Questions and Replies

Reply:

The department’s spending on advertisement in the New Age newspaper:

(a) 2012-2013

Human Settlements	Budget Vote	R92,836.93
	Each One Settle One – Masimong CRU	R121,777.99
	Estate Agency Affairs - New Board	R73,453.39
	Govan Mbeki Awards - Outcomes	R293,813.56
	Human Settlement Awards 2012	R108,335.00
	Promoting Social Housing	R146,906.78
Total	R837,123.65

(b) 2013-2014

Human Settlements

Govan Mbeki Awards 2013

R1,421,340.50

(c) 2014-2015

Human Settlements

20 Years of Freedom (Business Network Campaign)

R 799,428.42

Reply:

(a) The following metropolitan municipalities utilize the National Housing Needs Register that enables citizens to register their needs for adequate shelter per household:

• Buffalo City;
• Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Council;
• City of Ekurhuleni;
• City of Johannesburg;
• City of Tshwane and
• City of eThekwini

   (i) Yes it is open to the public. This means that citizens with a need for adequate shelter can register their household information at the offices and/or satellite offices of a metropolitan and or municipalities utilizing the National Housing Needs Register.

  (ii) No. At the moment, the registration is done at the municipal offices and the following information is recorded per household on the NHNR system:

• Geographical details regarding, town, area, street address / house number and ward number;
• Type of dwelling the household is currently living in;
• The main toilet facility that the household has access to;
• The main water facility that the household has access to;
• The main energy type that the household has access to ;
• Monthly income;
• Migration history;
• Preference regarding different housing opportunities;
• Per household member highest qualification attained;
• Per household member, where applicable, the sector In which they are employed;
• Per household member, where applicable, current employment status;
• Per household member, where applicable, social grant received from government;
• Per household member, where applicable, type of disability and
• Per household member, where applicable, special needs.

(b) The information is provided in the table below:

Table 1: Number of applicants registered for adequate shelter

Municipality	Number of Applicants
Buffalo City	48,184
Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Council	82, 163
City of Ekurhuleni	202, 329
City of Johannesburg	356,427
City f Tshwane	163, 511
City of EThekwini	The information is being uploaded

Reply:

(1)(a) The case is fully investigated.

(1)(b) A charge of culpable homicide was opened.

(2) No one has been arrested. A warning statement was taken and sent to the Senior Public Prosecutor for a decision, who will forward it to the Directorate of Public Prosecution.

(3)(a) The driver was interviewed and a warning statement was obtained.

(3)(b) Witness statements were obtained.

(i) 24 December 2015.

(ii) The case docket was forwarded to the Senior Public Prosecutor on 29 January 2016 for decision.

(4) The investigation has been finalized and the case docket was forwarded to the Senior Public Prosecutor at Ermelo on 29 January 2016.

Reply:

1. (a) The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has funded 1 700 533 students since its inception.

(b) and (c) NSFAS does not hold a complete data set on dropouts, and is currently augmenting this data from data sources such as the Higher Education Management Information System (HEMIS). NSFAS, in collaboration with the Department, is currently in the process of conducting a full cohort study looking at cohorts of students from 2005 through to 2014. It is expected that the results from this study will be finalised by the end of June 2016.

Stellenbosch University conducted a cohort study for NSFAS in 2012, which revealed that 34% of the first-time entering student cohort for the 2000 academic year had qualified, 29% were still studying and 37% had dropped out. After a full nine years, 55% of this same cohort had qualified, 6% was still studying and 38% had dropped out.

This study goes on to conclude that NSFAS non-funded students have a slightly higher drop-out and lower qualification rate, with 48% having completed their qualification, 6% still studying and 46% having dropped out. These figures are consistent with figures released annually by the Council on Higher Education, which includes both NSFAS non-funded and funded students.

2. (a) Data shows that students from poor socio-economic backgrounds are disproportionately at risk of failing and dropping out of their studies, i.e. most of these students are NSFAS recipients.

(b) Over the recent years, considerable resources have been provided to address the needs of these students, which amongst others include:

• The establishment and expansion of “First-Year Experience” projects, which take a holistic view of the academic and psychosocial (non-academic) factors that impact on student performance, particularly during the difficult school-to-university first-year transition. All universities now have some version of this programme;
• The effectiveness of the abovementioned strategies are monitored through progress reports submitted by each institution. There has been some improvement in the success rates, however it is still too early to determine the outcome of these programmes;
• Greatly expanding the provision of mentoring and tutorial support, targeting particularly first-year and at risk students;
• The development and strengthening of Writing Centres and other forms of language support, including the development of multilingual online concept glossaries;
• Resources to support the development of e-learning approaches and materials to enhance student learning both in and outside of the classroom;
• Foundation provisioning programmes which support underprepared students though extended curriculum programmes; and
• Improved data analytics at institutional level to identify students at risk and develop interventions to support them.

3. (a) (i) Based on NSFAS loan book data, there are 247 913 students who have dropped out before graduating.

(ii) NSFAS becomes aware of the income status of debtors when they are registered as taxpayers. This information is provided to NSFAS by the South African Revenue Service (SARS) and is used to make contact with non-paying debtors. Of the 247 913 students referred to above, 190 284 (77%) students are registered as taxpayers with SARS.

(b) None of these students have been blacklisted by NSFAS.

(c) NSFAS has a number of measures in place to recover debts from students who have become debtors. The strategy that NSFAS is implementing for debt collection comprises of the following measures:

• Sending statements to debtors;
• Appointment of Collection Agencies;
• Data analysis to identify opportunities to improve collections;
• Ongoing improvements to the outstanding debt recoveries campaign;
• Adversely listing defaulting debtors, i.e. those who are capable of paying and are refusing in terms of Section 21 of the NSFAS Act;
• Ongoing data cleansing of contact details; and
• Establishment of a whistle-blowers facility.

 

 

Compiler/contact persons: Ms P Whittle and Ms J Skene

Ext: 5248 and 5099

DIRECTOR – GENERAL

STATUS:

DATE:

REPLY TO QUESTION 343 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED

Dr BE NZIMANDE, MP

MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

STATUS:

DATE:

Reply:

(1)(a) The investigation into Loate CAS 29/02/2016 is finalised.

(1)(b) Intimidation.

(2) Yes, two (2) suspects were arrested on 3 February 2016, and released on warning on the same date. The Prosecutor did not place the docket on the court roll and gave instructions to obtain further statements regarding the actions of the accused.

(3)(a) Yes, 2 suspects were interviewed.

(3)(a)(i) 3 February 2016.

(3)(a)(ii) The suspects submitted a warning statement and said that they were going to make a statement in court.

(3)(b) Yes, 3 witneses were interviewed.

(3)(b)(i) 3 February 2016.

(3)(b)(ii) There were 3 witnesses who pointed out the suspects that were detained and interviewed.

(4) The docket was sent to the Senior Public Prosecutor on 9 March 2016 to be placed back on the court roll.

Reply:

(1)(a) Renewal of firearm licence applications for both Individual and Business received in the year 2015 were 95 474. The number is broken down as follows:

Individual firearm licences- 83 065

Business firearm licences- 12 409

(1)(b) Renewal applications received from 1 January 2016 to 7 March 2016 for both Individual and Bussiness were 41 240. The number is broken down as follows:

Individual firearm licences- 37 034

Business firearm licences- 4 206

(2)(a) Renewal applications issued (approved) in 2015 for both Individual and Business licences were 62 927 and not issued (refused) were 1 868. The number is broken down as follows:

Renewal for Individual fiream licences issued (approved)- 57 235.

Renewal for Business licence firearm issued (approved)- 5 692.

Renewal for Individual firearm licence applications not issued (refused)- 1 840.

Renewal for business licence applications not issued (refused)- 28.

(2)(b) From 1 January 2016 to 7 March 2016, Renewal applications issued for both Individual and Business licences were 3 385 and not issued (refused) 14. The number is broken down as follows:

Individual fiream licence issued (approved)- 3345.

Business firearm licence issued (approved)- 40.

Individual firearm licence applications not issued (refused)- 14.

Business licence applications not issued (refused)- Nil.

(3)(a) Renewal applications submitted three months after the expiry date for both Individual and Business licences were 24 281. The number is broken down as follows:

Individual firearm licences were submitted late in 2015- 23 389.

Business licence applications submitted late in 2015- 892.

(3)(b) Renewal applications submitted three months after the expiry date from 1 January 2016 to 7 March 2016 for both Individual and Business licences were 3 991. The number is broken down as follows:

Individual Licences applications- 2 823.

Business licence applications- 1 168.

(4)(a) Renewal applications for both Individual and Business licences issued (approved) in 2015 were 16 613 and and not issued (refused) were 801. The number is broken down as follows:

Individual fiream licence issued (approved)- 16 247.

Business firearm licence issued (approved)- 366.

Individual firearm licence applications not issued (refused)- 801.

(4)(b) Renewal applications for both Individual and Business licences issued from 1 January 2016 to 7 March 2016 were 292 and not issued (refused) were 4. The number is broken down as follows:

Individual fiream licence issued- 288.

Business firearm licence issued (approved)- 4.

Individual firearm licence applications not issued (refused)- 4.

(5) No.

Reply:

No.

DPCI vehicles are utilized only for the prevention and investigation of crime in accordance with the provisions of chapter 6A of the South African Police Service Act, Act 68 of 1995 as amended. DPCI vehicles are not referred to as VIP vehicles.

Reply:

(1)(a) Lichtenburg CAS 193/02/2016

(i) (aa) Date: 2016-02-19

(i) (bb) Time: 04:15

(ii) Ms. J Mookaneng

(iii) (aa) Assault Common and Crimen Injuria

(iii) (bb) Stephanus Johannes Jansen van Vuuren

(1)(b) Lichtenburg CAS 194/02/2016

(i) (aa) Date: 2016-02-18

(i) (bb) Time: 21:58

(ii) Ms. E M Miyase

(iii) (aa) Assault Common

(iii) (bb) Obakeng Mothupi

(1)(c) Lichtenburg CAS 199/02/2016

(i) (aa) Date: 2016-02-19

(i) (bb) Time: 04:16

(ii) Ms. J Mookaneng

(iii) (aa) Crimen Injuria

(iii) (bb) No arrests.

(2)(a) Suspects were arrested in Lichtenburg CAS 193/02/2016 and 194/02/2016.

(2)(b) The suspect in Lichtenburg CAS 199/02/2016 is still to be interviewed and warning statement obtained.

(i) 2016-02-18

(ii) Yes

(3)(a) Lichtenburg CAS 193/02/2016 and 194/02/2016 were before court and postponed to 2016-03-07. Lichtenburg CAS 199/02/2016 is still under investigation. Witness as well as warning statements are outstanding. After the investigation is finalised, the docket will be sent to the Senior Public Prosecutor for decision.

(3)(b) 2016-03-31

 

Reply:

a) Yes, my Department did buy advertising space in The New Age. Refer to the table below for the break down per financial year.

Financial Year	Number of times	Amount
(a) 2012/13	Once (1)	R97 723.08
(b) 2013/14	Five (5)	R 175 091.40
(c) 2014/15	Thirteen (13)	R 953 887.97

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Reply:

1. South Africa is concerned about the security situation in Burundi and that the Government has called for an inclusive dialogue that would include all the relevant stakeholders. As a former mediator in Burundi, South Africa supports the EAC-led mediation and remains ready and will continue to support the people of Burundi to achieve stability and development.
2. There is no African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) decision not to intervene in Burundi.
3. South Africa is a member of the AUPSC and therefore South Africa was part of the AU Council that took a decision not to deploy the African Prevention and Protection Mission in Burundi (MAPROBU) because it was felt it would be premature to send such a force to Burundi. Instead, the AU Council decided to lend its support to the political dialogue process led by the President of Uganda, hence the decision to dispatch an AU High Level delegation led by South Africa to engage the Government of Burundi and all relevant stakeholders on the need to start the inclusive political dialogue, end violence and facilitate the return of refugees.

UNQUOTE

Reply:

(i) The number of times her Department awarded the contracts to the companies indirectly or directly owed by certain persons: No awards were made to certain persons.

(aaa) 2012/2013: None

(bbb) 2013/2014: None

(ccc) 2014/2015: None

(ii) The amount that her Department spent on contracts awarded to the companies indirectly or directly owed by certain persons: No money spent as there were no awards made to certain persons.

(aaa) 2012/2013: None

(bbb) 2013/2014: None

(ccc) 2014/2015: None

Reply:

(1)(a) Yes, I am aware of the water challenges faced by the Vryheid (Abaqulisi Local Municipality (LM) within the Zululand District Municipality (DM).

(1)(b) My Department, after the 2014 drought declaration has allocated R39 693 million to the Zululand DM to address the drought to all its local municipalities which included Abaqulusi LM. The Zululand DM identified the following interventions to address the critical water shortages in the Abaqulusi LM:

• Drilling of new boreholes and refurbishment of existing boreholes
• Refurbishment of existing water schemes
• Springs protection and
• Water tankering

These interventions are currently underway to address the drought under the Abaqulusi LM and can be summarized as follows:

Drilling of new boreholes and refurbishment of existing boreholes: An existing borehole in Vryheid has been successfully refurbished and people are fetching water from this borehole during the day. Since the drought began, a number of new boreholes have been successfully drilled by the Zululand DM with the aim of augmenting the supply in the various rural water supply schemes. A total number of 7 new boreholes are planned specifically for the Abaqulusi LM and all have already been drilled and tested. The contractors have recently been appointed for equipping the boreholes with hand pumps and are currently undertaking this task.

Refurbishment of existing water schemes: Excellent progress has been made in regards to the refurbishment of existing water supply schemes; R17.5 million has been set aside by my Department for these much needed urgent refurbishments, of which the Zululand DM have expended at least R12.5 million. Four of the water schemes are nearly complete and the Odushwini Water Supply Scheme is at 20% completion, it is estimated to be completed by the end of May 2016.

Springs: Four springs have been identified in the Abaqulusi LM for protection and developing by the Zululand DM, using the DWS existing funding. The installation of 10 000l Jojo tanks and reticulation from the tanks to standpipes will be undertaken. The contractors were appointed in the late October 2015 and this work is being fast tracked to be completed by middle March 2016.

Water Tankering: The Abaqulusi LM owns two water tanker trucks and as such, struggles to service the vast areas of the Abaqulusi LM that are without formal water supply. DWS has approved the business plan and had budgeted R 4,123 million for the 7 tankers hired by the Zululand DM to supply water to severely affected areas within its 5 LMs. The Zululand DM confirms that at least two of their tankers were being sent to assist in parts of the Abaqulusi LM periodically.

Further to this, on 19 February 2016 the Zululand DM has allocated R3, 78 Million to Abaqulusi LM to deal with the current drought. The Department of Water and Sanitation, through its Branch: National Water Resource Infrastructure has also made 20 (5000 litres) JoJo tanks available to be used in Vryheid Town when the reticulated water is limited during the restricted period. The department has also set up the committee to monitor the drought situation in the Abaqulusi LM which is currently taking place weekly.

(2) Refer to the table below for the level of dam for the specified periods.

Name of Dam	30 November 2015	31 December 2015	31 January 2015	as at 15 February 2016
Klipfontein Dam	22, 46%,	20, 39%	19, 88%	21, 14%
Grootgewacht Dam	96%	96%	96%	92%
Bloemveld Dam	0%	0%	0%	0%

(3) The Grootgewacht Dam is reserved as a backup resource, when the other resources including the Klipfontein Dam are completely unavailable.

(4) Piped water for Vryheid is safe for human consumption as it goes through water treatment process to meet drinking standard prior to distribution.

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Reply:

(1)(a)(i) The budget allocation for the upgrade of Brits Water Treatment Works (WTW) is R60 million.

(1)(a)(ii) The expenditure to date is R36 million.

(1)(b) The first module is envisaged to be completed by July 2016 and overall project completion is August 2018.

(1)(c) The estimated cost for the first module is R 93 million and overall project estimate cost is R800 million.

(2) No, the cost has not increased.

(2) (a) Falls away.

(2) (b) Falls away

(3) The Madibeng Local Municipality is not providing financial support due to financial constraint.

(3)(a Falls away.

(3)(b) Falls away.

(4)(a) The funding is enough to carryover the construction, for the completion of module 1 upgrade.

(4)(b) The construction will be done in phases until completion.

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Reply:

 

(1) Refer to Table 1 below for towns in each province affected by water shortages and intervention measures.

(2) Refer to Table 2 below for the dams in each province which ran dry during the period 1 June 2015 to 15 February 2016, the affected communities and the current status of each dam.

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Table1. Towns in each province affected by water shortages and intervention measures

Province	Towns Affected	Intervention measures
Northern Cape	Philandersbron, Welkom and Groot/Klein Mier, VanWyksvlei, Bendell, Deurham, Ditshipeng, Gamorona, Gamokatedi, Gasehunelo, Ganap, Glenred, Heuningsvlei, Laxey, Kilokilo, Metsimatse Wyk 1, Klipham, Kome, Letlhakajaneng, Loopeng, Madibeng, Magojaneng, Saamsukkel, Tsiloane, Van Zylsrus, Tweed, Klein Eiffel, Eiffel, Sydney, Dealand Tsinengkop Dikgatlong, Magareng, Phokwane, Maruping, Brandvlei, Loeriesfontein, Calvinia, Garies, Klipfontein, Spoegrivier, Hondeklip Bay, Eksteenfontein, Lekkersing, De Aar, Strydenburg, Blaauwskop, Warmsand, Eenduin, 7de laan, McTaggerskamp, Noudonsies and Eksteenskuil, Eilande	Rainwater harvesting tanks have been installed at present for the benefit of indigent households. Drilling of boreholes was done as part of the bulk infrastructure program Refurbishing of non-functional boreholes Water is supplied by tankers to some of these affected communities
Free State	Kroonstad, Viljoenskroon, Steynsrus, Brandfort, Winburg, Verkeerdevlei, Boshof, Dealsville, Bloemfontein, ThabaNchu, Botshabelo, Fouriesburg, Rosendal, Kestell, Qwaqwa, FicaPatso, Ladybrand, Excelsior, Tweespruit, Hobhouse, ThabaPatshoa, PetrusSteyn, Lindley, Arlington, Vrede, Memel, Ficksburg, Clocolan, Marquard, Senekal, Phillipolis, Bethulie, Springfontein, Trompsburg, Petrusburg, Smithfield, Dewetsdorp, Wepener, Vanstadensrus, Bethany, Fauresmith, Jackobsdal, Koppies, Kroonstad, Oranjeville, Parys, Theunissen, Vredefort, Warden, Winburg, Zastron, Soutpan	Katse dam water released since early August 2015 Groundwater augmentation Welbedacht dam water release in early January 2016 Drilling of boreholes Boreholes were equipped and connected. Sterkfontein water scheme project is providing water 12 DWS and municipalities’ water tankers provided to relieve water crisis Water released through Orange River Restrictions gazetted for 5 dams and 1 system (3 dams) 32 Boreholes equipped and connected.
Mpumalanga	Mbuzini, Gomora, Magogeni, Managa, Mgobode, Dludluma, Jeppes, Reef, Schoemansdal, Buffelspruit, Driekoppies, Langeloop, Aniva, Steenbok, Louville, Hectospruit, Komatipoort, Malelane, Marloth Park, Badfontein, Draaikraal, Shaga, Boschfontein, matibidi, Moremela, Leroro, Madubula, Rainbow ZFarm, Mahiyane, KaMashayane, Silver Creek, Mtaliyane, Honeybird, Siyalima, Sheba, Paradors, Noordkaap, Mandela Place, Mlambongwane, Castlekop, Hangingstone, Goedehoop, Kamadakwa, Ndlovu, Dixie Farm, Mandela Village (Maviljan), Mamba Mencisi, GaRelani, Violet bank, Kofifi (shatale), Zoeknog A& B, Benoni, Zimbabwe, Mahashe, Tsakane/Greenvalley, CottondaleIslington, Burlington, Mambumbu/Zola/Songeni, Role, Kumani, MP Stream, Hluvukani, Newington, Xanthia, Agincourt, Metsi, Ximhungwe, Kildare, Huntington, Lilydale, Belfast, Cork, Sommerset, Mashonamini, Madras, Goromane, Mkhuhlu A & B, Cargo Inn, Jimbrown, Carlton, Mathibela, Alexandra, Takamahala, Oakley, Chavelagaza, Thushaneng, Cunningmore A, Cunningmore B, Morongwane, Mphenyatsatsi Township, Newforest, Sibambayana, Tsuvulani, Edinburg, Leratong/Zakheni, Kwagafontein/ Emasimini, Vreisgewaght, Kleipfontein, Suncity D, Mandela, Msholozi, Pankop/Masobe, Rakaile, Phake-Thabeng, Mametlhake, Nokaneng, Katjibane, Seabe, Greenside, Marapyane, Ramantsho, Loding, Semotlase, Malopoamogale/Kameelpoort, KwaMakola, Kgaphamadi, Wonderfontein, Tweeloop, Sycamore, Paardeplaats, Zwartkoppies, Waaikraal, Sewefontein, Groenvlei, Lothaire/Silindile, Sheepmore, Sheepmore, Warburton, Skaaprouse, Elm Tree, Biermani, Cedermont, Groenvlei, Keslek, Pamietkuil, Rietvlei, Rondavel, Rooikoppies, Platokop 1, Maizefield, Uitkom, KwaMathibela, De Kuilen, Platrand, KwaMadlebe, Wolvespruit (Mkhwanazi), majojobeni, Katdoornkraal, Morakane, Mkomeni, Emnyama, Sterkfontein, Vaalvrede, Alzu borehole, Matafuleni, Tshondo, St Helena, Msinyane, Bushman band, Sgudada, Derby-ntintinyane, Derby-marondweni, Dalia, Kamavumbuka, Emakhwabeni, Haarlem, Newpitoli, Groenfontein, Mooihoek, Madola, Matsheni, Bothashope, Sunbank, Athalia, Bergplaas, KwaMagadla, KaJesus, Qalokusha, Kwarati, Aggendrift, Moolman, Alman, Congo, Vezokuhle, Berbice, Kwashuku, Esiqhintini, Ezintabeni Ezimnyanma, Jikagogo, Bakenkop-Kwanyisi, Madanca, Madabukela, Kafiti, Stafford, Sihanahana, Emaswazini. Elandspoort, Wolwspruit, Parmlford, KoppieAleen, Rust Hoek, Elantfontein, Odewood farm, Smooltlof, Voorseg, Ekukhanyeni, Schuihoek, Mabhondo, Brontol, Rust Hoek, Thuthukani, Oodendal rust B, MinigScheilhoek, Sterkfoutein VK, Spitkop, Sckoongeseg, Wakk-sttaion, Duck in farm, Gunmwane, 51 plot, Verkerk 1, Sunspruit, Lowra farm, Elandfontein/Rooipot, Vemrky far, Rooiport farm, Uitkyk farm, Goedeluk, Kaffieskraal, Kalfantein, Vleifontein, Kalfontein, Mooifontein, Rietspruit A, Goodewoop farm, Zamokuhle, Rietspruit, Welgelegen Farm, Enon farm, Emabhosi farm, Somershoek, Bethamoya, Mzwele, Kalkoenkraas, Valpoort, Fickland, Verkyk, Daggakraal, Skurwepoort, Vaalbank, Njusuthu, Syde, Nordeen, Ndonga, Mafufumbe, Mandela, Sthobile Robisndale, Hartebeeskop, Emganwini, Sincobile, Redhill, Waverley, Faith Mission, Nhlaba, Ngonini, Josephdale, Khuzulwandle, Elukwatini	29 new boreholes drilled to augment surface water supply boreholes refurbishment: 107 91 Static tanks provided Rehabilitation of Queens River Pump Station and SuidKaap WTW was completed and commissioned and Five (5) kilometre bulk pipeline complete linking Queens river pump station and Suidkaap Water Treatment Plant.  Construction of 2 reservoirs and drying bed in progress. Restrcitions gazette for 6 dams (including 1 system) and being prepared for 2 more systems.
KwaZulu-Natal	Durban (North), Tongaat, Balito, KwaDukuza, Mandeni, , Maphumulo, Kokstadt, Ixopo, Port Shepstone, Kelso, Pennington, Scottburgh, Sezela, Umdoni, Harding, Hluhluwe, KwaMsane Mthubathuba, St Lucia, Greytown, Melmoth, Eshowe, Vryheid, Nongoma, Ulundi,Hlabisa, Jozini, Manguzi, Ndwedwe, Manguzi, Dundee, Msinga, Nquthu, Greytown, eNhlalakahle, Sithembile Emnambithi/Ladysmith, Imbabazane, Indaka, Okhahlamba, Umtshezi, Wembezi, Melmoth, Nkandla, Ntambanana, Mambuka, Dlangubo, Richardsbay, Esikhaleni, Empangeni, Ngwelezana, kwaDlangezwa, Eshowe, Vryheid, eDumbe, Obivane, Tholakele, Bellavista, Mfenyane, Nongoma, Ulundi, uPhongolo Ingwe, KwaSani, Ubuhlebezwe, Umzimkhulu Ezingoleni, Umdoni, uMuziwabantu, Umzumbe Vulamehlo, Impendle, Mkhambathini, Mpofana, Richmond, Msunduzi, uMngeni, uMshwathi, Umhlabuyalingana	The Department with the Provincial CoGTA’s Disaster Management Unit has established Joint Operating Committees to assess the options to ensure water shortages are not experienced in each supply system. Drought operating rules have been developed for systems supplied by dams and are being implemented. Other measures include implementation of water restrictions, augmentation of supplies through boreholes and transfer systems, active leak detection and pressure management and the installation of water restrictors. In some areas where the required water savings have not been achieved, water supplies have been limited and static tanks installed to ensure access to water 53DWS tankers deployed, 86 new boreholes drilled, 80 springs protected. 464 Static tanks with stands have been purchased and installed at various communal points. Restrictions gazette for 8 dams and 2 systems (6 dams) 38 500 restrictors installed in 4 Local Municipalities. In Amajuba DM, water is released from Ntshingwayo Dam to support several towns. In iLembe DM water is transferred from uThongathi River to augment Hazelmere dam. Several water schemes have been repaired and many smaller repairs are being made to schemes. In Ugu DM, water is being transferred from Mpambanyoni River. In Umgungundlovu DM phase 2 of the Ophathe water supply scheme is underway. In Umkhanyakude DM contructionon and refurbishment of the Shemula rising main is underway, the refurbishment of the kwaMsane pipeline, a new pipeline from the existing Mtubatuba Heights reservoir to the existing KwaMsane reservoirs and the upgrading of the Hluhluwe phase 2 WTW from a 1.8ML/d to a 3.8Ml/d package treatment plant. In the Umzingyati DM, water is released from Ntshingwayo Dam, and a pump station is installated at Tayside. In the Unthungulu DM, water is transferred from Uthukela to supplement Goedertrouw Dam. In Zululand DM, water is being released from Klipfontein dam for Vryheid and Ulundi, and water is being transferred from Jozini Dam for Nongoma
Eastern Cape	Matatiele, Mbizana, Ntabankulu, Umzimvubu, Mbhashe, Mnquma, Amahlathi,Emalahleni, Inkwanca, Lukhanji, Engcobo, IntsikaYethu, Inxuba, Yethemba, Sakhisizwe, Tsolwana, Elundini, Gariep, Maletswai, Senqu, Aliwal North, Elundini, Mhlontlo, Ngquza Hill, Nyandeni, Port St Johns, King SabataDalindyebo	Refurbishment of boreholes Drilling, testing and equipping of new boreholes Water Conservation and Water Demand management programs (War on Leaks) Fast tracking of completing and commissioning Water Treatment Works (Chulunca, Mnceba, Installing new connections to reticulation systems like the delivery from Ludeke Dam Emergency bulk water pipelines like Mbase North to Dutwa WTW, Xilinxa to Gcuma weir, Deployment of 11 DWS water tankers Desilting and replacing pipelines Increase storage capacity and upgrade Cala Package plant Hydrosensus undertaken in Joe Gqabi DM Desiltattion of dams like Chippinisklip Upgrade of water supplies like Burgersdorp/Steynsville Restrictions gazetted for 1 system and 9 more being prepared. Water released from Katze Dam brought relief and assist in redirecting resources to Mount Fletcher Emergency transfer from Mooi River to WTW
Western Cape	Ceres, Tulbagh, Klaarstroom, LeeuGamka, Dysselsdorp and De Rust, Vredendal, Klawer, Clanwilliam, Lutzville, Citrusdal, Malmesbury, Mooreesburg, Piketberg, Vredenburg, Saldanha, Velddrift, Knysna, Breede Valley, Drakensteyn, Stellenbosch, Witzenberg, City of Cape Town, Bergrivier, Cederberg, Matzikama, Saldana Bay, Swartland	DWS is re-prioritizing its financial support to assist these municipalities with infrastructure e.g. leaking bulk water pipes, incorporation of groundwater to augment water supply. Water restrictions and awareness campaigns are in place to prolong the period of supply in these Municipalities. These Municipalities are also assisted with information and guidance to assist in making informed decisions regarding water supply. Restrictions gazette for 1 dam and 1 system.
Gauteng	Alexandra Park Res, Signal Hill, Bedfordview, Empire Palace, Isando, Kempton South, Germiston (Low Pressure in some areas), Spartan, Bonaeropark, Edleen, Bichley Area, Brandwood, Sunny Ridge, Primrose South, Chloorkop, Ester Park, City of Tshwane, Forest Hill, Town View, Chrisville, Robertsham, Rossetentville, Half of Winchester Hills , Turfontein, Forest Hill Tower, Oakdene, South Hills, Tulisa Park, Linmeyer, Risana, Moffatt View, Hursthill Areas Sharpville, Nordic, Meyerton-Midvaal, Meyerton Park (Samacor), EMSA, Riverside-Midvaal, Evaton, Sebokeng North, Ironsides, Eaton, boipatong, Bophelong, Emfulenie, Evalton, Golden gardens, Johandeo, lakeside, Sebokeng, Sharpville, Stretford, Tshepiso, Vaal Oewer, Vanderbijlpark, Vereeniging	Water is being released from Sterkfontein Dam to Val Dam. Currently all drought alleviation activities are coordinated with, and implemented by municipalities. In general, consumers were requested to stop watering gardens, filling swimming pools, washing of pavements and to repair leaks; In several areas level one restrictions are imposed and residents are urged not to water gardens between 06:00 and 18:00, was cars with hosepipes or fill swimming pools. Static tanks are placed at selected points; At least one tender was published for the drilling of boreholes by a municipality. Studies are being conducted for the water network integration to enable water supply to be shifted from one network to the other in order to build redundancies in the system to improve operational resilience Tankers are provided for critical facilities that were currently affected . An office hour Joint Operations Centre (JOC) was establishd at the Joburg Water (JW) offices on 17 Marshall Street, Johannesburg. This facility serves as a nodal point for information A principle agreement was reached between District and its constituent local municipalities for the provision of potable water in the event of any eventualities in the Region; Disaster Management Officers are tasked with the responsibility to physically monitor any possible or related drought incidents through the established Volunteer Units; Daily early warning systems are circulated through the Short Messaging System (SMS) to all stakeholders in some Districts; Awareness campaigns are currently underway through the distribution of pamphlets, local newspapers and ward councillors across the municipal areas.
Limpopo	Roedtan, Groblersdal, Marble Hall, Mookgopong, Modimolle, Thabazimbi, Lephalale, Mokopane, Tzaneen, Giyani Sibasa, Thohoyandou, Polokwane, Alldays, Dendron, Botlokwa, Bakenberg, Lebowakgomo, Makhado, Mutale, Roedtan	Water restrictions implemented, Requests for funding for tankering and drilling boreholes compiled & submitted. Restrictions have been gazette for 8 dams and 1 more is being prepared
North West	SweitzerReneke, Naledi, Ottosdal, Sannieshof, Delarayville, Zeerust, Mahikeng, Vyburg, Koster, Koster, Swartruggens, Brits, Jericho and Majakaneng, Fafung,Waariekraal ,Jonathan and Klipvoorstad, Mapaputle, Boitekong, Maquasi Hill, Potchefstroom, Ventersdrop, Taung, Wentzel, Taung, Majemantsho,Mokgobistad, Mashutle, Motswedi, Dinoka, Khumutwane, Mosweu, Lekubu, Driefontein, Mokgola, Gopane, Pitsane, Greysdorp, Majaneng, Lichtenburg, Mafikeng, Pomfret, Ratlou, Sannieshof	The Department is providing support to the affected Municipalities through water trucks, water tanks and restore the water supply through drilling and equipping of boreholes. 12 DWS tankers have been deployed Restrictions have been published for 9 dams. Intensification of the WC/WDM programs, e.g. leak detection and repairs (War on leaks). Drilling of boreholes Construction of the Brits WTW Water augmentation inMabokoloka Maquasi Hills bulk water supply scheme completed. Ventersdorp Bulk Water Supply scheme completed. Taung/Naledi BWS completed RBIG programmes underway.

 

Table 2: (a) Dams in each province which ran dry during the period 1 June 2015 to 15 February 2016, (b) which towns and/or communities were affected and (c) what is the current status of each dam?

Province	Dams	Communities Affected	Current Situation
Northern Cape	None
Free State	Allemanskraal	Ventersburg	13.7%
	Armenia	Hobhouse	10.9%
	Erfenis	Theunisen, Brandfort, Bultfontein	9.3%
	Fiak-Patso	Qwaqwa	17.4%
	Groothoek	Mangaung	0%
	Kalkforntein	Koffiefontein, Luckhoff, Oppermansgronde, Jacobsdal, Fauresmith, Jaggersfontein.	6.2%
	Knellpoort	Bloemfontein, Thaba Nchu, Botsabelo.	33.4%
	Koppies	Koppies, Vijoenskroon	39.4%
	Krugersdrift	Bloemfontein, Thaba Nchu, Botsabelo	7%
	Rustfontein	Bloemfontein, Thaba Nchu, Botsabelo	20.5%
	Tierpoort	Bloemfontein, Thaba Nchu, Botsabelo	0%
Mpumalanga	Lomati	Bosfontein, Schuzendal, Magogeni, Mananga, Mgobodi, Dludluma, Amsterdam, Volksrust, Umjindi, Nkomazi, Nkomazi, Mkhondo, Pixley ka Isaka	Dry
	Mbambiso		Dry
	Mbuzini		Dry
	Gabosch		Dry
	Skuilhoek		Dry
KwaZulu-Natal	Harding	Harding area	Below 30 %
	Umzinto	Scottburg, Kelso, Pennington, Umdoni, Sezela.	100%
	Dumbe	Greytown, Ixopo, Kokstad, Harding, Port Shepstone, Hluhluwe, Glencoe, Hattingh Spruit, Dundee, Nquthu, Msinga, eDumbe, Hlabisa, Mbazwana, Ingwavuma, Ballito Maphumulo, KwaDukuza, Mthubathuba, KwaMsane, St Lucia, Vryheid, Ulundi, Eshowe, Melmoth, Nongoma	0%
	Vuna		0%
	Melmorth		0%
	Donald Mchardy		0%
	Prestine Pan		0%
	Velrdruk		0%
	Tom Worthington		0%
	Bloemfeld		0%
	Lake Merthley		Below 30%
	Hazelmere	Tongaat Durban North	34.1%
Eastern Cape	Dutywa	Golfcourse dam, Mputi&Ngxakaxa Dam	20% on average
	Aliwal North	Orange River ran dry	River flowing normally again
	Lady Grey	Lady Grey Dam	50%
	Maclear	Aucamp dam & Town Dam	30%
	Mount Fletcher	Mount Fletcher Dam	Full, but 70% silted
	Dordrecht	Dordrecht Dam	Still very low- exact level not gauged.
	Matatiele	Mountain Dam	20% - exact level not gauged. Connected pipeline to Mountain Lake, tankering.
	Ngeleni	Nzwakazi Dam	Still very low- exact level not gauged.
North West	Swartruggens	Borelelo, Ipelegeng, Glaudia, Atamelang, Mathibestad, Khunotswane, Ganyesa, Pomfret, Morokweng, Ga-maloka, Tshidilamolomo, Setlagole, Lekoko, Makhubung, Majemantsho,Lomanyaneng, Phitsane, Masutle, Motswedi, Rietpan, Ntsweletsoku, Setete, Welbedatch, Letsopa, Geysdorp, Khunwana, Sannieshof, Delareyville, Taung, Karelstad, Diplankeng, Lokgabeng, Mathanthanyaneng, Gamokake, Lothwanyeng	0.3%
	Molatedi		7.2%
	Disaneng		35%
	Koster		37.9%
	Madikwe		22.7%
	Marico Bosveld		18.9%
	Pella		41.47%
	Wentzel		0.1%
	Sehujwane		34%
	Lindleyspoort		2.7%
Gauteng	None
Limpopo	Thapane/Mogoboya	Nwamitwa, Bolobedu and Modjadji	0%
Western Cape	None

Reply:

(1)(a) The expected delivery date of water to Gauteng is December 2024.

(1)(b) The cost at completion is expected to be R22.9 billion. This includes contingencies, escalations and exchange rate fluctuations.

(1)(c) The second phase will be funded through raising bonds in the market for which Trans Caledon Tunnel Authority (TCTA), as the funding agency, has National Treasury approval.

(1)(d)(i) Construction contractors have not been appointed yet.

(1)(d)(ii) Consulting engineers have not been appointed yet.

(2)(a) The original cost based on a feasibility study dated 2007 was R6.6 billion. The amount did not include contingencies, escalations and exchange rate fluctuations.

(2)(b) The original completion date for Lesotho Highland Water Project (LHWP) Phase II was 2019.

(3) No, Dr Zodwa Dlamini is not the Republic of South Africa’s (RSA) Chief Delegate for the Lesotho Highland Water Commission (LHWC).

(3)(a) Dr Dlamini was replaced in December 2015.

(3)(b) The Republic of South Africa’s Chief Delegate is Mr. Bhekizwe Nkosi who was appointed in December 2015.

(3)(c) I have appointed the new delegate.

---00O00---

Reply:

a) Yes, Government through various Departments has continued to engage the Government of Mali to seek its assistance in securing the release of Mr Stephen McGowan.

(b) (i) Government will continue its Diplomatic efforts through its Bilateral Operations and in Multilateral Fora to drum up support for and seek assistance in securing the release of Mr Stephen McGowan.

(ii) It is not possible to set timeframes regarding the outcome of efforts being employed to seek the release of Mr Stephen McGowan.

Reply:

No. The Department is in the process of implementing the new organisational structure approved during the 2015/16 financial year. Therefore posts to be frozen as a result of the cost containment measures announced by Cabinet are still to be determined.

Reply:

(i) The number of times her Department used advertising space in The New Age were as follows:

(aaa) 2012/2013: None

(bbb) 2013/2014: None

(ccc) 2014/2015: None

Thus no advertising space was used on The New Age.

(ii) The amount that her Department spent advertising space in The New Age were as follows:

(aaa) 2012/2013: None

(bbb) 2013/2014: None

(ccc) 2014/2015: None

No money spent as there was no advertising space used in The New Age

Reply:

(i) The percentage of the total procurement that her Department spent on SMME and Co-operatives from April 2015 up to latest date is as follows:

a) DIRCO

(i) SMME : 22.90%

(ii) Co-operatives : 6.65%

b) None

 

Reply:

a) The public sector procurement system, Local Government Information System (LOGIS) and Standard Bid Documents, as utilised by the Department does not make provision to identify information on Small, Medium and Micro-sized Enterprises (SMMEs), cooperatives, township and rural enterprises. It is therefore not possible for the Department and National Skills Fund at this stage to provide the information as requested above.

b) At the time of compilation, twenty of the twenty-five entities responded to the request for information.

Public Entity	Percentage of the total procurement that went to SMMEs from 1 April 2015 to date	Percentage of the total procurement that went to co-operatives from 1 April 2015 to date
Agricultural Sector Education and Training Authority (AGRISETA)	39%	0%
Banking SETA (BANKSETA)	17%	0%
Culture, Arts, Tourism, Hospitality, Sports SETA (CATHSSETA)	16%	0%
Construction Education and Training Authority (CETA)	72%	23%
Chemical Industries Education and Training Authority (CHIETA)	90%	0%
Council on Higher Education (CHE)	58%	0%
Finance and Accounting SETA (FASSET)	31%	0%
Food and Beverages Manufacturing SETA (FOODBEV)	49%	0%
Health and Welfare SETA (HWSETA)	47%	0%
Fibre Processing and Manufacturing SETA (FP&M)	80%	0%
Insurance SETA (INSETA)	15%	0%
Local Government SETA (LGSETA)	28%	0%
Mining Qualifications Authority (MQA)	98%	0%
National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS)	11%	0%
Public SETA (PSETA)	60%	40%
Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO)	59%	0%
South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA)	43%	0%
Services SETA	57%	0%
Transport Education and Training Authority (TETA)	70%	0%
Wholesale and Retail SETA (W&RSETA)	23%	0%

 

Compiler/contact persons: Messrs T Tredoux and L Kearns

Ext: 5079 and 6181

DIRECTOR – GENERAL

STATUS:

DATE:

REPLY TO QUESTION 369 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED

Dr BE NZIMANDE, MP

MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

STATUS:

DATE:

Reply:

Yes, Eskom initiated a process to penalise Optimum Coal (OC). Eskom issued a summons against OC on 5 August 2015 whereupon OC’s attorneys informed Eskom that OC commenced business rescue proceedings on 1 August 2015. Eskom’s claim for penalties remains valid and enforceable upon the close of transaction whereafter it will enforce all the remedies open to its ex lege to enforce the claim. Eskom’s position has been made clear to all parties in the business rescue proceedings.

 

Reply:

(a) Measures being considered to achieve a reduction in the public sector wage bill include placing a moratorium on the filling of certain managerial and administrative vacancies in the public service.

(b) Relevant details and their implications thereof will only become available once all necessary consultations have been concluded.

(i)(ii)(aa)(bb)(iii)(aa)(bb) Falls away

Reply:

Ms Philisiwe Mthethwa attended the budget vote on 24 February 2016, at the invitation of the National Treasury.

The total cost of her attendance to the event was R7 419.44 which was for her Business Class return flight. The NEF did not incur any car rental or accommodation costs for this trip as the CEO stayed at the official residence of her husband and did not hire a car at the NEF’s expense.

It should be noted that the CEO combined her attendance of this event with other meetings that relate to her role, including meetings with the Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform, the Hon. Mr Gugile Nkwinti (MP), the Minister of Labour, the Hon. Ms Mildred Oliphant (MP), as well as representatives of a rural community who have approached the NEF for development funding.

In her capacity as the CEO, Ms Mthethwa always looks for opportunities where she can efficiently and effectively engage with NEF stakeholders. The stature of the budget speech event is such that it brings various strategic stakeholders together in a central place. She therefore used the opportunity to engage with key stakeholders on the sides of the event, for the benefit of the implementation of the mandate of the NEF.

Reply:

The sugar industry has assured us that they have produced sufficent sugar to supply the domestic market in 2015/16 year despite the severe drought in several sugar growing regions. Thus sufficient raw sugar is in stock at the sugar terminals with a small surplus for export. However, due to the unexpectedly high demand for refined sugar especially by the soft drinks manufacturers – due to hot summer period, the industry experienced low stocks of some grades of refined sugar. At the beginning of March 2016 the sugar industry met to implement a strategy to restore supply of refined sugar into the domestic market. This resulted in the two biggest refineries namely Noodsberg and Hullets opening up early for refining purposes as the industry is currently off season, in addition to working over the the public holiday period in March. The rest of the refineries will open in April as the new sugar season starts on 1st April 2016.

The figures received from the sugar industry regarding 2016/17 production estimates, current available supply and carry over stock into the new season from the 2015/16 crop, indicate sufficent supply into the local market going forward. Noting that the supply to the local market consists of SA production,SACU production (Swaziland), SADC quota and duty paid imports as well as imports from the rest of the world, we are confident that supply will be sufficient to meet local demand. In the event of a supply shortage, the department will engage with the industry and International Trade Administration Commission (ITAC) to initiate a rebate facility to counter the effects of the duty on imports, subject to statutory requirement of the process.

There is currently no consideration to remove the current duty as it was arrived at through a review process undertaken by ITAC within the provisions of the ITAC Act and because supply has been stabilised. Any stakeholder can apply for either a rebate facility or reduction in the duty directly with ITAC at any point should they deem this necessary.

Reply:

(1) (a) Mandate to determine appropriate qualification/s related to an employee’s scope of work and the expected levels of improvement in performance as results of the attainment of the identified qualification/s resides with the Executive Authority of the respective departments.

     (b) In terms of the Resolution, Sectors and/or Departments must define the qualifications which are relevant to their respective areas of work and which they intend to recognise.

(2) (a) Determination of performance levels in the public service is managed in terms of the Performance Management and Development System (PMDS) as stipulated in Chapter 1, Part VIII of the Public Service Regulations (2001) as amended. This benefit was also introduced to encourage public servants to acquire academic qualifications in their respective areas of work in an attempt to professionalise and to build confidence in the public service.

(b) Bonus is paid on attainment of a qualification subject to terms and conditions stipulated in the resolutions and the circular.

(3) (a)(b) There is no record of any department implementing this agreement so far (since o1 January 2013), except for departments where this benefit has been in existence before the PSCBC Resolution 1 of 2012 was concluded.

Reply:

(1) No. The Department of Rural Development and Land Reform is currently in the process of finalising the land audit report.

• 1. Falls away.

• 1. Once it is tabled or presented to Cabinet.

(2) (a) Yes.

1. No. The report will contain the country of origin of land owners.

1. Yes. Country of origin and gender were sourced from the population register and the race from Statistics South Africa.

Reply:

South Africa’s industrial policy has sought to strengthen the downstream more labour-intensive segments of manufacturing while ensuring that the competitive advantage enjoyed by upstream capital- and energy- intensive and export-oriented industries is retained and enhanced. In the steel value chain, to promote beneficiation, cost competitiveness and viability of SA’s steel industry, government has had protracted engagements with the dominant player since 2004 to give effect to the national developmental obligations - to ensure a competitive steel pricing regime to support the development and deepening of value-added manufactured products in downstream industries.

It must be noted that the dominant player’s practice of import parity pricing coupled with underinvestment, inefficiencies and resulting plant failures contributed to a significant decline in the competitiveness of steel produced in SA that has led to a trend in which downstream users have adapted to the requirements of importing steel including being accustomed to foreign supply chains, lower prices and in some cases the need for speciality steel qualities and grades.

How is South African produced steel being used in component and product manufacture for domestic consumption and for export:

Approximately 70% of SA produced steel is sold locally for use in downstream fabrication, component and product manufacturing with the remaining being exported into the region. Key demand sectors include construction, mining and packaging. SA has the capacity to produce 9 million tons of steel per annum and local steel consumption is currently at 5 million tons per annum (imports account for about 20% of SA consumption).

Localisation of steel in the following sectors/sub sectors is as follows (a) in the automotive sector a number of the specific automotive steel grades are not produced locally (b) cooking ware and (c) cutlery are the main drivers of the stainless steel consumption in the consumer goods sub-sector. However, the competitiveness of the local producers has been eroded by rising imports, especially from the East. SA’s apparent stainless steel consumption was estimated at 166 600 tons in 2015. During this period, cookware and cutlery exports reached approximately 6000 and 800 tons, respectively. Government together with the industry association, Southern African Stainless Steel Development Association (SASSDA) as well as Columbus Stainless continue to engage to develop sustainable solutions for the local industry (d) wire and wire products have experienced a 13% increase in imports in 2015 compared to the previous year and the South African Wire Association (SAWA) are in the process of re-applying for import duties for certain wire products. Exports of wire and wire products declined for the same period (e) the boatbuilding sub-sector specialises in the manufacture of multihull catamarans and is the world’s second largest producer of vessels in this category (after France) acknowledged for excellence. The sub-sector currently exports approximately 77% of its production. The construction of hulls and ships also requires specialised grades of steel which cannot be sourced locally.

To address the extremely adverse steel conditions characterised by oversupply, depressed demand and increasing imports government has taken a number of steps to develop an integrated set of measures - both supply-side policy support and industry reform measures - that would have to be adopted to achieve the objective of a sustainable steel industry in SA. These measures include (1) tariff protection subject to independent assessment by the International Trade and Administration Commission (2) support for the localisation of steel in state procurement and government infrastructures spend subject to cost competitiveness and affordability and (3) steel pricing principles. Industry reform measures include commitments to capital investment in product lines for key sectors of the economy and a maintenance plan in line with world best practices.

Taking into account the steel crisis and very serious threat to the SA industry, government is working closely with all stakeholders to secure and upgrade existing domestic steel production capacity; protect downstream steel intensive manufacturers and retain employment in order not to lose SA’s strategic steel capacity and capabilities.

Reply:

(1) Yes, the department has specialised units which investigate and deal effectively with identity theft resulting from illegal activities within the department and erroneous or fraudulent death registrations.

(1)(a) The number of cases of fraudulent or erroneous death registrations during the period for which statistics are available were 6113.

In the case of identity theft and fraud resulting from an identity document being lost or stolen whilst in the owner’s possession, this is a criminal matter and it is recommended that this specific question be referred to the South African Police Service, which handles these criminal investigations.

(1)(b) The turnaround time required to resolve cases is six to eight (6-8) weeks dependent on the nature of the submission by the citizen concerned and all required supporting documents to expedite the department’s investigation.

(1)(c) All reported cases where full supporting documents were furnished were concluded within 90 (ninety) days.

(2)(a) The department issues media statements and uses various forms of media to address the scourge of problems within the department and to inform the public accordingly. Some are addressed through print media (newspapers) or direct interviews on media shows. The department also uses this medium to inform and sensitise the public on matters such as identity theft and false death registrations.

(2)(b) The department is in the process of modernising its systems to curb the issues of identity theft (through the rollout of the Smart ID Card) and fraudulent death cases (through more stringent Registration procedures).

Reply:

1. The status of ASSAf has not yet been clarified. The matter is currently being dealt with by the Academy, Department of Science and Technology (DST) and National Treasury.
2. The required supply chain management policies and procedures have been put in place by the ASSAf management;

         (a) N/A.

         (b) The required supply chain management (SCM) policies and procedures have been revised in order to ensure compliance with the Public Finance Management Act and have been put in place by the ASSAf management. Furthermore, a dedicated SCM Administrator has been appointed.

Reply:

(a)(b) are as follows:

Chairperson

Commissioner	Period
Mr B Mthembu First Term of Office	21 October 2009 to 20 October 2014
Adv RK Sizani First Term of Office	19 December 2015 to 31 August 2016

Deputy Chairperson

Commissioner	Period
Ms TM Tengeni Second Term of Office Continues	21 October 2009 to 16 January 2014
Adv RK Sizani First Term of Office	24 October 2014 to 18 December 2015

Commissioner: National

Commissioner	Period
Ms SS Nkosi First Term of Office	23 February 2009 to 22 February 2014
Ms SS Nkosi Second Term of Office	24 April 2014 to 23 April 2019
Mr B Mthembu Second Term of Office	1 January 2016 to 31 December 2020

As at March 2016, there are no vacancies at National level. Commissioners RK Sizani, LV Sizani and CP Nzimande are not included in the table above due to the fact that their periods of appointment do not fall within the period in question, i.e. 1 January 2014.

Free State Province

Commissioner	Period
Mr P Helepi Second Term of Office	1 February 2009 to 31 January 2014
Dr WH Boshoff First Term of Office	1 March 2014 to 28 February 2019

Limpopo Province

Commissioner	Period
Mr MZ Mawasha First Term of Office	5 October 2009 to 4 October 2014
Mr TG Mashamba First Term of Office	24 August 2015 to 23 August 2020

Northern Cape Province

Commissioner	Period
Ms MA Marais First Term of Office	1 March 2010 to 28 February 2015
Ms MA Marais Second Term of Office	13 April 2015 to 12 April 2020

Eastern Cape Province

Commissioner	Period
Mr S Mafanya First Term of Office	1 February 2009 to 31 January 2014
Mr S Mafanya Second Term of Office	11 February 2014 to 10 February 2019

Mpumalanga Province

Commissioner	Period
Mr DS Mkwanazi First Term of Office	23 April 2009 to 22 April 2014
Mr DS Mkwanazi Second Term of Office	1 May 2014 to 30 April 2019

KwaZulu-Natal Province

Commissioner	Period
Ms PM Tengeni Second Term of Office	16 January 2009 to 20 October 2009
Dr MP Sithole First Term of Office	1 September 2015 to 31 August 2020

As at March 2016, there are no vacancies at Provincial level.

It should be noted that Commissioners for Gauteng, North West and Western Cape are not included in the table above due to the fact that their periods of appointment do not fall within the period in question, i.e. 1 January 2014.

Reply:

(a) The decision was made in 2014 after publication of the last Report on the State of the Public Service.

(b) The decision was made by the Public Service Commission.

(c) The decision was made in order to review the work of the Public Service Commission in this area and also for consultation with relevant stakeholders on the values and principles in relation to section 195 of the Constitution, which have a bearing on the Report.

Reply:

(a) Section 196 (2) of the Constitution provides that the Public Service Commission (PSC) must be regulated by national legislation. The PSC Act in section 11 (c) provides for the PSC to make Rules as to the manner in which meetings of the PSC shall be convened, the procedure to be followed at those meetings and the conduct of its business, the quorum at those meetings, and the manner in which minutes of those meetings shall be kept. Provision is therefore made in the prevailing legislation for the PSC to make Rules to ensure that the standard of our own internal deliberations and decision-making processes meet the tests of accountability, transparency and responsiveness.

The PSC’s Governance Rules provide for operational functioning of its various governance structures, as well as the secretariat function. The Governance Rules take due consideration to the second Certification judgment of the amended text of the Constitution[1] which held that the PSC Commissioners will have joint responsibility for the work that it does. It provides that the Chairperson must provide overall leadership to the PSC, ensuring its effectiveness in all aspects of its role without limiting the principle of joint responsibility for the PSC’s decisions.

The Governance Rules provide for a variety of meetings. The Chairperson or Deputy Chairperson only leads the Plenary, which is the highest decision making body of the PSC. The Plenary is constituted by the 14 Commissioners. Plenary meetings are held on a quarterly basis. These meetings are held on dates determined in advance. Plenary meetings are convened and Chaired by the Chairperson or, if the Chairperson is absent or unavailable, by the Deputy Chairperson. If both are unavailable to chair a Plenary meeting or part of a meeting, nothing in the law or in the Rules prohibits the Chairperson or Deputy Chairperson to request a Commissioner to chair the meeting in their stead.

In order to execute the PSC’s mandate, subcommittees are established in the form of Specialist Teams. Each Specialist Team assigns a Convenor from amongst the Commissioners to coordinate and Chair the operations of the Specialist Team. The Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson serve on Specialist Teams in their capacity as Commissioners.

The Specialist Teams provide strategic oversight on the key performance areas of the PSC and make findings and recommendations on behalf of the PSC in line with the Delegations Frameworks, providing for the delegation of powers by the PSC to provincially based commissioners as envisaged in section 11 (b) of the Act and the delegation of powers and assignment of duties by the PSC to Commissioners as envisaged in section 13 of the PSC Act.

Working committees of Specialist Teams in the form of panels are established to deal with decision-making in respect of investigations in terms of section 196 (4)(f) of the Constitution, in line with the Governance Rules and the Delegations Frameworks mentioned above.

(b) The specified rules were adopted in March 2005. Amendments to the Governance Rules were adopted in February 2015 and implemented with effect from 01 April 2015.

(c) There are no Rules in relation to the management of vacancies. However, the process for appointment of Commissioners is prescribed in section 196 (7) of the Constitution, read with section 4 of the PSC Act, which state that:

• Five nationally based commissioners are appointed by the President in terms of section 196(7)(a) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 (Act No. 108 of 1996), following the approval of the National Assembly after a public notice process and a recommendation by a committee of the National Assembly.

• One commissioner for each province is appointed by the President in terms of section 196(7) (b) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 (Act No. 108 of 1996), in the PSC following a nomination by the Premier of the province after a public notice process and a recommendation by a committee of the provincial legislature and approved by that legislature.

(d) Rule E.1 (b) of the Governance Rules provide that “Plenary meetings are convened and chaired by the Chairperson or, if the Chairperson is absent or unavailable, by the Deputy Chairperson.” This Rule must be read in conjunction with section 11 (c) of the PSC Act, the Certification Judgements, as well as the Delegations Frameworks, providing for the delegation of powers by the PSC to provincially based commissioners as envisaged in section 11 (b) of the Act and the delegation of powers and assignment of duties by the PSC to Commissioners as envisaged in section 13 of the PSC Act.

1. Certification of the amended text of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 (Case CCT 37/96) ↑

Reply:

No. (a)(b)(c) Falls away.

Reply:

The department continues to engage National Treasury on the Manufacturing Competitiveness Enhancement Programme (MCEP) with the purpose of extending it beyond 2017-18 and securing additional funds. The outcome of the negotiations with National Treasury will be communicated through the government budget process.

Reply:

(a) No.

(b) and (c) Yes. (i) (ii) refer to the table herewith below;

Financial Year	Event	Amount	Number of Adverts
2012- 13	None	R0.00	0
2013- 14	MPSA Strategic Communication	R284 988.60	1
	Launch of the Public Service Charter: Business breakfast	R240 574.50	1
2014- 15	National Batho Pele Excellence Awards	R33 379. 20	1

Reply:

(a) The challenges include the following:

• Departments have not consistently applied the required legislative prescripts in order to effect a fair and objective recruitment process.
• Departments did not have standardised methods and procedures in place to ensure compliance.
• Departments have challenges in determining inherent skills, competencies and training required.
• Departments have further challenges determining valid and fair selection criteria.

  (i) The departments affected are listed on the attached Annexure A

   (ii) The magnitude of the challenges is small.

   (iii) (aa) The average vacancy rate at senior management level as at 31 December 2015 is 9.12%;

(bb) The average turnover rate at senior management level as at 31 December 2015 is 0.78%.

  (iv) The challenges are minimal due to the measures put in place to prevent them and also to address them as and when they are identified.

(b) (i) Measures in place to address the challenges include the following:

   a) Enforcement of the legislation that govern recruitment and selection namely; the Public Service Act, 1994 (as amended) and its subordinate legislation, the Public Service Regulations, 2011 (as amended).

  b) Implementation of a strategy to reduce the recruitment period and the vacancy rate in the Public Service, which include reduction of the period to fill a vacant post in the Public Service to four (4) months after being advertised; and reducing the average vacancy rate in the Public Service to 10%.

  c) Standardisation of the recruitment practices through introduction of the Executive Protocol on filling of the vacant posts of Directors-General and Deputy Directors-General at national sphere of government. This Protocol also provides norms and standards on recruitment.

  d) Introduction of a Directive on the selection practices in relation to Ministerial Directives.

  e) Introduction of a Directive on Compulsory Capacity Development, Mandatory Training Days and Minimum Entry Requirements into Senior Management Level.

 f) Introduction of a Directive on the Implementation of Competency Assessments for entry onto Senior Management Service levels.

  g) Introduction of a Directive on the minimum educational requirements for entry into the position of senior management service.

(ii) Plans to address the challenges;

Planned initiatives include introduction of a pre-entry certification for any individual who wishes to enter or progress within the Senior Management Service. A Public Service specific course is currently being developed by the National School of Government in this regard. A guideline for mentoring and peer support has also been drafted in order to improve the quality of individual leadership development for newly appointed as well as currently employed SMS members.

Reply:

1. According to data from PERSAL, the number of Public Service employees employed in each provincial Department of Education as at the last day of the (a) 2010-11, (b) 2011-12, (c) 2012-13, (d) 2013-14 and (e) 2014-15 financial years are indicated in the table below. Please note that abnormal and periodical appointments are excluded.
2. According to data from PERSAL, the number of Public Service employees employed in each provincial Department of Health as at the last day of the (a) 2010-11, (b) 2011-12, (c) 2012-13, (d) 2013-14 and (e) 2014-15 financial years are indicated in the table below. Please note that abnormal and periodical appointments are excluded.
3. The Provincial Legislatures do not fall under the purview of the Department of Public Service and Administration and most of the Provincial Legislatures are not utilising PERSAL as a personnel administration and payroll system. Each Provincial Legislature can be contacted to obtain this information.

Number of Public Service employees in provincial Education and Health departments
March 2011 to March 2015
Provincial Department	201103	201203	201303	201403	201503
Eastern Cape	Education	86 181	82 816	80 154	78 791	74 279
	Health	40 818	41 186	39 577	38 655	39 470
Free State	Education	31 113	31 885	32 013	31 368	30 382
	Health	16 841	18 915	19 060	19 008	18 388
Gauteng	Education	79 554	82 134	82 318	83 794	84 353
	Health	62 492	65 078	61 406	62 992	62 894
Kwazulu-Natal	Education	106 689	108 058	106 732	108 024	106 715
	Health	71 001	78 543	82 436	72 731	71 865
Limpopo	Education	64 425	63 911	62 901	62 768	62 153
	Health	36 472	38 112	37 094	36 650	37 203
Mpumalanga	Education	42 493	42 719	42 801	42 298	41 848
	Health	18 026	18 485	18 269	19 225	19 446
North West	Education	30 425	30 242	30 329	30 703	29 473
	Health	17 290	17 613	18 256	19 305	18 955
Northern Cape	Education	12 023	11 892	11 690	12 457	12 229
	Health	6 176	6 372	6 474	6 713	6 781
Western Cape	Education	40 514	40 402	40 114	40 672	42 108
	Health	29 306	30 446	31 092	31 654	31 882
Excluding Abnormal and Periodical appointments

Reply:

The Department has written to all the provinces requesting for the above-mentioned information.

Reply:

Airports Company South Africa SOC Limited (ACSA)

1. Bram Fischer International Airport will be expanded based on traffic demand
2. . At this stage there is no requirement for further expansion. This can however change at any time if the local conditions change.
3. Bram Fischer International Airport is not seen as a logistics hub and is not marketed as such. The airport forms a critical link in the network of airports in South Africa but mainly for passenger traffic.
4. Traffic growth to and from Bram Fischer will depend on the viability of the market and the ability of the airlines to obtain the required yields. Growth in the foreseeable future is limited.
5. ACSA will definitely work closely with the Mangaung Municipality to maximize business benefit for both organizations by developing the airport precinct and surroundings in an optimal manner.

Reply:

1. (a) The Department is working with the South African Council for Educators (SACE), the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), the Education Deans Forum and other stakeholders in the Basic Education Sector, towards the development of a professional standards framework for teachers. A SACE Advisory group on professional standards has been established. The Professional Standards Framework for teachers will consider introducing professional certification for newly qualified teachers, as stated in the National Development Plan (NDP).

(b) The Ministry has signed a policy on the South African Standard for Principalship. The soon to be gazetted policy will form the basis for the appointment of principals. The Council of Education Ministers (CEM) had already discussed the Guidelines for strengthening administrative processes on the appointment of principals in Public Schools on 21 June 2013. The guidelines included the implementation of competency assessments for all principal appointments in public schools, in line with the National Development Plan (NDP).This matter will be consulted on in the Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC).

The Director-General has written to all Provincial Heads of Department on 27 January 2016 to begin to make competency assessments part of the selection process for the appointment of principals from 2016, partly to ensure that every person who is appointed into a principal post fulfils at least the minimum requirement for the advertised job, and partly to provide a profile of existing group of school principals, including capacity gaps that need to be addressed through training. The Director-General has requested in that all advertisements for vacant principal posts from 2016 should carry a statement indicating that applicants will be expected to undergo competency assessments.

Reply:

Teachers have a performance management system referred to as the Integrated Quality Management System (IQMS) which can be used for the determination of incentives and performance-related pay. Presently, teachers receive a performance-related pay progression of 1% per annum. Collective Agreement 1 of 2008 of the Education Labour Relations Council provided a mechanism whereby teachers would be incentivised to remain teaching by providing them with an accelerated pay progression. However, this was abandoned in Collective Agreement number 4 of 2009.

In order to address the performance-related pay and incentives for teachers as called for in the National Development Plan, the President established the Presidential Remuneration Review Commission in August 2013.

The Commission was appointed to investigate remuneration and conditions of service in the public service and public entities listed in Schedule 3A and 3C of the Public Finance Management Act, 1999 (Act No. 1 of 1999) (PFMA). Priority attention would be on the remuneration of educators, including matters relating to organisational development, job evaluation and grading, recruitment, appointment and promotion, human resource planning and utilisation, and performance management systems, policies and practices.

In order to implement the expectations of the National Development Plan in this regard, the Department has submitted its inputs on these matters to the Presidential Remuneration Review Commission which will release its report to the President in August 2017.

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works

(1) Yes, the Independent Development Trust (IDT) has, through its Internal Audit Unit, conducted an investigation into the R31, 4 million in irregular expenditure.

   (a) The investigation has not yet been finalised.

    (b) (i) and (ii) The details of the investigation are yet to be finalised.

    (c) (i) and (ii) The details of the investigation are yet to be finalised.

(2) Yes, control measures have been in place with detailed checklists to help detect and prevent fruitless and wasteful expenditure. Adherence to these measures will be monitored on an ongoing basis and reported upon quarterly.

(3) The Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), 1999 [Act No. 1 of 1999] gives powers to the accounting authority to recover irregular expenditure under certain circumstances, namely, if there is proof of wilfulness in wrongdoing, negligence and if there was no value derived by the organisation. The recoverable amounts will only be known once the investigation is completed.

________________________________________________________________________

Reply:

(1) How many (a) direct and (b) indirect jobs respectively have been created in the tourism industry in (i) 2013, (ii) 2014 and (iii) 2015 respectively;

(a) Direct contribution to jobs

The latest figures available from Statistics South Africa (StatsSA) are provisional figures for 2014. Estimates from the World Travel and Tourism Council were used to report on 2015.

Job Creation	2013	2014	2015 estimate
Direct Jobs	655 587	680 817	705,600

Source: 2013 and 2014: Tourism Satellite Account, StatsSA. 2015: WTTC 2015 estimates.

(b) Total contribution to employment (direct and indirect)

It should be noted that StatsSA does not measure the total contribution of tourism to employment (direct and indirect contribution). Figures and estimates from WTTC were used to report on this indicator. However, WTTC does not release figures on the indirect contribution alone, therefore figures reported below is for total contribution which includes both direct and indirect contribution.

Job Creation	2013	2014	2015 estimate
Total contribution to employment (Direct and indirect)	1 437 500	1 497 600	1 551 400

Source: WTTC

(2) how much did tourism contribute to the country’s gross domestic product during (a) 2013, (b) 2014 and (c) 2015 respectively

It should be noted that the contribution of tourism to GDP is reported for direct as well as for total contribution (direct and indirect). StatsSA only measures the direct contribution to GDP and the latest figures available are 2014 provisional figures. Therefore figures reported below for direct contribution in 2013 and 2014 were sourced from StatsSA. WTTC estimates were used to report on the direct contribution to GDP for 2015 as well as the direct and indirect contribution from 2013 to 2015.

Contribution to GDP	2013	2014	2015 estimate
Direct	R101,7 billion	R111,6 billion	R117,8 billion
Direct and indirect	R345,7 billion	R357,0 billion	R369.3 billion

Source: Source: 2013 and 2014: Tourism Satellite Account, StatsSA. 2015: WTTC 2015 estimates.

(3) International tourist arrivals

Airport	2013	2014	2015
Cape Town International Airport	461,186	524,131	557,050
OR Tambo International Airport	2,656,222	2,001,365	1,932,096
King Shaka International Airport	35,920	38,449	37,162

Source: Statistics SA

Reply:

(1) What was the average rate of teacher absenteeism in days (a) nationally, (b) in each province and (c) in each district in the (i) 2009, (ii) 2010, (iii) 2011, (iv) 2012, (v) 2013, (\'i) 2014, and (vii) 2015 academic years;

(1) (a), (b), (c) (i),(ii),(iii).(iv),(v).(vi), and (vii). Information on teacher absenteeism in the specified detail and for the periods requested is not readily available at National level. Detailed information has been requested from the Provincial Education Departments and will be provided as soon as it is received.

(2) For each of the specified academic years, what is the average rate of teacher absenteeism in days (a) nationally, (b) in each province and (c) in each district in terms of (i) illness, (ii) injury, (iii) family members' illness, (i\') family members' injury, {v) funerals, (vi) medical appointments, (vii) bad weather or road inaccessibility, (viii) official business, (ix) maternity leave, (x) security reasons, (xi) teachers' strikes, and (xii) any other reasons?

(2) (a), (b).(c) (i). (ii). (iii), (iv), (v), (vi), (vii), (viii). (ix), (x). (xi), and (xii). Information on teacher absenteeism in the specified detail and for the periods requested is not readily available at National level. Detailed information has been requested from the Provincial Education Departments and will be provided as soon as it is received.
 

Reply:

The right to strike is a constitutional right afforded to all employees in terms of Section 23(2)( c) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 108 of 1996 ("the Constitution"). However, Section 65 of the Labour Relations Act (LRA) does contemplate restrictions on the right to strike in respect of those employees who are engaged in essential services. Furthermore, Section 213 of the LRA defines an essential service and this mirrors the international understanding of essential services. This definition excludes education as an essential service.

South Africa is a member of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and has signed Conventions No 87 and 98 of the ILO that upholds the principles of freedom of association ~nd the right to organise and bargain collectively. In terms of this, the ILO recognises strike action as a principled right by which workers and their associations may legitimately promote and defend their economic and social interests. The case for education to be declared an essential service has been considered by the ILO, through submissions made to it by various member states from different regions of the world and in respect of a wide range of different circumstances. However, the ILO has repeatedly ru led that essential services refers RESPONSE TO NATIONAL ASSEMBLY QUESTION NA 533

only to those services that endanger the life, personal safety or health of the whole or part of the population and therefore education stands outside of this definition.

All member states, even if they have not ratified the Conventions in question, have an obligation, arising from the very fact of membership to the ILO, to respect, to promote and to realise, in good faith and in accordance with the Constitution, the principles concerning the fundamental rights which include freedom of association. The right to freedom of association allows employees to participate in strike action, once the trade unions have followed due process in terms of the LRA and given the employer notice of a strike.

There is therefore no proposal that is currently being considered to declare education as an essential service since the education sector does not satisfy the definition of an essential service as defined by the ILO internationally and South African legislation through the LRA.

Reply:

Airports Company South Africa SOC Limited (ACSA)

1. (a) The tender notice was issued by ACSA Procurement on Sunday, 05 October 2014. The tender was advertised in the Sunday Times and on the CIDB website.

(b) VE Reticulation won the tender on an open tender process and

(c) The following criteria were compulsory;

• Attendance of a compulsory site meeting
• Bidders must have a minimum CIDB grading of 7EP or higher
• Acceptance of ACSA Terms and conditions
• Valid SARS tax clearance certificate

Other criteria used;

• Functionality
• Price & BBBEE

2. (a) The value of the tenders that were awarded was R 15, 503, 477.00.

      (b) The timelines were as follows:

       (c) Six month construction period and;

       (d) The tender was awarded on a six month construction period.

(3) (a)(i)(ii) Open tender process exists.

(b)(i)(ii) IRR and NPV calculations were done.

(c) George is currently the only plant in operation and all assumptions will be tested against actual power generations and saving achieved. The viability will be proven over the first year of operation.

Reply:

Airports Company South Africa SOC Limited (ACSA)

(a) The various color schemes are determined by the international benchmark of all the signage for both navigational and disclaimer signage. The colors are then further explained on the actual signage and way finding guideline document.

(b) The research that was done in the initial stages of creating a signage philosophy that is easily recognizable by all passengers, was based on what was acceptable from an aviation regulation point of view in the international market. These standards were adopted to make sure that what is available in South Africa is available in any international airport in the world.

(c) The signage committee at the airports conducts a desktop, top line comparison of ACSA’s signage philosophy to that of international Airports around the world. The same philosophy that is used in South Africa is also used in the airports that ACSA is involved in building and maintaining. The company also works very close with the civil aviation authority to keep tabs on any regulatory changes on the signage philosophy.

(d) In 2013, the company made amendments to the signage guidelines based on international standards that were amended. These standards were as a result of comparison and benchmarking the ACSA signage philosophy and key international standards as outlined by the civil aviation authorities.

(e) The signage for smaller / regional airports were not visible enough and the size of fonts and specs needed to be changed.

1. The new no smoking act: The signage was outdated and needed to include the actual act on it.
2. Prohibition signage: The signs at the time did not have clear images / illustration of what the prohibition was for, this has since been changed.
3. Prohibition signs: The signs that were on glass doors and walls were blank at the back. This has since been changed.

Reply:

The DoC has, in developing the Green Paper on Audio Visual and Digital Content Policy for South Africa, considered the recommendations of the National ICT Policy Review report in relation to the work of the Department. Once finalized, the DoC will publish the Green Paper to solicit public comments. It is only after the White Paper on Audio Visual and Digital Content Policy for South Africa has been adopted by Cabinet, that implementation will commence.

 

MR NN MUNZHELELE

DIRECTOR GENERAL [ACTING]

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

MS AF MUTHAMBI (MP)

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE

Reply:

Department

(a) i) Incorporation of NATMAP into DOT plans

During the development of NATMAP 2050, an extensive consultation approach from the municipalities, provinces and agencies (bottom-up approach) was undertaken and that culminated into a product informed by plans from various stakeholders.

The NATMAP 2050 Synopsis Report was submitted to the Cabinet on the 18th September 2013 and amongst others Cabinet approved that the Presidential Infrastructure Coordinating Commission (PICC) Management Committee (MANCO) and the Minister of Transport review the proposed NATMAP 2050. In line with the above Cabinet resolution, the Department has reviewed and updated the NATMAP 2050 Synopsis Report and awaiting the Plan’s endorsement by PICC MANCO before it is resubmitted to Cabinet for approval.

NATMAP 2050 Synopsis Update specifies outcomes and strategic objectives linked to key government policies that includes DOT Strategy amongst others. Its objectives will be delivered by linking key proposals with broader national policy areas, the MTSF 2014–2019, NDP 2030 and National Infrastructure Plan (NIP).

ii) Incorporation of NATMAP into Entities Plans

Based on the bottom-up approach that was adopted throughout the development process of NATMAP 2050, different implementing agencies will have to develop their own implementing plans in line with the interventions proposed on the Synopsis Update report. Upon submission of their strategic plans, the Minister will be ensure that implementation of NATMAP 2050 is finds a clear expression in their plans moving forward.

(b) i) Implementation Monitoring

The Department will regularly monitor the implementation of this Plan by engaging implementing agents in terms of getting the reports and serving on different fora or committees that will oversee the implementation of NATMAP 2050 interventions.

ii) By Whom

The Deputy Director General: Integrated Transport Planning will oversee the implementation process and supported by Chief Director: Macro Sector Planning and Director: Master Planning, Implementation and Review.

(c) Timelines

Interventions indicated on the draft NATMAP 2050 Synopsis Update documents are categorised with the following timeframes:

1. Short term: 5 years (2015-2020)

2. Medium term: 10 years (2020-2030)

3. Long Term: 20 years (2020-2050)

It is worth noting that the Performance Agreement between the President and the Minister of Transport, says that by June 2016, the Integrated National Transport Plan should be developed and approved.

Airports Company South Africa SOC Limited (ACSA)

a) (i) Not applicable to ACSA.

    (ii) NATMAP seeks to achieve “An integrated, smart and efficient transport system supporting a thriving economy that promotes sustainable economic growth, supports a healthier life style, provides safe and accessible mobility options, socially includes all communities and preserves the environment”. ACSA supports this vision by ensuring that the Airport Development Plans are aligned with relevant policies and through on-going stakeholder consultations.

• NATMAP recommended the Aerotropolis concept as a means of promoting the integration of airport development with its surrounding land-uses.  At the OR Tambo International Airport (ORTIA), ACSA and the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality have developed an Aerotropolis Master Plan including an implementation plan for the City of Ekurhuleni and ORTIA. The Plan was completed at the end of 2015 and implementation of catalyst projects has commenced.
• At the Cape Town International Airport (CTIA), ACSA and the City of Cape Town are undertaking a study to determine the feasibility to pursue the Aerotropolis concept as a development strategy for the CTIA and surrounding area. This approach is also being considered in eThekwini for the King Shaka International Airport (KSIA), which includes the Dube Trade Port. The KZN Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs commissioned an Aerotropolis Master Plan Study, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2016.
• The concept is also being explored at other ACSA airports, in particular in Bram Fisher International, East London and Port Elizabeth Airports through consultation with the respective Local Authorities.

b) N/A (i) N/A and (ii) N/A

c) ACSA is not in a position to respond to part (c) of the question.

Air Traffic & Navigation Services SOC Limited (ATNS)

(a)(i) Not applicable to ATNS

(a)(ii) ATNS has been consulted by the DoT and has provided comments and input in respect of the National Airport Development Plan and National Civil Aviation Policy.

(b)(i) N/A (i) N/A and (ii) N/A

(b)(ii) N/A (i) N/A and (ii) N/A

(c) Not applicable to ATNS

South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA)

(a) (i) Not applicable to SACAA

(ii) The National Transport Master Plan is not applicable to the South African Civil Aviation Authority

(b) N/A (i) N/A and (ii) N/A

(c) N/A

Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA)

(a)(ii) There is good alignment between the Natmap and PRASA’s Strategic Plan (2012). Both plans identify short, medium and long term requirements through to the year 2050. The recent update of the Natmap 2050 Synopsis provided a further opportunity to strengthen and align the rail plan and requirements going forward.

Furthermore, PRASA’s Strategic Plan is incorporated in the company’s Corporate Plan focussing on the MTEF period (3-year) ahead. Key performance areas (KPAs) and milestones are identified in the plan. The KPAs are monitored and reported to the Department of Transport on a regular basis.

Railway Safety Regulator (RSR)

Natmap is not incorporated by the RSR.

Ports Regulator (PRSA)

The Ports Regulator has not received any directive in this regard from Department of Transport.

Roads Entities:

(a) (ii) The National Land Transport Strategic Framework 2015–2020 (NLTSF) which defines the strategies and policy intent of the Department of Transport with regard to integrated transport and land use planning country-wide over the five year period, incorporates the overarching objectives of Natmap along with National Development Plan 2030 Strategic Aims, Medium Term Strategic Framework (2014-2019) and transport oriented Strategic Integrated Projects (SIPs) as identified by Presidential Infrastructure Coordinating Commission (PICC).

Entities are expected to adopt the relevant intentions and guidance of the NLTSF and adjust it to local needs and circumstances. This will enable them to implement local planning intent interpreted and guided by national policy.

 

South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA)

The National Transport Master Plan (NATMAP) provides an overarching integrated plan for the improved movement of people and freight in South Africa and as such informs and forms the basis for integrated planning within and across the various modes of transport. The South African Maritime Safety Authority is tasked with the mandates of:

1. Ensuring the safety of life and property at sea
2. To combat and prevent the pollution of the marine environment by ships 
3. Promoting the Republic’s maritime interests 

SAMSA is therefore responsible for the efficient, safe, secure and environmentally sustainable movement of inbound and outbound seaborne freight through our national port infrastructure. To this end, SAMSA has aligned its plans towards realising the NATMAP vision by pursuing the following objectives and priority actions in line with other governmental plans:

a) Delivering an efficient, safe, secure and environmentally sustainable maritime transport system by

• Protecting the environment;
• Promoting safety and wellbeing; and
• Infrastructure enhancement and management.

b) The socio economic development of South Africa’s maritime sector by undertaking the following: 

• Grow the economy - this incorporates the pursuit of NATMAP priority actions of growing the economy fuelled by the marine transport development programme under the Operation Phakisa portfolio, specifically focusing on making better use of the maritime transport network, increasing its contribution to GDP and the creation of wealth for the country.

• Freight integration - The promotion of developing a competitive integrated national supply chain perspective by working together across the freight transport value chain from Pit, Port to Market. 

Reply:

1. The National Treasury is currently reviewing the entire Supply Chain Management (SCM) legislative framework with a view of developing a single procurement law that seeks to, among others, improve efficiency in the procurement environment and eliminate corruption.
2. The National Treasury will be developing guidelines to assist municipalities on the appropriate application of regulation 32 of the Municipal Supply Chain Management Regulation by July 2016. These guidelines will assist municipalities to follow due process and thereby prevent any potential misuse of this provision in the Municipal SCM legislative framework. In the interim, municipalities should submit any enquiry to the MFMA helpdesk facility, [email protected].
3. Additional to the the comment above, the MFMA provides for all processes and procedures that are undertaken at a municipality. Therefore reliance is placed on the system of delegation and other regulatory audit processes to assist in preventing the misuse of regulation 32.

Further efforts will be made to speed up the process of reviews of Section 32 and to stop the abuse that is prevalent in this regard.