Questions and Replies

Reply:

(1)(a) Perjury

(1)(b) The docket was filed at the station on the 2012-03-29 as unfounded.

(2) No one was charged.

(3) Not applicable.

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:

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:-

(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:

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 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:

1. Information received from the Eastern Cape Department of Education indicates that the Miller Congregational (Primary) School in the Graaff-Reinet district in the Eastern Cape was closed down.

(a) The reason for its closure was that it had 17 learners from Grade 1 to Grade 7 and had one educator. The only educator was appointed as a Head of Department at Willowmore Secondary School. The school was therefore unviable as it did not have the minimum enrolment figures of 135 learners required in terms of the Regulations Relating to Minimum Norms and Standards for Public School Infrastructure.

(b) The school was closed down at the end of the second term on 26 June 2015.

(c) 17 Learners were affected by this closure.

(d) The Learners were transferred to Willowmore Primary School and are being accommodated in a School Hostel.

2. The requirements in terms of the South African Schools Act, Act 84 of 1996 were complied with in the process of closing the school.

Reply:

Yes, Minister is subject to Performance Agreements with the President.

(a) The Performance Management Framework for Minister is the Medium-Term Strategic Framework (MTSF) for 2014-2019, which is the first 5-year implementation plan of the National Development Plan (NDP) 2030. 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.

(b) To (e) Cabinet closely monitors the implementation of the NDP 2030/MTSF 2014-2019 through POA Reports. These reports are tabled before an implementation Forum of a Cluster of Ministers collectivity responsible for MTSF outcomes, and then submitted to Cabinet, where progress is noted, bottlenecks to implementation are discussed, and recommendations to address bottlenecks are considered and approved.

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:

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:

The case docket is at the National Director for Public Prosecutions for decision. The decision is not yet made.

Reply:

I have been advised by the Department as follows:-

(a) Nil

(b) Nil

(c) Nil

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:

(a) 2012-13: No

(b) 2013-14: No

(c) 2014-15: No

Reply:

Yes, all Ministers are subject to Performance Agreements with the President.

(a) Key indicators and targets from the MTSF reflected in the Agreement:

Outcome	Key indicator
4	Tourism strategy interventions towards growth, employment creation and higher incomes for poor households underway.
	Develop and review realistic and sustainable strategy to grow output and employment and improve equality, support alignment across the state, manage monitoring of actions, address blockages and identify new opportunities and risks as they arise.
	Sector and cross cutting interventions towards growth, employment creation and higher incomes for poor households underway in specified jobs drivers.
7	Differentiated plans for economic development in targeted areas of economic potential in rural areas completed.
	Number of rural enterprises in rural district municipalities established.
	Number of new industries in rural district municipalities established.
	Number of people employed in rural enterprises.
	Percentage of enterprises in rural district municipalities supported.
	Percentage of existing industries in rural district municipalities supported.
11	Increase international tourism revenue contribution to the economy.
	Increased international tourist arrivals.

(b) Performance is presented to Cabinet on a quarterly basis.

(c) to (e) Refer to the department’s Quarterly and Annual Reports.

Reply:

Yes, the Minister of Communications has signed the Performance Agreement with the President JG Zuma.

(a) The following indicators and targets are reflected in the Minister’s Performance Agreement:

Impact Indicators	Target 2019
Identity based on self-description	60% of population describing themselves as South Africans
Pride in being South African	75% of South African reflecting to be South African by 2018/19
Pride in our national sporting teams	66% percent of South Africans proud of our national sporting teams
A diverse broadcasting system that preserves informs and reflects the cultural heritage of all South Africans	70% of content reflects South Africans

b) Performance assessments are done on a quarterly basis, and presented to Cabinet.

c) The following is a synopsis of the progress made thus far:

Impact Indicators	Target 2019	Q3
Identity based on self-description	60% of population describing themselves as South	82% of population describe themselves as South Africans
Pride in being South African	75% of South African reflecting to be South African by 2018/19	96% of South African are proud to be South Africans
Pride in our national sporting teams	66% percent of South Africans proud of the national sporting teams	82% of South Africans are proud of the national sporting teams
A diverse broadcasting system that preserves informs and reflects the cultural heritage of all South Africans	70% of content reflects South Africans	70% of content reflects South Africans

d) None

e) Not applicable.

 

 

MR N MUNZHELELE

DIRECTOR GENERAL [ACTING]

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

MS AF MUTHAMBI (MP)

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE

Reply:

The Ministry has no frozen vacant positions.

Reply:

1. (a) By mutual agreement, Mr Thulani Nzima gave notice of his departure from South African Tourism with effect from 04 December 2015, following discussion with the Board.

(b) Ms Sthembiso Dlamini, the current COO has been appointed as the Acting CEO as of 05 December 2015.

(c) The Board is working on appointing a new CEO. The position was advertised in the SA Tourism social media platforms and the Sunday Times and City Press on 07 February 2016.

(2) In light of the findings of the Ministerial Review of the organisation, SA Tourism has undertaken an exercise to evaluate its Tourism Growth Strategy with the aim to bolster tourism’s contribution to the overall economy and job creation. The intervention is focused on reviewing the performance of South Africa as a tourism destination, understanding the key growth drivers and barriers, defining the goal of the organization and identifying the critical steps towards achieving that goal.

Reply:

(a) There are no frozen vacant positions in the Ministry.

(b) Not applicable.

(c) Not applicable.

 

 

 

MR NN MUNZHELELE

DIRECTOR GENERAL [ACTING]

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

MS AF MUTHAMBI (MP)

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE

Reply:

a) 2012-13: No

b) 2013-14: No

c) 2014-15: No

Reply:

1. No amendments to the Broadcasting Act, Act 4 of 1999 have been drafted for the waiver of TV Licenses.
2. The need for TV license as a requirement for recipients of the government subsidized set-top-boxes issue has been tabled by the DoC before

 

MR NN MUNZHELELE

DIRECTOR GENERAL [ACTING]

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

MS AF MUTHAMBI (MP)

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

Reply:

Yes, all Ministers are subject to performance agreements with the President.

(a) 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) 2030. 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.

(b) to (e) Cabinet closely monitors the implementation of the NDP 2030/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 to implementations are discussed, and recommendations to address bottlenecks are considered and approved.

---ooOoo---

Reply:

The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development has placed advertisements in The New Age Newspaper through the Government Communication and Information Systems (GCIS) (a) 2012/13 and (c) 2014/15.

(b) No advertisement was placed in 2013/14.

(i) 6 times.

(ii) Total amount of R1 409 452.27 which consists of (a) for 2012/13: R526 906.78; (b) for 2013/14: Nil; and (c) for 2014/15, R882 545.49. Media buying has been centralized at the GCIS to take advantage of bulk buying in terms of cost containment measures.

The National Prosecuting Authority indicated that the NPA placed a recruitment advertisement in the New Age in (b) 2013/14, (i) once (1 time); and (ii) for the amount of R18 400.

The Special Investigating Unit confirmed that the SIU has not placed advertisements in the New Age Newspaper for the financial years mentioned.

Reply:

a) (i) and (ii) The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development has indicated that the Department is submitting information in terms of the Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) balanced scorecard as prescribed by the Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act, 5 of 2000. For the period 1 April 2015 to 31 January 2016, 86.78% of the Departmental procurement spending was directed to contributor level 1-3.

B-BBEE Level of Contributor	No. of contracts	Total value	Percentage (%)
1	327	40 008 403.52	12.69%
2	215	178 607 300.06	56.67%
3	388	54 912 409.49	17.42%

Furthermore, Government officials can only act within the prescribed regulatory framework and the Department therefore awaits National Treasury comprehensive review of the existing Supply Chain Management legislative framework in respect of various specific goals, i.e., Small, Medium and Micro-sized Enterprises (SMMEs), co-operatives, as well as township and rural enterprises.

The National Prosecuting Authority has indicated that the total spent on contracts with Small Medium and Micro-Enterprises, is R77,5 million out of R94,1 million total spend, i.e., 82.35%.

(b)(i) The Special Investigating Unit has indicated that the percentage of total procurement spend on SMME is sixty (60%) percent.

(ii) The SIU further indicated that no procurement was made from or in support of co-operatives and rural enterprises.

Reply:

Yes, all Ministers are subject to Performance Agreements with the President.

(a) 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) 2030. 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 publically available on the government’s website.

(b) - (e) Cabinet closely monitors the implementation of the NDP 2030/MTFS 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 to implementation are discussed, and recommendations to address bottlenecks are considered and approved.

 

Reply:

(a) There are no vacant posts in the Ministry.

(b-c) Not applicable.

 

 

Remarks: Reply: Approved / Not Approved

Mkuseli Apleni Malusi Gigaba, MP

Director-General Minister of Home Affairs

Date: Date:

Reply:

Yes, the Minister of Home Affairs entered into a performance agreement with President JG Zuma for the 2014-2019 term of office.

a) The following key indicators and targets from the MTSF are reflected in the agreement:

• Establish the Integrated Border Management Agency (BMA).

• Develop an Over-arching Strategy to defend, protect, secure and ensure well-managed borders and ensure it is fully implemented by 2018/19.

• Ensure that registration at birth is the only entry point for SA to the new national identity system (NIS):
• By 2018/19, 90% of total births registered within 30 calendar days as prescribed by law (approximately 950 000 births to be registered by 2018/19).
• Ensure that systems are in place to enable the capturing of biometric data of all travellers who enter or exit SA legally:
  • All designated ports of entry equipped with biometric systems capable of processing 100% of travellers (for ports equipped with EMCS) by 2018/19.

• Reduce regulatory burdens and reduce the time required for importing requisite skills for the economy and for investment, including by introducing a “one stop shop” at government level: 
  • Changes to subsidiary legislation on immigration to facilitate the importation of economic important skills and for workers as identified by economics and infrastructure departments, SOCs and producers.

• Maximum period for approval to import required skills:
  • 3 months approval from application to approval for import of skills for productive investors and SOCs.

• Improved feedback opportunities for citizens and other service users:
  • Improvements in facilities based on repeat monitoring and feedback.

b) No formal performance assessments have been undertaken but the MTSF indicators and targets in the agreement are monitored through departmental reports to clusters, cabinet memoranda and through Minister’s bilateral with the President

c) Refer to attached table marked Annexure A for progress against MTSF priorities.

d) The environment and the complexity of issues within which the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has to function in the implementation of key priorities such as the immigration policy and Border Management Agency is a highly contested one. Also the perception is that the DHA is a purely administrative department. Without recognising the need for the DHA to function within a highly secure environment this can be an obstacle. This has also exacerbated the historical under-funding of the DHA over time.

e) In order to address some of the challenges the Department will be developing a business case to reposition the DHA as a highly secure, professional and modern department. Some of the key priorities include the following:

• Completion of the Modernisation Programme with the main deliverables being integrated digital systems and re-engineered processes managed and protected by the required compliment of effective professionals.
• Upgrading of key ports of entry focusing on the piloting of a new model with significant improvements in respect of infrastructure, processes and leadership.
• Comprehensive review of the Immigration Policy culminating in the approval of a Green Paper and White Paper and new comprehensive legislation drafted.
• Improving client experience through leadership – the Moetapele programme.
• Improved stakeholder consultation and forging of partnerships with the private sector to deliver on key departmental priorities, for example signing of memoranda of understandings with the banking sector for issuance of smart ID cards and passports.

Reply:

No.

(a),(b),(c) Falls away.

Reply:

No, there are no frozen vacant positions within the office of my Ministry.

 

 

Compiler/contact persons:

Ext:

DIRECTOR – GENERAL

STATUS:

DATE:

REPLY TO QUESTION 29 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED

Dr BE NZIMANDE, MP

MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

STATUS:

DATE:

Reply:

(a) (b) (c) (i) (ii)

Advertising space was procured in most newspapers, including The New Age. This was to promote and advertise the various initiatives, services and products of the dti. Examples of these amongst others were the National Pavilions, SA Premier Business Awards, BRICS and various incentive programmes.

Financial Year	Number	Amount
2012 - 2013	15	R1,009,737.90
2013 – 2014	4	R387,793.80
2014 – 2015	11	R463,705.60

 

Reply:

1 (a) Based on information provided to the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) by universities:

1. 130 818 students were fully funded; and
2. 55 287 students were partially funded.

1 (b) and 2 The loan agreements, completed by universities on the old system, only reflect the loan amount and do not show the actual cost of study. These costs will be captured in future by NSFAS as they migrate to the new student-centred model. As a consequence, NSFAS is unable to provide the requested information based on the categories provided.

Compiler/contact persons:

Ext:

DIRECTOR – GENERAL

STATUS:

DATE:

REPLY TO QUESTION 128 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED

Dr BE NZIMANDE, MP

MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

STATUS:

DATE:

Reply:

Yes.

(a),(b),(c),(d),(e) The Performance Management Framework for Ministers is the Medium Term Strategic Framework (MTSF) for 2014-2019, which is the first five year implementation plan of the National Development Plan (NDP) 2030. The performance indicators and targets are reflected in the Annual Performance Plans (APPs).  APPs form the basis upon which Departments are held accountable by Parliament on a quarterly basis and also held accountable by the public. The performance agreement of the Minister is therefore publicly assessed through the Portfolio Committees on a regular basis. 

In addition, the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), 1999 compels all Executing Authorities to subject their departmental expenditure to the Auditor General for auditing. This again is a measure that ensures full accountability in respect of public funds. Furthermore, Cabinet closely monitors the implementation of the National Development Plan (NDP) 2030 and MTSF 2014-2019 through the Programme of Action (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 to implementation are dicussed, and recommendations to address bottlenecks are considered and approved.

Reply:

(a),(b),(c)(i),(ii) Please refer to the table below.

The New Age Advertising	2012 – 13 No	2013 – 2014 Yes	2014 – 2015 Yes
(i)	0	4	1
(ii)	R0	R475 159. 68	R62 586. 00

Reply:

Yes, all Ministers are subject to Performance Agreements with the President.

(a) 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) 2030. 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 government’s website.

(b) – (e) Cabinet closely monitors the implementation of the NDP 2030/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 to implementation are discussed, and recommendations to address bottlenecks are considered and approved.

 

 

Compiler/contact persons:

Contact number:

DIRECTOR – GENERAL

STATUS:

DATE:

REPLY TO QUESTION 84 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED

Dr B NZIMANDE, MP

MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

STATUS:

DATE:

Reply:

There are no vacancies in the Ministry of Transport (a) (b) (c) Falls away

Reply:

The trade statistics between South Africa and the world per month for the period 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2015 are reflected in the table below as reflected on the dti trade statistics. Trade statistics for Jan 2016 will only be available at the end of February 2016.

Period	RSA Exports To the World	RSA Imports From the World	Trade Balance
15-Jan	R 67 711 278 171.00	R 91 246 139 654.00	R -23 534 861 483.00
15-Feb	R 77 501 216 358.00	R 85 347 719 814.00	R -7 846 503 456.00
15-Mar	R 92 468 791 675.00	R 90 845 067 889.00	R 1 623 723 786.00
15-Apr	R 83 770 337 974.00	R 86 234 008 823.00	R -2 463 670 849.00
15-May	R 88 363 040 731.00	R 83 871 362 021.00	R 4 491 678 710.00
15-Jun	R 89 929 880 048.00	R 84 469 615 781.00	R 5 460 264 267.00
15-Jul	R 93 022 192 254.00	R 94 161 166 050.00	R -1 138 973 796.00
15-Aug	R 87 255 431 865.00	R 97 551 304 536.00	R -10 295 872 671.00
15-Sep	R 91 389 099 696.00	R 93 130 209 473.00	R -1 741 109 777.00
15-Oct	R 85 298 508 022.00	R 107 390 729 251.00	R -22 092 221 229.00
15-Nov	R 93 572 841 546.00	R 92 889 891 297.00	R 682 950 249.00
15-Dec	R 88 770 527 510.00	R 80 549 461 697.00	R 8 221 065 813.00

(2) how much direct foreign (a) investment and (b) disinvestment did South Africa have during the period 1 January 2015 and 31 January 2016 in each month? NW296E

Response:

(2) (a) The recording of direct investment on the financial account is the function of the South Africa Reserve Bank. The Reserve Bank publishes such via a quarterly bulletin. The latest report covering the period up to December 2015 will only be available by the Reserve Bank in the fourth quarter bulletin later this month (March 2016).

the dti investment unit develops a pipeline of potential investment projects and for Q3 of the financial year 2015/16 recorded an investment pipeline of R 63.7 bn. This includes commitments by Chinese President Xi Jinping during the State Visit in December 2015 to invest in infrastructure and a green fields automotive plant of $ 800 million. The pipeline includes committed investments and launches by Unilever, Hunting, AVK Valves amongst others.

It should be noted that Multinationals operating in South Africa generally fund their new investments and expansions from the balance sheet of their local operations and utilize local banks to raise loans rather than receive funding from their foreign headquarters.

(b) The department does not record disinvestments. Disinvestment occurs as a result of a number of factors including reactions to prevailing global and local conditions and environment and also changes in business focus. For example in the Apartheid era there was a deliberate policy by international companies to disinvest from South Africa. However there are international companies that have invested and failed and therefore closed shop eg. Evraz has put Highveld Steel into business rescue because of the depressed steel demand and low prices of steel. This is not a disinvestment but a commercial decision driven by market conditions.

Reply:

The Nuclear Energy Policy of 2008 declares South Africa’s intention to pursue amongst others a Pressurised Water Reactor (PWR) programme. Under the ambit of the Nuclear New Build Programme for a 9600 MW capacity, this remains the guiding principle for reactor designs under consideration. The Pressurised Water Reactor remains the longest operating reactor type worldwide. As such this reactor type has seen multiple advancements and improvements which can be noted in the design offerings of various vendor countries.

It is important to note that the procurement has not strated and therefore there are no contractual arrangements entered into with any nuclear supplier of the envisaged technology

Reply:

Yes, vacant positions have been frozen.

(a) 117 vacant positions have been frozen as at 19 February 2016;

	(b)	(c)
No	Designation of position	Period vacant (months)
1	Deputy Director: Regulatory Impact Assessment	3.2
2	Director: Legal Support & Enforcement	3.1
3	Admin Clerk: Fin Management	6.1
4	Senior Accounting Clerk	3.0
5	Asst State Accountant: Salary Payments	18.3
6	Senior Accounting Clerk	3.1
7	Senior Provisioning Administration Clerk	5.9
8	Advanced Team Assistant	4.1
9	Advanced Team Assistant	4.1
10	Call Centre Agent	4.1
11	Internal Auditor	2.0
12	Internal Auditor	5.1
13	Performance Auditor	4.1
14	Senior State Accountant	15.2
15	Assistant Director: Manufacturing Industries	2.2
16	Assistant Director: Media Buyer	20.3
17	Assistant Director: Salaries Travel & Subsistence	2.0
18	Economist	16.2
19	Deputy Director: Economic Research	4.1
20	Deputy Director: Economic Research	4.1
21	Director: Compliance And Forensic Audit	4.1
22	Director: Regulatory Compliance & Registrations	0.0
23	Director: Immigration, Labour & Talent	0.0
24	Director: One Stop Shop	0.0
25	Chief Director: Economic Research	0.0
26	Chief Director: Policy Research	0.0
	Designation of post	Period vacant (months)
27	Chief Provisioning Administration Clerk	1.0
28	State Accountant	1.0
29	Senior Administrative Officer	1.0
30	Senior State Accountant	1.0
31	Assistant Director: Budget Management	3.0
32	Specialist: Computer Audit	1.0
33	Call Centre Agent	0.0
34	Deputy Director: Stakeholder Management	0.0
35	Advanced Team Assistant	0.0
36	Assistant Director: HR Support	1.0
37	Deputy Director: National Industrial Participation	5.8
38	Chief Director: Agro Processing	4.1
39	Personal Assistant	1.0
40	Deputy Director: Industrial Waste Man & Recycling	1.0
41	Advanced Team Assistant	0.0
42	Director: Renewable Energy	0.0
43	Messenger	2.1
44	Administrative Assistant	4.1
45	Advanced Team Assistant	3.0
46	ICT Help Desktop Services	2.0
47	Senior Communication Technician	2.1
48	Assistant Director: Human Resource Operations	7.6
49	Assistant Director: Performance Management	3.0
50	Assistant Director: Cost Management & Quantity Surveying	1.5
51	Assistant Director: Conditions of Service And Remuneration	2.0
52	Deputy Director: Recruitment Strategy & Policy	7.1
53	Deputy Director: Database Administration	3.8
54	Deputy Director: Employment Relations	15.2
55	Deputy Director: Business Relationship Management	8.1
56	Deputy Director: Business Analysis	3.1
57	Deputy Director: Applications Architecture	18.3
58	MR6 Legal Administration Officer Senior	4.1
59	MR6 Legal Administration Officer Senior	17.2
60	Recruitment Administrative Clerk	1.0
61	Registry Clerk	1.0
62	Vetting Officer	1.0
63	Advanced Team Assistant	1.0
64	Advanced Team Assistant	1.0
65	Deputy Director: Applications Development & Support	1.0
66	Work Study Officer	0.0
67	Director: Litigation	0.0
68	Advanced Team Assistant	2.4
69	Advanced Team Assistant	5.1
70	Personal Assistant	2.0
71	Assistant Director: Trade Rules	8.1
72	Deputy Director: Trade In Services	10.2
73	Deputy Director: Non-Proliferation	4.1
	Designation of post	Period vacant (months)
74	Director: South African Development Community	2.0
75	Director: Multilaterals	2.0
76	Director: SADC	2.0
77	Chief Director: Non-Proliferation	4.1
78	Advanced Team Assistant	0.0
79	Administration Clerk Grade III Senior	6.1
80	Snr Admin Clerk	14.2
81	Advanced Team Assistant	9.2
82	Advanced Team Assistant	6.8
83	Trade and Industry Advisor: Legal Service	7.1
84	Personal Assistant	6.1
85	Trade and Industry Advisor: Agro Processing & Textiles	4.6
86	Trade and Industry Advisor: Paper, Chemicals and Plastics	12.1
87	Trade and Industry Advisor: Infrastructure Intensive Sectors	14.2
88	Assistant Director: EMIA	2.0
89	Deputy Director: Applications & Claims (PAIS&MHCV)	22.3
90	Deputy Director: Manufacturing Investment Cluster (MIC)	7.1
91	Deputy Director: Applications & Claims	22.3
92	Director: Operations	6.1
93	Deputy Director: Legal Services	0.4
94	Deputy Director: Agro Processing	0.0
95	Assistant Director: Agro Processing & Textiles	0.0
96	Trade and Industry Advisor: Export Info Services	8.1
97	Trade and Industry Advisor: Small Exporter Development	5.1
98	Executive Assistant	2.0
99	Deputy Director: Service Industries	4.1
100	Deputy Director: Manufacturing Industries	2.0
101	Deputy Director: Services Industries	2.0
102	Deputy Director: Trade Opportunities	1.0
103	Deputy Director: strategic Support	0.0
104	Private Secretary	2.0
105	Personal Assistant	3.0
106	Deputy Director: Black Economic Empowerment	3.1
107	Director: BEE	10.2
108	Director	0.0
109	Personal Assistant	0.0
110	Programme Manager	0.0
111	Director	0.0
112	Manager: Legal Services	0.0
113	Chief Director	0.0
114	Executive Manager: Compliance Education & Advocacy	0.0
115	Chief Director	4.1
116	Programme Manager	0.9
117	Director: Economic Infrastructure & Logistics	0.0

Reply:

Based on the Departmental approved fees, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges are permitted to adjust these fees up to 10% in terms of the National Norms and Standards for Funding TVET Colleges.

The Department uses a costing model designed to calculate the cost per Ministerial approved programme. These include personnel costs, capital expenditure and other costs such as learner material, printing, stationery, lecturer support material, etc. Capital costs are costs related to the depreciation of assets owned and utilised by TVET colleges in the delivery of teaching and learning.

For 2013, 2014 and 2015, Compensation of Employee (CoE) costs were increased by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) + 1% as per the collective agreement reached over a three-year period, as well as 1.5% for pay progression for both TVET college lecturing and support staff as tabulated below:

Year	2012	2013	2014	2015
CoE Adjustment	10%	8%	9.4%	7.1%

The increase in Capital and Non-Personnel Non-Capital items were based on CPI adjustments only. The prescribed Departmental programme cost (fees) per student for TVET colleges for both the National Certificate (Vocational) [NC (V)] and Report 191 Programmes were as follows (calculated as an average cost of the programme):

NC (V) Programmes

Year	Full Programme Cost (R)	Funded by the State (80%) of the Full Programme Cost (R)	Annual increase (%)
2012	39 528	29 387	6.2%
2013	42 240	33 792	6.9%
2014	46 171	36 937	9.3%
2015	49 261	39 409	6.7%

REPORT 191 Programmes

Year	Full Programme Cost (R)	Funded by the State (80%) of the Full Programme Cost (R)	Annual increase (%)
2012	21 078	16 862	N/A
2013	24 832	19 866	18%
2014	26 861	21 489	8%
2015	28 986	23 181	8%

 

 

N.B: There was no incremental adjustment from 2011, since Report 191 was re-introduced in 2012.

In both programmes, funding is used to cater for direct costs such as learner materials, text books, subscriptions, excursions, printing, stationery, first aid kit, consumables, protective clothing, research, CoE, as well as indirect costs such water and electricity and CoE relating to support staff.

Compiler/contact persons:

Ext:

DIRECTOR – GENERAL

STATUS:

DATE:

REPLY TO QUESTION 130 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED

Dr BE NZIMANDE, MP

MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

STATUS:

DATE:

Reply:

1. None
2. Not applicable
3. Not applicable

 

Reply:

(a) (b) (c) (i) (ii)

Information requested in the format above is not available as only particulars of companies are recorded within the financial systems in the department; not the details of any directors.

Reply:

 

Not applicable.

________________________

Approved by the Minister on

Date………………………..

Reply:

The Department of Women procured goods & services from 1 April 2015 up to 31 January 2016 as follows:

a) Department of Women

(i) SMME’s – 69.38%

(ii) Co-operatives – 0.00%

b) Not Applicable

________________________

Approved by the Minister on

Date………………………..

Reply:

(a) (i) (ii)

For the period 1 April 2015 to date, 66% of the department’s total procurement spent was allocated to SMME’s including Co-operatives.

(b) (i) (ii)

The information from the entities is being collated and will be made available as soon as possible.

Reply:

The reporting cycle for the NCACC is on a calendar year basis (Jan-Dec) and not financial (April-Mar). Therefore, the annual report is due in the 1st Quarter of the subsequent year. It is also important to note that Reports on Transfer of controlled items are compiled quarterly and submitted to Parliament.

The appearance before the Joint Standing Committee on Defence is upon invitation by the Committee. Should this invitation be received the briefing will be done as prescribed by section 23 of the NCAC Act.

Reply:

All Ministers are subject to Performance Agreements 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) 2030. 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 on at least on a quarterly basis. POA reports are publicly availble on the government’s website.

Cabinet closely monitors the implementation of the NDP 2030/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 to implementation are dicussed, and recommendations to address bottlenecks are considered and approved.

Reply:

1. The President led a high-powered Team South Africa delegation to the 2016 World Economic Forum in Davos towards the end of January 2016. Team South Africa comprised of Cabinet Ministers, the Governor of the Reserve Bank, CEOs of major companies and other captains of industry. The key message that Team South Africa took to Davos was that South Africa is open to business. The message was positively received by global investors who were at Davos.

In pursuit of Team South Africa’s mission in Davos, the President held several meetings with investors, CEOs, and other participants. Together with a delegation of Cabinet Ministers they met the global investors in a session called the Business Interaction Group on South Africa. This is a forum in which global investors to the South African economy meet with the President and Ministers to discuss the economic and investment climate in South Africa. Progress we are making in implementing the National Development Plan as well as our commitment to sound economic and fiscal policies were welcomed by the investors. They also assured the delegation of thier continued confidence in South Africa and their belief that our country continues to be an attractive destination for investment.

The President also met with the delegation of South African business persons and captains of industry to discuss steps that we all need to take to ensure that our economy grows and creates jobs. This was in addition to meetings held with other important global business players such as the Group Chief Executive Officer of Siemens, which is a global company with huge investments in our country that create jobs for thousands of our citizens.

The President also met with the Prime Minister of Sweden, a country with which we enjoy strong bilateral relations. As it has become a tradition during our visits to Davos, the President met with the founder and chairman of the World Economic Forum, Professor Klaus Schwab, to discuss the state of the global economy and the steps South Africa is taking to respond to global economic headwinds.

2. The Presidency informed the organisers of the session in question a week before the departure to Davos that the President would not be able to attend the session and the advance team that arrived early in Davos also confirmed the message to organisers a few days before arrival. Our goal in Davos as Team South Africa was to communicate a message that South Africa is open to business, and that we are taking important steps to turn stimulate the growth of our economy and create jobs for the millions of citizens who seek employment. This message was positively received by many investors whom we met and interacted with. They expressed their confidence in the measures we are taking and assured us that that to them South Africa continues to be an attractive country to invest in.

Indeed the belief and confidence in our country is demonstrated by several global companies that have recently made signifcant investments to our economy. These companies include Mercedes, BMW, Nestle, Hisense, Beijing Automobile International Corporation, Marriot Hotels, and many others.

Although our economy faces major challenges, the steps we are taking today, including the efforts of Team South Africa in Davos, will ensure that we reap the benefits when the global economy recovers.

Reply:

The rollout of smart ID cards by the Department has been implemented in phases. The first phase focuses on South African born citizens and those born abroad from South African parents. The second phase will be based on other categories including naturalised citizens as there is a need to verify their records.

Currently records for naturalised citizens are archived in manual paper form. The Department is to set up a mechanism to digitise such records first to enable verification of naturalised citizens with ease. An announcement will be made by the Department once such process is concluded.

Reply:

(a) The Socio-Economic Impact Assessment was conducted by the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation in the Presidency as a pre-approval condition by Cabinet and the certificate was granted to the dti on the 13th October 2015.

(b) It envisaged that the Black Industrialist Scheme (BIS) will accelerate the quantitative and qualitative increase and participation of Black Industrialists in the national economy that will contribute towards South Africa’s developmental objectives, such as job creation, exports, skills development, supplier development, industrial decentralisation and localisation. Projects will be assessed on their merits in relation to their contribution to these objectives and catalytic impacts.

Reply:

The quantity of Ratel Vehicles transferred to Cameroon in 2015, is 12. Past years for transaction in the Medium Term (up to 2013) were checked and it was found that no other transfers occurred in those years.

The Ratel Vehicles in question were sold to Cameroon and not transferred at a cost.

When these transactions are considered, they are evaluated in terms of Section 15 of the Act. The NCACC will authorize such transfers once satisfied that the transaction qualifies according to criteria as prescribed in the Act. The procedures were followed and there have been no deviations from the prescripts of the Act.

Furthermore, NCACC activities are subject to the Auditor-General (AG) of South Africa, who perform annual evaluations and assessments on qualitative aspects of the work undertaken, per given period. The past period performances of the NCACC by the AG in this regard, was found to be without qualification.