Questions and Replies
09 December 2015 - NW4241
Mbhele, Mr ZN to ask the Minister of Police
What has been the total cost to date for litigation in all legal actions instituted against a certain person (name and details furnished) by the SA Police Service?
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
08 December 2015 - NW4204
James, Dr WG to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
(a) How many persons were detained for the possession of marijuana in each correctional facility (i) in the (aa) 2012-13, (bb) 2013-14 and (cc) 2014-15 financial years and (ii) since 1 April 2015 and (b) for what period was each specified person detained?
Reply:
(a)(i)(aa), (bb), (cc) and (ii) Refer to Annexure 1
(b) The sentence length of each of the 21 239 offenders referred to in Annexure 1 is available however, a hard copy of the information will consist of ±433 pages. The Honourable Member may confirm if this high volume information is still required.
08 December 2015 - NW3906
Lekota, Mr M to ask the President
(1)Whether he was regularly holding discussions with the Minister of Finance to ascertain whether the notice from National Treasury, dated 19 December 2013, which was signed by Schalk Human, Acting Accountant-General, prescribing cost containment measures and urging fully compliance with sections 38(1)(b), 38(1)(c)(iii) and 51(b)(iii) of the Public Finance Management Act of 1999 was being taken very seriously by all accounting officers across all government departments and also by all accounting authorities in public entities, if so, (a) which departments were complying 100% with the notice and which were not, and (b) what action has he or the Government in general taken against those departments and officials that were in contempt of the National Treasury prescription, if not, why not ?
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.
08 December 2015 - NW4057
Baker, Ms TE to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
With reference to her department’s 2014-15 Annual Report, (a) what are the names of the 1 343 military veterans who accessed counselling services and (b) to which former (i) non-statutory forces (names furnished) or (ii) statutory forces (names furnished) did each veteran belong?
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
08 December 2015 - NW3832
Van Dyk, Ms V to ask the Minister of Communications
(a) What percentage of the Media Development and Diversity Agency funding is allocated to (i) print media and (ii) electronic media per annum and (b) what is the reason for giving any of the specified categories more funding as compared to others?
Reply:
(a) Subject to sub-regulation (2), of Section 22 of the MDDA Act 14 of 2002, funds contemplated in section 15(2)(a) of the Act must be allocated by the Board in accordance with the following percentages:
- Community media projects: at least 60%
- Small Commercial media projects: at least 25%
- Research projects: 5%
(b) The reason for giving community media projects more funding is informed by Regulations in terms of Section 22 of the Media Development and Diversity Agency Act of 2002, as enacted in the Government Gazette No. 22570 of 10 October 2003.
MR NN MUNZHELELE
DIRECTOR GENERAL [ACTING]
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS
DATE:
MS AF MUTHAMBI (MP)
MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS
DATE
08 December 2015 - NW3766
Sithole, Mr KP to ask the Minister of Public Works
(a) How many contractors from the previously disadvantaged communities have upgraded from grade one to grade two and (b) how many such contractors have upgraded to grade 9?
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.
__________________________________________________________________
08 December 2015 - NW3905
Lekota, Mr M to ask the President of the Republic
Whether, subsequent to his declaration of 2011 as the year of job creation followed by the announcement of several initiatives to boost job creation, including the setting up of a R9 billion jobs fund, the Government has achieved any significant milestones towards creating five million jobs by 2020 and bringing the unemployment rate down to 15% as it had set out to do; if not, why not; if so,(a) has half that target been reached in half the time that was allocated to achieve that goal and (b) have decent jobs indeed been created on an incremental basis annually?
Reply:
a) Yes, there has been progress in job creation in the South African economy, although the unemployment rate remains unacceptably high.
The most recent Quarterly Labour Force Survey released by Statistics SA puts total employment in September 2015 at 15 828 000. This is an increase of some 2 500 000 over the September 2011 QLFS estimate of 13 318 000 employed persons. It should be noted, however, that a new Master Sample based on the 2011 census data was introduced in 2015, and Statistics SA therefore cautions that year-on-year changes should be interpreted with care. Notwithstanding this caution, the data indicate that if the rate of increase in employment over the past years is continued over the period ahead, approximately 5 million jobs will be created by 2020.
It is also apparent from the QLFS data that the rate of increase in the labour force has exceeded the rate of job creation, and so the unemployment rate has remained broadly unchanged. In September 2011 the estimated rate of unemployment was 25.7 per cent, and in September 2015 it was 25.5 per cent.
b) With respect to the question whether decent jobs have been created on an incremental basis annually, Government is mindful that wages are low and employment opportunities are irregular in some parts of the economy. Between 2011 and 2015, formal non-agricultural employment increased by approximately 1.5 million. In the September 2015 QLFS, informal sector work accounts for 2.7 million jobs, agriculture employment is 900 000 and private households account for 1.28 million jobs. These are important and sizeable shares of the employment total, and working conditions are varied in these sectors.
Programmes and policy initiatives that are aimed at improving conditions amongst lower-income workers include sectoral wage determinations by the Minister of Labour, investment in training and skills development and small enterprise support programmes. Government’s main direct contribution to the expansion of job opportunities is through the Expanded Public Works Programme and the Community Work Programme, and the youth employment incentive has been introduced to encourage firms to create work opportunities for first-time young work seekers.
The objective of the Jobs Fund is to support innovative approaches to employment creation and work seeker support, thereby contributing to evidence and learning about effective employment initiatives and strategies. The Jobs Fund aims to create 150 000 sustainable jobs and will contribute to evidence-based policy making.
To date the Jobs Fund has issued 5 calls for proposals, and approved 108 project applications of which 85 are currently being implemented. R5.6 billion in grants has been committed to the 108 projects. These project partners have committed R7.9 billion in matched funding. To date R2.78 billion in grants have been disbursed to implementing projects and R4.2 billion in matched funding has already been leveraged from these partners. The 85 projects being currently implemented have to date created 60 675 new permanent jobs and an additional 30 358 persons have been placed in vacant positions on a permanent basis. 16 124 short term jobs have been created, 13 291 persons completed internships and 128 196 persons has received work readiness/technical training.
Most of the jobs created have been entry level jobs for which the salary ranges between the sectoral minimum wage and R3500. Most of those employed are youth in their first jobs. Jobs have also been created in the salary cohort of R3500- R8800 with a few jobs created at salary levels in excess of R8000 per month. Jobs are evidenced through the submission of contracts of employment and payroll amongst others.
08 December 2015 - NW4051
Esau, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
With reference to her department’s 2014-15 Annual Report, (a) what are the names of the 1 803 military veterans who were provided with healthcare cards and (b) to which former (i) non-statutory forces (names furnished) or (ii) statutory forces (names furnished) did each veteran belong?
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
08 December 2015 - NW4113
Hill-Lewis, Mr GG to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
(1)What transitional arrangements were put in place in the (a) Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality and (b) Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality respectively to facilitate the transfer of assets from their former district municipalities to the new Metros; (2) whether such arrangements are still in place; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) whether any backlog of assets still remains to be transferred; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, for each of the specified Metros, what (a) is the nature, (b) is the value of the assets to be transferred and (c) are the relevant reasons why the specified transfers have not yet taken place?
Reply:
This information has been requested from these two metropolitan municipalities and will be communicated to the Honorable Member when it is available.
08 December 2015 - NW3907
Lekota, Mr M to ask the Minister of Public Works
(1) Whether, during the period 1 March 2012 to 31 October 2015, his department (a) sidestepped or circumvented the provisions of the Public Finance Management Act, Act 1 of 1999, to make procurements, sign or extend leases or enter into any contract of any kind, (b) continued to undertake any purchases or improvements in respect of any prestige projects in spite of constrained national finances, (c) spent any money on the extension, maintenance or upkeep of the President’s private residence in Nkandla, (d) failed to fully update the Asset Register and (e) neglected or abandoned any state property anywhere in the country; if not, what is his position with regard to each of the specified issues; if so, in each case, (i) why, (ii) when and (iii) for what reason; (2) whether he will make a statement on (a) how and (b) to what extent the Government’s neoliberal policies impact on the functioning of his department; if so, how does he intend to remedy the situation?
Reply:
The Minister of Public Works
(1)(a) The Department of Public Works (DPW) confirms that it did not sidestep or circumvent the provisions of the Public Finance Management Act, (Act No. 1 of 1999), (PFMA) when awarding tenders. However, there are situations where deviations are permitted in terms of the applicable legislation, regulations and policy prescripts. All tenders awarded were done in accordance with prescribed and legislated procurement methods and within the duly approved procurement systems of the DPW.
Numerous projects have been launched to ensure that procurement systems are intact and leasing processes are clear, transparent and well-articulated. This includes, amongst others, the introduction of a standardised lease agreement that ensures that all salient matters of the lease are captured clearly. The signing of leases has been centralised at the Head Office to the Head of the Property Management Trading Entity (PMTE) and other delegated officials at Deputy Director-General level. Due to the unique nature of the property and construction environments, the Supply Chain Management (SCM) processes for leasing and construction procurement are also in the process of being revised, where unique SCM processes for each of these fields will apply.
(1)(b) Yes, purchases were made and services were procured as part of the DPW’s obligation to render services to clients. However, in light of Government’s drive to reduce expenditure, the DPW focused on areas where spending could be reduced. On furniture, costs were reduced by 80% compared to the previous year: from R8 400 504.62 in 2014/15 to R1 679 383.33 as at end October 2015.
On renovation/upgrades costs were reduced by 30% compared to the previous year: from R176 017 074.00 in 2014/15 to R123 108 435.00 as at end of October 2015.
(1)(c) No money has been spent on the extension, maintenance or upkeep of the President’s private residence in Nkandla during the period 1 March 2012 to 31 October 2015.
(1)(d) The DPW embarked on an Immovable Asset Register (IAR) Enhancement Programme to provide certainty on the extent of immovable assets, and validate completeness and accuracy of immovable assets under its custodianship. As a continuous exercise to ensure that the Department’s IAR is complete and accurate, the Department’s IAR was reconciled against the Deeds records and other National and Provincial IAR’s for both the interim and annual financial statements during the past three financial years (2012/13, 2013/14 and 2014/15).
(1)(e) The Department’s programme to rebuild its Immovable Asset Register (IAR) that complies with the Generally Recognised Accounting Practice (GRAP) by 31 March 2016 is making good progress, as indicated below:
- The physical verification of specifically identified land parcels by DPW has been concluded. To date the Department has verified 36 852 of the identified land parcels in the 2013/14 financial year.
- The remaining 6900 land parcels are being verified and assessed during the 2015/16 financial year.
- The Department’s State Domestic Facilities not on State land have been identified and accounted for.
- Approximately 60% of DPW’s properties have had municipal values applied to them in the 2014/15 financial year with the remainder to be completed by 31 March 2016 in line with the GRAP phase-in process as permitted by the Accounting Standards Board (ASB) Directive 2. This has resulted in the disclosure of DPW’s properties at R78.1 billion for the year ending 31 March 2015, compared to the R10.3 billion in the 2013/14 financial year.
- There was no audit qualification pertaining to the Department’s IAR in 2013/14 and 2014/15 financial years.
The above key indicators highlight the significant advances made to enhance the Department’s IAR.
(2) (a) and (b) Government’s policies are not neo-liberal. In the current global and national context, necessary measures to ensure fiscal consolidation have been collectively agreed upon by Cabinet and I fully support these measures. Naturally, these measures have impacted upon the line budgets of all Government departments and, as indicated above, the DPW has accordingly implemented a range of cost-cutting interventions.
_______________________________________________________________
08 December 2015 - NW4049
Esau, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
With reference to her department’s 2014-15 Annual Report, (a) what are the names of the 693 military veterans who received Social Relief Distress through the SA Social Security Agency and (b) to which former (i) non-statutory forces (names furnished) or (ii) statutory forces (names furnished) did each veteran belong?
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
08 December 2015 - NW4005
Marais, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
With reference to the diplomatic visit to the Republic of Cuba in October 2015 by the Deputy President, Mr M C Ramaphosa, South African Ambassador to Cuba Ms Naphtalie Manana‚ Deputy Ministers Mr L T Landers‚ Mr M E Surty‚ Dr M J Phaahla‚ Mr G G Oliphant‚ Ms P Tshwete and Mr K B Manamela, what was the (a) traveling cost for (i) each member of the specified delegation and (ii) their support staff and (b) breakdown of these costs in each case?
Reply:
The Department of Defence was not involved in the travel arrangements for the diplomatic visit to the Republic of Cuba by the Deputy President, Mr C Ramaphosa, and his entourage during the month of October 2015.
Please refer your question to the Presidency.
DATE OF SUBMISSION: 08 DECEMBER 2015
08 December 2015 - NW4052
Marais, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
With reference to her department’s 2014-15 Annual Report, (a) what are the names of (i) the 645 military veterans and (ii) their dependents who received bursaries and (b) to which of the former (i) non-statutory forces (names furnished) or (ii) statutory forces (names furnished) did each veteran belong?
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
08 December 2015 - NW4050
Esau, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
With reference to her department’s 2014-15 Annual Report, (a) what are the names of the 6 795 military veterans who were provided access to healthcare and (b) to which former (i) non-statutory forces (names furnished) or (ii) statutory forces (names furnished) did each veteran belong?
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
08 December 2015 - NW4132
Redelinghuys, Mr MH to ask the Minister of Police
(1)Whether the SA Police Service have received any claims for post-traumatic stress for incidents on duty since the Casualty Commissioner has classified it as a health condition; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) how many such claims have been received and (b) were successfully processed; (2) whether a certain person (name and details furnished) recently received a promotion due to the specified person’s health condition; if not, (a) why not and (b) why was the promotion withdrawn; if so, (i) on what date and (ii) what is the specified person’s current rank; (3) whether there is an ongoing investigation into the promotion of the specified person; if not, why not; if so, (a) what is the status of the investigation and (b) when is it expected to be finalised?
Reply:
Due to the nature of the information that is required, SAPS is not able to provide the full details within the given time frame as some information is still being processed. A request is hereby made for an extension of time in order to SAPS to provide quality and correct information as soon as it is ready.
08 December 2015 - NW4140
Waters, Mr M to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
(1)What amount did the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality in Gauteng spend on paying employees for overtime (a) in the (i) 2013-14 and (ii) 2014-15 financial years and (b) from 1 July 2015 up to the latest specified date for which information is available; (2) what instruction has the Auditor-General given to the specified Metro in this regard?
Reply:
This information has been requested from the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality and will be communicated to the Honorable Member when it is available.
08 December 2015 - NW4135
Cassim, Mr Y to ask the Minister of Police
(1)What are the current stock levels of the SA Police Service (SAPS) in terms of non-lethal ammunition like (a) rubber bullets, (b) stun grenades and (c) teargas; (2) (a) how many water cannons are currently owned by the SAPS and (b) how many of the specified water cannons are operational; (3) (a) what are the current stock levels of the SAPS’s anti-riot gear like (i) goggles, (ii) protective gear, (iii) boots and (iv) bullet-proof vests and (b) who is the current supplier of each of the specified items; (4) what is the (a) name, (b) specifications and (c) current supplier of the boots currently being used by the SAPS Special Forces; (5) what is the (a) name, (b) specifications and (c) the current supplier of the gun holsters currently being used by the SAPS?
Reply:
Due to the nature of the information that is required, SAPS is not able to provide the full details within the given time frame as the information is not readily available. A request is hereby made for an extension of time in order for SAPS to provide quality and correct information as soon as it is received.
08 December 2015 - NW4054
Mbhele, Mr ZN to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
With reference to her department’s 2014-15 Annual Report, (a) what are the names of the 2 450 military veterans who accessed training and skills development and (b) to which of the former (i) non-statutory forces (names furnished) or (ii) statutory forces (names furnished) did each veteran belong?
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
08 December 2015 - NW4064
Carter, Ms D to ask the Minister of Police
Whether the medium-term strategic framework that was adopted for the period 2009 to 2014 has been fully evaluated to determine whether (a) the capacity of the detective and forensic services has been enhanced, (b) the population has been mobilised against crime, (c) the number of serious and violent crimes has been reduced by 4% to 7% each year, (d) women and children are protected from those who perpetrated crimes against them and (e) corruption in the public and private sectors was eliminated; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
Due to the nature of the information that is required, SAPS is not able to provide the full details within the given time frame as the information is not readily available. A request is hereby made for an extension of time in order for SAPS to provide quality and correct information as soon as it is received.
08 December 2015 - NW3861
Groenewald, Dr PJ to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
(1)What is the reason why several medals have been handed over to the Military Shop in Pretoria to be sold to the public; (2) (a) which types of medal and (b) how many of each type of medal have been handed over to the specified shop; (3) who gave the authority for the specified medals to be sold; (4) whether any steps are being considered against the relevant person; if not, why not; if so, what steps; (5) whether she will make a statement on the matter?
Reply:
The SANDF is not aware of any Military Shop in Pretoria that sells military medals. The SANDF remains the custodian of all the South African military medals.
DATE OF SUBMISSION: 08 DECEMBER 2015
08 December 2015 - NW4115
Bozzoli, Prof B to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
Whether any budget has been (a) prepared, (b) tabled and (c) adopted by the Ethekwini Municipal Council for the 2022 Commonwealth Games; if not, how was it possible for the City of Durban to bid for the specified project; if so, (i) what are the funding implications for the specified municipality and (ii) how will the specified municipality raise the necessary funds?
Reply:
This information has been requested from the Ethekwini Metropolitan Municipality and will be communicated to the Honorable Member when it is available.
08 December 2015 - NW4213
Figg, Mr MJ to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises
What has been the demand for electricity in each month since March 2015 up to the latest specified date for which information is available?
Reply:
In responding to the question the assumption is made that the Honourable Member is referring to daily maximum demand. The table below indicates the customer daily energy demand from 1 March 2015 to 29 November 2015.
Date |
Customer Demand MWh |
2015/03/01 |
615 989 |
2015/03/02 |
669 051 |
2015/03/03 |
674 638 |
2015/03/04 |
675 675 |
2015/03/05 |
678 546 |
2015/03/06 |
678 138 |
2015/03/07 |
644 353 |
2015/03/08 |
622 464 |
2015/03/09 |
677 087 |
2015/03/10 |
685 801 |
2015/03/11 |
687 776 |
2015/03/12 |
688 292 |
2015/03/13 |
689 000 |
2015/03/14 |
650 059 |
2015/03/15 |
625 750 |
2015/03/16 |
677 776 |
2015/03/17 |
684 592 |
2015/03/18 |
686 001 |
2015/03/19 |
687 755 |
2015/03/20 |
682 914 |
2015/03/21 |
644 010 |
2015/03/22 |
630 664 |
2015/03/23 |
683 404 |
2015/03/24 |
687 956 |
2015/03/25 |
685 945 |
2015/03/26 |
690 873 |
2015/03/27 |
669 502 |
2015/03/28 |
632 650 |
2015/03/29 |
608 103 |
2015/03/30 |
661 626 |
2015/03/31 |
669 967 |
2015/04/01 |
668 627 |
2015/04/02 |
651 398 |
2015/04/03 |
594 235 |
2015/04/04 |
590 128 |
2015/04/05 |
579 514 |
2015/04/06 |
589 727 |
2015/04/07 |
655 740 |
2015/04/08 |
666 176 |
2015/04/09 |
672 502 |
2015/04/10 |
672 108 |
2015/04/11 |
637 678 |
2015/04/12 |
619 241 |
2015/04/13 |
663 577 |
2015/04/14 |
677 597 |
2015/04/15 |
677 271 |
2015/04/16 |
679 907 |
2015/04/17 |
671 634 |
2015/04/18 |
645 426 |
2015/04/19 |
630 322 |
2015/04/20 |
669 247 |
2015/04/21 |
679 860 |
2015/04/22 |
683 606 |
2015/04/23 |
679 504 |
2015/04/24 |
680 109 |
2015/04/25 |
635 071 |
2015/04/26 |
611 130 |
2015/04/27 |
624 250 |
2015/04/28 |
666 329 |
2015/04/29 |
668 547 |
2015/04/30 |
663 547 |
2015/05/01 |
617 955 |
2015/05/02 |
612 217 |
2015/05/03 |
617 004 |
2015/05/04 |
662 729 |
2015/05/05 |
679 554 |
2015/05/06 |
675 633 |
2015/05/07 |
686 368 |
2015/05/08 |
683 972 |
2015/05/09 |
653 427 |
2015/05/10 |
630 569 |
2015/05/11 |
680 763 |
2015/05/12 |
684 688 |
2015/05/13 |
683 584 |
2015/05/14 |
683 452 |
2015/05/15 |
680 843 |
2015/05/16 |
652 459 |
2015/05/17 |
627 987 |
2015/05/18 |
672 777 |
2015/05/19 |
682 316 |
2015/05/20 |
680 819 |
2015/05/21 |
684 597 |
2015/05/22 |
678 270 |
2015/05/23 |
649 686 |
2015/05/24 |
636 941 |
2015/05/25 |
680 562 |
2015/05/26 |
691 093 |
2015/05/27 |
689 785 |
2015/05/28 |
687 883 |
2015/05/29 |
678 297 |
2015/05/30 |
636 299 |
2015/05/31 |
624 217 |
2015/06/01 |
663 832 |
2015/06/02 |
678 966 |
2015/06/03 |
687 834 |
2015/06/04 |
699 092 |
2015/06/05 |
702 533 |
2015/06/06 |
677 867 |
2015/06/07 |
653 802 |
2015/06/08 |
694 948 |
2015/06/09 |
703 928 |
2015/06/10 |
716 499 |
2015/06/11 |
716 836 |
2015/06/12 |
714 953 |
2015/06/13 |
661 765 |
2015/06/14 |
640 077 |
2015/06/15 |
673 059 |
2015/06/16 |
650 032 |
2015/06/17 |
706 515 |
2015/06/18 |
711 768 |
2015/06/19 |
705 245 |
2015/06/20 |
669 921 |
2015/06/21 |
650 940 |
2015/06/22 |
697 149 |
2015/06/23 |
706 460 |
2015/06/24 |
706 658 |
2015/06/25 |
706 221 |
2015/06/26 |
697 005 |
2015/06/27 |
672 992 |
2015/06/28 |
651 838 |
2015/06/29 |
688 460 |
2015/06/30 |
698 407 |
2015/07/01 |
692 949 |
2015/07/02 |
693 312 |
2015/07/03 |
690 260 |
2015/07/04 |
653 354 |
2015/07/05 |
637 854 |
2015/07/06 |
679 880 |
2015/07/07 |
698 275 |
2015/07/08 |
692 722 |
2015/07/09 |
686 403 |
2015/07/10 |
682 469 |
2015/07/11 |
655 458 |
2015/07/12 |
635 239 |
2015/07/13 |
685 843 |
2015/07/14 |
698 754 |
2015/07/15 |
695 409 |
2015/07/16 |
691 166 |
2015/07/17 |
696 565 |
2015/07/18 |
660 855 |
2015/07/19 |
646 471 |
2015/07/20 |
683 527 |
2015/07/21 |
690 396 |
2015/07/22 |
699 851 |
2015/07/23 |
708 383 |
2015/07/24 |
701 131 |
2015/07/25 |
670 257 |
2015/07/26 |
651 721 |
2015/07/27 |
694 919 |
2015/07/28 |
700 715 |
2015/07/29 |
704 311 |
2015/07/30 |
698 663 |
2015/07/31 |
703 594 |
2015/08/01 |
661 007 |
2015/08/02 |
636 444 |
2015/08/03 |
682 407 |
2015/08/04 |
689 477 |
2015/08/05 |
692 994 |
2015/08/06 |
690 907 |
2015/08/07 |
678 144 |
2015/08/08 |
638 883 |
2015/08/09 |
614 219 |
2015/08/10 |
628 776 |
2015/08/11 |
681 094 |
2015/08/12 |
685 460 |
2015/08/13 |
679 649 |
2015/08/14 |
677 149 |
2015/08/15 |
634 823 |
2015/08/16 |
607 120 |
2015/08/17 |
652 403 |
2015/08/18 |
660 354 |
2015/08/19 |
657 677 |
2015/08/20 |
657 116 |
2015/08/21 |
647 200 |
2015/08/22 |
617 489 |
2015/08/23 |
604 102 |
2015/08/24 |
644 647 |
2015/08/25 |
645 891 |
2015/08/26 |
646 045 |
2015/08/27 |
644 655 |
2015/08/28 |
634 684 |
2015/08/29 |
601 424 |
2015/08/30 |
591 426 |
2015/08/31 |
632 223 |
2015/09/01 |
669 042 |
2015/09/02 |
676 263 |
2015/09/03 |
682 373 |
2015/09/04 |
700 260 |
2015/09/05 |
661 441 |
2015/09/06 |
636 233 |
2015/09/07 |
675 372 |
2015/09/08 |
687 079 |
2015/09/09 |
677 477 |
2015/09/10 |
678 821 |
2015/09/11 |
678 059 |
2015/09/12 |
653 847 |
2015/09/13 |
629 895 |
2015/09/14 |
670 489 |
2015/09/15 |
679 680 |
2015/09/16 |
675 104 |
2015/09/17 |
676 985 |
2015/09/18 |
682 142 |
2015/09/19 |
653 659 |
2015/09/20 |
637 410 |
2015/09/21 |
688 762 |
2015/09/22 |
683 341 |
2015/09/23 |
673 321 |
2015/09/24 |
633 573 |
2015/09/25 |
650 464 |
2015/09/26 |
629 960 |
2015/09/27 |
617 185 |
2015/09/28 |
661 945 |
2015/09/29 |
675 770 |
2015/09/30 |
675 378 |
2015/10/01 |
662 080 |
2015/10/02 |
665 036 |
2015/10/03 |
630 343 |
2015/10/04 |
611 024 |
2015/10/05 |
658 813 |
2015/10/06 |
669 966 |
2015/10/07 |
670 396 |
2015/10/08 |
668 657 |
2015/10/09 |
670 214 |
2015/10/10 |
633 378 |
2015/10/11 |
615 977 |
2015/10/12 |
662 540 |
2015/10/13 |
671 910 |
2015/10/14 |
673 013 |
2015/10/15 |
667 974 |
2015/10/16 |
666 560 |
2015/10/17 |
633 974 |
2015/10/18 |
608 772 |
2015/10/19 |
660 891 |
2015/10/20 |
666 228 |
2015/10/21 |
668 833 |
2015/10/22 |
673 724 |
2015/10/23 |
665 720 |
2015/10/24 |
629 230 |
2015/10/25 |
608 906 |
2015/10/26 |
660 869 |
2015/10/27 |
664 197 |
2015/10/28 |
669 483 |
2015/10/29 |
674 863 |
2015/10/30 |
668 504 |
2015/10/31 |
627 524 |
2015/11/01 |
604 362 |
2015/11/02 |
645 209 |
2015/11/03 |
656 034 |
2015/11/04 |
653 911 |
2015/11/05 |
659 857 |
2015/11/06 |
659 962 |
2015/11/07 |
628 519 |
2015/11/08 |
609 244 |
2015/11/09 |
664 576 |
2015/11/10 |
666 367 |
2015/11/11 |
671 344 |
2015/11/12 |
676 683 |
2015/11/13 |
673 616 |
2015/11/14 |
632 639 |
2015/11/15 |
603 480 |
2015/11/16 |
652 420 |
2015/11/17 |
654 575 |
2015/11/18 |
655 851 |
2015/11/19 |
642 153 |
2015/11/20 |
645 569 |
2015/11/21 |
610 940 |
2015/11/22 |
588 569 |
2015/11/23 |
641 785 |
2015/11/24 |
660 352 |
2015/11/25 |
665 091 |
2015/11/26 |
663 060 |
2015/11/27 |
657 316 |
2015/11/28 |
615 845 |
2015/11/29 |
607 541 |
08 December 2015 - NW4145
Bhanga, Mr BM to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
What amount has each metropolitan municipality spent on (a) catering and (b) entertainment in the (i) 2014-15 financial year and (ii) since 1 July 2015?
Reply:
This information has been requested from the metropolitan municipalities and will be communicated to the Honorable Member when it is available.
08 December 2015 - NW4089
Topham , Mr B to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
Whether each metropolitan municipality has a closed circuit television network; if not, why not; if so, how many cameras are (a) on the network and (b) currently active?
Reply:
This information has been requested from the metropolitan municipalities and will be communicated to the Honorable Member when it is available.
08 December 2015 - NW4111
Mileham, Mr K to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
(1)Whether any forensic (a) audits and/or (b) reports have been generated for the Thabazimbi Local Municipality in Limpopo since 2004; if not, (i) why not and (ii) what action will he take in this regard; if so, in each case, what were the findings of the specified (aa) audits and/or (bb) reports; (2) whether the specified (a) audits and/or (b) reports were tabled before the council of the specified municipality; if not, why not; if so, in each case, (i) when were the (aa) audits and/or (bb) reports tabled and (ii) what actions were taken in this regard; (3) whether any disciplinary action was taken against any persons, parties and/or organisations implicated in the specified audits and/or reports; if not, (a) why not and (b) what action will he take in this regard; if so, what were the outcomes of the disciplinary action taken in each case?
Reply:
This information has been requested from the Thabazimbi Local Municipality and will be communicated to the Honorable Member when it is available.
08 December 2015 - NW3969
Lekota, Mr M to ask the President of the Republic
(1) Whether his statement on 8 November 2015, that his political organisation comes first, represents his policy position as the President of the Republic of South Africa; if not, (2) whether he will unreservedly retract the specified statement and apologise to the nation for devaluing the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, which he is sworn to uphold through the specified statement; if not, why not; if so, (a) when and (b) how is he going to apologise; (3) Whether he will make a statement on the responsibility of the President of South Africa to place the interest of South Africa above every other endeavour; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
- I made the statement that the ANC comes first at an ANC Provincial Conference in my capacity as the President of the ANC. Since its founding in 1912 the ANC has been at the forefront of the struggles to defeat apartheid colonialism, and since its election into power in 1994, to liberate South Africans from the triple challenge of poverty, unemployment and inequality.
Like many South Africans, I joined the ANC to contribute to the achievement of its historic mission of building a non-racial, non-sexist, prosperous and democratic society. Given this important role that the ANC has played and still plays in leading this society towards the achievement of these goals, and considering that a large number of citizens have put their faith and hopes on the ANC to lead them to a better life for all, it is important that the work of building the ANC into a stronger organization that can continue to lead society is vigorously pursued.
There is therefore nothing wrong or untoward in saying the ANC comes first. It does not mean I love my country any less. It is in fact because of the love of my country and my commitment to its success that I believe that the ANC should be stronger so that it can lead us to a united and prosperous society.
2. The statement I made does not devalue the Constitution of the Republic in any way, nor does it contradict the Oath of Office which I took when I was sworn in as the President of the Republic of South Africa. There is therefore no reason to retract the statement I made.
08 December 2015 - NW4097
America, Mr D to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
(1)What amount was spent on advertising by the Tlokwe City Local Municipality in the North West (a) in print media, (b) on radio, (c) on television, (d) online, (e) outdoors and (f) any other medium (i) in the 2014-15 financial year and (ii) since 1 July 2015; (2) in respect of each specified advertisement, (a) in which media was it flighted and (b) what was the (i) purpose of the advertisement and (c) cost?
Reply:
This information has been requested from Tlokwe Local Municipality and will be communicated to the Honorable Member when it is available.
08 December 2015 - NW3790
Maimane, Mr MA to ask the President of the Republic
In the light of the Supreme Court of Appeal’s finding on 8 October 2015, in the Hlaudi Motsoeneng case and the implications the specified court’s finding has for the powers of the Public Protector, what action is he going to take to comply with the remedial actions contained in the Public Protector’s report Secure in Comfort?
Reply:
The question concerns matters that are currently before the Constitutional Court in the case of the EFF v the Speaker of the National Assembly and Others. I cannot respond at this stage in deference to the courts.
08 December 2015 - NW4130
Van Dyk, Ms V to ask the Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services
(1)What are the details of the process followed to appoint a lead agency for the rollout of broadband services to the eight district municipalities that are the first phase of SA Connect; (2) (a) what are the criteria used to determine the (i) role and (ii) capabilities of the lead agency and (b) when will the appointment of the specified agency be announced?
Reply:
- The Lead Entity has not been appointed yet because the Department is following due process.
(2)(a)(i) Current infrastructure roll-out is fragmented, it leads to duplication of efforts and resources, and also focuses on urban areas. Additionally, the roll-out of parallel and competing networks especially in rural areas is considered not feasible or viable because of the socio-economic profile of the rural areas and demand for services. The criteria for designating a Lead Entity took into consideration the extent of fibre infrastructure in the country and the national network scope and scale that can be leveraged to reduce the cost and distances to connect facilities to existing infrastructure. Furthermore, the entity should have the capacity to coordinate other State-Owned Entities (SOEs) in order to leverage and efficiently use State assets and investments to expedite broadband roll-out, particularly in rural areas, in a cost effective manner.
(ii) Refer to (i) above
(b) The appointment of the Lead Agency will be announced once the appointment process has been finalised.
08 December 2015 - NW4156
Groenewald, Dr PJ to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
(1)What is the curriculum for the training of a fighter pilot in the SA National Defence Force; (2) whether students are allowed to repeat any of the courses in the curriculum if they do not pass the first time; if so, (a) which parts of the curriculum and (b) how many times this may be repeated; (3) how many students are currently being trained as fighter pilots; (4) whether she will make a statement regarding the matter?
Reply:
The information required is classified and the response to the above questions can be provided in a closed session of the Joint Standing Committee on Defence.
DATE OF SUBMISSION: 08 DECEMBER 2015
08 December 2015 - NW4053
Marais, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
With reference to her department’s 2014-15 Annual Report, (a) what are the names of the nine military veterans whose houses were rescued from repossession by the banks and (b) to which of the former (i) non-statutory forces (names furnished) or (ii) statutory forces (names furnished) did each veteran belong?
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
08 December 2015 - NW4092
Matsepe, Mr CD to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
Whether, for each metropolitan municipality, any municipal official or councillor undertook any international travel (a) in the 2014-15 financial year and (b) since 1 July 2015; if so, (i) what was the purpose of each trip, (ii) who undertook each trip and (iii) what was the total cost of each trip including (aa) flights and (bb) accommodation?
Reply:
This information has been requested from the metropolitan municipalities and will be communicated to the Honorable Member when it is available.
08 December 2015 - NW4192
Volmink, Mr HC to ask the Minister of Health
(1)What is current status of the Academy for Leadership and Management in Healthcare which was launched in 2013; (2) whether the academy has been operational since its launch; if not, why not; if so, (3) are there any (a) operational and (b) financial reports available; if not, why not; if so, where can the specified reports be found?
Reply:
- We launched the Academy for Leadership and Management in Health Care (the Academy) in December 2012 and tasked and Advisory Committee to guide its establishment. The Academy has not yet been established. The organizational model and governance structure of the Academy has been approved by the National Health Council Technical Advisory Committee on 14 October 2015 and will be presented to the next National Health Council meeting for approval.
- For the reason stated above, the Academy has not been functional formally since it has not as yet been formally established. The Advisory Committee has been supporting the National Department of Health with induction programmes for new CEOs and further training for CEOs. The Advisory Committee has also worked with the Department of Health to develop the prototype of a unique training methodology, the “Knowledge Management Hub”. The Advisory Committee has also worked with the Department of Health to develop competency frameworks for District Managers and Hospital CEOs.
The Advisory Committee submitted its recommendations for establishing the Academy to the Director-General of the Department of Health and the National Health Council Technical Committee (NHC-TAC) in May 2015. The recommendations of this were followed up in August 2015 by a presentation to the NHC-TAC on the concept of the Academy’s Knowledge Hub and the prototype for use.
3. The activities of the Advisory Committee were originally funded by the Department of International Development (DFID) and subsequently by the Public Health Enhancement Fund. These organizations have their own financial reporting systems. Financial information can be obtained from these organizations.
END.
08 December 2015 - NW4112
Davis, Mr GR to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
(1)Whether any water tankers were purchased by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (a) in the (i) 2013-14 and (ii) 2014-15 financial years and (b) since 1 June 2015; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, in each case, (aa) how many water tankers were purchased in each specified financial year, (bb) what was the total cost of the specified tankers purchased and (cc) who supplied the specified vehicles; (2) whether he has found that the specified purchases represents a fair market price for the specified vehicles; if not, why not; if so, what are the further relevant details in each case?
Reply:
This information has been requested from the Province and will be communicated to the Honorable Member when it is available.
08 December 2015 - NW3753
Carter, Ms D to ask the President of the Republic
Whether the Government intends to encourage an independent mediation process in respect of disputes with other parties, opposition parties included, as first recourse in order to find amicable resolution so that matters of dispute do not have to be referred to Courts for adjudication; if not, why not; if so, what steps does the Government intend to take in this regard.
Reply:
The general principle is that all political and other disputes should be resolved through discussion, negotiation, mediation, and other forms of non-adversarial dispute resolution mechanisms. We should only resort to the courts when these channels have failed. Parties should refrain from using the courts to resolve political disputes. Parliament has various mechanisms in place to resolve disputes between parties in terms of its Rules, and all parties should make optimal use of those Rules to resolve disputes.
08 December 2015 - NW4104
Ollis, Mr IM to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
What is the proposed (a) operational expenditure and (b) capital expenditure of the Tlokwe City Local Municipality in the North West on services to informal settlements in the 2015-16 financial year?
Reply:
This information has been requested from Tlokwe Local Municipality and will be communicated to the Honorable Member when it is available.
08 December 2015 - NW4231
Stander, Ms T to ask the Minister of Health
(1)Whether he supports the draft Strategy to Address Air Pollution in Dense Low-Income Settlements presented to his department and other departments in 2013; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) whether he has taken any steps to address the ongoing harmful health impacts of domestic fuel burning being suffered by residents of dense low-income settlements; if not, why not; if so, what are the full details of the steps undertaken?
Reply:
- Yes, the intentions of the strategy to address air pollution in dense and low-income settlements are supported.
The effects of indoor air pollution to human health as a result of the use of solid fuels remain of grave concern to the Ministry of Health. Many households still cook and heat their homes using wood, coal and even dung, in open fires and leaky stoves, and these practices contribute to premature death and illness from respiratory and cardiac conditions and also results in burns, injuries and poisoning from fuel ingestion. We support an approach that addresses the social determinants of health and sustainable development.
The Department aligns with strategies that ensure healthy air in and around the household. The Department of Health supports programmes for clean household energy in contributing towards addressing child and maternal health as a core preventative public health measure.
The intersectoral approach, including roles for critical departments and national, provincial and local government, is supported to address air pollution effects and the Department of Health will continue to partake in programmes aimed at addressing such effects.
2. Yes.
The Department of Health is involved with the assessment and control of biological agents in the environment and improving social concerns and thereby addressing the ongoing health impacts of domestic fuel burning through ongoing Environmental Health programmes. Environmental Health Practitioners are trained on monitoring of Indoor Air Quality and capacitating members of the public through awareness creation. Health awareness campaigns focus inter alia on improved ventilation and lighting.
Within the National Department of Health, Environmental Health has recently been elevated into a Chief Directorate to prioritize prevention of ill health that is caused by environmental factors. The relevant Manager has been tasked with engaging with the Department of Environmental Affairs as well as Non-Governmental Organizations to address the environmental determinants of ill health. Government is committed to the increased use of renewable/subsidized residential housing. It is acknowledged however that more is required to effectively respond to the dangerous energy sources burned in dense low-income communities.
While we collectively work with our partners to prevent ill health caused by environmental factors my Department will also ensure that good health care is provided to poor communities that are forced by poverty to continue burning unsafe fuels that cause ill health.
END.
08 December 2015 - NW3908
Carter, Ms D to ask the Minister of Economic Development
Whether, the Government has any new plans and strategies in place to address the issue of joblessness considering that in the third term of 2015, the percentage of unemployed citizens had risen to 25,5% which in effect means that a staggering 188 000 more persons were added to the list of the unemployed, leaving only 15,8 million South Africans of the 36,1 million persons of working age in jobs; if not, why not; if so, what plans does the Government have in place to address the specified matter before the job crisis becomes a disaster?
Reply:
I wish to share three points with the Honourable Member.
First, on job performance in the third quarter of 2015, the StatsSA Quarterly Labour Force Survey shows the following:
- Total employed persons in the SA economy numbered 15, 8 million at the end of September 2015, which is the highest level it has ever reached.
- There were 625 000 new entrants to the age cohort 15-64 in the past 12 months, and the number of jobs created (712 000) for the 12 month period was significantly larger than this.
- However, the labour force increased by 979 000, as a result mainly of a significant rise in the number of previously discouraged work seekers who re-entered the labour market (278 000).
- As a result, robust jobs growth over the period nevertheless translated into an increase in the unemployment rate from 25.4% to 25.5% over the year.
- The number of new jobs created for the quarter was 171 000.
Second, global growth prospects have weakened further over the past six months, with the October IMF projections revising growth prospects downward for the global economy as well as for the African continent.
In April of this year, the IMF projected 2015 growth of 3.5% for the global economy and of 4.5% for Africa. It has now revised those projections down to 3.1% for the global economy and 3.8% for Africa. The April projections were already a downward revision of October 2014 projections.
Third, to address the backlogs in jobs and address the needs of new entrants to the labour market, we need higher growth and more labour-intensive growth, driven by broader economic participation and by re-industrialization centered on a dynamic, internationally competitive manufacturing sector.
Recent actions such as the agreements signed with the People’s Republic of China to invest in industrial and infrastructure activities in South Africa and the rest of the continent, are measures to respond to this economic framework. Of particular relevance for the Economic Development Department were two agreements signed by the Industrial Development Corporation: namely to work towards establishing a new BAIC auto-assembly plant in South Africa with an investment value of R11 billion and to set up a Fund with a R10 billion commitment by the China Construction Bank to invest in the domestic and regional economy.
During the debate in Parliament on the state of the economy in August this year, I addressed the question of government’s overall response to the global economic slowdown and the headwinds facing the local economy, which I summarise below:
The two global storms, in the mineral and steel sectors, are what we have to navigate with as little damage as possible, recognising that production and job losses in these sectors can have a multiplier effect on the economy.
To respond to these conditions and to address the still-continuing high levels of unemployment, we are doing the following:
Public investment
We are maintaining a high level of public investment in infrastructure, which is a true game-changer for the economy. We are spending close to a quarter trillion a year, or R1 billion rand per working day, on economic, industrial and social infrastructure. The BRICS New Development Bank is a major potential source of new funding for South African and regional infrastructure.
Trade and regional integration
We are expanding trade with the rest of Africa, particularly exports of South African made cars, machinery, iron and steel and food products.
Exports to the rest of the continent now account for 244 000 direct jobs and it has been estimated as much as 885 000 total jobs; that last year, Zambia was our number one global export market for televisions, Zimbabwe for plastic products, Mozambique for clothing and the DRC for electrical equipment.
Domestic economic actions
We are implementing actions in the domestic economy, summed up in the 9-point plan announced by the President in the State of the Nation Address in February.
The nine priorities are:
- Resolving the energy challenges through practical actions, including cogeneration, new IPPs and completing the public energy-build programme
- Revitalising the agriculture and agro-processing value chain
- Advancing beneficiation through adding value to our mineral wealth
- More effective implementation of a higher impact Industrial Policy Action Plan
- Unlocking the potential of small business, cooperatives and township and rural enterprises
- Stabilising the labour market
- Scaling up private sector investment
- Growing the Oceans Economy and
- Diversifying and boosting the economy through science, technology and innovation, expanding transport, water and ICT infrastructure and reforming state-owned companies.
To respond to the steel industry's problems:
- We fast-tracked a tariff investigation by the trade authorities on three steel products
- We completed a competition commission probe into steel pricing by the dominant company
- We extended short-term industrial funding of R150 million to one steel-mill to give it the space to restructure rather than close its doors
- We appointed a panel of steel industry experts to identify options for steel that would not damage downstream factory users, and
- We are meeting with business and labour to identify further steps to be taken,
To respond to the mining industry's problems:
- We convened a dialogue with stakeholders to consider options to reduce or avoid job losses
- We are investing in technologies and innovation to boost demand and localisation, such as platinum fuel-cell pilot projects
- We have initiated a Mining Phakisa to address the future of the industry
To respond to the clothing and industry's challenges:
- We implemented a tariff increase on finished products at the start of the previous administration
- We set a reference price on imported clothing to identify smuggling and import-fraud
- We created a competitiveness fund that has already invested over R3 billion in new technologies and work organisation to boost output and jobs.
IDC funding
The IDC expanded its industrial funding envelope over the past five years, particularly in green energy, putting some R14 billion into the Independent Power Producer programme that has already seen almost 2000 megawatts of energy coming onto the grid.
The IDC is now focussing on expanding investment in manufacturing, agro-processing and new industries.
Autos
During a time of declining mineral exports in dollar value, our auto exports have actually accelerated after 2011 and now constitute one of our top five exports, speaking to the success of the partnership built with investors.
Competition and anti-monopoly actions
To boost competitiveness, the competition authorities have acted against monopolies and cartels in sectors such as fertilisers, bread and poultry, steel, construction and telecomms.
Industrial relations
To promote partnership, the Deputy President has led discussions with the business community and trade unions on reducing workplace conflict, including the role of strike ballots, action against violence in strikes and picketing rules. To reduce income inequality in the workplace, proposals for a national minimum wage are under discussion.
Skills
To boost youth employment, government is revamping its skills and entrepreneurship support programmes to make them more effective. The President convened a meeting with the business community in August this year at which stronger partnerships on skills development and work placement were considered.
Partnership
As we navigate our way through the minerals and steel turbulence and storms generated by falling global demand, we need to pull South Africans together, address domestic challenges such as energy and labour-business partnerships and speak with one voice.”
-END-
08 December 2015 - NW4206
Marais, Mr S to ask the Minister in the Presidency
(1)Whether the National Conventional Arms Control Committee approved any export of arms to foreign states under section 14 of the National Conventional Arms Control Act, Act 41 of 2002 (a) in the (i) 2010-11 and (ii) 2014-15 financial years and (b) since 1 April 2015; if not, why not; if so, (aa) to which states, (bb) and what are the further relevant details;
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:
08 December 2015 - NW4191
Volmink, Mr HC to ask the Minister of Health
(1)What is the progress of the blood test (details furnished) of the deceased citizen with the body reference number BR274 2015 (details furnished) being processed by the Forensic Chemistry Laboratory in Johannesburg; (2) (a) why has there been a delay in processing the specified blood test and (b) when will the results be made available to the family, who require the results urgently?
Reply:
- Analysis of this blood sample has been completed. For the record, the correct reference numbers are: Brits CAS 489/07/2015 and Brits mortuary DR 274/2015 and seal number PMK 206017/8.
- (a) The Johannesburg Forensic Chemistry Laboratory (FCL) has an ante-mortem blood alcohol analysis backlog. The post-mortem blood alcohol, backlog has been wiped out.
(b) The FCL’s do not provide reports to family, only to the client, which in this instance is the Brits mortuary. .
END.
08 December 2015 - NW4061
Madisha, Mr WM to ask the Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services
Whether his department is now ready to (a) produce the draft White Paper on National Integrated Information Communication Technology Policy, (b) gazette the National e-Strategy and (c) make a statement on the continued financial viability of the SA Post Office without assistance from the Government; if not, why not in each case; if so, what are the relevant details in each case?
Reply:
a) The National Integrated ICT Policy White Paper will be tabled in Cabinet for approval by the end of the financial year.
b) The Department intends to gazette the draft National e-Strategy before the end of the financial year.
c) SAPO currently needs financial assistance from Government.
SAPO has been given a guarantee of R1.67 billion in the past financial year and R2.5 billion in the current financial year. The Post Office uses these guarantees to raise cash from the financial markets.
Moving forward SAPO's Strategic Turnaround Plan (STP) has been developed and approved by Cabinet. Its effective implementation requires effective leadership and funding. As part of supporting SAPO's turnaround, the Department has recognised the need to stabilise SAPO's leadership. The board and the Group CEO have been appointed. To date, there has been more focus on the implementation of cost cutting initiatives. There is currently a need to implement revenue generation initiatives and these require funding. Effective implementation of the STP will enable the entity to be economically viable.
08 December 2015 - NW4148
Horn, Mr W to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
What was the (a) value of the capital expenditure budget and (b) amount unspent in respect of the specified budget of the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality in the Free State in the (i) 2011-12, (ii) 2012-13, (iii) 2013-14 and (iv) 2014-15 financial years?
Reply:
This information has been requested from the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality and will be communicated to the Honorable Member when it is available.
08 December 2015 - NW4103
Ollis, Mr IM to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
(1)What amount of the capital budget of the Tlokwe City Local Municipality in the North West was spent on refurbishing infrastructure in the (a) 2013-14 and (b) 2014-15 financial years; (2) what (a) are the details of each project and (b) amount was spent on each project; (3) whether any capital funds were used to pay salaries; if so, (a) why and (b) what amount?
Reply:
This information has been requested from Tlokwe Local Municipality and will be communicated to the Honorable Member when it is available.
08 December 2015 - NW4151
Groenewald, Dr PJ to ask the Minister of Police
(1)How many police reservists are currently in the SA Police Service (SAPS) (a) nationally and (b) in the Eastern Cape; (2) how many reservists were there in the Eastern Cape (a) 5 years ago, (b) 10 years ago and (c) 20 years ago; (3) have any reservists been recruited in the Eastern Cape since the moratorium was lifted at the beginning of 2015; if not, why not; if so, (a) how many and (b) where; (4) (a) how many of the current police reservists in the Eastern Cape are being paid for their services and (b) what is the average salary for a paid reservist?
Reply:
(1) (a) There are currently a total of 16 358 active reservists in the SA Police Service.
(b) There are currently a total of 2 031 active reservists in the SA Police Service in the Eastern Cape as on 13 November 2015.
(2) (a-c) The following number of reservists were in the SA Police Service in the Eastern Cape, as indicated per year in the table below:
YEAR |
TOTAL NUMBER OF ACTIVE AUDITED RESERVISTS |
2010/2011 |
2874 |
2005/2006 |
4093 |
1995/1996 |
Audited figures not available |
Since 2006 a total of approximately 13 000 reservists were permanently employed in the South African Police Service, either as permanent members, security guards or Public Service Act members.
In addition, following the adoption of the voluntary nature of the new reservists system without any remuneration several reservists no longer reported for duty due to the fact that the primary reason for joining was to secure permanent employment in the South African Police Service and not to voluntarily serve their communities.
(3) No reservists have been recruited in the Eastern Cape since the beginning of 2015. The primary aim of the revised reservist system is to recruit quality reservists to establish a professional reservist system with integrity.
The posts for reservists in the Eastern Cape Province were advertised during March 2015, with the closing date of 13 March 2015. A total of 45 applications were received, all of which were not conforming to the set requirements to be enlisted as reservists in the South African Police Service.
(4) None of the current reservists in the Eastern Cape are being paid for services. The new reservist National Instruction provides for volunteers from the community to take responsibility for the safety of their communities as part of the Community Policing philosophy without any remuneration for services rendered.
However, the South African Reserve Police Service Amendment Regulations: No 36922 dated 15 October 2015, paragraph 5(1) to 5(3), determines that the National Commissioner may approve the call up of reservists to perform duties to achieve the objectives as referred to in Section 205(3) of the Constitution of South Africa, for which they may receive remuneration in accordance with the following predetermined scales:
RANK |
PAYMENT PER HOUR |
Constable |
R 16.090 |
Sergeant |
R 20.360 |
Warrant Officer |
R 25.090 |
Captain |
R 32.596 |
Lt Colonel |
R 41.245 |
Colonel |
R 56.452 |
Brigadier |
R 56.452 |
08 December 2015 - NW3853
Lekota, Mr M to ask the President of the Republic
(1) Whether he intends to initiate a scientific investigation(s) to ascertain (a) why South Africans are prone to arson, vandalism and violence when they participate in protest action and (b) what the different spheres of Government need to do to alleviate the anger of the South African population and therefore curb the destruction related to protest actions; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) Whether he will make a statement on how the Government is planning to prevent and discourage protesters from routinely resorting to arson, vandalism and violence during a protest action?
Reply:
- The widespread incidents of violence and destruction of property during protests is a cause for major concern. I have spoken about this matter many times in public platforms. The violence in our society is inherited from the violence perpetrated during the apartheid system and the violence response it engendered.
There are studies that have been undertaken to understand factors that contribute to a culture of violence in our society. Some of the studies have been undertaken by organisations outside government. Others have been commissioned by government itself. For instance, a few years ago the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster contracted the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation to undertake research on the violent nature of crime in South Africa.
The critical step that we need to take is not so much to commission more studies because there is already some research that has been undertaken. What is important is taking steps to turn the tide against violent protests and the destruction of property.
2. There are various important initiatives government will implement to address the matter next year. These include educating society about the rights and responsibilities of citizenship. This education campaign about rights and responsibilities of citizenship is important considering that next year (2016) will be the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Constitution of the Republic by former President Nelson Mandela. It will also be the 40th anniversary of 16 June 1976 student uprisings.
Studies show that violence in our society affects mostly women and children. Government will use the year 2016, which is the 60th anniversary of the Women’s March to the Union Buildings to mobilise society against violence that is committed against women and children.
Other measures will be announced in due course.
08 December 2015 - NW4131
Van Dyk, Ms V to ask the Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services
What (a) has been achieved to date with the rollout of the SA Connect’s first phase, (b) has been the cost of the specified project to date and (c) is the breakdown of the total cost of the specified project to date; (2) What stipulations have been made by the National Treasury for the release of budgeted funds for the specified project
Reply:
(1)(a) The rollout will commence after all preparations for implementation have been finalised.
(b) Refer to (a) above
(c) Refer to (b) above
(2) The National Treasury requested an implementation plan from the Department in order to release the funds.
08 December 2015 - NW4088
Topham , Mr B to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
With reference to each metropolitan municipality’s 2015-16 budget, what is the proposed (a) operational and (b) capital expenditure on services to informal settlements?
Reply:
This information has been requested from the metropolitan municipalities and will be communicated to the Honorable Member when it is available.
08 December 2015 - NW3953
Van Damme, Ms PT to ask the Minister of Communications
(1) With reference to the Auditor-General’s note in the SA Broadcasting Corporation’s (SABC) 2014-15 Annual Report that a specific vendor was overpaid by R 2 million, what is the (a) name of this vendor, (b) nature of the service that the vendor rendered and (c) reason for overpayment; (2) Whether the overpaid moneys have been recovered since the findings were made by the Auditor-General in the SABC’s 2014-15 Annual Report; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
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:
08 December 2015 - NW4146
James, Dr WG to ask the Minister of Health
(a) On what date was each contractor paid for the (i) removal and (ii) disposal of medical waste at each state (aa) hospital, (bb) clinic and (cc) laboratory per province (aaa) in the (aaaa) 2013-14 and (bbbb) 2014-15 financial years and (bbb) from 1 April 2015 up to the latest specified date for which information is available and (b) in each case, what amount (i) was each contractor paid and (i) is currently outstanding?
Reply:
- Payments to contractors for the removal and disposal of waste to state hospitals and clinics is collated in Annexure A by province and by payment date. Facility data is not provided as service providers cover a range of facilities and are remunerated as such. Where specific payment dates are not available an annual cost is provided. Departments of Health in provinces do not deal with the disposal of laboratory waste.
- The amounts paid to contractors and outstanding amounts for the financial years 2013-14; 2014-2015 and from 1 April to October/November 2015 are also outlined in Annexure A.
END.
08 December 2015 - NW4055
Mbhele, Mr ZN to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
With reference to her department’s 2014-15 Annual Report, (a) what are the names of the 97 military veterans’ co-operatives that were registered and (b) to which former (i) non-statutory forces (names furnished) or (ii) statutory forces (names furnished) did each veteran belong?
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