Questions and Replies

Reply:

(a) and (b) NO

Reply:

The questions raised here have potential to compromise the operational integrity of the SANDF with regard to force deployment; force movement and tactical planning.

It is however suffice to say that the SANDF deploys in the National Campaign against Rhino poaching in support of other government departments as part of its constitutional mandate.

Reply:

The questions raised here have potential to compromise the operational integrity of the SANDF with regard to force deployment; force movement and tactical planning.

It is however suffice to say that the SANDF deploys in the National Campaign against Rhino poaching in support of other government departments as part of its constitutional mandate.

Reply:

1 (a) (i) and (ii) National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) funding for the 2016 academic year has been allocated to the universities to administer on NSFAS’s behalf. Universities administering NSFAS funding through the non-student centred model will apply guidelines provided by NSFAS through the NSFAS Rules and Regulation Handbook for the selection of students and determining the actual loan or bursary value to be awarded to a student.

First-year students and other undergraduate students will be funded through the DHET General Loan programme funding (R3.2 billion), DHET Teacher Education loan programme (R124.3 million), DHET Final Year loan programme for final year students only (R1.2 billion), the National Skills Fund (R800 million) and a range of smaller bursary programmes whose beneficiaries are selected by the funder.

Universities are concluding allocation processes and information on the number of students within categories in 2016 is not yet available.

(iii) One funding category is made available for postgraduate studies and therefore the number of students funded is limited. The allocation for the 2016

 

COMPILER/CONTACT PERSONS:

EXT:

DIRECTOR – GENERAL

STATUS:

DATE:

QUESTION 832 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED

Dr BE NZIMANDE, MP

MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

STATUS:

DATE:

Reply:

(1), (2) (a), (b), (i), (ii) and 3. This matter is sub judice.

Reply:

(a) No, Ministry does not have frozen vacant positions

(b) N/A

(C) N/A

 

 

Approved/not approved

Mr MJ Zwane, MP

Minister of Mineral Resources

Date Submitted:-………………/………………/2016

Reply:

There is a performance agreement in place that is binding on the Minister of Mineral Resources. This agreement has been signed with the President.

The Minister has recently been appointed and as a result has not done any assessment with the President.

 

Approved/not approved

Mr MJ Zwane

Minister of Mineral Resources

Date Submitted:-………………/………………/2016

Reply:

(a) and (b) (i) No

1. Not applicable

 

COMPILER/CONTACT PERSONS:

EXT:

DIRECTOR – GENERAL

STATUS:

DATE:

QUESTION 934 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED

Dr BE NZIMANDE, MP

MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

STATUS:

DATE:

Reply:

The requested information is yet to be received from the Tlokwe Local Municipalitie. We are however, making efforts to follow-up on it and the Honourable Member will therefore be updated on progress.

 

Reply:

The rationale for the proposed amendments is to strengthen the administration of exports of scrap metal to achieve public policy objectives.

ITAC has published a notice requesting members of the public and interested parties to comment on a range of proposals in this regard.

One of the proposals related to the possible designation of one port to enable the concentration of resources to enable effective compliance. ITAC will need to take into account all relevant factors, including the additional costs on parties and weigh these against the likely benefits. A public call for comments assists ITAC to take all views into account.

-END-

Reply:

(1) No

(a) - (d) Not applicable

(2) No

(a) - (c) Not applicable

 

 

COMPILER/CONTACT PERSONS:

EXT:

DIRECTOR – GENERAL

STATUS:

DATE:

QUESTION 902 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED

Dr BE NZIMANDE, MP

MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

STATUS:

DATE:

Reply:

a) The project allocation process is initiated by the Project Management Unit of the Construction Education and Training Authority (CETA), which conducts a needs analysis, derived from the:

• National Skills Development Strategy;
• CETA Sector Skills Plan;
• CETA five-year Strategic Plan;
• CETA Annual Performance Plan; and
• Service Level Agreements.

   (i) The grant allocation approval process is entirely transparent and meets the relevant supply chain management principles. The process involves the following:

• Applications are made through the CETA online application tool;
• Evaluations are done independently and recommendations are made to the CETA Board;
• After approval by the CETA Board, the CETA issues an offer to contract with the successful applicant, which is subject to various conditions, including a due diligence exercise to determine the ability of the approved applicants to implement their proposed projects; and
• CETA finally approves the relevant grants, only after applicants have satisfied CETA of its ability to implement their proposed projects.

The process that is followed in respect thereof ensures the integrity of the CETA’s project allocation.

  (ii) Since the 2011/12 financial year, all payments to successful applicants were made in accordance with the CETA’s performance based payment system, in terms of which:

• Payments are made after submission and approval of compliant invoices and supporting documentation;
• All payments can accordingly be traced back to costs incurred in respect of specific learners, in accordance with the supporting documentation which entities are required to submit prior to receiving payment;
• The supporting information required before payments are made include, where applicable, learner attendance registers, proof of payment of stipends to learners and proof of receipt of learning materials received by the learners;
• No advance payments are made to any entities;
• As a consequence, entities who do not perform in accordance with their project planning will not receive their full grant allocation;
• Payments are only made in respect of services rendered or expenses incurred; and
• the CETA has strict invoicing processing compliance requirements in which payments are only made into approved bank accounts, or, in the instance of public entities, separate cost centres, allocated exclusively to the approved CETA project.

(b) Below are the three areas in which the CETA ensures quality:

• Accountability and conformance to standards;
• Maintaining and enhancing the quality of facilitation and learning by accredited Skills Development Providers; and
• Quality enhancement and continually improving practitioners, assessors, moderators and staff.

(c) The following measures are implemented to ensure that CETA accounts for all funds utilised:

• A commitment schedule, which is reviewed on a regular basis, is maintained;
• Monthly management reports are reviewed by the Finance Committee;
• Financial statements are prepared on a quarterly basis;
• Annual financial statements are reviewed by the Audit Committee; and
• Annual Financial Statements are audited by the Auditor-General who tests the accuracy, validity and completeness of financial information.

 

Compiler/contact persons:

Ext:

DIRECTOR – GENERAL

STATUS:

DATE:

REPLY TO QUESTION 341 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED

Dr BE NZIMANDE, MP

MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

STATUS:

DATE:

Reply:

The Department did not award any contract to Atul, Ajay and Rajesh Gupta during the (a) 2012-13, (b) 2013-14 and (c) 2014-15 financial years.

Reply:

1. Yes, the Department acknowledges the increased health risks resulting from excessive sugar intake. The Department of Health, as well as our government partners, have already announced steps to deal with the excessive consumption of sugar by the population at large. For example the Treasury has recently announced a tax on sugar sweetened beverages that will come into effect in April 2016. The Department developed a multi-sectoral strategy to prevent and control obesity in South Africa. One of the actions in the strategy is to educate the public about healthy food choices including the risks of excessive sugar intake. The Department has developed a Nutrient Profile Model (NPM) which will be used to assess and classify foods as having excessive amounts of sugar, salt and fats. The NPM together with the labelling regulations will ensure that consumers are educated on how to make informed choices.

However it is important to note that while sugar is an important contributor to the rising incidence of Non-communicable diseases is South Africa, it is by no means the only contributor and other dietary risk factors as well as lack of physical activity, tobacco and alcohol use are also important risk factors. The Department of Health is thus dealing with the excess of sugar intake as part of a more comprehensive plan to deal with non-communicable diseases.

With respect to “indirect consumption” the Director General of Health has led a partnership with the Consumer Goods Council and its affiliates to ensure that the industry reformulates its products to be more healthy and that consumption patterns, including sugar consumption, decreases. Outcomes of these processes are expected to become evident soon.

2. No. It is the prerogative of the public broadcaster to secure the rights and air programmes and not that of the Department of Health.

The Good Life Network channel that was launched in December 2015 by the Department is one of the platforms used to inform and educate consumers about the importance of making Healthy food choices. Various other channels are being utilised where information is shared around the importance of healthy eating and the risks of excessive intake of sugar, salt and fat.

The Department of Health will be launching a public awareness campaign in late March for healthy lifestyles as part of World Health day activities under the theme “beat diabetes”.

3. Yes. Provision was made in the draft Food Labelling Regulations (R429/2014) for a front-of-pack labelling option, in addition to the fact that total sugars must always be declared in the table with nutritional information.  The new Labelling Regulations will make Nutritional information mandatory for most foods (a few exemptions are allowed).

The following is an example of a front-of pack labelling, following the principles of the Traffic light system: red means dangerous, yellow means caution and green means safe:

This example could be further developed into a simpler format which simply include the traffic light colours, the name of the nutrient, e.g. sugar, or salt and if possible a graphic representation of a typical household measure such as a teaspoon.  Further work is this regard is still being pursued with the food industry.

 

END.

Reply:

The question by the Honourable member should be directed to the National Treasury. The National Treasury manages the expenditure and the budgets of municipalities in line with the provisions in the Municipal Finance Management Act. Municipalities report budgetary matters in terms of s71 of the MFMA and are best placed to respond to matters relating to budget and expenditures of all municipalities.

 

Reply:

The requested information is yet to be received from the remaining three Metropolitan Municipalities. We are however, making efforts to follow-up on it and the Honourable Member will therefore be updated on progress.

 

Reply:

The requested information is yet to be received from the Tlokwe Local Municipalitie. We are however, making efforts to follow-up on it and the Honourable Member will therefore be updated on progress.

 

Reply:

Yes. By way of example, the Minister’s office in the last month received on average, 10 invitations and requests per day from a wide range of stakeholders. Some of these requests are for meetings to be held in the office, invitations to events at embassies, networking sessions organised by Chambers of Commerce, numerous speaking engagements and so forth. Stakeholders include owners of large businesses, Chief Executive Officers of multi-national corporations, Ministers, Ambassadors, labour formations and so on. In other words, the dti mandate dictates that the Minister of Trade and Industry interacts with a wide spectrum of prominent stakeholders who believe their businesses may benefit from the dti’s offerings and he does so, in a variety of settings.

In this light and in common with a number of politicians across the political divide, including the Premier of the Western Cape, Ms H Zille, the Minister responded positively to some invitations from the Gupta family, to attend various events.

On the few occasions that any conversations took place between the Minister and representatives of the family, the content was general and no specific projects were discussed. This is in line with the standard practice Minister adopts with stakeholders where any specific requests for incentives are referred to relevant decision-making structures for approval or rejection. The Ministry would then only consider intervening for the sake of efficiencies if there appear to be purely bureaucratic delays in bringing a process to its conclusion.

To the knowledge of the Ministry, approximately 6 years ago one meeting at the request of the Gupta family was held at the dti offices in Hatfield, Sunnyside attended by the Minister, dti officials and a Mr Gupta to discuss the company’s investment plans. The nature of the meeting was similar to innumerable meetings the Minister has held with potential investors, both foreign and domestic. In the event, no follow-up meetings were requested or held.

The Minister also accepted an invitation to attend the wedding of a Gupta family member as it potentially presented an unexpected but welcome opportunity to informally meet with his then Indian counter-part. Regrettably, the Minister did not in fact attend.

Reply:

In terms of the rules applicable to Members of the Executive and Members of Parliament, Ministers have to disclose their Financial and/or business interests to both Parliament and the Presidency in compliance with the applicable ethics code. All financial interests of the member and family are disclosed annually. The Minister has always complied with these requirements.

Minister Davies has no interests in any businesses and none of the members of his family has had any business dealings with Government. The Minister is a Director of the Institute of African Alternatives, a non-profit organisation, for which he receives no remuneration.

 

Reply:

Upon receipt of this question, we requested the Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality to provide information on this matter and are still awaiting. We will therefore keep the Honourable Member updated on progress.

Reply:

The requested information is yet to be received from the Metropolitan Municipalities. We are however, making efforts to follow-up on it and the Honourable Member will therefore be updated on progress.

 

Reply:

(a) With reference to my reply to question 335 on 14 March 2016, an update is provided on the costs of damage caused to property at North West University, University of Cape Town and University of the Free State resulting from student protests since 1 February 2016:

• University of Stellenbosch – R352 000.00
• North West University – R151 000 000.00 (updated)
• University of Limpopo – R1 786 294.52
• University of Johannesburg – R345 000.00
• University of the Western Cape – R46 544 446.00
• Walter Sisulu University – R351 287.19
• Tshwane University of Technology – R5 073 747.73
• University of KwaZulu-Natal – R82 000 000.00
• Cape Peninsula University of Technology – R689 850.14
• University of Cape Town – R3 200 000.00 (updated)
• University of Zululand – R 4 500 000.00
• Rhodes University – R250 000.00
• University of the Witwatersrand – R1 410 223.00
• University of the Free State – R2 800 000.00 (updated)

Total cost: R300 302 848.58 (updated)

The following universities submitted damage reports, however they did not provide estimates of the cost of damage, which will be requested from them:

• University of South Africa;
• Central University of Technology;
• Durban University of Technology; and
• University of Fort Hare.

The following universities reported no/minor incidents of damage on their campuses:

• Vaal University of Technology;
• Mangosuthu University of Technology;
• University of Venda;
• Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University; and
• University of Pretoria –graffiti on walls, which have been repainted.

(b) The universities have not confirmed from which university budgets these damages will be recovered. However, certain damages will be paid or recovered from insurance claims.

 

COMPILER/CONTACT PERSONS:

EXT:

DIRECTOR – GENERAL

STATUS:

DATE:

QUESTION 833 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED

Dr BE NZIMANDE, MP

MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

STATUS:

DATE:

Reply:

Department

(a) (i) In July 2014, Cabinet adopted the 2014-2019 Medium Term Strategic Framework (MTSF) to be used as a comprehensive five-year implementation plan for the NDP 2030 vision and the commitments of the governing party’s Election Manifesto. This is the process through which all plans of Government institutions across the three spheres of Government are aligned to the NDP.

(ii) The MTSF is translated into the Ministers’ Delivery Agreement with the President of the Republic of South Africa. The DoT Strategic Plan 2015 – 2020 and Annual Performance Plans are aligned with the Minister’s Delivery Agreement in order to ensure that all MTSF deliverables are budgeted for and fully implemented and monitored.

(iii) The DoT developed internal Planning, Monitoring and Reporting Guidelines, as an instrument that aims to provide minimum requirements for the achievement of deliverables as outlined in the APP of the Department. The Department initiates its planning process in May of each financial year through programme planning sessions, with the involvement of Entities and Provinces. These engagements inform deliberations of the DoT Executive Committee Lekgotla that is followed by the Department-wide Strategic Planning session. The Strategic Plan and APP are then consolidated, costed and tabled in Parliament in line with the National Treasury Framework.

(b) (i) On a quarterly basis, reporting templates are circulated to every programme to provide progress reports on all APP targets. Reports are consolidated, analysed against a prescribed criteria and interrogated against relevant supporting documents to ensure usefullness, consistency and reliability of information.

Each programme has a branch coordinator who is responsible for coordination of reporting for the entire programme. Branch coordinators provide dedicated support to their respective programmes and ensure that reporting complies with the prescripts. Once compiled, reports are quality assured by Programme Managers and submitted to the Chief Directorate: Strategic Planning & Cluster Coordination for consolidation and analysis. The report then gets interrogated at the DoT Executive Committee (EXCO), chaired by the Accounting Officer and the Strategic Management Committee (SMC) chaired by the Deputy Minister.

(ii) Reports are compiled against the DoT Annual Performance Plan and submitted on a quarterly basis and are guided by the sequence of quarterly targets as per the approved Annual Performance Plan and the approved Technical Indicator Descriptions. At all times, the reported information is supported by admissible evidence as predetermined in the Technical Indicator Description table.

(iii) Internal coordination commences with the engagements at programme level through interactions between the Chief Directorate: Strategic Planning & Cluster Coordination and respective branches. Upon consolidation of inputs, the final report is interrogated and validated by the DoT Executive Committee for reporting at the Strategic Management Committee. The Audit Committee and the Portfolio Committee on Transport receive the reports in line with their respective oversight obligations. The Report is also submitted to the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME). The Department also participates in the Outcomes Technical Implementation Delivery and Data Forums for effective Outcomes implementation. At the end of the financial year, the department compiles an Annual Report. All reports mentioned above are posted in the DoT website for public consumption.

(c) (i) The champion is the Accounting Officer, supported by Programme Managers.

Airports Company South Africa SOC Limited (ACSA)

    (a) Airports Company South Africa SOC Ltd (ACSA) strategy process is guided by the Minister of Transport’s vision, predetermined objectives and      goals which are underpinned by the National Development Plan.

   (bb) In response, ACSA has aligned its strategic objectives, outcomes, outputs, focus areas and strategic initiatives to the NDP. In turn, ACSA’s Corporate Plan outlines the predetermined objectives, key performance indicators and associated targets. ACSA applies the balanced scorecard philosophy, which directs and ensures that key performance indicators cover the breadth and spectrum of its business, people, society and environment.

   (b) (i) The performance monitoring process, within ACSA sits within the CEO’s Office – Strategic Planning Unit. The Group Manager: Strategic Planning is responsible for coordinating, measuring and monitoring the process.

      (ii) The key performance indicators and performance narrative are tracked and monitored monthly by the Executive Committee, and quarterly reviewed by the Board Audit and Risk Sub-Committee and subsequently, at Board level.

     (iii) Once approved, the quarterly report, as outlined in the PFMA, is submitted to the Department of Transport and Department of Treasury. Every quarter, after submitting the quarterly reports, the Department of Transport and ACSA meet to engage and discuss the company’s year to date (YTD) performance in relation to YTD Targets.

From an internal assurance perspective, the key performance indicators process, as it relates to performance against targets and the remedial action, are subject to a scheduled quarterly internal audit review and assurance process. The external auditor, currently the Auditor General, provides the external review and assurance of the SOC’s key performance indicators and annual performances.

(c) (ii) The Board of ACSA through the Chairman is the champion.

Air Traffic and Navigation Services SOC Limited (ATNS)

(a) ATNS is a schedule 2 state owned company incorporated in 1993 in terms of ATNS Company Act, Act 45 of 1993. Its mandate is to provide Air Traffic Management Solutions and associated services on behalf of the State in accordance with ICAO Standards, recommended practice as well as the South African Civil Aviation Regulations and Technical Standards.

(a) (i) and (iii) (bb) Processes and procedures

The development process of the three (3) year Corporate Plan is driven by the Departmental outcomes to demonstrate the entity’s contribution and support towards the national priorities as stipulated in the Medium Term Strategic Framework (MTSF) and the National Development Plan (NDP).

  (a) (ii) (bb) Mechanism

The quarterly performance report is intended to provide feedback on the targets set in the Performance Agreement. The quarterly report is in a form of financial and non-financial performance indicators. Reporting on both financial and non-financial performance is important in measuring the performance of entities. While financial information (expenditure and revenue) is critical for determining the costs and efficiencies of programmes/objectives/activities, non-financial information is equally important for assessing progress towards predetermined performance targets.

The DoT has identified the following seven (7) key performance areas to assess progress towards ATNS achieving its targets.

1. Transport Safety and Security
2. Infrastructure Development and High-Level Investment Plan for Transport
3. The Fight Against Fraud and Corruption
4. Environmental Protection
5. Training to Contribute to Job Creation
6. Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment
7. Employment Equity

(b) (i) The performance report is monitored on a quarterly basis.

(b) (ii) The Key Performance Indicators are measured and evaluated in accordance with the National Treasury performance management framework. This report is compiled and submitted to the DoT in accordance to the National Treasury Guidelines on the preparation of Quarterly Reports for Public Entities and Constitutional Institutions. Treasury Regulations 29.1.3(b) and 29.1.6(a)-(j) require public entities to report on a quarterly basis to their Executive Authority.

(b) (iii) The report is coordinated through the DoT Civil Aviation Oversight directorate.

1. (i) The DoT Civil Aviation Branch is the champion for the department

(ii) The office of the CEO and Strategic Optimisation departments are champions at ATNS.

South African Civil Authority (SACAA)

(a) (i) (ii) (iii)

(aa) N/A

(bb) The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) as a Schedule 3A entity submits a five year Strategy and an Annual Performance Plan to the Department of Transport in compliance with the PFMA. The development process of the Strategy and APP ensures the alignment of the SACAA Strategic Objectives to both the National Development Plan and the Department of Transport Objectives and this alignment is clearly demonstrated in the same documents.

(b) (i) (ii) (iii) On an annual basis the various draft versions of the Strategy and APP are submitted three times to the Board and DoT during August, November and January of each year for approval. The APP includes a five year delivery plan and an annual quarterly delivery plan which incorporates SMART targets and this is monitored by submitting quarterly progress reports to the Board and ultimately to the Minister of Transport indicating what was achieved and how the SACAA plans on recovering on areas where there is non-delivery. On a quarterly basis the performance against targets is audited by the Internal Audit department and at the end of the financial year by the Auditor General. A portfolio of evidence is kept to prove achievement. An account of the annual performance is also included in the Annual Report of the SACAA which is submitted to Parliament during August/September each year.

(c) (i) N/A (ii) the champions of the process is the Director of Civil Aviation and the Board of the SACAA.

Railway Safety Regulator (RSR)

Given the RSR’s legislative mandate – to oversee, promote, enforce and monitor railway safety – its strategic objectives and respective outcomes contribute to the NDP’s broader social and economic development objectives and principles; assurance is provided for the safe conveyance of commuters and freight via rail. Alignment with the NDP’s broader objectives is ensured as follows:

(a) (i) (iii) Processes and procedures:

The RSR has regular engagement sessions with the DoT’s Rail Branch throughout each financial year when formulating its medium-term strategic framework (MTSF) and Annual Performance Plans (APP). As the Shareholder Department constructive input into the formulation of its outcomes-based MTSF and ensures that the entity contributes to the country’s NDP principles and objectives. Processes and procedures for input into the MTSF are contained in the RSR’s Guide for Strategy Development, which is PFMA compliant.

(a) (ii) Mechanisms:

DoT representation in the development of the RSR’s MTSF and Board approval of the MTSF.

(b) (i) Monitoring:

The DoT and the RSR’s Board monitors alignment. Quarterly organisational performance reports are quality controlled by the Board’s Audit and Risk Committee and presented to the Board for adoption. These reports are then submitted to the DoT for performance tracking. Annual and MTSF performance scores are compiled and submitted to the DoT where the former is used to track progress and the latter is used to assess the achievement of the entity’s strategic outcomes.

(b) (ii) Measurements:

Quarterly and annual organisational performance scores are used as measuring instruments. In addition, the annual State of Safety report is used as a tool to gauge the safety of the country’s railways and rail operations.

(b) (iii) The process is coordinated by the RSR’s Office of the CEO in collaboration with the DoT’s Rail Branch and the RSR’s Board Secretariat (with respect to Board input and guidance).

(c) (ii) The RSR’s Office of the CEO (wrt strategic targets and objectives) and Research Unit (wrt the State of Safety Report) within the Office of the COO.

Ports Regulator of SA (PRSA)

(a) (bb) The PRSA uses (i) the process of incorporating the NDP into the organisation’s Annual Performance Plan (APP) and its Strategic Plan via the (ii) mechanism of the MTSF which distils the first 5 year deliverables of the NDP into action items, as well as the Minister’s Performance agreement which she has shared with entities.

The DoT uses the (iii) procedure of Quarterly reporting on performance against APP targets, fulfilling:

(b) (i) monitoring by the department, in particular the Maritime Branch

(ii) measurement as overall percentage progress on the NDP aligned APP

(iii) detailed feedback by the Department to the entity on delivery progress on APP, thus effecting coordination.

(c) (ii) CEO and CFO

South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA)

1. The Strategy and APP of the entity is aligned through an alignment matrix with the National Development Plan outcomes; the SONA 9 Point Plan and DoT Strategic objectives
2. This is being monitored through quarterly management quality review actions; quarterly DoT oversight reporting documents to ensure APP alignment; annually through the Auditor General’s office to ensure the APP is delivering performance indicators and measures.
3. The champion for SAMSA is the CEO Commander Tsietsi Mokhele.

Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA)

(a) The process followed is as required by the PFMA in terms of the submission of the annual Corporate Plan of PRASA, a schedule 3B entity, with specific annual performance indicators and targets. The corporate plan with performance levels is presented to the Department and the Minister of Transport in February of each year. The performance levels agreed are incorporated into the Annual Shareholder Compact between the Board of PRASA and the Minister of Transport.

(b) As required by the PFMA and Treasury Regulations, PRASA reports to the Shareholder on a quarterly basis on the state of performance with reasons for variation and actions to improve performance.

(c) (ii) Chief Strategy Officer of PRASA: Mr Sipho Sithole

REPLY

(bb) Cross-Border Road Transport Agency (CBRTA)

(a)(i)(ii)(iii) The Framework for Strategic and Annual Performance Plans guides the development of the medium term strategy and is set by the National Treasury. Therefore, (bb) the Cross-Border Road Transport Agency (CBRTA) and), within the jurisdiction of its mandate when developing its five year Strategy (such as the 2015-2020 Strategy) has five (5) strategic outcome goals that are aligned to the National Development Plan.

(b) Monitoring is done through the use of quarterly performance reporting, which is submitted to the National Department of Transport. The submitted quarterly performance is (ii) measured against the set targets as per the approved Annual Performance Plan.

(c) Executive Managers, the CEO and the Board are the champions for the CBRTA

(bb) Road Accident Fund (RAF)

(a)(bb) To ensure that outcomes achieved by the Road Accident Fund (RAF) are aligned to the National Development Plan, the RAF’s

(i) processes, (ii) mechanisms and (iii) procedures are aligned to the Framework for Strategic Plans and Annual Performance Plans (the Framework) established by National Treasury to provide for: timeframes for the submission, tabling and reporting on Strategic Plans and Annual Performance Plans; clarification of the relationship between institutional plans, policy and budgets; details and definitions of key concepts and information to be reported on in specific sections of the Strategic Plans and Annual Performance Plans, placing the emphasis on performance information; and, templates that are used in drafting the Strategic Plans and Annual Performance Plans. Consequently, the strategic objectives and performance targets set out in the RAF’s Strategic Plans and Annual Performance Plans, are presented to the Department of Transport, and ties back to the National Development Plan,

(b) the outcomes achievement by the RAF in terms of its Annual Performance Plans are (i) monitored by the RAF’s Strategy, Risk and Compliance Department, Internal Audit Department and external auditors, and reported to the Board, the Department of Transport, the National Treasury and the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (ii) the outcomes are measured against the respective performance indicators set out in the approved RAF’s Annual Performance Plans, and (iii) the measurement of such outcomes are internally coordinated by the RAF’s Strategy, Risk and Compliance Department, and

(c)(ii) Executive Managers, the CEO and the Board are the champions for the RAF

 

(bb) Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC

1. (i) The RTMC aligns its strategic planning cycle to the set National Treasury Guidelines and ensures that all applicable legislation and policies are taken into consideration during planning. Workshops are and review sessions are held to ensure alignment of RTMC strategic plans with the National Development Plan.

(ii) Standardised scorecards and performance reviews are used to as mechanisms and procedures to ensure that outcomes are aligned to the National Development Plan.

1. (i) Monthly internal performance reviews and quarterly performance reports are used to monitor performance against set objectives.

(ii) Road Traffic Information is used to measure performance against set targets.

(iii) Quarterly reviews by the Management Committee and reports to the Board are used as coordinating mechanisms to ensure sustained alignment with the National Development Plan.

1. (i) Executive Managers, the CEO and the Board are the champions for the RTMC

Road Traffic Infringement Agency (RTIA);

(a)(ii) the Minister has instructed the Department to engage with the entities and identify the overlapping areas of their functional responsibilities with a view to strengthening the operations of all entities and the policy mandate of the department.

(b)(i) the department is required to provide a report on the status of the overlaps, as well as recommendations for the required interventions by the end of the second quarter of the 2016/17 financial year.

(b)(ii) the envisaged timelines for implementing the short-term interventions are the end of the 2016/17 financial year. For the long-term interventions and permanent solutions which would require the legislative amendments to the various Acts, the timelines are the 2017/18 financial year. The process is being coordinated through the office of the Deputy Director General: Roads, Transport

(c) (ii)the champion in the Road Traffic Infringement Agency is the Registrar/Chief Executive Officer.

South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL

(a) SANRAL’s Board and Management are conscious of the need to ensure the achievement of the vision of the NDP through its operations. The Board directs SANRAL strategy to enable this. SANRAL’s 6 Strategic Outcome Oriented Goals are directly aligned to 8 of the 14 MTSF outcomes, the main one being Outcome 6: An efficient, competitive and responsive economic infrastructure network. SANRAL’s mandate of the management of the national road network is encapsulated in this outcome.

(b) Monitoring, Measurement and Coordination of Performance Information

SANRAL has identified 9 Strategic Objectives to achieve the Strategic Goals. Performance to achieve the strategic objectives is monitored, measured and reported in terms of SANRAL’s Performance Management Policy. The attainment of the strategic objectives is monitored through key performance indicators within every objective. The key performance indicators have targets which must be attained annually. This is documented in SANRAL’s Annual Performance Plan (APP), which is developed every year, approved by the Board and finally approved by the Minister of Transport.

Performance is reported quarterly in the case of the majority of key performance indicators. The remainder are reported semi-annually or annually, determined by the type of indicator. The performance report is submitted quarterly to the Minister, following approval by SANRAL’s Board. This is checked by the Public Entity Oversight division of the Roads Branch in the DoT and a report is provided to the Minister of Transport.

The final performance information at the end of each financial year is audited by the Auditor General (AG) and then published in the Annual Report. Interim reports may also be audited by internal audit or the AG.

(c) SANRAL: Company Secretary

Reply:

1. The R24 (P16/1) from km 12, 5 (Olifantshoek) to km 0.0 (Buiten ST, Rustenburg) was split into two sections. Section One km 0.0 to km 4.9 (Project One) and km 4.9 to km 12 ,5 (Project Two). These projects were procured approximately 24 months apart.

2(a) Project One was awarded to DIP Civils in April 2013. In February 2014 the pace of construction slowed down considerably and it was evident that the Contractor was experiencing some financial problems that led into the contractor seeking for a and entered into Business Rescue in April 2014. Unfortunately the Business Rescue was not successful and a new contractor was appointed together with the Liquidator in October 2014. This project is scheduled to be completed by end April 2016.

(b) The Second Project commenced in March 2015 and is scheduled to be completed in September 2017. Currently progress is on schedule.

(3) As part of government’s key delivery programme being implemented by SANRAL, the Minister has no plans to single out this programme through any form of statement on this road.

Reply:

The question by the Honourable Member is more on operational matters which the Ministry at the national level, does not monitor. The question can therefore best be responded to by the Municipal Managers and the Honourable Member may consider using his representation in those councils.

Reply:

On 29 February 2014 and 27 January 2016 the Commission received complaints related to a visa service provider.

The first complaint was that the visa service provider had allegedly concluded contracts with various foreign governments in terms of which it had been given exclusive rights to provide visa support services, and was charging excessive prices for its visa support services.

After investigating the complaint, the CC decided not to refer the matter to the Competition Tribunal, due to jurisdictional issues relating to the conduct of foreign governments. The Commission also found that the prices that were being charged were in fact aligned with the embassies’ own tendering frameworks.

The Commission did however engage in advocacy efforts with the embassies concerned, to make them aware that such practices could have anti-competitive effects.

On 27 January 2016, the Commission received a complaint that the same company was abusing its dominance in the provision of visa support services to international travellers to South Africa who have to use South African embassies abroad. This complaint is still under investigation by the Commission.

-END-

Reply:

No.

END.

Reply:

(1)(a)(i) There were thirty three (33) reported cases of natural deaths

(1)(a)(ii) There were five (5) reported cases of unnatural deaths (known and unknown causes)

Information for (1)(b),(c)and (2) is reflected in the tables below:

(1)(b) Date of death	(1)(c) Reason of death	(2) Date reported to JICS –if not give reason
NATURAL DEATHS
2015.03.13	Respiratory Failure	2015.08.24
2015.04.09	Heart Problem	2016.02.23
2015.04.26	Respiratory Failure	2015.05.25
2015.05.11	Respiratory Failure	2015.05.17
2015.08.24	Nephrotic Syndrome	2015.08.27
2015.08.27	Broncho Pneumonia	2015.09.06.
2015.08.29	Acute Liver Failure	2015.08.30
2015.10.15	Respiratory Failure	2015.10.29
2015.11.20	Cardio Pulmonary Arrest	2015.12.13
2015.05.17.	Retro Viral Disease	2015.05.20
2015.05.26.	Plasma Blastic Lymphoma	2015.05.28
2015.06.08	Retro Viral Disease	2015.06.24
2015.06.11	Idiopathic Thrombo Cytopenia	2015.06.17
2015.06.11	Kaposi Sarcoma	2015.06.17
2015.06.10	Retro Viral Disease	2015.06.17
2016.01.29	Respiratory Failure	2016.01.29
2016.02.20	Opportunistic Infection /Diabetes	2016.03.07
2016.02.28	Electrolyte Imbalance	2016.02.28
2015.05.27	Epilepsy Hypertension Previous Cerebro vascular accident	2015.05.28
2015.11.10	Retro Viral Disease	2015.11.12
2015.11.13	Retro Viral Disease	2015.11.13
2015.12.08	Diabetes Hypertension Asthma	2015.02.09
2016.02.24	Hepatitis	2016.02.24
2015.09.09	Acute asthmatic attack	2015.09.09
2015.06.15	Retro Viral Disease	2015.06.22
2015.06.16	Retro Viral Disease	2015.06.18
2015.06.18	Retro Viral Disease	2015.06.26
2015.07.06	Meningitis	2015.07.10
2015.07.26	Hypertension	2015.07.31
2015.09.01	Retro Viral Disease	2015.09.03
2015.09.13	Retro Viral Disease	2015.09.16
2015.11.30	Sepsis renal failure	2015.12.01
2016.01.19	Jaundice	2016.01.26
UNNATURAL DEATHS
2015.08.26	Suicide: Medication overdose	2015.08.27
2015.11.08	Unnatural: Post mortem outstanding. Death register number 1619/15: Steve Biko Forensic Pathology Laboratory	2015.11.08
2015.11.12	Assault: Inmate on Inmate: Stabbed in the heart	2015.11.12
2015.11.19	Suicide: Hanging	2015.11.19
2015.12.12	Stab wound of the chest. Injury to the pulmonary artery. Blood in the pericardial sack around the heart. Massive haemothorax of the left chest cavity. Superficial incised wounds of the right flank and back	2015.12.12

(3) The JICS does not investigate all deaths reported to it, due to lack of capacity; it does however follow a process to confirm that deaths did occur and this is done via the Independent Correctional Centre Visitor.

Natural Deaths – when a natural death is reported the Independent Correctional Centre Visitor will fill in a record of confirmation to confirm that the death has taken place.

Unnatural Deaths - when an unnatural death is reported the Independent Correctional Centre Visitor will be required to conduct an enquiry on the death and depending on the severity of the case it will then be referred to the JICS investigating unit to investigate

The last enquiry conducted was at Kgoši Mampuru Local in November 2015 where it was alleged that the inmate committed suicide by hanging himself. The Independent Correctional Centre Visitor did the enquiry and found that indeed the inmate had committed suicide by using his shoes laces and a piece of bed sheet as a rope.

Reply:

The requested information is yet to be received from the Metropolitan Municipalities. We are however, making efforts to follow-up on it and the Honourable Member will therefore be updated on progress.

 

Reply:

The matter was recently finalized by the Constitutional Court. The process that is followed in government regarding the payment of legal fees is as follows: Counsel would submit their bills to the State Attorney. The State Attorney is required to verify the bills and effect payment. Thereafter the Bills are submitted to the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development. The Department of Justice invoices the relevant Departments for a refund, in this case, the Presidency. The Presidency will only be able to ascertain the amount spent after the above process is concluded.

Reply:

The requested information is yet to be received from the Metropolitan Municipalities. We are however, making efforts to follow-up on it and the Honourable Member will therefore be updated on progress.

 

Reply:

The question by the Honourable member should be directed to the National Treasury. The National Treasury manages the expenditure and the budgets of municipalities in line with the provisions in the Municipal Finance Management Act. Municipalities report budgetary matters in terms of s71 of the MFMA and are best placed to respond to matters relating to budget and expenditures of all municipalities.

Reply:

The requested information is not readily available within the department. We are however, collating the information from both the Provincial CoGTA departments and the Metropolitan Municipalities and will submit as soon as we have concluded. The Honourable Member will therefore be updated on progress.

Reply:

According to the Northern Cape Department of Health, the response is as follows:

1. (a) The breakdown in expenditure on air ambulance services

    (i) 2012-2013: Unable to source information;

    (ii) 2013-2014: R14,359,809.26;

    (iii) 2014-2015: R11,768,985.19;

(b) 2015 – 18 March 2016: R10,851,059.19

2. Third parties were not used to provide such services.

3.The fixed wing aircraft, Aerocare (Ambulance Air Africa) is operational in the Northern Cape Province. The current contract operates on a month-to-month system until National Treasury finalises the new tender for aeromedical services.

END.

Reply:

The requested information is yet to be received from the Metropolitan Municipalities. We are however, making efforts to follow-up on it and the Honourable Member will therefore be updated on progress.

 

Reply:

The question by the Honourable member should be directed to the National Treasury. The National Treasury manages the expenditure and the budgets of municipalities in line with the provisions in the Municipal Finance Management Act. Municipalities report budgetary matters in terms of s71 of the MFMA and are best placed to respond to matters relating to budget and expenditures of all municipalities.

Reply:

There is no requirement for the verification of national teacher education qualifications of South African Citizens by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).

However, all teachers are required to submit their qualifications to education departments for evaluation to be employed in education. The policy on the Criteria for the Evaluation and Recognition for Qualifications for Employment in Education, former Department of Education, 2000, published in Notice No. 935, Government Gazette No. 21565 of 22 September, 2000 is in the process of being revised. This policy describes the process and procedures for the evaluation, approval and recognition of initial qualifications, advanced and postgraduate qualifications for employment in education and the assigning of Requirement Education Qualification Value (REQVs) to these qualifications.

The principal end users of this policy are evaluators of teacher qualifications in national and provincial departments of education and admissions officials at universities and higher education institutions that offer teacher education to ensure that teacher applicants are admitted to the correct and most appropriate qualification type and programme.

 

Reply:

What was the (a) salary and (b) performance bonus of each public school principal in 2015?

(a) The table below shows a summary of Principal annual and monthly basic salary. The annual and monthly salaries are summarised by the level of a principal and the number of principals on each salary notch. This is a summary of the position as at December 2015.

Annual Basic Salary (R)	Monthly Basic Salary (R )	Number of Principal per level (level is determined by size of the school)
		Principal P1	Principal P2	Principal P3	Principal P4	Principal P5	Principal S1	Grand Total
123 000	10 250						1	1
162 516	13 543						1	1
164 157	13 680						1	1
169 113	14 093						1	1
170 814	14 235						1	1
179 532	14 961						1	1
188 673	15 723						1	1
190 569	15 881						1	1
194 400	16 200						1	1
196 335	16 361						1	1
198 297	16 525						2	2
200 478	16 707						1	1
202 476	16 873						1	1
206 547	17 212						1	1
208 620	17 385						2	2
212 811	17 734						4	4
214 929	17 911						2	2
217 074	18 090						1	1
219 258	18 272						4	4
221 445	18 454						1	1
223 674	18 640						3	3
228 165	19 014						5	5
230 445	19 204						3	3
232 752	19 396						4	4
235 077	19 590						3	3
237 420	19 785						5	5
239 790	19 983						4	4
242 169	20 181						6	6
244 617	20 385						8	8
247 062	20 589						3	3
249 528	20 794						2	2
252 012	21 001						2	2
254 541	21 212						1	1
257 082	21 424						8	8
259 650	21 638						4	4
262 254	21 855						8	8
264 885	22 074						4	4
267 531	22 294	108					4	112
270 195	22 516	43					5	48
272 904	22 742	87					5	92
275 622	22 969	65					8	73
278 397	23 200	53					5	58
281 157	23 430	27					1	28
283 986	23 666	20					1	21
286 815	23 901	5						5
289 698	24 142	6					3	9
292 581	24 382	36					1	37
297 114	24 760	21						21
300 087	25 007	21					1	22
303 105	25 259	37					1	38
306 111	25 509	72					4	76
309 189	25 766	113					2	115
312 267	26 022	84					4	88
315 396	26 283	72					3	75
318 543	26 545	69	814				4	887
321 723	26 810	71	405				4	480
324 957	27 080	66	566				4	636
328 203	27 350	50	397				1	448
331 494	27 625	41	395				1	437
334 809	27 901	19	235				1	255
338 163	28 180	19	98				1	118
341 538	28 462	9	76					85
344 946	28 746	11	95					106
348 384	29 032	12	69					81
351 870	29 323	9	107					116
355 410	29 618	6	95					101
358 956	29 913	6	132					138
359 655	29 971		1					1
362 547	30 212	5	291					296
366 159	30 513	7	419				1	427
369 810	30 818	9	390					399
373 524	31 127	12	432					444
377 259	31 438	10	409				1	420
381 027	31 752	4	404	691				1099
384 831	32 069	4	341	376				721
388 683	32 390	6	288	538				832
392 574	32 715	5	203	480	1			689
396 510	33 043	5	149	393				547
400 464	33 372	4	194	332				530
404 451	33 704	3	142	100				245
408 528	34 044	7	111	47				165
412 596	34 383	5	110	62				177
416 721	34 727	5	131	59				195
420 894	35 075	3	156	123				282
427 413	35 618		50	59				109
431 691	35 974		37	91				128
435 993	36 333		52	194				246
440 364	36 697		35	267	477			779
444 753	37 063		64	391	315		1	771
449 205	37 434		21	353	326			700
453 714	37 810		4	319	336			659
458 223	38 185	1	7	335	244			587
462 819	38 568		6	371	182			559
467 448	38 954		13	299	48			360
472 128	39 344	1	10	238	22		1	272
476 835	39 736		7	187	29			223
481 602	40 134		13	151	38			202
486 432	40 536		13	110	53			176
491 301	40 942		14	107	42			163
496 206	41 351		6	87	62			155
501 168	41 764		11	78	101			190
506 178	42 182		12	49	115			176
511 245	42 604		10	49	154			213
516 348	43 029		8	42	181			231
521 517	43 460		7	49	196			252
523 788	43 649			1				1
526 743	43 895		10	79	231			320
531 999	44 333		11	52	218			281
537 324	44 777		2	26	231	1		260
542 688	45 224			4	191	65		260
548 112	45 676		1	4	172	47		224
553 614	46 135			6	88	45		139
559 134	46 595		1	5	53	58		117
564 738	47 062		1	2	19	40		62
570 378	47 532		1	2	10	45		58
576 078	48 007		1	2	9	9		21
581 838	48 487		2	3	12	1		18
587 646	48 971		1	4	13	2		20
593 541	49 462			3	11	2		16
599 460	49 955			1	8	2		11
605 460	50 455				1	3		4
611 517	50 960			3	5	3		11
617 637	51 470				11	12		23
623 793	51 983				3	19		22
630 033	52 503				3	28		31
636 330	53 028			1		28		29
642 702	53 559				2	26		28
649 149	54 096					19		19
655 635	54 636				2	20		22
662 178	55 182				1	18		19
668 814	55 735					4		4
675 501	56 292					3		3
682 236	56 853					1		1
768 762	64 064			1				1
Grand Total		1 354	8 086	7 226	4 216	501	170	21 553

Source: PERSAL

(b) The current performance management dispensation for school-based educators does not provide for a performance bonus.

Reply:

Department

a) How many persons have been suspended with full pay within (i) her department.

(aa) 2012/13 – None

(bb) 2013-14 – 1 X DDG for 10 months. The value for the duration is R983 851.49

(cc) 2014-15 financial years – Five (05) employees to the value of R1 015 228.91

• 2 Deputy Directors-General (3 Months and 15 days)
• 1 Director (3 months and 20 days)
• 1 Deputy Director (3 months and 20 days)
• 1 Assistant Director (4 months and 10 days)

(b) in each specified case, what (i) is the value of these payments for each month by her department

2013/2014 FINACIAL YEAR
NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES	MONTH	VALUE OF PAYMENTS
One employee	May 2013	R0
	June	R77 356.42
	July	R94 116.98
	August	R94 116.98
	September	R153 559.29
	October	R94 116.98
	November	R94 116.98
	December	R94 116.98
	January 2014	R94 116.98
	February	R94 116.98
	March	R94 116.98
TOTAL	R 983 851.49
2014/2015 FINACIAL YEAR
Employee 1	April 2014	R138 386.61
TOTAL	R138 386.61
Employee 2	July 2014	R118 521.91
	August 2014	R124 311.78
	September 2014	R53 130.51
TOTAL		R295 964.20
Employee 3	October 2014	R27 974.57
	November 2014	R70 907.76
	December	R70 907.76
	January	R70 907.76
	February	R23 312.74
TOTAL		R264 010.00
Employee 4	October 2014	R16 478.74
	November 2014	R41 769.04
	December 2014	R41 769.04
	January 2015	R41 769.04
	February 2015	R13 732.29
Total		R155 518.14
Employee 5	October 2014	R36 545.71
	November 2014	R37 020.79
	December 2014	R37 020.79
	January 2015	R37 020.79
	February 2015	R13 741.90
Total		R161 349.96
Grand Total – 2014/15		R1 015 228.91

(c) what were the reasons for (i) these suspensions,

The officials committed serious allegations of misconduct that warranted precautionary suspension.

(ii) reasons for suspending the persons with full pay

Precautionary suspension is always with full pay in terms of Chapter 7, clause 2(b) of the Senior Management Service Handbook and clause 7.2 of the Disciplinary Code and Procedure (Resolution 1 of 2003).

(iii) the delay in resolving the suspension in each case respectively

The complexity of the investigations is the cause of the delay.

(d) what steps is she taking to resolve these suspensions?

All the above-mentioned cases were resolved.

Airports Company South Africa SOC Limited (ACSA)

(a)(ii) The Airports Company South Africa, placed employees under suspension with full pay pending investigation and possible disciplinary action during the financial years under review as follows:

(aa) 2012/13

During the period under review, nine (9) employees were placed under suspension with full pay for the average period of approximately three (3) months (92 days). The total value of the salaries paid to the nine (9) employees during the period under review for suspension with full pay amounted to R 286 889.90.

All cases were concluded, with outcomes reached within set timeframes of investigation, resolution and finalization of such matters.

(bb) 2013/14

During the financial year under review, nineteen (19) employees were placed on suspension with full pay for the average period of approximately three (3) months (95 days). The total amount of salaries paid to the nineteen (19) employees during the period of suspension under review amounted to R 880 462.11

All cases were concluded, with outcomes reached within set timeframes of investigation, resolution and finalization of such matters.

(cc) 2014/15

During the financial year under review, thirty four (34) employees were placed under suspension with full pay for the average period of below three (3) months (77 days). The total amount of salaries paid to the thirty four (34) employees during the period under review of suspension with full pay amounted to R 2 298 887.60

All cases were concluded, with outcomes reached within set timeframes for investigation, resolution and finalization of such matters.

(c)(i) and (ii) Reasons for suspension and disciplinary action during the requested review period

The reasons for suspensions to facilitate investigation and conclusion of matters during the period under review were many and varied as reflected in the list below:

Assault

Breach of policy

Collusion

Concealment of information

Damage to property

Desertion of post

Dishonesty

Embezzlement of funds

Forging of sick note

Fraud

Gross negligence and/or competence, violation of policy.

Illegal micro lending

Insubordination

Intimidation, abusive and insulting

Misrepresentation

Misuse of property

Non-disclosure of criminal record

Sleeping on duty

Tempering

Theft

Unacceptable conduct

Unauthorised conduct

Use of foul and insulting language

(iii) Conclusion of disciplinary action during the requested review period

All of the suspensions with full pay for the three (3) sets of financial years have been finalised and there were no delays in the investigation and finalisation of disciplinary processes. Outcomes of majority of the disciplinary processes mainly resulted in decisions of:

• Dismissal
• Acquittal and
• Final written warnings

(d) Solution for the reduction of suspensions with full pay

A benchmark has been set for resolution of suspensions with full pay within a period of three (3) months. Suspension of employees with full pay will be used as an action of last resort in deserving cases of serious financial and criminal misconduct. While some suspensions with full pay may be longer than others, the average period of three months (3) will be the guiding principle.

South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA)

1. (i) N/A (ii) the South African Civil Aviation Authority suspensions are listed below for (aa) there were none, for 2012/13, (bb) there were none for 2013/14, and (cc) for 2014/15 as per table below. (ii) (aa) (bb) (iii) and (iv) are stated in the table below.

Name Department	No. of days suspended	Reasons for suspension	Payment value of suspension in rand per month	Delay and Reasons	Action taken to resolve the matters
Accident and Incident Investigation Division	90 days	Serious misconduct relating to misrepresentation of qualifications	R59,782.76 x3 months R179.348.28	No delay*	An internal disciplinary process was undertaken and the employee was dismissed.
Air Safety Operations Division	90 days	Serious Misconduct unethical conduct when doing inspection and audit.	R70,654.22 x 3 months R211,962.66	No delay*	An internal disciplinary process was undertaken and the employee was dismissed.
Air Safety Operations Division	90 days	Serious misconduct relating to conflict of interest and contravention of Civil Aviation Act, section 98.	R51,442.43 x 3 months R154,327.29	No delay*	The employee resigned before the disciplinary hearing was held.
Air Safety Operations Division	14 days	Serious misconduct relating to conviction on criminal case.	N/A	No delay*	An internal disciplinary hearing was conducted and the charges against the employee were dismissed by the Chairperson of the hearing.
Air Safety Operations Division	120 days	Serious misconduct relating misrepresentation of flying experience.	R97,707.48 x 4 months R390,829.92	Under the control of external investigations.	An internal disciplinary process was undertaken and the employee was dismissed.
Air Safety Operations Division	150 days	Serious misconduct relating to misrepresentation of qualifications.	R57,258.57 x 5 months R286,292.85	Some delay experienced during festive holidays.	An internal disciplinary process was undertaken and the employee was dismissed.
Total			R1,222,761.00

Footnote: * means that the suspension was within the SACAA Disciplinary Management Policy.

Air Traffic and Navigation Services SOC Limited (ATNS)

Department	Date Suspended	Date Suspension Uplifted Termination	Value of payment per month	Total of payment whilst on suspension	Reason for Suspension	Reason for Delay in resolving matter	What is being done to resolve	Reason for suspension with full pay
2012/2013
ATNS	25 September 2012	24 December 2012	R56 767.00	R163 307.00	KPMG Audit – Whistle blowing matter	Matter was dealt with as expedient as possible taking the audit into consideration.	Matter concluded	According to the Labour Relations Act, a suspension preceding a disciplinary hearing is a preventative suspension and must always be with full pay
ATNS	31 August 2012	14 September 2012	R20 833.33	R10 575.00	Gross Insubordination	Non availability of internal qualified Chairman.	Matter concluded.	According to the Labour Relations Act, a suspension preceding a disciplinary hearing is a preventative suspension and must always be with full pay
ATNS	25 September 2012	24 December 2012	R72 399.00	R211 618.00	KPMG Audit Whistle blowing matter	Matter was dealt with as expedient as possible taking the audit into consideration.	Matter concluded.	According to the Labour Relations Act, a suspension preceding a disciplinary hearing is a preventative suspension and must always be with full pay
ATNS	28 March 2013	1 August 2013	R153 333.00	R634 561.00	Gross Insubordination	External legal team appointed based on seniority.	Matter concluded. Employee dismissed.	According to the Labour Relations Act, a suspension preceding a disciplinary hearing is a preventative suspension and must always be with full pay
2013/2014
ATNS	4 July 2013	5 September 2013	R128 808.00	R271 466.00	Gross dishonesty	External legal team appointed due to seniority of employee.	Matter concluded.	According to the Labour Relations Act, a suspension preceding a disciplinary hearing is a preventative suspension and must always be with full pay
ATNS	13 March 2014	25 July 2014	R80 424.00	R357 004.00	Gross Insubordination	External legal team appointed due to the seniority of the employee.	Matter concluded	According to the Labour Relations Act, a suspension preceding a disciplinary hearing is a preventative suspension and must always be with full pay
2014/2015
ATNS	16 May 2014	31 October 2015	R111 435.00	R1 950 958.07	Whistle Blower on allegations of racism, discrimination, intimidation and victimisation of black employees.	Extensive internal disciplinary hearing finalised.	Matter Concluded. Employee resigned before finalization of disciplinary hearing.	According to the Labour Relations Act, a suspension preceding a disciplinary hearing is a preventative suspension and must always be with full pay
ATNS	16 May 2014	25 September 2015	R94 350.00	R1 557 411.00	Whistle Blower on allegations of racism, discrimination, intimidation and victimisation of black employees.	Extensive internal disciplinary hearing finalized.	Matter Concluded. Employee dismissed.	According to the Labour Relations Act, a suspension preceding a disciplinary hearing is a preventative suspension and must always be with full pay

Ports Regulator of South Africa

The Ports Regulator has never suspended any of its employees since starting operations in 2007.

South African Maritime Safety Authority ( SAMSA)

1. (ii)

Number of persons suspended	Number of months person suspended	Amount p/m	Reasons for suspension	Why Suspension with full pay?	Reasons for delays in resolving the matter	What are the Steps to resolve the matter?
2012-13
1	3 months	R69 141.49	Misconduct	Precautionary suspension	CCMA process took long	Resolved
2013-14
1	1 month	R28 818.12	Misconduct	Precautionary suspension	Hearing process	Resolved
2014-15
1	3 months	R70 616.58	Misconduct	Precautionary suspension	Investigation	Matter referred to the Labour Court
1	6 months	R18 853.99	Misconduct	Precautionary suspension	Sick leave by staff member & initiator	Matter resolved

Railway Safety Regulator (RSR)

ii. (aa) No persons were suspended during the 2012-13 reporting period.

ii. (cc) 2014/15 FINANCIAL YEAR

NO. OF PERSONS	REASONS FOR SUSPENSION	PERIOD OF SUSPENSION	MONEY PAID DURING SUSPENSION
1	Gross dishonesty, Financial misconduct, Insubordination and Breach of Duty of Trust.	Four months	R388, 700,96
1	Misconduct	One month	R42, 316
TOTAL
2			R431,016.96
(bb) 2013/14 FINANCIAL YEAR
NO. OF PERSONS	REASONS FOR SUSPENSION	PERIOD OF SUSPENSION	MONEY PAID DURING SUSPENSION
1	Misconduct	One month	R81, 433,50
1	Misconduct	Two months	R46, 474,64
TOTAL
2			R127, 908,14

(b)(iv) All the suspensions were conducted in compliance with the RSR’s Disciplinary Policy, which makes allowances for suspensions with full pay.

Cross-Border Road Transport Agency (CBRTA)

(a)(ii) The CBRTA in the (aa) 2012-13 (bb), 2013-14 (cc) 14-15 financial years (b) suspended a total of eight (8) persons as outlined in the schedule of suspensions table listed below. (b) The amount was paid to each of the specified persons in each month in each of the specified financial years, (c) the reasons for (i) the suspensions and (iii) the delays in resolving the suspensions in each case respectively are all provided in the table below.

Position	(aa)(bb)(cc)Financial years	Period	(c)(i) (ii) Reason for suspension	(c)(iii) Delay in resolving these matters	(b) Monthly amount paid
HR Generalist	FY12/13	FY12/13	November 2012 - January 2013 Suspended for 65 days	Alleged Misconduct. Recruitment process not followed for appointment of new hires. Verbal offers of employment extended before requisite approval.	The matter was not delayed. The suspension was uplifted and an informal disciplinary hearing was conducted.	R 36,744
Chief Road Transport Inspector	FY12/13	FY13/14	February 2013 – April 2013 Suspended for 65 days	Alleged misconduct. Making use of employer's resources for personal benefit. Leave without authorisation	The matter was not delayed. Disciplinary hearing was conducted.	R 38,133
Senior Manager Human Resources	FY13/14	FY13/14	March 2013 – April 2013 Suspended for 43 days	Alleged Misconduct. Unprofessional conduct, fraudulently changing performance score, failure to carry out responsibilities with recruitment of Road Transport Inspectors	The matter was not delayed, the employee resigned pending disciplinary enquiry	R 66,371

Position	(aa)(bb)(cc)Financial years	Period	(c)(i) (ii) Reason for suspension	(c)(iii) Delay in resolving these matters	(b) Monthly amount paid
Senior Manager Law Enforcement	FY 13/14	FY 14 / 15	November 2013 – November 2014 Suspended for 260 days	Alleged misconduct. Gross Insubordination, unruly behaviour, gross negligence	Delays with investigations due to unavailability of witnesses due to work pressures as well as year-end closure. Further delays with serving the employee with disciplinary hearing notice due to unavailability. Postponement of disciplinary hearing on account of employee's request for more time to prepare. First hearing adjourned on the basis of a technicality raised by the employee and his representative. Still more delays for a few scheduled hearing dates due to unavailability of the employee's representative. Eventually the case went to the CCMA for pre-dismissal arbitration. The pre-dismissal arbitration was delayed among others due to ill health of the employee, unavailability of his representative, ill health of the Commissioner; interdict an application to the High Court by the employee. The matter was settled on 3 November 2014.	R 75,467
Executive Manager: Human Resources & Administration	FY13/14	FY14/15	February 2014 - July 2014 Suspended for 108 days	Allegations of misconduct - Gross dereliction of duty, gross insubordination, and gross negligence	Matter delayed by changes to external investigators. Finally a settlement agreement was entered into	R 110,933
Executive Manager: Facilitation & Industry Development	FY14/15	FY14/15	May 2014 - November 2014 Suspended for 130 days	Allegations of misconduct - Gross insolence and undermining authority of superior	The matter was not delayed. After further investigations, the matter was partly heard. The employee requested a settlement agreement	R 131,098.50

Position	(aa)(bb)(cc)Financial years	Period	(c)(i) (ii) Reason for suspension	(c)(iii) Delay in resolving these matters	(b) Monthly amount paid
Senior Data Administrator	FY14/15	FY15/ 16	July 2014 – May 2015 Suspended for 216 days	Allegations of misconduct - Frequent late-coming, Repeated absence without permission, Abscondment/desertion, Gross insubordination	Suspension and hearing delayed on account of repeated failure by employee to respond to acknowledge receipt and/or to respond to disciplinary documentation, failure to attend the inquiry. Unsuccessful use of the services of the Sheriff of the Court to serve documentation to employee. 1st hearing conducted in employee's absence which led to her dismissal. Appeal chairperson granted that another hearing be conducted where she will be given an opportunity to state her case. 2nd hearing delayed due to unavailability of representative, ill-health of employee. Hearing finalised.	R 31,951

Position	(aa)(bb)(cc)Financial years	Period	Reason for suspension	Delay in resolving these matters	Monthly amount paid
Senior Manager Information Technology	FY14/15	FY15/ 16	October 2014 – July 2015 Suspended for 216 days	Allegations of misconduct - Intended fraud.	Investigations into the alleged misconduct were lengthy and required extended time. When suspension was uplifted with intention to pursue hearing, employee resigned.	R 79,679

(d)Mitigation against future costs related to employee suspensions:

The C-BRTA developed and adopted Management Guidelines for Employee Suspensions (as attached) that line management will now use when considering suspensions. The overall effect is that to date employee suspensions have become minimal and where there is a need to isolate an employee from operations while investigations are underway, the employee is placed in other non-related roles to best derive equitable value for the salary earned.

Road Accident Fund (RAF)

1. (ii) The Road Accident Fund (RAF), who employs over 2500 people, suspended with full pay (aa) 9 employees in 2012-13, (bb) 20 employees in 2013-14, and (cc) 10 employees in the 2014-15 financial years,

1. the value of the matters for each month in each financial year are:

	(aa) 2012-13	(bb) 2013-14	(cc) 2014-15
April	R 76 000.00	R 160 000.00	R 420 000.00
May	R 45 000.00	R 215 000.00	R 465 000.00
June	R 85 000.00	R 255 000.00	R 420 000.00
July	R 85 000.00	R 245 000.00	R 450 000.00
August	R 75 000.00	R 225 000.00	R 420 000.00
September	R 90 000.00	R 125 000.00	R 550 000.00
October	R 55 000.00	R 100 000.00	R 550 000.00
November	R 30 000.00	R 205 000.00	R 430 000.00
December	R 58 000.00	R 175 000.00	R 320 000.00
January	R 92 000.00	R 200 000.00	R 130 000.00
February	R 70 000.00	R 300 000.00	R 130 000.00
March	R 70 000.00	R 420 000.00	R 130 000.00

1. (i) the reasons for the suspensions, which relate to anything from misconduct to fraud, are to manage the risk of the employee to interfering with witnesses and/or evidence; where the continued presence of the employee presents a threat to life or property; or where the employee’s presence will have a disruptive effect on other employees, (ii) the CCMA and Labour Court generally consider suspension without pay an unfair labour practice, therefore the RAF Disciplinary Policy provides for the suspension of an employee on full pay in the aforementioned instances, (iii) delays in resolving the matters may be experienced due to any one or more reasons, including ongoing investigations that must be completed; the employee getting sick; CCMA referrals for unfair labour practices; and, requests for legal representation and determination, which if granted, impacts on the time taken to conclude hearings, and

1. in order to resolve future matters the RAF is amending its Disciplinary Policy to curb the maximum period for which an employee may be suspended on full pay and requiring the employee be charged no later than one month after the suspension.

Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC)

(ii) Road Traffic Management Corporation

(aa) 2012 - 2013 = five (5) employees

(bb) 2013 – 2014 = Five (5) Employees

(cc) 2014 – 2015 = One (1) Employees

1. 2012-2013

Employee	Monthly salary
No. 1	R 18 421.39
No. 2	R 13 961.89
No. 3	R 10 815.07
No. 4	R 35 980.71
No.5	R 14 383.92

2013-2014

Employee	Monthly salary
No. 1	R 38 565.30
No. 2	R28 490.88
No. 3	R 35 256.08
No. 4	R 14 171.32
No.5	14 383.92

2014-2015

Employee	Monthly salary
No. 1	R 35 256.08

1. (i) The reasons for the suspension were that the acts of misconduct were very serious and another reason was to conduct the investigation free from possible interference by the employees, in terms of paragraph 9.2 (i) & (ii) of the Disciplinary Code and Procedures of the Corporation

(ii) The suspension of this kind is with full pay in terms of paragraph 9.2 (b) of the Disciplinary Code and Procedures of the Corporation.

(iii) The delays were caused due to the investigation which took longer than we expected. Charges are informed by the Investigation report and therefore if finalization of the investigation delays, then the process of charging the employee/s delays.

(d). As soon as the employee is suspended, processes will be put in place to ensure that the investigation unfolds immediately without any delay. This will ensure that there are no unnecessary delays in the finalization of cases and suspensions.

Road Traffic Infringement Agency (RTIA)

(ii) Suspensions with Full Pay
2012/13	2013/14	2014/15
None	None	1

1. R 261 541.15 for the period September 2014 to February 2015

Gross salary per month:

September 2014- R39 401.44

October 2014- R39 401.44

November 2014- R39 401.44

December 2014- R39 401.44

January 2015- R64 533.97

February 2015- R39 401.44

1. Reason for suspension

1. Misconduct;
2. The suspension was with full pay; and
3. A lengthy disciplinary process was undertaken and the employee was given a final written warning

1. The disciplinary hearing concluded the process.

South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL)

None of the South African National Roads Agency (SOC) Ltd (SANRAL) staff members were suspended during the years under review

Reply:

The requested information is yet to be received from the Tlokwe City Local Municipality. We are however, making efforts to follow-up on it and the Honourable Member will therefore be updated on progress.

 

Reply:

The requested information is yet to be received from the Metropolitan Municipalities. We are however, making efforts to follow-up on it and the Honourable Member will therefore be updated on progress.

 

Reply:

1. Authorisation for the amount in question from the University Council was not required as Dr T Eloff, the former Vice-Chancellor, was authorised in terms of the delegations of authority of the North-West University (NWU), to approve all expenditure up to the value of R10 million. The Vice-Chancellor’s authorisation of the expenditure is therefore not deemed irregular or unauthorised.
2. However, the current Vice-Chancellor, Professor ND Kgwadi, reported in the 2014 Annual Report that the public benefit trust, the North West Higher Education Trust (NWHET), which was established as a mechanism for receiving all philanthropic donations, was scrutinised in order to address a need to clarify the relationship between the NWU and the NWHET.

The University has also provided an update to the Department on the decisions made by Council following the inquiry initiated into alleged fraud by the former Vice-Chancellor.

The Council deliberated extensively on the matter at a meeting held on 19 June 2015 and resolved that:

• The establishment of the North-West Higher Education Trust (NWHET) was an endowment fund with the aim of raising money by commercial investments for the North-West University and other selected higher education institutions in the North West Province;
• Accepted that there had been no improper motive on the part of the former Vice-Chancellor, Dr Eloff, in approving a university donation of R10 million to the Trust;
• Acknowledged that Dr Eloff consulted widely with responsible University officials regarding the viability and feasibility of the NWHET initiative;
• Acknowledge that the Trust had been registered as such in accordance with legal requirements;
• Recommend that all purported projects linked to, or evolving from the Trust, be terminated with immediate effect;
• Steps be taken to recover the full amount of R10 million from the NWHET; and
• The process according to which the amount of R10 million is to be recovered is still underway.

 

COMPILER/CONTACT PERSONS:

EXT:

DIRECTOR – GENERAL

STATUS:

DATE:

QUESTION 853 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED

Dr BE NZIMANDE, MP

MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

STATUS:

DATE:

Reply:

(a) Lieutenant General Dramat was discharged from the South African Police Service in terms of sect 35(b) of the SAPS Act (Act 68 of 1995)

(b) Further relevant details are as follows:

Lieutenant General Dramat through his lawyers requested the Minister of Police that he is desirous to vacate his post as the Head of the Directorate as provided for in Section 17DA (4)(b) of SAPS Amendment Act.

The Minister of Police allowed the request of the employee in terms of the powers conferred upon the Minister in terms of Sect 17DA (4)(b) to vacate his office earlier than the expiry of his tenure for reasons which the Minister deems sufficient.

The Lawyers of the Minister of Police and Lieutenant General Dramat’s Lawyers agreed that:

• Lieutenant General Dramat be granted permission to vacate his Office with immediate effect.

Reply:

The HPCSA is an independent organisation, as such, it has a legal obligation to adhere to all Constitutional and relevant legislative prescripts in the exercise of its mandate. The implementation of the recommendation made in the Ministerial Task Team Report on the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) is therefore subject to adherence to these prescripts. I am being kept informed by the HPCSA on the progress in this regard.

 (a) At this point, I have not been informed by the HPCSA that any of the recommendations of the Ministerial Task Team have been rejected;

 (b) Not applicable;

 (i) Not applicable;

 (ii) A final implementation report is expected by the end of April 2016

END.

Reply:

Whether she has entered into a performance agreement with the President, Mr Jacob G Zuma, with regard to the implementation of the Medium-Term Strategic Framework (MTSF) 2014-2019

The Minister of Basic Education Mrs A Motshekga, MP, has signed her Performance agreement with the President, Mr Jacob G Zuma in December 2014.

a) Which key indicators and targets from the MTSF are reflected in the agreement

The indicators in the Agreement are as captured in the Outcome 1 MTSF chapter. In summary, these indicators come from the following areas:

1. Impact Indicators – which come from the Action Plan to 2019
2. Sub-Outcome 1: Teacher supply, development and effective utilisation
3. Sub-Outcome 2: Provision of infrastructure
4. Provision of Learning and Teaching Support Materials
5. Sub-Outcome 3: Improving assessment (ANA)
6. Sub-Outcome 4: Improving Grade R and extension of Early Childhood Development (ECD).
7. Sub-Outcome 5: Strengthening accountability at schools and district level
8. Sub-Outcome 6: Partnerships for education reform and improved quality

b) How many performance assessments has she undertaken in consultation with the President since the agreement was signed?

The Minister’s performance has been assessed through the Cabinet Memorandum which is tabled before Cabinet every quarter. In this financial year, two reports have been tabled at Cabinet, and the third quarterly report is being prepared for submission to the Department of Planning Monitoring and Evaluation by March 2016.

c) What progress has been made in meeting the key indicators and targets from the MTSF?

Significant progress has been made for the 2015/16 financial year. As at the end of the second quarter, out of a total of 55 indicators, performance is as reflected below:

1. Eleven (11) indicators were fully achieved;
2. Forty (40) indicators were work in progress with the assurance that the targets for 2015/16 will be met by the end of the financial year;
3. No indicators were under-performing due to reasons stated in question (d); and
4. Four (4) indicators have not been reported because of lack of tools to collect the required data or information.

 

d) What are the key obstacles to implementation?

1. Lack of Agreement, tool and regularity in the administration of the ANA;

(ii) Concurrent functions challenges in providing information required from provincial departments of education in the correct format timeously; and

(iii) Interdepartmental dependency in providing information, such as the ECD programmes, ICT and Teacher Development.

e) What is the plan to address such obstacles?

1. The lack of Agreement, tool and regularity in the administration of the ANA:

• The Department is in the process of resuscitating the ELRC as a platform for engagement and,
• The Department has established a task team with representatives from teacher unions to deal with the instrument and the frequency of the administration of the ANA.

(ii) Concurrent functions challenges:

• The department has started developing the norms and standards, business processes and sector plans to be used to solicit the buy in of the provinces to comply with the key deliverables of the sector;

(iii) Interdepartmental dependency:

• These challenges are attended to at the Cabinet Cluster meetings, MINMECs and Minister’s Implementation Forum (MIF);
• The department’s Director General also holds bilateral meetings with the Director Generals of the affected departments.

 

NW75E

Reply:

The requested information is yet to be received from the Kannaland Local Municipality. We are however, making efforts to follow-up on it and the Honourable Member will therefore be updated on progress.

 

Reply:

In the attached Excel files, the performance in the NSC examinations, in terms of the nine provinces and the 81 districts is provided for each of the five quintiles. This data is provided for each of the three years i.e. 2013, 2014 and 2015 as requested.

There are six Excel files and each file focuses on the following sub-components of the question as identified in the question:

(a) (aa) See attached file Q350 (a) (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) (aa) - 2013 Districts Quintiles.

(a) (bb) See attached file Q350 (a) (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) (bb) - 2014 Districts Quintiles.

(a) (cc) See attached file Q350 (a) (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) (cc) - 2015 Districts Quintiles.

(b) (aa) See attached file Q350 (b) (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) (aa) - 2013 Province Quintiles.

(b) (bb) See attached file Q350 (b) (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) (bb) - 2014 Province Quintiles.

(b) (cc) See attached file Q350 (b) (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) (cc) - 2015 Province Quintiles.

Reply:

The requested information is not readily available within the department. We are however, collating the information from the Metropolitan Municipalities and will submit as soon as we have concluded. The Honourable Member will therefore be updated on progress.

Reply:

(1) (a) The maximum loan amount that may be awarded by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) to a university student in the 2016 academic year is R71 800.

(b) (i) and (ii) The maximum loan awarded from the DHET general fund for university students is determined annually and approved by the NSFAS Board as part of the allocations process each year. For the 2016 academic year, the maximum loan amount was approved by the Board in the third quarter of 2015/16 and communicated to institutions in December 2015.

(iii) The university loan amount is determined based on the provisions within the NSFAS Act 56 of 1999 under Sections 4(a) and 4(b), which specifies that it is the function of NSFAS “to allocate funds for loans and bursaries to eligible students; to develop criteria and conditions for the granting of loans and bursaries to eligible students in consultation with the Minister”. It is further provided for under Section 19(1) that “Loans and bursaries granted by the board may be subject to such conditions as it may determine, either generally or in respect to a particular loan or bursary”.

(iv) The maximum loan is calculated by taking into consideration factors such as the increase received from the national budget process and weighted average full cost of study at universities.

(2) An extract of the NSFAS Board meeting minutes of 25 November 2015 is attached.

(3) According to data received from universities, the average full cost of study across the 26 universities was R70 679.11 and weighted average full cost of study was R71 878.40. Based on the weighted average full cost of study, the maximum-capped award was determined as R71 800.

 

COMPILER/CONTACT PERSONS:

EXT:

DIRECTOR – GENERAL

STATUS:

DATE:

QUESTION 834 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED

Dr BE NZIMANDE, MP

MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

STATUS:

DATE:

Reply:

No, the matter was referred to the Magistrate Commission for further handling and investigation.