Questions and Replies
27 March 2018 - NW504
Mackenzie, Mr C to ask the Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services the following questions
Whether any Post Bank branches were unable to process transactions since 1 February 2018; if so, (a) which branches and (b) what are the reasons in each case?
Reply:
I have been informed by the SA Post Office as follows:
(a) All Postbank Branches were unable to process cash transactions on 19 February 2018.
(b) This was due to an interruption in power supply to the Post Office Data Centre.
Approved/ not approved
Dr Siyabonga Cwele, MP
Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services
Date:
27 March 2018 - NW678
Shinn, Ms MR to ask the Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services
(1)(a) What is the status of the legal challenge lodged by a certain person (name and details furnished) against his dismissal and (b) what is the total amount spent by his department in defence of the challenge; (2) What (a) is the total number of other disciplinary hearings or mediation attempts that have been conducted through entities such as the Public Service Commission and/or the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration to resolve the matter, (b) were the outcomes in each case, (c) are the details of each disciplinary hearing or mediation attempt and (d) was the total cost to his department of defending the dismissal of the specified person?
Reply:
1(a) The status of the legal challenge instituted by Mr. Buthelezi in the Labour Court on 17 November 2017 praying for the review and setting aside of the arbitration award that confirmed his dismissal from the Public Service, is pending.
(b) To date, the Department did not pay any legal fees for services rendered in relation to the legal challenge lodged in the Labour Court by Mr. Buthelezi on 17 November 2017. However, a total amount of R1 025 352.10 has been expended for the disciplinary hearing which commenced on 24 November 2014, including the arbitration proceedings that was concluded on 9 October 2017.
2(a) None
(b) Not applicable
(c) Not applicable
(d) None
Approved/ not approved
Dr Siyabonga Cwele, MP
Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services
Date:
27 March 2018 - NW646
Van der Westhuizen, Mr AP to ask the Minister of Higher Education and Training
(a) What was the (i) brief and (ii) findings of the forensic investigation that was ordered by her predecessor into allegations of fraud and corruption involving recipients of financial aid from the National Students Financial Aid Scheme in the 2015-16 financial year, (b) what measures were put in place in order to ensure that funding provided is used prudently and correctly in response to the (i) findings of the forensic audit and/or (ii) allegations, (c) who undertook the forensic investigation, (d) what were the costs of the investigation and (e) what approach was followed by the investigation to ensure that all kinds of reported abuse was covered?
Reply:
a) The Department of Higher Education and Training appointed Nexus Forensic Services on 23 September 2015 to conduct an investigation into allegations of fraud and corruption in the allocation of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) at ten identified public universities, and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges.
(i) Terms of Reference of the investigation:
To conduct a comprehensive audit for the 2012, 2013 and 2014 academic years to determine the extent of misrepresentation and fraud committed by students who qualified and have received financial aid, including parents and guardians, employees of universities; public TVET colleges, NSFAS and individuals who have manipulated financial aid processes to defraud NSFAS.
The audit must include:
- Applicants and family members/guardians who have knowingly provided false information on their applications for financial aid;
- Applicants who have intentionally misrepresented their family income by purposefully providing false information on the certification of affidavits in terms of Section 9 of the Justice of Peace and Commissioners of Oaths Act 16 of 1963 and Regulations under the Act;
- The validity of affidavits submitted and signed in terms of Sections 5, 6 and 7 of the Justice of Peace and Commissioners of Oaths Act 16 of 1963 and applicable Regulations;
- The allegations of persons who impersonate Commissioners of Oath in order to certify falsified documentation to defraud NSFAS for personal gain;
- Applicants who have purposefully altered documentation used in the validation of the financial aid application and approval process that resulted in the receipt of financial aid;
- Service providers who collude with students to defraud the NSFAS;
- Staff at financial aid offices at universities; TVET colleges and NSFAS who deliberately do not comply with NSFAS and donor guidelines on eligibility and academic criteria to defraud the NSFAS;
- Nepotism and conflict of interests in the allocation of NSFAS financial aid at financial aid offices at public universities and TVET colleges; and
- The identification of the shortcomings and weaknesses in the NSFAS loan and bursary system including the current NSFAS guidelines and rules applicable to universities and public TVET colleges, with clear recommendations to address fraud risks identified.
The investigation should be concluded within 12 months. The Department may decide to extend the investigation based on the extent of allegations of fraud and corruption at a particular institution.
(ii) The final report of the investigation was submitted to the Department on
15 March 2018.
b) (i)-(ii) The report is being analysed and measures based on the findings and recommendations will be considered.
c) Nexus Forensic Services (Pty) Ltd
d) R2 053 249.07
e) The investigation was undertaken in phases. Phase 1 consisted of the analysis of data and supporting documentation aimed at identifying fraud risks across the ten selected institutions. The Phase 1 report was presented to the Minister of Higher Education and Training on 10 March 2016. During Phase 1, Nexus Forensic Services (NFS) identified specific cases of students (identity numbers) and institutions who had been “red flagged” for further investigation in Phase 2.
Phase 2 of the investigation involved the original data analyses from Phase 1 being verified and/or compared with the student application information and the institutions’ final year reports. The NFS provided their report on Phase 2 to the Minister of Higher Education and Training on 14 March 2017. The Phase 2 report pointed to possible irregularities in the allocation of funds to some students.
The NFS identified different categories of potential irregularities, with a number of discrepancies within each category. They recommended that where there were a large percentage of alleged irregularities, samples of these categories should be further investigated in order to determine the veracity of the findings on the data. The Minister agreed that the investigation be extended, and that this would constitute the third and final phase of the investigation. The final report, once received, should provide details of the scale of irregularities and advice on mechanisms to ensure that these are dealt with systemically.
27 March 2018 - NW503
Mackenzie, Mr C to ask the Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services the following questions
What (a) number of days has the SA Post Office’s website been non-functional in February 2018 and (b) is the reason for the website being non-functional in each case?
Reply:
I have been informed by the South African Post Office (SAPO) as follows:
(a) The Post Office websites were non-functional on Monday, 19 February 2018.
(b) The non-functioning was due to an interruption of the electricity supply at the Post Office Data Centre.
Approved/ not approved
Dr Siyabonga Cwele, MP
Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services
Date:
27 March 2018 - NW685
Bergman, Mr D to ask the Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services
Whether any (a) disciplinary and/or (b) legal steps have been taken against any (i) employee or (ii) former employee for their role in the Media Corner matter; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details of (aa) steps taken against individuals, (bb) their job titles, (cc) charges laid, (dd) outcomes to date and (ee) relevant punishment in each case?
Reply:
The Department has informed me as follows:
a) Yes,
b) No
(i) Yes, disciplinary proceedings were instituted against employees who served as members of the Departmental Bid Evaluation Committee (DBEC) and the Departmental Bid Adjudication Committee (DBAC).
(ii) No. Disciplinary action was not taken against former employees as the Department lacks jurisdiction over the former employees who are no longer employed in the Public Service.
(aa) The disciplinary hearings against employees are still pending.
(bb) DBAC members: four (4) Directors and DBEC members: A Chief Director, a Deputy Director and an Assistant Director
(cc) The charges levelled against the members of the DBEC:
- Failure to evaluate bids against the minimum qualifying score for the functionality in order to assess bids.
- Failure in its recommendation, to the DBAC to deal with the application of the preference point system in relation to the bidder being recommended to the DBAC.
- Failure to evaluate the bids of the shortlisted bidders with reference to the same standard.
The charges levelled against the members of the DBAC
- Failed to discharge its duties diligently;
- Acted contrary to the provisions of the Supply Chain Policy;
- Approved terms of references that did not allow for an acquisition of services that was fair, competitive, equitable or cost effective; and
- Prejudiced the department by approving the appointment of Media Corner on terms contrary to the terms of reference.
(dd) The disciplinary hearings are pending except for one that had been finalised.
(ee) A sanction of suspension for two months without pay has been imposed and implemented by the Department for the employee whose disciplinary hearing was finalised. The rest of the disciplinary hearings are still pending.
Approved/ not approved
Dr Siyabonga Cwele, MP
Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services
Date:
27 March 2018 - NW229
Sonti, Ms NP to ask the Minister of Higher Education and Training
Whether the National Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences paid any bonuses in the (a) 2014-15, (b) 2015-16 and (c) 2016-17 financial years; if so, (i) what was the amount paid to each person in each specified financial year, (ii) for what reason was each bonus paid in each case and (iii) did the payment of each bonus comply with the cost-cutting measures and regulations of (aa) the National Treasury, (bb) her department and (cc) the Auditor-General of South Africa?
Reply:
The National Institute for Humanities and Social Sciences (NIHSS) has provided the following responses to the questions posed.
a) No, the NIHSS did not pay bonuses for the 2014-15 financial year
b) No, the NIHSS did not pay bonuses for the 2015-16 financial year
(c) (i) For the year 2016/17, a total amount of R624 865, 87 was paid in bonuses to 25 persons employed or appointed at the National Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences. The breakdown is as follows:
94 000.63 |
48 212.04 |
38 367.41 |
46 040.89 |
84 119.91 |
16 737.33 |
11 414.74 |
14 268.42 |
29 597.65 |
7 555.65 |
15 531.56 |
12 942.97 |
6 194.99 |
6 253.42 |
3 495.17 |
12 035.64 |
47 247.00 |
24 589.91 |
22 054.45 |
47 242.00 |
24 589.91 |
22 054.45 |
18 221.61 |
4 326.27 |
10 096.50 |
39 375.00 |
3 020.06 |
9 166.67 |
Total: 624 865.87 |
(ii) The bonuses paid were performance based for the 2016/17 financial year. The rate (percentage) was based on the performance rating of staff members in terms of the year-end performance evaluations. The following methodology applied:
- Bonuses were apportioned for the number of months worked in the financial year by staff members
- Bonuses exclude maternity and paternity leave
- Bonuses were paid only if a rating of 3.5 and above was achieved by staff members
- Bonuses excluded fixed term employees who worked less than 6 months in the financial year
- Bonuses excluded permanent employees who worked less than 2 months
(aa) The expenditure complied with the NIHSS’s policies. The NIHSS is neither a Department, nor a constitutional institution, nor a public entity listed in Schedule 2 or 3, and therefore the Public Finance Management Act is not applicable to the NIHSS.
(bb) Spending is managed by the NIHSS in terms of its policies.
(cc) The Auditor-General of South Africa audits the NIHSS in terms of Section 38 of the Higher Education Act and since its inception has received unqualified audit opinions.
26 March 2018 - NW20
Hoosen, Mr MH to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
Whether, with reference to the reply of the Minister of Home Affairs to question 1922 on 12 July 2017, any members of certain families (names furnished) have been issued with official diplomatic passports; if so, (a) when and (b) what are the reasons?
Reply:
My Department has advised me that no applications for diplomatic passports have been received nor processed for any members of the families referred by the Honourable Member.
(a) Not applicable.
(b) Not applicable.
26 March 2018 - NW278
Kohler-Barnard, Ms D to ask the Minister of Police
What was the total amount (a) budgeted and (b) spent by the SA Police Service on (i) transport, (ii) accommodation and (iii) other expenses in relation to the postponed state of the nation address that was scheduled for 8 February 2018?
Reply:
(a) An amount of R6 007 752,28 was budgeted for the State of the Nation Address (SONA) 2018, which was scheduled for, 8 February 2018.
(b)(i) A total amount of R472 132,34 was spent by the South African Police Service (SAPS), on transport.
(b)(ii) A total amount of R1 332 007,70 was spent by the SAPS, on accommodation.
(b)(iii) A total amount of R1 011 193,80 was spent, on other expenses, of which R935 026,00 is a projected amount for overtime, as well as subsistence and transport expenses, of the Division: Protection and Security Services (PSS) and the Presidential Protection Services (PPS). The confirmed amount will be available, once the financial processes of submitting the claims, have been finalised.
Reply to question 278 recommended/not recommended
Original signed GENERAL
NATIONAL COMMISSIONER: SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE
KJ SITOLE (SOEG)
Date: 16 March 2018
Reply to question 278 approved/not approved
MINISTER OF POLICE
BH CELE, MP
Date:
26 March 2018 - NW264
Moteka, Mr PG to ask the MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES
What is the nature of the agreement between Rance Timber and the Department with regards to the management and exploitation of Zingcuka State Forest in Keiskammahoek, Eastern Cape? Who monitors the implementation of this agreement? And what is your department doing to stop Rance Timber from destroying indigenous forest and the declared State forest, without any environmental authorisation?
Reply:
In 1998, Cabinet took a decision to privatise certain State owned plantations managed by the SAFCOL and the former Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF). To implement the privatisation decision, Government represented by DWAF and Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) combined economically viable plantations into five regional forestry packages namely: the North Eastern Cape Forestry package; the KwaZulu-Natal Forestry package; the South and Western Cape Forestry packages; the South Eastern Cape Forestry package; the Limpopo, Mpumalanga and Northern KwaZulu-Natal Forestry package.
The forestry packages were offered for sale to the private sector through a bid process which led to four of the packages sold to four companies. A business Sale Agreement was concluded between SAFCOL, DPE and a successful bidder where it was agreed that the successful bidder must be Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) compliant and that SAFCOL will acquire 25% share of the sale where 16% would be for communities and 9% for the workers.
The Amatola Forestry (Pty) Ltd whose majority shareholding is owned by Rance Timbers won the bid for the South Eastern Cape Forestry Package. This Forestry package is composed of 11 plantations totalling an area of 25 405 hectares. The plantation is one on the plantations that were sold to the Amatola Forestry (Pty) Ltd. The company has entered into a lease agreement with DAFF for a minimum of 70 years to promote and ensure sustainable forest management of the plantations.
Forestry is a highly regulated industry where no establishment can take place without a water authorisation. According to the National Water Act, 1998, forestry is the only declared Stream Flow Reduction Activity (SFRA) and plantations cannot be established without water use license. In addition to this, the lease agreement stipulates that the company must be certified by an international organisation in terms of sustainable forest management. Amatola Forestry is certified through the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) which monitors the Company on an annual basis to check whether the company complies with all environmental legislations related to land and the management of indigenous forests, grass lands, protected tree species and wetlands. Should the company be non-compliant, the certificate is suspended which affects its ability to market and trade its products. Amathole Forestry Company (AFC) has got a valid FSC certificate. DAFF also monitors AFC in terms of compliance with the principles of Sustainable Forest Management (SFM).
Indigenous forests according to the National Forests Act, 1998 are protected. The Department conducts site visits to the company as part of the monitoring of the lease agreement. The Department is aware of destruction caused by AFC when clear felling/ harvesting one of the compartments. AFC has been instructed to stop the destruction and in the meantime the Department is quantifying the extent of damage caused on the Indigenous forests in order to determine the cost of rehabilitation which will be paid by AFC.
26 March 2018 - NW308
Mokgalapa, Mr S to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
(a) What is the number of applications for (i) passports, (ii) identity documents, (iii) birth certificates, (iv) citizenship and (v) any other specified document that the staff of her department’s office in London processed in (aa) 2015, (bb) 2016 and (cc) 2017 and (b) what was the staff complement of the specified office in each of the specified years?
Reply:
The information is tabulated as follows:
(A) Number of applications for |
(aa) 2015 |
(bb) 2016 |
(cc) 2017 |
|
(i) Passports |
8546 |
9174 |
8756 |
|
(ii) ID |
574 |
616 |
489 |
|
(iii) Birth Certificate |
1671 |
2421 |
2331 |
|
(iv) Citizenship |
3277 |
2371 |
1827 |
|
(v) Visas and permits |
7860 |
7715 |
7407 |
|
(b) Staff compliment |
Locally recruited staff |
16 |
13 |
12 |
Transferred staff (DHA) |
4 |
4 |
4 |
|
Total |
20 |
17 |
16 |
26 March 2018 - NW459
Waters, Mr M to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
(a) What number of times did the National Population Register (NPR) (i) crash and/or (ii) become offline in the (aa) 2014-15, (bb) 2015-16 and (cc) 2016-17 financial years and (b) for how long was the NPR not operational in each case?
Reply:
(a)(i) NPR never crashed in (aa) 2014-15, (bb) 2015-16 and (cc) 2016-17 financial years.
(a)(ii) NPR was never offline in (aa) 2014-15, (bb) 2015-16 and (cc) 2016-17 financial years.
(b) Not applicable.
26 March 2018 - NW306
Mokgalapa, Mr S to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
(a) What number of South African citizens are currently living abroad, (b) in which country does each citizen reside and (c) in which countries do we have (i) embassies, (ii) high commissions and (iii) consulates?
Reply:
(a) The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) does not have the information requested by the Honourable Member. DIRCO does not keep such statistics as it is not required to do so.
(b) Please refer to (a) above.
(a) Countries where we have:
(i) EMBASSIES
BRANCH RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MISSION |
MISSION |
COUNTRY |
TYPE OF MISSION |
Africa |
Algiers |
Algeria |
Embassy |
Africa |
Luanda |
Angola |
Embassy |
Africa |
Cotonou |
Benin |
Embassy |
Africa |
Ouagadougou |
Burkina Faso |
Embassy |
Africa |
Bujumbura |
Burundi |
Embassy |
Africa |
Bangui |
Central African Republic |
Embassy |
Africa |
N'djamena |
Chad |
Embassy |
Africa |
Moroni |
Comoros |
Embassy |
Africa |
Brazzaville |
Congo |
Embassy |
Africa |
Abidjan |
Cote D'Ivoire |
Embassy |
Africa |
Kinshasa |
DR Congo |
Embassy |
Africa |
Cairo |
Egypt |
Embassy |
Africa |
Malabo |
Equatorial Guinea |
Embassy |
Africa |
Asmara |
Eritrea |
Embassy |
Africa |
Libreville |
Gabon |
Embassy |
Africa |
Conakry |
Guinea |
Embassy |
Africa |
Bissau |
Guinea Bissau |
Embassy |
Africa |
Monrovia |
Liberia |
Embassy |
Africa |
Antananarivo |
Madagascar |
Embassy |
Africa |
Bamako |
Mali |
Embassy |
Africa |
Nouakchott |
Mauritania |
Embassy |
Africa |
Rabat |
Morocco |
Embassy |
Africa |
Niamey |
Niger |
Embassy |
Africa |
Khartoum |
North Sudan |
Embassy |
Africa |
Kigali |
Rwanda |
Embassy |
Africa |
Sao Tome |
Sao Tome |
Embassy |
Africa |
Dakar |
Senegal |
Embassy |
Africa |
Juba |
South Sudan |
Embassy |
Africa |
Tunis |
Tunisia |
Embassy |
Americas & Europe |
Buenos Aires |
Argentina |
Embassy |
Americas & Europe |
Vienna |
Austria |
Embassy |
Americas & Europe |
Brussels |
Belgium |
Embassy |
Americas & Europe |
Brasilia |
Brazil |
Embassy |
Americas & Europe |
Sofia |
Bulgaria |
Embassy |
Americas & Europe |
Santiago |
Chile |
Embassy |
Americas & Europe |
Havana |
Cuba |
Embassy |
Americas & Europe |
Prague |
Czech Republic |
Embassy |
Americas & Europe |
Copenhagen |
Denmark |
Embassy |
Americas & Europe |
Helsinki |
Finland |
Embassy |
Americas & Europe |
Paris |
France |
Embassy |
Americas & Europe |
Berlin |
Germany |
Embassy |
Americas & Europe |
Athens |
Greece |
Embassy |
Americas & Europe |
Budapest |
Hungary |
Embassy |
Americas & Europe |
Dublin |
Ireland |
Embassy |
Americas & Europe |
Rome |
Italy |
Embassy |
Americas & Europe |
Mexico city |
Mexico |
Embassy |
Americas & Europe |
The Hague |
Netherlands |
Embassy |
Americas & Europe |
Oslo |
Norway |
Embassy |
Americas & Europe |
Lima |
Peru |
Embassy |
Americas & Europe |
Warsaw |
Poland |
Embassy |
Americas & Europe |
Lisbon |
Portugal |
Embassy |
Americas & Europe |
Bucharest |
Romania |
Embassy |
Americas & Europe |
Moscow |
Russia |
Embassy |
Americas & Europe |
Madrid |
Spain |
Embassy |
Americas & Europe |
Stockholm |
Sweden |
Embassy |
Americas & Europe |
Berne |
Switzerland |
Embassy |
Americas & Europe |
Ankara |
Turkey |
Embassy |
Americas & Europe |
Kiev |
Ukraine |
Embassy |
Americas & Europe |
Washington |
USA |
Embassy |
Americas & Europe |
The Holy See |
Vatican City |
Embassy |
Americas & Europe |
Caracas |
Venezuela |
Embassy |
Asia & Middle East |
Jakarta |
Indonesia |
Embassy |
Asia & Middle East |
Tehran |
Iran |
Embassy |
Asia & Middle East |
Tel Aviv |
Israel |
Embassy |
Asia & Middle East |
Tokyo |
Japan |
Embassy |
Asia & Middle East |
Amman |
Jordan |
Embassy |
Asia & Middle East |
Astana |
Kazakhstan |
Embassy |
Asia & Middle East |
Kuwait City |
Kuwait |
Embassy |
Asia & Middle East |
Muscat |
Oman |
Embassy |
Asia & Middle East |
Manila |
Philippines |
Embassy |
Asia & Middle East |
Beijing |
PR china |
Embassy |
Asia & Middle East |
Doha |
Qatar |
Embassy |
Asia & Middle East |
Riyadh |
Saudi Arabia |
Embassy |
Asia & Middle East |
Seoul |
South Korea |
Embassy |
Asia & Middle East |
Colombo |
Sri Lanka |
Embassy |
Asia & Middle East |
Damascus |
Syria |
Embassy |
Asia & Middle East |
Bangkok |
Thailand |
Embassy |
Asia & Middle East |
Abu Dhabi |
United Arab Emirates |
Embassy |
Asia & Middle East |
Hanoi |
Vietnam |
Embassy |
Global Governance & Continental Agenda |
Addis Ababa |
Ethiopia |
Embassy |
Global Governance & Continental Agenda |
Geneva |
Switzerland |
Embassy |
Global Governance & Continental Agenda |
New York (UN) |
USA |
Embassy |
(ii) HIGH COMMISSIONS
BRANCH RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MISSION |
MISSION |
COUNTRY |
TYPE OF MISSION |
Africa |
Gaborone |
Botswana |
High Commission |
Africa |
Yaoundé |
Cameroon |
High Commission |
Africa |
Accra |
Ghana |
High Commission |
Africa |
Nairobi |
Kenya |
High Commission |
Africa |
Maseru |
Lesotho |
High Commission |
Africa |
Lilongwe |
Malawi |
High Commission |
Africa |
Port Louis |
Mauritius |
High Commission |
Africa |
Maputo |
Mozambique |
High Commission |
Africa |
Windhoek |
Namibia |
High Commission |
Africa |
Abuja |
Nigeria |
High Commission |
Africa |
Mbabane |
Swaziland |
High Commission |
Africa |
Dar es salaam |
Tanzania |
High Commission |
Africa |
Kampala |
Uganda |
High Commission |
Africa |
Lusaka |
Zambia |
High Commission |
Africa |
Harare |
Zimbabwe |
High Commission |
Americas & Europe |
Ottawa |
Canada |
High Commission |
Americas & Europe |
Kingston |
Jamaica |
High Commission |
Americas & Europe |
Port of Spain |
Trinidad & Tobago |
High Commission |
Americas & Europe |
London |
UK |
High Commission |
Asia & Middle East |
Canberra |
Australia |
High Commission |
Asia & Middle East |
New Delhi |
India |
High Commission |
Asia & Middle East |
Kuala Lumpur |
Malaysia |
High Commission |
Asia & Middle East |
Wellington |
New Zealand |
High Commission |
Asia & Middle East |
Islamabad |
Pakistan |
High Commission |
Asia & Middle East |
Singapore |
Singapore |
High Commission |
Asia & Middle East |
Suva |
Fiji |
High Commission |
(iii) CONSULATES
BRANCH RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MISSION |
MISSION |
COUNTRY |
TYPE OF MISSION |
Africa |
Lubumbashi |
DR Congo |
Consulate General |
Africa |
Lagos |
Nigeria |
Consulate General |
Americas & Europe |
Sao Paulo |
Brazil |
Consulate General |
Americas & Europe |
Toronto |
Canada |
Consulate General |
Americas & Europe |
Munich |
Germany |
Consulate General |
Americas & Europe |
Milan |
Italy |
Consulate General |
Americas & Europe |
Chicago |
USA |
Consulate General |
Americas & Europe |
Los Angeles |
USA |
Consulate General |
Americas & Europe |
New York (CG) |
USA |
Consulate General |
Asia & Middle East |
Hong Kong |
Hong Kong |
Consulate General |
Asia & Middle East |
Mumbai |
India |
Consulate General |
Asia & Middle East |
Shanghai |
PR China |
Consulate General |
Asia & Middle East |
Jeddah |
Saudi Arabia |
Consulate General |
Asia & Middle East |
Dubai |
United Arab Emirates |
Consulate General |
(iv) OTHER OFFICES
BRANCH RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MISSION |
MISSION |
COUNTRY |
TYPE OF MISSION |
Americas & Europe |
Moscow (Belarus) Minsk |
Russia |
Sub-office to the SA Embassy in Moscow |
Asia & Middle East |
Ramallah |
Palestine |
SA Representative Office to the PNA |
Asia & Middle East |
Taipei |
Taiwan |
Liaison office |
26 March 2018 - NW149
Rawula, Mr T to ask the Minister of Tourism
(1) What are the details including the ranks of service providers and/or contractors from which (a) her department and (b) the entities reporting to her procured services in the past five years; (2) what (a) service was provided by each service provider and/or contractor and (b) amount was each service provider and/or contractor paid; (3) (a) how many of these service providers are black-owned entities, (b) what contract was each of the black-owned service providers awarded and (c) how much was each black-owned service provider paid?
Reply:
Government procurement is guided foremost by The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa.
Section 195 lays down the constitutional values for the country’s public administration. In terms of section 217, when government contracts for goods and services, it must do so in a way which is fair, equitable, transparent, competitive and cost-effective. In addition, the supply chain management (SCM) system must provide for the advancement of persons or categories of persons disadvantaged by unfair discrimination. The Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act (PPPFA) was enacted as a result of the aforementioned Section of the Constitution.
Various acts, regulations and instruments have been aggregated within the strategic framework of Black Economic Empowerment (BEE). These interventions have all been directed towards transforming the structure of the South African economy in a manner that promotes spatial integration, high levels of decent employment and demographic transformation of our industrial assets. Both the Department and SA Tourism apply all legislations, regulations, guidelines and directives relevant to Government Procurement.
In a year ± 14 000 payments are captured. The Department has made about 70 000 payments in the past 5 years. To provide the requested information, all the payments documentation need to be drawn from the archive. It will take much longer to obtain information on one payment than what it took to capture the said payment into the system. It’s been estimated that recording all 70 000 transactions will seriously impact on the ability of the organization to satisfy current service demands. In fact, it would require at least six months’ without attending to any new service demands, producing about 7000 pages of information in the process. Thus, the Honourable Member is kindly referred to the tabled Annual reports for more information, in the interest of efficiency and effectiveness.
DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM
1(a) What are the details including the ranks of service providers and/or contractors from which her department reporting to her procured services in the past five years;
In the past five years the Department has achieved 100% of expenditure on procurement from enterprises on B-BBEE contributor status level 1 - 8. From 1 April 2017 the department will only appoint service providers from the Central Supplier Database managed by National Treasury, which provides additional assurance that service providers comply with SARS, B-BBEE and banking legal requirements. The detailed information on the 100% compliance with B-BBEE is reflected in the Annual reports of the past 5 Years under Programme1.
Also, procurement is reflected in all (4) Programs of the department for each Annual Report in the past 5 years and in the Financial Statements audited by the AGSA. All Annual Reports have been tabled to Parliament. The relevant parliamentary committees engaged with the department regarding the Reports and subsequently the Portfolio Committee on Tourism tabled Budget and Revenue Review Reports (BRRR), which were considered and adopted by the National Assembly. These Annual Reports are available at the Library of Parliament and the National Library of South Africa.
(2) What (a) service was provided by each service provider and/or contractor and (b) amount was each service provider and/or contractor paid;
Consultants and contractors were used for different services and the amounts are reflected in the Annual Reports under the section on Human Resource Management. The other services and procurement are reflected in the Financial Statements.
(3) (a) how many of these service providers are black-owned entities, (b) what contract was each of the black-owned service providers awarded and (c) how much was each black-owned service provider paid?
Please refer to section 1(a) & 2(a) above. The objective of 100% compliance with financial and supply chain management regulatory requirements was achieved the past 5 years. For further breakdown of procurement, the Honorable Member is kindly referred to the financial statements on expenditure on goods and services for each programme as reflected in the published Annual Reports of the past 5 years. These Annual Reports are all available in the Library of Parliament and the National Library of South Africa.
SA TOURISM
(1)(b) What are the details including the ranks of service providers and/or contractors from which her entities reporting to her procured services in the past five years;
Besides overhead cost, South African Tourism’s procurement includes a diverse portfolio of marketing, advertising and related goods and services where a major portion of its budget is spent offshore. SA Tourism has made over 65 500 payments over the last 5 financial years where almost 50% of the financial transactions were made to international suppliers in at least 11 foreign countries where SA Tourism has operating offices and other also foreign countries where South African Tourism is doing destinations marketing through Marketing Representation agencies.
Out of SA Tourism’s total spend over the last 5 financial years, about R2, 5 billion was spent on suppliers in South Africa and at least R 2, 3 billion on foreign suppliers. R 1, 9 billion (i.e. 76% of the total local procurement) of total spend was transacted with B-BBEE compliant suppliers between levels 1-8 and SMME’s over the period.
(2) what (a) service was provided by each service provider and/or contractor and (b) amount was each service provider and/or contractor paid;
Also refer to response under (1) (b)
Consultants and contractors were used for various services which includes mostly marketing, advertising and public relations services related to destination marketing to execute SA Tourism’s mandate both locally and internationally. The cost of different services and the total amounts are reflected in the Annual Reports under the section on Human Resource Management. The other procured services are reflected in the Financial Statements.
(3)(a) how many of these service providers are black-owned entities, (b) what contract was each of the black-owned service providers awarded and (c) how much was each black-owned service provider paid?
Please also refer to response under question (1) (b). The objective of 100% compliance with financial and supply chain management regulatory requirements was achieved the past 5 years. The breakdown of procurement, is declared in the entity’s financial statements on expenditure on goods and services for each programme as reflected in SA Tourism’s published Annual Reports of the past 5 years.
26 March 2018 - NW86
Krumbock, Mr GR to ask the Minister of Tourism
What (a) was the original budgeted cost of the Royal Khalanga Lodge in Limpopo, (b) additional costs have been incurred over and beyond the original budget, (c) are the estimated costs to complete the project and (d) is the estimated total cost of the project upon completion?
Reply:
a) What was the original budgeted cost of the Royal Khalanga Lodge in Limpopo?
Phase 1: (June 2010 – June 2012) – The budget was R19, 000,000
Phase 2: (February 2014 – April 2016) – The budget was R23, 512,500,000
b) What additional costs have been incurred over and beyond the original budget?
Phase 1: No additional costs were incurred over and beyond the original Phase 1 budget.
Phase 2: No additional costs were incurred over and beyond the original Phase 2 budget.
c) What are the estimated costs to complete the project?
The project is completed. The actual costs incurred for:
Phase 1: Actual cost incurred was R18, 853,709 and for
Phase 2: Actual cost incurred wad R23, 347,912.
d) What is the estimated total cost of the project upon completion?
The project is completed. The actual total costs incurred for both Phases 1 and 2 is: R42, 201, 621.
26 March 2018 - NW72
Esau, Mr S to ask the Minister of Police
With reference to his reply to question 1689 on 5 September 2017, what is the total number of notices that were issued in each province in terms of section 11(2)(d) of the National Instructions 7 of 1999 which was issued on 3 March 2006?
Reply:
With reference to his reply to question 1689, on 5 September 2017, the number of notices that were issued in each province, in terms of Section 11(2)(d) of the National Instruction, 7 of 1999, for Section 8(4)(a) of the Domestic Violence Act, 1998 (Act 116 of 1998), is as follows:
Province |
2015/2016 |
2016/2017 |
1 to 30 April 2017 |
Eastern Cape |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Free State |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Gauteng |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
KwaZulu-Natal |
624 |
787 |
439 |
Limpopo |
35 |
88 |
15 |
Mpumalanga |
154 |
140 |
13 |
North West |
6 |
12 |
6 |
Northern Cape |
654 |
728 |
172 |
Western Cape |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Original signed LIEUTENANT GENERAL
DIVISIONAL COMMISSIONER: VISIBLE POLICING
NP MASIYE
Date: 23 February 2018
Reply to question 72 recommended/not recommended
Original signed LIEUTENANT GENERAL
f/DEPUTY NATIONAL COMMISSIONER: POLICING (AOD)
NP MASIYE
Date: 23 February 2018
Reply to question 72 recommended/not recommended
Original signed GENERAL
NATIONAL COMMISSIONER: SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE
KJ SITOLE (SOEG)
Date: 23 March 2018
Reply to question 72 approved/not approved
MINISTER OF POLICE
BH CELE, MP
Date:
Response compiled by : Lt Col Ledwaba
Code and telephone number : 012 421 8234
Date : 25 January 2018
Response verified by : Director Mncadi
Code and telephone number : 012 421 8003
Date
23 March 2018 - NW453
De Freitas, Mr MS to ask the Minister of Economic Development
What incentive programmes are currently in place in respect of the importation of electric cars into the country; (2) Are there any plans regarding the high import duties; if not, why not; if so, (a) will this affect the high import duties and (b) what incentive programmes are planned?
Reply:
1. South Africa does not generally incentivise the importation of goods into the economy, as policy is directed at building local industrial capacity. In terms of tariff support, the Automotive Production and Development Programme (APDP) provides an incentive for promoting local manufacturing of motor vehicles and not imports. The duty credits earned by the industry on production under the APDP can be used, among other things, to rebate import duties on electric vehicles if industry chooses to do so.
2. The existing 25% import duty on motor vehicles serves to support and encourage domestic investment and employment in the automotive industry in line with the APDP objectives. The dti is leading this area of work and will be engaging the sector in due course about prospects to localise the assembly of electric vehicles.
-END-
23 March 2018 - NW293
Ollis, Mr IM to ask the Minister of Basic Education
Whether, with reference to her reply to question 2254 on 21 August 2017, she has received the requested information?
Reply:
To date, the information has been received from two (2) Provincial Education Departments as follows:
Gauteng
Type of School |
Number of Educators Registered as fully qualified South African Sign Language educators in: |
|||
(i) 2014 |
(ii) 2015 |
(iii) 2016 |
(iv) 2017 |
|
(a) Full Service School |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
(b) School for the Deaf |
0 |
45 |
45 |
45 |
Northern Cape
Type of School |
Number of Educators Registered as fully qualified South African Sign Language educators in: |
|||
(i) 2014 |
(ii) 2015 |
(ii) 2016 |
(iv) 2017 |
|
a) Full Service School |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
b) School for the Deaf |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
The outstanding information from the other Provincial Education Departments will be made available upon receipt thereof.
23 March 2018 - NW442
Tarabella - Marchesi, Ms NI to ask the Minister of Basic Education
With reference to the presentation made by her department to the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education on 13 February 2018 on schools’ readiness for the 2018 academic year, in each province, what (a) are the names of the 11 schools that offer Grade 12 where learners will be writing the first National Senior Certificate in SA Sign Language Home Language in 2018 and (b) is the Grade 12 enrolment figure at each of these schools?
Reply:
a) The names of the 11 schools that offer Grade 12 and where learners will be sitting for the first National Senior Certificate South African Sign Language Home Language in 2018, are listed below:
School |
Province |
St Thomas |
Eastern Cape |
Bartimea |
Free State |
Thiboloha |
Free State |
Sizwile |
Gauteng |
St Vincent |
Gauteng |
Fulton |
KwaZulu-Natal |
Kwathintwa |
KwaZulu-Natal |
St Martin de Porres |
KwaZulu-Natal |
Setotolwane |
Limpopo |
De-la-Bat |
Western Cape |
Dominican (Wittebome) |
Western Cape |
Provincial Education Departments
b) The registrations for Grade 12 National Senior Certificate examinations close on 15 March 2018. The number of candidates who will sit for the first South African Sign Language National Senior Certificate examinations will be available after this date. The numbers indicated below have been obtained from the listed schools and 2017 LURITS and SNE SNAP data base; and therefore this is preliminary data.
School |
Number of Learners |
St Thomas |
10 |
Bartimea |
4 |
Thiboloha |
2 |
Sizwile |
11 |
St Vincent |
10 |
Fulton |
3 |
Kwathintwa |
8 |
St Martin de Porres |
7 |
Setotolwane |
2 |
De-la-Bat |
1 |
Dominican (Wittebome) |
3 |
Schools called, 2017 LURITS and SNE SNAP data base
23 March 2018 - NW291
Tarabella - Marchesi, Ms NI to ask the Minister of Basic Education
Whether, with reference to her reply to question 2860 on 28 September 2017, she has received the requested information?
Reply:
The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has not received the requested information from five (5) Provincial Education Departments (PEDs). The Department has requested the information and the outstanding responses will be forwarded as soon as the Department receives it.
23 March 2018 - NW718
Mokgalapa, Mr S to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
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. The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development has a policy and procedure on sexual harassment in place, which came into effect in 2008 and was reviewed in 2015 to ensure compliance with the Policy and Procedure on the Management of Sexual Harassment of the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA).
(i) Reports/cases are investigated by a Committee which is established in terms of the departmental policy and procedure, and which is constituted by officials from the following components within the Department:
- Employee Relations;
- Employment Equity; and
- Change Management and Gender Unit.
(ii) Details of the consequence management and sanctions stipulated by the policy are:
- Counseling;
- Verbal warning;
- Written warning;
- Final written warning;
- Suspension without pay;
- Demotion (as an alternative to dismissal);
- Dismissal; and
- Change Management.
2. (a) Total number of incidents of sexual harassment that have been reported in the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development are as follows:
(i) In each of the past three financial years:
- 2014/15 : Five (5) cases were reported
- 2015/16 : One (1) case was reported
- 2016/17 : One (1) case was reported
(ii) From 01 April 2017: Three (3) cases were reported
(b) The number of cases that were:
(i) Opened and concluded:
- 2014/15 : Five (5) cases were opened, of which three (3) were concluded
- 2015/16 : One (1) case was opened and two (2) cases were carried over from previous financial year. The two (2) cases concluded during this financial year were those carried over from previous financial year.
- 2016/2017 : One (1) case was opened and one (1) case was carried over from previous financial year making, of which both cases were concluded.
- From 01 April 2017: Three (3) cases were opened, with two (2) cases concluded.
(ii) Withdrawn:
- 2014/15 : Zero (0) cases
- 2015/16 : One (1) case
- 2016/17 : One (1) case
- From 01 April 2017: Two (2) cases
(iii) Remained Open, based on incidents:
- 2014/15 : Two (2) cases (carried over to next financial year)
- 2015/16 : One (1) case (carried over to next financial year)
- 2016/17 : Zero (0) cases
- From 01 April 2017: One (1) case
(c) Sanctions issued for each person who was found to have been guilty:
- 2014/15 : From the three (3) cases finalised, three (3) employees were found guilty and a sanction of Suspension without pay was imposed.
- 2015/16 : From the two (2) cases finalised, one (1) employee was found guilty and a sanction of Suspension without pay was imposed, and one (1) case was withdrawn after the parties agreed on a settlement - deemed closed and finalised.
- 2016/17 : From the two (2) cases finalised, one (1) employee was found guilty and a sanction of Suspension without pay was imposed, and one (1) case was withdrawn/closed due to a lack of evidence - deemed closed and finalised.
- From 01 April 2017: Two (2) finalised cases were withdrawn, as there was lack of cooperation by the one complainant and the other case was concluded informally - deemed closed and finalized.
(a) The Department of Correctional Services is in process of finalizing the Policy on the Prevention and Management of Sexual Harassment in the Department. The draft policy was consulted widely with recognized labour unions and employees.
The Department of Public Services and Administration Sexual harassment Policy for the Public Service is used as the mandating policy Framework.
(b) Assaults are regulated by the Correctional Services Act 111 of 1998 under Code of Conduct of acts of Misconduct
(i) Procedure Followed
- After a sexual harassment complaint is lodged by a complainant, an investigator is appointed by the employer to investigate the incident in line with the disciplinary code of the department.
- After appointing the investigator, sexual harassment investigations must be finalized within 30 days.
- Should the stipulated 30 days lapse before an investigation of a sexual harassment case in conducted by the investigator, the complaint should be consulted with request for an extension of up to a maximum of 14 days to conclude the case.
- In an event that more time is required to conclude the investigation, reasonable exceptional circumstance should be clearly stated by the investigator, with substantive reasons to ensure a balance between fairness and flexibility.
- Each request should be treated on merit.
- Consent by the complainant(s) to grant an extension should not be unreasonably withheld.
- A Sexual Harassment Committee has been appointed in line with the DPSA Policy and departmental policy. The Committee ensures that reported cases are brought to the attention of the National Commissioner and are investigated. Follow up is also conducted by the `Committee`
(ii) Consequences management
- The Department of Correctional Services policy statement and disciplinary consequences of sexual harassment both state that, sexual harassment incidents may lead to a dismissal.
- The following sanctions, depending on the nature and seriousness of the sexual harassment incident, made be imposed on an alleged perpetrator if found guilty:
- Counselling
- Verbal warning
- Written warning valid for six months
- Final written valid for six months
- Suspension with or without pay (not exceeding three months)
- Demotion/ Dismissal
The above sanctions are contained in the Department`s Disciplinary Code and Procedure and also inform sanctions entailed in the policy.
(2) (a) The total number of sexual harassment cases are as follows:
|
SEXUAL HARASMENT |
|||
Incident |
2014/2015 |
2015/2016 |
2016/2017 |
Since 1 April 2017 |
Opened and concluded |
5 |
5 |
7 |
3 |
Withdrawn |
|
1 |
1 |
0 |
Sanctions |
|
|
|
|
Corrective Counselling |
|
0 |
0 |
0 |
Final Written Warning |
3 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
Suspension without Salary |
1 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
Dismissal |
|
0 |
0 |
1 |
Acquittal |
|
2 |
4 |
0 |
a) The total number of assault incidents are as follows:
|
ASSUALTS |
|||
Incidents |
2014/2015 |
2015/2016 |
2016/2017 |
Since April 2017 |
Opened and concluded |
145 |
109 |
51 |
77 |
Withdrawn |
60 |
16 |
5 |
6 |
Sanctions |
|
|
|
|
Corrective Counselling |
12 |
5 |
13 |
10 |
Verbal warning |
11 |
20 |
8 |
10 |
Written Warning |
15 |
22 |
17 |
13 |
Final Written Warning |
18 |
12 |
4 |
5 |
Suspension Without Salary |
4 |
9 |
1 |
5 |
Dismissal |
1 |
4 |
0 |
10 |
Acquittal |
24 |
21 |
3 |
18 |
23 March 2018 - NW307
Mokgalapa, Mr S to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
With reference to the reply of the Minister of Home Affairs to question 3705 on 4 December 2017, has the (a) Independent Electoral Commission and/or (b) the Department of Home Affairs approached her department with regard to increasing the number of overseas voting stations; if so, (i) on what dates did the meeting(s) take place and (ii) what was the outcome of each meeting?
Reply:
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation and the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) have met and discussed the issue of increasing the number of overseas voting stations. The said meeting took place on 21 February 2018.
I have been advised that the matter has not been finalised yet and the Honourable Member will be informed once the IEC has made a determination on whether or not to increase the number of voting stations abroad.
23 March 2018 - NW709
Tarabella - Marchesi, Ms NI to ask the Minister of Economic Development
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. The Department has a sexual harassment policy which was approved and signed on the 15 December 2011. This policy is currently under review. The details of the consequence management and sanctions stipulated by the policy can be found in sections 3.4 to 3.7 of the policy document that will be forwarded separately to the Member.
2. I am advised that the Department has no reported incident of sexual harassment.
-END-
23 March 2018 - NW289
Tarabella - Marchesi, Ms NI to ask the Minister of Basic Education
Whether, with reference to her reply to question 3848 on 6 December 2017, she has received the requested information?
Reply:
In terms of the Employment of Educators Act, 1998, the delegated authority to investigate and finalise cases of sexual and physical assault matters is vested with the Provincial Education Departments (PEDs). The following information has been received from the PEDs:
PROVINCE |
RESPONSE |
North West |
(i) 1 Sexual Assault case was investigated. |
(ii) 3 Physical assault cases were investigated. |
|
Western Cape |
(i) 30 Sexual Assault cases were investigated. |
(ii) 578 Physical assault cases were investigated. |
|
Mpumalanga |
(i) 13 Sexual Assault cases were investigated. |
(ii) 14 Physical Assault cases were investigated. |
|
Limpopo |
(i) 5 Sexual Assault cases were investigated. (ii) 10 Physical Assault cases were investigated. |
Northern Cape |
(i) 11 Sexual Assault cases were investigated. (ii) 10 Physical Assault cases were investigated. |
Gauteng |
(i) 71 Sexual Assault cases were investigated. (ii) 256 Physical Abuse cases were investigated. |
Free State |
(i) 12 Sexual Assault cases were investigated. (ii) 44 Physical Abuse cases were investigated. |
The outstanding information from the other PEDs will be made available upon receipt thereof.
23 March 2018 - NW432
Ollis, Mr IM to ask the Minister of Basic Education
(1)Whether any mechanisms have been put in place to monitor the regular absenteeism of (a) the principal of and (b) three educators teaching at the Isivivani Senior Secondary School in the Chris Hani District in the Eastern Cape; if so, what are the details of the mechanisms; if not, (2) whether any mechanisms will be put in place to verify the daily attendance of the specified persons at the Isivivani Senior Secondary School; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) what are the details of any remedial or other measures that will be taken by her department to address the 0% National Senior Certificate pass rate at the Isivivani Senior Secondary School in the 2017 academic year?
Reply:
(1)- (2) Leave measures for school-based educators in the Public Education Sector are regulated in terms of the Personnel Administrative Measures (PAM) document. However, this question is specific to a particular school in the Eastern Cape Province (EC) and what measures the province put in place to deal with teacher absenteeism. Hence, this question should be referred to the EC as they are better placed to provide a detailed report.
(3) All schools, including under-performing schools fall under the jurisdiction of Provinces and Districts. Management of underperformance therefore is the direct responsibility of the Province and District. The Department of Basic Education (DBE) provides policy directives to guide provinces and Districts to manage such under-performance. Provincial Education Departments (PEDs) invoke the provisions of SASA (16A, 58B) to manage underperformance of schools as follows:
a) The Head of Department must, annually, from the report contemplated in section 16A(1)(b) and from other relevant reports, identify any public school that is underperforming in relation to any matter referred to in subsection (2)(a), (b) or (c). |
|
b) The Head of Department must issue a written notice to the school contemplated in subsection (1), if he or she is satisfied that: |
|
|
|
|
c) The written notice contemplated in subsection (2) must inform the school that it must:
- within 14 days after delivery of the notice, respond to the notice; and as soon as possible after that response, provide the Head of Department with a plan for correcting the situation.
d) The Head of Department must take all reasonable steps to assist a school identified in terms of subsection (1) in addressing the underperformance.
e) Without limiting the nature and extent of the steps contemplated in subsection (4), the Head of Department must consider: |
|
|
|
|
|
In addition, the DBE will provide additional curriculum support to Isivivani Senior Secondary School, as part of the broader plan to support all underperforming schools to improve learner outcomes.
This includes the provision of study guides for all high enrolment subjects, as well as a Home Language Revision guide and literature guide. In addition, based on the subject offering of the school, teachers will be supplied with School Based Assessment (SBA) exemplar guides to illustrate best practices in terms of formal and informal assessment.
The sector implements the National Strategy for Learner Attainment (NSLA) in all provinces, and provinces report quarterly on intervention programmes to support underperforming schools. These reports are analysed against set performance indicators and feedback reports are provided to each province for implementation. Further to that, the DBE conducts quarterly oversight meetings to monitor progress and verify reports.
23 March 2018 - NW366
Majola, Mr TR to ask the Minister of Public Works
MINISTRY PUBLIC WORKS REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA Department of Public Works l Central Government Offices l 256 Madiba Street l Pretoria l Contact: +27 (0)12 406 2034 l +27 (0)12 406 1224 Private Bag X9155 l CAPE TOWN, 8001 l RSA 4th Floor Parliament Building l 120 Plain Street l CAPE TOWN l Tel: +27 21 468 6900 Fax: +27 21 462 4592 www.publicworks.gov.za NATIONAL ASSEMBLY WRITTEN REPLY QUESTION NUMBER: 366 [NW388E] INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO.:No. 06 of 2018 DATE OF PUBLICATION: 09 MARCH 2018 DATE OF REPLY:23 MARCH 2018 366.Mr T R Majola (DA) asked the Minister of Public Works: (a) What is the total amount that was (i) budgeted for and (ii) spent on his 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 his private office in each of the specified periods? NW388E _______________________________________________________________________________ The Minister of Public Works REPLY: (a) (i) and (aa) and (bb) I would like to refer the Honourable Member to the Annual Reports of the last three financial years in terms of the information requested here, which has been made public by way of tabling in Parliament. (b) (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) and (v) In line with the Protection of Personal Information Act, (Act No. 4 of 2013) and the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, (Act No. 75 of 1997) I am unable to provide the Honourable Member with such confidential information. I can however assure the Honourable Member that the Department normally avails the personal files of the officials to the Auditor General for scrutiny as prescribed by law. The Department follows guidelines as provided in the Ministerial Handbook in respect to the appointment of the staff in the Private Office of the Minister. The Handbook also provides recommendations on the salary levels of each post. The salary levels are adjusted on an annual basis as prescribed in the Public Service Regulations. _______________________________________________________________________
Reply:
(a) (i) and (aa) and (bb) I would like to refer the Honourable Member to the Annual Reports of the last three financial years in terms of the information requested here, which has been made public by way of tabling in Parliament.
(b) (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) and (v) In line with the Protection of Personal Information Act, (Act No. 4 of 2013) and the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, (Act No. 75 of 1997) I am unable to provide the Honourable Member with such confidential information. I can however assure the Honourable Member that the Department normally avails the personal files of the officials to the Auditor General for scrutiny as prescribed by law.
The Department follows guidelines as provided in the Ministerial Handbook in respect to the appointment of the staff in the Private Office of the Minister. The Handbook also provides recommendations on the salary levels of each post. The salary levels are adjusted on an annual basis as prescribed in the Public Service Regulations.
_______________________________________________________________________
23 March 2018 - NW136
Kopane, Ms SP to ask the Minister of Basic Education
Whether, with reference to her reply to question 3982 on 15 December 2017, she received the requested information?
Reply:
Yes, the information was received. Please find attached NA 3982. See below:
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION 3982
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 01/12/2017
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 47/2017
3982. Mr I M Ollis (DA) to ask the Minister of Basic Education:
(a) What is the current backlog for schools requiring (i) sanitation, (ii) electricity, (iii) water and (iv) replacement due to inappropriate materials and (b) of these, what number of schools will be provided with this infrastructure in the (i) 2017-18, (ii) 2018-19 and (iii) 2019-20 financial years? NW4528E
a) The table below indicate backlogs for (i) sanitation, (ii) electricity, (iii) water and (iv) replacement due to inappropriate materials.
PROVINCE |
Schools without Sanitation |
Schools without electricity |
Schools without Water |
Inappropriate material |
Eastern Cape |
25 |
105 |
49 |
471 |
Free State |
0 |
0 |
0 |
18 |
Gauteng |
0 |
0 |
0 |
29 |
KwaZulu -Natal |
0 |
115 |
0 |
3 |
Limpopo |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Mpumalanga |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
North West |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
Northern Cape |
0 |
0 |
0 |
27 |
Western Cape |
0 |
0 |
0 |
17 |
Total |
25 |
220 |
49 |
566 |
b) (i) All the schools which have basic services backlogs (water, electricity and sanitation) are under implementation and are targeted to be completed in 2017/2018 financial year, and 205 schools built of inappropriate material are targeted to be completed by the end of the 2017/2018 financial year.
(ii) 57 Schools built of entirely inappropriate material are targeted to be completed in the 2018/2019 financial year, and
(iii) 48 Schools built of entirely inappropriate material are targeted to be completed in the 2019/2020 financial year.
The remaining schools built with entirely inappropriate material are going to be replaced in the outer years as the backlogs are huge and not all the schools could be addressed within the current MTEF due to financial constraints.
23 March 2018 - NW292
Ollis, Mr IM to ask the Minister of Basic Education
Whether, with reference to her reply to question 2512 on 11 September 2017, she has received the requested information?
Reply:
In terms of the Employment of Educators Act, 1998, the delegated authority to investigate and finalise cases of sexual and physical assualt matters is vested with the Provincial Education Departments. The following infomation has been received from the Provincial Education Departments:
PROVINCE |
RESPONSE |
North West |
(i) 1 Sexual Assault case was investigated. |
(ii) 3 Physical assault cases were investigated. |
|
Western Cape |
(i) 30 Sexual Assault cases were investigated. |
(ii) 578 Physical assault cases were investigated. |
|
Mpumalanga |
(i) 13 Sexual Assault cases were investigated. |
(ii) 14 Physical Assault cases were investigated. |
|
Limpopo |
(i) 5 Sexual Assault cases were investigated (ii) 10 Physical Assault cases were investigated |
Northern Cape |
(i) 11 Sexual Assault cases were investigated. (ii) 10 Physical Assault cases were investigated |
The outstanding information from the other Provincial Education Departments will be made available upon receipt thereof.
22 March 2018 - NW643
Bara, Mr M R to ask the Minister of Transport
(1)What is the total (a) financial loss and (b) number of train coaches lost to (i) Metrorail and (ii) Shosholoza Meyl due to (aa) aging stock, (bb) vandalism (cc) derailment and accidents and (dd) theft over the past three years; (2) what was the total amount spent on (a) maintenance of existing train coaches and (b) purchasing of new train coaches for Metrorail and Shosholoza Meyl over the past three years?
Reply:
1. i) Metrorail:
Metrorail |
Financial year 2015/16 |
Financial year 2016/17 |
Financial year 2017/18 Year to date |
a) Total financial Loss |
R48,582,002-86 |
R197,879,931-22 |
R201,333,873-26 |
aa) Total coaches lost to aging stock |
0 |
0 |
0 |
bb) Total coaches lost to vandalism including theft and excludes coaches waiting for quotations |
132 |
228 |
463 |
cc) Total coaches lost to derailments and accidents |
52 |
41 |
25 |
dd) Theft recorded within bb) |
ii) Shosholoza Meyl
Shosholoza Meyl |
Financial year 2015/16 |
Financial year 2016/17 |
Financial year 2017/18 Year to date |
a) Total financial Loss |
R13,438,746-15 |
R14,439,503-85 |
R27,878,250-00 |
aa)Total coaches lost to aging stock |
0 |
0 |
0 |
bb) Total coaches lost to vandalism including theft and excludes coaches waiting for quotations |
177 |
198 |
190 |
cc) Total coaches lost to derailments and accidents |
11 |
4 |
8 |
dd) Theft recorded within bb) |
*
- (a) Maintenance of existing train coaches for Metrorail and Shosholoza Meyl over the past three years
Metrorail |
Financial year 2015/16 |
Financial year 2016/17 |
Financial year 2017/18 year to date |
Total OPEX amount spent on coach maintenance |
R556,011,506-23 |
R597,303,628-55 |
R599,515,344-66 |
Total Capex refurbishment spent on coach maintenance |
R276,938,269-11 |
R194,747,834-27 |
R207,472,748-12 |
Total General Overhaul program cost. |
R936,978,000-00 |
R1,306,909,000-00 |
R817,793,000-00 |
Maintenance of new EMU trains (OPEX) |
R0-00 |
R85,071,643-86 |
R344,201,661-75 |
Shosholoza Meyl |
Financial year 2015/16 |
Financial year 2016/17 |
Financial year 2017/18 year to date |
Total OPEX amount spent on coach maintenance |
R122,207,079-72 |
R122,180,184-74 |
R118,621,841-03 |
Total Capex refurbishment spent on coach/locomotive maintenance |
R49,283,845-62 |
R54,950,983-03 |
R72,245,465-08 |
Total General Overhaul program cost. |
R271,796,000-00 |
R304,971,000-00 |
R146,904,000-00 |
(b) Purchasing of new train coaches for Metrorail and Shosholoza Meyl over the past three years.
PRASA to date has received and accepted 18 New Trains for Metrorail Services and has paid R6,3 billion over the past three years (FY2015/16 – FY2017/18), which includes, inter alia,:
· Payments for the 18 Trains
· Capital Spares, Tools and Test Equipment; and
· Mobilization of local manufacturing activities, including construction of Local Factory
No new coaches or locomotives were acquired for Shosholoza Meyl.
22 March 2018 - NW675
De Freitas, Mr MS to ask the Minister of Transport
Whether any decision has been reached regarding the future of the e-toll project of the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project; if not, (a) why not and (b) by what date will a decision be reached; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
No, there is no new decision on the future of the e-toll project. The project continues to operate and SANRAL is engaged in various processes to improve the collection of revenues due for use of the GFIP road network.
a) A decision on the future of the e-toll project will be made by Cabinet. I as the new Minister will receive a briefing from SANRAL and the DOT on work conducted in the past 6 months in order to determine the next step.
I will seek guidance from Cabinet and various stakeholders in this regard.
b) Once necessary engageement transpire, the date for the desicion will then be determined.
22 March 2018 - NW499
Steyn, Ms A to ask the MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES
(1) (a) What steps has (i) his department and (ii) the Chief Directorate: Animal and Health taken to improve the Residue Monitoring Plan (RMP) following the findings in the report by the European Commission Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety that was published on 30 May 2017 that there are serious deficiencies in the RMP of the country and (b) what has the budget allocation been for the testing of live animals and animal products over the past five years; (2) whether his department or the entities reporting to him test for mycotoxins; if so, (a) which products are tested, (b) how often are mycotoxins tested, (c) what national and international standards are used in this regard, (d) which laboratories or institutions in the country are currently tasked with the (i) testing of mycotoxins and (ii) implementation of the RMP and (e) what has the budget allocation been to each laboratory over the past five years? NW566E
Reply:
(1) (a) What steps has (i) his department and (ii) the Chief Directorate: Animal and Health taken to improve the Residue Monitoring Plan (RMP) following the findings in the report by the European Commission Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety that was published on 30 May 2017 that there are serious deficiencies in the RMP of the country and (b) what has the budget allocation been for the testing of live animals and animal products over the past five years;
(1) (a) (ii) The following corrective actions were implemented by the Chief Directorate: Animal Production and Health to improve the Residue Monitoring Plan (RMP) following the findings in the report by the European Commission Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety that was published on 30 May 2017
- Capacity in DAFF
A dedicated state veterinarian has been appointed in the section dealing with the National Chemical Residue Control Programme (NCRCP) to work on risk assessments that will ensure that all relevant veterinary medicinal products, pesticides, heavy metals and prohibited substances are always included in the programme.
The industry has availed a technical specialist to assist DAFF with the risk analysis and development of the sampling plan.
- Laboratory Capacity and Proficiency
The Agricultural Research Council – Onderstepoort Veterinary Research (ARC-OVR) has been engaged on deficiencies identified in the Chemical Residues testing laboratory in the EU report and measures are being put in place to correct the non-compliances as identified. The OVR has, however, indicated that there is need to procure additional analytical equipment for effective and proficient sample analysis as they currently only have one machine which cannot cope with the load.
Private laboratories have been engaged to process samples whilst the ARC-OVR laboratory is currently working on improving their laboratory capacity and proficiency. The industry will pay for the analysis of the samples at these laboratories and are currently engaging the laboratories to enter into Service Level Agreements.
A dedicated Quality Officer was appointed at the OVR Laboratory. The Quality Officer together with the Laboratory Manager will ensure the participation of the laboratory in proficiency testing schemes.
- Sampling Methodology
The sampling plan has been revised in line with the recommendations of the EU. The Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for sample registration at the laboratory has been updated.
- Reporting
Monthly reconciliation of samples submitted/received at the ARC-OVR Reference Laboratory was implemented so that timely corrective actions could be implemented for non-compliances.
Monthly meetings between the DAFF Residues Control Programme co-ordinator and the ARC-OVR Residue Laboratory Manager have been agreed on and are being honoured.
The DAFF co-ordinator presents the sampling statistics to the provinces at the Veterinary Public Health Advisory Committee Meetings which report to the Mintech (Veterinary Working Group).
(b) Below is the budget allocation for the testing of live animals and animal products over the past five years
Financial Year |
Allocation |
2013/2014 |
R9 126 754 |
2014/2015 |
R9 674 561 |
2015/2016 |
R9 674 561 |
2016/2017 |
R10 656 140 |
2017/2018 |
R11 295 508 |
(2) whether his department or the entities reporting to him test for mycotoxins; if so, (a) which products are tested, (b) how often are mycotoxins tested, (c) what national and international standards are used in this regard, (d) which laboratories or institutions in the country are currently tasked with the (i) testing of mycotoxins and (ii) implementation of the RMP and (e) what has the budget allocation been to each laboratory over the past five years?
2(a) The department conducts testing on Crocodile, Ostrich, Game, Poultry, Beef, Pork, Mutton/Lamb for mycotoxins
2(b)
Commodity |
Percentage of annual meat production sampled |
Beef |
1% |
Mutton/lamb |
1% |
Pork |
1% |
Poultry |
1% |
Crocodile |
5% |
Game |
5% |
Ostrich |
5% |
(c) Sampling frequency in line with EU legislation Commission Decision 97/747/EC and Council Directive 96/23/EC.
Testing methods are High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectophotometry (LC-MS/MS) accredited by SANAS under ISO 17025.
(d) (i) Agricultural Research Council- Onderstepoort Veterinary Research Residue Laboratory
(d) (ii) Agricultural Research Council- Onderstepoort Veterinary Research Residue Laboratory is the National Reference Laboratory for the National Residue Programmes under the Memorandum of Understanding between DAFF and ARC.
(e) Budget allocation as indicated above under 1(b).
22 March 2018 - NW500
Steyn, Ms A to ask the MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES
(2) whether his department or the entities reporting to him test for mycotoxins; if so, (a) which products are tested, (b) how often are mycotoxins tested, (c) what national and international standards are used in this regard, (d) which laboratories or institutions in the country are currently tasked with the (i) testing of mycotoxins and (ii) implementation of the RMP and (e) what has the budget allocation been to each laboratory over the past five years? NW567E
Reply:
1.1. Ostrich
-
-
- (a)(i) The contribution of the ostrich industry to the economy in terms of value of production is estimated at R 381 million for 2017. As a result of the lack of information on expenditure on production costs, it is not possible to determine the contribution to the gross domestic product. (Gross domestic product = value of production less cost of production plus indirect taxes less production subsidies).
- (a)(ii) The value of exports (ostrich) meat, skins and feathers made up 66% of the total value of production in 2017.
- (a)(iii)The number of jobs is estimated at around 35 000. The ostrich industry, as a result of restrictions on exports due to bird flu, had to scale down on employment.
-
1.2.Crocodile
1.2.1 (b)(i)The crocodile industry mainly exports skins. Value of exports during 2017 is estimated at R20,5 million.
1.2.2 (b)(ii) Exports represent more than 95% of the total value of production.
-
-
- (b)(iii) Information on the number of workers employed is not readily available but is estimated at between 1 000 to 2 000.
-
1.3. Game
1.3.1 (c)(i)The value of production by the game meat industry is estimated at R6200 million (Six hundred and twenty million rands), based on information provided by Wildlife Ranching SA.
1.3.2 (c)(ii) Value of game meat exports during 2017 is estimated at R36 million. Exports represent around 0.6% of the value of total game meat production.
1.3.3 (c)(iii)The number of jobs created by the game ranching industry is estimated at between 120 000 and 140 000.
2. What is the total monetary value of (a) milk and (b) honey exports to the European Union (i) in each of the past five financial years and (ii) since 1 April 2017?
2.1. The total value of South African exports to the European Union of milk and honey respectively for each of the past five years (2013 to 2017) were as per Table 1 and 2 below.
2.2 Table 1: SA total milk exports to the EU from 2013 to 2017 (concentrated and not; sweetened and not) in Rands
Commodity HS Code |
Description |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
Total (HS 0401 & HS 0402) |
Milk and cream |
14 000 |
23 000 |
9 000 |
8 000 |
26 000 |
Source: Global Trade Atlas (GTA), 2018
Table 2: SA honey exports to the EU from 2013 to 2017 in Rands
Commodity HS Code |
Description |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
0409 |
Natural Honey |
0 |
908 000 |
139 000 |
15 000 |
5 000 |
Source: Global Trade Atlas (GTA), 2018
22 March 2018 - NW641
America, Mr D to ask the Minister of Transport
(1)Whether his department (a) received and/or (b) investigated allegations related to intimidation by staff and/or security members of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) (i) in each of the past three financial years and (ii) since 1 April 2017; if so, what (aa) are the relevant details and (bb) remedial actions have been instituted against individuals or companies; (2) whether Prasa employs security staff who have criminal records in the provinces; if so, what (a) are the relevant details in each case and (b) are the specified persons not registered with the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority; (3) what was the total number of (a) SA Police Service and (b) private security company members who were employed to secure Metrorail operations in each of the past five financial years and since 1 April 2017 in each province?
Reply:
1. (a) PRASA received a complaint from Mr Zackie Achmat on 23 February 2018, regarding a complaint of violence and threats against #UnitedBehind,
(b) PRASA Security is currently investigating the complaints and will take remedial action when concluded,
(i) & (ii) the case of Mr Achmat is the only case that have been brought to the attention of the department since 1 April 2017,
(aa) the case relates to violence and threats against #UnitedBehind,
(bb) the department does not condone any individual who is implicated in any form of misconduct.
2. (a) Regrettably some security officials were employed as part of a recruitment drive to phase in a larger complement of internal security personnel with the intention to phase out contracted security over a period of time. Some of the members were recruited from the SANDF, Military Veterans and from private security companies. PRASA Security already started a vetting process in 2016 after the matter of criminal records was reported. The recruitment was however done prior to the vetting and screening of staff being intensified by PRASA Security. It is not PRASA’s prerogative to divulge the information on the individuals’ details relating to the criminal records.
(b) These members are not PSIRA registered and alternative placement is being sought for them.
3. (a) PRASA Security is not mandated to divulge any information relating to the SAPS.
(b) The Metrorail private security personnel complements for the past five financial years are as follows: see the link
http://pmg-assets.s3-website-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/RNW641Table.pdf
22 March 2018 - NW642
America, Mr D to ask the Minister of Transport
What (a) is the total number of persons who have (i) been injured and/or (ii) died as a result of open coach doors in moving trains of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) (aa) in each of the past five financial years and (bb) since 1 April 2017 and (b) actions have been taken by Prasa with regard to each case?
Reply:
a) Total number of:
(i) (aa) PASSENGER INJURIES
2012/13 |
2013/14 |
2014/15 |
2015/16 |
2016/17 |
43 |
163 |
311 |
336 |
298 |
(ii) (aa) PASSENGER FATALITIES
2012/13 |
2013/14 |
2014/15 |
2015/16 |
2016/17 |
0 |
15 |
2 |
10 |
16 |
(bb) PASSENGER INJURIES AND FATALITIES 2017/18 YTD
i bb) Passenger Injuries since April 2017 |
|
141 |
18 |
(b) Actions taken by PRASA:
Risk Indicators |
Risk Reduction Measures |
Responsible |
Due Date |
Progress |
Door failure – doors closing with excessive force and doors failing to open or close |
Replacement of Door Mechanism(design options) |
PRASA Technical |
Ongoing |
Executed during Routine Maintenance |
Improve Inspection, Testing and Maintenance regimes for doors prior to train release |
Train Operations & Rolling Stock |
Ongoing |
Daily Train Inspections conducted by Train Crew and Rolling Stock Technicians |
|
Passenger falls between coaches |
Introduction of new trains with open walkthrough between coaches - no doors between coaches |
PRASA Technical |
20 Years Rolling Stock Programme |
20 Train sets Delivered New Trains deployed in the Pienaarspoort Corridor in Gauteng. |
Curved platform – inhibits Train Guard’s view |
Platform Marshalls and Safety Patrollers |
Security |
Ongoing |
Platform Marshalls and Safety Patrollers deployed at Super Core and Core Stations |
Commuter Behaviour - Passengers blocking Train Doors |
Safety Campaigns |
Marketing and Communications |
Ongoing |
Monthly Safety Campaigns conducted at Stations. |
Overcrowding on Platforms/Stations |
CCTV Cameras/Monitoring on Stations |
Customer Services |
Ongoing |
Monitoring of Station conducted by Security |
22 March 2018 - NW735
Mbabama, Ms TM to ask the Minister of Transport
(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) The Department has Sexual Harassment and assault policy,
(a) There is a policy in place as indicated above.
(b) falls away
(i) There is a reporting template which the victim must complete and submit to the Labour Relations. Depending on who the perpetratrator is, the investigation may be approved by the Accounting Officer and where he is implicated, the Executive Authority.
(ii) Immediate suspension and or transfer, pending investigation, and sanctions stipulated by the policy, Dismissal
(2)(a) There is only one incident reported.
(2)(i) 2015/16 - Nil
2016/17 – One (01)
2017/18 - Nil
(ii) Nil
(b) None
(ii) (iii) None
(iii) None
(c) None
22 March 2018 - NW828
Cachalia, Mr G K to ask the Minister of Trade and Industry
What (a) amount has been budgeted to develop a special economic zone in Upington in the Northern Cape for the (i) 2018-19, (ii) 2019-20 and (iii) 2020-21 financial years, (b) progress has been made in the development of the specified special economic zone and (c) amount has been spent on the development of the special economic zone to date?
Reply:
a) All provinces with proposed Special Economic Zones were allocated and received financial support from the dti annually from 2013/14 – 2016/17 financial years as part of the pre-designation support for the proposed SEZs. Northern Cape Provincial government was allocated R31 938 587 for the preparation of the proposed Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Upington, in particular, to fulfil the following key objectives:
- Pre-feasibility Study
- Feasibility Study
- Strategic Plans
- Establlishment of the Project Management Unit (PMU).
- Environmental Impact Assessment.
- Detailed Engineering and Site Assessment Services.
- Planning and Development of Strategic Industrial Clusters.
- Investment Facilitation and Promotion.
In line with the above stated objectives, the Northern Cape Economic Development Agency (NCEDA) was appointed by the province to undertake management and operationalisation of the SEZ PMU (Project Management Unit) as well as the management of the funds.
The PMU was established with the sole objective of undertaking all SEZ preparatory work over the years corresponding with the funding. To this effect, an MOU was signed between the dti and NCEDA for the transfer and management of the performance of the SEZ PMU.
(i) There is no further allocation provided for the years beyond 2016/2017 except for the completion of outstanding work using savings accrued from the previous allocation by the dti. Therefore, no further allocation for 2018/19; 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 period for the Northern Cape.
b) Progress to date has been made in relation to the following areas:
- Pre-feasibility studies
- Technical Feasibility studies
- Land acquisition
- Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
- Detailed Engineering and Site Assessment Services.
- Investment Facilitation and Promotion
- Appointment of some key PMU staff position/s
The remaining work concerning the finalisation of the application for the designation of the proposed SEZ includes the finalisation of the sector strategy, strengthening of the investment pipeline, business plan, financial model as well as the supporting plans such as finalisation of the skills development plans, SMME strategy, etc. It is anticipated that the application will be submitted to the dti by second quarter (Q2) of the financial year of 2018/19 for the SEZ Advisory board’s consideration.
c) Northern Cape spent R17 394 328 as at the end of 2016/17 financial year in preparation of the Application for Designation of the proposed Special Economic Zone in Upington.
22 March 2018 - NW676
Hunsinger, Dr CH to ask the Minister of Transport
With reference to the board of each entity reporting to him, (a) which positions are currently not filled, (b) what are the reasons that the vacancies remain unfilled and (c) by what date will each vacancy be filled?
Reply:
(a)
ENTITY NAME |
VACANCIES |
SANRAL |
7 |
CBRTA |
4 |
RTIA |
7 |
ACSA |
5 |
SACAA |
5 |
ATNS |
6 |
PRASA |
11 |
SAMSA |
2 |
PORTS REGULATOR |
3 |
(b) The term of office of members of the afore mentioned entities lapsed and others resigned. The Department has embarked on a process to fill in all existing vacancies in all the entities.
(c)The Minister intends to fill in all the above mentioned vacancies as a matter of urgency.
22 March 2018 - NW640
America, Mr D to ask the Minister of Transport
(1)Whether there were any findings against the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa by the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA) relating to the security operations of Metrorail in each of the past three financial years; if so, (a) what are the details of the findings, (b) were any fines paid and (c) were any remedial actions taken to resolve any issues pointed out by the PSIRA; (2) what are the details of (a) each security-related contract for Metrorail operations that was (i) advertised and (ii) awarded (aa) in the past three financial years and (bb) since 1 April 2017, (b) the value, (c) the deliverables, (d) the company it was awarded to and (e) any further information in each case?
Reply:
1. Yes there were two finding against PRASA in the Western Cape in 2017/18.
(a) The first finding related to the internal complement of staff and the second related to the Training Centre. PSIRA instituted proceedings in the Western Cape by ways of a summons in terms of the Private Security Regulations Act, No 56 of 2001 against PRASA for alleged improper conduct with 855 counts. The charges are related to outstanding SASETA Certificates required for PSIRA Registrations, non-compliance to requirements for uniforms, criminal records and administrative requirements for the training centre. It must be noted that members recruited from the SANDF are trained professionals but many had not yet been registered through the process of recognition for prior learning;
(b) PRASA was fined the amount of R3,000,000-00 in respect of the charges related to the 855 counts for non-compliance of the complement and R8,000-00 for the Training Centre. All fines were paid on 31 January 2018; and
(c) The remedial actions are ongoing and include the following:
- Sourcing the funding to replace uniform and equipment.
- 96 members with criminal records have in the interim been placed with customer services pending further investigation and record clearance. The criminal records of five members have been cleared in the meantime.
- Members unsuccessful with their application will be dealt with through the relevant legislation.
- There are pending applications for expungement of criminal records as allowed for by PSIRA regulations.
- PRASA Security intensified the vetting screening of security staff. The process will be completed by 30 April 2018.
- A total of 229 members have been retrained and are awaiting their SASETA certificates for registration with PSIRA.
- The training centre deficiency has been corrected.
- PRASA is engaging PSIRA to update our records and to deal with the administrative backlog.
2. (a) (i) A national tender was advertised in 2016 on the National Treasury CSD portal, however the tender was cancelled owing to restructuring and the start of a turnaround process;
(ii) no contracts was awarded
(aa) & (bb) An emergency procurement process was followed following severe damage to the infrastructure and the killing of a security guard in 2017.
(b) Tabulated below are the values for contracts awarded since 1 April 2017.
Company |
Type of Service |
Total Monthly Value Excl. Vat |
Sechaba Security |
88 Armed guards to escort train crew |
R1,451,691-36 |
Red Ants |
4 Armored Vehicles and 4 crew |
R636,419-00 |
UAV Drone Solutions |
Drone Aircrafts |
R480,000-00 |
Combined Private Investigations |
Forensic Investigations |
R1,363,034-00 |
Total Per Month Excl. Vat |
R3,931,144-36 |
|
Total Value Excl. Vat for Six Months |
R23,586,866-16 |
(c) The deliverables for the respective companies are as follows:
-
- UAV Drone Solutions for night patrols and location of criminals / syndicates digging and slashing cables.
- Red Ants for the provisions of two armoured vehicles day and night with a response team of 8 day and 8 night for the protection of technical staff who are called out for repairs of damaged infrastructure as well as escort duties during routine maintenance. This was done due to ongoing attacks of PRASA staff on the Central Line. It was also reported that on occasion criminals boarded the trains to rob passengers.
- Deployment of 88 Armed Guards provided by Sechaba Security for the protection of train crews and passengers at the turn around points as well as identified high risk stations on the central line.
- Combined Private Investigations were procured to provide forensic investigation services and improve the rate of successful prosecutions for copper theft from 5% to 80% over the next six months.
(d) The companies are as follow:
- UAV Drone Solutions
- Red Ants
- Sechaba Security
- Combined Private Investigations
(e) There no further information.
22 March 2018 - NW677
Hunsinger, Dr CH to ask the Minister of Transport
With reference to the payments made by the Road Accident Fund (RAF) (a) in the (i) 2015-16, (b) 2016-17 financial years and (b) since 1 April 2017, (aa) what is the average turn-around time from application to full payment to the victim, (bb) what is the average pay out amount, (cc) what is the total number of applications that have been outstanding for the longest period, (dd) what are the reasons that each application is outstanding and (ee) what is the total amount of each outstanding application?
Reply:
With reference to the payments made by the Road Accident Fund in
|
(ii) 2016-17 financial years |
and (b) since 1 April 2017, |
|
(aa) the average turn-around time from application to full payment to the victim was, |
1,238 days |
1,194 days |
1,165 days |
(bb) the average pay out amount was, |
R 539,425 |
R 521,855 |
R 542,926 |
(cc) the total number of applications that have been outstanding for longer than 10 years was, |
5,263 personal claims (as at 31 March 2016) |
3,256 personal claims (as at 31 March 2017) |
2,827 personal claims (as at 28 February 2018) |
(dd) the reasons that each application is outstanding are, |
(due to the number of personal claims involved it is not feasible to furnish reasons, on an individual claim basis, instead a high-level summary of the most common reasons is provided) |
||
and (ee) the total amount of each outstanding application is |
R241,622 (average claimed amount) |
R325,160 (average claimed amount) |
R372,658 (average claimed amount) |
20 March 2018 - NW339
Hadebe, Mr TZ to ask the Minister of Tourism
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:
a) Department
The Department of Tourism has not spent any amount on the Year of Oliver Tambo
b) SA Tourism
South African Tourism did not spend on the promotion or celebration of the Year of OR Tambo. In recognition of the significance of the year, South African Tourism weaved the message of the Year OR Tambo in most of their key spokesperson’s speaking engagements. These included the speeches at events such as:
Tourism Indaba (May 2017)
Tourism Month Launch (July 2017)
Tourism Month Celebrations (September 2017)
Lilizela National Awards (October 2017)
World Travel Market – UK (November 2017)
20 March 2018 - NW263
Paulsen, Mr N M to ask the MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES
Whether he has been informed that the youth agricultural co-operative in the Lower Zingcuka village in Keiskammahoek was allegedly hijacked by a certain company (name and details furnished) and that members of the youth co-operative are now in the employment of the specified company which is allegedly using the Lower Zingcuka Agricultural Co-operative to obtain subsidies from the Government; if not, what steps does he intend to take to prevent the company from hijacking a noble youth developmental programme in Lower Zingcuka; if so, what steps has he taken to rectify this situation? NW284E
Reply:
This matter was only brought to my attention when the Honourable Member asked the question. However, the department has been in contact with the Eastern Cape Provincial Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform (Directorate: Economic Services) and the cooperative (Mr Somdaka-Treasurer). Preliminary investigation by the department revealed the following:
- Lower Zingcuka Agricultural Cooperative is registered in terms of the Cooperatives Amendment Act (Act No 6 of 2013) as a primary agricultural cooperative with limited liability.
- The cooperative was established by six members (three males and three females with an objective of producing vegetables collectively on a fourteen hectare piece of land. Currently nine hectares are under production.
- The cooperative has been supported by the Office of the Premier (Eastern Cape) with a tractor, fencing and a voucher for inputs worth R 30 000.00. They currently sell their produce in King Williamstown and East London.
- The cooperative is not aware of their enterprise being hijacked; furthermore they have no knowledge of a private company that is soliciting financial support from government on their behalf.
- DAFF will continue working with the Provincial Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform (Eastern Cape) and the cooperative to ensure that it maintains its autonomy and independence. Any suspicious acts of external interference (hijacking) will be reported to the relevant authorities including the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission.
20 March 2018 - NW266
Xalisa, Mr Z R to ask the Minister of Environmental Affairs
With regard to the grant from The Jobs Fund that was received by the South African National Biodiversity Institute in order to build human resource capacity in the biodiversity conservation sector, with an explicit promise that all those employed through the jobs fund programme will eventually get full-time employment, (a) what is the total number of young persons who were employed through the programme, (b) of these, what is the number that has been employed full-time and (c) what are the reasons that some are not yet employed full time?
Reply:
a) The objective of the SANBI Groen Sebenza Programme, funded through the Jobs Fund, was to support 800 unemployed youth by equipping them with the skills and experience needed to access jobs in ecosystem management. Section 2.1.53 of the contract between the Development Bank of South Africa (DBSA) and SANBI provided for the “sourcing assessment, selection, training and placement of the applicants in an incubator programme” During their 2.5 years in the scheme these participants recieved mentoring, training and rotational placements with the goal of improving their employability in the environment sector. The placement of these young people took place through 46 partners in the ecosystem management sector, with SANBI playing an overall coordination role. While the target was to incubate 800 young persons to prepare them for full time employment, the programme exceeded the target by incubating 955 unemployed youth.
b) The programme envisaged the creation of 800 jobs through this incubation programme, and a total of 645 youth were employed by partner organisations or beyond the partner organisations immediately on conclusion of the programme, reflecting a successful conversion rate of experiential learning into permanent employment. While we appreciate the external dynamics with some partner organisations, we duly acknowledge the role of these partners especially for taking this mammoth task and responsibility of creating envisaged permanent jobs as part of this programme.
c) The fact that some of the participants were not in permanent employment at the end of the programme relates to a situation where some of these young persons chose to further their studies, some are self employed whereas some are not yet employed. SANBI is currently busy with a Tracer study on those not yet employed. Government will continue to follow due processes as guided by relevant policies to ensure tranperancy and fairness in training, placements and appointments. This programme provided the much needed experiential learning which newly qualified graduates generally lack, and it positioned them to take advantage of potential opportunities that may emerge in the sector and beyond.
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20 March 2018 - NW711
Tarabella - Marchesi, Ms NI to ask the Minister of Environmental Affairs
(1)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. Yes.
(a) Not applicable.
(b) Not applicable
(i) Labour Relations Practitioners are designated officials delegated to execute the investigation function to gather evidence upon receipt of complaints with additional support through outsourcing of Labour Law experts where deemed necessary.
(ii) The consequence management and sanctions are in line with the Public Service Policy and Procedures on Management of Sexual Harassment which provides a guideline on the list of sanction ranging from:
- Counselling,
- verbal warning,
- written warning,
- final written warning,
- suspension/fine,
- demotion (as an alternative to dismissal), and
- dismissal.
2. (a)
(i) One incident of sexual harassment and no incident on assault in 2014/15.
No incident of sexual harassment nor assault was reported in 2015/2016.
Two incidents of sexual harassment and one incident of assault in 2016/2017.
Two incidents of sexual harassment and one incident of assault in 2017/2018.
(ii) Six incidents have been reported since 01 April 2017.
Four incidents on sexual harassment and two incidents on assault.
(b)
(i) Seven cases were opened and six concluded.
(ii) No cases were withdrawn.
(iii) One case remains open pending approval of charges and disciplinary hearing.
(c) None found guilty.
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19 March 2018 - NW209
Madisha, Mr WM to ask the Minister of Public Works
Have the swimming pools of the ministerial residences in Cape Town been replenished with water during the current period of drought-related water restrictions; if so, (a) when and (b) why?
Reply:
None of the swimming pools at the Ministerial residences have been replenished with water during the water restriction period.
(a) and (b) Falls away.
________________________________________________________________________
19 March 2018 - NW379
Alberts, Mr ADW to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
What is the status of the judicial inquiry into the death of (details furnished) in the Ford Kuga case?
Reply:
The (Inquest) Magistrate of the Magistrates Court, George has advised that she is engaged in perusing the inquest papers and will decide how the matter will proceed in due course
19 March 2018 - NW465
Mhlongo, Mr TW to ask the Minister of Public Works
(1) (a) What were the zoning types for Erf 11206 in the City of Johannesburg (i) in the past five financial years and (ii) since 1 April 2017 and (b) what are the names of each owner in each case; (2) whether any plans have been put in place to develop this erf; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1. (a) The property in question is privately owned. (See Annexure A).
(i), (ii) and (b) Fall away
(2) Falls away.
16 March 2018 - NW660
Breytenbach, Adv G to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
(a) What number of reports released by the Office of the Public Protector were taken on review (i) in each of the past three financial years and (ii) since 1 April 2017 and (b) in respect of each report taken on review, what are the details regarding the (i) description of the report concerned, (ii) date of release, (iii) total amount in rand spent by the Office of the Public Protector on legal fees and (iv) outcome of litigation, where applicable?
Reply:
I have been informed by Public Protector that a letter to the National Assembly has been sent to the Speaker advising that Members of Parliament questions should be directly sent to the Office of the Public Protector ([email protected]).
16 March 2018 - NW639
Alberts, Mr ADW to ask the Minister of Trade and Industry
(1) Whether the programme of broad-based black economic empowerment (BBBEE) is an exception to the principle of equality in terms of section 9 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996; if so, according to which criteria and time line will the BBBEE programme be discontinued; (2) whether the said programme is an integral part of the principle of equality that will never be abolished; if not, in what way and on what legal basis will the programme be a permanent aspect of the South African society; if so, what are the relevant details of the legal basis on which the interpretation is based?[NW713E]
Reply:
(1) B-BBEE is not an exception to the principle of equality in terms of section 9 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa:
In fact, section 9(2) of the Constitution states that:
“Equality includes the full and equal enjoyment of all rights and freedoms.
To promote the achievement of equality, legislative and other measures designed to protect or advance persons, or categories of persons, disadvantaged by unfair discrimination may be taken.”
In promoting equality as envisaged above, the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act No. 53 of 2003 (“the Act”) was enacted and subsequently amended by the B-BBEE Amendment Act No. 46 of 2013. The Act as amended and the B-BBEE Codes of Good Practice constituted the legislative and other measures which are designed to protect or advance persons or categories of persons disadvantaged by unfair discrimination.
- Section 14(1) of the Act entrust the Minister of Trade and Industry to make regulations with regard to:
- Any matter that in terms of the Act may or must be prescribed;
- The lodging of complaints with the BEE Commission;
- The conducting of investigations by the Commission;
- The information that any organ of state, public entity or private enterprise is required to provide to the Commission and the form and period of such reporting;
- Requiring all broad-based black economic empowerment transactions above a prescribed threshold to be reported to the Commission; and
- Any ancillary or incidental administrative or procedural matter that is necessary to prescribe for the proper implementation and administration of the Act.
- Section 14 (2) of the Act provides as follows:
- The Minister may by notice in the Gazette issue guidelines and practice notes relating to the interpretation and application of the Act.
(2) B-BBEE is an integral part of the principle of equality in terms of section 9 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa;
- In terms of the Statement 000 of the B-BBEE Act 46 of 2013, as amended-
- Paragraph 12: Duration of the Codes
- A Code remains in effect until amended, substituted or repealed under Section 9 of the Act.
- The Minister may review the Codes at any stage and regular reviews will take place to monitor the implementation of BBBEE throughout the economy
16 March 2018 - NW661
Breytenbach, Adv G to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
(a) What number of official international trips did the Public Protector undertake (i) in the 2016-17 financial year and (ii) since 1 April 2017 and (b) what was the (i) destination, (ii) date, (iii) purpose and (iv)(aa) name and (bb) professional designation of each person who travelled with the delegation and (c) what is the detailed breakdown of cost of flights, accommodation and any other expenses in each case?
Reply:
I have been informed by Public Protector that a letter to the National Assembly has been sent to the Speaker advising that Members of Parliament questions should be directly sent to the Office of the Public Protector ([email protected]).
16 March 2018 - NW29
America, Mr D to ask the Minister of Higher Education and Training
With regard to the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) and the ongoing protests taking place at the specified institution, (a) what is the total number of students who have been awarded funding by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) but have not yet received their funding for 2017 and (b) of these students, what is the total number that has not received the funding due to (i) not having had Loan Agreement Forms (LAF) generated by NSFAS, (ii) not having signed the LAF that has been generated by NSFAS and/or (iii) another administrative error; (2) did the student representative council transport students to the NSFAS offices to sign their LAFs in person due to an administrative error by NSFAS in the online process; if so, what steps has NSFAS taken to fix the problem; (3) (a) what number of students have not received NSFAS allowances for food since 30 August 2017 and (b) what measures will her department take to urgently address the administrative failures of NSFAS?
Reply:
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has provided the following responses to the questions posed.
1. (a) As at 15 December 2017, NSFAS reported that 7 713 students registered at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) had been awarded funding and 2 169 of these students had not received payments.
(b) (i) 52 Students’ LAFSOPs (Loan Agreement Forms and Schedule of Particulars) could not be generated by NSFAS due to course code mismatches between the data from the institution and NSFAS records on the system.
(ii) 1 294 Students had not signed their LAFSOPs.
(iii) 823 Students payments were being processed.
NSFAS is not aware of any student that has not received funding due to any other administration error.
2. NSFAS is not aware if the SRC arranged transport to NSFAS offices. NSFAS arranged for their Servicing Team to visit the institution to assist students with signing their LAFSOPs in August and October 2017. Both attempts were not successful as the students were protesting at that time, and campuses were closed. NSFAS then generated paper-based LAFSOPs, which the Financial Aid Office at CPUT collected and contacted students individually to sign these agreements. Those that were signed were returned to NSFAS for processing.
3. (a) 2 169 students as outlined above.
(b) The Department of Higher Education and Training met with the Executive Committee (EXCO) of Universities South Africa and NSFAS on
15 June 2017 to address the administration issues raised by students, SRC Presidents and Secretaries General to discuss the challenges experienced during the 2017 roll out of the new student centred model and NSFAS’ proposed 2018 implementation plan. A joint task team was established to address the 2017 challenges and plans for the 2018 application cycle. The task team has been meeting since 15 June 2017 and progress related to the 2017 and 2018 processes is being closely monitored. In addition, NSFAS has deployed servicing teams to institutions where additional on-site support has been required.
16 March 2018 - NW474
Alberts, Mr ADW to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
(1)On what authority and/or competence and/or legal grounds does the Chief Justice rely in his decision to have English used as the only official language or record in the courts, as was announced on 29 September 2017; (2) whether the Chief Justice consulted him before the specified decision was taken; if not, why was he not consulted; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) what are the correct legal grounds on which such decision is taken; (4) whether the Chief Justice informed his department of the specified decision before is was made public; if not, why not; if so, (a) on what date and (b) where can a copy of the communication be accessed; (5) whether the decision was published in the Government Gazette in accordance with section 8(5)(b) of the Superior Courts Act, Act 10 of 2013; if not, why was this not deemed necessary; if so, in which Government Gazette was it published?
Reply:
1. Section 8 of the Superior Courts Act, 2013 (Act No. 10 of 2013) accords the Chief Justice certain powers with regard to the performance of judicial functions, and these powers flow directly from the constitutional reforms brought about by the Constitution Seventeenth Amendment passed by this august House in 2012 section 165(6) of which provides, and I quote:
“165(6) The Chief Justice is the head of the judiciary and exercises responsibility over the establishment and monitoring of norms and standards for the exercise of the judicial functions of all courts.” (Close quote)
In exercising the powers conferred under the Constitution the Chief Justice is authorised by section 8 of the Superior Courts Act to issue written protocols or directives, or give guidance or advice, to judicial officers, among others, regarding any matter affecting the dignity, accessibility, effectiveness, efficiency or functioning of the courts.
The issue of language is not only an emotive have regard to our history where English and Afrikaans were the only languages that enjoyed official recognition and status, but is also an access issue which I believe would fall under the ambit of section 8 of the Superior Courts Act.
2. The Chief Justice informed me of the decision of the Heads of Court regarding this matter during my meeting with Heads of Court which was held on the same day that the Chief Justice made a public pronouncement on the matter, namely, 29 September 2017.
3. The Constitution is very clear on the matter of languages. Not only does 6 gives accords equal status to all official languages, but also enjoins the Pan South African Language Board (PANSALB) in particular to take measures to promote the development of our indigenous African languages.
It is important to put the pronouncement by the Chief Justice in the proper context. This pronouncement does not imply that Afrikaans and other languages will disappear from the courts’ radar. Any person is free to present his or her case in any of official language that he or she understand in which case interpretation is provided if the language happens to be any language other than English. What is conveyed is that the transcript of the record will, for practical reasons be in English.
4. As I have already indicated, the pronouncement of the decision of the Heads of Court was made at the meetings of Heads of Court and the Judicial Service Commission of September and October respectively. The Chief Justice is not required to inform the Department of such decisions.
5. From our records the decision or directive pertaining to the issue has not been published in the Government Gazette. I am aware that there are discussions underway regarding the implementation of the decision at the various courts. I am aware, for example of the directive issued by Judge President Hlophe of the Western Cape Division which I believe is a subject of discussion at the Provincial Efficiency Enhancement Committee convened by the Judge President of Division in a province. These on-going discussion relate to the capacity to implement the decision. If this is a kind of decision or directive that must be published in the Gazette it would be ideal to do so after careful consideration and taking into account the capacity of our interpretation services.