Questions and Replies

Reply:

CIDA City Campus NPC was registered as a private higher education institution until its liquidation in 2015. Students enter into a private contractual agreement with institutions and full knowledge that in the event of closure, they would have to seek alternate means to complete their studies. Whereas public universities are funded by the state, private higher education institutions are privately funded and the responsibility for attending to pipeline students in the face of closure resides with the Directors of the company as per the Regulations for the Registration of Private Higher Education Institutions, 2002.

Since CIDA City Campus NPC was liquidated, the liquidators that is Tshwane Trust Company, was responsible for assisting pipeline students. In this regard, every student was provided with their academic transcript and where students did not collect their transcripts, it was sent to the Department for safekeeping and future collection.

The Department assists / has assisted in the following ways:

a) Referred students to other private institutions such as Milpark Education (Pty) Ltd, Boston City Campus (Pty) Ltd and University of Johannesburg, through the CIDA Empowerment Trust. These are the institutions that offer similar qualifications to those that were offered by Cida City Campus;

b) Administers the remaining certificates and academic transcripts still to be collected by students; and

c) Refers students to appropriate institutions of higher learning. In the case of public universities, the students are advised to apply for financial assistance from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme.

The responsibility lies with the student to apply to an alternative institution and present their academic transcript for consideration and recognition of credits already earned. The Department assists in providing support and details on equivalence of qualifications.

 

Compiler/Contact Persons:

Ext:

DIRECTOR – GENERAL

STATUS:

DATE:

QUESTION 728 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED

Dr BE NZIMANDE, MP

MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

STATUS:

DATE:

Reply:

(1)(a) The current plan of the Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) regarding the Red Tape Reduction Programme is to revisit the piloted municipalities to assess progress made in relation to the following: complaints notification system, 30 payment system, building plan approval processes, business registration permits, by-laws and communication of small business information to SMMEs and Cooperatives. Specifically for Matjhabeng Local Municipality in the Free State, access to information by the municipality to small enterprises will be improved.

(b) There is no record of unnecessary (i) policies, (ii) by-laws and (iii) regulations rescinded in the specific municipality. The total number of policies, by-laws and regulations that impede the development and promotion of small businesses will only be outlined upon the conclusion of the proposed study on regulatory protocols affecting small businesses to be conducted by DSBD during the 2016/17 financial year. Informal business by-laws are currently being reviewed including the enforcement.

(c) The current assessment did not consider the administration costs. However, the improvement on turnaround times as well as communication on compliance will reduce Red Tape in each of the identified municipalities ultimately reducing costs experienced by SMMEs.

2. Some of the examples that can be referred to regarding how the red tape has been reduced include: improvement on building plan application processes and approvals turnaround times due to committee established to consider these.

Reply:

(1)(a) The Elands Bay Infrastructure Improvement Project has not been handed over to an owning agent.

(1)(b) As the project has not been handed over to an owing agent, a capacity building component for a small-scale cooperative has not been developed.

(1)(c) As stated above, there is no owning agent or capacity building component and therefore there are no cost implications.

(1)(d) As stated above, the project has not been handed over to an owning agent and no service providers have been appointed.

(2)(a) (i) , (ii) and (iii) The number of operational and administrative staff to be employed

can only be determined once owning agent has been appointed.

(2)(b) The associated costs can only be determined once owning agent has been appointed.

(3)(a) Yes. The extension of the employment contracts of the military veterans will be paid retrospectively. The funds will be provided from the EPWP/Working for Fisheries Programme.

(3)(b) Eight Hundred Thousand Rand (R800 000) has been allocated for the extension of the contracts.

(3)(c) Yes. The military veterans worked from 1 September – 23 September 2015.

(4) No.

Reply:

The Department of Health administers the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act, 1972 (Act No. 54, 1972), as amended in 2007. There are a number of Regulations published in terms of this Act to ensure that all foods are safe for human consumption in South Africa. All foodstuffs imported into the country are subject to inspections by Port Health Officers (PHOs) who are deployed by the Department of Health at the designated commercial ports of entries throughout the country and responsible for import control of foodstuffs. This includes inspection of these products, and where necessary at their professional discretion they may take samples randomly. If the samples are taken they are submitted for analysis at the Forensic Chemical Laboratories of the Department of Health in Pretoria and Cape Town to conduct tests as requested to ensure compliance. The food products should also be correctly labelled in compliance with the Regulations relating to Labelling and Advertising of Foodstuffs, No. R. 146 March 2010.

All the foodstuffs manufactured in South Africa are inspected and monitored by the Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs), employed by the Municipal Health Services of the metro and district municipalities. In the event of non-compliance to any of the Regulations under the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act, 1972 (Act No. 54 of 1972), municipalities will serve notices on the manufacturers and/or sellers concerned, allowing them an opportunity to comply with the relevant requirements. In the event of non-compliance persisting, further steps could be considered, including prosecuting the person(s) concerned in the area of "jurisdiction", where a Magistrate's Court shall have jurisdiction to impose any "penalty". The Laboratories mainly test only what the EHPs have requested and are mostly guided by the Labelling Regulations for enforcement of regulations published under the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act, 1972 (Act No. 54 of 1972).

Furthermore, all complementary medicines, which include health supplements, were called up for registration under the call-up notice R. 870, Government Gazette 37032 of 15 November 2013, which details the amendment to the Regulations in terms of section 35 of the Medicines and Related Substances Act, 1965 (Act 101 of 1965) (Medicines Act). Health supplements are further described in Government Notice R. 716, Government Gazette 37995, 15 September 2014.

These products have to be submitted in accordance with the published road map and are being evaluated for compliance with prescribed requirements for safety, quality and efficacy. The labelling has to comply with the requirements of Regulation 8 to the Medicines Act.

The Law Enforcement unit in the department investigates complaints regarding medicines including health supplements and also check compliance with labelling requirements. These inspectors may also take samples and send them for analysis to Forensic Chemical Laboratory of the Department of Health in Pretoria or the WHO certified laboratory (CENQAM) at the North-West University, Potchefstroom.

END.

Reply:

1. The latest population wide data for maternal mortality ratio was published in 2015, by the Medical Research Council. The report contained data up to 2011

The National Committee on Confidential Enquiries into Maternal Mortality (NCCEMD) investigates all maternal deaths in health facilities annually and publishes triennial and annual reports. The table below reflects the data for 2014 by province.

 (a) Institutional maternal mortality ratio per province, 2014 (NCCEMD)

Province	2014
Eastern Cape	174.15
Free State	203.26
Gauteng	149.75
KwaZulu-Natal	127.82
Limpopo	149.32
Mpumalanga	119.54
North West	180.08
Northern Cape	120.68
Western Cape	66.50
NATIONAL AVERAGE	140.81

 (b) Slightly over sixteen percent (16.4%) percentage of maternal mortality was attributed to haemorrhage in 2014.

(2) (a) To understand these huge differences, we need to understand the causes of maternal mortality in our country. The NCCEMD noted that the causes of maternal mortality can be classified into 5 H’s, i.e –

    (i) HIV/AIDS;

    (ii) Haemorrhage;

    (iii) Hypertension in pregnancy;

    (iv) Health Worker; and

    (v) Health System.

50% Of Maternal mortality is attributable to HIV/AIDS. The Free State Province is number three (3) in the country in terms of prevalence of HIV and AIDS and the Western Cape Province has the least prevalence of HIV and AIDS in the country.

(b) The Free State began to address its high maternal mortality ratio:

(i) I will be travelling to the Free State to meet the Premier and the Executive Council to ask for strengthening of their HIV and AIDS Programmes;

(ii) Free State province has trained 63 professional nurses in advanced antenatal care who will support clinics to improve the quality of antenatal care;

(iii) Active rollout of training in on the management of obstetric emergencies;

(iv) Since 2013 significant efforts have been made to saturate the province with training; and

(v) District clinical specialist teams established at all districts as a measure to improve clinical governance, including appointment of a provincial obstretrician/gynaecologist.

END.

Reply:

Department

(a) what steps is she taking to audit overlapping and duplicate functions of (i) her department

She will apply the provisions of Chapter 3 of the Public Service Regulations which include: reviewing the organisational structure of the Department; engaging in human resource planning; establishing and maintaining an operations management framework; assessing human resource components and conducting the organisational functionality and productivity assessment.

(b) What are the (i) time frames and (ii) time lines in this regard?

All the stated activities will be done during the 2016/2017 financial year

(c) how is the specified process being coordinated

The activities will be coordinated by applying the tools, techniques and templates that were developed by the Department of Public Service and Administration. Various Committees and Task Teams will also be established to assist in driving he various activities.

(d) Who are the champions for (i) her department

Officials from the Chief Directorate: Human Resource Management and Development as well as other identified Departmental Officials

Airports Company South Africa SOC Limited (ACSA)

ACSA does not have overlapping or duplicate functions.

Air Traffic and Navigation Services SOC Limited (ATNS)

There are no duplications or overlapping functions at ATNS.

South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA)

The steps taken by the (i) N/A (ii) South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) to reduce overlaps and address duplicate functions started in 2014, with the implementation of an Organisational Structure Review (OSR) project. The aim of this project was to improve organisational efficiencies and effectiveness by aligning the structure to the legislative mandate of the Regulator and to ensure that the Regulator meets the requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). (b) (i) The project started in October 2014 (ii) and will be concluded on 31 March 2016. (c) The project was approved by the Board and featured in the Annual Performance Plan for two consecutive financial years. (d) The project is being led by the Executive Management Committee of the SACAA and quarterly progress reports are being tabled during Board meetings.

Railway Safety Regulator (RSR)

1. ii) The RSR audits the overlapping and duplication of functions by conducting periodic reviews of its policies, core and support business processes as well as organisational structure. The implementation of its ISO 9004 concordant QRAIL Management Quality System (MQS) is also a management tool that has been implemented to ensure process efficiency and quality.
2. i) Operational, tactical and governance business processes are reviewed annually (by means of the MQS requirements) and policies are reviewed at least every two years.
3. Reviews are coordinated and overseen by the Office of the CEO.
4. Office of the CEO, Legal Services Department and the HR Department

Ports Regulator of SA( PRSA)

The Minister of Finance in his Budget Speech 2016, said: “…where entities have overlapping mandates, rationalization options will be pursued. The merger of our housing DFIs is already in progress. There are entities with regulatory responsibilities where capacity should be combined.”

In this regard, (even though there is no direct overlap between entities) the DOT is engaging with its various Regulatory entities with a view to establishment of a Single Transport Economic Regulator (STER), which has been previously been announced by the Minister of Transport

South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA)

1. The minister has directed SAMSA to take steps to curtail activities in the maritime sector development which she deems covered by the Maritime Branch in the department of transport
2. The time frame for the curtailment is 1 April 2016
3. The specific process has been coordinated through the sign off process of the APP 2016/17
4. The champion for SAMSA in this process sis the CEO Commander Tsietsi Mokhele.

Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA)

ii) PRASA does not believe there is overlapping areas or duplication between the PRASA mandate and the RSR or any other entity reporting to the Department of Transport. PRASA is an operator of rail services whereas the RSR is a regulator of rail transport covering all rail operators including Transnet and Gautrain.

i) Reporting by PRASA is based on the requirements of the PFMA on a quarterly and annual basis to the shareholder.

Reviews are coordinated and overseen by the Office of the Group CEO.

Office of the Group CEO

Cross-Border Road Transport Agency and Road Traffic Management Agency

(a)(ii) The establishment of a single police service is in terms of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa and affects the Department in relation to the traffic policing/law enforcement function of Agencies within the department. The Minister set up the Road Traffic Management Coordinating Committee (RTMCC), which is chaired by the CEO of RTMC to co-ordinate overlapping and or duplicate functions in the Road Transport/Traffic space.

The C-BRTA has a law enforcement function which is mandated by the Act but could be carried out by the RTMC in line with the realisation of a single police service. The process of migrating the C-BRTA Law Enforcement function (Road Transport Inspectorate) to RTMC has been initiated and is on the 2016/17 APP of the two entities.

(b)(i),(ii) The migration of the C-BRTA Law Enforcement function is planned for finalisation in financial year 2016/17 and the specific timelines will be established once the two Agencies have developed an implemention plan.

Road Accident Fund

In line with the Budget Speech of the Minister of Finance, Mr Pravin Gordhan, delivered on 24 February, (a)(ii) the Road Accident Fund (RAF) is not auditing overlapping and duplicate functions under its constituting Principal Act, as it is not its role, nor is it authorized to do so. The functions of the RAF were the subject of consideration by Cabinet who in 2011 approved the Policy Paper for the Road Accident Benefit Scheme (RABS). Based on the aforementioned Cabinet approved policy, the draft Road Accident Benefit Scheme Bill was developed by the Department of Transport and will see the functions of the RAF change when the RAF transitions to the new Road Accident Benefit Scheme Administrator, (b) (i) the time frames and (ii) timelines to legislate RABS is informed by the usual legislative processes, (c)(i) the process to legislate RABS is being coordinated by the Department of Transport’s Roads Branch, with the support of the Department of Transport’s Legal Directorate, and (d)(ii) the champion for the RAF is its Chief Strategy Officer

The South African National Roads Agency SOC Ltd

The South African National Roads Agency SOC Ltd (SANRAL) is the sole entity mandated to maintain, develop and fund the national road network of South Africa. As such there are no overlapping or duplicated functions in any other public entity or department.

Reply:

(1)(a) The current plan of the Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) regarding the Red Tape Reduction Programme is to revisit the piloted municipalities to assess progress made in relation to the following: complaints notification system, 30 payment system, building plan approval processes, business registration permits, by-laws and communication of small business information to SMMEs and Cooperatives. Specifically for Umzimkhulu Local Municipality in Kwa Zulu Natal, the turnaround times for payment of small businesses have been reduced to 20 days.

(b) There is no record of unnecessary (i) policies, (ii) by-laws and (iii) regulations rescinded in the specific municipality. The total number of policies, by-laws and regulations that impede the development and promotion of small businesses will only be outlined upon the conclusion of the proposed study on regulatory protocols affecting small businesses to be conducted by DSBD during the 2016/17 financial year. In terms of Umzimkhulu the by-laws for informal traders are currently being reviewed.

(c) The current assessment did not consider the administration costs. However, the reduction of Red Tape in each of the identified areas will lead to the reduction of costs of the turnaround times, improvement of communication on compliance will also reduce costs experienced by SMMEs.

2. Some of the examples that can be referred to regarding how the red tape has been reduced include: improvement on turnaround times regarding land use management on land availability and accessibility.

Reply:

(1)(a) The current plan of the Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) regarding the Red Tape Reduction Programme is to revisit the piloted municipalities to assess progress made in relation to the following: complaints notification system, 30 payment system, building plan approval processes, business registration permits, by-laws and communication of small business information to SMMEs and Cooperatives. Specifically for Khara Hais Local Municipality in Northern Cape, there is an improvement of infrastructure regarding the building plan approval processes.

(b) There is no record of unnecessary (i) policies, (ii) by-laws and (iii) regulations rescinded in the specific municipality. The total number of policies, by-laws and regulations that impede the development and promotion of small businesses will only be outlined upon the conclusion of the proposed study on regulatory protocols affecting small businesses to be conducted by DSBD during the 2016/17 financial year.

(c) The current assessment did not consider the administration costs. However, the improvement on turnaround times as well as communication on compliance will reduce Red Tape in each of the identified municipalities ultimately reducing costs experienced by SMMEs.

2. Some of the examples that can be referred to regarding how the red tape has been reduced include: revisiting the mining sector to consider the legislative framework for small scale mining.

Reply:

1. (a) The current plan of the Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) regarding the Red Tape Reduction Programme is to revisit the piloted municipalities to assess progress made in relation to the following: complaints notification system, 30 payment system, building plan approval processes, business registration permits, by-laws and communication of small business information to SMMEs and Cooperatives. Specifically for Greater Kokstad Local Municipality in Kaw- Zulu Natal, a committee has been established to handle all complaints within municipality.

(b) There is no record of unnecessary (i) policies, (ii) by-laws and (iii) regulations rescinded in the specific municipality. The total number of policies, by-laws and regulations that impede the development and promotion of small businesses will only be outlined upon the conclusion of the proposed study on regulatory protocols affecting small businesses to be conducted by DSBD during the 2016/17 financial year.

(c) The current assessment did not consider the administration costs. However, the reduction of Red Tape in each of the identified areas will lead to the reduction of costs on turnaround times, improvement of communication on compliance will also reduce costs experienced by SMMEs.

2. Some of the examples that can be referred to regarding how the red tape has been reduced include: improved communication on business registration and permit issued on the same day if all documents are submitted.

Reply:

(1)(a) The current plan of the Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) regarding the Red Tape Reduction Programme is to revisit the piloted municipalities to assess progress made in relation to the following: complaints notification system, 30 payment system, building plan approval processes, business registration permits, by-laws and communication of small business information to SMMEs and Cooperatives. Specifically for Lukhanji Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape, access to information by municipality to small businesses will be improved.

(b) There is no record of unnecessary (i) policies, (ii) by-laws and (iii) regulations rescinded in the specific municipality. The total number of policies, by-laws and regulations that impede the development and promotion of small businesses will only be outlined upon the conclusion of the proposed study on regulatory protocols affecting small businesses to be conducted by DSBD during the 2016/17 financial year. Informal business by-laws are currently being reviewed including the enforcement and conducting of information session workshops.

(c) The current assessment did not consider the administration costs. However, the improvement on turnaround times as well as communication on compliance will reduce Red Tape in each of the identified municipalities ultimately reducing costs experienced by SMMEs.

(2) Some of the examples that can be referred to regarding how the red tape has been reduced include: improvement on 30 days payment processes and approvals turnaround times due to establishment of the internal financial committee.

Reply:

(a) The site visit by DAFF officials on 30 September 2015 revealed that the Cederberg project was operational and that beneficiaries were on site.

(b) Back to office reports were compiled by each official. There is no consolidated report containing recommendations.

(c) As mentioned above, there is no consolidated report.

Reply:

(1)(a) The current plan of the Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) regarding the Red Tape Reduction Programme is to revisit the piloted municipalities to assess progress made in relation to the following: complaints notification system, 30 payment system, building plan approval processes, business registration permits, by-laws and communication of small business information to SMMEs and Cooperatives. Specifically for Sol Plaatjie Local Municipality in Northern Cape, the intergovernmental relations will be improved regarding communication to small businesses.

(b) There is no record of unnecessary (i) policies, (ii) by-laws and (iii) regulations rescinded in the specific municipality. The total number of policies, by-laws and regulations that impede the development and promotion of small businesses will only be outlined upon the conclusion of the proposed study on regulatory protocols affecting small businesses to be conducted by DSBD during the 2016/17 financial year.

(c) The current assessment did not consider the administration costs. However, the improvement on turnaround times as well as communication on compliance will reduce Red Tape in each of the identified municipalities ultimately reducing costs experienced by SMMEs.

2. Some of the examples that can be referred to regarding how the red tape has been reduced include: revisiting the mining sector to consider the legislative framework for small scale mining.

Reply:

The Department of Basic Education (DBE) is working with the South African Council for Educators (SACE) to professionalise teaching through standard setting and the strengthening of the induction of new teachers. The proposal is to provide newly qualified teachers with provisional registration and to require them to meet teacher professional standards upon completion of an induction programme of three years in order to obtain full registration. This registration will be the licensing.

Reply:

(1)(a) The current plan of the Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) regarding the Red Tape Reduction Programme is to revisit the piloted municipalities to assess progress made in relation to the following: complaints notification system, 30 payment system, building plan approval processes, business registration permits, by-laws and communication of small business information to SMMEs and Cooperatives. Specifically for Maluti-A-Phofung Local Municipality in the Free State, access to information by the municipality to small enterprises will be improved.

(b) There is no record of unnecessary (i) policies, (ii) by-laws and (iii) regulations rescinded in the specific municipality. The total number of policies, by-laws and regulations that impede the development and promotion of small businesses will only be outlined upon the conclusion of the proposed study on regulatory protocols affecting small businesses to be conducted by DSBD during the 2016/17 financial year. However, informal business by-laws are currently being reviewed including the enforcement.

(c) The current assessment did not consider the administration costs. However, the improvement on turnaround times as well as communication on compliance will reduce Red Tape in each of the identified municipalities ultimately reducing costs experienced by SMMEs.

2. Some of the examples that can be referred to regarding how the red tape has been reduced include: The improvement on by-laws related to tourism business promotion in the area as one of the sectors identified for local economic development.

Reply:

According to the Eastern Cape Provincial Department of Health, an ambulance GGX 952 EC has been stationed at the Dutywa Community Health Centre (CHC) since April 2015. Prior to that, a vehicle from Butterworth used a satellite at Dutywa CHC on an ad hoc basis due to the shortage of personnel. In April 2015, eight (8) staff members were appointed for the Mbashe area as a result the ambulance is permanently based at Dutywa CHC.

END.

Reply:

(a) (i) Passenger Rail Agency of SA

(ii) any other entity reporting to her spend on

(aa) ticket purchases, R352 000.

(bb) sponsorships R4 180 000.

(cc) R290 000 for travel and accommodation for PRASA stakeholders.

(b) The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa is the Official Transport Partner of the Cape Town International Jazz Festival as per the contract which was entered into during the 2014/15 Financial Year.

The Cross-Border Road Transport Agency

(a)(ii)The Cross-Border Road Transport Agency (aa) will not purchase any tickets (bb) nor will there be any sponsorships paid for by the Agency and (cc) no expenditure related to the Cape Town Jazz Festival will be incurred by the Agency during the said period.

The Road Accident Fund

(a)(ii)The Road Accident Fund (aa) will not purchase any tickets (bb) nor will there be any sponsorships paid for by the Agency and (cc) no expenditure related to the Cape Town Jazz Festival will be incurred by the Agency during the said period.

The Road Traffic Infringement Agency

(a)(ii)The Road Traffic Infringement Agency (aa) will not purchase any tickets (bb) nor will there be any sponsorships paid for by the Agency and (cc) no expenditure related to the Cape Town Jazz Festival will be incurred by the Agency during the said period.

The Road Traffic Management Corporation

(a)(ii)The Road Traffic Management Corporation (aa) will not purchase any tickets (bb) nor will there be any sponsorships paid for by the Agency and (cc) no expenditure related to the Cape Town Jazz Festival will be incurred by the Agency during the said period.

The South African National Roads Agency Limited

(a)(ii)The South African National Roads Agency Limited (aa) will not purchase any tickets (bb) nor will there be any sponsorships paid for by the Agency and (cc) no expenditure related to the Cape Town Jazz Festival will be incurred by the Agency during the said period.

Airports Company South Africa SOC Limited (ACSA)

The Airports Company South Africa SOC Limited will not be spending any funds towards the Cape Town Jazz Festival to be held from 29 March to 2 April 2016.

Air Traffic and Navigation Services SOC Limited (ATNS)

ATNS is not involved in / sponsoring any activities related to the Cape Town Jazz Festival. (i) N/A, (ii) Nil, (aa) None, (bb) None, (cc) None, N/A.

South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA)

In relation to question (a) (i) (ii) (aa) (bb) (cc) (b) The South African Civil Aviation Authority did not purchase any tickets, or provide any form of sponsorship, or incur any expenses related to the Cape Town Jazz Festival.

South African Maritime Safety Authority ( SAMSA)

Has not made any expenditure related to the Cape Town Jazz Festival.

Ports Regulator of South Africa (PRSA)

The Ports Regulator will not sponsor directly or indirectly, financial or non-financial, any activities associated with the Cape Town Jazz Festival that will take place from March 2016 to April 2016.

Railway Safety Regulator (RSR)

The RSR will not be spending any money on the Cape Town Jazz Festival.

Reply:

1. (a) Post Mortem  

           (i) Pretoria

The post mortem blood alcohol blacklog –

• 31 January 2014: 2 422
• 31 January 2015: 3 890
• January 2016 to date: 1 564

(Decrease from 2 422 in 2014 to 1 564 to date = reduction of 35%)

        (ii) Cape Town

• 31 January 2014: 3 527
• 31 January 2015: 869
• January 2016 to date: 1 222

(Decrease from 3 527 in 2014 to 1 222 to date – reduction of 65%)

        (iii) Johannesburg

• 31 January 2014: 989
• 31 January 2015: 2 837
• January 2016 to date: 369

(Decrease from 989 in 2014 to 369 to date = reduction of 63%)

(b) Toxicology

    (i) Pretoria:

The Toxicology backlog was 6023 on 31st January 2014, 6 537 on 31st January 2015, and 5 013 on January 2016. (Decrease from 6023 in 2014 to 5 013 to date = reduction of 17%)

    (ii) Cape Town:

The Toxicology backlog was 3 658 on 31st January 2014, 3 406 on 31st January 2015, and 2 878 on January 2016. (Decrease from 3 658 in 2014 to 2 878 to date = reduction of 21%)

    (iii) Johannesburg:

The Toxicology backlog was 7 658 on 31st January 2014, 8 007 on 31st January 2015, and 7 843 to date.( Decrease from 7 658 in 2014 to 7 843 to date = increase of 2%).

(c) Drunken driving

     (i) Pretoria:

The drunken driving backlog was 11 890 on 31st January 2014, 19 841 on 31st January 2015, and 6 074 on January 2016. (Decrease from 11890 in 2014 6 074 to date = reduction of 49%)

    (ii) Cape Town:

The drunken driving backlog was 25 933 on 31st January 2014, 12 856 on 31st January 2015, and 2 360 on January 2016. (Decrease from 25 933 in 2014 to 2 360 to date = reduction of 90%)

    (iii) Johannesburg:

The drunken driving backlog was 29 589 on 31st January 2014, 26 117 on 31st January 2015, and 30 376 to date. (Decrease from 29 589 in 2014 to 30 376 to date = increase of 3%)

2. (a) The process of relocating the Pretoria FCL to the SABS premises in Groenkloof is currently receiving priority.

(b) Staff members in all the FCL’s are competent and they are trained on a regular basis in order to keep up with developing technology.

(c) Since the permanent appointment in April 2013 of seventy unemployed individuals who underwent a 12-month full-time internship, the FCL’s are not experiencing a shortage of manpower. These analysts are currently fully competent and working independently.

END.

Reply:

(a) Fertilizers are registered in terms of Fertilizers, Farm feeds, Agricultural Remedies and Stock Remedies Act No. 36 of 1947. Section 3:2(a) requires that any fertilizer in respect of which registration is applied for is suitable, and sufficiently effective for the purposes for which is intended, and complies with such requirements as may be prescribed and that it is not contrary to the public interest that it be registered. Any registration shall be subject to the prescribed and additional conditions as may be determined by the Registrar through fertilizer regulations and various guidelines.

(b) The Department is promoting the land care programme, organic farming and conservation agriculture. These interventions are aimed at contributing towards sustainable utilisation of agricultural resources.

Reply:

(a) The Minister and the Department has not as yet engaged with conveners of the entrepreneur fund work stream emanating from the meeting in February between the President and business leaders. (c) The outcome of the work stream will only be known and considered once all relevant documents and information on the work stream is furnished to the department through the reporting channels.

Reply:

1. (a) The investigation is still in progress.

(b) The plan is to complete the forensic report by the end of May 2016 but subject to cooperation and required information received to conclude the investigation.

2. The National Treasury will not make the report public since the investigation is conducted on behalf of the Department of Communication. In addition, all reports that are the subject of criminal investigations by the South African Police Service are not made public since it may have a negative impact on the success of the criminal investigation. Once the report is part of the court record and its evidence has been led, it will become a public document.

Reply:

According to the KwaZulu Natal Provincial Department of Health, RK Khan has a Mammography Unit however the image processor is non-functioning and cannot be repaired as the technology is obsolete.

The Department of Health is in the process of replacing all Image Processors province-wide with CR Readers.

Two CR Readers have been earmarked for RK Khan Hospital as per the plan in place.

Due to this being a new technology, it necessitates infrastructural requirements to accommodate the CR Readers, which process is currently being finalised. This will facilitate the smooth installation of the CR Readers.

Currently patients are referred to the surrounding Hospitals such as Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital, King Edward VIII Hospital, Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital and Addington Hospital.

END.

Reply:

1. Yes. The recruitment of foreign nationals as medical doctors to work in South Africa is regulated by the foreign recruitment policy adopted by the National Health Council in 2010. The policy does provide for recruitment of health professionals and exchange programmes through government-to-government agreements for experienced medical doctors and lecturers to come to South Africa to impart their skills to our local doctors and undergraduate students in medicine. An example of this is the Cuba/South Africa agreement. In recent years, a number of lecturers from highly renowned universities abroad also came to South Africa to contribute to the training of our young doctors and the Department is still processing applications on an ongoing basis from countries all across the globe to perform volunteer services for shorter periods of time in South Africa.
2. There is adequate provision in the Health Professions Act for the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) to recognise qualifications in medicine from countries where the education is of international standard. All foreign nationals who wish to reside in South Africa are also subject to the country’s immigration law where there are provisions to ease up the recruitment of critical skills for the public health sector.

END.

Reply:

(a)(i) and (b)(i) Information on the number and demographic details of medical students enrolled to study medicine at public higher education institutions are tabulated below:

Table 1: Number of Bachelor of Medicine (MBChB) students enrolled in public higher education institutions, by race and gender, from 2011 to 2014.

Race	Gender	Year
		2012	2013	2014
African	Female Male	2 435 1 795	2 588 1 800	2 789 1 815
Coloured	Female Male	597 304	636 325	679 341
Indian	Female Male	644 449	643 476	665 528
White	Female Male	1 765 1 084	1 800 1 118	1 838 1 113
Unknown	Female Male	13 13	19 21	21 29

Table 2: Number of Bachelor in Dental Surgery (BChD) students enrolled in public higher education institutions, by race and gender, from 2012 to 2014.

Race	Gender	Year
		2012	2013	2014
African	Female Male	97 61	95 56	113 61
Coloured	Female Male	70 41	78 40	76 44
Indian	Female Male	114 62	109 54	107 46
White	Female Male	159 95	159 95	177 89
Unknown	Female Male	2 2	3 1	3 1

(ii) Currently this information is not available on a national level and will only be available once the Central Application Service (CAS) is fully implemented and operational. The CAS will enable the Department to track the number of applications and admissions for specific programmes at all institutions across the country.

(iii) The Department does not collect statistics on students who applied and were accepted to institutions of higher learning outside the country. Students are not obligated to inform the Department if they intend to study outside the country. However, information is available with respect to the enrolment of South African students in Cuba as part of the Republic of South Africa (RSA) Cuba programme managed by the national Department of Health. These statistics are shown in the table below:

Table 3: National Enrolment Statistics of the RSA-Cuba Medical Programme as at March 2016 provided by the National Department of Health.
Province	Prep 2015	1st 2014	2nd 2013	3rd 2012	4th 2011	5th 2010	Total in Cuba
Eastern Cape	9	90	101	90	10	5	305
Free State	2	11	33	153	0	0	199
Gauteng	112	136	112	94	8	0	462
KwaZulu-Natal	22	93	292	336	10	13	766
Limpopo	110	110	106	40	11	18	395
Mpumalanga	99	10	14	80	11	13	227
Northern Cape	30	28	47	27	11	7	150
North West	35	126	171	90	12	15	449
Total	419	604	876	910	73	71	2 953

(b) (ii) The information provided in Tables 1 and 2 are audited data extracted from the Higher Education Information Management System (HEMIS) and it is assumed that the standard South African demographic definitions have been utilised.

 

 

Compiler/Contact Persons:

Ext:

DIRECTOR – GENERAL

STATUS:

DATE:

REPLY TO QUESTION 747 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED

Dr BE NZIMANDE, MP

MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

STATUS:

DATE:

Reply:

No, there are no frozen vacant posts in the National Department of Health.

 (a) Not applicable;

 (b) Not applicable;

 (c) Not applicable.

END.

Reply:

In terms of the National Treasury’s Section 71 report for the period 1 July to 31 December 2015, it was reported that the metros are owed R64.4 billion. This information, pertaining to the metros debt was provided by each of the metros; consolidated and reported by the National Treasury.

In response to both questions (a) and (b) the legal framework provides for municipal and ultimately council accountability to charge for services, issue correct bills and collect all monies due. This is provided for in the Local Government Municipal Systems Act, Act 32 of 2000 (MSA), Chapter 9: Credit Control and Debt Collection, which provides for the following municipal debt collection mechanisms:

S96 (a) a municipality must collect all money due and payable …

S96 (b) for this purpose, must adopt, maintain and implement a credit control and debt collection policy which is consistent with its rates and tariffs policies and complies with the provisions of this Act.

S98 (1) A municipal council must adopt by-laws to give effect to the municipality’s credit control and debt collection policy, its implementation and enforcement.

S95 (e) ensure that persons liable for payments, receive regular and accurate accounts that indicate the basis for calculating the amounts due.

S95 (l) provide accessible pay points and mechanisms for settling accounts or for making pre-payments for services.

In addition, the MSA, s118: Restraint of Transfer of Property, makes provision for municipalities to collect arrears from the property owners at the time of sale. s118 relates to the clearance certificate whereby a municipality confirms that all monies due and payable on a property, at the time of sale, have been settled, as this is legally required to facilitate the transfer of property ownership at the Registrar of Deeds. In recent years the municipality would insist on recovering a minimum of two years arrears when issuing clearance and then obtain commitment from the transferring attorney to recover the balance when the proceeds of the property sale are paid.

The most recent court ruling is that the municipality can recover from the buyer should the seller not honour the arrears on the property where it extends beyond two years. Municipalities have not utilised this legal instrument to collect arrears.

While the National Treasury strives to support municipalities to improve their operational management capability in municipal expenditure and revenue management it is evident that even among the metros which are owed R64.4 billion as at 31 December 2015, the institutions are not fully utilising the provisions of the law to maximise on revenue collection.

Furthermore, the local government governance structures afford only advisory and guidance contributions from the National Treasury as the Council is legally responsible to enforce the provisions of Chapter 9 of the MSA.

Reply:

(1)(a) 229 employees were suspended for 1 month to 12 months.

(1)(b) 3 employees were suspended for 1 year to 2 years.

(1)(c) 0 employees were suspended for 2 to 3 years.

(1)(d) 0 employees were suspended for more than 3 years.

2(a) Some investigations involve people who are external to PRASA who need to be interviewed and make statements. PRASA has no control as to their availability to assist in the investigations and some are difficult to trace. Some investigations cannot be concluded quickly because when the Investigators are about to close the investigation, new evidence comes up and such need to be followed up. Most of these investigations are a result of whistle-blowing and there is a process in dealing with such and the protection of whistle-blowers is of paramount importance.

2(b) Dedicated teams have been established to deal with investigations relating to employee misdemeanours and more personnel will be trained to do investigations. Some of the investigations can be done by line managers without only depending on the Investigators from Protection and Security Services. External resources that specialise in investigations (Private Investigators) will also be considered depending on the workload.

Reply:

1. (a) new staff members joined the Public Service as permanently appointed staff:

Question	Years	Number permanently appointed to the Public Service[1]	Number of officials eligible for CIP – that is officials with first time appointment after 1 July 2012[2]	Number of officials that have completed the full CIP	Number currently training on CIP	Number still need to commence training on CIP
(aa)	2012 – 2013	40 547	18 776	43	326	18 407
(bb)	2013 – 2014	46 592	32 499	25	7 897	24 577
(cc)	2014 – 2015	53 881	37 773	188	15 563	22 022
(dd)	2015 - 2016	43 005	34 125	143	8 861	21

(b) (i) 399 have completed the full CIP

(b) (ii) 32 647 are currently training on CIP

(b) (iii) 90 127 still need to commence training on CIP

(2) (a) Accredited trainers in the Public Service responsible to facilitate training of the induction programme:

Province /National	Number of departmental officials ready to train
Eastern Cape	97
Northern Cape	30
Western Cape	21
Gauteng	34
Limpopo	19
Mpumalanga	14
North West	67
Free State	28
KwaZulu Natal	52
National	260
National School of Government	27
Total	649

(b) For the financial year 2016-17 the target is 36 000

(c) The National School of Government process of putting in place necessary systems, capacity and procedures to ensure that all newly appointed employees in the public service complete their compulsory induction programme within two years of being appointed for the first time, is a work in progress.

 

 

 

1. Data Source: PERSAL, excluding Defence ↑

2. Data Source: PERSAL, excluding Defence and Teachers, and all on probation ↑

Reply:

The PRASA section of the Mabopane Transport Hub project is divided into two sub projects which are implemented by two different service providers. The two interlinked projects are outlined below;

i.The Bridge project, and

ii.The Concourse project

a) The current status of the two projects;

Bridge project: The contract was terminated on 01st April 2015 after matter had been taken to Arbitration as per clause 40 of the JBCC Contract. The Arbitrator determined in favor of PRASA and ruled that the Contractor had unlawfully suspended the works and walked off site without complying with the procedural and substantive requirements of the contract.

At the moment PRASA is in the process of resuscitating the project. What remains is the process of appointing a new contractor to finish the project. Currently the project stands at 70% completion. Major outstanding works remaining are parts of the roof, the link bridge over the railway lines, trading stalls, finishes and some remedial work on some structures constructed by previous contractor which were condemned by the consulting engineers and have to be demolished and rebuilt.

Concourse project: The project is 40% complete with the erection of the roof structure. Works on several platforms including platforms 5 and 6 are 100% complete and works on platform 7 and 8 which is the last platform have just commenced.

Progress on the concourse which focuses on ground floor demolitions, concrete works, brickwork and structural steel work is in progress. The roof structure is nearing completion and the mezzanine level steel structure is complete.

b) Project costs

Bridge project cost to date:

Item	Description	Value	Comments
1	Original Project Budget	R 197 818 781	Including VAT
2	Project Expenditure to date	R 143 736 161	Including VAT

Concourse project cost to date:

Item	Description	Value	Comments
1	Original Project Budget	R 199 605 421	Including VAT
2	Project Expenditure to date	R91 128 353	Including VAT

c) Reasons for the delays in completing the projects;

Bridge project: There were various reasons that delayed the project other than the process that led to termination.

• Land issues around ERF 433, Mabopane which resulted in the redesigning of the bridge to avoid the eminent land issues,
• Negotiations with traders associations, who refused to vacate the construction site until temporary trading structures were built for them,
• Community members and structures who demanded to be employed directly by PRASA instead of the appointed Main Contractor and therefore often stopped the site works in protest, and
• Strikes from workers demanding better remunerations than what the Main Contractor could offer.

Concourse project:

Item	Problem
1.	Employment opportunities & subcontracting demands from community resulting in protests and work stoppages
2.	Project scope change. Increase in time and project cost

d) When the project would be completed;

Bridge project: The project is expected to finish within 8 months from the date of site handover to the new contractor (once all the Supply Chain Management processes have been completed).

Concourse project: The project is expected to be complete by end December 2016

Reply:

1. Yes, the mentioned Offender`s profile report was presented before the National Council for Correctional Services (NCCS). After having considered the profile of the offender, the NCCS resolved not to recommend the offender`s placement on parole, and to reconsider the matter within twelve (12) months. It was recommended that the offender should be subjected to individual psychotherapy to further address his anger and aggressive behaviour.

(2) No, the offender did not participate in Victim Offender Dialogue as the means to locate his victims were unsuccessful..

(3)(a) in an effort to trace the victims it was discovered that victims relocated and cold not be traced.

(3)(b) His address was confirmed to be positive.

Reply:

1. The South African Revenue Service has collected R6, 3 billion as on 14 March 2016 with the voluntary disclosure programme since 2012.
2. (a)(b) The voluntary disclosure programme (VDP) data is kept per tax type, not per taxpayer type. The total number of VDP applications since 2012 is 8401. Of the approved applications, 35% relates to income tax, 13% to PAYE, 49% to VAT and 3% to other taxes.

Reply:

(1) Not all training programmes facilitated by the National School of Government are done in terms of registered unit standards recognised by the SA Qualifications Authority;

a) Some training programmes need to be responsive to ‘just-in-time’ needs of the public service and do not require SAQA approval.

b) 16% of the training done during the past year was offered in accordance with registered unit standards.

(2) There were no full qualifications consisting of more than 120 credits been (a) achieved by and/or (b) awarded to learners who have been enrolled to study through (i) the National School of Government or (ii) its predecessor, the Public Administration Leadership and Management Academy in (aa) 2013, (bb) 2014 and (cc) 2015.

 

Reply:

a) The construction of the Local Factory at Dunnottar Park, Ekurhuleni was delayed due to conditions arising from the requisite Environmental Authorization and obtaining a Water Use License for the site before commencement of the construction activities. Both causes of the delay were due to wetland area that surrounds the site. In August 2014, PRASA applied for the Environmental Authorization and the approval was granted by the Department of Environmental Affairs on the 27th March 2015. However, the approval was granted on condition that PRASA amend the factory site plans due to the wetland area that surrounds the site. PRASA and Gibela made the requisite adjustments and submitted the revised application to the Department of Environmental Affairs for the final approval. This final approval was received on the 17th August 2015.

PRASA was required to obtain a Water Use License before commencement of the construction. PRASA submitted an application to the Department of Water and Sanitation for the Water Use License (WUL) after the environmental authorization was granted. The original target date for obtaining the WUL was the 29th September 2015. However, PRASA obtained the WUL on the 1st December 2015.

b) As it currently stands, PRASA has not experienced any financial losses. In line with the contractual agreement, PRASA and Gibela are currently assessing the exact nature of the financial impact of the delay. PRASA and Gibela are undertaking a rigorous process to interrogate any claims of financial impact to the programme, including an independent audit of the claims. Once the assessment has been conducted and the necessary reviews completed, PRASA will notify all stakeholders of the status and nature of the claims.

c) As stated above, PRASA has not sustained any financial loses.

d) i) No censuring is required as the delay was beyond PRASA’s control and is managed though the provisions of the contract.

ii) On the 8th December 2015, PRASA provided Gibela with access to the Factory Site to commence construction. Gibela has since appointed Trencon (a black owned construction company, based in Ekurhuleni) to perform plant rescue and relocation, build a nursery and maintain rescued plants and Bulk Earth Works. The plant rescue and relocation was a key condition from the Environmental Authorization.

To date, Gibela has performed site setup for the first set of activities and have performed plant rescue. Furthermore, Bulk Earthworks commenced in mid-February 2016 and is expected to be completed by end of May 2016.

On the 4th March 2016, the Department of Transport, PRASA and Gibela lead by the Minister of Transport performed the Sod Turning for the Local Factory.

Reply:

The South African National Roads Agency Limited as an entity has not received any verbal or written communication from any persons to scrap the e-tolling system in the past five months.

.

.

Reply:

a) The number of senior managers that have left the employment of SARS since

1 September 2014 per the requested categories is:

1. Voluntary resignation - 39
2. Suspension that led to termination - 1
3. Early retirement - 1
4. Other – 14

b) The number of senior managers that have been appointed in SARS since 1

September 2014 per the requested categories is:

1. 21
2. These appointments were made to the following positions:

• • • Chief Officers
    • Group Executives
    • Executives
    • Senior Managers
    • Senior Specialists

Reply:

1. Once the AARTO Amendment Bill which is currently in the Parliamentary process has been approved and promulgated, a date for the national roll-out will be determined.
2. At this stage it is only the courts in the current AARTO jurisdictional area, which include the City of Tshwane and the City of Johannesburg, that can adjudicate AARTO transgressions. The reason being that these transgressions must be adjudicated at a court within the magisterial district in which the transgression was committed. Once AARTO is rolled out nationally, all courts in the various provinces must adjudicate on transgressions committed within their respective jurisdictional areas.
3. No AARTO notices were sent to trangressors by mail, be it registered mail, ordinary mail or secure mail since 01 January 2016. The reason being that the procedures and processes within the South African Postal Services (SAPO) did not comply with the requirements according to which AARTO notices must be served and mail was not delivered within the required time frames. SAPO is in the process to modify their system and procedures in order to comply with the requirements, which should be completed and implemented in due course.

.

.

Reply:

a) The Department has a Rural Transport Strategy which was approved by Cabinet in 2007.

b) The Strategy is currently being reviewed and will be submitted to Cabinet in the next financial year (2016/2017

Reply:

1. (a) & (b) The Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) still allows passengers to hand in their firearms when they are flying and to claim them again at their destinations. Within the precepts of the Airports Company Act (Act No. 44 of 1983) as amended, the National Key Point Act (Act No. 102 of 1980) and the Civil Aviation Act (Act No. 13 of 2009), ACSA as the responsible Airport Authority, shall authorise commercial licensed security companies and security companies contracted to the airline to handle, safe keep and transport the firearms onto ACSA’s premises in terms of the Firearms Control Act of 2000.

Passengers in possession of firearms are referred to the firearms desk controlled by commercial security company(s) contracted to the airlines at the respective destinations. Carrying of passengers firearms on board of an aircraft is the airline’s security responsibility, therefore it is legally required that airlines must have a Firearms Transportation License in terms of the Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000.

South African Airways (SAA) transports firearms to all destinations as per their flight schedule.

South African Express (SAX) and Airlink do not transport hand guns. This practice was stopped in March 2012. SAX and Airlink do transport hunting rifles for the purpose of tourism to East London, Port Elizabeth, George, Kimberley and Upington.

British Airways/Comair discontinued the service of handling of hand guns in August 2014. It was an airline decision to discontinue the services.

(2) No.

.

.

Reply:

No, it is important however to note that there is difference between consideration for parole and the Special Dispensation (which was adopted on 21 November 2007) for individuals who have committed offences they believe were in pursuit of a political objective.

a) The mentioned offender was placed on parole under certain conditions as provided for in section 52 of the Correctional Services Act 111 of 1998 (the Act) as amended, after his placement was approved by the Minister in terms of section 78 (1) of the Act.

b) The offender in question is currently a beneficiary of day parole. On 01 December 2015, in line with section 78 (1) of the Act, the Minister approved that the offender be placed on day parole for six (6) months and thereafter on full parole under certain conditions.

According to section 73(5) (b) of the Act, a sentenced offender be placed on day parole or parole subject to that offender accepting the conditions for placement.

Section 78 (1) of the Act provides that all offenders serving lifer sentence that are placed on day parole or parole, are released conditionally as contemplated in section 52 of the Act.

The offender could previously not be placed on day parole as he did not accept placement conditions.

Reply:

a) (i) 2012-13 : None (no employees were suspended)

a) (ii) 2013-14 : None

a) (iii) 2014-15 : None

b) Not applicable

c) Not applicable

Note: All officials were suspended with full pay as per Chapter 7, clause 2.7 of the SMS Handbook and clause 7.2.a. of the Disciplinary Code and Procedures (Resolution 1 of 2003) that prescribe that precautionary suspension is always with full pay.

Reply:

1. In accordance with the National Road Traffic Act, 1996 (Act No. 93 0f 1996) section 8 and 8A, only a Department of State shall operate a Driving License Testing Centre (DLTC) once it has been registered in the prescribed manner. In other words the operation of a Driving License Testig Centre may not be outsorced to private individuals or companies. Current Act amendments are underway to only allow a Provincial Department responsible for transport to operate a DLTC.

National Road Traffic Act, 1996 (Act No. 93 of 1996) regulations 91 to 96 further determines the manner in which the MEC must deal with the applications for the registration of a DLTC, including the suspension or cancellation of the registration thereof. The MEC may, if he or she chooses, appoint a local authority to perform the functions on their behalf. Currently all the DLTC’s in the country except for the two mentioned further, are either operated by the respective Provincial Departments of Transport or a Local Municipality or Metros as determined by the MEC of the respective Province.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) currently also operates two DLTCs namely Bishop Lavis in the Western Cape and Benoni in Gauteng.

(2) (a) – (c)Not applicable. As stated above no private company is contracted to perform the DLTC function. The MEC of the Province may enter into service level agreements with the local authorities who perform the function on the MEC’s behalf. These Service Level Agreements are normally entered into for a three (3) year cycle, linked to the financial year and are related to the services that the DLTC renders on behalf of the Province.

Reply:

1. SANRAL’s toll portfolio had a debt, as at 31 March 2015, of R 46.4 billion (audited). This represents the total toll portfolio of over 3100km. GFIP, comprising a mere 201km of this portfolio, had an Initial Construction Cost (ICC) of R20billion when construction was completed in early 2011. Interest was capitalised until toll commencement in December 2013. The normal repayment period of road infrastructure projects are between 15 and 30 years, depending on the set tariff, traffic, maintenance and upgrades during that period. This is called the J-curve effect, where borrowing continues for a period of time until the projects’ net cash inflow exceeds debt servicing, after which it turns towards being positive. GFIP was forecasted to take approximately 22 years to turn positive, or when the full debt is repaid, given continuous maintenance of the road. This extended payback period is as a result of the low tariff and extensive discounts provided to commuters and public transport operators.
2. See (1) above.

.

Reply:

1. (a) The Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation and also the National Treasury are in a better position to provide details of steps to enforce the requirement for departments to pay suppliers within 30 days.

1. The Public Service Commission (PSC) derives its mandate from Section 196(4) of the Constitution, 1996. In terms of this mandate, the PSC promotes the constitutional principles in Section 195, including ensuring that resources (in this case financial) are used for the purpose they are earmarked, that services are rendered fairly, that ethics are promoted and that public administration is development-oriented. In addition, the PSC is mandated in Section 196(4)(b) to inter alia investigate, monitor and evaluate the organisation and administration of the public service and in Section 196(4)(c) to propose measures to ensure effective and efficient performance within the public service. Section 196(4)(f) tasks the PSC to monitor and investigate adherence to applicable procedures in the public service either on own accord or on receipt of a complaint.

In accordance with this mandate, the PSC conducted a series of public hearings at provincial and national level during the 2012/13 financial year. The hearings were intended to provide an overview of the challenges experienced in the payment of service providers and to develop possible solutions in this regard. The hearings were also designed to provide a forum for consultation and public participation with regard to the payment process. Departments with the highest incidence of non-payment (according to figures received from National Treasury) were also invited to these hearings. These departments were provided the opportunity to answer service providers’ questions, explain their challenges and solve cases of non-payment on the spot, where possible.

Reports on the individual hearings were compiled and coordinated through the relevant treasuries with government departments.

(2) (a) Outcome 12 Quarterly Report, which include monitoring of the 30 days payment of suppliers are tables at Cabinet as required. The Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME) is part of the Outcome 12 Implementation Forum and it is in a better position to provide details on the effectiveness of the mechanisms to enforce the 30 days payment of suppliers.

(b) To have performance Agreement of managers to also include payment of suppliers as key performance area, amongst other things.

Reply:

a) The percentage of total procurement of (a) the Department that went to (i) SMME's was 3.21% and that went to (ii) Co-operatives was 0% for the period 1 April 2015 to 31 January 2016.

The percentage of appropriate categories of procurement of (a) the Department that went to
(i) SMME's was 44.58% and that went to (ii) Co-operatives was 0% for the period 1 April 2015 to
31 January 2016.

Notes for Minister:

1. Department of Transport:

			Percentage	Rands
Total procurement for the Department (1 April 2015 to 31 January 2016)	100.0%	361,768,433
Total procurement is made up as follows:
Large contracts (excluded from appropriate categories of procurement):	81.2%	293,910,526
- Tasima (Pty) Ltd	eNaTIS	33.5%	121,429,317
- Taxi Scrapping Agency (Pty) Ltd	Taxi Scrapping Administrator	22.3%	80,892,621
- Smit Amandla Marine (Pty) Ltd	Oil pollution prevention	9.0%	32,636,412
- Telkom SA Ltd	Watchkeeping services	8.9%	32,077,190
- Royal Haskoning Joint Venture (Pty) Ltd	S'Hamba Sonke	3.9%	13,975,443
- Aurecon South Africa (Pty) Ltd	National Transport Planning Databank and NATMAP 2050 Review	1.9%	6,890,551
- Full core Facilities Management	S'Hamba Sonke	1.7%	6,008,992
Exclusions from appropriate categories of procurement:		11.6%	41,775,203
- Bids invited via the State Tender Bulletin			7.8%	28,287,552
- Procurement of Government Forms from Government Printer		0.5%	1,643,052
- Advertisements via the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC)	0.6%	2,302,668
- Procurements via the State Information Technology Agency (SITA)	2.4%	8,516,731
- Procurements via Transversal Contracts			0.2%	785,781
- Training done by School of Government			0.1%	239,419
Appropriate categories of procurement for SMME's	100.00%	7.2%	26,082,704
Procured from enterprises that are:
SMME's:		44.58%	3.2%	11,628,255
Large			0.2%	614,803
Not classified (most may be SMME's)			3.8%	13,839,646
Total procurement				361,768,433
Notes:
Procurement from SMME's totaled R11,628,255 from 1 April 2015 to 31 January 2016. This amount represents 3.2% of the total amount of procurement over the period. Procurement from appropriate categories of procurement totaled R26,082,704. Procurement from SMME's of R11,628,255 represents 44.58% of procurement from appropriate categories of procurement.

Airports Company South Africa SOC Limited (ACSA)

Response for the period 1 April – 31 January 2016.

1. Airports Company South Africa
2. (i) Percentage of Total Procurement awarded to SMMEs

Total Procurement Spend is R1 503 708 312

Total SMME Spend is R260 858 309 of total procurement spend to SMMEs is 17%

(ii) There was no spend for co-operatives for the period under review.

Air Traffic & Navigation Services SOC Limited (ATNS)

The total procurement spend for SMME’s is:

Exempted Micro Enterprise (EMEs) – 13, 88%

Qualifying Small Enterprise (QSEs) – 15, 55%

Total: - 29, 21%

South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA)

1. N/A

(b) The South African Civil Aviation Authority spent

(i) (ii) 67% of the budget on SMME’s and Cooperatives from 1 April 2015 to date. The SACAA procurement system does not provide the split between SMMEs and Cooperatives hence the combined response.

Cross-Border Road Transport Agency (CBRTA)

(b)The C-BRTA percentage of procurement for purchasing from Small, Medium and Micro-sized Enterprises (SMMEs), cooperatives, as well as township and rural enterprises from 1 April 2015 up to the latest specified date for which information is available for:

(i) SMMEs: The C-BRTA procured 48% out of the total procurement from SMMEs from 1 April 2015 to date; and

(ii) Co-operatives: The C-BRTA did not procure any goods or services from Co-operatives from 1 April 2015 to date.

Road Accident Fund (RAF)

(b) From 1 April 2015 up to 31 December 2015, which is the latest date for which information is available, twenty five percent (25%) of the total procurement spend by the RAF) went to Exempted Micro Enterprises (EMEs), which enterprises include (i) SMMEs and (ii) co-operatives. The RAF’s BBBEE Scorecard as it relates to procurement spend is directed at EMEs, a category of entity whose annual turnover is less than R 10 million. Consequently, the RAF does not have information available relating specifically to the procurement spend directed to SMME’s and co-operatives.

Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC)

(b) The RTMC percentage of procurement for purchasing from Small, Medium and Micro-sized Enterprises (SMMEs), cooperatives, as well as township and rural enterprises from 1 April 2015 up to the latest specified date for which information is available for:

(i) SMMEs: The RTMC spent 53.41% of the total procurement expenditure of R122 262 984 .53

procured 48% out of the total procurement from SMMEs from 1 April 2015 to date; and

(ii) Co-operatives: The RTMC has not spent any money on co-operatives

Road Traffic Infringement Agency (RTIA)

(a) The RTIA percentage of procurement for purchasing from Small, Medium and Micro-sized Enterprises (SMMEs), cooperatives, as well as township and rural enterprises from 1 April 2015 up to the latest specified date for which information is available for:

(i) SMME’s – 29.2% of the total procurement

(ii) Co-operatives: The RTIA has not spent any money on co-operatives

South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL)

1. The SANRAL percentage of procurement for purchasing from Small, Medium and Micro-sized Enterprises (SMMEs), cooperatives, as well as township and rural enterprises from 1 April 2015 up to the latest specified date for which information is available for SANRAL has been promoting SMMEs and involving them in their projects since inception in 1998.

1. As reported in the Annual Report for the financial year 2014/15, over 1600 SMMEs were involved in the various categories of works and suppliers. The value of their earnings was R 3.9 billion.
2. In the current financial year to 31 December 2015, SANRAL has managed to maintain the number of SMMEs on its projects – over 1600. Their earnings to date are about R2.5 billion

Ports Regulator of South Africa (PRSA)

The Ports Regulator has spent a total of 34.38% of its total procurement on SMME’s and co-operatives as follows:

(b) (i) SMME’s expenditure is 34.38%

(ii) No expenditure on co-operatives.

South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA)

1. Total Procurement spent is R89 983 653.68, spent on SMME is 28%
2. No spent on Co-operatives

Passenger Rail of Agency of South Africa (PRASA)

(b) (i) The spending figures for the period 01 April to 29 February 2016 are as follows:

Exempted Micro Enterprises: – R1 537 190 086 which is 23.5% of total procurement spending

Qualifying Small Enterprises: – R1 018 108 987 which is 17.6% of total procurement spending.

(The legislated minimum target in terms of the above is 15% of total procurement spending).

Black Suppliers: R2 719 641 138 which is 31% of total procurement spending

Black Women Owned Suppliers: R1 305 927 222 which is 18.2% of total procurement spending

(The legislated targets for the above are 40% and 12% respectively)

1. (ii) PRASA is establishing capacity to work with the Co-operative sector. For the period April 2015 to 29 February 2016, PRASA has spent R15. 8 Million on Co-operatives.

Railway Safety Regulator (PRSA)

1. The Railway Safety Regulator (RSR) has spent a total of 35.68% of its total procurement spend from 01st April 2015, to date which went to SMMEs.
2. RSR has not spent anything towards co-operatives.

Reply:

1. (a) (i)

As a policy, every retail store is awarded through an open, fair, equitable and transparent process. The award of retail leases through a tender process is subject to approval of the Airports Company South Africa SOC Limited (ACSA) designated governance committees.

The principal determining factor in the provision of retail space relates to the passenger volumes which are considered over the medium to long term. An internationally accepted rule of thumb is that every one million passengers can support between 800 and 1000 square meters of retail space. This is however at best an average indicator as many other factors make each airport unique.

(a) (ii)

The size of retail space at the airport is determined in terms of the merchandise mix. Merchandise mix is defined into major concepts/categories such as core duty free, arts and craft, electronics, books, fashion apparel, foreign exchange, food and beverage. Each of these categories require different size retail stores ranging from large stores of over 1,000 sqms to very small stores of only 50 sqms.

(b) (i)

Market research is undertaken before each major retail expansion or reconfiguration project. Market research of current demand and trends at other successful airports coupled with the empirical evidence of successful historical performance would be utilised in determining the scope or range of products that should comprise the offer in any given area. An airport’s duty free area would feature mostly high-end products in line with the passenger profile, the legislative environment (mostly tax- and duty free) and the longer dwell time prevalent in these areas.

Whilst the above area only caters for passengers on airside, the landside offer must also cater for the non-passenger consumer which would include airport staff.

(b) (ii)

The outcome of this analysis will confirm that the exiting location and retail space is adequate or not. If not, a revised retail spatial plan together with the merchandise plan is agreed upon. If the retail space is deemed to be adequate, the merchandise plan is agreed upon based on the historical trading densities achieved.

2. (a)

The starting point is to understand the retail categories/concepts that underperform which are normally reflected in the turnover trading density per sqm achieved. Another indicator is based on rentals paid as a percentage of turnover which are higher than the concession rate. ACSA is also able to benchmark trading density performance on similar retail categories across its airports, or within zones in the airport. Rentals are set and turnover performance are different across differing retail categories/concepts but also influenced by the proximity of trading areas to the flow of passengers.

(b)

The tenant mix and merchandise plan are changed where the retail concept is not achieving the planned outcome. ACSA carefully considers failure of the concept against the operator’s poor performance which could be due to a store being located in the wrong area or sometimes having to many stores providing the same concept.

3. (a)

The drivers influencing retail turnovers are:

• The disposal income predicted;
• the current and forecast ZAR rate of exchange that influences input costs and propensity to spend;
• the expected passenger traffic growth;
• the impact of available and new retail space planned;
• The impact of internal and external competition on the current and new retail concepts; and
• Changes to duty free and other legislation.

Therefore, the above factors are considered in determining the appropriateness of the historic performance as a proxy for setting the future minimum rentals and reviewing the business plans presented by the bidders against these parameters.

(b)

The response to item 3 (a) influences the outcome. If retail concepts are not achieving the desired outcome for the operator or ACSA, these are substituted by better performing concepts and/or new concepts proposed by bidders. Sometimes minimum monthly rentals are revised lower in the new bid where the historic minimum rentals as a percentage of the trading density were bid too high, or not affordable or sustainable.

Reply:

a) Sixteen (16) formal written comments were received from stakeholders before the closing date indicated in the Government Gazette. These included Government Departments, State-Owned Entities & Agencies; the private sector, municipalities, and professionals (individually). It should also be noted that separate provincial consultations sessions were held, and inputs from these sessions were also considered.

b)(i)(ii) City of Cape town; Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (Western Cape); Saldanha Bay Municipality; Department of Transport and Public Works (Western Cape); SALGA; Railway Safety Regulator; PRASA; Chambers of Mines; National Transport Forum; Transnet; Imana Development ; Rail Road Association; Sheltam Pty Ltd; EXXARO; NCT Forestry.

c)(i) Comments that were additions to the policy positions proposed in the Green Paper will be considered for inclusion in the draft White Paper on National Rail Policy. Comments for further work to be done were noted and are currently being investigated further. Bilateral are being held with organisations where clarity is being sort on comments submitted.

(ii)The Department consolidated and reviewed all comments submitted by stakeholders.

d)(i) All inputs submitted to the Department are considered valuable and has been considered in the development of the draft White Paper on National Rail Policy. The criteria for revision considers evidence-based policy positions, inputs that are plausible, without scientific evidence and policy views that are contrary to what the Green Paper proposed. Inputs are discussed with critical stakeholders to reach understanding and consensus on the policy positions where possible.

(ii) All inputs, pending the outcome of the investigation and engagement with critical stakeholders, where relevant, will be included in the draft White Paper by October 2016.

Reply:

a) To date (21st March 2016) no summonses have been served;

b) Since no summonses were served at the time of the Honourable member’s question, the value is zero.

c) To date once case has gone to court. The person was found guilty on all charges related to the non-payment of toll and one charge of fraud. The judgement was that the guilty party had to pay all outstanding toll fees, in addition a fine of R20 000 was imposed, suspended for five years; and on the fraud charge; pay a fine of R20 000 or six months imprisonment. In addittion the guilty person had to do 200 hours community service.

d) Not applicable see (a) above. .

Reply:

(a) (i) The Executive Development Programme (EDP) is tailor made primarily for the Senior Management Service (SMS) in the public service, as well as for specially identified Middle Managers working in the public service. The programme is aligned to the Senior Management Service (SMS) competency framework and aims to equip participants with necessary knowledge and skills to perform effectively as senior managers and team leaders.

(ii) The design and delivery of the EDP is informed by extensive international research on management and leadership competency based programmes and a senior management training needs analysis. The EDP meets both competency-based needs (recruitment) and ongoing professional development of SMS members (PDP).

The following curricula were developed to assist public service managers and HRM&D specialists in developing knowledge and skills regarding HRM Regulations:

• Investigating Corruption is a five-day credit-bearing course developed by the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) and handed to the NSG for roll out. It is aimed at building and strengthening competencies of learners to investigate corruption in the public sector. The course is at NQF level 6 and has 10 credits. NSG roll-out is envisaged for April 2016.
• Application of Policy and Procedure on Incapacity and ill-health retirement (PILIR) is a 5 day, non-credit-bearing course that capacitates learners to implement and apply the PILIR in the public service. The course has as its foundation the PILIR policy and addresses the management of absenteeism, ill-health and incapacity, thereby ensuring sustained service delivery and improved productivity in the public service.
• PILIR online for supervisors enables supervisors to implement the Policy and Procedure on Incapacity Leave and ill-health Retirement (PILIR) in their units on a daily basis. The main aim of this non-credit-bearing course is to develop capacity to comply with the PILIR Guide direct reports and/or team members with regard to the application of the PILIR process;
• Strategic HR Planning for the achievement of organisational results:. The course on Strategic Human Resource Planning for the achievement of organisational results is aligned to the DPSA Strategic Framework on HR Planning and enables learners to acquire knowledge and skills to develop human resource strategies and plans which are integrated with their departmental strategic and operational plans, in order to ensure that their future staffing needs are met. This 5 day credit-bearing course is at NQF level 6 and has 12 credits.

• Development of HRD Implementation Plans is a credit-bearing course intended specifically for senior and middle management in the public service who are involved in the development of Annual HRD Implementation Plans. This is a 5 day course at NQF level 5 and has 10 credits.
• Disability Management in the Public Service enables learners to facilitate the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the workplace, and remove barriers that prevent their successful participation in the job market. It is at NQF level 5 and has8 credits.
• Investigating and Presiding Skills is developed for Public Servants and managers involved in workplace investigations related to employee misconduct, as well as persons appointed as Presiding Officers or Chairpersons at disciplinary enquiries. It is non-credit bearing.
• Grievance and Disciplinary Action Procedures is a 5 day credit-bearing course that equips learners with the requisite knowledge, skills and values to resolve employee grievances; monitor and adjust the application of the grievance procedure; and evaluate, analyse and address grievance patterns. It is at NQF level 5 and has 13 credits.
• Recruitment and Selection in the public service is a 5 day credit-bearing course that enables learners with knowledge and skills on how to effect the recruitment of employees in the Public Service. It is at NQF level 5 and has 9 credits.
• An online course in Managing Performance has been developed in the public service to assist senior management in developing the knowledge and skills base of senior public officials regarding Human Resource Management. The online performance management programme is not credit bearing.

(b) (i) Number senior public officials successfully completed formal training programmes of the NSG in HRM regulations in 2015

Course:	Number trained: (2012/13 to 2015/16)
•	EDP: Strategic HRM Module	453
•	Investigating Corruption	Envisaged roll-out is April 2016
•	Application of Policy and Procedure on Incapacity and ill-health retirement (RUM	757
•	PILIR online for supervisors (launched during 2015)	379
•	Strategic HR Planning for the achievement of organisational results	700
•	Development of HRD Implementation Plans	55
•	Disability Management in the Public Service	1 648
•	Investigating and Presiding Skills	503
•	Grievance and Disciplinary Action Procedures	651
•	Recruitment and Selection in the public service	217
•	Managing Performance in the public service	2 517

(ii) The online performance management programme is open to all public servant who manage their own and team performance.

(c) National Qualifications Framework (NQF) credits for each of these training programmes are follows:

• Investigating Corruption is at NQF level 6 and has 10 credits.
• Application of Policy and Procedure on Incapacity and ill-health retirement (PILIR) is a non-credit-bearing course.
• PILIR online for supervisors is a non-credit-bearing course,
• Strategic HR Planning for the achievement of organisational results is at NQF level 6 and has 12 credits.

• Development of HRD Implementation Plans is at NQF level 5 and has 10 credits.
• Disability Management in the Public Service is at NQF level 5 and has 8 credits.
• Investigating and Presiding Skills is non-credit bearing.
• Grievance and Disciplinary Action Procedures is at NQF level 5 and has 13 credits.
• Recruitment and Selection in the public service is at NQF level 5 and has 9 credits.
• An online course in Managing Performance has been developed is not credit bearing.

Reply:

(1)(a) It is the continuation of the crime prevention and combatting intervention in the Northern Area of Port Elizabeth which is code named “Operation Coastal Dragon” and the intervention has been elevated to Cluster level (JCPS).

(1)(b) The SANDF, as member of the JCPS Cluster, will continue to play a role in the Cluster initiated interventions such as parcitipation in the planning process and logistic support.

(1)(c) No decision has been taken to deploy the SANDF in Port Elizabeth.

(2) The JCPS adopted the multi-discipline and integrated approach which is shared to all provinces for implementation.The same approch is applicable to all affected areas.

Reply:

(a)

(i)

City of Tshwane
Police Station	Number of Suburbs
AKASIA	32
ATTERIDGEVILLE	14
BOSCHKOP	45
BRONKHORSTSPRUIT	19
BROOKLYN	42
CULLINAN	15
DUBE	12
EERSTERUST	8
EKANGALA	8
ERASMIA	25
GA-RANKUWA	29
GARSFONTEIN	48
HAMMANSKRAAL	9
HEIDELBERG
HERCULES	34
KAMEELDRIFT	20
LAUDIUM	6
LOATE	14
LYTTELTON	50
MABOPANE	20
MAMELODI	29
MAMELODI EAST	29
OLIEVENHOUTBOSCH	58
PRETORIA CENTRAL	25
PRETORIA MOOT	16
PRETORIA NORTH	25
PRETORIA WEST	25
RIETGAT	40
SILVERTON	31
SINOVILLE	31
SOSHANGUVE	29
SUNNYSIDE	26
TEMBA	36
VILLIERIA	23
WELBEKEND	19
WIERDABRUG	55
WONDERBOOMPOORT	16

(ii)

Nelson Mandela Bay
Police Station	Number of Suburbs
MOTHERWELL	5
IKAMVELIHLE	4
KINKELBOS	7
KWADWESI	4
KWAZAKELE	7
NEW BRIGHTON	3
SWARTKOPS	7
MOUNT ROAD	13
ALGOAPARK	4
BETHELSDORP	5
GELVANDALE	8
HUMEWOOD	4
KABEGA PARK	13
WALMER	4
UITENHAGE	11
KWANOBUHLE	13

(iii)

City of Johannesburg
Police Station	Number of Suburbs
ALEXANDRA	11
BOOYSENS	46
BRAMLEY	44
BRIXTON	32
CLEVELAND	31
DIEPKLOOF	19
DIEPSLOOT	19
DOBSONVILLE	19
DOUGLASDALE	63
ELDORADO PARK	14
ENNERDALE	19
FAIRLAND	9
FLORIDA	44
HILLBROW	14
HONEYDEW	74
IVORY PARK	9
JABULANI	11
JEPPE	34
KLIPTOWN	25
LANGLAAGTE	20
LENASIA	13
LENASIA SOUTH	11
LINDEN	39
MEADOWLANDS	23
MIDRAND	74
MOFFATVIEW	46
MONDEOR	44
MOROKA	23
NALEDI	8
NORWOOD	44
ORANGE FARMS	17
ORLANDO	23
PARKVIEW	26
PROTEA GLEN	12
RABIE RIDGE	16
RANDBURG	44
ROODEPOORT	52
ROSEBANK	14
SANDRINGHAM	52
SANDTON	58
SOPHIA TOWN	29
YEOVILLE	18

(iv)

Erkhuleni
Police Station	Suburbs
ACTONVILLE	15
ALBERTON	43
BEDFORDVIEW	46
BENONI	66
BOKSBURG	34
BOKSBURG NORTH	53
BRACKENDOWNS	18
BRAKPAN	68
CRYSTALPARK	33
DAVEYTON	8
DAWN PARK	23
DUDUZA	16
DUNNOTTAR	12
EDENPARK	12
EDENVALE	36
ELSBURG	31
ETWATWA	16
GERMISTON	44
KATLEHONG	29
KATLEHONG NORTH	41
KEMPTON PARK	60
KWA THEMA	31
NIGEL	20
NORKEMPARK	27
OLIFANTSFONTEIN	37
PRIMROSE	39
PUTFONTEIN	19
REIGERPARK	15
SEBENZA	37
SPRINGS	72
TEMBISA	50
TEMBISA SOUTH	30
TOKOZA	17
TSAKANE	14
VOSLOORUS	33
ZONKIZIZWE	9

(v)

Buffalo City
Police Station	Number Of Suburbs
EAST LONDON	25
KIDDS BEACH	8
CHALUMNA	13
DUNCAN VILLAGE	8
GONUBIE	10
BEACON BAY	7
BUFFALO FLATS	12
KING WILLIAM'S TOWN	17
BHISHO	13
NDEVANA	7
DIMBAZA	17
KEI ROAD	2
KUBUSIEDRIFT	3
BOLO
PUNZANA	12
STEVE VUKILE TSHWETE	18
STUTTERHEIM	8
TAMARA	20
ZWELITSHA	18
ZELE	18

Reply:

Indeed Honourable member, I have signed a performance agreement with the President.

(a) The Performance Management Framework for Ministers is the Medium-Term Strategic Framework (MTSF) 2014/19.  The performance targets and indicators are derived from the fourteen (14) Outcomes which government seeks to achieve. To assist the Honourable member, the outcome applicable to my portfolio is outcome eight (8).

The outcomes and targets constitute government’s Programme of Action (POA), against which performance is tracked and reported on at least on a quarterly basis.

(b) to (e) The monitoring of the Performance Agreements is done through Cabinet when assessing the progress of government’s programme of action. The latter is submitted periodically and discussed extensively in Cabinet after which a Cabinet Statement is issued to the public. Cabinet discusses implementation bottlenecks and make recommendations to address the identified bottlenecks.