupy?
Reply:
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE
The Department of Defence is the custodian of the Defence Endowment Property Portfolio with the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans appointed as the trustee with ultimate ownership responsibility for all endowment property.The Department of Defence report on; and disclose this portfolio in the Departmental Annual Financial Statements.
DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY VETERANS
The Department of Military Veterans does not have exclusive rights to state land and does not own, occupy nor lease state land.
ARMSCOR
The table below details the land Armscor owns (i), (ii) have exclusive rights to and/or lease from the State:
|
Description of Property |
Zoning / Potential Use |
Land Size m² (hectares) |
1 |
GEROTEK Portion 171 of the farm Elandsfontein 352 JR, City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality. |
Current Zoning: Agricultural” with “Special” business use. Potential Use: Business Use |
512 000.00 (512.00 ha) |
2 |
ALKANTPAN Section A - Lodge Section B – Residential Dwellings Section C – Testing Range |
Current Zoning: Agricultural. Potential Use: Business Use |
Section A: 14.73 ha Section B: 1.65 ha Section C: 85 000 ha |
3 |
ERASMUSKLOOF Sports Grounds – ERF 610 |
Current Zoning: Zone 21 for Private Open Space. Potential Use: Business Use |
50 389.00 (5.04 ha) |
4 |
ERASMUSKLOOF Vacant Land ERF 684 – Extension 4 |
Current Zoning: Zone 2: Residential 2 and Zone 17: Agricultural Potential Use: Business Use |
72 935.00 (7.29 ha) |
5 |
TECHNO PARK, CENTURION Erf 11 PORTION 2 HIGHVELD, CITY OF TSHWANE METROPOLITAN MUNICIPALITY |
Current Zoning: Industrial 2 Use. |
11 978.00 (1,1978 ha) |
(iii) IMT Simonstown
|
Description of Property |
Zoning / Potential Use |
Land Size m² (hectares) |
1 |
INSTITUTE FOR MARITIME TECH FACILITIES (IMT) ERF 3779 SIMON’S TOWN, CITY OF CAPE TOWN MUNICIPALITY Lease through DPW |
Current Zoning: Business use |
10590.00 (1.5ha) |
16 April 2018 - NW932
Maynier, Mr D to ask the Minister of Finance
(1)With regard to the expenditure cuts referred to in the 2018 Budget at the level of national departments, what is the total breakdown of cuts per (a) department, (b) programme and (c) subprogramme; (2) in view of the budget of 2018 which states that net debt is now projected to stabilise at 53,2% by 2023-24, what are the assumptions for each year leading up to and including 2023-24 for the net debt to stabilise, including the further specified details (details furnished)?
Reply:
2. See tables attached
(2) The macroeconomic forecast is underpinned by a set of assumptions shown in Table 1 below. The long-run macroeconomic forecast reflects expectations of potential growth based on investment and population growth as well as the state of the global economy. The combination of higher GDP growth, stronger currency, higher real bond yields, lower borrowing costs and a narrower deficit results in an improved debt-to-GDP outlook, with debt stabilising at 53.2 per cent of GDP in 2023/24.
Table 1 Budget 2018 long-run assumptions
Table 2 Budget 2018 long-run main budget framework
Reply to (1)
16 April 2018 - NW112
Marais, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
With reference to her reply to question 3874 on 27 November 2017, (a) what are the academic requirements to be a member of the pool of specialists within the Internal Audit section of the SA Army, especially to be in a leadership role of a unit consisting of accountants and Charted Accountants (CAs), (b) what are the reasons that a certain person (name furnished) was appointed to a leadership role in this unit taking into account that the specified person does not have a CA qualification but rather an MBA which is not an accountant or audit specialist and expert qualification, (c) what was the specified person’s actual work as reserve force member for the period 23 August to 17 November 2017, (d) what training and official courses did the specified person successfully complete to be a reserve force member, with specific reference to the apparent rank of Colonel and (e) what is the remuneration that was paid, or will be paid to the specified person for the reserve force service period 23 August to 17 November 2017?
Reply:
a) There are no specific academic qualifications prescribed to be a member of one of the categories in the Pool of Specialists although academic qualifications are one of the criteria when potential members are selected. In the internal Audit section it is preferred that members must be qualified as a Chartered Accountant (CA) although it is very difficult to recruit members with that type of qualification into the SA Army as reservists. When the requirement was identified for this section as part of the Pool of Specialists, the said member was the CEO of the Public Investment Corporation (PIC) and he recruited some of the CA's within the PIC on a voluntary basis to assist with the SA Army on a part time basis as and when required to perform certain tasks related to auditing and financial control. The said member had extensive experience in public finance.
b) A number of attributes are considered when members are appointed in the Pool of Specialists as Reserve members. The said member was appointed to be in control of this section based on his experience in the field of public finances as well as his demonstrated leadership role in National Treasury after 1994 and also based on his experience as the CEO of the PIC.
c) Col Molefe advised and assisted the Military Command Council wrt strategic SANDF issues in the asset management and financial structure and architecture domains. Although he was called up over period mentioned, he only reported for duty as and when necessitated by his allocated responsibilities and tasks.
(d) The said member was appointed as a Colonel in 2009, together with 33 other reserve officers, in terms of a regulation where former Ex-NSF members were appointed as Reserve Force members. This was done under Department of Defence Instruction: C Pers No 7/99 "Appointment of ex-NSF members in the Reserve Force" issued by CSANDF on 20 September 1999. This whole effort was based on a need that existed to establish a process for members of the non-statutory forces (ex-NSF) to apply to join the Res F by entering into an appropriate agreement with the SANDF. This was further based on a need to transform the leader group of the Reserve Force. Members falling into this category were recommended for a certain rank by a specifically constituted Selection and Staffing Board based on previous military as well as other experience and where they will be utilised. The appointment for these members was signed by the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans. After appointment these Reserve Force members underwent an orientation course which included military etiquette and aspects of officers formative. Col Molefe was also appointed in 2011 as the honorary colonel of the SA Irish Regiment. He is one of two officers in the SANDF who serve as a Reserve Officer and also holds an appointment of Honorary Colonel.
e) The remuneration for a Colonel in the Reserve Force currently is R 1 857.00 per day. In the case of Col Molefe he was not paid anything for his service during that period. He preferred to do the work pro bono. In order to comply with DOD regulations regarding access to information and military cantonments, he was officially called up.
16 April 2018 - NW305
Waters, Mr M to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
(1)What is the (a) monthly rental and (b) size of the (i) High Commission and (ii) Consulates situated in the United Kingdom; (2) when does the lease for the High Commission in London expire; (3) what is the (a) optimal and (b) actual staffing complement of the High Commission, including staff from all departments?
Reply:
(1) (a)(i) The monthly rental paid for the High Commission (South Africa House) is £1,560.00 This is a 99 year lease from the Crown where the South African Government owns the building but not the land.
(ii) The monthly rental paid for the Consulate (15 Whitehall) is £64,220.89 which is used for the Department of Home Affairs Offices.
(b)(i) South Africa House is comprised of six floors above ground and three floors below ground.
(ii) The 15 Whitehall is comprised of four floors.
(2) The 99 year lease for South Africa House expires on 10 October 2029.
(3) (a) The optimal staffing complement of the High Commission including staff from all departments should be 30 transferred officials and 60 Locally Recruited Staff.
(b) The actual staff complement of the High Commission including staff from all departments is 25 Transferred Officials and 57 Locally Recruited Staff.
16 April 2018 - NW743
Mashabela, Ms N to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
What role, if any, does South Africa continue to play in fighting for the sovereignty and freedom of Western Sahara?
Reply:
South Africa pursues a pan Africanist foreign policy, which amongst others seeks to promote the decolonisation of the African Continent. To this end, since 2004 South Africa recognized the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) as a full member of the African Union (AU). South Africa has been consistent in her support for the right of the people of Western Sahara to self-determination and independence. South Africa’s support is consistent with the United Nations (UN) Declaration on Decolonization and in accordance with the UN Resolution 1514 of 1960 which emphasized on the inalienable right of the indigenous people of the Western Sahara to total independence as well as the AU Roadmap towards a speedy peaceful resolution to the conflict which was reaffirmed by the recent 30th AU Summit held in Addis Ababa in January 2018.
South Africa further supports the right of the people of Western Sahara to self-determination, first as a State and later SADR’s admission to the African Union. South Africa’s solidarity with the SADR is not only historical and principled but practical. Since South Africa’s recognition of the SADR, South Africa continues to provide technical assistance and humanitarian support to the people of Western Sahara.
Furthermore, the South African and SADR governments on 29th March 2018 in Pretoria signed the Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) on Technical Assistance and Exchange of Notes on Humanitarian Assistance that will provide for the release of R10 million in humanitarian aid to assist in the provision of emergency shelter, nutrition, medical care, child protection and education in the Western Sahara refugee camps located in south-west Algeria as well as an annual R1, 771 000.00 for technical support to the SADR Embassy in Pretoria.
In addition, South Africa sponsored a decision for the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to hold a solidarity conference on Western Sahara. The solidarity conference is expected to be convened during the course of this year.
16 April 2018 - NW806
Van Der Walt, Ms D to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
What amount has her department (a) budgeted for and (b) spent on the VIP (i) lounges and (ii) services at the (aa) O R Tambo, (bb) Cape Town and (cc) King Shaka International Airports (aaa) in each of the past five financial years and (bbb) since 1 April 2017?
Reply:
I wish to preface my reply by providing background information on services provided by the State Protocol Lounges (SPLs) which in essence is part (ii) of the Honourable Member’s question.
1. SPLs are facilities provided by the South African Government to facilitate the efficient arrival and departure during domestic and international transit of the President, Deputy President, the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, as well as Foreign Heads of States. South African Ministers are facilitated during their international travels only. The State Protocol Lounges are located at OR Tambo (ORTIA), Cape Town (CTIA) and King Shaka (KSTIA) International Airports. The ORTIA and CTIA are rented facilities properties from ACSA and the King Shaka is government owned and the Department only pays the lease for land.
2. All three Lounges operate daily from 06h00-22h00. Arrivals and departures that fall outside the normal working hours are facilitated as per need. During major events e.g. Summits, Conferences, State and Official visits, the SPL work in collaboration with other Airport Stakeholders such as ACSA, SAPS, Immigration, Customs, etc. to ensure smooth facilitations.
3. The State Protocol Lounges services are rendered freely to the VIP. The Department, through the Directorate: SPL budgets for catering in all three Lounges. The budget is centralised in and not broken down per State Protocol Lounge. However, the budget for the rental and upkeep of the Lounges is with the Business Unit: Facilities Management, which also budgets for fuel and maintenance of service vehicles.
4. The services rendered by the State Protocol Lounges include; checking-in of VIPs, clearing of passports with Immigration during international travel, transportation to and from the lounge and the aircraft. The VIPs are also served non-alcoholic beverages.
5. In 2016/17, for instance, the facilitations conducted through all three State Protocol Lounges were 27 333. Figures for 2017/18 are indicated below:
- In the 1st Quarter of 2017/18 faciltations conducted were 7 139.
- In the 2nd quarter of 2017/18 faciltations conducted were 7 148.
- In the 3rd quarter of 2017/18 facilitations conducted were 7 753.
The information requested by the Honourable Member is provided below:
(a) State Protocol Lounge Budget for:
(i) VIP Lounges (rental, utilities and cleaning services)
Lounge |
2012/13 |
2013/14 |
2014/15 |
2015/16 |
2016/2017 |
(aa) ORTIA |
1 640 957 |
2 360 112 |
2 607 624 |
2 881 440 |
3 179 400 |
(bb) CTIA |
1 647 939 |
1 818 660 |
1 976 608 |
2 148 708 |
2 335 560 |
(cc) KSIA |
2 218 005 |
2 417 340 |
2 580 396 |
2 755 560 |
2 943 852 |
(ii) Services
The VIPs are chauffeured to and from the aircrafts on the airside. They are also provided with non-alcoholic beverages whilst waiting in the State Protocol Lounges. To this end, the total budget of all the services rendered at:
(aa) OR Tambo International Airport
(bb) Cape Town International Airport
(cc) King Shaka International Airport
Over the past five years is as follows:
(aaa)
Period |
2012/13 |
2013/14 |
2014/15 |
2015/16 |
2016/17 |
Groceries |
100 008 |
138 356 |
192 602 |
194 575 |
294 936 |
Fuel |
Total budget for fuel is centralised in the Transport Section. |
(b) Expenditure on the VIP
(i) Lounges (rental, utilities and cleaning services)
Lounge |
2012/13 |
2013/14 |
2014/15 |
2015/16 |
2016/2017 |
(aa) ORTIA |
2 136 037 |
2 360 112 |
2 607 624 |
2 881 440 |
3 179 400 |
(bb) CTIA |
1 647 939 |
1 818 660 |
1 976 608 |
2 148 708 |
2 335 560 |
(cc) KSIA |
2 218 005 |
2 417 340 |
2 580 396 |
2 755 560 |
2 943 852 |
(ii) Services
The VIPs are chauffeured to and from the aircrafts on the airside. They are also provided with non-alcoholic beverages whilst waiting in the State Protocol Lounge. To this end, the total expenditure of all the services rendered at:
(aa) OR Tambo International Airport
(bb) Cape Town International Airport
(cc) King Shaka International Airport
Over the past five years is reflected as follows:
Period |
2012/13 |
2013/14 |
2014/15 |
2015/16 |
2016/17 |
Catering |
172 363 |
138 356 |
192 602 |
194 575 |
294 936 |
Period |
20140301 – 20180226 |
Fuel |
705 324.38 |
(bbb) Budget and Expenditure from 01 April 2017 to 28 February 2018
VIP Lounges
Lounge |
Budget |
Expenditure |
ORTIA |
3 519 312 |
3 519 312 |
CTIA |
2 538 648 |
2 538 648 |
KSIA |
3 146 330 |
3 146 330 |
Services
Item |
Budget |
Expenditure |
Catering |
206 177 |
107 711 |
13 April 2018 - NW349
James, Ms LV to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
(a) What is the total amount that was (i) budgeted for and (ii) spent on her private office (aa) in each of the past three financial years and (bb) since 1 April 2017 and (b) what was the (i) remuneration, (ii) salary level, (iii) job title, (iv) qualification and (v) job description of each employee appointed in her private office in each of the specified periods?
Reply:
The Ministerial Handbook provides guidelines on the appointment of the staff in the Private Office. It equally provides the recommended salary levels of each post. The salary levels are adjusted on an annual basis as prescribed in the Public Service Regulations.
The Office of the Minister has a full staff complement as defined in the Ministerial Handbook. In line with the Protection of Personal Information Act (PoPi) and the Basic Conditions of Employment Act am unable to provide the members with such confidential information in the manner it is requested.
I however draw the honourable members to the department’s Annual Report wherein the organogram of the department provides the information required. Should it be insufficient, the department will make the personal files of the officials available for further scrutiny by the Auditor General as prescribed by the Act.
13 April 2018 - NW663
Marais, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
(1)What progress has her department made with the handing over of the dockyards to Denel; (2) has Denel’s financial challenges and the National Treasury requirements relating to the handing over of the dockyards been resolved; if not, (a) what are the persistent challenges, (b) how will they be resolved to ensure the commencement of the projects and (c) on what date will the projects commence; (3) whether there are any financial risks if the awarded tenders to two certain companies (names furnished) cannot commence; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what will the costs be in each case?
Reply:
Denel was given until the 28 February 2018 to meet the suspensive conditions of securing a strategic partner in the Dockyard Transfer. On the basis that the deadline was not met, the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans determined that no further extensions be granted and that the transfer process be cancelled. Armscor continues to manage the Dockyard and deliver maintenance services of the SA Navy vessels. Armscor is now tasked with pursuing the renewal strategy of the Dockyard.
The two tenders relating to Project Hotel and Biro are standalone projects and have no interface with the Dockyard Transfer.
13 April 2018 - NW664
Marais, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
(a) What is the total number of staff members at Armscor who were granted (i) severance and/or (ii) special termination packages (aa) in each of the past three financial years and (bb) since 1 April 2017, (b) why was employment terminated in each case, (c) what was the rand value of each package and (d) how were the packages funded?
Reply:
a) The total number of staff members at Armscor who were granted severance or Special packages are as follow:
- 2015/16 - 0
- 2016/17 - 2
- 2017/18 - 29
b) The Early Retirement and Voluntary Severance Packages were offered to employees aged 55 and above subject to the retention of skills, availability of successors for critical positions, non-compromise in meeting operational deliverables as well as the financial implications per employee.
Where the company could derive savings within three years of the total severance package, an offer was made for two weeks’ pay for every year of service plus company pension benefits up to 60 years age. A total of 23 employees accepted this package.
Where the company could not deliver savings within three of the total severance package one week counter-offer was made for every year of service plus company pension benefits up to 60 years of age. A total of 6 employees accepted this package.
This proposal was approved by the Board of Directors.
13 April 2018 - NW46
Waters, Mr M to ask the Minister of Cooperative and Traditional Affairs
What recommendations of the feasibility study (details furnished) compiled in July 2014, has the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Council (a) implemented and (b) what was the cost of the feasibility study; (2) Have the (a) Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Council and/or the (b) Department of Transport given any subsidies to a certain company (name furnished) in the (i) 2014/15, (ii) 2015/16, (iii) 2016/17 and (iv) 2017/18 financial years; (3) What was the operating expenditure of the specified company in the (i) 2014/15, (ii) 2015/16, (iii) 2016/17 and (iv) 2017/18 financial years?
Reply:
The information was provided by Gauteng provincial Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
1. The City of Ekurhuleni (COE) undertook a review and development of the governance and delivery model for its entities in 2012. The process was undertaken in terms of the Bus Options Study which cost R1 439 517.85. The review assessed the financial governance status of the municipal entities as well as consideration of reconfiguring the Brakpan Bus Company (BBC) SOC Limited, to improve service delivery and maximize funding and financial efficiencies, including the consideration of re-absorbing the entity functions into the COE. A further study was triggered in terms of Section 78 of the Municipal Systems Act, 32 of 2000, with the view to review and improve operational effectiveness, governance efficiencies and to determine the most appropriate model to deliver bus services within the City. The outcomes of the study have been presented to the Executive, and should be approved by Council within the current financial year. The feasibility study was concluded and the City of Ekurhuleni is in the process of preparing an item to council for approval of the desired option.
2. The Brakpan Bus Company received a grant of R5 million per year from City of Ekurhuleni for three consecutive years which are 2014/2015, 2015/2016 and 2016/2017. This amount is for covering the shortfall from the subsidy received from Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport. In 2014/2015, financial year there was R7.7 million the City of Ekurhuleni has written off which emanate from expenses that Brakpan Bus Company was unable to pay in the financial year 2013/2014. These expenses are for services that City of Ekurhuleni supplies to Brakpan Bus Company which include diesel/fuel.
3. The operating expenditure of the Brakpan Bus Company for the financial years requested are as follows:
- 2014/2015 R26 680 400 Audited financial statement
- 2015/2016 R30 030 206 Audited financial statement
- 2016/2017 R35 058 938 Audited financial statement
- 2017/2018 R17 694 824 as per Q2 FS
13 April 2018 - NW665
Marais, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
What (a) are the details of the remuneration increases for the management at Armscor since 1 April 2017 and (b) were the reasons for the increases?
Reply:
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.
13 April 2018 - NW883
Ollis, Mr IM to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
(a) What number of offenders are listed in the National Register for Sex Offenders (NRSO) in 2018, (b) have all of the specified offenders been properly evaluated according to the requirements for placement on the NRSO, (c) what number of staff members are allocated for the maintenance of the NRSO and (d) which provincial education departments have requested access to the NRSO in the past two years for the purpose of vetting educators before employment?
Reply:
a) From 1 January 2018 to 27 March 2018, there are 487 convictions recorded in the National Register for Sex Offenders (NRSO). However, to date, the total number of convictions recorded in the NRSO is 28 670.
b) The number of convictions recorded from 1 January 2018 to 27 March 2018 have been properly evaluated according to the required standards. The Department is in the process of reviewing all cases that were pending prior to 1 January 2018 at the Office of the Registrar to confirm the final court order.
As part of the review, the Department has also finalised the development of the new NRSO electronic system which will, upon implementation, lead to the achievement of the following functions:
- Ability to issue Vetting & Removal Certificates;
- Ability to scan the document’s Mandatory Fields Required from inception of processes;
- Ability to communicate more effectively via the system between the office of the National Registrar for Sex Offenders and the courts;
- Secure more reliable data synchronized with stakeholder Departments and stay in Sync via an integrated solution; and
- Allow easier tracking of cases/applications.
c) At national office, there are six (6) officials currently allocated for the maintenance of the NRSO, namely: one (1) Registrar; one (1) Senior State Law Advisor, one (1) Assistant Director and three (3) Data Capturers.
d) None of the provincial education departments requested access from the NRSO in the past two years for the purposes of vetting educators before employment.
It is also important to note that the information on the Register can only be accessed by way of application in writing by the following category of persons:
- Employers;
- A relevant Authority in terms of section 48(1) of the Act;
- An employee in respect of her own particulars;
- A person applying for a license or approval to manage or operate any entity -section 47(2) of the Act;
- A person applying to become a foster parent – section 48 (2); and
- Any person applying in respect of his or her own particulars.
Should any provincial education department wish to ascertain whether or not the name of any teacher appear in the NRSO, it must apply in writing to the Registrar of the National Register for Sex Offenders for the prescribed certificate.
.
13 April 2018 - NW853
Groenewald, Dr PJ to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
Whether his department has paid any legal costs since 2009 in cases in which the former President of South Africa, (Details furnished), was involved; if so, (a) for which case in each individual year has payment been made to date, (b) what was the cost regarding each case in each individual year, (c) what case was (i) finalised and (ii) not finalised in each individual year and (d) what number of legal representatives was used in each individual case; (2) whether he will make a statement on the matter?
Reply:
- Yes. The table below provides details of legal costs in respect to cases in which the former President of South Africa, was involved in since 2009:
File Reference Number |
Case Number |
Number of Legal Representatives/Advocates |
Status of the Case |
Amount |
Individual Years |
7313/16/Z75 |
79808/2016; 91139/2006 |
Three (3) Advocates |
Client's instruction pending possible appeal |
R 2 530 135.52 |
2006 2016 |
2751/17/Z75 |
24396/17 & SCA 664/2017 |
Three (3) Advocates |
Appeal pending |
R 1 247 617.82 |
2017 |
6043 & 6041/15/Z75 |
CCT143/15 |
Five (5) Advocates |
Finalized |
R 3 196 492.91 |
2015 |
5076 & 8286/15/Z14 |
62470/15 & 93043/15 |
Two (2) Advocates |
Appeal pending |
R 1 965 705.29 |
2015 |
0184/06/Z1 & 2295/09/Z65 |
CCT92/07; 13569/06; 14116/05; CCT91/07 & 19577/09 & SCA836/13 |
One (1) Private Attorney |
Finalized |
R 15 300 250.00 |
2007 2006 2007 2009 2013 |
TOTAL |
R 24 240 201.54 |
13 April 2018 - NW988
Horn, Mr W to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
How much land does (a) his department and (b) the entities reporting to him (i) own, (ii) have exclusive rights to and/or (iii) lease from the State to (aa) use and/or (bb) occupy?
Reply:
a) The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (DoJ&CD) does not own any land or property. However it uses state owned properties that are under the custodianship of the National Department of Public Works.
In the effort of executing its mandate of administration of justice, the DoJ&CD’s Courts make use of physical assets in the form of courts and office buildings. The Department is accommodated in 672 state-owned properties and is leasing only 120 buildings mainly offices throughout the country. In an effort to strike a balance, the composition of the Departments portfolio lies within an acceptable ratio of 80% state owned and 20% leased building.
b) The entities reporting to me have reported as follows:
(i) LEGAL AID SOUTH AFRICA:
Legal Aid SA owns seven (7) pieces of land per the table below. All properties are used for as Legal Aid SA’s local offices.
No. |
Local Office |
Physical Address |
ERF M2 |
Building M2 |
Usage |
Gauteng Province |
|||||
1. |
National Office |
ERF 4410 29 de Beer Street Braamfontein |
1,490 |
8,289 |
Used as Legal Aid SA’s National Office |
2. |
Krugersdorp |
ERF 1737 |
495 |
1,298 |
Krugersdorp local office (Refurbishment in progress and will be occupied on 01 June 2018) |
3. |
Benoni |
ERF 884 |
595 |
1,696 |
Benoni local office. (Refurbishment will commence on 01 June 2018 and will be occupied on 01 October 2018) |
North-West Province |
|||||
4. |
Litchenburg |
ERF 1956 |
1,086 |
258 |
Lichtenburg local office |
Free State Province |
|||||
5. |
Welkom |
Archiquant Building |
373 |
1,073 |
Welkom local office |
Mpumalanga Province |
|||||
6. |
Middleburg |
ERF 408 |
996 |
616 |
Middelburg local office |
7. |
Witbank |
ERF 109 |
2,231 |
1,548 |
Witbank local office |
N.B: The Polokwane and Mitchells Plain Offices operate directly from court buildings maintained by the State.
The Nelspruit Office will in the near future operate from a state owned court building.
(ii) SPECIAL INVESTIGATING UNIT
The Special Investigating Unit does not rent or/and have any exclusive rights on any State owned land.
13 April 2018 - NW666
Esau, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
Whether the shareholder position of a certain person (name and details furnished) in a certain company (name furnished) and its subsidiaries was disclosed to her department before any tenders were awarded to the specified company as a service provider to her department and Armscor; if so, (a) has she found that there was a potential conflict of interest and (b) what were the findings of the Auditor-General in respect of tenders that were awarded to the company?
Reply:
FeverTree Consulting is a Management Consulting firm. The company was appointed to assist Armscor in the co-management of a turnaround of the corporation. The company was appointed, through an open tender process conducted in accordance with applicable legislation, included the participation of other interested parties, to assist Armscor in the co-management of a turnaround of the corporation. Criteria in the Tender process were formulated in an order of the specialist competencies and experience that Armscor require for the corporate turnaround. FeverTree Consulting was the only company that complied with all of the criteria.
The status of Mr. Ramaphosa’s association with FeverTree Consulting (Pty) Ltd is as follows: 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.
12 April 2018 - NW542
Ketabahle, Ms V to ask the Minister of Health
(a) What is the (i) name, (ii) location and (iii) patient capacity of each clinic which does not offer gynaecology services and (b) why?
Reply:
Honourable Member, there is no clinic that does not offer gynaecology services in this country.
END.
12 April 2018 - NW529
Stubbe, Mr DJ to ask the Minister of Health
With reference to his reply to question 3518 on 29 November 2017, (a) on what date was each of the 28 ambulances booked into the workshop, (b) what was the reason that each ambulance needed repairs, (c) what number of days was each ambulance in the workshop for and (d) what was the cost of the repairs for each ambulance?
Reply:
The attached table in Annexure 1 reflects the details in this regard.
END.
12 April 2018 - NW512
Wilson, Ms ER to ask the Minister of Social Development
Whether her department’s nonprofit organisation (NPO) directorate was informed of Limpopo’s decision to cancel contracts with over 400 NPOs that would have provided home-based care for poor and vulnerable citizens for the 2018-19 financial year; if so, (a) on what date was the directorate advised of the specified decision and (b) did the directorate (i) approve this decision and (ii) provide guidance on the future plans to ensure that (aa) NPOs continue to provide effective services to the poor and vulnerable citizens in Limpopo and (bb) over 15 000 home-based care workers remain employed?
Reply:
Refer to the Department of Health.
________________________
Approved by the Minister on
Date……………………….
12 April 2018 - NW702
Mbhele, Mr ZN to ask the Mr Z N Mbhele (DA) to ask the Minister of Police
What (a) policies and (b) minimum standards are currently in place for (i) police stations and (ii) police officers when dealing with (aa) sexual offences, (bb) domestic violence and (cc) child protection?
Reply:
(a){b)(i)(ii)(aa) National Instruction 3 of 2008, Sexual Offences, was issued in terms of Section 66(1) of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act, 2007 (Act No 32 of 2007). This National Instruction prescribes the policy and minimum standards (roles, responsibilities, procedures and processes) for dealing with sexual offences by all members of the South African Police Service (SAPS).
The Civilian Secretariat for Police Service (CSP), has issued the Policy on Reducing Barriers to the Reporting of Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence.
(a)(b)(i)(ii)(bb) National Instruction 7 of 1999, Domestic Violence, was issued in terms of Section 18(3) of the Domestic Violence Act, 1998 (Act No 116 of 1998). This National Instruction prescribes the policy and minimum standards (roles, responsibilities, procedures and processes.) for dealing with cases relating to domestic violence by all members of the SAPS.
The CSP has issued the Policy on Reducing Barriers to the Reporting of Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence.
(a)(b)(i)(ii)(cc) National Instruction 3 of 2010, Care and Protection of Children in terms of the Children's Act, was issued In terms of the Children's Act, 2005 (Act No 38 of 2005). This National Instruction prescribes the policy and minimum standards (roles, responsibilities, procedures and processes) for dealing with the care and protection of children by all members of the SAPS.
National Instruction 2 of 2010, Children in Conflict with the Law, was issued in terms of Section 97(5) of the Child Justice Act, 2008 (Act No 75 of 2008). This National Instruction prescribes the policy and minimum standards (roles, responsibilities, procedures and processes) for dealing with cases relating to children in conflict with the law by all members of the SAPS.
The Minister's Six Point Plan sets out the minimum standards for the service provided to a victim of gender-based violence.
Original signed MAJOR GENERAL
ACTING DIVISIONAL COMMISSIONER: DETECTIVE SERVICE
LMAGSON
Date: 15 March 2018
Reply to question 702 recommend
GENERAL NATIONAL COMMISSIONER: SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE
KJ SITOLE (SOEG)
Date: 2018-04-11
Reply to question 702 approved/not approved
MINISTER OF POLICE
BH CELE, MP
Date: 2018-04-11
12 April 2018 - NW551
Rawula, Mr T to ask the Minister of Health
(a) What is the (i) name, (ii) location and (iii) patient capacity of each hospital that does not offer gynaecology services and (b) what is the reason for this in each case?
Reply:
Honourable Member, there is no hospital that does not offer gynaecology services in this country.
END.
12 April 2018 - NW546
Nolutshungu, Ms N to ask the Minister of Health
(a) What is the (i) name, (ii) location and (iii) patient capacity of each hospital that does not offer pharmaceutical services and (b) what is the reason for this in each case?
Reply:
Honourable Member, there is no hospital that does not offer pharmaceutical services in this country.
END.
12 April 2018 - NW908
Tshwaku, Mr M to ask the Minister of Basic Education
Whether she has been informed that there is a sewage spillage at Lindile Secondary School in Ermelo, Mpumalanga; if not, (a) what is the position in this regard and (b) what steps will she take to stop the spillage; if so, (i) by what date will the sewage problem be resolved and (ii) does her department have alternative plans to stop the spillage so that the children are not exposed to the sewage and the diseases it carries?
Reply:
a) The sewer spillage is from a Municipal sewer line that is traversing the school site. The sewer broke and spilled sewage into the school grounds up to the school building’s corridor and verandas. As a form of emergency intervention to ensure uninterrupted teaching and learning for the school, the Department instructed the Implementing Agent, the Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport (DPWRT) to appoint a service provider to attend to the sewer spillage waste. The service provider will address the spillage starting from 24 March 2018, completing on 16 April 2018. The cleaning process involves application of sanitising chemicals around the school yard to kill pathogens that may cause diseases to the learners and educators.
b) Steps taken include engaging the responsible municipality. The Department is also engaging the municipality through the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) to re-direct the sewer pipe from the school site as a long term measure.
(i) Timeframes for the long-term solution are not yet in place as engagements are still taking place.
(ii) The alternative solution is the engagement with COGTA.
12 April 2018 - NW713
Stubbe, Mr DJ to ask the Minister of Health
(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:
The following tables reflects the details in this regard.
(1) Table 1.
(a) |
(b) |
(i) |
(ii) |
Yes |
13 September 2017 |
Appoint an investigator to investigate the complaint formally |
The policy stipulates that sexual harassment is a misconduct and all cases of sexual harassment will be handled in line with the disciplinary code and procedure and LRA |
(2) Table 2
(a)(i) |
(ii) |
(b)(i) |
(ii) |
(iii) |
(c) |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
Investigation still in progress |
END.
12 April 2018 - NW1009
Khawula, Ms MS to ask the Minister of Basic Education
What amount of funding is required to appoint teachers to fill (a) existing vacancies and (b) future vacancies that will be required to keep up with demand?
Reply:
a) Budgeting for provisioning of educators is done in terms of the normal government budgeting processes. On an annual basis, each Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Education declares a basket of posts his/her Provincial Education Department based on the available budget for. Such posts are then distributed to schools using the post provisioning model. Therefore, vacancies that exist at any point are part of the declared post establishment and are funded. There is no additional amount of funding required to fill existing vacancies.
b) Trends in the growth of learners enrolled in public schools have shown a low annual growth of less than 1% per annum and is unlikely to change in the foreseeable future. Therefore, growth in the demand for educators as a result of growth in learner enrolment which will require creation of additional posts, is unlikely to outstrip the current budget growth trends.
12 April 2018 - NW749
Sonti, Ms NP to ask the Minister of Social Development
(a) What is the name of the bank that is officially responsible to clear bank payments made by the SA Social Security Agency (SASSA) to grant recipients as at 12 March 2017, (b) on what exact date was the specified bank appointed for this task and (c) what amount (i) has the bank received from SASSA to date and (ii) will SASSA have paid the bank by the date on which the contract expires?
Reply:
a) SASSA uses the Pay Master General Account held with the South African Reserve Bank.
b) 16 October 2017
c) (i) SARB – R0
Bankserv – R1 per transaction
(ii) SASSA pays all transaction fees at the agreed upon rate on a monthly basis.
________________________
Approved by the Minister on
Date……………………….
12 April 2018 - NW885
Ollis, Mr IM to ask the Minister of Basic Education
Does her department have a policy position to support the declaration of a minimum service level for school staff by the Essential Services Committee in order to ensure that children are not left unsupervised, thereby compromising their safety, during school hours?
Reply:
Both international and South African law does not define education as an essential service. This is confirmed in the published list of essential services in South Africa by the Essential Service Committee (ESC), as established in the Labour Relations Act (LRA).
The Department of Basic Education has the view to support the declaration of a minimum service level agreement for school staff by the Essential Service Committee (ESC) when children are left unsupervised during school hours, but can only do so with the support of the teacher trade unions in the Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC) and with a directive from the ESC, since the jurisdiction to do so lies with the ESC as determined in the LRA.
12 April 2018 - NW557
Paulsen, Mr N M to ask the Minister of Health
(a) What is the (i) name, (ii) location and (iii) patient capacity of each hospital that does not offer paediatric services and (b) what is the reason for this in each case?
Reply:
Honourable Member, all hospitals in the country do offer paediatric services except specialised TB and Psychiatric hospitals which will offer services related to their speciality.
END.
11 April 2018 - NW802
Van der Westhuizen, Mr AP to ask the Minister of Higher Education and Training
(1)(a) What is the total amount that the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) paid to each (i) university and (ii) technical and vocational education and training college as an upfront payment for the 2018 academic year in January 2018 and February 2018 and (b) what conditions are linked to the payments; (2) what is the total budget of NSFAS for each of the institutions for the 2018 academic year?
Reply:
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has provided the following responses to the questions posed.
1. (a) (i) Total amounts that the NSFAS paid to each university as upfront payments for the 2018 academic year in January 2018 and February 2018 are:
Institution |
(2) Allocation |
Upfront payment |
Cape Peninsula University of Technology |
655 156 838 |
58 502 138 |
Central University of Technology |
392 452 939 |
32 901 049 |
Durban University of Technology |
739 442 055 |
76 809 399 |
Mangosuthu University of Technology |
215 982 827 |
20 361 272 |
Nelson Mandela University |
552 806 749 |
50 958 353 |
North-West University |
802 562 904 |
72 736 926 |
Rhodes University |
104 906 961 |
9 157 806 |
Sefako Makgatho Health Science University |
166 686 949 |
15 055 518 |
Sol Plaatjie University |
40 143 195 |
3 794 397 |
Tshwane University of Technology |
1 686 504 055 |
159 916 208 |
University of Cape Town |
261 736 828 |
26 232 728 |
University of Fort Hare |
428 181 033 |
45 967 899 |
University of Free State |
1 087 128 657 |
94 706 148 |
University of Johannesburg |
1 965 357 590 |
173 468 591 |
University of Kwazulu-Natal |
1 032 677 361 |
103 120 630 |
University of Limpopo |
728 349 374 |
74 108 015 |
University of Mpumalanga |
68 869 849 |
5 728 795 |
University of Pretoria |
593 675 472 |
58 152 577 |
University of South Africa |
574 486 219 |
53 463 768 |
University of Stellenbosch |
146 102 526 |
12 871 899 |
University of the Western Cape |
319 978 970 |
32 819 196 |
University of the Witwatersrand |
1 358 216 952 |
113 140 134 |
University of Venda |
554 114 481 |
52 436 240 |
University of Zululand |
611 236 012 |
64 710 296 |
Vaal University of Technology |
463 906 016 |
45 299 186 |
Walter Sisulu University |
875 337 188 |
91 572 582 |
Totals |
16 426 000 000 |
|
(ii) Total amounts that the NSFAS paid to each Technical and Vocational Education and Training College as upfront payments for the 2018 academic year in January 2018 and February 2018 are:
College |
(2) Allocation |
Upfront payment |
Boland |
80 259 999 |
5 682 900 |
Buffalo City |
74 232 979 |
5 256 150 |
Cape College |
106 609 413 |
7 548 600 |
Capricorn |
167 805 385 |
11 881 650 |
Central Johannesburg College |
120 347 630 |
8 521 350 |
Coastal KwaZulu-Natal |
181 977 887 |
12 885 150 |
Eastcape Midlands |
83 261 858 |
5 895 450 |
Ehlazeni |
87 174 655 |
6 172 500 |
Ekurhuleni East |
121 563 626 |
8 607 450 |
Ekurhuleni West |
169 637 853 |
12 011 400 |
Elangeni |
133 236 344 |
9 433 950 |
Esayidi |
126 546 246 |
8 960 250 |
False Bay |
73 338 989 |
5 192 850 |
Flavius Mareka |
47 328 529 |
3 351 150 |
Gert Sibande |
117 714 383 |
8 334 900 |
Goldfields |
56 819 233 |
4 023 150 |
Ikhala |
52 107 776 |
3 689 550 |
Ingwe |
82 289 485 |
5 826 600 |
King Hintsa |
48 449 195 |
3 430 500 |
King Sabata |
85 242 619 |
6 035 700 |
Lephalale |
33 929 265 |
2 402 400 |
Letaba |
68 627 532 |
4 859 250 |
Lovedale |
45 570 207 |
3 226 650 |
Majuba |
203 992 929 |
14 443 950 |
Maluti |
92 176 340 |
6 526 650 |
Mnambithi |
83 463 112 |
5 909 700 |
Mopani |
85 384 556 |
6 045 750 |
Motheo |
166 061 892 |
11 758 200 |
Mthashana |
67 320 442 |
4 766 700 |
Northern Cape Rural |
51 097 270 |
3 618 000 |
Northern Cape Urban |
54 764 326 |
3 877 650 |
Nkangala |
111 668 297 |
7 906 800 |
Northlink |
145 936 516 |
10 333 200 |
Orbit |
165 614 897 |
11 726 550 |
Port Elizabeth |
86 439 549 |
6 120 450 |
Sedibeng |
119 928 175 |
8 491 650 |
Sekhukhune |
66 640 416 |
4 718 550 |
South cape |
63 416 119 |
4 490 250 |
South west |
189 203 956 |
13 396 800 |
Taletso |
79 912 572 |
5 658 300 |
Thekwini |
84 821 045 |
6 005 850 |
Tshwane North |
170 997 905 |
12 107 700 |
Tshwane South |
141 383 944 |
10 010 850 |
Umfolozi |
143 252 426 |
10 143 150 |
Umgungundlovu |
71 661 168 |
5 074 050 |
Vhembe |
201 980 392 |
14 301 450 |
Vuselela |
86 401 417 |
6 117 750 |
Waterberg |
65 930 732 |
4 668 300 |
West Coast |
88 502 930 |
6 266 550 |
Western |
111 977 592 |
7 928 700 |
TOTALs |
5 164 002 003 |
365 643 000 |
(b) A portion of the upfront payments should be allocated to NSFAS funded students to cover their living expenses.
2. See response to question 1 (i) and (ii) above.
11 April 2018 - NW804
Bozzoli, Prof B to ask the Minister of Higher Education and Training
Whether her department has undertaken a survey of the quality of student accommodation at all (a) universities and (b) technical and vocational education and training colleges in the past three years; if not, (i) why not and (ii) is such an evaluation planned in future; if so, what were the relevant findings in each case?
Reply:
a) (i)-(ii) The Department has not undertaken a survey of the quality of student accommodation at all universities over the past three years, because a comprehensive review was done in 2010 at all university campuses. A Ministerial Committee undertook a review and issued a Report on the Ministerial Committee for the Review of the Provision of Student Housing at South African Universities, in September 2011. The report provided a comprehensive picture of the state of student accommodation at all universities as well as a projected shortfall of the number of beds at each university. Emanating from this review, the Policy on the Minimum Norms and Standards for Student Housing at Public Universities (hereafter referred to as Policy) was published in Government Gazette No. 39238 in September 2015. The Policy is still used to inform the development of new infrastructure and refurbishment of old infrastructure.
The Ministerial Review Report showed that the public university sector had sufficient spaces in university owned on-campus student accommodation for approximately 107 598 or 20% of the contact student population. The report estimated that 195 815 new beds were required to effectively house students who required accommodation. Between 2012/13 and 2014/15 the Department allocated R1.748 billion from infrastructure and efficiency funds towards the development of student housing.
The Ministerial Review Report recommended that universities should ideally be providing beds for 30% to 50% of contact students on campuses in urban areas where there is available and affordable off-campus accommodation, and 60% to 80% on rural campuses where there is less or inappropriate
off-campus accommodation. Over time, all student accommodation should meet the norms and standards for conducive living and learning spaces.
The Department is working on a long term plan to address the provision of student housing across the university sector that will enable the development of approximately 200 000 bed on-campus or close-to-campus student housing over the next ten years, depending on funding made available and the feasibility of new funding models to accelerate development.
The plan is already being implemented as described below:
- Funding of R1.3 billion was allocated to 16 universities for student housing projects in 2015/16 and 2016/17.
- A further R1.1 billion has been allocated towards student housing projects during 2017/18. The number of beds that will be provided through this funding has not as yet been determined.
- The number of additional beds for 2020 onwards will only be known once the Minister approves the infrastructure and efficiency grant budget for the fifth funding cycle (2018/19 to 2020/21).
The Department is aware that many of the existing older student residences are not well maintained and require refurbishment. The Department has made funds available for backlog maintenance and universities are expected to make use of these funds, together with their own funds, for refurbishing residences that do not meet the minimum norms and standards as indicated in the Policy. In the case of private residences, universities undertake an accreditation process of the residences before students funded by NSFAS are placed in these residences.
b) (i)-(ii) The Department has undertaken a survey of the quality of student accommodation at all Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges in the past three years.
Fifteen TVET colleges confirmed to have no student accommodation.
Thirty-five TVET colleges confirmed that 99 buildings were identified for student accommodation with an estimated 12 979 beds.
The reported conditions of the 99 buildings for student accommodation are summarised as follows:
- 8 buildings are in a poor condition (not suitable for habitation);
- 30 buildings are in a fair condition (functional but require maintenance/ refurbishment); and
- 61 buildings are in a good condition (functional and in good working order).
11 April 2018 - NW396
Thembekwayo, Dr S to ask the Minister of Health
What (a) is the total number of cases of negligence by medical staff that were recorded at each clinic in the country, (b) is the name of each clinic, (c) are the details of each negligent act that occurred, (d) is the name of each medical staff member who committed the negligent act, (e) is the name of the person who suffered as a result of the negligent act and (f) action was taken in response to the negligence?
Reply:
Honourable Member, I wish to strike an understanding with you that the concept of negligence by medical staff is not something that is just recorded at each hospital. It is rather a verdict that can only be arrived at by a Judicial or quasi judicial process.
As such, I will need to contact judicial and the quasi judicial structures in health, in this case the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), to get the correct information and will revert back to you as soon as I have it.
END.
11 April 2018 - NW496
Van der Westhuizen, Mr AP to ask the Minister of Higher Education and Training
(1)For each of the bids that closed on 17 June 2016 for the construction of 10 new technical vocational education and training college campuses, (a) where will each campus be situated, (b) what is the maximum number of students that will be accommodated at each campus, (c) what is the current status of the bids and/or the contracts and (d) what is the estimated cost of each bid; (2) on what date is it expected that each campus will be ready to enrol students; (3) has her department provided for the equipment and staff that will be needed to utilise the sites; if so, what is the estimated cost for (a) furnishing and/or equipping the training sites and (b) the annual operation of each campus?
Reply:
- (a ) - (d) Refer to Table 1 below.
Table 1: List of the 10 new TVET College Campuses
No. |
TVET College |
Campus |
1 (a) Location of campuses |
1 (b) Student Capacity |
1 (c) Bid Status |
1 (d) Estimated Cost (at the time of tender) |
|
Municipality |
Physical Address |
||||||
Eastcape Midlands |
Graaff-Reinet |
Camdeboo Local Cacadu District |
Erf 9012, 4140 and 4150, Graaff-Reinet |
365 |
Contract awarding in process |
R 99 273 673 |
|
Ingwe |
Ngqungqushe |
Ngquza Hill Local OR Tambo District |
ERF 2786, Lusikisiki |
470 |
Contract awarding in process |
R 111 184 488 |
|
Ikhala |
Sterkspruit |
Senqu Local Joe Gqabi District |
Portion 11 of Farm 82, Herschell Road, Sterkspruit |
470 |
Contract awarding in process |
R 124 999 718 |
|
Aliwal North |
Maletswai Local Joe Gqabi District |
Erven 3094, 3095, 3099 and 3100, Aliwal North |
470 |
Contract awarding in process |
R 108 128 554 |
||
Esayidi |
Umzimkhulu |
uMzimkhulu Local Sisonke District |
ERF 152 being ERF 1918, 1952 – 1960, 1920 – 1949 and 1951, Umzimkhulu |
470 |
Contract awarding in process |
R 94 554 838 |
|
Umfolozi |
Nkandla B |
Nkandla Local uThungulu District |
Portion of the Farm Reserve No.19, No.15839, Nkungumathe |
470 |
Pending |
R 116 564 134 |
|
Umgungundlovu |
Greytown |
uMvoti Local uMzinyathi District |
Erf 1455, situated in Greytown |
470 |
Contract awarding in process |
R 124 999 718 |
|
Umgungudlovu |
Msinga |
Msinga Local uMzinyathi District |
Portion 24 of the Farm Klip River Location No.4665 – GT, situated in Msinga |
470 |
Contract awarding in process |
R 127 157 312 |
|
Letaba |
Giyani |
Greater Giyani Local Mopani District |
Erf 1502, Giyani |
532 |
Contract awarding in process |
R 92 573 494 |
|
Gert Sibande |
Balfour |
Dipaleseng Local Gert Sibande District |
Portion 0 of the farm Balfour 557 IR, Balfour |
470 |
Contract awarding in process |
R 106 722 624 |
2. Construction of the 10 new Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) college campuses has an estimated completion period of 15 months per site from the date of site handover (barring unforeseen delays in construction relating to extension of time requests). At this stage, the Department cannot give an anticipated date for enrolments as 9 of the 10 new sites are currently engaged in the contract award phase and physical construction is yet to commence.
3. (a) Parallel to the construction of the sites is the process of securing operational budgets and start-up capital for the new campuses. At present, there is no funding in the base-line budget of the Department over the Medium Term Expenditure Framework. In addition to requesting funding from National Treasury, the Department will be conducting a funding campaign by inviting the relevant end-users such as Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) and industry to play a role in the development and utilisation of the new TVET college campuses. It is critical that role-players buy-in for the resourcing and utilisation of the new sites as part of their mainstream skills delivery planning.
(b) The indicative operational and start-up capital amounts for all 10 campuses are set out in Table 2 below.
Table 2: MTEF Indicative Operational and Start-up Capital for 10 new TVET Campuses:
Year 1 R ‘000 |
Year 2 R ‘000 |
Year 3 R ‘000 |
Total R ‘000 |
|
Operations |
R 151 712 |
R 320 111 |
R 675 435 |
R 1 147 258 |
Capital |
R 915 789 |
R 144 000 |
R 12 000 |
R 1 180 789 |
Student Support |
R 34 688 |
R 73 192 |
R 133 128 |
R 241 008 |
Total |
R 1 102 189 |
R 537 303 |
R 929 563 |
R 2 569 055 |
11 April 2018 - NW213
Lekota, Mr M to ask the Minister of Health
(1)(a) What were the circumstances that led to the North West Department of Health awarding a three-year contract to a certain company (name furnished) for the provision of a mobile clinic, (b) what amount has been paid to the specified company to date and (c) on what legal provision did the North West Department of Health rely when it made the payments; (2) was the provision of the service planned and budgeted for; if not, what informed the procurement of the service; (3) were normal tender processes followed; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
Thank you Honourable Member for this important question.
I had visited the North West Department of Health and held a meeting with its senior staff at Ratlou Community Health Centre in the Ngaka Modiri Molema District on the 2nd March 2018.
I then had an opportunity to inspect two (2) of the mobile "clinics".
From what I could gather, I realised that this problem is much bigger than meets the eye and needs a very serious technical investigation.
Since this is a procurement function which is the purview of the provincial department, I wrote to the Minister of Finance on the 8th March 2018 and requested that the Chief Procurement Officer (CPO) in the National Treasury investigate this matter.
I also briefed the Minister of Finance. I am made to understand that this investigation is going on.
May the Honourable Member bear with me until the results of this investigation are released.
END.
11 April 2018 - NW647
Van der Westhuizen, Mr AP to ask the Minister of Higher Education and Training
(1)Whether she has found that the directive entitled Rules and Guidelines for the Administration and Management of the Department of Higher Education and Training Technical and Vocational Education and Training College Bursary Scheme for 2018 on 15 December 2017 was issued too late for institutions to properly plan and budget for the 2018 academic year; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) What (a) caused the delay in issuing the directive, (b) is the latest date by which such a directive should ideally be issued in the future and (c) steps will she take to ensure that such important directives will be distributed in time in the future?
Reply:
1. The policy directive entitled Rules and Guidelines for the Administration and Management of the Department of Higher Education and Training’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training College Bursary Scheme (hereafter referred to as the Bursary Rules and Guidelines) for 2018 was issued late in 2017 for TVET Colleges to plan and budget for the 2018 academic year with absolute accuracy ahead of the January 2018 intake of students. The Department revises and updates the Bursary Rules and Guidelines annually to ensure efficient administration of bursaries and to provide greater clarity to Colleges about bursary administration processes. This revision, however, is not a radical shift from year-to-year. Considered amendments are made based on feedback requested from Colleges in the course of the year to improve the administration of the College Bursary Scheme.
2. (a) Over and above the individual written College submissions which were received by the Department for the review of the Bursary Rules and Guidelines, the South African College Principals Organisation (SACPO) requested the Department to convene a consultative meeting of all relevant stakeholders to discuss certain matters that students often challenge in the application of the rules and guidelines. SACPO was of the view that colleges needed to discuss this collectively and then make inputs rather than individually.
The Departmental officials, College Principals, Chief Financial Officers (CFOs), Student Representative Councils (SRCs), South African Further Education and Training Students Association (SAFETSA), and the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) attended the consultative meeting referred to above, which was the first of its nature for this purpose. Following this extensive consultative process, the Department was requested to clearly delineate the RULES as separate from the GUIDELINES in the Bursary Rules and Guidelines policy document. As a result of these amendments, which required careful consideration and approval within the Department, the 2018 Bursary Rules and Guidelines document was released on 15 December 2017. Shortly after the release of the 2018 Bursary Rules and Guidelines, the Presidential announcement of fee-free higher education and training for students from poor and working class families followed, which had further implications for administration of the bursary scheme in TVET Colleges. The amendments to the 2018 Bursary Rules and Guidelines that resulted from the fee-free education announcement, were approved in February 2018.
b) In terms of the annual plans, the Department first has to solicit inputs from all relevant stakeholders for the review, and this process usually culminates in the release of the updated Bursary Rules and Guidelines before the end of September each year for the following academic year.
c) The Department does not foresee a situation similar to the one that occurred in 2017. The Department plans to initiate the review process in May 2018 to ensure that there is sufficient time to finalise this important policy directive by no later than 30 September 2018.
11 April 2018 - NW319
Bergman, Mr D to ask the Minister of Health
What amount did (a) his department and (b) each entity reporting to him spend on the promotion or celebration of the Year of O R Tambo on the (i) Africa News Network 7 channel, (ii) SA Broadcasting Corporation (aa) television channels and (bb) radio stations, (iii) national commercial radio stations and (iv) community (aa) television and (bb) radio stations since 1 January 2017?
Reply:
Neither the National Department of Health nor the entities reporting to the Ministry of Health spent any funds on the promotion or celebration of the Year of OR Tambo on any of the media platforms cited above since 1 January 2017.
END.
11 April 2018 - NW395
Thembekwayo, Dr S to ask the Minister of Health
What (a) is the total number of cases of negligence by medical staff that were recorded at each hospital in the country, (b) is the name of each hospital, (c) are the details of each negligent act that occured, (d) is the name of each medical staff member who committed the negligent act, (e) is the name of the person who suffered as a result of the negligent act and (f) action was taken in response to the negligence?
Reply:
Honourable Member, I wish to strike an understanding with you that the concept of negligence by medical staff is not something that is just recorded at each hospital. It is rather a verdict that can only be arrived at by a Judicial or quasi judicial process.
As such, I will need to contact judicial and the quasi judicial structures in health, in this case the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), to get the correct information and will revert back to you as soon as I have it.
END.
11 April 2018 - NW511
Wilson, Ms ER to ask the Minister of Social Development
(1)Why (a) was a request to host five events in KwaZulu-Natal for beneficiary education and beneficiary awareness campaigns on the new payment system and foster care mop-up project on 12 and 23 December 2017 approved within a day on 5 December 2017, (b) did beneficiary education and beneficiary awareness campaigns on the new payment system take place when a new payment system for the payment of social grants had not yet been finalised, (c) did all five events take place in KwaZulu-Natal and (d) was a total amount of R20 million approved for hosting the five events without an itemised breakdown of costs; (2) what are the relevant details of (a) each service provider that provided services for each event, (b) the detailed breakdown of all costs incurred for each event, (c) the number of beneficiaries that attended each event and (d) each (i) national and (ii) provincial representative from her department who attended each event?
Reply:
(1)(a) Submissions and other documents routed for CEO’s signature are attended based on her availability in office. The mentioned submission was signed on 5 December 2017 because ACEO was in office on that day.
(b) SASSA has an obligation to ensure that the payment of social grants is uninterrupted notwithstanding the phasing-in or phasing-out of services providers. Accordingly stakeholder management and constant communication becomes critical to prevent confusion amongst beneficiaries and their families
- The beneficiary education and awareness campaigns are held to reassure clients of government’s commitment to continue with the provision of paying social grants without any interruptions
- The campaigns are used as a platform to educate people on different types of grants e.g. Grant in aid; various SASSA projects e.g. Regulation 26A, Foster care backlog mop-up project. With regards to Reg 26A: SASSA has insourced the services to do direct funeral cover deductions on qualifying grants thus communication with beneficiaries was critical in order to allow beneficiaries opportunity to update their information, and to be within the legislation requirement of one policy per person and the policy not to be more that 10% of the grant amount.
- The beneficiary and stakeholder engagement was critical due to the need to provide clarity on the SASSA card that was to expire December 2017 and to inform beneficiaries that it has been extended to December 2018.
(c) No, only three events took place at the following places:
1. Makhosini
2. Kwamakhutha
3. Matshensikazi
(d) At head office level regions are allocated amounts to spend per event and the breakdown of cost is done at the regional level as they do their procurement process.
(a) 1. MAKHOSINI
NAME OF SUPPLIER |
SERVICE RENDERED |
Silver Ark Projects |
Main Marque |
Mbengiwe |
Flooring |
Mxinwa |
Mobile Toilets, Speed Fence and Marshals |
Thinasonke |
Extras (chairs, generators, air conditioners and Decorations) |
Sweet Basil |
Catering For Public , VIP and Officials |
Skhova's |
Transport |
Pubag |
Sound System |
Barlon Suppliers and Projects |
Gift & Promotional Items |
2. KWAMAKHUTHA
NAME OF SUPPLIER |
SERVICE RENDERED |
Bright Cloud |
Main Marque |
Thingo Investment |
Flooring |
Thengokhulu |
Mobile Toilets, Speed Fence And Marshals |
Summer Rock |
Extras (chairs, generators, air conditioners and Decorations) |
Ethel Investment |
Catering For Public , VIP And Officials |
Platonic |
Transport |
Silver Solutions |
Sound System |
Mbombo Events |
Gift & Promotional Items |
3. MATSHENSIKAZI
Name Of Supplier |
Service Rendered |
Kokumo Holdings |
Main Marque |
White Dove Investment (Pty) Ltd |
Flooring |
Tito Whl Trading |
Mobile Toilets, Speed Fence and Marshals |
Idlomo Production |
Extras (chairs, generators, air conditioners and Decorations) |
Duma Suppliers Group (Pty) Ltd |
Catering For Public , VIP and Officials |
Oakgotla |
Transport |
Sbani Samagela Trading Enterprise |
Sound System |
Marujwane Trading And Projects |
Gift & Promotions Items |
(b) The detailed breakdown of all costs incurred for each event:
1. MAKHOSINI
Service Rendered |
AMOUNT(R) |
Main Marque |
485,021.00 |
Flooring |
482,653.92 |
Mobile Toilets, Speed Fence and Marshals |
490,000.00 |
Extras (chairs, generators, air conditioners and Decorations) |
487,230.90 |
Catering for Public , VIP and Officials |
493,650.00 |
Transport |
493,000.00 |
Sound System |
492,853.80 |
Gift & Promotion Items |
480,000.00 |
|
3,904,409.62 |
KWAMAKHUTHA |
SERVICE RENDERED |
AMOUNT(R) |
Main Marque |
487,398.00 |
Flooring |
491,379.00 |
Mobile Toilets, Speed Fence And Marshals |
490,100.00 |
Extras (chairs, generators, air conditioners and Decorations) |
493,250.00 |
Catering For Public , VIP And Officials |
490,750.30 |
Transport |
494,500.00 |
Sound System |
467,240.00 |
Gift & Promotion Items |
495,000.00 |
3,909,617.30 |
MATSHENSIKAZI
SERVICE RENDERED |
AMOUNT(R) |
Main Marque |
467,021.00 |
Flooring |
496,950.70 |
Mobile Toilets, Speed Fence And Marshals |
488,399.50 |
Extras (chairs, generators, air conditioners and Decorations) |
491,489.30 |
Catering For Public , VIP and Officials |
493,728.00 |
Transport |
494,478.15 |
Sound System |
493,050.00 |
Gift & Promotions |
352,470.00 |
3,777,586.65 |
(c) Approximately 3000 people attended per event
(d) SASSA does not keep a record of official who attend the events. Officials attending events include representatives from Head Office, Provincial Offices as well as District and Local Offices.
________________________
Approved by the Minister on
Date……………………….
11 April 2018 - NW716
Motau, Mr SC to ask the Minister of Human Settlements
Whether her department has a Sexual Harassment and Assault Policy in place; if not, (a) why not and (b) by what date will her 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 her 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:
1.1 The Department has a Policy and Procedure on the Prevention and Management of Sexual Harassment, approved on 7 April 2017 by the Director-General. (Annexure A)
1.2 In terms of Section 12.1.1 the policy states that “The Head of Department shall appoint the Director responsible for Labour Relations as the Department Sexual Harassment Advisor to deal with sexual harassment complaints. This shall be a permanent appointment.”
1.3 In Section 13.3 (13.3.1 to 13.3.9) of the Policy it outlines the manner on how sexual harassment should be investigated, with provisions that
1.3.1 “The Sexual Harassment Advisor serves as the first line of contact to complaints of alleged sexual harassment.
1.3.2 The role of the sexual harassment advisor is to provide a neutral, confidential and supportive environment for employees who have reported that they have been sexually harassed;
1.3.3 Explain the disciplinary procedure and time frames to complainants and respondents in both formal and informal procedures; and advise the complainant on the appropriate course of action and support available;
1.3.4 Provide guidance (if necessary) on how to complete the appropriate grievance form; and provide the respondent with a copy of this policy and any relevant document on disciplinary rules and procedures in the department;
1.3.5 Issue a written notice of the complainant to the respondent and explain the protective measures available to the complainant;
1.3.6 Investigate the complaint and bring the case to the attention of the Director-General;
1.3.7 Avoid unreasonable delays during the investigation and conclusion of any sexual harassment complaint;
1.3.8 Monitor and submit quarterly statistical reports on all cases reported, resolved and pending to the Director-General;
1.3.9 Contribute to the development, coordination, and implementation of educational programmes and awareness raising activities for prevention and management of sexual harassment in the department.”
1.4 In terms of Section 13.2.5 of the Policy it provides for ensuring that “Disciplinary measures are applied in accordance with the Disciplinary Code and Procedures (PSCBC Resolution 1 of 2003) in the Public Service, and its specified timeframes.” In addition Section 16.4.1 of the Policy provides that, “Should the respondent be found guilty of the offence, in line with Section 19.3.2, the Presiding Officer shall recommend a disciplinary sanction which may include any of the following or a combination of them: Mandatory referral for counselling and/or EHW intervention/s; Verbal warning; Written warning; Final written warning; Suspension (without pay for not more than 3 months); Demotion (as an alternative to dismissal) and Dismissal.
2(a) Two incidents of sexual harassment and assault were reported in the Department in the past three financial years:
2(b) The complaints were reported to the Employee Health and Wellness (EHW) unit although no formal grievances lodged by complainants to the Labour Relations unit, in terms of the policy.
2(c) The 1st incident was investigated with the perpetrator being reprimanded by the appointed supervisor; The 2nd incident resulted in the perpetrator being issued with a warning by his supervisor; the perpetrator apologizing to the complainant; and approval granted for the complainant to be transferred to another unit was as requested by the complainant.