Questions and Replies
11 April 2016 - NW305
Ross, Mr DC to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
Whether each metropolitan municipality offers any support to neighbourhood watch initiatives; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details in each case? (2) whether there were any disruptions of service or late removal of waste as a result of a failure by any municipality since 1 January 2015; if so, (a) what were the causes and (b) how has this been addressed?
Reply:
The information requested by the Honourable Member is not readily available within the Department. The Department thus made a request to Metropolitan Municipalities to provide the relevant information. Information was received from the following Metropolitan Municipalities:
BUFFALO CITY METROPOLITAN MUNICIPALITY
The BCMM does not offer any support to neighbourhood watch initiatives other than the BCMM Law Enforcement Services and Traffic Services.
CITY OF TSHWANE
The functions of the Tshwane Metro Police include Crime Prevention, By-Laws and Road Policing. The Crime Prevention and Social Crime Prevention Units do assist neighbourhood watches as and when needed. Tshwane is divided into Regions and Regional Policing offices attend meetings at South African Police Stations whereby the community is assisted through the Community Police Forum Meetings.
MANGAUNG METROPOLITAN MUNICIPALITY
Not applicable
NELSON MANDELA BAY METROPOLITAN MUNICIPALITY (NMBMM)
Metro Police not yet established. The SAPS currently provides support to neighbourhood watch initiatives.
11 April 2016 - NW810
Malatsi, Mr MS to ask the Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services
(1) What is the (a) total amount in Rands that Telkom SOC Ltd paid to a certain person (name furnished) to promote its fibre broadcast technology and (b) duration of the contract closed between Telkom and the specified person in this regard; (2) whether any South African athletes were considered to promote Telkom’s fibre broadcast technology in the specified campaign; if not, why not; if so, why did Telkom not choose a South African athlete for the specified campaign; (3) (a) which company, including the (i) name and (ii) business address of the company and (iii) details of the (aa) chief executive officer, (bb) managing director and (cc) account manager, was awarded the tenders for (aaa) print, (bbb) radio and (ccc) digital marketing of the specified campaign and (b) what is the total amount paid by Telkom to the specified company in each case? NW929E
Reply:
Telkom has provided me with the following response:-
(1)- (3) Telkom as a listed company must comply with the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) rules.
In terms of the JSE rules, information that is of financial nature has to be disclosed to all shareholders at once during an open period (reporting period). The company is currently in a closed period.
Furthermore, the information required, requires Telkom to reveal information which is of a commercial nature. The information therefore cannot be shared as it is competitive sensitive.
11 April 2016 - NW584
Ollis, Mr IM to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
Whether, with reference to his reply to question 4258 on 21 December 2015, his department has received the outstanding information; if not, why not; if so, when will the specified information be made available?
Reply:
Find here: Reply
11 April 2016 - NW861
Chewane, Dr H to ask the Minister of Health
(1)Why is the clinic at Senekal, O R Tambo Section, in the eastern Free State Province not open despite being completed two years ago; (2) what is the cost of damage to the specified property due to vandalism and loss due to stolen equipment?
Reply:
- The clinic at Senekal, OR Tambo Section, in the Eastern Free State province, was not completed because the contractor failed to comply with the terms and conditions of the contract, and as such was never handed over to the provincial department of health, and as such it could not be opened.
- The damage, due to the vandalism of the facility, is a responsibility the contractor because it was never handed over to the provincial department of health.
END.
11 April 2016 - NW757
Lovemore, Ms AT to ask the Minister of Public Service and Administration
(1)Whether all training offered to public servants takes place through the National School of Government (NSG); if not, why not; if so, what are the details of the training offered by the NSG that is indeed mandatory; (2) whether specific training has been identified as appropriate for each position or grade within the public service; if not, (a) who decides what training should be carried out, (b) according to what guidelines and (c) who is responsible for quality assurance of training that is selected and offered; if so, what are the relevant details of such training; (3) whether any competency tests or assessments are performed within the public service to measure the effectiveness of training; if not, (a) why not and (b) how is it determined that any particular training is effective or otherwise; if so, what are the relevant details; (4) whether (a) his department and (b) the Public Service Commission recommend training offered through the NSG as an appropriate mechanism to improve performance where performance weaknesses are identified; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
- Yes. Not all training offered to public servants takes place through the National School of Government. There is no regulation that mandates departments to send public servants to the National School of Governement to be trained.
Mandatory training programmes are the Compulsory Induction Programmes (CIP) for newly appointed public servants from salary levels 1 to 16 as per the Directives issued by the Minister for Public Service and Administration namely;
(a) Amendments to the Directive on the Implementation of the Compulsory Induction Programme (CIP) in the public service, April 2015
(b) Directive on Compulsory Capacity Development, Mandatory Training Days and Minimum entry requirements for Senior Management Services (SMS).
(i) CIP 1-12 focuses on newly appointed public servants on salary levels 1 to 12. This CIP 1-12 is divided into two programmes, namely CIP 1-5 and CIP 6-12 with dedicated focus on the unique requirements of knowledge, skills, values and competencies that is relevant and responsive at these salary levels respectively.
(ii) CIP 13-14 focuses on newly appointed public servants on salary levels 13 and 14, namely Directors and Chief Directors. These programmes focus on the unique requirements of knowledge, skills, values and competencies that are relevant and responsive at these salary levels.
(iii) CIP 15-16 or the Executive Inductive Induction Programme (EIP) focuses on newly appointed public servants on salary levels 15 and 16, namely Deputy-Director Generals and Director-Generals. This programme focuses on the unique requirements of knowledge, skills, values and competencies that are relevant and responsive at these salary levels.
2. Yes. All the training programmes are focused on a specific target group or salary level of public servants.
(a) The department that identified the training needs decides what training should be carried out.
(b) The guidelines that inform the training programmes are the Learning Provision Cycle and the Learning Programme Design Matrix. The Learning Provision Cycle provides the strategic framework for planning, design, development, approval, delivery and monitoring and evaluation of the training programmes. The Design Matrix provide the specific guidelines with regard to the specific/enabling outcomes, assessment criteria, learning statements, assessment activities, and related critical cross filed outcomes to ensure integration of learning.
(c) The National School of Government is responsible for the quality of training that is selected and offered. It does this using its Quality Management and Monitoring and Evaluation Systems. The Quality Management System involves the Quality Management System Policies with accompanying implementation toolkits. The Monitoring and Evaluation processes include the 100% monitoring of all NSG programmes, regular on-site visits and evaluation reports as well as application or learning studies focusing on selected National School of Government programmes.
3. (a) Every training programme has assessment requirements to ensure the effectiveness of training.
(b) Training is monitored and evaluated on a regular basis. The National School of Government conducts evaluations of the training programmes and the application of learning thereof in the workplace to establish (i) whether training is achieving its intended objectives and (ii) whether training is resulting in expected changes in the workplace; and if so, what these changes mean to the public.
4. (a) The National School of Government is continually analysing the Report on National Skills Development Strategy of South Africa from the Human Resource Development Council of South Africa, and also the Workplace Skills Plans of departments, in order to recommend training offered through the NSG as an appropriate mechanism to improve performance where performance weaknesses are identified;
(b) The Public Service Commission has released reports on the “State of the Public Service” as well as reports such as “ Assessing the effectiveness of training provided by PALAMA in improving skills and competencies of public service leadership with a view to inform curriculum development by the National School of Government, September 2014” . The recommendations provided in these AMPAT reports inform the training offered through the NSG as an appropriate mechanism to improve performance where performance weaknesses are identified.
11 April 2016 - NW812
Kohler-Barnard, Ms D to ask the Minister of Public Works
Why was the investigation into alleged criminal activities in the Independent Development Trust conducted by the Auditor-General of South Africa rather than the SA Police Service?
Reply:
The Minister of Public Works
The investigation into alleged irregularities at the Independent Development Trust (IDT) was not conducted by the Auditor-General of South Africa. The IDT Board of Trustees appointed Gobodo Forensic and Investigative Accounting (PTY) Ltd. (GFIA) to conduct a preliminary investigation into the allegations of irregularities in the procurement of goods and services.
A preliminary report, which was presented to the IDT Board of Trustees, revealed serious irregularities in the supply chain management processes within the IDT and further recommended that certain significant findings required further investigation.
The Board then took a proactive step and referred such an investigation to the Specialised Audit Services Unit (SAS) within the Office of the Accountant-General at the National Treasury. This Unit conducts all its investigations in collaboration with all the law enforcement agencies of Government, including the South African Police Service under the auspices of Anti-Corruption Task Team.
11 April 2016 - NW720
Madisha, Mr WM to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
Whether he has gone to (a) Ga-Rankuwa or (b) any other area where violent protests were taking place at present, in the period since his appointment to his new post, to (i) bring fed-up protesters and slack local government authorities together around a table to address long simmering community grievances quickly, effectively and efficiently and (ii) protect the image of South Africa in the face of a regular showing on TV screens around the world that South Africa was a violent and dangerous country with ordinary people being at odds with local government and angry at national government for not being responsive and caring; if not, why not; if so, what has he achieved through his direct involvement in resolving the long-simmering dispute at GaRankuwa or anywhere else where protests have recently been flaring up because of unresolved grievances?
Reply:
(a) No, the Minister has not visited Ga-Rankuwa.
(b) The Minister visited the Tlokwe Local Municipality, since his appointment.
(i)
The Minister has taken steps to address community grievances. These include:
• Ensuring that the department continues to implement the Back-to-Basics (B2B) programme that addresses challenges in the local government sphere
• Directing the department's provincial 828 coordinators to focus on areas where violent protests are taking place, to address community grievances;
(ii) The City of Tshwane is involved in addressing concerns raised by the residents of GaRankuwa.
The Back to Basics provincial teams have identified municipalities where violent protests are taking place and are working at resolving the challenges in these municipalities.
The teams report back to the Minister regularly.
11 April 2016 - NW764
Volmink, Mr HC to ask the Minister of Health
With regard to the five key recommendations made in the Ministerial Task Team’s Report on the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) presented in October 2015, has the HPCSA Board agreed to any of these recommendations; if not, (a) why not and (b) what further action(s) will he take if the HPCSA rejects any or all of the recommendations; if so, (i) which recommendations did the HPCSA agree to and (ii) what time frames have been given for the implementation of the specified recommendations?
Reply:
The HPCSA is an independent organisation, as such, it has a legal obligation to adhere to all Constitutional and relevant legislative prescripts in the exercise of its mandate. The implementation of the recommendation made in the Ministerial Task Team Report on the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) is therefore subject to adherence to these prescripts. I am being kept informed by the HPCSA on the progress in this regard.
(a) At this point, I have not been informed by the HPCSA that any of the recommendations of the Ministerial Task Team have been rejected;
(b) Not applicable;
(i) Not applicable;
(ii) A final implementation report is expected by the end of April 2016
END.
11 April 2016 - NW521
Khubisa, Mr NM to ask the Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services
In view of the recent protracted strike by post office employees around the country, (a) how many post offices were part of the strike and in which provinces and districts are the post offices located and (b) how many employees in the post office joined the strike; (2) What are the relevant details of the grievances complained of by the post office employees, inter alia, salaries and working conditions; (3) Whether the specified grievances have been finally resolved; if so, what is the nature of resolutions and or settlement reached?
Reply:
SAPO has advised me as follows:
There has been no recent strike, the last strike was in 2014.
(1)(a) 851 Post Offices (including 13 mail centres) were closed across the country at the start of the strike. In the third and fourth week 634 post offices (including 14 mail centres) and 714 post offices (including 9 mail centres) were respectively closed. The closures were mostly in the Gauteng Province followed by Western Cape and Kwa-Zulu Natal. These were mainly in; Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town and Durban. The closures in other provinces were sporadic in nature.
(b) A total of 4656 employees were reported to be on strike. However the level of intimidation and violence that was experienced during the strike led to more employees not being at their workstations during the strike due to fears of intimidation and violence.
(2) The details of the grievances included:
- Back pay for the 2014 salary increases
- Casual employees requesting full time employment with full benefits
- Permanent Part time employees (flexible labour contracts) requesting full time employment
- Equal work for equal pay
- The 588 employees that were previously dismissed due to illegal strike but then re-employed in 2013 after agreements between SAPO and labour Unions demanded re-instatement of full benefits
( 3)The Minister established the National Leadership Forum at SAPO in October 2014. This was used as a platform to re-establish the engagements between representatives of the organised labour and SAPO management with the Department attending as an observer. SAPO workforce forums were subsequently established and settlement agreements reached with labour representatives taking into account SAPO’s financial situation. These agreements included:
- Back pay for 2014/2015 salary increases
- Conversion of casual and permanent part-time workers to permanent full time employees
- Equal pay for work of equal value
- 2015/2016 salary increases
Of the above agreements, the conversion of the temporary employees (casuals and flexible labour contracts) to permanent employees started in 2014 in a phased-in approach but was stopped due to financial constraints. Other settlements agreements were not honoured altogether due the entity’s continued constrained cash-flow position as the entity battled to recover financially post the strike action.
11 April 2016 - NW828
Majola, Mr TR to ask the Minister of Police
(a) What are all the categories of leave applicable in the SA Police Service according to relevant (i) statutes, (ii) national instructions and (iii) any other human resource management policy directives and (b) what is the maximum number of days permissible in each of the specified categories of leave?
Reply:
As per attached table.
11 April 2016 - NW687
America, Mr D to ask the Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services
(a) What plans are in place to expand (i) the exposure and (ii) work of the Child Online Protection programme at schools during the Medium Term Expenditure Framework and across and (b) in which provinces is this going to take place; (2) what (a) training workshops and/or (b) training support is being given to educators in all (i) government and (ii) private schools to (aa) alert them to the dangers of online child abuse and (bb) how they can mitigate against this?
Reply:
(1)(a) The DTPS will increase the number of schools per province from one (1) to two (2) as reflected in quarterly targets in the 2016/17 Business Plan. The Child Online Protection Programme also includes the e-Parenting Programme and in this regard the DTPS intends to develop an interactive e-platform for parents and an e-guide for parents to capacitate them to cope with issues of exposure of the children to harmful content online.
(1)(b) The Child Online Protection Programme will be implemented in all nine provinces and in two towns in each province. The e-Parenting Interactive Sessions will be held in all provinces except the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal as these provinces were covered in the 2015/2016 financial year.
(2)(a)(i)The DTPS will be hosting School based Awareness Workshops in eighteen (18) schools with grade 9 to 11 learners, at least two hundred and fifty (250) learners per school, and their respective teachers, at least six (6) teachers per school. The content of the workshops includes the following topics: Dangers of being Online, Safety Tips for being Online, Cyberbulling and Sexting, Identity Theft and the impact of creating a negative or positive digital footprint for the individual and the country.
(2)(a)(ii) No training workshops are planned to be implemented in private schools.
(2)(b)(i) The learners and teachers are given content and information in terms of web based resources that may be accessed in order to assist them to mitigate against the online abuse of children.
(2)(b)(ii) No training support is planned to be given to educators in private schools.
11 April 2016 - NW510
Van Dyk, Ms V to ask the Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services
(1) (a) Which areas in each province have no cellphone reception and (b) which cellphone company has the biggest signal distribution in South Africa; (2) (a) how does the delay in the roll-out of broadband affect the cellphone spectrum and (b) are cellphone companies dependent on the analogue spectrum made available through the roll-out of broadband; (3) whether any plans have been put in place to ensure that the Kamiesberg and Richtersveld areas in Namaqualand in the Northern Cape, which currently have no cellphone reception, receive adequate cellphone reception signals so that the communities can also be connected; if not, why not; if so, (a) what are the relevant details and (b) by when will the specified areas receive adequate cellphone reception signals?
Reply:
I have been advised by ICASA and the Department as follows:
(1)(a) ICASA does not have this information. We rely on map data provided by the operators as we do not have the resources to independently verify coverage of operators on a nationwide scale, although we can verify coverage in a specified location through measurement.
(b) The Authority has information regarding which operator has the largest coverage by the type of technology. However, this information has been submitted on a confidential basis therefore the Authority would have to request for permission to disclose it.
(2)(a)The roll-out of broadband does not affect the cell phone spectrum. Spectrum is an enabler for broadband roll out. It should however be noted the release of digital dividend spectrum after the migration from analogue to digital broadcasting will be critical in ensuring broadband rural deployments.
(b) Cell phone operators are dependent on spectrum to roll out broadband but not solely on analogue spectrum currently being held by broadcasters. The analogue spectrum will not be made available through the roll-out of broadband. It will be made available through digital switchover, a process of migrating analogue TV broadcasting to digital transmission, and analogue switch off, a process to complete switch-off of analogue TV services and freeing-up of spectrum. Thus, this spectrum would be available for broadband roll-out.
(3)(a) Both Kamiesberg and Richtersveld areas in Namaqualand in the Northern Cape were not monitored for the availability of Coverage. The Authority relies on the on coverage complaints it receives from the people in the area to conduct such monitoring.
(b) The areas of Namaqualand will be covered in the 2016/2017 financial year. It should be noted that Operators are not obligated to provide coverage in all areas as long as their total coverage remains within their licence conditions.
11 April 2016 - NW585
Ollis, Mr IM to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
Whether, with reference to his reply to question 4185 on 21 December 2015, his department has received the outstanding information, if not, why not, if so, when will the specified information be made available?
Reply:
With reference to the question of 21 December 2015 a request was made to all Metropolitan Municipalities to provide the relevant information as per the question. Most Metropolitan Municipalities responded to the request and those outstanding committed to provide the information when it is available.
The original question 4185 was and the following Metropolitan Municipalities replied:
Whether any of the metropolitan municipalities measure the average time it takes to fix (a) potholes, (b) street lights and (c) traffic lights; if not, why not; if so, (i) which metros, (ii) what is the average time in each case, (iii) how is this measured and (iv) what is the specified municipality doing to improve performance in this area?
The information was provided by the respective Metropolitan Municipalties:
NAME OF METROPOLITAN MUNICIPALITY |
(a) (potholes) |
(b) (street lights) |
(c) (traffic lights) |
Buffalo City |
The BCMM attend to pothole fixing within seven 97) working days after receipt of report subject to availability of material, resources and weather permitting. |
Response to street light repairs is informed by the assessment of the actual problem. Sometimes normal street light failure takes one (1) or two (2) days to repair whilst rea fault takes seven (7) days to repair |
All traffic signal faults are attended to immediately upon receipt (depending on staff being available and weather permitting). The roadway is cleared of debris and installation made electrically safe. Where possible the damage or fault is isolated and the signals can operate while the full repair is being completed. Normal Traffic light faults within two days of being reported (In most instances signals are repaired within one day). The response times above are under normal failure conditions and not vandalism, theft or illegal connections. An SMS service is used to improve repair times |
A job card is opened when the complaint is received and closed after repairs are completed. Records of work done are kept to inform plans to cascade them to lower levels. The Ward based volunteers are used in line with EPWP principles on remuneration and use of private contractors to supplement the internal capacity as and when need arises. |
|||
Nelson Mandela Bay |
ii.
|
||
City of Tshwane |
ii. The target time is 48 hours |
ii. The target time is 48 hours |
ii. The target time is 48 hours |
iii. The road maintenance tasks are measured through IMIS: TASKER system; The response time is measured in terms of time taken from the time identified or reported; |
|||
iv. Standby teams have been established to deal with after-hours reported complaints; |
|||
City of Joburg |
|
|
i. The CoJ does measure the response time it takes to fix streetlights. ii. The average turnaround time to repair traffic lights is 9 days. |
iii. The response time for potholes is measured through the Hansen, the Johannesburg Road Agency (JRA) performance management system; The streets get inspected during the day and night to identify those that that are not working, which is then followed with repairs are done to defective lights; The clock starts from recording of the event in the system up until physical repair is performed. |
|||
iv. The JRA focuses on a Road Resurfacing programme that will minimise the number of potholes and increase the value of our roads. In addition, the JRA has set quarterly targets which are aimed at reducing the number of potholes and Agency responds to the calls logged by the customers and attempt to resolve the calls within the 3 days turnaround time; Various resources have been allocated to repair vandalized streetlights in the main arterial routes, secondary routes and in the low-cost cost areas; The CoJ field crews are working daily on the maintenance of traffic lights. |
|||
Ekurhuleni |
(ii) The average time it takes to respond differs as follows:
|
(ii) The average time it takes to fix non-functioning street lights is 3 days.
|
(ii) The repair of any traffic light fault in a major road (subject to electrical supply available) is 4 hours;
|
iii. EMM uses Engineering Management Information System (EMIS); Non-functional street lights are logged into the Customer Relations Management (CRM) System. The logged complaints are attended to and as-and-when completed, they are closed on the CRM System with actual date; The Metro measures the response by using Engineering Management Information System (EMIS); |
|||
iv. The Roads and Stormwater Department within the EMM has put up measures in place for the following: road rehabilitation, pothole signage and road marking and bitumen tar products to supplement and assist Department Depot; EMM has increased capacity through the appointment of as-and-when required capacity to assist the Metro in reducing the average response time to keep the Metro lit; The Roads and Stormwater Department has put measures in place for the following: road rehabilitation, pothole signage and road marking and bitumen tar products to supplement and assist Department Depot. |
|||
Mangaung |
ii. The targeted turn-around time for fixing portholes is 5 days; |
ii. there is not specific turn-around time to fix streetlights |
ii. the targeted time to fix traffic lights is 4 hours |
iii. It is measured by the electronic Customer Relationship Management (CRM) System used by the Municipal Call Centre. The measurement is taken from the time the customer reports a complaint to the Call Centre when the complaint is logged into the CRM System and allocated a reference number until such time that the relevant service delivery unit closes the complaint with the Call Centre on the electronic CRM System. At this stage we are busy rolling out the CRM System to the relevant service delivery units which in effect mean that all the service delivery units are in the process of implementing the system. |
|||
iv. Additional vehicles and SUV’s have been ordered to assist the Traffic Signs Division. Contractors were appointed for some areas and their performance can be measured with the implementation of SMART streetlight systems, performance and repairs can be measured. |
|||
City of Cape Town |
Potholes are made safe within 24 hours after report received from the Roads Department. Final repair depends on the class of road and this can take between 1 and 5 days subject to departmental priority schedule. |
The average time to fix single streetlights is 14 days but normally done within 48 hours. |
The average time to fix traffic lights is 6 to 12 hours. |
Potholes are measured by analysing customer complaints and fault reporting systems. The fixing of streetlights are measured in days and by the amount of streetlights out and the fixing of traffic lights are measured by the fault reporting system. |
|||
Ongoing training and internal performance reviews are implemented. Maintenance is becoming pro-active and the department performs block replacement of luminaires to mitigate luminaire end-of-life failures. |
|||
eThekweni |
ii. 14 days |
ii. the average time to fix a simple lamp outage is 2 days and when cables are stolen the average time is 5 days |
|
(iii)Work requests are received from the public via the City’s customer call centre, via work orders from service providers and from scheduled inspections. The process is measured from request to closure. |
|||
(iv) The system is monitored by management with a view to improve performance. |
11 April 2016 - NW649
Mokause, Ms MO to ask the Minister of Human Settlements
(1)With reference to a certain person (name and details furnished) from Ventersdorp in Ward 6 who applied and was approved for a housing subsidy but had her building material taken away after it was delivered because her ID number was linked to two beneficiaries, what is the process of verification of ID numbers when a subsidy is linked to two beneficiaries; (2) is a certain councillor (name furnished) allowed to sell RDP housing subsidy material?
Reply:
(1) A verification search against the Housing Subsidy System (HSS) as at 13 March 2016, indicates that the person referred to by the Honourable Member does not appear as a subsidy applicant or as an approved beneficiary of a state housing subsidy on the HSS. The North West Provincial Department of Human Settlements has since confirmed this finding. This implies that a subsidy application for the ID number provided was not captured on HSS to date or a subsidy application was not completed by the person or household to access a government housing subsidy.
In terms of the verification of ID numbers when processing applications for housing subsidies, there are set Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that are followed before an application is captured on the system before being approved to benefit from a housing subsidy. A subsidy is linked to a household (applicant and / or spouse) and a specific site. The ID numbers (applicant/spouse/dependants) indicated on a subsidy application form is captured on HSS against a specific site number as contained in the deed of sale and specific project.
The captured application is then verified to ensure that the details on the application form have been captured correctly on HSS. The verified application is then submitted for searches via an automated process on the ID against other databases including the Population Register in the Dept. of Home Affairs, and the Deeds Register, in the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform, as well as the Department Audit Database to ensure that the applicant did not previously benefit from a state housing subsidy.
The application is tagged for approval only if it passes all the aforementioned verification and search processes.
(2) In respect of the alleged selling of housing subsidy material by the named councillor, the Department of Human Settlements views such activity in a serious light, and will investigate and take appropriate steps based on the findings when the full and exact details, including documentary or other evidence relating to such activity are provided and obtained by the Department.
11 April 2016 - NW797
Cardo, Dr MJ to ask the Minister of Economic Development
What progress has been made in assessing the application that was submitted to the International Trade Administration Commission (ITAC) of South Africa in December 2015 for a grain tariff review?
Reply:
Maize:
Grain SA submitted an application for an increase in the dollar based reference price for maize in December 2015. ITAC engaged with stakeholders and solicited comments from 25 interested parties. ITAC staff is now evaluating the application. The preliminary submission will be submitted to the Commissioners of ITAC during the Commission meeting of May 2016 for consideration.
Wheat:
Wheat tariffs are determined by a variable tariff formula based on US dollars. At the request of producers, when the conditions were met for an upward tariff trigger, ITAC applied the formula and tariff increases were accordingly applied. This resulted in an increase of customs duties on wheat from 91.12c/kg to 122.43c/kg and wheaten flour from 136.68c/kg to 183.65c/kg.
However, in light of the drought, the current exchange rate and the impact on food prices, government has requested a review of the variable import duty formula to ensure that consumer needs are properly taken into account.
-END-
11 April 2016 - NW631
Dlamini, Mr MM to ask the Minister of Public Works:
(1) Whether, since his reply to oral question 471 on 9 September 2015, he has received any requests from any departments regarding further upgrades at the Nkandla residence of the President, Mr Jacob G Zuma; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) whether he has worked on a costing exercise to ascertain how much the further security upgrades needed at the Nkandla residence of the President, Mr Jacob G Zuma, will cost the taxpayer; if not, when he will know for sure how much will still have to be spent
Reply:
The Minister of Public Works
(1) Since, my reply to question number 471 for oral reply on 09 September 2015 the Department of Public Works has not received any requests from any Government departments regarding further security upgrades at the President’s private residence in Nkandla.
(2) The Department has not worked on a costing exercise, as the request for the security upgrades has not been received. An estimation or calculation of costs will only be done pursuant to a security assessment and the identification of requirements for the installation of security measures by the relevant departments in the security cluster.
____________________________________________________________________
11 April 2016 - NW686
America, Mr D to ask the Minister of Communications
(a)What are the anticipated total costs of (i) producing and (ii) installing the 5 million subsidized Set-Top Boxes (STBs), (b) How much funding has been approved by the National Treasury in the Medium Term Expenditure Framework in this regard and (c) from which (i) departmental votes and/or (ii) other government sources will this be drawn?
Reply:
(a) The anticipated total costs of producing and installing the 5 million subsidized STBs, as appropriated, is R2.45 billion.
(b) Over the MTEF period the National Treasury has allocated R1.1 billion.
(c) The funds will be drawn from the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services’ vote.
MR NN MUNZHELELE
DIRECTOR GENERAL [ACTING]
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS
DATE:
MS AF MUTHAMBI (MP)
MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS
DATE:
11 April 2016 - NW590
Mokgalapa, Mr S to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
Whether, with reference to the reply to question 4251 on 21 December 2015, he has received the outstanding information from the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality; if not, why not; if so, when will this information be made available?
Reply:
The following information was provided by the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality:
- (a) and (b) The Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality has indicated that it approached Rand Water regarding the installation of the telemetry system at all of its reservoirs. At present, the final draft of the service level agreement between the Municipality and Rand Water for the installation of the telemetry system at all of the Municipality’s reservoirs is with Rand Water for formalisation.
- (a) According to the Municipality, an amount of R8 million is available in the current financial year to commence with the work. The design of the system is complete. The data loggers are expected to take six months to install the system at all of the Municipality’s reservoirs. Further phases in the next financial year would include the completion of the integration of the Municipality and Rand Water control rooms as well as the installation of the telemetry to control the reservoir valves. (b) The Municipality has indicated that the first phase will take six months to complete.
11 April 2016 - NW315
Topham , Mr B to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
For each metropolitan municipality, how many commercial, industrial and residential building plan submissions were made in the: (a) 2013-14 and (b) 2014-15 financial years; (b) How many building plan submissions were approved by each specified municipality in the (a) 2013-14 and (b) 2014-15 financial years; (c) What is the response time to acknowledge receipt of building plans; (d) How long does it take to finalise building plan submissions?
Reply:
1. The following table represents commercial, industrial and residential building plan submissions per Metro in the 2013-14 and (b) 2014-15 financial years
Building Plans:2013-14 |
||||
Metro |
Commercial |
Industrial |
Residential |
Total |
City of Tshwane |
94 |
97 |
12 323 |
12 514 |
Ekurhuleni |
50 |
190 |
5062 |
5302 |
City of Johannesburg |
104 |
72 |
11977 |
12153 |
City of Cape Town |
330 |
7904 |
8234 |
|
Nelson Mandela Bay |
95 |
86 |
7734 |
7915 |
Buffalo City |
83 |
96 |
2461 |
2640 |
Mangaung |
45 |
17 |
2283 |
2345 |
eThekwini Municipality |
927 |
408 |
9618 |
10953 |
Building Plans:2014-15 |
||||
Metro |
Commercial |
Industrial |
Residential |
Total |
City of Tshwane |
128 |
87 |
12 883 |
13 098 |
Ekurhuleni |
33 |
241 |
5382 |
5656 |
City of Johannesburg |
41 |
79 |
12963 |
13083 |
City of Cape Town |
353 |
8985 |
9342 |
|
Nelson Mandela Bay |
87 |
94 |
9530 |
9711 |
Buffalo City |
84 |
86 |
2370 |
2540 |
Mangaung |
35 |
24 |
2069 |
2108 |
eThekwini Municipality |
1363 |
601 |
12740 |
14704 |
2. The following table represents building plans that were approved by each municipality in the (a) 2013-14 and (b) 2014-15 financial years
Municipality |
YEAR |
|
2013-14 |
2014-15 |
|
City of Tshwane |
10 654 |
9 554 |
Ekurhuleni |
4550 |
5272 |
City of Johannesburg |
11247 |
11934 |
City of Cape Town |
8407 |
9859 |
Nelson Mandela Bay |
2475 |
3724 |
Buffalo City |
2314 |
2207 |
Mangaung |
3083 |
2173 |
eThekwini Municipality |
5748 |
6044 |
3. The table below represents the time indicated by each metro on the response time to acknowledge receipt of building plans
Municipality |
Response time to acknowledge receipt of Building Plans |
City of Tshwane |
Application is acknowledged as soon as it is received and the necessary fees are paid. |
Ekurhuleni |
Upon submission and payment of necessary fees. |
City of Johannesburg |
Upon receipt and payment of necessary fees. |
City of Cape Town |
Application is acknowledged as soon as it is received and necessary fees are paid. |
Nelson Mandela Bay |
Upon submission the application is issued with an invoice. |
Buffalo City |
1 week |
Mangaung |
Immediately after submission and payment of the requisite building plan fees. |
eThekwini Municipality |
Immediately on submission and payment of the prescribed tariff where applicable. |
4. The information below represents response time each municipality takes to finalise building plan submissions.
Municipality |
Time taken to finalise Building Plan Submissions |
City of Tshwane |
Building Plans 500m² and less: 30 days Building Plans 501m² and more: 60 days |
Ekurhuleni |
|
City of Johannesburg |
As per the legislated time period, namely 30 days for building plans smaller that 500m² and 60 days for plans larger than 500m². |
City of Cape Town |
Building Plans 500m² and less: 30 days Building Plans 501m² and more: 60 days |
Nelson Mandela Bay |
Eight (8) days from date of submission if application has all necessary supporting documents |
Buffalo City |
22 days |
Mangaung |
The general norm is as per the legislated time period, namely 30 days for building plans smaller that 500m² and 60 days for plans larger than 500m². In most cases Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality complies. |
eThekwini Municipality |
In terms of timeframes expressed as a percentage the performance has been 98.1% (2013/14) and 99.9% (2014/15). |
11 April 2016 - NW583
Ollis, Mr IM to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
Whether, with reference to his reply to question 4187 on 21 December 2015, his department has received the outstanding information from the remaining four metropolitan municipalities; if not, why not; if so, when will the specified information be made available?
Reply:
The requested information from the remaining four Metropolitan Municipalities is yet to be received and the efforts are being made to follow up on them. The Honourable Member will therefore be updated on progress.
11 April 2016 - NW596
Sithole, Mr KP to ask the Minister of Human Settlements
(a) What amount has been budgeted by her department for the renovation of the Thokoza Hostel in Durban and (b) what are the relevant details of when the renovation (i) will start and (ii) is envisaged to be completed?
Reply:
The Thokoza Hostel is situated in the Gauteng Province and falls within the jurisdiction of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality.
(a) The budget allocated for the 2015/16 financial year was R19 730 000.00. This was for the provision of temporary residential units, for accommodation of residents pending the redevelopment. The budget allocated for the 2016/17 financial year is R61 000 000.00, this funding is for the demolition of the existing buildings as well as for the installation of engineering services up to phase one of the development.
(b) The hostel comprises of forty-one (41) hostel blocks in a dormitory formation, which were deemed not suitable for human habitation and will be demolished and replaced by three storeys of Community Residential Units. These three storeys will yield two thousand, six hundred and twenty one (2621) units.
(i) & (ii) Tenders for demolition of the existing buildings and installation of services were advertised during March 2016. This project will consist of seven phases and will be implemented in a phased approach over a period of approximately eight (8) years subject to the availability of the required funding.
11 April 2016 - NW301
Rabotapi, Mr MW to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
Whether each metropolitan municipality has a disaster risk management centre; if so, (a) how many staff members work for each specified centre and (b) what (i) is the budget for the 2015-16 financial year and (ii) are the critical disaster risk management issues for each municipality?
Reply:
Metropolitan Municipality |
Centre Established (Yes/No) |
|
(b)(i) Budget for 2015/16 financial year |
(b)(ii) the critical disaster risk management issues for each municipality |
City of Cape Town |
Yes |
83 |
R 119.18 mil (Capital Budget: R 8,183 mil Operational Budget: R111 mil) |
|
City of Tshwane |
Yes |
26 |
R 22.566 Mil |
|
City of Ekurhuleni |
Yes |
11 |
R 18. 935 mil (Capital Budget: R 14.176 mil Operational Budget: R 4.759 mil) |
|
City of Johannesburg |
Yes |
30 |
R 1 350 000 (Incident Management Fund R 1 000 000.00 Capacity Building – R100 000.00 Printing & Stationery (Public awareness campaigns) – R200 000.00 Stores & Material – R50 000.00) |
|
Ethekwini Municipality |
Yes |
7 |
R 116 000 000 (Capital Budget: R 21 mil Operational Budget: R 95 mil |
|
Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality |
Yes |
22 (5 x Operational staff; 17 x Control Centre Operators) |
R 16 477 194 |
|
Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality |
Yes |
1 x Manager 1 x Admin 4 x Operational 1 x Intern 1 x Vacant funded post 41 Vacant unfunded posts |
R 2 782 063 |
|
Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality |
Yes |
29 |
R 20 654 900 |
|
11 April 2016 - NW573
Van Dalen, Mr P to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
Whether, with reference to his reply to question 4088 on 8 December 2015, the information has been received from the metropolitan municipalities; if so, when will the specified information be made available as requested?
Reply:
The information below was sourced from the Metros. The information from the other metros is still outstanding:
Name of the Municipality |
Operational Budget |
Capital Budget |
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality |
R433,89 million |
R210,65 million |
Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality |
R190,1 million |
R252,5 million |
City of Cape Town Metropolitan Municipality |
R1,9 billion |
R940,5 million |
Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality |
R100 000 |
R139, 87 million |
City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality |
Informal settlements are a part of a bigger programme, namely formalisation which includes;
The total Budget for this category which is funded through the Urban Settlements Development Grant (USDG) is R678 000 000.00 (six hundred and seventy eight million for the 2015/16 financial year. Although this is categorised as Capital expenditure, professional fees and related kind of expenses are drawn from this grant (subject to the USDG conditions) as the total cost is capitalised. |
11 April 2016 - NW196
McLoughlin, Mr AR to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
Whether each metropolitan municipality has a programme to provide basic services to backyard dwellers; if not, why not; if so, what (a) electricity, (b) water and (c) sanitation services were provided in the 2014-15 financial year?
Reply:
The Department of Human Settlement (DHS) has developed a draft National Backyard Rental Housing Assistance Policy. The draft policy is based on the findings of extensive research, as well as case studies, commissioned by the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) on Backyarders and Backyard Dwellings. This research project was followed by an extensive national consultation process to engage all the municipalities and provincial governments on the matter.
The draft policy proposals specifically make provision for grant funding to municipalities to improve the quality of life of the tenants occupying backyard rental dwellings. Importantly, the proposals also deal with the necessity of infrastructure upgrading required to accommodate the additional load on current services, and the provision of basic municipal services for backyard residents.
It is recommended that the Honourable member direct his question to the DHS, which will provide detailed information and a comprehensive answer to the question whether each metropolitan municipality has a programme to provide basic services to backyard dwellers.
11 April 2016 - NW791
Redelinghuys, Mr MH to ask the Minister of Health
(1) How many ambulances are currently (a) operational and (b) not operational at the Odi District Hospital in Mabopane Gauteng; (2) whether there are any plans to acquire additional ambulances for use by the specified hospital; if not, why not; if so, (a) how many ambulances will be acquired and (b) what are the timeframes in this regard; (3) what are the average waiting times at the specified hospital for (a) trauma patients classified as (i) green, (ii) yellow and (iii) red, (b) out-patients referred from clinics waiting to see a doctor, and (c) out-patients for an appointment to see a doctor?
Reply:
(1) (a) and (b)
The number of ambulances indicated below serve Mabopane, Ga-rankuwa, Winterveldt and Soshanguve. These ambulances are stationed next to Odi Hospital and serve Odi and Dr George Mukhari Hospitals, all clinics, all Community Health Centres in the Northern Sub-district of Tshwane including house calls.
Type of Vehicles |
Number of Allocated Vehicles |
Number Operational |
Number Not Operational |
Ambulances |
13 |
8 |
5 at workshop |
Obstetrics Vehicle |
2 |
1 |
1 at workshop |
Response Vehicle |
2 |
2 |
0 |
Planned Patient Transport |
4 |
2 |
2 at workshop |
Rescue Vehicle |
1 |
1 |
0 |
Logistic Vehicle |
1 |
0 |
1 at workshop |
TOTAL |
23 |
14 |
9 |
(2) (a) Approval has been granted for 7 ambulances to be procured in the 2016/2017 financial year, i.e. 2 Obstetrics and 5 Ambulances. The new ambulances will replace ambulances identified for disposal and to add to the existing fleet.
(b) Ambulance procurement will be completed by the second quarter of 2016/2017.
(3) The average waiting time is as follows:
(a) (i) trauma - green - 57 minutes
(ii) trauma – yellow - 18 minutes
(iii) trauma - red - 13 minutes
(b) OPD referred from clinics - 65 minutes
(c) OPD follow up - 48 minutes
CHALLENGES IN THE MANAGEMENT OF WAITING TIMES
- There is is a general population growth in the surrounding areas.
- Odi District Hospital serves both Gauteng and North West communities and the communities are growing.
- There are a growing number of self-referrals, hence the OPD overflows daily and this affects waiting time.
- There is no regional or tertiary hospital between Odi and DGMA hospital, hence referral to a higher level becomes a challenge and the hospital is required to manage the many patients it cannot refer.
- Patients are reluctant to use the nearby clinics and return to the hospital despite being referred to their respective clinic.
- Most patients with chronic conditions come to the hospital after hours to use the Emergency Centre instead of the OPD during the day; hence the higher patient load and impact on the Emergency Centre.
- Patients with chronic conditions who attend the Emergency Centre after hours complain about long waiting time because acutely ill or injured patients are given priority attention.
- Turnover of clinical and nursing staff is high as they are attracted to higher level hospitals or resign due to pension and this also impacts negatively on waiting time.
- Space in the Emergency Centres and OPD is limited due to infrastructural challenges. Consulting rooms are few so patients cannot be accommodated in comfort while waiting.
END.
11 April 2016 - NW581
Rabotapi, Mr MW to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
Whether, with reference to his reply to question 4183 on 21 December 2015, his department has received the outstanding information from the specified municipalities; if not, why not; if so, when will the information be made available as requested?
Reply:
The requested information from the remaining five Metropolitan Municipalities is yet to be received and the efforts are being made to follow up on them. The Honourable Member will therefore be updated on progress.
11 April 2016 - NW284
Chewane, Dr H to ask the Minister of Health
(1)(a) Which provinces have frozen appointment of staff and (b) for which positions; (2) have any of the provinces frozen the appointment of doctors?
Reply:
(1) (a) All provinces have introduced measures to reduce expenditure, including the freezing of non critical posts. Medical posts are not frozen.
(b) Not applicable, see (1) (a) above.
(2) No.
END.
11 April 2016 - NW239
Ndlozi, Dr MQ to ask the Minister of Communications
Whether she and/or her department has bought advertising space in The New Age in the (a) 2012-13, (b) 2013-14 and (c) 2014-15 financial years; if so, (i) what number of times and (ii) for what amount in each specified financial year?
Reply:
a) Yes, the GCIS has placed advertising in The New Age in 2012-13, regarding (i) and (ii), insertions detailed in table below.
b) Yes, the GCIS has placed advertising in The New Age in 2013-14, regarding (i) and (ii), insertions detailed in table below.
c) Yes, the GCIS has placed advertising in The New Age in 2014-15, regarding (i) and (ii), insertions detailed in table below. In the period October 2014 – April 2015, the GCIS merged with the Department of Communications to facilitate the start-up of the Department of Communication, hence the reference to Department of Communications.
|
2012-2013 |
|
DEPARTMENT |
CAMPAIGN NAME |
INVOICE AMOUNT |
GCIS |
National Orders |
R 450 000.00 |
|
Orders of Companions of OR Tambo |
R 77 319.36 |
|
SONA |
R 893 475.29 |
|
State Funeral |
R 92 836.93 |
GCIS Total |
|
R 1 513 631.58 |
|
2013/2014 |
|
GCIS |
Mandela Memorial campaign: State Funeral |
R62 928.00 |
|
Recruitment |
R50 068.80 |
|
SONA |
R821 128.32 |
GCIS Total |
|
R934 125.12 |
|
2014/2015 |
|
Communications |
Database Registration |
R 14 945.40 |
|
Profiling Campaign |
R 720 990.72 |
|
Recruitment |
R 301 195.75 |
|
Recruitment Phase 3 |
R 57 078.43 |
|
SONA 2014 |
R 100 137.60 |
|
SONA 2015 |
R 101 888.64 |
Total Communications |
|
R 1 296 236.54 |
MR DONALD LIPHOKO
DIRECTOR GENERAL [ACTING]
GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION SYSTEM
DATE:
MS AF MUTHAMBI (MP)
MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS
DATE:
11 April 2016 - NW614
Sithole, Mr KP to ask the Minister of Human Settlements
Whether her department has a time frame for the relocation of residents of the Kliptown informal settlement; if not; why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
Yes, it is anticipated that the relocation of beneficiaries of the Kliptown Informal Settlement will be completed by the end of 2020. The City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality has indicated that the project comprises of six precincts, namely Kliptown Extensions 2, 6, 7 and 11, Pimville Zone 9 and Sector 2, which will be independently proclaimed as townships.
The project is in progress and is in various stages of implementation. To date, 1 089 beneficiaries of the Kliptown Informal Settlement have been allocated fully subsidised freehold housing units known as BNG houses at Pimville Zone 9 and Klipspruit Extension 2. An estimated 200 BNG houses at Klipspruit Extension 11 will be allocated to the beneficiaries by the end of April 2016.
11 April 2016 - NW519
Dudley, Ms C to ask the Minister of Health
(1)Whether he is aware of the health concerns expressed by a certain person (name and details furnished); (2) whether his department conducted an investigation in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
(1) Yes. The concerns were received and acknowledged by the Ministry of Health. A further acknowledgement and assurance of the fact that the concern is being attended to was done by the Chief Directorate: Environmental Health and Port Health Services on the 08th of February 2016 to the complainant.
(2) Yes. The Department of Health conducted an investigation. The Department of Agriculture which is responsible for conducting chemical analysis for a range of chemical residues in food products (poultry, hens, eggs, bovine, ovine, porcine, etc.) whether imported into the country or produced inland, was engaged.
Food samples were taken by the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the poultry products were found to be complying to the country's legal requirements and therefore it has been released to the market.
The role of the Department of Health will be to make sure that the poultry and its products are safe for human consumption through required monitoring processes. All Food Premises handling imported poultry products will be monitored. The two departments are working very closely in sharing information about consignments received and the destination for further handling which may include resale, repackaging, processing, etc.
Poultry products are handled, packaged and sealed at the point/country of origin and certified by the local inspectorate authority. All preservatives used should be indicated on the label and only approved preservatives can be used at approved levels (in terms of the CODEX Alimentarius list). The poultry products from the USA are preserved with Acetic Acid which is vinegar and kept under controlled temperature. South Africa conducts several tests on the poultry product including testing for preservatives. Consignments are transported in a sealed temperature controlled container at -18 ̊C and the seal is broken on arrival at the cold storage in South Africa. Temperature control is monitored and can be tested on arrival to see the trend throughout the voyage; a report can be generated to give an indication if there were any temperature issues during the transportation.
Additional tests are conducted to identify if there are any micro organisms in the poultry product being imported into the country. Aerobic plate count process is used as a screening measure. Further tests are done if there is an indication that the meat product is not fresh.
The National Department of Health is of the view that the identified risk can be contained through the normal processes of Environmental Health monitoring activities done by the Department of Health, Districts and Metropolitan Municipalities. Necessary steps will be taken to address any issues arising from the monitoring process. All role players are taking all necessary steps within the South African legislative provisions to deal with all perceived risks.
END.
11 April 2016 - NW592
Mhlongo, Mr TW to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs:
Whether, with reference to his department's reply to question 4097 on 8 December 2015, his department has received the outstanding information from the Tlokwe Local Municipality; if not, why not; if so, when will the information be made available as requested?
Reply:
The following information was provided by the Tlokwe Local Municipality:
Below is the response regarding the amounts spent by Tlokwe Local Municipality on print media, radio, television, online and outdoors during the 2014/15 financial year and since July 2015:
Amount spent and purpose on advertising by Tlokwe Local Municipality for 2014/15
(a) Print Media
(i) Local Community Newspapers
MEDIA |
PURPOSE |
COST |
Mooivaal Media |
The purpose of the advertisements was to inform the communities about public meetings relating to progress on |
11 959 |
lzindwe Marketing |
82 100 |
|
lzindwe Marketing |
service delivery and unexpected interruptions to services |
29 000 |
Total |
123 059 |
Please find here: (ii) National Magazines
11 April 2016 - NW368
Chance, Mr R to ask the Minister of Health
With reference to President Jacob G Zuma’s undertaking in his State of the Nation Address delivered on 12 February 2015, that the Government will set aside 30% of appropriate categories of state procurement for purchasing from Small, Medium and Micro-sized Enterprises (SMMEs), co-operatives, as well as township and rural enterprises, what percentage of the total procurement of (a) his department and (b) every entity reporting to him went to (i) SMMEs and (ii) co-operatives from 1 April 2015 up to the latest specified date for which information is available?
Reply:
(a) (i) 60.1%
(ii) Bid documents do not make provision for suppliers to indicate whether they are SMME’s or Co-operatives. The procurement was thus done with consideration of BEE levels.
(b) (i) South Africa Medical Research Council (31.4%)
National Health Laboratories Services (22.5%)
Office of Standard Health Compliance (70%)
(ii) Bid documents do not make provision for suppliers to indicate whether they are SMME’s or Co-operatives. The procurement was thus done with consideration of BEE levels.
END.
11 April 2016 - NW863
Gqada, Ms T to ask the Minister of Public Service and Administration
For each national department, what amount was spent on training for (a) Senior Management Service (SMS) members and (b) employees occupying grades lower than those qualifying for the SMS in the (i) 2012-13, (ii) 2013-14 and (iii) 2014-15 financial years?
Reply:
(a)(b)(i)(ii)(iii) refer to the table herewith below
DEPARTMENT |
(a) |
(b) |
||||
(i) |
(ii) |
(iii) |
(i) |
(ii) |
(iii) |
|
Department in the Presidency |
12 319 |
- |
9 864 |
416 387 |
243 905 |
641 178 |
Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries |
21 867 |
112 489 |
56 874 |
1 035 018 |
1 864 952 |
1 592 482 |
Department of Arts and Culture |
19 918 |
66 576 |
32 682 |
45 526 |
180 706 |
130 728 |
Department of Basic Education |
- |
5 386 |
- |
395 100 |
226 197 |
499 776 |
Department of Correctional Services |
447 405 |
350 644 |
- |
1 043 945 |
1 658 816 |
1 395 545 |
Department of Defence |
- |
17 313 |
- |
1 726 295 |
2 718 120 |
3 302 708 |
Department of Economic Development |
12 664 |
- |
5 528 |
4 221 |
44 325 |
33 165 |
Department of Education |
|
- |
|
|
71 288 |
|
Department of Energy |
26 798 |
73 596 |
25 839 |
348 375 |
220 788 |
723 484 |
Department of Environmental Affairs |
333 777 |
244 543 |
79 856 |
1 260 936 |
1 316 770 |
1 789 722 |
Department of Health |
108 908 |
- |
43 933 |
3 439 678 |
473 797 |
129 358 |
Department of Higher Education and Training |
147 422 |
222 309 |
35 945 |
833 500 |
236 652 |
854 689 |
Department of Home Affairs |
58 225 |
11 601 |
126 393 |
82 741 |
1 015 097 |
2 446 848 |
Department of Human Settlements |
4 921 |
221 348 |
152 192 |
118 109 |
154 944 |
488 283 |
Department of International Relations and Cooperation |
199 231 |
209 306 |
- |
1 535 737 |
753 501 |
505 964 |
Department of Labour |
296 264 |
435 061 |
192 976 |
1 915 858 |
1 489 388 |
3 315 866 |
Department of Military Veterans |
|
- |
|
77 430 |
||
Department of Mineral Resources |
131 485 |
49 367 |
253 312 |
884 538 |
1 596 215 |
1 447 496 |
Department of Planning Monitoring & Evaluation |
29 446 |
- |
- |
235 569 |
52 536 |
105 318 |
Department of Public Enterprises |
64 928 |
16 124 |
68 053 |
64 928 |
46 760 |
198 487 |
Department of Public Service and Administration |
124 567 |
138 871 |
69 007 |
1 575 078 |
1 666 447 |
2 180 617 |
Department of Public Works |
405 583 |
46 789 |
4 197 |
1 598 299 |
823 480 |
591 761 |
Department of Rural Development and Land Reform |
39 339 |
10 146 |
15 097 |
4 442 810 |
5 969 431 |
865 588 |
Department of Science and Technology |
325 724 |
10 113 |
- |
172 442 |
151 696 |
184 792 |
Department of Social Development |
62 085 |
8 467 |
13 904 |
418 255 |
378 179 |
389 325 |
Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services |
|
- |
85 716 |
|
15 375 |
179 225 |
Department of Tourism |
157 755 |
44 295 |
15 060 |
591 582 |
673 286 |
624 988 |
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) |
427 021 |
387 575 |
280 234 |
2 087 656 |
2 196 260 |
1 961 640 |
Department of Transport |
194 950 |
231 783 |
7 367 |
27 850 |
267 054 |
445 685 |
Department of Transport |
- |
|
8 312 |
|
||
Department of Water Affairs |
1 012 651 |
266 656 |
204 122 |
2 716 476 |
2 377 570 |
1 820 347 |
Department of Justice and Constitutional Development |
547 013 |
489 380 |
353 696 |
1 566 779 |
1 125 087 |
2 992 829 |
Government Communication and Information System |
35 893 |
- |
- |
35 893 |
243 378 |
725 679 |
Government Pensions Administration Agency |
- |
- |
5 383 |
359 534 |
336 112 |
231 488 |
Government Printing Works |
- |
- |
3 804 |
125 120 |
94 341 |
64 662 |
Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) |
54 886 |
40 246 |
73 253 |
192 101 |
234 770 |
109 879 |
National Parliament |
11 096 |
25 680 |
41 915 |
5 659 163 |
3 004 607 |
2 556 824 |
National Prosecuting Authority of SA |
- |
26 007 |
78 065 |
26 541 |
173 377 |
303 076 |
National School of Government |
136 754 |
23 051 |
69 698 |
383 794 |
748 103 |
543 064 |
National Treasury |
134 896 |
89 643 |
98 457 |
277 500 |
386 881 |
1 045 676 |
Public Service Commission |
10 188 |
- |
38 486 |
95 088 |
77 026 |
113 626 |
South African Police Service (SAPS) |
- |
- |
5 116 |
6 541 413 |
6 473 637 |
1 959 404 |
South African Police Service (SAPS) |
- |
- |
- |
37 000 |
132 000 |
8 991 |
South African Revenue Service (SARS) |
|
- |
- |
|
6 885 |
11 140 |
South African Social Security Agency |
- |
33 484 |
- |
25 225 |
1 131 756 |
1 178 350 |
Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) |
23 486 |
28 028 |
5 989 |
2 411 228 |
1 550 906 |
1 922 371 |
Grand Total |
5 619 464 |
3 935 878 |
2 552 014 |
46 761 599 |
44 602 403 |
42 689 554 |
11 April 2016 - NW659
Mackenzie, Mr C to ask the Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services
(a) How many supplier invoices currently remain unpaid for more than (i) 30 days, (ii) 60 days and (iii) 90 days at the SA Post Office and (b) in each case, what is the (i) the name of the company and/or supplier, (ii) amounts outstanding, (iii) reason for non-payment and (iv) envisaged date on which the amounts will be paid?
Reply:
SAPO has advised me as follows:
There are numerous outstanding invoices. SAPO is arranging long term funding with the support of DTPS and National Treasury, to enable implementation of the corporate plan for 2016/17 through 2018/19. Once funding has been secured, SAPO’s arrangements with creditors will be finalised and implemented.
Below is the creditors’ age analysis:
11 April 2016 - NW780
Mileham, Mr K to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
What process is to be followed by (a) provinces and (b) municipalities affected by the latest round of amalgamations in terms of the revised municipal demarcations, with specific reference to (i) budgets, (ii) organograms, (iii) systems and processes and (iv) assets and equipment?
Reply:
a) The process to be followed by provinces is as outlined in Section 12 of the Municipal Structures Act, which requires the MEC for local government in a province to establish a municipality in each municipal area which the Municipal Demarcation Board demarcates, and which establishment takes effect at the commencement of the first election of the council of that municipality.
Section 14(5) of the Municipal Structures further provides that the MEC, by notice in the Provincial Gazette, may make provision for transitional measures to facilitate the disestablishment of an existing municipality and the establishment of a new municipality.
The different transition matters are discussed and processed through various transitional structures at the provincial and municipal spheres, as well as reported at the Municipal Demarcation Transition Committee which is convened by the Department of Cooperative Governance.
b) The Section 14(5) Notices also provide for the establishment of Municipal Political Change Management Committees and Municipal Technical Change Management Committees.
The Municipal Political Change Management Committees are constituted by the mayors, speakers, members of the executive or mayoral committees and traditional leaders from the affected local and district municipalities.
The Municipal Technical Change Management Committees are constituted by the municipal managers and heads of department from the affected local and district municipalities, as well as representatives from organised labour and the South African Local Government Association.
The Section 14(5) Notices deal with matters relating to budgets, organograms, systems and processes, assets and equipment, integrated development planning, communications and other institutional systems and processes.
11 April 2016 - NW847
Lorimer, Mr JR to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises
(1) With reference to the deal between Eskom and Optimum Colliery to supply coal to the Hendrina Power Station, (a) what grade of coal (i) was contracted for, (ii) was actually received by Eskom at the specified power station prior to the fine imposed against the specified colliery by the specified entity, and (iii) is currently being received by Eskom at the specified power station and (b) at what (i) price or (ii) prices;(2) why was the coal received from the specified colliery unsuitable for use by the specified power station prior to the imposition of the fine; (3) is the coal currently received from the specified colliery suitable for use by the specified power station; (4)did the use of unsuitable coal supplied by the specified colliery cause any damage to the specified power station; if so, (a) what damage was done, (b) what was the value of the damage caused to the specified power station and (c) has this damage been repaired; (5) is the poor quality coal still causing damage to the specified power station; if not, (a) was the grade of coal changed or (b) was the specified power station adapted to use a different grade of coal; if so, why is the specified power station still using this coal?
Reply:
(1)(a)(i) In terms of the Coal Supply Agreement, Optimum Coal Mine (Proprietary) Limited ("Optimum") was obliged to supply and deliver to the Hendrina power station coal which complies with, amongst others, the following quality specification:
- All coal must have an ash content which shall not exceed 28.8% in order to ensure that the calorific value of the coal is not less than 23.0MJ/kg (calculated on a moisture free basis);
- a monthly average size distribution of:
- not more than 55% of coal supplied will be smaller than 6mm;
- not more than 35% of coal supplied will be smaller than 2.38mm; and
- not more than 15% of coal supplied will be smaller than 0.81mm.
- The Second Addendum amended the quality parameters in respect of the Abrasiveness Index (pursuant to an arbitration with Optimum) to be <423 mgFe on a 7 day weighted rolling average basis.
(ii) The coal that was received by Eskom was within contractual specifications with regard to the Calorific Value but out of specification in respect of Abrasive Index and Sizing.
(iii) The coal currently being received by Eskom meets the contractual specifications with regard to the Calorific Value except for Abrasive Index.
(b) The price of coal paid by Eskom is R174.41/ton as at February 2016.
(2) The coal supplied by Optimum Coal prior to the imposition of the fine was outside the quality specification for Hendrina Power Station in terms of Abrasive Index and Sizing. For the 1 March 2012 to 31 May 2015, Optimum Coal, failed to supply and deliver to Eskom coal which meets the quality parameter as set out in the Coal Supply Agreement. The coal supplied and delivered to Eskom, amongst others, failed to comply with the sizing specification, in that 20% to 45% of the coal supplied and delivered to Eskom by Optimum on a monthly basis, during the period of supply was smaller than 0.81mm. Despite this failure by Optimum, Eskom has, without prejudice to its right in terms of clause 3.6 of the First Addendum, paid Optimum for such coal, without applying any adjustment or reduction to the payment, for Optimum's failure to comply with the quality parameters.
(3) The coal currently received by Hendrina Power Station is within the contractual specifications in respect of Calorific Value except for the Abrasive Index and the Sizing. Since Optimum is currently under business rescue, the parties have in terms of the interim agreement agreed to suspend the application of penalties until the business rescue process is finalised. Of critical importance to note is that Eskom has issued Summons against Optimum for failing to supply coal that meets the quality specification of the station. Optimum has since disputed the penalties. Once the business rescue process has been finalised, the legal proceedings will continue to run its course.
(4) High Abrasive Index causes high wear rate of the plant and sizing affects the material flow frequency causing hang-ups which results in load losses. The wear rate causes accelerated wear of parts. This negatively affects the energy output from the station thus the total energy capacity available for dispatch into the grid. In order to compensate Eskom for the capacity loss occasioned as a result of these quality parameters being out of specification, penalty provisions in terms of the contract apply.
(5) (a) Since Optimum is currently under business rescue, the parties have in terms of the interim agreement agreed to suspend the application of penalties until the business rescue process is finalized.
(b) No. Not applicable.
11 April 2016 - NW304
Robertson, Mr K to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
(1) Whether each metropolitan municipality has a metropolitan police department; if not, why not; if so, (a) when was it established, (b) how many persons (i) in total and (ii) per category are currently part of the specified municipality’s police force and (c) how many operational (i) cars, (ii) motorbikes, (iii) bicycles and (iv) other vehicles are currently used by the metro police force in each case; (2) whether each metropolitan police department have specialised units tasked with dealing with drugs, gangs and any other safety needs; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details in each case; (3) whether each metropolitan municipality measures the average response times of the metro police to accidents and complaints; if not, why not; if so, (a) how is this measured and (b) what is the current average response time in each case?
Reply:
The information requested by the Honourable Member is not readily available within the Department. The Department thus made a request to Metropolitan Municipalities to provide the relevant information. Information was received from the following Metropolitan Municipalities:
BUFFALO CITY METROPOLITAN MUNICIPALITY (BCMM)
1. The BCMM does not have a Metropolitan Police Department. BCMM is in the process of establishing a Metropolitan Police Department with its implementation date being scheduled for 2016/17.
2. Not applicable
3. Not applicable
CITY OF TSHWANE (CoT)
- (a) The Tshwane Metropolitan Police Department (TMPD) was established on 04 April 2002. It functions independently from the South African Police, funded by and accountable to the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality, as per the South African Police Service Act, 1995 and 1998, as amended (Act No. 68 of 1995 and Act No. 83 of 1998). The Act prescribes the functions of a Municipal Police Service per Section 64E, as follows:
Traffic policing, subject to any legislation relating to road traffic (Road Policing);
The policing of municipal by-laws and regulations which are the responsibility of the municipality in question;
The prevention of crime.
(b) The TMPD Staff Establishment is listed within the table below:
Designation |
ESTABLISHMENT |
||||||||||||||||
Approved Posts as per structure
|
Posts filled as per Migration and Placement process |
Vacancies |
Current warm bodies |
Proposed vacancies to be filled in 2015/16 |
Male |
Female |
Operational |
Admin |
Occupational level |
||||||||
A |
C |
I |
W |
A |
C |
I |
W |
||||||||||
Admin Officer |
289 |
167 |
122 |
143 |
0 |
22 |
1 |
0 |
6 |
65 |
8 |
2 |
39 |
0 |
143 |
5 |
|
Cashier |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
|
Chief of Police |
1 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Chief Security Evaluator |
1 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
|
Chief Security Officer (GR A): Internal Security |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
|
Commander |
36 |
21 |
15 |
21 |
0 |
8 |
1 |
0 |
9 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
21 |
0 |
2 |
|
Constable / Sergeant |
2601 |
1533 |
1068 |
1531 |
0 |
824 |
48 |
5 |
108 |
518 |
10 |
0 |
18 |
1531 |
0 |
5 |
|
Constable Gr III |
|
|
|
1875 |
|
1032 |
24 |
0 |
3 |
812 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
1875 |
|
5 |
|
Deputy Chief of Police |
5 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
Deputy Director |
15 |
10 |
5 |
10 |
0 |
5 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
3 |
1 |
9 |
2 |
|
Director |
13 |
11 |
2 |
11 |
0 |
7 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
4 |
7 |
2 |
|
Driver |
8 |
2 |
6 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
5 |
|
Driver Messenger |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
|
Examiner |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
4 |
|
Executive Commitments Tracking Specialist |
1 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
|
Executive Secretary |
2 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
4 |
|
Executive Support Specialist |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
|
Functional Head |
41 |
19 |
22 |
19 |
0 |
4 |
1 |
0 |
6 |
5 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
17 |
3 |
|
Functional Head/ Snr Superintendent |
8 |
2 |
6 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
3 |
|
General Worker |
22 |
14 |
8 |
14 |
0 |
10 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
14 |
6 |
|
Human Resource Officer |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
4 |
|
Inspector |
350 |
230 |
120 |
230 |
70 |
97 |
5 |
1 |
65 |
57 |
1 |
0 |
4 |
230 |
0 |
4 |
|
Law Enforcement officer |
80 |
73 |
7 |
73 |
0 |
42 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
28 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
73 |
0 |
5 |
|
Liaison Officer |
7 |
1 |
6 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
4 |
|
License Officer |
0 |
0 |
0 |
9 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
9 |
5 |
|
Librarian |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
|
Management / Strategic Support Officer |
3 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
3 |
|
Messenger |
2 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
6 |
|
Operator Radio Control |
40 |
18 |
22 |
18 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
12 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
18 |
0 |
5 |
|
Personal Assistant |
1 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
|
Regional Director |
7 |
5 |
2 |
5 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
5 |
0 |
2 |
|
Secretary |
20 |
3 |
17 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
3 |
4 |
|
Security Evaluator |
8 |
2 |
6 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
5 |
|
Security Officer (GR C) |
120 |
1 |
119 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
5 |
|
Snr Admin Officer |
56 |
34 |
22 |
33 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
12 |
2 |
0 |
11 |
0 |
33 |
4 |
|
Snr Secretary |
5 |
4 |
1 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
4 |
4 |
|
Snr Security Evaluator |
4 |
3 |
1 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
4 |
|
Snr Security Officer (GR B) |
18 |
4 |
14 |
4 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
5 |
|
Snr Superintendent |
88 |
55 |
33 |
55 |
0 |
25 |
1 |
0 |
15 |
9 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
55 |
0 |
3 |
|
Strategic Support Specialist |
1 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
4 |
|
Superintendent |
146 |
87 |
59 |
87 |
0 |
34 |
2 |
0 |
14 |
32 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
87 |
0 |
3 |
|
Supervisor (Worker) |
2 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
|
Support Service Officer |
22 |
5 |
17 |
5 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
4 |
|
System Officer |
8 |
5 |
3 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
4 |
|
Technical Officer |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
5 |
|
Waiter |
3 |
3 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
6 |
|
Warden |
52 |
27 |
25 |
27 |
0 |
22 |
1 |
0 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
27 |
0 |
5 |
|
Total |
4095 |
2354 |
1741 |
4212 |
75 |
2165 |
91 |
6 |
245 |
1575 |
27 |
2 |
100 |
3941 |
271 |
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4212 |
||||||
Sergeant |
866 |
|
429 |
17 |
4 |
83 |
317 |
3 |
0 |
13 |
|||||||
Constable |
665 |
|
395 |
31 |
1 |
25 |
201 |
7 |
0 |
5 |
|||||||
|
1531 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(c) The Tshwane Metro Police Fleet vehicles are listed within the table below:
Type |
Total |
BUS |
11 |
CAR |
187 |
KOMBI |
72 |
LDV |
192 |
MOTORBIKE |
142 |
TRACTOR |
1 |
TRAILER |
47 |
TRUCK |
25 |
TOTAL |
677 |
2. The Tshwane Metro Police’s Special Project Team assists with drug enforcement, as per the initiative implemented by the Chief of Police since January 2015. The unit consists of seven (7) members and one Supervisor who has sixteen (16) years’ experience relevant to the enforcement of illegal substance abuse. Tshwane does not have a problem of gangs as such, but the department however works closely with the SAPS to deal with crime prevention in general.
3. (a) The current TMPD system (manually) assists with monitoring calls and call time intervals. The TMPD Nodal Point (331) dispatches complaints to the regions, after which the regions contact members via cell phones or radio to attend to complaints.
(b) Status quo on dispatch is 00:01:39 (1 Minute and 39 seconds from receipt of a call until dispatched to operational members).
MANGAUNG METROPOLITAN MUNICIPALITY
Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality does not have a Metro Police Department.
NELSON MANDELA BAY METROPOLITAN MUNICIPALITY (NMBM)
NMBM is currently busy with the planning and physical establishment process of a Metro Police Department.
11 April 2016 - NW636
Ketabahle, Ms V to ask the Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services
When is he going to implement the remedial action recommended by the Public Protector regarding the mismanagement of the SA Post Office?
Reply:
- SAPO is cooperating and implementing the recommendations of both the Public Protector and the SIU Reports.
- The Minister through our department is monitoring that SAPO complies with the recommendations of the Reports.
11 April 2016 - NW755
Van der Westhuizen, Mr AP to ask the Minister of Public Service and Administration
(1)Must the compulsory induction programme for public servants only be completed by making use of the services or material of the National School of Government (NSG); if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) why and (b) what are the further relevant details; (2) (a) what is the full amount payable per employee to the NSG for services related to the successful completion of the induction programme for public servants, (b) what services are included in the fee and (c) what factors are contributing to the delays in the (i) implementation or (ii) roll-out of the compulsory induction programme for public servants; (3) (a) in what respects does the compulsory induction programme accommodate the diverse needs of disabled public service staff members and (b) has he found that disabled staff will not be discriminated against with the introduction of the compulsory induction programme for public servants?
Reply:
(1) Yes. The Directive (Circular No: HRD 1 of 2012) mandates the National School of Government (NSG) to develop and roll out the compulsory induction programme (CIP).
(2) (a) Departments are expected to pay a total cost of R1876 (if NSG facilitator, venue and IICs costs are excluded), R8875 (if NSG internal satff is used and venue excluded) or R16275 (if IICs is used and venue is excluded) per employee
(b) the services included in the fee cover Programme management and administration, materials production and delivery, capacity building, professional support, monitoring and evaluation, and
(c) (i) (ii) factors are as follows, readiness of departments to implement the programme, absence of trainer policies to maximise trainer capacities developed by the NSG and use of cost-recovery model;
(3) (a) The NSG has ensured that the compulsory induction programme accommodates the diverse needs of public service staff members living with disabilities by availaing materials in Word to those who are visually impaired and collaborating with departments in securing the Braille services and of sign-language specialists.
(b) No. The NSG striven to ensure that staff living with disability are not be discriminated against with the introduction of the compulsory induction programme for public servants.
11 April 2016 - NW689
Bhanga, Mr BM to ask the Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services
(a) What are the reasons for the 94, 2% increase in consultants fees for the South Africa Connect project over the Medium Term Expenditure Framework, (b) why is most of the expenditure expected in the final year of the project, (c) what are the full details of the process by which the specified consultants services will be procured and (d) when is procurement due to start?
Reply:
I have been advised by the Department as follows:-
(a) The funds reflected under the Consultants: Business and advisory services line item are not funds that will be used to procure consultancy services. National Treasury allocated Phase 1 roll-out funding under the Economic classification (Goods and Services: Consultants: Business and advisory services) line item. These funds will be used to procure connectivity services for the facilities targeted for the Phase 1 roll-out over the MTEF period.
The increase in the allocation is due to additional funds that National Treasury allocated towards the SA Connect Phase 1 implementation.
(b) Additional funding was allocated by National Treasury in 2017/18 and 2018/19 as it was envisaged that lessons learnt from the Phase 1 pilot will allow for a ramp up of the project in the outer years. This funding is in addition to the partial funding that was allocated for the Phase 1 roll-out during the 2014 MTEF allocation period, covering the 2015/16, 2016/17 and 2017/18 financial years.
(c) There will not be any consultants procured using the funds allocated for the roll-out.
(d) Refer to (c)
11 April 2016 - NW858
Mokause, Ms MO to ask the Minister of Human Settlements
Why are houses in Obed Nkosi Phase 1 and 2, in Lesedi Local Municipality in the Sedibeng District Municipality, Gauteng, not allocated despite the fact that they were finished three years ago?
Reply:
The Gauteng Department of Human Settlements appointed Contractors to construct houses for Phases 1 and 2 at Obed Nkosi. During 2013, a total of 300 houses were completed and allocated to the qualifying beneficiaries. Phase 2 consist of 1 033 houses and the construction of these houses was completed during August 2015. The Lesedi Local Municipality then requested the Provincial Department that none of these houses should be allocated to beneficiaries without electricity. As the electrification of houses is the responsibility of the Municipality, the Provincial Department had to wait for the houses to be provided with electricity before allocation could start. To date, 695 houses in Phase 2 have been electrified and allocated.
The allocation of the houses with electricity is an on-going process and the Provincial Department has indicated that a further 88 houses will be allocated to the beneficiaries by 6 April 2016. The Lesedi Local Municipality is attending to the electrification of the outstanding houses, and once the houses have been electrified, allocations to the qualifying beneficiaries will commence.
11 April 2016 - NW306
Ross, Mr DC to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
(1)(a) How often does each metropolitan municipality collect household waste and (b) is it collected on a fixed schedule; if not, why not; (2) whether there were any disruptions of service or late removal of waste as a result of a failure by any municipality since 1 January 2015; if so, (a) what were the causes and (b) how has this been addressed?
Reply:
The information requested by the Honourable Member is not readily available within the Department. The Department thus made a request to Metropolitan Municipalities to provide the relevant information. Information was received from the following Metropolitan Municipalities:
ETHEKWINI METROPOLITAN MUNICIPALITY
- (a) Once a week
(b) Yes
2. None
BUFFALO CITY METROPOLITAN MUNICIPALITY
- (a) Once a week
(b) Yes
2. Yes, there were disruptions of services in BCMM Solid Waste Department
(a) Disruptions were caused by frequent breakdowns of Refuse Compactor Trucks and labour unrests;
(b) The Department of Solid Waste usually addresses the labour issues that arise with the assistance of Corporate Services.
CITY OF TSHWANE
- (a) Once a week
(b) Yes
2. The collection trucks were mostly on schedule but there may have been 1 or 2 days where some areas experienced delays.
(a) The delays would typically be due to a break-down of a vehicle or a workers strike.
(b) The collection continues into the following day or days so that there are no backlogs when the following week starts.
MANGAUNG METROPOLITAN MUNICIPALITY
- (a) Once a week
(b) Yes
2. Yes, there were disruptions and late removal of waste since 1 January 2015.
(a) There is often a shortage of vehicles due to vehicles breaking down.
(b) The municipality utilises a pool of SMMEs who have been appointed to render emergency door to door waste collection as and when necessary.
NELSON MANDELA BAY METROPOLITAN MUNICIPALITY
- The NMBM is collecting refuse from 99.98% of households within the urban edge, excluding informal areas on privately owned erven not earmarked for Human Settlements development. Almost one third of the households waste is collected bi-weekly and the remaining two-thirds are collected weekly. The NMBM is in the process of converting all bi-weekly refuse collection to a weekly service by June 2016.
2. Yes, there were instances of late removal of waste since 1 January 2015.
(a) The capacity to render efficient Waste Collection Services is often hampered by breakdowns in refuse trucks due to ageing fleet and turnaround time on repairs and maintenance. This leads to refuse being collected later than usual, in certain communities. Nonetheless, the refuse is collected on the same day of refuse collection schedule even if it is late during the day.
(b) The NMBM has embarked on a process of recapitalisation of old fleet. New refuse trucks have been purchased and other trucks are scheduled to be purchased in the next financial year. In the meantime, the NMBM is hiring externally through the existing Municipal contract in order to supplement its service delivery demands.
11 April 2016 - NW739
Madisha, Mr WM to ask the Minister of Health
Whether the Government is pursuing a vigorous policy to detect glaucoma at an early stage so that medical help can be given before any lasting damage occurs; if not, why not; if so, what has been the situation year on year during the period 1 June 2009 to 29 February 2016?
Reply:
Yes, Government is pursuing a vigorous policy for the early detection of Glaucoma and provision of medical intervention for those who already have the condition. As part of Government’s response to the 1999 Vision 2020 Initiative of the World Health Organisation (WHO) and IAPB, guidelines for Eye Health were developed prioritising the five leading causes of blindness and visual impairment in South Africa, that is Cataract, Glaucoma, Diabetic retinopathy, Childhood blindness and Retractive errors. The following services/activities have taken place as part of a strategy to minimize the impact of eye health conditions and Glaucoma specifically:
- A symptom-based integrated clinical management Primary Care (PC101) guideline incorporates the detection and management of Glaucoma and other eye care conditions at a Primary Health Care (PHC) level;
- Eye Health has been integrated with all other programmes to ensure that eye health is addressed holistically and not as a vertical programme. This allows for the screening of Glaucoma on patients with conditions such as diabetes and hypertension;
- Every year, provinces organise a Glaucoma awareness week to raise awareness about the impact of Glaucoma. During the week, screening and health education on Glaucoma is provided. Different mainstream and social media are also utilised to educate the public on Glaucoma. In 2016, Glaucoma awareness week was commemorated during the week of the 6th to the 12th March 2016; and
- The following services are regularly provided at different facilities:
- Primary level - screening is conducted by PHC nurses, ophthalmic nurses and optometrists. Suspected cases of Glaucoma are referred to hospitals for further assessments and management;
- Secondary level – Ophthalmologists and Optometrists screen the eye and provide management for all Glaucoma cases that are detected. Low vision and rehabilitative services are provided to people whose vision has been irreparably damaged.
- Government has appointed a dedicated eye health person at the National Department of Health to prioritise eye health and develop strategies to eliminate avoidable blindness and visual impairment including the early detection of Glaucoma.
No records are available on specific year on year programmes run during the period 01 June 2009 to 29 February 2016.
END.
08 April 2016 - NW548
Cardo, Dr MJ to ask the Minister of Economic Development
Whether the Industrial Development Corporation is planning to restructure its debt; if not, why not; if so, (a) why, (b) what amount and (c) how?
Reply:
The Chief Executive Officer of the IDC was quoted in a local newspaper in February 2016, as noting that the IDC needs to restructure some of the debt that it holds.
This restructuring would be on the asset, not liability side of the IDC’s balance sheet, ie money owed to the Corporation by local companies.
The purpose of the debt restructuring is to assist IDC clients and business partners that are affected by the downturn in the macro-economic environment, particularly those that are negatively impacted by the slump in commodity prices. In this regard further details will be provided in my budget vote speech, or as soon as the IDC has completed the technical work on the matter.
-END-
08 April 2016 - NW365
Cardo, Dr MJ to ask the Minister of Energy
With reference to President Jacob G Zuma’s undertaking in his State of the Nation Address delivered on 12 February 2015, that the Government will set aside 30% of appropriate categories of state procurement for purchasing from Small, Medium and Micro-sized Enterprises (SMMEs), co-operatives, as well as township and rural enterprises, what percentage of the total procurement of (a) her department and (b) every entity reporting to her went to (i) SMMEs and (ii) co-operatives from 1 April 2015 up to the latest specified date for which information is available?
Reply:
a) The Department does support SMMEs, Co-operatives, as well as Township and rural enterprises through their procurement spent.
b) The procurement spent for SOEs was mainly on SMMEs and they are detailed below as follows.
Entity |
Report |
NNR |
15% of R51 million total Expenditure year to date on goods & services |
SANEDI |
R3,313770.00 being 19% of total cash and accrued operating expenses |
CEF |
R 3,847,260,039.37 spent on BBEE including SMME (CEF Group does not report specifically on SMMEs and Co-operatives or categories these suppliers separate from the BEE spend. |
NECSA |
37% of the total procurement spend (R 86 million) was spent on Qualifying Small Enterprises (QSEs= Annual revenue of less than 10 million 25% of the total procurement spend ( R 58 million ) was spent on Exempt Micro Enterprises (EME=Annual revenue of less that R 50 million ) NB: In terms of the BBBEE Act, SMME’s are now referred to as QSEs and EMEs. |
NERSA |
More than 40% of R60 million (NERSA’s procurement spend for 2015/16) went to service providers with a BBBEE Level 3 and above. |
NRWDI |
NRWDI is not yet operational; this is not applicable to the Institute. |
08 April 2016 - NW430
Van Dyk, Ms V to ask the Minister of Communications
(1)What percentage of the advertisements of the (a) (i) national and (ii) provincial government departments, and (b) all entities reporting to the specified departments, was distributed to community media such as (aa) community radio stations, (bb) community print media, (cc) community television stations and (dd) small commercial publications during the period 1 July 2015 to 31 January 2016; (2) why, with reference to her reply to question 3806 on 21 December 2015, did the Government Communications and Information System only spend money on advertising in community radio stations, and not in all other forms of community media as detailed above, if not, why not, if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1. During the period 1 July 2015 to 31 January 2016, GCIS placed advertisements to the value of R153 138 655.73 on behalf of its clients (national and provincial departments and entities reporting to these departments). R22 187 761.61 of this advertising expenditure was allocated to community media (community radio stations, community print media, community television stations and small commercial publications), representing 14% of the allocated budget. A detailed breakdown follows below:
(a)(i) 13% of advertising allocated by national departments as listed in the accompanying table
(ii) 12% of advertising allocated by provincial departments as listed in the accompanying table
(b) 18% of advertising allocated by all entities reporting to specified departments as listed in the accompanying table
2. Community media offers government the opportunity to direct communications messages at specific and highly localised audiences. Whilst this is adequate for tactical interventions on community print or community television, interactive campaigns requiring the targeting of multiple communities simultaneously are best suited to community radio.
The Government Communication and Information System primarily focuses on such high reach multi-site campaigns which often use interactive phone-in community radio programmes. In this advertising format, a minimum of 75 community radio stations are connected via satellite to enable a single interview to be broadcast to multiple community radio stations. In turn, listeners resident in the broadcast footprint of any of the participating community radio stations can call in to the GCIS studio and interact live with the studio guests.
This capability is not available on other forms of community media as detailed in the question.
MR D LIPHOKO
[ACTING] DIRECTOR GENERAL
GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION SYSTEM
DATE:
MS AF MUTHAMBI, MP
MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS
DATE:
08 April 2016 - NW499
Van Dalen, Mr P to ask the Minister of Energy
What progress has been made to date by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) to implement marginal cost-based electricity tariffs in the country? 2) Whether Nersa employs a geographically differentiated marginal cost-based cost-of-supply methodology in this regard; if not, what steps are being taken to prepare such a methodology; if so, what are the relevant details? NW553E
Reply:
- NERSA does not use the marginal cost based method for electricity tariffs but rather the revenue requirement method. The Electricity Regulation Act requires that NERSA allow an efficient operator to recover its cost plus a reasonable return. This method is applied fully for Eskom. In case of Municipalities, this method has just been approved for implementation. It has therefore not been applied for municipal regulation. The cost of supply studies will be performed by municipalities and submitted to NERSA for review and consideration when municipal tariff applications are considered.
- Please refer to (1) above.
08 April 2016 - NW806
Van Dyk, Ms V to ask the Minister of Communications
(a) What was the purpose of her attendance at the 2016 World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland from 7 to 10 March 2016, (b) what are the (i) names and (ii) positions of the persons who accompanied her and (c) what was the (i) total cost and (ii) breakdown of the costs of the specified trip?
Reply:
(a) Minister was not invited to the World Economic Forum in Davos.
(b) (i) not applicable
(ii) not applicable
(c) (i) not applicable
(ii) not applicable
MR NN MUNZHELELE
DIRECTOR GENERAL [ACTING]
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS
DATE:
MS AF MUTHAMBI (MP)
MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS
DATE
08 April 2016 - NW571
Van Dalen, Mr P to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
Whether, with reference to his reply to question 4094 on 8 December 2015, the requested information has been received from the metropolitan municipalities; if so, when will the specified information be made available?
Reply:
a) The department is only responsible for managing the local government equitable share which provides for the subsidization of the provision of basic services to poor households. In the Local Government Equitable Share formula a monthly household income equal to two old age pensioners’ grant of R2 300 per month is used to define the formula’s affordability threshold. It should be noted that the threshold is not an official poverty line or a required level to be used by municipalities in their own indigent policies. However, should municipalities choose to provide fewer households with free basic services than they are funded for through the local government equitable share, their budget documentation should clearly indicate why they have made this choice and how they have consulted with their community during the budget process.
b) With regard to the Local Government Equitable Share (LGES) formula, the basic services component of the formula provides for the subsidisation of the provision of basic services to poor households. The subsidy includes funding for the provision of free basic water (6 kiloliters per household per month), energy (50 kilowatt-hours per household per month) and sanitation and refuse (based on the service levels as defined national policy). The basic services component provides a subsidy of R313.76 per month in 2015/16 for the cost of providing basic services to each of these households. The monthly amount provided to each service is provided in the Explanatory Memorandum to the 2015 Division of Revenue Bill.
c) According to the STATSSA Non-Financial Census released in August 2015, the total nationwide number of indigent households registered with municipalities is 3 482 260. The table below captures registered indigent households per metro:
Table 1: Total Number of Indigent Households Registered in each Metropolitan Municipality
Province |
Metropolitan Municipality |
Indigent Households |
Gauteng |
City of Johannesburg |
288, 209 |
Tshwane |
96, 883 |
|
Ekurhuleni |
36,526 |
|
Free State |
Mangaung |
20, 105 |
KwaZulu Natal |
Ethekwini |
589, 605 |
Eastern Cape |
Buffalo City |
61, 960 |
Nelson Mandela Bay |
85,022 |
|
Western Cape |
City of Cape Town |
288, 724 |
Total |
1,467,034 |
d) The basic services component of the local government equitable share is worth
R33.3 billion in 2015/16 financial year and accounts for 74.9 per cent of the total value of the local government equitable share.
e)
-
-
- The eligibility for indigent subsidy is determined via application. All households who qualify in terms of the criteria set by the municipality visit municipal offices and/ or other registration points established by the municipality to complete and lodge applications for subsidy consideration.
- The eligibility for indigent subsidy is not determined automatically via Property valuation. Instead, it is determined via application process as in (i) above. Property valuation is just but one of the many targeting methods that municipalities can use to target indigent households as spelt out in the national indigent Policy framework and the implementation guidelines.
-
08 April 2016 - NW442
Carter, Ms D to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
(1)Whether her department had requested any urgent meeting with the United States (US) Embassy or with the Secretary of State, Mr John Kerry to furnish proof of the embassy fomenting insurrection with a view to achieving a regime change in South Africa; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) whether she will make a statement on the role of the US government through its embassy?
Reply:
1. No.
South Africa enjoys a strong cordial relationship with the US. Various channels of communication are open for both sides should they see the need to discuss any issue. The two Ministers normally do so under the auspices of Strategic Dialogue which they co-chair.
2. No.
UNQUOTE