Questions and Replies

Reply:

1. Yes, there are properties that are let out to non-governmental tenants.

  (a) As at 31March 2017, there were 1175 surplus properties let to non-governmental tenants;

  (b) These properties are leased to non-governmental tenants such as churches, private individuals, companies, not for profit organisations, etc.

  (c) These properties are spread across the country in all provinces and various municipalities (refer to attached annexure A).

2. Lease agreements were signed with these tenants. However, there are instances where the lease agreements have since expired and are in the process of being renewed.

The department embarked on Operation Bring Back (OBB) specifically to ensure all properties of state are accounted for and utilised appropriately. The department has a team which is visiting all properties to ensure they are secured, and any illegal occupants engaged and that all leases are regularised. For vacant properties, and expired leases, the department advertised these properties to ensure that we achieve legal occupation speedily, not all the expired leases have been renewed, as this is an ongoing process.

The rental amounts vary for each property as per the attached annexure.

(a) Further details with respect to the leased properties are as per the attached annexure.

Reply:

1) Yes.

2)  No, the MDDA staff members were not required to put in extra hours to cover hours lost due to staff shortages to ensure that the entity’s mandate was fulfilled. However, it is understood that due to the vacancy rate, some staff members were required to take on extra duties during normal working hours.

3) Staff members were given a choice to take leave or to take cash in lieu of leave to assist in compensating for the extra workload due to the vacancies.

  (a) A total of 17 staff members opted to not take leave and to receive cash in lieu of leave.

  (b) The professional designations were Programme Managers, Project Officers and Administration staff.

4) No, the MDDA did not re-allocate the lost leave days.

(a) The lost leave days were not reallocated as the staff had been given the option for cash in lieu for the lost leave days.

(b) The affected staff were given cash in lieu for the lost leave days. All affected staff received the cash in lieu for the lost leave days in April 2017.

5) The latest organogram is attached herewith as Annexure A

 

Reply:

(a)  Total amount spent by Government on rating agencies fees

South Africa has solicited the credit rating services of Moody’s Investors Services (Moody’s), S&P Global Ratings (S&P), Fitch Ratings (Fitch) and the Japanese’ Ratings and Investment Information, Inc. (R&I). In terms of the contractual agreements, the government has to pay fees to the rating agencies for the services rendered.

Since April 2008 to May 2017, a total amount of R 81 451 873.00 has been paid to the rating agencies. The table link below illustrates the total spent in rands made to all the four solicited credit rating agencies. S&P is the highest paid rating agency followed by Moody’s.

http://pmg-assets.s3-website-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/RNW1393Table-170605.pdf

(b) The detailed breakdown of such expenditure per rating agency:

(i) S&P:

S&P’s annual rating fees are based on:

• Annual surveillance;
• Rating of long term debt issuances;
• Ratings of short term debt issuances; and
• Ratings of the Commercial Paper and Medium Term Notes.

(ii) Moody’s:

Moody’s annual and quarterly rating fees are based on:

• Annual and quarterly credit surveillance;
• Ratings of all Non-US Medium Term Notes Programs;
• Ratings of all US Medium Term Notes;
• Ratings of all Global Medium Term Notes Programs;
• Ratings of all Commercial Paper/Short Term; and
• Ratings of all long term debt issuances and Medium Term Notes sales in all markets including local currency debt issuances.

(iii) Fitch

Fitch’s annual rating fees are based on:

• Annual surveillance;
• Ratings of debt issuance; and
• Expense reimbursement for reasonable travel and lodging expense incurred during the annual rating mission to the Republic of South Africa.

(iv) R&I

R&I’s annual rating fee is based on:

• On-going surveillance of the credit rating
• Foreign currency issuer rating;
• Domestic currency issuer rating; and
• Foreign currency short term rating.

Reply:

1. The National Treasury did provide the former Minister of Communications or the Department of Communication with the report into investigation into the set-top box procurement process.

2. (a) There was no additional request made to PWC to conduct any further investigation as the Department of Communication has not requested the National Treasury to facilitate such an investigation.

(b) No further aspects of the process are being investigated, currently.

(c) The final report will be completed subject to completion of criminal proceedings by law enforcement agencies.

Reply:

E-government services are the services that Government render to the public online through the internet. In this regard, the Department of Home Affairs has developed an eHome Affairs Portal which enables citizens to apply for smart ID Cards and Passports online. The Portal was launched on 07 April 2016.

(a) FY2016/17 Expenditure

1. Development of the eHome Affairs Portal – R6 960 447.19
2. Post Release Enhancements of eHome Affairs – R2 846 908.79
3. Support and Maintenance of the eHome Affairs system – R887 494.97

It is to be noted that the development of the Portal includes upgrade to Live Capture system and revenue systems to enable EFT payments and integration to various core systems.

​(b) FY2017/18 Budget allocation for eHome Affairs Portal

1. Planned enhancement of eHome Affairs Portal – R2 500 000.00
2. Maintenance and Support of the System – R1 000 000.00
3. Hosting and Internet Connectivity for eHome Affairs (including hardware procurement) – R10 000 000.00

Reply:

No, the Department of Communications has not paid any performance bonuses.

 

Reply:

With regard to my reply to Question 406 on 27 March 2017, I wish to inform Honourable Member that since the beginning of May 2017, the 21 of the 26 patients mentioned in March have been moved to West End Psychiatric Hospital after completion of refurbishment of facilities there.

When they were still in correctional service facilities, on a waiting basis, they used to wait for an average of 4 years.

END.

Reply:

(1) The National Treasury reviewed coal contracts to established if Eskom complied with the SCM norms and standards when appointing the service provider.

(2) Yes.

(a) (1) Falcon Research and Consulting Services (Pty) Ltd and

(2) Israel Monnapula Dikgwatlhe.

(b) Both were appointed to assist the National Treasury to review and analyse the quality of coal delivered to Eskom by Tegeta Exploration and Resources.

(c) The total cost for Falcon Research and Consulting Services (Pty) Ltd

R 184 500.00,

The following is the breakdown of the cost for Falcon

Analysis of test coal results ...………………………………………………. R 13 500-00

Analysis of the Environmental Analysis report …………………………… R 4 500-00

Analysis of the technical aspects of the coal supply agreement ………. R 9 000-00

Analysis of the technical aspects in the draft report ……………………… R 18 000-00

Analysis of technical aspects in the minutes of the meetings …………… R 9 000-00

Extended reviews of documents………………………………………………. R103 500-00

Compilation of a technical report …………………………………………… R 27 000-00

TOTAL………………………………………………………………………….. R184 500.00

The following is the breakdown for Israel Monnapula Dikgwatlhe

Analysis of test coal results ...………………………………………………. R 24 800-00

Analysis of the Environmental Analysis report …………………………… R 18 600-00

Analysis of the technical aspects of the coal supply agreement ………. R 18600.00

Analysis of the technical aspects in the draft report ……………………… R 18 600-00

Analysis of technical aspects in the minutes of the meetings …………… R 9 920-00

Request additional data analysis………………………………. R12 400-00

Compilation of a technical report …………………………………………… R 49 600-00

Comparison of the quality of coal expected……………………………….. R5 425.00

Clear comparison of what was delivered………………………………….. R4 650.00

Clear comparison of results for Sibonisiwe and SABS in compliance of

Brakfontein mine with requirements for mining coal R4 030.00

NT findings with the response from Eskom………………………………. R5 425.00

TOTAL………………………………………………………………………… R178 250.00

(3) whether any draft and/or final report(s) on the review has/have been produced; if not, (a) why not and (b) by what date is a report expected; if so, (i) what is the title of each report and (ii) on what date was the report completed;

Response: A final draft report was sent to Eskom on 05 April 2017.

(4) whether the final report on the review will be made public; if not, why not; if so, by what date is it expected?

Response: Yes, as soon as the report is finalised.

Reply:

1. a) The National Department of Public Works is the custodian of the Jonkershoek Forest Reserve Farm 352 and the unregistered portion 4 also known as “Op-die-Bult Jonkershoek”

(b) The National Department of Public Works is currently negotiating with the Stellenbosch Municipality to assume responsibility for the human settlement of former forest workers by means of the disposal of the property to that municipality.

(2) No, currently there are no funds available for the maintenance of the general infrastructure and houses of the settlement, hence negotiations with the
Stellenbosch Municipality to assume responsibility for the settlement.

(3) (a) 18 formal structures have been confirmed at Op-die-Bult, with 123 households recorded in the broader Jonkerhoek Mixed Use Precinct. These
figures are from the time when the property was returned to Department by the South African Forestry Company Limited (SAFCOL) acting on behalf of
the then Department of Water Affairs and Forestry.

(b) (i) No funds have been spent on the infrastructure

(b) (ii) No funds have been spent on the houses

(4) (a) The Department is currently negotiating with the Stellenbosch municipalityto take over the properties together with their inhabitants as it is best-placed to provide appropriate standards of human settlement

(b) Yes, it is envisaged that the Department will hand over the properties to the Stellenbosch Municipality for management of the human settlement according to prescribed standards.

(5) The National Department of Public Works aims to transfer the land to the Stellenbosch Municipality. Other relevant Departments e.g. Department of
Human Settlements, COGTA, Department of Rural Development etc. will then be drawn in as an intergovernmental team to assist with housing and
infrastructure in formalising the settlement in terms of their core function.

Reply:

1. Yes, Erf 81 situated in Tamboerskloof, Cape Town, Western Cape falls under the care of National Public Works Department.

2. The property is being considered for transfer to the Department of Defence, which has requested that this property – as well as all other Endowment properties – be returned to the Department of Defence for their own use. The property is an Endowment property owned by Department of Defence and is under the custodianship of National Department of Public Works.

3. The property is intended to be used by the Department of Defence for their own needs.

Reply:

1. (a) (i) and (ii)

The suspension of Hill High School principal was as a result of the alleged financial mismanagement of the school funds. The principal was found guilty and sanctioned to suspension without pay and subsequently returned to work after completing the suspension.

(b) The allegation levelled against him was financial mismanagement of the school funds.

2. (a) Yes, an investigation was undertaken by the Gauteng Department of Education. (b) and (c) An internal investigation was conducted and concluded within 60 days.

3. (a) The principal of the school and the Department were the only parties involved.

(b) and (c) The matter was investigated internally and therefore no costs were incurred by the Department.

Reply:

(1-2) The role of Prof. Chris Malikane is to advise Minister of Finance. The eight pages discussion documents, is not government position but was for his academic purposes.

(3) The government is doing all it can to improve the economic prospects of the country by ensuring that a conducive environment is created for public and private sector to invest in the economy and eventually create jobs.

(4) As government, we are clear and consistent in terms of Economic Policy and how to address current challenges. A lot of work is being done at the level of both local and abroad to avoid any further downgrade. We are working towards improving our current grading.

Reply:

MINISTRY

PUBLIC WORKS

REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA

Department of Public Works l Central Government Offices l 256 Madiba Street l Pretoria l Contact: +27 (0)12 406 2034 l +27 (0)12 406 1224

Private Bag X9155 l CAPE TOWN, 8001 l RSA 4th Floor Parliament Building l 120 Plain Street l CAPE TOWN l Tel: +27 21 468 6900 Fax: +27 21 462 4592

www.publicworks.gov.za

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

(ORAL)

1. We requested information from Mr Edward Nkuna in Head Office, we are awaiting his feedback.
2. See below:

Item No	Project Name	WCS numbers	Status	2015/16	2016/17	2017/18
1	Bryntirion No. 19	053319	Completed	R 158 301.19	R 2 107 035.90	R 0.00
2	331 Olivier, Brooklyn	053347	Completed		R 1 835 818.72
3	375 Lawley	053574	Completed		R 1 319 303.55
4	321 Rigel	054033 & 048576	Completed	R 2 398 350.77	R 89 124.35	R 0.00
5	313 Edward, Waterkloof	054031	Completed	R 0.00	R 2 597 583.51	R 0.00
6	273 Eridunus, Waterkloof	053575	Completed	R 0.00	R 2 828 604.88	R 0.00
7	286 Albertus, Waterkloof	053584	Completed	R 0.00	R 2 784 102.34	R 0.00
8	13, 1st Avenue Houghton*	050773 & 054581	Completed	R 3 133 499.05	R 333 263.99	R 0.00
9	21A Killarney Road, Sandhurst	052038	Completed	R 197 826.19	R 2 501 531.73	R 0.00
10	79 Bogey	052425	Completed	R 920 961.98	R 1 200 680.99	R 0.00
11	205 Sterlitzia Street	054730	Completed	R 0.00	R 2 658 529.98	R 0.00
			TOTAL	R 6 808 939.18	R 20 255 579.94

Reply:

a) The Department of Home Affairs is not in a position to respond to the question as the Department does not know which company / companies the person referred to is associated with or working for. The person referred to is and was not employed by the Department.

b) No.

Reply:

(a) The increase in the remuneration of the CEO of Umalusi from 2013-14 to 2014-15 financial years was not as a result of a long service award as previously reported. The spur of the moment response given in the meeting of the Portfolio Committee on 3 May 2017 was informed by the fact that such an award was given to the CEO in recognition of his 30 years’ service in the public service albeit a year earlier. The decision for the long service award was guided by the long service policies of the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) and Umalusi.

The table below outlines the remuneration components of the total package reported in the annual reports of the abovementioned financial years:

	Remuneration component	13/14	14/15	%
		R'000	R'000	increase
1	Basic remuneration	1 618	1 729	6.9%
2	Pension contribution	149	160	7.1%
3	Medical contributions	–	12	100.0%
4	Cost to company package	1,767	1,901	7.6%
5	Bonus & Performance payment	99	114	14.9%
6	Leave pay-out	–	220	100.0%
7	Long service award	–	–	–
8	Total package	1 867	2 235	19.7%

In the 2013-14 to 2014-15 financial years the leave pay-out was the remuneration component that led to the high increase. In 2014 the Remuneration and Human Resources Committee of Council (REMCO) noted that 12 employees had accumulated more than 50 leave days. In May 2014, REMCO recommended to Council to pay out a maximum of 30 days to employees. The recommendation was subsequently approved by Council in June 2014 and the pay-out was actioned in July 2014. Ultimately, only 7 employees were reimbursed, and one of them was the CEO.

(i) The long service award was given to the CEO in January 2013 i.e. the 2012/13 financial year, as stipulated in the policies of the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) and Umalusi.

(ii) The amount of the award was R15 000. The employee also encashed 30 days’ annual leave as per the Umalusi policy. The total amount of leave paid out was R188 270.

(iii) The CEO is employed at salary level 16 of the DPSA levels.

(iv) The table below summarises the employment history of Dr Rakometsi from 1 January 1983 to date.

Years	Position held	Institution	Date appointed	Date resigned / promoted
Total to date: 34 years 5 months
8 years 5 months	Chief Executive Officer	Umalusi, Pretoria	Jan 2009	To date
3 years 4 months	Superintendent General (Head of Department)	Free State Department of Education, Bloemfontein	Sep 2005	Dec 2008
4 years 5 months	Chief Director: Curriculum and Professional Development and Support	Free State Department of Education, Bloemfontein	Apr 2001	Aug 2005
2 years 3 months	Director: Education Institute	Free State Department of Education, Bloemfontein	Jan 1999	Mar 2001
3 years	Chief Education Specialist (Deputy Director Professional) - Examinations	Department of Education, Arts and Culture, Sport and Recreation, Mmabatho North-West Province	Jan 1996	Dec 1998
3 years	Deputy Chief Education Specialist (History)	Free State Department of Education and Culture, Welkom	Jan 1993	Dec 1995
3 years	Head of Department Professional Subjects and Student Affairs	Tshiya College of Education, Qwa Qwa	Jan 1990	Dec 1992
1 year	Senior Lecturer (Student Affairs)	Tshiya College of Education, Qwa Qwa	Jan 1989	Dec 1989
1 year 7 months	Lecturer	Tshiya College of Education, Qwa Qwa	Apr 1987	Dec 1988
3 year 3 months	Teacher	Thokoana-Makaota Senior Secondary School, Qwa Qwa	Jan 1984	Mar 1987
1 year	Teacher	Rearabetswe Senior Secondary School, Odendaalrsrus	Jan 1983	Dec 1983

(v) A submission regarding the long service award for the CEO is recommended internally, but ultimately submitted to the Chairperson of Council for approval.

All remuneration aspects of the CEO as the Accounting Officer are recommended to Council as the Accounting Authority and only paid out with Council’s approval. The cost to company is paid in line with the rates as determined by DPSA. To this end, Council is requested annually to approve all annual cost of living adjustments.

Bonus and performance payments are made on an annual basis in line with the performance management and development policy. The award ranges from 2% to 8% of cost to company, limited by the 1.5% of the total remuneration budget. The scores are moderated by members of the Executive Committee of Council (EXCO) and signed off by the Chairperson of Council.

(vi) Legislation informing the long service award is the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) and Umalusi policies.

Reply:

The information required is being collected from various Divisions and stake holders which in turn must still be collated and verified so as to provide an accurate information. Therefore a consolidate response will be provided soon.

Reply:

The question was forwarded to the Department and the entities who responded as follows:

(a) Department of Home Affairs

The Department has not procured any services from or made any payments to an entity called the Decolonisation Foundation as there has been no need to do so.

(b) Government Printing Works

Government Printing Works has not procured any services from or made any payments to an entity called the Decolonisation Foundation.

(b) Electoral Commission

The Electoral Commission has not procured any services from or made any payments to an entity called the Decolonisation Foundation, and none are expected to be procured.

Reply:

a) None of the classrooms have currently been repaired. 10 Schools have been identified for repairs in the 2017/18 financial year.

b) R177 million was made available during November-December 2016. This has been utilised to fund 10 Vuwani/ Malamulela protest damaged schools, and contractors have been appointed. However, due to the intermittent unrest that have been going on in the area, no progress has been registered. The service provider will proceed with the work as soon as the situation is back to normal.

c) Currently security officials have been deployed to the schools affected and fencing has been included into the scope of work that is to be done at the schools.

Reply:

Yes, the official has been suspended.

a) The official was suspended on 17 March 2017.

b) The official is facing various charges of alleged misconduct, details of which are still confidential pending finalisation of the disciplinary processes. The suspension was to enable the Board to conduct an investigation on allegations of misconduct.

c) Mr Mmberegeni Dzebu.

d) The Council requested the then Minister of Communications to second an official to act as the CEO. Mr Dzebu was found to be a suitable person.

Reply:

1. I have received a detailed briefing from the Department on proposed options and/ or interventions that could be considered for current Zimbabwe Special Permit (ZSP) holders beyond the expiry date of 31 December 2017. I am currently considering such proposals, and also consulting with my Cabinet peers. I will be ready to make an announcement during August 2017.

2. Relevant details will be contained in the announcement envisaged above.

Reply:

(1)(a) 1 130 designated marriage officers

(1)(b) 421 marriage officers are exempted to perform Civil Union Marriages whereby they objected on the grounds of conscience, religion or belief.

(2) This is not a Ministerial prerogative but a provision of the law in terms of section 6 of the Civil Union Act, 2006 (Act No. 17 of 2006) – A marriage officer, other than a marriage officer referred to in section 5, may in writing inform the Minister that he or she objects on the ground of conscience, religion and belief to solemnising a civil union between persons of the same sex, whereupon that marriage officer shall not be compelled to solemnise such civil union. The Act is clear in that marriage officers will not be compelled to solemnise such civil unions.

Reply:

The Eastern Cape Department of Roads and Public Works has read the judgement and instructed the State Attorney to appeal components of the judgement. In terms of the process, the Department filed an Application for leave to appeal the judgement. The matter was heard on the 19th May 2017 in the Grahamstown High Court, which reserved its judgement. The Department is therefore still awaiting the judgement of the Court.

Reply:

(a)(b)(i)(ii)(aa)(bb)(cc)(dd)(ee)(ff)

The Department and the Entities reporting to the Minister did not procure any services from and/or made any payments to the Decolonisation Foundation.

Reply:

1. (a) Yes.

    (b) The Regulation of Interception of Communications and Provision of

Communication–related Information Act (RICA), 2002 (Act No. 70 of 2002) has been earmarked for revision and appropriate amendments. This is as a result of a number of requests for amendments that have been received from various quarters and also as a result of concerns regarding the implementation of the RICA which have been brought to the attention of the Department. These requests relate, among others, to the following:

1. the need to enhance governance, transparency and accountability mechanisms in order to oversee the interception of communications;
2. the need to give further consideration to the compulsory registration of SIM-cards and the regulation thereof; and
3. the broadening of RICA to cater for the combatting of cybercrime, making provision for other forms of electronic surveillance and regulating the use of remote access tools to investigate crime.

The Department is still in an investigative and initial drafting phase. A draft Bill is not yet available. Discussions with some of the law enforcement agencies regarding certain proposed amendments are under way. Public consultation will follow once the Department has processed the draft Bill through the required internal processes.

2. Yes. Section 15 of the RICA deals with the availability of other procedures for obtaining real-time or archived communication-related information. In terms of this section, the availability of the procedures in respect of the provision of real-time or archived communication-related information provided for in sections 17 and 19 of the RICA (applications to the interception judge for real-time communication-related and archived communication related-directions) does not preclude obtaining such information in respect of any person in accordance with a procedure prescribed in any other Act. However, in terms of section 15 of the RICA any real-time or archived communication-related information which is obtained in terms of such other Act may not be obtained on an ongoing basis.

In this regard, section 205 of the Criminal Procedure Act (CPA), 1977 (Act No. 51 of 1977) is relevant. Section 205 of the CPA deals with the power of a judge, regional court magistrate or magistrate, upon the request of a Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) or a public prosecutor authorized thereto by the DPP, to require the attendance before a judge, regional court magistrate or magistrate, for examination by the DPP or the public prosecutor authorized thereto by the DPP, of any person who is likely to give material or relevant information as to any alleged offence, whether or not it is known by whom the offence was committed. If such person furnishes that information to the satisfaction of the DPP or the public prosecutor concerned prior to the date on which he or she is required to appear before a judge, regional court magistrate or magistrate, he or she is under no further obligation to appear before a judge, regional court magistrate or magistrate.

The Department is aware of concerns relating to the application of section 205 of the CPA in order to obtain real-time or archived communication-related information. Since section 205 of the CPA can be used to obtain material and relevant information regarding any alleged offence and not only information relating to communication as provided for in the RICA, the Department will consider amendments to section 15 of the RICA together with the amendments referred to in question 1 above.

Reply:

The Minister of Finance has not been informed of any adjustment to the powers and functions of any (a) Local or (b) District municipality in terms of section 85(9A)(b) of the Local Government: Municipal Structures Act, Act 117 of 1998, as amended, before December 2015. (i) not applicable (ii) not applicable (iii) not applicable

Reply:

No	Organisation	(a) Amount Outstanding	(b) Period	(c) Reason and payment dates
(i)	SAMRO (SA Music Rights Organisation)	R14,546,580-00	April 2017	This is based on March 2017 revenue. Payment of SAMRO is scheduled for the 3rd Quarter of the 2017/18 F/Y.
(ii)	SAMPRA (SA Music Performance Rights Association) and IMPRA (Independent Music Performance Rights Association)	R52,751,160-73	March 2014	Both societies have not agreed on the percentage split of the amount based on the play history reports SABC has generated. Then a decision was made that both societies must submit their repertoires lists to SABC for final verification which SABC agreed on the due date of the end of May 2017. Both societies have submitted the repetoires list for the verification process which is still ongoing. Once all is completed and agreed upon by all parties the payment will be made to the societies.
(iii)	AIRCO (Association of Independent Record Companies)	R2,800,000-00	October 2016 -  April 2017	TV division is awaiting invoices from AIRCO for October 2016 – March 2017. Payments are scheduled from May 2017 onwards.
(iv)	RISA (Recording Industry of South Africa)	R2,400,000-00	January 2017 – April 2017	A payment of R19.8m was made at the end of December 2016. Payment is scheduled for the 3rd Quarter of the 2017/18 F/Y.
(v)	CAPASSO (Composers, Authors and Publishers Association)	R3,000,000-00	February 2017 – April 2017	February and March payments have been submitted for payment and are dependent on funds availability. Payment is scheduled for the 3rd Quarter of the 2017/18 F/Y.

Reply:

The Department of Public works manages accommodation requirements of national departments through the Property Management Trading Entity (PMTE). Included in this mandate is the provision of accommodation through state owned and leased properties, construction of new accommodation, major refurbishment of existing properties and management of municipal services.

State-owned accommodation charges are billed quarterly in advance in line with the devolution framework principles developed at the time of establishment of the PMTE. The process that is followed to recover monies relating to private leases, municipal services, Client Infrastructure spending (Capital allocation) and other recoverable infrastructure projects (referred to as PACE and CA) is as follows:

 

• PMTE pays lessors, contractors and municipalities on behalf of user departments;
• At the end of the month, the recoverable costs are consolidated per client;
• Invoices are then issued to clients in arrears;
• User departments have 30 days to settle debts in terms of the PFMA;
• However, in practice this gives rise to 60 days delay in matching the expense with the revenue.

As at the end of March 2017, R2, 854 billion was outstanding from national departments (Annexure: A) and R195 billion from other organs of state (Annexure: B).

In line with established inter-governmental cooperation principles, the PMTE has regular interactions with user departments for the recovery of outstanding debts and is assisted by the National Treasury where additional funding is required.

 

Reply:

1. South Africa continues to support MONUSCO (United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo) through a deployment of uniformed and other personnel in a multi-dimensional peacekeeping which involves the military, police and the civilian components. MONUSCO’s strategic priorities are to protect civilians, stemming out of violence against women and children perpetuated by armed groups. The current mandate of MONUSCO will expire on 31 March 2017. The UN will provide guidance in terms of the extension of the mandate based on a situational analysis on the ground, particularly in the Eastern DRC and the political developments as the country prepares for the elections by end of 2017.

 

UNQUOTE

Reply:

An LRP Charter does not apply to our regulatory context , since all LRP administrative matters are regulated through domestic legislation applicable to the respective countries of accreditation. Therefore, DIRCO does not have such a charter.

a) Not applicable

b) Not applicable

Reply:

(a) Yes -Government is involved in a continuum of actions securing the release of Mr Stephen McGowan, involving support from any of the Government Departments when needed. Actions were taken since March 2016, including, but not limited to, considering every viable option to ensure his release. Government continued to liaise with other Governments and agencies who may contribute to effect the release of Mr McGowan. Disclosing any details of actions taken at this stage will not serve a proper purpose but the House should know that Government did not leave any stone unturned to secure the release of Mr McGowan and will continue to assign resources and sincere efforts to ensure his return to South Africa..

(b)The exact location of Mr Stephen McGowan is not known, because it is a known trend of the captors to move their captives with regular intervals, ensuring their safety and security. Different groups are publicly known to capture tourists in Mali and, although more information about the group may be sourced, providing more information on the group is not in the interest of the matter being dealt with.

(c)Government is working with many other Governments and agencies in an effort to effect the release of Mr Stephen McGowan. Providing details on each of these organisations at this stage may compromise his safety.

UNQUOTE

Reply:

The Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) did not procure any services from and/or made any payments to the Decolonisation Foundation.

The National School of Government (NSG) has neither procured any services nor made any payments to the Decolonisation Foundation.

(b) (i) No – The Centre for Public Service Innovation (CPSI) has not procured nor had any need to procure any services from the Decolonisation Foundation.

(ii) No – The CPSI has not made any payments nor had any need to make payments to the Decolonisation Foundation.

(aa) Not applicable

(bb) Not applicable

(cc) Not applicable

(dd) Not applicable

(ff) Not applicable

End

Reply:

a) The Department is in the process of analysing the comments received from the public, once done the Department will also consult sister departments for comments and submit to Cabinet for processing. The updated Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) and the Integrated Energy Plan (IEP) will then be submitted to Parliament for processing.

b) i) The next step is to analyse the public inputs, make adjustment to assumptions used where necessary, rerun the base case, run scenarios and come up with a balanced scenario (draft IRP) before policy adjustment. We anticipate having the plans to Cabinet by the fourth quarter of 2017/18 financial year.

c) Once Cabinet has processed the updated IRP &IEP,..

d) i) Once Cabinet approves the IRP it will be submitted to Parliament for processing

    ii) See response to question (c)

(e) (i) See response to question (a)

    (ii) See response to question (c)

 

Reply:

(1) The South African Government, through the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), employs country nationals, third country nationals and/or South African nationals at the various Diplomatic and Consular Missions abroad, as support staff to the South African diplomats stationed in these missions abroad. Such employees are referred to as Locally Recruited Personnel (LRP).

(2) (a) 2049 LRP

(b)(i) The LRP are employed in the following positions:

• Cleaner
• Domestic Worker
• Gardener
• Watchman/Security
• Chauffeur
• Messager/Driver
• Receptionist
• Registry Clerk
• Accountant/Assistant Accounts Clerk
• Consular Clerk
• Maintenance Officer
• Secretary
• Administrative Clerk/Officer
• Information Clerk
• Translator
• Trade and Information Assistant
• Marketing Officer

(ii) (aa) Each post has minimum requirements in terms of qualifications.

(bb) Post requirements and skills are determined by the level of the post

(3) (a) Yes

(b) As part of recruitment and selection, all applicants are required to submit a police clearance certificate from the local authorities of the host country.

Reply:

(a) (i) Total number of grievances handled during the period 01 April 2015 to 31 March 2016 is thirty two (32), and all thirty two (32) were concluded.

 

Nature of grievance	Number	Status
Unfair PMDS process	2 (two)	Finalised
Unfair recruitment and selection process	3 (three)	Finalised
Verbal abuse and intimidation	2 (two)	Finalised
Failure by the department to assist officials serving abroad with medical aids	1 (one)	Finalised
Disapproval of resignation	1 (one)	Finalised
Unilateral decision by the CFO to discontinue education allowance	6 (six)	Finalised
Failure by the department to upgrade the officials’ qualifications from FAA to MAC	4 (four)	Finalised
Harrasment and victimization	1 (one)	Finalised
Disapproval to undergo surgery abroad	1 (one)	Finalised
Exclusion from management meetings	1 (one)	Finalised
Disapproval of an application to attend MAC bridging course	1 (one)	Finalised
Disapproval of transfer back to South Africa	1 (one)	Finalised
Failure to upgrade post to high level	4 (four)	Finalised
Disapproval to attend a course	1 (one)	Finalised
False accusations	2 (two)	Finalised
Non payment of COLA	1 (one)	Finalised

(ii) Twelve (12) misconduct cases were handled and finalised during the period 01 April 2015 to 31 March 2016. See the table in paragraph (C)

(b) Twelve (12) grievances were from officials stationed abroad while twenty (20) were from officials at DIRCO Head Office

(bb) One (1) misconduct case was for the official stationed abroad and the remaining eleven (11) were for officials at DIRCO Head Office

(c) The nature of sanctions that were meted out in each misconduct case are as follows:

Nature of Misconduct	Sanction
Plagiarism	Not Guilty
Fraud	Dismissal
Insubordination	Not Guilty
Breach of Security	Final Written Warning plus recovery of COLA Allowance
Failure to disclose conflict of interest	One month Suspension without pay plus final written warning
Direlection of duty	Written Warning
Contravention of the procurement policy	Written warning
Gross negligence and dishonesty	Final written warning
Fraud	Final written warning plus one month suspension without pay
Misrepresentation and fraud	Dismissal
Irregular processes of the DBAC	Final written warning plus counselling
Absenteeism	Written warning

(d) All the cases have been finalised

(e) See the answer in (d)

Unquote.

Reply:

Paragraph 1.2.4 of Chapter 5 of the Ministerial Handbook relates to the purchase of motor vehicles for Members. There are proposals to amend this provision as part of the review of the Ministerial Handbook.

(a) It is expected that the review of the Ministerial Handbook will be completed once the Joint Cabinet Committee has considered the content and approved a revised Ministerial Handbook.

(b)The details of the revised Ministerial Handbook will be made available as soon as it is approved by the Cabinet.

End

Reply:

(a) The Department of Energy and (b) its entities reporting to it has never; (i) procured; (ii) nor made any payments to the Decolonisation foundation.

(bb) Not applicable

(cc) Not applicable

(dd) Not applicable

(ee) Not applicable

(ff) Not applicable

Reply:

(a)(b) Not applicable.

________________________

Approved by the Minister on

Date………………………..

Reply:

(a), (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f); The information that the Honourable Member is seeking is currently going through an audit process in order to ensure its accuracy. However, the Entities and the Department will gladly provide such information in their respective 2016/17 Annual reports which will be tabled in Parliament in August 2017 as prescribed in the PFMA.

Reply:

The State Security Agency (SSA) has no company called Decolonisation Foundation in its data base.

Reply:

The State Security Agency (SSA) has no Bell Pottinger in its data base of companies.

Reply:

1.The person referred to, is said by the member that he is a suspended person from Crime Intelligence.

2. Crime Intelligence does not have its mandate on the Minister of State Security.

3. Labour Relations Act and Basic Conditions Employment Act defines every Employment Relations of everyone in the Employment of the State.

Reply:

1. (a) The information that the Honourable Member is seeking is currently going through an audit process in order to ensure its accuracy. However, we will gladly provide such information in the 2016/17 Annual report which will be tabled in Parliament in August 2017 as prescribed in the PFMA.

(2) (a) The total budget for Supported Enterprises is R141 million and

(b) Marketing-advertising budgets is R4.4 million

Reply:

the dti has facilitated numerous investments since 2012 and we are not aware of any of these companies divesting since then.

The General Motors decision is due to a commercial decision by its Head-Quarters in terms of its future global operations. Such divestment may also based on restructuring of the companies, mergers & acquisitions and general restrictive global market conditions.

Invest SA, offers as part of its services investor facilitation and aftercare and we are paying particular attention on the retention and maintenance of investment in the country. We have engaged with the steel sector, companies such as AMSA, Highveld, SC Smelters and well as companies in the renewables sector.

Reply:

(1) (a) The detailed breakdown of the 2014/15 and 2015/16 information can be gleaned in the Productivity South Africa’s Audited Financial statements and/or the Annual Reports that were tabled in Parliament in the periods in question.

(b) (i), (ii) & (iii) Detailed breakdown for 2016/17 is currently being audited and as such it will be premature and improper to provide such information at this stage. However the information will be provided in the Productivity South Africa/s Audited Financial Statements and/or in the 2016/17 Annual Report as prescribed.

(2) The projected budget for Productivity SA for 2017/18 Financial Year is in the region of R177 million.

(3) The staff complement of Productivity South Africa for the 2016/17 financial year is currently being audited and as such it will be premature to provide such information at this stage. However, the detailed information in this regard will be tabled in Parliament in August 2017 as prescribed.

Reply:

(a) The Department of Science and Technology:

a	(aa)	(bb)	(cc)	(dd)	(ee)	(ff)
(i)	(ii)
No	No	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

(b) The entities reporting to the Minister of Science and Technology:

b	(aa)	(bb)	(cc)	(dd)	(ee)	(ff)
(i)	(ii)
No	No	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Reply:

(a) What amount did the National Empowerment Fund’s sponsorship of the Black Business Council (BBC) event on 15 May 2017 cost?

The NEF approved sponsorship of R150 000 including VAT, totalling R171 000.

(b) Which person(s) or organisation approached the BBC for this sponsorship?

The Acting CEO of the BBC approached the NEF for the sponsorship. BBC correspondence to the NEF dated 11 May 2017 states that:

“We have invited the Minister of Finance, Honourable Malusi Gigaba to be our guest speaker and engage the Black Business Council fraternity on a number of issues.”

The BBC therefore approached the NEF, as an entity with the mandate of driving the implementation of black economic empowerment policies, to be part of an engagement with the Minister of Finance on issues affecting black entrepreneurs in South Africa.

(c) What are the full relevant details of the processes followed in expending the amount in this way?

The NEF approved the sponsorship in accordance with its internal policies.

Reply:

Departmental transfers to public entities is governed by section 38(1)(j) of the Public Finance Management Act. Treasury regulation 8.4 sets out the framework for transfers and subsidies. In terms of Treasury Regulation 8.4.1, the accounting officer of a department must maintain appropriate measures to ensure that transfers to public entities are applied for intended purposes. This includes, but is not limited to, regular reporting procedures, internal and external audit requirements, regular monitoring procedures and scheduled and unscheduled inspection visits or reviews of performance.

Public entities strategic plans and annual performance plans are approved by the relevant Executive Authority and tabled in Parliament. These plans set out performance targets for public entities and in terms of Treasury Regulation 8.4.2, the accounting officer of a department may withhold transfers and subsidies to a public entity if, amongst others, the agreed objectives have not been attained and the transfer does not provide the value for money in relation to its purpose or objectives.

Treasury regulation 5.3.1 requires accounting officers of departments to establish procedures for quarterly reporting for effective performance monitoring, evaluation and corrective action.

Reply:

 

Neither the department nor its Entities procured any services or made any payments to Bell Pottinger or any other public relations firm.

Reply:

a) The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development has neither procured any services from Decolonisation Foundation nor made any payment to Decolonization Foundation

Currently, in the context of its mandate, the Department does not anticipate any dealings or engagement with the Foundation.

b) The National Prosecuting Authority, Special Investigating Unit and Legal Aid South Africa have informed me that they have neither procured anything from, nor made any payments to the Decolonization Foundation.

c) The office of the Chief Justice has not conducted any business with the Decolonization Foundation.

d) The Department of Correctional Services has not conducted any business with the Decolonization Foundation.

Reply:

The Minister of Finance provided a guarantee to the Commonwealth Games Federation in support of South Africa’s hosting of the 2022 Commonwealth Games in June 2016. The guarantee was in respect of the operational budget for the Games of R2.7 billion and a contingency budget capped at R479 million (18% of the operational budget) for possible overruns.

In effect, this meant that the South African Government, through the national and provincial departments involved in the hosting of the Games (including the Departments of Sport and Recreation; Arts and Culture; Police; and Human Settlements) as well as the host city, eThekwini, would commit these funds towards the cost of hosting the Games. These departments and the eThekwini municipality were to reprioritise their baseline funds to cover these costs. There would be therefore no additional funds made available for the hosting of the Games.