Questions and Replies
11 August 2015 - NW2566
America, Mr D to ask the Minister of Energy
With reference to her reply to question 1612 on 26 May 2015, what were the reasons for not referring the draft Integrated Resource Plan 2013 to Cabinet?
Reply:
The policy adjustment process is not yet completed.
11 August 2015 - NW2705
Marais, Mr EJ to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises
Whether (a) she, (b) her Deputy Minister and (c) any officials in her department travelled to China in the 2014-15 financial year; if so, what was the (i) purpose of each specified visit and (ii)(aa) total cost and (bb) breakdown of such costs of each specified visit?
Reply:
(a) No
(a)(i) None
(a)(ii)(aa) R0
(a)(ii)(bb) R0
(b) Yes. Deputy Minister Mr Bulelani Gratitude Magwanishe, Deputy Director-General: Manufacturing Enterprises, Mr Kgathatso Tlhakudi and Ms Vuyo Tlali, Chief Director: Manufacturing Enterprises travelled to China on 29 October – 01 November 2014
(b)(i) The delegation attended, and the Deputy Minister delivered an address at the 2014 World Investment Summit in Beijing (generally referred to as COFAIR). COFAIR 2014 was devoted to decrease or eliminate the information asymmetry between investors and investment attraction units, and create opportunities on initiatives for developers and investors in order to promote the worldwide optimal configuration on capital, project and resource. Such a platform is critical for the Department of Public Enterprises as it allows the department an opportunity to introduce new investors to the South African SOCs, and their capabilities.
(b)(ii)(aa) Total cost for the visit is R172, 102.07.
(b)(ii)(bb)
Official |
Item |
Cost |
Totals |
Deputy Minister Mr Magwanishe |
Flight (Business) |
R39, 525.00 |
R63, 092.14 |
Accommodation |
R12, 143.10 |
||
S&T |
R11, 424.04 |
||
DDG: Manufacturing Enterprises Mr Tlhakudi |
Flight (Business) |
R39, 525.00 |
R54, 611.81 |
Accommodation |
R12, 143.10 |
||
S&T |
R5943.71 |
||
Personal Assistant to the Minister, Ms Makhanya |
Flight (Economy) |
R23, 355.00 |
R41, 441.81 |
Accommodation |
R12, 143. 10 |
||
S&T |
R5943.71 |
||
All delegation |
Car rental for the delegation |
R12, 194.72 |
R12, 194.72 |
Total costs |
R172, 102.07 |
(c) Yes. Ms Matsietsi Mokholo, Acting Director-General, Ms Jacky Molisane, Deputy Director-General: Strategic Partnerships and Mr Mzwandile Radebe, Chief Director: Intergovernmental and Stakeholder Relations travelled to China from 14 to 19 November 2014.
(c)(i) The purpose of the working visit was the formalization of the establishment of the SASAC/DPE Steering Committee and agree on the Plan of Action for the MOU signed on 03 December 2013. The team also went on the site visit to learn on the management of mega projects.
(c)(ii)(aa) The total cost for the visit is R159 020.21
(c)(ii)(bb)
Official |
Item |
Cost |
Totals |
DG Ms Mokholo – R37, 960.39 |
Flight (Business) |
R35, 960.39 |
R56, 756.14 |
Accommodation |
R14, 627.44 |
||
S&T |
R6168.31 |
||
DDG: Strategic Partnerships Ms Molisane |
Flight (Business) |
R37, 960.39 |
R59, 245.25 |
Accommodation |
R14, 627.44 |
||
S&T |
R6657.42 |
||
Chief Director: Inter-Governmental and Stakeholder Relations Mr Radebe |
Flight (Economy) |
R10, 992.39 |
R29, 844.53 |
Accommodation |
R14, 627.44 |
||
S&T |
R6657.42 |
||
All delegation |
Car rental for the delegation |
R13, 174.29 |
R13, 174.29 |
Total costs |
R159, 020.21 |
11 August 2015 - NW813
Lekota, Mr M to ask the President of the Republic
(1) Whether he has given clear directions to the National Executive that the National Development Plan (NDP) was to be implemented in its entirety and that particular attention was to be given to correcting and remedying the weaknesses that were identified in the NDP as impacting negatively on growth and on job creation; if not, why not; if so, what are the (a) outcomes and (b) relevant details thereof; (2) Whether he was willing to charge the Deputy President, who played an integral role in the production of the NDP, to drive its implementation across all areas of the Government; if not, why not; if so, what are the (a) outcomes and (b) relevant details thereof?
Reply:
I have together with the Executive agreed about how the National Development Plan (NDP) will be implemented as a result Vision 2030 that has been translated into the Medium Term Strategic Framework (MTSF) 2014-2019 as the first 5-year implementation plan. This has informed the development of 5-year Strategic Plans and Annual Performance Plans of all government departments, as well as the allocation of resources from the National Fiscus.
Government departments have produced quarterly progress on the implementation of the MTSF 2014-2019 for Q1, Q2 and Q3 of 2014/15, which have been tabled before and considered by the Executive. The Deputy President as part of the Executive is involved in the implementation and monitoring of the NDP Vision 2030 and the MTSF 2014-2019.
11 August 2015 - NW2615
Davis, Mr GR to ask the President of the Republic
Has he granted a certain person (name and details furnished) a presidential pardon in terms of section 84(2)(j) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996; if so, (a) on what date was the presidential pardon granted and (b) what facts were considered in arriving at the decision to pardon the specified person?
Reply:
No pardon has been granted to the individual in question.
11 August 2015 - NW2342
Lovemore, Ms AT to ask the Minister of Basic Education
With reference to her reply to question 1192 on 18 May 2015, (a) why could she not provide the details required in paragraphs (1) and (2) of the question, given that her department provides the majority of the funding for the National Education Collaboration Trust and (b) what are the relevant details as requested?
Reply:
The responses below are for previously asked question 1192 from 1 – 2 and were sourced from the National Education Collaboration Framework (NECT).
- (a)
The NECT is a Trust founded on the basis of the Trust Law. It is a public benefit organisation with the primary objective to improve the quality of schooling and systems for monitoring and supporting schools. The NECT is guided by the Education Collaboration Framework (ECF) which is a blueprint for partnership between government and other social partners which aims to:
- influence and support the implementation of government’s education reform;
- increase the effectiveness, value for money and sustainability of private sector social investment in education; and
- improve educational outcomes.
The names of the trustees are provided below in line with the stakeholder categories:
Business (Business Leadership South Africa): Sizwe Nxasana (Chairman), Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of FirstRand Limited; Mark Lamberti, CEO of Imperial Holding; and Futhi Mtoba, TeachSA
Government: Minister AM Motshekga, MP and Acting Director-General, Mr SG Padayachee
Unions: Nkosana Dolopi, South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU) Deputy Secretary-General and Basil Manuel, NAPTOSA President
Civil Society: Prof Brian Figaji
Chief Executive Officer: Godwin Khosa
The following managers are officials comprising the NECT:
The CEO, two (2) Education Specialists, the Chief Finance Officer (CFO), the Office Manager, two secondees, four trainees and three administrators.
(1)(b)
The NECT is governed by the Trust Deed and its various committee charters. The NECT has procurement policies as well as staff manuals that govern the conduct and the operations of the NECT.
EXCO Members: Sizwe Nxasana (chairperson), Mark Lamberti, Futhi Mtoba, Nkosana Dolopi, Minister AM Motshekga, MP; Acting Director-General, Mr SG Padayachee
Audit and Risk Committee: Sizwe Nxasana, Mark Lamberti, Futhi Mtoba (Chairperson), Nkosana Dolopi, Minister AM Motshekga, MP
- (c) (i) (ii)
See attached Excel spreadsheet Annexure A on meetings held.
2(a) (i) (ii) (iii)
The terms of reference of the NECT are set out in the Education Collaboration Framework (ECF) which draws from Chapter 9 of the National Development Plan (NDP) and the Education Action Plan 2014: Towards the Realisation of Schooling 2019. The ECF was drafted out of consultations involving over 100 role-players in education from a cross-section of education stakeholders. It was launched by the then Deputy President, Mr Motlanthe, at the Presidential Guesthouse on 16 July 2013. The plans and targets for 2015/16, 2016/17 and 2017/18 are set out in the Interim Integrated Report published in December 2014, that can be downloaded from www.nect.org.za.
11 August 2015 - NW2535
Lekota, Mr M to ask the Minister of Energy
Whether her department, in pursuing a nuclear energy build programme, had (a) carefully factored in the Government’s policy position as captured in the Integrated Resource Plan and the National Development Plan (NDP), particularly the caution of the NDP for Government to evaluate the potentially prohibitive capital costs of nuclear energy as this required a level of investment unprecedented in the country, (b) worked out plans A, B and C to comfortably meet cost overruns of 50%, 75% and 100% in an increasingly costlier capital market following a possible down grading by rating agencies and (c) requested the Portfolio Committee on Energy to conduct public hearings with a view to reporting to Parliament the inputs received from experts and the public and the recommendations that the Portfolio Committee on Energy was therefore making to Parliament; if not, why not in each case; if so, what are the relevant details in each case?
Reply:
(a) The Department of Energy has carefully factored in the relevant government policies in preparation for rollout of the nuclear new build including the requirements of the National Development Plan(NDP) and Integrated Resource Plan 2010-2030 (IRP 2010-2030).
(b) The IRP2010-2030 provides a schedule to start commission the nuclear power plants from 2023 to 2030. The Department of Energy has identified a government State Owned Entity as an Implementing Agent for the nuclear new build programme. The Implementing Agent will work out specific detailed implementation plans to rollout the programme.
(c) South Africa has signed the Intergovernmental Agreements (IGAs) with Nuclear Vendor countries (USA, South Korea, China, France and Russia). The Department of Energy has tabled these IGAs to Parliament for deliberations and ratification. The Department awaits feedback from the Portfolio Energy Committee on this matter.
11 August 2015 - NW2739
Kalyan, Ms SV to ask the Minister of Basic Education
1) (a) When was the Cool Air Secondary School in KwaZulu-Natal built, (b) how many students are currently attending the school, (c) how many teachers are employed at the school and (d) how many teaching days were lost in the 2014 academic year due to teacher sick leave: (2) (a) what amount was spent on infrastructure maintenance in 2014. (b)(i) what budget has been allocated for infrastructure maintenance in the in the academic year and (ii) what hill this be spent on and (c) are any major upgrades planned for the school in the next three years? (2) (a) what amount was spent on infrastructure maintenance in 2014. (b)(i) what budget has been allocated for infrastructure maintenance in the in the academic year and (ii) what hill this be spent on and (c) are any major upgrades planned for the school in the next three years?
Reply:
The response below was received from the KwaZulu-Natal Education Department,
1. (a) The school was handed over to the community in September 1983.
(b) The current enrolment at the school is 1050.
(c) A total o£ 34 educators are employed at the school.
(d) This information is not readily available to the Department of Basic Education. The information has been requested from the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education. Once the in Formation has been received, it will be Forwarded accordingly.
2. (a) The school spent is R92 124.01 on infrastructure maintenance in 2014.
(b) (i) An amount of R62 729.16 has been allocated for maintenance from the Norms and Standards allocation to the school.
(ii) The allocation will be utilized to conduct day to day maintenance of the school.
(c) The school is prioritized for maintenance related works. which includes electrification and roofing works (including gutters. downpipes and ceiling boards) in the current financial year.
07 August 2015 - NW2357
James, Dr WG to ask the Minister of Health
(1)Whether his department has any plans to upgrade the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Gauteng through a private-public partnership; if not, why not; if so, what (a) are the (i) relevant details and (ii) applicable timelines and (b) is the estimated cost of such an upgrade; (2) whether any previous attempts have been made to upgrade the hospital through a private-public partnership; if so, (a) when, (b) who were the parties involved and (c) what amount was spent in respect of each attempt?
Reply:
- Yes there is a plan to upgrade the Hospital as part of our hospital revitalisation programme – but not necessarily through a private-public-partnership (PPP).
- No. The Hospital has had its casualty upgraded before the FIFA 2010 World Cup but not through a PPP. It was done by the Department of Public Works in Gauteng.
END.
07 August 2015 - NW2634
Alberts, Mr ADW to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
Whether, in light of South Africa’s international and domestic legal obligations, a court order for the arrest of president Omar al-Bashir of the Sudan for genocide was at any stage issued in terms of the legislation which grants the International Criminal Court jurisdiction in South Africa; if not, why not: if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The Minister wishes to inform the Honorable member that at the time the original genocide warrant was issued by the International Criminal Court in July 2010 against President Al Bashir, the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development received confirmation from the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) that the second warrant relating to genocide charge and accompanying statements had been dispatched but that it had not been received at the Department for processing.
Following the receipt of this Parliamentary question, the Department has since forwarded a request to DIRCO urging them to obtain confirmation from South Africa’s Mission in The Hague of the specific date upon which the original genocide warrant was transmitted to DIRCO for onward transmission to DOJCD. The Department therefore awaits a response in this regard from our Mission in The Hague.
As there had been difficulty locating the whereabouts of the original genocide warrant, the Magistrate’s Court for the District of Pretoria has not as yet been seized with the task of endorsing and ultimately issuing the second warrant against President Al Bashir for crimes of genocide for which he has been indicted by the International Criminal Court on 12 July 2010.
07 August 2015 - NW2703
Lorimer, Mr JR to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources
Whether (a) he, (b) his Deputy Minister and (c) any officials in his department travelled to China in the 2014-15 financial year; if so, what was the (i) purpose of each specified visit and (ii)(aa) total cost and (bb) breakdown of such costs of each specified visit?
Reply:
(a) Minister Ngoako Ramatlhodi and (c) the officials of the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) travelled to China in the 2014-15 financial year on two occasions, See details below.
A. 2014 China Mining Congress and Expo (Tianjin-Beijing, 21 - 22 October 2014)
(i) The purpose of the visit:
China Mining is a standing item on the international promotional programme of the DMR. Minister Ramatlhodi led the Department’s participation in 2014. The DMR has participated in the past five sessions of China Mining, including the 2014-15 financial year. The assessment is that it will continue doing so, because the Conference offers South Africa an opportunity to engage with the investment community in the mining sector and to promote the country as a top mining investment destination.
The following officials provided support to the Minister: Dr T. Ramontja (DG Mineral Resources); J. Raphela (DDG Mineral Regulation); P. Mabelebele (Media Liaison Officer); and R. Motau (PA to the Minister).
(ii) (aa) total cost and (bb) breakdown of costs of the visit:
Accommodation |
R 89 149.24 |
Air travel |
R 276 307.00 |
TOTAL |
R 365 456.24 |
B. Kimberly Process Certification Scheme
South Africa is a founding member of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) in 2003, aimed at preventing trade of conflict diamonds:
- Plenary Meeting (Guangzhou, 10 - 14 November 2014)
(i) The purpose of the visit: The KP Plenary is the highest decision body of the scheme. Minister Ramatlhodi travelled to China as part of the country’s standing obligation. The following officials provided support to the Minister: Dr T. Ramontja (DG Mineral Resources); R. Muthige (DD Mineral Policy); and T. Sekaya (Assistant PA to the Minister).
(ii) (aa) total cost and (bb) breakdown of costs of the visit:
Accommodation |
R 169 285.91 |
Air travel |
R 159 636.56 |
Ground transportation |
R 40 300.33 |
Total cost |
R 369 222.80 |
- Intersessional Meeting (Shanghai, 9 - 12 June 2014)
(i) The purpose of the visit: The Intersessional Meeting is implementing structure of decisions taken at the highest decision body of the scheme, KP Plenary. The DMR participated in this Meeting as part of the country’s standing obligation. One DMR official attended the KP Intersessional Meeting: R. Muthige (DD Mineral Policy).
(ii) (aa) total cost and (bb) breakdown of costs of the visit:
Accommodation |
R 36 200.00 |
Air travel |
R 27 000.00 |
Total cost |
R 63 200.00 |
(b) Deputy Minister Godfrey Oliphant did not travel to China in the 2014-15 financial year.
Approved/not approved
Adv N.A Ramatlhodi
Minister of Mineral Resources
Date Submitted:-……………/………………/2015
06 August 2015 - NW2557
Mazzone, Ms NW to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises
(1)With reference to her reply to question 1201 on 26 May 2015, what are the reasons for classifying the requested information as commercially sensitive;
Reply:
The disclosure of the information requested could compromise the confidentiality of the contracts that Eskom signed with third parties as some parts thereof are commercially sensitive.
06 August 2015 - NW2423
Kalyan, Ms SV to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
What amount did (a) her department and (b) each entity reporting to it spend on advertising in (i) The Sowetan and (ii) The Daily Sun in the (aa) 2012-13, (bb) 2013-14 and (cc) 2014-15 financial years?
Reply:
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation did not spend any funds on advertising in the Sowetan and the Daily Sun newspapers during the 2012/2013, 2013/2014 and 2014/2015 financial years.
06 August 2015 - NW2111
James, Ms LV to ask the Minister of Health
Whether his department will provide the results of the surveys on patient satisfaction conducted in health facilities in 2014; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
- The Provincial Departments of Health have conducted patient satisfaction surveys in health facilities during 2014/15.2.
- Nationally 42% of public health facilities conducted patient satisfaction surveys during 2014/15 financial year;
- In total 1 810 334 patients participated in surveys at these facilities, and from these 1 377 851 patients were satisfied with services rendered at public health facilities.
- In addition STATSA conducts patients satisfaction surveys as part of the Annual Household surveys.
END.
06 August 2015 - NW2559
Gqada, Ms T to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises
(1)With reference to her reply to question 1200 on 12 May 2015, what are the reasons for classifying the requested information as commercially sensitive;
Reply:
The disclosure of the information requested could compromise the confidentiality of the contracts that Eskom signed with third parties as some parts thereof are commercially sensitive.
06 August 2015 - NW2370
Baker, Ms TE to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
(1)With reference to Rand Water’s appointment as water service provider to the Bushbuckridge Local Municipality in the 201314 financial year, how many (a) villages had water at the time of the takeover and (b) more villages have received water since the appointment of Rand Water; (2) what is the status of phase one of the reticulation project; (3) what are the reasons for the escalation in the cost of implementation of phase one from R121 million to R278 million as per council reports; (4) what has been the progress of the reticulation project from the 2013-14 to 2014 15 financial years?
Reply:
(1)(a) According to Census 2011, 11,9% of the population in Bushbuckridge had access to piped water in their dwellings, the remaining was supplied with water at Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) standard (i.e Boreholes/communal taps) and Water Carts.
(1)(b) A total of 24 villages have received water since the appointment of Rand Water.
(2) All projects which were implemented under Phase 1 to reticulate 24 villages in Bushbuckridge were completed.
(3) Initially, the scope of the work was under estimated, upon assessment and finalization of technical designs of the projects, it was discovered that bulk of the work was not included in the initial scope of the work, therefore additional budget was required to complete the projects.
(4) The intervention was initiated in the 2013/14 financial year, 24 villages were completed in the 2014/15 financial year and a further
15 villages are currently being reticulated.
---00O00---
06 August 2015 - NW1594
Mpontshane, Mr AM to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
(1)(a) How many criminal dockets were opened with the SA Police Service for (i) failing to comply with water use authorizations or (ii) using water without authorization as required by the National Water Act, Act 36 of 1998, and (b) what is the breakdown of the figures for each (i) region and (ii) sector; (2) (a) how many criminal dockets were handed over to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in the (i) 2013-14 and (ii) 2014-15 financial years for offences in terms of the National Water Act, Act 36 of 1998, and (b) what is the breakdown of the figures for each (i) region and (ii) sector; (3) (a) how many criminal dockets for transgressions of the National Water Act, Act 36 of 1998, did the NPA decline to prosecute in the specified periods and (b) what is the breakdown of the figures for each (i) region and (ii) sector; (4) how many convictions were secured in each of the specified periods for transgressions of the National Water Act, Act 36 of 1998, and (b) what is the breakdown of the figures for each (i) region and (ii) sector; (5) What was the (a) highest monetary fine and (b) longest sentence of direct imprisonment obtained for convictions for offences of transgressions of the National Water Act, Act 36 of 1998, in each specified period?
Reply:
(1)(a) My Department has opened a total of Sixty Seven (67) cases with the South African Police Service (SAPS) for contravening the National Water Act (Act no 36 of 1998) (NWA). (i), one (1) case was opened for not complying with water use authorizations and (ii) Fifty Eight (58) were cases opened for engaging in water uses without authorisation.
(1)(b) Below is the region and sector breakdown of criminal cases opened:
Criminal Cases Opened with SAPS |
||||||
|
|
|||||
Mining |
Agriculture |
Industries |
Water Services Authorities |
Tourism |
Total |
|
Eastern Cape |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Free State |
- |
1 |
- |
7 |
- |
8 |
Gauteng |
2 |
6 |
- |
- |
- |
8 |
KwaZulu-Natal |
10 |
- |
1 |
- |
- |
11 |
Limpopo |
- |
1 |
- |
- |
- |
1 |
Mpumalanga |
9 |
14 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
28 |
North West |
1 |
2 |
- |
1 |
- |
4 |
Northern Cape |
4 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
4 |
Western Cape |
- |
- |
2 |
1 |
- |
3 |
Total |
26 |
24 |
6 |
10 |
1 |
67 |
(2) The relevant Department to answer the question is the South African Police Service (SAPS).
(3) The relevant Department to answer the question is the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).
(4) The relevant Department to answer the question is the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).
(5)(a) The highest monetary fine was One Million Rand (R1 000 000.00) in 2013/2014.
(5)(b) No imprisonment was obtained for convictions for the offences of transgressions of the NWA.
---00O00---
06 August 2015 - NW2560
Gqada, Ms T to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises
(1)With reference to her reply to question 1501 on 12 May 2015, what are the reasons for classifying the requested information as commercially sensitive;
Reply:
The disclosure of the information requested could compromise the confidentiality of the contracts that Eskom signed with third parties as some parts thereof are commercially sensitive.
06 August 2015 - NW1838
Basson, Mr LJ to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
(1)Whether any contracts were awarded without complying with Treasury Regulation 16A8.4 in the (a) 2013-14 and (b) 2014-15 financial years; if so, (i) how many contracts were awarded, (ii) what are the details of each contract, (iii) to which project was each such contract linked and (iv) what was the value of each contract; (2) whether any officials were (a) implicated, (b) charged and/or (c) dismissed for their involvement, in each case; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) whether her department has put any measures in place to stop the contravention of the specified Treasury Regulation; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
(1)(a) Yes, there were contracts which were awarded without complying with Treasury Regulation 16A8.4 in 2013/2014.
(1)(b) None in 2014/2015.
(1)(b)(i) Four (4) Contracts were awarded.
(1)(b)(ii) Details of each contract awarded listed below:
Name of supplier |
Description of Award |
Mihle and Ayola General Trading CC |
Supply of Material |
TD New Look Construction |
Supply of Material |
Oratile Kgadi Trading CC |
Supply of Material |
Meondo Trading 392 CC |
Repair and Services |
(1)(b)(iii) These goods and services were not linked to specific projects but they were normal day to day operational activities.
(1)(b)(iv) The value of each award is indicated below on the amount column:
Name of supplier |
Description of Award |
Amount |
Mihle and Ayola General Trading CC |
Supply of Material |
R18 724,50 |
TD New Look Construction |
Supply of Material |
R 8 669,00 |
Oratile Kgadi Trading CC |
Supply of Material |
R15 340,00 |
Meondo Trading 392 CC |
Repair and Services |
R 6 508,00 |
(2)(a) Yes, they were 3 employees who were implicated.
(2)(b) Letters were issued to the employees concerned. Employee Relations is in the process of drawing up the charges, this process will proceed in terms of the Labour Relations Act.
(2)(c) Measures have been put in place to stop the contravention of Treasury Regulations 16A8.4 where employees are disciplined for the transgression and an internal circular was circulated to all employees.
(3) Yes, measures have been put in place by means of an internal circular to all employees to stop the contravention of the specified Treasury Regulation.
---00O00---
06 August 2015 - NW620
James, Dr WG to ask the Minister of Health
For each forensic chemistry laboratory in the country, (a) what amount of (i) postmortem and (ii) premortem drunk driving blood alcohol samples were unprocessed as at 28 February 2015 and (b) how many (i) new samples have been received in 2015 and (ii) of these new samples have been processed to date?
Reply:
(a) (i) Post Mortem unprocessed drunk driving blood alcohol samples:
28 February 2015: 6 980
31 July 2015; 3 964
(ii) Pre Mortem unprocessed drunk driving blood alcohol samples:
28 February 2015: 54 129
31 July 2015; 39 433
(b) (i) New samples that have been received from January 2015 to 31st July 2015: 41 925
(ii) New samples that have been processed from January 2015 to 31st July 2015: 63 431
This means that new samples received by the 31 July 2015 since the beginning of the year are 41 925, but in that period 63 431 samples were processed.
This is because we have divided all samples into two categories. One category is for new samples which must be done immediately to avoid backlogs. The second category is for historically backlog samples. These are done bit-by-bit as soon as the current samples are done. Hence the 20 000 extra samples are from this backlog category.
END.
06 August 2015 - NW239
Volmink, Mr HC to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
With reference to the reply of the Minister of Communications to question 1031 on 27 November 2014. The question was to determine total amount that (a) her department and (b) each of its entities (i) spent on or (ii) budgeted for advertising for each month between 1 January 2013 and 31 July 2014, excluding expenditure transferred though the Department of Communications for advertising.
Reply:
Between, 1 January 2013 and 31 July 2014, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation has spent funds on advertising as appended hereunder:
- Departmental Campaign promotion/advertising : R 980 179.16
ADVERTISING: 1 JANUARY 2013 TO 31 JULY 2014 |
|||
Placement Date: |
Media: |
Medium |
Amount: |
14 February 2013 |
SA PRESS ASSOCIATION |
|
60 000.00 |
19 February 2013 |
THOBELA FM |
Radio |
114 000.00 |
22 April 2013 |
HIGHBURY SAFIKA MEDIA |
|
16 092.00 |
11 June 2013 |
SABC |
Radio |
142 614.00 |
26 June 2013 |
HIGHBURY SAFIKA MEDIA |
|
54 628.80 |
27 June 2013 |
PICASSO HEADLINE |
|
23 940.00 |
28 June 2013 |
ALL MEDIA AFRICA INTERNATIONAL |
|
47 000.00 |
28 June 2013 |
HIGHBURY SAFIKA MEDIA |
|
54 628.80 |
10 October 2013 |
KAYA FM D8301 |
Radio |
200 000.00 |
10 October 2013 |
ALIVE ADVERTSING D7360 |
Outdoor |
143 838.36 |
23 October 2013 |
BENHLE MEDIA BN033/ BETHEL HOUSE MEDIA |
|
15 100.00 |
04 February 2014 |
HIGHBURY SAFIKA L9478 |
|
27 314.40 |
11 March 2014 |
KASHAN ADVERTISING R0154 |
|
81 022.80 |
Total |
R 980 179.16 |
- Departmental Recruitment Advertising : R11 330 928.45
RECRUITMENT ADVERTISING: 1 JANUARY 2013 TO 31 JULY 2014 |
|||
Placement Date: |
Media: |
Medium |
Amount |
January 2013 |
Sunday Times, City Press & New Age |
|
477 351.87 |
January 2013 |
Sunday Times & City Press |
|
296 082.95 |
January 2013 |
Sunday Times & City Press |
|
433 341.05 |
February 2013 |
Sunday Times & City Press |
|
472 912.40 |
March 2013 |
Sunday Times & City Press |
|
305 499.98 |
June 2013 |
Sunday Times & City Press |
|
477 351.87 |
June 2013 |
Sunday Times & City Press |
|
359 965.23 |
June 2013 |
Sunday Times & City Press |
|
486 045.71 |
July 2013 |
Sunday Times & City Press |
|
436 345.71 |
August 2013 |
Legal Brief |
|
73 341.05 |
September 2013 |
Sunday Times & City Press |
|
394 299.02 |
September 2013 |
Sunday Times & City Press |
|
472 912.40 |
October 2013 |
Sunday Times & City Press |
|
405 454.98 |
October 2013 |
Sunday Times & City Press |
|
436 345.71 |
October 2013 |
Sunday Times & City Press |
|
396 082.95 |
November 2013 |
Sunday Times & City Press |
|
394 199.36 |
November 2013 |
Sunday Times & City Press |
|
477 351.87 |
November 2013 |
Sunday Times & City Press |
|
396 082.95 |
February 2014 |
Sunday Times & City Press |
|
473 351.87 |
February 2014 |
Sunday Times & City Press |
|
396 082.95 |
February 2014 |
Sunday Times & City Press |
|
433 341.05 |
March 2014 |
Sunday Times & City Press |
|
472 912.40 |
March 2014 |
Sunday Times & City Press |
|
305 499.98 |
March 2014 |
Sunday Times & City Press |
|
473 352.89 |
May 2014 |
Legal Brief |
|
75 155.90 |
June 2014 |
Sunday Times & City Press |
|
352 005.07 |
June 2014 |
Sunday Times & City Press |
|
396 470.75 |
June 2014 |
Sunday Times & City Press |
|
296 370.30 |
July 2014 |
Sunday Times & City Press |
|
465 418.23 |
TOTAL |
R11 330 928.45 |
06 August 2015 - NW2700
Cassim, Mr Y to ask the Minister of Higher Education and Training
Whether (a) he, (b) his Deputy Minister and (c) any officials in his department travelled to China in the 2014-15 financial year; if so, what was the (i) purpose of each specified visit and (ii)(aa) total cost and (bb) breakdown of such costs of each specified visit?
Reply:
(a) Yes, I undertook a trip to China from 09 - 12 September 2014.
(b) No, the Deputy Minister did not travel to China during the 2014/15 financial year.
(c) I was accompanied by my Special Advisor: Mr J Pampallis, Chief Director: International Relations: Mr G Jeppie, Media Liaison Officer: Mr K Nkwanyana, and my Personal Assistant: Ms M Sako.
(i) The purpose of my visit was to participate in the World Economic Forum (WEF), which took place in Tianjin, China, from 09 - 12 September 2014. I was requested by the WEF to chair a working session titled “Skilling STEMS (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths)” on 11 September 2014.
(ii) (aa) The total cost of the visit was R293 416.62.
(bb) The breakdown of costs are as follows:
- Flights: R161 485.00
- Accommodation: R47 354.65
- Ground transport: R34 892.97
- Daily allowance: R49 684.00
Compiler/contact persons:
Ext:
DIRECTOR – GENERAL
STATUS:
DATE:
REPLY TO QUESTION 2700 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED
Dr BE NZIMANDE, MP
MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING
STATUS:
DATE:
06 August 2015 - NW2558
Mazzone, Ms NW to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises
(1)Whether, with reference to her reply to question 1275 on 19 May 2015, it is not in the interest of the public to disclose the requested information; if not, why not;
Reply:
The disclosure of the information requested could compromise the confidentiality of the contracts that Eskom signed with third parties as some parts thereof are commercially sensitive.
05 August 2015 - NW623
Volmink, Mr HC to ask the Minister of Health
(1)What was the intake of (a) interns, (b) community service medical officers and (c) registrars in KwaZulu-Natal in (i) 2009, (ii) 2010, (iii) 2011, (iv) 2012, (v) 2013, (vi) 2014 and (vii) 2015; (2) whether there has been a decrease in the intake in any of these categories in (a) 2014 and (b) 2015; if so, what were the reasons for the decrease in each category; (3) (a) what amount was allocated for compensation of these posts in each category (i) in the 2013-14 and (ii) 2014-15 financial years and (b) how was this money actually spent?
Reply:
- (a) Interns
Year |
Number |
|
350 371 374 361 369 384 271 |
(b) Community Service Medical Officers
Year |
Number |
|
223 229 202 193 198 215 230 |
(c) Registrars
Year |
Number |
|
150 170 209 194 165 39 0 |
2. (a) 2014:
(i) Interns – Yes.
As a result of the Nelson Mandela School of Medicine at the University of KwaZulu Natal (UKZN) reverting to a six-year programme for medical students there were no students in 2014 completing the sixth year and this reduced the number of students that could be placed for internship.
(ii) Community Service Medical Officers – No decrease.
(iii) Registrars – Yes, due to limited available funding.
3. (a) (i) and (ii) No fixed amount was allocated.
(b) (i) 2013-14
Interns: R363,583,000.00
Community Service Medical Officers: R138,136,500.00
Registrars: R471,970,000.00
(ii) 2014-15
Medical Interns: R373,614,200.00
Community Service Medical Officers: R155,466,000.00
Registrars: R430,000,000.00
END.
05 August 2015 - NW1863
Redelinghuys, Mr MH to ask the Minister of Health
(1)What is the average ambulance response time at ODI District Hospital in Mabopane; 2) (a) which area does the specified hospital serve and (b) what is the size of this area in square kilometers; (3) which hospitals serve wards 9, 12, 19, 20, 21, 22 and 24 in Tshwane?
Reply:
- The EMS Priority 1 (P1) response rate under 60 minutes in the Odi District is 78.7%;
The EMS Priority 1 (P1) urban response rate under 15 minutes in the Odi District is 40.4%.
The provincial average response times are indicated below:
Indicator |
Period |
|||||
Sort Order |
Indicator Name |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
Grand Total |
104 |
EMS call transport rate |
89.2 |
97.7 |
92.1 |
90.4 |
92.5 |
105 |
EMS inter-facility transfer rate |
0.0 |
0.0 |
88.5 |
90.4 |
42.9 |
106 |
EMS obstetric client transport rate |
36.5 |
31.1 |
31.9 |
34.9 |
33.4 |
107 |
EMS operational ambulance coverage (annualized) |
|||||
109 |
EMS operational Obstetric Emergency Unit coverage |
|||||
110 |
EMS P1 call response under 60 minutes rate |
46.7 |
100.0 |
50.0 |
100.0 |
78.7 |
111 |
EMS P1 rural responses under 40 minutes rate |
|||||
112 |
EMS P1 urban response under 15 minutes rate |
46.7 |
28.6 |
50.0 |
45.0 |
40.0 |
334 |
EMS P1 Urban Maternity and obstetric call under 15 minutes response rate |
100.0 |
100.0 |
(a) It serves Ga-Rankuwa, Mabopane, Soshanguve and Winterveldt, in Gauteng Province.
(b) Botshabelo, Hebron, Hoekfontein, Kgabalatsane, Klipgat, Koedoespoort,Kromkuil, Madidi, Makau, Makaunyane, Mothutlung, Odinburg, Rabokala – all in North West Province.
2. Odi Hospital, which refers to Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital.
END.
05 August 2015 - NW402
Lekota, Mr M to ask the President of the Republic
Whether at any stage during the lengthy and substantial security upgrade at his residence in Nkandla, he had requested either the Minister of Police or the Minister of Public Works or any government official to (a) meet with him, (b) inform him, (c) consult with him or (d) furnish him with progress reports regarding (i) plans and drawings for the security upgrade, (ii) estimated costs of each aspect of the upgrades, (iii) name and details of architectural firms to undertake the drawings and supervise the construction, (iv) name and clearance details of the contractors to do the work and (v) the length of time required for the completion of the project; if not, why not; if so, (aa) what official information did he receive at all stages of the security upgrade project and (bb) how did he respond to the information provided to him 2) Whether at any stage he had raised any queries as to why non-security upgrades were being constructed or provided for at Nkandla; if not, why not?
Reply:
I set out in a detailed report to Parliament the facts and circumstances of which I had knowledge relating to the security enhancements at my Nkandla residence. The report is attached for ease of reference.
NW478E
05 August 2015 - NW2746
Davis, Mr GR to ask the Minister of Communications
With reference to her comments that the Government is slashing its advertising budget to mainstream newspapers (details furnished), (a) what is her department’s definition of mainstream newspapers and (b) what official publications does her department consider to be mainstream newspapers?
Reply:
(a) Mainstream newspapers are defined as the dominant or established newspapers in the South African media landscape. This reference is widely understood and used in the collaborative publication Media Landscape 2014, Celebrating 20 Years of South Africa’s Media.
(b) Therefore the mainstream newspapers referred to are commercial newspapers that fall under the following stables: Times Media Group; Caxton, Independent News and Media SA, and Media24.
MR D LIPHOKO
ACTING DIRECTOR-GENERAL
GCIS
DATE:
MS AF MUTHAMBI, MP
MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS
DATE:
05 August 2015 - NW1880
Volmink, Mr HC to ask the Minister of Health
Since 1 January 2015, has his department installed generators at any of (a) its offices or (b) the offices of the entities reporting to him as a result of load shedding; if so, what is the total cost of the (i) installation and (ii) running of these generators?
Reply:
CIVITAS BUILDING:
(i) No. The National Department of Health has not installed any generator since 1 January 2015.
(ii) The existing generator installation costs were included in the overall major upgrading of the building four which was completed in 2010. The running costs are included in the monthly rental payment to Public Works.
Forensic Chemistry Laboratories buildings (4)
(i) No generators were installed at the three forensic chemistry laboratories ( Pretoria; Johannesburg and Cape Town) since 1st January 2015.. The National Department of Health has not installed any generator since 1 January 2015.
A new generator has been installed at the newly operational Forensic Chemistry Laboratory in Durban (85 Magwaza Maphalala street) on 31 March 2015 at a cost of R294,120.00 as a standard feature for any of our forensic laboratories.
(ii) The maintenance costs are included in the monthly rental payment to the Department of Public Works.
Medical Bureau for Occupational Disease (MBOD) /Compesation Commissioner for Occupational Diseases (CCOD)
(i) No. The National Department of Health has not installed any generator since at the MBOD/ CCOD building since 1 January 2015.
(ii) The generator installation costs were included in the overall major upgrading of the building four which was completed in 2007. The running costs are included in the monthly rental payment to Public Works.
PUBLIC ENTITIES:
The South African Medical Research Council
(i) In the process of replacing the generator at an estimated cost of R1 500 000.00.
(ii) There is no actual fuel consumption data to provide cost nor associated maintenance cost as the installation has not been started. The specifications for fuel consumption for the generator that will be installed are 199 g/kwh to 206 g/kwh at 100% capacity.
The Council for Medical Schemes
(i) In the current year the old generator was replaced at a total cost of R569, 621. The amount includes a trade in / rebate amount on the old generator set.
The Council for Medical Schemes has a service level agreement with the supplier to test and maintain the generator at a contractual rate. Actual running costs of the generator for the period 1 January 2015 to 30 May 2015, including total cost paid to the supplier for servicing and replacing parts amounts to R19, 618. R27, 221 was spent on diesel. (The estimated running costs of diesel are estimated at R1, 575 per load shedding event.)
END.
05 August 2015 - NW2631
Kalyan, Ms SV to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
Whether his department is developing a protocol to (a) document and (b) receive climate refugees; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?NW3006
Reply:
(a) There is no specific protocol in place for climate refugees. The department is not presently developing a protocol to document climate refugees.
The Refugees Act No 130 of 1998 provides for the documentation of all asylum seekers and refugees respectively in terms of section 22 and 24 (3) of the Act.
Refugee status is granted on merit and on the credibility of each asylum claim in terms of provisions transcribed under section 3 of the Refugees Act No 130 of 1998 which stipulates that, a person qualifies for refugee status for the purposes of this Act if that person –
(i) Owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted by reason of his or her race, tribe, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership of a particular social group, is outside the country of his or her nationality and is unable or unwilling to avail himself or herself of the protection of that country, or, not having a nationality and being outside the country of his or her former habitual residence is unable or, owing to such fear, unwilling to return to it; or
(ii) Owing to external aggression, occupation, foreign domination or events seriously disturbing or disrupting public order in either a part or the whole of his or her country of origin or nationality, is compelled to leave his or her place of habitual residence in order to seek refuge elsewhere; or
(iii) Is a dependant of a person contemplated in paragraph (i) or (ii).
As part of the existing protocol to document refugees, the department provides enabling documents to recognised refugees such as Refugee Certification in terms of section 27(C), Refugee Identity Documents in terms of section 30 (1) and Refugee Travel Documents in terms of section 31.
(b) The department is not developing a protocol to receive climate refugees. This is because refugee status is already clearly outlined in the current legislation and international protocols. Section 21 of the Refugees Act No 130 of 1998 provides for the reception of all those who - because of reasons indicated in Section 3 of the same Act – have been forced to migrate and seek asylum in South Africa.
Asylum seekers are received, registered, accepted and processed with their claims adjudicated according to the relevant domestic legislation (The Constitution, Refugees Act No 130 of 1998) and international protocols (1951 UN Convention, the 1967 Protocol and the 1969 OAU Protocol).
05 August 2015 - NW2600
Volmink, Mr HC to ask the Minister of Health
Whether, with regard to the development of Portions 87, 148, 149 and the remainder of Portion 1 of the farm Rietfontein 61 IR, City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality, the Sizwe Tropical Disease Hospital will be moved or relocated; if not, (a) what is to happen to the patients currently at the hospital and (b) where will new patients go to; if so, (i) where is the hospital to be relocated, (ii) at what cost and (iii) when will the relocation commence?
Reply:
Portions 87, 148, 149 were sold through an open tender by the Department of Local Government and Housing. As part of the agreement with the successful bidder, the Sizwe Tropical Disease Hospital will be relocated to a site opposite Edenvale Hospital.
(a) The patience currently at the Hospital will remain at the Hospital until relocation. Any patients that will be at the Hospital when the new premises is complete will be relocated to the new premises.
(b) New patients will continue to be admitted at the Hospital until the relocation, after which all new patients will be admitted at the new premises.
(i) The Hospital will be relocated to a site opposite Edenvale Hospital;
(ii) As part of the agreement with the successful bidder, the successful bidder will relocate the Hospital at his own cost;
(iii) The relocation will only commence once the developer complete the construction and commissioning of the new premises.
END.
05 August 2015 - NW236
Maimane, Mr MA to ask the President of the Republic
With reference to the recommendation made by the Public Protector, in the report titled Secure in Comfort, that he repays a reasonable percentage of the costs of the measures involved in building his private Nkandla residence, (a) what progress has been made in the determination and calculation of said costs and (b) on what date will the repayment of the said costs be made?
Reply:
All reports, including my report to Parliament, are currently under consideration by the Adhoc Committee on the Police Minister’s Nkandla Report appointed by Parliament. Such committee is still seized with the matter and in the circumstances it would be improper and premature for me to comment.
NW110E
04 August 2015 - NW1842
James, Ms LV to ask the Minister of Health
Whether he has set clear criteria for the removal of underperforming hospital managers as per the goals listed in the National Development Plan; if not, (a) why not and (b) when will the criteria be set; if so, what are the criteria?
Reply:
Yes, there are clear criteria set for the removal of underperforming hospital managers as per the goals listed in the National Development Plan (NDP).
END.
04 August 2015 - NW2181
Volmink, Mr HC to ask the Minister of Health
Is his department currently involved in a work exchange and/or employment agreement with the Republic of Cuba; if so, (a) what number of Cuban nationals (i) are currently employed and (ii) are due to be employed by his department, (b) what specific work roles are envisaged for the Cuban nationals, (c) what are the specific skill sets of each of the Cuban nationals (i) currently employed and (ii) due to be employed, (d) what are the details of the process followed to ensure that the same skill set was or is not available in the country and amongst South African citizens and (e) what is the total cost of the (i) employment or (ii) prospective employment of such Cuban nationals?
Reply:
Yes.
- (i) A total of 210 Cuban medical doctors.
(ii) A total of 26 Cuban medical doctors.
- Medical Practitioners.
- The following table reflects the details on the skills profile
(i) Currently employed:
Clinical Discipline |
Number |
Anaesthesia |
7 |
Anatomy |
1 |
Biochemistry |
1 |
Biostatistics |
1 |
Cardiology |
1 |
Clinical Laboratory |
1 |
Dermatology |
3 |
Embryology |
1 |
Ear Nose and Throat |
4 |
Epidemiology |
2 |
Family Medicine |
105 |
Gastroenterology |
1 |
General surgery |
13 |
Internal Medicine |
20 |
Maxillo Facial |
3 |
Neurology |
1 |
Obstetric and Gynaecology |
12 |
Opthalmology |
4 |
Orthopaedics |
8 |
Paediatrics |
8 |
Pathology |
1 |
Pharmacology |
1 |
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery |
2 |
Psychiatry |
3 |
Public Health |
1 |
Urology |
3 |
Total |
210 |
(ii) Due to be employed
Clinical Discipline |
Number |
Cardiology |
1 |
Emergency Medicine |
1 |
Family Medicine |
10 |
Internal Medicine |
1 |
Maxillo Medicine |
1 |
Obstetrics and Gynaecology |
1 |
Opthalmology |
2 |
Orthopaedics |
2 |
Paediatrics |
4 |
Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery |
1 |
Radiology |
1 |
Rheumatology |
1 |
Total |
26 |
- It is generally acknowledged that there is a big shortage of medical doctors in the public health care system.
- The doctors recruited from Cuba earn the same remuneration as other doctors employed by the Government based on the years of experience and expertise.
END.
04 August 2015 - NW871
Kalyan, Ms SV to ask the Minister of Health
(1)Whether his department or the entities reporting to him provides any type of sponsorships; if not, what is his department’s position in this regard; if so, (a) what are the details of each sponsorship, (b) what is the value of each sponsorship, (c) when were each of these sponsorship deals undertaken and (d) when will each of the sponsorship deals end; (2) whether his department or any of the entities reporting to him intends to enter into any type of sponsorship deal or contract in the (a) 2015-16 and (b) 2016-17 financial years; if not, why not; if so, (i) with whom will each sponsorship deal or contract be made, (ii) what will the terms of each of the sponsorship deals or contracts be, (iii) when will each of the sponsorship deals or contracts (aa) commence and (bb) end and (iv) what is the value of each of the sponsorship deals or contracts?
Reply:
- None of the entities reporting to the Minister of Health provided any type of sponsorship.
- None of the entities reporting to the Minister of Health intends to enter into any type of sponsorship deal or contract in the 2015 and 2016 financial years and the reasons provided are as follows:
- The National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) - due to the current financial situation; and
- The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC); the Council for Medical Schemes (CMS) and the Office of Health Standards Compliance (OHSC) – do not provide any sponsorship deals or contracts.
END.
04 August 2015 - NW2422
Volmink, Mr HC to ask the Minister of Health
What amount did (a) his department and (b) each entity reporting to him spend on advertising in (i) Sowetan and (ii) Daily Sun in the (aa) 2012-13, (bb) 2013-14 and (cc) 2014-15 financial years?
Reply:
The following Tables reflect the situation in this regard:
(a) The Department of Health
Newspaper |
2012/13 |
2013/14 |
2014/15 |
Sowetan |
R564,376.17 |
R153,029.57 |
R256,159.31 |
Daily Sun |
R245,149.33 |
R230,794.39 |
R175,800.71 |
(b) Entities
Neither the Council for Medical Schemes, the Office of Health Standards Compliance, nor the South African Medical Research Council spent on advertising in either of the newspapers in questions during the stated period.
The National Health Laboratory Service spent on advertising as follows:
Newspaper |
2012-13 |
2013-14 |
2014-15 |
Sowetan |
R226,896.48 |
Nil |
Nil |
Daily Sun |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
END.
04 August 2015 - NW800
Kwankwa, Mr NL to ask the Minister of Communications
(1) With reference to the funeral of the late multi-award winning traditional music presenter (name furnished) of uMhlobo Wenene FM under the SA Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), what (a) procedure and (b) criteria is used by (i) her department and (ii) SABC to decide which funerals to broadcast live and/or cover widely;
Reply:
It is the prerogative of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on State Funerals, together with the Presidency, to declare the status of funerals, whether they are national or provincial.
The SABC is then obliged to follow the broadcast coverage, as prescribed in the regulations pertaining to official funerals.
Irrespective of the individual (or public appeal or popularity), the broadcast parameters are clearly stipulated in the regulations.
Whether a funeral is covered “live” or not, is not at the discretion of the SABC, but what is dictated in the regulations.
In the case in question, the deceased was neither honoured with a State or Provincial funeral status.
The SABC did however cover the announcement of his death widely on all our platforms. Television and radio carried extensive obituaries. All the memorial services were covered in all the news bulletins as was the actual funeral.
MR N MUNZHELELE
[ACTING] DIRECTOR GENERAL
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS
DATE:
MS AF MUTHAMBI, MP
MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS
DATE:
04 August 2015 - NW1708
Boshoff, Ms SH to ask the Minister of Health
(1)(a) How many state operated abortion facilities in Mpumalanga are currently operational, (b) what is the legal gestation period to perform an abortion, (c) how accessible is illegal and/or unsafe abortion and (d) what is the cost of an abortion; (2) (a) what were the (i) legal and (ii) illegal abortion statistics for the (aa) 2012-13, (bb) 2013-14 and (cc) 2014-15 financial years, (b) how many deaths were caused by illegal and/or unsafe abortions, (c) what (i) was the (aa) legal and (bb) illegal and/or unsafe abortion ratio and (ii) were the statistics of children between the ages of 12 and 16 who had abortions and (d) how many of these children had the consent of the parents to do so; (3) whether any study or research has been undertaken by (a) his department or the (b) Mpumalanga Health Department into (i) why women seek abortions from illegal or unsafe providers and (ii) abortion rates in comparison with the rest of the world; if so, in each case what were the findings; (4) what plan of action does his department have in place to prevent unsafe abortion statistics from escalating in Mpumalanga?
Reply:
(1) (a) A total of 6 facilities in Mpumalanga are currently operational.
(b) Please refer to the Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1996 (Act No. 92 of 1996)
(c) and (d) The Department of Health provides the service at no cost to the clients if indigent and costs are determined depending on the income of the patient in public hospitals as for any other medical condition.
(2) (a) (i) Legal termination of pregnancy statistics are recorded below:
(aa) 2012-2013 |
(bb) 2013 - 2014 |
(cc) 2014- 2015 |
|
3,104 |
3,046 |
2,539 |
(ii) The National and Provincial Departments of Health do not keep a record of illegal abortion statistics.
(b) This is not known as statistics for illegal abortions are not recorded separately.
(c) (i) (aa)-(bb) The Department does not keep a record of separating legal and illegal abortion statistics.
(ii) Statistics of children between the age 12 and 16 years who had terminations of pregnancy over the periods are:
PERIOD |
NUMBER |
2012-2013 |
55 |
2013-2014 |
49 |
2014-2015 |
52 |
(d) “The provisions of the Choice of Termination Act, Act No. 92 Of 1996: Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act92, 1996. Is applicable with respect to consent.
(3) (a)-(b) No study has been conducted by both National Department of Health or the Mpumalanga Health Department that we are aware off.
(4) The Department of Health provides Termination of Pregnancy (TOP) in the designated health facilities which comply with the prescripts of the CTOP Act for safe performance of the procedure. The Department is continuously conducting value clarification workshops to address the issue of limited TOP services.
In addition the Department is conducting Manual Vacuum Aspiration training in partnership with partners that support the implementation of TOP services has introduced medical abortion services to increase access to this service.
However, the key to reducing unwanted pregnancies is to increase knowledge and access to sexual and reproductive health services. In line with this the department launched a revised Contraceptive Policy and introduced the contraception implant as a new and additional contraception method to increase the range of contraceptives available to woman.
END.
04 August 2015 - NW2539
Carter, Ms D to ask the Minister of Health
Whether he had used departmental officials to investigate who had instructed HIV-infected women to be sterilised without their written consent and had used that investigation to bring to book those who had transgressed medical ethics and violated the right to bodily integrity safeguarded in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
In June 2012 the Department of Health requested Professor Jack Moodley (Chairperson of the National Committee on Confidential Enquiry into Maternal Deaths), and Dr Nat Khaole (then Acting Chief Director for Maternal and Women’s Health) to investigate allegations that HIV positive women have been sterilized without their consent. They visited two hospitals in Durban, namely, Addington Hospital and King Edward Hospital and found two evidence of systematic abuse of the consent process as alleged by the researchers.
When the issue was first brought to the attention of the Department of Health, I requested that details be provided, including names of the complainants, to enable the Department to investigate the matter fully. However, the Department was informed that the complainants did not wish to be identified to the Department as they were afraid of being victimised, despite our reassurance that I would personally ensure that the complainants are not victimised.
In 2015 the issue of forced sterilisation was raised with the Department of Health again. The Department again requested the NGO, Her Rights Initiative, to provide the names of the complainants, to enable the Department to fully investigate the allegations. In addition, a commitment was made that an independent team would investigate the allegations, if need be. However, to date, there has been great reluctance in providing the Department with the information necessary to investigate this matter.
The Department’s policy on any surgical procedure, including sterilization, is very clear – all surgical procedures require informed consent. In this regard, transgression will not be tolerated and disciplinary action will follow transgression when there is evidence to this effect.
END.
04 August 2015 - NW2385
Davis, Mr GR to ask the Minister of Communications
With reference to her reply to oral question 145 on 10 June 2015, what is the (a) name and (b) date of appointment of the permanent Chief Executive Officer of the SA Broadcasting Corporation?
Reply:
(a) Mr Frans Matlala
(b) 01 July 2015
MR N MUNZHELELE
[ACTING] DIRECTOR GENERAL
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS
DATE:
MS AF MUTHAMBI, MP
MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS
DATE:
04 August 2015 - NW2275
Bagraim, Mr M to ask the Minister of Labour
(1)What action is taken by her department when labour inspectors find that an employee does not have a valid work permit; (2) are employees who are found to not have valid work permits removed from the work place? NW2635E
Reply:
- When Labour inspectors find that an employee does not have a valid work permit, the matter will be reported to Home Affairs who has jurisdiction over such matters.
- The Department of Labour does not have a legal mandate or powers to remove such employees from the workplace but will refer the matter to Home Affairs to take further action.
04 August 2015 - NW2356
Volmink, Mr HC to ask the Minister of Health
(1)What is the current availability of the drugs (a) bedaquiline and (b) linezolid in the country; (2) whether there are any plans for a wider national roll-out of the specified drugs, including but not limited to (i) mines, (ii) prisons and (iii) other communities heavily affected by tuberculosis; (3) whether there are any financing plans in place for purchasing the specified drugs at affordable and sustainable prices?
Reply:
- (a) 60% of patients on bedaquiline are in South Africa, i.e 361 patients in South Africa out of a total of 600 worldwide.
(b) A tender to procure Linezolid is being prepared. Linezolid is available off code in the meantime.
2. (i) and (ii) For year 1 (1st April 2015 to 31 March 2016) we are prioritising XDR-TB, pre-XDR-TB and MRD-TB with hearing impairment, renal impairment and those to be operated.
Because the main focus will be on XDR-TB, we have started rolling out at our 12 facilities responsible for treating XDR-TB which are:
- Jose Pearson and Fort Grey Hospitals (Eastern Cape);
- Dr J S Moroka (Free State);
- Sizwe Hospital (Gauteng);
- King Dinuzulu Complex Hospital (KZN);
- FH Odendaal (Limpopo);
- Witbank TB Hospital (Mpumalanga);
- Dr Harry Surtie and West End (Northern Cape);
- Tshepong Hospital (North West);
- Brooklyn Chest and Khayelitsha (Western Cape)
The 12 facilities treat all XDR-TB patients in the country.
- Jose Pearson, Fort Grey, King Dinuzulu, Sizwe and Brooklyn Chest Hospitals treat 50% to 60% of all MDR-TB in the country.
- So we believe that there will be a good coverage to years 1, 2 and 3;
- Mines and prisons will follow after 2 to 3 years.
3. A costed plan to make the drugs available has been developed and budgeted for in the HIV Conditional Grant. The drugs will be made available to 3 000 patients in year 1 (1st April 2015 to 31 March 2016), and then gradually increase to 6 000 at the end of year 3.
END.
04 August 2015 - NW2002
Volmink, Mr HC to ask the Minister of Health
Does his department maintain an updated asset register; if not, why not; if so, what is the (a) total number and (b) value of all motor vehicles recorded on such register?
Reply:
Yes the department maintain an updated asset register.
(a) Five motor vehicles
(b) Total value for five vehicles is R2 926 330.69
All these vehicles are more than five years old and purchased as follows;
- BMW 525i (Kept and being used when other vehicles went for service)
Price; R349 561.40
Purchase date: 30 June 2004
MINISTER
- Mercedes-Benz E200
Price; R451 804.00
Purchase date: 08 January 2010
- Mercedes-Benz E500
Price; R760 794.01
Purchase date: 08 January 2010
DEPUTY MINISTER
- BMW 520d
Price; R466 449.30
Purchase date: 15 February 2011
- BMW 740i
Price; R897 721.99
Purchase date: 07 March 2011
END.
04 August 2015 - NW2583
Lees, Mr RA to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
Whether, with regard to a South African citizen, Stephen McGowan, who has been held hostage in Mali since November 2011, the Government has taken any steps to secure the specific person’s release; if not; why not; if so, what (a) steps have been taken and (b) are the reasons for the specific person not yet having been released?
Reply:
- Yes.
The Government continues to pursue diplomatic channels to secure the release of the South African hostage, Steven McGowan.
(a) A Task Team chaired by DIRCO was established comprising security departments to oversee this case. The Task Team meets regularly and informs the McGowan’s family of developments. In Mali, the South African Embassy is part of the Troika comprising the Netherlands and Sweden. The Troika holds meetings and engages with the Malian government to get updates on developments regarding this matter. This Troika has since been reduced to two members following the release of the Dutch hostage by the French security forces. Furthermore, a Special Envoy was sent to Mauritania in February 2015 specifically to establish more information on the kidnaping and raise South Africa’s concerns on the continued kidnapping.
(b) The political and security situation in North Mali makes it difficult for the Malian government to engage with the kidnappers but efforts continues from both the South African and Malian governments to secure Mr McGowan’s release.
UNQUOTE
04 August 2015 - NW2274
Bagraim, Mr M to ask the Minister of Labour
(a) What proposals for the revision of planning models for the inspection of valid work permits have been completed by her department, (b) how do these propose to protect vulnerable workers and (c)(i) when and (ii) where will it be published? NW2634E
Reply:
(a) The Department of Labour does not have a planning model for the inspection of valid work permits as this is a legislative responsibility of the Department of the Home Affairs and South African Police.
(b) In its normal work aligned with granting of work permits the Department of Labour mere conducts inspections at work places to determine compliance with prescribed conditions of employment. Furthermore the Department notifies the Department of Home Affairs should it discover employees without valid work permits.
(c) (i) N/A and (ii) N/A
04 August 2015 - NW2109
Volmink, Mr HC to ask the Minister of Health
(1)How many foreign nationals did the Health Professionals Council of South Africa (HPCSA) accredit to work as (a) doctors, (b) nurses and (c) other medical practitioners between 1 January 2010 and 30 April 2015; (2) how many (a) South African medical doctors and (b) South Africans who obtained their qualifications as medical doctors outside of the country were accredited by the HPCSA between 1 January 2010 and 30 April 2015; (3) (a) how many South Africans who qualified as medical doctors outside the country and who applied for accreditation between 1 January 2010 and 30 April 2015 were not successful in their applications and (b) what remedy is available to medical doctors who have taken but failed the HPCSA accreditation examination three or more times; (4) will he make a list of foreign institutions accredited by the HPCSA available to the public; (5) how the skills of doctors who qualified outside of South Africa will be utilised until such doctors obtain proper accreditation from the HPCSA?
Reply:
- (a) 1 623;
(b) No nurse is ever registered with the HPCSA;
(c) I do not understand what “other medical practitioners” means.
2. (a) 6 729;
(b) 61;
3. (a) 22;
(b) There is no remedy available for practitioners who have failed the examination three times.
4. There is currently no list of accredited qualifications obtained outside South Africa.
5. Since registration is a pre-requisite for practising the profession of medicine in South Africa, applicants will not be able to work as medical practitioners until such time as they are appropriately registered with the Medical and Dental Board.
END.
04 August 2015 - NW2506
Davis, Mr GR to ask the Minister of Communications
Why have no (a) disciplinary steps or (b) criminal action taken in the last three financial years against SABC employees responsible for (i) making payments without contracts and (ii) failing to follow procurement processes? ________________________________________________________________
Reply:
Due to the dynamic nature of SABC operations, there are instances where the SABC is required to broadcast without a contract in place, however, endeavours are carried out to regularise the agreements after the fact.
The SABC has initiated a project to review and align the SABC Procurement Policy to PFMA requirements in terms of original tax clearance certificate.
Disciplinary and criminal action has been instituted where warranted.
MR N MUNZHELELE
ACTING DIRECTOR-GENERAL
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS
DATE:
MS AF MUTHAMBI, MP
MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS
DATE:
04 August 2015 - NW1294
Bhanga, Mr BM to ask the Minister of Health
With reference to his reply to question 439 on 17 March 2015, (a) how many initiates in each province were admitted to hospital during the 2014-15 summer initiation season and (b) what were the types of injuries suffered by the initiates in this period requiring them to be hospitalised?
Reply:
(a) The table below reflects the details in this regard.
PROVINCE |
ADMISSIONS |
Eastern Cape |
284 |
Other provinces do not collect this information as the boys arrive at health facilities as general patients and not as initiates. The Eastern Cape Province is able to collect the information because the boys are brought by members of initiation monitoring teams at hospitals.
(b) The types of injuries suffered by the initiates in this period requiring them to be hospitalised were as follows:
- Penile mutilations including amputations
- Assaults
END.
04 August 2015 - NW2060
James, Ms LV to ask the Minister of Health
Whether his department has any plans in place to assist young people to easily access family planning centres in order to prevent teenage pregnancy; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The Department of Health has several initiatives to assist young people to access contraceptive and family planning services.
- Ensuring that all primary health care facilities are adolescent and youth friendly. Facilities that are classified as youth friendly need the following standards:
- Policies and processes to support adolescent and youth health rights available;
- Provision of safe and supportive environment;
- Systems to train and develop staff on youth issues;
- Individualised care with privacy and confidentiality maintained; and
- Effective referral systems in place.
The Department has contracted and NGO (loveLife) to assist with the training of clinic personnel and to ensure that standards listed above are in place. We have trained 615 health professionals during the past year and will be training an additional 375 during this financial year.
- An effort to increase condom use among the youth in particular, the Department has decided to procure coloured and scented male condoms. A contract to supply 50 million coloured and scented condoms has been awarded and 38 million have already been distributed in universities and TVET colleges. The distribution of these condoms is a partnership between the Departments of Higher Education and Training and of Health – the ‘First Things First’ campaign for institutions of higher learning – which has been implemented on an annual basis since 2011. The aim of this campaign is to offer HIV counselling and testing, Medical Male Circumcision (MMC), TB screening, condom distribution, appropriate prevention messages and treatment referrals to the students in Universities and TVETs. Condoms are also distributed during HCT as dual protection against unplanned pregnancies, STIs and HIV. Over 100 000 students were reached in the last financial year;
- In order to expand the range of contraceptive commodities available the Department introduced the sub-dermal implant in April 2014 and to date more than 850,000 women have had the implant inserted. Although the implant method was not specifically targeted at the youth, earlier indications seem to be showing that the majority of the 850 000 women are actually young people who have never been on any contraception before;
- In collaboration with Soul City, the Society for Family Health and Stellenbosch University and funding from a development partner, the Department is implementing the ‘Families Matter’ project whose objective is to prepare youth to make informed health choices, including sexual and reproductive health choices. The project is currently running in Gauteng, KwaZulu Natal, Free State, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape and Western Cape;
- With funding from the Department of Health and Global Fund, Soul City is implementing the Rise Women’s clubs (the clubs target young women between 15-24 years of age with health education messages and has currently reached 17,000 young women through 1 000 Rise Young Women’s clubs) and Soul Buddies clubs (to empower primary school children to make healthy life choices). In addition, the Department of Health funds loveLife’s ground breakers programme which is a peer-to-peer programme that focuses on learners in high school and out of school and empowers them to make healthy life choices;
- As part of the Integrated School Health Programme (which is a collaborative programme between the Departments of Health and of Basic Education), school health teams provide age-appropriate messages and information to learners in both primary and secondary schools.
END.
04 August 2015 - NW1445
Ollis, Mr IM to ask the Minister of Communications
Does her department have a Regulatory Burden Reduction strategy in place; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details of the strategy?
Reply:
No, the department does not have a Regulatory Burden Reduction Strategy.
MR N MUNZHELELE
[ACTING] DIRECTOR-GENERAL
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS
DATE:
MS AF MUTHAMBI, MP
MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS
DATE:
04 August 2015 - NW2273
Bagraim, Mr M to ask the Minister of Labour
(a) Do all labour inspectors have access to the necessary equipment to conduct their inspections properly and (b) what is her department doing to adequately capacitate the labour inspectors who do not have access to the necessary equipment?
Reply:
(a) Yes
(b) The Department makes provision for the procurement of the necessary or required equipment.
03 August 2015 - NW1036
Lorimer, Mr JR to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources
(1)What are the (a) details and (b) all relevant dates of all steps that have been taken to facilitate and ensure the effective functioning of his department’s compliance monitoring and enforcement since 1 January 2009;
Reply:
- (a) (b) In June 2011, the Department established a compliance and enforcement structure in the Mineral Regulation. In 2013 funding was made available and accordingly utilised to enhance environment authorisation capacity.
(2) (a) (b) National Treasury has allocated funding sufficient to fund 22 positions, which are currently in the process of being filled.
(3)(a) 34 personnel have been appointed and designated.
(b) 28 persons have been successfully trained as Environmental Mineral Resource Inspectors whilst 6 had been previously trained. A further 60 persons will undergo training during this financial year.
(c) See (a) above
(4) The mining sector information will be provided to the Department of Environmental Affairs for inclusion into their relevant report.
Approved/not approved
Adv N.A. Ramatlhodi
Minister of Mineral Resources
Date Submitted:-………………/………………/2015