Questions and Replies
11 December 2015 - NW4219
Jooste, Ms K to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
(1)With reference to her department’s 2014-15 Annual Report, (a) what are the reasons for her department’s failure to achieve its target for updating and verifying the National Military Veterans Database by merely achieving 37% instead of 75% of the target and (b) what plans have been put in place to ensure that the database is completed as a matter of urgency instead of being delayed to the 2019-20 financial year as per her department’s strategic plan; (2) why was the indicator referred to as Information-Level of Credibility of Database, as reflected in her department’s 2015-16 Annual Performance Plan, removed from the specified annual report when it is a prerequisite for accessing military veteran benefits; (3) what is the detailed breakdown of the 21 322 military veterans whose personal files were updated on the specified database in terms of (a) the number of military veterans and (b) each former (i) statutory and (ii) non-statutory force to which each military veteran belonged?
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
11 December 2015 - NW4168
Carter, Ms D to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
Whether she has kept the pressure on Armscor to get the suppliers of the Exocet surface-to-surface missiles (a) to honour their outstanding industrial participation obligation and/or (b) to take action against such suppliers to enforce compliance; if not, why not; if so, what was (i) the outcome and (ii) her reaction to the outcome?
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.
.
11 December 2015 - NW4205
Marais, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
(1)whether she table the Special Defence Account’s annual financial statements in Parliament as required by the annual Appropriations Act in each financial year since the account became operational; if not; if so, (a) when was the last financial statement tabled in this regard and (b) when will the next financial statement be tabled?
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
11 December 2015 - NW4221
Robertson, Mr K to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
(1)(a) When will the military pension for all military veterans be finalised and (b) what are the cost implications of the military pension; (2) whether the military veterans from the former non-statutory forces will continue to receive the special pension in addition to the military pension; if not, why not; if so, (a) what are the further relevant details, (b) what is the current amount for the special pension and (c) how is the specified amount scaled; (3) in what ways will the military pension impact on any other pension that a military veteran may receive; (4) whether her department budgeted for the military pension; if not, why not; if so, what (a) are the relevant
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
11 December 2015 - NW4216
Esau, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
What is the status of (a) medals and (b) medal parades to honour military veterans of all former (i) statutory and (ii) non-statutory forces?
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
11 December 2015 - NW4166
Madisha, Mr WM to ask the Minister of Science and Technology
Whether she had ascertained from the Director-General and other relevant officials why the Auditor-General had to remind them of their oversight responsibility as management in 2015 regarding (a) supply chain management, (b) performance information management and (c) instituting more effective policies and procedures to manage the contracts that her department had entered into, if not, why not; if so, (i) what reasons did they advance and (ii) what steps has she taken to ensure that such reminders will never be needed again?
Reply:
- 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.
11 December 2015 - NW4223
Robertson, Mr K to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
What (a) urgent measures has her department put in place to deal with its 22% vacancy rate which impacts negatively on its performance, (b) are the costs related to each of these funded positions in the 2014-15 financial year and (c) are the relevant details of the new organogram that is envisaged by her department?
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
11 December 2015 - NW4261
Atkinson, Mr P to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
Whether her department has any embargo against any country for the procurement of any military item; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) which countries are embargoed and (b) why in each case?
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
11 December 2015 - NW4169
Carter, Ms D to ask the Minister of Tourism
Whether he has succeeded in persuading the Minister of Finance to establish a Tourism Development Fund that will cater for all aspects of the tourism sector in order to increase infrastructure, improve experiences and facilities for tourists, introduce innovative ideas and help small operators expand their businesses; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
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.
11 December 2015 - NW4217
Esau, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
(1)With reference to her department’s 2014-15 Annual Report, how many houses will (a) be constructed and (b) receive the top-up subsidy for military veterans from the R 31,9 million transferred from her department to the Department of Human Settlements in terms of the target of 1 000 houses set by her department; (2) whether the Minister of Human Settlements submitted her plans for the execution of the construction of the specified houses to the Department of Defence and Military Veterans within the 14 days as specified; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) whether the portions of land for these houses have been (a) identified and (b) transferred; if not, why not in each case; if so, what are the relevant details in each case; (4) whether a self-help model to construct the specified houses have been approved by the Department of Human Settlements; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (5) what amount has been allocated by the Department of Human Settlements for (a) these housing developments and (b) planned recreational parks?
Reply:
- (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
10 December 2015 - NW4198
Selfe, Mr J to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
(1)(a) What is the minimum period that an offender sentenced to life imprisonment before 30 September 2004 has to serve before becoming eligible for parole and (b) which (i) section of (ii) which Correctional Services Act is relied upon in this regard; 2) whether a certain offender (details furnished) who is incarcerated at the Qalakabusha Correctional Centre in KwaZulu-Natal is eligible for placement on parole; if not, why not; if so, 3) whether he has received any applications for parole from the specified offender; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (4) whether he considered the specified offender’s application for parole; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details of the outcome?
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
10 December 2015 - NW4196
Selfe, Mr J to ask the Minister of Finance
(1)Whether, with reference to the latest round of the redeterminations of municipal boundaries initiated by the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs in 2015, (a) the specified Minister and/or (b) the Chairperson of the Municipal Demarcation Board made a specific request to the National Treasury to undertake a comprehensive research study to determine the financial sustainability and viability of the proposed amalgamations; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (i) on what date was the specified studies requested by the specified persons, (ii) on what date was the completed study returned to the specified persons and (iii) what were the recommendations in each case; (2) whether the specified study also investigated the (a) institutional viability and (b) envisaged improvements in the municipal governance of the municipalities earmarked for proposed amalgamations; if not, why not; if so, what were the recommendations in each case?
Reply:
- 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.
10 December 2015 - NW4036
Gqada, Ms T to ask the Minister of Human Settlements
(1)With reference to her reply to question 864 on 12 September 2014, (a) how much of the R20 billion has been recovered through civil claims to date and (b) what amount has been recovered from each specified party; (2) how many (a) individuals in total and (b) government officials (i) are still being investigated and (ii) have already been successfully prosecuted; (3) how many investigations into the 59 suspect housing contracts or projects (a) have been completed and (b) are still ongoing?
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.
10 December 2015 - NW4066
Lekota, Mr M to ask the Minister of Finance
Whether he or the National Treasury has written to national and provincial departments in the course of 2015 to settle their respective outstanding accounts with municipalities immediately so that their cash flow could be facilitated; if not, why not; if so, (a) which defaulting departments were written to, (b) what was the outstanding amount in each case, (c) for what duration was the account outstanding, (d) which of the defaulting departments had fully settled with the municipalities as at 31 October 2015 and (e) which of the defaulting departments is he taking action against for not complying with his instruction?
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.
10 December 2015 - NW4197
Selfe, Mr J to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
(1)Whether, since 1 January 2014, he has received a certain offender’s (Details furnished) parole request file from his department’s Correctional Services Parole Board (CSPB) chairperson; if not, why not; if so, (2) whether he has considered the specified offender’s request for parole; if not, why not; if so, (a) on what date(s) and (b) what were the outcomes; (3) why did (a) he and/or (b) his department’s CSPB deny the specified offender’s previous requests for parole during the period 1 January 2013 to 31 December 2013, even though the specified offender (i) qualified for parole after serving 13 years and four months of the imposed life sentence which commenced in 1999 and (ii) completed all the requisite programmes?
Reply:
- 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.
10 December 2015 - NW4087
Bozzoli, Prof B to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
What is being done to address the lower than expected voter turnout in future national elections and particularly in the upcoming 2016 local government elections?
Reply:
It is the duty of the political parties to ensure that their voters turn out to vote on Election Day.
10 December 2015 - NW3063
Ollis, Mr IM to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
(a) How does (i) her department and (ii) entities reporting to her define red tape and (b) what (i) specific interventions and/or (ii) systems have been implemented to (aa) identify and (bb) reduce red tape in (aaa) her department and (bbb) the entities reporting to her?
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 |
(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 |
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10 December 2015 - NW3928
Mileham, Mr K to ask the Minister of Human Settlements
(1)Whether any funds allocated to the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality in the Eastern Cape in the 2015-16 financial year in terms of any form of grant funding from her department have been utilised for activities or programmes or purposes for which they were not intended; if not, what is her department’s position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details in each case in terms of the (a) amount and (b) purpose for which the funds were utilised; (2) whether her department has a policy that prohibits the misuse of grant funding intended for human settlements purposes; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what steps will she take in this regard; (3) whether she will make a statement on this matter?
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.
10 December 2015 - NW3204
Kalyan, Ms SV to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
Whether Cage Africa has appealed to the Government to grant (a) political asylum and (b) a new home to Guantanamo Bay detainees; if so, what are the details of the (i) appeal and (ii) financial implications for (aa) her (sic) department and (bb) the Government?
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).
09 December 2015 - NW4245
Redelinghuys, Mr MH to ask the Minister of Police
Whether an investigation was conducted by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation into a certain company (name furnished); if not, why not; if so, what are the (a) details, (b) current status and (c) outcomes of the investigation as at the latest specified date for which information is available?
Reply:
There are no records of any investigation pertaining specifically to the entity in question at any of the DPCI Components.
09 December 2015 - NW4248
Waters, Mr M to ask the Minister of Police
How is visible policing conducted in the Vusi Musi informal settlement in Tembisa, Gauteng, where there are no roads?
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.
09 December 2015 - NW4247
Waters, Mr M to ask the Minister of Police
With regard to visible policing at the Tembisa South Police Station in Gauteng, (a) how many sectors are there, (b) which geographical area does each sector cover, (c) what is the population of each sector and (d) how many visible (i) policing vehicles and (ii) police officers have been allocated to each sector?
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 |
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 - NW4058
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 160 military veterans who received burial support 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 - 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 - NW4106
Robertson, Mr K to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
(1)Whether the Mbombela Local Municipality has been given authorisation to veto the Code of Conduct for councillors and municipal officials as contained in Schedule 1 of the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act, Act 32 of 2000; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) whether there are any councillors and/or municipal officials who are in contravention of their payment arrangements of rates and/or taxes that exceed the prescribed 30 days payback period in the specified municipality; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) who are the (i) councillors and/or (ii) municipal officials and (b) in each case, (i) what amount is outstanding and (ii) for how long?
Reply:
This information has been requested from the Mbombela Local Municipality and will be communicated to the Honorable Member when it is available.
08 December 2015 - NW3717
Maimane, Mr MA to ask the President of the Republic
Whether, given (a) the reply of the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation to question 3509 on 22 September 2015 and (b) his statements on 15 September 2015 during his foreign policy briefing confirming the invitation of a Sudanese delegation to the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), President Omar al-Bashir of Sudan has been (i) invited to and/or (ii) confirmed his attendance at the FOCC Summit to be held in Johannesburg in December 2015?
Reply:
The President of the Republic of Sudan did not attend the Forum of China-Africa Cooperation Summit, (FOCAC).
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
08 December 2015 - NW4096
America, Mr D to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
(1)(a) How many officials of the Tlokwe City Local Municipality in the North West are currently on suspension and (b) for each suspended official, (i) what is the (aa) position of the official and (bb) reason for the suspension, (ii) for how long has each specified official been suspended and (iii) what has been their total remuneration during the period of suspension; (2) whether any severance packages were paid to any municipal officials; if so, for each official (a) who was the official, (b) why was the severance package paid, (c) for how long was the official employed by the specified municipality and (d) what was the total amount of the severance package?
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 - NW4095
America, Mr D to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
Whether any municipal official or councillor of the Tlokwe City Local Municipality in the North West 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, but not limited to, (aa) flights and (bb) accommodation?
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 - 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 - 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 - NW4220
Jooste, Ms K to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
(1)With regard to the contract between her department and Zeal Health Innovations to provide medical care to military veterans, what (a) are the details of the processes that were followed by her department to award the specified contract to the specified company, (b) were the terms and conditions of the specified contract and (c) medical services were rendered by (i) the specified company and (ii) any other sub-contractor to the specified military veterans; (2) whether all military veterans who received medical treatment through the specified contract with the specified company were bona fide military veterans registered in the National Military Veterans Database; if not, why not; if so, (a) who are the military veterans who received medical care from the specified company and (b) to which former statutory and non-statutory forces did each military veteran belong?
Reply:
This matter is currently the subject of litigation between the Department and the company concerned and as such any comments at this stage are likely to prejudice the Department’s case.
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 - NW4268
Hoosen, Mr MH to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
(1)Whether, with regard to the contract between her department and Zeal Health Innovations to provide medical care to military veterans, all medical fees due to the specified company have been paid within the prescribed 30 days payment arrangement; if not, (a) why not and (b) what amount is still outstanding since the awarding of the specified contract; if so, (i) how were the medical fees for the provision of the specified medical services structured, (ii) what were the terms and conditions of payment for the specified fees and (iii) what amount of the specified fees have been paid as at the latest specified date for which information is available; (2) why does the specified company claim to serve 14 000 military veterans when her department only registered 6 795 deserving military veterans with access to healthcare services in the 2014-15 financial year; (3) whether the contract for the provisioning of medical care services to military veterans was previously awarded irregularly to another company which resulted in the contract being cancelled; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) what are the relevant details of the irregular awarding of the specified contract, (b) what were the financial implications for her department and (c) who was held responsible for the irregular awarding of the specified contract?
Reply:
This matter is currently the subject of litigation between the Department and the company concerned and as such any comments at this stage are likely to prejudice the Department’s case.
DATE OF SUBMISSION: 08 DECEMBER 2015
08 December 2015 - NW4056
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 1 700 military veterans who accessed job opportunities 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 - 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 - NW4155
Groenewald, Dr PJ to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
(1)Whether any acquisition process for the purchasing of aircraft for (a) the President or (b) the VIP Unit of the SA Air Force has commenced; if so, (2) (a) when the acquisition process in each specified case (i) commenced and (ii) should be completed, (b)(i) what amount has been budgeted for each aircraft and (ii) from which budget item each separate aircraft will be funded and (c) when will the specified process be completed up until the acceptance of the specified tender is completed; (3) if the acquisition process has not yet commenced, when she envisages the process will commence; (4) whether she will make a statement regarding the matter? NW5028E
Reply:
- Yes
- (a)(i) The process underway has been initiated by Armscor to test the market for information through the issuance of RFI (Request for Information).
At this stage Armscor has only done the RFI (Request for Information), depending on the findings from the RFI, the process can stop or be moved to the next step which will be a request for Offer (RFO).
(ii) Same as previous answer.
(b)(i) There is no specific amount allocated to the project, the request for information will assist in terms of the budget.
(ii) As above.
(c) This will dependent on whether we go ahead with the project in the first place. So far no such decision has been made.
3. The outcome of the findings will provide guidance on the way forward.
4. No statement will be made
DATE OF SUBMISSION: 07 DECEMBER 2015
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 - 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 - NW4094
Matsepe, Mr CD to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
For each metropolitan municipality, (a) what is the current threshold limit for indigent grants, (b) what services form part of the indigent grant package, (c) how many households are registered as indigent, (d) what is the total value of indigent grants budgeted for the 2015-16 financial year and (e) is the eligibility for indigent grants determined (i) via application and/or registration or (ii) automatically via property valuation?
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 - 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 - NW4090
Topham , Mr B to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
(1)For each metropolitan municipality, what (a) amount was spent on legal fees in the (i) 2013-14 and (ii) 2014-15 financial years and (b) was this amount spent on; (2) whether any of the officials employed by the specified municipalities are lawyers that have been removed from the roll; if so, (a) what is their current role at each of the specified municipalities and (b) why were they employed?
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 - 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 - NW4108
Robertson, Mr K to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
What amount was spent on (a) catering and (b) entertainment by the Tlokwe City Local Municipality in the North West (i) in the 2014-2015 financial year and (ii) since 1 July 2015?
Reply:
This information has been requested from the Tlokwe Local Municipality and will be communicated to the Honorable Member when it is available.
08 December 2015 - NW3775
Lekota, Mr M to ask the President of the Republic
Whether he has been actively promoting the concept of the African Renaissance with a view to ensuring, as former president, Mr Thabo Mbeki, had observed, that the African upper echelons do not remain as a mere parasite on the rest of society, who continue to enjoy self-endowed mandates to define and use their political power in a manner that keeps Africa at the periphery of the world economy, poor, underdeveloped and incapable of development, if not. Why not; if so, how has he and the Government pushed forward the ideals of the African Renaissance and (b) what outcome has he and the Government achieved in relation thereto since 2009?
Reply:
The Honourable Member will be aware that African stability, development and prosperity have been the bedrock of the ANC-led government since the dawn of our democracy in 1994.
We continue this trajectory by committing to various AU programmes, with the following discernible examples:
- Peace, Security and Stability: On 08 November 2015, I presided over the closing ceremony of the Amani Africa Field Training Exercise held in Lohatla, Northern Cape, whose main objective was to test the ‘Rapid Deployment Capacity’ (RDC) of the African Standby Force. The success of this Exercise points to the Continent’s readiness to expeditiously provide solutions to some of our instability challenges.
What was most gratifying about Amani Africa was the fact that Southern African Development Community (SADC), the East African Standby Force, North Africa Regional Command, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Volunteering Nations of the African Capacity for Immediate Response to Crises (ACIRC), all participated in this historic exercise. Amani Africa is a practical headway that has been made to ensure stability, which is indispensable to continental development. The Honorable Member will also recall the swiftness with which SADC addressed the recent challenges in Lesotho.
2. NEPAD: As the Honourable Member will know, NEPAD has been one of the corner stones of the African Renaissance. The initiative is anchored on our collective determination to extricate ourselves and the Continent from underdevelopment and exclusion in a globalising world. It is a call for a new relationship based on domestic, continental and global partnerships to address under-development, founded on the realisation of common interest, obligations, commitments, benefit and equality.
NEPAD has a number of key programmes, one of which is infrastructure development. The Continent continues to make progress in this regard through the implementation of the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA) and the Presidential Infrastructure Championing Initiative (PICI) chaired by South Africa, and spearheaded by seven dedicated Heads of State and Government. PICI is part of PIDA, serving as an initiative to bring political leadership to bear, to fast-track the implementation of important projects from the PIDA Priority Action Plan by identifying and dealing with blockages, missing links and choke-points.
For example, under PICI, progress is being made in closing the missing link of the trans-Saharan highway project covering 4500 kilometres between Algeria and Nigeria and $40 million has been secured towards its continued construction. It is expected to be completed in 2016. The optic fibre component of the same project has seen substantial progress, with the completion of 60% of the project. The ICT Broadband Fibre Optic Network Linking Neighbouring States project, championed by Rwanda, has been completed. Egypt recently held the first Steering Committee meeting of the footprint states of the Navigational route between Lake Victoria and the Mediterranean Sea. Construction on the Grand Inga project is due to begin soon. The Dakar Financing Summit in June 2014 prioritized 16 PIDA projects for exposure to private and institutional investors.
With an infrastructure deficit of about USD 92 billion per year, NEPAD is making every effort to highlight this very important challenge. In light of this, at its annual meeting in May 2014, the African Development Bank launched the Africa50 initiative in order to mobilise USD 100 billion for regional infrastructure projects, focusing on addressing the key part of the project cycle that is project preparation. There are several projects in this regard, so this is by no means an exhaustible list.
3. APRM:
The APRM derives from NEPAD and its aim is to foster and promote good political, economic, social and corporate governance in Africa by encouraging Member States to adopt international best practice, which should eventually translate into political stability, economic growth, sustainable development and sub-regional and continental economic integration. South Africa is committed to advancing, nationally and continentally, the objectives of the APRM.
South Africa acceded to the APRM in March 2003 and was reviewed in July 2005. This resulted in the release of the Country Review Reports in 2007 and its’ National Programme of Action .South Africa tabled its First Report on the Implementation of the Programme of Action in January 2009. The second such Report was tabled in January 2011, with the Third Report being tabled in January 2014. South Africa will soon enter the second Peer Review phase.
Membership of the APRM has risen to 35 and 17 countries have been reviewed to date. This is an utterly unique system of self-assessment in the world in terms of its transparency and extent, and the underlying benefits cannot be overstated in terms of the shaping of national development discourse and providing models of best practice on key cross-cutting issues.
4. CAADP AND OTHER PROGRAMMES:
Another key priority for African development is agriculture, as reflected in the AU/NEPAD Comprehensive African Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP). CAADP is one of NEPAD’s most successful programmes and has been key to driving development on the Continent and responding to poverty, hunger and joblessness. CAADP ensures that the great commodity that we have, arable agricultural land, is used for the benefit of all Africans.
In this regard, 52 states have been engaged in CAADP related interventions, 40 have received direct support under CAADP, 40 have signed CAADP national compacts, 30 National Agriculture and Food Security Investment Plans have been developed and reviewed, at least 8 countries have met the 10% of budget target, and 4 RECs have developed their own regional compacts. Ten countries have registered more than 6% annual growth in agriculture.
5. PARTNERSHIPS:
The role of international partners is to help scale up and accelerate our own efforts. Therefore, South Africa continues to play a leading role in engaging Africa’s Strategic Multilateral Partnerships, such as FOCAC, TICAD, Africa-EU, Africa India, Africa-Korea, Africa-Arab, Africa-South America, NAASP, and Africa-Turkey going forward. One of the key NEPAD principles is “New partnerships within Africa and with the international community”. It is for this reason that all of the Partnerships have been constructed on the understanding that engagement with Africa is to be done within the framework of NEPAD, as the socio-economic development programme of the AU, with the aim of assisting in the achievement of AU/NEPAD objectives and programmes.
South Africa continues to play a key role in the review of all of Africa’s partnerships with the North and the South, being conducted by the AU PRC Sub-Committee on Multilateral Cooperation.
South Africa is Co-Chair with China of FOCAC until 2018 and we have hosted a very successful FOCAC Summit in Johannesburg on 4-5 December 2015.
President Xi Jinping of China announced a development partnership with Africa worth $60 billion, accompanied by a 10 point plan focusing on areas that are key priorities for development in the continent. We look forward to taking the win-win cooperation further as the African continent as it holds great promise for the renewal of the African continent economically. This occurred on the backdrop of a very successful India-Africa Summit.
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.