Questions and Replies

Reply:

(a) Each year grant projections are done by the Department of Social Development together the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) and National Treasury. These projections are based on a number of factors, including historical trends and micro-simulation which takes into account the demographics and economic circumstances of the country. The Department had targeted some 16.97 million beneficiaries across all grants for the 2015/16 financial year and reached 16.83 million beneficiaries, which is 99.1% of its projected target.

(b) SASSA is successfully meeting its targets. The 140 thousand difference between those projected and those reached falls within the 1% margin of error that the Department had set itself during the financial year for the projections. Similarly, more than 99% of the total R130 billion social grants budget was utilised, resulting in the R1 billion savings (which is less than 0.77%).

(c) In addition to the very vast footprint of SASSA which comprises of 389 offices and 1 163 service offices across the country, the following initiatives aim to ensure that every citizen has access to social grants. These include:

• The Department of Social Development together with SASSA and the National Development Agency implement the Mikondzo programme. This programme focuses on taking all social development programmes to the people, through engagement with communities. This programme includes door-to-door interventions to identify and assist any citizens who could qualify for services, including social grants.

• The ICROP programme. This is a planned outreach programme where SASSA services are taken to areas which are under-serviced or where the distance to the nearest SASSA office is very far. This ensures that everyone has access to SASSA services

• The Regulations to the Social Assistance Act, 2004 were amended in 2008, to allow for applications for social grants to be taken for citizens who do not have identity documents or birth certificates for the children under their care.

• SASSA has a programme which focuses on the uptake of child support grants for children aged between 0 – 1 years of age. This is done as all research has indicated that the earlier the child support grant is paid, the better the long term benefits for the child.

• Communication programmes are constantly run to publicise the requirements for social grants, in particular the requirements of the means test.

 

Reply:

(i)​Africa News Network 7 Channel:

(a) Department of Human Settlements

	(aaa) 2015-2016	(bbb) since 1 April 2016
Human Settlements	R000.000	R000.000
TOTAL	NIL	NIL

 

 (b) Entities

	(aaa) 2015-2016	(bbb) since 1 April 2016
EAAB	NIL	NIL
HDA	NIL	NIL
NURCHA	NIL	NIL
NHFC	NIL	NIL
RHLF	NIL	NIL
CSOS	NIL	NIL
NHBRC	NIL	NIL
SHRA	NIL	NIL

 

(ii)​SABC Television

Department of Human Settlements

	(aaa) 2015-2016	(bbb) since 1 April 2016
Human Settlements	NIL	NIL

 

 Entities

	(aaa) 2015-2016	(bbb) since 1 April 2016
HDA	NIL	NIL
NURCHA	NIL	NIL
NHFC	NIL	NIL
RHLF	NIL	NIL
CSOS	NIL	NIL
NHBRC	NIL	R1 193 607.36
SHRA	NIL	NIL
TOTAL	NIL	R1 193 607.36

 

(bb)​SABC Radio:

Department of Human Settlements: 

	(aaa) 2015-2016	(bbb) since 1 April 2016
Human Settlements	NIL	Umhlobo  Wenene FM Willowdene Project launch2016 R64 685.88   Umhlobo Wenene FM National intervention into Nelson Mandela Bay R300 719.00

​Entities

	(aaa) 2015-2016	(bbb) since 1 April 2016
HDA	NIL	Umhlobo Wenene FM R300 719.00
NURCHA	NIL	Ukhozi FM and Thobela FM R 64,432.80
NHFC	NIL	NIL
RALF	NIL	NIL
CSOS	NIL	NIL
NHBRC	R969 046.74	R 2 315 789.64
SHRA	NIL	NIL

 

(iii)​National Commercial Radio Stations:

Department of Human Settlements

	(aaa) 2015-2016	(bbb) since 1 April 2016
Human Settlements		Talk  Radio 702 4.3 Million housing opportunities R692 648.00   SA FM 4.3 Million housing opportunities R132 750.00   Metro FM 4.3 Million housing opportunities R336 200.00

 

Entities

	(aaa) 2015-2016	(bbb) since 1 April 2016
EAAB	NIL	NIL
HDA	NIL	NIL
NURCHA	NIL	NIL
NHFC	NIL	NIL
RALF	NIL	NIL
CSOS	NIL	NIL
NHBRC	NIL	NIL
SHRA	NIL	NIL

(iv)​Community:

(aa)​Television

 ​DHS

	(aaa) 2015-2016	(bbb) since 1 April 2016
Human Settlements	NIL

Entities

	(aaa) 2015-2016	(bbb) since 1 April 2016
EAAB	NIL	NIL
HDA	NIL	NIL
NURCHA	NIL	NIL
NHFC	NIL	NIL
RALF	NIL	NIL
CSOS	NIL	NIL
NHBRC	NIL	NIL
SHRA	NIL	NIL

(bb)​Radio Stations:

​DHS

	(aaa) 2015-2016	(bbb) since 1 April 2016
Human Settlements	Campus Bay FM Communication and Marketing areas for rapid response R29 800.00   Kingfisher FM Communication and Marketing areas for rapid response R29 800.00   Campus Bay FM Communication and Marketing areas for rapid response R6000.00   Radio Zibonele N2 Gateway handover R12 000.00	UMgungundlovu FM Presidential Imbizo on rural housing programme-KZN R48 900.00       Nkqubela FM National intervention into Nelson Mandela Bay Campaign R30 840.00

Entities

	(aaa) 2015-2016	(bbb) since 1 April 2016
HDA	Bay FM and Nkqubela FM	R104124.00
NURCHA	OFM	R5,694.30
NHFC	NIL	NIL
RALF	NIL	NIL
CSOS	NIL	NIL
NHBRC	R248 195.72	R102 935.00
SHRA	NIL	NIL

Reply:

Due to insufficient information provided regarding the referred nationals above, I am unable to determine with complete accuracy the movement of such persons. Details such as passport numbers and related information will be crucial to determine if these individuals entered the Republic and the nature of their visits.

Reply:

The information has been requested from all the nine (9) Provincial Education Departments and will be provided as a soon as it is received. It is, however, suggested that the information be sought through a Member of the Provincial Legislature as basic education is a concurrent competency.

Reply:

1. Yes
(i) None compliance with certain provisions of the Asbestos Regulations

Reply:

(a) Yes

(b) Yes

(c) Yes

(i) Investigations in all respect on-going

(ii) Outcomes are pending

(iii) None

Reply:

(1)(a)(i) With the exception of the 12 June 2016 for which I have already provided a response to the Honourable Member, the only other time I stayed at this hotel was in March 2015 during the Social Work Indaba for four nights at a cheaper Government rate.

(1)(a)(ii) The Deputy Minister did not stay at this hotel

(1)(b) The purpose of the stay was for the official business of the Department of Social Development.

(1)(c) R16 403 .99 for four nights at a cheaper Government rate.

(2) No official of the Department stayed at the Oyster Box as per National Treasury instruction.

(3) Yes, the bookings were made through the service providers appointed to render official travel and accommodation services for the Department of Social Development, namely Wings Naledi and Duma Travel.

Reply:

The information has been requested from all the nine (9) Provincial Education Departments and will be provided as a soon as it is received. It is however, suggested that the information be sought through a Member of the Provincial Legislature as basic education is a concurrent competency.

Reply:

Response regarding Performance Management of the Head of Department of labour (HOD)

1. (a) None

(i) 2015116

(ii) Satisfactory

2. None;

3. None

Reply:

1. No

(a) (b) Not applicable

Reply:

(a) The increase in expenditure in the 2015/16 financial year was mainly as a result of an increase of advertising for awareness campaigns in respect of Labour Laws.

(b)

PURPOSE	PAYMENTS RO GCIS
Campaign: Employment Equity Awards	1,240,969.63
Campaign: Employment Equity Phase 2	662,754.96
Campaign: Child Labour	1,199,876.44
Campaign: Employment Equity Road Shows	907,578.84
Campaign: Domestic Worker Increases	495,083.45
Campaign: Domestic Wage Increases	327,121.77
Campaign: Domestic Wage Increases	230,033.30
Campaign: Farm Worker Wage Increases	152,047.04
Campaign: Farm Workers Wage Increases	2,194,133.55
Campaign: Domestic Wage Increase	3,093,239.20
Campaign: Employment Equity awards	137,756.87
Campaign: Labour Law Amendments	374,806.60
Total	11,015,401.65

(2) Why did her department's operating lease increase by R34, 6 million from the 2014-15 to the 2015-16 financial year?

Response

The reason for the increase is attributed to the outstanding lease payments lo the Department of Public Works; which were paid during the 2015/16 financial year after the Department of Public Works and my Department performed a reconciliation of the account

Reply:

1. (a) What are the vacancy rates for support staff for schools for learners with special educational needs (LSEN) that have boarding facilities in each district and (b) by what date will each of the specified vacancies at the boarding facilities be filled;

(1) (a) and (b) The information requested is not routinely collected at a national level. A request has been sent to Provincial Education Departments for the information. It is, however, suggested that the information be sought through a Member of the Provincial Legislature as basic education is a concurrent competency.

(2) (a) What are the vacancy rates for (i) psychologists, (ii) speech therapists, (iii) occupational therapists, (iv) physiotherapists and (v) nurses at each school for LSEN in each district of each province and (b) by what date will each of the specified vacancies be filled;

(a), (i) (ii), (iii), (vi), and (v); and (b). The information requested is not routinely collected at a national level. A request has been sent to Provincial Education Departments for the information. It is, however, suggested that the information be sought through a Member of the Provincial Legislature as basic education is a concurrent competency.

(3) How many teacher training centres are training teachers through the Funza Lushaka bursary scheme in schools for LSEN in each district of each province?

(3) The Funza Lushaka bursary is being offered at 24 public Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) offering Initial Teacher Education programmes such as the Bachelor in Education (B Ed) or Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). Public HEIs do not train teachers specifically for LSEN schools. However, the Policy on the Minimum Requirements for Teacher Education Qualifications (2015) requires all B Ed and PGCE graduates to be knowledgeable about inclusive education and skilled in identifying and addressing barriers to learning, as well as in curriculum differentiation to address the needs of individual learners within a grade.

Reply:

(1) Yes. The Acting DG has signed the Performance Agreement. I would like to inform the Honourable Member that HODs sign Performance Agreements with provincial MECs not the Minister and the question must therefore be directed to them.

(a)(b)(c) (d)(i)(ii) Not Applicable

(2)(a)(b) Not Applicable

(3) (a)(b) Not Applicable

Reply:

The South African delegation attended the 45th Annual Rainbow Push Coalition Convention upon Ministerial invitation by Reverend Jesse Jackson, a founder and President of the Rainbow Push Coalition. It must remembered that Rev Jackson is one of the human rights activists who contributed immensely to the liberation struggle in Africa, and South Africa in particular.

The 45th Session of the conference provided a unique platform for the South African delegation to learn international best practices in respect of various social development areas such as racial, social and economic justice and social cohesion. Others includes strategies to address homelessness, the scourge of alcohol and substance abuse; violence against women and children, particularly in African American communities, youth development and improvement of access to education for disadvantaged communities. The delegation interacted and exchange ideas with young men and women from different countries including African Americans and the Diaspora.

(b) (i) The delegation was comprised as follows:

• Ms Bathabile Dlamini, MP Honorable Minister of Social Development;
• Ms Constance Nxumalo Deputy Director-General: Welfare Services;
• Mr Oupa Ramachela Acting Deputy Director-General: Corporate Services;
• Mr Abram Phahlamohlaka: Chief of Staff
• Ms Mamokoena Mefolo: Director: Protocol Services.

(b) (ii) The two Deputy Directors-General provided support to the Minister on substantive issues while the Chief of Staff provided speech writing and administrative expertise to the Minister and the Director: Protocol Services provided both the secretariat and protocol support services.

(c) The cost came out of the Ministry budget. In an effort to contain the expenditure for international travel, particularly given the weak rand-dollar exchange rate, the Minister and the delegation utilised a cheaper airline and accommodation recommended by the Mission. The total cost of inclusive of airline tickets for the Minister and delegation, accommodation and ground transport was R547 413.19.

(d) The Minister and the entire delegation were accommodated at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place, which is the hotel where the conference was held. The hotel rates for all delegates were negotiated by the conference organisers, the Rainbow Push Coalition.

Reply:

(a)(i) The Chief Financial Officer possesses a Bachelor of Commerce Degree, Post graduate Diploma in Business Administration and Masters in Business Administration Degree.

(b)(ii) The acting Director-General possesses a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Public Administration and Master of Philosophy Degree.

Reply:

(1) (a) The following table reflects the details in this regard

(i) Number of graduates

Total Graduates per University
	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	Total
Walter Sisulu University	23	24	21	31	15	36	150
Witwatersrand University	0	25	27	52	50	22	176
University of Pretoria	0	44	81	65	60	68	318
Total	23	93	129	148	125	126	644
*This table only indicates graduates who graduated at the end of each year

(ii) (aa) 2012, (bb) 2013, (cc) 2014, (dd) 2015

Total Graduates currently in the job market (Information received from the Twinning Centre who maintain the database of Clinical Associates)

Total graduates currently employed by Provincial Departments
Gauteng	143
Free State	22
Limpopo	21
North West	61
Mpumalanga	73
Western Cape (Not participating in the Programme) 6 Clinical Associates working in private and NGOs	6
Eastern Cape	103
Northern Cape	4
Kwazulu-Natal	54
Total	487

(b) Walter Sisulu University

Witwatersrand University

University of Pretoria

(2) Clinical Associates are currently on salary scale level 7 (seven).

(3) (a) The Scope of Practice will be signed as soon as all due processes have been completed.

(b) This being a new cadre it was critical that all relevant stakeholders be afforded an opportunity to give inputs into the draft regulations. In addition the document had to be technically reviewed by the line manager/department, as well as the Legal Unit in the Department and the Chief State Law Adviser to ensure compliance to the applicable legislative prescripts following incorporation of public comments and recommendation by the Health Professions Council of South Africa.

END.

Reply:

1. The NRF submitted the Implementation Plan for the National Strategy for Multi-Wavelength Astronomy to the DST in November 2015 and it was approved by the DST Executive Committee in March 2016. The Implementation Plan outlines the proposed programmatic focus and consequent financial implications for astronomy initiatives in South Africa, and it was approved as a framework within which various astronomy-related interventions, projects and programmes could be initiated, subject to the availability of funds.

The roll-out of the Plan will be jointly considered on an ongoing basis between the NRF and the DST, taking into account the available financial allocations and the level of support for astronomy within the overall DST and NRF portfolio.

(2) The Implementation Plan of the National Strategy for Multi-Wavelength Astronomy prioritises an increase in the parliamentary grant of the SAAO as the most important need for astronomy outside the MeerKAT/SKA budget. However due to the current economic conditions there has not been an increase in the current baseline allocation to the SAAO. A budget of R40 million has been allocated over the next three years from the DST Infrastructure budget, commencing from the 2016/17 financial year, for IT and infrastructure refurbishments, upgrades and new acquisitions. Although this funding will somewhat alleviate the facility’s current funding constraints and see to some basic needs of upkeep, it does not address the need for additional funding for operations and other programmes in the observatory. In this context the student programme at SAAO remains discontinued until it is feasible to increase the allocation to the SAAO for this purpose.

Reply:

I was attending a Project Mikondzo outreach in Umlazi Township in my official duty as the Minister of Social Development, and I was accompanied by my Personal Assistant.

I was meant to return to Pretoria on the same day, due to the fact that the function ended very late I stayed overnight at the Oyster Box Hotel because at the time of making the booking the travel agency could not secure a cheaper hotel that offers government rates.

 

Reply:

1 (a) This investigation is not yet completed as it requires intense perusal of documents, schools visits and homesteads as well as engagement with external stakeholders to obtain information.

(b) It is anticipated that the investigation will be completed by 30 November 2016. Some of the phases involved in the process; which are the formal suspension and the construction of charges for each individual official: have been finalized. We will now be serving them with notices for disciplinary hearing which will contain their charges. Disciplinary proceedings will then commence in the first week of October 2016.

   (i) The main findings thus far are as follows:

• Court orders and proceedings issued without the children's court hearing.
• Court documents are generated in the office.
• Ethical erosion (accepting bribery, no tinge of conscience and sensitivity towards working with vulnerable groups)
• Trend of revolving children when exiting the system to add younger children to prolong the duration of receiving the foster care grant (ghost children)
• Noncompliance to Legislative mandates and Policies relating to Social Services Profession and Social Welfare Service delivery: Social Workers practicing without professional registration with the Council.

    (ii) We are implementing disciplinary action against 27 employees implicated to the alleged foster care grant fraud.

2. (a) All the 27 officials implicated to the alleged foster care grant fraud are precautionally suspended.

1. The names of the officials will be provided once the investigation is finalized by 30th November 2016.
2. All the 27 officials implicated to the alleged foster care grant fraud are Social Workers.

(b) These officials were precautionary suspended from the 17th August 2016 pending the outcome of the investigation.

3. Yes, the specified staff members are receiving their full salaries while on suspension and this is within the labour law.

    (a) The Disciplinary Code and Procedure for the Public Service makes provision of a suspension of an employee as a precautionary measure which does not constitute judgment, and must be on full pay.

    (b) Employees will receive their full salaries until disciplinary processes have been finalized. The Code stipulates that where an employee is suspended, a disciplinary enquiry must be held within 60 days. It is envisaged that the hearings of these employees will be set for the first week of October 2016 and it is envisaged that the process will be completed within 90 days.

Reply:

The Annual Retainer (AR) for the Deputy Chair of the National Planning Commission is R 96 900 and for other Commissioners R86 700. Daily Meeting Fee for the performance of work related to the National Planning Commission by Commissioners is broken down into four categories as follows:

Rates Description	Purpose	Amount R
Category A	Deputy Chair – for time taken to prepare for, and attend full plenary meetings	9 500
Category B	Commissioners - for time taken to prepare for, and attend full plenary meetings	8 500
Category C	Deputy Chair - for time taken to prepare for, and attend half-day meetings (Working Group/Task Team meetings)	4 750
Category D	Commissioners - for time taken to prepare for, and attend half-day meetings (Working Group/Task Team meetings)	4 250

The National Planning Commission usually meets once a month, however, additional meetings may be held depending on need. Commissioners also attend Task Team meetings whose output is refined in the Work Streams in preparation for discussion in the NPC Plenary. These are held depending on need as per each’s work programme of action.

The Conditions of Service of the Commissioners is primarily, to advise the President, Government and the rest of the country on all matters relating to the long-term development of the country.

Reply:

The Presidency Annual Report (2015-2016) with the Financial Statements, was tabled in Parliament on 29 September 2016. The financial statements that are prepared by the accounting officer, are prepared in accordance with Modified Cash Standards prescribed by National Treasury and the requirement of Public Finance Management Act (Act No. 1 of 1999). The financial statements allow the grouping of some transactions and therefore do not allow for identification of transactions that can be related to this question.

Reply:

(1) The purpose of the loan is to finance the Capital Expenditure Programme.

(a) The amount of the loan is US$500 million. The loan will be disbursed in US dollars in one single disbursement after the fulfilment of conditions precedent to the drawdown.

(b) The loan is a Three (3) year facility with the last repayment of capital on the 3rd October 2019 (3 years from the signing date of the credit agreement – 3rd October 2016). Repayments are quarterly starting from the 3rd January 2017.

(c) This information is confidential as it contains commercial terms between the parties and therefore it cannot be disclosed.

(d) This information is confidential as it contains commercial terms between the parties and therefore it cannot be disclosed.

(2) This facility is currently under negotiation between the parties. The details of the commercial terms and conditions of the loan will however remain confidential between the parties.

 

Reply:

The Minister has two advisors, Mr Malcolm Mabaso and Advocate Zarina Kellerman (BA, LLB, FA ARb, ACI Arb, CEDR UK). Between them, the Minister’s advisors have a wealth of knowledge and experience (spanning over 25 years collectively) in the commercial, legal, governance and mining sectors. They advise Minister on the political environment, legal and regulatory environment, compliance matters and corporate and commercial sectors. Mr Mabaso is a businessman and entrepreneur, having owned and run a number of companies and Advocate Kellerman’s CV is already a matter of public record. Mr Mabaso was employed in October 2015 and Advocate Kellerman in April 2016. Both advisors’ contracts are linked to that of the Minister, with a contractual period of 3 years.

Approved/not approved

Mr MJ Zwane

Minister of Mineral Resources

Date Submitted:-……………/………………/2016

Reply:

1. The mandate of the Transport Education Training Authority (TETA) is to facilitate training within the transport sector through accredited training providers. A list of interventions for years 2013, 2014 and 2015 calendar years are contained in Appendix A. This also includes the planned and actual dates of completion, and the costs for each category of interventions.

2. Yes. The position of Corporate Services Manager was advertised in the Job Portal during August 2011.

3. The average time taken between the departure of a staff member and the appointment of a replacement staff member is three months.

COMPILER/CONTACT PERSONS: Mr M Ngubane

EXT: 5896

DIRECTOR – GENERAL

STATUS:

DATE:

QUESTION 1767 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED

Dr BE NZIMANDE, MP

MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

STATUS:

DATE:

Reply:

(1)(a)(b)(c) – The detailed response is attached as Annexure A.

(2)(a)(ii(iii)(iv) – The data is not available per grade.

(2)(a)(v) and (2)(b)(i)(ii) – The detailed response is attached as Annexure B.

Reply:

The nature of the recommendations is such that some are acted on by the Department of Basic Education (DBE) and others are acted upon by the Provincial Education Departments. However, some recommendations such as the one in question where regulatory changes are necessary require a process that needs to be undertaken with view to finalisation. The Minister has considered the recommendations and subjected them to a sector intensive internal review such as consultation with key stakeholders in the sector. Changes to legislation will be effected after the due process of consultation.

Reply:

(a) An Acting CEO; Advocate Edward Mamadisi, from the Legal Services section of the dti, has been appointed and commenced duties on Monday 17th October. Advocate Mamadisi will be supported by staff from within the dti and the process will be the subject of an oversight process led by the Group COO and the Deputy Director General; Industrial Development Division.

(b) Based on a thorough assessment of the backlog of applications; existing capacity and operational constraints a target date for dealing with the backlog will be ascertained and communicated, if it is at variance with the date given to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Trade and Industry.

Reply:

1. (i) Chief Executive Officer

Name and Position	(aa) Official International Trips 2015	(bb) Official International Trips 2016
Mrs Maphefo Anno-Frempong – Chief Executive Officer	4	4

(ii) Executives

 

Name and Position	(aa) Official International Trips 2015	(bb) Official International Trips 2016
Mr Khotso Ndjwili-Potele - Chief Operations Officer	1	0
Mr Simon Ndukwana - Chief Financial Officer	1	1
Mr Famanda Shirindza - Executive Corporate Services Manager	0	2
Advocate Arthur Maisela - Company Secretary	2	4

(iii) Board members

Name and Position	(aa) Official International Trips 2015	(bb) Official International Trips 2016
Mr Japie Kruger - Board Member	1	0
Ms Trudy Sebastian - Board Member	1	0
Mr Lionel Ritson - Board Member	1	0
Mr Macolive Oldjohn - Board Member	1	0
Ms Lorraine Wentzell - Board Member	1	0
Mr Thulani Mbatha - Board Member	1	0
Ms Veronica Mesatywa - Board Member	1	0
Mr Wyndham Evans - Board Member	1	0
Mr Ntebaleng Setlako - Board Member	2	0
Ms Maryna du Plessis - Board Member	1	0
Mr Saki Tlou - Board Member	1	1
Mr Lucky Kolobe - Board Member	1	1

 

(b) and (c)

Name and Position	Trip	Cost	(c)(i) Purpose	(c)(ii) Itinerary
Mrs Maphefo Anno-Frempong – Chief Executive Officer	Brazil	R101 887.00	Attending World Skills Competition	Appendix A1
	Singapore and Malaysia	R153 765.00	WITS Business School Strategic International Board Leadership Programme	Appendix A2
	Sweden	R114 215.00	Attending World Maritime University (WMU) Graduation, Meeting with Lund University and meeting with SA cohorts of students	Appendix A3
	United Kingdom (UK)	R192 899.00	Attending the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) as part of the delegation of the Deputy Minister of Transport	Appendix A4
	United States of America (USA)	R154 560.00	Attending TETA International Executive Development Programme (IEDP) Global Immersion	Appendix A5
	Singapore and Netherlands	R223 949.00	Attending TETA International Leadership Development Programme (ILDP) Global Immersion.	Appendix A6
	UK and Panama	R158 205.00	Meeting with Cranfield University and Plymouth University on Sector Leadership / Executive Development Programmes Meeting with Mossack - Fonseca Law Firm on Fidentia Matters The Panama leg of this trip is an investigation on Fidentia matter which is a subject of litigation. This was undertaken in conjunction with PWC.	Appendix A7
	Netherlands	R134 727.00	Road Traffic Infringement Agency (RTIA) and Department of Transport to assess the Dutch Roads Safety Strategy	Appendix A10

Mr Khotso Ndjwili-Potele - Chief Operations Officer	Singapore and Malaysia	R153 765.00	WITS Business School Strategic International Board Leadership Programme	Appendix A2
Mr Simon Ndukwana - Chief Financial Officer	Singapore and Malaysia	R153 765.00	WITS Business School Strategic International Board Leadership Programme	Appendix A2
	Philippines	R76 551.03	Panel of judges in Students for Advancement of Global Entrepreneurship (SAGE)	Appendix A8
Mr Famanda Shirindza - Executive Corporate Services Manager	USA	R154 360.00	International Executive Development Programme – Immersion	Appendix A5
	Singapore and Netherlands	R76 276.00	International Leadership Development Programme (ILDP) – Immersion	Appendix A6
Adv Arthur Maisela - Company Secretary	UK-Scotland	R57 475.00	Commonwealth Law Conference	Appendix A9
	Singapore and Malaysia	R153 765.00	WITS Business School Strategic International Board Leadership Programme	Appendix A2
	Mozambique - Maputo	R37 880.00	Rio Tinto Investigation – Indub Litigation	Part of PWC Forensic investigation and a subject of ongoing litigation.
	Mozambique - Tete	R14 063. 00	Signature of Affidavit by Rio Tinto Employee in favour of TETA	Part of PWC Forensic investigation and a subject of ongoing litigation.
	UK/Panama	R178 205.00	Meetings with Cranfield University and Plymouth Universities in UK on Sector Leadership / Executive Development Programmes Panama: Meeting with Mossack - Fonseca Law Firm on Fidentia Matters	Appendix A7
Mr Japie Kruger - Board Member	Singapore and Malaysia	R153 765.00	WITS Business School Strategic International Board Leadership Programme	Appendix A2
Ms Trudy Sebastian - Board Member	Singapore and Malaysia	R153 765.00	WITS Business School Strategic International Board Leadership Programme	Appendix A2
Mr Lionel Ritson - Board Member	Singapore and Malaysia	R153 765.00	WITS Business School Strategic International Board Leadership Programme	Appendix A2
Mr Macolive Oldjohn - Board Member	Singapore and Malaysia	R153 765.00	WITS Business School Strategic International Board Leadership Programme	Appendix A2
Ms Lorraine Wentzell - Board Member	Singapore and Malaysia	R153 765.00	WITS Business School Strategic International Board Leadership Programme	Appendix A2
Mr Thulani Mbatha - Board Member	Singapore and Malaysia	R153 765.00	WITS Business School Strategic International Board Leadership Programme	Appendix A2
Ms Veronica Mesatywa - Board Member	Singapore and Malaysia	R153 765.00	WITS Business School Strategic International Board Leadership Programme	Appendix A2
Mr Wyndham Evans - Board Member	Singapore and Malaysia	R153 765.00	WITS Business School Strategic International Board Leadership Programme	Appendix A2
Mr Ntebaleng Setlako - Board Member	Singapore and Malaysia	R153 765.00	WITS Business School Strategic International Board Leadership Programme	Appendix A2
	Sweden	R107 800.00	Graduation Ceremony of WMU Cohorts of TETA sponsored students	Appendix A3
Ms Maryna du Plessis - Board Member	Singapore and Malaysia	R153 765.00	WITS Business School Strategic International Board Leadership Programme	Appendix A2
Mr Saki Tlou - Board Member	Singapore and Malaysia	R153 765.00	WITS Business School Strategic International Board Leadership Programme	Appendix A2
	Singapore and Netherlands	R223 949.00	International Leadership Development Programme (ILDP) –Immersion	Appendix A6
Mr Lucky Kolobe - Board Member	Singapore and Malaysia	R153 765.00	WITS Business School Strategic International Board Leadership Programme	Appendix A2
	United States of America	R154 360.00	International Executive Development Programme - Immersion	Appendix A5

 

COMPILER/CONTACT PERSONS:

EXT:

DIRECTOR – GENERAL

STATUS:

DATE:

QUESTION 1763 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED

Dr BE NZIMANDE, MP

MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

STATUS:

DATE:

Reply:

I have been advised by the Department as follows:-

1. The National Cybersecurity Advisory Council (NCAC) has not been disbanded. However, the Term of Office of the current Council expired at the end of September 2016. We are in a process of extending the appointment pending to annual report.

1 (a) The NCAC was divided into various work streams in which the members have actively participated: Governance; National Coordination and Cooperation; Cybersecurity Structures; Legislation; International cooperation; and, Research and Development.

Specific recommendations will be included in the NCAC’s Annual Report.

1 (b)(i) The Minister met with the NCAC on the 27th August 2015 and will meet with the Council when they present their Annual Report which is currently been compiled.

1 (b)(ii) The Council has not been disbanded

1 (b)(iii) N/A

Reply:

(1) (a) Yes.

(b) Yes.

(c) A single report was submitted for each trip, which covered delegations of more than one individual.

The following reports were submitted:

• The Commonwealth Law Conference report was submitted on 20 April 2015.
• Wits Strategic International Board Leadership Programme report was submitted on 29 October 2015.
• World Maritime University (WMU) Graduation, TETA 2016 Cohort orientation, 2015 Cohort Farewell and Lund University discussions reports were submitted on 27 November 2015.
• High level road safety study tour - Road Traffic Infringement Agency (RTIA) and Department of Transport delegation – the consolidated report was submitted on 19 February 2016.
• Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) International Leadership Development Programme (ILDP) and International Executive Development Programme (IEDP) Global Immersion reports were submitted on 5 April 2016.
• Mozambique TETA / Indub Litigation report was submitted on 13 June 2016. This report is sub judice.
• The International Maritime Organisation report was submitted on 26 July 2016.
• Brazil World Skills Competition report was submitted on 25 September 2015.
• Students for Advancement of Global Entrepreneurship (SAGE) report was submitted on 24 August 2016.
• The report on the meeting with Mossack - Fonseca Law Firm on Fidentia Matters in Panama was submitted on 25 August 2016. This report is sub judice.
• The graduation report from the Wits Business School Strategic International Board Leadership Programme graduation report is due on 26 October 2016.
• The report on the trip to Cranfield University and Plymouth Universities in UK on Sector Leadership / Executive Development Programmes will be presented to the Board on 27 October 2016.

2. All submitted reports will be provided, excluding those that have been indicated as sub judice.

3. (a) Acting Chief Executive Officer:

• Khotso Ndjwili-Potele: 10 August 2015 to 17 August 2015
• Khotso Ndjwili-Potele: 01 February 2016 to 08 February 2016
• Khotso Ndjwili-Potele: 22 February 2016 to 07 March 2016
• Famanda Shirindza: 15 August 2016 to 19 August 2016

Acting Chief Financial Officer:

• Clare McGill-McGowan: 10 August to 16 August 2016

Acting Corporate Services Manager:

• Sabelo Mbuku: 30 January 2016 to 09 February 2016
• Sabelo Mbuku: 20 February 2016 to 04 March 2016

(b) During the Strategic International Board Leadership Programme Immersion visit from 5-11 September 2015, no member of staff was appointed to act in the absence an executive, as they were able to fulfil their responsibilities remotely.

COMPILER/CONTACT PERSONS:

EXT:

DIRECTOR – GENERAL

STATUS:

DATE:

QUESTION 1764 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED

Dr BE NZIMANDE, MP

MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

STATUS:

DATE:

Reply:

1. The number of permanent employees on salary levels 11 to 15, as well as all permanent and contract appointments on salary levels 16 in all national departments as in March 2009 and January 2016 are displayed in the table below.

Number of employees in the Public Service by Management and Salary level
as in March 2009 and January 2016
Salary Level	2009	2016
11	2464	2662
12	5256	5960
13	2599	3572
14	843	1279
15	201	281
16	59	74
Data Source: PERSAL
Compiled by the DPSA Excluding Defence

Reply:

(a) Department	(i) Amount spent on advertising on the Africa News Network 7 channel	(ii) Amount spent on advertising on the SA Broadcasting Corporation (ii)(aa) Television channels	(ii)(bb) Radio stations	(iii) Amount spent on advertising on the national commercial radio stations	(iv) Amount spent on advertising on the community (iv)(aa) Television	(iv)(bb) Radio Stations	(iv)(aaa) Amount spent on advertising in the 2015-16 financial year	(iv)(bbb) Amount spent on advertising since 1 April 2016
		R 4 399 488.00	R778 597.20			R4 399 488.00	R5 178 085.20	R4 399 488.00

(a) Public Entity	(i) Amount spent on advertising on the Africa News Network 7 channel	(ii) Amount spent on advertising on the SA Broadcasting Corporation (ii)(aa) Television channels	(ii)(bb) Radio stations	(iii) Amount spent on advertising on the national commercial radio stations	(iv) Amount spent on advertising on the community (iv)(aa) Television	(iv)(bb) Radio Stations	(iv)(aaa) Amount spent on advertising in the 2015-16 financial year	(iv)(bbb) Amount spent on advertising since 1 April 2016
AGRISETA							R 863 000.00	R 76 143.00
2. BANKSETA
3.CETA							R950 986.70	R1 521 610.90
4. CHIETA						R22 498.86	R22 498.86
5.EWSETA							R777 612.26	R207 127.16
6. FP&M SETA							R 374 102.00	R 146 717.00
7. HWSETA						R90 142.89	R90 142.89
8. INSETA
9. LGSETA
10. MICT SETA							R118 548.00	R15 000.00
11. MERSETA							R1 900 059.00	R322 166.00
12. MQA
13.NSFAS
14.NSF							R150 373.98
15. PSETA							R213 236.38	R21 250.41
16. QCTO							R331 000.00	R22 000.00
17. SASSETA							R586 288	R236 630
18. SAQA			R915 088.80				R915 088.80	R307 474.75
19. SERVICESSETA						R 1 035	R 1 979 728.20	R 916 043
20. TETA
21. W&RSETA							R200 058.40
22. CHE

COMPILER/CONTACT PERSONS:

EXT:

DIRECTOR – GENERAL

STATUS:

DATE:

QUESTION 2092 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED

Dr BE NZIMANDE, MP

MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

STATUS:

DATE:

Reply:

I have been advised by the Department as follows:-

(a)(i) CFO has the following qualifications and experience

Senior Certificate, Extracurricular Higher Diploma with field of study Tax Law

Baccalaureus Commercii with specialisation in Accounting Science and Honours Bachelor of Accounting Science. She has vast experience in a financial field as she worked as a CFO in the Department of Police, Roads and Transport in the Free State Province from 2013 to 2015

(ii) N/A

(b)(i) The post of Director General is currently vacant and we are in a process of finalising the appointment. The Acting Director General has Senior Certificate, incomplete BSc Engineering which was disrupted because of apartheid activities. However he has a vast experience in ICT and Broadcasting. He was appointed as DDG in 1999-2005 in the former department of Communications. He was reappointed as a special advisor at a DDG level since 2013.

Reply:

Yes, the Director-General’s performance has consistently been fully effective, and/or above average in the last six performance cycles, since her appointment. During the 2011/12 performance cycle she was recommended for category B performance bonus of 5% in terms of the prescribed bonus percentage in line with Chapter 4 of the SMS Handbook for her above-average performance.

END.

Reply:

2015/2016
	Department of Defence	Department of Military Veterans
Medium	(amount in rand)	(amount in rand)
(i) Africa News Network	100 000.00	0.00
(ii) SABC
(aa)SABC TV	600.000	1 100 000.00
(bb) SABC Radio Stations	180.000	1 276 827.36
(iii) National commercial radio stations	R 0.00	R 0.00
(iv) Community
(aa) television	800 000.00	R 0.00
(bb) radio stations	128 000.00	756 000.00
TOTAL	1 808 000.00	3 132 827.36
01 APRIL 2016 TO DATE
	Department of Defence	Department of Military Veterans
Medium	(amount in rand)	(amount in rand)
(i) Africa News Network	0.00	0.00
(vi) SABC
(aa)SABC TV	0.00	R 0.00
(bb) SABC Radio Stations	0.00	541 317.60
(vii) National commercial radio stations	0.00	545 208.00
(viii) Community	0.00	276 000.00
(aa) television	0.00	351 963.00
(bb) radio stations	0.00
TOTAL	0.00	1 714 488.60

Reply:

(1)- (2) The SIU has not yet reported to the President on this matter and it would be inappropriate to comment on any findings or recommendations which they may make.

Reply:

I have been informed by USAASA that:

In March 2016 the parties agreed that the matter be settled and the court action was accordingly withdrawn with all the parties paying their own legal costs. The settlements was motivated by the fact that the employment contract of the former CEO, Mr Zami Nkosi expired on 31 March 2016.

Reply:

I have been informed by the Department and Entities reporting to me as follows:

(a)(i)(ii) No money was spent on advertising on the Africa News Network 7 channel or the SA Broadcasting Corporation by the Department for the financial year 2015-16.

(b)(i)(ii)(aa)(bb)(iii)(iv)(aaa)(bb)(aaa):-

SENTECH , BBI, NEMISA, USAASA and .Zadna spent nil on during the 2015-16 financial year.

The following Entities spent the following on advertising on the (i) Africa News Network 7 channel and (ii) SA Broadcasting Corporation during the 2015-16 financial year as follows:-

ENTITY	ANN7	SABC TV	SABC RADIO	NATIONAL COMMERCIAL RADIO STATION	COMMUNITY TV	COMMUNITY RADIO
SITA	R0. 00	R0. 00	R333 337	R217 060	R0. 00	R0. 00
SAPO	R0.00	R2 726 955	R4 076 651	R0. 00	R0. 00	R0. 00

(bbb) No money was spent on advertising by the Department and entities since 1 April 2016.

Reply:

(a)(i) Sprompothle Shadrack Mononyane

(a)(ii) EJM Mahlabe Primary School (JERICHO WEST)

(a)(iii)(aa) Letlhabile Area Office (BOJANALA);

(bb) North West

(iv) 22 years of service

(b) State-paid post as all other Principal posts.

Reply:

(a) Appointed Implementing Agents (IA) who underperformed in the Eastern Cape are the Independent Development Trust (IDT) and the Council of Scientific Industrial Research (CSIR).

(b) The amounts allocated to the affected contracts are as follows:

IDT EC	36 Inappropriate schools projects	*R 617m
IDT EC	Batch1 of water and sanitation projects	R 239m
IDT EC	Batch 2 of water and sanitation projects	*R 299m
CSIR	152 water, 63 sanitation projects	*R 192m

*pre-tender estimates

(c) The term of the contract was as follows:

IDT EC	36 Inappropriate schools projects	2 years
IDT EC	Batch 1 of water and sanitation projects	1 year
IDT EC	Batch 2 of water and sanitation projects	1 year
CSIR	152 water, 63 sanitation projects	1 year

(d) The contract with CSIR was terminated by mutual agreement and the scope of work for IDT was reduced by taking away the projects that were initially allocated to them under Batch 2 water and sanitation. The IDT was instructed to provide qualified and competent project personnel which would be assessed and approved by the Department of Basic Education (DBE)). Monitoring and oversight by the DBE is done through the appointed ASIDI Programme Support Unit, with regular site visits and steering committee meetings where progress is assessed.

 

Reply:

Yes, the South African Council for Educators will be submitting its report to the Department of Basic Education on or about 27 September 2016.

Reply:

1. (i) Chief Financial Officers (CFOs)

PROVINCE	NAME	FORMAL QUALIFICATIONS
National Department	Mr Ian van der Merwe	Masters in Business Administration (MBA); University of Pretoria, 2001 Thesis: Managing Intellectual Capital as a Core Competence in Achieving an Organisation’s Strategic Intent Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) Financial Management; University of South Africa (UNISA), 1995 Bachelor of Commerce; University of Pretoria, 1992 Economics 3 | Banking 3 | Financial Management 3 Senior Certificate / Matric; Centurion High School, 1988
Eastern Cape	Mr Simon Kaye	Matric obtained in 1993 BCom from Rhodes University 1996 Higher Diploma in Accounting from Rhodes University 1998 Chartered accountant South Africa registered with SAICA in 2005
Free State	Mr Molefi Benedict Motsie	B. Commerce (accounting); Master of Business Leadership (MBL)
Gauteng	Mr George Mahlangu	B Compt (Hons) B Comm( Accounting) H Dip Corporate Law Dip in Public Sector Governance LLB(93% Complete) (Completed articles with Deloitte)
Mpumalanga	Mr CB Mnisi	BTech Internal Audit (TUT) ND: Internal Audit (PretoriaTech) Bachelor of Arts: Social Sciences Diploma Public Administration
Northern Cape	Ms Shouneez Wookey	BCompt Hons CTA Diploma Forensic Auditing
North West	Mr Andrew Kyereh	CA; CIA; MSc. Econ; Post -Graduate Dip: Strategic Planning
Western Cape	Mr Andries Jacobus van Niekerk	Hons B Comm CA(SA)

(ii) Acting Chief Financial Officers

PROVINCE	NAME	FORMAL QUALIFICATIONS
Limpopo	Mr M Justice Mudau	BCom
KwaZulu Natal	Mr Siphesihle Mkhize	CA(SA) BCom Honours

(b) Director-General;

 (i) Senior Certificate (Matric), Bachelor of Pharmacy, Post graduate Diploma in Health Management and Masters in Law degree in Public Health, Law and Ethics.

 (ii) N/A

END.

Reply:

(1)(a) Ms Dudu Myeni is the Chairperson of the Mhlathuze Water Board. The term of office for the Chairperson has been extended until such a time that a new Board is appointed.

According to the Public Finance Management Act, 1999 (PFMA), as amended, the Minister is the Executive Authority of the National Public Entity with ownership control over such entity. The PFMA defines ownership control as the “ability to exercise any of the following powers to govern the financial and operating policies of the entity in order to obtain benefits from its activities:

• To appoint or remove all, or the majority of, the members of that entity’s board of directors or equivalent governing body;
• to appoint or remove that entity’s Chief Executive Officer;
• to cast all, or the majority of, the votes at meetings of that board of directors or equivalent governing body; or
• to control all, or the majority of, the voting rights at a general meeting of that entity.

(1)(b) Ms Myeni served on the Board of Mhlathuze Water since 2002. To ensure continuity and good governance of the entity, the Minister decided to extend her term of office.

(2) No. Due to the establishment of a single Water Board in KwaZulu-Natal, the Chairperson’s term of office was extended until such time that a new Board is appointed.

(2)(a) The contract has been renewed three (3) times since her initial appointment.

(2)(b)(c) Refer to the response provided in (1)(a) above.

---00O00---

Reply:

Yes.

 (a) – (b) The recruitment process for the appointment of a permanent employee is on course and will be communicated once finalised.

Reply:

(a)  No, the Minister will not interfere with the freedoms of any employee to choose to join or establish any union or political party. South Africa is a signatory to 27 Conventions of the ILO and are categorized as:

• Fundamental Conventions: 8 of 8;
• Governance Conventions (Priority): 2 of 4; and
• Technical Conventions: 17 of 177.

 

Out of 27 Conventions ratified by South Africa, of which 23 are in force, 2 Conventions have been denounced.

The Freedom of Association (C087 - Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948 (No. 87)) is the right to join or leave groups of a person's own choosing, and for the group to take collective action to pursue the interests of members.[1] It is both an individual right and a collective right, guaranteed by all modern and democratic legal systems. Article 3 of this Convention specifically prevent public authorities (governments) from any interference which would restrict this right or impede the lawful exercise thereof.

Jeremy McBride[2] argues that respect for the freedom of association by all public authorities and the exercising of this freedom by all sections of society are essential both to establish a "genuine democracy" and to ensure that, once achieved, it remains "healthy and flourishing".

The Constitution of South Africa is the supreme law of the country of South Africa. It provides the legal foundation for the existence of the republic, sets out the rights and duties of its citizens, and defines the structure of the government.

Section 19 of the Constitution provides for the political rights of every citizen to freely make political choices which include to form a political party, to participate in activities of such a political party including recruiting members and campaigning for the political party.

(b) Section 23 of the Constitution provides for the following Labour rights which cannot be derogated:

1. Everyone has the right to fair labour practice
2. Every worker has the right –

       (a) to form and join a trade union

       (b) to participate in the activities and programmes of the union; and

       (c) to strike.

 (i) School-based educators: According to the Education Labour Relations Council’s (ELRC) Collective Agreement 2 of 2007 and Chapter F of the Personnel Administrative Measures (PAM), school-based educators have the right to be nominated by their trade union to be utilised as Shop Stewards in education in order to enhance the labour relations in the public education sector. Only post level one educators who are permanently employed are eligible to be nominated or appointed as Shop Stewards in education. Office-based educators can only be site stewards at the workplace and they are not in any way office bearers of the unions.

It is an educator’s Constitutional right including school principals to belong to a trade union. Chapter F of the Personnel Administrative Measures (PAM) further stipulates that unions are entitled to have educators in good standing seconded to Trade unions that are registered with the Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC) to occupy full time positions in the union (see also (Resolution 8 of 1995). In addition to this, Collective Agreement 2 of 2007 on Shop Stewards in Education does not prohibit any educator including principals to belong to any trade union.

1. Jeremy McBride, Freedom of Association, The Essentials of Human Rights (Hodder Arnold 2005) 18, states it involves coming together with other individuals and collectively express, promote, pursue and defend common interests. ↑

2. Jeremy McBride, Freedom of Association, The Essentials of Human Rights, Hodder Arnold, London, 2005 ↑

Reply:

Recommendation 15 is one of the long-term recommendations which the Department of Basic Education is still considering.

Reply:

(a) What formal qualifications does each of her department’s (a)(i) Chief Financial Officers and/or (ii) acting Chief Financial Officers possess?

(i) Chief Financial Officer - Ms N Molalekoa

Bachelor of Commerce

University of Bophuthatswana

Obtained 1990

Advanced Financial Management

University of Pretoria

Obtained 2010

(ii) Acting Chief Financial Officer

Not applicable

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, WRITTEN REPLY, QUESTION 2013

DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 23/09/2016

INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 29/2016

2013. Mrs Z B N Balindlela (DA) to ask the Minister of Basic Education:

(b) What formal qualifications does each of her department’s (b)(i) Directors-General and/or (ii) acting Directors-General possess?

 (i) Director-General – Mr HM Mweli

Bachelor of Arts in Education

University of Bophuthatswana

Obtained 1992

Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in History

University of North-West

Obtained 1996

Bachelor of Administration (Honours) (Industrial Relations)

University of North-West

Obtained 2001

Master of Development and Management

North-West University

Obtained 2007

(ii) Acting Director-General

Not applicable

Reply:

Yes, recommendation nine (9) is a long-term recommendation that has to be discussed and negotiated with all trade unions in the education sector.

Reply:

The Department has written to all the provinces requesting for the above-mentioned information. A follow-up has since been made to the provinces and the Department is awaiting responses.

Reply:

A response as provided by IEC:

(1)(i-ii) The EC has proceeded with legal action in two respects based on the recommendations made by the PP, namely, instituting disciplinary proceedings against the responsible employees and launching an application to review and set aside the Riverside Office Park lease. Both matters are well under way. The review process is dealt with in the response to part 2 of this parliamentary question. Insofar as the disciplinary proceedings are concerned, disciplinary charges were served on the affected employees on 12 November 2014. The hearing commenced on 29 January 2015. The employees concerned took certain technical issues arising out of their disciplinary process on review to the Labour Court which ruled in favour of the Electoral Commission in 2015. These employees then obtained leave to appeal the Labour Court’s ruling, and all that is awaited now is a date for the hearing of the appeal in the Labour Appeal Court.

(2) There has been a lengthy exchange of affidavits between all the parties involved in the matter in the course of legal proceedings with the volume of documents in excess of 2500 pages. From a procedural point of view the EC has complied with its part and is awaiting Abland’s heads of arguments which is due in the course of next week. Only once the EC has received Abland’s heads of argument can a date be obtained for the hearing. This is in accordance with the practice directives of the High Court. Whilst the EC will procure a date for the hearing in October 2016, it is anticipated the matter will only be set down for hearing in early 2017 as a result of an overly burdened court roll.