Questions and Replies

Reply:

Today we pride ourselves on having reached out to the poorest of the poorer. We have proved to be a developmental state that has been able to take decisive action to support more than 12 million children through the social grant system. When the policy on the Child Support Grant (CSG) was developed, the Lund committee (1996) recommended a small amount (R70) derived from the Household Subsistence Level for food and clothing for children. Drawing on the Committee’s recommendations, Cabinet approved the CSG at a higher amount of R100 when implemented in 1998. This amount has been increased by inflation since then. Government is continuously faced with the policy question as to whether the value of the grant should be increased (above inflation) to be in line with more recent food nutritional indexes, or to expand the reach of the grant. In the last two decades, Government has focused mainly on extending the reach of the CSG to poor children. Currently our focus is on ensuring that the low take up between 0-1 is addressed through programs such as the Integrated Community Outreach Programme (ICROP) and Mikondzo, which target areas of greater deprivation. This is in line with the objectives set in the National Development Plan and the Medium Terms Strategic Framework for 2019.

Historically only a few children accessed social assistance through the State Maintenance Grant. Today the vast majority of children in need of assistance is able to access the support, not only through the grant but through a range of other government interventions.

This is also in line with the Taylor Committee report (2002) that assessed the effectiveness of the CSG in relation to nutrition. The Committee recommended that the CSG be supplemented by an appropriate nutrition programme. To this effect, Government provides essential services for example, food nutrition programme to poor children through the Department of Basic Education and other free basic municipal services at reduced and controlled costs to impoverished households. In addition Government has ensured that basic food items such as brown bread, maize meal, vegetables, fruits, eggs, samp, mealie rice and milk are zero-rated, meaning the 14% VAT is not paid on these goods.

Reply:

(a) A total of 13 005 475 additional enrolments were performed by Cash Paymaster Services.

(b) The additional enrolments were not charged for at a unit cost, but rather the cost were calculated using the actual costs incurred as a result of the additional re-registrations which had to be performed over the period from January to July 2013. The costs incurred related to transport; infrastructure hire costs (use of halls and other venues for the re-registration); security service; travel and accommodation and staff costs, amongst others.

Reply:

(a) and (b) Yes,

  (i) Yes, (aa), (bb) and (cc)

2014
Dates	(aaa) Who was Present at the meeting?	(bbb) What was the reason for the meeting?	(ccc) Where did it take place?
26-08-2014	Mr F Earl (SASSA) Mr N Pillay (CPS) Ms A Lewington(CPS)	Card Replacements and Pin Reset Management Reports KZN scanning Scanning of re-registration documents Sort and sort plan	SASSA: Head Office
10-09-2014	Mr T Malumedza(CSIR) Mr E Dube (CSIR) Mr D Mathekga(CSIR) Mr F Dinisio (CSIR) Mr F Earl (SASSA) Ms F Talane (SASSA) Ms G Maphophe (SASSA) Mr S Belamant: CEO (NET1) Ms A Lewington ( CPS) Mr N Pillay (CPS)	CPS presentation on grants payment process –Cash flow	Net1 Offices: Rosebank
15-09-2014	Mr C Pakade :DG (DSD) Mr Z Dangor Special Adviser to the Minister –(DSD) Mr T Magwaza DDG (DSD) Ms V.L Petersen: CEO (SASSA) Mr F. Earl -EM (SASSA) Mr H Kotze :CFO ( CPS/Net1) Mr S Belamant: CEO (CPS/Net1)	The review of SLA, direct deductions on SASSA cards and review of biometric voice	SASSA : Head Office
4.10-10-2014	Mr F Earl: EM (SASSA)	Inputs into the draft SLA Grants transfer and reconciliation process. KZN data and feedback on CSIR visit	Net1Offices :Rosebank
2015
26-02-2015	Mr F. Earl- EM (SASSA) Mr E Matshiga –Senior Manager (SASSA) Mr N Pillay (CPS) Ms A Lewington (CPS)	Review of the Enrolment Strategy In SASSA Local: Business Rules/ Audit Of Enrolment Sites Development Of A Card Management Strategy: Mitigation Of Risk Monthly Reports Beneficiaries Children And Procurators not registered Cash Requirements: April 2015 And December 2015 December Pay Cycle Audit Of The Nedbank Accounts DSD Audit Findings Exemption 17 Breaches : Confirmation Of Proposed Meeting With The Registrar Feedback On Regional Grants Operational Meeting	Net 1 Offices : Rosebank
09-11-2015	Ms F Talane (SASSA) Mr T Matlou (SASSA) Mr S Koliti (SASSA) Mr N Pillay ( CPS) Ms A Lewington( CPS)	Discussions on Customer Care working relations	Net1 Offices: Rosebank
2016
1.30-03-2016	Ms S Mawelele: (SASSA) Mr J Skhosana: (SASSA) Mr S Budaza: (SASSA) Mr A Segafa: (SASSA) Mr R Willoughby-(SASSA) Ms A Lewington: (CPS/Net1) Ms T Du Toit: ( CPS/Net 1) Ms Carol-Anne Savides: (CPS/Net1)	Customer Care Operational meeting	SASSA: Head Office
2.26-04-2016	Ms S Mawelele: (SASSA) Ms G Maphophe: (SASSA) Mr R Willoughby: (SASSA) Mr K Tlou: (SASSA) Ms A Lewington:(CPS/Net1) Ms T Du Toit: (CPS/Net1) Ms Carol-Anne Savides: (CPS/Net 1)	Customer Care Operational meeting	Net1 Offices :Rosebank
3.26-05-2016	Ms S Mawelele: (SASSA) Mr J Skhosana: (SASSA) Mr S Budaza: (SASSA) Mr A Segafa: (SASSA) Mr R Willoughby-(SASSA) Ms A Lewington: (CPS/Net1) Ms T Du Toit: ( CPS/Net 1) Ms Carol-Anne Savides: (CPS/Net1)	Customer Care Operational meeting	SASSA: Head Office
4.29-08-2016	Ms S Mawelele: (SASSA) Ms G Maphophe: (SASSA) Mr R Willoughby: (SASSA) Ms A Lewington: ( CPS/Net1) Ms T Du Toit: ( CPS/ Net1) Ms Carol-Anne Savides: (CPS/Net1)	Customer Care Operational meeting	Net 1 Offices-Rosebank
5. 04-11-2016	Mr T Matlou: ( EM SASSA) Mr G Maphophe (SASSA) Mr M Sethosa : (SASSA) Mr M Nhlangothi: (GM: SASSA) Mr N Pillay: ( CPS/ Net1) Ms A Lewington: (CPS/ Net1)	National Steercom to address operational challenges encountered by regions during payment of grants.	Net1 Offices –Rosebank
6. 22-08-2016	Ms Z Mvulane (EM: SASSA) Ms T Parkies (Workstream) Mr W Metcalfe(Workstream) Mr J Segole(Workstream) Mr M Van Wyk(Workstream) Mr T Sukazi (Workstream) Mr N Pillay (CPS) Dr Serge Belamant (CPS)	Due diligence Information Technology BIN Migration Card Security Features Biometric Functionality	Net1 Offices-Rosebank
7. 18-10.2016	Ms Z Mvulane (EM: SASSA) Ms T Parkies (Workstream) Mr W Metcalfe(Workstream) Mr J Segole (Workstream) Mr M Van Wyk(Workstream) Mr T Sukazi (Workstream) Mr N Pillay (CPS) Dr Serge Belamant (CPS)	Phase-in Phase-out Biometric System Integration Merchants Management Call Center Integration Reconciliation	Net1 Offices-Rosebank
8. 28-10-2016	Ms Z Mvulane Ms T Parkies Mr W Metcalfe Mr J Segole Mr M Van Wyk Mr T Sukazi Mr N Pillay Dr Serge Belamant	Business continuity Card Life Extension Merchant Management Introduction of the Special Account 4. Improvement of SASSA payment file.	Net1 Offices-Rosebank
2017
1. 01-03-2017	Ms T Mzobe (SASSA) Ms Z Mvulane (SASSA) Ms R Ramokgopa (SASSA) Ms D Ndlovu (SASSA) Mr T Chauke (SASSA) Mr A Mahlangu (SASSA) Mr B Van Vrede (DSD) Dr W Magasela (DSD) Dr S Belamant (CPS) Mr N Pillay (CPS) Mr T Jonger (CPS) Mr H Kotze (CPS) (Workstream) Mr W Metcalfe Mr Manie V Wyk	SASSA and CPS Negotiation	Protea Hotel
2. 02-03-2017	Mr A Mahlangu (SASSA) Mr B Van Vrede (DSD) Dr W Magasela (DSD) Dr S Belamant (CPS) Mr N Pillay (CPS) Mr T Jonger (CPS) Mr H Kotze (CPS) (Workstream) Mr W Metcalfe Mr Manie V Wyk Mr Julias Sehole	SASSA – CPS Technical Negotiations	Net1 Offices-Rosebank
3. 03-03-2017	Ms T Mzobe (Acting CEO SASSA) Ms Z Mvulane (SASSA) Ms R Ramokgopa (SASSA) Ms D Ndlovu (SASSA) Mr T Chauke (SASSA) Mr A Mahlangu (SASSA) Mr B Van Vrede (DSD) Dr W Magasela (DSD) Dr S Belamant (CPS) Mr N Pillay (CPS) Mr T Jonger (CPS) Mr H Kotze (CPS) (Workstream) Mr W Metcalfe Mr Manie V Wyk	SASSA and CPS Negotiation	Protea Hotel

Reply:

(1) The matter has not yet been finalized by the North Gauteng High Court.

Reply:

SASSA Gauteng Region, through the National Department of Public Works (NDPW) is in the process of acquiring permanent office accommodation for the Kempton Park area.

The procurement process is at an advanced stage as the submission for entering into a lease agreement with the recommended service provider has been routed to the Director General of NDPW for approval/disapproval, we now await feedback from his office.

Several engagements have been made seeking progress in this regard, to date no tangible response is forthcoming. As the Agency we are committed to finalizing this process however we rely on our counterpart of which is the National Department of Public Works.

The Agency will continue to engage with the National Department of Public until the process is finalized.

 

Reply:

1) Yes, and addendum to the 2012 contract has been signed

 (a) It has been finalized as per the National Treasury instruction of 2016/17

 (b) (i) is R16.44 per beneficiary projected annual cost of R1 170 080 000.00 calculated at 11 000 000.00 number of beneficiaries

     (ii) 12 months

    (iii)

Types of Grants	Amount (R)
Older Person’s grant	R1 600.00
Older Person’s grant (above 75)	R1 620.00
Disability grant	R1 600.00
War Veteran’s grant	R1 620.00
Child support grant	R380.00
Foster Child grant	R920.00
Care Dependency grant	R1 600.00
Grant-i-aid	R380.00

(2) None. However, the Constitutional Court set out a process for CPS to approach National Treasury for an increase in the transaction costs, should this be necessary to court will make a final decision.

Reply:

1. Ms Khoza was a member of the Ministerial Advisory Committee (MAC) from the 2 September 2013 until 21st May 2107 when she resigned from the committee following her appointment as a Member of Parliament. She was paid for the hours she worked both as the chairperson and committee member of the MAC.

The total amount paid for her services is R 601 066.55 (inclusive of meetings, travel domestic and international and S&T allowances).

2. (a) & (b) (i), (ii) and (iii) No

Reply:

The last time the Department purchased official vehicles for both the Deputy Minister and the Minister was in 2009 after their appointment in their respective positions. The purchase of official vehicles for political principals is guided by the prescripts and regulations of the National Treasury concerning vehicle fleet replacement and are also clearly stipulated in the Ministerial Handbook.

In terms of the aforementioned prescripts, Departments may purchase official vehicle/s directly from manufacturers and/or their dealerships only when the currently provided official vehicle for that office has reached 120 000 km or 5 years, whichever comes first. The Ministerial Handbook clearly states in Chapter 5 No 1.2.1:

Members at national level may be provided with one vehicle for use in Cape Town and one vehicle for use in Pretoria. The total purchase price of the vehicle may not exceed 70% of the inclusive annual remuneration package of a Minister as may be amended from time to time on recommendation of the Commission for the Remuneration of Political Members

The official Pretoria based vehicles allocated to the Minister and the Deputy Minister in 2009 have far exceeded the prescribed 120 000 km and the five year period. The Minister’s vehicle reached 161 523 km and the Deputy Minister’s vehicle 143 652 km. As such the purchase of new official vehicles became unavoidable and needed replacement due to high maintenance costs and security reasons.

One official vehicle in Cape Town has also far exceeded the prescribed 120 000 km (151 062 km for the Minister) and the five-year period. In compliance with the National Treasury’s cost containment measures, the Department has delayed the purchase of official vehicles for Cape Town. Although the money for the purchase of the new official vehicles for the Deputy Minister and Minister was budgeted for in the 2014/15 financial year, the following official vehicles were only purchased in the 2016/2017 financial year.

	( a) Make	(b ) Model	(c ) Price	(d ) Date on which the vehicle was purchased
(i)Minister
(aaa) 2014-15	-	-	-	-
(bbb) 2015-16	-	-	-	-
(bb) since 01 April 2016	BMW	B 7A22 740l	R1 302 525	13.10.2016
(ii) Deputy Minister
(aaa) 2014-15	-	-	-	-
(bbb) 2015-16	-	-	-
(bb) since 01 April 2016	Jeep Grand Cherokkee	HEMI SRT8 6.4L	R1 161 687	25.07.2016

Reply:

1(a) The DPSA is not aware of the reasons why the Department did not appoint a Health Risk Manager for the period 1 October 2013 to 31 December 2018.

1(b) In terms of Regulation 48 of the Public Service Regulations, 2016, the Head of Department is tasked with the responsibility to manage leave in the department.

(2) No, the PILIR has not been replaced by a different system and is still in effect.

PILIR is implemented in accordance with clause 7.5 of Public Service Coordinating Bargaining Council (PSCBC) Resolution 7 of 2000 as amended by PSCBC Resolutions 5 of 2001, 15 of 2002 and 1 of 2012 respectively.

According to the resolutions, an employee whose normal sick leave credits in a cycle have been exhausted and who, according to the relevant practitioner, requires to be absent from work due to a disability which is not permanent, may be granted sick leave on full pay.

The DPSA issued the Policy and Procedure on Incapacity Leave and Ill-health Retirement on the implementation of PILIR in November 2005.

(3) All departments are implementing PILIR. The Gauteng Department of Health is the only department not to appoint a Health Risk Manager for the period
     1 October 2013 to 31 December 2018.

     My office has issued correspondence to the new MEC of Health in Gauteng, to apprise her of the non-appointment of Health Risk Managers in the        Gauteng Department of Health for her immediate intervention.

END

Reply:

1. (a) The tasks of the workstreams are the following:

1. The legislative Policy Requirements Management is to provide comprehensive legal advice to SASSA and other in relation to the future workstream payment system focusing on legislative management policy requirements, contract development and design of the new system.
2. Information and Business System and Banking Services is to facilitate for the insourcing of an ICT platform that will integrate the application of payment management system for social assistance and related social security benefits.
3. The Benefits and Local Economic Development is to identify the benefits and economic development initiatives to be implemented with delivery of the comprehensive security system
4. Change and Stakeholder Management workstream; is to provide guidance to the change management and stakeholder engagement.
5. Human resource Management workstream is to facilitate for the development of the organisational organogram and skills training programme that will support the new proposed functions to be institutionalized within SASSA.

(b) Three ( 3 ) workstream leaders were appointed with 14 additional support staff members.

(2) Yes

 (i) Mr Patrick Monyeki is the workstream leader for Information and Business System and Banking Services and the following personnel is employed by him.

• Mr Warwick Metcalfe: Programme Manager
• Mr Julius Segole: BIS Project Manager
• Ms.Colleen Armstrong: PMO Project Manager
• Mr Manie Van Wyk: Banking Project Manager
• Mr Christian Nyakanyanga: Security Architect
• Ms.Laecoln Snayman: Project Administrator
• Mr Senzo Derrick Ndlovu: Business Analyst
• Ms. Nombuso Zuma :Business Analyst
• Mr Nazeem Ally: Architect
• Mr Aboobaker Ashis: Architect
• Mr Ronald Barnes: Architect
• Mr Maneesh Singh Architect
• Mr Jaco Moller: Quality and Risk Manager

The Steering Committee comprises of DSD and SASSA officials.

• Mr Tim Sukazi is the team leader for the Legislative and Policy Workstream and supported by Ms Ziyanda Nyanda

(ii) Ms. Tankiso Parkies is the Benefits and Local Economic Development workstream leader. The leader is supported by the alternative pay-points assessment and merchants suitability assessment teams established within SASSA. Other members of the team:

• Mr Dominic Nsele
• Ms Unathi Mguye
• Ms June Mabhida
• Ms Ngobese

(iii) Human Resource management: Dumisile Ndlovu (SASSA official)

(iv) Communication and change management team is supported by Mr Sgwili Gumede and the internal SASSA staff

(b) Mr P Monyeki R35 897 645.01/ Mr T Sukazi R7 620 227.40 and Ms. T Parkies R4 381 726.00

2.  The due diligence that are being conducted include the following:

• ICT Infrastructure
• Data Integration system
• Transaction data analysis capability

Reply:

1. No
2. Please refer to the attached media statement that was issued by the Ministry of Public Works on 23 April 2017.
3. See the reply above (2).

Reply:

This matter is still before the Gauteng High Court.

Reply:

The biometric standard has been finalized and adopted by the Payments Association of South Africa (PASA) for use in the banking environment.

(a) SASSA did not cover the total cost, but initiated the process with the Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). During engagements with South African Reserve Bank (SARB) and PASA, SARB issued an instruction to PASA to develop an industry standard for biometrics. SASSA then stopped work on the industry standard, but continued with work on the value of biometrics in social grant payments. The amount paid to CSIR was R 482 964.42 inclusive of VAT.

(b) There were not individual consultants used. SASSA contracted CSIR, a government agency, to undertake the research and development.

(c) CSIR was contracted for a number of work packages, related to the payment of social grants. The total amount of the contract for the development of a biometric enrolment and authentication system was R 3 323 066.94 inclusive of VAT.

Reply:

(i) No vehicle was purchased for the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans.

(ii) The details of the vehicle purchased for the Deputy Minister in the period(s) in question are:

(a) Audi

(b) Q7

(c) R746 361, 28

(d) 01 September 2014.

(ii) Deputy Minister.

(aaa) 2014-15.

(bbb) None.

(bb) None.

Reply:

According to the information received from Mpumalanga Provincial Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs:

(a) The annual total remuneration package payable to the municipal manager of Emalahleni Local Municipality, Mr. T van Vuuren, is R1 242 967.

(b) The annual travel allowance paid to Mr. van Vuuren is R757 260

Reply:

The response below was provided by the municipality:

1. (a) The details of the charges are as follows:

Charge 1 - Misconduct by providing the Mayor and Council with false statement or evidence.

Charge 2 - Misconduct with regard to the sourcing of quotations for the purchase of transformer. The official intentionally and /or deliberately concealed the quotation of one of the service provider which was R600 000.00 less than the appointed service provider; thereby causing the municipality to suffer financial loss in the amount of R600 000.00.

Charge 3 - Failure to verify SARS status before submitting the invoice to the Municipal Manager and CFO.

Charge 4 - Contravention of section 195 of the Constitution.

Charge 5 - Gross negligent for his recommendation of Makgoleng Trading Enterprise

(b) The total amount to be paid back is R392 107.00.

(c) The amount which has been paid to date is R136 163.36.

(2) No criminal case was opened. The Department is still awaiting for the municipality to provide the reason(s) why a criminal case was not opened with the SA Police Service.

(3) (a) The official’s employment contract expired on the 30 March 2017.

     (b) No

Reply:

The Gauteng Department of Human Settlements responded that the department does not intend to investigate the price of R12,1 million that the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality paid for purchasing Farm 87 Portion of 230 Driefontein from Living Africa Development (Pty) Ltd. The Gauteng Department of Human Settlements indicated that, all acquisitions were done from the basis of a market valuation based on the value of the property as per legal requirements, which are done by a registered valuer to determine the value at the time of the transaction.

According to the department, Living Africa made Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality an offer for the land on 21 October 2015. They offered the land to Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality for R16,5 million and at the time, the land was valued at R28 million as per Living Africa valuation. The Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality further conducted its own valuation which determined the value at R22 million and the municipality started its negotiations at a value of R7,7 million which were not acceptable to the owner. The Property Acquisition Task Team led the negotiations that closed the deal with both parties accepting a sale price of R12,1 million subject to Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality Council approval. According to Gauteng Department of Human Settlements, this transaction is therefore deemed to be above board and was done with Councils best interest at heart.

 

 

 

 

Reply:

Based on the response provided by the provincial Gauteng Cogta, Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM) opted to provide a similar response to the one that was initially forwarded to the province. As a result, Gauteng Cogta requested national DCoG to use the initial response forwarded by Ekurhuleni. Below is an outline of the initial reply from Ekurhuleni metro:

Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality does not enforce court orders. It is the responsibility of sheriffs of the court to enforce and implement court orders. Ekurhuleni also stated that in regard to court orders relating to evictions on illegally occupied land and contravention of by-laws, for instance, sheriffs of the court are agents responsible for enforcement of these court orders.

Moreover, according to Ekurhuleni, the liquor licenses are issued by Gauteng Provincial Liquor Board, which assumes responsibility over the existence or not of a shebeen or liquor outlet. In other words, Ekurhuleni does not have authority nor form part of processes undertaken by the Liquor Board to oversee existing shebeens and other liquor outlets. Therefore, Ekurhuleni maintains that it is not its responsibility to close down illegal shebeens in keeping with court orders.

Reply:

1. The Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality through Gauteng Department of Human Settlements indicates that (a) public participation processes were not undertaken with the residents of the Angelo informal settlement in the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality and (b) public participation processes were not undertaken with the residents of surrounding communities before a decision was taken to move the Angelo residents to Farm 87 Portion 230 Driefontein. According to Gauteng Department of Human Settlements, the reasons for public participation not to be conducted with the residents of Angelo informal settlement is that, the meeting scheduled for 04 February 2017 for public participation processes with the residents did not materialize due to unrests in the area and the Councilor requested for the meeting to be postponed.

Reply:

It is important to indicate that the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs referred the questions to the Human Settlements, as the sector is responsible for the matters indicated in the questions. The Provincial Department of Human Settlements through the National Department of Human Settlements provided the information in response to the questions.

(1) According to the report received from the Gauteng Provincial Department of Human Settlement, it is indicated that, the studies were undertaken to determine the suitability of the land for human habitation. The studies conducted are the following: (a) Environmental Impact Assessment, (b) Geotechnical Studies and Township Establishment application to determine the suitability of the land for human habitation in farm 87 Portion 230 Driefontein.

(i) The specified studies were concluded on the following dates: Geotechnical studies were concluded and a final report compiled in August 2012, the Environmental Impact Assessment was concluded in May 2016, the assessment has not been approved and the Township Establishment Application was concluded in October 2014, the application has not been approved.

(ii) The outcomes of the studies were as follows:

Geotechnical Studies - the land was categorised into three portions for analysis of its development prospects. Zone A-has a mining depth less than 30m, this is excluded from the developable area. Zone B characterised by shallow undermining where the depth rise is more than 30m, the land is developable with restrictions. Zone C has no undermining at all.

Township Establishment application – the application took the development constraints into cognisance, the Town Planning Layout of the site provides for the following land uses: 12.7h of land constitutes 57.71% of the site to be used for residential development and 9.3h of land that constitutes 42.29% used for Public Open Spaces.

The Environmental Impact Assessment - the land is characterised as largely degraded and thus no objection was noted for housing development purposes.

(2) The department became aware of the (a) open mineshaft during 2012 (b) the date regarding the beginning of a sinkhole on the specified property was not provided by Gauteng Provincial Department of Human Settlements.

(3) The construction (a) was not stopped because it was done in a developable area; (b) the land surveyor demarcated the developable and the undevelopable area. The area where the slabs are laid is the part that is developable according to the township layout plan and the geotechnical studies conducted.

(4) The Gauteng Department of Human Settlements indicated that the Council will:

(a) implement safety measures before relocating the community; and

(b) the area that is prone to sinkholes will be fenced off, and other sinkholes in the area will be filled prior to the relocation of the community..

 

Reply:

The information requested by the Hon Member is not readily available within the Department, however, we have requested the office of the Premier in KwaZulu-Natal to assist and will submit to you as soon as it becomes available.

Reply:

(1) In response to the key messages of World Cancer Day 2016 – 2019 and theme, “We Can. I Can”, the Department has initiated or been involved in a number of innovations. For example

(a) “Prevent Cancer”: To reduce the number of deaths from cervical cancer the Department introduced the HPV vaccine in 2014 and with this an education campaign. Cervical cancer is the 2nd most common cancer experienced by women in South Africa and causes the highest mortality among Black women. Cervical cancer is preventable through the implementation of the HPV vaccine.

The programme targeted grade 4 girls who are 9 years and older in public and special schools. Approximately 550 000 girls in 17 000 primary schools have been targeted every year since then and a total of just over 1 million girls have been vaccinated. The first round of implementation in 2017 took place from 21 February – 28 March 2017

(b) “ Improve Access to Cancer Care” and “Shape Policy Change”: My Department is in the process of finalising the National Policy Framework and Strategy on the Prevention and Control of Cancer; National Policy on Breast Cancer and National Policy of Cervical Cancer and National Policy Framework and Strategy on Palliative Care. These policies inform innovative implementation of services and will create equitable access to cancer care at all levels of service delivery.

(c) “Make the case for investment” and “Inspire Action and Take action”:

My Department is collaborating with the Medical Research Council to develop a National Research Agenda for Cancer in the country. A Workshop hosted by the Medical Research Council on 23-24 February 2017 identified the urgency to establish evidence to make the case for investment in Cancer and identify the cost to government and patients and their families.

(2) (a),(b) and (c)

PROVINCE	NAME OF HOSPITAL	NAME OF ONCOLOGIST	NUMBER OF DAYS PER MONTH	NUMBER OF CANCER PATIENTS
Eastern Cape	Livingstone Hospital	Dr Adelaide De Freitas	Full time	14 350
		Dr van Emmenes	Part time at this hospital
		Dr K Thomas	Part time at this hospital
	Frere Hospital	Prof BP Pokhare	Full time	16 737
		Dr Z Jafta	Full time
		Dr van Emmenes	Part time at this hospital
		Dr K Thomas	Part time at this hospital
Gauteng	Steve Biko Academic Hospital	Prof L Dreosti	Full time	21 058
		Dr Khanyile
		Dr J Kempen
		Dr P Wessels
		Dr H van Vuuren
		Prof R Lakier
		Dr A Hocepied
		Dr K Pillay
		Dr L Hinson
		Dr M Esebeth
		Dr Seoloane
		Dr Westernink
	Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital	Prof Moosa Patel	Full time for Adult Oncologist 1 part time Dr for Paeds Oncologist	36 440
		Dr Atul Laka
		Dr Vinita Philip
		Dr Fadi Waza
		Dr Philippa Ashmore
		Dr Gita Naidu
		Dr Diane Machinnon
		Dr Biance Rowe
		Dr Rosalind Wainwright
		Dr Bassingthwaithe
		Dr Ngoakoane Machlachane
	Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital	Prof Ruff	Full time	39 604
		Dr Wadee
		Dr Demetriou
		Dr S Chan
		Dr R van Eden
		Dr R David
		Dr O Ogude
		Prof Sharma
		Dr Mahomed
		Dr T Mutsoane
		Dr J Kotzen
		Dr T Naidoo
		Dr B Rabin
		Dr B Singh
	Kalafong Tertiary Hospital	Dr Burger	Full time	1 549
		Dr Aung
		Dr Coetzer	Part time
	Tembisa Teriary Hospital	None	N/A	N/A
	Helen Joseph Tertiary Hospital	None	N/A	N/A
KwaZulu-Natal	Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital (IALCH)	Dr T Naidoo	Full time	7 911
		Dr S Kunene
	Greys Hospital	Dr O El-koha	Full time	4 336
		Dr S Cassimjee
		Dr L Stopforth
		Dr S Naicker
	Addington Hospital	No Oncologist assigned, patients are referred to IALCH		1 845 seen and referred
Limpopo	Pieterburg/Polokwane Hospital	Dr T Moyaba	Full time	9 399
	Mankweng Hospital	Patients seen by Gynaecologist who further refer to the Oncologist at Pietersburg Hospital		831seen and referred
Mpumalanga	None of the hospitals in the province provide oncology services and there are no Oncologists appointed in the department	N/A	N/A	All cancer patients from Mpumalanga are managed at Steve Biko Academic hospital
Northern Cape	Kimberley Hospital Complex	Dr O Foufie	Full time	9 997
		Dr S Ibrahim
	Kuruman Hospital	No Oncologists	N/A	170 seen and referred
	Dr Harry Surtie	No Oncologist	N/A	140 seen and referred
Free State	Universitas Hospital	Dr A Sherriff	Full time (- 2 days Dihlabeng Hospital)	30 396
		Dr K Vorster	Full time (-1 day Boitumelo Hospital)
		Dr H Napo	Full time (-1 Bongani Hospital)
		Dr P Piek	Full time
		Dr C Loots	Full time (-2 days Dihlabeng Hospital)
	Dihlabeng Hospital	Dr A Sherrif Dr C Loots	2 days per month 2 days per month	2040
	Bongani Hospital	Dr H Napo	1 day per month	1930
	Boitumelo Hospital	Dr K Vorster	1 day per month	1420

(3) (a), (b) and (c)

PROVINCE	HOSPITAL	NUMBER OF PATIENTS WAITING
		BIOPSIES	CHEMOTHERAPY	RADIOTHERAPY	SURGERY
Eastern Cape	Livingstone	None	None	Number not available but 4 months waiting list	None
	Frere	None	None	Number not available but 4 weeks waiting list	Number not available but 4 weeks waiting list
Gauteng	Steve Biko Academic Hospital	None	96	220	71
	Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
	Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital	None	30	5	267
	Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital	131	None	380	257
	Kalafong Tertiary Hospital	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
	Tembia Teriatry Hospital	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
	Helen Joseph Tertiary Hospital	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
KwaZulu-Natal	Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital (IALCH)	N/A (biopsies are done by the referring regional hospitals)	None	294	Surgery is performed according to the staging of the cancer
	Greys Hospital	None	None	140	Surgery is performed according to the staging of the cancer
	Addington Hospital	Biopsies are done at referring Primary Health Care clinics	Services have been provisionally combined with IALCH	24 (due to the current status of ADH, no new patients were booked all patients were booked at IALCH – these 24 patients have been rebooked at IALCH)	Surgery performed at IALCH
Limpopo	District	None	2	None	3
	Regional	300	98	114	453
	Tertiary	250	None	None	329
Mpumalanga	None of the hospitals in the province provide oncology services and there are not Oncologist appointed in the department	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Northern Cape	Kimberley Hospital Complex	15 patients	20 patients	62 patients	15 patients per month
	Kuruman Hospital	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
	Dr Harry Surtie	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Free State	Universitas Hospital	N/A	Number not available but 4 weeks waiting list	Number not available but 10 weeks waiting list	Number not available but 8-12 weeks waiting list
	Dihlabeng Hospital	N/A	Limited chemotherapy services due to resources	No radiation offered	N/A
	Bongani Hospital	N/A	Limited chemotherapy services due to resources	No radiation offered	N/A
	Boitumelo Hospital	N/A	Limited chemotherapy services due to resources	No radiation offered	N/A
North West	The Province yet to provide the information
Western Cape	The Province yet to provide the information

(4) (a) and (b)

PROVINCE	HOSPITAL	EQUIPMENT & MACHINES OUT OF COMMISSION	COST OF REPAIRING
Eastern Cape	Livingstone Hospital	Simulator (Obsolete) Linac machine (regular breakdown) Iview and EPID (Obsolete) Xio planning system (Nearing useful life)	R11 million R50 million R100 000 R5 million
	Frere Hospital	No machines out of commission	N/A
Gauteng	Steve Biko Academic Hospital	No machines not utilised 2 functional but depend on air-conditioning	Cost of air-conditioning R830 436.34
	Dr George Mukhari Hospital	None	None
	Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital	None	None
	Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital	None	None
	Kalafong Tertiary Hospital	None	None
	Tembia Teriatry Hospital	None	None
	Helen Joseph Tertiary Hospital	None	None
KwaZulu-Natal	Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital	None	None
	Greys Hospital	None	None
	Addington Hospital	2 Linear Accelerators out of order	Department is engaging the Service Provider regarding repairs
Limpopo	Pieterburg Hospital	None	None
	Mankweng Hospital	None	None
Mpumalanga	None of the hospitals in the province provide oncology services and there are not Oncologist appointed in the department	N/A	N/A
Northern Cape	Kimberley Hospital Complex	Fluoroscopy machine	R650 000
	Kuruman Hospital	None	None
	Dr Harry Surtie Hospital	None	None
Free State	Universitas Hospital	2 Accelerators to be replaced. Due to equipment being more than 20 years old, parts are not available. 2 CT simulators older than 6 years needs replacement	Unknown
	Dihlabeng Hospital
	Bongani Hospital
	Boitumelo Hospital
North West	The Province yet to provide the information
Western Cape	The Province yet to provide the information

 

END.

Reply:

In October 2016, the Department received correspondence from the Honourable Kevin Mileham, MP. The correspondence was with regard to a forensic report commissioned within the Bela Bela municipality by KPMG. The Honourable Member was requesting a copy of the forensic report for purposes of review and distribution to the Bela Bela Councillors.

According to the Honourable Member, the forensic report was finalised in May 2016. The report is alleged to be available at the Internal Audit department for Councillors to view although they are not allowed to take copies.

Following the request from Parliament, on 04 November 2016, the Department prepared a correspondence requesting the municipality to submit a copy of such a report with a view to assess the report and advise accordingly. The correspondence to the municipality was approved from the Acting Director-General’s office.

On 11 November 2016, the Department received a correspondence from the municipality as a response. The municipality indicated that Council processes are still underway to ensure that the recommendations emanating from the forensic report are implemented. In this regard, they requested to be granted space and time to finalise internal processes before releasing a copy of the report.

 

During its special meeting on the 15th September 2016, the Municipal Council, resolved, amongst others that:

• the report on investigation into various allegations of irregularities in the municipality be noted;
• legal advice sought with regard to the processing of the recommendations of the report to ensure that Council is insulated from any potential litigation;
• all the recommendations of the report which may necessarily not need legal opinion be implemented and subsequently referred to MPAC for processing and reporting to Council;
• the outcomes of the legal opinion on the recommendations of the forensic report be referred to MPAC for further processing and reporting to Council;
• the Manager for Planning and Economic Development, as the designated Acting Municipal Manager during the forensic investigation period, be authorised to handle all the processes of the report until its conclusion in accordance with Council’s Oversight and Governance Structures as outlined above.

 

Reply:

The following response was provided by the municipality:

1. (a) The KPMG forensic report was tabled before Municipal Council on the 15th of September 2016.

   (b) The cost of the compilation of the forensic report is R959 593.55.

(2) All of the report’s recommendations were implemented. Further, legal opinion was obtained regarding the matter and its subsequent recommendations were also implemented by putting in place all the applicable corrective measures as espoused in the reports. The Municipal Public Accounts Committee subsequently prepared a report as duly mandated by Municipal Council and submitted the report for Council’s consideration on 27 January 2017.

(3) There is a recommendation with regard to the institution of criminal charges against one of the Joint Venture Company whose termination was also a subject of investigation. However, the matter is still being dealt with by the courts and thus sub duce.

(4) According to the municipality, there has never been an instance where Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) application pertaining to the KPMG was ignored. The municipality has consistently provided the same response to everyone requesting the report that until such time that all Municipal Council processes are duly concluded, the report remains the confidential report of Council.

(5) The forensic investigation did not find any official(s) that had not performed their responsibilities as espoused in their respective job descriptions.

Reply:

The Gauteng Department of Human Settlements indicated that;

(a) Illegal miners were not identified, however if and when identified, the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department and the South African Police Service will be engaged (b). The department has not provided information on the action taken to ensure that the lives of the residents are not put in danger.

 

 

Reply:

(a) The Boxing is Back campaign in partnership with South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), Boxing SA (BSA) and Sport and Recreation South Africa (SRSA) started in June 2015. Since June 2015 there has been 9 tournaments broadcast in different provinces, listed below is a schedule of allocation:

(b) The fights broadcast by the different Channels were as follows:

(i) Supersport

TOURNAMENT DATE	PROVINCE	PROMOTION
18 March 2015	Gauteng	Golden Gloves
06 June 2015	Gauteng	Golden Gloves
19 September 2015	Gauteng	Golden Gloves
0 December 2015	Gauteng	Golden Gloves
19 March 2016	Gauteng	Golden Gloves
18 October 2016	Gauteng	Rainbow
24 April 2015	Eastern Cape	Xaba
24 July 2015	Eastern Cape	Xaba
25 September 2015	Eastern Cape	Xaba
18 December 2015	Eastern Cape	Xaba
30 Aug 2015	Eastern Cape	Eyethu

(ii) SABC

TOURNAMENT DATE	PROVINCE	PROMOTION
26 June 2015	Gauteng	BRD Promotion
24 July 2015	Eastern  Cape	Xaba Promotions
27 Aug 2015	Mpumalanga	Showtime
09 Oct 2015	Free State	Dream Team
27 Nov 2015	Western Cape	CSuns Promotions
26 February 2016	Northern Cape	TK Promotions
19 March 2016	KwaZulu Natal	Starline& White Buffalo
29 April 2016	Limpopo	Limpopo Champion & Xaba
29 Jul 2016	Eastern  Cape	Xaba Promotions
27 May 2016	North West	TK Promotions
07 October 2016	Free State	Dream Team

(iii) eTV – No boxing events were broadcast on eTV.

(c) The partnership of BSA, SRSA and SABC decided on a schedule of fights and allocations to different provinces.

Reply:

Based on the information obtained from the Culture, Arts, Tourism, Hospitality and Sports Sector Education and Training Authority (CATHSSETA), the trips assisted to improve performance and benchmark best practices in relation to:

(a) (i) - Establishing partnerships with Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges, increased stakeholder engagements and signed Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) with TVET colleges.

- Increasing employer participation, which informed the Sector Skills Plan on scarce and critical skills.

- Increasing awareness and implementation of learning programmes such as Work Integrated Learning (WIL).

- Licencing five TVET colleges to facilitate CATHSSETA learning programmes.

(ii) In the implementation of WIL, the increased partnership agreements with industry resulted in the permanent employment for at least 50% of beneficiaries within the programme.

(b) (i) - Increasing the establishment of MOUs between public and private partnerships within CATHSSETA’s sectors to foster WIL programmes.

         - Increasing the establishment of MOUs with TVET colleges to ensure training of unemployed youth on CATHSSETA learning programmes.

         - Capacitation of TVET college lecturers on education, training and development practices.

        - Initiating a TVET college infrastructure development project to equip TVET colleges with the necessary machinery to offer the Chef qualification.

(ii) Improving the public perception of TVET colleges through various career guidance sharing platforms, which has contributed to increased enrolments at TVET colleges.

 

COMPILER/CONTACT PERSONS:

EXT:

DIRECTOR – GENERAL

STATUS:

DATE:

QUESTION 831 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED

Dr BE NZIMANDE, MP

MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

STATUS:

DATE:

Reply:

(1) At the time of sanctioning the said boxing event, which took place on the 22 April 2016 at East London, Boxing SA had reasonable grounds to believe that it was in receipt of a legitimate legal commitment by the provincial department of Sports, Arts and Culture in the Eastern Cape to pay for the purse money.

It later emerged that the written undertaking purportedly signed by the CFO of the department of Sports, Arts and Culture in Eastern Cape and submitted by the promoter, was actually falsified. It is for that reason that disciplinary steps were taken against the promoter. This resulted in the promoter’s license being suspended and a civil claim being instituted against him to recover the money.

(2) (a) No, in the financial year 2015/16 there were no tournaments staged without payment of purse money.

(b) Yes, (i) Since 1 April 2016, there was a tournament held in Limpopo Province hosted by a consortium led by Limpopo Champions and Xaba Promotions on the 29 April 2016.

(ii) All outstanding monies were subsequently settled with all the licensees.

Reply:

In the whole Life Esidimeni saga, there are different events and various facts that occurred and emerged and were learnt of at different times respectively.

Unfortunately, the honourable member's question is framed in such a way that it assumes that the events and the facts that subsequently emerged all occurred at the same time and hence were learnt of at the same time.

I will try my best to separate them because that is how in reality they occurred.

I first learnt of the intention of Gauteng Department of Health to terminate their contract with Life Esidimeni and move mentally ill patients to other facilities in November 2015, when section 27, on behalf of South African depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG), wrote to the National Department of Health, threatening to take the Gauteng Department of Health to court. They said they will cite the Minister and the Premier of Gauteng though no relieve will be sort from them.

The Director-General of the National Department of Health then contacted Gauteng to try and find out what this is all about as nobody in Gauteng Government ever informed the National Department of Health of any problem pertaining to mental health patients.

After being briefed, the Director-General felt that there is nothing that should provoke a court case and that the issues relating to mental health patients are straight forward and can be settled through a discussion.

The Director-General then facilitated a meeting between the HOD of Gauteng Department of Health, SADAG and Section 27. This meeting culminated into an agreement being signed between Gauteng Department of Health and SADAG whereby it was agreed that if patients have to be moved, they will be moved to facilities that do not offer an inferior service to which they were receiving at Life Esidimeni.

As it emerged later, Gauteng Department of Health unfortunately breached this agreement in every conceivable manner!

Part of the agreement was also that a detailed plan be prepared by the parties (Gauteng Department of Health, SADAG, Section 27) by the end of January 2016.

This agreement was an out of court settlement and hence SADAG withdrew its court case, which was due in court on 22 December 2015. The withdrawal happened on 21 December 2015.

It emerged later that Gauteng Department of Health did not put up a plan by the end of January 2016 as agreed in the out of court settlement.

In March 2016, Section 27 then rushed to court to interdict the Gauteng Department of Health but did not cite the Premier or the National Minister of Health, and hence there was no information forthcoming to the National Department in this regard.

Unfortunately, Section 27 lost the court interdict.

I then came to hear about the death of psychiatric patients who were moved from Life Esidimeni when the MEC for Health in Gauteng, in answering to a question in the legislature, announced that 36 mentally-ill patients died under the care of NGO's in and around Gauteng.

I was completely shocked and could not comprehend the whole thing. I immediately contacted the Health Ombuds person, Prof. Malegapuru Makgoba to investigate.

I subsequently learnt from his report that it was actually 94+ patients who died and not the 36 as earlier announced by the MEC in the Legislature. I also learnt from the Ombud's report that when they died they were under the care of 27 NGO's and that the NGO's were actually having invalid licenses issued by the Gauteng Department of Health. All these facts I only learnt when the Health Ombud presented to me a preliminary report in January 2017.

The MEC for Health in Gauteng had made her announcement in the legislature in September 2016 and the Health Ombud was asked by me to investigate in October 2016. The Health Ombud's final report was only released publicly on 01 February 2017.

END.

Reply:

(a)-(b) Admissions and deaths due to severe malnutrition as recorded for periods mentioned below are: see the link:

http://pmg-assets.s3-website-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/RNW534Table-170508.pdf

END.

Reply:

The response below were provided by the two municipalities:

Yes, investigations have been launched with regard to the financial mismanagement by the (a) Sekhukhune District Municipality and (b) Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality in Limpopo. The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has been mandated to investigate the allegations, as contemplated in Section 2(2) of the SIU Act, in respect of the affairs of (a) the Greater Sekhukhune District Municipality and (b) the Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality as authorized by Proclamation R59 of 2016 published in Government Gazette No. 40348 dated 14 October 2016.

(i) The terms of reference are published in Government Gazette No. 40348 dated 14 October 2016 (Annexure A).

(ii) The Department is still engaging with the SIU regarding the anticipated finalisation date of the investigation.

Reply:

The Hon Member is advised to redirect this question to the National Treasury, as the competent authority.

Reply:

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

The Department did not procure any services from and/or made any payments to

Mr Mzwanele Manyi, the Progressive Professionals Forum, the Decolonisation Fund or the Black Business Council. The Department procures goods and services from different service providers on rotational basis as per the SCM prescripts and these services were never utilised by the Department.

Reply:

1. According to the information received from the Gauteng Department of Human Settlements, the following responses were provided that :

(a) The type of structures to be built are temporary structures, L-shaped IBR sheeting structure with insulation inside and 100mm slab for floor.

(b) A total number of 565 structures will be built.

(c) The residents will be there for a period of 2-3 years if there are no delays on the Comet Village Housing Project. This is where permanent housing will be allocated for the residents. (d) Yes, the property will be fenced off to protect the residents from the (i) railway line, (ii) mineshaft and (iii) sinkhole.

2. Interim services will be provided in line with council service standards for the informal settlements in that:

(a) Water standpipes and chemical toilets will be provided;

(b) Refuse removal will be done once a week; and

(c) Electricity services will be provided, subject to budget availability.

Reply:

Honourable Member, this matter was raised and responded to during Plenary of this House during the session on the Decision of Question on Votes and Schedule to Appropriation Bill and during through a Motion moved by Honourable Maynier, on 4 November 2015. The matter was fully interrogated and the Honourable Member could refer to the Hansard of that session, for full details.

END.

Reply:

(1) (a) The following exports were endorsed at OR Tambo International Airport: (i) October – 150 skeletons, (ii) November – 84 skeletons, (iii) December – 144 skeletons.

(b) and (c) The provincial conservation departments are the issuing authorities for permits relating to the export by the private sector. The following information was obtained from the provincial conservation departments:

Province	October 2016	November 2016	December 2016
GP	15	5	2
EC	0	0	0
NW	0	0	0
FS	0	0	0
NC	0	1	1
WC	0	0	0
LP	1	1	1
KZN	0	1	0
MP	0	0	0

(2) The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) reviewed available information regarding the export of lion bones, lion skeletons and captive produced lion hunting trophies from South Africa between 2005 and September 2016. Based on the CITES trade database information and two studies, (i) Bones of Contention: An assessment of South African trade in African lion bone and other body parts and (ii) Southern African Wildlife trade: an analysis of CITES trade in the South African Development Community (SADC) region – a study commissioned by the Department of Environmental Affairs and the South African National Biodiversity Institute, the Scientific Authority recommended an export quota of 800 skeletons per year. The Scientific Authority considered the recommendation by SANBI, and the comments were received by the Department of Environmental Affairs and made a recommendation to the Minister, relating to the final quota.

(3) (a) Lion was temporarily removed from the list of threatened or protected species through a notice in the Gazette, No. 30703, published on 28 January 2008, pending the outcome of the litigation case by the (then) South African Predator Breeders Association against the former Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism. Upon delivering of the judgement by the Supreme Court of Appeal of South Africa on 29 November 2010, lion was not included in the list, on the basis of the ruling:

“It is declared that the inclusion of lion (panthera leo) within the definition of “listed large predator” in the definition in regulation 1 of the Threatened or Protected Species Regulations published on 23 February 2007 as amended, would have the effect of rendering regulation 24(2) in its current form, invalid in so far as it applies to a “put and take” animal that is a lion.”.

(b) Lion has been included in the definition for “listed large predator” in the revised Threatened or Protected Species (TOPS) Regulations that is currently in the final approval process for implementation. The provision of regulation 24(2) of the current TOPS Regulations (referred to in the judgment above) have been amended to avoid a similar legal challenge.

---ooOoo---

Reply:

DPSA

1. The Department of Public Service and Administration (a) does not have a chief executive officer position, (b) the chief financial officer position is filled (c) does not have a chief operating officer position
2. N/A
3. N/A

PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION (PSC)

The Public Service Commission (PSC) is an independent Constitutional body, and its budget is appropriated via the Minister of Public Service and Administration.

1. The PSC has no vacancy to this effect.
2. Not applicable, please see (1) above
3. Not applicable, please see (a) and (b) above.

CPSI

1. (a) No, (b) No, (c) No
2. Not applicable, (ii) Not applicable
3. Not applicable
4. Not applicable

NSG

1. National School of Government (NSG) is a Schedule 1 national department Equivalent positions in the NSG referred to in question 1 above are: (a) Principal, (b) Chief Financial Officer and (c) Deputy Director General: Corporate Management. Both the positions of Principal and CFO are currently filled. The post of Deputy Director General: Corporate Management (DDG: CM) has been vacant since 01 August 2016.

2. The DDG: CM position was advertised on 09 December 2016. Interviews were scheduled for 22 March 2017 but has to be postponed. A new date for interviews will be scheduled, in consultation with the NSG, by the Ministry.

3. Two Chief Directors have been appointed to act in the position on a three months rotational basis since the post became vacant. One of the two Chief Directors in in the second rotational term of three months, which ends on 30 April 2017. The other Chief Director has only acted for one rotational three months term. Both Chief Directors have applied for the vacant position.

End

Reply:

Minister of Public Works:

The above questions are not applicable to Independent Development Trust (IDT) and Agrement South Africa (ASA).

In terms of:

Council for Built Environment (CBE)

Parliamentary Question	Departmental Response
(1) Whether there is any position of (a) Chief executive officer, (b) Chief financial officer and/or (c) Chief operating officer that is currently vacant in each entity reporting to him	a) Yes (b) No (c) No (However the incumbent has been moved to act as the CEO and her position temporarily occupied by the Manager: Regulations and Legal Services.)
(i) If so; how long has each specified position been vacant	(i) The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) position has been vacant since suspension of the former CEO on 31 March 2015 and The COO position has been occupied by an acting official since 11 November 2016.
ii) what is the reason for each vacancy;	(ii) The former CEO was suspended since 31 March 2015. The Chief Operations Officer (COO) position is not vacant, however due to her appointment as the Acting CEO, the Manager: Regulations and Legal Services was appointed to act as the COO.
(2) Have the vacancies been advertised;	The position of the CEO will be advertised in the month of April 2017 .
(a) if so, were interviews done and	(a) Not Yet.
(b) on what date will the vacancies be filled;	The process will be finalised by 31 July 2017.
(3) (a) what is the total number of persons who are currently employed in the specified positions in an acting capacity	(a) Only two (2) officials are currently acting in the specified positions. The COO who is currently the Acting CEO and the Manager: Regulations and Legal Services who is Acting as the COO.
(b) for what period has each person been acting in each position and	(b)The Acting CEO was appointed effective as from 1 April 2015 to date and the Acting COO has been acting since 11 November 2016 to date.
(c) has any of the specified persons applied for the positions?	(c) The position has been advertised yet.

 

 

In terms of:

Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB)

Parliamentary Question	Departmental Response
(1) Whether there is any position of (a) Chief executive officer, (b) Chief financial officer and/or (c) Chief operating officer that is currently vacant in each entity reporting to him	a) Yes (b) Yes (c) Yes
(i) If so; how long has each specified position been vacant	(i) The position for the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) has been vacant since 28 February 2015. The position for the Chief Financial Officer has been vacant since 01 February 2017. The Chief Operating Officer position for CIDB has been vacant since 09 November 2016 after approval of the new macro structure;
ii) what is the reason for each vacancy;	(ii) The former CEO’s contract was terminated by the Board due to performance issues. The CFO’s position is vacant due to resignation. The COO’s position is a new position
(2) Have the vacancies been advertised;	(2) Yes, the CEO vacancy has been advertised. No, the CFO position will be advertised on the 31st May 2017 and No, the COO position will be advertised on the 31st May 2017.
(a) if so, were interviews done and	(a) No, according to the project plan, interviews will start from 18 April onwards.
(b) on what date will the vacancies be filled;	(b)The anticipated date of appointment of the CEO is 01 July 2017.
3(a) what is the total number of persons who are currently employed in the specified positions in an acting capacity	3(a) Only one (1) official. The Acting CEO. The other positions are still vacant to date.
(b) for what period has each person been acting in each position and	(b) CEO position has been vacant for 2 Years 2 months CFO position has been vacant for 2 months COO position has been vacant for 6 months
(c) has any of the specified persons applied for the positions?	(c) None of the officials applied. The CEO recruitment / head hunting process is still underway.

Reply:

(1) (a) Since April 2016, the Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) programme in partnership with Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) and the South African Local Government Association (SALGA), begun the process of assessing the implementation of the Red Tape Reduction (RTR) guidelines by municipalities. This process is also supported by the International Labour Organisation (ILO). The assessment is based on reducing the regulatory and administrative burdens as experienced by small, micro and medium enterprises (SMMEs) and Co-operatives within the different municipalities. The assessment is based on the following seven indicators and associated legislation/regulations:

(i) Effectiveness of the complaints notification system as governed by the Municipal Systems Act;

(ii) Communication of relevant business information by municipalities to SMMEs and Co-operatives as governed by the Promotion of Access to Information Act;

(iii) Municipal building plan approval processes as governed by the National Building Standards Act, Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act as well as Municipal Services Charter;

(iv) Lengthy and inefficient supply chain management processes (which ultimately affects the 30-day payment system). Relevant legislation would be PPPFA, MFMA and Preferential Procurement Regulations;

(v) Municipal business registration and permits relevant legislation includes: Business Act, National Health Act, National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act including various by-laws those which are relevant to the business licensing process e.g. municipal by-law on food or tourism regulations;

(vi) Development and enforcement of municipal by-laws that promote business development, some of the relevant legislation include the Municipal Systems Act and Local Government Transition Act;

(vii) Assessment of percentage spent in procurement on SMMEs and Co-operatives aligned to the PPPFA and MFMA and preferential procurement regulations.

(b) In terms of Buffalo City the total number of unnecessary (i) policies, (ii) by-laws, and (iii) regulations including associated administrative burdens considered for review regarding red tape reduction as guided by the above mentioned indicators and associated legislation/regulations are as follows: by-laws on traffic congestions and by-laws on informal sector, cumbersome supply chain management (which affects the 30-day payment to SMMEs and Co-operatives), and customer notifications systems.

(c) The total amount of administration costs is determined by each municipality, however the examples mentioned in points below outline how the red tape reduction intervention by DSBD has supported the municipality to improve governance and reduce the regulatory and administrative burden for the benefit of SMMEs and Co-operatives. The total value of these administrative interventions have not been calculated by the municipality.

(2) Examples that outline improvement of business environment with Buffalo city municipality include: (i) the by-laws on traffic congestions has been reviewed within the metropolitan this has greatly reduced congestion and potential high accident zones; (ii) the informal sector by-laws for trading has been reviewed for the provision of relevant infrastructure; (iii) supply chain management processes have been reviewed, specifically delegation of powers to amend and allow divisional managers to authorise payment; and (iv) a training programme on project planning and management on SCM processes has been conducted in partnership with Provincial Treasury.

Reply:

(a)(b) No central information repository exists to identify those government employees (or their spouses) in national and provincial departments conducting business with the departments that employ them (i)(ii)(iii)(aa). Departments may be approached for such information.

(bb) Regulation 13 (c) of the Public Service Regulations, 2016 (which came into effect on 01 August 2016) prohibits public service employees from conducting business with an organ of state. In terms of regulation 13 (c) provided public service employees with a period of six months (which ended on 31 January 2017) to relinquish their interests in business that are conducting business with an organ of state, or else to resign from the Public Service. In January 2017, a letter was addressed to my colleagues requesting them to bring Public Service Regulations, 2016 and the transitional arrangements to the attention of public service employees registered on the Central Supplier Database. They were also provided with the guideline on sanctions that may be imposed as an outcome of the disciplinary process, when an employee is in breach of Public Service Regulations, 2016. Currently the DPSA is monitoring the implementation of regulation 13 (c), which includes employees conducting business with their departments. We therefore do not as yet have information on action that has been taken against officials.

The requirements for public service employees to disclose the financial interests of their spouses is still to be enacted through the adoption of regulations in terms of the Public Administration Management Act, 2014.

End

Reply:

a) (i)The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) referred evidence for possible criminal action against three (not 44) former senior officials of the Department of Public Works and one contractor involved in the Nkandla matter to the relevant Prosecuting Authority. The latter declined to prosecute the three officials and the enquiry against the contractor is apparently still pending.

(ii) The SIU instituted a civil claim (not 15 cases) against Makhanya Architects, the principal architect in the Nkandla matter, in the KwazuluNatal High Court. The proceedings are pending.

(iii) The Special Investigating Unit referred evidence for possible disciplinary action against 12 (not 64) employees of the Department of Public Works who were involved in the Nkandla matter to the Department. The Department instituted disciplinary actions against all 12 of the employees. One employee pleaded guilty and he was found guilty of misconduct. The penalty was suspension without pay and a final written warning. One of the employees passed away. The disciplinary hearings against the remaining ten employees have commenced.

b) The names of twelve officials that were subjected to disciplinary hearings cannot be disclosed until the cases have been finalised.

(c) (i) and (ii) 11 employees are still employed by the Department.

(d) Six employees received performance bonuses

(e) Total amount received in each case during the period from 1 April 2012 to March 2017:

R28 702 87

R11 205.66

R60 766.85

R42 097.35

R57 210.65

R22 759.97

Reply:

(a)

(i) The Special Investigating Unit referred evidence of possible criminal liability against three former officials of the Department of Public Works who were involved in the Nkandla matter to the relevant Prosecuting Authority. None of the three former officials were criminally charged, as the National Prosecuting Authority declined to prosecute any of them.

(ii) None.

(iii) None.

(b) The total remuneration earned by each of the specified officials from 1 April 2011 until the time of termination of the services was:

• R2 398 851.00 (01/April/2011 to 30/June/2013);
• R2 450 384.25 (01/April/2011 to 31/October/2012); and
• Nil (the employee was not in the employment of the Department in the past five financial years from 01 April 2011 to 31 March 2016).

Reply:

The Township Establishment Application process for the Sunward Park Ext 24-29 housing development in Leeuwpoort, Ward 43, Ekurhuleni has not been concluded. Internal consultation processes are underway in the municipality to finalise the township layout. Thereafter, formal advertisement and application process will commence.

(a) It should be noted that the formal advertisement will be published as soon as all internal and external departments are satisfied with the draft township layout. We are, therefore, not a position to commit to a date when the process will be concluded. The Environmental Authorisation process is also still ongoing.

(b) Construction cannot commence until the Record of Decision is received from the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, which is subject to an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) approval process which is still ongoing.

Reply:

Name of the entity	Question 1	Question 2	Question 3
SASRIA	There is a vacancy for the Financial Director: (i) The position was vacant from 01 December 2016. (ii) It was due to resignation.	Vacancy was advertised: (a) interviews conducted. (b) to be filled by end of May 2017.	(a) One person is acting in the role. (b) Acting in the position from 01 December 2016. (c) Yes, the Acting person has applied.
SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS (SAA)	The positions of Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chief Financial Officer (CFO) are vacant at SAA. However, these positions are currently occupied by interim incumbents where the CEO is acting and the CFO is on secondment. (i) The position of the CEO has been vacant since 01 May 2015 whilst the position of the CFO has been vacant since 01 December 2015. The position of a COO does not exist in the current structure. (iii)The reason for the vacancies is due to resignation.	Both the positions of CEO and the CFO have been advertised, the interviews for the CFO position have been concluded and a successful candidate was approved by the Board. A discussion with the shareholders in this regard is awaited. Regarding the CEO position the first round of interviews and shortlisting has been concluded. The final round of interviews will start in due course, where after a discussion with the shareholders will be sought.	(a) There are two incumbents acting, one in each position. (b) The current Acting CEO started in this position in November 2015 and the interim CFO started in December 2015. (c) The interim CFO has applied for the position she is currently acting in.
GOVERNMENT TECHNICAL ADVISORY CENTRE (GTAC)	None.	Not applicable.	One person is acting as a head of GTAC. (b) 2 months and 2 weeks (Since February 2017); The position was advertised in April 2017.
FINANCIAL FISCAL COMMISSION (FFC)	(a) The position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is currently vacant. (i) Vacant since 01 September 2016. (ii) The term of the CEO came to an end on 31 August 2016.	The vacancy for a CEO has been advertised. The interviews have not yet been done. The recruitment process for the CEO is currently underway and it is anticipated that this will be filled by the 01 June 2017.	There is one person employed in an acting capacity namely the CEO. The Acting CEO was appointed on 12 September 2016. The Acting CEO has not applied for the position of the CEO.
GOVERNMENT PENSION ADMINISTRATION AGENCY (GPAA)	CFO position is vacant (i) Vacant since 01 October 2014. (ii) Delays in the appointment process. Chief Operations Officer (COO). (i) Vacant since 01 April 2014. (ii) Delays in the appointment process	The vacancy of CFO was advertised. Yes, interviews were conducted. It is uncertain when this position will be filled. The process will be communicated with the new Minister of Finance. The vacancy was advertised: Yes, interviews were conducted. There were no suitable candidates. (ii) It is uncertain when this position will be filled. The process will be communicated with the new Minister of Finance.	2 people (One internal person and the other from the National Treasury) National Treasury person: 1 year. GPAA person: 2 years. Total 3 years. They have not applied for the position. 1 person; 3 years The person has applied for the position.
Cooperative Banks Development Agency	Currently there is no post for a chief financial officer and chief operating officer in the organisation structure as the organisation only started operating in the 2010/11 financial year. The post of chief financial officer was recently established and will be funded in the 2018/19 financial year.	Not applicable	Not applicable
Financial Services Board	There is currently: (i) One vacancy of Chief Operations Officer (ii) Since October 2016. (iii) When the position was created.	The position has not been advertised as the entity is going through a transitional stage to change its current structure and mandate in terms of the Financial Sector Regulation Bill, 2015.	(a) One person is acting in the position. (b) Since October 2016.
Financial Intelligence Centre	No vacancy in respect of (a) and (b). There is no position of (c) chief operations officer on the structure of the entity.	Not applicable	Not applicable

Reply:

(1) Yes, there are 10 vacant Directors-General positions in National Departments

(a) Department of Arts and Culture: 2 years, 2 months

Department of Communications: 2 years, 10 months

Department of Cooperative Governance: 10 months

Department of International Relations and Cooperation: 9 months

Department of Military Veterans: 2 years

Department of Mineral Resources: 1 year, 1 month

Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation: 1 years, 6 months

Department of Transport: 10 months

Economic Development Department: I year, 11 months

Government Communication and Information System: 1 year, 7 months

(b) Details with regards to the reasons for each vacancy can be obtained from the respective departments.

 

(2) Advertising, interviewing and filling of posts within departments remain the responsibility of each Executive Authority, therefore information in this regard can be obtained from the relevant departments.

 

(3) (a) There are 13 persons appointed in acting capacity as Directors - General.

(b) Department of Arts and Culture: 1 year, 3 months

Department of Communications: 1 year, 11 months

Department of Cooperative Governance: 1 month

Department of International Relations and Cooperation: 9 months

Department of Military Veterans: 5 months

Department of Mineral Resources: 1 year, 1 month

Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation: 2 years, 5 months

Department of Police: 1 year and 5 months

Department of Rural Development and Land Reform: 4 months, there is an incumbent appointed in acting capacity since the Director- General is currently on suspension.

Department of Transport: 6 months

Economic Development Department: 11 months

Government Communication and Information System: 2 year, 5 months

(c) Relevant details with regards to any of the specified persons having applied for the position of director-general in which they are acting can be obtained from the respective departments.

 

(4) Contracts of directors-general expiring in the following financial years:

(a) 2017-18 Financial year

Department of Women: 14 November 2017

Department of Police: 11 June 2017

Department of Public Works: 14 January 2018

Department of Science and Technology: 31 March 2018

Office of the Chief Justice: 31 March 2018

(b) 2018-19 Financial year

Department of Small Business Development: 30 September 2018

Department of Traditional Affairs: 31 August 2018

National Treasury: 15 May 2018

(c) 2019-20 Financial year

Department of Defence: 14 December 2019

Department of Labour: 30 November 2019

National School of Government: 31 December 2019

Department of Home Affairs: 31 March 2020

End

Reply:

(a)(b) (i) (ii) Based on information received from National Treasury, the total budgets and amounts budgeted for Compensation of Employees (CoE) in National and provincial departments for the 2017/18 financial year, with CoE Expressed as a percentage of the total budget, are contained in the attached Appendices 1 and 2 respectively.

End

Reply:

The National Treasury was informed about an additional amount of R316 447 361.41 (including VAT) when there was a dispute between the South Africa Social Security Agency (SASSA) and the Auditor-General on whether the variation should have been reported to the National Treasury or not. The expenditure was later declared irregular expenditure by the Auditor-General.

(a) The National Treasury agreed with the Auditor-General that R316 447 361.41 (including VAT) is irregular expenditure.

(b) Yes. 

Reply:

Yes, the National Treasury was invited by the Department of Women to attend meetings of the interdepartmental task team on the Sanitary Dignity Campaign which is aimed at providing sanitary products to indigent women, learners and students. Officials from the National Treasury attended the meetings and have been allocated to participate in the identified work streams. The National Treasury will also assist in assessing funding implications and sources.

Reply:

According to information at the disposal of DPSA based on the quarterly reports received from national departments (a) there were 53 Labour cases for the national departments in 2016/17 financial year (i) (aa) there were 20 cases for 2014/15 financial year and (bb) there were 46 cases for 2015/16 financial year (ii) Since 1 April 2016 (b) (i) there are 8 cases concluded and (ii) 45 cases which are still pending. The legal cost are paid for by the affected national departments who take responsibility for the costs of their individual cases. Attached for ease of reference is the table of involved national departments for 2014/15, 2015/16 and financial years.

End

Reply:

1. The Department is aware of the role domestic migration plays in the large number of learners who wish to register not only in the Western Cape school system but in all big cities of all our provinces. The relevant details of the Western Cape are provided in the table below as follows:

Table 1: Number of learners to the Western Cape

FROM	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	TOTAL
Eastern Cape	20.990	22.286	21.283	20.200	14.291	99.050
Free State	351	400	506	608	258	2.123
Gauteng	1.609	1.499	1.704	1.698	780	7.290
Kwa-Zulu-Natal	365	390	589	490	572	2.406
Limpopo	139	136	225	173	75	748
Mpumalanga	171	191	236	185	79	862
North-West	155	165	187	229	102	838
Northern Cape	795	788	834	744	421	3.582
Other Country	2.033	2.100	1.812	2.053	1.397	9.395
Total	26.608	27.955	27.376	26.380	17.975	126.294

The table below indicates the number of learners moving from province to province:

Table 2: Number of learners from one province to another, by province, in 2016

Province	Previous Province
	Eastern Cape	Free State	Gauteng	Kwazulu-Natal	Limpopo	Mpumalanga	North West	Northern Cape	Western Cape	Grand Total
Eastern Cape		1 068	6 259	3 678	159	406	701	445	10 310	23 026
Free State	1 980		6 581	1 004	341	719	1 732	1 161	740	14 258
Gauteng	6 964	3 102		6 368	10 151	23 872	21 481	589	3 560	76 087
Kwazulu-Natal	4 715	614	7 291		248	1 993	3 267	126	923	19 177
Limpopo	172	325	9 536	162		2 877	3 091	70	146	16 379
Mpumalanga	679	470	6 249	2 350	11 205		3 314	113	237	24 617
North West	1 599	1 344	9 370	362	1 793	784		1 261	192	16 705
Northern Cape	462	741	1 161	86	157	173	2 425		1 547	6 752
Western Cape	77 952	1 871	8 054	2 012	653	853	728	3 085		95 208
Grand Total	94 523	9 535	54 501	16 022	24 707	31 677	36 739	6 850	17 655	292 209

Source: 2016 LURITS

2. (a) The impact that the high number of learners who move to any province including the Western Cape is that the majority of the learners arrive late in such provinces, often between January and March. They place a huge pressure on the receiving province to accommodate them and provide all the necessary resources and support. The financial impact and cost to the Provincial Education Department is huge as this is not factored into the norms and standards allocation.

(ii) The impact on provinces from which learners migrate is that provincial departments in rural provinces are forced to merge or close some of the schools and teachers deployed to where their services are required.