Questions and Replies

Reply:

The certain official’s contract was coming to an end in March 2016. She did not make herself available.

Reply:

(a). The following process is used during the recruitment and selection of the Artists in the Artists in Schools Programme;

      (i) Adverts are placed in the local newspapers, community radio stations, social-networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter requesting interested artists to submit the CVs to the Beneficiaries

      (ii) Auditions and interviews are conducted for the short-listed artists

      (iii) Successful candidates are appointed and then placed in the schools.

(b). (i)(ii) and (iii). This programme is implemented jointly with the provinces the kind of information will reside in the provinces and the Department of Basic Education.

Reply:

The Honourable Member is duly advised to refer to the attached Parliamentary Question 2714.

 

MR NN MUNZHELELE

DIRECTOR GENERAL [ACTING]

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

MS AF MUTHAMBI (MP)

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

Reply:

(a) To promote mining and investment opportunities in South Africa
(b) Minister was accompanied by an official from the department.
(c) R347 000, 00.

Approved/not approved

Mr MJ Zwane
Minister of Mineral Resources

Date Submitted: 05/05/2016

Reply:

The Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME) monitors payment of suppliers through (i) progress reports on the Medium Term Strategic Framework (MTSF) and reports to the Forum of South African Directors-General (FOSAD) Plan of Action. The DPME’s Management Performance Assessment Tool (MPAT) is also used to assess payment of suppliers. In addition, the DPME has established a unit dealing with the 30 days payment of suppliers which receives and investigates complaints of non-payment from suppliers to facilitate payment. To date, a total of R61 million has been paid to various suppliers as a direct result of DPME’s interventions.

The findings of Monitoring for National and Provincial departments are as follows:

National Departments	Provincial Departments
January-December 2014 149 926 invoices to the value of R3,7 billion were paid after 30 days   62 382 invoices to the value of R2,3 billion older than 30 days and were not paid	January-December 2014 256 399 invoices to the value of R14 billion were paid after 30 days   374 564 invoices to the value of R22.9 billion, older than 30 days and were not paid
January-December 2015 163 056 invoices to the value of R3.7 billion were paid after 30 days 64 232 invoices to the value of R4,7 billion, older than 30 days and were not paid	January-December 2015 337 277 invoices to the value of R27 billion were paid after 30 days 454 903 invoices to the value of R36.8 billion, older than 30 days and were not paid
January-February 2016 32 694 invoices to the value of the value of R856 million were paid after 30 days 16 629 invoices to the value of R1 billion, older than 30 days and were not paid	January- February 2016 47 067 invoices to the value of the value of R3.7 billion were paid after 30 days 98 520 invoices to the value of R8.5 billion, older than 30 days and were not paid

The Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) provides for consequences in the case where Accounting Officers are found to have been guilty of financial misconduct. The misconduct as defined in the PFMA includes failure by the Accounting Officers to carry out their responsibilities in terms of the Act. It is the responsibility of relevant departments to implement consequences for erring officials as provided for in the PFMA and other relevant legislations.

Reply:

The information requested by the Honourable member is contained in the Annual Report of the Department tabled since 2011/12 to the Annual Report of 2014/15. The Annual Report of the Department provides Quarterly and Annual information in accordance with the National Treasury guidelines.

Reply:

(a) The Department instructed the State Attorney to oppose the matter. A legal counsel was appointed for the matter and consultation took place between him and the Department. Counsel requested certain information from the Department and such information was provided. There was no feedback from the State Attorney on the matter until judgment was granted. The Department has requested the Chief Litigation Officer in the State Attorney's office to investigate the circumstances that caused the non-filing of the answering affidavits.

(b) The MHSI will, as soon it receives outcomes of the above-mentioned investigation, assess if there is any need to change its operating processes. However, as it stands the current operating processes followed by the MHSI in this regard are adequate and do not require any changes.

(c) The Department has paid to Glencore an amount of R696, 828.77. This amount is inclusive of R500, 000.00 administrative fine repayment and interests at 15, 5% per annum from 02nd August 2013, as per the court judgment.

 

 

Mr MJ Zwane, MP

Minister of Mineral Resources

Date Submitted: 08/08/2016

Reply:

Yes, my Department conducted an audit to assess the storage capacity of its dams (referred to as capacity determination survey).

(a) The surveys are taken at the different times as each dam has its own return period for such survey to be conducted. This is largely due to the fact that these dams were commissioned at different times and also that severity of sediment accumulation will differ from dam site to dam site.

The attached Appendix A gives the storage audit of departmental dams. Column E of the spreadsheet gives a date when the capacity survey was done and Column N gives the return period.

(b) For results of storage audits please refer to Appendix A, Column K and L.

---00O00---

Reply:

1.The number of National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) bursary beneficiaries for both the National Certificate (Vocational) [NC(V)] and Report 191 from 2013 to 2015 are as follows:

• 2013 – 478 students;
• 2014 – 802 students; and
• 2015 – 340 students.

2. The NC(V) programme is a three year qualification and in terms of the Bursary Rules and Guidelines, NC(V) students can be awarded bursaries up to a maximum of four years. The fourth year bursary is awarded only in the fourth year of study (after Level 4) to allow students to complete any outstanding subjects. This provision is only applicable to continuous study and on a pro-rata basis.

The Report 191 programme students, i.e. levels N1 – N6, can apply for all semester or trimester courses in the calendar year of study. A bursary at levels N2 – N6 may only be awarded to students if they passed a minimum of 3 subjects on the previous N-level. Students who have passed exit levels, i.e. N3 and N6, but still have one outstanding subject can be awarded a bursary to allow them to complete the outstanding subject. This provision is only applicable to continuous study and on a pro-rata basis, i.e. proportional for one trimester or semester to complete one subject.

(3) Students with criminal records are not prohibited from applying for NSFAS funding. In terms of the Bursary Rules and Guidelines for applications to be considered, students must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• be South African citizens;
• registered or intending to register on an NC(V) or Report 191 programme;
• in need of financial assistance; and
• have an ability to demonstrate potential for academic success.

 

COMPILER/CONTACT PERSONS:

EXT:

DIRECTOR – GENERAL

STATUS:

DATE:

QUESTION 1218 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED

Dr BE NZIMANDE, MP

MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

STATUS:

DATE:

Reply:

The Department of Arts and Culture awarded bursaries to a total of 2102 students in a period of five years who studied language practice and heritage studies.The number of beneficiaries is broken down according to financial years:

DEPARTMENT OF ARTS AND CULTURE BURSARIES
Number	Year	Language Bursary	Heritage Bursary	Total
a.	2011-12	94	31	125
b.	2012-13	555	75	630
c.	2013-14	336	83	419
d.	2014-15	284	73	357
e.	2015-16	463	107	570
TOTAL NUMBER OF BURSARIES AWARDED IN 5 YEARS	2101

Reply:

I file a declaration of interests every year with Parliament and the public part of this declaration can be viewed in Parliament

Reply:

1. (a)(b)(c)(d) The Member is referred to the Parliamentary process where Members annually declare their interests.
2. (a)(b)(c) (i)(ii)(iii)(iv) The lives of family members of the Executive are not regulated by the Ministerial Handbook or any act of Parliament.

Reply:

(a)(b) (i)(aa)(bb)(cc)(ii)aa)(bb)(aaa)(bbb)(ccc) The duties of Ministers and Deputy Ministers are outlined in the Ministerial Handbook.

Reply:

A contingent liability is a possible obligation that arises from past events and whose existence will be confirmed only by the occurrence or non-occurrence of one or more uncertain future events not wholly within the control of the Department.

The budgetary provision for this line item of expenditure is costed on an annual basis on a specific methodology that considers historical spending trends, forecasts for the new financial year and any specific information that might influence the methodology applied. Should an adjustment to the budgeted amount be required, that is to increase or decrease the level of funding at a particular point in time in the financial year, a process of reprioritisation will be undertaken and additional funding shifted towards this item, or in certain instances moved from this item to other spending priorities where the level of funding of that item, requires adjustment.

Reply:

MDE response (HRP inputs)

1 (a) Bohlabela:

District	Grade R Practitioner	Grade R Teacher	Total
Bohlabela	454	48	502
Ehlanzeni	443	70	513
Gert Sibande	497	27	524
Nkangala	487	25	512
Total	1881	170	2051

1 (b) Grade R Practitioners are paid a stipend of R5500.00 per month and Grade R Teachers are paid the same salary as a mainstream teacher in line with their REQV. REQV 13 a minimum of R160902 per annum and REQV 14 a minimum of R212811 per annum.

2. Minimum qualification: Early Childhood Education Development National Qualification Framework- Level 4

Bushbuckridge:0

Nkangala: 0

Ehlanzeni: 0

Gert Sibande: 0

3 SACE REGISTRATION

District	Grade R Practitioner	Grade R Teacher	Total
Bohlabela	274	48	322
Ehlanzeni	65	70	135
Gert Sibande	178	27	205
Nkangala	146	25	171
Total	663	170	833

Base on employment contracts submitted in April 2015

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works

(a), (b) and (c) One official was arrested and charged with corruption (solicitation of a bribe to release payment). A sting operation was carried out by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations  (The Hawks) in terms of Section 252 (a) of the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977 (Act No. 51 of 1977).

(i)-(iv) The above-mentioned incident took place at the Department of Public Works’ Pretoria Regional Office during the 2014-2015 financial year.

Reply:

(1)(a) The Minister of Basic Education, Mrs AM Motshekga, MP, received reports in terms of Section 58B of the South African Schools Act 84 of 1996 from the following provinces:

1. Free State;

2. Gauteng;

3. KwaZulu-Natal;

4. Mpumalanga;

5. Northern Cape;

6. North West; and

7. Western Cape.

 

(1)(b) The table below indicates the dates reports were received from Members of the Executive Council:

Nr	Province	Date submitted
	Free State	22/04/15
	Gauteng	23/03/15
	KwaZulu Natal	16/06/15
	Mpumalanga	23/03/15
	Northern Cape	24/02/15
	North West	22/03/15
	Western Cape	24/02/15

(2)(a) The Minister of Basic Education, Mrs AM Motshekga, MP, after consultation with Council of Education Ministers (CEM) and Heads of Education Departments Committee (HEDCOM), issued a circular, Circular D1 of 2014, on 5 November 2014 to guide provinces on how to identify and manage underperforming schools.

A School is deemed to be underperforming if:

1. At Secondary level, its percentage pass in the National Senior Certificate examinations falls below 60%; and
2. At Primary level, using Literacy as a proxy, it has more than 50% of learners performing at level 3 and below in the Annual National Assessments in Grades 3 and 6;

(2)(b) Provinces do not uniformly submit names of schools they have identified. Some provinces submitted the names of the underperforming schools while others just indicated the number of schools identified using the criteria above.

Attached at Annexures A1, A2, A3 and A4 are the lists of schools identified as underperforming in the 2014 academic year from the provinces that submitted the information.

(2)(c) Provinces complied with the guidance as provided in Section 58B of the South African Schools Act 84 of 1996, as well as the guidance provided by the Minister. The following are collective actions taken by the provinces when managing underperforming schools in the 2014 academic year:

1. All identified schools were issued with letters indicating that they have underperformed in the 2014 academic year and were also asked to prepare Academic Performance Improvement Plans detailing how they will improve their performance;
2. All identified schools submitted their Academic Performance Improvement Plans and these were reviewed and approved by the Superintendents-General in respective provinces; and
3. Meetings with underperforming schools were organised and District Support Teams were set up by Provinces to assist identified schools to improve their performance.

Reply:

1. (a) PRASA CRES has four (4) Regional offices which are responsible for the management of their respective property portfolios including residential stock. Each region has dedicated Leasing Consultants that sign up tenants in line with the organisation Leasing Policy.

(b) Leasing procedure requires compliance with the following;

• Applicant completes an application form and provides the following documents:
  • Copy of identity document of an applicant
  • Copy of identity document of spouse (if married)
  • Foreign Nationals should have valid permits to reside in the RSA
  • Copy of Ante-Nuptial Contract if married by ANC
  • Copy of Divorce order & Settlement order - if divorced
  • Copy of current Utility or telephone bill
  • Copy of salary advice
  • Copies of 3 Month’s bank accounts
• Credit assessment is performed
• Affordability Test (income and expenditure analyses) performed
• Family size assessment (Right house for number of occupants)
• PRASA CRES Management final approval of application.

(c) Leasing Consultants conduct on a periodic basis a reconciliation exercise to ensure that house occupants are the tenants that have agreements with PRASA.

2. (a) A total of 193 residential occupants have no lease agreements across all four (4) regional

offices.

(b) Various reasons have been provided in table 1 below for each case per region.

(c)(d) Outstanding Lease Agreements will be concluded at different phases as provided in the

Table 1 below;

Table 1

REGION NAME	NUMBER OF TENANTS WITH NO LEASE AGREEMENTS	NAME OF THE PROPERTY	REASONS FOR A LEASE AGREEMENT ABSENCE	DATE FOR LEASE AGREEMENT CONCLUSION
Western Cape	5	43 De Maas Road Vasco	Illegal occupation. The tenant with the lease agreement is not the current occupant.	New lease agreement will be signed with the occupant by the 30th June 2016.
		75 Mcgregor Street Maitland	Illegal occupation. The tenant with the lease agreement is not the current occupant.	New lease agreement will be signed with the occupant by the 30th June 2016.
		81 Nyasa Road Retreat:	Illegal occupation. Illegal occupant, The tenant with the lease agreement is not the current occupant.	New lease agreement will be signed with the occupant by the 30th June 2016.
		11 Nyasa Road Retreat:	Illegal occupation. The tenant with the lease agreement is not the current occupant.	New lease agreement will be signed with the occupant by the 30th June 2016.
		12 Vlottenburg Station	Illegal occupation. When this house became vacant due to the previous tenant absconding, the house was illegally occupied by the current occupants.	New lease agreement will be signed with the occupant by the 30th June 2016.
Gauteng South	173	New Canada ( 5)	Illegal occupation. Occupants refused to signed new leases with then Intersite when the assets where transferred from Transnet and they continue not to cooperate with the officials of PRASA, the cases were then taken to housing tribunal and the case is seating with PRASA legal team currently.	Legal team to conclude the process. Evictions cannot take place without a court order to those tenants with files that have been handed over to legal. The slow process of securing court orders to evict non-paying tenants’ results in premises being occupied without renewed leases especially in the case of paying tenants. Most of the leases have a provision that in case there is no renewal of the lease, it is assumed to have been renewed on month-to-month basis.
		Bekezela (110)	Illegal occupation. An eviction order has been obtained and will be enforced soon.
		Tshepo House (58)	Illegal occupation. All cases are with lawyers
KwaZulu Natal	14	Legal Matters (5) House no 10 Patterson Street House no 09 Moodie Str House no 05, Brad Street House no 02 Station Road House No 10 Station Road Kelso	Legal Matters (5) Tenants that are handed over to the attorneys are mainly due to them being in arrears.	The legal matters are being addressed by attorneys. The region has engaged with the other tenants with the intention to resolve all outstanding issues and get the leases signed accordingly. It is the intention to finalize the process and have the lease agreements signed by no later than 30th September 2016.
		Arrears (4) House 6 Station Road, Umbongwithini House no 03 Patterson Street House No 01. Station Road House no. 02 Station Road	Areas (4) Tenants have not been handed over due to the fact that we try to negotiate and reach an acceptable settlement plan with the tenant prior to handing the matter over to the attorney.
		Query ( 5) House no. 6 Old Main Rd, Park Rynie House no. 122 Vausedale Road House 126 Vausedale Road House no 08 Patterson Street Scottburgh Station	Query ( 5) Tenants there is a dispute with regards to the amendments he made to the lease. The matter has been referred to Legal in order to reach a compromise and finalize the lease. The other 2 tenants have disputes in terms of the structural repairs required on their properties. It is our intention to effect the repairs in the 2016/2017 financial year
Gauteng North	1	House No 39, Station House, Bloemhoff Station	The occupant of this property is an ex Transnet employee who is in occupation of the property for a very long time, the residential properties at Bloemhof Station falls within the properties which were taken over by PRASA from Transnet as part of the Legal Succession Act, when the property was taken over we found this tenant in occupation, we have signed leases with all occupants of the other houses at this station, however the occupant of House no. 39 is not co-operating to sign the lease. Occupant has engaged with this tenant to get the agreement signed and has indicated to the tenant that should the lease not be signed in due course, we will have to give her notice. Lease Agreement is currently being negotiated with the tenant.	30th June 2016.

Reply:

(a) in-kind contributions made to the sources of the National Education Collaboration Trust (NECT) funding are as follows:

		*2013 and 2014	2015
		R’000	R’000
(b) (i)	Government and Skills Education Training Authorities	-	725 610
(b) (ii)	Business	-	1 248 000
(b) (iii)	Foundations and Trusts	-	-
(b) (iv)	Labour	-	-
(b) (v)	Interest income	1 008 073	1 046 777
(b) (vi)	Other sources of funding	-	-

*The NECT’s initial financial year was for 18 months (1 July 2013 to 31 December 2014). Due to this, the figures for 2013 and 2014 is combined.

 

Reply:

(a) The sources of the National Education Collaboration Trust (NECT) funding are as follows:

		*2013 and 2014	2015
		R’000	R’000
(b) (i)	Government and Skills Education Training Authorities	77 982 985	122 445 768
(b) (ii)	Business	36 249 867	56 955 037
(b) (iii)	Foundations and Trusts	2 300 000	7 409 519
(b) (iv)	Labour	293 317	-
(b) (v)	Interest income	-	-
(b) (vi)	Other sources of funding	-	-

*The NECT’s initial financial year was for 18 months (1 July 2013 to 31 December 2014. Due to this, the figures for 2013 and 2014 is combined.

 

Reply:

1. The overall budget of the National Education Collaboration Trust (NECT) and the sources the amount was spent on are as follows:

		*2013 and 2014	2015	2016
		R’000	R’000	R’000
(a)	Budget	111 608 742	196 264 895	225 377 018
(b) (i)	Remuneration of staff	5 504 075	6 175 199	6 989 530
(b) (ii)	Administration costs	4 000 776	3 076 448	2 544 791
(b) (iii)	Projects	102 103 891	187 013 248	215 842 697

*The NECT’s initial financial year was for 18 months (1 July 2013 to 31 December 2014) due to this the figures for 2013 and 2014 is combined.

2. (a) The NECT Board of Trustees, Executive Committee and the Audit and Risk Committee members convened 31 times since July 2013 and the detail are as follows:

Reply:

1. I wish to refer the Honourable Member to the Office of the Registrar of Member’s Interest to which I have made submissions to since being appointed as Minister.
2. I wish to refer the Honourable Member to the Office of the Registrar of Member’s Interest to which I have made submissions to since being appointed as Minister

Reply:

Department

From the DOT side we did not print any newspapers in the said period.

Cross-Border Road Transport Agency

1. The (b) C-BRTA does not print or distribute newspapers however, we do print and distribute newsletters. (i) in 2014-15 and (bb) 2015-16 financial years: The Voice, and Transcending Borders. No newsletters have been printed since 1 April 2016.
2. (a) The total number of copies per publication are as follows:

Publication	Number of copies	Frequency	Total in 2014/15
The Voice	350	One edition per quarter	1400
Transcending Borders	2000	One edition per quarter	8000

Publication	Number of copies	Frequency	Total in 2015/16
The Voice	350	Only one edition printed	350
Transcending Borders	None	None	None

(b) In the 2014-15 financial year, the C-BRTA spent R165 988. 26 on creative design and printing for both publications The Voice and Transcending Borders;

In the 2015-16 financial year, the C-BRTA spent R9 017.40 one edition of The Voice and nothing was spent on Transcending Borders; and

No newsletters have been printed in the current financial year.

(c) (i) Objectives of each newsletter:

• The Voice – is the C-BRTA’s staff newsletters the objective of which is to inform, educate and inspire C-BRTA; and
• Transcending Borders – is an external newsletter which seeks to inform, update and educate the C-BRTA clients (cross-border operators) on matters relevant to the industry.

 (ii) For The Voice – the objective is measured in two ways: 1) on the back page readers are requested to give feedback or make contributions to the publication, and 2) crossword competitions / puzzles for staff to resolve, are published; and

For Transcending Borders – there is no system of measuring the success of the objective.

(d) For The Voice – the results have been positive in most cases; and

For Transcending Borders – no formal feedback has been received or solicited.

Road Accident Fund (RAF)

(1) (b) RAF has not printed and distributed any newspapers (i) in the (aa) 2014-15 financial year and (ii) since April 2016;

(2) (a) No copies were printed, (b) no costs involved, (c) (i) no objective (ii) no objective to measure (d) no results to measure in each case

Road Traffic Infringement Agency (RTIA)

(1) (b) RTIA has not printed and distributed any newspapers (i) in the (aa) 2014-15 financial year and (ii) since April 2016;

(2) (a) No copies were printed, (b) no costs involved, (c) (i) no objective (ii) no objective to measure (d) no results to measure in each case

Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC)

(1) (b) RTMC has not printed and distributed any newspapers (i) in the (aa) 2014-15 financial year and (ii) since April 2016;

(2) (a) No copies were printed, (b) no costs involved, (c) (i) no objective (ii) no objective to measure (d) no results to measure in each case

South African National Roads Agency Limited

1. (a) Please refer to Annexure 1

(b) Please refer to Annexure 1.

(i)(aa) Please refer to Annexure 1.

(bb) Please refer to Annexure 1.

(ii) SANRAL did not print and/or distribute newspapers since 1 April 2016

2. (a) refer to Annexure 1

(b) refer to Annexure 1

(c) (i) In 2014 we commissioned extensive research – both qualitative and quantitative – on SANRAL as a brand. The results showed that in general there is little awareness of road authorities and the roads they manage. According to the research results show that there is low awareness and limited understanding of the importance of road infrastructure and the role of SANRAL in the delivery of this backbone of the economy of South Africa. Research respondents preferred the following media channels in order of preference: television; newspaper; radio; mobile phone; e-mail and website. Our use of own media addresses these preferred forms as our newsletters are inserted in newspapers, is used on our digital platforms, and used to inform our other forms of communication on the broadcast medium. Our general objective through our publications was to inform and to famliiarise the public with SANRAL’s mandate and the extensive work it delivers. Specifically in regards this time period, refer to Annexure 1

(ii) SANRAL Publications are part of its “owned media” strategy. The latter is one element in the ESOP media mix – Earned media, shared media, Owned media and Paid media. Though we still invest in earned media (through public relations), shared media (though social media networks) and paid media (through advertising), we are putting more efforts in developing owned media because of the advantages it offers, namely, cost efficiency, longevity, versatility/mobility of content and editorial control.

This approach is informed by the National Communication Strategy Framework (2014-2019), which encourages the production of high volume communication platforms – such as Vuk’uzenzele – to achieve greater reach and impact.

The SANRAL publications are inserted in national, regional, local and community publications specific to audiences being targeted. In 2014/15, we produced publications with a total print run of 10 204 449 which were inserted in 233 publications which have a combined readership of 83 796 000.

In 2015/16, we produced publications with a total print run of 17 500 000 which were inserted in 252 publications which have a combined readership of 114 500 000

(d) SANRAL publishes its own media so that the members of the public are better informed of SANRAL’s mandate. This then aids the public to understand that SANRAL as an entity is more than just GFIP or tolls. The newsletters speak to all aspects of SANRAL’s activities including road safety, community development, environment, job creation, education, and the myriad aspects of road infrastructure maintenance, improvement and development. Perceptions about SANRAL as a brand and an understanding of what we do on a daily basis have improved from our interaction with member of the public who have commented positively on our newsletters. This we have gauged through the interactions we have on social media with those who have been exposed to or content.

Airports Company South Africa SOC Limited (ACSA)

1. The were no newspapers printed and distributed by (a) N/A (b) the Air Company South Africa SOC Limited, in the (aa) 2014-15, and (bb) 2015-16 financial years and (ii) since 1 April 2016;

1. In respect of each specified case, (a) N/A, (b) N/A, (c) (i)N/A and (ii) N/A and (d) N/A.

Air Traffic and Navigation Services SOC Limited (ATNS)

1. The were no newspapers printed and distributed by (a) N/A (b) the Air Traffic and Navigation Services SOC Limited, in the (aa) 2014-15, and (bb) 2015-16 financial year and (ii) since 1 April 2016;
2. In respect of each specified case, (a) N/A, (b) N/A, (c) (i) N/A and (ii) N/A and (d) N/A.

South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA)

1. The were no newspapers printed and distributed by (a) N/A (b) the South African Civil Aviation Authority, in the (aa) 2014-15, and (bb) 2015-16 financial years and (ii) since 1 April 2016;
2. In respect of each specified case, (a) N/A, (b) N/A, (c) (i)N/A and (ii) N/A and (d) N/A.

Ports Regulator (PRSA)

1. The Ports Regulator has never printed any newspapers for the (aa) 2014-15, (bb) 2015-16 and for the period since 01 April 2016.
2. Not applicable.

South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA)

1. SAMSA has not printed nor distributed any newspapers.
2. There is nothing applicable in this case

Railway Safety Regulator (RSR)

The Railway Safety Regulator did not print or distribute any newspapers during 2014-15 and 2015-2016. RSR was complying with the Treasury note issued in 2014-2015 instructing organisations not to purchase newspapers.

Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA)

1. PRASA does not print and/or distribute newspapers. However, in respect of the above financial years, (i)(aa)(bb) and (ii) PRASA engaged the services of a company called KGP Media Investments (Pty) Limited (“KGP Media”) to publish on its behalf a commuter newspaper called Hambanathi and Kwela Express.

1. In terms of the agreement between PRASA and KGP Media, KGP Media was obliged to produce “5 pages worth of exposure every month” produced biweekly and “12 insertions compatible for web and mobile broadcast”. Therefore KGP Media was obliged to produce

       (a) 24 publications in respect of the 2014/2015 financial year and 24 publications in respect of the 2015/2016 financial year

        (b) 2014/2015 – R6,370,362.12 and 2015/2016 – R6,370,772.58

        (c) (i) The objective was to disseminate updates on rail and public transport and to cover news that are informative and educational to empower the commuting public.

(ii) When the Public Protector found that the agreement between PRASA and KGP Media was concluded without following procurement procedures of PRASA, this agreement was terminated with effect from 10 March 2016

      (d) See response in (c).

Reply:

(i)(aa) (a)(b)(c)(d)(e) 2015/16 information

Prov	(a) No. of Learners in learner transport scheme	(b) Budget for 2015/16 FY	© No. of routes	(e)No of service providers	(d)no of routes in operation
EC	62627	R 432 000 000.00	248	290	248
FS	6293	R 40 000 000.00	315	172	315
GP	82917	R 461 000 000.00	2 007	166	2007
KZN	37223	R 168 430 000.00	339	43	339
LP	20751	R 141 103 000.00	422	203	422
MP	59691	R 441 622 000.00	524	111	524
NC	23237	R 118 280 000.00	355	190	355
NW	35813	R 264 466 000.00	238	121	238
WC	57596	R 319 830 000.00	531	137	531
TOTAL	386448	R 2 386 731 000	4 979	1433	4979

(iI)(bb) (a)(b)(c)(d)(e)

2014/15 learner transport
Prov	No. of Learners in learner transport scheme	Budget for 2014/15 FY	No. of routes	No of service providers	no of routes in operation
EC	55537	R 330 088 925	1350	1	1350
FS	8177	R 32 759 559.49	363	180	320
GP	79420	R 338 349 000.00	2755	126	2755
KZN	23359	R 168 430 000.00	222	38	222
LP	19162	R 152 995 000.00	215	215	215
MP	66598	R 455 000 000.00	525	111	525
NC	15060	R 107 573 000	364	190	364
NW	31 228	R 240 444 000.00	246	136	183
WC	52 565	R 242 593 000.00	516	136	517
TOTAL	351106	R 2 068 232 484	6 556	1133	6451

Reply:

(a) The Department appointed Nexus Forensic Services (NFS) on 23 September 2015 to conduct an investigation into allegations of fraud and corruption in the allocation of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) at ten identified public universities, and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges.

(b) (i) To conduct a comprehensive audit for the 2012, 2013 and 2014 academic years to determine the extent of misrepresentation and fraud committed by students who qualified and have received financial aid, including parents and guardians, employees of public universities and TVET colleges, NSFAS and individuals who have manipulated financial aid processes to defraud NSFAS. The audit must include:

• Applicants and family members/guardians who have knowingly provided false information on their applications for financial aid;
• Applicants who have intentionally misrepresented their family income by purposefully providing false information on the certification of affidavits in terms of Section 9 of the Justice of Peace and Commissioners of Oaths Act 16 of 1963 and Regulations under the Act;
• The validity of affidavits submitted and signed in terms of Section 5, 6 and 7 of the Justice of Peace and Commissioners of Oaths Act 16 of 1963 and applicable Regulations;
• The allegations of persons who impersonate Commissioners of Oath in order to certify falsified documentation to defraud NSFAS for personal gain;
• Applicants who have purposefully altered documentation used in the validation of the financial aid application and approval process that resulted in the receipt of financial aid;
• Service providers who collude with students to defraud the NSFAS;
• Staff at financial aid offices at universities, TVET colleges and NSFAS who deliberately do not comply with NSFAS and donor guidelines on eligibility and academic criteria to defraud the NSFAS;
• Nepotism and conflict of interests in the allocation of NSFAS financial aid at financial aid offices at public universities and TVET colleges;
• The identification of the shortcomings and weaknesses in the NSFAS loan and bursary system, including the current NSFAS guidelines and rules applicable to public universities and TVET colleges, with clear recommendations to address fraud risks identified;
• The investigation must be concluded within 12 months. The Department may decide to extend the investigation based on the extent of the allegations of fraud and corruption at a particular institution; and
• The service provider will be required to attend monthly meetings and present progress reports to the Director-General or his delegate. At the conclusion of the 12 month period, the service provider will provide a comprehensive report covering all the allegations, findings and recommendations to the Director-General in an accessible format.

(b) (ii) This is a forensic investigation and therefore a reference group is not required.

(c) The investigation must be concluded within 12 months from the date of appointment. At the conclusion of the 12 month period, the service provider will provide a comprehensive report covering all the allegations, findings and recommendations to the Director-General.

(d) The Department identified 10 institutions covering a range of provinces and institutional types for the initial investigation, and may decide to extend the investigation based on the extent of the allegations of fraud and corruption at a particular institution. The initial identified institutions are:

• Tshwane University of Technology;
• Durban University of Technology;
• University of Limpopo;
• North-West University;
• University of the Witwatersrand;
• University of Zululand;
• Majuba TVET College;
• King Hintsa TVET College;
• Ehlanzeni TVET College; and
• Buffalo City TVET College.

 

COMPILER/CONTACT PERSONS:

EXT:

DIRECTOR – GENERAL

STATUS:

DATE:

QUESTION 1164 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED

Dr BE NZIMANDE, MP

MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

STATUS:

DATE:

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works

(1) No.

(a), (b), (c) and (d) Fall away.

(2) (a), (b) and (c) No.

(i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) Not applicable.

Reply:

(a)(i)(aa)-(cc) No, the Minister has never met with any member, employee or close associate of the Gupta family.

(a)(ii)(aa)-(bb) No, the Minister has never attended any meeting with the specified persons at the Gupta’s Saxonwold Estate in Johannesburg or anywhere else since taking office and has no position on the matter.

(b)(i)(aa)-(cc) No, the Deputy Minister has never met with any member, employee or close associate of the Gupta family.

(b)(ii)(aa)-(bb) No, the Deputy Minister has never attended any meeting with the specified persons at the Gupta’s Saxonwold Estate in Johannesburg or anywhere else since taking office and has no position on the matter.

Reply:

1. Yes, school improvement initiatives have been identified. The National Education Collaboration Trust NECT has been working with over 317 officials in eight focus districts to design and implement interventions in over 4 362 schools that make up the 8 focus districts. The interventions in these district jurisdictions are provided in higher dosages in 415 schools (across the 8 districts) which have been identified as test sites for the interventions.

2.  Yes, the school improvement initiatives has been implemented. The NECT has registered many successes in the target districts and schools, and more and more of the successful interventions are being replicated in other schools and districts. These successes registered are in respect to the six themes of the Education Collaboration Framework:

• Professionalisation of teaching:

Year-long learning programmes in seven languages have been designed and introduced in every classroom in the target districts. A total of 958 151 resource packs have been provided to 19 398 teachers who teach mathematics, science and languages in the target schools. The learning programmes include a pack of basic learning materials such as lesson plans, management trackers, posters and flashcards. Additional African language readers are also being secured through a partnership with Zenex Foundation. These learning programmes have been designed and packaged to assist the teachers to implement the Curriculum Assessment Policy Statements (CAPS) at the required levels and to ensure curriculum completion. There was quarterly training of 40 023 teachers in 2015 and in-school support of teachers in a sample of schools.

Several national dialogues on teacher professionalisation were held. These have resulted in seminal dialogue with the South Africa Council of Educators (SACE). SACE is currently reviewing its policies and measure for teacher certification. As a collaboration vehicle, the NECT continues to drive dialogue among key stakeholders to promote the intents of the National Development Plan. In addition to a focus on professionalisation, the NECT organised dialogues on reading, learner safety and security in schools and on the role of the Non-Government Organisations in implementing the National Development Plan. While the dialogues involve up to 200 people in each event, the NECT has used electronic and print media to reach and engage millions of South Africans on pertinent educational matters.

• Promotion of Courageous and Effective Leadership

Curriculum management training and in-school mentoring and coaching are provided for principals and Heads of Departments. The training and support is reinforced by instruments that help the School Management Teams (SMTs) to monitor curriculum coverage. A total of 12 998 tools have been provided to SMTs of the target schools. Furthermore, SMTs are also trained and coached in two important leadership and management areas with an intention of building sound internal locus of control in schools. These are in-school self-assessment and feedback instruments and courageous leadership. The self-assessment training and support is designed on the basis of policy and programmatic requirements for school effectiveness. These instruments cover key processes and functions that each and every school should have in order to function effectively as required by policy and identified by education research. The second area, courageous leadership intervention, aims to initiate conversations about, and bolstering courageous management actions among, school management teams.

• Parent and community involvement

The NECT worked with the DBE to develop a parent involvement guide which was recently approved by the Council of Education Ministers for nation-wide distribution. The Multi-stakeholder District Steering Committees (DSCs) comprising key stakeholders such as religious and traditional leaders, business, teacher unions and academics, continue to drive social mobilisation and advocacy in the eight target districts. This model is being reviewed by the Government Technical Advisory Agency for efficacy and possible replication.

• Learner Welfare

The psycho-social referral and treatment trial that was carried out last year in over 110 schools has yield responses of over 15 000 learners on their welfare and security in schools. This data is being analysed to establish the efficacy of the model and to make recommendations on how to improve learner welfare in schools.

• Contribution to building capacity of the State to improve the quality of education

The NECT has been working with over 400 officials from districts, provinces and at national level to design and implement specific education improvement programmes. Experts drawn from the private sector by the NECT assist to strengthen critical skills of the education officials at the various levels. The NECT brought in experts to support Information and Communications Technology (ICT) planning in the Department. The same experts also supported the education ICT Operation Phakisa. The NECT is working with the DBE to undertake research into the modernisation of the school administration system (SA-SAMS). Towards the end of 2015, the NECT collaborated with the DBE, some local and international organisations, to research how other countries promote innovation in education. The research recommends an establishment of a South African education innovation hub, whose primary focus will be to improve the co-ordination of innovation initiatives nationally, with the aim of support systemic education improvement in the country.

3. (a) The NECT has chosen the following districts as priority districts:

• North West Province: Bojanala District
• Mpumalanga Province: Bohlabela District
• Limpopo Province: Waterberg District
• Limpopo Province: Vhembe District
• Eastern Cape Province: Mt Frere District
• Eastern Cape Province: Libode District
• KwaZulu-Natal Province: Pinetown District
• KwaZulu-Natal Province: UThungulu District

(b) The NECT has chosen the priority districts because of the following reasons:

• consistently underperforming;
• poor infrastructure;
• enrolment dwindling;
• poor leadership; and
• serious societal problems (drugs/ conflict/ teenage pregnancy).

(c) The National Senior Certificate pass rate in each specified district was as follows:

Priority districts	2013	2014	2015
North West Province: Bojanala District	87.2%	84.6%	81.5%
Mpumalanga Province: Bohlabela District	72.0%	76.8%	76.7%
Limpopo Province: Waterberg District	70.6%	70.5%	58.1%
Limpopo Province: Vhembe District	80.6%	81.1%	74.7%
Eastern Cape Province: Mt Frere District	58.8%	55.1%	55.1%
Eastern Cape Province: Libode District	60.1%	62.4%	48.6%
KwaZulu-Natal Province: Pinetown District	81.5%	75.8%	64.6%
KwaZulu-Natal Province: uThungulu District	72.7%	64.0%	54.6%

(d) The amount the NECT spent in the eight priority districts was as follows:

Priority districts	*2013/14	2015
	R’000	R’000
North West Province: Bojanala District	4 103 994	11 378 312
Mpumalanga Province: Bohlabela District	4 483 993	12 431 859
Limpopo Province: Waterberg District	15 027 884	31 100 088
Limpopo Province: Vhembe District	16 064 289	33 244 922
Eastern Cape Province: Mt Frere District	13 009 705	11 423 206
Eastern Cape Province: Libode District	13 877 019	12 184 753
KwaZulu-Natal Province: Pinetown District	14 727 994	25 827 008
KwaZulu-Natal Province: UThungulu District	18 348 283	32 175 546

 

Reply:

1 (a) (i–iii) Mr Sizwe Nxasana is the Chairperson of the Ministerial Task Team.

(b) The terms of reference of the task team is as follows:

The Ministerial Task Team shall determine and advise on alternative financing and operating models for funding poor and “missing middle” students, having regard to:

• the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa;
• all relevant higher and basic education legislation;
• all relevant public policy, legislation and regulations;
• all findings and recommendations of the various Presidential and Ministerial Task Teams; and
• all relevant educational policies, reports and guidelines.

In developing the proposals, the Ministerial Task Team must address the following issues:

• Whether or not the existing NSFAS Act, structure and mandate is still suitable to address the funding and other forms of support to poor and “missing middle” students;
• Raise sufficient funding from the public sector, private sector and other sources to offer a complete solution to fund poor and “missing middle” students at universities, and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges;
• The feasibility of granting fully subsidised loans to poor students and loans with progressive reducing subsidies as household income increases for the “missing middle” students;
• The funding of occupations in high demand;
• Develop proposals which contribute towards the improvement of the success and graduation rates for poor and “missing middle” students and reduce drop-out rates; and
• Create an efficient and robust model with appropriate internal controls to minimise leakage, fraud and risk in the granting and disbursement of bursaries and loans to deserving students whilst improving collection of the loan portion granted to students.

(c) The reference group will include but is not limited to high level membership from:

• Department of Higher Education and Training;
• Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation;
• National Treasury;
• Department of Trade and Industry;
• Universities South Africa;
• Universities Council Chairs Forum-South Africa;
• Council on Higher Education;
• National Credit Regulator;
• South African Union of Students and other student formations;
• A representative from the Sector Education and Training Authorities; and
• National Student Financial Aid Scheme.

(d) (i) The Ministerial Task Team must present its final recommendations and blueprint to the Minister of Higher Education by 30 September 2016.

(ii) It is envisaged that the model will be piloted at universities which will be agreed upon with Universities South Africa and the Department by January 2017, and to be fully implemented in 2018.

(e) Mr Nxasana is being assisted by the Banking Association of South Africa.

2. The Terms of Reference as indicated above stipulates that the Ministerial Task Team must advise on any possible changes to the NSFAS Act and rules, and present its final recommendations and blueprint to the Minister of Higher Education and Training by 30 September 2016 for consideration.

The Department as part of its mandate has included the review of the NSFAS Act in the 2017/18 financial year.

 

COMPILER/CONTACT PERSONS:

EXT:

DIRECTOR – GENERAL

STATUS:

DATE:

QUESTION 1163 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED

Dr BE NZIMANDE, MP

MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

STATUS:

DATE:

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works

(1) The Department of Public Works (DPW) did not spend any money on maintenance of the homestead of Mr JG Zuma, President of the Republic of South Africa, during the (a) 2012-2013, (b) 2013-14, and (c) 2014-15 financial years;

(2) There are four general workers (employed on a contract for three years) at the President’s homestead at Nkandla. Their main duties are to maintain the gardens at the State Domestic Facilities adjacent to the President’s homestead. These are facilities that are used mainly the South African Police Services (SAPS).

_______________________________________________________________________

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works

(a) and (b) (i) (aa), (bb) and (cc) and (ii) (aa) and (bb)

No.

(aaa), (bbb) (aaaa), (bbbb) and (ccc) Fall away

Reply:

Upon receipt of the Ministerial Task Team (MTT) Final Report, the Minister received legal advice to allow teacher unions and individuals implicated in the report to rebut and/or make formal representations to the MTT before the Minister can release the report.

The reason for this is not to compromise the importance of the work of the MTT because of perceived and/or inadequate consultations and/or interactions on the MTT final report.

Based on the legal advice, the Minister issued the following timeframes which must be followed by all concerned:

DATE	ACTION
01/04/16	Teacher Unions were favoured with the MTT Final Report and requested to respond to it on or before 15 April 2016.
15/04/2016	Chairperson of the MTT to receive inputs/rebuttals from Teacher Unions with the details of any of their members who might be implicated in the MTT report but may inadvertently been deprived of the benefits of the audi alterem partem rule.
15-29/04/2016	Any teacher union, and/or School Governing Body Association and or individuals wishing to make presentations to the MTT, must have done so by midday, 29 April 2016.
29/04-4/05/ 2016	The MTT to consider the inputs and representations
04/05/2016	MTT submits the final report after taking into account all the inputs from teacher unions and other concerned stakeholders.
	Minister may convene a consultative meeting with Teacher Unions and National School Governing Body Associations to reflect on the MTT processes and the re-submitted report.
06/05/2016	Minister will officially release the MTT report to the public.

(a) What are the main highlights of the specified report?

The report will be made available once the process outlined above is completed.

(b) Who are the main culprits referred to in the specified report and

This information will also be disclosed when the Minister releases the report.

(c) What steps does he intend to take to deal with the specified culprits? The recommendations will be implemented after the report is released.

Reply:

(1) Number of learners that qualified for fee exemption
Province	2012	2013	2014
EC*
FS	12,913	11,742	11,723
GP	53,789	63,130	65,259
KZN	43,464	50,222	82,959
LP	124	0	0
MP	0	0	1,883
NC	8,385	12,211	15,377
NW	3,613	2,628	3,760
WC	90,506	103,988	73,342

Source: Provincial Education Departments

MP implemented policy starting in 2014

*No information was provided by EC

(2) Amounts allocated towards compensation for fee exemption by provinces
Province	2012	2013	2014
EC*
FS	R5,150,462	R4,480,611	R6,042,000
GP	R11,000,000	R11,806,000	R12,349,000
KZN	R16,679,583	R19,256,204	R17,100,000
LP	R0	R0	R0
MP	R0	R0	R2,000,000
NC	R3,130,120	R4,740,696	R7,457,761
NW	R1,094,770	R805,009	R1,444,855
WC	R45,331,000	R44,363,997	R39,322,000

Source: Provincial Education Departments

LP reported that no allocation was made since no school applied for fee exemption

MP implemented policy starting in 2014

*No information was provided by EC

(3) Number of schools which benefitted from compensation for fee exemption
Province	2012	2013	2014
EC
FS	140	125	131
GP	393	491	479
KZN	340	349	338
LP	0	0	0
MP	0	0	18
NC	65	89	93
NW	50	29	46
WC	700	714	550

Source: Provincial Education Departments

LP reported that no school applied for fee exemption for all the 3 years

MP implemented policy starting in 2014

*No information was provided by EC

Reply:

(a) Provincial per-learner norms and standards allocations for 2014-15
PROVINCE	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Q5
EC	R 1,059	R 1,059	R 1,059	R 530	R 183
FS	R 1,059	R 1,059	R 1,059	R 530	R 240
GT	R 1,059	R 1,059	R 1,059	R 530	R 530
KZN	R 932	R 932	R 932	R 509	R 175
LP	R 788	R 788	R 788	R 395	R 136
MPU	R 1,059	R 1,059	R 1,059	R 530	R 183
NC	R 1,059	R 1,000	R 1,000	R 631	*R 294
NW	R 1,059	R 1,059	R 1,059	R 605	R 183
WC	R 1,059	R 1,059	R 1,059	R 567	*R 244
* Average allocations
(b) Provincial per-learner norms and standards allocations for 2015-16
PROVINCE	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Q5
EC	R 1,059	R 1,059	R 1,059	R 530	R 183
FS	R 1,116	R 1,116	R 1,116	R 559	R 240
GT	R 1,116	R 1,116	R 1,116	R 559	R 559
KZN	R 955	R 955	R 955	R 522	R 179
LP	R 646	R 646	R 646	R 320	R 130
MPU	R 1,116	R 1,116	R 1,116	R 559	R 193
NC	R 1,070	R 1,070	R 1,070	R 663	*R 309
NW	R 1,116	R 1,116	R 1,116	R 605	R 193
WC	R 1,116	R 1,116	R 1,116	R 595	*R 269
* Average allocations
(c) Provincial per-learner norms and standards allocations for 2016-17
PROVINCE	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Q5
EC	R 1,059	R 1,059	R 1,059	R 530	R 183
FS	R 1,177	R 1,177	R 1,177	R 590	R 240
GT	R 1,177	R 1,177	R 1,177	R 590	R 590
KZN	R 955	R 955	R 955	R 522	R 179
LP	R 965	R 965	R 965	R 484	R 165
MPU	R 953	R 953	R 953	R 503	R 173
NC	R 1,125	R 1,125	R 1,125	R 698	*R 326
NW	R 1,177	R 1,177	R 1,177	R 605	R 204
WC	R 1,144	R 1,144	R 1,144	R 573	*R 198
* Average allocations

 

Reply:

1. (a) Budget is centrally controlled. There is allocation for LTSM for schools and compensation to pay stipends to practitioners

(b) 1075

(c) None

(2) (a) Gert Sibande- 33, Bushbuckridge- 0, Ehlanzeni- 4- Nkangala-20

(b) Gert Sibande- Community based centres have ECD facilities available. School has no learner space to accommodate Grade R

Ehlanzeni –Community based centres have ECD facilities available. School has no learner space to accommodate Grade R

Bohlabela- No community based centre is linked to school.

Nkangala- School has no learner space to accommodate Grade R and community based centres have ECD facilities available

3. Ehlanzeni District: Ehlanzeni TVET College- Early Childhood Education Development National Qualification Framework- Level 4 and 5

Gert Sibande District- Gert Sibande TVET College- Early Childhood Education Development National Qualification Framework- Level 4 and 5

Nkangala District- Nkangala TVET College- Early Childhood Education Development National Qualification Framework- Level 4 and 5

 

Reply:

After the finalisation of the first draft of the Bill, and before the publication thereof for public comment, I deemed it necessary to present the Bill to some stakeholders, which included School Governing Body (SGB) associations and education sector unions.

Some of these stakeholders commented on the Bill during the presentations, and some subsequently provided the Department with written comments on the Bill. After all the options had been weighed up, it was decided that the comments submitted by these stakeholders should be considered and, where there was merit, incorporated into the draft Bill before the Bill was published for public comment. It is believed that this will eliminate double work in the later part of the process of finalising the Bill.

If the Department is able to finalise the above-mentioned processes, as well as the processes required for the introduction of the Bill, I still intend to introduce the Bill during the 2016 parliamentary session. However, if I do not achieve this, I intend to introduce the Bill during the early part of the 2017 Parliamentary session.

Reply:

The Anti-Corruption Inter-Ministerial Committee (ACIMC) was established in June 2014. The Committee met in August and September 2014, September and November 2015, March 2016, and approved five programmes which are implemented as follows:

• Communication and Awareness

The key focus of this programme is to communicate government’s efforts and successes in combatting corruption in a consistent manner and to educate South Africans about what constitute corruption and encourage citizens to contribute to a Societal Approach towards preventing and countering corruption.

• Intelligence Coordination, Policy and Strategy Development

To give effect to the government anti-corruption agenda by focusing on intelligence coordination, policy and strategy development.

• Public Sector Policy and Capacity Development

To develop policies and strategy in the public sector to support Government’s anti-corruption agenda and to manage and monitor domestic implementation of and reporting on identified international obligations on anti-corruption.

• Vulnerable Sector Management

To enforce accountability by, inter alia, ensuring enforcement of statutory and regulatory in government business, systems improvements; litigation where appropriate in order recover government losses and also assist in preparation of criminal cases.

- Crime Operations and Resolutions.

To deal with Criminal Investigations and Resolutions (prosecutions) in terms of identified National Priorities and Criminal Asset Recoveries. To ensure coordination of activities of all law enforcement agencies involved in the process of Anti-Corruption Criminal Investigation.

A total of 203 corruption priority cases involving 1065 persons were investigated. The total number of persons convicted since 2009 to date is 116. Thus between 2009 and 2014, a total number of 63 persons were convicted. During the financial year 2014/2015; a total number of 23 persons were convicted. During the financial year 2015/2016; a total number of 30 persons were convicted. Investigations in 11 cases are currently underway in relation to possible contraventions of the OECD Foreign Bribery Convention.

Freezing orders to the value of R 601 million were obtained by the end of the 3rd Quarter of the 2015/16 financial year, which has contributed to a cumulative total of R4.21 Billion since 2009.

Proceeds of crime and government losses to the value of close to R 71 million were recovered by the end of the 3rd Quarter of the 2015/16 financial year, which contributed to a cumulative total of R1.96 billion since 2009.

Over and above the successes referred to in the preceding paragraphs, government has through the Specialised Commercial Crime Unit (SCCU), made significant advances in securing convictions in cases other than the priority cases stipulated in the MTSF. Since 2012 the SCCU has obtained the conviction of about three thousand, three hundred and forty individuals for serious corruption and or serious financial and economic crimes.

A total of 234 government officials were convicted for corruption related offences from 2014/15 financial year to date. However note should be taken that the monitoring of conviction was negatively affected by the disbandment of the JCPS Anti-Corruption Working Group (ACWG) and the under-reporting of disciplinary cases instituted by departments.

Reply:

(1) Since 1994, the Gauteng Department of Human Settlements has made substantial progress to better the lives of the residents of Sharpeville and surrounding areas. It has provided 4 582 BNG houses to the beneficiaries and the details of the housing projects completed are provided below:

• Tshepiso : 1 144 houses
• Tshepiso North Extension 1: 278 houses
• Tshepiso South Extension 1: 254 houses
• Tshepiso North Extension 3: 1 432 houses
• Tshepiso North Extension 4: 976 houses
• Boipatong : 498 houses

In addition, the Provincial Department is planning for the following projects in the surrounding areas of Sharpeville that will deliver in total 10 629 BNG and Social Housing units:

• Tshepiso North Extension 4: 1 149 houses
• Leeuwkuil : 2 980 houses
• Vereeniging Old Hospital : 1 500 Social Housing units
• Vaal River City : 5 000 houses

(2) It is not necessary given the projects that have been completed and those that are still being planned for in Sharpeville and surrounding areas. Save to say, this government is committed to ensure that the lives of our people are improved and their dignity restored through the provision of sustainable human settlements.

 

 

Reply:

The Benoni Hostel (Wattville Hostel) is situated in the Gauteng Province and falls within the jurisdiction of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM), which owns and administers the hostel complex. The Municipality has indicated that the hostel residents are currently being provided with clean water, electricity connections as well as sanitation services.

The Provincial Department has initiated a project to redevelop the hostel. The projected output and outcome is intended to yield seven hundred and twenty six (726) redeveloped family units, which will encompass six (6) different typologies. The Province has appointed a service provider to finalise all planning work and the project is envisaged to go out on tender during July 2016 for the installation of services for the 1st phase of the project.

Reply:

I have not responded to question 855 on 13 April 2015 as no such question was not posed to me as it does not fall within the scope of the Department of Public Enterprises.

Reply:

(1) (a) The size of the project is 118 Breaking New Ground houses.

(b) The beneficiaries are the residents of Umncube Section in Umthambeka.

(c) The project commenced on 13 August 2015 when the site was handed over to the Contractor. (d) The expected date for the completion of the project is 31 March 2017.

(2) (a) (i) & (ii) The Honourable member would be aware of Parliament’s convention which prohibits any public representatives, be it Members of the Executive or Honourable Members, from publishing names of people/contractors or companies when asking or responding to parliamentary questions. Accordingly, I will not able to provide names of people on the housing list as requested.

(b) There are 24 employees employed from the local residents.

(3) (a) The Contractor did not have the functional and financial capacity to complete the project and subsequently did not adhere to the agreed construction programme. By January 2016, only 19 foundations and 9 wall plates were constructed. The original contract provided for the completion of the project by 28 February 2016. However, due the Contractor’s inability to complete the project, the contract was not renewed and a new Contractor will be appointed to finalise the construction of the houses.

(b) It is anticipated that a new contractor will be appointed early in the financial year after which the project will commence.

(4) The Contractor has been paid on 7 March 2016 for the completion of 19 foundations and 4 wall plates. The Gauteng Department of Human Settlements received an additional claim from the Contractor for the payment of the outstanding 5 wall plates. The Department confirmed that the payment is in progress and will be finalised in due course.

 

Reply:

I am particularly concerned about this matter. I would encourage the Honourable member to provide me with any information that will assist in resolving this matter. As public representatives, our first instinct should be the eagerness to assist in situations such as these. In essence, we need to find a way to assist the complainant to register for a BNG house.

Be that as it may, I have been advised that the case referred to by the Honourable member relates to the Etete Area, in Ward 7 in KwaDukuza. The Municipality has confirmed that the only structure it demolished in 2006 was an abandoned house on the land that the municipality acquired from the Palm Lakes Estate. The house was built with mud and was unoccupied for years. The house was a den of criminal activity and the community demanded both the municipality and SAPS to act against people who were using the dilapidated house for various criminal acts.  The property was on land owned by the municipality.

Further, eighteen (18) months after the demolition had been completed, the complainant claimed that the land the house was built on belonged to the complainant’s father. The complainant was informed that the land in question was never owned by the complainant’s late father but was owned by the owners/developers of Palm Lakes Estates, which the municipality acquired for housing and social facilities.

The complainant has not, according to the records of the Municipality, applied for the subsidised housing in the area called Etete, in which the municipality over the years has been working to eradicate informal settlements with funding from the Department of Human Settlements.  The municipality is currently working on the implementation of the last phase of the project, which is known as Phase 4. It appears that the same complainant is not part of the beneficiaries registered for this project.

Reply:

(1) (a) Eskom purchased software from Microsoft through a contract which followed Eskom’s commercial process.

(b) Yes, all purchased software is licensed.

(b) (i) The purpose of purchasing Microsoft software was based on the following factors:

• To meet Eskom business requirements
• Mitigate desktop risk on Office and Operating Systems.
• To implement a best of suite strategy to lower the operational cost in terms of license expense
• Support resource cost across Desktop, Messaging, Security
• Ensure the Management and Windows Server Towers.

(b) (ii) Yes, the software is being used by the entire Organisation.

(b) (iii) A contract was entered into between Eskom and Microsoft in July 2010 prior to this Eskom purchased products including Microsoft software from third party suppliers.

(b) (iv) Yes, Eskom only maintains Microsoft Software that is in current use.

(b) (v) Eskom’s current contract with Microsoft is due to expire on 29 May 2016. A commercial process is currently underway for the renewal of the support and maintenance of the current contract. It must be noted that the bulk of this renewal is to maintain the current investment and ensure adequate maintenance and support.

(2) (a) Eskom’s commercial process which forms part of Eskom’s Procurement and Supply Chain Management Policy and Procedure was followed. The commercial process that was followed is in alignment with Eskom’s Procurement and Supply Chain Management Policy and Procedure and Public Finance Management Act.

(b) Yes, Eskom’s process followed regarding the Microsoft transaction satisfied all prescribed legal requirements. The details are that the commercial process which is provided for in Eskom’s supply chain policies is aligned to the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) and the Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act (PPPFA).

Reply:

The Competition authorities are mandated, in terms of the Competition Act, to investigate and prosecute allegations of cartel conduct, including price fixing. The authorities currently do not have in their possession information or evidence giving rise to a reasonable suspicion that the retail prices of motor vehicles in South Africa are as a result of price fixing or collusive conduct of car manufacturers or any other participants in the market for finished motor vehicles. Should the Competition Commission receive any such material, information or evidence, it may commence an investigation in terms of section 49B(2) of the Competition Act. The Competition Commission is currently investigating collusive conduct in relation to car parts. The prices of car parts contribute to the ultimate price of the finished product.

-END-

Reply:

(1) (a) The project in uMncube zone in Umthambeka Section Ward 11, Tembisa, Gauteng entails the construction of 118 houses.

(b) The identified beneficiaries of the project are the residents of Umncube Section in Tembisa.

(c) The Provincial Department of Human Settlements appointed the contractor in November 2013, however construction could not commence due to a delay occasioned by the contractor not furnishing the required performance guarantee and agreement on the subsidy quantum of R63 366.00, which the contractor requested to be increased. The subsidy increase was only approved in the 2015/16 financial year. The contract for construction was signed in August 2015 with a date of completion being the 28th February 2016. The site was handed over the 13th August 2015 to the contractor.

(d) The Honourable member would be aware of Parliament’s convention which prohibits any public representatives, be it Members of the Executive or Honourable Members, from publishing names of people/contractors or companies when asking or responding to parliamentary questions. Accordingly, I will not able to provide names of people on the housing list as requested. But, I can confirm that the project manager is an employee of the Gauteng Provincial Department of Human Settlements.

(2) (a) The Honourable member would be aware of Parliament’s convention which prohibits any public representatives, be it Members of the Executive or Honourable Members, from publishing names of people/contractors or companies when asking or responding to parliamentary questions. Accordingly, I will not able to provide the names of people/contractors or companies as requested.

(b) A total of 24 employees were employed from local residents.

 

(c) The names of the beneficiaries will be made available subject to the relevant rules of privacy and confidentiality being adhered as is required in such disclosure, which requires approval from the households concerned and reasons for such request.

(3) (a) (i) The appointed contractor was deemed not to, by the Provincial Department in terms of its evaluation, have the functional and financial capacity to complete the project. The contractor committed to a construction programme which was not adhered to. In January 2016, progress on site was 19 Foundations and 9 wall-plates. The contract expired on the 28th February 2016. The contract was not extended to continue into the new financial year.

(ii) The Contractor was paid on the 07th March 2016 for 19 foundations and 4 wall-plates. The Province still has an outstanding claim, which is in the process of being evaluated for payment for 5 wall-plates.

(b) The balance of the project will be funded for completion in the 2016/17 financial year.

(c) The projected completion date for the project 31 March 2017.

Reply:

(1) (a) Transnet has formed a working group represented by Transnet National Ports Authority (“TNPA”), Transnet Port Terminals (“TPT”) and Transnet Freight Rail (“TFR”) in ensuring that any challenges that may ensue are addressed by all affected operating divisions to ensure an efficient, effective and consistent safe operation. The import programme is coordinated by Grain South Africa’s Logistics and Planning Committee (SACOTA) and comprises of representatives from all the ports, railways, traders, silo owners and millers.

(b) The total number will be driven by the commercial agreements between the shippping lines and the cargo owners. In terms of berth availability, vessels will be allocated berths according to vessels length, parcel size, draft, method of handling and safety considerations.

(c) The ports that have the capacity to handle grain are listed as follows :

• Port of Durban,
• Port of Cape Town,
• Port of East London, and
• Port of Port Elizabeth

(d) (i) Ships

PORTS	AVAILABLE BERTHS
East London	2 Berths (T & S berth)
Port Elizabeth	4 Berths (Berth 8,9,10,11)
Cape Town	3 Berths (Multi-Purpose Terminal)
	3 Berths (Fruit Purpose Terminal
Durban	3 Berths (Island View, Maydon Wharf, Maydon Wharf)

(ii) Grain

PORTS	CAPACITY (tons)
East London	1,344,000
Port Elizabeth	1,344,000
Cape Town	2,016,000
Durban (Agriport, SABT)	2,016,000
	3,360,000
	2,016,000

 

Reply:

(1) According to the latest the 2011 census 2011 conducted by Statistics South Africa, 4.9 million Black people owned fully paid homes as compared to just over 500,000 Whites, 415, 940 Coloured, 119,457 Indians/Asians. During the time when the census was undertaken, South African population consisted of 79% Africans, 8.9% Whites, 8.9% Coloured and 2.5% Asians and 0.5% other. These findings serve to prove that the majority population (Africans) in the country were the highest home owners, followed by Whites, Coloured then Indians/Asians. Therefore the pace of transformation already commensurate with demographic representation of the South Africa's diverse population.

According to the General Household Survey of 2014 of Statistics South Africa, the Population Group of Households Heads at that time was 53,686,358. Of this, Black/African household constituted 80%, followed by 8.9% of Coloureds, 8.5% Whites, and 2.5% Indians/Asians. In terms of the private property ownership, South Africans owned 35,929,172 properties. These properties constituted those owned but not yet paid off to the banks/ financial institutions, owned but not yet paid off to the private lender, and owned and fully paid off. From these properties, Blacks/ Africans owned 85% followed by Coloureds with 7.3%, Whites with 5.6% and Indians/ Asians with 2.1%. These are indications that property ownership in overall is taking place at a rate that is proportionate to the demographics of the population.

However, when considering different market values of properties, Blacks/ Africans, owned 92% of properties with the value up to R500, 000 and 66.2% of properties with the value above R500, 000. Coloureds owned 6.2% of properties with the value up to R500, 000 and 12% of properties with the value above R500, 000. Whites owned 1.1% of properties with the value up to R500, 000 and 17.3% of properties with the value above R500, 000. Indians/ Asians owned 0.7% of properties with the value up to R500, 000 and 4.6% of properties with the value above R500, 000.

Moreover, government's effort contributed immensely in ensuring that the poor South Africans are also registered in the property register of the country. According to the General Household Survey of 2014 of Statistics South Africa, state subsidised dwelling constituted 9,265,544 properties of which 8,357,475 belonged to Blacks/Africans, followed by 863,529 owned by Coloureds, 30,865 owed by Whites, and 13,675 properties owned by Indians/ Asians.

(2) The above information does indicate that the effort of government ranging from the normalisation of the lending environment together with increasing access to housing finance, the transfer of government old stock to the needy South Africans and the provision of the fully subsidised housing units to the poorest of South Africans, immensely improved access to housing assets. In an attempt to strengthen housing finance for the gap market, Finance Linked Individual Subsidy has been adjusted to accommodate the newly introduced Government Employee Housing Scheme, which gives an opportunity for public servants who have enrolled for housing needs to make application for subsidies, and expand the application of the programme beyond mortgage finance.

The Business Day Article dated 24 April 2016 titled “The truth about blacks and home ownership” addresses the question that the Honourable member is asking. Written independently of government, the article argues that providing housing and land ownership to black South Africans within the new democracy has been a huge success story. Indeed, we are on the right track and we will continue to make the lives of previously disadvantaged better. I am proud of the 4.3 million houses and opportunities delivered since 1994, benefiting over 20 million households.

Reply:

(1) The National Department of Human Settlements has over a period of three (3) years ending 2014/15 spent approximately 96% of the grant allocation of R50,288 billion with 79% spent in 2015/16 financial year and as at 29 February 2016 (unaudited figure), the latter has to date yielded 114 536 housing opportunities.

The information requested by the Honourable member is contained in the table below:

Financial Periods	2012/13	2013/14	2014/15	2015/16
Serviced Sites	45 698	48 193	49 345	36 956
Units	115 079	105 936	94 566	77 580
Total	160 777	154 129	143 911	114 536
Total Available funds	15 886 226	17 028 326	17 374 021	18 581 067
Expenditure	15 142 431	16 500 648	16 972 848	14 703 012
% Exp.	95.32%	96.90%	97.69%	79.13% As at 29 February 2016 (unaudited figure)

The National Department of Human Settlements has over a period of three (3) years ending 2014/15 spent approximately 96% of the grant allocation of R50,288 billion with 79% spent in 2015/16 financial year and as at 28 February 2016, the latter has to date yielded 114 536 housing opportunities.

(2) It is important to note that the National Department of Human Settlements transfers the Human Settlements Development Grant (HSDG) to provinces who in turn use the grant to develop sites and houses. The National Department uses Division of Revenue Act (DORA) provisions to redirect funding from underperforming to performing provinces. In addition, the department assist underperforming provinces by putting remedial actions on challenges that hamper or affect the meeting of goals and objectives of provinces. Therefore, the national Department does not have authority in terms of the Public Service Act, 1994 to discipline official in another sphere of government.

In terms of the National Department meeting its targets and objectives, the Department uses the performance appraisal system as a tool to monitor the performance of officials.

(3) Honourable member, it not possible to indicate what the details of any policy revisions and/or proposals for amendments will be at this stage. My Department is currently in the consultation phase of the development of the new Human Settlements White Paper process. In this process, we are revisiting all the core fundamental principles of the current policy including the sustainability of the Housing Subsidy Scheme in its current form. Once approved by MINMEC, the draft document will be submitted to Cabinet for approval to publish the Paper for broader public comments.

Reply:

DAFF

(a) The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has effected payments to the following suppliers according to available BAS reports:

Supplier	Service description	Payment date	Amount
Vusizwe Media PTY LYD	Advert of Minister’s response to questions published in Thinker Magazine	29/06/2011	R 69 365.80
TNA MEDIA PTY LTD	Coverage of the Minister’s Budget Vote Speech	11/06/2012	R309 277.44
TNA MEDIA PTY LTD	Attendance of business briefing by 5 Delegates	22/10/2012	R    3 961.50
TNA MEDIA PTY LTD	Hosting of The New Age SABC2 Business Briefing where the Minister and Deputy Minister were the keynote speakers:250 delegates	20/12/2012	R 178 267.50
TNA MEDIA PTY LTD	Awareness campaign for World Food Day	20/12/2012	R647 054.88
TNA MEDIA PTY LTD	Awareness campaign for World Food Day	20/12/2012	R647 054.88
TNA MEDIA PTY LTD	Awareness campaign for World Food Day	20/12/2012	R647 054.88
Vusizwe Media	Advert in The Thinker Magazine	14/11/2013	R39 888.60
TNA MEDIA PTY LTD	Minister’s Media Briefing on Morning Live (SABC 2) ON Female Farmer Entrepreneur Awards and Abor Week via the New Age	31/10/2013	R 842 886.36
TNA MEDIA PTY LTD	Booking for Business Briefing	11/02/2015	R 9 950.00
TNA MEDIA PTY LTD	Booking for Business Briefing	15/02/2016	R 26 315.79

OBP

1. No senior official of Onderstepoort Biological Products has met with the Atul, Ajay or Rajesh Gupta and Duduzane Zuma between 2009 and 2015
2. Onderstepoort Biological Product has never awarded any contracts to Sahara Holdings, Comair, Oakbay Investments, Islandsite Investments, Afripalm Horizons Stakes, The New Age Media, JIC Mining Services and Vusizwe Media in the specified period

PPECB

1. No senior official of the PPECB ever met with Atul, Ajay or Rajesh Gupta and Duduzane Zuma between 2009 and 2015
2. PPECB has not awarded any contracts to to Sahara Holdings, Comair, Oakbay Investments, Islandsite Investments, Afripalm Horizons Stakes, The New Age Media, JIC Mining Services and Vusizwe Media in the specified period

ARC

1. No senior official of the ARC ever met with Atul, Ajay or Rajesh Gupta and Duduzane Zuma between 2009 and 2015
2. The ARC has never awarded any contracts to Sahara Holdings, Comair, Oakbay Investments, Islandsite Investments, Afripalm Horizons Stakes, The New Age Media, JIC Mining Services and Vusizwe Media in the specified period

NCERA

1. No one at Ncera Farms met with the said persons
2. Ncera Farms did not award any contracts to Sahara Holdings, Comair, Oakbay Investments, Islandsite Investments, Afripalm Horizons Stakes, The New Age Media, JIC Mining Services and Vusizwe Media

NAMC

1. No senior official of the NAMC ever met with Atul, Ajay or Rajesh Gupta and Duduzane Zuma between 2009 and 2015
2. The NAMC has never awarded any contracts to Sahara Holdings, Comair, Oakbay Investments, Islandsite Investments, Afripalm Horizons Stakes, The New Age Media, JIC Mining Services and Vusizwe Media in the specified period

MLRF

1. No senior official of the MLRF ever met with Atul, Ajay or Rajesh Gupta and Duduzane Zuma between 2009 and 2015
2. The MLRF has never awarded any contracts to Sahara Holdings, Comair, Oakbay Investments, Islandsite Investments, Afripalm Horizons Stakes, The New Age Media, JIC Mining Services and Vusizwe Media in the specified period

Reply:

Response

1. and (2) The GGB is an independent entity which does not account to the dti as the national department. Therefore it is recommended that the Honourable Member source information directly from the Gauteng Gambling Board.