Questions and Replies

Reply:

 

 (a) (i) Total Travel Costs R 263 445.00

(ii) 47 Trips

(b) (i) Hotel – No costs

(ii) Residential and Accomodation – No Costs

(aa) In Cape Town – No Costs

(bb) In Pretoria – No Costs

(2) (a) (i) Total Travel Costs R 220 317.00

(ii) 26 Trips

(b) (i) Hotel R 26 007.00

(ii) Residential and Accomodation – No Costs

(aa) In Cape Town R26 007.00

(bb) In Pretoria – No Costs

 

THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF LABOUR’S RESPONSE: PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION NO. 3328 (NW3917E)

In respect of the Minister: Labour the following expenditure was incurred for travel

1. (a) (i) Total Travel Costs R263 445.00

(ii) 47 Trips

(b) (i) Hotel – No Costs

(ii) Residential/ Accommodation – No Costs

(aa) In Cape Town – No Costs

(bb) In Pretoria – No Costs

In respect of the Deputy Minister: Labour the following expenditure was incurred for travel

2. (a) (i) Total Travel Costs R483 617.00

(ii) 26 Trips

(b) (1) Hotel – R26 007.00

(ii) Residential/Accommodation – No Costs

(aa) In Cape Town - R26 007.00

(bb) In Pretoria – No Costs

Reply:

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

Reply:

(1) I cannot reply to the question as the information asked is by nature sensitive as it pertains to the movement of the Deputy President. I will provide the information in a closed briefing of the Joint Standing Committee on Defence when it is duly convened.

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 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:

a) In the current financial year (1 April 2015 up to 15 September 2015), the Assets Forfeiture Unit has obtained 128 preservation/restraint orders and 173 forfeiture/confiscation orders.

b) As on 15 September 2015, 89 applications (preservation/restraint or forfeiture/confiscation) were filed but must still be heard in court.

In addition, as on 15 September 2015, 1 698 cases are being investigated and documents drafted but have not been filed in court.

Reply:

(1) I cannot reply to the question as the information asked is by nature sensitive as it pertains to the movement of the State President. I will provide the information in a closed briefing of the Joint Standing Committee on Defence when it is duly convened.

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:

(a)(i) Both Commissioners are Judges from the High Court and are therefore not remunerated by the Commission.

(ii) The total cost for the evidence leaders, the research consultant and the forensic auditor from 27 October 2012 to 31 August 2015, is R73, 240 million, broken down as follows:

 

Reply:

Refer to: Annexure 1 .

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:

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:

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:

(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:

(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 Minister of Public Works

This matter has been discussed at various levels. We are in the process of ascertaining information and we will provide it to the Honourable Member as soon as it becomes available.

____________________________________________________________________

Reply:

a) Two One Stop Centres were opened in April 2014 in Mthatha in the Eastern Cape and Carletonville in Gauteng and are currently operational. Two further One Stop Service Centres will be opened in this financial year in Burgerfort in Limpopo and Kuruman in the Northern Cape and are at an advanced stage of planning.

b) (i) As at the end of September 2015, a total of 4 165 ex-mineworkers were assessed at the Mthatha facility and 4 013 ex-mineworkers at the Carletonville facility.

(ii) The Mthatha facility referred 1 456 claimant files and the Carletonville facility referred 1 474 claimant files to the Medical Bureau for Occupational Diseases (MBOD). A total of 413 claimant files were processed at the MBOD and 6 were paid by the Compensation Commissioner for Occupational Diseases (CCOD). There are substantial backlogs in the claims assessment, processing and payment of claimant files at the MBOD and CCOD.

The management of the MBOD and CCOD, with the support of the Chamber of Mines is making interventions to improve the claims management process by deployment of medical personnel seconded from the mining sector, ensuring access to records of service from the mining companies and development of an electronic database of claimant records.

END.

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:

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:

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

Reply:

All the three trips were working visits. The Department awaits outstanding information from South Africa’s mission in China.

Reply:

a) The organisation of the 15th Annual National Teaching Awards (NTA) Ceremony was awarded to Travel with Flair who is the Professional Conference Organiser for the Department of Basic Education. Travel with Flair was appointed by the Department through a tender process.

b) The breakdown of the expenditure is as follows:

• Venue and Catering = R1, 663 003. 95
• Event Production and Advocacy = R15 764 783.01
• Accommodation = R330 451.82
• Flights = R2 155 679.52
• Ground Transport and Shuttle = R311 103.85

c) There were no items sponsored for the gift bags.

d) Due to the fact that there were no items for the gift bags this question is not applicable.

e) R609,900.00 (incl. VAT)

f) The Department, under the newly appointed Director-General, will ensure that an adequate budget will be allocated for this important national activity that focuses on the outstanding work of teachers in each province and, if there is a need for any additional funding, this will be done within the financial prescripts.

 

 

 

COMPILER: MRS C HAAK

ACTING DIRECTOR: COMMUNICATION AND RESEARCH

DATE:

EXT: X 3772

MR E MHLANGA

CHIEF DIRECTOR: MEDIA LIAISON AND NATIONAL AND PROVINCIAL COMMUNICATION

DATE:

MS N MOLALEKOA

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

DATE:

MR A SCHOEMAN

DEPUTY DIRECTOR-GENERAL: FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION

DATE

MS VC CARELSE

DEPUTY DIRECTOR-GENERAL: OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL

DATE:

MR HM MWELI

DIRECTOR-GENERAL

DATE:

QUESTION NO. 3036 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED

MR ME SURTY, MP

DEPUTY MINISTER

DATE:

MRS AM MOTSHEKGA, MP

MINISTER

DATE:

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:

The response is based on the information provided by Provincial COGTAs.

(a) A total of 29 out of 238 municipal manager posts have been filled by women, representing 12% nationally.

(b) The table below provides the names of municipalities that appointed female Municipal Managers.
 

Province	Municipality
Eastern Cape	Ntabankulu Local Municipality
	Nyandeni Local Municipality
	Lukhanji Local Municipality
Free State	Thabo Mofutsanyane District Municipality
	Fezile Dabi District Municipality
	Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality
	Kopanong Local Municipality
	Lejweleputswa District Municipality
Gauteng	None
KwaZulu Natal	Umdoni Local Municipality
	Umtshezi Local Municipality
	Emadlangeni Local Municipality
	Ulundi Local Municipality
	Harry Gwala District Municipality
	KwaSani Local Municipality
Limpopo	Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality
	Ephraim Mogale Local Municipality
	Sekhukhune District Municipality
	Lephalale Local Municipality
	Greater Letaba Local Municipality
Mpumalanga	Nkangala District Municipality
Northern Cape	John Taolo District Municipality
	Richtersveld Local Municipality
	!Kheis Local Municipality
	Frances Baard District Municipality
North West	Kgetleng Rivier Local Municipality
	Moses Kotane Local Municipality
	Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality
	Tlokwe Local Municipality
Western Cape	Mossel Bay Local Municipality
	Stellenbosch Local Municipality

Reply:

As I indicated in my response on the 05 September 2015 to question no: 3284, which I stated the following: “Government officials are expected to travel between Gauteng and the Western Cape to carry out official duties, including ministerial and department support to the Executive who carry out parliamentary duties according the Parliamentary Programme.

“Costs incurred by Government Officials are readily made available in Annual Reports which will be tabled in Parliament”.

To further assist the Honourable Member, page 106 of the latest annual report do highlight the item on travel and subsistence.

Reply:

(1) Nothing procured yet but processes are in place for additional VVIP aircraft procurement.

(2) No

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 following response is based on information received from the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs:

1. Ms. Gabi Gumbi- Masilela was not seconded by Cogta KZN. She was appointed by Umngeni Local Municipality as an Acting Municipal Manager for an initial period of three months. Ms Gabi Gumbi-Masilela is not an employee of Cogta KZN.

2. The MEC responsible for local government in the KwaZulu-Natal Province is currently assessing whether Ms. Gabi Gumbi- Masilela meets the minimum competency requirements for the position of municipal manager.

3. The assessment in (2) above includes whether Ms Gabi Gumbi-Masilela meets the minimum academic and work related experience requirements (b) within 28 days of her appointment as Acting Municipal Manager. As far as could be ascertained, Ms Gabi Gumbi-Masilela resigned her position from the MDB.

4. Yes.

Appointment of municipal managers and managers directly accountable to municipal managers

Municipal councils are required in terms of section 54A and 56(4A)(a) of the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act, 2000 (Act No. 32 of 2000) (“Systems Act”) to inform the MEC for local government about the appointment process and outcome of municipal managers and managers directly accountable to a municipal managers within 14 days of the date of appointment as prescribed. The Systems Act further obliges the MEC to submit the information referred to herein to the Minister within 14 days from the date of receipt of the report thereof.

Regulation 17(4) of the Regulation on Appointment and Conditions of Employment of Senior Managers (the “Regulations”) prescribes a written report regarding the appointment process and outcome which must be submitted to the MEC by the municipality. The report referred to herein must contain the following:

1. details of the advertisement, including date of issue and the name of newspapers in which the advert was published, and proof of the advertisement or a copy thereof;
2. a list of all applicants;
3. a report contemplated in regulation 14(2) on the screening process and the outcome thereof;
4. the municipal council’s resolution approving the selection panel and the shortlisted candidates;
5. competency assessment results;
6. the minutes of the shortlisting meeting;
7. the minutes of interviews, including scoring;
8. the recommendations of the selection panel submitted to the municipal council;
9. the details of executive committee members and recommendations, if the selection panel comprised of all members of the executive committee;
10. the recommendation of the executive committee or executive mayor to the municipal council, if any;
11. the municipal council resolution approving the appointment of the successful candidate;
12. the application form, curriculum vitae, proof of qualifications and other supporting documentation of the successful candidate;
13. a written confirmation by the successful candidate that he or she does not hold political office as contemplated in section 56A of the Act, as at the date of appointment;
14. the letter of appointment, outlining the term of contract, remuneration and conditions of employment of the senior manager; and any other information relevant to the appointment.

Secondment of municipal managers

Section 54A(6) of the Systems Act provides that municipal council may request the MEC for local government to second a suitable person, on such conditions as prescribed, to act in the advertised position until such time as a suitable candidate has been appointed. The section also permits the municipal council to request the Minister to second a suitable person, on such conditions as prescribed, until such time as a suitable candidate has been appointed if the MEC for local government has not seconded a suitable person within a period of 60 days after receipt of the request.

In terms of Regulation 20, a person seconded by the MEC or the Minister must report monthly to the MEC or the Minister on the following:

1. steps taken to fill the vacant post to which he or she is seconded;
2. the development and implementation of any municipal institutional recovery plan for which the seconded official is responsible;
3. monitor and assess the adherence to policy, principles and frameworks applicable to the municipality;
4. develop a turnaround strategy for the municipality including a strategy to promote good governance;
5. ensure implementation of municipal council resolutions by the administration;
6. implement a system to control and approve all expenditure;
7. implement all governance systems and procedures; and
8. ensure implementation of financial systems, policies and procedures.

Reply:

The replies as received from the Provinces are specified in the attached table (Annexure A).

Reply:

1. Yes, the department currently employs 10 persons with disabilities which represent 2.1% of the staff complement.

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:

1. All museums reporting to me has commenced with the process of recording and evaluation of their national heritage assets. The first phase entails the capturing, verifying and conversion of manual registers into electronic asset registers. The financial evaluation phase will commence once phase 1 has been concluded and is subject to availability of funds.

2(a) The preliminary assessment done by my department pertaining to the tagging and evaluation of the museums pieces revealed that the exercise will cost in the region of about R205 million.

(b) An assessment was done on the status of security at museums. Given the inputs received from the museums, a costing exercise will be conducted to determine the budget required to upgrade security features at various museums in South Africa.

Reply:

The investigation of the blog and related matters on African Intelligence leak is at an advanced stage and the team is expected to conclude the remaining scope of the investigation as soon as possible.

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:

According to Treasury guidelines on the compilation of Departmental Annual Reports, the 2014-15 annual report does contain information on the costs incurred for travel, accommodation and transport rentals by departmental staff.

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:

The following information is supplied by the Northern Provincial Government:

1. (a)The total amount of outstanding debt owed to Northern Cape municipalities is R2.7 billion as at end of June 2015

(b) The table below specified the amount owed to each municipality

(c ) (i) (ii)& (iii) (d) (i) The amount of debt owed by households amounts to R1.7 billion, organs of state R426 million, commercial R373 million and other category of debt amounted to R191 million. The table below illustrates the debt in terms of consumer types and age analysis.

(2) (a) the reasons for government departments not settling outstanding debt are following:

• Incorrect invoices sent by municipalities to departments;
• Late issuing of invoices to departments;
• Payments made by Departments not using a reference number so municipalities cannot identify payments made;
• Inaccurate billings and interest charged on inaccurate accounts;
• Claims not timeously submitted to National Department of Public Works

(b) The department in collaboration with National Task team on payment of outstanding government debt has appointed a service provider to undertake verification and auditing of outstanding debt in all municipalities for possible payments upon confirmation.

3. (a) The information has been requested from the Province; they are in the process of collecting the information from the municipalities. The information will be forwarded to the honourable member as soon as it becomes available.

(b) The department through Provincial COGHSTA and Provincial Treasury has established Provincial Debt Management Committees to mediate and assist municipalities in collecting outstanding debt. Continuous interaction with sector departments and municipalities to assess and verify correct billing for timeous payments.

Reply:

Kindly note that the information requested is depended on feedback from the Provinces, therefore an extension is requested to enable this office to gather and verify the information before it can be provided.

Reply:

(1) and (2)

Due to the geographical distribution and location of the personnel of the Police that attends Parliamentary sessions and the fact that the information requested is not available electronically, a questionnaire will be developed and forwarded to all personnel that have attended Parliamentary Committee meetings during the period for which the information is requested in order to manually capture such information. Once obtained and consolidated, a response in this regard will be forwarded.

Reply:

The Municipal Demarcation Board (MDB) is only accountable to the Department for its finances. The MDB reports on its activities to Parliament through the Portfolio Committee.

From the Departments’ point of view, this matter is now sub-judice.

 

Reply:

1. No. In terms of the Disaster Management Act, 2002, the Minister only has the power to declare a national state of disaster. I have not declared any national state of disaster as a result of the recent or current drought.

2. (a) Kindly note that the law empowers the relevant authorities to declare events as disasters and not areas as “disaster areas”. Yes, submissions have been received from four provinces to declare drought disasters. The Premiers in all four provinces, being KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Free State and North West, have declared disasters in terms of Section 41 of the Disaster Management Act No. 57 of 2002, in the following areas.

KwaZulu-Natal Province:

DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY	LOCAL MUNICIPALITY
Ugu	Umdoni, Umzumbe, Vulamehlo, and Umziwabantu
Umgungundlovu	Umshwathi, Richmond, Mpofana and Mkhambathini
uThukela	Emnambithi/Ladysmith, Indaka, Umtshezi and Imbambazane
Umzinyathi	Umvoti, Nquthu, and Msinga
Zululand	Ulundi and Nongoma
Umkhanyakude	Umhlabuyalingana, Jozini, Big Five False Bay, Hlabisa and Mtubatuba
UThungulu	Ntambanana, Umlalazi, Nkandla and Mfolozi
iLembe	Maphumulo, Ndwedwe and KwaDukuza
Harry Gwala	Greater Kokstad, Ubuhlebezwe and KwaSani

 

Limpopo Province:

NAME OF DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY	AFFECTED LOCAL MUNICIPALITIES
Mopani	Maruleng, Letaba and Giyani
Waterberg	Mookgopong, Thabazimbi, Lephalale, Bela-Bela and Mogalakwena
Sekhukhune	Tubatse
Capricorn	Aganang and Blouberg

Free State Province:

NAME OF DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY	AFFECTED LOCAL MUNICIPALITIES
Thabo Mofutsanyane	Mantsopa, Setsoto, Dihlabeng, Nketoana, Maluti-a-Phofung and Phumelela
Fezile Dabi	Moqhaka, Ngwathe, Metsimaholo and Mafube
Gariep	Letsemeng, Kopanong, Mohokare and Naledi
Lejelweputswa	Masilonyana, Tokologo, Tswelopele, Matjhabeng and Nala

North West Province:

NAME OF DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY	AFFECTED LOCAL MUNICIPALITIES
Bojanala	Moretele, Madibeng and Moses Kotane
Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati	Ganyesa and Bloemhof
Dr Kenneth Kaunda	Ventersdorp and Tlokwe
Ngaka Modiri Molema	Ramotshere Moiloa and Ratlou

(b) Disasters have not been declared in areas that have not been affected by drought as determined by the provincial assessments.   
     

The NDMC is currently busy with the classification processes in North West Province and Limpopo and still awaiting detailed drought reports from Free State Province.

KwaZulu-Natal declared a state of provincial disaster in July 2014 and is currently implementing its recovery plan with support from the Department of Water and Sanitation and National Disaster Management Centre.

 

                                            

Reply:

Minister of Labour Reply:

The officials that accompanied the Deputy Minister were from the following Branches: International Relations, Public Employment Services, Compensation Fund, Unemployment Insurance Fund and Deputy Minister’s Office. The Department has tabled its 2014/2015 Annual Report to Parliament, the Honourable member may get a copy from the Clerk of Papers.

The focal areas for cooperation were inter alia:

Youth employment approaches; Strategic issues relating to Employment Services provisions; Models for Compensation to injured workers; unemployment Insurance benefits; Job Creation initiatives and Technical exchange programmes.

The details of the Memorandum of Understanding are the same as the areas on which the two Countries shared experiences as mentioned above.

Reply:

The Public Administration Management (PAM) Act, 2014 (Act No. 11 of 2014) (“PAM Act”) provides in section 5(1) that any employees of the transferring institution may, subject to sections 151(3), 153 and 197 (4) on the Constitution, be transferred within an institution or transferred to another institution in a manner and on such conditions as prescribed.

The PAM Act imposes an obligation on the Minister for Public Service and Administration to develop regulations providing guidelines on how to manage horizontal transfers of staff at senior management levels across all the three spheres, in consultation with the Minister responsible for local government. The Department of Public Service and Administration is currently developing minimum norms and standards, inter alia, including transfers between the three spheres of government. The regulations are not yet in place. The regulations, once finalised, will provide guidance on the implementation of the PAM Act to help improve service delivery, taking into consideration the different conditions of employment of senior managers and categories of municipalities.

This provision will enable municipalities to draw on staff with the necessary experience and competence in other spheres once the legal framework is in place.

Reply:

1. Yes, my department conducted various workshops and National Language Fora with national government departments, national public entities and national public enterprises during which the department workshoped them on how to write their language policies.
2. The workshops conducted by my department yielded positive results as policies received, comply with the prescripts of the Act. The department also gives advice and makes comments when and where necessary.
3. The department is in a process of appointing a service provider to enforce compliance on the Use of Official Languages Act, 12 of 2012.