Questions and Replies

Reply:

(a)(i) Central Firearms Registry is accommodated in a leased building at Veritas and a lease contract is in place which commenced on 2009-04-01 and expires on 2019-12-31.

(a)(ii) Second Hand Goods Unit is accommodated in a leased building at Sancardia and a lease contract is in place which commenced on 2013-12-01 and expires on 2018-11-30.

(b)(i) Central Firearms Registry is accommodated in Veritas Building, Volkstem Ave 275, Pretoria.

(b)(ii) Second Hand Goods Unit is accommodated in Sancardia Building, 524 Church Street, Pretoria.

Reply:

There are three separate interventions, each occurring in a group of 50 schools. Group 1 receives centralized teacher training (2 times 2-day workshops per year), lesson plans and graded readers. All 50 schools received the lesson plans and graded readers. Teacher attendance at the February training session was 60% and it was 84% in July. Group 2 receives the same package of lesson plans and graded readers but instead of centralized training, this group receives on-site coaching and afternoon cluster training sessions held by the coach together with teachers from a small number of nearby schools. All 50 schools have been given the lesson plans and graded readers and have received coaching visits to the school. Teacher attendance rates at the cluster sessions were 100% in Term 2, 82% in Term 3 and 93% in Term 4. The third group of 50 schools receives the parent involvement intervention. In these schools Community Reading Coaches (CRCs) have been recruited and trained to run weekly afternoon sessions open to all grade 1 parents. A total of 30 sessions is scheduled for each year covering a total of 10 topics per year. Each topic has 3 sessions where the topic is the same but the activities of the session differ. Thus a parent can attend roughly 1 in 3 sessions and still be exposed to all topics, while parents who attend more regularly can still enjoy fresh activities. Parent attendance has been a challenge in these schools with attendance rates dropping from 35% for the orientation sessions and Topic 1 to 18% for Topic 4. Creative ways to encourage greater attendance in 2016 will need to be considered.

(2) when will the specified programme be rolled out to the other provinces?NW4566E

After the impact evaluation of the Early Grade Reading Study interventions conclusions will be drawn about the cost-effectiveness of each intervention. The Research Team will then make specific recommendations based on the findings. The final evaluation will be concluded by mid-2017. If one (or perhaps two) of the interventions are found to be cost-effective ways to improve the acquisition of home language reading the DBE will then investigate ways to expand the most cost-effective programme or elements of it in 2018 and/or beyond. This will depend on resource availability, including at provincial education departments who will have to take primary responsibility for implementation.

Reply:

The intangible assets for which inadequate financial records were found, as per the audit findings, are kept electronically in the form of the master register in line with the Electronic Communications and Transaction (ECT) Act 25 of 2002. This is in conformance with paragraph 17(1) under production of document or information which states that subject to section 28 “where a law requires a person to produce a document or information, that requirement is met if the person produces, by means of data message, an electronic form of that document or information”.

The intangible assets refer to software applications acquired from external service provider(s), that evinced financial implications for the department during 2013-2014 financial year. The asset register submitted to the auditors excluded professional services and software licences, as the department deemed these to be expenses and therefore should not be capitalised. However the auditors advised otherwise as they regarded these as professional services and developmental costs that must be capitalised.

The qualification audit report is based on the inclusion of the professional services and software licences as per the advice of the Auditor General, whilst the department felt that it should have been excluded due to the irrelevancy in terms of them no longer being in use.

These inclusions meant that the closing balance will be adjusted to reflect the amendments.

Reply:

The number of employees for each national and provincial department in the Public Service, as at the end of each of the requested financial years (March), is provided in the table below. Please note that abnormal and periodical appointments are excluded. Where departments appear to be duplicated it is due to the restructuring of departments over the reporting period (2011/12 to 2014/15). Data was obtained from PERSAL as it is the source system for data published on Vulindlela. No data is directly captured on the Vulindlela website.

NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES BY DEPARTMENT
MARCH 2011 TO MARCH 2015

National/Provincial Department	March 2011	March 2012	March 2013	March 2014	March 2015
Eastern Cape	Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism	611	627	605	600	578
	Education	86 181	82 816	80 154	78 791	74 279
	Health	40 818	41 186	39 577	38 655	39 470
	Human Settlements	406	460	544	556	616
	Local Government and Traditional Affairs	1 584	1 595	1 608	1 637	1 537
	Office of the Premier	415	402	386	369	402
	Provincial Planning and ,Treasury	512	545	565	540	480
	Roads and Public works	3 433	3 601	3 715	3 699	4 163
	Rural Development and Agrarian Reform	3 404	3 288	3 172	3 051	2 959
	Safety and Liaison	117	120	121	128	129
	Social Development and Special Programmes	3 443	4 101	3 929	4 415	4 690
	Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture	1 198	1 161	1 144	1 205	1 229
	Transport	1 631	1 668	1 694	1 602	1 602
	Total	143 753	141 570	137 214	135 248	132 134
Free State	Agriculture	1 090	1 187	1 189	1 194	1 185
	Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs	651	437	378	374	393
	Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs	595	650	680	702	709
	Education	31 113	31 885	32 013	31 368	30 382
	Health	16 841	18 915	19 060	19 008	18 388
	Human Settlements	121	126	206	287	308
	Office of the Premier	345	348	616	620	612
	Police, Roads and Transport	2 325	2 388	2 289	2 306	2 552
	Provincial Treasury	390	402	427	373	398
	Public Works	2 013	2 432	2 652	2 813	2 153
	Rural Development	0	0	53	0	0
	Social Development	1 602	2 003	2 015	2 007	1 999
	Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation	664	713	694	729	790
	Total	57 750	61 486	62 272	61 781	59 869

National/Provincial Department	March 2011	March 2012	March 2013	March 2014	March 2015
Gauteng	Agriculture and Rural Development	841	803	850	854	901
	Community Safety	934	935	968	1 010	1 096
	Economic Development	353	338	373	357	439
	Education	79 554	82 134	82 318	83 794	84 353
	Finance	1 734	1 673	1 197	1 147	1 053
	Health	62 492	65 078	61 406	62 992	62 894
	Housing	0	0	0	849	882
	Infrastructure Development	1 444	1 809	1 987	1 947	1 930
	Local Government and Traditional Affairs	1 666	1 586	1 582	638	675
	Office of the Premier	232	235	233	243	271
	Provincial Treasury	0	0	417	489	500
	Roads and Transport	2 038	1 908	1 838	1 881	1 999
	Social Development	0	0	3 469	3 541	4 190
	Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation	383	392	391	464	473
	Total	151 671	156 891	157 029	160 206	161 656
Kwazulu- Natal	Agriculture, Environmental Affairs and Rural Development	3 384	3 825	3 729	3 754	2 900
	Arts and Culture	422	457	463	526	565
	Community Safety and Liaison	105	105	106	141	165
	Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs	1 216	1 331	1 461	1 658	1 633
	Economic Development and Tourism	298	300	349	432	667
	Education	106 689	108 058	106 732	108 024	106 715
	Finance	280	359	462	491	517
	Health	71 001	78 543	82 436	72 731	71 865
	Human Settlements	796	733	743	789	763
	Office of the Premier	319	366	430	447	461
	Public Works	2 085	2 070	2 086	2 038	1 888
	Social Development	2 880	3 425	6 005	4 357	3 862
	Sport and Recreation	172	165	207	233	218
	The Royal Household	141	143	138	120	108
	Transport	4 289	4 153	4 022	3 873	4 015
	Total	194 077	204 033	209 369	199 614	196 342

National/Provincial Department	March 2011	March 2012	March 2013	March 2014	March 2015
Limpopo	Agriculture	4 015	3 946	3 785	3 470	3 281
	Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs	1 464	2 343	2 286	2 211	2 197
	Economic Development, Environment and Tourism	1 591	1 595	1 443	1 390	1 390
	Education	64 425	63 911	62 901	62 768	62 153
	Health	36 472	38 112	37 094	36 650	37 203
	Office of the Premier	626	508	486	456	469
	Provincial Treasury	454	461	441	479	449
	Public Works	3 403	3 305	2 618	2 764	4 237
	Roads and Transport	4 560	4 316	4 061	4 101	2 403
	Safety, Security and Liaison	112	107	104	96	108
	Social Development	2 658	3 250	3 152	2 962	3 351
	Sport, Arts and Culture	416	489	457	396	389
	Total	120 196	122 343	118 828	117 743	117 630
Mpumalanga	Agriculture, Rural Development and Land Administration	1 621	1 718	1 731	1 767	1 602
	Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs	775	789	730	850	867
	Community Safety, Security and Liaison	176	1 257	1 292	1 371	1 320
	Culture, Sport and Recreation	312	311	324	482	501
	Economic Development, Environment and Tourism	490	459	446	457	267
	Finance	329	332	340	342	326
	Health	18 026	18 485	18 269	19 225	19 446
	Human Settlements	351	362	371	376	387
	Office of the Premier	277	263	254	272	262
	Public Works, Roads and Transport	5 307	4 109	3 900	3 787	3 643
	Social Development	1 862	1 879	1 819	1 903	2 069
	Total	29 526	29 964	29 476	30 832	30 690

National/Provincial Department	March 2011	March 2012	March 2013	March 2014	March 2015
National Departments	Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries	6 356	6 367	6 445	6 424	6 205
	Arts and Culture	455	436	448	484	447
	Basic Education	639	721	746	814	837
	Civilian Secretariat for the Police Service	0	0	0	0	130
	Communications	305	299	290	332	301
	Cooperative Governance	450	486	566	558	475
	Correctional Services	40 170	41 166	42 216	41 913	40 691
	Defence	78 663	78 674	78 202	78 649	78 091
	Economic Development	68	106	118	126	126
	Energy	485	560	559	547	581
	Environmental Affairs	941	1 439	1 571	1 762	1 941
	Government Communication and Information System	471	493	479	455	472
	Health	1 276	1 450	1 913	1 893	2 071
	Higher Education and Training	858	916	1 069	1 234	6 673
	Home Affairs	9 782	9 655	9 786	10 248	10 251
	Human Settlements	693	684	663	710 ,	637
	Independent Police Investigative Directorate	270	277	303	308	322
	International Relations and Cooperation	2 383	2 465	2 439	2 364	2 323
	Justice and Constitutional Development	22 543	23 248	23 726	23 960	24 851
	Labour	7 408	7 623	7 708	7 746	8 149
	Military Veterans	0	0	0	136	228
	Mineral Resources	1 081	1 108	1 122	1 165	1 115
	National School of Government	190	184	199	205	204
	National Treasury	2 122	2 192	2 246	2 300	2 380
	Office of the Public Service Commission	225	225	261	272	317
	Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation	0	139	184	207	261
	Police	194 293	199 610	198 175	195 182	194 269
	Public Enterprises	158	168	185	215	225
	Public Service and Administration	448	420	457	485	461
	Public Works	5 010	5 851	5 624	5 714	5 783
	Rural Development and Land Reform	4 565	4 855	4 837	5 596	5 871
	Science and Technology	421	425	459	477	500
	Social Development	714	757	748	802	917

National/Provincial Department	March 2011	March 2012	March 2013	March 2014	March 2015
	Sport and Recreation South Africa	209	189	172	164	174
	Statistics South Africa	5 429	4 797	3 356	3 577	3 969
	The Presidency	708	635	677	678	666
	Tourism	299	401	465	505	530
	Trade and Industry	1 776	1 881	1 950	1 568	1 563
	Traditional Affairs	0	0	0	0	79
	Transport	543	530	592	623	691
	Water and Sanitation	8 047	7 100	7 209	7 348	7 475
	Women	44	126	126	137	113
	Total	400 498	408 658	408 291	407 883	413 365
North West	Agriculture and Rural Development	1 556	1 569	1 525	1 468	1 641
	Economic Development, Environment and Conservation	192	361	355	408	216
	Education and Training	30 425	30 242	30 329	30 703	29 473
	Finance	506	512	472	478	541
	Health	17 290	17 613	18 256	19 305	18 955
	Human Settlements	310	346	344	360	0
	Local Government and Traditional Affairs	732	740	800	823	735
	Office of the Premier	321	290	313	397	716
	Public Works, Roads and Transport	3 551	3 469	3 536	3 521	3 089
	Public safety and liaison	844	859	1 006	1 117	1 442
	Social development, Woman, Children and Persons with Disabilities	1 803	1 983	2 030	2 099	2 183
	Sport, Arts and Culture	590	649	682	701	671
	Tourism	0	0	0	0	114
	Total	58 120	58 633	59 648	61 380	59 776

National/Provincial Department		March 2011		March 2012		March 2013		March 2014		March 2015
Northern Cape	Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development		547			556		575		570		609
	Co-operative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs		652			651		653		662		640
	Economic Development and Tourism		167			167		166		178		177
	Education		12 023		11	892		11 690		12 457		12 229
	Environment and Nature Conservation		400			207		218		225		242
	Health		6 176		6	372		6 474		6 713		6 781
	Office of the Premier		228			225		231		247		250
	Provincial Treasury		238			241		287		278		304
	Roads and Public Works		575			780		827		845		827
	Social Development		933			943		942		929		970
	Sport, Arts and Culture		422			504		364		401		402
	Transport, Safety and Liaison		341			320		347		351		347
	Total		22 702		22	858		22 774		23 856		23 778
Western Cape	Agriculture		969			953		941		961		973 ,
	Community Safety		830			871		898		947		343
	Cultural Affairs and Sport		608			604		612		648		635
	Economic Development and Tourism		198			229		236		252		242
	Education		40 514		40	402		40 114		40 672		42 108
	Environmental Affairs and Development Planning		313			337		359		390		380
	Health		29 306		30	446		31 092		31 654		31 882
	Human Settlements		392			432		434		482		461
	Local Government		306			345		376		376		394
	Premier		913		1	052		1 065		1 087		1 157
	Provincial Treasury		248			240		279		321		317
	Social Development		1 750		1	762		1 822		2 129		2 098
	Transport and Public Works		1 730		1	676		1 887		1 913		2 472
	Total		78 077		79	349		80 115		81 832		83 462
Total	1	256 370	1	285	785	1	285 016	1	280 375	1	278 702

* Please note that the new departments that were created during the National Macro Organisation of the State (NMOS) process are not reflected here as these only came onto effect after March 2015.

Excluding Abnormal and Periodical appointments

Where departments are duplicated it is due to the restructuring of departments over the reporting period

Reply:

The information is available on the annual report tabled in Parliament.

Reply:

(1) The Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) has not done studies comparing morale levels of staff in the public service with that of staff in the private sector.

However, the department is working with the Offices of the premier in all provinces and national departments in institutionalising the periodic assessments of employee morale/satisfaction in their respective provinces and sectors. The focus of the department currently is largely on building internal capacity within government departments by providing technical support, requisite tools and instruments for effective assessment of employee morale/satisfaction.

(2) Falls away.

Reply:

(1) and (2) The establishment and functioning of the Regulatory Institutions such as Technical Assistance Unit for Ethics, Integrity and Discipline Management, forms part of the implementation of the Public Administration Management Act (PAMA), 2014 of which the Department of Public Service and Administration is currently putting mechanisms in place, such as the Regulations to operationalize.

Preparatory work towards the establishment of the Unit has started. Such work includes the appointment of an inter-disciplinary team, initiating a process to conduct a feasibility study which will include the development of a business model that provides for a service delivery model; funding arrangement for the Unit and the identification of relevant legislation that is likely to impact on the establishment of the Unit. All of this information will also inform the organisational form of the Unit. Once established, the Unit will perform amongst others, the following functions:

• Provide technical assistance and support to institutions in all spheres of government regarding the management of ethics, integrity and disciplinary matters relating to misconduct in the public administration;

• Develop the norms and standards on integrity, ethics, conduct and discipline in the public administration;

• Build capacity within institutions to initiate and institute disciplinary proceedings into misconduct;

• Strengthen government oversight of ethics, integrity and discipline, and where necessary, in cases where systemic weaknesses are identified, to intervene;

• Promote and enhance good ethics and integrity within the public administration; and

• Cooperate with other institutions and organs of state to fulfil its functions.

Reply:

a. (i) The EGRA schools per province have been uploaded onto the Department of Basic Education website http://www.education.gov.za/tabid/914/Default.aspx

a. (ii) The project schools received their EGRA toolkits during the teacher training workshops as indicated by the provinces. Table 1 indicates the dates when the EGRA workshops were held where the toolkits were delivered by district officials to the project schools in each district.

TABLE 1: WORKSHOP DATES WHERE EGRA TOOLKITS WERE DELIVERED
Province	District	Date of delivery of EGRA Toolkits
Western Cape	Overberg	14 April 2015
	West Coast	20 April 2015
	North	14 April 2015
	East	14 April 2015
	Karoo	14 April 2015
	Cape Winelands	14 April 2015
	Central	14 April 2015
	South	14 April 2015
KwaZulu-Natal	Amajuba	20-29 May 2015
	Zululand	16-22 April 2015
Eastern Cape	Cradock	20-28 April 2015
	Lusikisiki	29 April 2015 (43 schools); 8 May 2015 (12 schools)
	Mount Fletcher	11 May 2015
	Sterkspruit	28 April 2015 (Circuit 1); 4 May 2015( Circuit 2&3)
	Maluti	29 April, 5 May 2015
Northern Cape	Francis Baard	19-28 May 2015
	John Taole	26-28 May 2015
	Pixley	26 May -2 June 2015
	Namaqua	11 May 2015
	ZFMgcawu	26-28 May 2015
Mpumalanga	Gert Sibande	29 April 2015
	Bohlabela	5-8 May 2015; 18-19 May 2015
	Nkangala	5-8 May 2015
	Enhlanzeni	21-23 July 2015
North West	Dr Kenneth Kaunda: Tlokwe	21 April 2015
	Dr Kenneth Kaunda: Matlosana	21 April 2015
	Ngaka Modiri Molema: Disobotla	30 April 2015
	Ngaka Modiri Molema: Kgetleng River	30 April 2015
	Ngaka Modiri Molema: Mafikeng	30 April 2015
Gauteng	Gauteng East	2-18 June 2015
	Gauteng North	5-7 May 2015
	Gauteng West	26-27 May 2015
	Johannesburg North	18-19 May 2015
	Johannesburg East	19-21 May 2015
	Johannesburg West	21 May2015
	Johannesburg South	2&4 June 2015
	Johannesburg Central	4-5 May 2015
	Sedibeng West	25-26 May 2015
	Sedibeng East	26 May 2015
	Tshwane North	14-18 May 2015
	Tshwane South	27 May 2015
	Tshwane West	20 April& 8 May 2015
	Ekurhuleni North	4-8 May 2015
	Ekurhuleni South	1-2 June 2015
Limpopo	Mopani	10-11 June 2015
	Capricorn	17-18 June 2015; 22-23 July 2015
Free State	Xhariep	12-17 August 2015
	Motheo	23-24 April 2015
	Lejweleputswa	22-30 July 2015
	Thabo Mofutsanyana	12 to 17 August 2015
	Fezile Dabe	5 May 2015

b. & c. The list of teachers for Grade 1 to 3 who attended the training workshops were drawn from the provincial EGRA workshop registers and is uploaded on the DBE website: http://www.education.gov.za/tabid/914/Default.aspx

d. i & (ii) The dates when the EGRA provincial workshops were held and the times of the day are indicated in Table 2.

TABLE 2: PROVINCIAL TEACHER TRAINING DATES AND WORKSHOP TRAINING TIMES
Province	District	Training dates	Workshop Training Times
Western Cape	Overberg	23 to 26 April 2015	14:00 to16:00 = 2 hours
	West Coast	23 to 26 March 2015	14:30 to17:30 = 3 hours
	North	18 April 2015	Saturday, 8:00 to 12:00 =5 hours
	East	23 March 2015	13:00 to17:00 =4 hours
	Karoo	23 to 26 March 2015	14:30 to 17:00= 2,5 hours
	Cape Winelands	17 to 25 March 2015	14:30 to 17:00= 2,5 hours
	Central	29 April 2015	14:00 to 17:30= 3,5 hours
	South	24 April 2015	13:00 to17:00= 4 hours
KwaZulu-Natal	Amajuba	20 to 29 April 2015	9:00-14:00 = 12 hours (6 hours per day x2 days)
	Zululand	16 to 22 April 2015	8:30-16:00 = 16 hours (8 hours per day x2 days)
Eastern Cape	Cradock	20 April to 28 April 2015	8:00 to 17:00 (2days per circuit)
	Lusikisiki	27-28 May 2015	12:00-15:00= 3hours
	Mount Fletcher	18 May 2015	8:30 to 15:00 =6,5 hours
	Sterkspruit	28 April to 4 May 2015	9:00-15:00 = 12 hours (6 hours per day x2 days)
	Maluti	17 April to 5 May 2015	9:00-15:00 = 12 hours (6 hours per day x2 days
Northern Cape	Francis Baard	25 to 28 May 2015	13:00 -16:00=3 hours
	John Taole	26 May 2015	13:00 -16:00=3 hours
	Pixley	27 May- 2 June 2015	13:00 -16:00=3 hours
	Namaqua	28 May 2015	13:00 -17:00=4 hours
	ZFMgcawu	26 to 28 May 2015	13:00 -16:00=3 hours
Mpumalanga	Gert Sibande	29 April 2014	8:00 -16:00 1full day
	Bohlabela	5-7 May 2015, 18-19 May 2015	13:30 -16:30=3 hours
	Nkangala	4-8 May 2015	12:30 -15:30=3 hours
	Enhlanzeni	21-23 July 2015	13:30 -16:30=3 hours
North West	Dr Kenneth Kaunda: Tlokwe	21 to 30 April 2015	13:00-16:00= 3hours
	Dr Kenneth Kaunda: Matlosana	23 to 30 April 2015	13:00-16:00= 3hours
	Ngaka Modiri Molema: Disobotla	20 to 22 April 2015	12:00-15:00= 3hours
	Ngaka Modiri Molema: Kgetleng River	28 to 30 April 2015	12:00-15:00= 3hours
	Ngaka Modiri Molema: Mafikeng	4 May 2015	12:00-15:00= 3hours
Gauteng	Gauteng East	2-18 June 2015	14:00-16:00=2 hours
	Gauteng North	5-7 May 2015	14:00-16:00=2 hours
	Gauteng West	26-27 May 2015	14:00-16:00=2 hours
	Johannesburg North	2 June 2015	14:00-16:00=2 hours
	Johannesburg East	19-21 May 2015	14:00-16:00=2 hours
	Johannesburg West	21-26 May; 2 June 2015	14:00-16:00=2 hours
	Johannesburg South	2-4 June 2015	14:00-16:00=2 hours
	Johannesburg Central	4-5 May 2015	14:00-16:00=2 hours
	Sedibeng West	25-26 May 2015	14:00-16:00=2 hours
	Sedibeng East	26 May 2015	14:00-16:00=2 hours
	Tshwane North	14-18 May 2015	14:00-16:00=2 hours
	Tshwane South	27 May 2015	14:00-16:00=2 hours
	Tshwane West	15- 21 May 2015	13:00-16:00= 3 hours
	Ekurhuleni North	18-19 May 2015	14:00-16:00=2 hours
	Ekurhuleni South	1-2 June 2015	14:00-16:00=2 hours
Limpopo	Mopani	10-11 June 2015	12:00-16:00=4 hours
	Capricorn	17 to 18 June 2015; 22-23 July 2015	12:00-16:00=4 hours
Free State	Xhariep	12 to 17 August 2015	12:00 -16:00=4 hours
	Motheo	22 to 30 July 2015	12:00 -16:00=4 hours
	Lejweleputswa	22 to 30 July 2015	12:00 -16:00=4 hours
	Thabo Mofutsanyana	12 to 17 August 2015	12:00 -16:00=4 hours
	Fezile Dabe	12 to 17 August 2015	14:00 -17:00= 3 hours

e. No. The teachers were not awarded accreditation for the EGRA workshops attended.

Reply:

(1) The process on the review of the Ministerial Handbook is at advance stages of completion. The Inter-Ministerial Committee established for this purpose met on 17 November 2015 to finalise its inputs. The matter will now be submitted to the Cabinet Secretariat for further processing to the Cabinet for approval.

(2) No. The review of the Ministerial Handbook is still a work in progress. The Revised Ministerial Handbook will be made public when approved by the Cabinet. The Cabinet will also decide with regard to when the Revised Ministerial Handbook will become applicable.

Reply:

1. In the 2014/15 financial year 40 municipalities were assessed regarding compliance with the rating aspects of the Municipal Property Rates Act (the Act). 29 of the 40 municipalities were found not to be compliant with certain provisions of the Act. These include the requirement for adopting and publishing in the Provincial Gazette the by-law to give effect to the implementation of the municipal rates policy as well as the resolution levying rates (section 6 and 14 of the Act).

The department wrote letters to the 29 of the 40 municipalities that were found to be non-compliant. The letters outlined issues of non-compliance and how those matters should be addressed. Monitoring of municipal progress towards resolution of those matters indicate that as of 9 October 2015, 15 of the 29 previously non-compliant municipalities are now in compliance. The department will continue monitoring municipal compliance with the Act with the objective of addressing non-compliant matters as part of the 2016/17 municipal budget preparation process.

2. Please refer to (1) above and (4) below.

3. From the monitoring and assessments conducted, some of the causes were lack of understanding that Council adopted documents (i.e by-laws to give effect to rates policies and resolution levying rates) must be published in the relevant Provincial Gazette as required by the law. After identifying these kinds of non-compliance, a Circular (with specimen by-law and resolution levying rates) was issued to all municipalities on 10 April 2015.

4. Yes. As already indicated in (1) and (3) above, the department is continuing to monitor municipal compliance with the critical provisions of the Act and where required it provides the necessary guidance. Whilst in the 2014-15 financial year only 40 municipalities were assessed for compliance, for the 2015/16 financial year the number is 152, and this is envisaged to increase to 193 in 2016/17 financial year, and thereafter all municipalities will be assessed on an annually basis. The objective is to institutionalise municipal compliance with critical provisions of the Act.

Reply:

(1) (a)(b) No. The Public Service Coordinating Bargaining Council (PSCBC) has therefore appointed a service provider to conduct the review on outsourcing and agentisation. The International Labour Organisation has agreed to assist the PSCBC with the development of the decent work agenda. Both proposals will be ready for engagement between parties at the PSCBC during 2016.

(2) The PSCBC parties will decide on whether the outcomes of the reviews should be made public or not

Reply:

1. The Department of Public Service and Administration is aware of the pronouncements made in the media in relation to 36 000 ghost workers in the North West province. This matter is currently under investigation.
2. The management and employment of public servants at national and provincial level is managed through a decentralized human resource management framework where Heads of Department and Executive Authorities are responsible for the employment and management of their own employees. Currently Municipal workers do not fall within the ambit of the Public Service’s human resource management framework. Departments’ employee numbers and payroll fall under the purview of the respective Executive Authorities and are audited by the Auditor-General.
3. Mechanisms for annual audit and verification on the number of government employees are in place. A process of strengthening these mechanisms to mitigate the challenges of ghost employees, amongst others is currently underway, these process include the cleaning up of the PERSAL System.
4. Fraud and non-compliance to the Public Finance Management Act, 1999 and the Treasury Regulations and other legal prescripts are dealt with through the disciplinary processes.
5. The Public Finance Management Act, and the Medium Term Strategic Framework (MTSF) Outcome 12 amongst others, outlines government’s endeavors to ensure that departments are run efficiently, effectively and economically. Furthermore, government has introduced the National School of Government, which provide training programme to the public servant in order to ensure that these public servants run government departments efficiently, effectively and economically.

Reply:

1. Huis Tekna is a registered Child and Youth Care Centre (CYCC) established in accordance with the Children’s Act 38 of 2005. CYCCs do not receive social grants but subsidies from the Department of Social Development.
2. The Limpopo Provincial Department could not transfer funds to all assessed Non-Profit Organizations in the Waterberg district, in the 1st quarter: April-June 2015 as they were conducting investigations conducted in the district. This was a result of a complaint lodged by a concerned community member on how the assessment processes was conducted for the 2015/16 funding. During April 2015, 1096 business plans were audited and comprehensive report compiled. The result of this audit indicated that there were no discrepancies in the assessment process.

Subsequent to the audit, the first and second funding trench was paid out in August 2015 to all affected NPOs in the Waterberg district.

3. Transfers of funds to the non-profit organizations are done quarterly after the reconciliation and relevant organizations are receiving subsidies in line with the business plans and claims submitted to the Department. The Waterberg district office is in regular communication with the organizations to ensure meaningful and continuous working relationship.

 

Reply:

The National Treasury Instruction paragraph 1.2 states that, “cost containment measures related to Executive Authorities will be prescribed in the Revised Ministerial Handbook. The process to review the Ministerial Handbook is at advance stages of completion. The Inter-Ministerial Committee established for this purpose met on 17 November 2015 to finalise its inputs. The matter will now be submitted to the Cabinet Secretariat for further processing to the Cabinet for approval

Reply:

The Provincial Department of Social Development (Limpopo) has engaged Huis Talje Children’s Home (Children’s Home) after it was notified by the Children’s Home that there were funding discrepancies in terms of costing of services. It was noted that a means test was used to determine funding of services rendered by the Children’s Home, instead of applying for service package costing that focuses on the capacity of the Children’s Home. The Children’s Home is currently in possession of a funding letter from the district which indicates the correct funding determination. During the 2015/16 financial year the Children’s Home has already received R321 250 for both the first and second quarter.

The discrepancy has been brought to the attention of the Provincial Department’s finance section, and reconciliations are effected for transferring of funds in the third quarter and will be aligned to the capacity of the Children’s Home.

The funding of Child and Youth Care Centres are determined according to Section 195 of the Children’s Act 38 of 2005. Each provincial department determines its own unit cost provided that Children’s Home meets registration requirements.

The Limpopo Provincial Department had determined its unit cost per child at R2 500.00 per month and has a capacity of 66 children. Based on the above information provided, the Provincial Department’s Finance Section is busy with a reconciliation process to determine outstanding funding to be transferred in the third quarter.

 

Reply:

1. The National School of Government anticipates that the backlog will be eliminated in 2018.
2. The National School of Government, in cooperation with the Department of Public Service and Administration and the National Treasury, ensured removal of PERSAL restriction to allow PERSAL controllers to confirm public servants’ probation should they successfully meet with their workplace requirements. New recruits who were appointed in July 2012 receive confirmation of their pay progression from 01 April 2016. Officials are therefore not negatively affected in terms of their careers. Professional development in line with personal development and work place skills plans of departments are actioned as normal.

Reply:

Yes. The National School of Government has developed and reviewed 27 training programmes that are unique to the needs of the public service.

(i) Relevant details of the specified training programmes are as follows:

(a) 2013-14

• Finance Management and Budgeting,
• Mentoring Support for Supervisors
• Support for the Transfer of Learning
• Re-orientation Programme, and
• Citizen Centred Service Delivery
• Review of CIP Module 4

(b) 2014-15

• Anti-corruption L4
• Anti-corruption L5
• Breaking Barriers to Entry into Public Service
• Compulsory Induction Programme for Levels 13-14
• Developing HRD Implementation Plans for the Public Service
• Disability management for Public Service
• Diversity Management
• Ethics
• Excellent Customer Care for Front Line Staff
• Executive Development Programme
• Gender Mainstreaming
• Grievance and Disciplinary Action Procedures
• Human Resource Monitoring and Evaluation
• Induction to Human Resource Management in the Public Service
• Investigating and presiding skills
• Lead Facilitator Development Programme for Citizen Centred Service Delivery
• Lead Facilitator Development Programme for Reorientation
• PAJA
• Recruitment and Selection in the Public Service Strategic HR Planning for the Achievement of Organisational Results.
• SCOA
• Training of Trainers Programme for the Public Service
• Use of Human Resource Management Information

ii) Number of public servants who have successfully completed the specified training programmes is 30358 in the financial year 2013/14, whilst 38307 public servants have completed their specified training programmes in the financial year 2014/15.

Reply:

(1)(a) The PSC’s workplan for the 2015-16 financial year contains the following own accord investigations:

• Assess the effective, efficient and economic functioning of the Office of the State Attorney
• Assess the effective, efficient and economic functioning of the Office of the Chief State Law Advisor
• Skills and competency audit of human resource and financial management of senior managers in the Western Cape
• An assessment of the effects of organisational restructuring on service delivery in Gauteng
• An assessment of the management of service terminations and pension payouts in the Public Service
• Factsheet on irregular appointments in the Public Service
• Audit on the recruitment and selection processes in the Gauteng Department of Finance
• An assessment of the handling of disciplinary cases in the Public Service
• Report on the nature and extent of the protection of whistleblowers and investigators in the Public Service
• Awarding of higher salaries on appointment and counteroffers in the National Departments of Transport and Labour

The completion date of “investigations conducted on receipt of any complaint lodged with the PSC”, is dependent on a number of factors including the time when the complaint is lodged, the number of allegations contained therein and the complexity of the investigations. The PSC aims to finalize investigations of the complaints lodged with it within ninety (90) days after the receipt of all necessary documentation.

(1)(b) Investigations to be conducted in the ensuing year are determined annually at the Public Service Commission Strategic Planning Session and compilation of a list of these investigations is still a work in progress.

(2) The process to develop a schedule of investigations is informed, amongst others by the Public Service Commission’s (i) legal mandate, (ii) vision and mission, (iii) strategic objectives, and include compilation of Workplans from the trends on the nature of complaints received, previous research conducted and an external environmental scan, this Workplan is presented annually at the Public Commission Strategic Session for consideration and adoption. Furthermore, the Public Service Commission Annual Performance Plan are tabled in Parliament annually

(3) Upon finalization of investigation, a provisional report with findings is forwarded to the relevant executive authority for comment, and should comments be provided, these comments are considered by the Public Service Commission in the issuance of a final report with recommendations. The executive authority is requested to indicate whether it accepts the Public Service Commission recommendations or not. In instances where the recommendations are not accepted, the executive authority should indicate reasons for not accepting the recommendations. The Public Service Commission’s report and findings are submitted to the National Assembly or to Provincial Legislature in line with section 196(6) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996.

Reply:

(1) Where the employment is temporary in nature, the employee may be appointed under a special contract, on a casual basis or on a sessional basis.

In the Public Service, an employee is defined as a person contemplated in section 8 of the Public Service Act, 1994 (as amended). In terms of section 8(1) of the said Act, the Public Service shall consist of persons who are employed

(a) in posts on the establishment of departments; and

(b) additional to the establishment of departments.

Executive Authority (EA), in terms of section 9 of the Public Service Act, 1994, is vested with the powers to appoint any person in his or her Department in accordance with the Act and in such a manner and on such conditions as may be prescribed. In terms of the provisions of the Public Service Regulations 2001, an Executive Authority may appoint employees on a permanent or temporary basis, either full time or part time.

(a), (b) and (c) Persons appointed in terms of the aforesaid provisions of the Public Service Act, 1994 are employees irrespective of how their remuneration is structured.

It should be noted that the Public Service Act, 1994 is not the only legislative provision whereby departments can obtain the services of persons. In certain cases, other legislation also mandates departments to utilise/employ persons for specific needs, as may be prescribed. Whether persons not employed in terms of the Public Service Act, 1994 are employees or not will have to be derived from either the provisions of the specific legislation that mandates their employment or if no such specific legislation exists, from section 200A of the Labour Relations Act, 1995. (The latter contains general criteria whereby persons are to be deemed employees). Therefore individual departments will be best placed to answer the question pertaining to the utilisation/employment of a specific category of persons/employees in terms of the context outlined in this question.

(d) In terms of the provisions of the Public Service Regulations, an Executive Authority have the powers to determine the grade of a post and as far as possible the salary of a part-time, sessional or temporary employee should be set proportional to the salary of an equally graded full-time equivalent. Where the remuneration is determined on a basis other than job evaluation, the relevant department will be best placed to advise on the basis used to calculate the stipend.

(2) The Public Service Act, 1994, Chapter 2, section 3(5)(a) provides for departments to approach the Minister for a determination regarding the conditions of service of employees generally or categories of employees subject to the Labour Relations Act, 1995 and Collective Agreements.

Reply:

The hounourable member should get this information from the Department’s annual report tabled in Parliament.

Reply:

(a) Every five (5) years, the Department for Public Service and Administration conducts a Personnel Expenditure Review (PER) study to determine the status of remuneration matters in the Public Service.

(i) The last study was conducted in 2012.

(ii) The study found that employees on the lower salary levels, i.e. salary levels 1 to 10 compared favorably to the market median. However, employees remunerated on salary levels 11 to 16 compared below the acceptable range of the market median.

(iii) The Personnel Expenditure Review was distributed to all participatory stakeholders.

Reply:

1 (a)

Yes, the National Department of Health requested National Treasury (NT) to investigate expenditure under the Hospital Revitalisation Grant in the North West Provincial Department of Health for the financial year 2011/12.

1 (b)

Yes, the NT completed its investigation, and provided detailed reports with findings and recommendations to the National Department of Health on 21 February 2014. Detailed copies of the reports were provided to National Department of Health, Office of the Premier in the North West Provincial Government and the MEC of the Department of Health in North West.

1 (b) (i)

The Investigation was commissioned on 18 January 2013 to the National Treasury by the National Department of Health.

1 (b) (ii)

The National Treasury’s Office of Accountant-General investigation team together with its co-sourced forensic investigation firm, JGL Forensic Services.

2 (a)

The Investigation was completed by the 21 February 2014.

2 (b) (i)

The National Department of Health is responsible for tabling the report, as NT executed the investigation at the request of National Department of Health.

2 (b) (ii)

The total forensic investigation costs were R4.4 Million.

Reply:

(1) The Minister for Public Service and Administration (MPSA) does not approve organisational structures of departments. The role of the MPSA during the consultation process is to monitor compliance by departments to the relevant organisational design prescripts. The relevant Executive Authorities (EAs) have the authority to approve the organisational structures of their departments after consultation with the MPSA.

The Northern Cape Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Education, submitted a consultation request on the proposed organisational structure to the MPSA on 21 February 2013. The MPSA, on 24 April 2014, concurred with the proposed organizational structure and requested the Department to correctly grade all newly created posts using the Equate Job Evaluation System and to ensure that sufficient funds are available over the medium term prior to commencing with the recruitment process.

(2) The Head of Department derives the necessary authority to approve appointments in his or her department in terms of the approved Delegations from the relevant Executive Authority (EA) to the Head of Department. The Delegations are issued in terms of the Public Service Act and Regulations.

The Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) supports departments in the development of their respective Delegations. However, for the period 2013 there was no obligation for departments to submit their approved set of Delegations to the DPSA, which maintain a register of departments’ Delegations.

(3) The Department of Public Service and Administration is not aware of the existence of the post of secretary general refer to in this question.

Reply:

(a)(b) The responsibility of budget for the compensation of employees of national departments, entities of national departments, organs of state and provincial departments rests with the National Treasury.

Reply:

(a)(b) Preparatory work towards the establishment of the Unit has started. Such work includes the appointment of an inter-disciplinary team, initiating a process to conduct a feasibility study which will include the development of a business model that provides for a service delivery model; funding arrangement for the Unit and the identification of relevant legislation that is likely to impact on the establishment of the Unit. All of this information will also inform the organisational form of the Unit.

Reply:

(a) Following the Premier’s declaration of a Provincial State of Disaster in selected Municipalities in KwaZulu-Natal, I as the Minister of Water and Sanitation issued a Directive to my Director-General on 20 December 2014 to provide R352.4 million for interventions to mitigate the impact of the drought. The amount was determined at a meeting between my Director-General, Head of Department of the Provincial Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) and the Water Services Authorities (WSAs) on
8 December 2014.

The Provincial Department of CoGTA collected, collated and co-ordinated the evaluation of the WSAs implementation plans. The provincial Drought Relief Implementation Plan dated 22 January 2015 highlighted that an estimated R669.7 million was required to alleviate the drought in the Province and an application for the balance of the funding was made to National Disaster Management Centre.

(b) The WSAs submitted their implementation plans to the CoGTA who then coordinated the evaluation of the plans.

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Reply:

(1)(a) The current risk is that, the Kwena Dam volume is dropping rapidly; on Monday 26 October 2015 the dam volume was 74% full.

(1)(b) Due to significantly below normal rainfall and the extreme high temperatures currently being experienced in the Inkomati Water Management Area, river flow levels in the Crocodile River are extremely low.

(2)(a) The most recent water quality test for the Kwena Dam was done in October 2015. It should be noted that water quality tests are done on monthly basis.

(2)(b) The water quality results for October 2015 have not been received yet from the laboratory that does the analysis. However, the water quality results for the month of September 2015 are indicated on the table 1 below:

Table 1

Variables	September results
Electrical conductivity	12.6 mS/m
pH	7.25 pH units
Iron	0.63 µg/l
Manganese	0.14 µg/l
Escherichia coli	4 counts/100ml
Ammonia Nitrogen	0.082 mg/l
Nitrate +Nitrite	0.27 mg/l
Orthophosphate	0.2 mg/l

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Reply:

The Board of the GEPF considers and grants pension increases every year in accordance with the Rules of the Fund and the investment performance of its assets. This is done with the concurrence of the Minister of Finance. In doing this the Board also considers the long term sustainability of the Fund. Granting pension increases that are above the inflation rate is likely to reduce the GEPF’s funding level which would lead to it asking the employer (Government) to increase its contributions to cover the shortfall. However, in line with the GEP Law and GEPF rules, the Board strives to grant pension increases that are in line with inflation to preserve the value of pensions.

Reply:

(1) No municipalities have been reported to be at risk.

(2) The Wastewater Risk Abatement Plan (W2RAP) of August 2010 was developed only as a municipality managerial tool to assist municipalities to take ownership of the plans in order to identify and mitigate against risks in their wastewater services.

The W2RAP was not intended to categorise which municipalities are highest at risk but instead it was intended to assist them to know the risks in their daily operations and make plans to mitigate against such risks.

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Reply:

(1)(a) 2010-11

BEELD FINANCIAL TIMES SATURDAY STAR BURGER MAIL & GUARDIAN SOWETAN BUSINESS DAY NATAL MERCURY SUNDAY INDEPENDANT BUSNESS DAY RAPPORT SUNDAY INDEPENDENT CAPE TIMES SATUDAY INDEPENDENT SUNDAY TIMES CITIZEN SATURDAY ARGUS SUNDAY TRIBUNE DAILY NEWS SATURDAY BEELD THE ARGUS FIN WEEK SATURDAY BURGER THE STAR

(1)(b)2011-12 BEELD FINANCIAL TIMES SATURDAY BURGER BURGER MAIL & GUARDIAN SATURDAY STAR BUSINESS DAY NATAL MERCURY SOWETAN BUSNESS DAY NEW AGE SUNDAY INDEPENDENT CAPE TIMES RAPPORT SUNDAY TIMES CITIZEN SATUDAY INDEPENDENT SUNDAY TRIBUNE DAILY NEWS SATURDAY ARGUS THE ARGUS FIN WEEK SATURDAY BEELD THE STAR

(1)(c)2012-13 BEELD FINANCIAL TIMES SATURDAY BURGER BURGER MAIL & GUARDIAN SATURDAY STAR BUSINESS DAY NATAL MERCURY SOWETAN BUSNESS DAY NEW AGE SUNDAY INDEPENDENT CAPE TIMES RAPPORT SUNDAY TIMES CITIZEN SATUDAY INDEPENDENT SUNDAY TRIBUNE DAILY NEWS SATURDAY ARGUS THE ARGUS FIN WEEK SATURDAY BEELD THE STAR THE TIMES

(1)(d)2013-14 BEELD FINANCIAL TIMES SATURDAY BURGER BURGER MAIL & GUARDIAN SATURDAY STAR BUSINESS DAY NATAL MERCURY SOWETAN BUSNESS DAY NEW AGE SUNDAY INDEPENDENDANT CAPE TIMES RAPPORT SUNDAY INDEPENDENT CITIZEN SATUDAY INDEPENDENT SUNDAY TIMES DAILY NEWS SATURDAY ARGUS SUNDAY TRIBUNE FIN WEEK SATURDAY BEELD THE ARGUS THE STAR THE TIMES

(1)(e) BEELD MAIL & GUARDIAN SOWETAN BURGER NATAL MERCURY SUNDAY INDEPENDENT BUSINESS DAY NEW AGE SUNDAY TIMES BUSNESS DAY RAPPORT SUNDAY TRIBUNE CAPE TIMES SATUDAY INDEPENDENT THE ARGUS CITIZEN SATURDAY ARGUS THE STAR CITY PRESS SATURDAY BEELD THE TIMES DAILY NEWS SATURDAY BURGER SOWETAN DAILY SUN SATURDAY STAR SUNDAY INDEPENDENT

(2)(a)(i)(aa)(aaa) 2010-11 R8 664 948.96 (2)(a)(i)(aa)(bbb)2011-12 R 10 065 054.48 (2)(a)(i)(aa)(ccc)2012-13 R12 928 975.32 (2)(a)(i)(aa)(ddd) 2013-14 R14 011 694.16 (2)(a)(i)(aa)(eee)2014-15 R12 910 936.08 (2)(a)(ii)(aaa) 2010-11 Row Labels Sum of Qty Average of Price Sum of Total BEELD 38 808 3.62 140 484.96 BURGER 31 680 3.99 126 403.20 BUSINESS DAY 108 816 7.85 798 854.88 BUSNESS DAY 24 828 8.37 207 810.36 CAPE TIMES 88 680 4.76 422 116.80 CITIZEN 2 112 1.97 4 160.64 DAILY NEWS 92 400 3.52 325 248.00 FIN WEEK 180 11.97 2 154.60 FINANCIAL TIMES 273 312 1.50 409 968.00 MAIL & GUARDIAN 25 308 12.83 324 701.64 NATAL MERCURY 76 560 4.30 329 208.00 RAPPORT 41 040 7.19 261 780.00 SATUDAY INDEPENDENT 30 960 4.53 140 248.80 SATURDAY ARGUS 35 280 9.60 338 688.00 SATURDAY BEELD 7 200 3.62 26 064.00 SATURDAY BURGER 7 800 5.38 41 964.00 SATURDAY STAR 127 200 4.61 586 392.00 SOWETAN 29 568 2.05 60 614.40 SUNDAY INDEPENDANT 21 600 8.89 192 024.00 SUNDAY INDEPENDENT 3 120 10.54 32 884.80 SUNDAY TIMES 113 424 11.03 1 193 376.00 SUNDAY TRIBUNE 6 480 10.15 65 772.00 THE ARGUS 131 976 3.84 506 787.84 THE STAR 607 068 3.78 2 127 242.04 (2)(a)(ii)(bbb)2011-12 Row Labels Sum of Qty Average of Price Sum of Total BEELD 34 968 3.95 138 123.60 BURGER 30 240 4.22 127 612.80 BUSINESS DAY 104 172 8.20 804 332.04 BUSNESS DAY 23 544 8.82 207 658.08 CAPE TIMES 84 780 4.99 423 052.20 CITIZEN 1 944 1.97 3 829.68 DAILY NEWS 88 200 3.75 330 750.00 FIN WEEK 144 11.97 1 723.68 FINANCIAL TIMES 262 512 1.50 393 768.00 MAIL & GUARDIAN 36 480 12.83 468 038.40 NATAL MERCURY 73 080 4.53 331 052.40 NEW AGE 279 552 2.02 564 695.04 RAPPORT 51 300 8.23 389 733.00 SATUDAY INDEPENDENT 30 960 4.68 144 892.80 SATURDAY ARGUS 35 280 9.21 324 928.80 SATURDAY BEELD 7 200 3.95 28 440.00 SATURDAY BURGER 7 800 6.14 47 892.00 SATURDAY STAR 127 200 4.94 628 368.00 SOWETAN 27 972 2.10 58 741.20 SUNDAY INDEPENDENT 30 900 10.34 300 987.00 SUNDAY TIMES 141 780 11.33 1 536 706.20 SUNDAY TRIBUNE 8 100 10.93 88 533.00 THE ARGUS 126 168 3.99 503 410.32 THE STAR 578 208 4.14 2 217 786.24 (2)(a)(ii)(ccc)2012-13 Row Labels Sum of Qty Average of Price Sum of Total BEELD 133 680 5.26 703 156.80 BURGER 31 680 4.22 133 689.60 BUSINESS DAY 114 564 8.36 916 185.96 BUSNESS DAY 24 948 7.89 196 839.72 CAPE TIMES 88 200 5.23 461 286.00 CITIZEN 2 040 2.30 4 692.00 DAILY NEWS 92 400 3.90 360 360.00 FIN WEEK 240 13.82 3 316.80 FINANCIAL TIMES 274 248 3.68 1 009 232.64 MAIL & GUARDIAN 29 220 15.46 451 741.20 NATAL MERCURY 76 560 4.68 358 300.80 NEW AGE 817 884 2.31 1 889 312.04 RAPPORT 42 900 8.55 366 795.00 SATUDAY INDEPENDENT 24 768 4.84 119 877.12 SATURDAY ARGUS 28 224 9.60 270 950.40 SATURDAY BEELD 19 200 4.28 82 176.00 SATURDAY BURGER 6 240 6.14 38 313.60 SATURDAY STAR 101 760 5.26 535 257.60 SOWETAN 38 496 3.51 135 120.96 SUNDAY INDEPENDENT 25 500 10.67 263 727.00 SUNDAY TIMES 124 140 11.88 1 472 824.80 SUNDAY TRIBUNE 8 100 11.71 94 851.00 THE ARGUS 131 136 4.21 552 082.56 THE STAR 611 844 4.42 2 505 919.68

(2)(a)(ii)(ddd)2013-14 Row Labels Sum of Qty Average of Price Sum of Total BEELD 134 196 5.26 705 870.96 BURGER 33 120 4.38 145 065.60 BUSINESS DAY 116 448 9.47 1 030 657.68 BUSNESS DAY 25 932 10.10 261 913.20 CAPE TIMES 92 220 5.53 509 976.60 CITIZEN 2 208 2.30 5 078.40 DAILY NEWS 96 600 4.14 399 924.00 FIN WEEK 300 13.82 4 146.00 FINANCIAL TIMES 221 580 3.68 815 414.40 MAIL & GUARDIAN 29 184 16.39 478 325.76 NATAL MERCURY 80 040 4.92 393 796.80 NEW AGE 1 093 428 2.31 2 525 818.68 RAPPORT 41 040 8.66 355 406.40 SATUDAY INDEPENDENT 24 768 5.08 125 821.44 SATURDAY ARGUS 28 224 9.60 270 950.40 SATURDAY BEELD 19 200 4.28 82 176.00 SATURDAY BURGER 6 240 6.46 40 310.40 SATURDAY STAR 101 760 5.60 569 856.00 SOWETAN 41 172 3.51 144 513.72 SUNDAY INDEPENDENDANT 21 600 10.85 234 360.00 SUNDAY INDEPENDENT 3 120 12.89 40 216.80 SUNDAY TIMES 113 424 13.24 1 431 630.72 SUNDAY TRIBUNE 6 480 11.71 75 880.80 THE ARGUS 136 944 4.46 610 770.24 THE STAR 623 580 4.41 2 749 987.80 (20(a)(ii)(eee) 2014-15

Row Labels Sum of Qty Average of Price Sum of Total BEELD 139 704 5.26 734 843.04 BURGER 33 120 5.30 175 536.00 BUSINESS DAY 117 240 13.67 1 497 654.00 BUSNESS DAY 26 112 14.59 380 974.08 CAPE TIMES 92 220 5.53 509 976.60 CITIZEN 1 932 2.63 5 081.16 CITY PRESS 48 9.54 457.92 DAILY NEWS 96 600 4.30 415 380.00 DAILY SUN 276 2.63 725.88 MAIL & GUARDIAN 22 032 23.03 507 396.96 NATAL MERCURY 80 040 5.08 406 603.20 NEW AGE 506 460 2.31 1 169 922.60 RAPPORT 41 040 10.47 382 339.20 SATUDAY INDEPENDENT 24 768 5.31 131 518.08 SATURDAY ARGUS 28 224 11.13 314 133.12 SATURDAY BEELD 19 200 4.28 82 176.00 SATURDAY BURGER 6 240 7.37 45 988.80 SATURDAY STAR 101 760 5.92 602 419.20 SOWETAN 41 172 3.95 162 629.40 SUNDAY INDEPENDENT 24 720 13.57 297 535.20 SUNDAY TIMES 113 424 13.46 1 478 200.32 SUNDAY TRIBUNE 6 480 12.49 80 935.20 THE ARGUS 136 944 4.61 631 311.84 THE STAR 627 768 4.61 2 894 010.48 THE TIMES 1 380 2.31 3 187.80

(2)(bb) since 1 April 2015 Row Labels Sum of Qty Average of Price Sum of Total BEELD 70 014 5.92 414 482.88 BURGER 16 560 5.30 87 768.00 BUSINESS DAY 61 548 15.35 923 752.68 BUSNESS DAY 12 906 15.79 203 785.74 CAPE TIMES 46 350 6.14 284 589.00 CITIZEN 966 2.89 2 791.74 CITY PRESS 48 10.20 489.60 DAILY NEWS 48 300 4.53 218 799.00 DAILY SUN 138 2.81 387.78 MAIL & GUARDIAN 18 270 23.03 420 758.10 NATAL MERCURY 40 020 5.33 213 306.60 NEW AGE 414 000 2.31 956 340.00 RAPPORT 20 520 12.83 263 271.60 SATUDAY INDEPENDENT 12 384 5.46 67 616.64 SATURDAY ARGUS 14 112 11.89 167 791.68 SATURDAY BEELD 9 600 4.28 41 088.00 SATURDAY BURGER 3 120 7.37 22 994.40 SATURDAY STAR 50 880 8.23 418 742.40 SOWETAN 20 586 4.21 86 667.06 SUNDAY INDEPENDENT 47 160 14.39 624 447.60 SUNDAY TRIBUNE 3 240 13.67 44 290.80 THE ARGUS 68 892 4.99 343 771.08 THE STAR 316 602 4.94 1 564 013.88 THE TIMES 690 2.63 1 814.70 Grand Total 1 296 906 8.33 7 373 760.96

Reply:

(1)(a)The most recent pH level test conducted on the Olifants River was in September
2015.

(1)(b) The results range on average from 5.5 to 8.5.

(2) The cause of the high acidity levels of the specified river can generally be attributed to agricultural, mining and industrial activities.

(3) Yes, my Department is conducting routine and targeted compliance monitoring inspections and audits on a regular basis, and where a transgressor is found, enforcement actions are undertaken. The classification, determination of the Resource Quality Objectives (RQOs) and the reserve of the Olifants River is being determined.

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Reply:

1. Yes, the internal investigation into the escape of a certain person from the Warmbokkeveld Correctional Centre has been concluded and submitted to the delegated authority where decision has been taken for disciplinary measures to be instituted.
2. Following recommendations of the internal investigation, a chairperson and an initiator for the disciplinary process have been appointed. The disciplinary process is yet to be concluded.

Reply:

(1)(a) Inkomati-Usuthu and Breede-Gouritz Catchment Management Agencies has been delegated to issue water use licenses.

(1)(b) The delegations are subject to conditions set out below:

1. Access to the WARMS and any other system that might be required to support the functions hereunder and can readily interface with the Department’s systems;
2. A protocol/an action plan to coordinate water user’s activities and foster cooperation between institutions;
3. A Job descriptions of positions, that will be implementing the process contained in this delegation, are in place; and
4. CMA, must ─
5. submit quarterly reports to my Department; and
6. report any change in the capacity and skills referred to in condition (a) above

(2)(a) If an applicant intends to apply for a water use license or has submitted application forms, the process for issuing water use application is as follows:

• The applicant is to be consulted by a Technical Officer to ascertain the water uses and the activities that need authorization and to determine the extent of the activities.
• A pre-application consultation meeting is conducted by the Water Use Licence Application (WULA), and the applicant is advised on the different water uses.
• Applicant submits application to a Technical Officer, where after it is referred to a WULA assessor to check it for completeness and correctness. If the application is incomplete, it is returned to the applicant, if complete a reference number is generated, the application is acknowledged and registered on the licensing system.
• A WULA Assessor assesses the application and prepares a draft Record of Recommendation (ROR).
• A draft ROR and draft licence/decline letter is presented to the Provincial Water User Authorisation Assessment Advisory Committee (WUAAAC) for input. Comments are incorporated into the draft ROR and drance licence/decline letter. The key function of the Provincial WUAAC is to advise Assessors and will minimum meet twice per month.
• A final ROR and licence/decline letter is drafted and referred to a Reviewer for quality control. The Reviewer checks the quality of the documentation and whether the Business process was followed as prescribed.
• If approved the licence/decline letter is posted to the applicant by the Technical Officer and forwarded to the Water Authorisation Registration Management System (WARMS) for registration in the system.

(2)(b) The process for water use licensing for the CMA and the Department is the same process outlined in number 2a

(3)(a) Berg-Olifants, Pongola-Umzimkhulu, Vaal, Olifants, Limpopo-North West, Orange and Mzimvubu-Tsitsikamma Catchment Management Agencies.

(3)(b) Refer to (2)(a) above.

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Reply:

(1) The owner is the Department of Environmental Affairs, the National Resource Management Cluster, and the Implementer (Implementing Agent) is Working on Fire (Pty) Ltd.

(2) All movable and immovable capital assets as well as equipment acquired or built with funds made available by the department to the implementing agent remain the property of the department. Fire fighting trucks and management vehicles – are provided on a full maintenance lease by FFA Assets (Pty) Ltd with ownership transfer to the Department of Environmental Affairs at the end of the lease period. Aviation resources – Turnkey solution, including aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance is contracted from Kishugu Aviation (Pty) Ltd.

(3) The implementing agent Working on Fire (Pty) Ltd was appointed by the Department of Environmental Affairs after a competitive request for proposals process was undertaken in terms of the Department’s Supply Chain Management Policy with the National Treasury providing oversight for the entire process.

a) FFA Operations (Pty) Ltd, a subsidiary of FFA Holdings (Pty) Ltd was appointed as the implementing agent. Subsequently, FFA Holdings (Pty) Ltd changed its name to Kishugu Holdings (Pty) Ltd and all of its subsidiaries were amended accordingly. FFA Operations (Pty) Ltd has recently been registered as Working on Fire (Pty) Ltd. It remains a subsidiary of Kishugu Holdings (Pty) Ltd;

b) the terms of engagement are that they have been appointed as an implementing agent in accordance with the Memorandum of Agreement between the Department of Environmental Affairs and Working on Fire (Pty) Ltd;

c) the value of the contract is determined annually in the budget vote allocation approved by Parliament, and dependent on the allocation of the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF). The allocated budget for the current MTEF cycle is:

2014/15: R521 388 000,00

2015/16: R532 791 000,00

2016/17: R580 275 000,00

These allocations are inclusive of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) incentives grants (The funds paid to public bodies to incentivize work creation. The incentive is paid per quantum of employment created for the EPWP target group and can be measured in person-days of work or full time equivalent jobs) of:

2014/15: R58 114 000,00

2015/16: R44 019 000,00

2016/17: R46 352 000,00;

d) the Memorandum of Agreement is for a duration of seven years which commenced on 01 April 2014;

e) demographics:

Only South African ID holders are employed throughout the programme. This includes management staff and participants.

Management: African 63%, Coloured 10%, Indian 2% and White 25% R5, 414, 581 paid to management

Participants (previously referred to as beneficiaries): African 91%, Coloured 9%.

Female: 31%, Disabled 3% and Youth 95% of R19, 580, 675 has been paid to participants,

The Kishugu Shareholding Structure is also represented by all South Africans i.e. African, Coloured, Indian and White

• Direct Cost Benefit (Wages, Management Salaries, UIF, Workmanship Compensation, Medicals and Personal Accident Policy) 43% till to date i.e.

R 19, 110, 321

• Indirect Cost Benefit (Personal Protective Equipment, Training, OHS, Management Transport, Operational Transport Standing fees and Operational Transport variables) 41% till to date i.e. R18 286,508
• Management fee : 9% which is R4,024, 649.00
• Other (Operational variable cost, IT): 7 %

f) the same implementing agent Working on Fire (Pty) Ltd (at that stage it was FFA Operations (Pty) Ltd) was appointed by the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry after a competitive tender process (WP9191) undertaken in terms of the Department’s Supply Chain Management policy; and

g) there is a range of mechanisms in place for monitoring and evaluating the contract, and these include:

Department of Environmental Affairs National Resource Management Working on Fire Executive Committee (EXCO);

Department of Environmental Affairs National Resource Management Oversight Committee;

monthly and quarterly KPI Reporting to the Director-General; and

monthly and quarterly EPWP Reporting.

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Reply:

1. (a) The ‘clean break principle’ in relation to the Government Employees Pension Law, 1996 (Proclamation No. 21 of 1996) (“the GEP Law”), which regulates the GEPF, was incorporated through the GEP Law Amendment Act, No. 19 of 2011, which came into effect on 14 December 2011. Section 24A was inserted into the GEP Law, to provide for the payment of pension interest upon divorce or dissolution of customary marriage.

It is important to note, that the GEPF is not regulated in terms of the Pension Funds Act, 1956 (Act No. 24 of 1956) (“the Pension Funds Act”), but is regulated in terms of the GEP Law. Section 24A of the GEP Law was modelled on and sought to align the GEP Law with section 37D of the Pension Funds Act, 1956 (Act No. 24 of 1956) in particular, to provide for the implementation of the ‘clean break principle’, by providing for the payment of a pension interest to a former spouse of a member on divorce or the dissolution of a customary marriage. Prior to the insertion of section 24A in the GEP Law, the GEP Law and the Rules of the GEPF did not allow a former spouse of a member to claim a portion of a member’s pension interest, in terms of a divorce order or an order for the dissolution of a customary, soon after the divorce order or the order for the dissolution of a customary marriage was granted. The former spouse could only receive a portion of the member’s interest after the exit of the member from the GEPF (on resignation or retirement). With the insertion of section 24A in the GEP Law and amendments to the Rules of the GEPF, a former spouse now can receive the proportion of a member’s pension benefit that is granted in terms of a court order for divorce or the dissolution of a customary marriage, soon after the order is granted.

In order to implement section 24A of the GEP Law, the Rules of the GEPF were amended, to include definitions of “divorce”, “divorce debt” and “divorce order”, and a new Rule 14.10 was inserted in the Rules of the GEPF with effect from 1 April 2012.

(b) GEPF and GPAA are still in the process of collating the statistics on members whose benefit has been reduced as a result of a divorce order settlement.

2. (a) The legal basis on which the ‘clean break principle’ is implemented is by virtue of section 24A of the GEP Law and Rule 14.10 of the Rules of the GEPF, as noted in the response to question 1(a) above. In relation to the administration of justice, a court issues a court order that includes an order for the distribution of pension benefits in terms of section 7(8) of the Divorce Act, 1979 (Act No. 70 of 1979). In terms of Rule 14.10 of the GEPF, the court order must then be provided to the GEPF, who then will implement the order in relation to the division of the pension fund benefits in accordance with the terms of the order and Rule 14.10.

(b) The implementation of the “clean break principle” for the GEPF is not in conflict with the Pension Funds Act (as amended by the Pension Funds Amendment Act, 2001 and subsequent amendments) as the GEPF does not fall under this Act. . Section 24A of the GEP Law gives effect to the ‘clean break’ principle for the GEPF.

It is not clear why the Honourable Member believes that the implementation of the “clean break principle” violates the National Credit Act. It is my understanding that the National Credit Act only applies in relation to “credit agreements” as defined in the National Credit Act. The “clean break principle” applies in relation to the implementation of a court order on divorce or the dissolution of a customary marriage, which is implemented in accordance with the GEP Law and the Rules of the GEPF. The court order does not constitute a “credit agreement” so the National Credit Act does not apply. Even if the court order was made in respect of a “settlement agreement”, it is an order of court, and cannot be construed as being a “credit agreement”.

3. The GEPF does not estimate the frequency of divorce. The GEPF will continue to honour divorce orders that are presented.

Reply:

Yes, the National Commissioner has taken steps to ensure that the Department of Correctional Services improves on its audit outcomes, in particular to resolve qualifications on its financial statements, eliminate non-compliance to laws and regulations as well as enhancing the system of internal controls. Since 2005/6 until 2013/14 financial years, the department had continually received qualification due to asset management. Internal controls on management of tangible movable assets were enhanced over time, resulting in resolution of this matter during the previous financial year, i.e. 2014/15.

In the same year (i.e. 2014/15), the basis of qualification was a new matter on contingent liabilities. The Auditor General was “unable to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence for claims against the department because it did not have adequate systems and processes to record and maintain a register for claims against the department”, 2014-15 Report of the Auditor General.

Steps that have already been taken to address emerging qualifications include capacitating the Legal services component. In this regard, a vacancy of Head of Legal Services has been filled during the year.

Operational action plan which seeks to address weaknesses in contingent liability registers is presented below:

Activities	Measure	Timeframes
Review and update of contingent liabilities register	Contingent liabilities register- reflecting all current claims; and corresponding source documents	1 August 2015 – 30 October 2015
Request State Attorneys’ preliminary verification of claims	All claims contained in the Register verified and confirmed by various state attorneys servicing DCS	30 November 2015
Internal auditing of contingent liabilities register	Internal Audit Report. Findings of the internal audit addressed.	30 January 2016
Submission of register to AGSA for their preliminary auditing.	Findings of the AGSA’s preliminary audit addressed.	28 February 2016
Request final State Attorneys’ verification of claims	All claims contained in the Register verified and confirmed by various state attorneys servicing DCS.	31 March 2016
Submission of final disclosure note for inclusion in AFS	Complete and verified contingent liabilities submitted timeously.	15 April 2016

In order to improve the departmental system of internal controls, the inadequate capacity within assurance services has been identified as a key root cause to matters of non-compliance with laws and regulations. In this regard the following interventions are either underway or have been finalized:

• The Internal Control and Compliance (ICC) component has been capacitated through the appointment of Head of ICC;
• The establishment and capacitation of a risk management unit within ICC will be carried out during the current financial year;
• Recruitment of additional internal auditors at regional / provincial level

The department has prioritized investigations into irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure as the first step towards effective consequence management. The Inspectorate directorate under ICC is currently investigating backlog of cases of non- compliance to SCM processes which include amongst others, non-disclosure of interest, irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure. The National Commissioner also appointed an Investigation Steering Committee to provide oversight on the process of investigation as well as making recommendations to National Commissioner on disciplinary steps to be taken against officials who have failed to comply with policies and procedures.

As at end 31 October 2015, the status of investigations is as follows:

Status of investigations	Total cases	Cases Finalized	Investigations in progress	Investigations not yet started
Total	649	476	41	132

Reply:

1. It is assumed that this question relates to the GEPF. Please note that the GEPF has its own legislation that governs it (Government Employees Law No. 21 of 1996) and it does not fall under the Pensions Fund Act (Act No. 24 of 1956).

(a)(i) There is no debt in the conventional sense of the word. The GEPF provides affected divorced members with a funding mechanism to replenish their benefit after paying out the non-member spouse without adversely affecting other members of the Fund.

(ii) The GEPF is not aware of members who have lost their entire pension or those who are at the risk of losing their entire pension due to the application of the clean break principle under normal circumstances. It is important to note that the GEPF only applies the requirements of a divorce order. If the divorce order states that the spouse is eligible for a disproportional part of the pension benefit, 100%, the member’s pension is paid to the non-member spouse. This does not constitute a loss but the execution of a divorce order that the member spouse is party to.

2. Although it cannot be concluded that there are negative effects due to the current application of the clean break principle (as this also depends on whether this is the perspective of the member or the affected spouse), it is acknowledged that the application confuses members and changes the nature of the withdrawal benefit. The Board has therefore already decided to discard the current approach to the clean break principle and is busy consulting the employer and employee representative to make the necessary changes to the GEP Law and rules.

3. As far as the GEPF is aware, since there are two parties involved in a divorce, it is not obvious that the application of the clean break principle is adverse to both parties, other than the fact that the amount due to the non-member spouse on divorce has been correctly paid out to them in accordance with the divorce order in a cost neutral manner to the Fund and other members.

Reply:

(1) Mokolo and Crocodile Water Augmentation Project 2 is at the planning stage. The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process started in July 2015 with the appointment of an EIA consultant. In parallel, DWS is finalising the Post Feasibility Bridging Study Report. This will be used as input to inform the design process. The EIA is planned for completion in January 2017. Engineering designs for both the project and the pipeline are expected to be completed in September 2016, if the design starts in November 2015.

(2) The provisional approved capacity is 75 million cubic meters per year.

(3) Construction is envisaged to start in September 2017.The envisaged completion date is September 2023, but the Water Delivery is envisaged for May 2022. The capital cost of the project is budgeted at R 12 000 million.

(4) Yes, the project is largely to be funded off-budget through loans raised by TCTA. Eskom is an off-taker whereby they commit in a water supply agreement to contribute to the cost of the project for their proportional off-take from the system through water tariffs. 

Furthermore, the Department of Energy is standing in for the future energy users to ensure that the infrastructure is sized appropriately to meet the demands of future users.

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Reply:

(a) A total of R443.765 million has been allocated by my Department for drought interventions for KwaZulu-Natal Province. The amount of this R172.219 million has been spent as follows:

• R66,9 million on the purchase of 45 water tankers;
• R19,733 million payments being processed; and
• R85,512 million already paid.

(c) A summary of the amounts spent in each Municipality is provided in Table 1 below. Refer to Table 2 for expenditure for each project type in each Water Services Authority.

Table 1: Drought relief funding see the link below:

http://www.pmg.org.za/files/RNW3469-151120.doc

(c) The drought relief interventions include the following different project types:

• purchase of water tankers
• installation of static water tanks
• spring protection
• refurbishment and upgrade of water supply systems
• development of boreholes
• water tanker rental
• interim water tanker rental
• programme management

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Table 2 below indicates the expenditure for each project type in each Water Services Authority.

Table 2: KwaZulu-Natal drought intervention budget and expenditure: see the link

http://www.pmg.org.za/files/RNW3469-151120.doc

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Reply:

(1) The War on Leaks project aims to decrease water leaks by training unemployed youth / citizens to improve the overall water use efficiency within municipalities, communities and households whereas the objective of the unemployed youth skills development project is to support South African youth with skills development and opportunities to community service. The unemployed youth skills development project is run by the Department of Public Works and the National Youth Development Agency.

(2)(a) Requesting the Honorable member to refer the question to the Minister of Public Works who will be in a better position to respond to these questions on the Unemployment Skills Development project.

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Reply:

The Deputy President visited the People’s Republic of China from 13-17 July 2015.

The purpose of the visit was to discuss economic and trade matters, including how state-owned enterprises can be used to promote economic growth and address the challenges of poverty and unemployment in South Africa.

The Deputy President led a delegation comprising the Ministers of Public Enterprises and Higher Education, and the Deputy Ministers of International Relations and Cooperation, Energy, Finance and Trade and Industry.

Presidency support staff and the relevant departmental officials accompanied the Deputy President.

Reply:

(1) Yes, my Department will proceed with the construction of the wastewater treatment works. Feasibility study on what needs to be done on existing wastewater treatment works has been conducted. The Thabazimbi Municipality is finalising the appointment of a service provider which will be done on or before 30 November 2015.

(1)(a) The Anglo American Platinum will fund the entire project. The Anglo American Platinum is finalising an agreement with the Department of Local Government and Housing. The project will be funded through B.O.T (Build Operate Transfer) and the Thabazimbi Municipality will enter into a project agreement with Anglo American Platinum.

(1)(b) The Northam Platinum Ltd will not fund the project as the entire project funding will be funded by Anglo American Platinum.

(2) No, the R21 million already spent on the project will not be recovered because the funds were donated as part of the Social Labour Plan (SLP).

(3) The current structure will still be used as it is still in good condition. The corrosion will not affect the operation of the structure, as the municipality is continuing maintaining the structure.

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Reply:

The surrounding communities at the Nandoni Dam are receiving water from the Nandoni Water Treatment Works (WTW). The Nandoni Dam does not have canals which are accessible to the communities. The Nandoni WTW abstracts raw water from the Nandoni Dam, where it is treated through flocculation, sedimentation, filtration and chlorination processes. The treated water is then clean and safe for human consumption. The water that is used to clean filters at the plant through backwashing process is transported through canals which are still located within the yard of the plant and cannot be accessed by the communities.

The completed first phase of the Water Treatment Works is 60 ML/day and presently operating at 35ML/day because other parts of the pipeline Mavambe to Vuwani (NR7) and Valdezia to Mowkop are still under construction. The Nandoni WTW is currently serving 40 villages. Bulk Water is distributed to the communities through pump stations, pipelines (NN20B, NR5, NR6 and NR7) and command/main reservoirs. Water supply is reticulated to the households’ connection and communal taps. The Vhembe District Municipality as the Water Service Authority (WSA) has the plans to upgrade the available systems to ensure water is received at a higher level.

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Reply:

My response to oral question 315 on 19 August 2015 indicated that I will possibly communicate the date for release by the end of September 2015, however, I have not yet communicated the date for the release of the Blue and Green Drop reports, as it is still due to be submitted to Cabinet for approval in line with the exercise of executive authority in terms of section 85 of the Constitution.

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Reply:

(a) In December 2014, my Department made an allocation of R354.2 million to assist with the mitigation of the impacts of the drought in KwaZulu-Natal. Additional funding has been made available (refer to the latest detailed Drought Intervention Budgets allocations attached as Appendix1).

(b) In November 2015, the Honourable Premier declared a Provincial State of Disaster due to the impacts of the drought in nine (9) of the ten (10) District Municipalities in KwaZulu-Natal. In terms of the Disaster Management Act, the Provincial Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) is responsible for the overall disaster management.

My Department’s strategy includes the following:

• The implementation of drought operating rules for ten (10) water supply schemes in KwaZulu-Natal. Drought operating rules are scientific tools used as a guide to manage the water resource(s) to protect it from failure by restricting water used during low flows in order to ensure that the water supply for essential water users e.g. basic human consumption can always be met. My Department gazetted water restrictions on 3 July 2015 and is monitoring the success of the restrictions and assisting with the development of alternative augmentation options where necessary.
• Ensuring System and District level Joint Operations Committees are established and regular meetings held in order to determine the necessary drought interventions and monitor the implementation thereof.
• Assisting the Water Services Authorities and Water Boards in the provision of water through the reprioritisation of R502 million for drought intervention projects.
• Assisting the Water Services Authorities with the provision of water through the supply and operation of 45 water tankers.
• Assisting the Department of CoGTA with the evaluation of water services authority intervention plans for inclusion into a Provincial Business Plan for the application to the National Disaster Management Centre for additional support.

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Appendix 1: Drought Intervention Budgets see the link below:

http://www.pmg.org.za/files/RNW3914-151120.doc

 

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Reply:

(1) No, my Department has not entered into a contract with any company for the specific purpose of directing acid mine drainage water (AMD) into potable, industrial or agricultural use. As an interim measure for AMD mitigation in the Witwatersrand gold fields, my Department’s entity, the Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority (TCTA), has appointed service providers to treat (neutralise) AMD for discharge into river systems. This intervention is necessary for water resource protection and averting other AMD- associated risks on the environment. For the service currently provided, no tariff is set and service providers are strictly reimbursed for the operation and maintenance cost incurred during AMD treatment.

(1)(a) The names of the companies appointed by the TCTA are Sibanye Gold and Proxa.

(1)(b) Sibanye Gold and Proxa, tasked with operation and maintenance of the Western Basin AMD Plant in Randfontein, Gauteng; and the Central Basin AMD Plant in Germiston, Gauteng, respectively, perform neutralisation of AMD for discharge into river systems, thus ensuring water resource and environmental protection.

(2) I am presently considering a host of information centered on inter alia, technical, legal, financial and institutional matters necessary for a long-term project that is capable of directing AMD into beneficial (economic) uses. I will pronounce my Department’s position thereto once the internal appraisal processes are concluded and all risks fully quantified and understood.

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Reply:

1. (a) Please find enclosed (Annexure A) the list of South African Former Ambassadors, High Commissioners and Chief Representatives who participated at the founding meeting that was held from 15-16 July 2005.

(b) Former Ambassadors, High Commissioners and Chief Representatives

1. Membership is open to former Ambassadors, High Commissioners and Chief Representatives who are retired from public

1. (a) No

(b) (i) No; (ii) No; (iii) No. However, it should be noted that on some occasions when specialist knowledge or institutional memory is required, the Department has, and will continue to, call upon former Ambassadors to assist on a particular issue, whether they are members of the Association or not. On such occasions, the normal consultancy rates are used for remuneration and the necessary assistance is provided to have these specialists participate in the requested role at DIRCO.

1. (a) The main objective is to create a platform for former Heads of Missions to network and serve as a resource to the Department of International Relations and Co-Operation, and other government departments that have international relations responsibilities; to work with the provinces, especially the offices of the Premiers through their provincial officials, as well as local governments regarding relationships with their counterparts in foreign countries.

It will further offer its members’ diverse, extensive experience and institutional memory to key and relevant stakeholders and partners to promote awareness of, stimulate discussion and deepen the understanding of international relations and diplomacy, and support the institutions responsible for implementing South Africa’s foreign policy.

It will also create opportunities to exchange views with experts, academics, scholars of international relations sand other with an interest in diplomacy and foreign policy.

It is hope that is will also mentor young diplomats to achieve best practice in the execution of their roles and responsibilities.

1. (b) The association is an independent non-profit organisation.

UNQUOTE

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

FOUNDING DOCUMENT OF THE ASSOCIATION OF FORMER SOUTH AFRICAN AMBASSADORS, HIGH COMMISSIONERS AND CHIEF REPRESENTATIVES

1. BACKGROUND

Many countries have established entities to tap into the institutional knowledge of their previous high-ranking diplomats and envoys after they have left specific posts and government service. The establishment of such a body in South Africa is a ground-breaking development that will enhance and uplift the country’s status internationally. It will put South Africa on a par with others and help towards raising awareness and understanding of the complex issues confronting the practice of international relations and diplomacy. In doing so it will draw on members’ diverse expertise, experience and institutional memory to enrich the formulation of foreign policy and underscore the country’s efforts to be a respectable member in the family of nations.

2. VISION

To contribute to the pursuit of South Africa’s national interest to achieve a prosperous, united, non-racist, non-sexist, democratic and peaceful South Africa and Africa, and for a just and better world.

3. MISSION

The Association seeks to maximize usage of its resources regarding the conduct of its foreign relations and the broad attainment of South Africa’s interests and foreign policy objectives.

4. OBJECTIVES:

The main objective is to create a platform for former Heads of Missions to network and serve as a resource to:

• Have a constructive relationship with the Department of International Relations and Co-Operation, and other government departments that have international relations responsibilities; to work with the provinces, especially the offices of the Premiers through their provincial officials, as well as local governments regarding relationships with their counterparts in foreign countries.

• Offer its members’ diverse, extensive experience and institutional memory to key and relevant stakeholders and partners to promote awareness of, stimulate discussion and deepen the understanding of international relations and diplomacy, and support the institutions responsible for implementing South Africa’s foreign policy.

• Provide assistance to the Presidency, for example, by serving as Special Envoys.

• Create opportunities to exchange views with experts, academics, scholars of international relations sand other with an interest in diplomacy and foreign policy.

• Analyse global, regional and bilateral political, economic, peace and security, social and cultural trends in foreign relations and diplomacy.

• Mentor young diplomats to achieve best practice in the execution of their roles and responsibilities.

• Foster relations with relevant South African, regional and international organizations.

5. VALUES

Patriotism

Loyalty

Integrity

Professionalism

6. PROGRAMMES

The Association will fulfil its mission through programmes designed to educate, inform and interact with the public about key foreign policy issues affecting the national interest. Such programmes will include but not be limited to:

• Conferences, ambassadors’ fora and other means of public interaction around the country to enhance the public understanding of international issues affecting the national interest;

• Mentorships that foster and develop young students, particularly in international relations;

• An orientation programme for Heads of Mission;

• Availing its members to support the Presidency including, for example to serve as Special Envoys or support staff;

• Providing its membership and associates with information so they can fulfil the Association’s mandate.

7. FUNDING

The Association is a non-profit organization funded by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation and other sources.

8. STRUCTURE

The Association is led by an Executive Committee to be elected by its members on a simple majority and by a show of hands for periods of two years.

The Executive Committee consists of a Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson, Treasurer, Secretary, plus three additional committee members elected for periods of two years.

The Executive Committee is further mandated to bring about appropriate administrative and support structures within the necessary and appropriate legal framework.

The association elected the following as an Executive:

• Chairperson - Amb G Nene

• Deputy Chairperson -Amb. J Bardil

• Secretary - Amb F Land

• Treasurer -Amb M Moopeloa

• Additional Members

Amb W Nhalpo

Amb. M Rakwena

Amb. T Skweyiya

9. MEMBERSHIP AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Membership is open to former Ambassadors, High Commissioners and Chief Representatives who are retired from public service and who meet its criteria and annual fee requirements, which will also be applied to any associate membership that may be established.

10. SYMBOLS.

The Association will make use of a symbol and logo for identification.

Annexure A

List of Ambassadors
	Initials & Surname	Designation
1	Abba Omar Y	Ambassador
2	Chikane M	Ambassador
3	Chiliza TH	Ambassador
4	Coovadia I	Ambassador
5	Crewe-Brown L	High Commissioner
6	De Swart I	Ambassador
7	Dietrichsen PR	Ambassador
8	Dr Kekana I	Ambassador
9	Funde E	Ambassador
10	Gantso	Ambassador
11	Jacobs D	Ambassador
12	Janse van Rensburg JG	Ambassador
13	January-Bardill N	Ambassador
14	January-McLean T	Ambassador
15	Khasu MJ	Ambassador
16	Kilian J	Ambassador
17	Kotane J	Ambassador
18	Kotane SS	Ambassador
19	Kubheka TMN	Ambassador
20	Land F	Ambassador
21	Lujabe-Rankoe T	Ambassador
22	Mabude NI	High Commissioner
23	Mabuza L	Ambassador
24	Magugu Z	Ambassador
25	Manley AL	Ambassador
26	Maqetuka M	Ambassador
27	Matabane	Ambassador
28	Mathoma TP	Ambassador
29	Mavimbela DJ	Ambassador
30	Mazibuko-skweyiya	Ambassador
31	Mbatha KZ	Ambassador
32	Mdlalose F	Ambassador
33	Meyer DN	Ambassador
34	Mfenyana S	Ambassador
35	Mngqikana LMS	Ambassador
36	Modise BIL	Ambassador
37	Moloi S	Ambassador
38	Mongalo ALCK	Ambassador
39	Moolla M	Ambassador
40	Moopela	Ambassador
41	Msimang	Ambassador
42	Nene SG	Ambassador
43	Ngakane LD	Ambassador
44	Ngubane BS	Ambassador
45	Nhlapo WAW	Ambassador
46	Olivier GC	Ambassador
47	Pekane LST	Ambassador
48	Phologane	Ambassador
49	Pitso J	Ambassador
50	Rakwena M	Ambassador
51	Roux JP	Ambassador
52	Saloojee YM	Ambassador
53	Schoombie N	Ambassador
54	Shaik M	Ambassador
55	Sigwela EM	Ambassador
56	Sisulu BR	Ambassador
57	Sisulu SM	Ambassador
58	Skweyiya ZST	Ambassador
59	Tsheole N	Ambassador
60	Visser TG	Ambassador
61	Wheeler TF	Ambassador
62	Zazeraj VJ	Ambassador
63	Zulu VT	Ambassador

Reply:

1(a) The Director General (DG) is presently on precautionary suspension. Two Deputy Directors General (DDGs) have resigned and two DDGs were dismissed by the DG. There were no other suitable candidates.

1(b) The decision was based on the experience of Mr. Mjwara and his understanding of the work of the Department.

1(c) Mr. Mjwara has resigned as special adviser to the Minister before his appointment as Acting DG. He will continue to act until the Public Service Commission has completed its inquiry.

2(a) No.

2(b)(i) and 2(b)(ii)

Mr. Mjwara only receives compensation as Acting DG and this is in terms of the SMS Handbook, Chapter 3 Clause 10 read with Chapter 8 Clause 16.

Reply:

(a)(i-ii) Acting appointments have been approved for (5) five Chief Directors from the respective Branches against the 5 vacant Deputy Director-General (DDG) positions.

(b) The posts of DDG: ISAD (ICT Information Society Development and Research); DDG: ICT Enterprise Development and State-Owned Entity Oversight; and DDG: Administration, have been shortlisted and the Department is in the process of finalising the dates for the interviews.

Reply:

1. The State Security Agency (SSA) is not aware of this purported process and therefore cannot respond.
2. When Parliament commence with any process that require our involvement we can react.