Questions and Replies

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13 September 2016 - NW1730

Ms V van Dyk to ask the Minister of Communications

Has the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) placed a moratorium on community radio licences; if not, (a) how many community radio licences have been issued (i) in the 2015-16 financial year and (ii) since 1 April 2016, (b) what are the names of the stations and (c) in which province is each station located; if so, (aa) since which date has the moratorium been in place and (bb) what are the reasons for the moratorium?

Reply:

Yes, ICASA placed a moratorium on community radio licences.

a)   i) ICASA issued twenty three (23) community sound broadcasting service licences in the 2015/16 financial year.

      ii) Five (5) were issued since April 2016.

b)/c) The names of the stations and the provinces in which they are located:

Licences issued in the 2015/16 Financial Year

Name of Station

Province

Abaqulusi Community Radio

Eastern Cape

Voice of Matat Community Radio

Eastern Cape

Dihlabeng FM

Free State

Eden Community Radio

Gauteng

Abusekho Ubunzima Christian Radio Station

KwaZulu Natal

Pongola Community Radio

KwaZulu Natal

Choice FM

Limpopo

Mutsindo FM

Limpopo

Polokwane Community Radio

Limpopo

Radio Ysterberg

Limpopo

Radio Wolkberg

Limpopo

Radio Kransberg

Limpopo

Radio Naboom

Limpopo

Thulamela FM

Limpopo

Eyethu Community Radio

Mpumalanga

Radio Dagbreek

Mpumalanga

Revelation FM

Mpumalanga

Lara FM

Northern Cape

Radio Magalies

North West

Radio Tafelkop

North West

Caledon FM

Western Cape

Radio Disa

Western Cape

Radio Perron Central

Western Cape

Licences issued since 1 April 2016

Name of Station

Province

Radio Karoo

Eastern Cape

Sirius FM

Gauteng

Jou Radio

Limpopo

Hoedspruit Community Radio

Mpumalanga

7441 FM

Western Cape

aa) On 22 September 2015, ICASA issued a moratorium in respect of applications for class community sound broadcasting service licences and applications for radio frequency spectrum for purposes of providing a community broadcasting service.

bb) The moratorium was necessitated by:

    i) A scarcity of analogue radio frequency;

   ii)The review of the licensing processes and procedures regulations to include a provision for ICASA to process registrations from class community broadcasting licences in two intervals per year. This was concluded in March 2016; and

   iii) ICASA is in the process of developing new regulatory framework for community broadcasting in the 2016/17 financial year.

The moratorium does not however, apply to pending applications received by the Authority before September 2015 and applications for special event licences.

 

MR NN MUNZHELELE

DIRECTOR GENERAL [ACTING]

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

MS AF MUTHAMBI (MP)

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE

12 September 2016 - NW1711

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Esau, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

(1) What was the (a) nature of the technical problem that the presidential jet Inkwazi developed while the President, Mr Jacob G Zuma, was on a visit to the Republic of Burundi in February 2016 and (b) cost of leasing a standby aircraft to transport the President back to South Africa; (2) whether the flight crew of the specified standby aircraft had the necessary security clearances to transport the President back to South Africa; if not, (a) why not and (b) what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

The information required relates to the movement of the VVIP, and for security reasons, the response to this question can only be presented to a closed session of the Joint Standing Committee on Defence.

12 September 2016 - NW1691

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Atkinson, Mr P to ask the Minister of Economic Development

Whether, with reference to his reply to question 1624 on 20 June 2016, the Industrial Development Corporation received the next capital instalment of R 37,5 million from Oakbay Resources and Energy which was due in June 2016; if not, why not, if so, on what date?

Reply:

I have been furnished with a reply by the CEO of the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), Mr Geoffrey Qhena, a copy of which is attached hereto.

-END-

12 September 2016 - NW1713

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Majola, Mr TR to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

What amount was spent on in-flight catering for all passengers on flights transporting the President, Mr Jacob G Zuma, (a) in the (i) 2014-15 and (ii) 2015-16 financial years and (b) since 1 April 2016?

Reply:

The information required relates to the movement of the VVIP, and for security reasons, the response to this question can only be presented to a closed session of the Joint Standing Committee on Defence.

12 September 2016 - NW1681

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Kruger, Mr HC to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs

(1)Whether his department recognises the Ndebele amaNzunza as a (a) tribe and/or (b) nation; if not, in each case, why not; if so, what are the relevant details in each case; (2) Whether his department recognises that there is a difference between the Ndebele Manala and amaNzunza cultural groups; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) Why is the Ndebele amaNzunza not recognised as a kingdom by the Government?

Reply:

  1. Yes, the government recognised the Ndebele amaNzunza as a kingship community (traditional community) and not a nation. The Department acknowledge the people of South Africa as a Nation composed of different communities including amaNzunza. AmaNzunza have their recognised senior traditional leaders who are under their king. AmaNzunza as a community separate from any other community were in existence for over five hundred years and have been recognised as such.
  2. Yes, the government does recognise that there are differences between amaNzunza and amaNala. The two are not cultural groups but communities, any cultural groups from each will depict the community thus there will be a difference. The Honourable Member is requested to note that each community has its own king and follows their own customs and customary laws and their traditions differ like initiation schools differ in terms of regiments naming and the number of regiments, lobola cattle etc.
  3. The Traditional Leadership and Governance Framework Act, 2003 (Act No. 41 of 2003) does not make provisions for the recognition of kingdoms in the Republic of South Africa. The Act makes provision for the recognition of kingships and kings of which amaNzunza have been recognised as such.

12 September 2016 - NW1673

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Kohler-Barnard, Ms D to ask the Minister of Public Works

Whether, with reference to his reply to question 1091 on 23 May 2016, any other form of furniture was replaced in any of the parliamentary villages in Cape Town (a) in the (i) 2014-15 and (ii) 2015-16 financial years and (b) since 1 April 2016; if not, why not; if so, what (aa) are the relevant details in each case and (bb) are the (aaa) names and (bbb) addresses of the organisations and/or entities that the used furniture was donated to and (ccc) is the physical address of his department’s central storage warehouse from where the specified used furniture is distributed?

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works

(a) (i) Yes, furniture was purchased by the Department of Public Works (DPW) during the 2014-2015 financial year.

(ii) No, furniture was purchased during the financial year 2015-2016 financial year.

(b) Yes, furniture was purchased by the DPW in the period starting from 01 April 2016. Details can be seen below.

(aa) Purchases made in the financial year 2014-2015;

DESCRIPTION

QUANTITY

ACACIA PARK  

219

Units

DOUBLE BED SETS

219

PELICAN PARK

69  Units

DOUBLE BED SETS

69

LABORIA PARK

56 Units

DOUBLE BED SETS

56

ACACIA PARK  

219

Units

FRIDGE FREEZERS

219

PELICAN PARK

69  Units

FRIDGE FREEZERS

69

LABORIA PARK

56 Units

FRIDGE FREEZERS

56

ACACIA PARK  

219

Units

SOFAS: 2 PER UNIT

438

PELICAN PARK

69  Units

SOFAS

138

LABORIA PARK

56 Units

SOFAS

112

ACACIA PARK  

219

Units

COFFEE TABLES

219

PELICAN PARK

69  Units

COFFEE TABLES

69

LABORIA PARK

56 Units

COFFEE TABLES

56

ACACIA PARK  

219

Units

DINING CHAIRS

1314 chairs

PELICAN PARK

69  Units

DINING CHAIRS

414 chairs

LABORIA PARK

56 Units

DINING CHAIRS

336 chairs

ACACIA PARK  

214

Units

CURTAINS

214 units

PELICAN PARK

69  Units

CURTAINS

69 units

LABORIA PARK

56 Units

CURTAINS

56 units

ACACIA PARK  

9 UNITS

FRIDGE FREEZERS

9

ACACIA PARK  

10 UNITS

DOUBLE BED SETS: 2 PER UNIT

18

PELICAN  PARK  

8 UNITS

QUEEN BED SET

8

ACACIA PARK  

9 UNITS

DINING CHAIRS: 6 PER UNIT

54

ACACIA PARK  

9 UNITS

SOFAS: 2 PER UNIT

18 sofas

PELICAN PARK

5 UNITS

SOFAS: 2 PER UNIT

10  sofas

ACACIA PARK

9 UNITS

CURTAINS

 

ACACIA PARK

9 UNITS

COFFEE TABLES

9

PELICAN PARK

5 UNITS

COFFEE TABLES

5

ACACIA PARK

9 UNITS

side tables

TV STANDS

9

ACACIA PARK

9 UNITS

MIRROR

9

ACACIA PARK

9 UNITS

DRESSERS / SERVERS

9

PELICAN PARK

5 UNITS

TV STANDS

5

PELICAN PARK

5 UNITS

SIDE TABLES

10

Purchase made since 01 April 2016;

  • 500 x double bed sets for Sessional Officials.

(bb) Organisations and / or entities that the used furniture was donated to:

No.

(aaa) Names

(bbb) Addresses

1

Beaufort West Association for Persons with Disabilities

Off N1, Banton Road , Beaufort West, 6970

2

Ikhaya Loxolo Lase Gugulethu

NY 1 Gugulethu

3

Leap Science and Maths School - Kuyasa Simthembile Old Age Home

P.O. BOX 2229 Clareinch, 7740

4

Sivusizwe Dilimeni Deaf Foundation

NY 53 NO. 62, Gugulethu

5

Vision for the Development of Fizi - Videfi

10 Robert Sobukwe Road, Bellville/7530

6

Douglas Murray (Wynberg Society for the Aged)

53 Gordon’s Searle Street, off 12th Avenue, Retreat, 7945

7

St. Monica's

38 Lion Street Schotsche Kloof Cape Town

8

Siyanithanda Disabled Care Centre

Cnr of Bill Jeffrey and Mayixhaye Street, Kwa-Nonqaba, Mosselbay

9

Sonstraal Service Centre

165 Blomnek Road, De Rust, 6650

10

Cape Mental health Society

Private Bag x7 Observatory, 7925

11

Neighbourhood Old Age Homes (NOAH)

P.O. Box 142, Woodstock, 7915

12

Tygerberg Association for Persons with Physical Disabilities

P.O BOX 563, Goodwood 7459

13

Nyanga Senior Services

503 Zwelitsha Drive Zwelitsha, Nyanga East 7755

14

Orion Organisation

Reygersdal Anenue westleur, Atlantis, 7350

15

Kensington/ Factreton Meals on Wheels

Kensignton Cape Town

16

Huis De Kuilen

Skoolstraat Kuilsriver, 7580

17

Langa Cheshire

Langa Township, Cape Town

18

Sobamabisana Community Development

NO. 5 Klipfontein road Crossroad 7755

19

Abigail Women's Movement

33 Galaxy Crescent, Ikwezi Park Khayelitsha, 7784

20

Parow Senior Sentrum

62 Bedfordstraat, Parow, 7500

21

Commercial Service Centre

Erfort Avenue, Elsies River, 7490

22

Masizimisele Community Development

P.O.Box210 Langa, 7450

23

Helderberg Society for the Age

Helderberg, Somerset West, Cape Town

24

Bosman Adam Foundation Trust

Lellienfontein Plaas, Hexberg Road Wellington

25

Balula Home BasedCraft Centre

JJ45 Squarter Camp Fisantikraal 7550

26

Touching Nations

P.O.BOX 10104, Belhar, 7505

27

Hanova Park Youth Development

31 Greenturf Road, Hanover Park, Cape Town

28

Sonskyn Club for the aged

P.O Box 17512 Lavistown, 7465

29

Fairy Gog Mother Community Project

Hanover Park, Cape Town

30

Philani Seniors

 

31

Masibambane Sibuyise Isidima Sethu

14 Nabe Way, Settlers Way, Langa Township, 7455

32

Siyazama Old Aged Home

S.303 Nkomo Street, Site-B Khayelitsha, 7784

33

Bubuthu Bethu Organisation

Langa Township, Cape Town

34

Cape Peninsula Organisation

Private Bag X7, Newlands 7725

(ccc) The physical address of the DPW Cape Town Regional Office’s central storage warehouse is: Customs House, basement store, Lower Heerengracht Street, Cape Town.

________________________________________________________________________

12 September 2016 - NW1714

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James, Ms LV to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

What amount was spent on fuel for all flights transporting the President, Mr Jacob G Zuma, (a) in the (i) 2014-15 and (ii) 2015-16 financial years and (b) since 1 April 2016?

Reply:

The information required relates to the movement of the VVIP, and for security reasons, the response to this question can only be presented to a closed session of the Joint Standing Committee on Defence.

12 September 2016 - NW1710

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Esau, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

What amount was spent on (a) chartered aircraft to transport the President of the Republic, Mr Jacob G Zuma, (i) in the (aa) 2014-15 and (bb) 2015-16 financial years and (ii) since 1 April 2016 and (b) standby and/or backup aircraft in each case?

Reply:

The information required relates to the movement of the VVIP, and for security reasons, the response to this question can only be presented to a closed session of the Joint Standing Committee on Defence.

12 September 2016 - NW1675

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Davis, Mr GR to ask the Minister of Public Works

(1) Whether a certain residential property (details furnished) is owned by the Government; if so, which department, Ministry and/or entity currently makes use of the specified property; (2) whether the specified property is currently being used as a residence; if not, what purpose is the specified property being used for; if so, who currently resides at the specified property?

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works

(1) and (2) Yes, the said property is under the custodianship of the Department of Public Works (DPW). It is used as official residence by a Member of the Executive.

______________________________________________________________________

12 September 2016 - NW1688

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Figg, Mr MJ to ask the Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform

Whether any progress has been made to date regarding the land tenure issue in Thornham in the Tsitsikamma National Park in the Eastern Cape; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details of the progress made?

Reply:

The matter is still under investigation, response will be made available once it is finalised.

12 September 2016 - NW1703

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Marais, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

Whether, with reference to her reply to question 1279 on 24 May 2016, she has finalised the appointment of Regular Force Military Judges by the end of May 2016 as indicated; if not, (a) why not and (b) by when will the specified appointments be finalised?

Reply:

Yes. The appointments were finalised before the end of May 2016.

12 September 2016 - NW1715

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James, Ms LV to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

(1)What are the minimum (a) qualifications, (b) certifications, (c) flight-hour experience and/or (d) training required for an SA Air Force (SAAF) pilot to operate an aircraft transporting the President, Mr Jacob G Zuma; (2) are pilots of chartered aircraft that fly the President, but who are not employed by the SAAF, subject to the same requirements specified above; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

The information required relates to the movement of the VVIP, and for security reasons, the response to this question can only be presented to a closed session of the Joint Standing Committee on Defence.

12 September 2016 - NW1680

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Kruger, Mr HC to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs

(1)Whether the Dr J S Moroka Local Municipality in Mpumalanga is supplying water to the Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality in Limpopo; if so, how many litres of water does Dr J S Moroka Local Municipality supply to Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality; (2) whether the Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality pays for any water it receives from the Dr J S Moroka Local Municipality; if not, why not; if so, how much did the Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality pay to the Dr J S Moroka Local Municipality for water received (a) in the (i) 2012-13, (ii) 2013-14, (iii) 2014-15 and (iv) 2015-16 municipal financial years and (b) since 1 July 2016 to the latest specified date for which information is available?

Reply:

Dr JS Moroka Local Municipality was contacted to provide a response to the question.

The response from Dr JS Moroka Local Municipality to the above-mentioned questions is as follows:

  1. No, water in Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality is supplied by the Sekhukhune District Municipality.
  2. No, please refer to the above.

12 September 2016 - NW1712

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Esau, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

(1) What was the (a) nature of the technical problem that the presidential jet Inkwazi developed while the President, Mr Jacob G Zuma, was on a visit to the State of Qatar in May 2016 and (b) cost of leasing a standby aircraft to transport the President back to South Africa; (2) was the specified leased aircraft a pre-arranged standby aircraft; if not, (a) why not and (b) what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

The information required relates to the movement of the VVIP, and for security reasons, the response to this question can only be presented to a closed session of the Joint Standing Committee on Defence.

12 September 2016 - NW1671

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Kohler-Barnard, Ms D to ask the Minister of Public Works

(1) (a) How many properties are listed as located in the North Atlantic Ocean on his department’s Immovable Asset Register, (b) why are the specified properties listed on the system as being located in the ocean, (c) who listed the specified properties and (d) what actions has he taken to correct the wrongful listings; (2) whether the specified properties form part of the 1 200 properties which were lost by his department; if not, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works

(1) (a)

There are no properties under the custodianship of the National Department of Public Works (NDPW) as captured in the Immovable Asset Register (IAR) that are located in the North Atlantic Ocean.

(b)

The management of State land and property is confronted by a number of key systemic legacy challenges, which must be adequately appreciated in order to successfully compile a complete, accurate and fully Generally Recognised Accounting Practice (GRAP) compliant IAR. For instance, registered State land is recorded in the Deeds office under a multitude of legacy custodians’ and former Government Departments’ names, hence it is often difficult to clearly assign or “deem” custodianship to the correct custodian. Also, there are a multitude of land parcels that have been surveyed, but not yet registered. These have previously not been recorded by custodians, however it is required that they are recorded with effect from the year ending 31 March 2014 in terms of the National Treasury Immovable Asset Guide.

Through the Asset Register Enhancement programme, the NDPW has been able to disclose over 100,000 properties and over 31,000 land parcels. The Department made use of electronic data collection tools and Geographical Information System (GIS) software in the compilation of the IAR. Properties were subdivided into Regions and matched to GIS layers. However, there were inadvertent errors made in a minority of cases in terms of linking properties to the GIS with correct geographical coordinates. Errors such as missing digits on coordinates and assigning positive (+) and negative (-) latitude values incorrectly were made. As South Africa lies in the southern hemisphere, starting with positive (+) latitude values when locating properties can have the effect of giving the wrong impression that properties are located in the northern hemisphere. One can deduce therefore, that the incorrect impression of properties being located in the North Atlantic Ocean is as a result of the errors made in the inputting of the coordinates.

As pointed out earlier, many properties that were found through the IAR Enhancement Programme had not be surveyed and thus had missing cadastral information, which would indicate the Erf numbers and details of whether they are farms, holdings, etc.

(c) and (d)

The IAR enhancement project was previously administered by NDPW’s Asset Register Management Unit. As part of the Department’s Turnaround Strategy the newly formed Real Estate Information and Registry Services Division (REIRS) bears overall responsibility for the Asset Register Enhancement Programme. REIRS has requested the Chief Surveyor General (CSG) to provide spatial geo-referenced cadastral data for approximately 1200 properties that could not be linked to the GIS due to the absence of the cadastral layer. Out of the 1200 properties, about 200 properties were successfully matched to the GIS and can now undergo the asset verification process. Further investigations are being conducted on the remaining properties in order to get the required cadastral data to link them to the GIS.

(2) As noted above the 1200 land parcels were not lost by the NDPW as alluded to by the Honourable Member, but rather “un-locatable” on the Geographical Information System due to the unavailability of the cadastral layer. The Department is in the process of verifying about 200 of those properties, which have now been linked to the GIS using the spatial geo-referenced cadastral data and is conducting tests for the linking of the remaining properties.

12 September 2016 - NW1738

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Mileham, Mr K to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs

(a) Has he convened and/or attended any Minister and Members of Executive Council meetings since taking office; if not, why not; if so, what was the (i) date and (ii) venue of each meeting?

Reply:

Yes, the Minister has convened and presided over the following meetings of the Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister and Members of Executive Council (MINMEC). The meetings were held as follows:

(i) Dates

(ii) Venues

19 February 2016

Offices of the Ministry of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, 87 Hamilton Street, Arcadia, Pretoria, Boardroom S-37

01 April 2016

Offices of the Ministry of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, 87 Hamilton Street, Arcadia, Pretoria, Boardroom S-37

13 May 2016

Offices of the Ministry of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, 87 Hamilton Street, Arcadia, Pretoria, Boardroom S-37

02 September 2016

Offices of the Ministry of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, 87 Hamilton Street, Arcadia, Pretoria, Boardroom S-37

12 September 2016 - NW1672

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Kohler-Barnard, Ms D to ask the Minister of Public Works

How many (a) cases of fraud and corruption in the Expanded Public Works Programme did his department investigate in the (i) 2012-13, (ii) 2013-14, (iii) 2014-15 and (iv) 2015-16 financial years, (b) of the specified cases involved ward councillors, (c)(i) criminal charges were laid and (ii) cases were successfully prosecuted and (d) ward councillors were subsequently removed from their positions in each specified financial year?

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works

(a) (i), (ii) and (ii) No cases of fraud were reported to the National Department of Public Works (NDPW) with regard the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), in the 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2015-16 financial years.

(ii) In the 2015-16 financial year there was one case of a Ward Councillor from the eThekwini Municipality.

(b) (c) (i) and (ii) and (d) The NDPW immediate engaged the Municipality on this case and thereafter it was referred to the Municipality Ombudsman (Integrity Unit) for further investigation. The Ward Councillor unfortunately passed away during the course of the investigation. No criminal case was registered as a result of the death of the Ward Councillor. At the time of death the said individual was still serving as a Ward Councillor and had not been removed from their position.

______________________________________________________________________

12 September 2016 - NW1709

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Marais, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

With reference to her reply to question 1280 on 24 May 2016, (a) what is the budget allocated to the leasing of the VIP-configured jet as per the Armaments Corporation of South Africa’s tender ETEL/2016/12 and (b) when will the aircraft leased under the specified tender be delivered to the SA Air Force?

Reply:

(a) The budget that is allocated for the leasing of the VIP-configured jet for the 2016/17 financial year is R100m.

(b) The Request for Offer (RFO) was issued on the 18th August 2016. After the tender process has been completed and if a successful bid is received, it is anticipated that the aircraft will be delivered to the SA Air Force on the 01st November 2016.

12 September 2016 - NW1679

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Kruger, Mr HC to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs

Whether any sanctions will be imposed against a Councillor MO Sikosana from the Thembisile Hani Local Municipality in Mpumalanga after an audit finding revealed that the specified person had an interest in one of the specified municipality’s suppliers Balondiwe Construction Projects; if not, (a) why not and (b) what is the current status of any disciplinary processes against the specified person; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

The information is sourced by the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs in the Mpumalanga Province.

1. No sanction will be imposed on Councillor MO Sikosana.

   (a) The reason is that the Councillor MO Sikosana had declared the interest in writing to the Municipal Manager as required by the Code of Conduct being an active member of the company.

   (b) None.

 

09 September 2016 - NW1728

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Robertson, Mr K to ask the Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform

Will he provide a complete beneficiary list of the land claim deals at (a) Giba, (b) Mala Mala and (c) the Kruger National Park including the (i) Mathebula Ngirivhane, (ii) Mhlanganisweni, (iii) Mahashi, (iv) Madonsi or Nwazekuzeku, (v) Ndindani and (vi) Muyexe communities?

Reply:

Lists of households as beneficiaries are attached as Annexures as follows:

(a) Annexure A: A total of 408 households

(b) Annexure B: A total of 960 households

(c) (i) Annexure C: A total of 136 households

(ii) Annexure D: A total of 116 households

(iii) Annexure E: A total of 191 households

(iv) Annexure F: A total of 135 households

(v) Annexure G: A total of 52 households

(vi) Annexure H: A total of 128 households

09 September 2016 - NW1661

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Mackenzie, Mr C to ask the Minister of Police

(1)Whether the investigation into case CAS 689/10/2015 opened at the Lyttelton Police Station has been finalised; if so, what were the full outcomes of the specified investigation; if not, (2) whether the charges contained in the specified case were dropped; if so, (a) who was tasked with investigating the specified case, (b) who took the decision not to proceed with the prosecution of the specified case and (c) what were the full reasons for not proceeding?

Reply:

The case is still under investigation.

09 September 2016 - NW1689

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Redelinghuys, Mr MH to ask the Minister of Police

With reference to his reply to oral question 95 on 25 May 2016, what steps is his department taking to implement the resolution regarding the specific and separate reporting of sexual crime statistics as contained in the report of the United Nations Human Rights Committee (CCPR/C/ZAF/1) on the obligations and track-record of the SA Police Service under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights?

Reply:

The South African Police Service, through the Division: Detective Service, has implemented the resolution regarding the specific and separate reporting of main sexual crime statistics as contained in the report of the United National Human Rights Committee (CCPR/C/ZAF/1).

The statistics on sexual crimes are currently recorded on the CAS/ICDMS. The Division Detective Services also reports on this crime in its quarterly performance reporting mechanism.

09 September 2016 - NW1727

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Robertson, Mr K to ask the Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform

How (a) was the land evaluated in the Kruger National Park land claim deal and (b) did his department arrive at the amount of R84 million that was paid to beneficiaries?

Reply:

(a) The Restitution Act requires that a determination be made on whether an amount, if any, or any other consideration received in respect of dispossession is just and equitably calculated in the manner determined in section 25 (3) of the Constitution. In order to do so, a valuation of the actual right in land that the Claimant was dispossessed of, calculated at the time of dispossession is to be conducted, i.e. a historical valuation.

(b) Spectrum Valuation Services was appointed by the Commission to conduct valuations. It was required to determine the market value of the right in land that the Claimant was dispossessed of, as at the time of dispossession.

Once the market value had been determined, Spectrum Valuation applied the factors listed in s 25(3) of the Constitution, as may be applicable, as at the date of dispossession, which will lead to an upward or downward adjustment. The end result was just and equitable compensation for the right in land, the Claimant was dispossessed of, that should have been paid at the time of dispossession.

Since there were improvements belonging to the Claimants, at the time of dispossession, and the value of those improvements could not be determined as part of determining market value, an amount equal to the Housing Subsidy was paid to the claimants as financial compensation.

The determination was done as depicted in the table below:

CLAIM NAME

HISTORICAL LAND VALUE

HOUSING SUBSIDY QUANTUM

TOTAL

Mahashi Community

R 9 095 348.88

R110, 947 x 191 households

R21 190 877.00

Mhlanganisweni Community

R29 899 344.44

R110, 947 x 116 households

R12 869 852.00

Ngirivani Mathebula Community

R37 237 055.55

R110, 947 x 136 households

R15 088 792.00

Madonsi/Nwadzekudzeku Community

R48574 382.53

R110,947.00 x 135 households

R14 977 845.00

Ndindani Community

R30 358 451.13

R110,947.00 x 52 households

R 5 769 244.00

Muyexe Community

R39 095 099.30

R110,947.00 x 128 households

R14 201 216.00

Total

R194 259 681.83

758 households

R84 097 826.00

09 September 2016 - NW1664

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Maynier, Mr D to ask the Minister of Finance

(1)Whether, in light of his interview on PowerFM on 26 June 2016, he and/or any other person from the National Treasury has met with representatives of Oakbay Investments (Pty) Ltd; if not, why not; if so, (a) what is the name(s) of the person(s) who represented the specified company, (b) who requested each such meeting, (c) what was the purpose of each meeting and (d)(i) when and (ii) where did each meeting take place; (2) whether each meeting reached any resolution and established a channel for communication with the specified company; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) whether he will make a statement on any such meeting that took place?

Reply:

1. Yes, I as Minister of Finance met with the CEO of Oakbay Investments (Pty) Ltd, (hereafter referred to as ‘Oakbay’), Mr Nazeem Howa on 24 May 2016. The meeting was at the request of Mr Howa in letters to me dated 8 and 17 April 2016. I am not aware of any other dedicated meetings between any person from the National Treasury and Oakbay. I will therefore only deal with the meeting with Mr Howa held on 24 May 2016.

I will not deal with the matter raised in the public statement made on 16 March 2016 by the Deputy Minister of Finance, Mr Mcebisi Jonas, detailing how he was approached by a shareholder of Oakbay who offered him the position of Minister of Finance to replace the then – Minister Nene.

  (a) Mr Howa was accompanied by a member of Oakbay’s finance department (name not known) who presumably reports to him. The Director-General (Mr Lungisa Fuzile) and three other officials, including the Treasury Legal Counsel, formed part of the Treasury delegation.

  (b) The meeting was at the request of the CEO of Oakbay, Mr Nazeem Howa, who wrote to me on 8 and 17 April 2016 to request a meeting with him.

  (c) The purpose of the meeting was to discuss Oakbay’s request that the Minister of Finance intervene in its dispute with a number of banks so as to avoid possible job losses that may arise as a result of the closure bank accounts held by Oakbay and its associated companies.

  (d) (i) As stated above, the meeting took place on 24 May 2016.

       (ii) The meeting took place at the National Treasury head office at 40 Church Square, Pretoria.

2. The only purpose of the meeting was to hear the view of Oakbay on the closure of its accounts. The only decision out of this meeting was for Oakbay to provide the Treasury with any relevant information to support its allegations and to continue to engage in good faith.

I did take the opportunity to point out the legal framework operating for banks, and made the following points to Mr Howa:

   (a) The banking sector is highly regulated, and any failure of our banks to comply with international regulatory standards could have devastating effects on the banking system, financial stability and the economy as a whole. Banks are subject to tough and intrusive international standards such as Basel III, 2003 United Nations Convention Against Corruption and anti-money laundering obligations. I attach the aide-memoire that I provided to Oakbay after our meeting, to explain the regulatory framework that applies to banks in South Africa (Annexure A).

   (b) The Annexure explains that besides anti-money laundering and prudential objectives to make the financial sector more secure and resilient (following the 2008 Global Financial Crisis), banks are also expected to comply with market conduct standards, including treating customers fairly, financial inclusion and access objectives. The Memoire also references past cabinet decisions including Twin Peak reforms (Financial Sector Regulation Bill) approved by Cabinet and currently before Parliament for its consideration.

   (c) There are legislative and regulatory impediments to any registered bank discussing client-related matters with the Minister of Finance or any third party. The Minister of Finance does not have the power to intervene in a bank-client relationship (and I pointed out that I am advised by legal opinion in this respect). The bank-client relationship imposes a duty on the bank to honour the confidentiality of the client.

   (d) Oakbay (unlike banks) is free to provide to the Minister any reasons or information it has received from any bank when closing their accounts. Mr Howa stated that no bank had provided any reasons to Oakbay for the closure of their accounts. I requested copies of the letters from the banks to Oakbay from Mr Howa to verify whether reasons were provided or not, and to allow myself to take appropriate steps based on full and complete available information.

   (e) I pointed out that the best, and only, course of action for any corporate client would be for the company to approach a competent court to seek the reasons for the closure of their accounts, and to establish its rights and to deal with any alleged transgressions of the law or of the Code of Banking Practice, which cover the process that banks have agreed to when closing accounts.

   (f) I noted my concern for any loss of jobs at any time in our economy, be it at Oakbay, Exxaro or any other company;

   (g) Oakbay agreed that attacks from individuals related to the company on the National Treasury were not helpful or in the national interest and should be avoided.

  (h)) Mr Howa also agreed to provide all the relevant information to my office, including the letters he received from banks when informing Oakbay of the closure of their accounts.

3. My view that the only option available to Oakbay is to approach a competent court has subsequently been strengthened by what Mr Howa himself indicated on 19 June 2016 during an interview on Carte Blanche, where he confirms that one bank has in fact provided the following reason to Oakbay for the closure of its account:

“….. South Africa’s Companies Act, Regulation 43, Prevention of Organised Crime Act, Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act and the Financial Intelligence Centre Act, as well as the USA’s Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and UK’s Bribery Act, prevent us from having dealings with any person or entity who a reasonably diligent (and vigilant) person would suspect that such dealings could directly or indirectly make us a party to or accessory to contraventions of that law. ”

Mr Howa further indicated that the bank stated “We have (conducted) enhance[d] due diligence of Oakbay entities and as required by the FICA and have concluded that continuing with any bank-customer relationship with them would increase our risk of exposure to contravention of the mentioned law to an unacceptable level.

The reasons quoted by Mr Howa above are very serious, and it is in the interest of Oakbay that it goes to court if it has nothing to hide to correct any misperceptions that any bank may have about it, and to ensure it is being treated fairly. It should be borne in mind that the 2003 UN Convention Against Corruption requires banks in member countries like South Africa to take preventive action against corruption and money laundering, with the onus on all individuals and companies to explain any transactions that their banks may regard as suspicious.

Despite our agreement with Mr Howa to provide all relevant information and to continue to engage in good faith, Mr Howa has to date not provided me with the letter that he has quoted from.

So despite an exchange of further correspondence with Oakbay, it remains my view that I am unable to assist Oakbay in any way. I am advised that to do so would be legally impermissible. The best course of action would be for the company to approach a competent court so that it can establish the rights which it contends it has, rather than via a political or public media campaign. This will also allow banks to provide any reasons without transgressing their confidentiality obligations.

09 September 2016 - NW1693

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Baker, Ms TE to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation

How many mining companies in Mpumalanga were issued with water rights licences (a) in the 2012-13 financial year and (b) since 1 April 2016, in each case indicating the (i) names, (ii) locations, (iii) products being mined at each of the specified companies, (iv) the volume of water approved and (v) source of abstraction of the water?

Reply:

(1) A total of 20 mining companies were issued with water use licenses in the 2012-13 financial year. Names, locations, products being mined, volume of water approved and the source of abstraction appear in Table 1:

Table 1: Details of mining companies issued with water use licenses, 2012-13, Mpumalanga

No

Name

Type of product

Property details

Province

Volume of water

Source of Abstraction

1

Total Coal SA-Forzando North

Coal

Portion 9, 24, and 10 of the farm Weltervreden 193 IS

Mpumalanga

237 600m3/a

groundwater

2

Xstrata - Platinum Flotation - Thorncliffe and Mototolo

Platinum

Thorncliffe 374 KT, Grooteboom 373 KT and Mototolo mine

Mpumalanga

85 775 m3/a

groundwater

3

African Exploration Mining and Finance Corporation: Vlakfontein Mine

Coal

Ptn 3 Vlakfontein 569 JR

Mpumalanga

N/A

N/A

4

Maphocs Mine

Coal

Mapochsgronde 500 JS; Ptn 0 Zwartkop 142 JS

Mpumalanga

341 676m3/a

groundwater

5

Universal Coal and Energy (Pty) Ltd - Kangala Coal Mining

Coal

Wolvenfontein 244 IR ptn 1&2

Mpumalanga

384 060m3/a

groundwater

6

HCI Khusela Coal (Pty) Ltd -Mbali Colliery

Coal

Ptn 16, 17 Klippoortjie 32 IS

Mpumalanga

477 597m3/a

groundwater

7

Corridor Mining

Coal

Ptn 0 Zwartkoppies 413 KS; Ptn 0 Waterkop 113 KT

Mpumalanga

8 820m3/a

Borehole

8

Stuart Coal (Pty) Ltd

Coal

Ptn 9 & 10 of farm Weltervren 227 IR

Mpumalanga

15 000m3/a

Borehole

9

Muhanga Mine: Emmerenthia

Coal

Ptn 13 &19 of farm Kafferstad 195

Mpumalanga

N/A

N/A

10

Sudor Coal -Elandsfontein

Coal

Elandsfontein 75 IS Portions. 4, 7 & 8

Mpumalanga

1 320m3/a

Borehole

11

Shanduka Coal (Pty) Ltd: MTC extension

Coal

Elandspruit 291 JS 14

Mpumalanga

1 801 825 m3/a

groundwater

12

Umcebo Mining: Kleinfontein

Coal

Kleinleeuwfontein 563 IS

Mpumalanga

1 200 m3/a

groundwater

13

Umcebo: Umsimbithi Wonderboom Mine

Coal

Ptn 14 farm klippan 452 JS, Ptn 2,3,6,12, 15, 19, 21,22,23,25 farm wonderfontein 428 JS

Mpumalanga

2 760 600m3/a

groundwater

14

Wildfontein Colliery

Coal

Wildfontein 420 JS

Mpumalanga

1 584m3/a

groundwater

15

Shanduka Coal: Graspan Colliery

Coal

Rietfontein 286 JS, RE of Ptn

Mpumalanga

1 033 315m3/a; 250 521m3

groundwater

16

Inkomati Anthracite Mine (Pty) Ltd

Anthrasite

Wildebeest 494 JU

Mpumalanga

125 420m3/a

groundwater

17

Xstrata Coal SA Tweefontein Complex: Optimasation Project

Coal

Tweefontein 13IS

Mpumalanga

4 354 815m3/a

groundwater

18

Muhanga Mine: Op Goedenhoop Mine

Coal

Opgoedenhoop 205 IS

Mpumalanga

16 800 m3/a

groundwater

19

Elitheni Coal (Pty) Ltd

Coal

Machubeni 3 Allotment Area

Mpumalanga

276 000m3/a

groundwater

20

Umnotho Wesizwe Resources (Pty) Ltd - Mooihoek Chrome Mine

Chrome

Mooihoek 255 KT 1

Mpumalanga

300m3/a

groundwater

A total of 22 mining companies were issued with water use licenses since 01 April 2016. Names, locations, products being mined, volume of water approved and the source of abstraction appear in Table 2:

Table 2: Details of mining companies issued with water use licenses since 01 April 2016, Mpumalanga

 

Number

Name

Product

Property details

Province

Volume

Source of Abstraction

1

Vergenoeg Mining Company (Pty) Ltd

Coal

Portion 4 of the farm Kromdraai 209 JR

Mpumalanga

255 000 m3/a

Surface water: Rust De Winter Dam

2

Delf Sand (Pty) Ltd: Cullinan

Sand

Brandbach JR , Portion 63 & 67

Mpumalanga

214 620 m3/a

Groundwater

3

Umzobanzi Coal and Energy cc: Schoongezicht coal

Coal

Schoongezicht, 308 JS, Portion 6.

Mpumalanga

N/A

N/A

4

Msobo Coal (Pty) Ltd: Veerdepan Mine

Coal

Verkeerdepan 50 IT

Mpumalanga

10 368 m3/a

Groundwater

5

Just Coal (Pty) Ltd: Bankfontein Colliery & Beneficiation Plant

Coal

Bankfontein 375 JS, portion 48

Mpumalanga

24 090 m3/a

Groundwater

6

Wescoal Mining (Pty) Ltd: Khanyisa Colliery

Coal

Portion 106 of the farm Heuvelfontein 215 IR

Mpumalanga

36 000 m3/a

Groundwater

7

Tubatse Chrome (Pty) Ltd

Chrome

Portion 6 of Goudmyn 337 KT

Mpumalanga

508 919 m3/a

Groundwater

8

Pembani Coal Caroline (Pty) Ltd

Coal

Re Kwaggafontein 8 IT

Mpumalanga

1 944 363 m3/a

Groundwater

9

Glencore Operations South Africa (Pty) Ltd: Merafe Venture Operations- Lydenburg Smelter

Coal

Plot 2541 of Lydenburg Extention 10

Mpumalanga

N/A

N/A

10

Eastside Coal Company (Pty) Ltd- Eastside Colliery

Coal

Paardeplaats 12 IT, the Remaining extent of Portion 1 & Haarlem 39 IT, Portion 1.

Mpumalanga

586 522 m3/a

Groundwater

11

Freddies Minerals (Pty) Ltd

Coal

Portion 2 of the farm Morelag 5 KU

Mpumalanga

7 300 m3/a

Groundwater

12

Dialstat Trading 115 (Pty) Ltd: Water Pipeline from Lakeside to Argent Colliery

Coal

Welgelegen 211 IR portion 9 &2

Mpumalanga

600 000 m3/a

Surface water, open void

13

Canyon Springs investments 82 (Pty) Ltd: Canyon Springs Coal Mine

Coal

Roodekoppies 167 JR, Portion 3, 4 and RE

Mpumalanga

641 800 m3/a

Groundwater

14

Universal Coal Development- Kangala Colliery

Coal

Portion 1 RE of the portion 2 of the farm Wolvefontein 244 IR

Mpumalanga

246 866.25 m3/a

Groundwater

15

Anglo Operations (Pty) Ltd: Goedehoop Colliery- Dump expansion and Briquetting plant

Coal

Portion 12, 17, 18 and 41 Koornfontein 27 IS

Mpumalanga

N/A

N/A

16

Omaruru Minerals (Pty) Ltd: Elandshoogte Gold Mine

Gold

Portion 3 of the farm Elandshoogte 270 JT

Mpumalanga

72 000 m3/a

Groundwater

17

Liquid Mist Trading (Pty) Ltd: Beneficiation Plant

Coal

Portion 137 of the farm Blesboklaagte 296 JS

Mpumalanga

19 710 m3/a

Groundwater

18

Bokoni Platinum Mine: Klipfontein Section

Platinum

Klipfontein 465 KS

Mpumalanga

66 792 m3/a

Groundwater

19

Barberton Mines (Pty) Ltd: Fairview Mine

Coal

Remaining extent of Fairview 708 JU

Mpumalanga

2 544 964 m3/a

Groundwater

20

Perisat Investments (Pty) Ltd: Rirhandzu Colliery

Coal

Vlakvarkfontein 213 IR Portion 4, 14 & 15

Mpumalanga

4 380 m3/a

Groundwater

21

Corridor Mining Resources: Twyfelaar section

Coal

Twyfelaar 119 TKT

Mpumalanga

4 800m3/a

Groundwater

22

Optimum Coal Mine (Pty) Ltd: Schoonoord Operations

Coal

Brakpan 163 IS and Schoonoord 164 IS

Mpumalanga

520 000 m3/a

Groundwater

---00O00---

09 September 2016 - NW1668

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Topham , Mr B to ask the Minister of Police

What was the (a) total amount spent and (b) breakdown of such expenditure by his department on its participation in the Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of Fraud, Corruption, Impropriety or Irregularity in the Strategic Defence Procurement Packages to date?

Reply:

1668 (a) and (b)

The Standard Chart of Accounts (SCOA) structure of the Department is reflecting an economic classification of items to vest expenditure. The design principles of the reporting tables inter alia allow for the grouping of transactions based on the nature thereof and therefore do not allow for the identification of transactions that can be related to this question. The Department recollects some investigations into the matter but cannot extract data systems wise.

09 September 2016 - NW1726

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Robertson, Mr K to ask the Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform

With regard to the beneficiary evaluation processes of land claimants, what (a) model or criteria is used and (b) processes are followed to determine the beneficiaries; (2) who were the service providers tasked with verifying the beneficiaries of both Mala Mala and Kruger National Park claims, valued at R84 million; (3) is the R4 million paid out to claimants a final amount or will more payments be made to the various communities?

Reply:

(a) The beneficiary is a person, an estate, a direct descendant or a community that was dispossessed of a right in land, after 19 June 1913, as a result of past racially discriminatory laws or practices, who had lodged a claim within the timeframes provided for in the Restitution of Land Rights Act, 1994, and who was not paid compensation that is just and equitable at the time of dispossession. Where a claim is for a community, the beneficiary is a member of that community that was dispossessed together with other community members or their direct descendants.

(b) Through household verification. This process entails a determination of the members of the claimant community, i.e. households that were dispossessed of a right in land as a result of past racially discriminatory laws or practices. The Commission conducts meetings with the claimant households and collect information of dispossession through verification forms, and drawing of family trees to depict direct descendants in terms of family genealogy. The verified households would then become beneficiaries of the claim.

2. No service providers were appointed to carry out the task of verifying the beneficiaries. This task was completed by the officials of the Commission on Restitution of Land Rights.

3. The monies paid out to claimants as financial compensation in full and final settlement is as follows:

  (a) Financial compensation: R 84 097 826.00, which is currently being paid to beneficiaries; and

  (b) Development of sustainable projects: R194 259 681.83, which will be paid once community approved business plans have been finalised.

08 September 2016 - NW1404

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Tarabella - Marchesi, Ms NI to ask the Minister of Public Service and Administration

Whether (a) his department and (b) all entities reporting to him 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)(i)(ii) No. The Department does not have a mandate to run development programmes.

(b) Entities namely (1) National School of Government and (2) Centre for Public Service Innovation

(1) National School of Government

The National School of Government does not run development programme for (i) small business and (ii) co-operatives as it does not fall within the mandate of the National School of Government.

(aa)(bb)(cc) Falls away

(2) Centre for Public Service Innovation

The Centre for Public Service Innovation is not running dedicated development programme for (i) small businesses and (ii) co-operatives. However, in terms of its MoA with The Innovation Hub (one of the entities within the National System of Innovation tasked with developing SMMEs), the Centre for Public Service Innovation, annually post a public service challenge to small businesses and co-operatives on their Open IX Exchange.

Small business and co-operatives are invited to submit proposals for developing solutions. The Centre for Public Service Innovation then funds the piloting of the selected solution to a maximum value of: (bb) R250 000, (cc) the number of jobs to be created for 2016/17 has not been quantified yet, since pilot project will only be initiated later in the year.

08 September 2016 - NW1556

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Krumbock, Mr GR to ask the Minister of Public Service and Administration

(a) What amount did (i) his department and (ii) each entity reporting to him spend on advertising in the 2015-16 financial year and (b) how much has (i) his department and (ii) each entity reporting to him budgeted for advertising in the 2016-17 financial year?

Reply:

(i) Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA)

    (a) In the 2015-16 financial year, DPSA spent an amount of R 2 792 971.76 for advertising.

     (b) An amount of R1 666 000.00 has been budgeted for advertising for the financial year 2016-17

(ii) Entities namely: (1) National School of Government and (2) Centre for Public Service Innovation

National School of Government (NSG)

   (a) In the 2015 -16 financial year, The NSG spent R 977, 249 on advertising

   (b) An amount of R1, 121,041 has been budgeted for advertising for the 2016-17 financial year

Centre for Public Service Innovation (CPSI)

  (a) In the 2015/16 financial year, The Centre for Public Service Innovation spent R1.053 million of advertising

  (b) An amount R676 000 has been budgeted for advertising in the 2016-17 financial year.

08 September 2016 - NW635

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Mente-Nkuna, Ms NV to ask the Minister of Public Service and Administration

Whether, in accordance with section 3(4)(a) and (b) of the Public Service Act, Act 103 of 2007, his department conducted any study in order to advise the President on the possibility of reducing the size of the national Government and thereby reduce the size of Cabinet; if not, why not; if so, (a) which departments can be abolished and (b) what amount can be saved?

Reply:

In terms of section 91(2) read with section 91(3)(b) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, the President appoints the Deputy President and Ministers and assigs them powers and functions. The appointments are made under a President's Act, see for example President's Act No. 135 signed on 26 May 2014 after the 2014 general elections.

Following the appointment of the national Executive by the President (President’s Act) various administrative and legal steps are taken to give effect to the new Executive portfolios. The Presidency with the support of the Department of Public Service and Administration and the National Treasury, lead the National Macro Organisation of the State (NMOS) in 2014. The NMOS process gives effect to the Presidential proclamations regarding the establishment of new or amended Executive portfolios, the renaming and establishment of new departments, and the transfer of legislation between Ministers in terms of the Constitution.

The NMOS process does consider efficiencies in terms of the size of Ministerial portfolios and locate, as far as possible, more than one department or government component under a Ministry without the need to create a Ministry for every department. Examples of multiple departments within Ministerial Portfolios are:

(a) Communications - Department of Communications and the Government Communication and Information System.

(b) Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs - Department of Cooperative Governance, the Department of Traditional Affairs, and the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agent.

(c) Defence and Military Veterans - Department of Defence and the Department of Military Veterans.

(d) Public Service and Administration - Department of Public Service and Administration, the National School of Government, the Office of the Public Service Commission and the Centre of Public Service Innovation.

(e) Justice and Correctional Services - Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, the Department of Correctional Services and the Office of the Chief Justice.

(f) Minister in the Presidency: Planning Monitoring and Evaluation - Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation and Statistics South Africa

Departments are linked to Ministers' portfolios to administer the legislation and policies in that portfolio. The decision to establish national departments is an executive decision by the President. In terms of section 7(5)(a) of the Public Service Act, 1994, the President by proclamation may on the advice of the Minister for the Public Service and Administration amend Schedule 1 so as to establish or abolish any national department, designate such department and the head thereof or amend such designation.

The Department of Public Service and Administration has not conducted a study to advise the President on reducing the size of national government.

08 September 2016 - NW534

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Lovemore, Ms AT to ask the Minister of Public Service and Administration

With reference to commitments made during his department’s Budget Vote speech on 13 May 2015, what are the relevant details of the (a)(i) business processes mapped, (ii) standard operating procedures developed and (iii) organisational functionality assessments conducted in response to his department’s commitment to its Operations Management Framework and (b) strategy for providing resultant support to poor performing departments that was drafted for consultation with stakeholders in the Public Service in terms of the (i) strategy for providing support, (ii) poor performing departments referred to in the speech and targeted by the strategy and (iii) consultation that has taken place on the strategy his department committed to?

Reply:

(a)(i)(ii)(iii) Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) is mandated by the Medium Term Strategic Framework and Outcome 12 to develop an Operations Management Framework (OMF) and to provide institutional support on the implementation thereof to selected national and provincial Government departments on an annual basis.

In pursuance of that mandate, the Chief Directorate: Operations Management of the DPSA developed an Operations Management Framework with supporting toolkits which includes amongst others includes Business Process Management and Standard Operating Procedures.

In the 2015-16 financial year, DPSA focused on the National Department of Labour, the Social Development Sector and the Transport Sector. Business Process Maps and Standard Operating Procedures were developed for these Departments as follows:

Labour:

No.

Branch

Core Service

1

Inspection and Enforcement Service (IES)

  • Conduct Review Inspection on Employment
  • Inspection in terms of Labour Legislation - Basic Conditions of Employment Act
  • Inspection in terms of the Occupational Health and Safety Act

2

Public Employment Services (PES)

  • Recruitment and Placement Services
  • Walk in Registration of Work Seekers at a Labour Centre
  • Online Registration of Work Seekers via ESSA
  • International Cross Boarder Labour Migration Management

3

Labour Practice and International Relations (LPIR)

  • Registration of Labour organisations
  • Processing of Collective Agreements

4.

Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF)

  • Online application for unemployment/ordinary claim by claimant

5.

Compensation Fund (CF)

  • Assessment: Tariffs Section 85: Reduction and Loading Assessment Rate
  • Assessment: Tariffs Section: Sub Class investigations
  • Raising Assessment (Manual Submission)
  • Registration of Employer
  • Revision of Assessment

Social Development:

  • Registration of Non-Profit Organisations
  • Funding of Non-Profit Organisations
  • Placement of children in need of care and protection in foster care

Transport:

  • Issuing of contracts to service providers for the transportation of eligible learners to and from school
  • Issuing of public transport operating licenses
  • Issuing drivers licenses

The DPSA provided institutional support and/or advice to other departments on the Operations Management value chain. A list of departments is provided hereunder:

No.

Name of the Government Department/ Component/ Institution

1

Gauteng Department of Health

2

National Department of Health

3

Batho Pele Forum

4

Free State — Office of the Premier

5

Mineral Resources

6

Military Veterans

7

Department of Corporative Governance

8

KZN — Arts and Culture

9

National School of Government

10

Department of Justice and Constitutional Development

11

Eastern Cape — Safety and Security

12

Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services

13

KZN —Education

14

Correctional Services Inspector Judge

15

Northern Cape — Office of the Premier

16

Batho Pele Standards Steering Committee

17

Department of Trade and Industry

18

KZN — Office of the Premier

19

Human Settlements

20

Parliamentary Budget Office

21

Agriculture and Rural Development

22

Ministry: Public Service and Administration

23

National Consumer Commission

24

Independent Police Investigative Directorate

25

Agriculture — Mpumalanga

26

Gauteng Office of the Premier

27

Northern Cape Provincial Treasury

(b) (i) (ii) (iii)

(i) The Strategy on the Provision of targeted support to Departments was developed by the DPSA to coordinate targeted support to government departments in line with the mandate of the MPSA outlined in section 3 (6) of the Public Service Act, 1994 as amended by the Public Service Amendment Act 30 of 2007.

The Strategy on the Provision of targeted support to Departments is delivered in phases and the Initiation phase of the strategy looks at three key areas:

  • Cabinet initiated Intervention or Support
  • Pro-active requests from Departments for support and
  • DPSA initiated support (MPAT, SD sites)

The targeted support on year one focused on Pro Active requests from departments for support and the requests received were on Organisational Design support. Received requests on Organisational Design from 43 sectors, 25 were finalised and 11 in progress, attached at Annexure B. The Strategy on the Provision of targeted support to Departments has been approved for implementation.

(ii) With regard to poor performing departments, a presentation was made to the North West province on their performance against outcome 12 and it was agreed that the Province will be assisted in the new financial year on their Service Delivery Improvement Plans (SDIPs), and together with National Treasury assist the Province in unblocking the challenge of 30 day payment to suppliers.

(iii) Extensive consultations were held within DPSA and with National and Provincial departments. The draft strategy was finally presented at the Governance and Administration cluster on 01 October 2015 for endorsement and support.

07 September 2016 - NW1678

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Schmidt, Adv H to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation

Whether funding has been allocated to her department through the Division of Revenue Act, Act 3 of 2016, for the provision of regional bulk infrastructure for the Sedibeng Regional Sewerage Scheme in the Sedibeng District Municipality in Gauteng; if so, what amount has been budgeted for the specified scheme in the (a) 2016-17, (b) 2017-18 and (c) 2018-19 financial years?

Reply:

Yes the Department through Regional Bulk receive conditional grant allocated in terms of Division of Revenue Act, 2016 (Act No. 3 of 2016) (DoRA).

Sedibeng Regional Sewerage Scheme is allocated funding as follows:

(a) 2016/17 - R50 000 000.00

(b) 2017/18 – R64 200 000.00

(c) 2018/19 – R100 000 000.00

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07 September 2016 - NW1674

Profile picture: Stubbe, Mr DJ

Stubbe, Mr DJ to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation

(a) How many bucket toilets are still being used in the (i) Ramona, (ii) Santa Centre and (iii) Lerato Park informal settlements in Kimberley in the Northern Cape, (b) what measures have been put in place to eradicate the bucket toilets in the specified areas and (c) by what date will her department introduce a proper sanitation system in the specified areas?

Reply:

(a)(i) The settlement Ramona (located in Galeshewe) is occupied by approximately 200 households however it is an informal settlement using the bucket system for sanitation.

(a)(ii) The Santa Centre is a formalized township with some 143 even from the approved general plan however some buckets in 210 households occupying the area or land are using bucket system for sanitation. Municipality will once land is identified, relocate the balance of the settlement and allocate stands accordingly.

(a)(iii) The Lerato Park (is a formalised township in terms of an approved Surveyor General Diagram) area is the subject of a new housing development with approximately 1400 housing units. Lerato Park can be classified as in-situ upgrading and relocating families to the new housing units. A total of 1200 households occupying the area are using the bucket system. Currently, the growth of the settlement exceeds the number of housing units to be constructed and alternative land must be identified by the municipality for the households that cannot benefit from the current housing development.

(b) and (c) Providing sanitation in informal settlements and the upgrading or relocation of settlements into a new human settlements in the main is the responsibility of the Provincial Department of Human Settlements and Local Government (Municipalities).

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06 September 2016 - NW1645

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Dudley, Ms C to ask the Minister of Public Works

(1) Is he aware that the lease of a certain property to a certain school (name and details furnished) that currently educates 282 learners and has 36 full-time staff members is about to go to tender despite the fact that the specified school (a) has (i) been running for many years and (ii) invested in the property and (b) desperately wants to continue and expand to meet local needs; (2) whether he will urgently look into this situation so that it can be rectified and the school be allowed to provide the much needed expanded services to the community?

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works

1. (a) (i) and (ii) and (b) The property in question is not being put out to tender. The National Department of Public Works (NDPW) received an application from Willow Academy on 20 July 2016, with two options for the Department to consider. The options were either to purchase Erven 182 & 183 Fairview at a fair price or to enter into a long term lease agreement between the NDPW and Willow Academy.

The Department is in the process of considering the application and as an interim measure a six (6) month caretaker’s agreement was entered into with Willow Academy with effect from 01 August 2016 until 31 January 2017.

2. The NDPW is considering the application by the Academy and following the necessary investigations and options analysis will engage with the school within the ambit of Government policy and legislation and a decision will be based on the consideration of the facts at hand.

________________________________________________________________________

06 September 2016 - NW1696

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Hadebe, Mr TZ to ask the Minister of Environmental Affairs

(1)Whether each (a) objection and (b) appeal to the proposed Malelane Safari Lodge in the Kruger National Park in Mpumalanga was considered before her Department granted final approval for the specified development; if not, why not; if so, what are the further relevant details; (2) whether she will make copies of all (a) minutes and (b) accompanying documentation of all deliberations addressing the specified objections and appeals available to Mr T Z Hadebe; if not, why not; if so, by when?

Reply:

1. (a) All objections received during the public participation process for the application for Environmental Authorisation (EA) were considered by the Chief Director: Integrated Environmental Authorisations of the Department prior to the issuing of the EA on 26 August 2015.

(b) Following the issuing of the aforementioned EA, 5 appeals were lodged, all of which were considered by me, the Minister of Environmental Affairs, as per the Appeal Decision of
15 April 2016.

2. (a-b) The record of information considered by me in the appeal process consisted of the following:

  • Material information contained in the EIA project file (14/12/16/3/3/1/1/1280);
  • the first appellant’s grounds of appeal, and annexures thereto, dated
    30 September 2015;
  • the second appellants grounds of appeal, dated 15 October 2015;
  • the third appellants grounds of appeal, dated 16 October 2015;
  • the fourth appellants grounds of appeal, dated 26 February 2016;
  • the fifth appellants grounds of appeal, dated 16 October 2015;
  • the applicants response to the appellants’ grounds of appeal, dated
    14 November 2015;
  • the site visit conducted by the Department of Environmental Affairs officials (DEA) with the applicant on 09 November 2015;
  • the site visit and meeting conducted by DEA officials with the second appellant on
    10 November 2015;
  • the follow-up meeting by DEA officials held with the appellants on 13 January 2016;
  • the additional documents provided by the appellants at the meeting with DEA officials on 13 January 2016;
  • the meeting by DEA officials held with Leopard Creek, on 08 February 2016;
  • the meeting by DEA officials held with the South African National Parks management, on 09 February 2016; and
  • the comments received from the Chief Directorate: IEA of the Department.

Access to any of the aforementioned documents will be allowed upon request.

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06 September 2016 - NW1650

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Grootboom, Mr GA to ask the MINISTER OF ARTS AND CULTURE

(1). What steps he has taken in respect of high levels of fruitless and wasteful expenditure by (a) pan south african language board (b) performing arts centre of the free state in the i) 2013-2014 ii) 2014-2015 iii) 2015-16 financial years. (2). whether any officials in any of the specified entities have faced disciplinary processes in this regard; if not, why not? if so what are the relevant details in each case.

Reply:

1. (A) PAN SOUTH AFRICAN LANGUAGES BOARD ( PANSALB)

  (i) 2013/14 financial year

The Department requested the National Treasury to conduct an investigation into the allegations of financial mismanagement for the period 15 June 2012 until 30 September 2014. The investigation was finalised on 31 July 2015. The investigation scope focussed on the overall governance of PanSALB and the Supply Chain Management processes; and covered only transactions that related to the period of Mr Zwane’s acting as Caretaker Chief Executive Officer of PanSALB.

  (ii) 2014/15 financial year

The investigation conducted by the National Treasury covered two quarters of the 2014/15 financial year until 30 September 2014. The remainder of the period is not covered as the Board of PanSALB was appointed in June 2014 to deal with challenges at the Pan South African Language Board

  (iii) 2015/16 financial year.

No steps have been taken. The Audit report for the 2015/16 financial year has just been completed and its findings will be dealt with during the current financial year.

2. No disciplinary measures have been taken against any official of the Pan South African Language Board. The investigation report did not recommend disciplinary measures against any official of the Pan South African Language Board. The report recommended that an in-depth investigation be conducted to establish the validity of the appointments, validity of payments made to the service providers and verification of value for money to the institution, during the period under review. The report further recommended that PanSALB should refer the possible contravention of sections 38, 39 and 40 read with section 86 of the Public Finance Management Act by Mr Zwane (former Caretaker CEO), in relation to the appointment of service provider, for criminal investigation by the South African Police Service (SAPS).

1 (b) PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE OF THE FREE STATE ( PACOFS)

   i) 2013/14

No steps were taken

   II) 2014/15

No steps were taken

   iii) 2015/16

The Department of Arts and Culture conducted an Adhoc Audit investigation based on the Audit findings of 2013/14 and 2014/15. These findings were on the Capital Expenditure Project Allocation at the Performing Arts Centre of the Free State (PACOFS). The investigation started in February 2016 which was extended to cover the financial years from April 2009/10 to 31 March 2014/15. The Audit was completed in May 2015/16 and its recommendations were that a forensic investigation needs to be conducted. The National Treasury Forensic Investigation Unit is currently undergoing the investigation which will cover through the years 2013/14 to 2015/16 including the Audit findings of 2015/16.

2. Consequent to the results and recommendations of the Internal Adhoc Audit investigation conducted by the DAC, the Council of the PACOFS took an action to suspend the CEO of PACOFS and Disciplinary Hearings are underway.

06 September 2016 - NW1649

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Grootboom, Mr GA to ask the Minister of Arts and Culture

Has the forensic investigation into the expenditure on the Kimberley Theatre been completed; if not, why not; if so, what were the findings?

Reply:

No, my department has not launch forensic investigation into the expenditure of the Kimberly Theatre.

06 September 2016 - NW1651

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Grootboom, Mr GA to ask the Minister of Arts and Culture

Whether any official of his department has faced disciplinary processes for the missing R54 million that was allocated towards the upgrading of the Windybrow Theatre in Johannesburg; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

No official of my department has faced disciplinary processes. The funds were transferred to Windybrow to undertake the capital works projects. During the implementation of the projects, the department uncovered that funds were misused and that a forensic investigation was instituted. Subsequent to that the CFO and CEO were charged and subsequently fired.

06 September 2016 - NW1644

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Dudley, Ms C to ask the Minister of Environmental Affairs

Whether she has been informed that (a) Chemtrail uses aircraft to spray chemicals, mostly aluminum and borax, from high altitude and in some cases modified fuels carrying other chemicals and (b) these heavy metals are carcinogenic and environmentally damaging, thereby contributing to global warming and having a significant effect on groundwater and soil; (2) has she initiated an investigation with regard to this practice and/or referred the matter to the relevant department or structure to be investigated; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

(1) (a) and (b)

I am not informed about the company Chemtrail per se but I am provided with an insight that:

  • Passenger and military jetliner manufacturers, jet fuel companies and the Aviation Industry uses geo-engineering techniques to seed metallic particles to the fuel of the jet airliners. In the process, aluminium (mainly aluminium oxide) is used along with barium and strontium. These chemicals when used in a spray form a Chemtrail (chemtrail are trails of condensation that can be seen in the sky when a jet airplane is travelling at above 30,000 feet altitude);
  • Environmental concerns or damage on groundwater and soil are not fully known and the Department is researching the matter.
  • There is no evidence of carcinogenic effect of these chemicals. The Department will engage with the Department of Health on this matter in view of the increase in global air transportation.

(2)

  • No. We have not initiated investigations with the Aviation Industry nor with any other relevant Departments such as Defence, Transport and Energy;
  • The reason for not initiating any investigation is that studies have not shown evidence of environmental concerns. It was concluded that the use of heavy metals injected into the stratosphere by exhausts of jets might scatter negligible amounts of sunlight and seemingly poses no significant environment problems. There have been no radioactive and ozone destroying properties in the stratosphere to warrant environmental interventions.

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05 September 2016 - NW1454

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Maynier, Mr D to ask the Minister of Finance

(1)With regard to direct loans made by the Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF), referred to on page 98 of the GEPF’s 2014-15 Annual Report, in each case (a) what is the recipient companys’ (i) registered name, (ii) registration number and (iii) board members’ names and (b) with regard to the terms of each loan, (i) what was the amount of the specified loan, (ii) what is the interest rate, (iii) when was the specified loan made, (iv) what is the period of the loan and (v) what are the loan covenants;

Reply:

I am advised by the PIC that replies to these questions may contain confidential information pertaining to third parties and that the PIC may be in breach of its confidentiality obligations if such information is made public. The PIC has obtained legal advise on their disclosure obligations and the conclusion was that the PIC is not obliged to disclose confidential information with regards to its clients and assets under management to any third parties. However, the PIC Management and Board have carefully considered the legal opinion and it was resolved that the PIC will take into account the legal opinion but that it will also take an approach to disclose certain details regarding its unlisted investment portfolio without breaching its confidentiality obligations to clients. There are certain processes that need to be followed before these details can be disclosed. These processes are currently being undertaken. I will therefore table replies to these questions once the PIC has obtained the necessary approvals, in order to ensure that you receive relevant information without the PIC being in breach of any legislation, agreements or its mandate.

05 September 2016 - NW1646

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Dudley, Ms C to ask the Minister of Home Affairs

(1)Whether he is aware of a certain person’s (name furnished) urgent plea for assistance with regard to an application for a permanent residence permit (details furnished); if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (2) has his department launched an investigation into the circumstances regarding the delay of this application; if not, (a) why not, (b) will his department investigate and (c) will the specified person be provided with a speedy outcome to the application; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

(1) The National Department of Home Affairs is aware of the plea by the referred to person, requesting the finalisation of his permanent residence application; reference number PRP1127280, submitted on 06 October 2014.

(2) When the referred to person originally enquired on the status of his permanent residence application he was provided with a reference number, 1605009216. The Department confirms the application has been received and is currently in the process of adjudication.

The person in question applied for permanent residence in terms of section 26(b) of the Immigration Act, 2002 (Act No 13 of 2002), as amended: a spouse of a South African citizen, which is classified as one of the high risk categories which requires additional assessment. The Department ordinarily spends more time on applications in this particular category due to investigations that are undertaken.

 

The Department has taken cognisance that the applicant’s temporary residence visa expires on 09 September 2016.

05 September 2016 - NW1471

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Steyn, Ms A to ask the Deputy President

(1)Whether he is monitoring the impact and effects of the recent drought on Government’s War on Poverty Programme; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) whether the specified programme has put any measures in place to ensure that there is no drastic increase in the number of citizens without access to food due to the recent drought; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details of the measures that have been put in place in this regard?

Reply:

The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) is monitoring the impact and effect of the recent drought throughout the country. The Department is a lead institution for the National Agro-meteorological Committee (NAC) which provides monthly advisory and early warning information on the rainfall season and impact on agricultural production for the whole country.

The drought is causing higher food prices in South Africa. Food inflation rose to 11% in April 2016. The Department continues to monitor retail food prices and likely impact on the poorest people through the National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC). The cost of the basic food basket expressed as a share of the average monthly income of the poorest 30% of the population (mostly residing in War on Poverty sites) increased from 48.3% in April 2015 to 56.2% in April 2016.

The department is also a lead institution for the South African Vulnerability Assessment Committee (SAVAC), which conducts vulnerability and food and nutrition security assessments. The 2016 assessment is underway and is focusing mainly on the impact of the drought on livelihoods. The severity and magnitude of the impact of the drought on agricultural and non-agricultural livelihoods will have to be understood for better targeting of programmes and quantifying the support required.

DAFF is a lead institution for a Multi-sectoral Food Security Drought Response Team that includes line function departments that are implementing different programmes aimed at addressing the impact of drought on food and nutrition security.

The Department has reprioritised funds from the Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme and Ilima/Letsema campaign to provide for immediate responses to the agricultural sector. Provision of animal feed and water resources for affected livestock farmers, especially smallholder and subsistence farmers, has been prioritised. The department has also invested in programmes such as equipping and drilling of boreholes. Furthermore, programmes to combat land degradation (including veld rehabilitation, control of declared alien weeds and invader species and promotion of conservation agriculture) are being implemented.

A Food and Nutrition Security Drought Response Plan has been developed and costed. The plan includes interventions such as social relief measures, households food production support, enhancing access to drought-tolerant seeds, expansion of the National School Nutrition Programme, health and nutrition responses to drought and a water sector response to drought in the affected areas.

05 September 2016 - NW1677

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Hoosen, Mr MH to ask the Minister of Home Affairs

(1)What are the reasons for the resignation of a certain official (name and details furnished) from the Government Printing Works; (2) whether he appointed a certain official (name and details furnished) to act in the specified position; if so, is the specified person qualified to act in the specified position; (3) does the specified person hold two positions (details furnished) and receive remuneration for both positions; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

1. The former Chief Executive Official (CEO) of Government Printing Works expressed his desire to go back to the medical profession.

2. Yes. The Acting CEO has vast experience in public service, serving in different capacities at all spheres of government.

3. No. The Acting CEO was transferred to Government Printing Works as General Manager: Special Projects for a period of 12 months and was later appointed acting CEO of Government Printing Works upon departure of the former CEO.

05 September 2016 - NW1702

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Mackay, Mr G to ask the Minister of Energy

Whether she will furnish Mr. G Mackay with the (a) copies of the invitation to attend vendor parade workshops sent to (i) the Republic of Korea, (ii) the United States of America, (iii) the Russian Federation, (iv) the French Republic, (v) the People’s Republic of China, (vi) Canada and (vii) the United Kingdom and (b) list of topics each of the specified vendor countries were requested to address relating to the specified invitation; if not, why not, in each case; if so, in each case, by when?

Reply:

The documents requested herein are the same documents requested by Earthlife Africa and the Southern African Faith Communities’ Environmental Institute, the Applicants in a review application presently being opposed by the Minister of Energy and the President of the Republic of South Africa. This matter is the subject of ongoing litigation in the Western Cape Division of the High Court and thus sub judice. It is once again placed on record that the Applicants are clearly trying to litigate its case on platforms other than the court. It should also be noted that it cannot be expected of any responsible government to release sensitive Cabinet records and communication between two sovereign states in such a manner. In addition the request is refused as the documents requested are privileged as they relate to correspondence between sovereign States in the international domain and on an international level.

It should be noted that there was no invitation sent to the United Kingdom.

05 September 2016 - NW1701

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Mackay, Mr G to ask the Minister of Energy

Whether she will furnish Mr. G Mackay with copies of the (a) proposal for the roll-out of new nuclear power plants as signed off by her, (b) Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review by the International Atomic Energy Agency, (c) terms of reference for the National Nuclear Energy Executive Coordinating Committee (NNEECC), (d) communication and stakeholder engagement strategy of the NNEECC, (e) phased decision-making approach of the NNEECC for implementing Government’s nuclear programme, (f) designation of Eskom as the owner and operator of nuclear power plants in South Africa, (g) 2004 Bilateral International Agreement with the Russian Federation and (h) May 2013 agreement signed between South Africa and Russia during the BRICS Summit meeting held in Durban; if not, why not, in each case; if so, in each case, by when?

Reply:

The documents requested herein are the very same documents requested by Earthlife Africa and the Southern African Faith Communities’ Environmental Institute, the Applicants in a review application presently being opposed by the Minister of Energy and the President of the Republic of South Africa. This matter is the subject of ongoing litigation in the Western Cape Division of the High Court and thus subs judice. The Minister of Energy accordingly cannot comment directly on the documents requested. It is placed on record that the Applicants are clearly trying to litigate its case on platforms other than a court. It should be noted that it cannot be expected of any responsible government to release sensitive Cabinet records and communication between two sovereign states in such a manner.

With regards to the other documents the response is as follows:

(a) No. The document requested is privileged as it is a sensitive state document of government and the release thereof could compromise the new build process.

(b) No. The document requested is privileged as it is a sensitive state document of government which relates to an interaction between a sovereign state and an international body or agency on an international level and on the level of international law.

(c) No. The document requested is privileged as it is a sensitive state document of government and the release thereof could compromise the new build process.

(d) No. The document requested is privileged as it is a sensitive state document of government and the release thereof could compromise the new build process.

(e) No. The document requested is privileged as it is a sensitive state document of government and the release thereof could compromise the new build process.

(f) No. The document requested is privileged as it is a sensitive state document of government and the release thereof could compromise the new build process.

(g) The 2004 Bilateral International Agreement with the Russian Federation is in the public domain and may be availed. The requestor will be provided with a copy of this Agreement from the Department of Energy.

(h) The agreement between South Africa and Russia was signed in March 2013 (not May 2013) during the BRICS Summit meeting held in Durban. The agreement is also in the public domain and may be availed. The requestor will be provided with a copy of this Agreement from the Department of Energy.

 

 

05 September 2016 - NW1169

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Maynier, Mr D to ask the Minister of Finance

(1)What is the (a) company name, (b) financial service provider (FSP) licence number and (c) FSP licence category of each brokerage firm used by the Public Investment Corporation (PIC) in the (i) 2010-11, (ii) 2011-12, (iii) 2012-13, (iv) 2013-14 (v) 2014-15 and (vi) 2015-16 financial years; (2) in respect of each specified brokerage firm used by the PIC, what was (a) the total amount of fees paid and (b) the total deal flow (i) in each specified financial year and (ii) over the five-year period?

Reply:

I am advised by the PIC that replies to these questions may contain confidential information pertaining to third parties and that the PIC may be in breach of its confidentiality obligations if such information is made public. The PIC has obtained legal advise on their disclosure obligations and the conclusion was that the PIC is not obliged to disclose confidential information with regards to its clients and assets under management to any third parties. However, the PIC Management and Board have carefully considered the legal opinion and it was resolved that the PIC will take into account the legal opinion but that it will also take an approach to disclose certain details regarding its unlisted investment portfolio without breaching its confidentiality obligations to clients. There are certain processes that need to be followed before these details can be disclosed. These processes are currently being undertaken. I will therefore table replies to these questions once the PIC has obtained the necessary approvals, in order to ensure that you receive relevant information without the PIC being in breach of any legislation, agreements or its mandate.

02 September 2016 - NW1692

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Van Dalen, Mr P to ask the Minister of Energy

When will the regulations contained in the Consultation Paper on Small-scale Embedded Generation: Regulatory Rules, published on 25 February 2015 by the National Energy Regulator of SA (Nersa), be finalised for both (a) low and (b) medium voltage connections by both (i) her department and (ii) Nersa; 2) Whether any plans have been put in place to grant exceptions for private generators of electricity in the interim while the specified regulations are being finalised; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? 3) Whether Nersa requires clients to have generator licenses in order to purchase power from Eskom’s net metering programme; if not, why do municipalities apply a different policy in this regard; if so, what are the reasons; 4) Whether clients of Eskom’s net metering programme require licenses to operate; if so, why is the same process of applying for licenses that is applicable to big independent power producers applicable to the specified clients, since the small generators cannot adhere to the requirements?

Reply:

1. (a)(b)(i) and (ii): The Small-scale Embedded Generation (SSEG) rules will be finalized once the notice of exemption from licensing has been gazetted by the Department of Energy. Gazetting of the exemption notice will happen once the opinion of the Office of the State Law Advisor on the exemption notice is obtained.

2. No, in the absence of an enabling legal and regulatory framework NERSA can neither license nor register SSEGs like Roof Top Photovoltaic. Generator installations up to 100kVA are exempted from being regulated, in terms of Schedule 2 of the Electricity Regulation Act.

3. We are not aware of Eskom’s net-metering programme. Municipalities may have a different regime due to their Constitutional mandate pertaining to electricity reticulation.

4. We are not aware of Eskom’s net-metering programme.

02 September 2016 - NW1580

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Maynier, Mr D to ask the Minister of Finance

Whether the SA Revenue Service (Sars) reached any severance agreements with employees in each year since 2006; if not, why not; if so, in each case, (a) what was the (i) date, (ii) full name of the employee, (iii) position held, (iv) settlement amount and (v) reason for the settlement and (b) where were the specified settlement amounts recorded in the annual financial statements of Sars?

Reply:

The South African Revenue Service has submitted the following information. Please note that the Minister is unable to verify the content.

(a)(i) – (iv) Yes, according to available records SARS reached 13 severance agreements with employees since 2006 to date. The total value of the settlements combined is R19 334 333.91.

The breakdown of these payments per year are as follows:

Fin Year

Nr of Transactions

Sum of R-Value Pay out

2007/08

1

R 3, 150 ,894.81

2008/09

2

R 1, 674, 920.54

2009/10

1

R 435, 134.48

2010/11

3

R 3, 047, 735.00

2013/14

1

R 375, 048.00

2014/15

2

R 1, 681, 798.20

2015/16

3

R 8, 968, 802.88

Grand Total

13

R 19, 334, 333.91

Due to confidentiality provisions of these agreements, as well as protection of personal information governed by the Protection of Personal Information (POPI) Act, SARS is prohibited from disclosing employee specific information regarding the agreements with regards to the names of the individuals concerned, the positions held, the date of separation, reasons for the settlement and the individual amounts involved.

(b) Yes, the amounts were disclosed in the annual financial statements under employee cost in the statement of financial performance.

01 September 2016 - NW1538

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Steenkamp, Ms J to ask the Minister of Communications

(a) What amount did (i) her department and (ii) each entity reporting to her spend on advertising in the 2015-16 financial year and (b) how much has (i) her department and (ii) each entity reporting to her budgeted for advertising in the 2016-17 financial year?

Reply:

(a) (i) The Department’s total spending on advertisement was R3.2 million in the 2015-16 financial year

(ii) Entities reporting to the Department spent the following amounts on advertising in the 2015-16 financial year:

SABC = R35 422 million

FPB = R332,684.00

ICASA = R5,339,278.00

Brand SA = R1,082,373.00

MDDA = R175,000.00

(b) (i) The Department’s advertising budget for the current financial year is R602,000.00

(ii) Entities reporting to the Department have budgeted the following amounts for advertising in the 2016-17 financial year:

SABC = R42 008 million

FPB = R1,109,064.00

ICASA = R4,233,655.00

Brand SA = R6 million

MDDA = R80 053.67

                                                                                         

MR NN MUNZHELELE

DIRECTOR GENERAL [ACTING]

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

MS AF MUTHAMBI (MP)

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

01 September 2016 - NW1605

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Shinn, Ms MR to ask the Minister of Communications

(a) What steps are being taken to fund the dual illumination period of the broadcasting digital migration process, (b) how much funding is being sought and (c)(i) from whom and (ii) for what time period is funding being sought?

Reply:

(a) Extensive discussions with all relevant stakeholders including Portfolio Committees, National Treasury and affected broadcasters are being pursued to find a sustainable solution to the shortfall by Sentech. These steps include among others, reallocation of existing funds towards digital migration to cover dual illumination costs and the borrowing capacity of the state.

(b) The dual illumination related costs being sought amount to R509 million over the MTEF period with approximately 90% of these costs being attributable to satellite rental, maintenance and energy.

(c) (i) The funding request was made to the National Government;

(ii) MTEF Dual Illumination breakdown:

Financial Year

Amount (R’000) VAT Included

FY 2017

159 252

FY 2018

169 604

FY 2019

180 628

Total MTEF Request

R509 484

Less Funding Allocated

(R100 000)

Total Funding Outstanding

R409 484

Thus far, the Government has made available R100 million through the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services (DTPS). Therefore leaving a shortfall of R409 million over the period.

 

MR NN MUNZHELELE

DIRECTOR GENERAL [ACTING]

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

MS AF MUTHAMBI (MP)

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE: