Questions and Replies

Reply:

Answer tabled in Parliament on:

DAFF'S RESPONSE:

Requiem sharks (common name for all the Carcharhinus species) such as the bronze whaler shark (Carcharhinus brachyurus), dusky shark (C. obscurus) and blacktip shark (C. limbatus/melanopterus) are caught as by-catch or targeted in a suite of fisheries, including the commercial linefishery, demersal shark longline fishery, pelagic longline fishery, bather protection programme, recreational linefishery, beach seine and gill net fishery, small pelagic and mid-water trawl fishery and prawn trawl fishery.

This study mentioned by the Honourable Mr. N. Singh (da Silva et al. 2015) was the first attempt by DAFF to evaluae DAFF fisheries data in an attempt to understand the effect of these fisheries on bycatch species. It informed the National Plan Of Action (NPOA) for Sharks South Africa published recently, which lists a number of tasks to be undertaken over the next few years to improve the management of chondrichthyes in South Africa. Once completed, these tasks will ensure that chondrichthyes are managed in a sustainable and responsible manner.

The most recent assessment (Dudley and Simpfendorfer 2006) on requiem sharks caught by the KZN bather protection programme, show stable catches of bronze whaler and dusky sharks between 1978 and 2003. These species represent the majority of by-catch as listed in the review by da Silva et al. 2005. Blacktip sharks do show a decline (Dudley and Simpfendorfer 2006) between 1978 and 2003. However less than 10 t (dressed weight) on average of blacktip sharks were reported between 2010 and 2012. Although this study represents data from catches in KZN, the bather protection programme is a good indication of long-term trends due to standardized fishing procedures. Declines have been shown for other species caught by the KZN bather protection programme, and this has been used in the past to inform management strategies. Therefore there is little evidence to suggest that overharvesting of these species is occurring. These trends continue to be evaluated by the scientists based at the KZN Sharks Board.

DAFF research on sharks is currently directed at the 4 main shark species caught as target in the highest quantities. These include the smoothhound shark (Mustelus mustelus), soupfin shark (Galeorhinus galeus), shortfin mako shark {lsurus oxyrinchus) and blue sharks (Prionace glauca). Over the next 5 years the Department will be evaluating the list of 99 of 204 South African chondrichthyes caught in commercial fisheries in South Africa to select the next set of species for directed research. This is set out in the NPOA for sharks.

CLASSIFICATION: Confidential

SUBJECT: ANSWER: Question 3412 for written reply: National Assembly to ask Minister for Agriculture,

Forestry and Fisheries

Reply:

Developmental pricing refers to arrangements to supply locally-produced inputs at lower than market prices to locally-based downstream producers, in order to stimulate value-add production in a country. It is one of the means that is used to promote beneficiation of minerals so as to expand the national value-chain, grow the number of jobs in manufacturing, deepen the economic development benefits in a country and help to reduce vulnerability of economies that are reliant principally on exports of minerals or agricultural products.

In South Africa, government has supported efforts to beneficiate a greater quantity of locally-mined iron ore through a developmental pricing regime that had been in place for many years.

It is government’s view that pricing of inputs is one element of a number of factors that need to be addressed to expand beneficiation significantly. Other key factors include availability of energy at competitive prices, local know-how or partnerships with international technology partners and availability of key skills. Pricing of raw material inputs remain a critical component in efforts to substantially expand beneficiation of minerals.

-END-

Reply:

Yes, educators who resign from the employ of any provincial education department can be re-employed at a later stage in each province under the same conditions of employment stipulated in section 4 of the Employment of Educators Act, 1998 which states:

“Salaries and other conditions of service of educators

4. (1) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any law but subject to the provisions of this section, the Labour Relations Act or any collective agreement concluded by the Education Labour Relations Council, the Minister shall determine the salaries and other conditions of service of educators.

(2) Different salaries and conditions of service may be so determined in respect of different ranks and grades of educators, educators appointed at or outside educational institutions or educators appointed in different sectors of education.

(3) A determination of the Minister under this section involving expenditure from the National Revenue Fund may only be made with the concurrence of the Minister of Finance.”

Reply:

a) (i) and (ii)

Complicated or unnecessary processes and procedures which impede or delay service delivery or decision making.

b) Boxing South Africa (BSA) is currently reviewing its standard operating procedures.

South African Institute of Drug free Sport (SAIDS) is experience no red tapes.

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.

Reply:

( 1) Drought assessments were undertaken with farmers, Provincial Departments of agriculture (inclusive of North West) and the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) (with support of Organized Agriculture) to establish the extent and number of emerging farmers affected by drought. Provincial drought reports from the Departments of Agriculture were submitted to relevant Disaster Management Centres (Local, Provincial/ National). The provincial departments of agriculture requested assistance from their respective Provincial Disaster Management Centres (PDMCs) regarding their classification and declaration of state of disaster by Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (DCOGTA) through Disaster Management Act (57 of 2002).

In respect of drought incident, five provinces KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), Mpumalanga, Free State, Limpopo and North West conducted assessments. Declaration process is completed in Free State, Limpopo and North West. National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) is currently assessing North West province for classification of the drought disaster. Free State and Limpopo submitted classification requests. KZN and Mpumalanga provinces submitted their declaration requests to their respective PDMCs. NDMC will submit the provincial requests to National Treasury for funding.

While awaiting the process to unfold, DAFF has approached all the affected provinces to mobilise resources within their respective provinces. KwaZulu-Natal developed and is currently implementing a provincial drought scheme with a provincial budget of R6 mill ion on emerging farmers, while Limpopo has committed to spent R3 million.

In addition, DAFF continues to monitor conditions in the provinces and issue updated early warning information/ advisory information to the sector which includes strategies to implement during dry conditions. Also, coping strategies of various natural hazards are developed by the department. To date coping strategies for drought have been developed and published into all official languages to be understood by all. These strategies are issued to farmers and officials. Farmers are further encouraged to adapt to the changing conditions i.e. consider suitable farming activities and implement good farming practices as conditions are also aggravated by poor practices.

Furthermore, roving seminars on weather and climate are continually being conducted in the provinces. The main objective of these seminars is to make farmers more self-reliant by helping them become better informed about effective weather and climate risk management for the sustainable use of natural resources for agricultural production.
 

Answer tabled in Parliament on:
DAFF'S RESPONSE:

CLASSIFICATION: CONFIDENTIAL

SUBJECT: QUESTION NO. 3540 FOR ORAL REPLY TO MR N PAULSEN (EFF) ASKED TO THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES

Reply:

The trips undertaken were in line with the Parliamentary and Cabinet Programme as approved by Parliament and Cabinet respectively. The costs for trips undertaken by the Minister and the Deputy Minister were catered for in the 2014/15 financial year under programme 1: Administration.

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Reply:

Government has initiated a rescue plan to revitalise fifteen mining towns in five provinces that were experiencing a prolonged economic slump exacerbated by mining, industrial, commercial or agricultural shedding of jobs. Twelve of labour sending areas in two provinces have also been prioritised for the revitalisation of distressed mining communities.

 

MINING TOWNS
PROVINCE	DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY	LOCAL MUNICIPALITY
Limpopo	Sekhukhune	Fetakgomo, Greater Tubatse, Elias Motsoaledi
	Waterberg	Lephalele
Gauteng	West Rand	Westonaria, Randfontein, Mogale City, Merafong
North West	Bojanala	Rustenburg, Moses Kotane, Madibeng
	Dr Kenneth Kaunda	Matlosana
Mpumalanga	Nkangala	Emalahleni, Steve Tshwete
Free State	Lejweleputswa	Matjhabeng

Twelve labour sending areas in two provinces have been prioritised for the revitalisation of distressed mining communities.

LABOUR SENDING AREAS
PROVINCE	DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY	LOCAL MUNICIPALITY
Eastern Cape	OR Tambo	King Sabata Dalindyebo, Nyandeni, Nquza Hill, Mhlontlo, Port St Johns
	Alfred Nzo	Mbizana, Ntabankulu
KwaZulu Natal	Zululand	AbaQulusi, eDumbe, Nongoma, Ulundi, uPhongolo

An integrated strategy and Back to Basics Programme was approved by the Inter-Ministerial Committees (IMC), late last year for the different work streams to address the socio economic conditions in mining towns and labour sending areas holistically. Various Programmes are in place and being implemented. The Department of Cooperative Governance (DCoG) is coordinating the national departments, provinces and municipalities. The following departments/institutions participate in the work of the Economic Work Stream:

• The Department of Trade and Industry – overall strategy is to promote Industrial Development through Special Economic Zones and Industrial Parks in Bojanala District Municipality (DM), Greater Tubatse and Lejweleputswa.
• Economic Development Department through Industrial Development Corporation conducted economic assessments in 6 Districts to assist municipalities attract investment and job opportunities to their regions by creating enabling economic development in West Rand, Sekhukhune, Lejweleputswa, Bojanala, Waterberg and Nkangala.
• South African Local Government Association (SALGA) – Small Town Regeneration – developed a comprehensive strategy to address the socio economic decline of towns. It is currently working in the following towns across the 9 provinces focusing on Mining and Industrial Towns, Tourism Towns, Transit and Commuter Towns: Lukhanji, Port St Johns, Letsemeng, Matjhabeng, Randfontein, Bela Bela, Emalahleni, Matlosana, Zululand, Umkhanyakude, Madibeng etc.
• DCoG – Establishment of Business Development Forums to stimulate large scale employment at a local level through private sector driven catalytic business ventures Bojanala DM, Greater Tubatse DM, Matlosana LM and Waterberg DM. Furthermore, the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) in mining towns and labour sending areas has been aligned to respond to Back to Basics priorities.

Progress has been made in diversifying the economies of mining towns by conducting economic assessments to identify investment opportunities in the following Provinces:

In Limpopo, sectoral opportunities in agriculture, mining and quarrying, manufacturing, wholesale and retail, and tourism has been identified in Sekhukhune and anticipated to attract investments at De Hoop Dam tourism development, Potlake Nature Reserve, fresh produce market, Tubatse special economic zone, R55 doubling and tarring, De Hoop augmentation, mining sector support businesses, bio diesel production, vegetable processing plant, flag boshielo dam development, Mountain Resort Linked to Drakensburg Escarpment Cluster of Projects and Tsate heritage site.

Sectoral opportunities in Waterberg District Municipality were also identified in agriculture, mining and quarrying, manufacturing and tourism. The envisaged investment attraction include agricultural hubs, logistics hub, opportunities linked to mining expansion in the region, mining product beneficiation opportunities, water sorting plant ( green economy), and tourism projects linked to biosphere and nature reserves.

Gauteng sectoral opportunities in agriculture, tourism, green economy, economic infrastructure, transport and logistics were identified and hope to attract the following investments to West Rand:

• Establishment of the Food Hubs ( Agro- processing Park)
• Development of Logistics hub/ Park
• Development of Township Industrial Parks/ Enterprise Hubs
• Development of a Municipal Precinct
• Smart city ( Broad band network)
• The Lanseria Airport City

Free State’s sectoral opportunities were identified in agriculture, mining, tourism, automotive/transportation and energy, hope to attract the following investments in Lejeleputswa:

• The Processing Plant (Hides processing plant & Agro-processing)
• Redevelopment of existing Airport
• Methane gas extraction

Sectoral opportunities in agriculture and agro processing, mining, chemicals/electronics and automotive, manufacturing and trade and tourism have been identified in the North West Province and anticipated to attract investments into Bojanala District in the following areas:

• Catalytic Converter manufacturing plants
• Distribution and Logistics Hub
• International Convention Centers
• Traditional Art Gallery and cultural information centre
• Implementation of Heritage Park
• Establishment of an incubator network and Development Agency
• Rural Integrated Energy Centre
• Lurcene Plant
• Bio-fuel plant
• Sisal Farming Project (Pella)
• Further development of tourism facilities around Sun City node
• Commercialization of small scale farming and agro-processing
• Development of tourism facilities at Borakolalo Reserve (Klipvoordam) jointly with Madibeng
• Upgrading of Phapatso cultural village and establishment of incubator for arts, crafts and cultural industries.
• Pilot waste collection and recycling

Sectoral opportunities in Mpumalanga have been identified in agriculture, mining, food products, wood products, chemicals, and automotive and hope to attract the following investments into Nkangala District Municipality:

• A catalytic convertor component manufacturing plant;
• A truck port/ logistics hub;
• An agro-processing bio-fuel production facility;
• An international convention centre;
• The Moloto corridor rail system;
• Delmas International Cargo Airport – linked to a Free Trade/ Special Economic Zone.
• Loskop-Zithabiseni tourism belt development;
• Rust de Winter tourism development;
• Kusile Power Station project.

Reply:

The Department of Basic Education has a bilateral agreement with the Department of Science and Technology to increase learner participation and success rates in Science and Technology in all rural schools. Currently, the Department of Basic Education, in partnership with the Youth into Science Directorate of the Department of Science and Technology, has finalised building plans for the construction of a Science and Teacher Resource Centre in Cofimvaba, Eastern Cape. This forms part of the Technology for Rural Schools Education Project. The project is at an advanced stage, and aims to provide access to learners from rural and disadvantaged backgrounds to state of the art science and technology facilities.

Reply:

The Minister intervened in terms of section 106 of the Municipal Systems Act by requesting the MEC for local government in the Free State Provincial Government to investigate this matter.

According to the information received from Nala Local Municipality, the municipality has entered into an arrangement with affected councillors to recover the monies overpaid to them.

Reply:

I draw the attention of the Honourable Member to my remarks during the debate on the state of the economy, held in the National Assembly on 18 August 2015, available in Hansard. For ease of reference, an extract form the speech follows:

“These two global storms, in the mineral and steel sectors, are what we have to navigate with as little damage as possible, recognising that production and job losses in these sectors can have a multiplier effect on the economy.

So what are we doing to respond to these conditions and to address the still-continuing high levels of unemployment?

First, we are maintaining a high level of public investment in infrastructure, which is a true game-changer for the economy. We are spending close to a quarter trillion a year, or R1 billion rand per working day, on economic, industrial and social infrastructure. The BRICS New Development Bank is a major potential source of new funding for South African and regional infrastructure.

Second, we are expanding trade with the rest of Africa, particularly exports of South African made cars, machinery, iron and steel and food products.

Honourable Members will be pleased to note that exports to the rest of the continent now account for 244 000 direct jobs and it has been estimated as much as 885 000 total jobs; that last year, Zambia was our number one global export market for televisions, Zimbabwe for plastic products, Mozambique for clothing and the DRC for electrical equipment.

Third, we are implementing actions in the domestic economy, summed up in the 9-point plan announced by the President in the State of the Nation Address in February.

The nine priorities are:

1. Resolving the energy challenges through practical actions, including cogeneration, new IPPs and completing the public energy-build programme
2. Revitalising the agriculture and agro-processing value chain
3. Advancing beneficiation through adding value to our mineral wealth
4. More effective implementation of a higher impact Industrial Policy Action Plan
5. Unlocking the potential of small business, cooperatives and township and rural enterprises
6. Stabilising the labour market
7. Scaling up private sector investment
8. Growing the Oceans Economy and
9. Diversifying and boosting the economy through science, technology and innovation, expanding transport, water and ICT infrastructure and reforming state-owned companies.

To respond to the steel industry's problems:

• We fast-tracked a tariff investigation by the trade authorities on three steel products
• We completed a competition commission probe into steel pricing by the dominant company
• We extended short-term industrial funding of R150 million to one steel-mill to give it the space to restructure rather than close its doors
• We appointed a panel of steel industry experts to identify options for steel that would not damage downstream factory users, and
• We are meeting with business and labour to identify further steps to be taken,

To respond to the mining industry's problems:

• We convened a dialogue with stakeholders to consider options to reduce or avoid job losses
• We are investing in technologies and innovation to boost demand and localisation, such as platinum fuel-cell pilot projects
• We have initiated a Mining Phakisa to address the future of the industry

To respond to the clothing and industry's challenges:

• We implemented a tariff increase on finished products at the start of the previous administration
• We set a reference price on imported clothing to identify smuggling and import-fraud
• We created a competitiveness fund that has already invested over R3 billion in new technologies and work organisation to boost output and jobs.

More generally, the IDC expanded its industrial funding envelope over the past five years, particularly in green energy, putting some R14 billion into the Independent Power Producer programme that has already seen almost 2000 megawatts of energy coming onto the grid.

The IDC is now focusing on expanding investment in manufacturing, agro-processing and new industries.

During a time of declining mineral exports in dollar value, our auto exports have actually accelerated after 2011 and now constitute one of our top five exports, speaking to the success of the partnership built with investors.

To boost competitiveness, the competition authorities have acted against monopolies and cartels in sectors such as fertilisers, bread and poultry, steel, construction and telecomms.

To promote partnership, the Deputy President has led discussions with the business community and trade unions on reducing workplace conflict, including the role of strike ballots, action against violence in strikes and picketing rules. To reduce income inequality in the workplace, proposals for a national minimum wage are under discussion.

To boost youth employment, government is revamping its skills and entrepreneurship support programmes to make them more effective. The President convened a meeting with the business community 10 days ago at which stronger partnerships on skills development and work placement were considered.

…as we navigate our way through the minerals and steel turbulence and storms generated by falling global demand, we need to pull South Africans together, address domestic challenges such as energy and labour-business partnerships and speak with one voice.”

-END-

Reply:

Below is the response provided by the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, attached as Annexure A, as received from the Eastern Cape Provincial Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs:

ANNEXURE A

Number	Questions	Response
1.	Whether the driver of the Buffalo City Fire vehicle which was involved in a serious accident on Thursday, 27 August 2015, had a driver’s license of any type; if not,	The driver at the time was in possession of a Code 03 learner’s license which permits the driving of the heavy vehicle whilst accompanied by a licensed driver. The learner driver was inter alia accompanied by the Divisional Officer: Training who is in possession of a Code EC driving license
	a) why was the driver controlling a multimillion rand vehicle which had just been returned to service, and	a) The driver was controlling the vehicle as she was on a Pump Operator/Driver course. The duration of which was 11 August 2015 to 04 September 2015
	b) Who authorised that the driver utilise the vehicle, and	b) The Divisional Officer: Training authorised the driver to utilise the vehicle. Note – in terms of Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM) fleet Management Policy Fire Fighting Vehicles may only be used in the case of inspection of fire equipment or installation and training purposes
	c) What disciplinary action will follow in this regard; if so,	c) Disciplinary action is to be decided on once a comprehensive investigation has been completed
	(i) What was the code of the relevant driver’s license	Code 3 learners license
	(ii)When was the license issued and;	Code 3 learners license issued on 11 August 2015 and
	(iii) When does it expire	(iii) It expires on 11 February 2017
2	Whether there are minimum standards in place for the control, driving and operation of specialised fire vehicles; if not, why    not; if so, what are the standards	There are minimum standards in place, Fire fighters with a vast experience on driving heavy duty vehicles are selected to attend the Pump Operator/Driver Course. On the course people are trained on how to operate the vehicle and engage the pumps. There are tests and a practical evaluation that must be passed by each student. The competent fire fighters are issued with the relevant internal certificate. These are the only people who are authorised to drive the Aerial Appliances even during emergencies.

Reply:

1. (a) and (b)

Traditional Leaders are involved in various development programs as part of job creation and improving the socio-economic well-being of their communities. The following are examples:

• Empangisweni Traditional Community: INKOSI ZONDO
• Stock farming – in Nguni cattle. The project has resulted in the capacitation of many black farmers.
• Soil utilization – particularly maize. This project has resulted in the employment of many locals and their capacitation.

• Dzumeri Traditional Community: HOSI DZUMERI
• Hosi Dzumeri awarded 50 wheelchairs to needy men, women children, not only from Dzumeri, but even other neighboring communities as well.
• Hosi has committed himself to increasing the number to over 100.
• Bakgatla Ba Kgafela Traditional Community: KGOSI PILANE
• Mining – has resulted in the employment of many locals and the development of the area.
• Mphebatho Museum – a major tourist attraction and a source of employment.
• Clothing factory – has resulted in the employment of many locals. It supplies major clothing retailers (e.g. Truworths ) with raw material.
• Farming – include goat farming. The aim with the project is to utilise available resources and land to make available employment opportunities to the community.
• Hospitality industry – to advance job creation and sustainable economic development.
• Moruleng Shopping Centre – the state of the art shopping center is a major source of employment for the community in Moruleng.
  • Road construction: The TC through its development wing constructed a road (tar road)

2. (a)(i)

Ehlanzeni District Municipality

The support provided by the District Municipality to nine (9) traditional leaders participating in Municipal Councils includes, sitting allowances and the provision of communication tools. All traditional leaders within the district are provided with financial assistance towards holding of traditional/cultural ceremonies (Immemo).The special designated seating arrangements for royalty in the council chambers and joint formal procession with the speaker into the chamber during council meetings are some of the protocol matters that are highly appreciated within the traditional institution.

Meetings that precede council meetings are held regularly between the district municipality speaker and the traditional leaders participating in municipal councils. Traditional leaders also participate in an IDP forum constituted by all mayors from local and the district municipalities in the region which focuses on development and other service delivery issues.

3. (a)(ii)

Gert Sibande District Municipality

The support provided by the District Municipality to seven (7) Traditional Leaders participating in Municipal Councils includes, sitting and cell phone allowances and other communication tools as well as office accommodation and office furniture. Traditional leaders have been enrolled on a training programme for leadership development by the district at the University of Zululand.

All traditional leaders within the district are also provided with financial assistance towards holding of traditional/cultural ceremonies (Immemo).Traditional leaders are part of the mayoral imbizo which is held annually. There is also an IDP forum constituted by traditional leaders and all mayors from local and the district municipalities in the region which focuses on development and other service delivery matters.

b) Other Provinces

In KwaZulu-Natal Province in the ILembe District and its local municipalities of Ndwedwe, Maphumulo, Mandeni and KwaDukuza, the strengthening of participation of traditional leadership in Municipal Councils proceedings is commendable. The Provincial CoGTA traditional leaders are not only attending meetings of full municipal council, but the municipalities have allocated seats for traditional leaders in Portfolio Committees of Municipal Councils. This enables traditional leaders to deliberate on policy matters.

Furthermore, the following effective partnerships with the traditional communities focusing on cooperatives, health and welfare, education, enterprise development, supply chain focusing on local procurement have been established in both Limpopo and North West within the platinum belt:

In Limpopo Province, R27 million has been invested in building a school, which is yet to be handed to the traditional community in Magadimana-Ntweng Traditional Council in Serafa Village within the Greater Tubatse Municipality. Traditional communities in Mapela, Ga-Chaba, Gamolekana, Phofola, Rooibok Sterkfontein in Mokopane are benefiting R39, 8 million agriculture projects. A market has been created for these flourishing projects. These farms supply their produce to the informal sector, local fruit and vegetable retailers and wholesalers including fresh produce markets. These projects are run by community structures supported by the traditional leaders and external capability to ensure high level of effectiveness and productivity.

Working with both Kgoshikgolo Thulare Thulare and Kgoshikgolo KK Sekhukhune and various other community leaders the ARM Broad Based Empowerment Trust built the Mampuru Thulare Primary School for R2.3 million in 2010. The school, which is currently being attended by approximately 700 pupils, has 8 classrooms and 6 ablution blocks and has been a positive catalyst for development in the area with children from the area now spared the hardship of walking long distances to school every day.

In 2014 the Trust spent a further R1.4 million on renovations and building a nutritional centre at the school. The Limpopo Rural Upliftment Trust has also been hard at work providing water to communities around the province. The Trust has spent approximately R1.2 million drilling and equipping 18 boreholes in the province. The boreholes now supply clean drinking water to these communities

In North West Province a SEDA Platinum project of glass beads jewelry has been established. The required machinery has been purchased and the cooperative members have been trained. At the moment, about R2,3 million is invested for this project. The second project is a craft hub called Tsakane Arts Cooperative. This project targets the youth and provides an opportunity for them to further explore the skills in arts and crafts and to have sustainable source of income. Almost R4.1 million has been invested in this project. Almost 7 people who were farming pigs on a casual subsistence basis have been assisted through the partnership by commercializing the farms into income generating activity at a higher scale. Almost R3.4 million has been spent to upgrade infrastructure, training for farmers on business development, product quality control, marketing and administration.

Anglo Platinum has agreed to appoint a professional videographer to capture all the projects to promote sustainable development and self-reliance in rural communities.

In the Eastern Cape Province R12 million to date has been distributed to the Eastern Cape Rural Upliftment Trust.Two new child care centers, the Kwathamsana Child Care Centre and the Zanci Child Care Centre were built in the Mqanduli area in the Eastern Cape to the value of R1.7 million. The Zanci Child Centre which was proposed by Nkosi Phatekile Holomisa benefits approximately 160 infants from the Zanci Village.

At the Ntabakandoda Secondary School, located in the Ngcamngeni Village the Trust built a soup kitchen at a cost of R200 000. The kitchen caters for 500 students and [will] cater for children from the Ntabakandoda School as well as primary school and pre-school children within the village.The Trust has spent a further R4.5 million building and renovating schools throughout the province.

Agriculture has also been a key focus for the trust in the Eastern Cape. The Manguzela Crop Production Project, in the Matatiele area, received in excess of R800 000 for farming equipment and supplies for crop production.

The Mpumalanga/ Northern Cape Rural Upliftment Trust has received approximately R7.3 million to date. In Mpumalanga, the Ipopeng Agricultural and Chicken Project received a total of R790 000 for the vegetable garden and for chicken farming. A tractor, a plough, a diesel cart, a trailer and a ploughing disc have been bought for the vegetable garden. Members of the community have been able to benefit from this project as poor families identified by the tribal council are able to receive vegetables and or chickens free of charge from the project. In addition the ARM Broad-Based Economic Empowerment Trust drilled and equipped 7 boreholes in various communities in the Ekhangala district.

The Mamathlake Vegetable Project has also been a great success having been developed in 2012 by the Trust at a cost of R780 000.The Trust’s projects in Mpumalanga also include the provision of water to the Xanthia High School in Thulamahashe, the Ngungunyane High School in Bushbuckridge, and the JP Khoza Primary School in Thulamahashe at a total cost of R198 000.

In the Northern Cape the African Rainbow Minerals (ARM) Broad Based Economic Empowerment Trust renovated and erected fencing around the Ikageng High School in John Taolo Gaetsewe and funded the purchase of 100 bicycles for learners from various schools in the area. In Kuruman a vegetable and chicken project for the Batlhaping Ba- Ga Phetlhu has been allocated R974 000.

In addition to the projects of the ARM Broad-Based Empowerment Trust R 736 million has been spent by ARM’s operations through Local Economic Development and Social Labor Plans in the preceding 5 years. The Trust continues to be committed to working with our local community leaders, government, church groups, trade unions, women and youth groups to develop sustainable projects that will improve the living conditions and standards of living of all our people.

Since inception, the ARM Broad Based Economic Empowerment Trust has distributed a total of R120 million to its beneficiaries for projects in education, health, water, enterprise development, farming, agriculture and rural development initiatives throughout South Africa.

Five provincial rural development trusts led by trustees who are key leaders in their respective communities and provinces were created for the purpose of uplifting and benefiting rural communities. The partnership between community leaders and the Trust assists in identifying the needs of the communities to ensure that projects undertaken by the provincial trusts have maximum impact in the upliftment and development of communities.

Traditional leaders, especially kingships have had partnerships with the Motsepe Foundation and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. The Department of Traditional affairs will be engaging the Motsepe Foundation, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry to extend and establish partnership relations as they operate within our sector. Furthermore, the DTA will also try to synchronize the work that other stakeholders are doing within the traditional communities to ensure effective and efficient service delivery and desired impact.

Reply:

1.

(a)	(b)
R6 706 495,32	1596

2.

(a)	(b)
R1 377 154,53	R381 595,41

Reply:

(1) (a)As at 30 September 2015, there are no South African teachers being trained to teach Mandarin in South African schools.

(b)There are eight (8) Chinese Language Teachers in South Africa already. There are plans by the Chinese Embassy to bring four (4) teachers in October 2015 and an additional three (3) in January 2016. The total number of teachers is expected to be fifteen (15) by the end of January 2016.

(2) No. The Chinese teachers are not expected to assist in teaching other subjects.

 

Reply:

The importance of community arts and the development and upgrading of community arts infrastructure has been recognised as a driver of social cohesion and nation building in Outcome 14: Nation Building and Social Cohesion. The community arts programme is a contributor to the Sub-Outcome: Equal Opportunities, Inclusion and Redress. Approved by Cabinet, Outcome 14 stipulates that the Department of Arts and Culture, within the 5 year Medium Term Strategic Framework (MTSF), will build 15 new community arts centres, refurbish 80 centres and activate 500 community arts programmes by 2018/19. The focus of this work will be rural and township areas.

Reply:

District	Number of Schools
Bohlabela	8
Ehlanzeni District	61
Nkangala	11
Gert Sibande	The province, through the district is in the process of verifying the number of schools paying Municipalities for use of flushing toilets. This information will be provided when available

District	Amount being paid by each school per flush toilet
Bohlabela	Schools are paying on average an amount of R116.58 per month per toilet
Ehlanzeni District	The District is unable to quantify the amount paid per flush toilet as schools are billed differently depending on the Municipality and different Financial Reporting Standards adopted by each school.
Nkangala	The District is unable to quantify the amount paid per flush toilet as schools are billed differently depending on the Municipality and different Financial Reporting Standards adopted by each school.
Gert Sibande	The District is unable to quantify the amount paid per flush toilet as schools are billed differently depending on the Municipality and different Financial Reporting Standards adopted by each school.

**The difficulty in soliciting the required financial management information points at different Financial Reporting Standards adopted by each school. In future, and as part of continuous improvement, there might be a need to provide guidelines to Districts and schools that would enable this type of information to be extracted with fair ease.

District	Number of Schools without access to adequate flush toilets
Bohlabela	226
Ehlanzeni District	286
Nkangala	40
Gert Sibande	334

**However it should be noted that In terms of the Regulations Relating to Minimum Uniform Norms and Standards for Public School Infrastructure all schools should be provided with acceptable basic services. Acceptable basic services include: waterborne sanitation, small-bore sewer reticulation, septic or conservancy tanks, Ventilated improved pit latrines and composting toilets, Municipal water supply, boreholes, rainwater harvesting (purified) and different forms of power supply. Therefore, the choice of appropriate sanitation technology, which includes any of those indicated above, may only be based on an assessment conducted, which will include the availability and reliability of services in the particular locality.

Reply:

According to information submitted by the Blue Crane Route Local Municipality (BCRM), the following cases were instituted against the municipality:

How many cases have been instituted	How many of the specified cases were lost	What has been the total cost to the municipality of all specified cases	What was the nature of each of the cases
Seven cases	One case was lost and four cases were settled out of court.	Corporate Finance Solutions vs BCRM: 2010: Legal fees: R 58 963	Municipality sued for arrear rental payments.

How many cases have been instituted	How many of the specified cases were lost	What has been the total cost to the municipality of all specified cases	What was the nature of each of the cases
		Mr H Hendricks vs BCRM: 2012: Legal fees: R 99 383 Settlement 1: R 67 500 Settlement 2: R 36 155	Mr Hendricks lodged a dispute for unpaid salary and performance bonus. A settlement agreement was reached and the dispute was resolved.
		Mr A Swanepoel vs BCRM: 2013 Legal fees: Mr Swanepoel to pay all costs of the municipality.	Mr Swanepoel successfully lodged an application against the municipality for wrongful accusation of misconduct/theft. The municipality successfully appealed judgement of the lower court. The court ordered that Mr Swanepoel must pay costs of the municipality. The municipality will proceed with recovery costs against Mr Swanepoel.

How many cases have been instituted	How many of the specified cases were lost	What has been the total cost to the municipality of all specified cases	What was the nature of each of the cases
		Mr E Rankwana vs BCRM: 2013 Legal fees: R 352 528 Settlement: R 450 000	Mr Rankwana applied for post of Municipal Manager and was not successful. He lodged an application to review and set aside appointment of Mr T Klaas as Municipal Manager. At the hearing scheduled for 18 June 2015, Mr Rankwana’s legal team proposed that the matter be resolved out of court and that each party pay its own costs. The matter was referred to the Municipal Council which unanimously resolved to settle the matter out of court.
		Mr S Kambi vs BCRM: 2015 Legal fees: R 27 398	Mr Kambi lodged a claim to the Labour Court against the municipality in respect of payment of unpaid salary. The municipality successfully defended the matter.

How many cases have been instituted	How many of the specified cases were lost	What has been the total cost to the municipality of all specified cases	What was the nature of each of the cases
		Mr P Dreyer vs BCRM: 2013 Legal fees: R 40 422 Settlement: R 34 544	Mr Dreyer lodged a dispute demanding payment of R 69 087.72 in respect of performance bonus for a period of two years while he acted as Manager: Community Services. The legal team of Mr Dreyer and the municipality agreed to settle out of court.
		Ms G Sammy vs BCRM: 2014 Legal fees: R 29 490 Settlement: R 34 544	Ms Sammy lodged a dispute to the Labour Court demanding payment of R 38 428 in respect of payment of unpaid salary. According to the municipality, R 34 544 has been paid in settlement of this matter.

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 %.

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Reply:

	Travel Cost	Number of trips	Accommodation Cost
(a) Minister Pravin Gordhan	R R256 971.00	44	R0.00
(b)	Deputy Minister Nel	R 252 538.00	35	R0.00
	Deputy Minister Bapela	R 282 437.00	51	R0.00

Reply:

The following information was provided by the John Taolo Gaetsewe District Municipality:

The John Taolo Gaetsewe District Municipality entered into an agreement with the service provider (Buhle Buzile Investments) to screen the memorials and funeral of the late former President of the country, Mr Nelson R Mandela, in villages across the three local municipalities in the district (Joe Morolong, Ga-Segonyana and GaMagara) in December 2014. The purpose of the screening of the memorial was to ensure that deprived members of the community in these municipalities also get an opportunity to be part of the proceedings to bid farewell to the former President. The service was delivered as agreed upon.

The initial agreement that each Local Municipality within the District Municipality contributes a pro rata amount towards the cost, did not materialize due to financial constraints, resulting in payment delays. This delay caused the service provider to institute a civil claim against the municipality in the Kimberley High Court (Case No. 1589/2014) and the court ordered the District Municipality to make payment of a specified amount to the service provider. The matter has been tabled before the John Taolo Gaetsewe District Council for a resolution authorising the payment to the service provider. The Council is to consider the matter during its October 2015 sitting.

Reply:

1. Yes, the National Treasury does promote broader empowerment objectives through the Financial Sector Charter and financial inclusion policies, as outlined in the policy document “A safer financial sector to serve South Africa better” published in February 2011. The policy aims at increased access to affordable, convenient and appropriate financial services for all South Africans, particularly the poor and vulnerable, and takes into account the legacy of both racial and gender exclusion policies of the past.

Progress has been made in improving financial inclusion in South Africa, resulting in 80% of South Africans using some form of financial services from a regulated financial institution in 2014, up from 55 per cent in 2005. More will be done by setting stretched targets for the financial sector in the Financial Sector Code (FSC) (first adopted in 2003), and focused initiatives by National Treasury’s Cooperative Banks Development Agency (CBDA) established by the Co-operative Banks Act (No. 40 of 2007).

Through the FSC, the National Treasury advocates and promotes the advancement of women via specific targets in respect of access to finance and enterprise and supplier development for women as entrepreneurs and owners of small enterprises. For example:

• The target for procurement spend on suppliers that are 30% black women is 8% of total procurement spend
• The target for transformational infrastructure, black SME financing, black agricultural financing and affordable housing is R48 billion for banks and R17 billion for long-term insurers with recognition levels for certain types of beneficiary entities including 150% for 30% black-women-owned exempt microenterprises (EMEs), 100% for 30% black-women owned qualifying small enterprises (QSEs)

With regard to co-operatives, the CBDA has the mandate to regulate and supervise as well as provide capacity building to deposit taking financial co-operatives, commonly known as Co-operative Financial Institutions (CFIs). The Honourable Member should note that the financial sector is a highly regulated sector to protect both depositors, customers and taxpayers, and this cannot be regarded as overly stringent regulation as suggested by the Honourable Member in the original Question 336 on 26 August 2015 to my colleague the Honourable Minister of Women in The Presidency. The objective of the CBDA includes capacity building, to ensure that the CFI sector is adequately capacitated and therefore facilitates the growth of financial co-operatives.

Based on the sectoral analysis done by the CBDA, as at February 2015 women were empowered by CFIs as follows:

• The 26 CFIs serviced an estimated 7,274 females versus an estimated total of 17,318 members. This ultimately means that there is a 42% women ownership in the registered CFIs.
• CFIs are required to elect board members, for efficient and effective governance. 47% of an estimated 167 board members elected are women.
• 73% of an estimated total of 60 people employed by the CFIs are women.

The capacity building programmes developed and conducted covers a vast number of women particularly from the rural areas. Women have been empowered through financial management training and other training courses and coaching provided by the CBDA.

2. Yes, National Treasury is working with the Department of Women through the CBDA. For example, on 31 July 2015, the CBDA team met with officials in the Department of Women in the Presidency about the overall mandate of the CBDA and capacity building programmes for the CFI sector and discussed possible areas of collaboration. The CBDA will continue to work closely with both the Departments of Women and Small Business Development to assist vulnerable women to set up co-operatives and co-operative financial institutions thereby ensuring the financial empowerment and economic inclusion of these women.

National Treasury in line with its broader financial inclusion objectives, will work towards ensuring all South Africans have access to the benefits of using financial services both as part of the broader development agenda and to address poverty and the inequalities in South African society.

Reply:

The Government has policies and programmes on economic empowerment which all Departments should implement, the Department of Labour policies and programmes are derived from those of National Government. With regards to Ministry of women, there is no collaboration at this stage.

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works

(1)(a)(i) R290 379.07

(ii) 41

(b)(i) and (ii)(aa) and (bb) R0.00

(2)(a)(i) R451 441.74

(ii) 57

(b)(i) and (ii)(aa) and (bb) R0.00

 

___________________________________________________________________

Reply:

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

Reply:

All the statistics that the Honourable Member is requesting already exist within specific breakdowns. The records are accessible from each Department.

Reply:

The matter is part of the budget process and consideration, if any, will be part of the Medium Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) which will be announced by the Minister on 21 October 2015.

Reply:

The information requested by the Honorable Member is an element that forms part of the more aggregated figure used to prepare the regular reports on the current account and on the financial account, both of which are published in the Reserve Bank Quarterly Bulletin.

The South African Reserve Bank (“SARB”) records all inward and outward transactions for goods and services, for residents and non-residents through, “BOPCUS” - the “Balance of Payments Customer Transaction Reporting Electronic Message System”. Authorised Dealers in foreign exchange report all such transactions to SARB via the BOPCUS system, according to balance of payments categories.

The most recent SARB Quarterly Bulletin published (in September 2015) published the following figures for the first two quarters for 2015 (Table; page 34).

At the aggregated level, this shows the total outflow on the ‘net service, income and current transfer payments’ account of R138 billion on a seasonally adjusted and annualised basis. These are flows on the current account that are not related to trade flows. Indeed, the trade balance recorded a small (R14 billion) surplus on a seasonally adjusted and annualized basis.

Taken together with the services, income and current transfer payments, the balance on the current account has improved every quarter since 2014Q2; and now stands at 3.1 per cent of GDP.

On the financial account, however, financial inflows reached 2.9 per cent of GDP in the first half of 2015 from 5.9 per cent in 2014, as net outflows in ‘foreign direct investment’ and ‘other investment’ rose. Net portfolio inflows far exceeded total 2014 inflows of R49.5 billion, with demand for equities particularly robust.

a) (i) (ii) According to the information provided to me by the Reserve Bank, outward cross-border payments from non-resident rand accounts totalled 52,000 transactions amounting to R30 billion in 2013 (all figures are rounded off in this response); and 47,000 transactions amounting to R144 billion in 2014. These outflows were transferred to 161 countries in 2013 and to 138 countries in 2014. The average transaction value for 2013 was R586,000 and R3 million in 2014.

The Honourable Member should note that this should be compared to inward cross-border receipts, as they are linked in the sense that no inward flows are possible unless outward flows are allowed. Inward cross-border receipts into non-resident rand accounts totaled 42,000 transactions, amounting to R93 billion in 2013 and 40,000 transactions amounting to R194 billion in 2014; averaging R2 million and R5 million per transaction respectively.

b) (i) (ii) Table 1 sets out the highlights for the top 7 destination countries for transactions over R1 billion per annum.

In 2013, the top 7 destination countries represented 86% of the total transaction value, R26 billion, through 33 thousand transactions, averaging R778 000 per transaction. In 2014, the top 7 destination countries represented 96% of the total transaction value, R139 billion through 31 000 transactions, averaging R4,5 million per transaction.

 

Table 1

Outward Cross-Border transactions over R1 billion from Non-Resident Rand Accounts in top 7 countries

	2013	2014
	R billion	No. of transactions	R billion	No. of transactions
United Kingdom	16,3	17,319	102,6 *	16,686
United States	1,3	4,124	27,0	3,643
Germany	4,0	2,266	1,7	1,958
Switzerland	2,0	456	2,0	293
Australia	0,83	8,297	2,7	7,102
Thailand	0,2	82	1,1	84
Ireland	1,1	698	1,7	871
Total	25,7	33,242	138,7	30,637

* A sharp increase in outflows during 2014 was due to increased transfers to the UK resulting from the “Disinvestment of money market instruments by a non-resident” category.

Table 2

Outward transactions over R1 billion from Non-Resident Rand Accounts in 25 countries with the most transactions per annum

Table 2 reflects a further breakdown by the most active continents, i.e. Africa, Asia and Europe. Together with the top seven destination countries listed in table 1, in 2014, the transactions comprise 98% of the total transaction value (2013: 94%).

	2013	2014
Africa	Rm	No. of transactions	Rm	No. of transactions	2Y average R'000
Malawi	2	73	5.2	94	39
Zimbabwe	85	762	48.8	486	106
Namibia	36	260	109.6	213	327
Swaziland	57	101	11.5	90	346
Botswana	488	782	122.2	229	579
Mauritius	273	225	342.5	193	1495
Mozambique	439	198	513.7	208	2343
Total	1380	2,401	1153.5	1,513	5234

Asia
India	81	584	82.2	393	174
Taiwan	15	22	17.0	94	433
China	36	278	157.5	148	597
Singapore	53	115	329.0	90	2059
Total	186	999	585.6	725	3263
Europe
Poland	2	151	2.2	172	14
Portugal	30	2,130	42.4	2,272	16
Czech Republic	1	111	3.5	129	20
New Zealand	160	4,024	209.0	3,693	48
Canada	140	2,561	119.7	2,471	52
Israel	69	738	99.6	657	123
Spain	25	226	38.9	260	129
Italy	86	439	30.1	425	134
Greece	5	132	49.8	163	172
France	58	431	109.1	469	183
Austria	58	161	49.9	144	352
Netherlands	200	922	985.5	907	651
Sweden	133	164	176.9	109	1218
Jersey C.I	320	119	69.8	98	1703
Total	1288	12,309	1986.4	11,969	4815