Questions and Replies

Reply:

Not yet, these are recent deals and payment will be made after payment is made to the SABC and the 2015-16 financials are signed-off by the auditors.

MR NN MUNZHELELE

DIRECTOR GENERAL [ACTING]

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

MS AF MUTHAMBI (MP)

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

Reply:

(1) (a) King James Advertising

(b) Advertising

(c) Quoted amounts for retainer fees and invoiced amounts did not correspond, invoiced amounts were much higher than quoted amounts

(2) The matter is being investigated

MR NN MUNZHELELE

DIRECTOR GENERAL [ACTING]

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

MS AF MUTHAMBI (MP)

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

Reply:

(a) The report is a confidential benchmark performed by an external service provider so that the SABC maintains its competitiveness.

(b) Records of decisions are confidential internal documents that should be kept as such.

MR NN MUNZHELELE

DIRECTOR GENERAL [ACTING]

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

MS AF MUTHAMBI (MP)

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS

DATE:

Reply:

(1)(a)(b)&(c) The SAPS has sufficient stock of the three (3) mentioned items and there is currently a process in place to replenish stock thereof (see attached information note for the Minister).

(2)(a) 13 water cannons are currently owned by the SAPS.

(b) 10 of these water cannons are currently operational and the other 3 are booked in for repairs.

 

(3)(a) As on 31 October 2015 the following number of these items have already been issued and are serviceable but they are not kept in stock (for (i) and (ii) only) - for (iii) & (iv) please see the disclaimer in the table;

Description	Quantities	(b) Current Supplier
(i) Tactical Goggles	3 249	No contract in place.
(ii) Protective Gear:
Jackets body protective gear	3 075	No contract in place.
Arm protective gear	2 852	No contract in place.
Leg protection gear	2 784	No contract in place.
Riot shields	38 102	No contract in place.
Tonfa rubber baton	168 924	No contract in place.
Riot helmet	18 545	Lightsaver the Intelligent Flashlight.
(iii)Anti-Riot Boots The SAPS does not have specific Anti-Riot Boots	0	N/A.
(iv) Bullet proof vests Current quantities issued and in stock	203 962	The specification has been upgraded and is in process for a new contract.

(4)(a)(b)&(c) There is no specific boot approved to be used by the SAPS Special Task Force.

(5)(a)(b)&(c) - see table below;

 

Name	Specification	Current Supplier
Polyester Canvas Type Holster	Please see attached	There is no current contract.

Please note- this type of information is not normally given out of the organization.

Reply:

The SAPS does not have any embargos against any country for the procurement of goods and services. The SAPS, in terms of government policies, satisfies requirements by procuring from the local market but should a requirement arise that is not locally available the Department will enter into procurement actions directly with international companies.

Reply:

1. No, the Department is not aware of the strategy but would appreciate an opportunity to provide some comments.
2. Please refer to (1) above.

Reply:

Question 1

The total budget for the National Education Evaluation and Development Unit (NEEDU) for the (a) 2012-13, (b) 2013-14, (c) 2014-15 and (d) 2015-16 financial years is indicated in the table below:

FINANCIAL YEAR	TOTAL BUDGET
2012-13	17 082 858
2013-14	21 100 197
2014-15	26 280 460
2015-16	15 205 357

Question 2(a)

The total budget for the NEEDU that was spent on staff salaries in the (i) 2012-13, (ii) 2013-14 and (iii) 2014-15 financial years is indicated in the table below:

FINANCIAL YEAR	TOTAL BUDGET SPENT ON STAFF SALARIES
2012-13	11 673 619
2013-14	14 159 257
2014-15	20 801 075

Question 2(b)

The total budget for the NEEDU that was spent on staff salaries since 1 April 2015 is indicated in the table below:

FINANCIAL YEAR	TOTAL BUDGET SPENT ON STAFF SALARIES
2015-16	10 763 014

Question 3

The establishment of an independent government component, such as the Office of Standards and Compliance for Basic Education (OSCBE), is a lengthy process and it involves the Department of Basic Education (DBE), the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA), the National Treasury and the Presidency. This has been the main cause for the delay in completing this process. The NEEDU will become the OSCBE when all the processes, as indicated below, have been completed:

Following the Minister’s correspondence with the Ministers of Finance and the Public Service and Administration, certain developments have transpired. These are as follows:

• • Consultations with the National Treasury and the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) to establish NEEDU as an independent government component, under the title of Office of Standards and Compliance for Basic Education (OSCBE);
  • The formulation of the relevant documents with the support of DPSA and the preparation of business case with the support of the National Treasury;
  • Preparation of the Regulations for the establishment of OSCBE for consideration and approval by the Minister;
  • The approval of the Regulations for the establishment of OSCBE after close examination and scrutiny by the Chief State Law Advisor, who finally declared that “the draft Regulations are consistent with section 11 of the National Education Policy Act, 1996 (Act No. 27 of 1996)” in May 2015; and
  • The approval of the Regulations for the establishment of OSCBE by the Minister in May 2015 after they were endorsed by the Chief State Law Advisor.

What remains to be done includes the following activities:

• • Approving the Regulations for the establishment of the OSCBE by the Council of Education Ministers.
  • Declaring the establishment of OSCBE through the promulgation of the Regulations (via the Government Notice) by the Minister.
  • Submitting the updated business case and promulgated Regulations and Government Notice to the DPSA [by NEEDU].
  • Arranging a meeting of the Interdepartmental Assessment Committee to make recommendations on the organisational form for the OSCBE—with DBE (NEEDU) participating as a member in the Committee and making a presentation to the members [by DPSA];
  • Preparing a submission to inform the Minister for Public Service and Administration and the Minister of Finance of the Committee's recommendation and obtain the concurrence of the said Ministers for the establishment of the OSBE as a government component [by DPSA];
  • Preparing (following concurrence from said Ministers) a Presidential Proclamation to list the OSCBE in schedule 3 of the Public Service Act, so as to establish the OSCBE as a government component [by DPSA].

Question 4

The Minister is currently considering the most suitable candidates to lead the NEEDU and will appoint the best candidate in due course.

Question 5

NEEDU will submit the draft report to the Department for comments by 30 November 2015. In 2014, NEEDU evaluated 183 schools (93 schools offering Grades 7-9 and 90 offering Grades 10-14), 25 districts and nine provinces. A total of 217 reports, one for every site visited, were prepared. These reports had to be collated into the national report. This entails extensive analysis of large volumes of both qualitative and quantitative data. The analysis of data took longer because, unlike in the previous evaluations, the 2014 systemic evaluations involved two phases (senior and Further Education and Training). Because NEEDU did not have the capacity to do complex statistical analysis of the quantitative data that was collected from schools, districts and provinces, a service provider was appointed to analyse the data. The procurement process in appointing the service provider also added to the delays in finalising the 2014 Report. In addition, two staff members, including the Chief Executive Officer, left and this meant that the remaining staff had to carry more workload.

A draft report has been prepared. The NEEDU is doing the final editing before it is submitted to the Department for comments. In terms of the NEEDU protocol, each site visited (including schools, districts, provinces and the national office) is given four to six weeks to comment on the NEEDU draft report before a report is finalised. This practice, which was followed before when the 2012 and 2013 NEEDU Reports were finalised, will also be followed with regard to the 2015 Report. It is only after NEEDU has carefully considered all comments made by the Department that the report is finalised and submitted to the Ministry.

Upon receipt of the NEEDU Report, in line with the provision of section 7(1)(g) of the Regulations for the Establishment of the Office of Standards and Compliance for Basic Education (OSCBE), currently known as NEEDU, “the Minister may publish the report.” This provision empowers the Minister to publish NEEDU reports at the Minister’s discretion.

Reply:

1. Yes,

(aa/ab) During July 2015, a meeting was held between the Minister, management of the Department and officials from Auditor General in which Supply Chain Management and Performance Information management were discussed.

(ac) The Contract Management Sub-Unit has been established, this Sub-Unit has a Practitioner and interviews for the Assistant Director: Contract Management will be conducted in December 2015. In addition to this the Director: Supply Chain Management has been appointed with effect from 01 December 2015. The appointment of these officials will not only secure stability in Contract Management in the Department but will also ensure consistent administration and management of contracts, e.g., the database of contracts kept in Supply Chain Management will be monitored and reviewed monthly by the Chief Financial Officer.

(ac)(i) The Supply Chain Management directorate had experienced capacity constraints however this was addressed through the appointment of contract employees.

(ac)(ii) In terms of oversight responsibilities, the Chief Financial Officer will ensure that there is regular monitoring and reviews of the contract administration and compliance with Supply Chain Management policies and procedures.

Reply:

(a-c)

The White Paper on the Transformation of the Public Service (1995) noted that the first democratic government inherited a system with poor integration and coordination. Hence in 1996 the Presidential Review Commission recommended a stronger cabinet secretariat, therefore Presidency was restructured in 1999 and a new system was put in place, including a new Cabinet cluster system and clusters of the Directors General.

SUB-COMMITTEES OF THE JCPS CLUSTER

The NATJOINTS is a Sub-committee that has been established to assist the JCPS DG’s Cluster. The sub-committee serves as the primary instruments for coordination at the officials’ level on key safety and security matters and promote integration.

National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) is responsible for the development and implementation of operational safety and security plans, provide a safe and secure environment at big events, prioritise peace and stability of the country. The Committee is chaired by SAPS, Co-Chaired by SANDF and SSA, and meets every month providing regular reports to the JCPS DG’s. The Committee contributes to Outcome 3 of the MTSF (Sub-Outcome 1: Reduced levels of contact crime and Sub-outcome 5: Ensure Domestic Stability)

Reply:

1. Yes. The Department has its own transgression register. The Department also has access to the blacklisted and suspected vessels website.
2. Yes. Seven vessels. (a) the charges were the contravention of the Marine Living Resources Act, Act 18 of 1998; Section 13 (1) and (2) read with section 58 (1) and (2) of the Act. Further charges related to the contravention of the Regulations, Reg 80 (1) (a),(b) and (c). The criminal cases against the captains of these vessels were withdrawn. The captains were deported by the Department of Home Affairs to their countries of origin. The vessels were confiscated to the state and subsequently auctioned off by the Department. The investigations into to the ownership as well as flag state of these seven vessels is still ongoing.
3. (a) The vessels in question have not been registered to operate in South African waters. (b) Yes. If owners of the transgressing vessel are confirmed and verified then the flag state is advised to take corrective measures.
4. (a) Yes. (b) Yes. (c) The transgressions by the above vessels were reported to the Commission for the Conservation of Southern Blue Tuna ( CCSBT) and noted. It was also reported that the fish on board these vessels had been sold in terms of the Marine Living Resources Act.

Reply:

1.

(a) The provinces did assess the drought conditions prior to declarations requests. The verifications was done by the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) together with provincial departments and Department of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) in arriving at the total costs. The Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme (CASP) and Ilima/Letsema grants are used to assist small scale, subsistence and commercial farmers. These grants are approved for transfer to provinces for the implementation of CASP and Ilima/Letsema programmes in the 2015/16 financial year. A maximum of 20 percent has been prioritised from the fourth quarter transfers due to current drought conditions in the country, considering the magnitude of the occurrence based on the available information.

(b) Provinces were then requested to reprioritise 20% of their (CASP) and Ilima / letseme conditional grants to respond to the drought. The ultimate amount allocated to each province is determined by the province in terms of how much the province can make available through the reprioritization process to a maximum of 20%.

(c) Each province receives a different CASP amount as per normal National Treasury budget allocations linked to the individual business plans. Therefore the 20% amount allocated will differ from province to province.

(d) The provincial Heads of Department as the receiving authority in provinces are responsible for the management of the prioritised CASP funds. DAFF will monitor the implementation of the drought relief scheme employing the Drought Relief Scheme Framework.

(2) Drought assessment reports and beneficiary lists obtained through information gathered from physical visits and reports from affected farmers will determine who qualifies for drought assistance.

Reply:

(1) (a) When last did school inspectors from (i) her department and/or (ii) the Gauteng Department of Education (aa) visit and (bb) inspect schools in Alexandra, Johannesburg since they were allegedly chased away from the specified schools by SA Democratic Teachers Union members, (b) which schools were inspected and (c) what reports were produced in each case;

[The response below is provided from a Whole School Evaluation perspective]

1. (a) Neither the Department of Basic Education (DBE) nor the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE), have school inspectors that visit schools for the purpose of inspections. However, there are trained Supervisors who conduct Whole School Evaluation (WSE) to evaluate school effectiveness in terms of the national goals (WSE Policy, 2001) and operate from Provincial Education Departments (PEDs).

Furthermore, the DBE deploys trained School Improvement Support Co-ordinators who work with and through districts to support schools. School evaluations are also conducted under the auspices of the National Education Evaluation and Development Unit (NEEDU).

During the period in question, the GDE did not report of WSE supervisors being prevented from doing evaluations at schools.

(b) Realogile Secondary School, which is located in Alexandra, was evaluated by WSE supervisors from 7 to 10 September 2015.

(c) After each evaluation, an individual school report is generated identifying good practice, areas for development and recommendations for interventions. These reports are presented to the school, and the District Office for support purposes.

(2) Whether she will provide Mr I M Ollis with the copies of the specified reports for (a) 2013, (b) 2014 and (c) 2015; if not, why not; if so, on what date will the reports be provided;

(2) No reports will be provided. The WSE school reports are confidential and are not released into the public domain.

(3) What steps will she take if school inspectors are again prevented from visiting schools in Alexandra?

(3) Not applicable.

Reply:

1. The estimated total number of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) applicants for university study in 2014/15, i.e. the 2014 academic year, was 289 105 applicants. The racial profile of applicants is not available, as it was not captured at the university level.
2. Of those who applied, 240 092 met the NSFAS criteria.
3. 186 105 Applicants received funding, whilst 53 987 applicants did not receive funding due to insufficient funds being available. The racial breakdown of students who received funding is tabulated below.

NSFAS allocations in 2014/15 by Race

Race	2014/15
	Number of students	%
African	168 351	90.4
Coloured	8 139	4.3
Indian	1 527	1.0
White	5 255	2.8
Other*	2 833	1.5
Total	186 105	100%

*NSFAS was unable to provide this data due to the race group of these applicants not being identified.

 

Compiler/Contact persons:

Ext:

DIRECTOR – GENERAL

STATUS:

DATE:

REPLY TO QUESTION 4180 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED

Dr B NZIMANDE, MP

MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

STATUS:

DATE:

Reply:

1. No Sector Education and Training Authorities have procured services from the Dambuza Community Development Trust.
2. and (3) Not applicable

Compiler/Contact persons:

Ext:

DIRECTOR – GENERAL

STATUS:

DATE:

REPLY TO QUESTION 4179 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED

Dr BE NZIMANDE, MP

MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

STATUS:

DATE:

Reply:

Question 1

The number of learners that were progressed from Grade 11 to Grade 12 in 2015 is presented in the table below. In September 2015, the Department of Basic education (DBE) responded to a similar question presented by the Honourable Lovemore, and the figures have decreased since September 2015. It was indicated in the September response that those were preliminary figures, which had to be verified. The figures presented below are the verified figures.

PROVINCE	PROGRESSION NO
Eastern Cape	12 618
Free State	8 172
Gauteng	8 501
KwaZulu-Natal	10 633
Limpopo	14 390
Mpumalanga	5 228
North West	3 673
Northern Cape	2 283
Western Cape	4 813
National	70 311

Data from National Senior Certificate (NSC) Main Frame Exam system as per 27 November 2015.

 

Question 2

The number of learners who have opted to complete their National Senior Certificate (NSC) examination over two years or more, will only be available after the writing of the examination and after the data has been captured on the system. This will provide the final number of learners who have in fact taken advantage of this opportunity.

Question 3

National and provincial pass rates are based on two aspects i.e. overall pass rates and subject pass rates. Given that these candidates would not have completed the full subject package as at the end of the 2015 NSC examination, they cannot be included in the determination of the overall pass rate, but will be included in the reporting of the subject pass rate. Therefore, these learners are not excluded from the reported data relating to the 2015 NSC examinations.

Question 4

The specific criteria for the implementation of the Progression Policy has been approved by the Council of Education Ministers. The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has commenced with the finalisation of policy regarding this matter and the first step in the process is the call for public comments on the criteria. This will be completed by the end January 2016, and thereafter, the comments will be incorporated into the proposal and gazetted as policy by the Minister.

 

Reply:

NB. The distributions are according to provinces and not municipal districts.

Currently there are no shortages of (a) Bullet Proof Vests.

(b) Vehicles

1. City of Tshwane,

1. Pretoria Central

Station	Actual Vehicles	Ideal Vehicles	Shortage / Surplus
Atteridgeville	47	57	-10
Erasmia	32	25	7
Hercules	31	31	0
Laudium	29	23	6
Olievenhoutbosch	18	23	-5
Pretoria Central	100	106	-6
Pretoria West	41	39	2
Wierdabrug	43	44	-1
Wonderboompoort	21	21	0
Total	362	369	-7

1. Mamelodi

Station	Actual Vehicles	Ideal Vehicles	Shortage / Surplus
Eersterust	26	18	8
Kameeldrift	29	20	9
Mamelodi	48	52	-4
Mamelodi East	42	47	-5
Silverton	29	40	-11
Sinoville	28	39	-11
Total	202	216	-14

1. Ga-Rankuwa

Station	Actual Vehicles	Ideal Vehicles	Shortage / Surplus
Akasia	43	44	-1
Ga-Rankuwa	51	45	6
Mabopane	37	37	0
Pretoria North	30	36	-6
Soshanguve	45	47	-2
Total	206	209	-3

1. Nelson Mandela Bay,

1. Mount Road

Station	Actual Vehicles	Ideal Vehicles	Shortage / Surplus
Algoapark	32	37	-5
Bethelsdorp	39	52	-13
Gelvandale	49	55	-6
Humewood	45	51	-6
Kabega Park	29	40	-11
Mount Road	57	60	-3
Walmer	37	41	-4
Total	288	336	-48

1. Motherwell

Station	Actual Vehicles	Ideal Vehicles	Shortage / Surplus
Ikamvelihle	21	19	2
Kinkelbos	10	7	3
Kwadwesi	21	19	2
Kwazakele	47	69	-22
Motherwell	46	46	0
New Brighton	41	46	-5
Paterson	8	9	-1
Swartkops	16	20	-4
Total	210	235	-25

1. City of Johannesburg,

1. Johannesburg Central

Station	Actual Vehicles	Ideal Vehicles	Shortage / Surplus
Booysens	60	62	-2
Brixton	35	37	-2
Fairland	30	21	9
Jhb Central	115	121	-6
Langlaagte	32	24	8
Moffatview	42	34	8
Mondeor	44	43	1
Sophia Town	51	41	10
Total	409	383	26

1. Hillbrow

Station	Actual Vehicles	Ideal Vehicles	Shortage / Surplus
Cleveland	42	36	6
Hillbrow	106	102	4
Jeppe	70	58	12
Linden	46	38	8
Norwood	41	40	1
Parkview	33	32	1
Rosebank	21	17	4
Yeoville	44	36	8
Total	403	359	44

1. Alexandra

Station	Actual Vehicles	Ideal Vehicles	Shortage / Surplus
Alexandra	68	78	-10
Bramley	41	38	3
Midrand	55	44	11
Sandringham	30	26	4
Sandton	70	79	-9
Total	264	265	-1

1. Honeydew

Station	Actual Vehicles	Ideal Vehicles	Shortage / Surplus
Diepsloot	33	29	4
Douglasdale	50	50	0
Florida	35	42	-7
Honeydew	75	70	5
Randburg	49	40	9
Roodepoort	65	64	1
Total	307	295	12

1. Orlando

Station	Actual Vehicles	Ideal Vehicles	Shortage / Surplus
Diepkloof	46	44	2
Eldorado Park	43	51	-8
Kliptown	48	60	-12
Meadowlands	62	61	1
Orlando	59	58	1
Total	258	274	-16

1. Moroka

Station	Actual Vehicles	Ideal Vehicles	Shortage / Surplus
Dobsonville	59	64	-5
Jabulani	45	53	-8
Lenasia	41	43	-2
Lenasia South	34	26	8
Moroka	88	80	8
Naledi	26	31	-5
Protea Glen	49	55	-6
Total	342	352	-10

1. Ekurhuleni

1. Germiston

Station	Actual Vehicles	Ideal Vehicles	Shortage / Surplus
Alberton	40	50	-10
Bedfordview	42	36	6
Brackendowns	37	33	4
Elsburg	32	34	-2
Germiston	73	64	9
Primrose	34	35	-1
Total	258	252	6

 

1. Katlehong

Station	Actual Vehicles	Ideal Vehicles	Shortage / Surplus
Dawn Park	25	25	0
Edenpark	28	24	4
Katlehong	58	61	-3
Katlehong North	40	36	4
Tokoza	29	37	-8
Vosloorus	44	48	-4
Zonkizizwe	20	18	2
Total	244	249	-5

1. Benoni

Station	Actual Vehicles	Ideal Vehicles	Shortage / Surplus
Actonville	31	24	7
Benoni	63	62	1
Crystalpark	23	21	2
Daveyton	27	38	-11
Etwatwa	28	31	-3
Putfontein	17	17	0
Total	189	193	-4

1. Tembisa

Station	Actual Vehicles	Ideal Vehicles	Shortage / Surplus
Edenvale	35	36	-1
Ivory Park	36	51	-15
Kempton Park	51	60	-9
Norkempark	36	32	4
Olifantsfontein	32	22	10
Rabie Ridge	34	32	2
Sebenza	21	24	-3
Tembisa	59	76	-17
Total	304	333	-29

1. Buffalo City metropolitan municipalities

1. King Williams Town Cluster

Station	Actual Vehicles	Ideal Vehicles	Shortage / Surplus
Bhisho	31	23	8
Bholo	6	5	1
Dimbaza	17	13	4
Kei Road	7	9	-2
Khubusidrift	4	5	-1
King Williams Town	46	42	4
Ndevana	14	11	3
Punzana	8	6	2
Steve Vukile Tshwete	12	8	4
Stutterheim	19	14	5
Tamara	15	9	6
Zele	10	11	-1
Zwelitsha	21	19	2
Total	210	175	35

1. Mdantsane Cluster

Station	Actual Vehicles	Ideal Vehicles	Shortage / Surplus
Berlin	13	12	1
Bluewater	10	8	2
Cambridge	53	51	2
Inyibiba	17	21	-4
Kei Mouth	10	8	2
Macleantown	12	9	3
Mdantsane	59	53	6
Mooiplaas	9	8	1
Vulindlela	23	20	3
Total	206	190	16

(e) There is no shortage of firearms, as all the needs received from the Gauteng Province and Eastern Cape Province were issued and satisfied. A buffer stock of 5% is also kept in each province.

(c) and (d) With regard to radios and computers in the 2014/15 financial year, there has not been any indication of a shortage of radios and computers in the identified areas. Division: Technology Management Services provides these services according to the needs identified by the relevant environments.

Replacements and/or expansions are prioritized annually as communicated by the Provincial Commissioners.

Reply:

(1) The reason why the target was not achieved is because the Department relies on the military veterans to approach the department with requests to update their records. It is assumed that those Military Veterans who are not updating their records, their personal details have not changed.

(2) As per the Act the listing of Military Veterans in the National Military Veterans database is a permanent function which is not expected to end as it caters for the transition of members of the defence force who exit service.

(3) The 21 322 updated files completed was not broken down as per former force, at the time of reporting, due to the nature of our system we may not be able to go back at the end of the reporting period to track the composition of the batch. With the current improvements on the system, we will make sure such a break-down is provided in future.

 

 

DATE OF SUBMISSION: 11 DECEMBER 2015

Reply:

a) Yes, Annual financial statements of the Special Defence Account (SDA) were always tabled with the Annual report of the Department of Defence as required by the Appropriations Act, and the last SDA Annual financial statements for the 2014/15 financial year were tabled in Parliament on 29 September 2015 with the tabling of the annual report of the Department of Defence.

b) The next Annual financial statement of the SDA will be for the financial year 2015/16, and the tabling thereof will be done with the tabling of the Annual Report after the financial statements have been completed and audited, which is usually around September/October each year

DATE OF SUBMISSION: 12 DECEMBER 2015

Reply:

(1) A process of consultation with role players is underway.

(2) Depending on the outcome of the consultations, the department proposes to prioritise the former non-statutory force members who did not qualify for Special Pensions from 1996 and destitute World War military veterans in the provisioning of pension.

(a) In instances where the value of the Special Pensions is lower than the value of the military pension’s value, top-up is proposed.

(b) and (c) Special Pensions does not pay a standardized pension amount to the beneficiaries but utilizes a formula which considers the age of the beneficiary and the years spent in service.

(3) Whilst there are on-going consultations, the view of the Department is that any pension granted to Military Veterans may be offset against other benefits received from the State, such as the Special Pensions.

(4) During the 2014-15 financial periods, the department made contingency provisions to provide pension to 500 Military Veterans at an estimated cost of approximately R23 million.

DATE OF SUBMISSION: 11 DECEMBER 2015

Reply:

For 2014/15 financial report the department had met the 2% disability target. Female representation on SMS level has reached 42%, the deviation is caused by the number of vacant post at SMS level, where resignations of female SMS members had an impact on the focused target.

 

DATE OF SUBMISSION: 11 DECEMBER 2015

Reply:

There has been no attempt to persuade the Minister of Finance to establish a Tourism Development Fund. The tourism development aspects raised in the question are funded through existing funding mechanisms in the department provided for by the National Treasury within the current appropriated budget. These include inter alia the Tourism Incentive Programme (TIP), the Social Responsibility Implementation (SRI) Programme and the Strategic Partners in Tourism initiative.

Reply:

This question must be redirected to the Minister in the Presidency responsible for Performance, Monitoring, Evaluation and Administration. In addition the Minister is the current Chairperson of the National Conventional Arms Control Committee (NCACC)

DATE OF SUBMISSION: 11 DECEMBER 2015

Reply:

(1) (a) Advertisements have been placed and short listing is underway.

(b) VACANCY RATE AS AT 01 APRIL 2014 TO DATE

SN	POST TITLE	SALARY LEVEL	TOTAL COST
1	Personnel Officers x 2	5	R 264, 798
2	Senior personnel Officers x 3	6	R 476, 955
3	Admin Assistants x 3	7	R 588, 834
4	Admin Officer x 1	8	R 243, 747
5	Assistant Director x 1	10	R 361, 659
6	Deputy Director x 1	12	R 674, 979
7	Director x 1	13	R 864, 177
8	Chief Director x 2	14	R 2, 085, 000
9	DDG x 2	15	R 2, 535, 612
10	DG x 1	16	R 1, 656, 618
GRAND TOTAL	R 9, 752,379

(c) The Department of Military Veterans (DMV) in collaboration with the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) developed its Service Delivery Model (SDM) which is fundamental to the design of the organogram. Discussions are underway to fine tune the first draft of the organogram.

 

DATE OF SUBMISSION: 11 DECEMBER 2015

Reply:

1. Yes,

(aa/ab) During July 2015, a meeting was held between the Minister, management of the Department and officials from Auditor General in which Supply Chain Management and Performance Information management were discussed.

(ac) The Contract Management Sub-Unit has been established, this Sub-Unit has a Practitioner and interviews for the Assistant Director: Contract Management will be conducted in December 2015. In addition to this the Director: Supply Chain Management has been appointed with effect from 01 December 2015. The appointment of these officials will not only secure stability in Contract Management in the Department but will also ensure consistent administration and management of contracts, e.g., the database of contracts kept in Supply Chain Management will be monitored and reviewed monthly by the Chief Financial Officer.

(ac)(i) The Supply Chain Management directorate had experienced capacity constraints however this was addressed through the appointment of contract employees.

(ac)(ii) In terms of oversight responsibilities, the Chief Financial Officer will ensure that there is regular monitoring and reviews of the contract administration and compliance with Supply Chain Management policies and procedures.

Reply:

I have already briefed the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans on the implementation plan for milestone 1 of the Defence Review on the 26th November 2015.

I have also undertaken to provide regular briefings to the Committee on the progress made at each stage of the implementation plan. I have similarly recently met with the Defence Service Commission and the Military Ombud.

DATE OF SUBMISSION: 12 DECEMBER 2015

Reply:

(a) The Department of Military Veterans still has a number of medals in stock to be awarded to members of the non-statutory force of uMkhonto we Sizwe for whom the first set of medals were designed and cast. At present the Department of Military Veterans has gone into negotiations with the former APLA for approval of designs of medals for their organisation.

(b) There have been no medal parades since 2012 to honour any military

Veterans.

(i) No medal parades were held nor planned to honour Statutory Forces.

(ii) The Department held three medal parades to award medals to uMkhonto we Sizwe non-statutory force.

DATE OF SUBMISSION: 11 DECEMBER 2015

Reply:

I do not engage suppliers. Armscor continually interacts with all suppliers on a range of projects with an aim to ensure that suppliers honour their contractual obligations at all times.

.

Reply:

1. (a) During the 2014-15 financial periods the Department had planned to build 1000 houses for the benefit of Military Veterans through its partnership with the Department of Human Settlements.

(b) The R31.9 million top-up transfer to the Department of Human Settlement was in respect of the planned construction of 400 houses.

2. The Department of Human Settlements plans as agreed with the Department was for the building of 400 houses in the following provinces:

• Kwa-Zulu Natal
• Eastern Cape
• Free State and
• Mpumalanga3. 

3. Questions 3-5 must be redirected to the Department of Human Settlements as they have the constitutional mandate to address housing issues in the Republic of South Africa.

DATE OF SUBMISSION: 11 DECEMBER 2015

Reply:

Both Department’s Accounting Officers and Senior Officials responsible for housing portfolio for Military Veterans met to reconcile housing targets over the Medium Term Expenditure Framework and agreed on delivering 2000 houses which is a realistic figure.

DATE OF SUBMISSION: 11 DECEMBER 2015

Reply:

Yes, the National Treasury has formally written to all national and provincial departments who have outstanding debts with municipalities. Please note that the notification was done through a letter by the Director-General: National Treasury who wrote to all Directors-General on 21 July 2015 conveying the message and I reiterated the matter with correspondence on 13 August 2015 to all the executive authorities alerting them of the arrears owed to municipalities.

It is important to understand that the process of addressing these unsettled accounts is being co-ordinated through the President’s Co-ordinating Council (PCC), where Premiers of provinces, Cabinet Ministers, and Accounting Officers of departments have committed to directly address the issue and give regular feedback to the PCC. The written communication from the National Treasury to departments and provinces is part of this high-level process.

The Section 71 of Municipal Finance Management Act (Act No. 56 of 2003) report for June 2015 shows that various departments owed municipalities as per the table below.

Table 1: Age analysis of debt owed to municipalities by National Departments

Section 71 of Municipal Finance Management Act (Act No. 56 of 2003) for June 2015 see the link: http://www.pmg.org.za/files/RNW4066-151210TABLE.docx

Section 71 of Municipal Finance Management Act (Act No. 56 of 2003) for June 2015 see the link: http://www.pmg.org.za/files/RNW4066-151210TABLE.docx

(a) All departments listed above were written to by the Minister of Finance on 13 August 2015.

(b) At the time of writing, the following debts were owed to municipalities by national departments amounted to R1.7 billion and provinces owed R2.5 billion.

(c) In addition, the report shows that a majority of the debt has been outstanding for more than 90 days.

(d) The Department of Public Works has initiated a process to verify the outstanding amounts owed by government in order to resolve problems with contested bills. This process is being undertaken to ensure that all outstanding amounts reported by municipalities are legitimately due by the named departments and to correct any undue errors. This process of verification is a work-in-progress and the outcome is not yet available. The report will also indicate a more accurate picture of progress made with payments of outstanding amounts by departments and province.

(e) Once the outcome of the work done by Public Works is made available, this will inform the actions to be taken.

Reply:

1. Yes, the Correctional Supervision and Parole Board considered the mentioned offender and his profile report was received by Head Office during September 2015 and submitted it to the National Council for Correctional Services (NCCS). As soon as the recommendation of the NCCS is available, it will be submitted to the Minister for consideration.

(2)(a) & (b) See (1) above.

(3)(a)&(b) The offender was not denied to be considered for possible parole placement by the (a) Minister and (b) Correctional Supervision and Parole Board.

(3)(i) & (ii) Parole applications are submitted in accordance with and in compliance to section 42(2) (d) of the Correctional Services Act, Act 111 of 1998, as amended. Amongst others, during the said period the offender did not participate in Victim Offender Dialogue and the Department in collaboration with the offender was in the process of tracing his victims. Furthermore, his support system was also not positively confirmed.

Reply:

1. The Chairperson of the Municipal Demarcation Board (MDB) wrote to the Minister of Finance on 16 March 2015 requesting the National Treasury to provide the MDB with inputs on a number of matters including a definition of municipal viability, indicators to measure viability and an analysis of the potential impact of each of the proposed boundary re-determinations.

In reply to the specific questions asked:

(i) No date was specified for the requested information to be provided to the MDB.

(ii) The Municipal Demarcation Board published notices in provincial gazettes in early July 2015 formally announcing the details of proposed re-demarcations that they were consulting on. The National Treasury conducted a thorough analysis of these proposals and the Minister of Finance wrote to the Chairperson of the MDB on 6 August 2015 to provide the Board with the information requested.

(iii) National Treasury did not make recommendations to the MDB. The inputs submitted provided information on the affected municipalities and analysis about potential impacts of the proposed boundary redeterminations, noting that in advance of the actual implementation of the proposals it is not possible to know with certainty what the impact will be. This information was provided, at the request of the MDB, to contribute further to the information on which the Board made its decisions.

2. The report compiled by the National Treasury and submitted to the MDB explored a number of different aspects of municipal viability that could be affected by boundary redeterminations. These included financial viability, institutional viability, economic viability and service delivery viability. Again, no recommendations were made to the MDB.

Reply:

(1) I wish to advise the Honourable member that the legal responsibility for recovering monies belonging to government and which have been misappropriated lies with the heads of the provincial departments affected. This recovery can be done once an investigation has established legal liability on the part of the relevant contractors and officials. The details that the Honourable member seeks cannot be provided at this stage because the SIU submits its reports to the President in terms of the SIU Act. My department has not received a copy of the reports. A proper assessment will be conducted once the full reports have been received. In the meantime, the SIU has advised my department that an estimated amount of R747 530 961. 75 has been identified by the SIU as the amount that can be considered by the affected provincial departments recoverable from the liable contractors and/or officials. The SIU further advises that those departments have been informed of their options regarding these matters.

(2) (a) The SIU advises that it has referred a total of thirty-two (32) cases against implicated individuals and/or entities, that are not state owned entities or employed by the state, to law enforcement agencies, for criminal investigation and possible prosecution. It does not have further details of progress in that regard

(b) (i) & (ii) The SIU has further referred a total of thirty-five (35) cases against implicated government officials to law enforcement agencies, for criminal investigation and possible prosecution.

(3) (a) The SIU has further advised that it has finalised 30 investigations in respect of 91 low cost housing projects.

(b) One investigation in respect of a subsidised housing project in the Western Cape has not yet been completed, as the services of a Quantity Surveyor has had to be procured to conduct a value-for-money exercise in respect of this subsidised housing project, to complete the investigation report.

Reply:

It is the duty of the political parties to ensure that their voters turn out to vote on Election Day.

 

Reply:

(1) Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM) was allocated R713.1 million for the 2015/16 financial year and R285.3 million was transferred to the municipality on the 9th of July 2015. The municipality spent an amount of R69.1 million on Urban Settlements Development Grant (USDG) programmes as outlined in the table below as at 30 September 2015. The National Department of Human Settlements is therefore not aware of any funds allocated to BCMM in the 2015-16 financial year that have been utilised for activities or programmes or purposes for which they were not intended.

The departmental information is that the funds were budgeted and spent for the purposes which are illustrated below as at 30 September 2015:

 

(2) The department has utilises the USDG Framework and Division of Revenue Act No.1 of 2015 to regulate the use of its grants. The Grant Framework and the USDG Policy clearly outlines and guides municipalities on the scope of the utilisation of the USDG and this includes:

• Increase in bulk infrastructure capacity
• Increase in the basic services to poor households, specifically in informal settlements, including water, sanitation, electricity, refuse removal and transport access
• Increase in land provision for informal settlement upgrading, subsidy housing, or mixed use development in support of catalytic projects
• Increase in access to socio-economic amenities
• Improved dwelling unit densities within an improved spatial integration framework

The Division of the Revenue Act Section 17 (1) states that “despite anything to the contrary in any other legislation, an allocation referred to in Schedules 4 to 7 may only be utilised for the purpose stipulated in the Schedule concerned and in accordance with the applicable framework section”. Section 18(1) states that “a transferring officer may withhold the transfer of a schedule 4 or 5 allocation or any portion thereof, for a period not exceeding 30 days if (a) the province or municipality does not comply with any provision of this Act.

It is to be noted that in terms of relevant procedure, the Auditor-General also audits expenditure and application of grants by Provinces and Municipalities and these reports are provided to the Department and will be used take corrective action if there is misuse of the grants.

The Department through its Financial and Monitoring and Evaluation units also undertake quarterly visits as well as quarter review sessions with municipalities and provinces, and these also present the Department with an early warning opportunity if there is inappropriate use of grants.

(3) No. However, the Honourable member is encouraged to provide me with details regarding his area of concern.

Reply:

(a) My understanding of red tape is that it is bureaucratic delays in the administration processes that impede and hamper service delivery. We have simplified all business processes for the work of my Department in order to have swifter turnaround times for example, processing of water use licenses. We have reduced the turnaround times for decision makers with regards to Supply chain processes for bid evaluation and bid adjudication processes.

Refer below for response from Entities:

NO.	NAME OF ENTITY	RESPONSE
1.	Amatola Water	(a)(ii) Amatola Water Board defines red tape as “official routine or procedure marked by excessive complexity which results in delay or inaction” (b)(i)(ii); (aa); (bb) & (bbb) Amatola Water Board has governing structures internally that ensure an effective and efficient decision making process that reduces red-tape. The governing structures of Amatola Water Board have policies and procedures to give guidance and, to maintain sound control environment. Amatola Water Board is an active stakeholder that participates in various water sector forums and committees that are lead by Department of Water and Sanitation which are aimed at reducing the decision lag processes (e.g. DG’s Forum, PROWAF, SAAWU). The Shareholders Compact (SHC) which serves an agreement between the Water Board and Minister of Water and Sanitation is aligned to the corporate objectives of the water board. This SHC creates a common space for understanding and execution of strategy. The SHC also forms part of the performance system and monitoring is on a quarterly basis in order to take an immediate corrective action against adverse performance results.
2.	Bloem Water	(a) (i) N/A (ii)Legal mandate by Executive Authority, which is the Board appointed by the Minister, following the Delegation of authority to CE and further to staff. (b)(i) (ii) (aa)(bb)This includes Policies approved and procedures implemented to function in such a way to minimise and reduce processes, costs and red tape. (aaa) (bbb)N/A
3.	Lepelle Northern Water	(ii)Red Tape- excessive bureaucracy or adherence to official rules and formalities. (i) (ii) (aa)(bb) Our internal processes do not have red tape challenges. (aaa) (bbb) N/A
4.	Magalies Water	(a)(ii)Red tape is defined in Magalies Water within the context of normal managerial functions. This is such that management activities are executed in a certain sequence which follows planning within a formal authority of hierarchical decision making. (b)(i)-(ii)A materiality and significance framework and the Delegations of Authority (aa)-(bb)-(aaa) N/A (bbb)The above instruments do neither identify nor reduce red tape but facilitate effective decision making processes within the organisation. The materiality and significance framework facilitate decisions on material transactions by the Board and on significant transactions by the Minister of Water and Sanitation. The delegations of authority facilitate internal decision making processes at various managerial levels.
5.	Mhlathuze Water	(a) (i) N/A (ii) Our understanding of the word “red tape” is that it is a term used to describe excessive regulation that hinders timeous action or decision-making. (b) (i) (ii) (aa) (bb) MW has recently reviewed its business processes in order to streamline all its processes for effective delivery of services. MW policies are reviewed regularly to ensure that they are still effective and relevant in achieving service delivery. (aaa)N/A (bbb)It should however be noted that statutory compliance takes precedence over internal processes, policies and procedures.
6.	Overberg Water	(a) (i) N/A (ii) Overberg Water is not experiencing any red tape in our engagement within and with the external stakeholders. (b) (i) (ii) (aa) (bb) N/A (aaa) (bbb) N/A
7.	Rand Water	(a) (ii) There is no definition of red tape in terms of the law. (b) (i) (ii) (aa) (bb)To improve efficiencies within Rand Water’s Supply Chain Management we are continuously reviewing our systems and policies and currently participating in the review of the Preferential Procurement Act in order to improve economic transformation and participation of previously disadvantages entities in the business of Rand Water. (aaa) (bbb) N/A
8.	Sedibeng Water	a) (i) N/A (Applicable to the department) (ii) Red tape is when processes to approve and authorize activities of the entity are held hostage due to long authorization and approval processes. (b) (i) The necessary processes are still undertaken as per the prescripts of the legislation and business best practices, however business processes mapping was undertaken to respond to the legislation, policies and procedure are defined to enable business efficiencies. (ii) Systems implemented to identify red tape are (aa) The time taken to authorize transactions is checked against the target set to authorize and process; the level of authorization required in terms of the delegated authority; the number of people who hold the requisite authority to transact (bb) reduce red tape in: (aaa) N/A (Applicable to the department) (bbb) A shared services model and automation of the business processes systems was implemented. Reviewing the delegation of authority to allow back up and acting positions taking into account the level of understanding on accountability.
9.	Umgeni Water	a) (i) N/A (ii) Red tape is when processes to approve and authorize activities of the entity are held hostage due to long authorization and approval processes. (b) (i) (ii) (aa) (bb) Umgeni Water has developed systems of internal control that include approved policies and an articulate delegation of powers framework. The framework gives appropriate officials powers to implement decisions at various and appropriate levels. (aaa) N/A (bbb) These systems assist the organisation to quickly dispatch resources and make business decisions without having to wait for executive and accounting authority meetings. However the accounting authority exercises appropriate oversight on decisions taken by management / officials.
10.	Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority	(a) (i) N/A (ii) TCTA is a service provider to other water management institutions.  It does not regulate (i.e. grant permission to an organisation /individual to carry out an activity) or provide a service over which it has a monopoly to others electricity water etc. (b) (i) (ii) (aa) (bb) (aaa) (bbb) N/A The questions are, therefore, not of relevance to TCTA.
11.	Water Research Commission	(a) (ii) Definition of Red Tape. The term red tape is not used. (b) (i) The WRC has had no specific interventions or (ii) systems implemented. The WRC has a fairly efficient deal flow system with our research management system and while we continuously seek improvement, we have had no complaints about unnecessary red tape. The legislative requirements and regulations that apply to the WRC have been effectively integrated into the operations to ensure smooth process flows. (aaa) (bbb) N/A
12.	Inkomati CMA	(a)(ii) Red tape is defined as complicated official rules and regulations, especially when these are considered unnecessary: excessive bureaucracy (b) (i) (ii) (aa) (bb) Not for the entities to respond to. (aaa) (bbb) N/A
13.	Breede-Gouritz CMA	(a) (i) N/A (ii) The BGCMA defines red tape as excessive impediments that require compliance and conformity to formal rules either in terms of established rules within the organization, policy, compliance register, regulations, Treasury Instructions or applicable legislation. These impediments can prevent the BGCMA from making a timeous decision. (b)(i) If it is a rule or policy the BGCMA applies either a deviation route having obtained the necessary approvals but if it is the legislation there is strict compliance. (ii)The performance process flow and compliance register define and identify areas of compliance plus the extent required to implement those. (bb) Depending on the nature of red tape, relevant officials are given specific delegations and if it is a governance issue the Board or the Minister is approached. (aaa) (bbb) N/A

---00O00---

Reply:

(1)(a) According to the Correctional Services Act, Act 111 of 1998 offenders sentenced to life incarceration before 1 October 2004 had to serve a minimum detention period of 20 years before being eligible for consideration for placement on parole. However, on 15 July 2011 the North Gauteng High Court handed down a judgment in the Van Wyk case which had the effect to change the minimum detention period for offenders sentenced to life incarceration before 1 October 2004 prior to them being eligible for consideration for placement on parole. The implication was that the previous credit system was also applicable to those offenders sentenced to life sentences from 1 August 1993 up to 30 September 2004 and after allocation of the maximum number of credits advanced their consideration dates from 20 years to 13 years and 4 months.

(1)(b)(i) & (ii) Section 63 of the Correctional Services Act, Act 8 of 1959; and section 136 of the Correctional Services Act, No 111 of 1998 determines the minimum periods of sentence that must be served before consideration may be given for possible placement.

(2) The mentioned offender was sentenced to life imprisonment on 11 January 2002 and is eligible for consideration for possible parole. However, parole applications are submitted in accordance with and in compliance to section 42(2) (d) of the Correctional Services Act, Act 111 of 1998, as amended. As soon as the requirements of the aforementioned section are complied with, the Case Management Committee will submit the profile report to the Correctional Supervision and Parole Board (CSPB). The CSPB will then make a submission to the National Council for Correctional Services for a recommendation to the Minister.

(3) See (2) above

(4) See (2) above

Reply:

The Department of Home Affairs does not have information about this alleged appeal. A request from an organisation such as Cage Africa to the South African government should follow proper channels and be submitted through the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO).

Reply:

(a) Three (3) sectors.

(b) SECTOR 1: (Township), Jiyana, Isivana, Isishjetweni, Ibaxa, Welamlambo, Ethafeni

SECTOR 2: (Informal Settlement) Vusimuzi and hostels, Vusimuzi squatter camp, Enhlanzeni,Tembisa Plaza, Thiteng and Tembisa Taxi Rank, Mpho and Lekaneng.

SECTOR 3: (Township) Moedi, Khatamping, Endayini, Umnonjaneni, Esiqongweni, Entshonalanga, Umthambeka Ext 5, Umfuyaneni.

(c) The total population of Tembisa South policing area is 111 926. The population figures per sector is not available.

(d)

Police vehicles (i)	Police officers (ii)
03	06

 

Reply:

Visible policing in Vusimusi informal settlement is usually conducted by means of foot patrol mostly during the weekends. The 4 X 4 double cabs are also utilized to patrol the area.

Reply:

The total costs incurred to date amounts to R1 717 351-52 calculated as follows:

Disciplinary hearing R1 088 193-54

Review of the disciplinary hearing (SAPS) R 226 062-00

Review of the arbitration (Maj Gen Booysen) R 403 095-98

TOTAL R1 717 351-52

Reply:

There are no records of any investigation pertaining specifically to the entity in question at any of the DPCI Components.

Reply:

Due to the voluminous nature of the information requested, I would recommend that the member approaches the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans and request to have this information tabled in a meeting of the Portfolio Committee in one of their sessions in 2016.

DATE OF SUBMISSION: 08 DECEMBER 2015

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works

a) In terms of the question “How many contractors from the previously disadvantaged communities have upgraded from grade 1 to grade 2”, the response is as follows:

A total of 928 registration upgrades from grade one to grade two have been recorded in the General Building (GB) Class of Works over the past 10-year period from 1 October 2005 to 31 September 2015.

A total of 620 registration upgrades from grade 1 to grade 2 have been recorded in the Civil Engineering (CE) Class of Works over the same period.

Note that many contractors are registered in more than one Class of Works. The number of upgrades is not disaggregated by ownership, but Grade 1 is almost entirely black-owned.

b) In response to the question “How many such [Grade 1] contractors have upgraded to Grade 9”, the response is as follows:

No contractor has upgraded from Grade 1 to Grade 9 over the past 10 years.

However, it is worth pointing out that 38 General Building and Civil Engineering registration upgrades have occurred from Grades 4 to 8 to Grade 9 within the 10 year period.

__________________________________________________________________

Reply:

1. (a) There is evidence that National Treasury Instruction 01 of 2013/2014

related to the cost containment measures is being taken seriously by accounting officers of departments. When comparing actual expenditure of departments for the financial periods 2013/2014 and 2014/2015, it is clear that a saving of R5 billion, which represents a saving of 20% was realised. Savings in respect of constitutional institutions and public entities are not available since these institutions use financial systems that are different to that of departments and which the National Treasury does not have direct access to.

(b) Non-compliance with the Treasury Instruction on Cost Containment shall result in irregular expenditure. Section 38(1)(h)(iii) and section 51(1)(e)(iii) of the PFMA requires accounting officers of departments and constitutional institutions and accounting authorities of public entities to take effective and appropriate disciplinary steps against any official(s) in the service of the department, constitutional institution or public entity who makes or permits irregular expenditure. Transgressions of the Treasury Instruction shall only be known at institutional level and it is the responsibility of the respective accounting officer or accounting authority to take the necessary action for non-compliance with the Treasury Instruction.

Reply:

There have been exports in terms of Section 14 which were authorised by the NCACC to foreign countries in the years 2010; 2011; 2012; 2013; 2014.The reporting cycle is on a calendar year basis and not on financial year basis, in line with section 23 of the NCAC Act. Therefore the reports are from January to December of each year. This means that the 2015 export report will only be available in 2016.

The NCACC considers all applications against set criteria in terms of section 15 as provided for in the NCAC Act and this occurs after a deliberate process by various Government Departments.

The Reports on Transfers of controlled items are compiled quarterly (4 quarters), as well as annually and are tabled in Parliament through the office of the Speaker of the National Assembly and the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces. These reports are subsequently referred to the Joint Standing Committee on Defence.

These exports are further reported on to the United Nations in line with International obligations of South Africa in terms of Treaties and Conventions, in accordance with International Law.

From the ensuing, it is the intention of South Africa to ensure that arms transferred do not end up with rogue elements elsewhere in the world. South Africa is committed to contributing to Peace and Security in the world.

Lastly, the 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 performance of the NCACC by the AG in this regard was found to be without qualification.

 

Approved / Not Approved

Mr J T Radebe, MP

Minister in The Presidency

Date:

Reply:

This information has been requested from the Province and will be communicated to the Honorable Member when it is available.

 

Reply:

This information has been requested from the Ethekwini Metropolitan Municipality and will be communicated to the Honorable Member when it is available.

 

Reply:

The information can be processed through the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans in the new year, as the beneficiaries names are considered confidential.

DATE OF SUBMISSION: 08 DECEMBER 2015

Reply:

The information can be processed through the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans in the new year, as the beneficiaries names are considered confidential.

DATE OF SUBMISSION: 08 DECEMBER 2015