Questions and Replies
30 November 2015 - NW3880
Mileham, Mr K to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
(1)Whether any investigation is currently underway and/or was conducted into the non-compliance of municipalities with the Local Government: Municipal Property Rates Act, Act 29 of 2014, in the 2014-15 financial year; if not, why not; if so, which municipalities (a) are being and/or (b) have been investigated; (2) (a) what is the current status of each of the specified investigations and (b) when is it anticipated that the investigations will be completed; (3) what has he found are the causes for the municipalities’ non-compliance with the specified Act; (4) whether he is taking any steps to ensure the compliance of the municipalities with the specified Act; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
- 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.
30 November 2015 - NW3757
Lekota, Mr M to ask the Minister of Public Service and Administration
(1)Whether, in view of the enormous publicity given in print and on television regarding the 36 000 ghost workers on the payroll of North West, he has ascertained (a) how such an army of ghost workers remained undetected for years and (b) the resultant cost to the taxpayer; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) whether ghost workers are also drawing salaries and benefits in (a) other (i) provincial and (ii) national departments and (b) municipalities; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) why the Government has failed to (a) undertake annual audits of its employees and (b) run unannounced checks to verify figures; (4) what action has been taken against managers and recipients who have defrauded the state; (5) what measures the Government has in place to run departments efficiently, ethically and economically?
Reply:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
30 November 2015 - NW3560
Maynier, Mr D to ask the Minister of Public Service and Administration
Whether the cost containment measures outlined in National Treasury Instruction 01 of 2013/2014 have been included as a prescription in the revised Ministerial Handbook; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
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
30 November 2015 - NW3606
Van Der Walt, Ms D to ask the Minister of Basic Education
With reference to her department’s Early Grade Reading Assessment (EGRA) project for Grades 1 to 3 in at least 100 schools in each province, amounting to a total of 1 000 schools, presented in all 11 official languages, (a) which schools in each province have (i) been identified to benefit from the EGRA project and (ii) received their EGRA toolkits to date, (b) which teachers attended the training workshops in each province, (c) what grades are the specified teachers teaching, (d) what (i) dates and (ii) times of day did the specified training workshops take place in each province and (e) were teachers awarded any form of accreditation after completion of the specified workshops in each province?
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.
30 November 2015 - NW3984
Masango, Ms B to ask the Minister of Social Development
(1)(a) In which year was her department’s Social Work Scholarship Programme for students pursuing studies in Social Work at universities launched and (b) how much has the specified programme cost her department (i) in each specified financial year and (ii) at each university enrolling such students since its inception; (2) whether her department has (a) tracked the number of graduates produced by the specified programme each year, (b) centred its planning on how many more students it would be able to sponsor through the specified programme in the next few financial years, (c) made provisions in terms of securing employment for the specified students with each of her provincial departments and (d) planned how many new first-year students it would sponsor in the 2016 academic year; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details in each case?
Reply:
The hounourable member should get this information from the Department’s annual report tabled in Parliament.
30 November 2015 - NW3897
Van der Westhuizen, Mr AP to ask the Minister of Public Service and Administration
(1) When will the backlog of new appointees in the Public Service who have not been able to successfully complete the compulsory induction programme be eliminated; (2) How will his department make up for the failure to successfully implement the compulsory induction programme, which has affected public servants’ careers?
Reply:
- The National School of Government anticipates that the backlog will be eliminated in 2018.
- 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.
30 November 2015 - NW3828
Lovemore, Ms AT to ask the Minister of Public Service and Administration
What was the number of employees for each national and provincial department in the public service (a) as at the most recent date of capture on the Vulindlela website and (b) for each similar date in the (i) 2011-12, (ii) 2012-13, (iii) 2013-14 and (iv)2014-15 financial years?
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
30 November 2015 - NW3552
Rabotapi, Mr MW to ask the Minister of Public Service and Administration
(1)Whether his department approved the revised organisational organogram of the Northern Cape Department of Education that was submitted to his department for approval; if so, when; if not, (2) did the head of department at the specified education department have the necessary authority based on the revised organogram to (a) appoint an official at a deputy director-general level in 2013 and only advertise the position in 2014 and (b) make several further appointments; (3) what is the current national benchmark for the appointment of a secretary general in a provincial education department?
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.
20 November 2015 - NW3914
Cebekhulu, Inkosi RN to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
With reference to the declaration of the province of KwaZulu-Natal as a disaster area on 30 October 2015, (a) what are the relevant details of the allocation of drought-relief assistance that will immediately be made available to provide drought relief to drought-stricken areas in the province and (b) what are the relevant details of any other departmental strategies that are in place to provide assistance to municipalities in the province which are struggling to provide relief because of a scarcity of resources?
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.
---00O00---
Appendix 1: Drought Intervention Budgets see the link below:
http://www.pmg.org.za/files/RNW3914-151120.doc
---00O00---
20 November 2015 - NW3698
Alberts, Mr ADW to ask the Minister of Finance
Whether, given the 13,72 % return made by the Public Investment Corporation from its investment portfolios, he would consider motivating that the Government Employees Pension Fund grant all pensioners an increase for next year that is higher than the inflation rate; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
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.
20 November 2015 - NW3881
Baker, Ms TE to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
(1)With reference to the Wastewater Risk Abatement Plan (W2RAP) of August 2010, (a) which five municipalities are considered to be the most at risk and (b) what is the nature (i) of such risks and (ii) for high risk areas; (2) whether she has implemented any intervention measures to address the risk factors; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
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.
---00O00---
20 November 2015 - NW3707
Mazzone, Ms NW to ask the Minister of Finance
(1)What are the names of each of the newspapers bought by the SA Airways (SAA) group in the (a) 2010-11, (b) 2011-12, (c) 2012-13, (d) 2013-14 and (e) 2014-15 financial years; (2) (a) what were the (i) total amounts and (ii) breakdown of the specified amounts spent on each of the specified newspapers listed above by the SAA Group (aa) in the (aaa) 2010-11, (bbb) 2011-12, (ccc) 2012-13, (ddd) 2013-14 and (eee) 2014-15 financial years and (bb) since 1 April 2015?
Reply:
(1)(a) 2010-11
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(1)(b)2011-12
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(1)(c)2012-13
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(1)(d)2013-14
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(1)(e)
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(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
(2)(a)(ii)(bbb)2011-12
(2)(a)(ii)(ccc)2012-13
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(2)(a)(ii)(ddd)2013-14
(20(a)(ii)(eee) 2014-15 |
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(2)(bb) since 1 April 2015
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20 November 2015 - NW3882
Balindlela, Ms ZB to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
(1)(a) When was the most recent pH level test conducted on the Olifants River and (b) what were the results; (2) what is the cause of the high acidity levels of the specified river; (3) whether she has taken any steps to remedy the situation; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
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.
---00O00---
20 November 2015 - NW4105
Vos, Mr J to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
(1)Whether, with reference to his reply to question 3719 on 06 November 2015, the internal investigation into the escape of a certain person (Name and details furnished) has been concluded; if not, why not; if so, (2) whether any disciplinary hearings have been instituted against the correctional officials involved; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details of the disciplinary actions instituted in each case?
Reply:
- 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.
- 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.
20 November 2015 - NW3810
Balindlela, Ms ZB to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
(1)(a) To which catchment management agencies has her department delegated the authority to issue water use licenses and (b) on what conditions; (2) what is the process according to which a water use license is issued by (a) a catchment management agency and (b) her department; (3) whether her department is considering to extend this authority to other entities; if not, why not; if so, (a) which entities and (b) on what conditions?
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:
- 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;
- A protocol/an action plan to coordinate water user’s activities and foster cooperation between institutions;
- A Job descriptions of positions, that will be implementing the process contained in this delegation, are in place; and
- CMA, must ─
- submit quarterly reports to my Department; and
- 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.
---00O00---
20 November 2015 - NW3784
Majeke, Ms CN to ask the Minister of Environmental Affairs
(1)Who is the owner, driver and implementer of the Working on Fire Programme; (2) who provides and owns the equipment that is being bought and used to roll out the specified programme; (3) whether any private companies were contracted to roll out the programme; if so, with regard to each specified company, (a) what are the details of the company, (b) what are the relevant terms of engagement with the company, (c) what is the annual value of the contract, (d) what is the life-span of the contract, (e) what are the demographics of the company, (f) what is the relationship between the company and the companies that were contracted at the time that the specified programme was part of the Department of Water Affairs and (g) what mechanisms are in place for monitoring and evaluating the specified contract in line with the objectives of the Expanded Public Works Programme as well as the job targets of the National Development Plan?
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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20 November 2015 - NW3839
Alberts, Mr ADW to ask the Minister of Finance
(1)(a)(i) When was the clean break principle instituted that is applicable when a member of the Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF) gets divorced and (ii) why the stated principle is applicable when a member of the GEPF gets divorced and (b) how many members of the GEPF have been affected by the specified principle to date; (2) (a) what is the legal basis on which the specified principle is founded, with specific reference to the relevant (i) legislation (ii) regulations and (iii) administration of justice and (b) why the specified principle is not a violation of the Pension Funds Amendment Act, Act 65 of 2001, and the National Credit Act, Act 34 of 2005; (3) (a) what has been the frequency of divorces in the GEPF since the application of the specified principle, (b) what is the estimate regarding divorces for the next five years and (c) regarding how many of the divorces the principle (i) has been applied and (ii) is projected to apply in the future?
Reply:
- (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.
20 November 2015 - NW3962
Carter, Ms D to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
Whether, in view of the concession by the National Commissioner as reported in the Budgetary Review and Recommendation report of the Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services to the National Assembly that his department had often addressed one qualification at the risk of other risk areas resulting in new qualifications by the Auditor-General and a series of qualified reports, he has (a) taken any steps to ensure that his department’s disregard for the findings and recommendations will never occur again and (b) ordered disciplinary measures to be taken against all officials who had since 2014 been guilty of ignoring the findings and recommendations of the Auditor-General in order to show his resolve; if not, why not; if so, what are the details?
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-
|
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 |
|
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 |
20 November 2015 - NW3847
Alberts, Mr ADW to ask the Minister of Finance
(1)(a)(i) What is the total value of the debt that has been created by the clean break principle since its inception date, (ii) how much of this debt (aa) has already been paid off and (bb) remains outstanding and (b) how many members of the Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF) (i) have lost their entire pension and (ii) are running the risk of losing their pensions due to this clean break principle; (2) whether he will take steps to correct the negative effect of this principle; if not, why not; if so, (3) whether this would also have a retroactive effect in order to fully restore the position of those GEPF members who have already been adversely affected; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
- 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.
20 November 2015 - NW3808
Basson, Mr LJ to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
(1)With regard to the Mokolo and Crocodile Water Augmentation Project for abstraction works and pump station in the west side of the Crocodile River near Thabazimbi and the pipeline to Steenbokpan and Lephalale, what is the (a) progress and (b) time frame for the completion of the (i) environmental impact assessment and (ii) engineering design of the specified (aa) project and (bb) pipeline; (2) how many million cubic metres of water will be required; (3) (a) when will construction start and (b) what is the (i) envisaged completion date and (ii) total cost of the specified project; (4) is Eskom making a contribution to the cost of the specified project; if not, why not; if so, (a) what amount and (b)(i) when and (ii) how will payment be made?
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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20 November 2015 - NW3469
Steyn, Ms A to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
(a) What total amount of the R300 million that was provided to KwaZulu-Natal for drought relief has been spent, (b) what amount was spent in each affected municipality and (c) what are the relevant details of the specific relief that was provided through the specified funds in respect of each municipality?
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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20 November 2015 - NW3838
Matsepe, Mr CD to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
(1)What is the difference between her department’s War on Leaks programme and the Unemployed Youth Skills Development project; (2) (a) what is the current budget allocation for the Unemployed Youth Skills Development project, (b) how many persons are currently trainees in the specified project, (c) in which municipalities are the specified persons employed, (d) how many (i) males and (ii) females are part of the specified project, (e) what is their remuneration and (f) what (i) specific skills are being transferred and (ii) are the terms and conditions of employment?
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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20 November 2015 - NW3722
Steenhuisen, Mr JH to ask the Deputy President
(a) How many trip(s) has he taken to (i) Brazil, (ii) the Russian Federation, (iii) the Republic of India and (iv) the People’s Republic of China since 1 April 2015, (b) on what date were the specified trips taken, (c) what was the purpose of the trip(s) in each case and (d) which government (i) officials and/or (ii) presidential staff accompanied him on each specified trip?
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.
20 November 2015 - NW3884
Baker, Ms TE to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
With regard to the amount of R352 million allocated to the drought-stricken municipalities of KwaZulu-Natal, (a) how was this amount determined and (b) what audit or study was used to determine the amount required to alleviate the effects of the drought?
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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20 November 2015 - NW3902
Madisha, Mr WM to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
(1)Whether her department has concluded any contract with any companies in South Africa or abroad to turn acid mine water into potable water or, at least, into water that is suitable for use by industries and agriculture so that such water can be discharged into streams, and as compensation for that set a tariff to be earned by such contracting companies for each kilolitre of processed water; if not, why not; if so, what are the (a) names of the companies and (b) details of the agreement; (2) whether she will make a statement on the prospects of making acid mine water into a viable economic venture rather than the liability it is perceived to be at present?
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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20 November 2015 - NW3877
Balindlela, Ms ZB to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
(1)Whether, with reference to her reply to question 356 on 1 April 2015, her department will proceed with the construction of the wastewater treatment plant in Thabazimbi, Limpopo; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) will (a) Anglo American and (b) Northam Platinum Ltd still fund the specified project; if not, (i) why not in each case and (ii) how will the specified project be funded; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) will the R21 million already spent on the specified project be recovered; if not, why not; if so, how; (4) whether the current structure will still be used, despite the corrosion of steal in the concrete structure that has occurred?
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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20 November 2015 - NW3845
Cebekhulu, Inkosi RN to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
Whether her department has any plans in place of supplying clean and safe water for human consumption to communities that are residing near the Nandoni Dam who are still drawing water from the water canals?
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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20 November 2015 - NW3716
Basson, Mr LJ to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
Whether, with reference to her reply to oral question 315 on 19 August 2015, she communicated the date for the release of the Blue and Green Drop reports by 30 September 2015; if not, (a) why not and (b) when will she release the specified reports; if so, (i) when and (ii) what is the release date?
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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20 November 2015 - NW3883
Baker, Ms TE to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation
(1)What is the (a) current risk status of the Kwena Dam in Mpumalanga and (b) reason for the specified risk; (2) (a) when was the most recent water quality test done at the specified dam and (b) what was the result of the specified test?
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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19 November 2015 - NW2874
Kohler-Barnard, Ms D to ask the Minister of Police
(a) What is the total amount of narcotics seized by the SA Police Service (i) in the 2014-15 financial year and (ii) from 1 April 2015 up to the latest specified date for which information is available, (b) what amount of the seized narcotics subsequently went missing and (c) how many SAPS members faced disciplinary action as a result of the missing narcotics in each case?
Reply:
(a) The total amount of narcotics seized can be accessed in the Annual Report of the SAPS as listed below:
Quantity of narcotics seized in 2013/14
Cannabis : 275 550, 750 kg
Mandrax : 424 391 tablets
Cocaine : 139, 455 kg
Crystal Meth (Tik-Tik) : 324 kg
Quantity of narcotics seized in 2014/15
Cannabis : 440 434.284 kg
Mandrax tablets : 302 790.75 tablets
Crystal Meth (Tik-Tik) : 598,74 kg
Cocaine : 122,14 kg
(b) No amounts of seized narcotics have been reported as being missing during the specified requested period.
(c) As no drugs have been reported as missing, no SAPS members have faced disciplinary action as a result of missing narcotics for the requested period.
19 November 2015 - NW2880
Mokgalapa, Mr S to ask the MINISTER OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION:
(1) With reference to the launch of the South African Association of Former Ambassadors, High Commissioners and Chief Representatives on 16 July 2015, (a) what are the names and (b) current designations or former positions of each member of the association; (2) What selection process did the members of the association have to undergo in order to gain membership to the association; (3) Are any of the members of the abovementioned association receiving (a) remuneration or (b) benefits for their (i) membership in, (ii) affiliation to or (iii) attendance of meetings related to the association; if so, how much is the specified remuneration; (4) What is the association’s (a) mandate and (b) scope of interaction with regard to advising her department? NATIONAL ASSEMBLY FOR WRITTEN REPLY QUESTION NO: 2880(NW3353E) PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER OF 07 AUGUST 2015 MR S MOKGALAPA (DA) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION: With reference to the launch of the South African Association of Former Ambassadors, High Commissioners and Chief Representatives on 16 July 2015, (a) what are the names and (b) current designations or former positions of each member of the association; What selection process did the members of the association have to undergo in order to gain membership to the association; Are any of the members of the abovementioned association receiving (a) remuneration or (b) benefits for their (i) membership in, (ii) affiliation to or (iii) attendance of meetings related to the association; if so, how much is the specified remuneration; What is the association’s (a) mandate and (b) scope of interaction with regard to advising her department? REPLY: (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 Membership is open to former Ambassadors, High Commissioners and Chief Representatives who are retired from public (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. (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. (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:
- (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
- Membership is open to former Ambassadors, High Commissioners and Chief Representatives who are retired from public
- (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.
- (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.
- (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 |
19 November 2015 - NW3949
Majola, Mr TR to ask the Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services
(1)(a) Who was awarded the tender to carry out a socio-economic impact assessment for the National Integrated ICT Policy White Paper, (b) what is the price of the contract, (c) when was it awarded and (d) what is the delivery deadline; (2) (a) why was the specified tender process a closed process, (b) what are the names of the firms and/or companies and/or consultants that were invited to submit tenders, (c) how many tenders were received, (d) what are the details of the process used in each case to determine the winning bidder and (e) who was involved in the selection process?
Reply:
(1)(a) There is no company that was awarded a tender to carry out a socio-economic impact assessment (SEIAS) for the National Integrated ICT Policy White Paper. The SEIAS for the National Integrated ICT Policy White paper is undertaken by officials within the Department, supported by the Department of Performance Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME).
(b-c) Not applicable
(2)(a-e) Not applicable refer to 1(a)
19 November 2015 - NW3945
Shinn, Ms MR to ask the Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services
Whether any Deputy Directors-General either suspended and/or fired by a certain person (name furnished) are taking legal action against the specified person; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) are the specified cases being dealt with by his department (i) via the Council for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) or (ii) through legal representations and (b) what amount of financial compensation is being requested by each of the Deputy Directors-General?
Reply:
The Department is not aware of any legal action taken by any Deputy Directors-General (DDG) against any person.
One matter was referred for conciliation by one DDG and has not proceeded further. The other matter has been referred for arbitration by another DDG in terms of the Labour Relations Act, 66 of 1995.
(a) Yes.
(i) No, the above matter is dealt with at the General Service Sectoral Bargaining Council (GPSSBC).
(ii) Yes.
(b) None
19 November 2015 - NW3948
Mackenzie, Mr C to ask the Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services
What is the status of the bids for tenders that were received for service providers to develop his department’s National e-Strategy and Professional Counselling Services which is still listed as open after the 10 September 2015 deadline?
Reply:
I have been advised by the Department as follows:-
The bid for the National e-Strategy was advertised and proposals were received from qualifying bidders. The Department undertook the bid evaluation process. The appointment process is yet to be addressed.
Following the receipt of proposals for Professional Counselling Services, the Department undertook the evaluation process. Three suitable service providers were selected to render professional Counselling Services as and when the need arises.
19 November 2015 - NW3910
Singh, Mr N to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises
(1) whether she will take action against the reckless and wasteful expenditure of taxpayers’ money by parastatals that have entered into an agreement to sponsor The New Age breakfast briefings; if not, why not; (2) What are the (a) names of the parastatals that have entered into the specified agreement and (b) costs incurred in respect of the specified agreement? NW4766E
Reply:
(1) Only Eskom in its 2015 Annual Financial Statements reported an amount of R4 million as irregular expenditure relating to the SABC/The New Age business breakfast briefings. This amount was incurred within the contract period but prior to the Board’s ratification. The R4 million amount was only paid over to TNA after the Board’s ratification.
Regarding irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure in general, I am assured that the Boards and Management regularly review the SOCs internal control environment to minimise the risk, and where an incident occurs appropriate measures are taken to deal with the matter, including disciplinary action and/or criminal or civil action against those involved, as considered appropriate. Reporting in respect of financial misconduct has also improved in compliance with the PFMA to ensure that incidents are detected early.
(2)(a) Alexkor, Denel, SAFCOL and SA Express have not entered into an agreement with SABC/The New Age on the business breakfast briefings; Eskom and Transnet have existing contracts.
(2)(b) With regard to Eskom, the SABC/The New Age breakfast briefings contract is R43.2 million, effective 1 May 2014 to 30 April 2017 with 36 briefings planned for the period of the contract. Transnet has contracted for R20 million effective 1 April 2015 to March 2016 with 20 briefings planned for the period. In both SOCs, the Boards have assured me that these agreements have been concluded in line with SOC’s governance processes and that the required approvals are in place.
19 November 2015 - NW3943
Shinn, Ms MR to ask the Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services
(1) With regard to the appointment of a certain person (name furnished) as Acting Director-General in his department, (a) what were the reasons for the specified appointment, (b) by what process was the decision made to appoint the specified person above other viable candidates and (c) what are the further relevant details of the specified appointment, including the duration of the person’s term of office as Acting Director-General; (2) whether the specified person receives any form of compensation for his appointment as Acting Director-General; if not, why not; if so, (a) is the specified person being paid in addition to the specified person’s salary as his special advisor and (b) what are the further relevant details in terms of the monthly (i) salary and (ii) allowances being paid to the specified person for executing his duties?
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.
19 November 2015 - NW3788
Steenhuisen, Mr JH to ask the Minister of State Security
Whether his department intends to (a) establish or (b) assist with the establishment of a press review panel in Parliament; if so, (i) when will the specified panel be established, (ii) what (aa) will the specified panel’s mandate be and (bb) criteria will be used in identifying persons who will constitute the specified panel and (iii) to who will the specified panel report to?
Reply:
- The State Security Agency (SSA) is not aware of this purported process and therefore cannot respond.
- When Parliament commence with any process that require our involvement we can react.
19 November 2015 - NW3947
Mackenzie, Mr C to ask the Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services
(a) What steps have been taken to (i) identify and (ii) appoint suitably qualified persons to fill the five vacant Deputy Directors-General posts in his department and (b) when will permanent appointments be made to fill the specified vacancies?
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.
19 November 2015 - NW3944
Shinn, Ms MR to ask the Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services
Has the Public Service Commission’s enquiry into the suitability of a certain person (name and details furnished) to hold a specified post in his department been finalised; if so, what (a) were the outcomes, (b) action has he taken in this regard and (c) are the further relevant details?
Reply:
(a) The Public Service Commission (PSC) has as yet not completed its inquiry. I have been advised by the PSC that their approved final report will be submitted to the Minister by 18 December 2015. There are presently no outcomes.
(b) Save that I have decided to charge the DG, no actions have been taken yet.
19 November 2015 - NW3946
Mackenzie, Mr C to ask the Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services
Whether the disciplinary hearings that are being conducted against the departmental staff who are alleged to be involved in the Media Corner bid have been concluded; if not, what is the status of the specified hearings; if so, what (a) are the relevant details of the findings of the specified hearings in respect of each person, without naming them and (b) action has been taken against each person?
Reply:
No, only the disciplinary hearings involving two Deputy Directors-General (DDGs), and 1 Director have been concluded, and the PA of one the DDG’s.
(a) The disciplinary hearings involving other staff members have been suspended pending the outcome of the inquiry by the Public Service Commission.
(i) Both DDGs were found guilty in absentia of misconduct and a sanction of dismissal imposed.
(ii) The staff member at the level of Director was found guilty of misconduct and a suspension without pay for a period of two (2) months was imposed.
(iii) The PA of the one DDG was found not guilty
(b) (i) One DDG was dismissed on account of misconduct.
(ii) The other DDG resigned and prior to the finalisation of the hearing his resignation was accepted by the Minister
(iii) The implementation of the sanction against the Director has been suspended pending the outcome of the inquiry by the Public Service Commission.
(iv) No action has been taken against the other departmental staff members, as the hearings are suspended pending the outcome of the inquiry by the Public Service Commission.
18 November 2015 - NW3933
Hunsinger, Dr CH to ask the Minister of Transport
(a) What (i) Memoranda of Understanding and/or (ii) any similar documents have been signed by (aa) her department and (bb) any of the entities that report to her with (cc) driving schools and/or (dd) organisations and/or associations, (b) what (i) is the nature and (ii) are the terms of reference in each specified case, (c) when were the specified agreements signed and (d) what (i) measurable, (ii) timelines and (iii) milestones are there in respect of each agreement?
Reply:
(A)(i) - No MOU is signed between the Corporation and Driving Schools
(ii) - The Corporation facilitated the signing of a letter of acknowledgement by Min Ndebele.
(b) (i) The Minister Congratulate the Driving School Industry on the Establishment of the National Driving School Forum
(ii) The Minister lledged support to them to enhance the standard of learner driver training in SA. The Minister also stated that the National Driving School Forum will be consulted when the Driving School Legislative Framework will be finalized. The Minister stated that a Driving School Summit will as requested by the Forum. This Summit was held as requested ( facilitated by the Corporation during March 2011)
(c) the letter was signed on 07/04/2011
(d) A summit was held was held as requested by the Driving School forum
(cc) N/A
(dd) The letter referred to above was submitted to the National Driving School Forum, which consists of the following 4 national driving school associations:
South African Driving School Association (SADSA)
South African Driving Operators Association (SADSOA)
Southern African Institute of Driving Instructors (SAIDI)
South African National Driving School Association (SANADS)
18 November 2015 - NW3824
Davis, Mr GR to ask the Minister of Basic Education
Has her department set norms and standards for the testing of National Senior Certificate markers; if not, (a) why not and (b) how then is it possible to accurately compare results of different provinces; if so, (i) on what date were the specified norms and standards determined and (ii) whether she will provide a copy of the specified norms and standards?
Reply:
(a) Markers are currently appointed based on stringent criteria relating to teaching experience and qualification in the subject. In order to be appointed, a marker must have a recognised three year post school qualification, which must include the subject to be marked at second or third year level. The marker must have teaching experience at the Grade 12 level in the subject concerned and must be proficient in the language of teaching and learning. These criteria, together with a report on the performance of the marker as a teacher in the classroom, and his/her performance in previous marking sessions, are strictly applied, thus ensuring that the most suitable educators are appointed.
The Department of Basic Education (DBE) audits the selected list of markers across all Provincial Education Departments (PEDs) to ensure that PEDs comply with these criteria.
The writing of the competency test by markers, if applied, is only an enhancement to the current protocols and criteria for the appointment of markers, and not an essential pre-requisite that, if omitted, has the potential of compromising the marking process. The competency test would have been used to verify the above criteria and was never intended to be the sole criterion for the appointment of markers. Therefore, in the absence of the competency test, which would have merely confirmed the knowledge levels of the markers, there would be no compromise to the marking quality.
(b) The DBE ensures that marking standards are maintained across all PEDs through the following quality control measures :
- Prior to the marking, a national standardisation meeting is convened at the DBE, which sees the assembly of the chief markers and internal moderators for each subject from each of the provinces. At this meeting, the marking guidelines are discussed extensively and a common understanding of its application is established. This is followed by training of the chief markers and internal moderators, who will take responsibility for the marking in the province.
- The introduction of the Tolerance Range which ensures that during the moderation process the mark awarded by the moderator and the marker should not vary beyond an agreed range. This ensures that marking standards are strictly controlled to ensure that marking quality is rigidly applied.
- Markers are also authorised based on an initial sample of scripts that are provided to the marker for marking. These are moderated and only after the marker shows that he/she is capable of complying to the tolerance range, will he/she be allowed to mark.
- Intensive moderation of marking. Marking at the marking centre is organised based on five tiers of quality control and quality assurance. Scripts are marked by the marker and then moderated by the senior marker, who is in turn overseen by the Deputy Chief Marker and the final quality control is the responsibility of the chief marker. In addition to these four levels of quality management, an internal moderator serves as the final judge of marking standards for that subject at that centre. The DBE and Umalusi will appoint independent external moderators to ensure that external quality checks on the marking process.
No additional norms and standards have been set:
- The norms and standards currently utilised for the appointment of markers is the criteria specified in the Personnel Administrative Measures.
- No copies of specified norms and standards will be provided.
It should be noted that the credibility and integrity of the marking process is not at stake or in jeopardy, due to the deferment of the competency test for prospective markers. The procedures and criteria listed above are more than adequate to ensure that the quality of marking is of the highest standard. The DBE will pursue in its endeavours to ensure that the concerns of the social partners are addressed with regard to the competency test, so that this useful tool can be introduced to enhance the marking process.
18 November 2015 - NW3939
Van Dyk, Ms V to ask the Minister of Transport
With regard to the Airports Company of South Africa’s intention to increase its revenue from non-aeronautical services, (a) what partnerships (i) have been and (ii) will be entered into and (b) what are the (i) relevant details, (ii) time frames, (iii) timelines and (iv) deadlines in each specified case?
Reply:
The Airports Company South Africa SOC Limited (ACSA) has set a strategic objective to increase the contribution of non-aeronautical revenue to total revenue from 37%, as it currently stands, to 55% by 2020.
(a) All non-aeronautical opportunities at one of ACSA’s nine airports, such as retail and advertising opportunities, are subject to an open tender process to ensure that an open, fair, transparent and equitable approach is followed. ACSA does not enter into partnerships for non-aeronautical services other than when the Company bids for concessions outside the Company’s nine airports, where shareholder agreements have been entered into by the Company.
(i) ACSA has a shareholder agreement between with GVK (an Indian conglomerate with diverse interests across various sectors including airports, transportation and energy), and Bidvest, for the concession held by the Company in Mumbai, and Invepar (a Brazilian investment group, which operates in the transportation infrastructure segment in Brazil) for the concession held in Sao Paolo.
(ii) There are no definite planned partnerships which ACSA will enter into in the future.
(b) Presently, the Company has 10% equity holding in the Mumbai concession and a shareholder agreement was signed in 2006. Also, since February 2012 the Company holds 10.2% equity in the Guarulhos Airport, Sao Paolo. ACSA does earn consultancy fees from Guarulhos Airport, which is rendered directly by Company to the Guarulhos Airport.
18 November 2015 - NW3826
Lovemore, Ms AT to ask the Minister of Basic Education
(1)With reference to her reply to question 3497 on 1 October 2015, what is the (a) number and (b) percentage of (i) Grade 10, (ii) Grade 11 and (iii) Grade 12 learners studying mathematics in each secondary school in the Graaff-Reinet district; (2) (a) why there is a discrepancy between her reply to question 2550 on 31 July 2015, which indicates that 13,5% of learners in Grade 12 in the Graaff-Reinet education district are registered to study mathematics and her reply to question 3497 on 1 October 2015, which indicates that 66,7% of Grade 12 learners in the same district are registered to study mathematics and (b) which of the two replies is correct? NW4571E
Reply:
1. (a)(b)(i)(ii)(iii) Please refer to the table below:
Table 1: Number and percentage of learners enrolled for Mathematics in Graaff-Reinet district, in 2015; see the link below:
www.pmg.org.za/files/RNW3826-151118.doc
Source: LURITS, 2015 Second Quarter upload
- (a)(b) There is no discrepancy because the response indicated that 15,3% of learners are enrolled at Grade 12. The 66,7% was indicated as the number of schools offering Mathematics, not the number of learners. Please see below the table that was inserted as part of the response:
Table 2 indicates the number of schools that declared offering Mathematics the in relevant Grades:
Grade |
Total Number of schools |
Number of schools with Mathematics learners |
% to total number of schools |
Grade 10 |
15 |
12 |
80.0 |
Grade 11 |
15 |
11 |
73.3 |
Grade 12 |
15 |
10 |
66.7 |
Source: Source: LURITS, 2015 Second Quarter upload
18 November 2015 - NW3739
Boshoff, Ms SH to ask the Minister of Basic Education
(1)With reference to her reply to question 3250 on 15 September 2015, by which date are provincial education departments scheduled to submit their training plans in respect of the Screening, Identification, Assessment and Support (SIAS) policy; (2) what (a) funding, (b) human resources, particularly therapists and psychologists and (c) other support will her department provide (i) provincial education departments and (ii) schools to support the implementation of the SIAS policy?
Reply:
(1) Provincial Education Departments (PEDs) were expected to submit their training and implementation plans in respect of the Screening, Identification, Assessment and Support (SIAS) policy by 30 August 2015.
(2) (a)(i) The Department of Basic Education (DBE) does not provide direct funding to PEDs to support the implementation of the SIAS policy and (ii) PEDs are expected to provide a budget to support schools in the implementation of the policy.
(b)(i) The provision of human resources is a provincial competence and therefore the DBE does not provide human resources to PEDs to support the implementation of the policy. PEDs are expected to use their existing resources to implement SIAS, including the use of existing therapist and psychologist posts. (ii) Similarly, PEDs are expected to provide support to schools, including training of teachers, within their existing resources.
(c) The Department will provide support (i) to PEDs and (ii) to schools by developing norms and standards for the implementation of the policy, supplying training materials and programmes, as well as implementation guidelines.
18 November 2015 - NW3822
Davis, Mr GR to ask the Minister of Basic Education
(1)What amount was (a) the chairperson of the SA Council for Educators, (b) the deputy chairperson and (c) every other member of the specified Council paid in respect of services rendered in the execution of the affairs of the council in terms of (i) traveling (ii) subsistence and (iii) other allowances for the (aa) 2012-13, (bb) 2013-14 and (cc) 2014-15 financial years; (2) what amount was the chairperson of the council paid in additional remuneration as provided for in section 18(b) of the SA Council for Educators Act, Act 31 of 2000, for the (a) 2012-13, (b) 2013-14 and (c) 2014-15 financial years?
Reply:
(1)(a-c)
Position |
Expense |
2012/13 |
2013/14 |
2014/15 |
Chairperson |
Travelling |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Subsistence |
2 060.00 |
103.00 |
927.00 |
|
Other allowances |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Deputy Chairperson |
Travelling |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Subsistence |
618.00 |
721.00 |
618 |
Position |
Expense |
2012/13 |
2013/14 |
2014/15 |
STAFFCO Chairperson |
Travelling |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Subsistence |
2 163.00 |
1 751.00 |
1 854.00 |
|
Other allowances |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
FINCO Chairperson |
Travelling |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Subsistence |
515.00 |
515.00 |
309.00 |
|
Other allowances |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
PRODCO Chairperson |
Travelling |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Subsistence |
1 236.00 |
- |
- |
|
Other allowances |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
AUDCO Chairperson |
Travelling |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Subsistence |
||||
Other allowances |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
ADVOCCO Chairperson |
Travelling |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Subsistence |
927.00 |
515.00 |
1 442.00 |
|
Other allowances |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
ETHCOM Chairperson |
Travelling |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Subsistence |
- |
- |
618.00 |
|
Other allowances |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
REGCO Chairperson |
Travelling |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Subsistence |
- |
927.00 |
1 133.00 |
|
Other allowances |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Other non-executive council members |
B MCOYANA 1 133.00 BM DU TOIT 103.00 CJ NEL 1 133.00 DE MABATHA 206.00 ES THEMBA 309.00 FNJ FOURIE 824.00 G BENGELL 412.00 G BOWLES 721.00 G CLARK 824.00 G HARRISON 721.00 J EASTES 206.00 JA BREED 515.00 JHE JEFTHA 927.00 L FEZEKA 103.00 |
B MCOYANA 1 133.00 BRAHM FLEISH 103.00 CJ NEL 1 133.00 ES THEMBA 309.00 FNJ FOURIE 824.00 G BENGELL 412.00 G BOWLES 721.00 G CLARK 824.00 H HARRISON 515.00 HJ DEACON 206.00 G HARRISON 721.00 J EASTES 206.00 J RUSTIN 206.00 JA BREED 515.00 JHE JEFTHA 927.00 JW BESYER 412.00 LG CELE 206.00 LH SWANEPOEL 206.00 ME MASEKO 309.00 MJ KUTUMELA 412.00 ML MAPHILA 515.00 MMC MAFUNDA 103.00 MS MOLOI 618.00 N LUKWE 206.00 NA MOSIA 412.00 NV MAGI 309.00 PR MOROATSSHEHLA 721.00 SM MAYONGO 927.00 TK GEZA 206.00 TTJ LEDIMO 412.00 W HLAISE 1 751.00 |
BRAHM FLEISH 309.00 CJ NEL 412.00 ES THEMBA 103.00 FNJ FOURIE 309.00 G BENGELL 515.00 G BOWLES 1133.00 G CLARK 515.00 I BEKEER 103.00 HJ DEACON 103.00 HN MAKHANGA 103.00 G HARRISON 618.00 J EASTES 412.00 J RUSTIN 412.00 JA BREED 309.00 JW BESYER 309.00 L MOTSHWANE 206.00 LG CELE 309.00 LH SWANEPOEL 618.00 ME MASEKO 309.00 M BOMVANA 103.00 M SCHOEMAN 103.00 ML MAPHILA 515.00 MMC MAFUNDA 206.00 MS MOLOI 306.00 NA MOSIA 515.00 PN CALUZA 309.00 PR MOROATSSHEHLA 618.00 RM DU TOIT 206.00 SM MAYONGO 712.00 TK GEZA 515.00 TTJ LEDIMO 515.00 W HLAISE 1 854.00 |
(2)(a-c)
Chairperson’s additional remuneration:
2012/13 |
2013/14 |
2014/15 |
|
Additional Remuneration |
0 |
0 |
0 |
No additional remuneration was made to the Chairperson.
18 November 2015 - NW3886
Davis, Mr GR to ask the Minister of Basic Education
Whether, with reference to her department's annual report for the 2014-15 financial year, her department has ascertained why each of the 1 321 young and qualified educators under the age of 30 have left the system; if not, why not; if so, what are the reasons, in descending order of prevalence, for young educators leaving the system?
Reply:
Whether, with reference to her department's annual report for the 2014-15 financial year, her department has ascertained why each of the 1 321 young and qualified educators under the age of 30 have left the system; if not, why not; if so, what are the reasons, in descending order of prevalence, for young educators leaving the system?
The indicator in question reports on all educators who were terminated on the system regardless of the category of termination. The main categories for this particular indicator are contract expiry (903), resignation (385), and death (22). Nine (9) educators were discharged due to misconduct. The reasons for termination related to resignation, that is, the 385 cases indicated above, are captured on PERSAL. The main reasons in order of prevalence are:
- resigning of position to take up another position either within the sector or in government;
- taking up another position outside the sector for better remuneration or simply changing of occupation; and
- issues about working conditions including personal grievances and nature of work.
18 November 2015 - NW3823
Davis, Mr GR to ask the Minister of Basic Education
(1)(a) What amount has each provincial education department allocated for information and communication technology (ICT) in education in the 2014-15 financial year and (b) in which budget vote was each amount allocated; (2) What interventions exist in each province to train teachers in the use and integration of ICT in the classroom?
Reply:
(1)(a)(b) The budget allocation for information and communication technology (ICT) in education in the 2014-15 financial year in each provincial education department is reflected in Table 1 below.
Table 1: Provincial Education Departments: ICT Budget and Expenditure for 2014/15
Province |
2014/15 Approved Budget |
R"000 |
|
Eastern Cape |
No budget was allocated for ICT due to budget constrain. |
Free State |
No budget was allocated for ICT due to budget constrain. |
Gauteng |
115 059 |
KwaZulu Natal |
No budget was allocated for ICT due to budget constrain. |
Limpopo |
45 396 |
Mpumalanga |
47 186 |
Northern Cape |
No budget was allocated for ICT due to budget constrain. |
North West |
9 365 |
Western Cape |
77 631 |
Totals |
294 637 |
(2) Each provincial department identify ICT training requirement and allocates available provincial budgets to address the training requirements. The Department of Basic Education in collaboration with Intel South Africa further assist provinces by providing ICT training for provincial and district officials based on their provincial requirements.
18 November 2015 - NW4020
Basson, Ms J to ask the Minister of Transport
What (a) is the outcome of the investigation into the Namibian air ambulance crash in the Western Cape on 16 August 2015, (b) lessons were learned from the specified crash and (c)(i) processes, (ii) procedures and (iii) mechanisms have been put in place to prevent the recurrence of such crashes in the future?
Reply:
South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA)
(a) The outcome will be determined upon conclusion of the investigation.
(b) The investigation is in progress and lessons learned will be in the final report when published.
(c) (i) & (ii) The investigation is at a stage where additional data/evidence is being collected for analysis for factual information report writing. Following that will be the compilation of the findings, cause/contributory factors, recommendations and approval process. After that the report with its findings and recommendations will be published.
(iii) Prevention mechanisms will be put in place as and when identified by the accident findings and causes.
17 November 2015 - NW3713
Bhanga, Mr BM to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
(1)Whether any investigation is underway into the actions, performance or administration of a certain municipal manager (name and details furnished) in the Free State; if so, (a) what is the (i) nature of the investigation and (ii) current status of the investigation and (b) when is it anticipated that the investigation will be completed; if not, (2) whether he is aware of (a) the serious allegations of corruption and maladministration that have been levelled against the specified person and (b) a Hawks investigation into the specified person; (3) (a) how long has the specified person been acting as municipal manager and (b) what is the specified person’s regular position in the municipality; (4) does the specified person have the requisite qualifications to act as a municipal manager; if so, what are the details of the qualifications; (5) whether he will instruct the political leadership of the municipality to remove the specified person from the specified position as acting municipal manager given the nature of the allegations against the specified person and return the specified person to the person’s previous position; if not, why not; if so, when? NW4395E
Reply:
The information requested will be obtained from the appropriate authority. The information will be communicated to the Hon Member when it is available.