Reply:

1. The investigation is concluded and the case dockets were referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions for decision.

2. No individuals or entity has been charged. A decision from the Director of Public Prosecutions is awaited on whether to prosecute or not.

Reply:

The duties of Ministers and Deputy Ministers are outlined in the Ministerial Handbook.

Reply:

(1) Yes, Sebenza Detective Service received one (1) vehicle during the 2015/2016 financial year.

(2) (a) Sebenza Detective Service currently have 8 vehicles.

(b) 7 vehicles are in working order.

(c) The vehicle was taken to the mechanical workshop on 5 May 2014 for a mechanical fault and was outsourced during 2014. The service provider went out of business and the vehicle was returned to Benoni mechanical workshop and outsourced to a new supplier about three (3) weeks ago.

(3) (a) There are 22 detectives currently at Sebenza Detective Service.

(b) (i) 15 detectives attended a detective course.

(ii) 15 passed the detective course.

(c) Each Investigating Officer has an average of 63 dockets.

(4) There are currently sufficient vehicles at Sebenza Detective Service according to the national ratio.

Reply:

(1) The detectives at Edenvale SAPS received three (3) sedan vehicles on 3 December 2015.

(2) (a) Edenvale Detective Service currently have 14 vehicles.

(b) 9 of the vehicles are in working order.

(c) The vehicles were sent to the mechanical workshop on the following dates:

   (1) 15 February 2016

   (2) 10 March 2016

   (3) 14 March 2016

   (4) 28 March 2016

   (5) 7 April 2016

(3) (a) There are 27 detectives at Edenvale Police Station.

(b) (i) 16 detectives have attended a detective course.

     (ii) 16 detectives passed the detective course.

(c) Each Investigating Officer investigates an average of 90 dockets.

(4) (a) The prescribed ratio of detectives to vehicles is 2:1

           Two (2) members per vehicle.

(b) There are sufficient vehicles currently at the Edenvale Detective Service according to the national ratio.

Reply:

1. (a) (i) 2013-14 None

(ii) 2014-15 None

(iii) 2015-16 None

(b) The Department of Public Enterprises has never been approached by
any political party for any form of funding.

2. (a) (i) 2013-14: None

(ii) 2014-15: None

(iii) 2015-16: None

(b) The position of Department of Public Enterprises with regards to political
party funding is aligned to the National Treasury prescripts which
prohibits the funding of political parties from the fiscus.

 

Reply:

Awaiting information from SAFA.the information is not readily available.

Reply:

(1) The Detective Service at Bedfordview Police Station did not receive new vehicles as the station already has sufficient vehicles according to the national ratio.

(2) (a) Bedfordview Detective Service currently have 16 vehicles.

(b) 14 vehicles are in working order.

(c) The vehicles were sent to the mechanical workshop on the following dates:

      (1) 28 January 2016

      (2) 31 March 2016

(3) (a) There are 34 detectives currently at Bedfordview Detective Service.

(b) (i) 33 detectives attended a detective course.

     (ii) 33 passed the detective course.

(c) Each Investigating Officer has an average of 65 dockets.

(4) The station already has sufficient vehicles according to the national ratio.

Reply:

NO

Reply:

(a) The investigation commissioned from the National Treasury into the supply chain process of the Universal Service and Access Agency of SA has been completed.

(b) The report will be published once the department has studied the report.

(i) The Department is currently studying the investigation report in order to understand the recommendations.

(ii) The Department is currently studying the investigation report and recommendations in order to take necessary steps.

 

MR NN MUNZHELELE

DIRECTOR GENERAL [ACTING]

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

MS AF MUTHAMBI (MP)

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

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.

Reply:

(1) Yes, Primrose Detective Service received four (4) vehicles during the 2015/2016 financial year.

(2) (a) Primrose Detective Service currently have 15 vehicles.

(b) 11 vehicles are in working order.

(c) The vehicles were sent to the mechanical workshop on the following dates:

     (1) 2 May 2016

      (2) 3 May 2016

       (3) 11 May 2016

       (4) 17 May 2016

(3) (a) There are 33 detectives currently at Primrose Detective Service.

(b) (i) 27 detectives attended a detective course.

(ii) 27 passed the detective course.

(c) Each Investigating Officer has an average of 50 dockets.

(4) There are currently sufficient vehicles at Primrose Detective Service according to the national ratio.

Reply:

(1) Yes, the detective service at Tembisa South Police Station received two (2) vehicles during the 2015/2016 financial year.

(2) (a) Tembisa South Detective Service currently have 11 vehicles.

(b) All vehicles are in working order.

(c) Not applicable.

(3) (a) There are 36 detectives currently at Tembisa South Detective Service.

(b) (i) 21 detectives attended a detective course.

(ii) 21 passed the detective course.

(c) Each Investigating Officer has an average of 98 dockets.

(4) The allocation of vehicles for the 2016/2017 financial year has not been finalised yet.

Reply:

1. 13 fighter aircraft are in the Rotational Preventative Maintenance program due to lack of funding.

1a. 13 Gripen fighter jets are in a Rotational Preventative Maintenance program from a fleet of 26 aircraft which are maintained throughout the aircraft life cycle as prescribed by the Designing Authority.

1b i. The Gripen fleet are under continuous maintenance while in Rotational Preventative Maintenance program.

1b ii. 13 Gripen fighter aircraft are operationally active at their home bases.

1bb. The Gripen aircraft are operationally utilised and used for force preparation of Gripen specific pilots and also for force employment.

2. Technically, we do not have any pilots training in Russia or Cuba. What we have in these countries are members identified to become student pilots.

Reply:

(a-b)(aa-cc) In the course of our official duties and since taking office neither I nor the Deputy Minister have knowingly held any official meetings with persons who are, or who are associates of or employees of any persons whose surname or family name is Gupta, (although we do not claim to know all employees nor all associates of persons whose surname or family name is Gupta). However, this response should not be construed to mean that we have not been introduced to persons in question, for instance, in relation to our promotional and communications work for the Department of Home Affairs, whilst appearing at ANN7/SABC 2 Breakfast briefings, and attending various events and functions where such persons may have been in attendance together with various other persons in relation to which it is not expected that minutes or attendance is recorded.

(ccc) Not applicable in view of the answers given above.

Reply:

(a) Forty three Schools (43).
(b) (i)

Please find here: Province & Schools

Reply:

SAPO has advised me as follows:

1. (a) The reason why the Road Traffic Infringement Agency (RTIA) owes the South African (SAPO) R39, 374, 828.78 for more than 120 days is due to the dispute over service level as a result of the prolonged and illegal strike that paralyzed operations.

(b) On 08 April 2016, the SAPO GCEO and RTIA CEO/Administrator held a meeting in which a technical committee consisting of the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD), Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) and the Road Traffic infringement Agency (RTIA), was established to resolve payments and other strike related issues. The committee meets on a weekly basis to discuss progress and outstanding matters.

2. (a) Interest charged on outstanding amount in September 2014 was R2, 242.22, and in March 2015 was 2,969.66. Since then, interest has been suppressed due to the dispute declared by RTIA and JMPD.

(b) Therefore, there are no further details at this stage.

Reply:

We are still gathering data from entities and information is not readily available

Reply:

(a)(b)(i)(ii) The South African Police Service is not running any development programmes for small businesses and co-operatives.

(aa) Not applicable

(bb) Not applicable

(cc) Not applicable

Reply:

No I have not attended any meetings of the Gupta’s in Saxonwod.

I have attended events organised by the Hindu community to mark their Diwali, a Hindu festival, wherein members of the Gupta family attend as part of the members of the Hindu society.

These invitations have always been extended to Ministers, Deputy Ministers, and the Business community long before I even assumed the responsibility of being the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans.

Reply:

The information is tabulated hereunder:

	Department of Home Affairs (DHA) Response	DHA Response
	Budget spend on Advertising in 2015/16	Advertising Budget for 2016/17
(i)	R 10 882 439.95	R 5 654 000.00
	Government Printing Works (GPW) Response	GPW Response
(ii)	R 519 812.27	R 774 000. 00
	Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) response	IEC Response
(ii)	R 58 894 341.54	R 36 040 255.00

Reply:

The information required relates to the strength of the SA Navy and SAAF, and impacts on matters of National Security and can only be divulged in a closed session of the Joint Standing Committee on Defence.

Reply:

(1) (a) The amount the Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA) spent on advertising vacant positions since 1 June 2014 equals R169,056.11.

(b) The specified vacant positions have been advertised via the print press and the MDDA website as follows:

• 11th May 2014 (City Press): (Project Officer: Community Media, Project Officer: Research, Training & Development, Communication & Branding Manager.)
• 5th September 2014 (Independent Newspapers) – (CEO, Supply Chain Manager, Finance Disbursement Officer, Legal & Contracts Manager)
• 10th June 2015 (Times Media, The Star Workplace) – (SCM Officer, Communications & Branding Manager, Project Officer: Research & Training and Development, IT Specialist, HR & Corporate Services Manager, Finance Administration Officer, Programme Manager: Research & Training Development.)
• 20th January 2016 (Independent Newspaper) for advertising of 5 x positions: (Internal Audit Manager, Receptionist, Company Secretary, Legal & Contracts Manager, Stakeholder & Special Projects Coordinator, Communications & Marketing Officer. Chairperson of the Internal Audit & Risk Committee, IT Advisory Committee Member.)
• 10th April 2016 (Media 24) for advertising of 17 x positions: (CEO, CFO, HR & Corporate & Services Manager, Project Director & Strategy, Policy Monitoring & Evaluation Director , Finance Manager, Finance Administration Officer, Executive Secretary, Risk Specialist, Knowledge Management Coordinator, Internal Officer, HR Officer, Research & Capacity Building Manager, Research & Capacity Building Coordinator, Legal & Compliance Officer, Projects Manager: Broadcasting and Digital Media Coordinator.)
• 10th May 2016 (Media 24) - (2 x Audit and Risk Committee Members)

(c) The number of interviews for the specified vacant positions which have been held is as follows:

• Project Officer: Community Media x 1
• Project Officer: Research, Training & Development / Research & Capacity Building Coordinator x 1
• Communication & Branding Manager x 1
• CEO x 1
• Supply Chain Manager x 1
• Finance Disbursement Officer x 1
• Legal & Contracts Manager x1
• SCM Officer x1
• IT Specialist x 1
• HR & Corporate Services Manager (None)
• Finance Administration Officer x 1
• Programme Manager: Research & Training Development / Research & Capacity Building Manager (None)
• Internal Audit Manager (None)
• Receptionist (None)
• Company Secretary (None)
• Communications & Marketing Officer (None)
• Chairperson of the Internal Audit & Risk Committee x 1
• IT Advisory Committee Member x 1
• CFO (None)
• Project Director (None)
• Strategy, Policy Monitoring & Evaluation Director (None)
• Finance Manager (None)
• Executive Secretary (None)
• Risk Specialist (None)
• Knowledge Management Coordinator (None)
• Internal Audit Officer x 1
• HR Officer (None)
• Legal & Compliance Officer (None)
• Projects Manager: Broadcasting (None)
• Digital Media Coordinator (None)
• Audit and Risk Committee Members (None)

(d) The people conducting the specified interviews in each case is as follows:

• PO: Community Media – Talifhani Khubana, Lesego Mashishi, Mpho Leshabane
• Internal Audit Officer: Mshiyeni Gungqisa, Duduzile Phungwayo, SNG representative-Brian Changamire
• PO: Research, Training & Development: Manana Stone, Lesego Mashishi, Lindinkosi Ndibongo
• SCM Officer: Lindinkosi Ndibongo, Thandiwe Kgatshe, Clarinda Simpson
• IT Manager: Lindinkosi Ndibongo, Thandiwe Kgatshe
• Communication & Branding Manager: Thembelihle Sibeko, Lindinkosi Ndibongo, Thandiwe Kgatshe
• Finance Disbursement Officer: Talifhani Khubana, Lesego Mashishi, Lindinkosi Ndibongo

(2) (a) Ten (10) applications have been received for the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) vacancy at the MDDA since 1 June 2014.

(b) Four (4) of the specified applicants were interviewed.

(c) Seven candidates were shortlisted while the others did make it through the shortlisting phase due to lack of competencies. Four candidates were shortlisted for the interviews and did not perform well. The candidate who scored the highest did so consistently on the total assessment of the 11 tested competencies: Community media knowledge, Broadcast media environment, Advances in Technology, Compliance, Project Monitoring & Evaluation, Risk Management, People Management, Stakeholder Management, Policy Formulation, Regulation and Service Operation, Presentation of Case Study and Background Review. This candidate was subsequently made an offer which was later withdrawn on an out of court settlement basis between the MDDA and the candidate.

 

MR NN MUNZHELELE

DIRECTOR GENERAL [ACTING]

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

MS AF MUTHAMBI (MP)

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

Reply:

(a) Government has made available part of the funding for dual illumination through the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services (DTPS) allocation of R100m (R87.7m net of VAT) out of the R140m net of VAT required per annum. There are attempts to engage National Treasury through the DTPS and DoC to see if Sentech can reallocate some funds towards digital migration to cover dual illumination costs.

(b) The decision not to allocate the funding for DTT Dual Illumination expenditure was taken within the constraints of the National Budget and continuous discussions with all relevant stakeholders including Cabinet and the National Treasury will be pursued to find a sustainable solution to the shortfall. The Digital Migration project is critical for the country and Dual Illumination is an essential part of this process.

 

MR NN MUNZHELELE

DIRECTOR GENERAL [ACTING]

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

MS AF MUTHAMBI (MP)

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

Reply:

(1) (a) National Treasury has appropriated R2.5 billion for the procurement and supply 5 million set-top-boxes to poor television owning households in South Africa.

(b) National Treasury has already allocated R2.251.554.000 ( R2.2 billion)

(c) These funds have been allocated from the Universal Service and Access Funds.

(d) The allocation in (b) above is for the current financial year (2016/17) which includes the rollover from the previous years.

(2)      There are ongoing engagements with National Treasury regarding the extra funding that might be required.

(3)        No, extra funds have not yet been secured.

(4)       (a)    All payments for manufacturers and installers during the 2015/16 financial year were made during the 4th quarter:

            (aa) Set-Top-Boxes:

             CZ R49,600,474.00

            Leratadima R680,984.00

            Bua               R0

           (bb) Antennae

           Temic          R499,833.00

           QEC              R17,770.00

           (cc) Satellite Dishes

           Ellis              R8,834,200.00

 

MR NN MUNZHELELE

DIRECTOR GENERAL [ACTING]

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

MS AF MUTHAMBI (MP)

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

Reply:

The National Treasury has not yet received any report or request for further investigation of the matter at the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality from the Office of the Public Protector.

(a) The need for further investigation to be conducted by the National Treasury will be informed by the findings in the report of the Office of Public Protector.

(b) There are no further relevant details available to the National Treasury at this time.

Reply:

(1) (a) The Universal Service and Access Agency for South Africa (USAASA), which is the entity charged with the responsibility of managing the production and installation of set top boxes, informed me that, it has never sent any letters to Leratadima and Bua regarding the matters raised in this question.

(b) N/A

(b) The tendering process will not be re-opened because it was an open process.

 

MR NN MUNZHELELE

DIRECTOR GENERAL [ACTING]

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

MS AF MUTHAMBI (MP)

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

Reply:

The Department has received the final forensic report on the Supply Chain Management process of STBs and related accessories from the National Treasury, and is currently studying the findings and recommendations. It is too early to speculate whether there has been any wrongdoing on the part of the Universal Service and Access Agency of South Africa’s officials and/or board members, as well as service providers contracted to manage the evaluation of all bidding companies.

 

MR NN MUNZHELELE

DIRECTOR GENERAL [ACTING]

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

MS AF MUTHAMBI (MP)

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

Reply:

The qualifying criteria issued by the Universal Service and Access Agency of South Africa (USAASA) requires that for poor TV owning households to qualify for free set-top-boxes they must have a valid TV license. However, a TV license is not compulsory to purchase a STB. The license requirement is proving to be an obstacle in the registration of the qualifying TV households and ultimately on the distribution of set-top-boxes. Therefore, Department of Communications (DoC) sought to address this as a matter of urgency.

Resultantly, a decision was made, together with the SABC management, to delink TV license requirement from the Set-Top-Box registration process. It is my considered view that by delinking the TV license requirement, registration of the qualifying TV households and ultimately on the distribution of set-top-boxes will enable the indigent households in the SKA area to benefit from the government subsidy.

MR NN MUNZHELELE

DIRECTOR GENERAL [ACTING]

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

MS AF MUTHAMBI (MP)

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

Reply:

(1) The staff members who have left the MDDA since the previous Chief Executive Officer, Mr Lumko Mtimde, totals 11.

(2) (a) No MDDA staff members have been investigated on disciplinary grounds by the acting senior management of the MDDA since 1 June 2014.

(b) (i) Not applicable as no staff have been investigated on disciplinary grounds by the acting senior management of the MDDA since 1 June 2014.

(ii) Not applicable as no staff have been investigated on disciplinary grounds by the acting senior management of the MDDA since 1 June 2014.

(c) Not applicable as no staff have been investigated on disciplinary grounds by the acting senior management of the MDDA since 1 June 2014.

(d) Not applicable as no staff have been investigated on disciplinary grounds by the acting senior management of the MDDA since 1 June 2014.

(e) Not applicable as no staff have been investigated on disciplinary grounds by the acting senior management of the MDDA since 1 June 2014.

(3) Not applicable as no staff have been investigated on disciplinary grounds by the acting senior management of the MDDA since 1 June 2014.

(4) Not applicable as no staff have been investigated on disciplinary grounds by the acting senior management of the MDDA since 1 June 2014.

(5) Any information that might bring the Agency into disrepute, which is disseminated by a MDDA staff member will result in disciplinary investigations given that the MDDA is a public entity and must be open and transparent.

 

MR NN MUNZHELELE

DIRECTOR GENERAL [ACTING]

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

MS AF MUTHAMBI (MP)

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

Reply:

(1) Whether her department has closed down any crèches that were operating illegally in the (a) 2012-13, (b) 2013-14, (c) 2014-15 and (d) 2015-16 financial years; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (i) how many crèches that were operating illegally have been closed down in each of the specified financial years and (ii) where were the specified crèches situated;

The Parliamentary Question has provincial implications and at the time of reply no response was received from Provinces

(2)

(a) In terms of the Children’s Act No. 38 of 2005, all partial care facilities (ECD centres) must be subjected to inspections and monitoring to determine compliance with the norms and standards. Inspections and monitoring are mechanisms in place to identify ECD centres that are not complying with the norms and standards.

(b) According to the said Act, section 84 and 85:

 

Cancellation of registration

84. (1) The provincial head of social development may cancel the registration or conditional registration of a partial care facility by written notice to the registration holder if-

(a) the facility is not maintained in accordance with the prescribed national norms and standards and such other requirements as may be prescribed;

(b) any condition subject to which the registration or renewal of registration was issued is breached or not complied with;

(c) the registration holder or the management of the facility contravenes or fails to comply with a provision of the Act;

(d) the registration holder becomes a person who is not a fit and proper person to operate a partial care facility; or

(e) a person who is not a fit and proper person to assist in operating a partial care facility is employed at or engaged in operating the facility.

Notice of enforcement

85. (1) A provincial head of social development may by way of a written notice of enforcement instruct-

(a) a person or organisation operating an unregistered partial care facility-

(i) to stop operating that facility; or

(ii) to apply for registration in terms of section 81 within a period specified in the notice; or

(b) a person or organisation operating a registered partial care facility otherwise than in accordance with the provisions of this Act or any conditions subject to which the registration was issued, to comply with those provisions or conditions.

(2) A person or organisation operating an unregistered partial care facility and who is instructed in terms of subsection (1) (a) (ii) to apply for registration within a specified period, may, despite the provisions of section 80, continue operating the facility during that period and, if that person or organisation applies for registration, until that application has been processed.

(3) The Director-General or the provincial head of social development may apply to the High Court for an order to instruct a partial care facility, whether registered or not, to stop operating that facility.

(4) The High Court may grant an order for costs against the owner or manager of the partial care facility referred to in subsection (3) if so requested by the Director-General or provincial head of social development.

Reply:

(1) Yes, the Detective Service at Tembisa Police Station received 13 vehicles during the 2015/2016 financial year.

(2) (a) Tembisa Detective Service currently have 21 vehicles.

(b) All 21 vehicles are in working order.

(c) Not applicable.

(3) (a) There are 80 detectives at the Tembisa Detective Service.

(b) (i) 55 detectives attended a detective course.

(ii) 55 detectives passed a detective course.

(c) Each Investigating Officer has an average of 91 dockets.

(4) The allocation of vehicles for the 2016/2017 financial year has not been finalised yet.

Reply:

(1) The Detective Service at Boksburg North Police Station did not receive new vehicles as the station already has sufficient vehicles according to the national ratio.

(2) (a) Boksburg North Detective Service currently have 22 vehicles.

(b) 20 vehicles are in working order.

(c) The vehicles were sent to the mechanical workshop on the following dates:

   (1) 26 May 2015

   (2) 20 April 2016

(3) (a) There are 42 detectives currently at Boksburg North Detective Service.

(b) (i) 36 detectives attended a detective course.

     (ii) 36 passed the detective course.

(c) Each Investigating Officer has an average of 52 dockets.

(4) The station already has sufficient vehicles according to the national ratio.

Reply:

	(a)	(i)	DPE	R 2 326 000.00
		(ii)	Alexkor	R 545 825.40
			Denel	R 1 660 410.65
			Eskom	R 54 016 282.81
			SAFCOL	R 172 873.00
			SAX	R 1 159 118.00
			Transnet	R 47 991 571.86
	(b)	(i)	DPE	R 2 379 000.00
		(ii)	Alexkor	R 115 000.00
			Denel	R 3 000 000.00
			Eskom	R 67 000 000.00
			SAFCOL	R 3 500 000.00
			SAX	R 4 800 00000
			Transnet	R 43 333 820.82

 

Reply:

1-2    NO

Reply:

(1) With reference to the 2015 Corruption Watch Annual Report, which found that the education sector was the most corrupt sector in South Africa and that, specifically, principals were the culprits in the majority of corruption cases, (a) how many principals have been investigated for corruption (i) in the (aa) 2011, (bb) 2012, (cc) 2013, (dd) 2014 and (ee) 2015 academic years and (ii) since 1 January 2016 and (b) what are the names of the schools at which principals are currently being investigated for corruption, in each case specifying (i) the date from which the specified principal has been under investigation, (ii) whether or not the specified principal has been suspended on full pay, (iii) the monthly salary of each principal suspended on full pay and (iv) whether a temporary replacement is currently carrying out the duties of the specified principals at each school;

Since the employer of educators is the Heads of the Provincial Education Departments, in terms of the Employment of Educators Act, 76 of 1998, the Question was forwarded to the relevant officials in all the Provincial Education Departments with a request that they provide the DBE with response and to date, no response have been received, except from the Western Cape, Limpopo and Free State Education Departments.

(1)(a)(i)

PROVINCE	No. OF PRINCIPALS SUSPENDED
	(aa) 2011	(bb) 2012	(cc) 2013	(dd) 2014	(ee) 2015	TOTAL
Western Cape	0	0	0	0	0	0
Gauteng	38	72	71	41	114	336
Limpopo	1	0	1	0	0	2
Northern Cape
Mpumalanga
KwaZulu-Natal
North West
Free State	0	0	0	0	0	0
Eastern Cape
TOTAL	39	72	72	41	114	338

PROVINCE	(b) Schools that are currently under investigation since 1 Jan 2016	(i)	(ii) Suspended on full pay or Not	(iii)	(vi) Temporary Replacement
	Names of Schools	The Date from which the Principal has been under investigation	On Full Pay	Not on Full Pay	Monthly Salary	Yes	No
Western Cape	None	None	None	None	None	None	None
Gauteng	none	none	none	none	none	none	none
Limpopo	Shingwedzi Secondary School	Not indicated	yes		Not indicated
Northern Cape
Mpumalanga
KwaZulu-Natal
North West
Free State	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Eastern Cape
TOTAL	1	0	0	0	0	0	0

(2) How many of the specified principals have been (a) criminally charged on corruption related activities, (b) criminally convicted for corruption related activities and (c) dismissed from their posts as a result of corruption related activities during the specified financial years and period;

(2) Number of principals who the following actions have been taken against them as a result of corruption activities:

PROVINCE	(a) Criminally Charged	(b) Criminally convicted	(c) Dismissed
Western Cape	0	0	0
Gauteng	0	0
Limpopo	0	0	0
Northern Cape
Mpumalanga
KwaZulu-Natal
North West
Free State	0	0	0
Eastern Cape
TOTAL	0	0	0

(3) What steps is her department taking to root out corruption in the education sector?

The recently released report about the selling of post has provided the Department with recommendations on how to strengthen our selection processes. The Department will soon begin to revise policies on the selection processes.

Reply:

1. (a) The number of district and provincial officials in each province who have been trained in the Screening, Identification, Assessment and Support (SIAS) Policy, (b) the number of schools that have been trained and the (c) cost of roll-out are as follows:

Province	1(a) Provincial Officials Trained	1(a) Districts Officials Trained	1(b) Number of Schools*	1(c) Cost of Roll-out
EC	15	116	382	R350 000
FS	15	127	323	R996 019
GP	69	219	695	R2 000 000
KZN	12	32	180	R300 000
LP	14	50	200	1 day training, incurring no costs
MP	17	140	140	R478 000
NC	14	137	131	R80 000
NW	15	100	110	R302 218
WC	15	100	115	R350 000
TOTAL	186	1021	2276	R4 856 237

Source: Information obtained from Provincial Education Departments in April 2016

The names of schools in which the SIAS Policy has been rolled out are not available at this stage for all provinces.

2 (a) Information on the full-service schools in each province that have benefitted from the R11,2 million worth of assistive devices procured nationally and (b) the nature of the assistive devices procured is attached as Annexure A. The names of schools that were supplied and of the districts in which they are situated are not available for all provinces at this stage.

(3)(a) The number of districts in each province where the 1 880 district officials and 16 127 teachers from full-service schools have been trained in Curriculum Differentiation in 2014/15 (b) the (i) duration and (ii) expenditure of the training in each case and (c) the number of officials and teachers who still need to be trained are as follows:

Province	a) Number of Districts	i) Duration	ii) Expenditure	c) District Officials still to be trained Trained	c) Teachers still to trained
EC	22	2 Days	R350 000	28	65
FS	5	2 Days	R966 000	50	3270
GP*	15	Information not made available	Information not made available	Information not made available	Information not made available
KZN	12	1-2 days	R450 000	917
LP	5	1 Day	Nil	179	64
MP	4	2 days	R450 000	All relevant officials	All educators of Foundation Phase to FET should be trained by 2019
NC	5	1 day	R24 000	6000
NW	4	2 Days	Not Provided	50	400
WC	8	2 Days	Not Provided	All relevant officials	All school based support teams

Source: Information obtained from Provincial Education Departments in April 2016

* Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) concluded training in curriculum differentiation of district officials, educators and SMT members in all Full service Schools in 2014. Training in curriculum differentiation for 2016 is aligned to the SIAS training for all schools.

(4)(a) The districts in each province where the 740 district officials and 546 teachers from full-service schools nationally were orientated in Guidelines for Full-Service Schools, (b) the (i) duration and (ii) expenditure of the training in each case and (c) the number of officials and teachers still to be trained are as follows:

Province	a) Districts Trained	b (i) Duration	b) ii) Expenditure	c) Number of Officials to be trained	c) Number of Teachers to be trained
EC*	5	2 days	Information not made available	induction of new staff as needed
FS	6	8 Hours	Information not made available	None	3518
GP*	15	2 days	Information not made available	None	none
KZN	12	1 day	R300 000	917
LP	5	1 day	Information not made available	179	64
MP	4	2 days	Information not made available	140
NC	5	2 days	R56 000	200
NW	4	1 day	Information not made available	50	400
WC	8	1 day	Information not made available	induction of new staff as needed

Source: Information obtained from Provincial Education Departments in April 2016

* Gauteng and Eastern Cape Provinces concluded training of district officials, educators and SMT members in The Guidelines for Full service Schools in 2014. District-based Support Teams will conduct follow-up training and induction of new staff on an ongoing basis as part of their core function to support Full-Service Schools.

ANNEXURE A - QUESTION 1053

2 (a) The full-service schools in each district of each province that benefited from the R11,2 million worth of assistive devices and (b) the nature of the assistive devices provided (the names of all schools and districts are not available for all provinces at this stage):

Eastern Cape

(a) 30 Full Service Schools received assistive technology in 2015\16.

(b) 30 Laptops, Learner Profiler, Clicker 7 and Text Help Read and Write, Tobii S32 Scan and Touch.

Gauteng

(a) 123 Schools received specialised LTSM in 2016.

Free State

(a) Information not available at this stage.

(b) Information not available at this stage.

KwaZulu-Natal

(a) All 101 Full Service Schools have been allocated funding for procurement of assistive devices.

(b) Most schools procured hearing aids, AAC equipment and material, speech and physical disability equipment.

Limpopo

(a) No budget was provided for Full Service Schools.

(b) No assistive devices were procured.

Mpumalanga

(a) A total of 42 Full-Service Schools received ICT Equipment. The budget spent was R756 000.

(b) The devices procured for full-service schools per district are as follows:

NO	DISTRICT	CIRCUITS	EMIS	SCHOOL NAME	ITEM	QTY	ITEM	QTY	ITEM	QTY
1	Bohlabela	Casteel	8000 34890	M.O Mashego	Printer	1	Computer	1	Plasma	1
2	Bohlabela	Cottondale	8000 34914	Madile	Plasma	1
3	Bohlabela	Lehukwe	8000 35007	Mhlaba-Khosa	Computer	1
4	Bohlabela	Manyeleti	8000 35043	Samson Sibuyi	DVD Recorders	1
5	Bohlabela	Mariti	8000 35059	Lapishe	Printer	1	Computer	1
6	Bohlabela	Mashishing	8000 12658	Marambane	DVD Recorders	1	Printer	1	Computer	1
7	Bohlabela	Mkhuhlu	8000 35097	Londhindha	DVD Recorders	1
8	Bohlabela	Ximhungwe	8000 35199	Magudu	DVD Recorders	1
9	Bohlabela	Sabie	8000 04754	Glory Hill	Projector	1
10	Bohlabela	Thulamahashi	800035164	Mpikisano	Projector	1
11	Bohlabela	Maviljan	8000 35081	Diphaswa	Printer	1	Computer	1
12	Ehlanzeni	Lubombo	80004713	Gogo Mhlanga	Computer	1	Printer	1	Plasma	1
13	Ehlanzeni	Lubombo	800015784	Mshengu	DVD	1
14	Ehlanzeni	Mgwenya	800010116	Lekazi	DVD	1
15	Ehlanzeni	Nelspruit	800022764	Tekwane	Computer	1	Printer	1
16	Ehlanzeni	Nelspruit	800007112	John Mdluli	Projector	1
17	Ehlanzeni	Nkomazi East	800020743	Siboshwa	Computer	1	Printer	1
18	Ehlanzeni	Nkomazi West	800030429	Magcekeni	Computer	1
19	Ehlanzeni	Sikhulile	8000 15818	Msogwaba	Computer	1	Printer	1	Plasma	1
20	Ehlanzeni	White River	8000 24661	Victory Park	Projector	1
21	Gert Sibande	Ermelo 1	8000 26468	Wesselton	Projetor	1
22	Gert Sibande	Ermelo 2	8000 02375	Davel	Computer	1	Printer	1	Plasma	1
23	Gert Sibande	Stan East	8000 22756	Tegwan’s Nest	Computer	1	Printer	1	Plasma	1
24	Gert Sibande	Stan West	8000 10488	Lindilanga	DVD	1
25	Gert Sibande	Highveld Ridge East	8000 10389	Lifalethu	Projetor	1
26	Gert Sibande	Highveld Ridge West	8000 18002	Petrus Maziya	Computer	1	Printer	1
27	Gert Sibande	Bethal	8000 22939	Thandanani	Computer	1	Computer	1
28	Gert Sibande	Badplaas	8000 23846	Tsatsimfundvo	DVD	1
29	Gert Sibande	Mpuluzi	8000 21287	Siphumelele	Computer	1
30	Gert Sibande	Ermelo 1	800004218	Father Charles	DVD	1	Laptop	1
31	Nkangala	Kwagga West	8000 11460	Magaduzela	Computer	1
322	Nkangala	Kwagga East	8000 06864	Kwakwari	Printer	1	Computer	1	Plasma	1
33	Nkangala	Tweefontein South	8000 22020	Somarobogo	DVD	1	Laptop	1
34	Nkangala	KwaMhlanga South West	8000 19331	Retang	Computer	1
35	Nkangala	Libangeni	8000 03558	Emfundweni	DVD	1
36	Nkangala	Marapyane	8000 2066	Sibisi	DVD	1
37	Nkangala	Mmametlhake	8000 12112	Maloka	Printer	1	Computer	1	Plasma	1
38	Nkangala	Nokaneng	8000 07419	Katjibane	Printer	1	Computer	1
39	Nkangala	Weltevrede	8000 01792	Buthelani	Printer	1	Computer	1
40	Nkangala	Waterval Boven	8000 3166	Ebhudlweni	Projector	1
41	Nkangala	Witbank 2	8000 07021	Jeremia Mdaka	DVD	1
42	Nkangala	Witbank 1	8000 1-069	Phakama	Projector	1

One Full-Service School of Ehlanzeni District; Bukhosibetfu also received materials to support the introduction of SASL CAPS (minimum resource pack) amounting to R258 000. The Minimum Resource Pack includes the following:

• Laptop with webcam and DVD player/recorder

• Software for editing, e.g. Photo Shop

• Memory stick or external hard drive

• Whiteboard

• Video/DVD recorder/Data Projector

• Rewritable DVDs for recording

• Digital camera

• A range of SASL materials/texts ,e.g. DVDs/picture books

• Memory stick

Northern Cape

(a) No full-service schools received assistive devices.

(b) The only devices that were procured were the Minimum Resource packs ordered for the schools that are introducing SASL.

North West

(a) 16 Full Service Schools were supplied for an amount of R8,429,400

(b) The devices included audio visual libraries, Cami software and Language kits.

Western Cape

(a) Six full-service/inclusive schools in two districts, namely West Coast and Overberg, were supplied.

(b) Eight assistive devices loan centres were established in each of the 8 districts. A range of assistive devices is available on request to other special and ordinary schools, mainly f

Reply:

(1) Yes, the detective service at Norkem Park Police Station received two (2) vehicles during the 2015/2016 financial year.

(2) (a) Norkem Park Detective Service currently have 15 vehicles.

(b) 13 vehicles are in working order.

(c) The vehicles were sent to the mechanical workshop on the following dates:

(1) 24 April 2016

(2) 22 March 2016

(3) (a) There are 34 detectives currently at Norkem Park Detective Service.

(b) (i) 19 detectives attended a detective course.

(ii) 19 passed the detective course.

(c) Each Investigating Officer has an average of 81 dockets.

(4) The station already has sufficient vehicles according to the national ratio.

Reply:

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

(1)(a)(b) The cost incurred for the mandated work was:

• KPMG – R23, 131, 265.30.

The KPMG investigated the allegations made in respect of an investigative unit within the SARS.

2. An already existing panel was utilised for this purpose that was previously appointed through an open tender process in terms of paragraph 4.9 of the National Treasury Supply Chain Management – A guide for accounting officers/ authorities – February 2004.

The Terms of Reference of the mentioned company was to perform a forensic investigation based on the recommendations of the Sikhakhane report to institute a more detailed investigation and to provide evidential support to the findings made.

Reply:

(a) (i) The Department of Defence has spent in the 2015-16 FY R 266,794.

(b) (ii) The Department of Defence has budgeted R 533.317 for the 2016-17 FY.

Reply:

The social relief of distress is an on-going, legislated programme which is implemented every year in every province in response to identified needs. This programme has been implemented annually for the period from July 2009 to February 2016. Social relief of distress is a programme which provides material assistance to citizens who experience a crisis, which is beyond their ability to deal with within their own resources. The assistance is provided for a temporary period only. This period may vary from one to three months, which may be extended to six months, under certain circumstances.

SASSA manages the social relief of distress programme in line with the provisions as legislated in the Social Assistance Act, 2004 (as amended). The legislation empowers SASSA to provide social relief of distress to South African citizens, permanent residents and refugees, where they meet certain criteria. One of the criteria is that social relief of distress may be provided where communities are affected by a disaster, even where that area is not declared a disaster area. This enable SASSA to respond to localized incidents such as floods, fire and other disasters.

Social relief of distress may be issued in various forms, depending on the reason for the issuing of the social relief of distress, as well as the specific arrangements made in the affected province. The social relief of distress may be issued in the form of food vouchers, food parcels, school uniforms or cash. Where social relief of distress is provided as a response to disasters, the assistance may take the form of pre-cooked hot meals, meal packs, blankets, dignity packs and/or mattresses. The actual assistance provided will depend on the specific needs of the affected communities. In addition to the immediate humanitarian assistance provided, in instances where the affected community lost all their possessions, for instance in the case of fire, the families may be provided with a once off cash amount when they are ready to return to their homes. This is to assist in buying some of the household items which were lost in the disaster. However, SASSA does not provide household items as part of the social relief of distress programme.

For every citizen assisted with social relief of distress, there is an application process followed, to ensure eligibility for the assistance. For humanitarian assistance provided in response to disasters, SASSA provides the relief off lists provided by the local disaster response team in the municipality.

While information on the numbers assisted each year since 2009, the table below reflects the amounts spent on social relief of distress for the years under review:

Year	Budget amount	Amount spent
2009/10	184 412 001	152 916 474
2010/11	178 813 600	164 857 431
2011/12	187 925 000	179 304 562
2012/13	255 181 000	250 430 329
2013/14	556 606 000	549 847 373
2014/15	501 835 000	460 569 541
2015/16	450 212 000	433,443,842

Reply:

1. (a)(i),(ii),(iii) No.

(b) No.

2. (a)(i),(ii),(iii) No.

(b) No.

Reply:

1. (a) (b) No

2. (a) No

(b) The Department of Home Affairs is responsible for the administration of the Public Funding of Represented Political Parties Act, 1997 (Act 103 of 1997)

1. No political party has approached the Department of Correctional Services for any form of funding for the financial years in question. (a) for any of the periods mentioned in (i), (ii), and (iii).

      (b) neither since 1 April 2016, in question.

    2. No funding has been provided to any political party in 2013-14, 2014-15 and 2015-16 financial years respectively.

   (2)(b) None

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works:

(1) (a) (i) (ii) and (iii) and (b) No.

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

Reply:

(a) The second auction for the financial year was cancelled due to the continued unfounded comments about the GFIP including the lack of market appetite.

(b) Bonds can’t be cancelled due to cancelled auctions. Bonds are debt instruments, listed or unlisted, used to raise capital. It has a maturity date (when the capital must be repaid) and a coupon rate which indicates the “interest” rate that must be paid bi-annually.

    (i) SANRAL maintains a three-month liquidity buffer at all times and has access to short term funding as and when required to the extent approved by National Treasury.

    (ii) If SANRAL is unable to raise sufficient cash at auctions it increases a re-financing risk, repayment of maturing debt and servicing of existing debt. It also compromises continuous maintenance and operations of the toll roads across the country. Any capital projects not yet awarded will also be delayed or cancelled if the funding is depleted. 

Reply:

1. (a) A total of 64,859 old taxi vehicles have been scrapped from the commencement of the programme to the end of March 2016. A total of 3,225 taxis were scrapped in the last financial year (1April 2015-31March 2016)

(b) The scrapping allowance for the current financial year is R82,400.00 but this is recalculated annually based on changes in the CPI. The scrapping for the last financial year was R77,000.00

(c) Standard Application Procedure in Brief:

• An application submission consisting of application forms and supporting documentation (such as original certified copies of: the vehicle registration certificate, operating license, identity document etc.,) is submitted to a TSA main centre in the province.
• The application is captured and then runs through several system background checks as well as manual checks on data and information sourced from both eNATIS and OLAS and across other substantiating documentation as may be required and/ or requested depending on application type.
• On completion of successful documentary checks, the old taxi vehicle is scheduled for a vehicle inspection and then called to the site of application for physical checks and verification of vehicle identifying marks.
• On completion of vehicle inspection, the vehicle is deregistered with the local licensing authority and payment via EFT of the scrapping allowance is then made to the successful applicant.
• The old taxi vehicle is subsequently prepared for demolition, demolished and the scrap metal and other waste products disposed of according to waste regulations.

2. (a, b) The TSA National Call Centre number 0860 88 11 33 and the website address is www.scraptaxi.net. There is a TSA main centre in each province and two in Gauteng, physical address and contact details are as follows:

• Gauteng: Elandsfontein - Cnr Kraft & North Reef Roads, 51 Rietfontein, 63IR, Elandsfontein Cell: 079 879 4316 Tel: (011) 822 9082
• Gauteng: Rosslyn - 108 Diamant Street, Akasia Rosslyn Cell: 079 527 3575 Tel: (012) 542 7411
• Mpumalanga - 25 Katoen, White River Cell: 079 524 8165 Tel: (013) 751 2841/ 750 0598
• Kwa Zulu Natal - 35 Yaborough Road, Mkhondeni, Pietermaritzburg, 3201 Cell: 079 524 8166 Tel: (033) 386 0272
• Eastern Cape - Old Government Garage, Zwelitsha, 5608 Cell: 079 517 6301 Tel: (040) 655 1100
• Free State - 11 Yellow Street, Botshabelo, 9781 Cell: 079 527 3700 Tel: (051) 534 6348
• Polokwane - Seshego Industrial Park, Unit 13, Freedom Drive, Zone 6, 0700 Cell: 079 557 6272 Tel: (015) 223 0578
• North West - 1138 Matlalong, Department of Public Works, Road and Transport, Mmabatho 2735 Cell: 079 527 3539 Tel: (018) 384 2844
• Western Cape - 18 Bloemhof Road, Ottery Cell: 079 884 4241 Tel: (021) 703 5963/ 5879
• Northern Cape - 37 Central Road, Cnr Central & Woodburne Streets, Beaconsfield, Kimberley, 8300 Cell: 079 527 3700

(c) Branch: Public Transport, Chief Directorate: Public Transport Industry Development, Directorate: Taxi Recapitalisation Project

(d) The demolished taxi vehicles are sold as scrap metal and the proceeds received are distributed through the Transport Development Trust for project that benefit the Taxi Industry.

Reply:

1. (a) (i) The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development spent R29,722 million on advertising during the 2015/16 financial year.

(2) The Office of the Chief Justice spent R1, 446 million on advertising during the 2015/16 financial year.

(ii) The entities reporting to the Ministry of Justice and Correctional Services spent the following during the 2015/16 financial year:

 (b) Legal Aid South Africa spent R4,322, 369 on advertising which included print, television and radio advertising; and The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) spent R888 449.19.

(1) (a) (i) The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development has budgeted R42, 065 million for advertising in the 2016/17 financial year.

(2) The Office of the Chief Justice has budgeted R1, 779 million for advertising

in the 2016/17 financial year.

(ii) The entities reporting to the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services

have budgeted the following for advertising during the 2016/17 financial year:

(b) Legal Aid South Africa: R3,949, 363; and

The SIU: R3, 000,000.00.

(a)(i) The Department of Correctional Services has spent a total of R6 938 622.13 (six million nine hundred and thirty eight thousand six hundred and twenty two rand thirteen cents) on advertising in the 2015-16 financial year.

(a)(ii) Not applicable

(b)(i) The department has budgeted a total amount of R8 053 437.56 (eight million, fifty three thousand four hundred and thirty seven rand fifty six cents) for advertising in the 2016-17 financial year. This will amongst others include job advertisements and tenders.

(b)(ii) Not applicable

Reply:

(1)(a) A total of 19 water use licenses have been issued for abstraction from the Crocodile River.

(1)(b) Refer to Annexure A for the names of the companies that received the specified licences.

Agriculture	Industry	Local Government	Mining	Total
7	5	6	1	19

(2)(a) Refer to the table below for the number of licences issued in the specified sectors.

(2)(b) Refer to Annexure A for the validity period of the licences issued for abstraction in the Crocodile River.

---00O00---

ANNEXURE A

No.	Name	Property details	Quaternary	Sector	Signed Date	Expiry Date
1	Mbombela Municipality	Stonehenge 310 JT	X22C	Local Government	2010/07/22	2030/07/21
2	Kuvuka 2006 Property(Pty)Ltd	Karino 931 JU	X22K	Industry	2011/02/26	2016/02/26
3	Cape Fruit Processors(Pty)Ltd	MattafitPortion 11	X24D	Industry	2011/03/25	2021/03/25
4	Leopard Creek Block(Pty)Ltd	Portion 20 of the farm Riversiden 173 JS	X22J	Industry	2011/03/29	2031/03/29
5	Cort Fish Farming Enterprise cc	Portion 4 of the farm Mooiland 294 JT	X21E	Agriculture	2011/06/24	2031/06/24
6	Smokey Mountain Trading 189	Portion 2 pf Farm Montrose	X21E	Agriculture	2012/03/09	2030/03/09
7	OnderbergVerwerkingsKo-OperasieBeperk	Remaining extent of portion 8 of the Farm Mhlati 169 JU	X24D	Mining	2015/04/30	2030/04/30
8	LoeriesfonteinBoerdery (Pty) Ltd	Portion 1 and 2 of the farm Pamlico 305 JT	X22C	Industry	2015/06/03	2035/06/03
9	TSB Sugar RSA Ltd	Portion 2 of farm Malelane 389 JU	X24E	Agriculture	2015/06/03	2035/06/03
10	ErasdaBeleggings (PTY) Ltd	Portion 54 of the Farm Alkmaar 286 JT	X22C	Local Government	2015/08/16	2035/08/16
11	Woman and youth agricultural farming co-operative limited	Lomshiyo Community	X24D	Agriculture	2015/08/30	2035/08/30
12	Mbombela local municipality - Tekwane	Portion 6 & 7 of Tekwane 573 JU	X22J	Local Government	2015/08/30	2035/08/30
13	Manganese Metal Company (Pty) Ltd: Kingston Vale Water Transfer	Soetmelksvlei 118 JU/4	X22J	Industry	2015/12/24	2035/12/24
14	Mbombela Local Municipality: Mpumalanga University	Boschrand 283 JT/31 and 32 and Friedenheim 283 JT/17,19,28 and 36	X22J	Local Government	2015/12/24	2035/12/24
15	Mbombela local Municipality: Karino Water Works	Portion 89 of the farm Goedehoop 128 JU: Inkomati WMA	X22J	Local Government	2016/01/22	2041/01/22
16	Mbombela Local Municipality: Riverside Industrial Park Ext. 22	Portion 96 of the farm Boschrand 283 JT	X22J	Local Government	2016/03/13	2031/03/13
17	KomatipoortGholfklub	Machteld 235-JU	X24H	Agriculture	2002/02/27	2022/02/27
18	LaeveldKorporatieweBelegengs	Portion 14 Alkmaar 266	X22J	Agriculture	2004/10/06	2024/10/06
19	Lugedlane Developments (Pty) Ltd	Lodwichs Lust	X24D	Agriculture	2008/09/29	2028/09/29

Reply:

(1) My Department was not approached by any political party for any form of funding for the years in question.

(2) My Department did not provide any form of funding to any political party for the years in question.

---00O00---

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works

No. I did not issue an instruction to the said individual, or to any other employee of the Department of Public Works (DPW), to lobby Government departments not to renew current lease agreements.

From an operational perspective, we in the Public Works sector recognise that every cost-effective and informed transaction can mitigate in reducing Government spending. In this respect, revised spending plans are being implemented within the DPW and the Property Management Trading Entity (PMTE) aimed at greater efficiency, eliminating waste and improving the composition of spending.

Thus, in relation to leases, the DPW has been implementing changes, including aligning annual rental escalation rates to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and reducing rentals to market-related amounts and opting for permanent solutions where possible. This is done in line with the objectives as set out in the 7-year Turnaround Strategy and to fulfil the objectives of Government in reducing costs within the scope of fiscal consolidation measures announced by the Minister of Finance in his budget speech.

Furthermore, with specific reference to Pretoria, the DPW along with the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) and the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality, are implementing a precinct Development Programme in line with the resolution adopted by Cabinet on 25 May 2005, calling for the regeneration of the inner city of Pretoria, as the capital city of the Republic of South Africa. The Precinct Development Programme aims to provide a long term solution for all Government departments and agencies in terms of providing permanent office accommodation within the city and making these offices accessible to the general public.

In line with the above the DPW has responded to the accommodation needs of several User departments, which include:

• The completion of the State-owned Agrivaal building to accommodate the DPSA following their move from Batho Pele House, which was under a lease.
• Statistics South Africa is set to move into its permanent head offices in Salvokop, Pretoria, along with its 4 satellite offices, which had four different leases.
• The South African Police Service (SAPS) is set for a move into the recently acquired Telkom Towers, thereby consolidating its offices into one precinct and moving away from leased accommodation in different buildings. The occupation of Telkom Towers is to be done in a phased approach.

Evidently, as per the cases noted above, the DPW will have to opt for the non-renewal of expiring leases for the affected User departments in preparation for the move towards permanent State-owned office accommodation.

(2) There is no agreement with the Public Investment Corporation for this entity to construct offices on behalf of Government. I am unaware of such allegations as put by the Honourable Member and therefore I am not in a position to investigate this matter.

(3) No. in line with the above-mentioned Cabinet Resolution of 2005, Government office accommodation will be based within the inner city boundaries of the Tshwane Metropole. Currently, there are no plans to construct Government Offices on the outskirts.

However, with respect to the specific questions posed by the Honourable Member, in terms of the Tshwane Precinct Development Programme:

     (a) All leases will continue as per the agreements that are in place with the respective landlords until they approach a period of expiry, when the DPW will exercise its prerogative to negotiate for renewal or non-renewal, with adequate notice to the landlords.

     (b) Since Government is not planning to construct office accommodation on the outskirts of Pretoria, therefore there are no costs involved.

     (c) All costs for office accommodation, whether newly constructed, leased or refurbished, are funded through User-charges recovered from client departments.

     (d) The DPW is revisiting the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) strategy and its rather “narrow” application with respect to leasing office accommodation. The Department now wants to put focus on Real Estate Management, Construction, Facilities Management and Planned Maintenance as areas where the principles of BBBEE can best be applied. The DPW plans to enhance opportunities for emerging black and female entrepreneurs in the construction and property sectors to market, operate, develop, maintain and manage the portfolio on behalf of the DPW.

     (e) The aim of the Tshwane Precinct Development Programme is to develop Pretoria as capital city of excellence with an integrated service delivery approach that will be achieved by congregating Government services in the inner city, thereby making them more accessible to the general public. The Government office accommodation solutions are also assisted by the Accessibility Programme, which seeks to make all Government buildings accessible to people with disabilities.

     (f) With the current constraints of low economic growth and high unemployment in the country, all cost-effective and informed transactions contribute to greater efficiency, reducing waste and improving the composition of Government spending. In this regard, the Department of Public Works has a role to play in reducing Government spending on office accommodation and increasing efficiencies through the reduction of leased-in buildings and maximising the use of State-owned accommodation.

    (g) There are no further details.

Reply:

I have not met with any member, employee or close associate of the Gupta family or attended any meeting with the specified persons at the Gupta’s Saxonwold Estate in Johannesburg or anywhere else since taking office.