Questions and Replies
29 September 2016 - NW1909
Mhlongo, Mr TW to ask the Minister of Tourism
(1)(a) What is the current status of the process to appoint a chief executive officer for SA Tourism and (b) by what date will the specified position be filled; (b) by what date will the specified position be filled; (2) what amount did SA Tourism spend on the remuneration of board members in the (a) 2013-14, (b) 2014-15 and (c) 2015-16 financial years; (3) (a) what are the details of the current vacancy rate at SA Tourism and (b) how do the specified vacancies affect the performance of SA Tourism, especially relating to marketing activities?
Reply:
1. (a) Following Cabinet’s concurrence on 28 September 2016, the recommended candidate, Mr Sisa Ntshona was notified of his appointment as CEO by the SA Tourism Board.
(b) Mr Ntshona will assume duties on 3 October 2016.
2. (a) Remuneration of Board members was tabled in the SA Tourism Annual Report 2013/14. Refer to page 73 and 100.
(b) Remuneration of Board members was tabled in the SA Tourism Annual Report 2014/15. Refer to page 74 and 75.
(c) Remuneration of Board members was tabled in the SA Tourism Annual Report 2015/16. Refer to page 81 and 82.
3. (a) SA Tourism Vacancies:
Business Unit |
Approved positions |
Occupied positions |
Vacant positions |
Temporary staff |
Office of the CEO |
6 |
5 |
1 |
- |
Operations |
30 |
28 |
2 |
2 |
Finance |
23 |
22 |
1 |
3 |
SANCB |
15 |
12 |
3 |
2 |
Marketing |
114 |
93 |
21 |
4 |
TGCSA |
14 |
14 |
- |
- |
Total |
202 |
174 |
28 |
11 |
(b) The vacancies have not affected the performance of SA Tourism. Interim arrangements have been made to ensure that the operations of the organisation are not impacted during the organisational review process.
29 September 2016 - NW1910
Mokgalapa, Mr S to ask the Minister of Tourism
How has his department allocated the additional R10,7 million received from the tourist levies collected by Tourism Marketing of South Africa?
Reply:
The additional funding of R10,7 million is being used for marketing activities through the Tourism Business Council of SA (TBCSA)/ Tourism Marketing South Africa (TOMSA) and the SA Tourism Collaborative Fund. Four core markets, namely Germany, United States of America, United Kingdom and China have been selected for Joint Marketing Agreements to boost tourist arrivals and tourism revenue into South Africa.
29 September 2016 - NW2077
Kalyan, Ms SV to ask the Minister of Transport
(1)Whether each Head of Department (HOD) of her department signed a performance agreement since their appointment; if not, (a) what is the total number of HODs who have not signed performance agreements, (b) what is the reason in each case, (c) what action has she taken to rectify the situation and (d) what consequences will the specified HOD face for failing to sign the performance agreements; if so, (i) when was the last performance assessment of each HOD conducted and (ii) what were the results in each case; (2) whether any of the HODs who failed to sign a performance agreement received a performance bonus since their appointment; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) at what rate and (b) what criteria were used to determine the specified rate; (3) whether any of the HODs who signed a performance agreement received a performance bonus since their appointment; if so, (a) at what rate and (b) what criteria were used to determine the
Reply:
1. In response to the above-mentioned questions, it should be mentioned that the last permanent HOD left the Department in February 2013. From 2013/14 to 2014/15, i.e. for these two financial years, the Department did not have a permanent HOD, except several tenures of acting appointments.
The next permanent HOD, Mr PG Selepe, was appointed on 25 February 2015 (i.e. one month before the end of the 2014/15 performance cycle).
Mr PG Selepe has signed his Performance Agreement for 2015/16 on 30 June 2015 instead of 31 May, the Performance Agreement was submitted to the Public Service Commission on 30 June 2015 as a requirement for all the permanent HODs.
(a) For 2016/17, Mr PG Selepe did not sign the Performance Agreement by 31 May 2016.
(b) Mr PG Selepe was put on special leave with effect from 3 May 2016 until to date (i.e. few weeks before the due date of 31 May 2016).
(c) Not applicable, due to response in (b).
(d) A consequence for not signing Performance Agreement will result in forfeiture of performance incentives including pay progression for the 2015/16 performance cycle in line with the DPSA directive of 31/07/2012. In this case it will not be applicable due to response in (b).
(1)(i) The then HOD, Mr PG Selepe, did not comply in submitting the 2015/16 Half Yearly Review and 2015/16 Annual Performance Assessment.
(1)(ii) In view of the above, this is not applicable.
(2) For the past two consecutive performance cycles (i.e. 2013/14 and 2014/15), there was no HOD, hence there was no reporting. Therefore a response to this question is not applicable.
(3) Not applicable due to the reasons given above.
29 September 2016 - NW1926
Stander, Ms T to ask the Minister of Transport
What (a) were the objectives of the Youth Road Safety Summit launched on 25 June 2016 in Pretoria, Gauteng, (b) was achieve, measured against the specified objectives, (c) are the timeframes for the specified objectives and (d) mechanisms have been put in place to ensure that the specified objectives are met?
Reply:
(a) The Youth Road Safety Summit that was held on 25 June was a culmination of Provincial Road Safety Youth Summits that were held in all provinces. The purpose was to establish a National Structure of young people who are engaged in road safety. The aim is to place youth at the centre of finding solutions to the ever daunting task of road deaths as these affect the youth more than any age category of road users.
(b) A National Structure was established. It is made up of the youth from all provinces and different organisations ranging from businesses, NGOs, (b) faith-based organisations, etc. These were also co-opted into the structure.
(c) The term of office of the elected body is one year. They have the responsibility of developing a programme that will focus on youth and road safety. In developing such a programme, they will take into account what is being done in the fraternity and what the shortcomings area as well as coming up with innovative ways of appealing to the youth. The programmes have to be all inclusive and accomodative of divergent youth of the country.
(d) The RTMC has been mandated to provide support to the national structure, with other road entities interacting with the structure as well. The provinces are expected to play a similar role with regards to supporting the youth structures in respective provinces.
29 September 2016 - NW2034
Cassim, Mr Y to ask the Minister of Science and Technology
What formal qualifications does each of her department’s (a)(i) Chief Financial Officers and/or (ii) acting Chief Financial Officers and (b)(i) Directors-General and/or (ii) acting Directors-General possesses?”
Reply:
(a)(i) The Chief Financial Officer position is permanently filled. The employee has the following qualifications:
- Bachelor of Commerce.
- Master’s Degree in Business Administration.
(a)(ii) Not applicable. The position is permanently filled.
(b)(i) The Director-General position is permanently filled. The employee has the following qualifications:
- Bachelor of Science Degree.
- Bachelor of Science Honours Degree.
- Master of Science Degree.
- Doctor of Philosophy.
(b)(ii) Not applicable. The position is permanently filled.
29 September 2016 - NW1911
Mokgalapa, Mr S to ask the Minister of Tourism
(a) What are the causes for the delays in the transfer of R2,9 million from his department to SA Tourism and (b) how often did SA Tourism not receive funds allocated by his department as per the agreed time frames?
Reply:
(a) There was no delay in the transfer of funds to South African Tourism. The total marketing allocation as appropriated was transferred in April 2016 upon National Treasury’s approval, to allow for management of potential currency losses.
(b) Not applicable. The department transfers the contribution to South African Tourism quarterly in advance.
29 September 2016 - NW1927
Terblanche, Ms JF to ask the Minister of Transport
(1)Whether, with reference to her reply to question 164 on 29 February 2016, any further motor vehicle license renewal notices have not reached motorists on time; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) why and (b) why are the specified motorists being penalised for not renewing the specified licenses on time; (2) whether she is considering an alternative method of issuing the motor vehicle license renewal notices in the future; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
(1) (a) From the information that the Department has received we have been advised that the renewal notices are being sent to all the motorist.
(b) In terms the legislation it required that a motor vehicle be licensed after every twelve months, therefore it is the responsibility of the owners of a motor vehicles to renew their licenses after the expiry thereof.
(2) At this stage the Department have not yet engaged with all the role players , however we will be engaging on finding ways of using technology to improve the service delivery.
29 September 2016 - NW2042
Figg, Mr MJ to ask the Minister of Transport
What formal qualifications does each of her department’s (a)(i) Chief Financial Officers and/or (ii) acting Chief Financial Officers and (b)(i) Directors-General and/or (ii) acting Directors-General possess?
Reply:
What formal qualifications does each of her department’s (a)(i) Chief Financial Officers and/or (ii) acting Chief Financial Officers and (b)(i) Directors-General and/or (ii) acting Directors-General possess?
The formal qualifications of the:
(a)(i) Financial Officer;
(a)(ii) Acting Chief Financial Officer;
(b)(i) Director-General; and
(b)(ii) Acting Director-General
are as follows:
QUESTION |
POST |
QUALIFICATIONS |
(a)(i) |
Chief Financial Officer |
Grade 12 B Comm Degree Diploma in Central Banking Diploma in Treasury Management & Trade Finance Advanced Diploma in Central Banking Certified Associate of the IOB International Capital Market Qualification |
(a)(ii) |
Acting Chief Financial Officer |
Grade 12 B Comm Degree B Comm Honours Degree in Accounting |
(b)(i) |
Director-General: Transport |
Position vacant |
(b)(ii) |
Acting Director-General: Transport |
Grade 12 Diploma in Public Administration Bachelor of Arts Degree Post Graduate Diploma in Transport Management Master of Business Administration Degree |
29 September 2016 - NW2040
Steenkamp, Ms J to ask the Minister of Tourism
What formal qualifications does each of his department’s (a) (i) Chief Financial Officers and/or (ii) acting Chief Financial Officers and (b) (i) Directors-General and/or (ii) acting Directors-General possess?
Reply:
a) (i) Chief Financial Officer
National Diploma: State Accounts and Finance
(ii) Acting Chief Financial Officers
Not applicable
(b)(i) Directors-General
Bachelor of Science Degree in Physics and Applied Physics
International Graduate Diploma in Environmental Management (Israel)
Postgraduate Diploma in Strategic Management and Corporate Governance
Graduate Diploma in Company Direction
(ii) Acting Directors-General
Not applicable
29 September 2016 - NW1907
Mhlongo, Mr TW to ask the Minister of Tourism
Whether his department has achieved its targets of (a) total tourism revenue and (b) job opportunities created up to the latest specified date for which information is available in line with the National Tourism Strategy 2020; if not, in each case, why not; if so, in each case, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
(a) The National Tourism Sector Strategy (NTSS) did not provide an indicator for total tourism revenue. However, targets are provided for Gross Domestic Product (GDP) contribution. In this regard, the targets have been achieved. Tourism was estimated to contribute R71 billion in 2009 in the original NTSS with a target of R118 billion by 2015. The Tourism Satellite Account for South Africa, final 2012 and provisional 2013 and 2014 recorded a contribution of R111 560 billion (2.9% of total GDP) in 2014. In terms of total (direct and indirect) GDP contribution, the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) Travel and Tourism Economic Impact 2016 South Africa Report estimated a contribution of R375 billion in 2015 (9.4% of total GDP).
(b) Yes, 2015 NTSS targets in terms of both direct and total jobs were achieved. The NTSS 2011 provided a baseline of 389 100 direct jobs in 2009 and a target of 403 900 direct jobs in 2015. According to the Tourism Satellite Account for South Africa (final 2012 and provisional 2013 and 2014) tourism contributed 680 817 direct jobs in 2014. The WTTC Travel and Tourism Economic Impact 2016 South Africa Report estimated a contribution of 703 000 direct jobs in 2015. This performance exceeded the National Tourism Sector Strategy targets.
In respect of total jobs (both direct and indirect) contribution, the NTSS set a baseline of 919 800 jobs in 2009 and a target of 968 300 jobs in 2015. The WTTC estimated a total contribution of 1 554 000 jobs in 2015, surpassing the 2020 target of 1 097 000.
29 September 2016 - NW1919
Motau, Mr SC to ask the Minister of Transport
With reference to her reply to question 405 on 8 March 2016, (a) who are the members of the Traffic Legislation Technical Committee, (b) what criteria were used to appoint the members to the committee and (c) why have certain members serving previously on the committee been excluded?
Reply:
(a) The members of the TLTC are the National Department of Transport together with its Agencies and the 9 Provincial Departments responsible for transport.
(b) Road Traffic Regulation is a functional areas of concurrent National and Provincial legislative competence as provided for in terms of schedule 4 of the Constitution, so each province must form part of this committee for decision making.
(c) There are no members that have been excluded.
29 September 2016 - NW1928
Terblanche, Ms JF to ask the Minister of Transport
(a) Why are enatic face value documents unavailable in some provincial department of transport offices, (b) what is being done to ensure that these documents are available in all offices and (c) by what date is this expected to be resolved?
Reply:
(a) Although provinces ordered adequate stock from the Government Printing Works to deal with all the service of all transactions required, the backup stock of face value documents that they keep was not enough to deal with the growth in the number of services that were required.
(b) Provinces have been advised to request assistance from other Registering Authorities that have surplus face value documents. Furthermore, provinces have been advised that in their projections they must ensure that there is enough face value documents.
(c) The matter has been resolved. Government Printing Works has also been advised to order more Face Value documents.
28 September 2016 - NW1409
Ross, Mr DC to ask the Minister of Social Development
Whether (a) her department and (b) all entities reporting to her are running development programmes for (i) small businesses and (ii) co-operatives; if not, why not; if so, in each case, (aa) what are the relevant details, (bb) what amount has been budgeted and (cc) how many jobs will be created through the specified development programmes in the 2016-17 financial year?
Reply:
(a) Department of Social Development
- (aa) Not applicable to the department of Social Development
(bb) Not applicable to the department of Social Development
(ii)
(aa) The Department of Social Development facilitates the programme of linking cooperatives to economic opportunities. Cooperatives from poverty stricken wards are identified, profiled and linked to economic opportunities created through the Social Relief of Distress Programme which include supply of vegetables and school uniform to poor and vulnerable families and children. These cooperatives are also linked to economic opportunities created through the Household Food and Nutrition Programme and they supply Community Nutrition and Development Centres with food products and uniform.
(bb) There is no dedicated budget for Cooperatives. Those cooperatives with capacity building needs are referred to the National Development Agency and the Department of Small Business Development and Cooperatives for support.
(cc) not applicable to department of Social Development
SASSA
- SASSA is not running any development programmes for small businesses
(aa) Not applicable to SASSA
(bb) Not applicable to SASSA
(ii)
(aa) SASSA is not running development programmes for co-operatives. However, SASSA utilizes co-operatives for procurement.
The co-operatives are identified and assessed by the Co-operatives Unit
in the Department of Social Development.
Those co-operatives which require development are identified and assisted through the Department of Social Development and the National Development Agency. Once these have met the requirements to register on the Central Supplier database, then SASSA is able to utilize them for procurement of various services, such as social relief of distress, school uniforms, SASSA uniforms and catering, amongst others.
(bb) No dedicated budget for only cooperatives
(cc) Not applicable to SASSA
NDA
The NDA mandate is derived from the National Development Agency Act, (Act No. 108 of 1998). In terms of the act, the primary objective of the NDA is to contribute towards the eradication of poverty.
(i) Small business – the NDA has not supported small business as this function is outside its mandate of supporting Civil Society Organisations.
(aa) Not applicable to NDA
(bb) Not applicable to NDA
(ii)
(aaa) NDA support cooperatives through its capacity building programme as part of its CSOs capacity strengthening interventions. The NDA provides training, mentoring and incubation for CSOs including cooperatives on governance, financial management, conflict management, registration of NPOs and cooperatives. The NDA has planned to capacitate 4950 of CSOs including cooperatives in the 2016/17 financial.
(bbb) The NDA has budgeted R41 147 484.00 for CSOs including cooperatives capacity building interventions in the 2016/17 financial year.
(cc) Not applicable to SASSA
28 September 2016 - NW856
Sonti, Ms NP to ask the Minister of Social Development
(a) How many nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) in each province have been subsidised by her department in 2014 and 2015, (b) what total amount did each specified NGO receive and (c) what amount of the total specified amount received did each specified NGO spend on (i) administration and (ii) core service delivery?
Reply:
(a) The number of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) subsidised in the 2014/2015 financial year per province:
PROVINCE |
NUMBER OF FUNDED ORGANISATIONS |
TOTAL AMOUNT ALLOCATED TO NGOs |
|
EASTERN CAPE |
2416 |
496, 417 000.00 |
|
FREE STATE |
1613 |
1680 |
347, 637 732.00 |
GAUTENG |
2791 |
1 530 972 449.00 |
|
KWA-ZULU NATAL |
2945 |
783, 218 348.00 |
|
LIMPOPO |
2058 |
442, 000 000. 00 |
|
MPUMALANGA |
1263 |
461 135 000.000 |
|
NORTHERN CAPE |
1029 |
204, 4338 38.00 |
|
NORTH WEST |
812 |
264, 701 727.97 |
|
WESTERN CAPE |
2320 |
2151 |
964, 774 190.00 |
(b) The Provincial Departments of Social Development are currently at different phases of funding the NPOs. The provinces implement a combination of unit costs and programme funding in the financing of services rendered by non-profit organisations (NPOs). Some provinces have been providing a per capita rate for most of the subsidised programmes based on the number of beneficiaries serviced. The subsidy, which is based on the available resources, covers the overall costs of the service including administration, human resources and goods and services.
It is therefore difficult to provide a breakdown in respect of expenditure for (i) administartion and (ii) core service delivery.
27 September 2016 - NW1814
Basson, Mr LJ to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
(1)(a) When did the pipeline project between the Craigieburn Dam and Greytown in KwaZulu-Natal start and (b) what is the (i) budgeted cost of the specified project and (ii) distance of the pipeline; (2) whether the specified project has been completed; if not, (a) why not, (b) when will it be completed, (c) what is the cost of the project to date and (d) what is the total estimated completion cost of the project; if so, on what date was the specified project completed; (3) did the specified project go out on tender; if not, why not; if so, (a) what are the names of the companies that made submissions for the specified tender and (b) what is the name of the company that was awarded the specified tender?
Reply:
(1)(a) The pipeline project between the Craigieburn Dam and Greytown in KwaZulu-Natal started on 24 March 2015.
(1)(b)(i) The budgeted cost of the project was R203 802 607 including escalation, contingencies and VAT.
(1)(b)(ii) The distance of the pipeline is 35.0km
(2)(a) The project has not been completed due to poor performance of the three contractors appointed in the project which resulted in termination of the contracts.
(2)(b) It will take about eleven (11) weeks to complete the outstanding scope of the works. The actual start and completion dates will be negotiated between uMzinyathi District Municipality and the prospective replacement contractors once appointed through Section 32 of the Municipal Supply Chain Management Regulations.
(2)(c) The cost of the project to date is R79 493 188.
(2)(d) The total estimated cost to complete the project is R138 647 000.
(3) Yes, the project went out on tender.
(3)(a) The companies that made submissions for the specified tender are as follows:
Bankuna Engineering |
V. Bhengu Construction |
Sizabonke t/a Pilcon Projects |
Moray & Dickson Construction |
Shula Construction |
Nongafa Construction |
Igugulabafazi Developments |
Soundrite Construction |
JMngcwango Trading |
Valente Bros (Pty) Ltd |
Barleda 65 cc JV Busizwe |
Ntandoyami JV |
Velakude Trading JV Ugwadule Trading |
R&B Pipelines JV Sikoti |
TBA Construction |
Blue Dot G Services |
F&A Civils |
Thembalethu Civils |
Anvisba Civils |
Lenong Azishe JV |
WK Construction |
Velekude JV Umzuzu cc |
Cycade Pipelines |
AM Pomolong JV |
WBHO Construction |
Tshenolo Resources JV Kufiki |
Namandla Roads & Civils |
Esor Construction |
Cerimele Construction |
Phumi JV Ishishini |
Zanamanzi Services |
(3)(b) The pipeline was broken into three contracts, and the contractors awarded the tenders were Soundrite Construction, Bankuna Engineering and Phumi/Ishishini JV.
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27 September 2016 - NW1722
Bilankulu, Ms NK to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
(a) What progress has been made with regard to the Bucket Eradication Programme in the provinces where the specified programme has not been fully implemented and (b) what are the reasons for the delay in the completion of the specified programme?
Reply:
(a) The Bucket Eradication Programme is being implemented in the Northern Cape, Free State, North West and Eastern Cape Provinces, and the progress is indicated in the table below:
Province |
Targets |
Units Completed |
Flushing |
Not yet Flushing |
Remaining to be constructed |
Northern Cape |
7618 |
7056 |
3685 |
3371 |
562 |
Eastern Cape |
3319 |
3269 |
2919 |
350 |
50 |
North West |
223 |
223 |
223 |
0 |
0 |
Free State |
13880 |
13698 |
1827 |
11871 |
182 |
|
25040 |
24246 |
8654 |
15592 |
794 |
(b) Below are reasons for the delay in the completion of the specified programme:
- Extreme difficult soil conditions exist in the Northern Cape with moderate conditions in the Free State Province which requires sophisticated machinery to enable the excavation of the rock formations;
- In some towns, the extent of the sewer and water reticulation is in excess of 50km which with some difficult soil conditions slows the excavation process;
- Due to the flat terrain of some projects, deep excavations for services, often as deep as 3m must be excavated to ensure gravity flows once connected;
- Disruptions of existing services (due to excavations without drawings or designs of where existing services are located) such as water and electricity in some projects necessitate stoppages so as to restore the service before commencement.
- The non-availability of materials (toilet structures, pipelines for water and sewer, conservancy tanks) have posed an additional delay in terms of acquiring such from suppliers often outside of the province;
- Community protests or disputes over daily labour rates have delayed the project in some provinces for up to 3 weeks at a time.
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27 September 2016 - NW1926
Stander, Ms T to ask the Minister of Transport
What (a) were the objectives of the Youth Road Safety Summit launched on 25 June 2016 in Pretoria, Gauteng, (b) was achieved, measured against the specified objectives, (c) are the timeframes for the specified objectives and (d) mechanisms have been put in place to ensure that the specified objectives are met?
Reply:
(a) The Youth Road Safety Summit that was held on 25 June was a culmination of provincial Road safety Youth Summits that were held in all provinces. The purpose was to establish a national structure of young people who are engaged in road safety. The aim is to place youth at the centre of finding solutions to the ever daunting task of road death, these affect youth more than any age category of road user.
(b) A national structure was established. It is made up of youth from all provinces and different organisations from business, NGOs, faith-based organisations, etc were also co-opted into the structure.
(c) The term of office of the elected body is one year. They have the responsibility of developing a programme that will focus on youth and road safety. In developing such a programme they will take into account what is being done in the fraternity and what the shortcomings are as well as coming up with innovative ways of appealing to the youth. The programmes have to be all inclusive and accommodative of divergent youth of the country.
(d) The RTMC has been mandated to provide support to the national structure, with other road entities interacting with the structure as well. The provinces are expected to play a similar role with regards to supporting the youth structures in respective provinces.
27 September 2016 - NW1916
De Freitas, Mr MS to ask the Minister of Transport
(1)(a) What is the current total number of registered vehicles that are making use of the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP), (b) how many of the specified vehicles (i) have been e-tagged and (ii) paid their accounts; (2) how many vehicles that are making use of the GFIP (a) paid their accounts and (b) how many accounts are outstanding in each month as at the latest specified date for which information is available?
Reply:
(1) (a) Approximately 2.5 million individual vehicle registration numbers are identified on the GFIP during a month.
(b) (i) 1.4 million registered e-tag account holders.
(ii) Just over 1.3 million.
(2) (a) Just over 1.3 million.
(b) Currently in the VPC there are just over 2.9 million accounts with a balance owing, however 1.2 million thereof owe less than R500 each. (as at the middle of August).
27 September 2016 - NW1812
Basson, Mr LJ to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
Whether her department had any unspent budget funds at the end of the 2015-16 financial year; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) what was the amount of unspent budget funds at the end of the specified financial year and (b) what amount of unspent funds, if any, did she request the National Treasury to roll over; (2) Whether the National Treasury approved the roll-over of any unspent funds; if not, why not; if so, what amount?
Reply:
(1) My Department did have unspent budget funds at the end of the 2015-16 financial year.
(1)(a) My Department has recorded an under expenditure of R189.558 million for the 2015-16 financial year.
(1)(b) Of the reported under expenditure of R189.558 million, my Department had requested to rollover funds from 2015-16 financial year to 2016-17 financial year in an amount of R77.448 million.
(2) National Treasury did not grant approval to the Department’s request for rollover of funds as it has been deemed that the Department can accommodate the related expenditure within the existing baselines.
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27 September 2016 - NW1813
Basson, Mr LJ to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
(1)(a) When was the raising of the wall of the Hazelmere Dam in KwaZulu-Natal approved, (b) what is the (i) approved budget and (ii) cost of the project to date, (c) when will the specified project be completed and (d) what is the expected completion cost of the specified project; (2) did the specified project go out on tender; if not, why not; if so, (a) what are the names of the companies that made submissions for the specified tender and (b) what is the name of the company that was awarded the specified tender?
Reply:
(1)(a) The project was approved as a Government water work on 8 June 2010.
(1)(b)(i) The approved budget is R593 million.
(1)(b)(ii) The Expenditure as at August 2016 is R233 million.
(1)(c) The expected completion date is January 2018 (revised per programme).
(1)(d) The expected completion cost is R620 million (revised).
(2) Yes, the project went out on tender.
(2)(a) Below are the names of the companies that made submissions for the tender:
BIDS RECEIVED |
|
1. |
Bicacon PTY/Mapitsi Civils/Setheo Consortium & SinoHydro Joint Venture (JV) |
2. |
Lubbe Construction |
3. |
Aveng Grinaker |
4 |
Basil Read LTD/ Rodio Consortium |
5. |
MRC – DSB Consortium |
6. |
Group Five Coastal (PTY) LTD |
(2)(b)
The name of the company that was awarded the tender is Group Five Coastal (PTY) LTD.
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27 September 2016 - NW1915
De Freitas, Mr MS to ask the Minister of Transport
With reference to her reply to question 421 on 23 March 2016, (a) what were the terms of reference for the investigation undertaken by the Passenger Rail Agency of SA into contracts awarded by its former Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Lucky Montana, (b) on what date did the specified investigation commence, (c) what are the details of the legal processes that determine the envisaged time frames and (d)(i) what budget was allocated for the specified investigation and (ii) what has been spent to date?
Reply:
(a) Werksman’s Attorneys were engaged by PRASA to investigate the irregular expenditure transactions identified by the Auditor-General in his report of the 2014/2015 financial year and those transactions that were related to these transactions, that were above R10 milllion and that were concluded by PRASA between 2012 and 2015 as per the remedial steps recommended by the Public Protector in her report of August 2015, titled Derailed.
(b) August 2015.
(c) The time frames of the different legs of the investigation:
- I am informed that at the beginning of the investigation, it became clear that there was no reliable retention of information and documents being destroyed and concealed, there was information and documents that were forensically removed from computers belonging to key employees and key former employees of PRASA. At that point, the focus of the investicgation, was in piercing together the information and documents, ensuring that the information and documentation may be used in legal proceedings. It was therefore impossible to determine the time frames of the investigation.
- It is further reported that the the information gathered showed some glaring irregularities that led to the decision to litigate in respect of the concerned contracts.
- The glaring irregularities led to a suspicion by the Board that there may be commissin of criminal offences provided for in section 34(1) of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act, 2004 (PRECCA).
- 41 Section 34(1) letters were sent to the Directorate for Priority Crimes and Investigation (the DPCI) on the 18th May 2016.
- The launch of the civil litigation necessitated the provision of litigation support by the investigators. The major litigation is now at an advanced stage and the need for the support of the investigators has declined. The need will be on an as-an-when basis. The time frames are being discussed and will be finalised within the next two months.
- PRASA is now at a point where it can define a clear scope of the forensic investigation. Discussions are underway with the investigators to determine this scope and a decision will be reached in this regard by the end of October 2016.
(d) (i) the forensic investigation started after the annual budgets had been finalised for the 2015/2016 financial year. The exercise that is being undertaken during October 2016, is to determine the extent of the remaining isssues and to agree on a budget and time frames for the remainder of the matters that require investigation.
(ii) R 97, 248,211.15, this amount covers the services of a team Advocates (Senior Counsel and Junior Councel), Attorneys with extensive experience in forensic investigations and litigation, Forensic Chartered Accountants, Chartered Accountants, Auditors and Forensic IT Specialists.
27 September 2016 - NW1827
Hoosen, Mr MH to ask the Minister of Transport
(a) What are the (i) time frames and (ii) milestones for the implementation of periodic testing of vehicles, (b) at what stage is her department in this regard, (c) what delays, if any, have taken place and (d) what steps were taken by her department to resolve the specified delays?
Reply:
(a) (i) No time frames have been developed yet.
(ii) Department is currently busy with development of a process to deal with fraud and corruption within the motor vehicles testing environment to ensure that issuance of fraudulent road worthy certificates is reduced and ultimately eradicated.
(b) The Department is currently engaging with the sector on the development of a system that may be used by the testing station when testing motor vehicles to ensure that vehicles presented for the test instead of only the documentation being submitted. It is common knowledge that, if one was used to buying a fraudulent road worthy certificate they can still continue buying it, therefore it is critical that the environment be cleaned before you introduce a requirement that will only generate money but not assisting us in dealing with unroadworthy motor vehicles.
(c) The consultation on the finalisation of the appropriate system that can be incorporated in the vehicles testing environment and the cost implications.
(d) Consultations are still ongoing and no further delays are anticipated. It must further be noted that Periodic Vehicle Testing alone will not alone have an impact on reduction of fatalities hence the support by traffic law enforcement is prioritised.
27 September 2016 - NW1811
Lorimer, Mr JR to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources
(a) How many successful mining rights applications have been made through the SA Mineral Resources Administration System without the assistance of his department’s officials (i) in the (aa) 2013-14, (bb) 2014-15 and (cc) 2015-16 financial years and (ii) since 1 April 2016 and (b) what is the approximate annual cost of (i)(aa) maintaining and (bb) operating the specified system and (ii) remunerating officials assigned to the specified system?
Reply:
Question (i) |
PERIOD |
NO OF MINING RIGHTS |
(aa) |
01 APR 2013 – 31 MAR 2014 |
185 |
(bb) |
01 APR 2014 – 31 MAR 2015 |
139 |
(cc) |
01 APR 2015 – 31 MAR 2016 |
142 |
Question (ii) |
01 APR 2016 – 31 AUG 2016 |
55 |
TOTAL |
521 |
(b) Approximate annual cost are as follows:
Cost Driver |
2013 - 2014 |
2014 – 2015 |
2015 - 2016 |
Maintenance |
R 786 600.00 |
R 786 600.00 |
None - R0 |
Operating |
R 897 180.00 |
R 533 346.72 |
R 304 970.52 |
(iii) Remuneration:
- There are nine (9) officials each at salary level:10 (R389 145.00 p.a). One (1) offficial in each Regional Office, Assistant Director: Mineral Information Management (MIM). There are responseble for the day to day spatial verification.
- One (1) official at salary level:5 (R142 461.00). Administrative Clerk located at Head Office, responsible for helpdesk.
- One (1) official at salary level:12 (R726 276.00), Deputy Director: Administration and Information Systems, located at Head Office.
Approved/not approved
Mr MJ Zwane, MP
Minister of Mineral Resources
Date Submitted:-………………/………………/2016
27 September 2016 - NW1683
Lorimer, Mr JR to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources
(1) With reference to his reply to question 1418 on 11 August 2016, what (a) were the terms and conditions of the specified mining permit that was not complied with that led to the specified permit’s withdrawal and (b) is the relationship between the communal property association and the original claimants to the specified portion of land; (2) whether all members of the specified communal property association are original land claimants; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) whether any safety inspections have been conducted on the specified operation (a) in (i) 2013, (ii) 2014 and (iii) 2015 and (b) since 1 January 2016; if not, in each case, why not; if so, in each case, what are the relevant details; (4) whether any administrative notices have been issued to Oersonskraal Mining (Pty) Ltd since the granting of the specified mining permit; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (5) what are the full relevant details regarding the value of benefits transferred by Oersonskraal Mining (Pty) Ltd to the specified communal property association since it commenced operations on the specified portion of land?
Reply:
1. (a)There were no terms and conditions of the permit as the permit was not issued.
(b)The Department of Rural Development and Land Affairs will be in a better position to respond to this question
2. The department Rural Development and Land Affairs will be in a better position to respond to this question
3. Should be referred to Mine Health and Safety
4. A notice in terms of section 93 of the MPRDA was issued on 17 August 2011. Issues to be addressed related to Environmental matters as well as implementation of the Social and Labour Plan.
5. The right holders are not obliged to report to the Department of any payments made to communities.
Approved/not approved
Mr MJ Zwane, MP
Minister of Mineral Resources
Date Submitted:-………………/………………/2016
27 September 2016 - NW1800
Figlan, Mr AM to ask the Minister of Basic Education
(1)What was the (a) salary and (b) performance bonus of the Chief Executive Officer of the National Education Evaluation and Development Unit (NEEDU) in the (i) 2012-13, (ii) 2013-14, (iii) 2014-15 and (iv) 2015-16 financial years; (2) (a) what reports is the NEEDU currently working on and (b) when is each specified report due (i) for completion and (ii) to be released publicly?
Reply:
Question 1(a)
The annual salary of the Chief Executive Officer for NEEDU in different financial years was as follows:
Financial Year |
Annual Salary |
2012-13 |
R1 111 745 |
2013-14 |
R1 280 730 |
2014-15 |
R1 353 732 |
2015-16* |
R112 811 |
* The Chief Executive Officer for NEEDU, Dr Nick Talyor, left in April 2015 and the new Chief Executive Officer was not appointed.
Question 1(b)
There was no performance bonus for the Chief Executive Officer of NEEDU during his tenure.
Question 2 (a)
NEEDU is conducting systemic evaluation to prepare a report on the quality of curriculum delivery in special schools.
Question 2 (b) (i)
NEEDU is investigating the kind of support that different role players in the education sector (i.e. the Department of Basic Education, Provincial Departments of Education, districts and schools) give to learners in special schools, to ensure that learners experiencing barriers to learning and who require intense levels of support may have access to quality education.
Systemic investigations at the national office, Provincial Departments of Education, districts and schools regarding the adequacy, appropriateness and quality educational provision for learners with special needs, and how special schools are supported by the districts and provincial offices to function effectively, will be completed in November 2016.
Large volumes of both quantitative and qualitative data are being collected at all levels of the system. To save costs, the analysis of data will not be outsourced but will be done in-house. This is a labour-intensive and time-consuming exercise. It is anticipated that the final report will be submitted to the Minister in May 2018.
Question 2 (b) (ii)
Upon receipt of the NEEDU Report, in line with the provision of section 7(1)(g) of the Regulations for the Establishment of the Office of Standards and Compliance for Basic Education (OSCBE), currently known as NEEDU, “the Minister may publish the report.” This provision empowers the Minister to publish NEEDU reports at her discretion.
27 September 2016 - NW1810
Lorimer, Mr JR to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources
(1)How many appeals (a)(i) are pending in terms of section 96 of the Minerals and Petroleum Resources Development Act, Act 28 of 2002, as amended and (ii) were pending as at 1 April 2016 and (b) have been dealt with in each of the past five months of the 2016-17 financial year, in each case indicating the number of appeals (i) granted and (ii) denied; (2) (a) for how many days has the oldest pending appeal been outstanding and (b) what plans have been put in place to address the specified pending appeals?
Reply:
1(a) (i) As at 31 August 2016 the number of outstanding appeals are 957.
1(a) (ii) At 1 April 2016, the number of outstanding appeals were 947.
1(b) The following number of appeals were finalised in the months as indicated
April 2016 - 4 Appeals
- Appeals granted – 1
- Appeals dismissed – 3
May 2016 – 6 Appeals
- Appeals Granted – 4
- Appeals Dismissed – 2
June 2016 – 31 Appeals
- Appeals granted – 27
- Appeals dismissed – 4
July 2016 – 20 Appeals
- Appeals granted – 10
- Appeals dismissed – 10
August 2016 – 10 Appeals
- Appeals granted – 4
- Appeals dismissed – 6
2(a) Considering the timeframes provided for in Regulation 74, it takes approximately 120 days to process and finalise internal appeals in the prescirbed manner. The attainment of this period is dependent on number of appeals received during a given period as well as the complexity of such appeals and capacity constrains. The 2010 Constitutional Court judgement in Bengwenyama held that internal remedies must exhuasted before judicial review proceedings may be instituted. This led to the lodgement of significantly more appeals than before as more applcants were required to exercise internal remedies.
2(b) Action Plans:
- There is a continuous liaison with internal and external parties involved to expedite conclusion of the Regulation 74 process which appears to be yielding positive results.
- From time to time, the Office of the State Attorney is requested to assist with the finalisation of certain appeals.
- While implementing the above measures, historic appeals are prioritised.
- Draft regulations to significantly streamline the appeal process has already been formulated and is to be promulgated soon.
Approved/not approved
Mr MJ Zwane, MP
Minister of Mineral Resources
Date Submitted:-………………/………………/2016
27 September 2016 - NW1924
Stander, Ms T to ask the Minister of Transport
Who conducts training at the Road Traffic Management Corporation, (b) when was the tender to provide training issued, (c) to whom was the specified tender awarded, (d) on what basis was the service provider provides the highest standard of training?
Reply:
(a) Training at the Road Traffic Management Corporation is conducted by the RTMC Training Provisioning Unit, a unit within the RTMC Structure.
(b) Not Applicable (See A)
(c) Not Applicable (See A)
(d) Not Applicable (See A)
(e) Not Applicable (See A)
27 September 2016 - NW1895
Macpherson, Mr DW to ask the Minister of Trade and Industry
With reference to his reply to question 349 on 25 February 2016, (a) how many industrialists have been approved to date, (b) what are their names, (c) in which companies have the specified industrialists taken equity, (d) what is the total amount of money that has been dispersed to each of the specified industrialists for the specified equity, (e) what are the terms and conditions attached to the repayments of the specified amounts and (f) how many jobs have been (i) created and/or (ii) retained by each of the specified industrialists to date?
Reply:
(a) A total number of 22 projects have been approved under the Black Industrialist programme between the dti and the participating Development Finance Institutions (DFIs). In terms of the dti’s grant funding for Black Industrialists (BIs), 9 Black Industrialists projects have been supported for their investments in assets.
(b) The 9 incentivised Black industrialists projects include the following:
Baynes Transformers, K9 Pet Foods, Naledi Rail Engineering, Nciba Grain Group, Carbon Klean, Kenako Medical, Polybox Enterprise, Thaleka Manufacturing Services, and Maneli Pets
(c) The above mentioned companies are Black owned and managed entities. They have not taken equity from any existing companies. Only two Black Industrialists acquisitions were financed by a DFI to acquire 100% ownership of ABARDARE (Pty) Ltd and Machinery and Cutting Services Company.
(d) One DFI supported two Black Industrialists acquisitions to the value of R67 million and R12 million has been dispersed.
(e) The terms and conditions for equity transactions are concluded between the DFIs and their respective clients. In general, all funding for acquisitions are in a form of a preference share to the BI companies which then subscribe for ordinary shares in the target companies. The preference shares are payable based on the free cash flows of the target companies up to 10 years.
(f) The approved projects support 1000 jobs in the economy.
27 September 2016 - NW1819
De Freitas, Mr MS to ask the Minister of Transport
(1)Whether the Passenger Rail Agency of SA (PRASA) has any creditor payments outstanding for more than 30 days; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) what are the amounts outstanding to date, (b) how long has each amount been outstanding and (c) by what date will these amounts be settled; (2) what steps does PRASA take to (a) communicate with suppliers and service providers when they are not paid on time and (b) ensure that suppliers and service providers are paid on time?
Reply:
(1) Yes, the Passenger Rail Agency of SA (PRASA) has creditor payments outstanding for more than 30 days;
(a) Amounts outstanding to date is R796 million.
(b)
(c) At this stage PRASA is unable to give a firm undertaking as to when the outstanding amounts will be settled, however, PRASA is working tirelessly to ensure that it meets its obligations to its creditors.
(2) (a) PRASA communicates with suppliers where payments cannot be made through e-mails, phone calls and meetings.
(b) As long as PRASA has a cash flow problem, we will be unable to pay service providers on time. The contributory factors of the cash flow challenges include the tough economic climate, the unfunded mandate of Shosholoza Meyl, operational challenges such as the many coaches out of service, train burnings, major service disruptions, fare evasion and vandalism of infrastructure. The Acting GCEO is leading Management in developing a Turn-Around plan by end October aimed at ensuring that PRASA is run efficiently, coaches out of service are brought back and quality commuter rail services are provided which generate the revenues required to operate the business.
27 September 2016 - NW1754
Mulder, Dr PW to ask the Minister of State Security
Whether his department has met the requirements of the Use of Official Languages Act, Act No 12 of 2012, according to which his department (a) has established an official language policy for the department and (b) instituted a language unit; if not, (i) why not and (ii) what steps he will take to ensure that the provisions of the Act are met; if so, what are the relevant particulars?
Reply:
(a) The State Security Agency (SSA) is in the process of establishing an official language policy for the department.
(b) (i) The establishment of a language unit will be addressed on the approval of the official language.
(ii) The department is currently in the process of determining the relevant languages per province that should be included in the official language policy
27 September 2016 - NW1721
Bilankulu, Ms NK to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
(a) What progress has been made with regard to the Nooitgedacht Low Level Scheme Phase 2 project which is intended to augment water supply and alleviate water scarcity at the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality (NMBM) and (b) what are the challenges that have been encountered with regard to completing the project?
Reply:
(a) Phase 2: This phase is fully funded by the NMBM. It entails the construction of an extension of the Nooitgedagt Water Treatment Works (Civil works) on the Western side, all Mechanical and Electrical work associated with the civil works and a new Pump Station. All the work is under construction and approximately 60% completed. This phase should be finished by end of June 2017.
Phase 3: This phase is fully funded by my Department. It entails an extension of the Nooitgedagt Water Treatment Works (Civil works) on the Eastern side (Augmentation of the WTW's by 70Ml/day), all Mechanical and Electrical work associated with the civil works, a new 45Ml Reservoir at Olifantskop, Cathodic Protection and AC mitigation on all bulk lines as well as the rehabilitation of the Chelsea Motherwell pipeline. All the work has gone out on tender which closes on Friday 2 September 2016. All the evaluation and adjudication processes will then follow and it is expected to appoint a contractor by end of October 2016 after which site establishment and construction should start. It will be a 24 months construction period and the anticipated completion date is December 2018.
(b) Phase 2: The only challenges experienced in this phase were rain delays. No further challenges were experienced.
Phase 3: One of the challenges experienced was the signing of a Tri-Partite agreement between the Implementing Agent, Amatola Water, (Appointed by the DWS), DWS and the NMBM. This should however be solved in due course.
Another challenge which caused a delay was the decision of the tender processes on whether to put the work out on different tenders since the work requires different disciplines and skills and/or whether all the work should go out as one tender. The decision was to put it out on one tender which as mentioned above is closing on Friday 1 September 2016.
---00O00---
27 September 2016 - NW1769
Hunsinger, Dr CH to ask the Minister of Transport
Has the SA Maritime Safety Authority applied the preference points and prescribed formula system in the awarding of all contracts within supply chain and procurement as expressed in (a) paragraph 2 of the Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act, Act 5 of 2000, and (b) section 51 of the Public Finance Management Act, Act 1 of 1999, as amended; if not, why not; if so, (i) which contracts and (ii) to what value?
Reply:
(a) Yes, the preferential point system (in line with PPPFA) was applied on all transaction above R30,000.00
(b) Yes, a competitive bidding was followed for all transaction above R500,000.00
(i) And (ii) below is the list of all contracts awarded, preferential point system or method use and the transaction values for each contract.
No |
Name of Supplier |
Description (Contracts) |
Evaluation Method |
Value |
1 |
Dinco Trading CC |
Stationery |
80/20 |
R137,894.83 |
2 |
Diventia Investments (PTY) LTD |
Stationery |
80/20 |
R123,700.00 |
3 |
Internet Solutions |
MPLS |
90/10 |
R359,901.98 |
4 |
MAKAVASA TRADING |
Laminating Pouches |
80/20 |
R63,000.00 |
5 |
Moribo wa africa trading enterprise |
S-Clip files |
80/20 |
R102,600.00 |
6 |
Nyalu Communications |
Marketing Collateral |
80/20 |
R39,680.08 |
7 |
PC Palace Gauteng |
Computer Equipment: Dell Optiplex |
80/20 |
R58,605.12 |
8 |
RAMBALANE TRADING PROJECTS |
Stationery |
80/20 |
R115,000.00 |
9 |
RAPOO RESOURCES(PTY) LTD |
Stationery |
80/20 |
R60,950.00 |
10 |
Ritlaku Trading Enterprise and Projects (Pty) LTD |
Stationery |
80/20 |
R35,600.00 |
11 |
Dimbuli Trading |
Stationery |
80/20 |
R90,000.00 |
12 |
DNV Business Assurance South Africa |
Insurance |
80/20 |
R280,203.45 |
13 |
RAPOO RESOURCES(PTY) LTD |
Stationery |
80/20 |
R150,000.00 |
14 |
WingsNaledi Corporate Travel Pty Ltd |
Travel & Accommodation |
90/10 |
R1,384,985.47 |
15 |
A New Aworkening Trading |
First Aid Room Equipment |
80/20 |
R344,251.84 |
16 |
LPV De Swardt |
Job Evaluation & Grading |
80/20 |
R39,250.00 |
17 |
TEKWENI TV PRODUCTION cc |
Ship Repair Safety DVD |
80/20 |
R62,700.00 |
18 |
Internet Solutions |
MPLS |
80/20 |
R364,161.91 |
19 |
KNMC Consultants |
UPS installation - Richardsbay |
80/20 |
R179,208.00 |
20 |
WingsNaledi Corporate Travel Pty Ltd |
Travel & Accommodation |
90/10 |
R1,520,859.55 |
21 |
Azas Projects (Pty) Ltd |
UPS installation – Port Elizabeth |
80/20 |
R204,495.00 |
22 |
KNMC Consultants |
UPS installation - Durban |
80/20 |
R443,916.00 |
23 |
MATHAMANE TRADING ENTERPRISE |
Furniture |
80/20 |
R55,500.00 |
24 |
Bathlodi Trading and Projects |
Catering: Careers Expo |
80/20 |
R46,500.00 |
25 |
Precision Networks |
Laptops |
80/20 |
R72,331.40 |
26 |
Internet Solutions |
MPLS |
90/10 |
R347,251.13 |
27 |
Internet Solutions |
MPLS |
90/10 |
R317,549.49 |
28 |
WingsNaledi Corporate Travel Pty Ltd |
Travel & Accommodation |
90/10 |
R1,156,839.79 |
29 |
WingsNaledi Corporate Travel Pty Ltd |
Travel & Accommodation |
90/10 |
R1,050,296.51 |
30 |
RAPOO RESOURCES(PTY) LTD |
Stationery |
80/20 |
R50,400.00 |
31 |
Sage Computer Technologies |
Wireless Link for Hillcrest Office |
80/20 |
R217,321.12 |
32 |
Fujitsu Service Core (Pty) Ltd |
Server Maintanance |
80/20 |
R73,596.51 |
33 |
Internet Solutions |
MPLS |
90/10 |
R351,849.91 |
34 |
WingsNaledi Corporate Travel Pty Ltd |
Travel & Accommodation |
90/10 |
R1,223,863.91 |
35 |
Biztech (PTY) Ltd |
National Boat Show |
80/20 |
R48,974.40 |
36 |
Business Connexion (Pty) Ltd |
Software: Varonis Renewal |
80/20 |
R131,345.43 |
37 |
Mccarthy |
Vehicle |
80/20 |
R315,000.00 |
38 |
Precision Networks |
Laptops |
80/20 |
R31,689.72 |
39 |
Introstat (Pty) Ltd |
Laptops |
80/20 |
R42,952.22 |
40 |
Internet Solutions |
MPLS |
80/20 |
R351,849.91 |
41 |
Itgility (Pty) Ltd |
Dell NX400 storage |
80/20 |
R80,469.34 |
42 |
3G Relocations and transport |
Transversal Contract |
R35,205.25 |
|
43 |
Basadzi Personnel cc |
Advert |
80/20 |
R106,557.90 |
44 |
OUTSOURCING DIGITAL |
UPS Installation: Pretoria |
80/20 |
R139,953.24 |
45 |
PC Palace Gauteng |
Software: CITRIX Licence |
80/20 |
R149,796.00 |
46 |
Sizwentsuluba VSP |
Internal Audit |
90/10 |
R281,748.00 |
27 September 2016 - NW1808
Schmidt, Adv H to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources
(1)Whether Atha-Africa Ventures has been issued with (a) a prospecting and/or (b) mining right and/or permit in Mabola, a proclaimed protected environment area close to Wakkerstroom in the Dr Pixley Ka Isaka Seme Local Municipality in Mpumalanga; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (2) whether the relevant (a) Environmental Impact Assessment and/or (b) Environmental Management Programme was undertaken before the specified rights and/or permits were issued; if not, why not; if so, what were the (i) results of the assessments and/or programmes undertaken and (ii) details of the public participation process followed; (3) whether the public participation process, as required in terms of the Minerals and Petroleum Resource Development Act, Act 28 of 2002, as amended, and its regulations were complied with in this regard; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW2116E
Reply:
1. A Mining Right issued on 28th June 2016.
2. (b) Environment Management Progrmme (EMP) was undertaken.
(i) The EMP provided an assessment on the potential impacts of the proposed mining activties, which therefore also provided measures to modify, remedy, control or stop any actions, or process which may cause pollution or degradation to the environment. Measures were informed by recommendations of the specialist reports undertaken amongst others, these includes, Floral assesment specialist report, Fauna assesment specialist report, Wetland assement specialist report, Air quality assement specialist report, Hydrological assesment specilist studies (Ground and surface water).
(ii) Public participation was undertaken with land owners, Organs of State, Interested and affected parties, through newspaper advertisement, site notices, meetings, distribution of Background information Documents (BID) to both interested and affected parties.
3. Details of public participation undertaken with land owners, Organs of State, Interested and affected parties, through newspaper advertisement, site notices, meetings with minutes, distribution of Background information Documents (BID) to both interested and affected parties. All interested and affected parties, land owners, were provided with opportunity to comment or raise concerns or objections. All comments, concerns and objection were addressed in the EMP in the form of mitigation measures.
Approved/not approved
Mr MJ Zwane, MP
Minister of Mineral Resources
Date Submitted:-………………/………………/2016
27 September 2016 - NW1892
Maynier, Mr D to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources
(1)Whether, with reference to his media statement of 1 September 2016, the report of the recommendations (a) was tabled at and (b) approved by Cabinet; if not, in each case, why not; if so, in each case, on what date was the specified report (i) tabled at and (ii) approved by Cabinet; (2) whether he was authorised to release the specified media statement; if not, why not; if so, by whom; (3) when was an Inter-Ministerial Committee to investigate the termination of financial services to Oakbay Investments (Pty) Ltd established and (b) by whom; (4) whether he intends to pursue the recommendations of the specified report; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (5) whether he intends to pursue the recommendation of the establishment of a Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the termination of financial services to the company, since the company has recourse to the courts; if not, why not; if so, why?
Reply:
The Minister of Mineral Resources released a statement on 01 September 2016. This was followed by an interview on SABC news on 02 September 2016. The Minister was not speaking in his personal capacity but in his capacity as Chairperson of the IMC. On 13 April 2016, Cabinet established an IMC to consider allegations that certain banks and other financial institutions acted unilaterally and allegedly in collusion, when they closed bank accounts and/or terminated contractual relationships with Oakbay Investments. The Minister recorded recommendations made to Cabinet by the IMC as well as the related resolutions taken by Cabinet at its meetings of 06 July 2016 and 31 August 2016 respectively. The IMC made 5 recommendations to Cabinet. 4 of the recommendations were approved by Cabinet and 1 was referred to the President for further consideration as it was not within the purview of Cabinet to take a decision on the matter. The Minister is not at liberty to make any further statements on this matter.
Approved/not approved
Mr MJ Zwane, MP
Minister of Mineral Resources
Date Submitted:-………………/………………/2016
27 September 2016 - NW1816
Baker, Ms TE to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
(1)(a)(i) From which country did her department import the desalination package plant in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal and (ii) at what cost and (b)(i) who is operating the specified plant and (ii) at what cost; (2) what is the (a) capacity of the specified plant and (b)(i) cost of desalinating and (ii) selling price of each kilolitre of water; (3) whether the correct tender processes were followed to procure the specified plant; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (4) why did she not consider any South African companies before the procurement of the specified plant?
Reply:
(1)(a)(i) The Desalination Package Plant is supplied by a local company in KwaZulu- Natal.
(1)(a)(ii) The total costs of package plant amount to R250 million excluding VAT.
(1)(b) The packed desalination plant will be operated by Mhlathuze Water at a cost yet to be determined as discussions are still ongoing.
(2)(a) A total of 10Mega Litres per day will be produced by the desalination plant.
(2)(b)(i) The cost of the desalination plant is R250 million excluding VAT.
(2)(b)(ii) The selling price of each kilolitre of water is R3.96.
(3) My Department's supply chain procedures were followed as per National Treasury guidelines.
(4) A local company was appointed to procure these services.
---00O00---
27 September 2016 - NW1744
Davis, Mr GR to ask the Minister of Basic Education
With reference to her reply to oral question 117 on 24 August 2016, on what date did she make a presentation to the Portfolio Committee on Education on education matters subsequent to the release of the Ministerial Task Team’s report on allegations of the selling of posts of educators by members of teacher unions and departmental officials in various provinces; (2) whether she will be tabling the specified report in Parliament; if not, why not; if so, (a) by when and (b) what are the further relevant details? NW2051E
Reply:
1. With reference to her reply to oral question 117 on 24 August 2016, on what date did she make a presentation to the Portfolio Committee on Education on education matters subsequent to the release of the Ministerial Task Team’s report on allegations of the selling of posts of educators by members of teacher unions and departmental officials in various provinces?
(1)The Report of the Ministerial Task Team (MTT) was presented by the Department to the Portfolio Committee on 27 May 2016.
(2) Whether she will be tabling the specified report in Parliament; if not, why not; if so, (a) by when and (b) what are the further relevant details?
(2)The Minister is awaiting delivery of the final forensic report from the MTT. The Minister has indicated that she will bring the report to the Portfolio Committee on Education once the forensic investigation is completed so as to deal with it holistically.
27 September 2016 - NW1917
De Freitas, Mr MS to ask the Minister of Transport
(1)(a) How much money has been (i) collected since the launch of the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP) and (ii) retained for the management of the (aa) collections and (bb) collections infrastructure and (b) how much money has gone to servicing (i) road-related debt and (ii) road development; (2) how much money has been lost in each month through non-compliance with the e-toll system since the GFIP’s launch; (3) how many people have been (a) summoned for outstanding accounts and (b) found guilty for not paying the specified accounts in each month since the GFIP’s launch?
Reply:
1. (a) (i) See attached graph
(ii) All the funds collected were retained for servicing debt associated with all infrastructure of the GFIP project, maintenance of all infrastructure of the project and operational costs related to the provision of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS), Incident Management Systems (IMS) and operational costs associated with freeway lighting and toll collections. Also refer to (1)(b) below.
(b We kindly refer the honourable member to Note 27 of the Annual Financial Statements as published in the various Annual Reports for details of Finance Charges as well as the Segment Report in note 39, providing detail of expenditure on roads, split between Toll and Non-toll. As the honourable member is aware these are the audited financial statements as audited by the Auditor General.
(2) No money is lost as the amount of Revenue which is not collected remains in debtors, therefore still collectible from the debtor. I also bring to the attention of the honourable member that the PFMA compels all debt owed to be collected from the debtors. I am confident that the honourable member does not wish the debt not to be collected and inadvertently disrespect the legislation.
(3) (a) 5449 individuals and 837 Corporate/Business
(b) None of these matters reached the courts yet.
27 September 2016 - NW1873
Chance, Mr R to ask the Minister of Small Business Development
With reference to the Gauteng Township Industrial Parks, which is owned by the Small Enterprise Finance Agency SOC Ltd, (a) what is the current status of the negotiations to transfer ownership of the specified park to its tenants, (b) by when will the transfer be completed and (c) what will the terms of the specified transfer be?
Reply:
(a) At this stage the sefa board has approved the framework for the sale of the transfer to the tenants. The salient features of the framework are that the properties will be transferred to the initial group of tenants that were promised transfer of the properties.
(b) The properties will be sold at market value and will either be a cash sale or financed by sefa through an Instalment Sale Agreement over 60 months. The properties will only be transferred to tenants who carry out business activities in the Industrial Parks.
(c) The framework has been communicated to Gauteng Province Industrial Parks Association (GAPIPA) and sefa has met with the leadership to give an overview of the framework.
27 September 2016 - NW1920
Motau, Mr SC to ask the Minister of Transport
why do the vehicles of the Airports Company of South Africa have different registration numbers to that of all other vehicles, (b) on what statutory grounds do they rely in this regard and (c) how much revenue was generated by the (i) license and (ii) registration fees paid for the specified vehicles?
Reply:
(a) the Airports Company South Africa SOC Limited complies with the National Road Traffic Act (Act No. 93 of 1996) regarding the registration of all its vehicles as required. Vehicles are registered within the local municcipality uthoriyu boundaries and issued with the relevant licenses accordingly;
(b) The National Road Traffic Act (Act No. 93 of 1996);
(c) (i) Airports Company South Africa SOC Limited does not generate revenue from vehicle registration and licensing; and
(ii) Registration fees payable is as determined by the local municipal authority vehicle classification and applicable fee structure.
27 September 2016 - NW1822
Groenewald, Mr HB to ask the Minister of Transport
With reference to her reply to question 164 on 29 February 2016, what steps are being taken to ensure that vehicle license renewal reminders are delivered timeously in the future?
Reply:
As, indicated previously, all the necessary steps have been taken to ensure that payment to the Post office are settled when they become due, therefore no delays are expected on the delivery of motor vehicle license renewal notices.
27 September 2016 - NW1918
Motau, Mr SC to ask the Minister of Transport
Whether, with reference to her replies to questions (a) 415 on 8 March 2016 and (b) 1603 on 7 June 2016, a deadline has been set by which the new Chief Executive Officer of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa will be appointed; if not, why not; if so, by what date?
Reply:
The Minister in consultation and by agreement with the Board of PRASA resolved at a meeting held on the 30th June 2016, that the environment within PRASA was not conducive for the appointment of the GCEO. In this regard, and following this agreement with the Board, the Minister seconded and the Board appointed Mr. Collins Letsoalo as Acting Group CEO effective 1 July 2016.
27 September 2016 - NW1921
Rabotapi, Mr MW to ask the Minister of Transport
(a) How is vehicle owner information obtained by any e-toll collection agency, (b) what process is used to obtain permission to access personal information of vehicle owners in this regard and (c) what process is followed in cases where a vehicle owner refuses to provide their personal information?
Reply:
(a) As the honourable member is aware in terms of the National Road Traffic Act, 1996 vehicle owners are required to provide accurate address and contact details on registration and licensing of their vehicles. These details are captured on the e-Natis system. The information used for violator invoicing (VPC) is directly extracted from this database, in terms of the legal requirement to pay toll, as per the applicable legislation – Act No 7 of 1998. In the event that the information from e-Natis is inaccurate, and summonses are served, the lawyers may source additional information from other available sources as an offence was committed.
(b) No process is required. If a road user is not paying toll in terms of a legal requirement, a debt against the name of the vehicle owner occur. SANRAL is entitled to collect the outstanding toll/debt in terms of the SANRAL Act.
(c) If the information for a vehicle owner is accurate on e-Natis, a vehicle owner may not refuse that the information is made available to SANRAL. It is available in terms of the law and there is a legal requirement that users must ensure that their latest information is reflected on the Natis system. If address or contact details change, a user has 26 days in which to provide updated information.
I am confident that the honourable member does not tolerate lawlessness of any manner whatsoever. Not paying toll fees is a criminal offence. Although, it may be regarded as a white collar crime, it nevertheless remains a crime
27 September 2016 - NW1923
Rabotapi, Mr MW to ask the Minister of Transport
(a) Why did the black economic empowerment partner (details furnished) withdraw from the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project, (b) when did the specified withdrawal take place, (c) under what conditions did the specified withdrawal take place and (d) what were the costs, if any, to (i) the SA National Roads Agency Ltd and/or (ii) any other Government entity or department in this regard?
Reply:
(a) it is assumed that the honourable member is referring to the black economic empowerment partner of the Electronic Toll Collection Company. The transaction is proposed between the main members of the Consortium that was awarded the toll operations portion of the GFIP project. We have been informed that the recently issued press statements by the affected parties indicated that this was a normal transaction wher the BEE partner was exercising its right to sell its shares.
(b) As stated above, the transaction has not been finalised yet.
(c) As stated above, the details of the transaction are not available to Government.
(d) There are no costs to be incurred by SANRAL or any other Government entity. This is a private transaction between the involved parties.
27 September 2016 - NW1825
Hadebe, Mr TZ to ask the Minister of Transport
With reference to her reply to question 1603 on 7 June 2016, what are the exact time frames and time lines for the specified appointment?
Reply:
The Minister in consultation and by agreement with the Board of PRASA resolved at a meeting held on the 30th June 2016, that the environment within PRASA was not conducive for the appointment of a GCEO. In this regard, and following this agreement with the Board, the Minister seconded and the Board appointed Mr. Collins Letsoalo as Acting Group CEO effective 1 July 2016.
27 September 2016 - NW1716
Schmidt, Adv H to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
Whether any funds allocated to her department for the Sedibeng Regional Sewerage Scheme in the Sedibeng District Municipality in Gauteng by the Presidential Infrastructure Coordinating Committee have been withdrawn; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) what are the full reasons for the withdrawal of funds and (b) what amount of funding has been withdrawn?
Reply:
(a) The Sedibeng Regional Sanitation Scheme comprises the upgrade construction of the Sebokeng Waste Water Treatment Works (WWTW), upgrade of the Meyerton WWTW, review of the feasibility study for the possible upgrade of the Rietspruit and Leeuwkuil WWTW, the construction of the Regional WWTW in Sedibeng, as well as the upgrade of the associated bulk collection infrastructure; such as pipelines and pump stations. The Project has not been withdrawn, but is underway and the Sebokeng WWTW and Meyerton WWTW are under construction; and the Sedibeng Scheme is under implementation readiness study.
(b) No amount of money has been withdrawn.
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27 September 2016 - NW1876
Mbhele, Mr ZN to ask the Minister of Police
(1) Has the SA Police Service (SAPS) officer who shot and injured a 17-year old learner outside Rietvale Secondary School in Ritchie, Northern Cape, on 14 June 2016 been placed on suspension pending finalisation of the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) investigation; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) whether the specified IPID investigation has been completed yet; if not, (a) why not and (b) by when is it expected that the specified investigation will be completed; if so, (i) what were the findings, (ii) what is the recommended sanction against the specified officer and (iii) has the specified recommendation been implemented by the SAPS?
Reply:
(1) No. The member was not suspended after all relevant facts of the incident were considered by the Northern Cape Provincial Disciplinary Committee. The facts revealed that the member fired a warning shot. The incident was thoroughly investigated and referred for a disciplinary hearing which commenced on 19 September 2016.
(2) Yes.
(2)(a) Not applicable.
(2)(b) The investigation was completed and submitted to the South African Police Service on 15 July 2016.
(2)(b)(i) The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) through its investigation found that the member committed misconduct by contravening Regulations 20(a) in that he failed to comply with, or contravened an Act, Regulation or legal obligation; 20 (e), in that, he endangered lives of others by disregarding safety rules or regulations; 20(p), in that, while on duty he conducted himself in an improper, disgraceful and unacceptable manner; and Regulation 20(z) for committing a common law or statutory offence.
(2)(b)(ii) The recommendation was that the member be charged departmentally in terms of the South African Police Service Discipline Regulations, 2006.
(2)(b)(iii) Yes, the SAPS did implement the IPID recommendation by instituting disciplinary steps and referred the matter for a hearing as indicated in paragraph (1) above.
27 September 2016 - NW1773
America, Mr D to ask the Minister of Transport
(1)Whether there are any delays in the delivery of the trains that were manufactured in Brazil under the Gibela Manufacturing and Supply Agreement; if so, what (a) were the originally agreed upon dates for the delivery of the specified trains under the specified agreement, (b) were the actual dates of delivery, (c) are the reasons for the delays in each case and (d) are the financial implications, in each case; 2) what (a) is the price of each train that still needs to be delivered under the specified agreement and (b) are the estimated differences between the agreed upon and actual costs of the specified trains?
Reply:
1. There have been no delays in the delivery of the trains manufactured in Brazil. Of the total 20 trains from Brazil, 10 trains have been delivered to the Wolmerton Depot Testing Facility as per the Schedule.
The table below provides the response for (a) and (b), i.e., the delivery dates of the new trains to Wolmerton Depot from Brazil:
Train No. from Brazil |
Target delivery date |
Actual Delivery Date to Wolmerton Depot |
1 |
December 2015 |
20 December 2015 |
2 |
February 2016 |
26 February 2016 |
3 |
April 2016 |
01 April 2016 |
4 |
April 2016 |
18 April 2016 |
5 |
May 2016 |
19 May 2016 |
6 |
June 2016 |
08 June 2016 |
7 |
July 2016 |
04 July 2016 |
8 |
July 2016 |
13 July 2016 |
9 |
July 2016 |
27 July 2016 |
10 |
August 2016 |
19 August 2016 |
(c) N/A
(d) N/A
2. (a) The total value of the contract is R59 billion (excluding inflation) for 600 new trains
(b) There is no difference between the agreed upon price and the actual costs of the new trains.
26 September 2016 - NW1686
Selfe, Mr J to ask the Minister in the Presidency
Whether he requested any form of (a) legal advice and/or (b) advisory services from a certain firm of attorneys (name and details furnished) with regard to the Public Protector’s reports entitled (i) Secure in Comfort, report No 25 of 2013/14, (ii) Inappropriate Moves, report No 13 of 2013/14 and (iii) When Governance and Ethics Fail, report No 23 of 2013/14; if so, in each case, (aa) in which specific financial years were the services rendered and (bb) what was the cost of the services?
Reply:
No.
26 September 2016 - NW1880
Redelinghuys, Mr MH to ask the Minister of Police
How many (a) SA Police Service (SAPS) members were found guilty of criminal charges from 1 April 2009 to date and (b) of the specified members are still employed by the SAPS?
Reply:
The accurate figure will be sent to you shortly as certain information is still in the process of being verified.
26 September 2016 - NW1777
Kohler-Barnard, Ms D to ask the Minister of Public Works:
With regard to a presentation by the Council for the Built Environment (CBE) to the Portfolio Committee on Public Works on 23 August 2016, in which it was noted that the mandate of the CBE and the six Built Environment Professional Councils includes the establishment of a Standards Generating Body, has such a body been created; if not, why not, if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The Minister of Public Works
Yes, each Built Environment Professional Council (BEPC) has established a Standards Generating Body (SGB) that is involved in the development of Occupational Qualifications under the umbrella of the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO).
An SGB is a panel of knowledgeable, experienced individuals with expertise in various competency areas and their levels, as well as in the assessment criteria applied in evaluating learners who have completed their study programmes offered at various institutions. SGBs prepare and publish details of teaching/learning programmes and the assessment criteria that leaners must undergo, as well as the assessment criteria for candidates related to qualifications in particular fields of expertise.
According to the National Qualifications Frameworks Act, 2008 (Act No. 67 of 2008), the Council for Higher Education (CHE) is the sole authority and Quality Council for Higher Education. According to its Higher Education Qualifications Sub-Framework (HEQSF) one of the critical mandates of the CHE is to develop qualifications standards, the purpose of which is to provide internal and external benchmarks for programmes that lead to qualifications, i.e. accreditation, implementation, development and quality assurance. The BEPCs established SGBs with the intention of working with the CHE to develop outcome-based qualifications for registration in particular fields of expertise in accordance with the National Qualifications Framework. The focus of the SGBs is to develop Occupational Qualifications under the QCTO that will enable learners/candidates to be registered professionals in the respective fields or categories administered by the Professional Councils. This was instituted due to the additional process required in the registration of the professional designation under the mandate of the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). The SGBs continue with the process established by the CHE and they work with the Deans of universities and higher education in order to develop learning pathways, unit standards and qualifications for learners in the various sub-fields leading towards qualification in those sub-fields.
The CHE has completed and published standards for the 6 BEPCs that are overseen by the Council for the Built Environment (CBE), the entity that reports to the Minister of Public Works.
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