Questions and Replies

Reply:

a) Currently, the Department of Transport does not have any agreement with the Ivory Coast

b) (i) (ii) (c) (d) (e) (i) (ii) Falls away

Reply:

(a) The total number of persons who were given early naturalisation according to the available information is twenty-two (22).

(b) The relevant details for cases which were regarded as exceptional included people who were bringing investment in the country, United Nations representatives, global sports bodies’ executives and executives of multi-national companies. Members will be given a full lists of these cases.

Reply:

Chapter Six of the of the Tax administration Act regulates the confidentiality of taxpayer information. In terms of Section 69 (2) of the Tax Administration Act, a SARS official may not disclose “Taxpayer information” to any person who is not a SARS official. Although there are certain exceptions to this general prohibition none of these exceptions permit SARS to disclose detail in the course of answering the questions posed to SARS. 

The Commissioner does not discuss taxpayer information with the Minister.

Reply:

(a) The Department of Small Business Development (DSBD)

The DSBD has not funded any institution of Research and Development (i) domestically nor (ii) internationally and does not have a discretionary fund in place.

(aa)(aaa) Not applicable.

(aa)(bbb) Not applicable.

(aa)(bb) Not applicable.

(aa)(cc) Not applicable.

(b) The Small Enterprise Finance Agency (SEFA)

SEFA does not fund any institution of research and development (i) domestically nor (ii) internationally.

(aa)(aaa) SEFA, however, acknowledges the importance of research and has established research collaborations with some of the South African Universities. SEFA has established research collaboration with the University of South Africa (Unisa), North West University (NWU), University of Free State (UFS) and University of Stellenbosch.

(aa)(bbb) The scope of the research collaboration with the universities focuses on cooperative research between SEFA and the institutions on issues relating to access to finance for SMMEs and Co-operative Enterprises.

(aa)(bb) Not applicable.

(aa)(cc) Not applicable.

(b) Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA)

SEDA has not funded any Research and Development institutions.

(aa)(aaa) Nonetheless, SEDA has Service Agreements with Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) and Bureau Economic Research (BER).

(aa)(bbb)(i) SEDA partnered with GEM South Africa through University of Cape Town to participate in the research study that support SMMEs products and policy developments); and

(aa)(bbb)(ii) BER is the research partner housed at the University of Stellenbosch – assist with compiling Economy Sector update to tract the development in the SMME Sector).

(aa)(bb) Not applicable.

(aa)(cc) Not applicable.

Reply:

(a) (i)The Department of Basic Education is not in possession of such information. The Honorable member is advised to direct such question to provinces.

(ii) In light of the fact that the South African Council for Educators (SACE) does not have jurisdiction over learners in a school, and does not implement the code of conduct for learners; no cases of physical assault on educators by learners have ever been reported to the SACE over any of the periods mentioned.

.

Reply:

1. (a) The list of titles of the books for the National Catalogue that were produced as Braille books is attached as Annexure A.

1. (b) The Department of Basic Education (DBE) is not in possession of the number of titles ordered for each school that is attended by learners with visual impairment. The DBE has information in respect of orders made in each province. The number of resources procured by schools and provinces during the 2016/17 financial year is 2821, procured according to the needs of individual learners and schools. The list of procured copies per title in each province is attached as Annexure B.

2. The Department of Basic Education (DBE) is not in possession of information on the total current stock of each title at each school in each province that is attended by learners with visual difficulties. The honourable member is advised to direct such a question to the National Council of Provinces. The list of the total current stock procured for each title in each province is attached in Annexure B.

Reply:

a) The Department requires Provincial Education Departments to report on vacancies in their respective departments on a quarterly basis. The latest information available is for the quarter April to June 2017. As at the end of June 2017, there were 15 888 vacancies of educators at schools.

PROVINCE	PRINCIPAL	DEPUTY PRINCIPAL	HOD	TEACHER	TOTAL
Eastern Cape	496	294	1 241	151	2 182
Free State	124	154	499	0	777
Gauteng	100	376	1 181	0	1 657
KwaZulu-Natal	312	310	1 030	0	1 652
Limpopo	856	490	1 515	2 102	4 963
Mpumalanga	1 222	97	81	622	2 022
Northern Cape	70	56	208	274	608
North West	87	79	232	380	778
Western Cape	191	247	811	0	1 249
Total	3 458	2 103	6 798	3 529	15 888

Source: PED Report of vacancies as at June 2017

b) The table below shows the salary notch for each post level and the number of vacant posts.

POST LEVEL (PL)	PL1 (Teacher)	PL2(Head of Department)	PL3 (Deputy Principal)	PL4 (Principal) from (P1 to P5)
MINIMUM NOTCH	R 185 769	R 308 877	R 367 773	R 308 877 (P1) R 367 773 (P2) R 439 914 (P3) R 508 422 (P4) R 626 559 (P5)
NUMBER OF VACANCIES	3 529	6 798	2 103	3 458

Source: PED Report of vacancies as at June 2017

c) All the vacant posts indicated above are funded as part of the compensation of employees budget for the 2017/18 financial year.

Reply:

(a)

Provincial Education Departments (PEDs) only report on the number of schools which did not receive meals on quarterly basis. The records of schools affected are kept at district offices. A process is underway to collect this data.

i. 2014	ii. 2015	iii. 2016
117 schools (60 schools in EC and 57 in LP)	115 schools (85 in LP, 29 in EC and 1 in GP	400 schools (32 in GP,111 in LP,145 in EC, 112 in FS)

(b)

2017

109 schools in KZN and EC

(2) what are the relevant details in each case with regard to the (a) name of the school, (b) date(s) on which meals were not received, (c) number of learners affected, (d) reasons for non-delivery and (e) steps taken by her department to address the issue?

NW2468E

Response:

(2)(a) (b)(c) and (d)

The 2014 – 2017 records of schools, number of learners affected, the dates and reasons are kept at the Districts while the Provincial Education Departments (PEDs) submits a composite record of schools that did not receive NSNP meals in the quarterly reports. The Department is in the process of collating this data from the PEDs which is anticipated to be completed at the end of September 2017.

(2)(e)

Generally, the following steps are taken:

If there is continuous or persistent non-delivery, the Department of Basic Education deploys a Response Team to the province to monitor and help address challenges in the affected schools. On the occasion that non-feeding is reported by the media or member of the public, DBE will immediately consult the province to intervene and provide a report on how it was addressed. Further steps that were taken include:

 a) Identifying training needs if there are shortcomings in the management and control of NSNP funds;

 b) Meetings with Service Providers/Suppliers on quality and non-delivery of food items;

 c) Liaison with Department of Health in terms of alleged food contamination;

 d) Termination of a contract in cooperation with PED where there is gross sub-standard delivery.

All these cases were resolved within reasonable time frames.

Reply:

Country	2016-2017	YTD August	Sector
Angola		155 119 582
Angola Ministry of Finance	-	155 119 582	Transportation
Ghana	1 576 372 369	343 879 518
Cenpower Generation Company Limited	24 732 369	60 647 143	Energy
Karpower International	1 551 640 000		Energy
Ghana Airports Company Limited		283 232 374	Transportation
Kenya	220 562 054	45 381 516
Kenya Pipeline Company Limited	220 562 054	45 381 516	Commercial -  Transportation
Madagascar		99 725 954
Ravinala Airports, S.A.		99 725 954	Transportation
Zambia	1 803 965 113
Itezhi-Tezhi Power Corporation (ITPC) Lusaka	158 009 192	-	Energy
Maamba Collieries Limited	217 955 921		Energy
Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation Limited	1 428 000 000	-	Energy
Zimbabwe	49 061 705 *	-
*Infralink (Private) Limited	49 061 705	-	Roads And Drainage
Total Disbursement	3 649 961 241	644 106 570

* This disbursement was a short term loan in respect of the insurance premium paid on behalf of Infralink (Private) Limited with the view of ensuring that the insurance cover on the loan does not lapse.

Reply:

The NEXUS report is a provincial report of the investigation undertaken by the North West province before the formation of the Ministerial Task Team (MTT). It was presented to the Chairperson of the MTT for its investigation. The Minister will determine if this provincial report should be tabled in the National Assembly for referral to members of the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education.

Reply:

1.  The Honourable Member is advised to source the information from the National Council of Provinces and/or directly from the Provincial Education Departments as this is a provincial competency.

Reply:

(a) The Draft National Minimum Norms and Standards for Resourcing an Inclusive Education System have been completed and will be presented to the Heads of Education Committee (HEDCOM) on 14-15 August 2017. HEDCOM recommended that the Draft document be presented to the Council of Education Ministers (CEM) in September 2017, for approval to be published for public comment as Guidelines. A cost analysis for the implementation of the norms in the 2018 Medium Term Expenditure Framework has also been completed and submitted to National Treasury for consideration of an increase in baseline funding.

(b) Provinces have always reported on specific expenditures relating to inclusive education on a quarterly basis and will continue to do so.

Reply:

The department of Basic Education developed a Turn-Around Strategy for all Special Schools and provided a monitoring tool for use by Provincial Education Departments (PEDs) to monitor the schools’ function (see Annexure A). This monitoring system is also applicable to schools for the deaf.

Annexure A

MONITORING TOOL FOR SPECIAL SCHOOLS (CHECK LIST)

2015/16

Province: _________________________

Name of district:		Circuit:
Name of special school:		Emis No.:
Postal Address:	Physical Address:
Name of Principal:		Contact Number(s):
Learner Enrolment :		Number of Professional Teaching Staff:
Lowest Grade:		Highest Grade:
Number of Professional Specialist Support Staff e.g. Social Workers, Therapists, etc.:		Number of Non-Teaching and Non-Professional Teaching staff:
Administrative Support Staff:		School Stamp
Date of Monitoring:
Names and signatures of Monitor/s:
1
2
3
Principal’s name and signature:

SPECIAL SCHOOLS CHECKLIST

FOCUS AREA 1: EARLY IDENTIFICATION AND INTERVENTION IN BARRIERS TO LEARNING

To ensure that all learners who experience barriers to learning have access to an appropriate school and specialised support related to their support needs; schools should be able to screen, identify and support learners who experience barriers to learning, including those with disabilities, and thereby improve the teaching and learning environment for maximum participation by all learners.

ACTIVITY	YES/NO	RESPONSIBILITY	PROGRESS
A policy on early identification and intervention is available		DBE
Policy on early identification (SIAS) has been mediated		DBE & PEDs
Learners are screened and identified according to barriers to learning they experience		Schools
Schools are appropriately supported in addressing barriers to learning		Districts
Barriers to learning at school are verified		Districts
The implementation of SIAS is monitored and supported		DBE and PEDs
Barriers to learning are identified at admission and learners are appropriately placed		Schools

FOCUS AREA 2: IMPROVING CURRICULUM DELIVERY IN SPECIAL SCHOOLS

Curriculum delivery must focus on ensuring differentiated teaching and assessment as well as adaptation of materials so that learners can access the national curriculum. The same curriculum support and monitoring that is provided by national, provincial departments to ordinary schools must be provided to special schools.

ACTIVITY	YES/NO	RESPONSIBILITY	PROGRESS
Learners in the school participate in ANA		District; School
Teaching and Learning activities are differentiated and adapted so that all learners can access the national curriculum		School
The school participates in FET intervention programmes such as Winter School Programmes		PED
Curriculum coverage is monitored		PED
Teachers have requisite and appropriate specialised skills and knowledge(qualifications) for subjects and programmes offered at the school		District; School
There is an effective referral system to provide learners with access to assistive devices and technologies they require and are utilising these		District; School
Every learner has a textbook per subject in every grade		District; School
The school has received all appropriate workbooks per grade and the workbooks are utilised.		District; School
All teachers in the school participated in CAPS training organised by the province.		PED; District; School
All teachers in the school received all relevant CAPS documents.		PEDs; District; School
The school is implementing CAPS in all grades		District; School
The school time-table has been drawn according to CAPS specifications.		School
All teachers of grades R-9 were trained in the utilisation of workbooks.		PED; District; School
Mathematics and literacy activities form part of everyday teaching		District; School
Workshops for skills programmes are well resourced and utilised.		PEDs; District; School
Specialist rooms such a school library, laboratory, Braille production, recording room (for Deaf learners), etc. are available, adequately resourced and utilised.		PEDs; District; School

FOCUS AREA 3: FUNCTIONALITY OF SUPPORT STRUCTURES (SGBs, DBSTS, SBST)

Special schools should have a clear understanding of the structures that help the school to function optimally. Structures have a mandate of monitoring and provide regular support to special schools.

ACTIVITY	YES/NO	RESPONSIBILITY	PROGRESS
Democratically elected SGB exists		School
The SGB is functional (it carries out responsibilities as according to SASA of 1996): Admission policy exists and is approved by district the district Expenditure approval processes and policies in place Audited financial statements are submitted annually before end of June The SGB carries out fund-raising activities for improving teaching and learning		School
Specialist Professional Support Staff such as therapists, professional nurses, social workers, Braille Instructors, Orientation and Mobility Instructors, etc. where applicable, are available		PED; District; School
Parents are involved by the school in the teaching and learning activities of their children and for support provision.		School
Children/learners applying for admission to the school are assessed for appropriate support and placement		District; School
A list of children or learners (waiting list) who may not be admitted either because of capacity or support reasons is drawn up and submitted to the District for further processing		School
All children/learners submitted to the district for admissions are appropriately placed in schools where they will be adequately supported to participate effectively in teaching and learning		District
A school-based support team (SBST) has been established and it is functional		School
A district-based support team (DBST) verifies and supports schools with regard to support required		District

FOCUS AREA 4: INFRASTRUCTURE AND THE UNIVERSAL DESIGN PRINCIPLE

Infrastructure generally, school buildings and classrooms must be accessible (Universal Design Principle) to all learners and teachers. More importantly, buildings must be comfortable and safe and classrooms must stimulate learners to want to be there and to take responsibility for their own learning.

ACTIVITY	YES/NO	RESPONSIBILITY	PROGRESS
The design of the physical infrastructure meets the set out legal safety and health standards		District; School
The physical structure ensures full accessibility of the whole school environment. This includes: Availability of ramps Covered and user-friendly pathways to classes Appropriate furniture which also aligns to disabilities and school programmes Availability of multipurpose rooms/spaces Access to ablution facilities Accessible drop-off zones Appropriate hostel accommodation		District; School
The school has safety regulations, security personnel available and emergency exits are accessible		District; School
Facilities and infrastructure are upgraded to support access to sports fields and other physical facilities		District; School
Adequate hostel staff is available and stays within the school premises		School
All learners have access to public and/or private transport that is universally accessible and subsidised (in the case of learners from poor homes)

FOCUS AREA 5: PSYCHO-SOCIAL AND THERAPEUTIC SUPPORT

ACTIVITY	YES/NO	RESPONSIBILITY	PROGRESS
The school has posts for psychologists/ counsellors/social workers
The posts for psychologists/counsellors/social workers are filled
The school has posts for Therapists (OT/ Physio/Speech
The posts for Therapists (OT/ Physio/Speech are filled
The school has access to psychologists/social workers from outside the school
The school has access to therapists from outside the school

FOCUS AREA 6: INCLUSIVE CULTURES, POLICIES AND PRACTICES

ACTIVITY	YES/NO	RESPONSIBILITY	PROGRESS
The school does not discriminate in its admission policy on the basis of language
The teaching staff profile reflects language and racial diversity
The school has an inclusive education policy
The school actively supports inclusivity and human rights of learners
The school encourages outplacement of learners into mainstream schools
The school actively promotes transition to work after school
The school seeks collaboration with surrounding mainstream schools

FOCUS AREA 7: MANAGEMENT

ACTIVITY	YES/NO	RESPONSIBILITY	PROGRESS
The school principal is in the first place a manager of curriculum
The SMT collaborates to ensure quality of curriculum delivery
The SMT ensures that the school complies with all policies of the DBE
The Circuit manager visits the school regularly and ensures that it complies with all accountability measures of the DBE.

FOCUS AREA 8: PROVISION AND UTILISATION OF LTSM AND ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY

ACTIVITY	YES/NO	RESPONSIBILITY	PROGRESS
Each learner has access to textbooks in all subjects offered at the school
Each learner has access to the workbooks
All teachers make use of textbooks and workbooks
All learners have access to assistive technology
All learners have access to ICT that is available at the school
Learners with visual impairment have access to Braille/large print LTSM
Blind learners have access to Perkins Braillers
Partially sighted learners have access to assistive technology
Deaf learners have access to SASL technology
Hard of hearing learners have access to hearing aids and FM systems

FOCUS AREA 9: SCHOOL SPORTS, ENRICHMENT, EXTRAMURAL AND RECREATIONAL PROGRAMMES

To organise an inclusive and integrated school sport programme to all learners irrespective of ability and to promote health life-practices, mutual respect and career opportunities

ACTIVITY	YES/NO	RESPONSIBILITY	PROGRESS
A comprehensive school based policy is available and caters for a variety of sports codes.		School
The school sports coordinating team is in place and synergises school sport programmes and teaching and learning time.		School
Opportunities for participating in school sports are created and available to learners		School
The school sports forms part of the enrichment and extramural programmes and promote the development of basic motor skills		School

SPECIAL SCHOOL MONITORING

Comment by Principal:

Comment by Monitor:

Reply:

The following table provides the background and summary of the progress reported by Provincial Education Departments with regards to the closing and merging of small and non-viable schools:

Province	No. of schools identified for closure	No. of schools officially closed/ merged to date	No. of schools in process of being closed/merged
EC	1 902	0	189
FS	171	No info	93
GP	126	106	20
KZN	865	171	252
LP	301	197	53
MP	43	9	34
NC	57	43	14
NW	293	233	60
WC	36	35	0
TOTAL	3 668	653	695
Source: PEDs

(a) Provincial Departments of Education ensure that all the necessary infrastructure provisions are made at the Host School to accommodate the additional learners and members of staff from the schools earmarked for closure or Re-aligned Schools.

(b) It is part of the process in the planning for the merger of schools that the learner transport needs are identified and referred to the relevant section for implementation when all the processes have been concluded. In cases where the function is with the Provincial Department of Transport (PDOT), the needs are submitted to PDOT for implementation.

(c) National School Nutrition Programme funds follow learners in merged schools.

(d) The Provincial Education Departments are also providing support to schools in terms of school finance. Funding for the school allocation follows the learners.

Reply:

(a) Since the inception of the contract in October 2009, the toll operator has been paid R3 840 million up to August 2017 for toll operational costs. This amount includes the amount of R476 million paid under provisional sums for amongst others, rates and taxes of all properties related to the project, rental costs of customer services centers, purchasing of e-tags, printing of invoices and other correspondence to violators and posting of these invoices. The honorable member is invited to view the monthly information at the offices of SANRAL.

(b) The contractor participated in a tender process during which the contractor provided rates for the provision of services in terms of the requirements of the Contract. These rates are fixed for the contract period and only adjusted for inflation in accordance with the published CPI. At the end of every month, measurement of the quantity of services performed by the contractor takes place. The contractor is then compensated for these services in accordance with the tendered rate. For example the contractor is required to record each toll transaction. The end of month payment will be calculated by multiplying the actual number of toll transactions recorded, with the tendered rate as was provided at the tender stage. Provisional sums are paid in terms of invoices produced e.g. municipal accounts, postage costs, etc. The toll operator therefore does not receive the toll revenue, but is compensated for services provided in terms of tendered rates.

(c) The current e-toll operations contract comes to an end in December 2019 and has an option to be extended for a further 2 years. SANRAL will review its options and the performance of the current contractor before making a decision whether to extend the contract for such an extension or retender.

(d) R645 million.

Reply:

a) There is no public funding paid directly from National Revenue Fund to Political Parties, Independent public representatives in local government and independent election candidates from each sphere of government. Funds are administered by the IEC and allocated for represented political parties at national and provincial legislatures.

b) The total amount appropriated from 2014/15 to 2016/17 financial years, Represented Political Parties Fund (RPPF) amounts to R383 million administered by the IEC and Parliament appropriated amounts to R1.1 billion. Political party funding through Parliament comes as a transfer made by Parliament.

Year	RPPF	Parliament
2014/15	122 096 000	352 173 000
2015/16	127 394 147	371 033 000
2016/17	134 480 800	385 478 000
2017/18	141 204 000	414 438 000

In 2017/18 financial year only RPPF and Parliament appropriated amounts to R141.2 million and R414.4 million respectively.

c) The Constitution stipulates the funding for political parties to enhance multi-party democracy and the national legislation provide for the funding of political parties participating in national and provincial legislatures on an equitable and proportional basis. The Public Funding of Represented Political Parties Act 103 of 1997 provides a broad framework for the public funding of represented political parties at national and provincial legislatures. The allocations from the Represented Political Parties Fund (RPPF) are paid to each political parties calculated as follows:

i) Allocating 90% of the total amount of funding available from the Fund during a particular financial year paid proportionally. The proportional allocation is determined by dividing the amount (90% from the total funding available during a financial year) proportionally among the participating parties in any legislative body in accordance with the number of seats awarded to each participating party in the National Assembly and the Provincial Legislatures jointly.

ii) The remaining 10% of the amount of funding available from the Fund during a particular financial year is paid equitably meaning it is divided equally among the participating parties in the provincial legislatures.

The allocations from Parliament to political parties is provided by Parliament and regulated by Section 34 of the Financial Management of Parliament and Provincial Legislatures Act of 2009.

d) Funds allocated are transferred quarterly to RPPF and Parliament. Further details on when allocations are made should be obtained from the relevant transferring authority.

e) RPPF funds are allocated to political parties for any purposes compatible with its functioning as a political party in a modern democracy, whereas Parliament allocations are for political party support, constituency support and also for party leadership support. Again further details on what funds are used for can be obtained from the transferring authority and or the annual report of each receiving political party.

Reply:

a) In the 2016/17 financial year, six (6) provinces (not four (4) provinces), procured resources for their visually impaired learners. One (1) of the three (3) provinces that have not procured centrally, Limpopo, indicated that they are working with Braille Production houses within their province to produce Braille Master copies for each subject in each grade. The Department is waiting for responses from the two other provinces (Free State and KwaZulu-Natal) that did not order Braille textbooks centrally; and will provide such information once it is received.

b) The Department of Basic Education (DBE) is not in possession of information on the number of learners with visual impairment who do not currently have their own copies of Braille books for learning at each school and in each province. The honourable member is advised to direct such a question to the National Council of Provinces or Provincial Education Departments as it is a provincial competency.

Reply:

The Ntshupetsang report is a provincial report of the investigation commissioned by the Gauteng province before the formation of the Ministerial Task Team (MTT). It was presented to the MTT for its investigation. The Minister will determine if this provincial report should be tabled in the National Assembly for referral to members of the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education.

Reply:

a) On the 19th July 2017 I met with the Minister of Police and the Acting National Commissioner and his team to discuss the state of affairs between the metered taxis and /app-based operators and to propose a more focussed enforcement strategy.

In addition, I met with the MEC for Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport and the MMC’s of the relevant metropolitan municipalities on the 24th July 2017.

Furthermore, I met with the Gauteng Metered Taxi Council, the Concerned Metered Taxi Operators and the app-based operators on the 27th July 2017 in Midrand.

I also arranged a walk-about programme on 11th September 2017 in Sandton to sensitize operators that they must abide by the prescripts of the law which requires them to have a valid operating licence and that there will be no compromise on law enforcement.

b) See a) above.

c) The issues raised by the metered taxi and app-based operators are being addressed in the National Land Transport Amendment Bill which is before the Portfolio Committee on Transport.

Reply:

1. Interim requirements have been developed and accepted by the acting CEO of the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications in accordance with Section 22 (2) (c) of the Legal Metrology Act. The remainder of the question is therefore not applicable.

2. The system is currently undergoing type approval evaluation in accordance with the interim requirements.

Reply:

(a) i None

Province	Number of learners on waiting list at a school for the deaf	Measures in place to ensure learners are registered
EC	0	No waiting list
KZN	24	Learners being referred to other schools further from their homes
LP	0	No waiting
NC	24	Leaners are placed in mainstream schools until space is available.
NW	2	The school is moving to a new building and which has enough space to accommodate the learners.
GT	0	No waiting list.
MP	6	Advocacy campaigns are part of the priority activities every year. Learners are placed in the Full-Service Schools that are in their neighbourhood.
WC	0	No waiting list.
FS	0	No waiting list.
TOTAL	56

(ii)

(b) Provincial Education Departments have trained all Special Schools on the implementation of the Policy on Screening Identification Assessment and Support (SIAS), the Policy that regulates admissions to schools. Those that has learns on waiting list have measures in place.

Reply:

The Pension Funds Act, 24 of 1956 as it stands does not make provision for the Office of the Pension Funds Adjudicator to have jurisdiction over pension funds other than those registered in accordance with the Act.

Reply:

a) No, the Department has not awarded any tenders to (i) Sahara Computers, (ii) Sahara Systems, (iii) TNA Media (Pty) Ltd, (iv) Infinity Media Networks (Pty) Ltd, or (v) any subsidiary of any of these entities since 1 January 2002.

b) This information is only available at the Provincial Departments of Education and can be obtained through the NCOP or directly from provinces.

Reply:

a) Two thousand and two (2002) SVDP applications were received by 31 August 2017.

b) The gross value of foreign assets declared, based on the 40% inclusion, is R34 939 070 557. The values of the individual declarations range from zero Rands to 1.4 Billion Rands.

We note that some taxpayers have disclosed 100% of the value of foreign assets on the application forms as opposed to only 40%. SARS is verifying the information submitted and will only be in a position to finalise this value once all applications have been verified.

c) (i) SARS is also not in a position to confirm the number of applications by economic sector at this stage.

(ii) This will be confirmed once the verification process has been concluded.

d) Of the 2002 applications received, three hundred and five (305) applications have been processed, resulting in two hundred and eighty (280) SVDP agreements being concluded with tax liabilities totalling R 1 031 627 067.

e) (i) Of that amount, R822 381 676 has been collected to date.

(ii) As highlighted above, based on taxpayers’ own declarations, an additional amount of about R4 billion is potentially collectable, however, we are in the process of verifying the correctness of the declarations.

Reply:

(a)

1. African lion (Panthera leo) is included on Appendix II to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). In 2016 at the 17th Conference of the Parties to CITES, the Parties adopted an annotation to this listing in relation to the growing international trade in lion bones:

“A zero annual export quota is established for specimens of bones, bone pieces, bone products, claws, skeletons, skulls and teeth removed from the wild and traded for commercial purposes. Annual export quotas for trade in bones, bone pieces, bone products, claws, skeletons, skulls and teeth for commercial purposes, derived from captive breeding operations in South Africa, will be established and communicated annually to the CITES Secretariat”.

2. The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), in its role as the scientific co-ordinator of South Africa’s CITES Scientific Authority was requested to advise the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) on the setting of this quota. The problem statement was formulated as the following question: “What is the current annual sustainable supply of lion bone from captive breeding operations?”

3. In setting the quota, the following issues were considered:

•  

  a) The need to avoid the creation of a monopoly in the supply of lion bones to Asia;

   b) the need to incentivise compliance with the quota and avoid stimulating illegal trade;

   c) the need to anticipate any unintended consequences;

  d) possible confounding effects of the United States of America’s (USA) January 2016 listing of Panthera leo as threatened on the Endangered Species Act;

   e) the fact that South Africa has a healthy wild lion population of approximately 3 500 individuals which is currently experiencing no major threats and persists alongside a large captive population of approximately 7 000 individuals in around 260 lion breeding/captive facilities in South Africa. Within this context, illegal use and/or trade in wild lion in South Africa is considered small to negligible based on available information;

  f) the existing trade in lion bone between South Africa and eastern and south-eastern Asia which emerged in 2008 and has since shown an increasing trend. The supply of Felidae bones and skeletons from the Southern African Development Community region is sourced mostly from captive produced lions from South Africa as a by-product of the lion trophy hunting industry; and 

   g) submissions from a public consultation process managed by the Department of Environmental Affairs in which various parties argued for a zero quota whereas representatives of captive lion facilities argued that far greater numbers could be sustainably harvested and this would reduce demand for bones from wild lion. Despite claims of positive or negative impacts associated with trade, there is considerable uncertainty about the outcomes of either approach or very little objective evidence to guide decision making. Outcomes of past prohibitions or forced limitations in the supply of wildlife products to Asian markets is the subject of considerable debate both nationally and internationally, as demonstrated in three case studies below:

   (i) The increased poaching of rhinos in South Africa and potential links to the domestic moratorium on the trade in rhino horn;

   (ii) the increased poaching of elephants in Africa which some commentators have ascribed to the one off sales of ivory permitted by CITES whereas others have ascribed to perceived future scarcity of ivory because of the 2007 CITES moratorium on ivory sales; and

   (iii) the switch to the utilisation of and trade in lion bones and bones of other felids subsequent to the 2007 CITES Decision to phase out tiger farms.

The uncertainty regarding the impact (on wild lion) of a trade ban for lion bone derived from captive bred animals partly informed the annotation adopted at the 17th Conference of the Parties (CoP17) to CITES. It should also be noted that the annotation formed part of a broader set of Decisions (17.241 – 17.245) that focused on lion conservation in general and the need to obtain additional information on legal and illegal trade and the effects of international trade on lion population trends.

4. In advising the Department of Environmental Affairs on the current annual sustainable supply of lion bone from captive breeding operations in South Africa, it was recognised that there is at present insufficient data to determine sustainable production of lions in all lion breeding facilities throughout South Africa. The export records for captive produced lion trophies were therefore interrogated on the assumption that lion breeding operations would have been managed wisely in order to ensure the sustainable production of adult trophy lions.

5. In 2016, SANBI collaborated with the United Nations Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC) to undertake an analysis of CITES trade in the SADC countries between 2005 and 2014. In relation to the export of Panthera leo trophies from SADC, the following was established and formed the basis for the recommended quota of 800 skeletons per year:

• On average 1 080 lion trophies were exported from SADC every year; and
• of these, 80% were direct exports from South Africa (864 individuals per year) and were comprised of predominantly captive produced lion trophies (less than 10 wild lion were hunted per year over this time period).

6. The recommended quota accords well with a study conducted by WildCRU (Oxford University, UK) and TRAFFIC (July 2015) which estimated that the skeleton resource base from trophy hunting was up to 833 skeletons per year over the period 2008 to 2010. Information provided by DEA indicated that 651 lion skeletons and 69 sets of bones were legally exported from South Africa between October 2015 and September 2016 which is consistent with the numbers estimated by UNEP-WCMC and the WildCRU/TRAFFIC report.

7. The rationale for setting the lion bone export quota was discussed at the 13th meeting of the South African Scientific Authority held in February 2017. Based on the issues outlined in section 3 (above) the Scientific Authority reasoned that the correct approach would be to establish a quota based on the best estimates of current supply and to immediately initiate studies to address some of the uncertainties so that future quotas can be informed by better evidence. As a result, the recommended quota of 800 skeletons was approved for submission to me and SANBI was requested to initiate the required studies as budget permitted (see under Part (b) below).

(b)

1. It should be noted that there are no wild tigers in South Africa and lion poaching in South Africa has been and is currently negligible. There has been some recent reports of captive lions being killed for traditional purposes (medicine or for bones in divination sets).

2. The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) has initiated a three-year collaborative project with the University of the Witwatersrand, Oxford University and the University of Kent entitled “Analysing and monitoring the lion bone trade in South Africa”.

The aims of the project are to:

a) increase our understanding of the captive lion breeding industry and the lion bone trade in South Africa;

b) investigate how the trade in captive produced lion bone under a quota system affects wild lion populations; and

c) strengthen the evidence base for the annual review of the quota in order to ensure it is sustainable and not detrimental to wild populations.

3. This project will form the basis of an adaptive management approach towards the lion bone export quota. Should poaching of wild lion occur as a direct result of the trade in captive produced lion skeletons, the quota will be adjusted accordingly.

4. A system involving random testing of DNA samples collected from lion skeletons at ports of exits has been devised to ensure skeletons originate from captive breeding operations and also to verify that no tiger skeletons are being exported.

---ooOoo---

Reply:

During the late afternoon of 9 November 2016 flash flooding resulted in sections of the national road network in Gauteng being flooded. SANRAL initiated an investigation by a Specialist Engineering Company for the meteorological, hydrological and hydraulic assessment of the R24/N12, Linksfield and Gillooly’s interchanges to understand the underlying causes of the flooding. A final report was tabled on 12 September 2017 by the investigating Specialist.

The report reflects on the event of 9 November 2016 and explored reasons for the flooding which occurred at specifically three sites (see Figure 1):

• R24/N12 interchange
• Linksfield Road interchange
• Gillooly’s Interchange

Figure 1 – Three main problem areas investigated

It was established that an exceptional rainstorm of 1:200 intensity occurred on 9 November 2016.

From the conducted hydrological and hydraulic analyses the following can be concluded:

• Storm water drainage is a complex phenomenon as the magnitude changes with time and it is a dynamic process where it could be affected by specific conditions up- or downstream.

• The Linksfield interchange flooding can be attributed to the excessive high rainfall resulting in peak floods exceeding the hydraulic capacity of the drainage systems. A blockage at one of the culvert inlets further exacerbated the problem resulting in water overtopping the embankments and spilling onto the N3. The flow phenomenon was interesting and unexpected. In cases where debris however blocks a hydraulic structure flooding can occur.

The median barrier in the case of the N3 flooding probably prevented further loss of life as it prohibited water from crossing the N3 which would have washed vehicles into the Little Jukskei River. It further resulted in the N3 north bound being accessible during the event and providing an escape route.

• The R24/N12 culvert system is inadequate to handle the recommended design flood (1:80). The inlet configuration, changes in catchment area and proximity of the commercial developments all played a role in the problems experienced at this site.

• Various scenarios have been analysed to find a workable solution for conveyance of the floods downstream. The suggested solution would be to provide an additional four 3 X 1.8m culverts underneath the R24/N12 and create a retention/stilling pond upstream, linking the existing channel to the new culvert system. The existing structure underneath the N12 consists of two 1.2 x 3.1m culverts. The situation here is that if the capacity of the culverts under the N12 is increased the houses on the northern side of the N12 is flooded. A rough estimate of the cost of these works is R30 to R40 million.

• Increasing of the capacity of stormwater conduits and the inlets at the Gillooly’s interchange is required to drain water from the freeway. The existing pipe system is made of 600mm diameter pipes and it is proposed to supplement them with a 900mm pipe. This needs to be jacked and a rough estimate of the cost is R4 to R5 million.

The recommendations of this report need to be further detailed and the proposed improvements need to be further developed, including detailed designs before it can be implemented. These improvements should be able to handle a 1:80 year rainstorm.

Reply:

(a) (i)In csaes of teachers found guilty of sexual abuse follwing a disciplinary hearing, these teachers are automatically placed on the Child Protection Register by Provincial Departments of Education.

(ii)Any teacher found guilty of sexual abuse is dismissed from their post.

(b) (i)In the case of physical abuse of learners, the teacher is not automatically placed on the Child Protection Register. Only if the nature of the abuse is a criminal offence, will the teacher be placed on the Child Protection Register.

(ii) Physical abuse is a form of corporal punishment and is a dismissable offence.

Reply:

Yes. Both policy frameworks; the Strengthening of Relative Rights for People Working the Land and One Household One Hectare 1 Hectare 2 Dairy Cows are attached as Annexures A and B.

 

Reply:

(a)(b) There are backlogs in the registering and licensing of vehicles.

(i) The court case between the Department and the previous NaTIS contractor resulted in delays with regards to calls logged countrywide. This matter is now resolved with this Department having ownership of the NaTIS and managing processes via the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC).

(ii) The RTMC is working towards resolving all calls logged including that of Mogalakwena Local Municipality. Recently the majority of the printers presenting problems were replaced at Mogalakwena.

(iii) Time frame will depend on the severity and nature of the calls logged. All calls are currently being attended to. The latest report from the Municipality received from the province indicate that all problems have been resolved.

Reply:

The Department has not attempted to force Ndabeni claimants to dissolve the community trust, but impressed upon claimants that their needs and aspirations would be optimized much better through a democratic and accountable legal entity like a Communal Property Association than by a Trust where consultations with beneficiaries are not as focussed and or required. Trusts are under the oversight of the Master of the High Court, whereas Communal Property Associations are under the oversight of the Department.

Reply:

(a) The farm Papkuilfontein 469 JR was acquired by the then South African Development Trust during 1989 to be incorporated into the former Homeland of KwaNdebele, and is held vide Title Deed No T32900/1985. The farm Papkuilfontein 469 JR (including Unit 2 of the farm Papkuilfontein No: 469 JR has been under the management and control of Government since 1985 until the date of transfer to the claimants. These properties have not been valued since registration in the name of the Republic of South Africa during 1985. As a cost cutting measure the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform’s Mpumalanga Regional Land Claims Commission conducted “comparable sales” to establish the comparable value of the farm in question.

(b) The comparable sale done was with the farm Wolvenkop 192 JR where a valuation report was done in 2012. According to the valuation report done, the price of the farm Wolvenkop was between R4100 to R9000 per hectare at that time. The conclusion of the independent valuer was at R2 970 000.00 for the farm Wolvenkop 192 JR, in extent of 762.2389 hectares of natural grazing. Another farm in the same area of Papkuilfontein 469 JR, where comparable sales value was used, was the farm Waterval 34 JS, where the independent valuer arrived at a value of R2500 to R5000 per hectare. The conclusion of the independent valuer was at R400 000.00 for 137.8533 hectares in extent.

Reply:

(a) The main cause of the delays have been two litigation matters before the High Court of South Africa, Western Cape which were brought by the applicants “Trustees Elect Ndabeni” and “Ms Fikiswa Fesi” as a member of the Trust respectively .

(b)(i) The Department has opposed the action brought by the Trustee elect to compel the Master of the High Court to formally appoint them as trustees because of irregular processes leading up to such elections and has supported Ms Fesi in her application to have the sale agreement of restituted land parcels set aside because such agreement had not been resolved in a properly constituted community meeting.

(ii) The Department has ensured that alienation of the restituted land could not be registered at the Deeds Office which would have resulted in gross injustice and substantial prejudice to all Ndabeni claimants and beneficiaries since the intended sale would have been for a third of the actual market value of the said land.

Reply:

(1) 4024 land claims settled in Limpopo as at 31 March 2017

(2) (a) 4095 land claims finalised as of 31 March 2017 in Limpopo

(b) 507 land claims outstanding as at 31 March 2017 in Limpopo

(c) 16349 new land claims lodged as at 27 June 2016 in Limpopo

(3) (a),(b) The information is currently not available.

Reply:

1. Yes.

 (a) Land Claims were lodged through Restitution of Land Rights Act of 1994 by both Makgasa CPA and Dalamuzi CPA.

 (b) The property has been transferred to Makgasa CPA and Dalamuzi CPA.

2. (a) Agriculture.

   (b) Makgasa CPA & Dalamuzi CPA.

   (c) Please refer to Annexure A.

   (d) Under the existing lease agreements.

   (e) Please refer to Annexure A.

   (f) Expired contracts will not be renewed until an amicable solution has been reached with concerned parties, namely the new owners (Communal Property Associations) and the occupiers.

3. No. Arbitrary evictions cannot be effected in the current constitutional dispensation.

(a) The Department will conduct a land rights enquiry in the next two weeks to determine the rights that any affected party might have. A report on such should therefore be available for consideration on Monday 24th September 2017. Engagements with the aim of resolving the matter will be engaged in as soon as report on land rights is available, taking into consideration such rights and interests of parties affected. Solutions to be explored may include notarial servitude in favour of occupiers, suitable alternative land and or excising of affected portions. Guidance on how such matters should be dealt with has been provided in law namely by the Constitutional Court in the matter of Occupiers of erven 87 & 88 of Berea v Christiaan Frederick De Wet N.O (2017) 18, where the Court found that eviction that lead to homelessness are unlawful, even if agreed to by those who stand to be evicted. There is a duty therefore for the Department to act within the parameters set by law.

(b) Investigation on developments effected whilst on the land will form part of the enquiry.

UNIT NO	PROPERTY DESCRIPTION	PORTION	EXTENT IN HECTARES	CLAIMSNTS IN OWNERSHIP OF PROPERTIES	REGISTRATION DATE	(C) LESSEES	(e) Duration	CONTRACT START DATE	CONTRACT END DATE
							Started	End
203	Papkuilfontein 469 JR	3	342.6128 H	Makgasa CPA	26 July 2016	Boitumelo Thabea Mokwena	2012/01/10	31/09/2015	2012/01/10	31/09/2015
204	Papkuilfontein 469 JR			Makgasa CPA	26 July 2016	Mdlakakhe Letta Mtsweni,	2013/01/04	31/03/2018	2013/01/04	31/03/2018
206	Papkuilfontein 469 JR	0	605.6095 H	Dalamuzi CPA	04 December 2015	Makhahamola George Maluleka,	2010/01/04	31/03/2013	2010/01/04	31/03/2013
207				Dalamuzi CPA	04 December 2015	Vumela Petrus Skosana,	2010/01/04	31/03/2013	2010/01/04	31/03/2013
208				Dalamuzi CPA	04 December 2015	Buti January Ndluli	2010/01/02	31/01/2013	2010/01/02	31/01/2013
208	Papkuilfontein 469 JR	4	187.6172 H	Makgasa CPA	26 July 2016	Buti January Ndluli	2010/01/02	31/01/2013	2010/01/02	31/01/2013
206						Makhahamola George Maluleka,	2010/01/04	31/03/2013	2010/01/04	31/03/2013
210
209	Papkuilfontein 469 JR	9	382.8403 H	Makgasa CPA	26 July 2016	Never leased	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
210				Makgasa CPA	26 July 2016	Never leased	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
211	Papkuilfontein 469 JR	2	570.4574 H	Makgasa CPA	26 July 2016	Magale Joana Mahlangu	2010/01/02	31/01/2013	2010/01/02	31/01/2013
212	Papkuilfontein 469 JR	1	570.4574 H	Makgasa CPA	26 July 2016	Babhalile Zelda Ntuli	2012/01/04	31/03/2017	2012/01/04	31/03/2017
213	Papkuilfontein 469 JR	5	155.2186 H	Makgasa CPA	26 July 2016	Boy Josias Mabena	2013/01/04	31/03/2018	2013/01/04	31/03/2018
		6	150.0794 H
		7	150.0794 H
		8	150.0794 H
167	Papkuilfontein 469 JR	3	96.0000ha	Makgasa CPA	26 July 2016	Johannes Niniwe Skhosana	2010/01/04	31/03/2013

ANNEXURE A OF NA-QUESTION 2376 OF 2017

Reply:

Since inception of Land Redistribution for Agricultural Development (LRAD) programme
(b)(i)(ii) (aa)	(a)	(b)(i)	(b)(ii) and (c)
Province	Number of Beneficiaries	Number of Farms	Totals Hectares purchased and transferred
EC	7117	506	191171
FS	4027	466	125899
GP	2832	148	7262
KZN	22501	343	187772
LP	3921	222	45352
MP	8891	187	92900
NC	1215	122	120656
NW	4840	255	164852
WC	14254	165	229593
TOTALS	69598	2414	1165458

(aa)(aaa),(bbb) Please refer to Annexure A for provincial breakdown per annum since inception.

(bb) None; the programme provides for full ownership by beneficiaries.

(aaa),(bbb) Falls Away.

Reply:

1. According to the court order, the community land claim has been deconsolidated into family constituent land claims as per the original land claim forms. These claims are currently being investigated individually.

2. Yes, matter has been remitted to the Commission to degazette the community land claim, and conduct further investigation of individual family claims.

3. Yes, community land claim is degazetted, and we are currently investigating them individually.

Reply:

a) The land claimant verification for the Kwandabeni claim was conducted on three occasions in 2012, 2013 and 2015. It has to be noted that the final verification list was to be taken to the community for objection and comments. However, this could not materialize due to conflicts experienced within the Kwandabeni claimant community.

b) The lack of continuity is the reason why there have been many verifications as new Trustees after elections would not continue with the verification that was conducted during the tenure of the erstwhile Trustees.

c) The verification was done internally by the Office of the Regional Land Claims Commissioner.

d) No amount was spent by the Department.

Reply:

(a),(b) No.

(i),(ii)(aa),(aa)(aaa),(bbb),(bb),(cc) Falls away.

Reply:

Universities

(1) (a) Three university sites are built on Tribal Authority land.

(b) The names of these university sites are:

University of Venda in Thohoyandou;

University of Zululand in Kwa-Dlangezwa; and

Walter Sisulu University - Ibika, Butterworth Zazulwana location.

(2) The Departments of Higher Education and Training, and Public Works have established a joint task team on post-school education and training infrastructure with one of its mandates being to help facilitate the transfer of land/property, where possible and if required.

(3) The following administrative challenges are being experienced:

- The University of Venda is unable to complete the fencing of the whole campus due to a dispute with the Traditional Council on a portion of the land to be fenced.

- The University of Zululand has been struggling to get a confirmation letter from the local Tribal Authority for the land to be transferred as required by the Provincial Department of Rural Development and Land Reform.

- The Tribal Authority has agreed that the land be transferred to the Walter Sisulu University and the Minister of Land Affairs approved the agreement in 2010 but the actual transfer has not yet taken place.

Technical and Vocational Education and Training Colleges

(1) (a) Seven college sites have been reported to be built on Tribal Authority land.

(b) (i) The names of these colleges are:

Gert Sibande TVET College;

Elangeni TVET College;

Letaba TVET College;

Capricorn TVET College; and

Umgungundlovu TVET College.

(ii) The Department is in in the process of verifying the location and type of ownership of these sites.

(2) At present, the Department is assisting colleges to secure the relevant ownership documentation for each site, including land owned by Traditional Authorities.

(3) The Department is not aware of any administrative issues on any of these sites.

COMPILER/CONTACT PERSONS:

EXT:

DIRECTOR – GENERAL

STATUS:

DATE:

QUESTION 2667 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED

Dr BE NZIMANDE, MP

MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

STATUS:

DATE:

Reply:

(a) 2007/08 – R 4 849 491 000.00 (CV)

2008/09 – R 5 673 565 000.00 (CV)

2009/10 – R 10 531 363 000.00 (NV)

2010/11 – R 12 300 874 000.00 (NV)

2011/12 – R 13 478 563 000.00 (NV)

2012/13 – R 15 800 011 000.00 (NV)

2013/14 – R 18 592 565 000.00 (NV)

2014/15 – R 21 255 073 000.00 (NV)

2015/16 – R 24 168 458 000.00 (NV)

2016/17 – R 29 810 775 000.00 (NV)

NV / Nominal Value: Total gross value of debtors before impairment

CV / Carrying Value: Net value of debtors after accounting adjustments for impairment

(b) The entity writes-off a student loan and any related allowances for impairment losses, when the entity determines that the loan is uncollectable. This determination is made after notification of the death or permanent disability of the borrower. A list of identity numbers is verified against the Department of Home Affairs database on an annual basis for verification of borrowers that are deceased. For disability, medical certification is required. The individual loans are then written off on approval by the Board.

 

COMPILER/CONTACT PERSONS:

EXT:

DIRECTOR – GENERAL

STATUS:

DATE:

QUESTION 2663 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED

Dr BE NZIMANDE, MP

MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

STATUS:

DATE:

Reply:

a) In the case of university campuses, each university is responsible for ensuring that the quality of infrastructure built, using Departmental funding, is according to legislated and regulated standards. Universities are responsible for the procurement of infrastructure, including the appointment of professionals in the built environment, and a project management team to oversee the construction process. Universities must ensure that all legislated and regulated standards applicable to the construction environment are adhered to on a national, provincial or local level. This includes the Policy on Norms and Standards for Student Housing published by the Department in September 2015.

The Department monitors the use of the funds allocated to ensure that they have been used for the purpose for which they were allocated. This is done through a two-pronged process. Firstly, through the assessment of annual progress and audited reports submitted by the universities. One of the conditions for the use of the funds allocated for infrastructure is that universities submit an audit certificate verifying that the expenditure has been incurred in respect of the projects for which the funds have been allocated; and that the sign-offs from architects and quantity surveyors and project managers have, as may be applicable, been received. Secondly, the Department conducts on an annual basis, site visits to universities monitoring funds spent on different projects, understanding some of the challenges and observing the actual building completed or construction in progress.

The Department is in the process of appointing an Infrastructure Development Support Unit that will procure professionals in the built environment to assist the Department with monitoring the quality of infrastructure built.

(b) Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges have not been allocated Departmental funding since its establishment in 2009. As part of supporting colleges to build and maintain infrastructure that is funded from their own sources, as well as for the Department to bid for infrastructure funds, a special Infrastructure Project Office has been established. The Office provides advice and training to colleges with regards to infrastructure build and regulatory compliance. The Office has commenced with an infrastructure asset management programme, which will be used to develop minimum norms and compliance standards for physical facilities, and for monitoring and evaluation of effective infrastructure management.

COMPILER/CONTACT PERSONS:

EXT:

DIRECTOR – GENERAL

STATUS:

DATE:

QUESTION 2665 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED

Dr BE NZIMANDE, MP

MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

STATUS:

DATE:

Reply:

With reference to reply on question 1875, please note table link below:

http://pmg-assets.s3-website-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/RNW2440TABLE-170915.pdf

Reply:

1 a. Capacity of the NPTR and IT system used to process applications for operating licences

b The Department approved remunerated overtime for officials responsible for the processing of applications for operating licences. The recruitment process for additional staff has been finalised. Additional staff is expected to join the Department from October 2017. The department has also begun with the process of procuring a new Information System.

c i. October – November 2017 for assumption of duty of newly appointed officials

ii. December 2017 for the roll out of the new system.

2. Yes. The Department is exploring the option of creating a mini switchboard for the NPTR.

3. Yes. Measures have been put in place to deal with the backlog as stipulated in 1 (b).

4. Section 57 of the NLTA, 2009 (Act 05 of 2009) empowers the NPTR to impose conditions when disposing applications for operating licences. Any operator that is not satisfied with the conditions or decision of the NPTR has recourse to appeal in a prescribed manner with the Transport Appeals Tribunal.

 

Reply:

Monetary value paid for Rolling Stock and Depot Upgrade number HO/EPMO/023/08/2011:

Transaction Advisers	Tender	Monetary Value of Tender	Amount paid to Transaction Advisor	Transaction Advisory Cost as % of Tender
a) SMEC/Vela VKE	Modernisation of Braamfontein Depot	2 300 000 000	4 363 783
b) GIBB			4 363 783
(c)KPMG			3 888 574
(d)Ledwaba Mazwai			12 540 000
		2 300 000 000	25 156 141	1.09%

Reply:

The revised IEP and IRP will be released to the public after Cabinet Process and Approval. Once Cabinet has approved the final IRP and IEP they will be gazetted for access to Public and also submitted to Parliament.

2295. Mr M M Dlamini (EFF) to ask the Minister of Energy:

1. (a) Why has her department not yet signed the power purchase agreements for renewable energy with independent power producers and (b) by what date is it envisaged that the power purchase agreements will be signed;

2. does she intend to oppose the application for an interdict preventing the power purchase agreements from being signed; if not, why not? NW2534E

Reply:

1. (a) The Minister has addressed the nation on the matter of outstanding Power Purchase agreements for bid window 3,5 and 4 on Friday 01 September 2017 during the media briefing.

(b) It was committed that the PPA for bid window 3,5 and 4 will be signed by the end of October 2017.

(2) Yes, as the interdict will prevent government from being able to implement a mix of energy generation options that is envisaged to support our mandate on reliable, affordable energy security for the Country.

 

2296. Mr M M Dlamini (EFF) to ask the Minister of Energy:

1. Whether the draft Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) and Integrated Energy Plan (IEP) as contemplated in the Electricity Regulation Act, Act 4 of 2006, will be re-published for comment; if not, why not;

2. on what dates will the IRP and IEP be promulgated;

3. whether she intends to remove the restraints on renewable energy from the draft IRP and IEP before it is published; if not, why not;

4. why does the draft IRP and IEP make provision for new coal-fired and nuclear power when it has comprehensively been shown by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research that renewable energy with additional storage capacity and gas is the most cost-effective and feasible plan for South Africa’s energy future? NW2535E

Reply:

1. The process for consultation on IRP and IEP has been concluded with the public. The current process is to finalise the policy document and gazetting the final document for implementation. Consultation on the policy is concluded and final documents will be published.

2. Target for promulgation is end of February 2018.

3. Minister will not interfere with the policy development process outside the prescribed laws, as this will be illegal.

4. The final IRP and IEP will be communicated and promulgated once concluded, currently we don’t have a final position to communicate.

 

2344. Mr G Mackay (DA) to ask the Minister of Energy:

Whether, in relation to recent activities at the Central Energy Fund, she will furnish Mr G Mackay with copies of (a) a letter drafted by a certain person (name furnished) to her predecessor to obtain a ministerial directive on 6 October 2015, (b) her predecessor’s response dated 3 June 2016 and (c) the subsequent ministerial directive of her predecessor; if not, in each case, why not; if so, by what date in each case? NW2589E

Reply:

The investigation on the sale of strategic fuel fund is still not concluded and therefore all documents that relates to the matter will not be released until all process are concluded. Once all processes have been concluded all reports and all any other documents will be referred to Parliament’s Portfolio Committee for consideration. We are expecting that all the work will be concluded by latest November 2017.

Reply:

1. (a) VBS Mutual Bank was established in 1982 and initially operated as the Venda Building Society in the former Venda Homeland. VBS Mutual Bank (VBS) is registered with the South African Reserve Bank and operates under banking license No. 1051 in terms of the Mutual Banks Act of 1993. The bank was granted a permanent Mutual Bank license on 11 October 2000.

(b) VBS Mutual Bank is not registered under the Banks Act of 1990 and therefore does not have a commercial banking license. It is one of three banks currently registered as mutual banks in South Africa. However, as stated in the MFMA, municipalities are free to use the banking services of any of the 17 banks licensed in terms of the Banks Act of 1990, but not with a bank operating in terms of the Mutual Banks Act of 1993.

2. VBS is allowed to accept deposit in terms of section 54(1) (a) of the Mutual Banks Act, 1993 which reads as follows, “A mutual bank may, subject to the provision of this Act and such directives as may from time to time be issued by the Registrar- a) accept deposits and grant loans, advances or other credit in the Republic.”

The National Treasury will communicate with specific municipalities, in this regard.

Reply:

(a) Yes, the received deviations by the Office of the Chief Procurement Officer are indicated in the table below.

(b) Yes, the received deviations by the Office of the Chief Procurement Officer are indicated in the table below.

(i) Name of Department	(ii) When was each deviation	(iii)The nature of each specified deviation requested	(iv) The motivation for requesting each deviation	(v) Why was the specified deviation request approved and/or denied in each case
	(aa) Requested	(bb) Approved and/or denied
Department of Military Veterans	19 June 2017	Approved	Business Class travel Require guidance on travel provisions for members of the DMV’s Appeals Board and Advisory Council that are appointed in terms of sections 9 and 19 of the Military Veterans Act 18 of 2011 and not in terms of Section 12A of the Public Service Act of 1994 as was previously indicated.	An appeal Board and Advisory Council on Military Veterans was established to attend to the interests of military veterans. The Advisory Council is responsible to the Minister. The department requested further clarity because they initially said the members of the Appeals Board and Advisory Council were appointed in terms of s12A of the Public Service Act but later realised that they were appointed in terms of the Military Veterans Act.	The National Travel Policy Framework (National Treasury Instruction 02 of 2017/18) and the current cost containment instruction (NT Instruction 04 of 2017/18) applies to all travellers travelling on Official Business associated with performing the Institution’s functions in terms of their mandate and strategic, operational and performance plans. The definition of a Traveller “is a person travelling at the behest of the Institution on Official Business. Institutions may include, but not limited to, other categories of employees, executives, other policy beneficiaries in line with applicable employment conditions, e.g. Institution bereavement, wellness and recruitment policies; Research collaboration support such as researchers, postgraduate students, utilising shared research platforms, Non-executive members, appointed members of a Committee, appointed members of a Commission of Enquiry, persons appointed as advisors on grounds of policy considerations in terms of section 12A of the Public Service Act of 1994, interview candidates and other government employees where an employer-employee relationship exists as defined in the Labour Relations Act or similar, e.g. International Labour law (in the case of employees based in foreign countries) and other applicable legislation, invited guests, care attendants to a Traveller with a disability” After reviewing the Military Veterans Act with regards to the establishment of the Advisory Council and the Appeals Board, the power and duties, the appointment requirements and the composition of these governance structures, it is apparent that their functions are similar to that of persons appointed as advisors on grounds of policy considerations in terms of section 12A of the Public Service Act of 1994. It is for this reason that NT approved that Members of the DMV’s Advisory Council and Appeals Board be treated the same as persons appointed as advisors on grounds of policy considerations in terms of section 12A of the Public Service Act of 1994 for travel provisions as set out in the two Instructions mentioned above.
The Presidency	31 March 2017	Not approved	Request to exceed the maximum allowance rate per star grading for domestic hotel accommodation	Special Advisors, Officials in the private office of the Presidency and Deputy Presidency, Office of the Director General, Office of the Chief Operations Officer, support staff of former principals, protocol officers, spousal support staff and presidential aides are required to travel to Cape Town and other provinces in support of principals during official engagements. The Domestic Accommodation Rate Grid determines the maximum allowance rate per star grading within which an employee is allowed to be accommodated in accordance with an employee’s salary level. This poses a challenge as some of the hotel rates do not fall within the maximum allowed rates.	National Treasury does not give blanket approvals to deviate from cost containment measures.
The Presidency	29 August 2017	Under review	Request for deviation from Instruction Note No. 4 of 2017/18 for essential core staff to travel in the same class when accompanying the President and Deputy-President on commercial flights.	Arrangement of commercial air travel on occasion, including accommodating of essential core staff travelling with principals.	In efforts to minimise cost, the Presidency will on occasion arrange for commercial air travel for the President and Deputy President. On such occasions, it is critical that essential core staff traveling with the Principals be accommodated in the same class during the flights. The core staff comprises, but is not limited to, Private/Assistant Private Secretary, Presidential Aide, Medical Doctor and two Close Protectors. The National Treasury Instruction Note No. 4 of 2017/18 makes provision for business class travel for certain ranks. However, this excludes the core support staff of the Principals due to ranks not covered, irrespective of duration of travel.
Department of Labour	20 July 2017	Approved on condition that the newspapers are not procured for personal use of employees	Procurement of newspapers and magazines	The newspapers are for comprehensive monitoring of the mass media, the development of media analysis and research solutions and delivering of most appropriate interventions as a key element of the strategic management function.	Newspapers are for comprehensive monitoring of the mass media, the development of media analysis and research solutions and delivering of most appropriate interventions as this is a key element of the strategic management function.

Reply:

(a)(i) SEFA has been supporting SEF’s activities since the days of Khula Enterprise Finance. The basis of the support was a thoroughly conducted due diligence (investigation) to determine the appropriateness of their model to discharge the Government mandate to expand and strengthen microenterprises in South Africa. SEF has raised facilities with SEFA since 2005 when it borrowed R9,6 million until recently when it borrowed R30 million. Each time SEF has gone to SEFA for loans, a new due diligence that interrogates SEF’s business model has been conducted, with the findings contained in the submission to SEFA’s Executive Committee for consideration.

(ii) SEFA has a balanced scorecard that it strives to achieve through its activities and partnerships. The scorecard includes the following:

• Facilities disbursed in priority Provinces (Numbers and Rand Values)

• Facilities disbursed to Youth (18 – 35 years of age) (Numbers and Rand Values)

• Facilities disbursed to Women (Numbers and Rand Values)

• Facilities disbursed to Blacks (Numbers and Rand Values)

• Facilities disbursed to entrepreneurs with disability (Numbers and Rand Values)

• Number of jobs facilitated (created and maintained)

Whenever a funding proposal is submitted to SEFA, the subsequent due diligence interrogates the performance of the applicant against this scorecard. SEF has continually been assessed against these parameters and confirmed to have a huge impact on almost all of them except the facilities to people with disabilities. In addition, as part of the monthly reporting protocol for all approved funding applicants, monthly performance data is submitted to SEFA and is strictly monitored by SEFA’s Post Investment and Monitoring (PIM) Division.

SEF’s development statistics are also collected according to this process. Furthermore, SEFA conducts random monitoring visits that include interviewing SEF’s clients to determine the impact of the loans extended to them. The feedback obtained has further highlighted the impact of the government funding to women channelled through SEF. Currently, SEF operates in five (5) priority Provinces of Limpopo, North West, Northern Cape, Mpumalanga and the Eastern Cape. Over 99% of their portfolio is to women. More than 60% of all development statistics reported by SEFA on an annual basis are achieved through partnership with SEF.

(b) The SEF business model derives from the iconic Grameen Bank lending model. It utilizes solidarity groups made of up to five (5) women each. Seven of these groups get together to form a “centre”. The “centre” becomes the administrative machinery for not only assessing and recommending loans to members, but also the authority to ensure that all loans are collected. Other benefits that come from the “centres” include peer support for both business and social purposes. In many countries, the “centres” become the mechanism to empower women on a number of other social matters including HIV/AIDS education, nutrition and sanitation. SEF interacts with its clients through the group and “centre” meetings and provides the essential business education for strengthening the microenterprises.

Given the success of SEF and similarly structured programmes here in South Africa and elsewhere, it has been established that SEF’s business model is absolutely appropriate for providing large scale financial support for women-owned small-medium- and micro-sized businesses.

Reply:

1. (a) The number of Protective Service Officers (PSO) is determined by the Threat and Risk Assessment (TRA) which is compiled in advance by South African Police. By divulging the number protectors allotted to the Commissioner will bridge security measures currently in place.

Total expenditure is dependent on the employee grade see breakdown below:

Period: 2013/14	Minimum of grade 4B pa	Midpoint of grade 4B pa	Maximum of grade 4B pa
01 April ‘13-31 March 2014	202 608	270 144	337 668
Cell Phone	R650
Uniform Allowance	R4,765

Period: 2014/15	Minimum of grade 4B pa	Midpoint of grade 4B pa	Maximum of grade 4B pa
1 April 2014–31 March 2015	215 508	295 212	374 916
Cell phone	R650
Uniform Allowance	R5 060.43

Period: 2015/16	Minimum of grade 4B pa	Midpoint of grade 4B pa	Maximum of grade 4B pa
1April 2015–31 March 2016	228 504	313 008	397 524
Cell Phone	R500
Uniform Allowance	R 5 313.58

Period: 2016/17	Minimum of grade 4B pa	Midpoint of grade 4B pa	Maximum of grade 4B pa
1April 2016–31 March 2017	237 984	317 316	396 648
Cell Phone	R400
Uniform Allowance	R 7 226.47

b) The total expenditure for this service in (b) since 1 April 2017.

Period: 2017	Minimum of grade 4B pa	Midpoint of grade 4B pa	Maximum of grade 4B pa
1April 2016–31 March 2017	R237 984	R336 024	R396 648
Cell phone	R500
Uniform Allowance	Not yet paid

(2) With regard to protective service officers allotted to (a) the spouse of the Commissioner and (b) staff members of SARS, please refer to the response at 1(a) and (b) above.

(3) (a) The South African Revenue Service does not conduct Threat and Risk Assessments (TRA) either (i) for the Commissioner and (ii) the Commissioner’s spouse. (b) The TRA is compiled in advance by the South African Police Services; SARS is therefore unable to confirm when each case is set to be reviewed.

Reply:

Entities reporting to the Minister of Science and Technology:

Entity	Current Board/Council expiry date	(a) Opening of applications	(b) Closing of applications
HSRC	31/10/2017	31 March 2017	21 April 2017
NACI	31/07/2018	Not later than December 2017	Within 30 days after publication of the advert
SANSA	31/08/2018	Not later than January 2018
NRF	30/09/2018	Not later than February 2018
CSIR	31/12/2018	Not later than April 2018
SACNASP	30/04/2019	Not later than August 2018
ASSAF	31/10/2020	Not later than February 2020
TIA	30/04/2021	NOT later than August 2020

Comments:

There are no specific application dates of opening and closing for the board positions of entities and council reporting to the Minister. However, the reconstitution process to appoint the new Boards/Councils is initiated eight months prior to the expiry date of an individual Board/Council.