Questions and Replies

Reply:

The Presidency and the Department of Planning Monitoring and Evaluation did not buy advertising space in The New Age newspaper in the period in question.

Reply:

(1) My department draws from models designed in collaboration academic and research institutions within the Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management fields. These institutions provide climate projections for long term adaptation and mitigation scenarios to assist the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) on the development of short – long term planning and strategies. Furthermore, the department in collaboration with the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) commissioned a research on “Sensitivity of crop suitability to climate change in South Africa” which addressed the potential shift of climate regions over South Africa and the potential shifts in crop production areas, driven by projected changes in temperature and rainfall.

The product of these models is disseminated on monthly basis to alert farmers on the seasonal forecast as well as suggested measures/strategies to prevent and mitigate against the impact of hazards and disasters under the auspices of the National Agro-meteorological Committee (NAC) chaired by DAFF. These contribute in the implementation of disaster risk management measures founded on prevention and mitigation as provided for under the Disaster Management Act, 2002 (Act No. 57 of 2002).

2. My department draws from models designed in collaboration academic and research institutions within the Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management fields. DAFF utilises the products of the models to advise the agricultural sector to plan ahead as well as the required measures in their farming practices. Furthermore, the daily extreme weather warnings issued to the agricultural sector are aimed at assisting farmers to be prepared for the pending hazards on the short-term for prevention and mitigation to ensure minimal impact to the sector.

3. As stated on items 1 and 2 above, the department issues advisories and warning messages to the farming sector as received from expert agencies such as SAWS and the ARC. As you will recall, the press release issued by DAFF on 3 November 2015 already reported on heat waves that occurred in September and October 2015 and provided advice on mitigation measures. This press statement further indicated the expected above normal temperatures and farmers were advised to implement precautionary measures to mitigate the impact associated therewith. The NAC Advisories further emphasised these conditions on monthly basis including the provision of precautionary measures. The NAC meeting held on 17 February 2016 deliberated on the observed weather conditions including on the above average temperatures where provinces were further advised to encourage the farmers to implement precautionary measures to mitigate these conditions. The outcomes of this meeting will be circulated to all involved including to the farmer organisations.

4. The mandate on climate resides with the Minister of Environmental Affairs. My Department is a user department. The department’s response to climate change in terms of the Sector Plan alluded to above is geared at addressing climate change across the country in line with national, regional and international frameworks. Based on the long term prediction scenarios, DAFF developed Climate Change Sector Plan for the implementation of an effective climate change adaptation and mitigation programme for the sector in compliance with the National Climate Change Response White Paper (NCCRWP, 2012) and in conformity with the Disaster Risk Management system. Some provinces have also developed climate change plans for their local scenarios which further assist in addressing the negative impact of climate change.

Climate change is a cross cutting issue and affects us all hence the need for the involvement of all role players and relevant stakeholders.

Reply:

No

(a) Not applicable

(b) Not applicable

(c) Not applicable

Reply:

Yes the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has completed the development of the Agricultural Drought Management Plan. The plan will form part of the strategic and/or overarching Agricultural Disaster Risk Management Plan.

(b) (i) The draft Agricultural Drought Management Plan went through the sectoral consultative process and was finalised is currently going through the departmental processes or/and structures for approval to become a policy document.

ii) The draft plan is currently being implemented whilst waiting for all the structures/processes to be completed for approval as policy document. The implementation of the plan is as per the draft Agricultural Disaster Risk Management Plan Disaster Management Act, act 57 of 2002, Disaster Management Amendment Act, act 16 of 2015, and the Disaster Management Framework of 2005 mandate and prescripts, in line with agricultural production related policies and with the Climate Change Sector Plan for agriculture.

Reply:

1. (a) The students of the Vukani Aviation Project have not been abandoned as the Department is in the process of sourcing an alternate school for the cadets. To date presentations have been received from flying schools and the Department is in the process of finalising the selection of an alternate school.

(b) The Department is in contact with the students, informing and updating them of the progress made in securing alternative training with the last being on 4 January 2016.

2. (a) Yes, the students have always been assured that the Department has their interests at heart and that they will be awarded an opportunity to complete their respective training.

(b) The Department has on several occasions during meetings held with the students expressed its displeasure surrounding the circumstances that emerged from this project and have assured the cadets that this matter will be finalised in their favour. The Department has fully and comprehensively explained the situation to the students.

3. The contract between Vukani Aviation and the Department ended in December 2015, and the service provider is in the process of submitting a closeout report. It is important to note that payments to service providers are only processed on performance and delivery of programmes. Upon receiving the closeout report, the Department will determine whether there is any amount owed to the service provider.

4. The training provider has been fully accredited by the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) and the Department believes that only SACAA has the authority to take legal steps against the training provider if any air safety regulations have been flouted.

5. This matter lies within the competency of SACAA and it is suggested that this question be directed to SACAA.

 

Compiler/contact persons:

Contact number:

DIRECTOR – GENERAL

STATUS:

DATE:

REPLY TO QUESTION 338 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED

Dr BE NZIMANDE, MP

MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

STATUS:

DATE:

Reply:

a) At an emergency maize meeting held on 8 December 2015, it was agreed that if weather conditions did not improve, a formal industry-wide meeting should be held on 15 January 2016, to evaluate the impact of the drought, particularly on the production of maize; to acknowledge the necessity of industry cooperation in dealing with the situation; and, to reach consensus on actions required to address the looming shortage of food in the country.

Therefore, one of the actions strongly supported, was to release a production forecast for the new season a month earlier (during January 2016), because a reliable official estimate of inter alia the size of the expected maize crop, was required (as a result of the drought situation) in order for industry to plan properly. Kindly note that the Crop Estimates Committee (CEC) has traditionally released a preliminary area planted to summer grain crops estimate for the new season during January.

b) At the follow-up emergency maize meeting held on 15 January 2016, where about 70 Maize Steering Committee Members/Industry role-players/Interested parties were present, it was decided to send a formal request to the Department and the national Crop Estimates Committee, which falls under the auspices of the DAFF, to release a crop estimate prior to the traditional first estimate in February 2016.

Also, at this meeting, it was noted that an earlier crop estimate would assist the Grains and Oilseeds Supply and Demand Estimates Committee, under the auspices of the NAMC, to release information on the availability of maize regarding the new marketing season, which commences on 1 May 2016, a bit earlier.

c) Since this is the first time that the CEC has released a preliminary production forecast during January, and no previous data sets exist to compare it against, the CEC is not in a position to comment on the reliability of such an early forecast. However, it should be noted that the Crop Estimates Liaison Committee, an oversight body over the CEC, has set a norm for the CEC to be within 8% for the 1st to the 4th estimate from the final crop size; and to be within 5% for the 5th to 8th estimate from the final crop size.

In considering the accuracy of the estimates of the Crop Estimates Committee over the past 5 seasons, the Committee was (except for 2014) always within the required norm of 8% for the February estimate vs the final crop size.

Season	Estimate within the required norm of 8% from the (actual) crop size.
2010	+0,5%
2011	+6,6%
2012	-3,4%
2013	+4,6%
2014	-11,0%
2015	-2,9%

Furthermore, the preliminary production forecast released in January 2016, was exclusively based on information provided by farmers, with no inputs from other role-players.

Reply:

(a) The Department of Higher Education and Training appointed Nexus Forensic Services on 23 September 2015 to conduct an investigation into allegations of fraud and corruption in the allocation of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme loans and bursaries at ten identified public higher education as well as Technical and Vocational Education and Training institutions.

(b) (i) The investigation is expected to be concluded within a period of 12 months from the date of the appointment of Nexus Forensic Services.

(ii) The forensic investigation is conducted within the legal framework of the Constitution and applicable legislation, taking into account any limitations in order not to infringe individual rights. Once the report has been received and after applying due diligence, a decision will be made on releasing of the report.

 

 

Compiler/contact persons:

Ext:

DIRECTOR – GENERAL

STATUS:

DATE:

REPLY TO QUESTION 331 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED

Dr BE NZIMANDE, MP

MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

STATUS:

DATE:

Reply:

1. No SANS for e-tolling has been declared a legal metrology regulation. SANS1795-5 specifies mechanical, electrical and operational requirements for data capturing and recording equipment that is intended for road traffic law enforcement and prosecution purposes. The scope of SANS1795-5 does not include legal metrology requirements. In addition, SANS1795-5 is required to be read in conjunction with SANS1795-0. The scope of SANS1795-0 also refers to mechanical, electrical and operational requirements for speed measuring equipment and associated speed measuring systems that are intended for traffic law enforcement and prosecution purposes. Therefore in the opinion of the dti neither SANS 1795 5 or 0 is not valid and applicable to the Gauteng e-tolling instruments.

Legally, the declaration of the SANS is guided by the requirements set in Section 22 (2) c of the Legal Metrology Act until such time regulations are developed.

2. SANS 1795-5 has not been declared applicable for e-tolling instruments. SANS is referenced in the Road Traffic Safety Act which the National Department of Transport (NDoT) is the custodian of. Therefore the regulatory authority responsible for legally declaring SANS 1795-5 mandatory or compulsory including its enforcement would be NDoT.

Reply:

Yes the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has completed the development of the strategic and/or overarching Agricultural Disaster Risk Management Plan.

a) The draft strategic and/or overarching plan went through the sectoral consultative process and was finalised. It is currently going through the departmental processes or/and structures for approval to become a policy document.

b) The draft plan is currently being implemented whilst waiting for all the structures/processes to be completed for approval as policy document. The implementation of the plan is as per Disaster Management Act, act 57 of 2002, Disaster Management Amendment Act, act 16 of 2015, and the Disaster Management Framework of 2005 mandate and prescripts, in line with agricultural production related policies and with the Climate Change Sector Plan for agriculture.

Reply:

(a) The Department of Basic Education has not spent money on advertising in The New Age newspaper,

i) N/A

ii) N/A

(b) The Department of Basic Education has not spent money on advertising in The New Age newspaper,

i) N/A

ii) N/A

(c) The Department of Basic Education has not spent money on advertising in The New Age newspaper,

i) N/A

ii) N/A

Reply:

a) The National Agrometeorological Committee released 12 reports every year.

b) The purpose of each report is to update the agricultural sector on the seasonal climate forecast for the specific period as well as the strategies to be implemented in line with the expected rainfall and temperature conditions since the South African Weather Service updates the seasonal climate forecast.

c) The information was distributed through e-mails to the Provincial Departments of Agriculture (Head of Departments, provincial management and disaster risk management coordinators) and Organized Agriculture amongst others, for further dissemination to the farming communities. The information was further distributed and discussed with the farmers during awareness campaigns on disaster risk management, roving seminars on impacts of weather and climate to agriculture as well as farmers days organized by province. In addition, the information is disseminated during uptake of early warning information meetings in the provinces. Furthermore, the extension officers continue to discuss the advisories with the farmers as part of their scheduled meetings including facilitation of study groups.

Reply:

1. The Department has developed draft amendments to the Older Person’s Act 13 of 2006. Consultations were done in provinces during the past year.

In terms of the legislative process, the provincial departments and interested NGOs will make inputs again once the draft Bill has been gazetted for public comments and during public hearing conducted through Parliamentary processes.

2. The time frames for feedback will be determined in the gazette itself.

3. The finalised draft Bill will be submitted to Parliament by 31 March 2017.

Reply:

(1) (a)(i) and (ii). The procedures to be followed to obtain concessions and accommodations for learners in all grades, at school, are outlined in the Policy on Screening, Identification, Assessment and Support (SIAS) of 2014. Once a learner has been identified as needing additional support, the class teacher can apply a range of curriculum support mechanisms as outlined in the Support Needs Assessment Form 2 (SNA 2). One of these support mechanisms is to apply accommodations in assessment. Decisions on how the school will co-ordinate these accommodations are co-ordinated by the School-Based Support Team and tracked through the Individual Support Plan that has been developed for learners who have additional support needs. All decisions on how accommodations are applied in School-Based Assessment and Exams must be approved by the District-Based Support Teams.

(b)(i) and (ii) (aa) and (bb) The procedures for administration of concessions and accommodations in the conduct of any tests or examinations related to the National Senior Certificate, including examinations conducted by Provincial Education Departments, are outlined in Annexure C1 of National Policy Pertaining To The Conduct, Administration And Management Of The National Senior Certificate Examination (2014). The Policy outlines who is eligible to apply for accommodations and concessions, which mechanisms are available, what procedures should be followed to submit an application and which structures and officials are responsible for verifying and approving the application. The Policy states that “the assessment of the learner must be verified and confirmed by the District-Based Accommodation/Concessions Committee. Together, the School-Based and the District Based Accommodation/Concessions Committee will determine the form and level of support required. The information on the prescribed forms plus the necessary documentation compiled by professional experts, must be submitted to the Provincial Accommodation/Concessions Committee (established by the Head of Department) where, if approved, the necessary support will be captured on the Assessment and Examinations IT System.”

(2) Yes. The appeal process is outlined in Paragraph 2 (8) of Annexure C1 of National Policy Pertaining To The Conduct, Administration And Management Of The National Senior Certificate Examination (2014) which states that “an accommodation/concession decision may be appealed to the Head of the Provincial Education Department within two months of receipt of the original decision.” The Department reserves the right to request further assessment, if necessary.

(3) Provincial guidelines on the administration of the accommodations are being used by Provincial Education Departments. A National Guideline that aligns and co-ordinates all procedures are currently being finalised by the DBE. Training of officials at all levels of the system on the SIAS Policy, is in progress and includes the administration of accommodations in assessment. The training on the Guidelines on Accommodations, to be conducted by the DBE in 2016, together with the monitoring by the DBE will ensure that there is uniform application of this Policy.

(4) (a) Officials who serve on the District-Based Support Teams that review all applications, should be appropriately qualified specialist professionals such as education psychologists or learning support specialists.

(b) Provinces have conducted training on the administration of the Policy. This training will be extended and improved during the national training programme that will be conducted in 2016 as mentioned in Paragraph 3.

Reply:

The information is tabulated hereunder:

	2012-13	2013-14	2014-15
(i)	O times	Two adverts - once	One advert - once
(ii)	R0	R 521,887.44	R 126,840.96

The placement of the adverts on the New Age Newspaper for the respective years was on the following matters:

2013-14:

• Duplicate ID Case Resolution Campaign
• Government Plan on the Extension of Working Hours During Festive Season at Ports of Entry.

 

2014-15:

• Multimedia Campaign to intensify Communication on the National Population Registration Campaign (NPRC).

It, however, must be noted that the department has similarly also bought advertising space on the above matters in other newspapers such as The Star and Beeld during the respective 2013-14 and 2014-2015 financial years.

Reply:

(a) There are no lawyers (i) who have been reported to the law society and (ii) successfully prosecuted for (aa) hiding the must-mediate requirement of section 6(4) of the Children’s Act, 2005 (Act No. 38 of 2005), from their divorcing clients and (bb) for selling a litigation strategy. A relationship between a client and his or her legal representative is privileged and therefore it is not possible for the Department to be aware of the conducts in question unless it is reported to the Department by either the clients or some other whistle blower who has inside information. In this regard, no cases have so far been reported to the Department. (b) The protection of children involved in a divorce is regulated by section 6 of the Divorce Act, 1979 (Act No. 70 of 1979) section 4 of the Mediation in Certain Divorce Matters Act, 1987 (Act No. 24 of 1987). It is therefore not necessary for this matter to be regulated under the Children’s Act.

Reply:

The Department does not have any frozen vacant positions. The organizational structure was approved in May 2015 and newly created posts are filled according to prioritization.

(a) Not applicable

(b) Not applicable

(c) Not applicable

Reply:

The Minister of Social Development was involved in various Departmental and outreach programmes during the 2015/16 financial year. The additional funding allocated as part of the 2015 Adjusted Estimates process, was mainly for the following activities:

May 2015

• Post National Council of Provinces (NCOP) budget vote event, in Parliament, CPT
• Opening of an ECD, KwaLanga CPT
• DSD NCOP Budget vote
• Post NCOP Budget vote, Parliament, CPT
• MINMEC meeting
• Child Protection Week Activities

June 2015

• Opening address on the Day of the Africa Child
• International Day on Families
• DSD youth day celebration

July 2015

• International Day Against Substance Abuse, Eersterust ,PTA
• World Population Day

August 2015

• Launch of Cooperatives, Popo Molefe Informal Settlement, Rustenburg
• Launch of Food Security programme, Free State

September 2015

• National Summit on Social Development White paper, Boksburg
• 70th session of the UN general debate, at General assembly, NY (New York)

October 2015

• Active Ageing Programme
  • International day to Old Persons
  • Grandparents day
  • Ministerial Luncheon with Gauteng struggle veterans
  • 3rd National Parliament for Older Persons
  • 1st National Choir Festival
  • AGM of South African Older Persons Forum/ Conference of Older Persons

November 2015

• HIV/Aids Awareness Campaign
• Disability Month activities
• Launch of Community Nutrition and Development Centers (CNDC’s)
• Meetings of Minster and MEC (MINMEC)
• Various provincial Mikondzo Imbizos (DSD Services)
• 7th African Population Conference

December 2015

• Anti – Substance Abuse Festival Campaign, Durban

Reply:

1. The docket is under investigation.

The post mortem as well as toxicology reports are outstanding.

The Investigation Officer is still tracing independent witnesses in this case.

2. Identified suspects were interviewed in the presence of their attorney and they indicated to remain silent. Their attorney will submit their explanation in court.

3. Three suspects have been arrested.

(4) This incident happened on 13 November 2015 at 01:00 when the deceased was caught during the Burglary at Charles Metlhape’s place. The community was mobilized and the deceased was assaulted by the community during his apprehension. The police rescued him from the mob and took him to the George Mukhari hospital where he passed away on 18 November 2015. Although witnesses pointed out the three main suspects during this incident, the Senior Public Prosecutor still needs independent witnesses. The post mortem and the other expert statements are outstanding and not yet ready for collection. There are currently five housebreaking cases outstanding against the deceased and he was supposed to appear in court on these charges on 3 February 2016. The outstanding documents will be collected as soon as they are ready.

Reply:

The Department of Public Enterprises has not bought advertising space in The New Age in the (a) 2012-13, (b) 2013-14 and (c) 2014-15 financial years.

(a) 2012-2013

(i) None

(ii) None

(b) 2013-2014

(i) None

(ii) None

(c) 2014-2015

(i) None

(ii) None

 

 

Reply:

In general there is no high influx of clients seeking unabridged certificates (UBC) at our offices. No long queues are experienced solely for the purposes of UBCs at any of our offices in the provinces. The only exception was during the past festive season and we envisage the same during holidays/ peak travel season. However, letters in lieu of Unabridged Birth Certificates are issued to clients who applied and did not receive the Unabridged Birth Certificates for travelling purposes within our turnaround time.

Applications taken are captured daily to improve turnaround time. All the queries received, including those for Unabridged Birth Certificates, are attended to on the spot and clients are not turned away due to this department not being able to process their certificates.

Reply:

Yes, Eskom will be in a position to acquire additional coal fired power station capacity.

Eskom’s current level of debt at 31 December 2015 is R333 billion. The approved borrowing program contained in the 2015/16 Corporate Plan amounts to R237 billion. Consequently it is envisaged that the Eskom debt will exceed R350 billion over the next 5 years.

The 2015/16 Corporate Plan in addition makes provision for Eskom to continue with the Medupi, Kusile and Ingula Build Program that will add in excess of 9600 megawatt of additional capacity into the electricity grid.

The future nuclear build program will be dependent on an appropriate funding model being developed by Eskom and Government.

Reply:

I have been advised the South African Post Office (SAPO) as follows:-

1. (a) The Bryanston Post Office was on a 3-year lease.

(b) The lease was signed on 2015/10/09 for Retail, Mail delivery lease is in circulation for signature

(c) Rental is as follows: Retail= R89 877.60 per month, mail delivery = R147 507.16 per month

(i) Commenced on 2011/11/01 and expired on 2014/10/30, the renewal delayed due to negotiations;

2. According to the landlord the following amounts are overdue and SAPO is busy with its reconciliation of the outstanding amounts as it is not in full agreement:

(a) Mail delivery R422 609.47, Retail R18 703.23, Total due R441 312.70, all-inclusive and

(b) Amounts include utilities;

3. Mail has been retrieved. The equipment is still on site. The landlord will only release the equipment once the payment is made in full.

4. No settlement arrangements have been made because SAPO is currently doing a reconciliation of the outstanding amounts.

Reply:

I have been advised by the Department as follows:-

(a) Nil

(b) Nil

(c) Nil

Reply:

1) The table below represents the number of full-time candidates who registered to write the 2015 supplementary examination:

Province	Total Entered
EASTERN CAPE	22 696
FREE STATE	4 168
GAUTENG	12 518
KWAZULU-NATAL	35 102
LIMPOPO	17 465
MPUMALANGA	7 097
NORTH WEST	4 043
NORTHERN CAPE	2 741
WESTERN CAPE	7 785
NATIONAL	113 615

Source: NSC Computerised Exam system as per 27/02/2016.

(2) Yes. The Department of Basic Education (DBE) launched the Second Chance Programme on 6 January 2016.

The programme will be implemented in three phases, of which phase I and II will be piloted in 2016:

1. Phase I – Support to learners who qualified to write the Supplementary examinations in February/March 2016;
2. Phase II – Support to progressed learners who opted to modularise and therefore did not attempt all 6 subjects in the 2015 October/November examinations, and who will write the May/June 2016 examinations; and
3. Phase III - Support to candidates who did not meet all the requirements of the National Senior Certificate (NSC) and who will register to write the October/November examinations. This phase will be planned for in 2016, and implemented in 2017.

The pilot provides support as follows:

1. Face to face classes in two districts per province and in two venues per district chosen by the provinces;
2. The subjects offered for the pilot are Mathematics, Mathematical Literacy, Physical Science, Life Sciences, Accounting, Geography, Business Studies and Economics;
3. Broadcast solutions – at venues where the Mindset content may be viewed via satellite on the HD Open View decoders;
4. Internet – Vodacom Centres/ teacher centres – learners may access content via the Vodacom website or the Department of Basic Education (DBE) website where the telematics and Internet Broadcasting Programme (IBP) video lessons, amongst others, are available, at no cost to the learner;
5. Any learner who is a Vodacom subscriber may access all material via the Vodacom website www.vodacom.co.za/e-school, at no cost to the learner; 
6. A Face book page – Second Chance Programme has been created for learners to request information or support. Subject specialists will provide answers; and
7. All lists of available access points as indicated are available on the DBE website www.education.gov.za with the Second Chance Link.

Reply:

(1)(a) & (b) No, after comparing cases of corruption identified by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate and the criminal audit conducted in the South African Police Service (SAPS) that identified 1448 members with criminal records, no link could be established between the records. The criminal audit considered criminal offences committed by members up to 2009, whilst the Independent Police Investigative Directorate only came into effect in April 2012.

(2) The information that is required is not readily available as each case must be verified before the information can be submitted. A request is hereby made for an extension in order for us to provide quality and correct information as soon as it is received.

Reply:

No teaching days were lost due to strike action in (a) 2011; (b) 2012; (c) 2013; (d) 2014 and (e) 2015.

Reply:

(a)(i) Drug raids

(aa) 2015-01-01 to 2015-12-31	(bb) 2016-01-01 to 2016-02-15
191	29

 

(a)(ii) Arrests

2015-01-01 to 2015-12-31	2016-01-01 to 2016-02-15
316	63

(a)(iii) Convictions

2015-01-01 to 2015-12-31	2016-01-01 to 2016-02-15
04	00

(b) What (i) type and (ii) amount of drugs were confiscated in each case?

2015
TYPE (i)	Amount (ii)
Cannabis / Dagga	7 360.46 grams
Cannabis / Dagga plants	12 grams
Cocaine Powder	160.6 grams
Crack Cocaine / Rocks	57.5 grams
Crystal Meth (Tik Tik)	83.5 grams
Heroine / Thy white	37.3 grams
Khat	97.2 grams
Methcathinone	20.8 grans
Nyaope	34.6 grams
Chemichals to manufacture drugs	38.700 grams
Mandrax (tablets)	74 grams

2016
TYPE (i)	Amount (ii)
Cannabis / Dagga	5 344.02 grams
Cocaine Powder	1 110.5 grams
Crack Cocaine / Rocks	26 grams
Crystal Meth (Tik Tik)	52 grams
Heroine / Thy white	2.9 grams
Khat	420 grams
Nyaope	23.8 grams
Mandrax powder	24 grams
Mandrax (tablets)	24 grans
Dagga plant	1 gram

Reply:

Yes, I have entered into a performance agreement with the President.

The Performance Management Framework for Ministers is the Medium Term Strategic Framework (MTSF) for 2014-2019, which is the first 5 year implementation plan of the National development Plan (NDP) 20130. The performance targets and indicators are derived from the 14 Outcomes which government seeks to achieve.

These outcomes and targets constitute government’s Programme of Action (POA), against which performance is tracked and reported at least on a quarterly basis. POA reports are publicly available on the government’s website and sets out progress made in meeting the key indicators and targets.

Cabinet closely monitors the implementation of the NDP 2013/MTSF 2014-2019 through POA Reports. These reports are tabled before an Implementation Forum of a Cluster of Ministers collectively responsible for MTSF outcomes, and then submitted to Cabinet, where progress is noted, bottlenecks and obstacles to implementation are discussed and recommendations to address bottlenecks are considered and approved.

The annual report of the department provides more details on key progress made in addition to the information above.

-END-

Reply:

I have been advised the South African Post Office (SAPO) as follows:-

(a) The table below illustrates the age analysis of the outstanding amount of R127 080.00 on the Just Matric vendor.

VENDOR	AC	CURRENT	+ 30 DAYS	+60 DAYS	+120 DAYS	TOTAL
111 421	Just Matric	0.00	0.00	0.00	127 080.00	127 080.00

(b) SAPO is clearing the backlog of supplier payments which includes Just Matric. Payments will be made depending on cashflow improvements.

Reply:

Yes, an integrated and multi-disciplinary Tactical Response Plan was developed for implementation on 7 August 2015 at tactical level for the duration of the 2015/2016 financial year. The impact of the Tactical Response Plan will be assessed at the end of the 2015/2016 financial year.

Reply:

The process being undertaken by the Department involves detailed analysis of the various options that will facilitate the roll-out of broadband infrastructure and services in a cost effective and expedited manner whilst ensuring that there is value for money for Government. This will ensure that Government achieves its policy objectives of universal broadband services within the short period of time as outlined in the South Africa Connect targets.

Reply:

No, the disciplinary process against the Director-General Ms Rosey Sekese has not been finalised, and is ongoing. In order not to prejudice the disciplinary proceeding, full details will made available once the process is finalised.

Reply:

I have been advised by the South African Post Office (SAPO) as follows:-

The current account balance on the corresponding dates was as follows:

a) 30 November 2015: R 230 264 199 (OD)

b) 31 December 2015: R 181 495 765 (OD)

c) 31 January 2016: R 218 439 294 (OD)

Reply:

I have been advised the South African Post Office (SAPO) as follows:-

(1)(a) Fifteen (15) Post Office branches have been closed due to non-payment of rental.

(1)(b) The names and (c) amount owing in each case are listed below see the link:

www.pmg.org.za/files/RNW51-160229TABLE.docx

(2)(a) Of the (15) fifteen branches, (14) fourteen branches have been closed permanently, of which only (2) two have outstanding amounts owed. (1) One branch (the Bryanston West Depot) is still locked by the landlord requiring full settlement of the rental.

(2)(b) The outstanding amounts will be settled when there are cash flow improvements however, in the Bryanston Depot case, reconciliation of the outstanding amounts and escalations is in progress given that according to the landlord the total amount due is R 441 312.70, which does not reconcile with SAPO’s records.

(2)(c) The Bryanston Depot will be opened when the outstanding amounts are settled which is dependent on cash-flow improvements and the outcome of the reconciliation process. The Bryanston Post Office has in the interim been relocated to the Sloan Square Shopping Centre and is trading.

Reply:

I have been advised the South African Post Office (SAPO) as follows:-

The South African Post Office has not received any complaints from the Universal Postal Union (UPU). SAPO informed its international counterparts (international postal operators) about the impact of the strike in 2014 via the UPU platform.

Reply:

The Independent Police Investigative Directorate's (IPID) has costed and made a request during the 2015 Adjusted Estimates of National Expenditure (AENE) for an amount of R5 million as part of unforeseeable and unavoidable expenditure application in order to fully implement the Farlam Commission recommendations that were announced after the approval of the current financial year` budget. However, according to the National Treasury feedback communique of the 18 September 2016, the request was not approved by the Ministers` Committee on the Budget. Reference is made to paragraph 4 of the attached response by National Treasury.

Reply:

The South African Police Service promoted the following number of members to higher ranks as follows:

(1)(a)(i) 2013-2014

Sergeant: 6196

Warrant Officer: 1405

Lieutenant/Captain: 203

Major/Lieutenant Colonel: 267

Colonel: 53

Brigadier: 14

Major General: 2

Lieutenant General: 0

Total: 8140

(1)(a)(ii) 2014-2015:

Sergeant: 25

Warrant Officer: 248

Lieutenant/Captain: 566

Major/Lieutenant Colonel: 626

Colonel: 158

Brigadier: 67

Major General: 17

Lieutenant General: 4

Total: 1711

(1)(a)(iii) 2015-2016:

Sergeant: 3430

Warrant Officer: 3750

Lieutenant/Captain: 1854

Major/Lieutenant Colonel: 1004

Colonel: 173

Brigadier: 76

Major General: 22

Lieutenant General: 9

Total: 10318

Promotions for each individual rank were as follows:

(1)(a)(aa) Black:

Sergeant: 7552

Warrant Officer: 3809

Lieutenant/Captain: 2049

Major/Lieutenant Colonel: 1461

Colonel: 278

Brigadier: 117

Major General: 31

Lieutenant General: 12

Total: 15309

(1)(a)(bb) White:

Sergeant: 351

Warrant Officer: 1096

Lieutenant/Captain: 294

Major/Lieutenant Colonel: 233

Colonel: 65

Brigadier: 17

Major General: 4

Lieutenant General: 0

Total: 2060

(1)(a)(cc) Coloured:

Sergeant: 1642

Warrant Officer: 259

Lieutenant/Captain: 202

Major/Lieutenant Colonel: 133

Colonel: 21

Brigadier: 19

Major General: 3

Lieutenant General: 1

Total: 2280

(1)(a)(dd) Indian:

Sergeant: 106

Warrant Officer: 239

Lieutenant/Captain: 78

Major/Lieutenant Colonel: 70

Colonel: 20

Brigadier: 4

Major General: 3

Lieutenant General: 0

Total: 520

(2) No.

Reply:

I have been advised the South African Post Office (SAPO) as follows:-

1. (a) 149

(b)(i) Cost of delivery = R 31 543.30 (R 211.70 per unit including VAT)

(b)(ii) Cost of Installation = R 550 (VAT included) per unit

(c)(i)&(ii) The following (7) seven Installation Companies appointed by USAASA were utilised for the installations:

• AMIGEN INVESTMENT (PTY) LTD
  • DURAMICS TRADING & PROJECT T/A NAKA TELECOMMS SYSTEM ENGIN
• KETELELO TRADING CONCEPTS
• KROXWORX TRADING (PTY) LTD
• LAMEC TRADING (PTY) LTD
• MAZIYA GENERAL SERVICES CC
• SILVERWELL BUSINESS ENTERPRISE

(2)(a) 149

(2)(b) All the units were fully (100%) subsidised. The subsidy amount is approximately R1 500 per household. This includes the set top box, antenna and the installation costs.

(3) TV Licence Requirement Details:-

Yes. The TV licence verification process was streamlined via the SABC’s web portal confirmation process. A pending registration file process for the needy households that do not have TV licences or whose TV licence is in arrears has been introduced on the request of the Department of Communications during mid-October 2015. The total number of pending file registrations for the period ending 31 December 2015, amounted to 414 in total. The SABC’s decision on the way forward in this regard in awaited.

Reply:

The Ministry has not frozen any positions.

Reply:

The Department has not awarded contracts to Atul, Ajay and Rajesh Gupta in the (a) 2012-13, (b) 2013-14 and (c) 2014-15 financial years.

Reply:

I have been advised as follows:-

South African Post Office (SAPO)

(a) The President referred the SIU Report to myself for implementation. I in turn submitted it to the Board of the SAPO, with an instruction to comply with the recommendations made in the SIU Report. SAPO is in the process of implementing these recommendations.

(b) The SIU and SAPO are instituting a court process to have the Eco Point lease contract set aside.

(c) At least two matters are being dealt with by the SAPS and NPA:

i) The one matter involves a contravention of the Private Security Industry Regulation Act, 2001, which has been set down for hearing in early March 2016;

ii) The other matter involves Eco Point lease, where the SAPS indicated that it should be able to complete the investigation docket by the end of February 2016, where after the docket will go back to the assigned prosecutor. In this regard, the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) has secured an interim attachment of property to the value of approximately R 2 million. This case is defended and on-going.

Media Corner

(a) The SIU is in the process of finalising its report.

(b) The Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services and the SIU instituted civil proceedings against Media Corner (Pty) Ltd and others in the High Court (Gauteng Division) under case number 66037/14 in which the Department and the SIU are requesting the court to declare the tender worth approximately R756 million and the resulting contract unlawful and void ab initio. Since only approximately R58.7 million was paid to Media Corner to date, the Department and the SIU are also claiming approximately R12.7 million from Media Corner and requesting for a type of debating of accounts (to ascertain value for money) in respect of the remaining approximately R 46 million. This case is defended and on-going.

Seven recommendations for the institution of disciplinary proceedings against certain officials of the Department were referred to the Department. Two officials resigned. The Department is instituting disciplinary proceedings against the remaining officials and these have not been finalised and are on-going.

State Information Technology Agency (SITA)

(a)(i) & (b)(i) The SIU’s investigations are being conducted on the basis of the following Proclamations:

(1) The investigation mandated in terms Proclamation R. 48 of 2012:

This investigation has been concluded and a report has been submitted to the relevant authority but it has not yet been referred to us. However, the SIU informed us as follows;

• Evidence pointing to the commission of Fraud, forgery, and uttering of a false document, involving an invalid and/or false Tax Clearance Certificate submitted as part of bid documents i.r.o. the so-called “IFMS” contract was referred to the relevant Prosecuting Authority and is currently still be reviewed with a view to decide whether to proceed with prosecution.

• The above matter was also referred to the Asset Forfeiture Unit, who has commenced with certain investigations pending the outcome of the decision of the National Prosecuting Authority.

• A settlement was reached between the SIU, National Treasury, SITA and the supplier/IFMS contractor concerned (Accenture South Africa (Pty) Ltd) to the effect that:

(aa) The contract allocated to Accenture (to the value of R 223 585 246.00) would be terminated (due to having been procured and awarded on an irregular basis).

(bb) SITA would pay Accenture an additional amount of R 19 060 553.83 for work already completed but not yet paid for. At the time of the settlement, payments to the value of R 93 175 991.25 for work satisfactorily completed had already been made to Accenture.

(cc) The IFMS contract was therefore terminated and the balance of the of the contract amount (R 111 348 700.92) was listed as a saving as result of the termination of the agreement.

• The SIU has forwarded 26 disciplinary recommendations to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the SITA recommending that disciplinary action be instituted against the identified SITA officials for failing to comply with various SITA policies in respect of declaring their Conflict of Interest (in 22 instances) and for failing to comply with the provisions of section 57 of the PFMA (in 4 instances). The matter is currently still with SITA’s labour department for consideration of institution of disciplinary action
• As at 31 March 2014 a total of R 24 644 470.01 had been collected from other SITA debtors who were served with letters of demand issued by the SIU. In addition to serving the letters of demand, the SIU also assisted and interacted with debtors who requested information and invoices on accounts.

(2) The investigation mandated in terms of Proclamation R. 53 of 2014, as amended by Proclamation R. 15 of 2015.

• The one leg of this investigation (i.e. the one relating to an entity named iFirm) has largely been concluded. In respect of the remaining leg (pertaining to contracts entered into with IBM) significant progress has been made and a report is expected to be submitted to the President by end of June 2016.
• The SIU found and reported to SITA various irregularities with regard to the irregular award of the R265 million contract to an entity named iFirm. SITA thereupon instructed their own attorneys who, with the support and assistance of the SIU, lodged an application in the High Court, Gauteng Division, Pretoria, under case number, 2847/2016 to have the contract declared invalid. The case is still on-going.

The Department of Communications’ role in the ICT Indaba

(a) The SIU is in the process of finalising its report.

(b) Evidence pointing to the commission of an offence has been referred to the National Prosecuting Authority.

Universal Service and Access Agency of South Africa USAASA

(a) The SIU is in the process of finalising its report.

(b) The SIU instituted civil proceedings against Mr. Zami Nkosi, USAASA and others in the High Court (Gauteng Division) under case number 43250/14 in which the SIU is requesting the court to declare the appointment of Mr. Zami Nkosi as the Chief Executive Officer of the USAASA unlawful. This case is defended and on-going.

Reply:

The Chairperson of the Ministerial Task Team that probes the allegations of the selling of posts has provided the Minister with an interim report. The final report is envisaged to be made available at the end of February 2016, whereafter the Minister will implement the recommendations of the Ministerial Task Team.

Reply:

I have been advised by the Department as follows:-

(1)(a) The research and report on consultations was finalised in September 2015. The Department used the research and report on consultations to prepare a draft Rapid Deployment Policy. The draft Rapid Deployment policy has been incorporated into the National Integrated Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Policy White Paper as it provides support to policies and processes contained in the White Paper.

(1)(b)&(c) National Integrated ICT Policy White Paper Policy will be submitted to Cabinet for approval in March 2016.

(2)(a)(i)&(ii) The Department contracted the Government Technical Advisory Centre (GTAC), an agency of the National Treasury, established to provide advisory services, programme management, support high-impact government initiatives, and strengthen infrastructure planning to support the Department in the development of the Rapid Deployment Policy and Policy Directions on Electronic Facilities. Following a competitive bidding tender process run by GTAC with the involvement of the Department, Analysys Mason (Pty) Ltd, was appointed to liaise with stakeholders, conduct research and develop a draft rapid deployment policy.

(2)(b) The agreed upon deliverables and other project costs between the department and GTAC is R 4 996 732.00. GTAC has, to date, paid Analysys Mason, the service provider R 3 695 444.00.

(3)(a) Analysys Mason (Pty) Ltd, will not be further involved in both the finalisation and ratification of the policy because the Rapid Deployment Policy and Policy Directions have been incorporated into the ICT White Paper and will therefore not be finalised and ratified as a standalone policy.

Reply:

I have been advised the South African Post Office (SAPO) as follows:-

(1)(a) 62

(b)(i) Costs of delivery = R 14 768. 40 (R 238.20 per unit including VAT)

(ii) Cost of Installation =R 550 (VAT included) per unit

(c)(i)&(ii): The following 7 installation Companies appointed by USAASA were utilised for the installations:

• AMIGEN INVESTMENT (PTY) LTD
• DURAMICS TRADING & PROJECT T/A NAKA TELECOMMS SYSTEM ENGIN
• KETELELO TRADING CONCEPTS
• KROXWORX TRADING (PTY) LTD
• LAMEC TRADING (PTY) LTD
• MAZIYA GENERAL SERVICES CC
• SILVERWELL BUSINESS ENTERPRISE

(2)(a) 62

(b) All the units were fully (100%) subsidised. The subsidy amount is approximately R1 500 per household. This includes the set top box, antenna and the installation costs.

(3) TV Licence Requirement Details:-

Yes. The TV licence verification process was streamlined via the SABC’s web portal confirmation process. A pending registration file process for the needy households that do not have TV licence or whose TV licence is in arrears has been introduced on the request of the Department of Communications during mid-October 2015. The total number of pending file registrations for the period ending 31 January 2016 amounted to 447 in total. The SABC’s decision on the way forward in this regard is awaited.

(4)(a) All units delivered were in the Square Kilometre Array area.

(4)(b)(i) Number of subsidised units = 62 units

(4)(b)(ii) All the units were fully (100%) subsidised. The subsidy amount is approximately R1 500 per household. This includes the set top box, antenna and the installation costs.

(4)(c) The targeted rollout completion date is 2019, if required uptake materialises.

Reply:

I have been advised the South African Post Office (SAPO) as follows:-

(1)(a) The Post Office branch in the Westridge Mall was temporarily closed by the landlord due to rental arrears, and

(1)(b) The branch is currently operational, when it was temporarily closed, neighbouring post offices were used as contingency branches.

(2)(a) The Ennerdale South Post Office was running at a huge loss and was situated only 1.4 km from the Ennerdale Post Office, hence it was decided to close this Branch.

(2)(b) Ennerdale Post Office in only situated 1.4km from this branch and all operations have been moved to that branch without inconveniencing the clients.

Reply:

(a) (i) In 2011/12, (a) principals and (b) educators in each province resigned from their posts.

PROVINCE	(a)	(b)	GRAND TOTAL
	PRINCIPAL	DEPUTY PRINCIPAL	HOD	TEACHER
EASTERN CAPE	60	16	51	550	677
FREE STATE	17	7	32	269	325
GAUTENG	7	23	107	1 190	1 327
KWAZULU-NATAL	47	26	156	1 034	1 263
LIMPOPO PROVINCE	46	9	45	263	363
MPUMALANGA	11	6	17	147	181
NORTH WEST	18	6	20	150	194
NORTHERN CAPE	6	3	7	105	121
WESTERN CAPE	2	2	4	55	63
GRAND TOTAL	214	98	439	3 763	4 514

Source: Persal

(ii) In 2012/13, (a) principals and (b) educators in each province resigned from their posts.

PROVINCE	(a)	(b)	GRAND TOTAL
	PRINCIPAL	DEPUTY PRINCIPAL	HOD	TEACHER
EASTERN CAPE	50	12	67	532	661
FREE STATE	10	10	37	259	316
GAUTENG	37	32	171	1 153	1 393
KWAZULU-NATAL	93	39	217	1 274	1 623
LIMPOPO PROVINCE	26	12	39	246	323
MPUMALANGA	21	18	52	418	509
NORTH WEST	20	8	22	177	227
NORTHERN CAPE	5	2	12	106	125
WESTERN CAPE	7	7	30	400	444
GRAND TOTAL	269	140	647	4 565	5 621

Source: Persal

(iii) In 2013/14, (a) principals and (b) educators in each province resigned from their posts.

PROVINCE	(a)	(b)	GRAND TOTAL
	DEPUTY PRINCIPAL	HOD	PRINCIPAL	TEACHER
EASTERN CAPE	19	75	73	641	808
FREE STATE	14	51	20	301	386
GAUTENG	48	287	36	1 198	1 569
KWAZULU-NATAL	45	240	105	1 086	1 476
LIMPOPO PROVINCE	16	59	42	293	410
MPUMALANGA	20	96	30	449	595
NORTH WEST	17	47	22	214	300
NORTHERN CAPE	6	13	10	85	114
WESTERN CAPE	13	66	18	404	501
GRAND TOTAL	198	934	356	4 671	6 159

Source: Persal

(iv) In 2014/15, (a) principals and (b) educators in each province resigned from their posts.

PROVINCE	(a)	(b)	GRAND TOTAL
	PRINCIPAL	HOD	DEPUTY PRINCIPAL	TEACHER
EASTERN CAPE	166	192	34	1068	1460
FREE STATE	28	105	24	478	635
GAUTENG	44	442	77	1 639	2 202
KWAZULU-NATAL	96	227	46	936	1 305
LIMPOPO PROVINCE	104	135	38	750	1 027
MPUMALANGA	26	113	20	444	603
NORTH WEST	49	135	43	685	912
NORTHERN CAPE	33	44	9	160	246
WESTERN CAPE	5	35	17	178	235
GRAND TOTAL	545	1 428	308	6 338	8 619

Source: Persal

(v) In 2015/16, up to December 2015 (a) principals and (b) educators in each province resigned from their posts.

PROVINCE	(a)	(b)	GRAND TOTAL
	PRINCIPAL	HOD	DEPUTY PRINCIPAL	TEACHER
EASTERN CAPE	61	56	9	690	816
FREE STATE	12	25	11	324	372
GAUTENG	18	81	21	1 005	1 125
KWAZULU-NATAL	44	71	15	854	984
LIMPOPO PROVINCE	21	49	10	595	675
MPUMALANGA	7	13	8	224	252
NORTH WEST	5	21	7	249	282
NORTHERN CAPE	2	15	5	124	146
WESTERN CAPE	1	15	4	149	169
GRAND TOTAL	171	346	90	4 214	4 821

Source: Persal

Reply:

a) The delay was due to non-payment of Post Office outstanding fees, and now has been settled.

b) The facility has been activated at Post Office, there will be no further delays with regards to this service

Reply:

I have been advised by the Department as follows:-

The South African Post Office did not receive any revenue from the Universal Postal Union (UPU) in 2015.

Reply:

Due to the nature of the information that is required we are not able to provide the reply within the given time frame, as the documentation required to answer this question is not readily available and must be obtained from archives.The reply will be provided as soon as the information is obtained.