Questions and Replies
21 September 2017 - NW2350
Baker, Ms TE to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
Whether the internal audit function of Magalies Water has been outsourced; if so, (a) why, (b) for what period, (c) which company is performing the internal audit function, (d) what are the terms of the contract and (e) what is the total amount that has been paid to the specified company to date?
Reply:
a) The internal audit function at Magalies Water is outsourced because the entity currently does not have an established internal audit division.
b) The duration of the period is three (3) years. The contract commencement date is 01 October 2015 and will expire on 30 September 2018.
c) The internal audit function is outsourced to PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS.
(d) Terms of the contract are as follows:
1. Provision of Internal Audit Services:
- Evaluating adequacy and effectiveness of controls and advising managers at all levels in determining key control indicators and develop recommendations for enhancement or improvement of these controls;
- Assisting the Chief Executive Officer in achieving the objectives of the institution by evaluating and developing recommendations for the enhancement or improvement of processes through which —
- Objectives and values are established and communicated;
- The accomplishment of objectives is monitored;
- Accountability is ensured; and
2. Corporate values are preserved:
-
-
- Analysing operations and conformity to organisational mandate; and
- Reviewing the Internal Audit Charter for the approval by the Audit and Risk Committee and Magalies Water Board, and thereafter adhere to the Charter;
- Liaising with the Risk Specialist in the development of a risk-based 3-year rolling internal audit plan;
- Conducting forensic audits as and when required;
Evaluating specific operations at the request of the Board or management, as appropriate;
- Maintaining professional audit staff with sufficient knowledge, skills, experience and professional certification to meet the requirements of the internal audit charter;
- Evaluating adequacy and effectiveness.
-
(e) The total amount paid is R4 213 594.28
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21 September 2017 - NW2351
Basson, Mr LJ to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
(a) What are the qualifications requirements for the position of General Manager of the Project Management Unit at Magalies Water, (b) who is the current incumbent, (c) is the person serving in a permanent capacity and (d) what are the details of the specified person’s qualifications?
Reply:
a) Relevant Degree or BTech in Civil Engineering, Master Degree advantageous (The job advert of the position is attached).
b) The current incumbent is Ms Tsakane Radebe.
c) The position is a 5-year contract and the successful candidate assumed her duties effective from the 01 May 2016.
d) The details of the specified person’s qualifications are as follows:
- Matric
- National Diploma: Mechanical Engineering
- Bachelor of Technology: Mechanical Engineering
- Project Management Professional
- Certified Associate in Project Management
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21 September 2017 - NW2616
Lekota, Mr M to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
With reference to the launch of Operation Phakisa on Agriculture by the President in February 2017, what: (a) funding has been set aside for the initiative and (b) progress has been made to date in giving effect to the initiative?
Reply:
(a) has funding been set aside for the initiative?
The Revitalisation of the Agriculture and Agro-Processing Value Chain (RAAVC), as a pillar of the 9 Point Plan was subjected to the Operation Phakisa methodology. The purpose was to deepen the implementation planning and management of RAAVC. Operation Phakisa initiatives are therefore not necessary new, but by and large the up-scaling and fast tracking of existing programmes and projects where applicable. However, there are a few initiatives which are new or calling for the overhauling of existing programmes.
Furthermore, Operation Phakisa is a method through which the private sector, civil society and government are enjoined through the development of 3-feet deep plans of initiatives agreed upon at the five-week Lab. Funding and implementation of the Phakisa initiatives are thus a joint venture between the private, civil and public sector.
Public funds committed to Phakisa are the existing funds within the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries as well as the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform, used in a manner to leverage greater private sector buy-in, and investment.
(b) what progress has been made to date in giving effect to the initiative?
The Operation Phakisa Lab outcomes must firstly be wholly owned by all stakeholders and role players within Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development. The DAFF and DRDLR have invested a lot of time in communicating and syndicating with industry and civil role players through workshops, closed and open meetings. These engagements are also intended to lead to the finalisation of agreements for implementation among key role players, which will be pronounced on through a public event, namely the Open Day. We are 65% though this phase of Operation Phakisa.
The date for the Open Day will be determined by the Office of the President.
(a) has funding been set aside for the initiative?
The Revitalisation of the Agriculture and Agro-Processing Value Chain (RAAVC), as a pillar of the 9 Point Plan was subjected to the Operation Phakisa methodology. The purpose was to deepen the implementation planning and management of RAAVC. Operation Phakisa initiatives are therefore not necessary new, but by and large the up-scaling and fast tracking of existing programmes and projects where applicable. However, there are a few initiatives which are new or calling for the overhauling of existing programmes.
Furthermore, Operation Phakisa is a method through which the private sector, civil society and government are enjoined through the development of 3-feet deep plans of initiatives agreed upon at the five-week Lab. Funding and implementation of the Phakisa initiatives are thus a joint venture between the private, civil and public sector.
Public funds committed to Phakisa are the existing funds within the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries as well as the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform, used in a manner to leverage greater private sector buy-in, and investment.
(b) what progress has been made to date in giving effect to the initiative?
The Operation Phakisa Lab outcomes must firstly be wholly owned by all stakeholders and role players within Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development. The DAFF and DRDLR have invested a lot of time in communicating and syndicating with industry and civil role players through workshops, closed and open meetings. These engagements are also intended to lead to the finalisation of agreements for implementation among key role players, which will be pronounced on through a public event, namely the Open Day. We are 65% though this phase of Operation Phakisa.
The date for the Open Day will be determined by the Office of the President.
21 September 2017 - NW2734
Maynier, Mr D to ask the Minister of Finance
What is the detailed (a) breakdown of and (b) valuation for current and non-current assets and investments held by the (i) Industrial Development Corporation, (ii) Development Bank of Southern Africa and (iii) Land Bank according to (aa) listed assets (aaa) held and (bbb) indirectly held and (bb) unlisted investments (aaa) held and (bbb) indirectly held by each of the entities, in each case breaking the current assets and investments down by 0-3 months, 3-6 months, 6-12 months and beyond 12 months?
Reply:
Land bank and DBSA responses are provided below, however, IDC does not report to the National Treasury.
LAND BANK RESPONSES:
(a) (b) (iii)
Distinction between current and non – current assets:
The Group presents the assets and liabilities in decreasing order of liquidity as it provides information that is more reliable and relevant than a current/non-current presentation because the Group does not supply goods or services within a clearly identifiable operating cycle.
Gross Loans by Maturity Value |
||||
Group 2017 R’000 |
Group 2016 R’000 |
Bank 2017 R’000 |
Bank 2016 R’000 |
|
< 3 Months |
7 685 650 |
6 209 050 |
7 685 650 |
6 209 050 |
3 – 6 months |
4 793 132 |
4 606 878 |
4 793 132 |
4 606 878 |
6 – 9 months |
3 533 562 |
1 506 583 |
3 533 562 |
1 506 583 |
9 – 12 months |
1 004 508 |
545 831 |
1 004 508 |
545 831 |
1 – 5 years |
4 351 860 |
9 082 557 |
4 351 860 |
9 082 557 |
> 5 years |
21 655 326 |
16 873 417 |
21 655 326 |
16 873 417 |
TOTAL |
43 024 038 |
38 824 315 |
43 024 038 |
38 824 315 |
(aa) Listed Investments:
(aaa) Held directly:
Listed investment (1) |
||||
Group 2017 R’000 |
Group 2016 R’000 |
Bank 2017 R’000 |
Bank 2016 R’000 |
|
Rhodes Food Group Holdings Limited |
197 000 |
- |
197 000 |
- |
(bbb) Held indirectly:
Assets earmarked for medical aid liabilities Listed investments |
||||
Group 2017 R’000 |
Group 2016 R’000 |
Bank 2017 R’000 |
Bank 2016 R’000 |
|
Local equity |
242 749 |
230 734 |
242 749 |
230 734 |
Local bonds |
53 187 |
33 594 |
53 187 |
33 594 |
Foreign equity |
49 582 |
63 794 |
49 582 |
63 794 |
TOTAL |
345 518 |
328 122 |
345 518 |
328 122 |
The assets earmarked for medical aid liabilities are managed through a mandate by Coronation Asset Managers.
(bb) Unlisted investments:
(aaa) Held directly:
Unlisted investments (2) |
||||
Group 2017 R’000 |
Group 2016 R’000 |
Bank 2017 R’000 |
Bank 2016 R’000 |
|
Capespan Capital (Pty) Ltd |
1 288 |
849 |
1 288 |
849 |
Acorn Agri (Pty) Ltd |
75 000 |
- |
75 000 |
- |
TOTAL |
76 288 |
849 |
76 288 |
849 |
Investments in Land Bank 100% owned subsidiaries |
||||
Group 2017 R’000 |
Group 2016 R’000 |
Bank 2017 R’000 |
Bank 2016 R’000 |
|
Land Bank Life Insurance Company (Life Insurer) |
- |
- |
30 |
30 |
Land Bank Insurance Company (Short term Insurer) |
- |
- |
350 000 |
200 000 |
TOTAL |
- |
- |
350 030 |
200 030 |
(bbb) Held indirectly:
Assets earmarked for medical aid liabilities Unlisted investments |
||||
Group 2017 R’000 |
Group 2016 R’000 |
Bank 2017 R’000 |
Bank 2016 R’000 |
|
Commodities – Local ETF |
2 514 |
3 563 |
2 514 |
3 563 |
Cash – Local |
11 834 |
25 272 |
11 834 |
25 272 |
TOTAL |
14 348 |
25 835 |
14 348 |
28 835 |
The assets earmarked for medical aid liabilities are managed through a mandate by Coronation Asset Managers.
Investments held by subsidiaries (LBIC) |
||
Group 2017 R’000 |
Group 2016 R’000 |
|
Equities |
412 151 |
474 424 |
Commodities |
35 568 |
33 064 |
Collective investment schemes |
370 893 |
354 568 |
Bonds |
247 763 |
259 810 |
Cash deposits and similar securities |
146 564 |
178 045 |
Investment Policy |
13 980 |
33 986 |
TOTAL |
1 226 920 |
1 333 897 |
The above listed investments held by subsidiaries are managed through mandates by with the following Asset Managers:
- Coronation Fund Managers Limited
- Momentum Asset Management
- Argon Asset Management
- Investec Asset Management
- Old Mutual Investment Group (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd Group
DBSA RESPONSE:
2. Equity Investment YE 2016/2017 |
|
Unlisted |
Beyond 12 months |
Direct Investments |
|
Ohorongo |
81 313 764 |
Proparco |
452 956 708 |
The Currency Exchange Fund |
578 411 113 |
Indirect Investments - Private Equity Investments |
|
African Agriculture Fund (Phatisa) |
176 917 010 |
AgrieVie (Strategy Partners) |
152 856 925 |
African Health Fund (Aureos) |
243 667 465 |
African Infrastructure Investment Fund |
394 847 707 |
Convergence Partners |
82 385 417 |
Emerging Capital Partners |
615 555 323 |
Ethos |
1 |
HIFSA |
1 867 607 518 |
International Housing Solutions |
190 242 204 |
Medu Capital |
18 699 500 |
PAIDF |
882 236 100 |
PAIDF 2 |
21 936 838 |
PAIP |
- |
Shanduka |
- |
Trinitas |
76 847 532 |
Vantage Capital |
136 027 906 |
Frandevco |
- |
One and only Cape Town Holdings |
- |
StarSat |
- |
Development Bank of Zambia |
- |
Total equity investments |
5 972 509 032 |
21 September 2017 - NW2480
Steyn, Ms A to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
(1) Whether, with reference to his reply to question 1523 on 22 June 2017, the Appeal Board that was set up by his department to advise on the decision regarding the recognition of Black Boerboel as an acceptable breed Boerboel has made its decision; if not, by when is the decision expected; if so, (a) what are the relevant details and (b) will he furnish Ms A Steyn with a copy of the Appeal Board’s report; (2) whether (a) he and/or (b) his department have been informed of any instances where breeders have (i) sold and/or (ii) exported boerboels as Black Boerboels, even without official registration as a breed with his department; if so, what (aa) are the relevant details of all instances and (bb) steps that have been taken in this regard.NW2737E WRITTEN REPLY QUESTION 2480 / NW 2737E MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES: Ms A Steyn (DA)) to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries: QUESTION: (1) Whether, with reference to his reply to question 1523 on 22 June 2017, the Appeal Board that was set up by his department to advise on the decision regarding the recognition of Black Boerboel as an acceptable breed Boerboel has made its decision; if not, by when is the decision expected; if so, (a) what are the relevant details and (b) will he furnish Ms A Steyn with a copy of the Appeal Board’s report; (2) whether (a) he and/or (b) his department have been informed of any instances where breeders have (i) sold and/or (ii) exported boerboels as Black Boerboels, even without official registration as a breed with his department; if so, what (aa) are the relevant details of all instances and (bb) steps that have been taken in this regard.NW2737E REPLY: (1) (a) (b) Yes, the Appeal Board was appointed in terms of Section 23 of Animal Improvement Act, 1998 (Act No. 62 of 1998). The Appeal board, under chairmanship of Advocate S Phaswane concluded its assignment on the 29th of June 2017. In its conclusion, the Appeal Board set aside the decision of the Registrar; however the board decided to not consider the scientific process. (Copy of the report is attached as requested). (2) (a) (b) Yes the department was informed of such instances where breeders have sold and/or illegally exported boerboels as Black Boerboels, even without official registration as a breed with the department. At this stage the matter (s) is under investigation.
Reply:
(1) (a) (b) Yes, the Appeal Board was appointed in terms of Section 23 of Animal Improvement Act, 1998 (Act No. 62 of 1998). The Appeal board, under chairmanship of Advocate S Phaswane concluded its assignment on the 29th of June 2017. In its conclusion, the Appeal Board set aside the decision of the Registrar; however the board decided to not consider the scientific process. (Copy of the report is attached as requested).
(2) (a) (b) Yes the department was informed of such instances where breeders have sold and/or illegally exported boerboels as Black Boerboels, even without official registration as a breed with the department. At this stage the matter (s) is under investigation.
21 September 2017 - NW2352
Basson, Mr LJ to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
(1)(a) For how long has the position of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at the Overberg Water been vacant (b) why has this vacancy not been filled; (2) Whether the current acting CEO was ever recommended for permanent appointment in this position; if so, (a) on what date was the recommendation first made and (b) why has no action been taken in this regard?
Reply:
(1)(a) The position of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Overberg Water has been vacant since May 2015 to date.
(1)(b) My Department seconded Ms ONV Fundakubi as the acting CEO at Overberg Water. The secondment was effective from 1 July 2015 and terminated on
22 June 2017.
(2) Yes, the current acting CEO, Mr Phakamani Buthelezi, was recommended by the selection panel for permanent appointment as CEO at Overberg Water.
(2)(a) On 9 March 2016, the panel recommended to the Overberg Water Board the approval of the appointment of Mr Buthelezi for the position of CEO at Overberg Water.
(2)(b) My Department wanted the Board and former Acting CEO, Ms Fundakubi to deal with all outstanding issues related to the finalisation of the Annual Report of 2016/17 before processing the appointment of the new CEO.
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20 September 2017 - NW2610
Madisha, Mr WM to ask the Minister of Finance
(1)Whether he approached the Commissioner of the SA Revenue Service to inquire about the tax affairs of a certain family (); if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (2) will he make public the outcomes of the specified inquiry; if not, why not?
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.
20 September 2017 - NW1869
Paulsen, Mr N M to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
With reference to persons who did not have permanent residence permits for a period of 10 years, (a) what is the total number of persons who have been granted citizenship by her department as at 31 May 2017, from the date of obtaining permanent residence in the Republic of South Africa and (b) what were the relevant details of the exceptional circumstances for the granting of the specified requests in each case?
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.
20 September 2017 - NW2400
Mhlongo, Mr TW to ask the Minister of Sport and Recreation
Has Boxing South Africa conducted an investigation into the death of Herbert Nkabiti, a boxer; if not, why not; if so, will he furnish Mr T W Mhlongo with a copy of the investigation report?
Reply:
The investigation into the death of Mr Herbert Nkabiti is underway and has not yet been completed. The investigation has been commissioned by the board of Boxing South Africa. Once the investigation is complete and the report is submitted to the Department of Sport and Recreation South Africa, the Minister will apply his mind as to the next course of action.
20 September 2017 - NW2308
Shivambu, Mr F to ask the Minister of Finance
Whether FlySAA is generating revenue from all lounges in airports across the country; if so, (a) what amount and (b) what is the cost of running the specified lounges in each case?
Reply:
The Lounges are facilities operated by SAA and offer selected passengers, comfort beyond that that is afforded in the airport terminal. Such comfort includes comfortable seating, quieter environment, and often better access to customer service representatives. Other offers include wireless internet access and other business services.
The Lounges mainly serve as a service offering to premium passengers, those flying business class, and to frequent fliers who are Voyager members and have achieved a prescribed voyager membership status.
During financial year 2016/17 SAA’s eight (8) Lounges generated a revenue totaling: (a) R74, 867, 946 at the operating costs of: (b) R106, 519, 595
Philosophy of an Airline Lounge:
An Airline Lounge is more of a differentiating factor than a profit/revenue making stream, for the following reasons:
- The market is seeing increased ground services activity as operators strive to compete on quality provision. The business/first class lounge is an especially important part of the ground service experience, and one of the most critical branding elements for an airline.
- To meet the needs of First Class, Business Class and Airlines Frequent Flyers customers, airlines seek to offer a complete airport to airport experience, not only in the air but also on the ground. Well-designed lounges provide a refuge from a very busy airport and an opportunity for airlines to demonstrate their character, qualities and service level.
- For the airline, the quality of their lounge and lounge services are an extension of their brand and a way of enhancing customer relationships. As passengers spend more time at the airport, due to increased security, congestion and delays, the lounge experience has become a powerful differentiator in airline selection.
20 September 2017 - NW2762
Esau, Mr S to ask the Minister of Transport
Whether his department has entered into any agreements with the Ivory Coast; if so, (a) what agreements have been entered into, (b) on what dates (i) were the specified agreements signed and (ii) do they take effect, (c) what mechanisms exist to monitor the agreements, (d) what budgets have been allocated in this regard and (e) what resources, including human resources, have been (i) allocated and (ii) provided?
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
20 September 2017 - NW2579
Moteka, Mr PG to ask the Minister of Sport and Recreation
When are the application dates (a) opening and (b) closing for the board positions of all entities and councils reporting to him?
Reply:
The application dates for Boxing South Africa were as follows:
(a) opened on: 28 July 2017
(b) closed on: 13 August 2017
In the case of the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport, the advertisement is still to be published, as quotations were awaited from the Government Gazette and the National Press. It is expected that the advertisement will be issued shortly before he end of September 2017 and the closing date for the nominations shall be 30 days from the publication of the advertisement.
20 September 2017 - NW2904
King, Ms C to ask the Minister of Trade and Industry
What is the detailed (a) breakdown of and (b) valuation for current and non-current assets and investments held by (i) his department and (ii) each entity reporting to him according to (aa) listed assets (aaa) directly held and (bbb) indirectly held and (bb) unlisted investments (aaa) directly held and (bbb) indirectly held by each of the entities, in each case breaking the current assets and investments down by 0-3 months, 3-6 months, 6-12 months and beyond 12 months?
Reply:
(a)(b)(i) (aa)(aaa)(bb)(bbb)
All current and non-current assets form part of the audited Annual Financial Statements and are included in the Department’s and Entities 2016/17 Annual Reports.
19 September 2017 - NW2262
Stubbe, Mr DJ to ask the Minister of Basic Education
(1)With reference to her reply to question 1849 on 6 July 2017, (a) what are the titles of the books for the National Catalogue that were produced as braille books, (b) how many copies of each of the titles were ordered for each school in each province that is attended by learners with visual difficulties in the 2016-17 financial year; (2) What is the total current stock of each title at each school in each province that is attended by learners with visual difficulties?
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.
19 September 2017 - NW2234
Mbabama, Ms TM to ask the Minister of Basic Education
(1) Which schools did not receive the National School Nutrition Programme meals (a) in the (i) 2014, (ii) 2015 and (iii) 2016 academic years and (b) since January 2017; (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?
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.
19 September 2017 - NW2736
Maynier, Mr D to ask the Minister of Finance
What is the detailed breakdown of all development loans extended in the rest of Africa by the Development Bank of Southern Africa (a) in the 2016-17 financial year and (b) since 1 April 2017 in terms of the (i) amounts lent, (ii) sectors lent to, (iii) names of the clients and (iv) names of each country that the clients are from?
Reply:
|
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.
19 September 2017 - NW2564
Singh, Mr N to ask the Minister of Environmental Affairs
What are the full details of (a) the exact scientific rationale that informed the South African National Biodiversity Institute’s decision, justification and recommendation for the quota of 800 lion bone export per annum and (b) the steps that her department has put in place to ensure that the quota does not in fact exacerbate the tiger and lion poaching in South Africa?
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---
19 September 2017 - NW2672
Ollis, Mr IM to ask the Minister of Basic Education
With reference to her reply to question 2684 on 15 December 2016, has she received the Nexus report yet; if not, why not; if so, when will the report be tabled in the National Assembly for referral to the members of the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education?
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.
19 September 2017 - NW2327
Boshoff, Ms SH to ask the Minister of Basic Education
What is the (a) total number of schools in each province that have unsuccessfully applied for school transport provided by the provincial government (i) in the (aa) 2014, (bb) 2015, (cc) 2016 academic years and (ii) from January 2017 for each school and (b) (i) name of the school, (ii) school district, (iii) total number of children at the school that the application was for and (iv) reason the application was declined?
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.
19 September 2017 - NW2248
Motau, Mr SC to ask the Minister of Basic Education
(a) What progress has her department made in the finalisation of the draft norms for the resourcing of inclusive education and (b) will provinces report quarterly on specific expenditures relating to inclusive education?
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.
19 September 2017 - NW2065
Mulaudzi, Adv TE to ask the Minister of Small Business Development
Whether (a) her department and/or (b) any entities reporting to her are funding, including by way of discretionary funding, any institution of research and development (i) domestically and/or (ii) internationally; if so, (aa)(aaa) what are the names of the specified institutions and (bbb) what are their functions, (bb) from what date has her department or any entity reporting to her been funding them and (cc) what amount has her department contributed towards such funding?”
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.
19 September 2017 - NW2260
Schmidt, Adv H to ask the Minister of Basic Education
Whether a monitoring system is in place to ensure that schools classified as schools for the deaf are fully functional; if not; why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
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):
|
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:
|
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:
19 September 2017 - NW2240
Mokgalapa, Mr S to ask the Minister of Basic Education
What are the details of the progress made on the merging of schools, including how the respective provincial education departments have assisted each merged school with (a) accommodation, (b) transport, (c) the National School Nutrition Programme and (d) any other assistance?
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.
19 September 2017 - NW1091
Rabotapi, Mr MW to ask the Minister of Basic Education
(a) How many cases of school staff members being physically assaulted by pupils in each school district have been reported to the (i) her department and (ii) the South African Council of Educators (SACE) in the (aa) 2014, (bb) 2015, and (cc) 2016 academic years, (b) how many of these resulted in disciplinary action and (c) what was the nature of the disciplinary action?
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.
.
19 September 2017 - NW2767
Figlan, Mr AM to ask the Minister of Transport
(a) What amount has been paid to the company that collects e-toll funds (name furnished) in each month since the inception of the contract, (b) how are the amounts calculated, (c) when will this contract be terminated and (d) what is the projected amount that will be paid to the specified company in the 2017-18 financial year?
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.
19 September 2017 - NW2698
Lees, Mr RA to ask the Minister of Finance
(a) What is the total amount of public funds that have been paid from the National Revenue Fund to (i) political parties, (ii) independent public representatives in local government and (iii) independent election candidates from each sphere of Government (aa) in each of the past three financial years and (bb) since 1 April 2017, (b) what are the details of the methods used to determine the (i) total allocations and (ii) allocations to each political party, independent public representatives in local government and independent election candidates, (c) on what dates were the specified allocations paid and (d) what were the funds utilised for in each case?
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.
19 September 2017 - NW2257
Ross, Mr DC to ask the Minister of Basic Education
With regard to her reply to question 1849 on 6 July 2017, (a) why did only four provinces order Braille books in the 2016-17 financial year and (b) how many learners with visual difficulties requiring Braille books do not currently have their own copies of the required Braille books for learning at each school in each province?
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.
19 September 2017 - NW2670
Ollis, Mr IM to ask the Minister of Basic Education
Whether she received a copy of the report by a certain law firm (name furnished), which was appointed by Gauteng Member of the Executive Committee for Education, Mr Panyaza Lesufi, to investigate the practice of the selling of teaching posts in Gauteng; if not; why not; if so, will she provide a copy of the report to Mr I M Ollis?
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.
19 September 2017 - NW2503
Boshoff, Ms SH to ask the Minister of Basic Education
Whether teachers who are found guilty of (a) sexual and/or (b) physical abuse of learners are automatically (i) placed on the Child Protection Register and/or (ii) dismissed from their position; if not, in each case, why not; if so, what are the relevant details in each case?
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.
19 September 2017 - NW2761
Steenkamp, Ms J to ask the Minister of Transport
What (a) steps is he taking to ensure that intimidation of taxi e-hailing company drivers ceases, (b) has been done to date to resolve any concerns expressed by any of the parties and (c) measures are planned for the future in this regard?
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.
19 September 2017 - NW2787
Matsepe, Mr CD to ask the Minister of Transport
Whether, with regard to the calverts that allow water from the Edenvale area to flow under the N3 highway in Gauteng, any assessment has been done since the flood in November 2016 to determine if their diameters are sufficient to allow water to flow freely under the highway without causing the water to dam up and flood the area; if not, why not; if so, (a) what are the findings of the assessment and (b) what (i) are the current diameters of the above calverts and (ii) should they be and (iii) would the cost be of increasing the calverts under the N3 highway?
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.
19 September 2017 - NW2692
Alberts, Mr ADW to ask the Minister of Transport
(1)Whether the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications has already developed specifications for the instruments of the e-tolling system in Gauteng; if not, (a) why not and (b) on what legal basis are the instruments currently being applied; if, so, (2) Whether the instruments have already been tested regarding compliance with the specifications; if so, where can the report be found
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.
19 September 2017 - NW2255
Ross, Mr DC to ask the Minister of Basic Education
(a) What is the total number of learners with hearing difficulties in each province who are currently placed on waiting lists at (i) full-service schools and (ii) schools for the deaf and (b) what measures have been put in place in each province to ensure that these learners are registered?
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.
19 September 2017 - NW2691
Alberts, Mr ADW to ask the Minister of Finance
Whether he is prepared to place all public service pension funds, including the pension funds of state enterprises, under the jurisdiction of the Pension Funds Adjudicator in order to ensure transparent management and cheap adjudication; if not, (a) how will this decision be justified in terms of the principles of fairness and the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, and (b) to what extent will pension fund members enjoy protection in the absence of oversight by the Pension Funds Adjudicator; if so, what are the (i) relevant details and (ii) time lines?
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.
19 September 2017 - NW2486
Ollis, Mr IM to ask the Minister of Basic Education
Has (a) her department and/or (b) any of the nine provincial education departments awarded tenders to certain companies (names furnished) or subsidiary of the specified entities since 1 January 2002; if so, what are the relevant details in each case?
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.
19 September 2017 - NW2697
Lees, Mr RA to ask the Minister of Finance
(a) How many applications were received for the special voluntary disclosure programme that closed on 31 August 2017, (b) what is the value of each application, (c)(i) how many of the specified applications were received from each economic sector and/or person and (ii) to what value in each case, (d) how many of the specified applications have been processed to date and (e) what is the total amount of revenue that (i) has been collected from processed applications and (ii) is expected to be collected from unprocessed applications?
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.
19 September 2017 - NW2739
Ross, Mr DC to ask the Minister of Basic Education
(a) What is the total number of educator vacancies that currently exists across the public education system, (b) what are the salary levels of the specified vacancies and (c) what amount in remuneration packages will be needed to fill the vacancies?
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.
18 September 2017 - NW2376
Robertson, Mr K to ask the Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform
Whether any claims has or have been lodged on Unit 2 of farm Papkuilfontein No:469 JR (deed:T32900/1985) in the Thembisile Hani Local Municipality district in Mpumalanga; if so, what is the (a) origin and (b) progress of these claims; (2) (a) what is this property zoned as, (b) who is the owner of the property, (c) who is the current occupier of the property, (d) under what terms and/or conditions do they occupy the farm, (e) when did their lease agreement end and (f) will the family be allowed to extend the contract; (3) is the family required to vacate or be evicted from the property; if so, (a) will the State find them adequate property to reside and (b) will they be compensated for additional assets added to the property while in their care?
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
18 September 2017 - NW2123
Steyn, Ms A to ask the Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform
Since the inception of the Land Redistribution for Agricultural Development (LRAD) programme, (a) what number of beneficiaries have participated in the specified programme, (b) what (i) number of farms and (ii) total hectares have been (aa) purchased and/or (bb) leased by or for beneficiaries through the LRAD programme (aaa) in each year and (bbb) in each province and (c) how much of this land has been transferred to the ownership of beneficiaries?
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.
18 September 2017 - NW2153
Robertson, Mr K to ask the Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform
1. What is the current status of land reform in Limpopo; (2) how many (a) claims have been finalised, (b) claims are outstanding and (c) new claims have been lodged since the reopening of the land claims process; (3) what total budget does his department need to finalise all (a) existing claims and (b) new claims as at the latest specified date for which information is available?
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.
18 September 2017 - NW2757
De Freitas, Mr MS to ask the Minister of Transport
Whether there are any challenges with regard to the (a) registering and (b) licensing of vehicles in the Mogalakwena Local Municipality in Limpopo; if so, what (i) are the causes of the challenges, (ii) steps are being taken to deal with the challenges and (iii) are the timeframes in each case?
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.
18 September 2017 - NW2684
Ketabahle, Ms V to ask the Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform
What motivated his department’s attempt to force the Ndabeni claimants to dissolve the community Trust they had established in favour of registering a Communal Property Association?
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.
18 September 2017 - NW2430
Robertson, Mr K to ask the Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform
(a) On what date was the last validation done of Unit 2 of farm Papkuilfontein No: 469 JR (deed: T32900/1985) in the Thembisile Hani Local Municipality district in Mpumalanga and (b) what was the property valued at?
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.
18 September 2017 - NW2682
Mente-Nkuna, Ms NV to ask the Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform
What (a) is the main cause for the lack of progress with the Ndabeni land claim in Cape Town and (b) has his department done to (i) resolve the matter and (ii) ensure that Ndabeni claimants benefit from the settlement of their claim?
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.
18 September 2017 - NW2613
Carter, Ms D to ask the Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform
Whether there is an existing formal policy framework with regard to the Strengthening Relative Rights for People Working the Land 50/50 Policy and the one household, one hectare, two dairy cows policy; if not, why not; if so where is the policy framework accessible?
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.
18 September 2017 - NW2744
Robertson, Mr K to ask the Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform
What is the current status of the case lodged by the Sindzilwane community (Case Number LCC225/2009); (2) whether any court orders have been handed down in the specified case; if so, what are the full details; (3) whether his department met all requirements set out in the court orders; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
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.
18 September 2017 - NW2084
Mashabela, Ms N to ask the Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform
Whether (a) his department and/or (b) any entities reporting to him are funding, including by way of discretionary funding, any institution of research and development (i) domestically and/or (ii) internationally; if so, (aa)(aaa) what are the names of the specified institutions and (bbb) what are their functions, (bb) from what date has his department or any entity reporting to him been funding them and (cc) what amount has his department contributed towards such funding?
Reply:
(a),(b) No.
(i),(ii)(aa),(aa)(aaa),(bbb),(bb),(cc) Falls away.
18 September 2017 - NW2683
Thembekwayo, Dr S to ask the Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform
(a) How many land claimant verifications have been done for the Ndabeni land claim, (b) what is the reason for having so many, (c) which companies have been appointed to do the verifications and (d) what amount has the department spent on these claimant verifications?
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.
15 September 2017 - NW2766
Figlan, Mr AM to ask the Minister of Transport
(1)Whether he has found that there are delays in the issuing of operating licenses by the National Public Transport Regulator (NPTR); if so, what (a) are the reasons for delay, (b) is being done to fix this and (c) are the timelines in this regard; (2) whether he has found that there is a lack of communication by the NPTR, including telephones not being answered and emails not being replied and attended to; if so, what has he found to be the reasons for this; (3) whether he has found that there are delays in the accreditation process and issuing of renewals or transferred licenses; (4) whether he has found that licensing conditions of the NPTR are posing unforeseen challenges to motorists; if not, why not; if so, what is being done to resolve this?
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.
15 September 2017 - NW2665
Bozzoli, Prof B to ask the Minister of Higher Education and Training
What steps does his department take to ensure that the quality of infrastructure built on (a) university campuses and (b) technical and vocational education and training college campuses using departmental funding is according to legislated and regulated standards?
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.
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DIRECTOR – GENERAL
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QUESTION 2665 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED
Dr BE NZIMANDE, MP
MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING
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