Questions and Replies

Reply:

(1)(a) Total amount spent on air travel between Gauteng and Cape Town: R436 339.20

(1)(b) Total number of trips undertaken: 63

(2)(a) Total amount spent on accommodation in Cape Town: R131 421.98

(2)(b) Total amount spent on car hire in Cape Town: R86 601 .25

Reply:

The Report will be released for public comment before the end of this year.

Reply:

(a)(i)(ii) (iii) and (b)(i)(ii)

No, the Ministry has not received any reports about traditional leaders who have prevented political parties, elected councilors, representatives and any person who is not from their area from holding meetings nor those who have asked for a payment or required that permission be sought from them before a meeting and/or campaign could take place in the specified area.

The Honourable Member is requested to furnish the Department with information in this regard and the Ministry would investigate if this is indeed happening and to what extent and report to Parliament if requested to do so.

Given the afore-mentioned replies, (aa), (bb) and (cc) fall away.

Reply:

The specified EU agreement will be tabled in Parliament as time permits.

Reply:

(a) No report was commissioned in this regard.

(b) On 15 April 2009, Cabinet directed the Department of Cooperative Governance to consult the Ba Ga-Mothibi and Reveilo community on their request to be incorporated into the Northern Cape Province from the North West Province. An engagement with the affected communities was held on 17 April 2009. As a result of continuous engagements with the affected communities, a Memorandum of Understanding between the two Provinces was concluded in order to ensure the continuous provision of services to the Ba Ga-Mothibi community.

(i)(aa) Not applicable

(bb) Not applicable

(ii) Not applicable

(iii) Not applicable

Reply:

1. As at 10 September 2015 there was a total of two thousand two hundred and fifty eight (2258) persons who are sentenced to life imprisonment and who qualify for consideration for parole.
2. Yes, at the outset it is important that the Honourable member takes note that members of the National Council for Correctional Services are professionals appointed by the Minister in terms of Section 83 of the Correctional Services Act, 1998 (Act 111 of 1998). They are not in full time employment of Correctional Services.

As a result of the backlog created by the Van Wyk Judgment (case nr: 40915/10 in the North Gauteng High Court Pretoria) the newly appointed NCCS meets on a regular basis; meetings have been scheduled on a two weekly basis.

The consideration of offenders for parole is not a matter that can be dealt with lightly. Considerable time and effort is put into the deliberation of individual cases before a recommendation is made to the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services. Approximately thirty (30) cases are considered during a one day meeting and fifty (50) during a two day meeting. As at 10 September 2015 a total of three hundred and eighty eight (388) of the specified persons has not yet been considered by the National Council for Correctional Services.

3. Yes; Regular meetings are scheduled in an attempt to deal with the backlog.

Reply:

ITAC published a notice in the Government Gazette on 19 December 2014, requesting public comments on proposed duty increases on specified steel products, following receipt of an application by steel-makers, who cited global and domestic steel-market conditions.

It received written submissions from companies in the sector.

In all, 30 companies provided written submissions. ITAC consulted with representatives of 19 downstream companies as well as with a business association representing the views of automotive customer companies. The downstream producers were also provided with an opportunity to make oral representations on 20 May 2015.

The companies in the downstream industries generally did not favour tariff increases to protect upstream producers, citing the impact it will have on their businesses and noting challenges with the price, quality and availability of product from local steel-makers.

In addition to the two applicant companies who requested a tariff increase, ten other companies supported the increase in duties.

ITAC took account of the views of all the parties as well as of the global circumstances and pressures in the domestic market, in its consideration of the request for tariff-increases made by the steel-makers.

-END-

Reply:

1. The Supply Chain Management work stream focused on how to improve supply chain management system at clinic level. The first phase is focused on essential items (Pharmaceuticals). Once the roll out of the system is complete, functional and fully effective, non essential items (toiletry, cleaning material etc) will be introduced.

Details of the system and progress

a) Implement SVS (Stock Visibility System) in all clinics and develop additional functionality of SVS (namely order receiving). SVS is a device (like a cellphone) that is used by the clinic to update the stock received and stock issued. The system feeds the information to Rx Solution which calculates the number of items to be ordered. Orders are placed at a central point and delivery is done directly to the facility.

b) To integrate SVS data into Rx Solution to automate order calculation and generation – and automate sign off authority. Finalise delegations at facility, sub-district and district level. Authorization and delegations of authority need to be reviewed and tools developed to support the expediting of approvals.

c) Agree on products to load onto SVS (contract versus non-contracted items). Currently, only Pharmaceuticals are included.

d) Address sustainability and support for Rx – access source code. Unlock bottlenecks encountered with Rx Solution. Finalise the issue of ownership of Rx Solution.

e) The PMPU (Procurement Unit) will facilitate the procurement of items, ensure correct allocation coding linked on BAS, contract management.

f) Develop cross dock model and processes and trial – direct from manufacturer OR direct from wholesaler/”retailer”.

g) Decision still has to be made whether to convert the current Depots to cross docks.

h) Spend analysis needs to be carried out

(i) A categorization exercise needs to take place to identify which products we move to contract and which do we procure direct;

(ii) Decide on procurement model based on financial and non financial benefits (Contract with manufacturer wholesaler/retailer);

(iii) Contract terms need to be defined and measurements implemented;

(iv) Spend analysis needs to be carried out.

(v) Develop catalogue specifications (pricing, specifications and coding)

(vi) Supplier scorecard to be developed and published monthly

Below is a graphical representation of how the system will work

Challenges

a) Dependent on partners for implementation of processes and systems – sustainability;

b) SVS business model needs to be defined (Vodacom has financed it to date through their Foundation);

c) Facility compliance to reporting of stock on hand;

d) Authorization and delegations of authority need to be reviewed and tools developed to support the expediting of approvals;

e) Codification standard for all items

• 1. Adherence to contract procurement by facilities;

• 1. Monitoring systems to review contract/off contract spend at facility/PHC level

2. Yes, There is a progress in the project as the SVS has been rolled out to facilities in Limpopo, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu Natal and City of Johannesburg.

Summary of activity that are in progress and activities still to be initiated (as stated above)

1. Roll out of SVS (in progress)
2. Trial “informed push” model (in progress)
3. Develop cross dock model (not started yet)
4. Identify items for contracts (not started yet)
5. Develop SOP’s for push model (in progress)
6. Agree on delegations (not started yet)

It should be noted that once the system is fully effective it will be rolled out to all facilities and provinces and non essential items will be added.

As the system progresses, a determination will still be made as to whether this system will include the items such as maintenance of facilities and whether there the system be able to integrate with LOGIS to cater for Non Essential items.

A phased approach has been adopted to roll out the system and it is expected that by 2018/19, the system will be fully functional in all provinces and in all 3500 clinics in South Africa.

END.

Reply:

1. In July 2015, a total of 760,000 doses of BCG vaccine were received from Statens Serum Institute in Denmark (registered supplier in South Africa) and were distributed to provinces. Currently, the stock is in facilities and as such very difficult to quantify.
2. (a) The Department of Health applied for Section 21 Permit from the Medicines Control Council (MCC) to procure 166,000 vials which translates to 3,320,000 doses of BCG vaccine from Serum Institute of India;

(b) The BCG vaccine arrived in the country on the 28 September 2015;

(c) Serum Institute of India.

3. Statens Serum Institute of Denmark has informed the Department that 600,000 BCG vaccine doses will be delivered in October 2015 and 800,000 doses will be delivered in November 2015. In addition the Department will apply for another Section 21 Permit to procure more BCG vaccines as a further precaution.

END.

Reply:

1. NHLS Headcount at end of August 2015

Job Title	Count
Total Staff Headcount	6776
Pathologist	210
Medical Technician	862
Medical Technologist	1385
Vacancies appearing as vacant on Oracle system today on 21 September 2015
Total	1246

2. YEAR	2 011	2 012	2 013	2 014	2 015
Pathologist	225	218	235	231	210
Medical Technologist	1 415	1 388	1 382	1 399	1 385
Medical Technician	652	639	771	810	862

3. There are 302 NHLS laboratories.

Province	Number of Labs
EC	67
FS	15
GP	43
KZN	56
LP	37
MP	21
NC	9
NW	15
WC	39
TOTAL	302

END.

Reply:

As indicated in my reply to question 2502, the three former Non-Executive Directors of the SABC were removed by the Board of Directors of the SABC in terms of section 71 of the Companies Act 71 of 2008. In my reply, I also indicated that in making any appointment, I apply my mind to all aspects deserving consideration.

I would also like to bring to your attention that the issue of governance in the SABC is an issue which is now before the court in the following two applications: Ronny Lubisi vs SABC and others and S.O.S Support Public Broadcasting Coalition vs SABC and others.

I would therefore not like to comment further on a matter that is before a court of law.

Reply:

The information requested by the Honourable Member is not readily available within the Department. We have, however, since requested the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality to provide this information.

The Honourable Member will be provided with the requested information as soon as it is submitted to us.

Reply:

(a) Yes, a report on conditions in the remand detainee section of the Pollsmoor Prison compiled by Justice Edwin Cameron was received by the Department on 07 August 2015.

(b) A detailed action plan was developed by the Department and progress of the implementation thereof is still to be furnished with the Minister.

Reply:

(1) My Department has taken note of the question and has attempted to investigate how it could respond to it. However, we found the question to be unclear in that, it does not identify the exact piece of land and whether it is under municipal administration or state forestry operations. Accordingly, it will be appreciated if the Honourable Member could provide further details on the piece of land in question.

(2) As per the above.

(3) As per the above.

Answer tabled in Parliament on:

DAFF'S RESPONSE:

CLASSIFICATION: CONFIDENTIAL

SUBJECT: QUESTION NO. 3622 FOR ORAL REPLY TO MS A STEYN (DA) TO THE MINISTER OF

AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES

Reply:

1. The infrastructure spending referred to in the previous reply was principally in the following infrastructure programmes and projects:

• Energy covering energy generation, transmission and distribution
• Transport (road, rail and port)
• Water, including dams and pipelines
• Sanitation
• Broadband rollout by the state
• Education (universities, colleges and schools)
• Health (clinics and hospitals)
• Provincial housing (for FY 2014/15)

2. The data is for all four financial years since 1 April 2011 (except as otherwise indicated) and for the three spheres of government and state-owned companies, using audited data for the first three years and estimates for the fourth year.

3. The nature of the investment in infrastructure includes spending on new and refurbishment or revitalization of existing infrastructure assets.

4. Additional spending on areas covered by the National Infrastructure Plan, not covered in the above figure, are:

• Renewable energy programmes worth R145 billion, from funding committed by development finance institutions (IDC and DBSA), and private investors (foreign and local, equity and loans).
• Infrastructure provided by the private sector either through a private-public partnership or through a public concession
• Housing build-programmes, financed by the public subsidy, except for FY 2014/15
• Development finance institutions’ direct investment in infrastructure

5. The infrastructure programme is the most ambitious yet for South Africa, with spending exceeding in real terms the levels spent in past decades

-END-

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works

The Departmental officials are in the process of compiling the information for this question. The challenge is that the information lies with various regional offices of the Department of Public Works. Such information is being collected, collated and analysed in order to provide accurate information. We will endeavour to provide this information as soon as possible.

____________________________________________________________________

Reply:

The information requested by the Honourable Member is not readily available within the Department. We have, however, requested the uMgungundlovu District Municipality to provide this information.

The Honourable Member will be provided with the requested information as soon as it is submitted to us.

Reply:

I wish to inform the Honourable Member that (a) neither I nor the former Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development travelled to China during 2014-15;

(b) the Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development did not travel to China during 2014-2015; and

(c) I have been informed that no officials from the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development or from the Office of the Chief Justice, travelled to China during the 2014-15 financial year.

(i) and (ii) therefore fall away.

Reply:

The reports were commisioned by the Department of Energy to inform the decision making process of the Energy Security Cabinet Subcommittee on the Nuclear New Build Programme.

Reply:

a) I wish to inform the Honourable Member that the investigation is at an advanced stage after suffering delays which both the lead investigator in the South African Police Services and prosecutor in the National Prosecuting Authority left the case in the middle before the investigation was completed.

b) The investigation is anticipated to be finalised during the course of this year (2015).

Reply:

a) The process to develop the policy is currently underway.

b) Yes, the consultative meeting with stakeholders was held on 14 April 2015 in accordance with the annual performance plan.

Key relevant details discussed are as follows:

The stakeholder’s meeting was attended by clinical, technical and NHLS experts in cervical cancer.

In summary the team agreed that there should be three documents, namely:

• A policy document;
• Clinical guidelines; and
• Desk aid for nurses.

END.

Reply:

Records show that there are no court orders issued against the Department to rectify short payment of any correctional officials.
 

Reply:

The information requested by the Honourable Member is not readily available within the Department. We have, however, requested the Northern Cape Provincial Department to provide this information.

The Honourable Member will be provided with the requested information as soon as it is submitted to us.

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works

The extent of the information required in this question demands that Departmental officials go back to historical records, which is a huge task. Also, an in loco inspection must be conducted at the Estate to ascertain the work that was done. We will endeavour to provide the information required in the question as soon as possible.

Reply:

1. I wish to inform the Hon Member that the Regulations promulgated in terms of the Magistrates Act, 1993, and the relevant Financial Prescripts, do not prescribe the number of domestic and international trips which may be undertaken by a Regional Court President or any of their support staff or persons forming part of such delegations. Regional Court Presidents will undertake each official journey having regard to the purpose, the costs, availability of transport, route, timespan and other relevant circumstances. Regional Court Presidents travel economy class in terms of the current prescripts.

In terms of domestic travel, Regional Court Presidents, as Judicial Heads of the Regional Courts, will, from time to time, be required to travel to attend to various judicial and other statutory obligations. For example, attending meetings of the Regional Court Presidents Forum, Case Flow Management, the Magistrates Commission and its Committees, the South African Judicial Education Council and its Committees, the Rules Board for Courts of Law and its Committees, the Lower Courts Remuneration Committee, the Interpreters Review Committee, the National Efficiency Enhancement Committee, the National Operations Committee, the Development Committee, the Child Justice Forum, the Lower Courts Monitoring Committee and the Library Committee.

For international trips, the Regional Court President (as well as any other magistrate) must submit the request to the Magistrates Commission for consideration. The application must contain full particulars of the conference/ programme to be attended such as location, duration, costs involved, etc. It should furthermore contain information whether the applicant has attended any conferences outside the country and, if so, dates and details of all such conferences. The Chairperson of the Commission will then submit the application, together with his recommendation to the Chief Justice for consideration and approval.

2. The following domestic and international trips were undertaken by each of the Regional Court Presidents for the period 1 September 2014 to 31 August 2015:

Regional Court President	Domestic Trips	International Trips
Limpopo	36	1*
Eastern Cape	37	0
Western Cape	20	0
Kwazulu- Natal	11	0
Free State	9	0
Northern Cape	8	0
Gauteng	5	0
North West	4	0
Mpumalanga	2	0

In the Eastern Cape the Judge President, the Regional Head and the Regional Court President are located in different cities/towns and it is very often more cost effective to fly from Port Elizabeth to East London for meetings whilst in Limpopo the Regional Court President will most of the time have to take two flights to reach her destination if the meeting is not in Gauteng

*The Regional Court President of Limpopo was invited by the UN Women and UNFPA, in partnership with the UNDP and UNODC, to the Global Technical Consultation on the Police and Justice Sector’s Response to Violence Against Women and Girls in Marrakech form 1 to 4 July 2014. Travel and accommodation were carried by the organizers and the Regional Court President was not supported by any delegation from her office.

2.(a)(iii). The total cost for domestic flights, including accommodation, car rental and transfer fees, amounted to R1,212,129.

Reply:

CoGTA Employees
(a)	How much did the department spend on air travel for employees, between Gauteng and Cape Town to attend parliament business in the financial year 2014/2015?	How many trips?
	R 6 229 497.00	1208
(b)	How much did department spend on accommodation in Cape Town for employees in 2014/2015?
	R 1 461 954.00
(c)	How much did department spend on car rental in Cape Town for employees in 2014/15?
	R 2 047 495,32

However, this is only part of the cost to departments. The time taken to travel, the cost of the individual’s expertise utilized in this process.

Reply:

We are still trying to source information and consulting with the Department of Basic Education on this matter and the information required is not readily available

Reply:

The Acting Secretary of Police was appointed on contract for a period of 12 months effective from 1 September 2014, Her contract was extended with an additional one year and was subsequently redeployed to assist with the research and policy matters in support of the outcomes of the Marikana Commission of Enquiry and the implementation of the National Development Plan.

Reply:

Audited data on travel that have been properly verified are contained in the Department’s Annual Report tabled in Parliament. From unaudited data made available by the Department, the following applies in respect of combined travel by the Minister and Deputy Minister:

Trips (return): 77

Airfare and accommodation costs: R873 764.

Accommodation was incurred by the Deputy Minister only for the period until he was allocated an official residence.

-END-

Reply:

Audited data that have been properly verified are contained in the Department’s Annual Report tabled in Parliament. From unaudited data made available by the Department, the following applies in respect of travel by Departmental staff, excluding the Ministry:

Flights: R718 694

Accommodation: R153 077

Car rental: R59 201

-END-

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works

The Department of Public Works has not recorded instances of paranormal activity or ‘ghosts’ haunting any of the buildings under its custodianship.

Thus the answer to parts (a) and (b) (i) and (ii) is: None.

____________________________________________________________________

Reply:

1. (a) Since 01 April 2015, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), the National Institute for Occupational Health (NIOH) and the Cancer Registry have been directly funded;

(b) The proposal was discussed with the National Treasury. At the Budget Council meeting in January 2015, it was agreed that the Department of Health and National Treasury should work on a completely new funding model for implementation as of 01 April 2016;

(c) The National Treasury, in funding National Functions directly has made provision in the National Department of Health budget for a transfer payment to cover the costs associated with teaching and training undertaken by the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS).

2. The Interim Management Team was appointed to investigate the billing issues reported. Below are the technical challenges that resulted in disputed debtor’s amounts:

• Unbundling of group tests (profile tests);
• Padding (grouping of tests);
• Wrong accounts (non Gauteng Department of Health and KwaZulu Natal Department of Health);
• Incorrect coding;
• Duplication of tests and billing;
• Multiple units billing (histology blocks);
• Missing demographics.

Unbundling of group tests

• This refers to the request for multiple individual tests instead of a group test resulting in the sum costs being more than the group test. The clinicians have an option to request some tests as a group or a single test. The approved Electronic Gate Keeping (EGK) rules state that the full profile of test can be done on admission of a patient then abnormal parameters to be repeated as required. The NHLS has also proposed that when individual or multiple tests within a profile are requested, and the cost of these tests exceeds the cost of the profile, the NHLS bill the profile cost to the Department of Health.

Padding of tests

• This occurs where an individual test that is included in a group test is billed with the group test. This should never happen under the normal circumstances. The NHLS has implemented measures to eliminate this error.

Wrong accounts (non Gauteng Department of Health)

• The NHLS and the Provinces are working together to identify and eliminate any incorrect locations billed through the reconciliation of monthly bills. Substantial progress has been achieved thus far.

Incorrect coding of tests

• This refers to the tariff codes used by the NHLS not being consistent with the coding lists of the Board of Healthcare Funders (BHF), the National Pathology Group (NPG) and the South African Medical Association (SAMA).

Duplication and Multiple units billing

• This relates to billing one test more than once on one specimen. Multiple units billing mainly happens in anatomical pathology where additional blocks of stains are made in order to get to the final diagnosis. This is an acceptable practice.

Missing Demographics

• These relate to invoices or tests done with missing demographic data. This creates problems in terms of verifying the information and could render the transactions invalid. The NHLS had already started the process of addressing this by determining the minimum clinical data sets (MCDS) required for NHLS to continue processing the specimen. The NHLS does not conduct tests if there is no compliance with MCDS.

3. The details are as follows:

• The status of debts receivable from Gauteng Department of Health and KwaZulu Natal Department of Health as at 18 September 2015 is totalling R5.1 billion;
• The breakdown is reflected in Table 1 below;
• This represents 95% of the total debts receivable from provinces amounting to R5.5 billion.

Table 1

Region	Outstanding amount 2015/16	Outstanding amount 2014/15	Prior amount outstanding	Total outstanding
Gauteng	197,419,209	328,955,740	922,495,933	1,448,870,882
KwaZulu Natal	110,053,771	702,643,913	2,866,174,418	3,678,872,101

4. The Bill has been prepared and it in the Cabinet process. It is pending approval by Cabinet, for it to be published for public comment.

5. The National Public Health Institute of South Africa (NAPHISA) Bill makes provision for the establishment of the Institute for Non-Communicable Diseases and Violence and Injury. These institutes will be established when the Bill is promulgated.

END.

Reply:

The Respondents are appealing the matter. Judgment in the application for leave to appeal is awaited. As such, we deem it prudent for the appeal processes to be finalised before we consider the matter.

Reply:

(a) The total cost as at 31 August 2015 is R113, 232 million.

(b) The table below provides the breakdown of the expenditure up to 31 August 2015:

 

Reply:

Refer to: Annexure 1 .

Reply:

The Regulations seek to ensure a captured market for locally manufactured biofuels and will therefore assist in promoting the blending of biofuels with mineral fuels in the country, thereby supporting the achievement of the objectives of the Biofuels Industrial Strategy of 2007.

Reply:

The Government did not take a specific decision to formulate new regulations on how to achieve optimal security benefits for the Head of State and other leaders at a cost approved by Parliament and scrutinised upon its completion by given committees or an ad hoc committee.  The guiding framework comprises the following:

1. On the 20 August 2003, Cabinet took a decision which is known as the policy on Security Measures at Private Residences of the President, Deputy President and former Presidents and Deputy Presidents. This decision deals with the process according to which the South African Police Service and the Department of Public Works would investigate, fund and maintain security measures at the private residences of the President, Deputy President, former Presidents and former Deputy Presidents.

In terms of the policy, the main consideration shall be the safety of the President, Deputy President, former Presidents or Deputy Presidents.

 

2. The Department of Public Works follows the procurement and expenditure processes as prescribed by regulations and instructions issued by National Treasury in terms of the Public Finance Management Act 1 of 1999. Any deviation from these processes may result in criminal and disciplinary charges and officials who fail to comply with these procedures and incur wasteful expenditure, place themselves at risk of prosecution or dismissal.

It is submitted, with respect, that policies cannot be changed to address human

behaviour.

Reply:

I have been informed by the Department of Home Affairs that 9821 marriages were solemnized in terms of the Civil Union Act for the period 2006 to 2015. The number of divorces granted in terms of the Civil Union Act, are currently not kept separately from other divorces. For example, statistics of divorces in the High Courts are captured as “opposed’’ and ‘’unopposed’’ divorces and do not differentiate between persons divorced in terms of the Marriage Act and the Civil Union Act. The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development is also in the process of improving the information systems in the Regional Courts for the capturing of divorces.

(2) No Honourable Member I will not make a statement as it is not necessary

Reply:

1. No 40-bed mobile hospital was set up in Sierra Leone by the Department as there were sufficient Ebola treatment units put in place by other countries and the subsequent request by the Government of Sierra Leone, the African Union and other partner countries was for health professionals to staff the Ebola treatment units. The Department sent 5 professional nurses and 1 medical doctor for 1 month initially and 16 professional nurses and 3 emergency health professionals for 6 months to Sierra Leone under the African Union response to the Ebola outbreak.
2. The Department had considerable support from the private sector in South Africa with initial meetings with the mining, retail, financial services and mobile communication sectors about the movement of their personnel from South Africa to West Africa and especially to the affected countries of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. A meeting held at the Johannesburg Stock Exchange 16 listed companies and non-governmental organisations realised cash and in-kind donations of personal protective equipment, ambulances, scooters, food and drugs amounting to approximately R10 million for the external response to the affected countries.

3. South Africa set up a field Ebola Molecular Diagnostic Facility in August 2014 with laboratory infrastructure, technical and personnel support from the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) in Freetown, Sierra Leone. A total of 8 teams of 2 to 5 members from the NICD rotated through the facility in Sierra Leone every 4 to 6 weeks between August 2014 and March 2015. The unit assisted with the laboratory diagnosis of Ebola in patient blood and buccal swab specimens.

4. (a) The Department convened a committee known as the Multi-sectoral National Outbreak Response Team (MNORT) which comprised the following departments, supported by the private health sector, development partners and multilateral agencies:

1. Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries;
2. Department of Basic Education;
3. Department of Communications;
4. Department of Correctional Services;
5. Department of Defence and Military Veterans;
6. Department of Finance;
7. Department of Higher Education and Training;
8. Department of Home Affairs;
9. Department of International Relations and Cooperation;
10. Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs;
11. Department of Safety and Security;
12. Department of Social Development;
13. Department of Sport and Recreation;
14. Department of Tourism;
15. Department of Transport;
16. Department of Water and Sanitation.

(b) The University of the Witwatersrand ‘Wits Health Consortium’ coordinated the external response effort of receiving goods and cash donations to the affected countries with the deployment of health professionals to Sierra Leone, supported by “Right to Care”, the African Union and the World Health Organisation. The laboratory professionals’ travel and logistics were coordinated by the Wits Health Consortium, the NICD and the World Health Organisation.

(c) The flights of all the personnel from South Africa to Ghana were supported by a major South African private sector financial services partner and travel agency with flights from Ghana to Sierra Leone supported by the United Nations response. The donated goods were transported by road to Durban from the warehouse in Centurion and shipped to the 3 affected countries through a partnership with a major international shipping company that provided free transportation from Durban.

5. The total monetary value of the country’s contribution in the fight against the Ebola epidemic since 1 December 2013 cannot be quantified as it comprises the domestic response which covered provincial departments of health and national departments’ interventions.

These included border protection interventions such as installation of thermal scanners at designated ports of entry into South Africa, recruitment and deployment of additional Port Health Officers and introduction of screening questionnaires at ports of entry, training of immigration, airline and port health staff in South Africa and also for SADC countries, health professionals and support personnel in the management of Ebola suspect and infected patients and bio-hazardous waste management, provision of an Emergency Operations Response Centre operating on a 24-hour basis, enhancing health screening and surveillance systems and laboratory diagnostic support for South Africa and the SADC Region. The external response to the affected countries of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone comprised the donation of personal protection equipment by the Department and donation of other goods by the private sector and provision of laboratory support and deployment of health professionals in Sierra Leone. Some South African companies contributed to the Ebola response by direct contributions to the African Union response or to the affected countries directly.

In addition, various Committees such as the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Ebola, the Multi-sectoral National Outbreak Response Team (MNORT) and the Ministerial Advisory Committee on Ebola outbreak in West Africa were set up to support the country’s efforts in the domestic and external response to the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. Communication to the public, various stakeholders and role players was maintained at all times through media releases presentations.

END.

Reply:

The Labour Relations Indaba convened by the Deputy President under the auspices of the National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC) adopted a Declaration on 4th November 2014. The Declaration contained a number of principles that the constituencies, including government, agreed would guide the work that has been taking place in NEDLAC since then.

One of the principles agreed to was to engage on the modalities of introducing a national minimum wage in South Africa. The election manifesto of the ruling party, the African National Congress, also pledges to investigate the modalities for the introduction of a national minimum wage as one of the key mechanisms to reduce income inequality.

The Department of Labour does therefore not have to take a decision on whether to introduce a national minimum wage. This is both a decision of the current administration and one that has been agreed with our social partners.

It is in relation to the modalities of a national minimum wage, including the level at which it is to be set, that the Department is now working towards a recommendation that will be made to the rest of government.

END

Reply:

I have discussed the broad policy imperatives of government relating to empowerment of women in the economy, with the Minister of Women in the Presidency and we collaborate on giving effect thereto.

I have tasked development finance institutions reporting to me to specifically measure and report on efforts to increase industrial funding to women-owned enterprises. Details of these may be obtained from the IDC Annual Report tabled in Parliament. EDD also monitors the share of women in employment.

-END-

Reply:

The OR Tambo District Municipality has a capacity in the form of a Technical Director and fully fledged Project Management Unit and there is a plan in place to upgrade sanitation services in the Qumbu town. The OR Tambo District Municipality is in the initial phase of appointing a professional service provider that will prepare a business plan and a technical report to ensure that there is a full waterborne sewerage system that will replace the existing septic tanks and pit latrines in Qumbu Town.

---00O00---

Reply:

 

1. The plant is currently not in working order because the plant was affected by floods during 2014. In addition, theft and vandalism of mechanical and electrical equipment contributed to the plant not working properly.

(2) My Department has not done any intervention since the Greater Sekhukhune District Municipality proactively appointed the Lepelle Northern Water Board under a bulk contract to operate and maintain the plant. The Lepelle Northern Water is in the process of finalizing the appointment of a service provider to refurbish the Works (the process is at adjudication stage of appointment of the service provider). It is envisage that the plant will be fully restored to its normal operational status during December 2015.

(3) Yes, tests have been done at the plant's outlet. Test results are attached as Annexure A.

(4) Yes, a non-compliance notification has been issued to the municipality for not taking reasonable measures to prevent pollution from occurring. However, the municipality is in the process to refurbish mechanical and electrical components of the waste water plants. This is set to improve the quality of effluent prior to discharge.

(5) 29.76 %.

---00O00---

Reply:

Standardising all tests across all Government schools is an ideal; however, there are practical realities that dictate the extent to which this can be done. The Department of Basic Education’s (DBE) initiative to set national tests (ANA) for Grades 1-9 is a step in this direction, so that models of good assessment are placed in every class, but this is only limited to Literacy (Language) and Numeracy (Mathematics). The DBE is also piloting the setting of common examinations in Mathematics and Physical Science in Grades 10 and 11. The costs and logistics of doing the same for all subjects could be prohibitive. Subject advisors and other curriculum specialists play a critical role in building the capacity of teachers in high quality assessment. In addition, the Curriculum Assessment Policy Statements (CAPS) document provides clear guidelines for assessment in each of the grades and this assists teachers in this regard.

Reply:

(a) The number of non-teaching personnel in each category of non-teaching personnel employed in each district in each province by each provincial education department is as follows:

Source PERSAL: August 2015

Province, District	ADMINISTRATIVE LINE FUNCTION & SUPPORT PERSONNEL	AGRICULTURAL RELATED AND SUPPORT PERSONNEL	ARCHITECT	ARTISAN AND SUPPORT PERSONNEL	CHILD AND YOUTH CARE SUPERVISOR	COMMUNICATION + INFORMATION RELATED PERSONNEL	ECONOMIC ADVISORY AND SUPPORT PERSONNEL	EDUCATION SPECIALIST	Education Therapists	ENGINEERING RELATED AND SUPPORT PERSONNEL	GISC PRODUCTION	HEALTH ASSOCIATED SCIENCES AND SUPPORT PERSONNEL	HUMAN RESOURCE AND SUPPORT PERSONNEL	INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND RELATED PERSONNEL	LEGAL AND SUPPORT PERSONNEL	MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL SUPPORT	MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL SUPPORT PERSONNEL	MEC	NATURAL SCIENCES RELATED & SUPPORT PERSONNEL	QUANTITY SURVEY	REGULATORY AND SUPPORT PERSONNEL	SAFETY AND RELATED PERSONNEL	SOCIAL SERVICES AND SUPPORT PERSONNEL	TOWN AND REGIONAL PLANNER	Grand Total
EASTERN CAPE	2307	51	2	102	35	1	0	1394	29	0	1	716	0	21	1	1	10953	1	0	3	0	0	2	1	15621
BIZANA DISTRICT OFFICE	67	1	0	2	0	0	0	54	0	0	0	98	0	1	0	0	400	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	623
BUTTERWORTH	103	0	0	1	0	0	0	64	0	0	0	1	0	1	0	0	529	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	699
COFIMVABA	86	3	0	0	1	0	0	49	4	0	0	2	0	1	0	0	366	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	512
CRADOCK	53	8	0	16	0	0	0	35	0	0	0	21	0	0	0	0	218	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	351
DUTYWA EDUCATION	55	6	0	3	0	0	0	61	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	473	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	599
EAST LONDON	154	0	0	1	0	0	0	51	3	0	0	64	0	1	0	0	658	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	932
FORT BEAUFORT	103	2	0	1	0	0	0	47	4	0	0	13	0	0	0	0	432	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	602
GRAAFF REINET	30	0	0	1	0	0	0	38	0	0	0	49	0	1	0	0	269	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	388
GRAHAMSTOWN	63	1	0	1	0	0	0	46	1	0	0	14	0	0	0	0	242	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	368
HEAD OFFICE	220	0	2	1	0	0	0	151	0	0	1	0	0	4	1	0	640	1	0	3	0	0	0	1	1025
KING WILLIAM'S TOWN	145	1	0	3	11	0	0	62	3	0	0	53	0	2	0	0	934	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	1215
LADY FRERE	41	5	0	1	0	0	0	41	0	0	0	9	0	1	0	0	296	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	394
LIBODE	151	0	0	2	0	0	0	77	0	0	0	4	0	1	0	0	606	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	841
LUSIKISIKI	70	0	0	2	0	0	0	65	0	0	0	16	0	1	0	0	391	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	545
MALUTI	59	0	0	1	0	0	0	52	4	0	0	19	0	0	0	1	379	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	515
MOUNT FLETCHER	43	0	0	0	0	0	0	49	0	0	0	5	0	1	0	0	288	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	386
MOUNT FRERE	74	1	0	4	0	0	0	47	0	0	0	25	0	1	0	0	568	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	720
MTHATHA	162	0	0	19	1	0	0	71	1	0	0	131	0	1	0	0	653	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	1040
NGCOBO	59	7	0	2	0	0	0	50	4	0	0	27	0	0	0	0	389	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	538
PORT ELIZABETH	130	5	0	4	0	1	0	78	4	0	0	84	0	1	0	0	730	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1037
QUEENSTOWN	115	4	0	1	18	0	0	45	0	0	0	11	0	1	0	0	401	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	596
QUMBU	69	0	0	1	0	0	0	56	0	0	0	22	0	1	0	0	400	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	549
STERKSPRUIT	98	1	0	1	0	0	0	48	0	0	0	17	0	0	0	0	322	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	487
UITENHAGE	157	6	0	34	4	0	0	57	1	0	0	31	0	0	0	0	369	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	659
FREE STATE	1533	155	0	37	0	0	0	58	11	0	0	1247	0	0	0	0	1894	0	0	0	0	0	19	0	4954
FEZILE DABI	249	28	0	1	0	0	0	5	1	0	0	174	0	0	0	0	277	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	737
LEJWELEPUTSWA	343	12	0	0	0	0	0	4	1	0	0	170	0	0	0	0	383	0	0	0	0	0	4	0	917
MOTHEO	425	83	0	4	0	0	0	47	9	0	0	482	0	0	0	0	602	0	0	0	0	0	11	0	1663
THABO MOFUTSANYANA	429	18	0	32	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	267	0	0	0	0	533	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	1283
XHARIEP	87	14	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	154	0	0	0	0	99	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	354
GAUTENG	21192	373	3	27	12	40	0	2041	115	3	0	474	19	2	7	18	1876	1	0	2	1	0	31	0	26237
EKURHULENI NORTH	1718	11	0	0	0	1	0	133	11	0	0	34	0	0	0	0	90	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	2000
EKURHULENI SOUTH	2190	9	0	0	0	0	0	114	6	0	0	25	3	0	0	3	92	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	2443
EKURHULENI WEST	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1
GAUTENG EAST	1672	24	0	0	0	1	0	150	18	0	0	44	0	0	0	0	115	0	0	0	0	0	5	0	2029
GAUTENG NORTH	363	1	0	0	0	1	0	75	2	0	0	2	0	0	0	0	32	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	476
GAUTENG WEST	1881	30	0	1	7	3	0	115	7	0	0	35	0	0	0	2	115	0	0	0	0	0	4	0	2200
HEAD OFFICE	776	2	3	26	0	10	0	270	2	3	0	1	10	2	7	1	496	1	0	2	0	0	5	0	1617
JOHANNESBURG CENTRAL	1465	70	0	0	0	9	0	138	5	0	0	32	0	0	0	0	114	0	0	0	0	0	6	0	1839
JOHANNESBURG EAST	1332	15	0	0	0	1	0	114	7	0	0	13	0	0	0	3	62	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1547
JOHANNESBURG NORTH	1155	56	0	0	5	3	0	119	7	0	0	37	0	0	0	1	90	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	1474
JOHANNESBURG SOUTH	963	4	0	0	0	5	0	112	6	0	0	17	0	0	0	0	99	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1206
JOHANNESBURG WEST	1155	35	0	0	0	1	0	119	9	0	0	11	0	0	0	0	75	0	0	0	0	0	4	0	1409
SEDIBENG EAST	659	12	0	0	0	0	0	98	6	0	0	47	0	0	0	0	65	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	887
SEDIBENG WEST	1076	53	0	0	0	1	0	90	1	0	0	2	3	0	0	2	66	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1294
TSHWANE NORTH	1932	11	0	0	0	1	0	115	8	0	0	39	2	0	0	1	118	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2227
TSHWANE SOUTH	1642	27	0	0	0	1	0	150	11	0	0	73	1	0	0	0	126	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2031
TSHWANE WEST	1212	13	0	0	0	2	0	129	9	0	0	62	0	0	0	5	121	0	0	0	1	0	3	0	1557
KWAZULU/NATAL	4566	383	0	85	0	130	0	1442	93	26	1	1585	3	53	7	0	9251	1	0	0	0	0	13	0	17639
AMAJUBA	221	19	0	8	0	7	0	93	6	1	0	118	0	2	0	0	457	0	0	0	0	0	3	0	935
EMPANGENI	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1
ETHEKWINI	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2
HEAD OFFICE	191	0	0	14	0	20	0	97	1	1	1	1	0	10	7	0	516	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	860
ILEMBE	291	16	0	3	0	10	0	92	7	3	0	67	0	5	0	0	627	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1121
KOKSTAD	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1
PINETOWN	470	48	0	10	0	22	0	137	9	3	0	230	0	5	0	0	696	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1630
SISONKE	161	9	0	3	0	3	0	104	8	1	0	103	0	5	0	0	510	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	907
UGU	358	12	0	6	0	5	0	86	2	1	0	167	0	5	0	0	722	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1364
UMGUNGUNDLOVU	403	56	0	7	0	10	0	122	2	2	0	184	0	3	0	0	834	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1623
UMKHANYAKUDE	384	9	0	2	0	0	0	106	12	1	0	53	1	3	0	0	699	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1270
UMLAZI	503	59	0	10	0	33	0	178	7	3	0	185	0	3	0	0	994	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1975
UMLAZI	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1
UMZINYATHI	322	16	0	3	0	5	0	96	10	3	0	122	0	2	0	0	641	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1220
UTHUKELA	336	16	0	1	0	5	0	104	3	2	0	84	0	4	0	0	747	0	0	0	0	0	10	0	1312
UTHUNGULU	440	51	0	12	0	5	0	105	14	2	0	167	0	2	0	0	778	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1576
ZULULAND	485	72	0	6	0	5	0	122	12	3	0	104	2	4	0	0	1026	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1841
LIMPOPO PROVINCE	1626	20	2	14	0	0	0	776	67	1	1	273	452	2	2	0	4675	1	0	0	0	0	0	2	7914
CAPRICORN	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	27	0	0	0	0	62	2	0	0	424	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	516
HEAD OFFICE	5	0	2	2	0	0	0	92	0	1	1	0	84	0	2	0	416	1	0	0	0	0	0	2	608
LEBOWAKGOMO	45	0	0	0	0	0	0	30	2	0	0	29	10	0	0	0	132	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	248
MOGALAKWENA	60	0	0	0	0	0	0	45	2	0	0	3	7	0	0	0	112	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	229
MOPANI	173	8	0	5	0	0	0	99	3	0	0	27	70	0	0	0	835	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1220
POLOKWANE	266	2	0	1	0	0	0	97	3	0	0	124	28	0	0	0	351	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	872
RIBA CROSS	46	0	0	0	0	0	0	28	4	0	0	0	5	0	0	0	129	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	212
SEKHUKHUNE	377	3	0	3	0	0	0	102	17	0	0	18	71	0	0	0	619	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1210
TSHIPISE-SAGOLE	49	0	0	0	0	0	0	17	7	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	88	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	163
TZANEEN	111	3	0	2	0	0	0	46	5	0	0	44	10	0	0	0	194	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	415
VHEMBE	295	3	0	0	0	0	0	146	18	0	0	11	63	0	0	0	799	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1335
WATERBERG	198	1	0	1	0	0	0	47	6	0	0	17	40	0	0	0	576	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	886
MPUMALANGA	2401	82	2	23	12	11	0	793	16	1	0	269	0	26	3	0	4465	1	1	4	0	0	2073	0	10183
BOHLABELA	519	8	0	3	0	0	0	148	3	0	0	49	0	2	0	0	901	0	0	0	0	0	504	0	2137
EHLANZENI	570	5	0	5	0	0	0	160	2	0	0	37	0	6	0	0	1065	0	0	0	0	0	520	0	2370
GERT SIBANDE	552	36	0	4	12	0	0	164	4	0	0	109	0	6	0	0	990	0	0	0	0	0	521	0	2398
HEAD OFFICE	69	1	2	8	0	11	0	142	1	1	0	3	0	9	3	0	420	1	0	4	0	0	0	0	675
NKANGALA	691	32	0	3	0	0	0	179	6	0	0	71	0	3	0	0	1089	0	1	0	0	0	528	0	2603
NORTH WEST	2942	51	1	25	0	15	44	882	23	2	0	333	85	19	1	0	898	1	0	2	0	3	1	0	5328
BOJANALA	754	4	0	3	0	1	9	248	9	0	0	22	12	1	0	0	179	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	1243
DR KENNETH KAUNDA	454	12	0	2	0	0	5	133	7	0	0	213	9	2	0	0	225	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1062
DR RUTH S. MOMPATI	501	7	0	3	0	0	7	144	4	0	0	43	9	1	0	0	105	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	825
HEAD OFFICE	493	0	1	15	0	13	15	126	0	2	0	3	47	14	1	0	146	1	0	2	0	1	1	0	881
NGAKA MODIRI MOLEMA	740	28	0	2	0	1	8	231	3	0	0	52	8	1	0	0	243	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1317
NORTHERN CAPE	771	11	0	10	0	4	0	430	45	0	0	176	1	2	4	0	1859	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	3314
FRANCIS BAARD	151	7	0	0	0	0	0	72	18	0	0	52	0	0	0	0	478	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	778
HEAD OFFICE: KIMBERLEY	151	0	0	10	0	4	0	144	9	0	0	2	1	2	3	0	291	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	618
JOHN TAOLE GAETSEWE	177	0	0	0	0	0	0	60	0	0	0	12	0	0	1	0	259	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	509
NAMAQUA	74	1	0	0	0	0	0	47	8	0	0	26	0	0	0	0	269	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	425
PIXLEY KA SEME	104	1	0	0	0	0	0	54	2	0	0	36	0	0	0	0	289	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	486
SIYANDA	114	2	0	0	0	0	0	53	8	0	0	48	0	0	0	0	273	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	498
WESTERN CAPE	2508	3972	7	16	0	26	0	804	127	0	0	1386	262	3	1	2	715	1	0	0	0	0	55	1	9886
CAPE WINELANDS EDUCATION DISTRICT	355	641	0	4	0	0	0	102	19	0	0	321	1	0	0	0	54	0	0	0	0	0	12	0	1509
EDEN & CENTRAL KAROO EDUCATION DISTRICT	293	490	0	2	0	0	0	81	12	0	0	330	2	0	0	0	46	0	0	0	0	0	7	0	1263
METRO CENTRAL EDUCATION DISTRICT	302	626	0	0	0	0	0	134	24	0	0	140	1	0	0	0	59	0	0	0	0	0	7	0	1293
METRO EAST EDUCATION DISTRICT	319	513	0	0	0	1	0	103	22	0	0	126	0	0	0	0	46	0	0	0	0	0	5	0	1135
METRO NORTH EDUCATION DISTRICT	363	635	0	0	0	0	0	89	14	0	0	58	2	0	1	0	43	0	0	0	0	0	5	0	1210
METRO SOUTH EDUCATION DISTRICT	323	585	0	0	0	0	0	90	13	0	0	69	2	0	0	0	70	0	0	0	0	0	9	0	1161
OVERBERG EDUCATION DISTRICT	81	168	0	0	0	0	0	51	5	0	0	47	0	0	0	0	46	0	0	0	0	0	3	0	401
WEST COAST EDUCATION DISTRICT	127	298	0	3	0	0	0	61	8	0	0	292	1	0	0	0	54	0	0	0	0	0	6	0	850
WESTERN CAPE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT:HEAD OFFICE	345	16	7	7	0	25	0	93	10	0	0	3	253	3	0	2	297	1	0	0	0	0	1	1	1064
Grand Total	39846	5098	17	339	59	227	44	8620	526	33	3	6459	822	128	26	21	36586	8	1	11	1	3	2194	4	101076

(b) Information as to how many non-teaching staff are appointed by School Governing Bodies at schools is not readily available.