Questions and Replies

Reply:

I have been advised by the SABC as follows:

(1)(a) The signed Business Case was received by SCM on the 9 March 2018. This is a date in which vests were deemed necessary equipment for staff in the SABC News Division.

(1)(b) Mayehlome Communications

(1)(c) A total of 100 vests with various sizes were purchased

(1)(d)

 

Bullet proof vest Sizes	Number	Price per Unit (Excl. VAT)	Price per Unit (Incl. VAT)	Total Price
Medium	25	R9,305.88	R10,701.76	R267,544.05
Large	25	R9,667.35	R11,117.45	R277,936.31
X-Large	25	R10,175.28	R11,701.57	R292,539.30
XX-Large	25	R10,978.53	R12,625.31	R315,632.74
TOTAL PRICE				R1,153,652.40

(1)(e) The vests are to be distributed equitably to all SABC News offices and not assigned to individual reporters.

(2) Yes, the wage bill for July 2020 was R11 million which was R9 million actual paid, plus a further R2 million for accrued expenses and not R4 million as alleged.

(2)(a) During the hard lockdown period, journalists were complemented by the independent contractors, and this is the period that more COVID-19 cases were reported in the News Division, and freelancers were utilised.

(2)(b) The nature of the SABC news operation is such that services of independent contractors are indispensable.

(2)(c) The total independent contractors spend from April to October 2020 is R58.4 million.

(3)(a) Total = R65 351 000.00

(3)(b) Total breakdown is as per attached Annexure A.

4. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the SABC used the Nasrec Sentech DR site for a period of about 6 months free of charge. This was the agreement between SABC and Sentech which was extended to the end of September 2020.

5. The SABC has a Wellness Centre which conducts wellness programmes for all SABC employees.  Individual counselling is also available for employees with such needs.  An assistance programme will be rolled out for all employees affected by the Labour Relations Act section 189 process. 

 

MS. STELLA NDABENI-ABRAHAMS, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

Reply:

I have been advised by the SABC as follows:

The SABC confirms that Mr Manamela left the employ of the SABC in 2013. He resigned with immediate effect and stated reasons for leaving as career progression. Furthermore, the SABC confirms that no investigation was ever conducted against Mr Manamela. The SABC has no record of an allegation or complaint of the 31 ghost employees as stated in the question.

 

MS. STELLA NDABENI-ABRAHAMS, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

Reply:

I have been advised by the SABC as follows:

(1) PR WORX

(2)(a) R2,3 million including VAT

(2)(b) To further add to the SABC’s turnaround strategy, addressing and better managing its reputation and corporate image is a priority for the broadcaster. The SABC therefore sought a suitably qualified and competent firm as the reputation management; corporate image building; and market research services that the SABC required, were not available from an internal skillset and resource perspective.

(3) Proper procurement processes were duly followed to appoint the PR company. The SABC went on an open and competitive tender via the SABC website and E-tender portal. A compulsory briefing session took place with all interested agencies on 20 February 2020. The tender closed on 4 March 2020. The evaluation process commenced on 10 March 2020. All due diligence was performed and only when the SABC was satisfied that it had found a suitable service provider that understood the scope of work, and possessed the necessary experience to effectively execute the stipulated reputation mandate, was the contract awarded on 29 June 2020. The SABC then entered into an agreement with PR Worx as the agency of choice on 2 July 2020 for a 12-month period.

 

MS. STELLA NDABENI-ABRAHAMS, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

Reply:

I have been advised by the Department as follows:-

The person in question is not an employee of the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies.

 

MS. STELLA NDABENI-ABRAHAMS, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

Reply:

I have been advised by the Department and SOCs as follows:

As stated in the Annual Reports to Parliament for the said financial years regarding the department and entities, the details of the payments are as per the tables below, namely;

Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services

1(a) 2017/18:

		(i)To whom	(ii)Amount Paid
(DTPS) Senior Managers	Yes, cash bonuses were paid to deserving senior managers in the 2017/18 and 2018/19 financial years	Performance bonuses paid for the 2017/18 financial year The following senior managers received cash bonuses in the 2017/18 financial year: Mr Shelembe O, DDG: ICT Enterprise Development and SOEs Oversight Mr Osman F, Chief Director: Strategic Planning and Monitoring Advocate Lyons-Grootboom S, Chief Director: Legal Ms Maponya C, Director: HRD Ms Beukes T, Director: HRA Mr Wiltz A, Director: ICT Telecommunication and IT Ms Lesufi C, Director: Telecommunications Mr Motlatla JL, Information Technology Policy Mr Mabuza, Director: Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation Mr Musetha RD, Chief Director: Broadband Infraco Mr Sono DA, Chief Director: Radio Frequency Spectrum Mr Rabindhnath T, Director: E Skills	The total amount of cash bonuses paid to the senior managers above was R380 565.36 and the budget came from the 1.5% allocated budget from the compensation budget.

2018/2019:

		(i)To whom	(ii)Amount Paid
DTPS		Performance bonuses paid for the 2018/19 financial year The following senior managers received cash bonuses in the 2018/19 financial year: Mr Mlambo B, Director: Parliamentary and Cabinet Support Ms Sebastian P, Director: Parliament and Cabinet Support Mr Mongala S, Director: Risk Management Mr Osman F, Chief Director: Strategic Planning and Monitoring Mr Maleka SM, Director: Strategic Planning Mr Libago J, Director: Monitoring and Evaluation Advocate Lyons-Grootboom S, Chief Director: Legal Ms Maponya C, Director: HRD Ms Masemola JK, CFO Ms Motswoenyane E, Director: SCM Mr Paterson JG, Director: Organisational Economic Cooperation Development Mr Wiltz A, Director: ICT Telecommunication and IT Ms Lesufi C, Director: Telecommunications Mr Musetha RD, Chief Director: Broadband Infraco Mr Gxotiwe S, Director: Broadband Infraco Ms Langa R, Chief Director: Postal Sector Ms Mandlanga NM, Chief Director: Telecommunications and IT Ms Tsolo, P: Director: SOE Governance and Support Ms Paul M, Chief Director: ICT Macro and Infrastructure Applications Mr Pillay K, Chief Director: Cyber Security Operations Ms Duma G, Director: Intergovernmental Coordination Ms Mallela P, Director: Stakeholder Relations	The total amount of cash bonuses paid to the senior managers above was R499 660.23 and the budget came from the 1.5% allocated budget from the compensation budget.

1. Yes, the bonuses were performance based. The senior managers were found to have performed above what was expected of them in relation to their signed performance agreements in the Moderation Committee meetings and the payment of incentives was approved by the Minister.

3(a) Yes, all senior managers were assessed based on signed performance agreements and performance assessments.

3(b) Yes, all senior managers who received bonuses had mid-term reviews with their supervisors.

Department of Communications

1(a) 2017/2018:-

		(i)To whom	(ii)Amount Paid
Department of Communications (DoC) Senior Managers	Yes, cash bonuses were paid to deserving senior managers in the 2017/18 and 2018/19 financial years	Performance bonuses paid 2017/18 financial year The following senior managers received cash bonuses in the 2017/18 financial year: Mr Kgarabjang T, Director: Legal Services Mr Nieman F, Director: Financial Administration Ms Phetla K, Director: Director: Strategic Planning and monitoring	The total amount of cash bonuses paid to the senior managers above was R303 455.68 and the budget came from the 1.5% allocated budget from the compensation budget.

2018/2019:-

		(i)To whom	(ii)Amount Paid
DoC		Performance bonuses paid 2018/19 financial year The following senior managers received cash bonuses in the 2018/19 financial year: Mr Kgarabjang T, Director: Legal Services Ms Mmushi T, Director: Internal Audit	The total amount of cash bonuses paid to the senior managers above was R163 241.04 and the budget came from the 1.5% allocated budget from the compensation budget.

1. Yes, the bonuses were performance based. The senior managers were found to have performed above what was expected of them in relation to their signed performance agreements in the Moderation Committee meetings and the payment of incentives was approved by the Minister.

3(a) All senior managers were assessed based on signed performance agreements and performance assessments.

3(b) Yes, all senior managers who received bonuses had mid-term reviews against their signed PAs with their supervisors.

State Owned Entities

1(b)

Entity	Financial Year	(i)To whom	(ii)Amount Paid
ZADNA	Yes, for FY 2018/19 only	Mr Peter Madavhu Mr Louis Bezuidenhout Ms Hendrina Williams
		TOTAL	R93 979.00
SABC	No	N/A	N/A
Film and Publication Board (FPB)	Yes, for FY 2018/19	Unathi Ndobeni
		TOTAL	R79 743.23
Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA)	Yes, FY 2017/2018	Gidi Nkhetheleni Norman Sookharan Anneal Kumar Ngwepe Willington Alpheus Van der Walt Maria Elizabeth Nomtshongwana Anele Zandile Maina Leah Watetu Mngomezulu Portia Busisiwe Khumalo Albert Junior Kganakga Magobotla Daniel
		TOTAL 2018	R1 813 700.24
	Yes, FY 2018/2019	Gidi Nkhetheleni Norman Sookharan Anneal Kumar Ngwepe Willington Alpheus Van der Walt Maria Elizabeth Nomtshongwana Anele Zandile Maina Leah Watetu Mngomezulu Portia Busisiwe Khumalo Albert Junior Kganakga Magobotla Daniel
		TOTAL 2019	R2 222 738.77
Broadband Infraco (BBI)	No	N/A	N/A
Nemisa	Yes, FY 2018/19 only	Mr Doc Fick Mr Phuthi Phukubje
		TOTAL 2018/19	R 394 326.00
Sentech	Yes, FY 2017/18 & FY 2018/19	Mr Mlamli Booi Mr Tebogo Leshaope Mr Siphamandla Mthethwa
		TOTAL 2017/18 FY	R2 192 805.64
		TOTAL 2018/19 FY	R3 250 597.17
State Information Technology Agency (SITA)	Yes, 2018/19 only	Ms Mimi Le Roux Mr Lance Williams Mr Sidima Ntsangani Mr Ntutule Tshenye Mr Ken Weinand Ms Makgopolo Mkwanazi Mr Setumo Mohapi
		TOTAL	R348 761. 91
Postbank	No	N/A	N/A
USAASA	No	N/A	N/A
SAPO	No	N/A	N/A

2. ZADNA, FPB, ICASA , Nemisa, Sentech, and SITA indicated that the bonuses paid were performance-based. (The question is not applicable to the SABC, BBI, Postbank , USAASA and SAPO as no bonuses were paid during the during the financial years in question)

3(a)&(b) ZADNA, FPB, ICASA, BBI, Nemisa, Sentech and SITA confirmed that performance agreements were signed and regular performance assessments were conducted. (The question is not applicable to the SABC, BBI, Postbank , USAASA and SAPO as no bonuses were paid during the during financial years in question)

 

MS. STELLA NDABENI-ABRAHAMS, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

           

Reply:

I have been advised by the SABC as follows:

1. (a) 87

(b)(i) 0

(ii) 29

2. (a) There was no reason for the department to be represented in these matters as they related to the operations of the SABC.

(b) (i) 0

(ii) R 65 351 000.00

 

MS. STELLA NDABENI-ABRAHAMS, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

Reply:

I have been advised by the Department and Entities as follows:

Department of Communications and Digital Technologies

(1)(a)(i) 3

(1)(b)(i) 4

(2)

POSITION (a)	DATE VACATED (i)	DATE FILLED BY A PERSON IN AN ACTING CAPACITY (ii)	REASONS FOR RESIGNATION (b)(i)	REASONS FOR DISMISSAL (b)(ii)	REASONS FOR SUSPENSION (b)(iii)	REASONS FOR SPECIAL LEAVE (b)(iv)
Director-General: Communications and Digital Technologies (New)	The post of DG: DCDT is new from 1 April 2020 following the merger of the DoC and DCDT	1/4/2020 (Post was advertised and recruitment process has commenced)	Transferred to another Government Department	N/A	N/A	N/A
DDG: ICT Policy and Strategy	1/7/2015	15/8/2015 (Post was advertised and recruitment process has commenced)	N/A	Found guilty of misconduct at disciplinary hearing and was dismissed.	N/A	N/A
CD: Postal Services	1/4/2017	1/4/2018 to 31/3/2020	Appointed in a higher post in another Government Department	N/A	N/A	N/A
CD: Communications and Marketing	27/6/2014	N/A (Post was advertised and recruitment process is pending)	N/A	Found guilty of misconduct at disciplinary hearing and was dismissed.	N/A	N/A
CD: SOE Communication and Branding	03/08/2018	06/08/2018 to 05/08/2019	Appointed in a State-Owned Entity	N/A	N/A	N/A

ENTITIES:

SENTECH

(1)(a)(iii) Three (3)

(b)(iii) Three (3) Chief Financial Officer; Executive: Finance; and Executive: Broadband.

(2)

POSITION (a)	DATE VACATED (i)	DATE FILLED BY A PERSON IN AN ACTING CAPACITY (ii)	REASONS FOR RESIGNATION (b)(i)	REASONS FOR DISMISSAL (b)(ii)	REASONS FOR SUSPENSION (b)(iii)	REASONS FOR SPECIAL LEAVE (b)(iv)
Chief Financial Officer	30/04/2020	1/5/2020	Career growth	N/A	N/A	N/A
Executive: Finance	30/11/2019	01/12/2019	Career growth	N/A	N/A	N/A
Executive: Broadband	New position created in 2019	18/06/2019	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

NEMISA

None

BBI

(1)(a)(i)(ii) One (1) i.e. the Company Secretary

(2)(b)(i) (ii) (iii) (iv) The position of Company Secretary became vacant after 31 August 2019, following the resignation of the incumbent. (b) (ii) The position was filled by an External Attorney (“Juristic Person”) from 1 November 2019 to 31 May 2020 following an Open Tender process. When the contract for the External Attorney came to an end, the tender was re-advertised as per the requirements of the PFMA and National Treasury regulations. The tender closed on 22 June 2020, and the adjudication is in progress to appoint a new External Attorney as the Company Secretary (“Juristic Person”), for a 12-month period.

POSITION (a)	DATE VACATED (i)	DATE FILLED BY A PERSON IN AN ACTING CAPACITY (ii)	REASONS FOR RESIGNATION (b)(i)	REASONS FOR DISMISSAL (b)(ii)	REASONS FOR SUSPENSION (b)(iii)	REASONS FOR SPECIAL LEAVE (b)(iv)
Company Secretary	2019-08-31	2019-11-01	Resignation pending Disciplinary Enquiry (Poor performance and absenteeism were the main charges)	N/A		N/A
Executive Human Resources	2020-08-31	2020-09-01	End of Contract - Retirement	N/A	N/A	N/A

ICASA

1. (a)(i)(iii) 5 (five)

POSITION (a)	DATE VACATED (i)	DATE FILLED BY A PERSON IN AN ACTING CAPACITY (ii)	REASONS FOR RESIGNATION (b)(i)	REASONS FOR DISMISSAL (b)(ii)	REASONS FOR SUSPENSION (b)(iii)	REASONS FOR SPECIAL LEAVE (b)(iv)
Executive Corporate Services	01 July 2020	01 July 2020 (Post was advertised, and recruitment process has commenced)	N/A (End of contract)	N/A	N/A	N/A
Chief Financial Officer	16 March 2020 due to suspension	17 March to 04 September 2020	N/A the incumbent CFO is back at work	N/A.	Precautionary suspension/leave pending the outcome of disciplinary proceedings that were instituted against him.	N/A
Chief Operations Officer	01/09/2017	N/A position frozen	COO became CEO of ICASA	N/A	N/A	N/A
General Manager: Compliance and Consumer Affairs	01/06/2019	Resignation	Incumbent had eight (8) months remaining of her five (5) contract and opted for early retirement.	N/A	N/A	N/A

SABC

(1) (a)(i)(ii) and (2)(b) (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) One Executive position in the SABC is currently vacant – Group Executive: Governance & Assurance. This position became vacant on 31 January 2019 and was filled by a person in an acting capacity. The position became vacant due to the incumbent being dismissed for incapacity.

USAASA

(1)(a)(iii) Two (2)

(1)(b)(iii) Two (2)

POSITION (a)	DATE VACATED (i)	DATE FILLED BY A PERSON IN AN ACTING CAPACITY (ii)	REASONS FOR RESIGNATION (b)(i)	REASONS FOR DISMISSAL (b)(ii)	REASONS FOR SUSPENSION (b)(iii)	REASONS FOR SPECIAL LEAVE (b)(iv)
Chief financial officer	17/10/2019	18/10/2019	Expiry of contract	N/A	N/A	N/A
Executive Manager: Corporate Services	01/06/2017	01/05/2020	N/A	The Executive Manager: Corporate Services was dismissed based upon a number of charges. However, he was reinstated following a CCMA award, but elected to settle on the remainder of his contract.	N/A	N/A

SITA

(1)(a)(iii) Two (2)

(1)(b)(iii) Two (2)

(2)

POSITION (a)	DATE VACATED (i)	DATE FILLED BY A PERSON IN AN ACTING CAPACITY (ii)	REASONS FOR RESIGNATION (b)(i)	REASONS FOR DISMISSAL (b)(ii)	REASONS FOR SUSPENSION (b)(iii)	REASONS FOR SPECIAL LEAVE (b)(iv)
Executive Strategy Management	Position was created in June 2017 never been filled	01/07/2017	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Executive: Service Management	Position created in 19/02/2020	01/04/2020	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

FPB

(1) (a)(i)(ii) and (2)(b) (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) There is one Executive Vacant Position, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The position is currently filled by the Chief Operations Officer (COO) who is acting as the CEO.

(2)(b)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv) see table below:

POSITION (a)	DATE VACATED (i)	DATE FILLED BY A PERSON IN AN ACTING CAPACITY (ii)	REASONS FOR RESIGNATION (b)(i)	REASONS FOR DISMISSAL (b)(ii)	REASONS FOR SUSPENSION (b)(iii)	REASONS FOR SPECIAL LEAVE (b)(iv)
Chief Executive Officer	December 2017	Secondment from DCDT 03/2017, Secondment 2018. Acting 08/ 2018 -12/2019. January 2020 till present.	N/A	N/A	Allegations of abuse and gross negligence. During the suspension, he resigned.	N/A

ZADNA

(1) (a)(i)(ii) and (2)(b) (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) None

SAPO

(1) (a)(i) Seven (7)

(b)(iii) Seven (7)

(2)(b)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv) see table below:

POSITION (a)	DATE VACATED (i)	DATE FILLED BY A PERSON IN AN ACTING CAPACITY (ii)	REASONS FOR RESIGNATION (b)(i)	REASONS FOR DISMISSAL(b)(ii)	REASONS FOR SUSPENSION (b)(iii)	REASONS FOR SPECIAL LEAVE (b)(iv)
Group Chief Executive Officer	01/08/2019	1/08/2019 4/12/2019 14/09/2020	Early retirement	NA	NA	NA
Chief Operations Officer	01/08/2019	1/08/2019 21/02/2020	NA	NA	To enable independent investigation into serious allegations of misconduct contained in a Whistle Blower Report. Investigation completed and disciplinary processes commenced.	NA
Group Executive Sales	01/06/2018	01/06/2018	Early retirement	NA	NA	NA
Group Executive Governance	01/05/2018	01/07/2018	Voluntary resignation	NA	NA	NA
Groups Executive Strategy & Sustainability	07/07/2018	07/07/2018	Voluntary resignation	NA	NA	NA
Group Executive Human Resources	01/02/2019	01/02/2019 18/09/2019	Voluntary resignation	NA	NA	NA
Group Executive Supply & Chain Management	03/12/2019	05/12/2019	NA	NA	To enable independent investigation into serious allegations of misconduct contained in a Whistle Blower Report. Investigation completed and disciplinary processes commenced.	NA

 

MS. STELLA NDABENI-ABRAHAMS, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

Reply:

I have been advised by the SABC as follows:

1. There are two recognised unions, namely, BEMAWU and Communications Workers Union.

2. Prior to its deregistration, MWASA was not recognised by the SABC.  MWASA failed to fulfil the 500-membership threshold. The threshold was decided upon through a process of negotiation between the SABC and unions that were seeking recognition within the SABC.

MWASA had a limited organisational rights collective agreement because of its failure to secure the 500-member threshold. MWASA has since been de-registered by the Labour Registrar and thus no longer has a relationship with the SABC.

3. SABC believes the collective bargaining process between the parties which preceded the conclusion of the recognition agreements was fair as it culminated in the conclusion of the two recognition agreements with the two unions currently recognised by the SABC which were in line with the applicable provisions of employment law. SABC can confirm that to date neither CWU nor BEMAWU have challenged the fairness or otherwise of the recognition agreement.

 

MS. STELLA NDABENI-ABRAHAMS, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

Reply:

I have been advised by the SAPO as follows:

Yes, the SAPO has held a membership at the Irene Country Club.

a) Initial membership commenced on 30/09/2012

b) The membership was from 30/09/2012 to 01/08/2020, for the approximately 8 years.

c) The total cost broken down into annual payments is as follows:

Year	Amount	Type
2012/2013	R79 036.80	Annual Membership
2013/2014	R87 679.68	Annual Membership
2014/2015	R87 679.68	Annual Membership
2015/2016	R66 112.90	Annual Membership
2016/2017	R71 102.55	Annual Membership
2017/2018	R75 368.70	Annual Membership
2018/2019	R70 079.67	Annual Membership
2019/2020	R80 591.62	Annual Membership
TOTAL	R617 651.60

SAPO further wishes to state that the last payment at the Irene Country Estate was in August 2019 and is terminated and will not be renewed under the circumstances.

 

MS. STELLA NDABENI-ABRAHAMS, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

Reply:

I have been advised as follows:

1. Names of current members of the Presidential Commission on the Fourth Industrial Revolution:

• Prof. Tshilidzi Marwala
• Prof. Chris Adendorff
• Ms Beth Arendse
• Mr Mpho Dagada
• Mr Thulani Dlamini
• Mr Abdul Esakjee
• Dr Bernard Fanaroff
• Dr Micheal Gastrow
• Mr Xolile George
• Ms Chairmaine Houvet
• Dr Prince Jaca
• Mr Tervern Jaftha
• Mr Shameel Joosub
• Ms Nomso Kana
• Ms Marinda Kellerman (resigned)
• Mr Baxolile Mabinya
• Mr Rendani Mamphiswana
• Ms Lindiwe Matlali
• Ms Busisiwe Mbuyisa
• Ms Nomvula Mkhonza
• Mr Vukani Mngxati
• Mr Joseph Ndaba
• Dr Nompumelelo Happworth-Obokoh
• Mr Rendani Ramabulana
• Dr Leon Rolls
• Mr Rob Shuter
• Dr Sibongiseni Thotsejane
• Mr Aubrey Tsabalala
• Mr Gerhard van Deventer
• Mr Ben Venter
• Ms S’onqoba Vuba

b) Mr Andile NgcabaThe advent of the COVID-19 in March 2020 prompted that the planned presentation to the President in March 2020 be postponed accommodating the availability of the President. The confirmed date for presentation to the President was 06 August 2020. The diagnostic report was also presented to the President on 07 November 2019.

c) The report was presented to the department on 21 January 2020.

 

MS. STELLA NDABENI-ABRAHAMS, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

 

Reply:

I have been advised by the SAPO as follows:

(1)(a)(i) Available staff members within the SAPO Regions (even from other Business Units) are being utilised to assist with queue management, and the scanning of beneficiaries to ensure that they all have correct SMSes and proper identification documents to speed up the payment process.

(ii) There is no backlog in essence, as all validated beneficiaries (appropriate SMSes and Identification) and the allocated queue numbers (branch capacity) for that specific day are assisted. Cash ordering for payments at branches are done in accordance with predictive models of number of SASSA beneficiaries to collect their payments from the particular Branch on a daily basis. Many clients, however, arrive at Post Offices, having not yet applied for the SRD, not yet approved or prematurely on receipt of only their registration SMSes. The queue management is assisting in this regard and also to educate and inform beneficiaries on what to do.

(b) With the screening of beneficiaries whilst in queue, preference is normally given to those who possess appropriate SMSes to collect their grants. Queue card number systems have also been introduced in Regions which has improved the operations and cash handling and have reduced the influx of beneficiaries without appropriate SMSes.

(c) SRD Grant payments are done continuously throughout the month, except during the first 3–4 days when regular social grants are being paid.

(2)(a)(b) SAPO Branches are generally able to deal with the demand for a specific day, taking into consideration the number of beneficiaries the branch is able to assist per day. Beneficiaries who are not assisted on the day are given a number to return and are then prioritised in the queue. Some SAPO Branches may have been closed due to operational or financial reasons and clients are then referred to the nearest alternative available branches.

 

MS. STELLA NDABENI-ABRAHAMS, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

Reply:

I have been advised by SAPO as follows:

1. (a,b,c) In terms of payments SAPO has information as per “Withdrawal transactions” and not beneficiary numbers. The reason for this is that one beneficiary is doing more than 1 transaction in a month (balance enquiry, 2x withdrawals maybe, and so forth). Out of 8,1 million beneficiaries SAPO paid during the month of February 2020, total transactions that were done were 63,155,360 which far exceed the 8,1 grants that gets paid through SAPO channel. However, SAPO is able to ascertain that of this transaction total 57,97% make use of ATMs, 31,55% use Retailers; those that access their grants making use of SAPO branches and CPPs are 4,38% and 7,50% respectively. These figures fluctuate slightly around these percentages on monthly basis.

(d) SAPO disburse to Special Disbursement Accounts (SDA – commonly known as a SASSA Cards). SASSA client (beneficiaries) that are not using SDA are handled direct by SASSA through their EFT process to their bank accounts. SAPO is not privileged to those numbers.

2. a) SAPO is contracted to service 1740 Cash Pay Points (CPPs) with SASSA.

b) The cost of cash pay points since inception is R962 million: September 2018 to March 2019: R267 million; 2019/20 Financial Year is R695 million.  The average cost of each Cash Pay Point per month is R40, 000 (17,703 CPPs (Apr – Feb) / R695m = R39,259).

MS. STELLA NDABENI-ABRAHAMS, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

Reply:

I have been advised by SAPO as follows:

1. The South African Post Office is currently dispatching and receiving mail from the following countries: Brazil, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Dubai, Great Britain, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Japan, London (UK), Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine, USA, Botswana, ESwatini, Lesotho and Mozambique. Swisscargo is currently utilised as the dispatching and receiving airline.

2. At the time of drafting of the response,theDurban office of exchange was the only centre without mail on hand. As for Johannesburg and Cape Town offices of exchange there has been a backlog from the time that SAPO was allowed to reopen the Office of Exchange. Due to the regulatory requirements to maintain social distancing and at some point that only a third of the workforce could be in attendance, the working off the backlog is not as fast as it would usually take.

The volumes were as depicted in the table below represents in the two centres:

2.1 Johannesburg Office of Exchange (JIMC)

Product	Mail Bag	Mail items	Inbound	Outbound	Total
EMS	101	568	568	0	568
Small packets	5900	997320	997320	0	997320
Parcels	173	4697	4697	168	4865
Registers	3088	3220	3220	1687	4907
TOTAL	9262	1005805	1005805	1855	1007660

2.2 Cape Town Office of Exchange

Product	Mail Bags	Mail Items	Inbound	Outbound	Total
EMS	0	0	0	0	0
Small packets	0	4654	4654	0	4654
Parcels	0	168	168	0	168
Registers	17	1745	1745	0	1745
TOTAL	17	6567	6567	0	6567

(3)(a) The designated postal operators of Namibia, Singapore and Australia are international postal destinations that are closed to mail due to the outbreak of Covid-19.

(3)(b) Namibia mail is affected by air transportation which is not yet operational. SAPO is looking at the option of transporting Namibia mail to Gaborone in Botswana, and Namibia Post can collect from there. SAPO’s plan has been communicated to Namibia and SAPO is waiting for the response from Namibia Post whether the proposed arrangement is suitable.

The designated postal operators of Singapore and Australia have opted for the alternative of sending mail by road or sea to South Africa. The mail will be received at the Durban Office of Exchange. This will include transit mail into Africa. With regards to other international postal destinations, SAPO’s capacity to dispatch still remains dependent of the availability of flights. SAPO continue to observe the situation and as more flights become available the list of countries where dispatch is possible will be updated and the public informed.

 

MS. STELLA NDABENI-ABRAHAMS, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

Reply:

I have been advised by the USAASA as follows:

a) Tender USAF – IDTV/01/2020 was a multifaceted tender which was divided into Part A (establishment of a database of suppliers to supply 32 Inch IDTV’s for indigent households with matric learners) and Part B (establishment of a database of suppliers to supply 32 Inch IDTV’s for the BDM Phase 2 roll out).This tender was cancelled for two reasons; namely (i)localisation and local production was not clearly defined in the initial tender which has major economic consequences for South Africa; (ii) the tender needed to be split into two (2) separate tenders to ease the evaluation and adjudication of the tenders and administration thereof.

The two separated tenders were re-advertised on 12 June 2020 with closing date of 2 July 2020 in the Tender Bulletin with the Tender Numbers (i)USAF-IDTV/02/2020 and (ii) USAF- IDTV/03/2020. USAASA indicated they are at the Bid Evaluation stage to appoint suppliers for the 32 inch IDTV, it is envisaged that the Adjudication will be done in September 2020 and thereafter the distribution of the IDTVs will take effect. 

b) The procurement of IDTV’s for indigent households with matric learners is a Covid- 19 initiative which was not budgeted for. However, National Treasury was approached to approve utilising accumulated interest to the amount of R242 million.

c) USAASA is working closely with seven (7) provincial Departments of Basic Education to collect information regarding indigent households with matric learners. The final numbers of indigent households with matric learners are not yet finalised. The total number of IDTV’s to be procured will be for the total amount of R242 million, at a market price.

 

MS. STELLA NDABENI-ABRAHAMS, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

           

Reply:

I have been advised by USAASA as follows:

1. The provision of IDTV’s to indigent households with grade 12 learners, but do not have access to a television, is a Covid 19 initiative to assist the most vulnerable Grade 12 learners to keep up educationally with their peers who have more resources.

The provision of a 32-inch IDTV to these indigent households enables the Grade 12 learners to view educational programmes broadcast on SABC channels in preparation for the 2020 matric exams. Tender USAF – IDTV/01/2020 was a multi-facetted tender which was divided into Part A – Establishment of a database of suppliers to supply 32 Inch IDTV’s for indigent households with Grade 12 learners and Part B – Establishment of a database of suppliers to supply 32 Inch IDTV’s for the BDM Phase 2 roll out.

This tender was cancelled for the following 2 reasons: Localisation and local production was not clearly defined in the initial tender which has major economic consequences for South Africa and that the tender was to be split into 2 separate tenders in order to ease the evaluation and adjudication of the tenders and the administration thereof.

The two tenders were published on 12 June 2020 with a closing date of 2 July 2020 in the Tender Bulletin with the Tender Numbers (i) USAF-IDTV/02/2020 and (ii) USAF- IDTV/03/2020

2. The IDTVs were chosen as it is a technology that has already been approved by Cabinet for Phase 2 of the BDM project. IDTVs enable any person to actively participate in TV programs and live debates on key issues that are important for the society as a whole. Thus, transforming a formerly passive device into an active medium for spreading information and opinion. The IDTVs for Grade 12 learners from Indigent households is an early implementation of the Phase 2 of the BDM project and will be continued and phased in to the process. USAASA is therefore not in a position to provide any other technology such as laptops etc, as these will be misaligned to Phase 2 of the BDM project.

3. The IDTVs are intended for indigent households with Grade 12 Learners, who do not have access to a TV, primarily in the following provinces and areas/district as per the attached Annexure A for ease of reference:

a. Limpopo

b. Eastern Cape

c. North West

d. Northern Cape

e. Mpumalanga

f. Free State

g. KZN

4. The tender is currently at the bid evaluation stage. It is envisaged that the tender would be adjudicated in September 2020 and thereafter the distribution of the IDTVs will take effect.

5 (a) (i) USAASA is still in the process of collating lists of qualifying households through the assistance of Department of Basic Education. Application forms have been sent to all the schools as stated in section 3 above. Information is being received from the various schools and is being consolidated. As such, the list of qualifying Grade 12 learners has not yet been finalised.

(ii) The list of schools has not been finalised.

(b) The tender has not been awarded as yet.

(c) The final cost of the IDTVs is not yet known as the procurement process is still underway. However, approval was received from National treasury to retain R242 million from accumulated interest from the 2019/20 financial year.

MS. STELLA NDABENI-ABRAHAMS, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

      

Reply:

I have been advised by entities in the DCDT portfolio as follows:

No alcohol was purchased using any official credit card in the past three financial years.

 

MS. STELLA NDABENI-ABRAHAMS, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

        

Reply:

I have been advised by SABC as follows:

Year	(a) Catering	(b) Entertainment
2019/20	R2 973 768,65	0
2018/19	R3 106 635,82	0
TOTAL	R6 080 404,47	0

 

MS. STELLA NDABENI-ABRAHAMS, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

     

Reply:

I have been advised by the Department and Entities as follows:

Department of Communications and Digital Technologies:

a) The department did not have early termination of contracts for the past two financial years.

ENTITIES:

SENTECH

(b) Sentech did not terminate any of its fixed term contracted employees over the last two financial years 2018/19 and 2019/20, neither did it pay out settlements over the stated periods.

NEMISA

(b) At NEMISA, during the financial year 2018/2019, 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 all employees on contract, were not terminated before the contractually stipulated date of termination. Therefore, there were no pay-outs during these financial years.

BBI

(b) In the past two financial years no employee of Broadband Infraco (BBI) left the company before the contractually stipulated date of termination of their contract of employment. As a result, the company has not paid out any monies for the remainder of a contract to any employee.

ICASA

Not Applicable. ICASA did not have any such cases within the last two financial years.

SABC

b) Not applicable. The SABC did not pay out any employees whose fix term contracts were terminated before they came to an end in the last two financial years.

USAASA

(b) Mr Musa Ngidi, Executive Manager: Corporate Services was suspended on 1 June 2017; and dismissed on 30 September 2018. CCMA awarded his reinstatement retrospectively to 30 September 2018, with effect 01 October 2019, as well as paying his salary for the period that he was dismissed. Mr Ngidi entered into negotiations with the Agency that instead of him coming back to office, he be rather paid the remainder of his contract. Four (4) months instead of Six (6) months was agreed upon as a period to be settled as the remainder of his contract.

Payment in the amount of R2 180 453.00 (Two Million One Hundred Eighty Thousand Four Hundred And Fifty-Three Rand) which comprises of the following was paid out:

R1 189 338.00 awarded by the Commissioner for the period Sep 2018 to Oct 2019;

R594 669. 00 for the period Oct 2019 – Mar 2020;

R396 446.00 for termination of contract including all statutory costs, including but not limited to leave pay; and any other cost, including but not limited to interest.

Legal costs to review application incurred by Mr Ngidi in the amount of R25 000.00

(Twenty-Five Thousand Rand);

The above-mentioned amounts, except the legal costs, were subjected to SARS Tax

Directive and taxed before being paid to Mr Ngidi.

FPB

(b)The Film and Publication Board (FPB) did not terminate any of its fixed term contracted employees, over the last two financial years 2018/19 and 2019/20, neither did it pay out any settlements over the stated periods

SAPO

(b) Not applicable, SAPO did not pay out any employees whose fixed term contracts were terminated before they came to an end in the last two financial years.

POSTBANK

Not Applicable. Postbank did not have any such cases within the last two financial years.

ZADNA

c) Not applicable, ZADNA did not pay out any employees whose fixed term contracts were terminated before they came to an end in the last financial years.

SITA

b) Mr Louis Mark Schlebush was on a 2-year contract that was due to expire later in the current financial year ended on 09 April 2020. He was implicated in the NMMU project where amongst other things, he allegedly colluded with external suppliers. He was suspended and later charged, however, to continue with the case, the organization relied on evidence from external OEM’s who were not willing to testify. Based on the broken trust relationship between the organisation and the employee, a mutual separation agreement of three months was entered into. He was paid an amount of R564 300, 00 before tax.

Ms Sibongile Jabulile Tlhako was the Executive: Supply Chain Management. Her contract terminated on 05 August 2018. She was suspended and charged on allegations of poor management of contractors and other irregularities in the Supply Chain Environment. Upon receiving the charges, she requested to get into mutual separation agreement with the organization, which the then CEO approved at 3 months to avoid the costs of a lengthy litigation. The decision was also taken to ensure that the organization could speedily appoint a replacement considering the significance of the SCM division within SITA. She was paid an amount of R291 710, 04 before tax.

Mr Johnson Mzuvakile Dyodo’s case related to conflict of interest and procurement irregularities. During the disciplinary hearing proceedings, the parties came to an agreement to mutually separate on the basis of broken trust relationship. He was therefore paid his salary for the month of termination and an additional month’s salary as notice period. Her contract was terminated on 31 July 2018 and paid an amount of R468 187, 32.

Ms Fikiswa Njongwe was dismissed on 31 July 2017 following forensic investigations. She challenged the case at CCMA which resulted in an award in her favour including interest of what was owed. The legal department filed for a review at the labour court, however, was advised to rather engage in a settlement with Ms Njongwe. The settlement was made on June 2020 and the amount that was eventually negotiated and paid out was R1 m lower than the CCMA award. She was paid an amount of R1 521 716, 69.

MS. STELLA NDABENI-ABRAHAMS, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

           

Reply:

I have been advised by ICASA as follows:

1. All invoices for the annual Radio Frequency Spectrum (RFS) licence fees for a total of 20,795 RFS licences for the 2020-21 financial year have been issued. This figure includes the licenses held by Monitoring, District Watch and District Bassett and all invoices were finalised and issued by 22 July 2020.

2. (a) A total number of 20 795 radio frequency spectrum licence holders require annual invoices.

(b) All Invoices were finalised and issued. The total amount invoiced for the annual RFS licence fees is R 741, 258, 948.00. The Authority extended the 2020 annual licence renewal date of RFS licences from 31 March 2020 to 30 June 2020 to mitigate the impact of the National State of Disaster and subsequent national lockdown on licensees. This was communicated on the Authority’s website in March 2020 and subsequently published in Government Gazette No. 43204 dated 3 April 2020. The Authority notes that the COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on the day to day operations of the Authority which resulted in some licensees receiving their notices in July. Affected licenses will, however not be penalised and measures have been put in place to ensure that the renewed licences are issued timeously.

 

MS. STELLA NDABENI-ABRAHAMS, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

           

Reply:

I have been advised by the SOEs as follows:

1.

Entity	Details of official credit card issued
zaDNA	The official credit card issued to Mr Peter Madavhu in his capacity as Acting CEO
SAPO	No official credit card issued to any employee
Postbank	No official credit card issued to any employee
Nemisa	No official credit card issued to any employee
USAASA	No official credit card issued to employees
FPB	No official credit card issued to any employee
BBI	No official credit card issued to any employee
SITA	No official credit card issued to any employee
ICASA	No official credit card issued to any employee
SABC	No official credit card issued to any employee
Sentech	No official credit card issued to any employee

2. (a)

Entity	(i)Name	(ii)Organogram	(iii)	(iv)
zaDNA	Mr Peter Madavhu	Acting CEO	Never used	R200 000
USAASA	Not applicable
Nemisa	Not applicable
BBI	Not applicable
SABC	Not applicable
ICASA	Not applicable
Postbank	Not Applicable
FPB	Not Applicable
Sentech	Not applicable
SITA	Not applicable
SAPO	Not applicable

(b) (i) (ii) zaDNA indicated that the official credit card was never utilised by Mr Madavhu who was the Acting CEO. This section of the Parliamentary Question is not applicable to other entities based on their response to number 1.

 

MS. STELLA NDABENI-ABRAHAMS, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

Reply:

I have been advised by the SOEs as follows:

zaDNA indicated that there were no purchases made on the credit card issued.

All other entities reporting to the department did not issue credit cards to their staff members.

 

MS. STELLA NDABENI-ABRAHAMS, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

           

Reply:

I have been advised by the SOEs as follows:

Except for .zaDNA, the entities have indicated that credit cards were not issued to staff members. The .zaDNA credit card was never used.

 

MS. STELLA NDABENI-ABRAHAMS, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

           

Reply:

I have been advised by the Department and SITA as follows:

(a) & (b) The Minister and SITA were not informed of the two tenders. The South African Tourism (SAT) is not bound by the SITA Act and is not obliged by the Act to procure from or through SITA unless SAT request to do so.

(i) No, SITA has not participated in these tenders.

(ii) Not applicable.

 

MS. STELLA NDABENI-ABRAHAMS, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

          

Reply:

I have been advised by SABC as follows:

a) A total of 34 cases were investigated in 2018/19 and 32 in 2019/20.

b) Annexure A is attached which contains the details of amounts for each case

c) (i and ii)

Items	2018/19 FY	2019/20 FY
Disciplinary Actions	23	16
Criminal Procedures	None	1

c) (iii) While the SABC endeavours to conclude disciplinary actions within 90 days, actual timelines tend to be longer due to a variety of factors. These include lack of corporation by those implicated to speedily engage in the process and the availability of Chairpersons, Initiators, Panel members of the disciplinary committees. There are ongoing efforts to implement the outstanding recommendations by the end of this financial year.

2. No action taken.

a) No action taken against individuals emanated from 8 cases from 2018/19 and from 10 cases from 2019/20.

b) This is due to the fact that the recommendations from the investigations were made only in respect of the systems of internal control.

c)Management decided not to pursue the recommended actions from the Forensic Audit report due to a difference in interpretation of the root cause of the internal control failure.

 

MS. STELLA NDABENI-ABRAHAMS, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

Reply:

I have been advised by the department as follows:

1. The department will, in due course, be consulting on the Draft White Paper Audio and Audiovisual Content Services Policy Framework: A New Vision for South Africa. It will be worthy to consider the category of individuals and institutions that should be considered for such a relief.

2. The collection of television licence fees is the responsibility of the SABC. The department has not adopted a position in this regard because the SABC has not engaged the department on the issue. As indicated above, this requires discussions and will be raised during public consultations.

 

MS. STELLA NDABENI-ABRAHAMS, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

Reply:

I have been advised by the Department as follows:

(1)&(2) The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) has assigned Radio Frequency Spectrum to the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) for the purpose of providing both commercial and public sound and television broadcasting services. The details of the frequencies assigned to the SABC are provided in the table below. The table further outlines the frequencies that are currently being used as well as the number of frequencies unused:

Frequency Band	Broadcasting Service	Number of Frequencies Assigned	Number Frequencies Unused
470 -694 MHz	Terrestrial Television (SABC1, SABC2 and SABC3)	Digital Terrestrial Television Multiplexer 1 (182 frequencies assigned) – 85% of capacity of Multiplexer 1	At least 75% of the useable frequencies in the broadcasting frequency band 470 to 694 MHz is normally unused due to the nature of the planning methodology for Broadcasting Services and is earmarked for the use of Television Whitespaces applications.
		NB. 15% allocated to Community Television
87.5 -108 MHz (FM)	Sound	792 frequencies (21 stations)	140 spare frequencies categorised for public sound broadcasting (earmarked for possible coverage expansion).
535.5 - 1606.5 kHz ( MW/AM)	Sound	2 frequencies (2 stations)	43 non categorised frequencies (can be used for public/community/commercial sound broadcasting with coordination with neighbouring and existing broadcasters in the band)

(3) In terms of the current regulatory regime, spectrum trading is not presently allowed in South Africa. Therefore, no frequency bands are leased to third parties.

MS. STELLA NDABENI-ABRAHAMS, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

Reply:

I have been advised by the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) as follows:

1(a) There are currently no vacancies at the Executive Director level.

1(b) At Group Executive level, the SABC currently has one vacancy, that is, Group Executive: Governance and Assurance

2(a) The Group Executive: Governance and Assurance position has been vacant since January 2019.An incumbent has been acting in this position since 21 December 2018 until present.

2(b) The position of the Group Executive: Governance and Assurance is currently being reviewed.

MS. STELLA NDABENI-ABRAHAMS, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

Reply:

I have been advised by ICASA as follows:

1. The ICASA technical team has responded to the complainant on several occasions and has over an extended period of time tried to resolve the matter. The interference has been intermittent in nature. However, whenever the ICASA team was on site no external interfering signals were observed. Furthermore, the ICASA technical team made a number of suggestions for remedial measures to be implemented by the complainant to mitigate against the interference. The team’s suggestions were not carried out and as such the team could not conclusively find and resolve the fault/s. Around July 2020, at another site visit the ICASA team found an unlicensed system still installed at the complainant’s site. The unlicensed system was removed and there has been no further complaints since.

2. Should the problem persist the ICASA team has recommended a site change given that other measures were not taken by the licensee. A site change would entail the movement of the equipment to another location, the cost implications of which would be borne by the licensee. However, the complainant was not in favour of this proposal.

MS. STELLA NDABENI-ABRAHAMS, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

           

Reply:

I have been advised by the SABC as follows:

1. The matter relates to the closure of BOP Broadcasting and the non-renewal of the contract by the SABC of the person in question as CEO of BOP Broadcasting.The CEO of BOP Broadcasting filed papers at the Labour Court challenging her “unfair dismissal”.

2.The Labour Court matter was finalised and the CEO of BOP Broadcasting was awarded six (6) months compensation.

3. No, members of the current SABC Board are not involved in legal actions against the SABC.

 

MS. STELLA NDABENI-ABRAHAMS, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

Reply:

Between 23rd March and 7th April 2020,the Minister travelled using her official vehicle as per the dates outlined in the Table A below.

Between 8th April and 8th June 2020, the Minister did not utilise her official vehicle for travel purposes.

TABLE A

Date	(a)	(b)	(c)
23/03/2020	Home to Department of Home Affairs	Conduct interviews	32 km
24/03/2020	Home to office to Union Buildings	Work and attend meetings	21 km
25/03/2020	Home to GCIS	Conduct interviews	16 km
26/03/2020	Home to office	Work	15 km
30/03/2020	Home to Reserve Bank	Attend meeting	22 km
31/03/2020	Home to Laudium, Atteridgeville & Mamelodi SASSA pay-points	Visit and conduct oversight pay-points	98 km
01/04/2020	Home to Union Buildings	Attend meetings	16 km
07/04/2020	Home to MahlambaNdlopfu	Attend meeting	17 km

MS. STELLA NDABENI-ABRAHAMS, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

Reply:

I have been advised by the department as follows:

(1) The Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies issued Electronic Communications, Postal and Broadcasting Directions on 26 March 2020 under the Disaster Management Act. The Minister directed the Independent Communications Authority of SA (ICASA) to assign temporary spectrum to licensed operators in order to amongst others to ensure availability of high-speed data at affordable prices.

(2) There are 988 zero rated websites in South Africa as of 30 July 2020.

(3) As part of the implementation of Competition Commission Data Services Market Inquiry recommendations 2019, the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies is amending the Electronic Communications Act 36 of 2005 and among other issues to formally effect the guidelines on the Zero Rating. Furthermore, to ensure that data costs are lowered, Independent Communications Authority of South Africa’s (ICASA) is conducting the Mobile Broadband Services Inquiry in South Africa to assess the state of competition and determine whether or not there are markets or market segments within the mobile broadband services value chain that may warrant regulation in the context of a market review in terms of the Electronic Communications Act, 2005.

(4) The temporary licensing of all available spectrum bands including the unassigned high demand spectrum for the duration of the Directions issued on 26 March 2020, directed the Authority to relax spectrum regulations to enable COVID-19 national disaster.

ICASA subsequently issued COVID-19 National Disaster Regulations on 6 April 2020 to enable amongst other things the issuing of temporary spectrum licenses. Temporary radio frequency spectrum licenses were subsequently issued that include the obligation to provide data services at a reduced rate to consumers. Other obligations include zero-rating and connecting virtual classrooms free of charge.

MS STELLA NDABENI-ABRAHAMS, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

Reply:

I have been advised by the SOEs as follows:

1(a,b,c,d)

Entity	(a)	(b)	(c)	(d)
Nemisa	No	No	No	No
.zaDNA	No	No	No	No
USAASA	No	No	No	No
Sentech	Yes(refer to attached Annexure A)
SITA	Yes (refer to attached Annexure B)
SABC	Yes (refer to attached Annexure C)
ICASA	AD Telecoms (Pty) Ltd	R1,697,618.27 (Vat Inclusive)	Supply, installation and maintenance of a Bandwidth Optimisation Solution at ICASA’s Head Office (Centurion) for a period of five (5) years.	AD Telecoms (Pty) Ltd 2. Intdev
FBP	No	No	No	No
SAPO	Yes (refer to attached Annexure D)
BBI	Vukile Property Fund Limited	R1 .647 213.16	Rental of warehouse space in Midrand	Only Vukile Property Fund Limited responded to the tender

2. (a)(i)(ii); 

Entity	(a)	(i)	(ii)
Nemisa	Not Applicable
.zaDNA	Not Applicable
USAASA	Not Applicable
Sentech	Yes-refer to rows 1 and 2 of attached Annexure A
SITA	Yes-refer to attached Annexure B
SABC	Yes-refer to attached Annexure C
ICASA	Yes	Microsoft is a sole provider	Procurement of a 3-year software Enterprise Agreement (AE) from Microsoft with a tender amount of  R16, 867,379.26
FBP	Not Applicable
SAPO	Yes-refer to attached Annexure D
BBI	No	-	-

(b) BBI confirmed that Vukile Property Fund Limited was the only service provider to respond to the tender; and ICASA confirmed that it was not able to procure Microsoft licenses from any other supplier as Microsoft is the sole supplier. 

Sentech confirmedthat there were 2 deviations from Normal procurement processes.

(i) ForNagravision – Nagravision has exclusive propriety ownership on all its hardware and software systems on the Sentech Network and are therefore sole providers for the requirement specified.

(ii) For Discover Digital –They are the owners of the OTT content management and distribution platform that Intelsat had presented to SENTECH as part of the OTT streaming services.

MS. STELLA NDABENI-ABRAHAMS, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

Reply:

 

(a) Names of staff members	(b)i Job Title	(b)ii Annual salary	(b)iii Highest Qualifications
Thabiso Kenneth Thukani	Special Advisor	R1 521 591 pa	Master of Arts
Zolisa Cynthia Xabadiya	Chief of Staff	R1 251 183 pa	MA: Public Health
Bathandwa Raymond Mlambo	Parliamentary Officer	R1 089294 pa	LLB
Nonzwakazi Ntombiyekaya Sifanele	Private and Appointment Secretory	R1 245 495 pa	BTech Public Management
Nyameka Prudence Mtirara	Community Outreach Officer	R733 257 pa	Primary Teachers Diploma
Millicent Tingwe	Parliamentary and Cabinet Support	R733 257 pa	Matric
Selebogo Eugene Poonyane	Assistant Appointment and Administrative Secretary	R376 596 pa	National Diploma: Business Management
Zimkita Zonke Xanti	Receptionist	R257 508 pa	BA: Environmental Management
GetrudePiliswaSompini	Household Aid	R  122 595 pa	Matric
Noma-Eli Sikhontyi	Household Aid	R  122 595 pa	Grade 11
Nathaniel Koko	Registry Clerk	R257 508 pa	Matric
OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY MINISTER
Tebatso Chokoe	Head of Office	R1 057 326 pa	National Diploma: Human Resource Management
Yavaneshaa Madurai	Technical Specialist	R1 057 326 pa	Bachelor of Commerce
GoitseoneMmakoloaneMoloto	Community Outreach Officer	R733 257 pa	National Diploma: Financial Information Systems
Zandile Given Ngubeni	Parliamentary and Cabinet Support	R733 257 pa	Postgraduate Diploma: Management
NomandlaNobusiNqadolo	Private and Appointment Secretary	R869 007pa	N4: Public Management
RefilweModielaMamogobo	Receptionist	R  257 508pa	Matric
Bishop Johannes Mahange	Driver: Deputy ministry	R  173 703 pa	Grade 11
Zandile ReginahNzuza	Household Aid	R  122 595 pa	Grade 3
Hellen MamusiDinaka	Household Aid	R  122 595 pa	Grade 11

MS STELLA NDABENI-ABRAHAMS, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

Reply:

I have been advised by the Department as follows:

a - d). No

MS STELLA NDABENI-ABRAHAMS, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

Reply:

I have been advised by SABC as follows:

1. The SABC has notified the public of the revised Editorial Policies on 3 July 2020.

2. No, there is no further public consultation. There were two stages of public consultations torevise the Editorial Policies.The first stage commenced on 31 July 2017 and closed on 29 September 2017. The second stage of consultations was on the developed draft policies which commenced on 23 July 2018 and closed on 31 August 2018. However, when the Commission of Inquiry was established it was felt that there might be valuable information in the report that could be incorporated into the Editorial Policies.  Should that have been the case, the policy would have been published again for input.

3. The review process was delayed by the establishment of a Commission of Inquiry into interference in the decision-making in the Newsrooms, led by Joe Thloloe. The outcome or findings of this commission could have affected the policy, hence the SABC deemed it prudent to await its outcomes. Now that the report has been released and no additional information has been added to the Editorial Policy and all internal governance processes have been completed, same will be published.

MS STELLA NDABENI-ABRAHAMS, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

Reply:

I have been advised by the Department as follows: -

1(a) The signing and ratification of the AU Convention on Cybersecurity and Protection of Personal Data is being dealt with by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO). It is recommended that the Hon Member redirects the question to the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation.

(b)      DIRCO will advise on the intended date.

2(a)      Similarly, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) is best placed to provide reasons. It is recommended that the Hon Member redirects the question to the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation.

(b)       DIRCO will advise on the intended date.

MS. STELLA NDABENI-ABRAHAMS, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

Reply:

I have been advised by the SABC as follows:

(a) & (b) No

(a) N/A

(b) N/A

(c) N/A

 

MS. STELLA NDABENI-ABRAHAMS, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

Reply:

I have been advised by the department as follows: -

1. The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) has not conducted any studies into the alleged vulnerabilities of 5G

(a) networks; and,

(b) does not target any supplier(s).

The DCDT relies on the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), World Health Organization (WHO) and International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) studies. The DCDT has no preference on suppliers of 5G.

(2) The DCDT has not conducted any studies into the security vulnerabilities of 5G network supply chains. The DCDT is not aware of “so-called back door” call and/or data intercepts.

MS. STELLA NDABENI-ABRAHAMS, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

Reply:

I have been advised by the department as follows: -

1. There is no position as South Africa is not a member of or affiliated with “Five Eyes” an intelligence alliance comprising of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, UK and US who are or were parties to the multilateral UKUSA Agreement, a treaty for joint cooperation in signals intelligence, military intelligence, and human intelligence.

2. The Minister and department have not discussed this issue.

3. No.

(4) South Africa’s mobile operators have been responsible for rollout of secure 2G, 3G and 4G networks. This rollout was enhanced by their appropriate multi-vendor strategy of avoiding dependence on one supplier and avoidance of suppliers regarded as high risk. Without dictating the 5G rollout investment, it is the view of Government that the 5G roll-out would follow and consider the same risk principle.

MS. STELLA NDABENI-ABRAHAMS, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

Reply:

I have been advised by the department as follows: -

(1) The department engages with these companies on an ad hoc basis to discuss among other issues, the following:

a) Small, Medium and Micro-sized Enterprise (SMME) development;

b) Skills development; and,

c) Technology trends.

There has been on-going engagement with Ericsson regarding innovation. Furthermore, the department has engaged Huawei on skills development and participated at its workshop.

(2) The SA Government has no preference of supplier, hence the methodology by mobile operators to utilise a multi-vendor approach in their roll-out.

MS. STELLA NDABENI-ABRAHAMS, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

Reply:

I have been advised by the Department as follow: -

1. Yes.

	Name of supplier 1(a)	Amount 1(b)	Goods/Services provided 1(c)
1	Meze Trading	R430 000.00	Defogging and deep cleaning
2	Mahika Trading	R166 248.00	Themometers, hand saniters and mask
3	Samson Cleaning and hygiene services	R356 946.50	Defogging and deep cleaning

2. There was no deviation from standard supply chain management procedures in procuring the goods/services.

(a) Not applicable

(b)  Not applicable

3. The goods/services were procured to comply with the COVID-19 Regulations as issued by the DPSA. The companies were appointed through competition and awarded based on compliance with specifications, price and Black Economic Empowerment (BEE).

4. No

 

MS. STELLA NDABENI-ABRAHAMS, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

Reply:

The Departments and Entities has advised me as follows:

1(a) None

(b) None

(c) At FPB, ICASA, ZADNA, Nemisa, USAASA and Sentech, there are no employees with criminal records

BBI has embarked on a vetting process for all employees in October 2019. It is still awaiting one (1) employee’s result, which is expected before end of the financial year 2019/20.

SAPO has 147 employees with criminal records.

SITA has confirmed 130 employees have criminal records.

SABC has one employee with a criminal record.

2 All new employees, on assumption of duty, are under an obligation to apply for security clearance from State Security, as their appointment is subject to security clearance being obtained. Should they fail to obtain such clearance the Department, will terminate after having adhered to due process, the employment relationship. In addition, the Department, now request an SAP69 from SAPS before appointment to ensure the person to be appointed has no criminal record before appointment.

Further, prior to appointment, the department submits the fingerprints of potential employees to the South African Police Services [SAPS] Criminal Record Center for criminal checks due to long delays from the State Security Agency [SSA] to provide the outcomes of security checks/vetting of potential employees.

MS STELLA NDABENI-ABRAHAMS, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS & DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

Reply:

I have been advised by FPB as follows:

a) (i) None

(ii) None

b) None

c) None

MS STELLA NDABENI-ABRAHAMS, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS & DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

Reply:

I have been advised by the department as follows:

(1)(a) R1, 397,393.62

(1)(a)(ii) R212,236.93

(1)(b) R374, 413.28

(1)(b)(ii) R0.00

(2)(a)(i) Refer to the attached

(a)(ii)(aa) Refer to the attached

(a)(ii)(bb) Refer to the attached

(b) Total cost for flights – R3, 212,273.22

(c) Total cost for accommodation – R1, 435,681.07

(d) Refer to the attached

(e)Total subsistence and travel allowance – R506, 882.48

(f) Total cost for ground transport – R479, 949.64

MS STELLA NDABENI-ABRAHAMS, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS & DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

Reply:

I have been advised by SITA as follows:

1. The position of CEO has been vacant since 31 March 2019, after the employment contract of the previous incumbent came to an end. Mr Ntutule Tshenye was then appointed as an acting Chief Executive Officer, whilst the process of sourcing a replacement candidate was underway.

2. Yes, the recruitment process was initiated on 28 April 2019. Inputs were received from key stakeholders, the candidates were sourced through the SITA Website, Sunday Times and Linkedin. The pool of potential candidates was not satisfactory. The then Board of Directors requested additional CVs to be sourced through recruitment agencies.

3. Two (2) shortlisting sessions were held. The first session of the considered CVs received via SITA’s Website, Sunday Times and Linkedin was held on 28 May 2019 and the second session was held on 14 June 2019 to consider CVs received via the recruitment agencies. Five (5) candidates were shortlisted and interviewed on 28 June 2019 and none of the candidates were found suitable for the position.

4. The second phase of the recruitment process was initiated by the previous Board of Directors where the approach was to utilize the services of headhunting firms specialising in executive search. This process required a deviation from the current recruitment panel, which was requested from National Treasury, however it was not granted. The term of office expired for the Board of Directors expired on 31 December 2019. The Minister appointed and Executive Caretaker and Accounting Authority, Mr Luvuyo Keyise from 28 January 2020 and the acting tenure of Mr Ntutule Tshenye ceased on 28 January 2020. As a result, the recruitment process did not proceed.

MS STELLA NDABENI-ABRAHAMS, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS & DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

Reply:

I have been advised by SAPO as follows:

1. The SAPO Board and Committees met as follows:

SAPO Board & Committee meetings November 2019-February 2020	No of meetings
(a)	SAPO Board	16
(b)	SAPO Board committee meetings November 2019-Feb 2020
	Docex Subsidiary Board	2
	Audit Committee	3
	Risk Committee	1
	IT Governance and Procurement Committee	1
	Strategic Turnaround & Investment Committee & Properties	8
	Govt service delivery and Corp Contracts Committee	3
	Remuneration and Performance Committee	2
	HR & Transformation Committee	4
	Social, Ethics and Stakeholder Committee	4
	Stamp Advisory Committee	2
Oversight meetings with Departments by identified Board Members
	Financial meeting	1
	Debt Management meeting	1
	Operations meeting	1
	Distribution Network Optimisation Task Team	2

2. (a)(i)(aa)(bb)(ii)(b)(c) Refer to the attached table.

3. The Minister and Deputy Minister only attended the Board induction meeting on 01 November 2019, as the Shareholder is not required to attend Board and Sub-Committee meetings.

 

MS STELLA NDABENI-ABRAHAMS, MP

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS & DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

Reply:

I was advised by the department and entities as follows:

1(a),(b)&(c) The Ministry, Department and entities have indicated that the specified person did not attended any official meetings and/or gatherings.

2(a) Not applicable

(b) Not applicable

MR J MTHEMBU, MP

ACTING MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

Reply:

5G is the fifth generation of wireless technology network adopted by 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), a standards organisation which develops protocols for mobile telecommunications. 5G is a new globally accepted standard of technology after 3G, 4G and LTE/LTE advanced. 5G is identified by the following use cases: enhanced mobile broadband communications, massive machine type communications, ultra-reliable and low latency communications, and Internet of Things that virtually connects everything and everyone.

 

MR J MTHEMBU, MP

ACTING MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

Reply:

1. The Department did not award any tenders connected to the Covid-19 pandemic. Items procured such as masks, gloves, hand sanitisers and decontamination of premises (office buildings) were below R500 000 and supply chain processes were followed.

(a) None

(b) N/A

(c) N/A

2. No deviations from the standard supply chain management procedures.

(a) None

(b) N/A

3. N/A

4. N/A

MR J MTHEMBU, MP

ACTING MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

Reply:

I was advised by the Department and entities as follows:

(a)& (b) The Department and entities did not sponsor any political parties in the 2018/19 financial year.

1. None
2. None
3. None

(aa) N/A

(bb) N/A

MR J MTHEMBU, MP

ACTING MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES