Questions and Replies

Reply:

(1)(a) to (e) The response required in terms of this question, will require the Division: Protection and Security Service (PSS), to disclose protected information regarding the life of the individual. This may put her life at risk and compromise the investigation which is in progress.

2. Yes.

(2)(a) 11 May 2009.

(2)(b) It was recommended that protection be provided to the specified person.

(3)(a) Yes.

(3)(b) Protection was based on the threat and no additional protectors were allocated.

 

Reply:

With reference to question 213:

With reference to English First Additional Language Paper 3 of the 2016 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations, were Umalusi moderators instructed that the word count requirement in the essay question be ignored; if so, (a) why was this instruction given and (b) which official gave this instruction to the moderators?

Within a legislative framework, no official could instruct Umalusi moderators to ignore examination and curriculum policy. During the marking guideline discussion, Umalusi’s moderators serve as the ultimate authority in the standardisation of the marking guidelines. Therefore no instruction was given.

However, during the marking guideline discussion of English First Additional Language Paper 3, clarity was given in terms of the required word count. The stipulated word count is 250 to 300 words. It was emphasised that in the interest of fairness and the credibility of the marking process, there has to be a common understanding of the rubric’s requirements. The rubric for the marking of the essay in Section A of the mentioned paper makes no provision that penalties should be imposed when candidates exceed the word limit of 300 words. This was pointed out to ensure that no marking officials impose unfair penalties. The word count is therefore stipulated to guide candidates on the length of the essay.

Reply:

1. The Department of Rural Development and Land Reform has referred this matter for criminal investigation by the relevant law enforcement agencies. As such, the report will not be made public yet.

2. The Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform instructed the recommendations as per the forensic report be implemented and as such:

 a) Please refer to part (1) above.

 b) Disciplinary action has been instituted against the implicated official who is still in the employ of the Department.

c) The Department has instituted preliminary investigations as per the recommendations of the forensic investigation report.

d) A Senior Counsel opinion is being obtained in this regard.

 e) Please refer to part (2)(d) above.

3. Please refer to part (2)(b) above.

Reply:

9a) and (b) No. There are no impediments to the export of South African meat, animal related products to the European Union (EU) relating to the failure by the country to renew its approved residue plan.

South Africa submitted the National Chemical Residue Control Programme to the EU on 11 April 2017. However, there were challenges identified during the recent audit carried out by the EU in South Africa in February 2017.

The challenges are being addressed with all relevant stakeholders and the EU is continuously being apprised of the developments. The Department is currently sourcing funding to implement a full National Chemical Residue Control Programme. Furthermore the Department and the Red Meat Industry Forum are discussing the possibility of launching a Public Private Partnership on residue monitoring. The results of the project and resultant outcomes are expected at the end of June 2017.

Reply:

1. (a) An Acting allowance equivalent to the difference of her permanent salary and the minimum salary level of the CEO’s salary band is payable to the Acting CEO.

2. Yes.

(3) Yes .

(a) Not yet determined.

(b) (i) 57 applications were received.

(ii) Shortlisting still in progress.

(c) Appropriate B Degree or equivalent qualification in education; Knowledge of the education sector is a prerequisite and at least 10 years’ experience at management level; Teaching experience will be a distinct advantage.

Reply:

(a)(i),(aa),(bb),(cc),(ii),(b)(i),(ii),(iii) Due to the nature and volume of information requested, the Department will collate the information and submit to Parliament by 31 July 2017.

Reply:

No disclosures of interest in terms of Regulation 12(2) of the South African Police Service Employment Regulations of 2008 were submitted by:

(a) the National Commissioner,

(b) the Deputy National Commissioner,

(c) each of the Provincial Commissioners and

(d) any person acting in any of the above positions,

for the following financial years:

(i) 2012-13;

(ii) 2013-14;

(iii) 2014-15;

(iv) 2015-16; and

(v) 2016-17.

The disclosure of interests of all of the above-mentioned functionaries in respect of the periods under discussion were dealt with as contemplated in Regulation 12(1) of the South African Police Service Employment Regulations, 2008 and the provisions of Regulation 12(2) of such Regulations did not apply to any of them in respect of the periods under discussion.

Reply:

SACE RESPONSE:

a) 2015/16-sexual misconduct 84

b and c) 2015/16-physical assault and corporal punishment 280

The South African Council of Educators (SACE) does not differentiate between physical assault and corporal punishment.

Reply:

DAFF

DAFF has not procured services from any public relations firm including Bell Pottinger.

PPECB

PPECB has not procured services from any public relations firm including Bell Pottinger.

OBP

OBP has not procured services from any public relations firm including Bell Pottinger.

NCERA

NCERA has not procured services from any public relations firm including Bell Pottinger.

ARC

ARC has not procured services from any public relations firm including Bell Pottinger.

NAMC

NAMC has not procured services from any public relations firm including Bell Pottinger.

MLRF

MLRF has not procured services from any public relations firm including Bell Pottinger.

Reply:

(1) (a) R120.7 million.

(b) During the 2015/2016 and 2016/17 FY the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (DRDLR) spent R93.5 million.

(c) The budget was spent on, production inputs (seeds, fertiliser, chemicals and fuel), Mechanisation inclusive of (tractors, planters, disk harrows, cultivators, boom sprayers) and a harvester, planting support and the physical infrastructure development at Springbokpan Agrihub site.

(d) (i) R 35,4 million was spent on infrastructure implements (Mechanisation and a Harvester) in the 2015/16 and 2016/17 financial years.

(ii) R 46, 6 million was spent on production capacity over the 2015/16 and 2016/17 financial years.

(2) (a) In 2015/16 financial year 5450 ha was planted and in the 2016/17 financial 3050 ha was planted.

(b) Officials from the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform worked with officials from North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

(c) Rural Enterprise and Industrial Development (REID) programme.

(d) In the 2015/16 FY the cost per hectare was R 6 128.00, in the 2016/17 FY the cost per hectare was R4 332.00.

(e) The main crops planted were sunflower and maize.

Reply:

a) The Mpumalanga Province did not recruit youth into National Rural Youth Service Corps Programme (NARYSEC) during the 2012 financial year. As a result the number of youth currently in the NARYSEC Programme in Mpumalanga Province is lower than other provinces. During the 2017/18 financial year the province will recruit about 300 youth.

The budget is allocated based on the number of participants/students currently in the programme, number of participants/students to be recruited during the financial year and amounts to be paid for training. The budget allocated to Mpumalanga Province was calculated on the same principles.

(b) The budget allocation for Mpumalanga Province has not been reduced but increased by 27.8% in the current financial year from R25.196 m to R32.169 m.

(c) Skills development is allocated 29.9% of the budget.

(d) The monetary value is R9.62 m.

Reply:

SACE RESPONSE:

One of the biggest challenges within the division is capacity constraints. The division comprises of 3 permanent prosecutors to investigate and prosecute cases throughout the country and it has a further 2 investigators on a permanent basis.

A prosecutorial function is a specialised function that requires persons with the necessary training, skill and knowledge, preferably someone with legal or labour relations training and background.

The division makes use of trained panellists to assist with investigations and to chair disciplinary hearings. Although they are trained by the SACE, most of them still require a lot of further and continuous training.

 

Reply:

(a) With regards to directional signage on roads, it is not the mandate of the Department of Tourism but the mandate of the Department of Transport and its agency (SANRAL) in terms of the National Road Traffic Act, N0. 93 of 1996 and its Regulations. The South African Road Traffic Signs Manual (SARTSM) Volume 2, Chapter 4 gives guidance on Tourism Signage as well as the required committee structures which need to be put in place for the approval process. Part of the approval process is a site inspection to determine the safety of the access to the facility.

Nonetheless, with specific reference to the Nelson Mandela Capture Site, in order to facilitate this recurring challenge of directional signage, the National Department of Tourism has been interacting with key stakeholders, to find a solution, herein summarised below:-

The National Department of Tourism contacted Mr D Jones of the Howick uMngeni Community Tourism Organisation (HUCTO) to ascertain the scale of the problem as well as the initiatives undertaken at local level to address the signage problems in the area.

The Department raised the issue through various platforms such as the National Tourism Planning and Coordinating Forum, the National Tourism Governance and Development Working Group, National Road Signage Task Team, the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Economic Development & Tourism Department, SANRAL officials, the KZN Tourism Department, the KZN Provincial Tourism Authority, the KZN Roads Department, uMngeni Local Municipality and the Howick Umgeni Community Tourism Organisation to find a workable solution to address the lack of signage to the Nelson Mandela Capture Site.

There was motivation made for tourist-directional signage along the N3 leading to the Mandela Capture Site. SANRAL’s response to the appeal for directional signage to be placed on the N3 was not approved, reasons why SANRAL cannot approve signage for the capture site off the N3 highway are the following:-

• Road signs are in place on the N3 and clearly visible to the road users. Road Signs should be used as landmarks to direct visitors to the facility. Visits to such facilities are planned ahead and the route are therefore also planned in advance.
• The facility is established on a numbered route R103 and sign will only be allowed to be displayed from the nearest numbered route to the facility. Signs are currently displayed on the local roads. The basic requirement as indicated in the SARTSM-Vol 2 Chapter 9.5.18.1 for the facility to display road are that it should be within 2km from the nearest numbered route. The N3 is not the nearest numbered route to the facility.

The response, however, makes mention of signage being allowed for the R103 which is the closest numbered road from the N3. The Department will continue to engage with all the stakeholders to urge the installation of signage to the Nelson Mandela Capture Site on the R103, which now appears to be the only available option.

(b) The National Department of Tourism works very closely with the Department of Arts and Culture concerning matters of the National Heritage Sites. To date, no enquiries have been raised pertaining to directional signage en- route to other iconic national heritage sites with the exception that of the Nelson Mandela Capture Site.

To reiterate, the issue of directional signage on public roads in South Africa is a core competence of the National and Provincial Departments of Roads and Transport, and it is not a shared competency across government departments such as Tourism. With respect to other iconic national heritage sites, the Department has provided funding for interpretative signage (signage installed within the site) to the management authorities of the following sites in 2016-2017 (1) Victor Verster Prison (WC); (2) Nelson Mandela Capture Site (KZN); (3) Freedom Park (GT); (4) The Mandela Statue at Union Buildings (GP), and will provide funding to the management authorities of the following sites in 2017-2018 (1) Kgalagadi Transfonteir Park (NC); (2) Golden Gate National Park (FS); (3) Sarah Baartman Heritage Site (EC); and (4) the Gugulethu Seven Memorial (WC).

Reply:

(b) DEPARTMENT

(i) Certain company- (Bell Pottinger)

(aa) The Department has never procured the services of the certain company ( Bell Pottinger)

(bb) – (ff) Not applicable

(ii) Any other Public Relations Firms

(aa) The Department has never procured the services of any Public Relations Firm

(bb) - (ff) Not applicable

(c) SA TOURISM

(i) Certain company- Bell Pottinger LLP

(aa) Services Procured

Bell Pottinger LLP was appointed by the SA Tourism UK Office for a period of 3 years effective 1 January 2014 following an open tender process in the UK. The services were for Public Relations including Digital PR and Online Communications to complement and align to existing media buying, events and social media services in order to complete a 360°consumer and trade engagement.

The UK tender has recently been reissued and a new service provider will be in market from 01 July 2017.

(bb) Total Cost : R 8 611 281

(cc) Detail breakdown of such cost: Refer to Annexure A

(dd) Total amount paid : R 9 600 858

(Variance between procurement amounts and amounts paid are due to foreign currency rate fluctuations where the foreign currency exchange rate was higher at payment date)

(ee) Purpose of Payments

Payments were made for work agreed and delivered in good order as per the scope of work contracted for under question b (i) (aa)

(ff) Detailed breakdown of payments: Refer to Annexure A

(ii) Any other Public Relations Firms

(aa) Services Procured:

The PR agencies were appointed by the SA Tourism Offices following open tender processes. The services were for Public Relations including Digital PR and Online Communications to complement and align to existing media buying, events and social media services in order to complete a 360°consumer and trade engagement.

(bb) Total Cost: R 38 472 101

(cc) Detail breakdown of such cost: Refer to Annexure A

(dd) Total amount paid: R 40 678 690

(Variance between procurement amounts and amounts paid are due to foreign currency rate fluctuations where the foreign currency exchange rate was higher at payment date)

(ee) Purpose of Payments: Payments were made for work agreed and delivered in good order as per the scope of work contracted for under question b (ii) (aa)

(ff) Detailed breakdown of payments: Refer to Annexure

 

ANNEXURE A

PR Agencies utilised by SA Tourism between April 2016 and May 2017

Supplier Name	Operating Unit	Cur	Procured	Paid
Bell Pottinger LLP Total	London	ZAR	8 611 281	9 600 858
Grebstad Hicks Communications (Shanghai) Limited Total	Beijing	ZAR	1 705 052	1 705 052
HEREBAN Total	Paris	ZAR	2 181 458	2 618 064
Kleber PR Network GMBH Total	Frankfurt	ZAR	1 923 864	1 754 276
KPRN network GmbH Total	Frankfurt	ZAR	7 651 195	8 190 219
MELTWATER SOUTH AFRICA Total	Head Office	ZAR	300 000	300 000
Newell Public Relations (Beijing) Ltd Total	Beijing	ZAR	657 480	1 772 429
Professional Public Relations Pty Limited Total	Sydney	ZAR	5 080 368	4 692 445
Simply Communicatie BV t/a Simply PR Total	Amsterdam	ZAR	1 431 531	1 441 898
The Hallway Group Pty Ltd Total	Sydney	ZAR	1 601 703	1 483 951
W!T Total	New York	ZAR	4 060 222	4 103 136
Weber Shandwick [CMGRP (I) Pvt. Ltd.] Total	Mumbai	ZAR	1 212 889	961 303
White Knight Total	Japan	ZAR	2 055 058	2 055 058
TOTAL		ZAR	38 472 101	40 678 690

Reply:

1.Neither the Department nor any entity reporting to me have procured any services nor made any payments to Bell Pottinger as there is no good reason to do so.

2. One entity, the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) used a public relations firm, Grounded Media, for a one-year period, at a contract price of R554 400. The IDC CEO has advised that the payments were for the following services:

• Developing and implementation of the Public Relations strategy;
• News writing;
• Management of media data base;
• Media training and;
• Reporting and analysis on IDC media coverage.

-END-

Reply:

No, neither the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, nor her departments and all entities reporting to her procured any services from and/or made any payments to Bell Pottinger or any other public relations firms.

Reply:

Yes. South African Tourism sets its baseline using the Oxford Econometrics Target Setting Methodology.

The Econometrics Model predicts what world travel should be in 190 global markets (including South Africa), then each country assumes a certain share of that based on how it performs against certain measures.

• Tourism Demand modelled as a function of:

• Macro-economic drivers:
• GDP
• GDP per capita
• Consumer spending
• Income
• Personal disposable income

• Demographics:
• Population
• Working Age
• Employment Rate

• Prices:
• Consumer Price Index
• Interest Rates

• Destination Competitiveness Index:
• Regulatory Framework
• Environment
• Infrastructure
• Resources (Human, cultural and natural)

Through the Marketing Investment Framework consideration was given to the tourism potential of various markets, South Africa’s ability to win in those markets and the cost of acquisition of tourists from those markets. This has informed the organisation’s marketing spend in each international market.

(a) Optimal Annual Overseas advertising Budget

SA Tourism’s approved international marketing budget for the 2017/18 financial year is R 804 million (approximately 60% of the organisation’s total approved budget). This is the optimal marketing spend to assist the organisation in achieving its 5-in-5 target of 4 million more international tourist arrivals by 2021.

(b) What did the study reveal in terms of which countries SA should be advertising in?

Based on the desired growth in market share, relative cost of acquisition in each market and the available budgets, South African Tourism has defined a selection of prioritised markets from the list of attractive opportunities. These markets are expected for account for 95% of total international trips to South Africa.

The Marketing Investment Framework’s selection of markets is as follows:

These markets have been divided into international markets with the highest share of holiday and (Meetings, Incentives, Conferencing and Exhibitions (MICE) trips to South Africa, markets with the highest share of Visiting Friends and Relatives (VFR) trips to South Africa, and markets with the highest share of trips for other purposes, such as for trading purposes.

(c) Further details

SA Tourism’s strategic plan for 2017-2022 provides full details of SA Tourism’s approach in arriving at the Marketing Investment Framework and selected markets for investment. A detailed Marketing Investment Framework information pack can be provided on request.

Reply:

(a) Services procured and payments made by his Department

According to supply chain records at the disposal of the Department, which were sourced and verified against the ERP systems, no services were procured from:

(i) Bell Pottinger.

(ii) No services were procured from any other public relations firms.

(aa), (bb), (cc), (dd), (ee), and (ff) Not Applicable

 

(b) Public Entities Reporting to the Department

(i) All the public entities reporting to the department of public works namely:

Independent Development Trust (IDT), Agrement South Africa (ASA), Council for Built Environment (CBE) and Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) did not procure any services nor did they make payments to Bell Pottinger or any other public relations firms.

(ii) Only the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) procured services from other public relations firms

Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) in the 2016/17 financial year end, procured services from and/or made any payments to Blackmoon advertising and Research (Pty) Ltd and Litha Communications (Pty) Ltd, public relations firms for the following services and costs:

bb) 1,615,673.39

 

(aa) & (ee) Services procured	Blackmoon and Advertising (Pty) Ltd	Litha Communications (Pty) Ltd	(dd) & (ff) Total paid
	(cc) Detailed breakdown of costs
Design, layout & printing of Annual reports	504,232.37	85,215.00	589,447.37
Design and layout of internal newsletters	52,119.66		52,119.66
Design, layout and printing of external newsletters	71,139.14	70,548.40	141,687.54
Design, layout and printing of poster, invitation cards and programmes	12,950.40		12,950.40
Reprinting of existing documents	497,472.24	97,059.60	594,531.80
Research, conceptualising and writing of articles	33,143.51		33,143.51
Advertising in different media	-	-	-
Corporate gifts sourcing and branding	100,218.08	28,371.75	128,589.83
Photography	37,324.74	25,878.50	63,203.24
(bb) Total cost	1,308,600.14	307,073.25	1,615,673.39

 

Reply:

(a) The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (DoJ&CD) has neither procured any services from nor made any payments to:

    (i) Bell Pottinger; and

    (ii) Any other public relations firms

(b) I have been informed that the National Prosecuting Authority, Special Investigating Unit and Legal Aid South Africa have neither procured any services from, nor made payments to Bell Pottinger and any other public relations firms.

(c) The office of the Chief Justice has not procured any services from and made any payments to Bell Pottinger or any other public relations firms.

(d) The Department of Correctional Services, has not procured any services and/or any payments made to Bell Pottinger.

Reply:

a) (i)-(ii) No.

(aa)-(ff) Not applicable.

b) As per information received from the entities, the responses are as follows.

The following entities provided responses as “No” to (a)(i) as well as (a)(ii) and “not applicable” in response to (aa)-(ff):

• Agriculture Sector Education and Training Authority (AGRISETA)
• Culture, Arts, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport Sector Education and Training Authority (CATHSSETA)
• Construction Education and Training Authority (CETA)
• Council on Higher Education (CHE)
• Chemical Industries Education and Training Authority (CHIETA)
• Education, Training and Development Practices Sector Education and Training Authority (ETDP SETA)
• Energy and Water Sector Education and Training Authority (EWSETA)
• Food and Beverage Manufacturing Industry Sector Education and Training Authority (FoodBev SETA)
• Fibre Processing and Manufacturing Sector Education and Training Authority (FP&M SETA)
• Health and Welfare Sector Education and Training Authority (HWSETA)
• Insurance Sector Education and Training Authority (INSETA)
• Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Sector Education and Training Authority (merSETA)
• Media, Information and Communication Technologies Sector Education and Training Authority (MICT SETA)
• Mining Qualifications Authority (MQA)
• National Skills Fund (NSF)
• National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS)
• Public Service Sector Education and Training Authority (PSETA)
• Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO)
• South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA)
• Safety and Security Sector Education and Training Authority (SASSETA)
• Services Sector Education and Training Authority (Services SETA)
• Transport Education Training Authority (TETA)

Three SETAs responded in the affirmative and the details are tabulated below.

1. Banking SETA (BANKSETA)	(b)	(i)(a)	No
		(i)(b)	No
		(ii)(a)	Seasoned Concepts Busi Ntuli Communications Blackmoon Advertising
		(ii)(b)	Yes
	(b)(ii)		Advertising in print and online publications
		(aa)	Media buying for corporate profiling and the skills@work awards project
		(bb)	R997 232.66
		(cc)	Corporate Profiling - R744 310.20 skills@work awards - R252 922.46
		(dd)	R997 232.66
		(ee)	Corporate advertising in print and online publications
		(ff)	Corporate Advertising Seasoned Concept The Banker print and online R42 995.00 Tranform SA print and online R42 891.00 JSE Magazine R52 925.00 SOE review R18 125.00 Business Day online 3 months presence R88 740.00 Financial Mail R102 109.00   Sunday Times office publicity R111 460.00   Social media pages configuration R21 002.60   City Press office publicity R40 144.00   Daily Sun office publicity R53 878.00 Blackmoon Advertising Social media (Facebook, Google plus and Linkedin) R70 440.60   skills@work awards publicity campaign HR future R8 000.00 Star Workplace R50 221.11 Business Day R45 488.25 Skills Portal R29 800.00 SA FM R10 1813.10 The Banker online R17 600.00
2. Finance and Accounting Services Sector Education and Training Authority (FASSET)	(b)	(i)(a)	No
		(i)(b)	None
		(ii)(a)	Ideahub Group At That Point (Pty) Ltd
		(ii)(b)	Yes
	(b)(ii)		FASSET tested the market in January 2015 and invited suitable Public Relations firms to submit their proposal based on the terms of reference released. A competitive bidding process was followed to source the service providers mentioned above; with an exception to At That Point (Pty) Ltd which was a single source procurement followed by Board.
		(aa)	Ideahub Group – Media liaison, public relations, media training and media monitoring services. At That Point (Pty) Ltd – Communication advice around leadership changes at FASSET
		(bb)	Ideahub Group – R1 106 865.90 (2-year contract) At That Point (Pty) Ltd - R 6 697.50 (Once-off)
		(cc)	Please refer to Annexure A
		(dd)	Ideahub Group - R508 212.00 At That Point (Pty) Ltd - R 6 697.50
		(ee)	For services rendered.
		(ff)	Please refer to Annexure B
3. Wholesale and Retail SETA (W&RSETA)	(b)	(i)(a)	No
		(i)(b)	No
		(ii)(a)	Jarred Doyle Consultants.
		(ii)(b)	Jarred Doyle Consultants.
	(b)(ii)		There was a need to publicise and create hype on the Good Practice Awards in 2016 on behalf of the SETA.
		(aa)	Publication and awareness creation around Good Practice Awards.
		(bb)	R85 000.00
		(cc)	R28 000.00 for April 2016; R28 000.00 for May 2016 and R29 000.00 for June 2016.
		(dd)	R85 000.00
		(ee)	Generation of publicity for Good Practice Awards.
		(ff)	To generate publicity of the Good Practice Awards for the period of two months during the nominations, pre- and post-gala event stages of the project (April, mid-May up to event in mid-June) Secure interviews for  the SETA  in relevant media houses (print, broadcast and online) Prepare and distribute press releases in order to create awareness of the awards prior to the event Prepare and distribute press releases covering the actual event Prepare media invites and ensure that journalists attended the event Assist in preparing media packs for journalists for the award ceremony Prepare print adverts to be published on national media after the event Provide weekly status updates on activities or efforts undertaken to create publicity

COMPILER/CONTACT PERSONS:

EXT:

DIRECTOR – GENERAL

STATUS:

DATE:

QUESTION 1489 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED

Dr BE NZIMANDE, MP

MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

STATUS:

DATE:

Reply:

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) responded to the questions as follows:

1. (a) Allowances can only be paid to students after an institution has sent proof of their students’ registration to NSFAS for the generation of Loan Agreement Forms (LAFs) and Schedules of Particulars (SOPs) for students to sign.

It should be noted that NSFAS pays allowances directly to students who are on the sBux system.

The following challenges have resulted in students receiving late payment or not receiving allowances through the sBux system:

• Once funding decisions are made, students are expected to acknowledge their funding by signing a loan agreement form (university students) and schedule of particulars (TVET students). For this process to be completed, institutions must exchange registration information with NSFAS, which serves as confirmation that students are registered. NSFAS implemented the registration system without sufficient testing and incomplete requirements. This resulted in delays in the processing of student registration information by institutions.
• Students not signing LAFs and SOPs. The NSFAS Communications Department has commenced a campaign to encourage students to sign their LAFs and SOPs.
• Frequency with which students change their cell phone numbers between the time they register with institutions and sign their LAFs and SOPs. Measures have been put in place by NSFAS to speed up the process of updating cell phone numbers.
• Technical and administrative challenges in the rollout of the new student centred model.

(b) Institutions on the sBux system, i.e. 5 Universities and 19 TVET colleges, were affected by the challenges highlighted in 1(a):

Universities:

1. Durban University of Technology
2. Nelson Mandela University
3. Sol Plaatje University
4. University of South Africa
5. University of Venda

TVET Colleges:

1. Central Johannesburg
2. Boland
3. Buffalo City
4. Coastal KZN
5. Ekurhuleni East
6. Ekurhuleni West
7. Esayidi
8. King Hintsa
9. Mnambithi
10. Motheo
11. Mtashana
12. Orbit
13. Port Elizabeth
14. Sedibeng
15. Thekwini
16. Tshwane North
17. Umfolozi
18. Umgungundlovu
19. Vhembe

The remaining 52 institutions received direct payments, i.e. the first payment on 16 January 2017 and second payment on 21 April 2017, for the distribution of allowances to their respective students.

(c)) sBux institutions are expected to send proof of their students’ registration to NSFAS before LAFs and SOPs can be generated for students to sign. It is important to note that allowances can only be disbursed to students once they have signed their LAFs and SOPs. Not all sBux students who qualify for funding automatically qualify for allowances.

The majority of TVET colleges still need to submit their student registration information and allowance allocations for SOPs to be generated before students can sign and have their allowances disbursed.

2. As at 30 March 2017, 27 400 students eligible for sBux had signed their LAF and SOPs of which 25 120 students were receiving sBux and a further 2 280 students still needed to be processed.

 

COMPILER/CONTACT PERSONS:

EXT:

DIRECTOR – GENERAL

STATUS:

DATE:

QUESTION 974 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED

Dr BE NZIMANDE, MP

MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

STATUS:

DATE:

Reply:

1. No. I have been informed that the Magistrates Commission has not received any formal complaint against the Magistrate.

2. No steps were considered necessary, as the prosecutor was not deemed to have breached any guidelines or legal prescripts. Applications for cell phone data in terms of section 205 of the Criminal Procedure Act, Act 51 of 1977, as amended, are based on an affidavit from the investigating officer motivating why cell phone data is needed in respect of the number(s) and period(s) stated in the affidavit.

The prosecutor also considers the affidavit before submitting it to the judicial officer, who is the final and independent arbiter on the application. There are thus three safeguards, in addition to the processes which may follow as part of a criminal prosecution which permits the accused to challenge the admission of evidence.

Reply:

1.No.

2. (a) (b) and (c) Yes. Deputy Minister Oliphant led a Departmental delegation of seven officials (four the DMR, and the remaining three from South African Diamond and Precious Metals Regulator, Mintek, and Petroleum Agency South Africa) to CAR on 16 – 23 October 2016. It is not practise for the Department to disclose the identity of officials who travel and accompany the Minister in their official capacity, as it may potentially compromise the performance of their official duties.

The visit was at the invitation of the Minister of Mines, Energy and Hydrology of the Central African Republic, as part of strengthening relations with South

Africa. During the visit, meetings were held amongst others with the Prime Minister of CAR, and various government Ministers; and President of the Parliament. Visit were also conducted to various academic institutions.

An outcome of the visit led to the development of the Memorandum of Understanding and a Declaration of Intent to be signed between CAR and South Africa on cooperation in the space of geology, and mineral resources.

3. Refer to (2) above.

 

Approved/Not Approved

Mr MJ Zwane, MP

Minister of Mineral Resources

Date Submitted:-……………/………………/2017

Reply:

The Department has finalised the consultation process on the Mining Charter, 2017 to be published in the Government Gazette within the next coming weeks.

 

Approved/Not Approved

Mr MJ Zwane, MP

Minister of Mineral Resources

Date Submitted:-……………/………………/2017

Reply:

(i) The Department has not procured any services from the Decolonisation Foundation.

(ii) The Department has not made any payments to the Decolonisation Foundation.

 

Remarks: Reply: Approved / Not Approved

Mr. Mogokare Richard Seleke Ms. Lynne Brown, MP

Director-General Minister of Public Enterprises

Date: Date:

Reply:

(1)(a) National Sea Rescue Institute is only one tenant in the Port of Mossel Bay that is charged a non-commercial rental.

(b) Sea and Rescue services

(c) 1967/013618/08

(d) R1782.15

(2) Mossel Bay Yatcht Club (MBYBC) was paying TNPA a commercial rental.

MBYBC are using the facilities including walk-on moorings for commercial purposes. Therefore, the rental charged by TNPA was based on market value as determined by an Independent Qualified Property Valuer.

The rental that was paid by MBYBC is R108 628.51 per month.

(3) Transnet National Ports Authority “TNPA” would not reconsider charging

MBYBC non-commercial rentals. MBYBC were operating the facility on a commercial basis. This is in line with the practice of TNPA, whereby every tenant who has commercial operations within the port system is charged a commercial rental which is market related.

 

Mogokare Richard Seleke Lynne Brown, MP

Director-General Minister of Public Enterprises

Date: Date:

Reply:

(1) (a) According to the company records there is an amount of R1, 523, 405, 982.36.

(b) Trust Fund

(c) Bank of Baroda

(2) According to the company records the amount has not changed, however the amount may likely to change due to interest accrued on maturity date.

 

 

Approved/Not Approved

Mr MJ Zwane, MP

Minister of Mineral Resources

Date Submitted:-……………/………………/2017

Reply:

1.Minister was accompanied by an official from the Department.

2. I did not facilitate any transaction. I went there to promote mining and address company issues relating to investment climate in the country in general and to mitigate imminent of retrenchment

3. No, I don’t have any interest in Oakbay or Optimum

 

Approved/Not Approved

Mr MJ Zwane, MP

Minister of Mineral Resources

Date Submitted:-……………/………………/2017

Reply:

SAX’s Reply:

Aircraft Utilisation Chart list Summary Period 01 January 2016 to 31 January 2017
Registration	Serial Number	Aircraft Type	Out of Service Days	Operational Days
ZS-NMC	7225	CRJ200	365	0
ZS-NMD	7223	CRJ200	346	19
ZS-NME	7240	CRJ200	256	109
ZS-NMF	7287	CRJ200	158	207
ZS-NMH	7787	CRJ200	358	7
ZS-NMI	7153	CRJ200	161	204
ZS-NML	7201	CRJ200	166	199
ZS-NMM	7234	CRJ200	365	0
ZS-NMN	7237	CRJ200	161	204
ZS-NBF	10028	CRJ700	125	240
ZS-NBG	10039	CRJ700	235	130
ZS-NMO	4122	DH8-400	197	168
ZS-NMS	4127	DH8-400	295	70
ZS-YBP	4142	DH8-400	160	205
ZSYBR	4144	DH8-400	167	198
ZS-YBT	4146	DH8-400	365	0
ZS-YBU	4344	DH8-400	201	164
ZS-YBW	4350	DH8-400	136	229
ZS-YBX	4366	DH8-400	95	270
ZS-YBY	4360	DH8-400	138	227
ZS-YBZ	4175	DH8-400	271	94

Mogokare Richard Seleke Lynne Brown, MP

Director-General Minister of Public Enterprises

Date: Date:

Reply:

46 Black Industrialists have been approved for funding. As with all dti incentive schemes the Black industrialist scheme is a cost sharing grant. Of the approved black industrialists, 13 have been paid on a cost sharing basis towards capital investment costs, post investment support and business development services to the tune of R212 Million. Of the paid projects 1443 jobs have been supported.

Reply:

(1) The case docket is still under investigation and none of the stolen computers

have been recovered. Several persons have been questioned and premises were visited but the stolen computers could not be traced.

(2)(a) The investigation has not yet been completed and various enquiries are being persued to trace the stolen computers. The investigating officer is also following up on information relating to other possible suspects.

(2)(b) The case docket has been registered as: Midrand CAS 567/03/2017.

(2)(c)(d) The case docket has been allocated to the Gauteng Provincial Investigation Unit. The particulars of the investigating officer cannot be divulged to ensure that the investigation is conducted without fear or favour.

(3)(a)(b) Yes, a suspect was questioned and arrested. The case against the suspect has been remanded to 17 May 2017, for further investigation.

Reply:

A case docket, Mhluzi CAS 63/12/2016 (assault with the intention to commit grievous bodily harm), was registered and investigated, with regard to the alleged assault on the learner.

The learner died in a hospital in Middleburg, Mpumalanga, in March 2017. It is suspected that the death could be related to complications as a result of the alleged assault in December 2016.

An inquest case docket, Middelburg CAS 472/03/2017, was registered relating to the death of the learner. The autopsy report and a medical report are now being awaited.

Reply:

The Black Industrialist Policy was approved by Cabinet to support black entrepreneurs in the manufacturing sector of the economy, who have the potential to grow, invest and create jobs. These entrepreneurs must have identified an opportunity, own industrial capacity and are providing long term strategic and operational leadership to their business. The scheme focuses on sectors we believe are the corner stones of the country’s economy now and in the future as identified in the IPAP.

The names of the approved black industrialists will be published along with all the beneficiaries of incentive programmes for 2016/17 following the annual audit by the Auditor-General.

Reply:

1. The requested information is not readily available on the Investigation Case Docket Management System (ICDMS). As a result, a particular request must be made from the Division: Technology Management Services (TMS) to extract the information from the ICDMS via an ‘ad hoc’ request. The Division TMS has indicated, that seven working days are required to process requests of this nature. The information will be provided as soon as it is received by the Division: Detective Service.

2. This question can only be responded to when the particulars (case numbers) of the reported cases are received from Division: TMS.

Reply:

The information that is required is not readily available. Each case must be verified before the information can be submitted. An extension of three weeks, is hereby requested, in order for us to provide the correct information.

Reply:

(1)(a) Long Range Acoustic Devices (LRADs) are, however, used as a non-lethal operational option by trained members of Public Order Policing (POP).

The device provides exceptional clarity and is used for short and long range communication with individuals and large crowds to easily establish standoff zones, inform, direct and prevent misunderstandings, peacefully resolve dangerous situations and to save the lives of both the public and law enforcement members during elevated risk operations. It offers a less physical option to kinetic measures such as tear gas, rubber bullets, pepper spray, tasers and flash grenades.

The following regulations and standards guide the use of the Long Range Acoustic Devices (LRAD) in South Africa:

• The Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1993 (Act No 85 of 1993);
• Regulation of Gatherings Act, 1993 (Act No 205 of 1993);
• Bill of Rights in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 (Act No 108 of 1996);
• South African National Standards (SANS) 10103:2004 The Measurement and Rating of Environmental Noise with respect to Land Use, Health, Annoyance and Speech Communication;
• Hearing Conservation Regulations, promulgated under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1993 (Act No 85 of 1993);
• The South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) 083: 1996 Measurement and Assessment of Occupational Noise. (SANS 10083:2013 Edition 5.2); and
• SANS10083:2013 “SABS 083” The South African Bureau of Standards’ Code of Practice for the Measurement and Assessment of Occupational Noise for Hearing Conservation Purposes, SABS 083.

The device was tested by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), which confirmed that the device is suitable for its intended use.

(1)(b) The SAPS is not aware of any regulations relating to the manufacture of LRADs as they are manufactured in the United States of America (USA), however, the device is provided with a user manual.

(1)(c) Yes, by the Company known as Acoustic Deterrent Systems cc.

(2)(a) Yes.

(2)(b) 25 Public Order Policing Units are in possession of LRADs.

(2)(a)(b)(i) During the 2014/2015 financial year.

(2)(a)(b)(ii) Acoustic Deterrent Systems cc.

(2)(a)(b)(iii) LRAD Corporation, California, USA.

(3)(a) Yes.

(3)(b) Yes.

Reply:

1. The term of the reinstated Board of PRASA will expire on the 31 July 2017
2. There was no break in service as the Minister appointed the interim Board which was fully functional
3. The full Board was reinstated to ensure that they carry out their fiduciary duties, however some members of the Board resigned subsequent to their reinstatement leaving the vacancies which the Minister is currently in a process to fill.

Reply:

The MCEP is one of the key programmes of IPAP to encourage manufacturers to upgrade their production facilities in a manner that sustains employment and maximises value addition in the short to medium term. The Agro Processing sector was the highest beneficiary of the programme, resulting in a number of economic benefits including higher quality products, improved customer responsiveness, greater productivity and improved profitability. Most retained jobs and indirect jobs from the support emanated from this sector. Given the importance of Agro processing to revitalise rural economies, its relative low barrier to entry for new entrants, the need to provide post drought Agri input market access, the dti has prioritised competitiveness enhancement support for this sector. Unlike the previous MCEP which only catered for expansions, the support will enable both new and existing firms to invest in better technology and expand their facilities in a manner that retains and creates new job. Agro Processing Support Scheme will be funded from the additional 2017 MTEF allocation for manufacturing incentives.

The MCEP comprised of two sub-programmes namely production incentive and the Industrial Loan facility managed by the dti and IDC. The industrial loan facility was re-launched in September 2016 and continues to support qualifying manufacturing companies.

Reply:

(a)(i)(ii) The South African Police Service (SAPS) has never procured any services nor made any payments to the Decolonisation Foundation.

(b)(i)(ii) For a reply by the other entities reporting to the Minister of Police.

(aa)(bb)(cc)(dd)(ee)(ff) Not applicable.

Reply:

a

Mr Alli was not paid as per his request.

Ms N Scheepers 38 601.42

Mr MF Baleni 36 287.75

Mr RC Mkwanazi 34 676.92

Mr TR Rikhotso 38 601.42

Total 148 167.51

b

The Board held 2 meetings. The first was an introduction meeting and the second was a Board meeting

c

The Board met on the following dates:

17 March 2017

31 March 2017

d

The Board was planning on having as an induction workshop to get a full understanding of the mandate of PRASA, however this did not materialise due to the outcome of the court case.

Reply:

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SERVICE ANDS ADMINISTRATION (DPSA)

1. (b) No
2. (b) No (i) No (ii) No

(aa) Not applicable, (bb) Not applicable

NATIONAL SCHOOL OF GOVERNMENT (NSG)

1. (a) National School of Government did not participate in the Dialogue with the President: Unpacking of the SONA 2017 on Radical Economic Transformation Implementation event hosted at the Oyster Box Hotel in Umhlanga, Durban, on 25 February 2017

(2) (a) National School of Government did not participate in the auction.

CENTRE FOR PUPLIC SERVICE INNOVATION (CPSI)

1. (b) No
2. (b) No (i) No (ii) No

(aa) Not applicable, (bb) Not applicable

END

Reply:

(a) This is not a statistic that is routinely calculated and reported on by the department, mainly because of the potentially misleading nature of this measure. Given that many people do not reach grade 12, the grade 10 to 12 throughput rate is sometimes thought to be a useful indicator of the overall proportion of youths who complete the NSC. However, it systematically underestimates the proportion of youths who complete the NSC, since the rate of grade repetition is particularly high in grade 10, resulting in an artificially inflated denominator for that calculation. Moreover, since learners who are counted in grade 10 migrate to TVET colleges and other educational pathways, and may well go on to achieve qualifications that are equivalent to the NSC.

The department is currently piloting an inclusive basket of indicators for national, provincial and school performance in the NSC. Amongst other indicators, the ratio of NSC passes to grade 10 enrolments is being considered as one indicator. If this indicator does become routinely reported it will be important to emphasize that it is not an accurate measure of the likelihood of youths completing grade 12.

What is official, within the Medium Term Strategic Framework and the Department of Education’s ‘Action Plan to 2019’ is the indicator titled ‘The percentage of youths who obtained a National Senior Certificate from a school’. The department has provided an in-depth methodological description of how to measure this, in the 2016 review of sector outcomes, titled ‘Report on progress in the schooling sector against key learner performance and attainment indicators’ (and available on the DBE’s website). Essentially, the indicator used in the Sector Report compares the annual number of NSC passes to an estimate of the 18-year-old population.

(b) The ratios of NSC passes to grade 10 enrolments (two years prior) are provided in the table below. The 2015 value of 39.8 is substantially lower than the 2015 value for the proportion of youths who obtained an NSC, which is 56.1%. This illustrates why a simple ratio of NSC passes to grade 10 enrolments cannot be interpreted as the percentage of people who go on to complete grade 12.

Table 1: Ratios of NSC passes to Grade 10 enrolment

Province	Grade 10 Enrolment	Matric Pass	“Throughput Rate”
	2012	2013	2014	2014	2015	2016	2014	2015	2016
EC	149 774	154 920	160 441	43 777	49 475	49 168	29.2	31.9	30.6
FS	59 948	60 643	56 519	21 899	25 416	23 629	36.5	41.9	41.8
GP	193 130	201 341	192 492	84 247	91 327	88 381	43.6	45.4	45.9
KZN	264 774	268 492	270 086	97 144	98 761	98 032	36.7	36.8	36.3
LP	176 279	187 804	193 803	53 179	66 946	63 595	30.2	35.6	32.8
MP	93 021	97 117	95 944	35 615	43 229	41 801	38.3	44.5	43.6
NC	21 739	22 727	22 515	6 715	8 064	7 902	30.9	35.5	35.1
NW	68 394	70 032	68 745	22 061	27 118	26 448	32.3	38.7	38.5
WC	76 436	83 234	79 327	39 237	45 489	43 716	51.3	54.7	55.1
SA	1 103 495	1 146 310	1 139 872	403 874	455 825	442 672	36.6	39.8	38.8

Provincial and national values for ‘The percentage of youths who obtained a National Senior Certificate from a school’ for 2014 and 2015 appear in the table below, which is extracted from the above-mentioned Sector Review on page 64. Final figures for 2016 have not been calculated yet, but the trend would largely follow the trend for the number of NSCs seen in the official DBE report for the 2016 Grade 12 examinations (title ‘National Senior Certificate Examination Report 2016’).

Table 2: NSCs over population for 2014 and 2015

Reply:

No.

The investigation into the case docket, Lyttelton CAS 127/06/2016, has not been concluded. A witness statement from a person, who is currently in Burundi, and two witness statements from personnel at the offices of the Department of Home Affairs, must still be obtained.

Reply:

1. No. I have been informed that the Magistrates Commission has not received any formal complaint against Magistrate HJ Venter.

2. No steps were considered necessary, as the prosecutor was not deemed to have breached any guidelines or legal prescripts. Applications for cell phone data in terms of section 205 of the Criminal Procedure Act, Act 51 of 1977, as amended, are based on an affidavit from the investigating officer motivating why cell phone data is needed in respect of the number(s) and period(s) stated in the affidavit.

 

Reply:

(a)(i)(ii)(b)(i)(ii)(c)(d)(i)(ii)

The OTO announced earlier this year that they will be launching an investigation with regards to the refund processes administered by SARS to better understand the challenges, risks and complexity associated with the process. The investigation is currently underway and SARS is committed to working with the OTO to give them the required insight into the process so that they will be able to satisfactorily give feedback to the public on their findings.

SARS would want the current investigation underway to first be concluded before additional responses to the topic at hand is made as this stage.

Reply:

The information requested by the Honourable Member is available in the audited financial statements found in the 2014 and 2015 annual reports of the eight entities reporting to me. The audited financial statements for 2016 are currently being audited and the annual reports containing these will be tabled in Parliament around August in accordance with section 65 (1) (a) of the Public Finance Management Act, 1999.

Reply:

The OTO announced earlier this year that they will be launching an investigation with regards to the refund processes administered by SARS to better understand the challenges, risks and complexity associated with the process. The investigation is currently underway and SARS is committed to working with the OTO to give them the required insight into the process so that they will be able to satisfactorily give feedback to the public on their findings.

SARS would want the current investigation underway to first be concluded before additional responses to the topic at hand is made as this stage.

Reply:

All previous NEEDU reports have been presented to the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education in accordance with their programme. The 2014 NEEDU Report will be dealt with in a similar manner and be presented to the Portfolio Committee in line with the Committee’s programme. Its findings mirror findings in the 2012 and 2013 NEEDU national reports. The Department has therefore already been engaging with strategies necessary for systemic change and to ensure that NEEDU recommendations lead to notable impact in the system. For this reason, the Minister will not single out the 2014 NEEDU report for reporting to Parliament.

Reply:

(a)(i)(ii)(b)(i)(ii)(c)(d)(i)(ii)

The OTO announced earlier this year that they will be launching an investigation with regards to the refund processes administered by SARS to better understand the challenges, risks and complexity associated with the process. The investigation is currently underway and SARS is committed to working with the OTO to give them the required insight into the process so that they will be able to satisfactorily give feedback to the public on their findings.

SARS would want the current investigation underway to first be concluded before additional responses to the topic at hand is made as this stage.

Reply:

No.