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16 October 2015 - NW3223

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Balindlela, Ms ZB to ask the Minister of Water and Sanitation

Did National Treasury approve her department’s requested rollover of (a) R1 600 899 000 for Programme 1, 2, 4 and 5 and (b) R1 557 184 000 in respect of each economic classification from the 2014-15 to the 2015-16 financial year; if not, (i) why not and (ii) what is the implication of this decision; if so, when?

Reply:

National Treasury has not yet approved my Department’s request for rollovers of R1 600 899 000 for Programme 1, 2, 4 and 5; and R1 557 184 000 in respect of each economic classification from the 2014-15 to the 2015-16 financial year.

National Treasury will only communicate the outcome of the rollover process on or before 11 September 2015 through the approved allocation letters as per the Guidelines of 2015 Adjustment Estimates of National Expenditure.

The non-approval of the requested rollover funds will necessitate the need for my Department to reprioritise the existing allocations for 2015/16 financial year within the programmes. This will result in the rescheduling of some of the infrastructure projects earmarked for the current year.

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16 October 2015 - NW3668

Profile picture: Maynier, Mr D

Maynier, Mr D to ask the Minister of Finance

(a) What is the (i) total cost and (ii) breakdown of such costs of the public sector wage agreement in the (aa) 2015-16, (bb) 2016-17 and (cc) 2017-18 financial years, (b) what is the sum total cost of the specified financial years combined for each specified provincial department in respect of each province and (c) how will the public sector wage agreement be financed in each specified case?

Reply:

Question 1: Preliminary indications are that the 2015 public sector wage agreement will cost as much as R63.9 billion over and above what is provided for this purpose in the budget baseline over the 2015 MTEF. Of the above amount R41.5 billion is for cost of living adjustments, R11.1 is for medical assistance and R11.4 billion is for housing allowance.

Salary negotiations are taking place at the Public Service Coordinating Bargaining Council (PSCBC), which is established in terms of section 35 of Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995. The main purpose of the PSCBC is to allow Public Service parties to negotiate on transverse matters including terms and conditions of employment, resolve disputes and facilitate hearings to resolve disputes that arise in the Public Service. This excludes matters pertaining to Constitutional Institutions and Public Entities.

Question 2: National Treasury is certain that the agreement can be accommodated within the current expenditure limits. Contingency reserves will play a role in accommodating higher compensation budgets this year, and so will resources available due to projected underspending. Some reprioritisation from other budget lines will also be required from Departments and provinces.

National Treasury is currently coordinating the budget process in preparation for the Medium Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) in Parliament in October 2015. The Minister of Finance will make an announcement at the MTBPS on how costs of the wage agreement will be financed.

16 October 2015 - NW3279

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Sonti, Ms NP to ask the Minister of Social Development

(1)What (a) total amount did her department spend on air travel between Gauteng and Cape Town for employees attending Parliament business in the 2014-15 financial year and (b) is the total number of trips that were undertaken; (2) what is the total amount that her department spent on (a) accommodation and (b) car rental in Cape Town for employees attending Parliament business in the specified financial year?

Reply:

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

16 October 2015 - NW3669

Profile picture: Maynier, Mr D

Maynier, Mr D to ask the Minister of Finance

(a) What is the (i) total cost and (ii) breakdown of such costs of the public sector wage agreement in the (aa) 2015-16, (bb) 2016-17 and (cc) 2017-18 financial years, (b) what is the sum total cost of the specified financial years combined for each specified municipality in respect of each specified province and (c) how will the public sector wage agreement be financed in each specified case?

Reply:

The collective bargaining for local government is under the auspices of the South African Local Government Bargaining Council (SALBC). SALBC recently entered into a 3 year salary and wage agreement. The agreement reached is as follows:

  • 2015/16       -     7%
  • 2016/17       -     average CPI (February 2015- Jan 2016) + 1%
  • 2017/2018   -     average CPI (February 2016- Jan 2017) + 1%

                             

The following responses were provided by SALGA:

a) (i) The total cost of the negotiated 3 year collective agreement is estimated by SALGA to amount to approximately R16.682 billion. This increases the national wage bill for local government from R77.888 billion in 2014/15 to R94.570 billion in 2017/18. This calculation is based on the assumption of an average CPI of 5% for the 2016/17 year and an average CPI of 5.5% for the 2017/18 financial year.

 

(aa) 2015/16 - R5.884 billion; and

(bb) 2016/17 - R5.026 billion; and

(cc) 2017/18 - R5.772 billion

 

(b) The requested detail is not available per municipality. However, SALGA estimates that the increases applicable to each municipality’s current wage bill will be as follows:

 

2015/16 - 7.55%;and

2016/17 - 6.00% and

2017/18 - 6.5%

 

(c) These increases in the respective wage bills of municipalities will be funded from municipal income generated from property rates, trading services such as electricity, water and other related service charges such as refuse removal and sanitation charges coupled with equitable share transfers from national government.

16 October 2015 - NW3678

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Lees, Mr RA to ask the Minister of Finance

What amount of prospective tax revenue was forfeited for each specified (a) goods and (b) service which has been exempted from value-added tax in the (i) 2010-11, (ii) 2011-12, (iii) 2012-13, (iv) 2013-14 and (v) 2014-15 financial years?

Reply:

(a)(b) Exempt supplies are supplies of goods or services where VAT is not chargeable at either the standard or zero rate. A person who only makes exempt supplies is not allowed to register as a vendor, charge VAT on supplies over deduct input tax incurred on its acquisitions.

Some examples of exempt supplies include:

  • Financial services, including life insurance policies
  • Residential accommodation in a dwelling;
  • Passenger transport in South Africa by taxi, bus or train;
  • Educational services provided by recognised educational institutions;
  • Childcare services provided at crèches and after-school care centres;
  • Services supplied by a bargaining council to any of its members; and
  • Goods and services supplied by a political party to the extent of membership contribution.

The National Treasury publishes a tax expenditure estimate in the annual Budget Review. Included in this tax expenditure is the estimated cost of exemption of VAT in respect of public transport and education. The estimated cost reflects the net of the VAT that would have been charged and the input tax that is not refunded.

Estimates are not available for the other exemptions. It should be noted however that financial services is not purely exempt. South Africa introduced VAT on certain supplies of fee based financial services in 1996 which has resulted in a net output tax payable by the affected financial institutions.

 

The tax revenue forfeited on public transport and education according to Budget 2015 amounted to:

(i) 2010-11 - R999 million

(ii) 2011-12 - R1 088 million

(iii) 2012-13 - R1 175 million

(iv)(v) 2013-14 and 2014-15 is not available as yet and is expected to only be tabled in the 2016 and 2017 Budget Reviews respectively.

16 October 2015 - NW3672

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Figg, Mr MJ to ask the Minister of Finance

(a) What was the (i) total amount spent on direct charges against the National Revenue Fund and (ii) breakdown of the specified amount in the 2014-15 financial year and (b) in each specified case, what legal authority was used to make such direct charges to the National Revenue Fund?

Reply:

(a) (i) The total amount spent on direct charges against the National Revenue Fund is   R 512 465 319 000 and the breakdown is listed in the table below. The audit for the National Revenue Fund for the 2014-15 financial year has not yet been finalized. These figures are therefore unaudited. 

(ii) and (b)

Department

Unaudited Amount

(R’000)

Legal authority

Presidency – President’s salary

4,830

Sections 2(7) and 3(7) of the Remuneration of Public Office Bearers Act, 1998 (Act No 20 of 1998)

Parliament – Members of Parliament salaries

481,781

 

Provinces – Equitable share

362,468,075

Schedule 2 of the Division of Revenue Act (Dora Bill)

General Fuel levy

10,190,162

Schedule 1(2) of the Taxation Laws Amendment Act 17 of 2009

State Debt

Interest

Management

Cost of raising loans

114,703,789

37,937

8,245,351

Section 73 of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) (Act no1 of 1999)

Higher Education and Training – SETA funds collected

13,838,798

Section 6(4) of the Skills development Levies Act, 1999 (Act No 9 of 1999)

Justice and Constitutional development – Salaries and allowances of Judges and magistrates

2,494,596

Section 2 of Judges’ Remuneration and Conditions of Employment Act, 1989 (Act 88 of 1989) and Section 12 of Magistrates Act, 1993 (Act No. 90 of 1993)

14 October 2015 - NW2815

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Esau, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

Why has she removed the three performance indicators of (a) attendance and participation of the Department of Defence and Military Veterans in relevant cluster meetings, (b) enterprise risk maturity level and (c) percentage public opinion on military veterans in her department’s annual report?

Reply:

The three indicators were removed during the 2015/16 financial year in response to guidance received from DPME and the Framework for Strategic Planning and Annual Performance Plans of the Department, in an effort for the Department to create performance indicators that are aligned to the national outcomes and reflect value for money.

14 October 2015 - NW3665

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Esau, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

(1) (a) What are the relevant details of the training and development programmes envisaged bu her department over the current Medium-Term Expenditure Framework period, (b) how many of the specified programmes have been (i) implemented and (ii) accredited, (c) how many (i) veterans and (ii) dependants have benefited from the specified programmes, (d) which educational institutions are involved in each programme and (e) what are the related costs for each learner and institution in each case: (2) (a) what skills audit has been conducted to date to determine which programmes are needed, (b) who conducted the audit and (c) what wre the costs; (3) (a) how many were the military veterans selected in respect of each programme and (b) waht wre the criteria for selection for each specified programme?

Reply:

1 (a) Co-operatives Training Programme and Skills Development Training Programme determined by the needs of individual military veteran.

(b) Co-operatives Training Programme - Both accredited by the Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA) provided by accredited training providers from the Agency.

(c) Co-operatives Training Programme - Three hundred and sixty eight (368)

Skills development - 698

(d) None at the moment for Co-operatives Training Programme

Skills Development - Public and private institution and the maximum cost permitted to pay per student is R40 000.00

2. An audit was conducted on the type of businesses that military veterans own, what they would like to start and the support required to start and grow their businesses.

In terms of Skills Development no audit has been conducted because of the following reason; each military veteran advice the department on their areas which they need intervention on.

3. (a) and (b)

During the DMV roadshows, Military Veterans who attended the sessions in all Provinces were captured on attendance registers, questionnaires were distributed according to Military Veteran’s interest and a survey was conducted. The Military Veterans who showed interest in forming co-operatives were invited for this programme. The second group of Military Veterans was the ones who completed the “Aspiring” questionnaire and indicated interest in starting any form of business. The third group that was approached were the Military Veterans with informal businesses (Informal traders) and the last group was the ones with registered businesses but have not started operating and did not know how to get their businesses off the ground. A phoning exercise was embarked upon to establish whether the above-mentioned groups would like to form co-operatives. All these groups were then combined together to benefit in the Co-operatives Training Programme.

Not applicable to Skills Development.

14 October 2015 - NW2885

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Volmink, Mr HC to ask the Minister of Health

With regard to the awarding of the tender for the development of Portions 87, 148, 149 and the remainder of Portion 1 of the farm Rietfontein 61 IR, City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality and the Final Environmental Impact Assessment Report Gaut: 002/13-14/E0153 wherein it is stated that soil scientists will conduct soil tests in order to confirm whether the feature identified is a grave and to test for any other signs of human remains or anthrax or diseases in the soil (details furnished), have the results of the specified test indeed been made available; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details of such results?

Reply:

The tender for the awarding of the development of Portion 87, 148, 149 and the remainder of Portion 1 of the farm Rietfontein 61 IR was done through the Department of Local Government and Housing. Since the Department of Health is not involved in the planned development on the site except for the relocation of the Sizwe Tropical Disease Hospital, any legislative requirements and compliance relating to future development of the land (including but not limited to soil tests) would not be handled by this Department and all queries regarding this can be referred to the Department of Local Government and Housing.

END.

14 October 2015 - NW3666

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Esau, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

What is the present status of the Department of Military Veterans’ Appeal Board, (b) what support does the specific department render to the Appeal Board, (c) what are the financial implications of each form of support rendered and (d) who are the members of the specified board?

Reply:

Members of the Appeals Board have been appointed on a part-time basis, as of 1 June 2015, for a period of five years.

Members of the Appeal Board not in the full-time service of the State shall receive remuneration in accordance with the scales provided for in Category B1of the Service Benefit Packages for Office-bearers of certain statutory and other institutions.

The Appeal Board is composed of five members and they are Mr. M. Msimang, who is the chairperson; Adv. C.O. Morolo; Mr. F. Hartzenberg; Adv. Fhedzisani and Ms Mkwanazi.

14 October 2015 - NW2525

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McLoughlin, Mr AR to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

With reference to the cancelled contract with Airbus in respect of eight A400M military transport aircraft, the fact that Airbus agreed to refund the sum of €835 million to Armaments Corporation of South Africa (Armscor), and that an indemnity was subsequently provided to Denel by the Government, (a) why was an indemnity provided to Denel, (b) what were the respective obligations of Denel and Armscor to (aa) Airbus, (bb) each other and (cc) the Government in respect of the specified contract, 2) How many more such claims can be expected from Denel and (b) what are the (i) details of each one of the nine claims made to date by Denel in terms of the indemnity and (ii) what amount was paid to Denel in the respect of each claim; 3) Has oversight taken place in respect of each of the nine claims submitted by Denel; if not, why not; if so, in respect of each claim, (a)(i) when and (ii) where did such oversight take place, (b) who conducted such oversight and (c) has such oversight resulted in a reduction of the relevant claim; 4) what is the breakdown of the current R 63,1 million claim made by Denel?

Reply:

 

  1. Armscor is not aware of an indemnity provided to Denel by Government. The contract between Armscor and Airbus was cancelled and Airbus duly refunded Armscor its advanced payments accordingly and therefore no obligations on the part of Armscor arose as a consequence of the cancellation. Armscor is not aware of Denel and Government’s obligations.
  2. Armscor is not aware of the claims made by Denel and the amount paid for the claims. The query should be referred to Denel.
  3. Armscor is not aware of whether an oversight has taken place in respect to Denel’s claims. The question should be referred to Denel.

14 October 2015 - NW3664

Profile picture: Esau, Mr S

Esau, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

What is her department’s policy position with regard to the integration of members of the former non-statutory self-defence units?

Reply:

Integration has long been closed.

14 October 2015 - NW2757

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Esau, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

(1)Why did her department’s commitment to the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans to finalise the military veterans database by end of 2014 not materialise; (2) what are reasons for projecting the finalisation of the database only by the end of the 2018-19 financial year; (3) (a) what exact process is being followed to verify the status of military veterans and (b) how are military veterans selected for such verifications; (4) how many military veterans of each of the specified former formations have been verified amongst the 22 800 people that are currently on the specified database?

Reply:

As of 1 October 2015 I have appointed a turnaround team at the Department of Military Veterans to focus on all the short comings of this Department and amongst others they will focus on the cleaning up of the database through verification.

14 October 2015 - NW3344

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Groenewald, Dr PJ to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

(1)How many fire arms of each (a) kind and (b) calibre of the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) have been (i) stolen and (ii) lost during the period (aa) 1 April 2013 to 31 March 2014 and (bb) 1 April 2014 to 31 March 2015; (2) how much ammunition of each (a) kind and (b) calibre of the SANDF has been (i) stolen and (ii) lost during the period (aa) 1 April 2013 to 31 March 2014 and (bb) 1 April 2014 to 31 March 2015; (3) whether any prosecutions and disciplinary actions were instituted; if not, why not; if so, (a) against how many persons and (b) what did such actions entail, in each case; (4) whether she will make a statement on the matter?

Reply:

Stolen over the period 2013/14: 5 weapons

Lost over the period 2013/14: 3 weapons

Stolen over the period 2014/15: 8 weapons

Lost over the period 2014/15: 2 weapons

Total of 18 weapons were reported to Military Police Division:

(i) 8 x Z88 9 mm pistol

(ii) 1 x Star 9mm pistol

(iii) 1 x Baretta 9 mm pistol

(iv) 2 x 303 hunting rifle

(v) 6 x R4 rifles

(2) Ammunition lost or stolen over period 2013/14: 32 956 rounds

Ammunition lost or stolen over period 2014/15: 19 rounds

Types of ammunition: 9 mm sharp point; 5.56 mm and R4 rifle ammunition

(3) 12 people have been charged

(i) 1 x 9mm Z88 pistol stolen from Northern Military Police Region Head Quarters Duty room on 23/11/14.

  • Weapon was recovered by Special Investigation Branch two weeks after it was stolen. Suspect was arrested and charged and sentenced to five years imprisonment.

(ii) 1 x 9mm Z88 pistol with 30 rounds of ammunition was stolen on 28/08/13:

  • Suspect was charged and disciplinary action instituted. Outcome of criminal prosecution still awaited.

(iii) 1 x Z88 9 mm pistol lost on 16/12/13

  • Military Police investigating the case

(iv) 1 x R4 rifle without ammunition was stolen on 08/11/13

  • Weapon was recovered but the docket is still at LEGSATO for a decision

(v) 3 x R4 rifles, 1 x 9mm Star pistol and 1 x 9 mm Z88 pistol without ammunition was stolen on 11/06/14

  • The case is at LEGSATO for a decision

(vi) 1 x R4 rifle lost on 31/5/14

  • Suspect was found guilty and sentenced by Court of Military Judge

(vii) 2 x 3030 rifles were stolen on 11/01/14

  • The docket is still under investigation and the member was declared unfit to possess a firearm

(viii) 1 x 9mm Z88 pistol was lost on 26/07/13

  • Suspect found guilty and sentenced to R1500 fine and 180 days detention suspended for 3 years

(ix) 5 x 9mm rounds of ammunition was stolen and found on 30/10/14

  • Suspect has already been charged and case is proceeding to trial

(x) 1 x Baretta pistol lost on 16/9/13

  • Case still under investigation

(xi) 32400 x R4 sharp point ammunition stolen on 13/04/13

  • 5 suspects arrested and the trial is ongoing in Lenasia Magistrate Court

(xii) 3 x 9mm Z88 pistols without ammunition stolen on 18/07/14

  • Case is still under investigation

(xiii) 1 x R4 rifle lost on 23/01/15

  • Case is still under investigation

(xiv) 556 x 45 mm blank ammunition stolen on 01/03/14

  • Case docket sent to LEGSATO for a decision

(xv) 14 x cartridges box LMG belt links, Bomb stand attachments and bay stripping spring bellets stolen on 12/02/15

  • Suspects have been charged and case still under investigation

14 October 2015 - RNW2814

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Esau, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

(1)What is the present status of her department’s Advisory Council on Military Veterans; (2) what (a) support services does the specified council render and (b) are the financial implications of each specified form of support rendered; (3) (a) who are the members of the specified council, (b) what are their qualifications and (c) which professional associations do they belong to; (4) (a) what positions do the specified members hold and (b) in which institutions (i) do they currently serve and/or (ii) have served?

Reply:

 

  1. Members of the Advisory Council have been appointed as of 1 October 2015 for a period of five years.
  2. The functions of the Council are set out in section 10 of the Military Veterans Act, 2011. Members of the Council serve part time and those not in the full time employment of the State receive an hourly remuneration rate set by National Treasury for Boards.
  3. and (4)

Name

Current Occupation

Mr Andile Apleni

Mkmva

Mr Kabelo Bokala

Aznla

Mr Tembile Magingxa

Sanmva

Ms P.M. Kubu

Mkmva

Mr Mbulelo Fihla

Aplamva

Mr Obbey Mabena

Mkmva

Ms Dudu Phama

Aplamva

Mr Mzwandile Vena

Private Business

Ms Ntsikelelo Khwezi

Mkmva

Mr Snuki Zikalala

Cosatu

Mr Miki Xayiya

Private Business

Ms Thandi Ndlovu-Molokwane

Private Business

Ms Vuyiswa Lieta

Mkmva

Mr Alex Mahapa

Dpsa

14 October 2015 - NW1223

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Maynier, Mr D to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

Whether she and/or her department handed over any documents to the Auditor-General relating to flights undertaken by the former Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Ms Lindiwe Sisulu, on Gulfstream executive jets; if not, in each specified case, (a) why were the documents not handed to the Auditor-General, (b) what is the name of the person who did not hand over the documents to the Auditor-General and (c) what action is being taken against the person who did not hand over the documents to the Auditor-General; if so, in each specified case, when (i) was the request of the Auditor-General for such documents received by her department and (ii) were the documents handed over by her or her department?

Reply:

The Secretary of Defence cooperated with the Office of the Auditor General in relation to this matter.

14 October 2015 - NW3112

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Dreyer, Ms AM to ask the Minister of Health

With regard to the awarding of the tender for the development of Portions 87, 148, 149 and the remainder of Portion 1 of the farm Rietfontein 61 IR, City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality and in view of the Final Environmental Impact Assessment Report Gaut: 002/13-14/E0153 (details furnished), (a) when was the decision to demolish the hospital taken and (b) who took the decision?

Reply:

(a) This department did not make a decision to demolish the Sizwe Tropical Disease Hospital, The land was part of the land awarded for development through the Department of Local Government and Housing. This Department is not in a position to confirm when this decision was taken.

(b) The decision was taken by the Department of Local Government and Housing.

END.

14 October 2015 - NW2969

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Marais, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

With reference to the refurbishment of the Beechcraft King Air B200 by ExecuJet Aviation Group which was handed over to the SA Air Force on 30 June 2015, (a) what (i) were the reasons why the specified aircraft required refurbishing, (ii) was the nature of the refurbishment and (iii) were the total costs of this refurbishing and (b) prior to the refurbishment, (i) when last was this aircraft refurbished and (ii) when is the next refurbishment scheduled to take place?

Reply:

(a)(i) Due to avionic obsolesce and interior degradation due to age.

(ii) Full avionic refurbishment and interior refurbishment.

(iii) Avionic refurbishment was R10.2 million and the interior refurbishment was R381000.

b) (i) Never before

(ii) No future refurbishment is planned.

14 October 2015 - NW40

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Maynier, Mr D to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

(1)(a) What was the (i) rank and (ii) designation of a certain person (name furnished) and (b) when did the specified person (i) commence and (ii) terminate the term of service in the SA Air Force and (c) how many flying hours did the specified person log as (i) the commander and/or (ii) a pilot on the Boeing Business Jet known as Inkwazi; (2) whether the specified person played any role in the procurement of the Boeing 777-Long Range jet; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details thereof; (3) whether the specified person (a) was vetted and (b) received a security clearance; if not, why not, in each specified case; if so, (i) when was the specified person vetted and (ii) what level of security clearance was received by the said person; (4) whether the specified person is a citizen of Swaziland; if not, what citizenship does the said person hold; if so, why was the specified person granted security clearance; (5) whether any disciplinary proceedings were instituted against the specified person; if so, what are the relevant details? NW41E

Reply:

Colonel Nhlanhla Dube left the employment of the South African Air Force in 2013, thus rendering the remainder of the question irrelevant.

14 October 2015 - NW3113

Profile picture: Dreyer, Ms AM

Dreyer, Ms AM to ask the Minister of Health

With regard to the awarding of the tender for the development of Portions 87, 148, 149 and the remainder of remainder of Portion 1 of the farm Rietfontein 61 IR, City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality, and in view of the Final Environmental Impact Assessment Report Gaut: 002/13-14/E0153 (details furnished), what is his position with regard to the specified person’s observation that because there was no small pox since the 1960s it is therefore not a problem; if not, what action does he intend taking; if so, can he give assurance to the nearby residents that the small pox virus poses no threat to their health whatsoever?

Reply:

The environmental Assessment report has cleared the development at Rietfontein. There is no basis for concern over the small pox infection as suggested. The residents have no reason to be concerned about small pox.

END.

14 October 2015 - NW3385

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Malatsi, Mr MS to ask the Minister of Sport and Recreation

With regard to the return of boxing broadcasting to the SA Broadcasting Corporation (a) who allocates the dates for broadcasting the fights and (b) on what bases are these dates allocated; (2) Do promoters of boxing apply for the allocation of certain broadcasting dates; if so ( a) to who do they apply and (b) what are the relevant details of this application process; (3) (a) What was the total cost of the broadcasting rights fees for the boxing matches broadcast from (i) Gauteng on 26 June 2015 and (ii) the Eastern Cape on 24 July 2015 and (b) in respect of each specified case what amount was (i) generated for hosting the specified fights (ii) paid to each of the fighters (iii) paid to the referees and (iv) paid to the match officials?

Reply:

  1. (a) Provincial departments and the National department of Sport and Recreation in instances where the province that is supposed to host does not have the necessary funds.

(b) They use the Supply Chain Management processes.

2.(a) Yes.

(b) BIDs are invited from promoters based in a specific province for that province as per SCM procedures.

14 October 2015 - NW2618

Profile picture: Marais, Mr S

Marais, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

Whether there have been power outages in line with load shedding at the Camden Military Base; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

Power outages at Camden Military Base experienced during the month of August have not been in line with load shedding. The power outages at Camden Military Base are attributed to the following: a) electrical copper cable theft and b) illegal electricity connections.

14 October 2015 - NW2766

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Majola, Mr TR to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

(1)How does her department prioritise the most deserving military veterans given that the military veterans database is incomplete and persons on the database are yet to be verified; (2) (a) which certified personnel registers of the different military formations have been included in the current database and (b) what are the reasons for their inclusion; (3) is it a prerequisite for a military veteran to be registered on the database before he or she can apply for any benefit; if not, what (a) is the basis for the granting of benefits in this regard and (b) are the relevant details of persons who have received benefits without being on the database; (4) what process is followed should a military veteran applying for a benefit be on the database but not verified; (5) whether her department has taken any steps to prevent potential litigation from military veterans who are currently excluded from receiving benefits by virtue of not being included in the military veterans database?

Reply:

As of 1 October 2015 I have appointed a turnaround team at the Department of Military Veterans to focus on all the short comings of this Department and amongst others they will focus on the cleaning up of the database through verification. At present those military veterans who have been verified receive benefits and as the database is cleaned up more veterans will enjoy these benefits.

14 October 2015 - NW2619

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Marais, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

(1) What benefits were due to the late (a) Lt. Col C Silson (details furnished) and (b) Cpl J S Ngubane (details furnished); (2) whether the benefits were disbursed in each specified case; if not, in each specified case, why not; if so, in each specified case, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

1. (a) Pension, military pension, leave credits, Group Life Insurance Scheme; Injury on Duty (Rule 15)

(b)Pension, military pension, leave credits, injury on duty (Rule 15)

2. (a) Pension benefit: paid to the Master of the High Court and beneficiaries in June 2012 (details of payment not kept by DOD).

(b) Military pension – spouse is receiving it since November 2011

(c) Leave credits – set off against member’s outstanding departmental debt

(d) Group life insurance scheme – benefit paid on 12 January 2012

(e) Injury on duty – monthly amount paid since July 2014 as well as gratuity to spouse

(3) (a) Pension benefit: Pension benefit paid in various installments over the period October 2009 and August 2011. Gratuity and monthly pension payable.

(b) Military pension – being paid to beneficiaries since September 2009

(c) Leave credits - set off against member’s outstanding departmental debt

(d) Injury on duty – Spouse was paid gratuity and is receiving monthly pension since November 2014

14 October 2015 - NW2082

Profile picture: Groenewald, Dr PJ

Groenewald, Dr PJ to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

When did her department (a) reach an agreement with the Cuban government according to which Cubans in certain trades or professions can find work in South Africa, (b) when will this agreement expire and (c) if more than one agreement has been concluded, what are the time frames of each individual agreement; (2) (a) which trades or professions have been identified in each case and (b) how many Cubans in each specified trade or profession will be coming to South Africa; (3) whether the qualifications of the Cubans have been evaluated by the SA Qualifications Authority; if not, why not; if so, which qualifications (a) meet and (b) do not meet the requirements; whether she will make a statement on the matter?

Reply:

 

  1. A contract for the provision of professional and technical services was signed on 18 August 2014 and runs until March 2016. It must be categorically stated that this is not a contract for “certain trades or professions to find work in South Africa”, but is a skills exchange programme over a specific time period.
  2. The agreement identifies three areas of professional and technical services involving 93 Cuban specialists. Transport: 57 members working on maintenance, repair and preservation of military vehicles; Airforce: 18 engineers responsible for technical assistance on systems of combat aircrafts, transport aircrafts and helicopters; Military health services: 7 specialists advising on the improvement of military medical professional training.
  3. It was not necessary to undergo such verification given that these contracts are focused on skills exchange and not employment.

I will not make a statement on the matter.

14 October 2015 - NW2170

Profile picture: Brauteseth, Mr TJ

Brauteseth, Mr TJ to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

Is her department currently involved in a work exchange and/or employment agreement with the Republic of Cuba; if so, (a) what number of Cuban nationals (i) are currently employed and (ii) are due to be employed by her department, (b) what specific work roles are envisaged for the Cuban nationals, (c) what are the specific skill sets of each of the Cuban nationals (i) currently employed and (ii) due to be employed, (d) what are the details of the process followed to ensure that the same skill set was or is not available in the country and amongst South African citizens and (e) what is the total cost of the (i) employment or (ii) prospective employment of such Cuban nationals?

Reply:

 

  1. Yes

(a)(i) and (ii) 93 Cuban nationals form part of a skills exchange programme not a contract of employment

(b) and (c) Transport: 57 members working on maintenance, repair and preservation of military vehicles; Airforce: 18 engineers responsible for technical assistance on systems of combat aircrafts, transport aircrafts and helicopters; Military health services: 7 specialists advising on the improvement of military medical professional training.

(d) This is not a contract of employment but an exchange of professional and technical skills.

(e) For the 2015/16 financial year a total of R150 million has been budgeted for this contract.

14 October 2015 - NW2970

Profile picture: Marais, Mr S

Marais, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

(1)Whether command and control of the Airforce Base Waterkloof was, in part or in full, transferred to the African Union (AU) during the recent AU summit; if not, why was President Omar Al-Bashir allowed to use the specified Airforce base under the protection of the AU; if so, under what legislative provision was this done; (2) whether the specified Airforce base was utilised to transport any other African head of state in the same period; if not, why was the specified Airforce base only utilised for the transfer of the specified person?

Reply:

This matter is the subject of ongoing litigation at present.

14 October 2015 - NW3210

Profile picture: Esau, Mr S

Esau, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

Why is the SA Airforce recruiting pilots from the (a) SA Flight Training Academy and (b) Vukani Aviation project when the Department of Higher Education and Training has suspended all flights by student pilots it is funding due to safety reasons?

Reply:

The SAAF does not target any specific institution but people who have an interest in aviation.

14 October 2015 - NW2888

Profile picture: Mhlongo, Mr P

Mhlongo, Mr P to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

(1)Whether the chief financial officer (CFO) of her department is still on suspension; if not, what is the position in this regard; (2) whether the specified CFO was on suspension with full pay; if so, (a) what amount did he get paid while on suspension and (b) for how many months did he get paid while on suspension; (3) what were the reasons for the suspension?

Reply:

This disciplinary case has been finalized and the employee has been dismissed following the outcome of the disciplinary hearing.

14 October 2015 - NW3216

Profile picture: Waters, Mr M

Waters, Mr M to ask the Minister of Health

(1)With reference to his reply to question 2600 on 5 August 2015, can he (a) provide a copy of the signed agreement with the service providers about relocating the hospital and (b) indicate where in the Final Environmental Impact Assessment Report Gaut: 002/13-14/E0153 of the said development does it state that the developers will relocate the Sizwe Tropical Disease Hospital; (2) whether any public consultation was undertaken to inform the residents nearby the new site for the specified hospital that the hospital is to be built near them; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) (a) what is the erf number for the new site of the Sizwe Tropical Disease Hospital and (b) who is the current owner of the specified property?

Reply:

  1. (a) The sale of Portion 87, 148, 149 was sold by the Department of Local Government and Housing. The Land Availability Agreement that was signed between the Department and Local Government requires that the Department signs a relocation agreement for the Sizwe Tropical Disease Hospital. This agreement between the Developer and the department of Health is not yet finalised.

(b) The agreement to relocate would not have been captured in the Final Environmental Impact Assessment report. As per the Land Availability Agreement, the sale was for the whole of Portion 87, 148,149 for the development of residential houses which necessitated the relocation of the hospital to make way for the proposed residential development.

2. There has not been any consultation with the residents nearby the new site as yet. The Department has not finalised the relocation agreement with the developer and all necessary consultations will be done as part of the stakeholders’ engagement on the project which has not commenced as yet.

(3) The proposed relocation site is government owned. It is part of the Edenvale hospital site portion 87 Rietfoitein No 61-IR.

END.

14 October 2015 - NW3005

Profile picture: Madisha, Mr WM

Madisha, Mr WM to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

Whether she intends to make a statement in Parliament to explain why (a) her department allowed 600 soldiers to remain at home while on the payroll of the SA National Defence Force and (b) nothing was done to speedily resolve the matter in a satisfactory and lawful manner in the intervening period; if not, why not; if so, when will she make a statement on this matter?

Reply:

This matter is the subject of ongoing litigation at present and therefore I will not make a statement on the matter at this stage.

14 October 2015 - NW1003

Profile picture: Maynier, Mr D

Maynier, Mr D to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

(1)How many (a) flights and (b) ferry flights were undertaken by her predecessor using (i) chartered aircraft and (ii) any other specified aircraft operated by the (aa) SA Air Force and (bb) SA Air Force Reserve (aaa) in the (aaaa) 2010-11 (bbbb) 2011-12 and (cccc) 2012-13, (dddd) 2013-14 financial years and (bbb) from 1 April 2014 up to the latest date for which information is available; (2) what (a) was the cost and (b) is the breakdown of such cost for each specified flight in each financial year?

Reply:

I responded to this question during the debate on the Adjustments Appropriation Bill of 2014, held on 20 November 2014, and I refer you to the Hansard and my detailed response to this question as captured therein.

14 October 2015 - NW3520

Profile picture: Tarabella - Marchesi, Ms NI

Tarabella - Marchesi, Ms NI to ask the Minister of Health

Whether, with reference to the large number of skin lightening products containing the banned substance hydroquinone which is still available in many informal trading areas in the country, his department has any plans to (a) launch awareness campaigns on the dangers of using the specified products, (b) launch raids in conjunction with (i) the Medicines Control Council, (ii) the SA Police Service and/or (iii) any other government department to confiscate the specified products and/or (c) fine the traders selling these dangerous products; if not, why not in each case?

Reply:

The Department of Health acknowledges that skin lighteners are as much a social problem as a medical problem. The public regards skin lighteners as cosmetics and do not see the harm in the use of these products.

a) Previously the Department of Health conducted awareness campaigns on the dangers of using specific hydroquinone containing products through posters and pamphlets, sensitizing the public in this regard. It is the intention of the Department to continue with these awareness campaigns.

b) The Department, in conjunction with Commercial Crime, Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, SARS, Interpol, SAPS, National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS) and the Company of Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) ran joint operations in Pretoria, Johannesburg, Durban, Port Elizabeth and Cape Town from 19-21 August 2015. During the raids, illegal counterfeit and skin lighteners to the value of about R26m were confiscated, people arrested and a number of case dockets opened.

As per the legal processes, these matters will be attended to by the courts with appropriate fines imposed to the traders selling these products.

c) Recently in a case brought by the Department in a matter against traders selling illegal medicines in the Tembisa Magistrate’s Court (1 September 2015), the court found the accused guilty as charged with a fine of 1 year imprisonment or payment of a fine of R10 000.

END.

14 October 2015 - NW3114

Profile picture: Dreyer, Ms AM

Dreyer, Ms AM to ask the Minister of Health

(1)With regard to (a) the awarding of the tender for the development of Portions 87, 148, 149 and the remainder of Portion 1 of the farm Rietfontein 61 IR, City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality and (b) in view of the Final Environmental Impact Assessment Report Gaut: 002/13-14/E0153 (details furnished), he has found that the health of the nearby residents will not be placed in danger with the proposed development and the possible disturbance of anthrax graves; (2) whether he will inform the Minister of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs and the Gauteng MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development of the potential health risks to residents; if not, why not?

Reply:

  1. The matter of communicating how the proposed development will impact the nearby residents is not the responsibility of the Department of Health. Such assessments and communication of the impact to the nearby residents will be done by the Developer and the Department of Local Government and Housing.

(2) The proposed development was initiated by the Department of Local Government and Housing. Any consultation and notifications as to the dangers and potential health risks posed by the proposed development will be dealt with by them and not the Department of Health.

END.

14 October 2015 - NW3623

Profile picture: Steenkamp, Ms J

Steenkamp, Ms J to ask the Minister of Environmental Affairs

(1)Does her department support the practice of driven hunting; if not, what steps is her department taking to end this practice; if so, why; (2) does her department intend reviewing current legislation to either (a) bring an end to this practice or (b) ensure its proper regulation; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) has she received any complaints about driven hunting; if so, (a) who has sent these complaints and (b) what (i) are the relevant details of these complaints and (ii) action has she taken since receiving these complaints?

Reply:

1. The Department of Environmental Affairs does not condone hunting practices (including driven hunts) which are not conducted in a responsible manner, that is, within the parameters of applicable legislation, and in a manner which protects and promotes the sustainable utilisation of wildlife.

2. It was found during a recent driven hunt in Limpopo, that measures had been implemented to sufficiently monitor the hunt at all times, to ensure that the number of wounded animals were minimised and to ensure that wounded animals were tracked and put down as quickly as possible. Therefore, the Department of Environmental Affairs is in a process of initiating an assessment of the scope of this method of hunting in South Africa in order to obtain a proper understanding of its impact on biodiversity. The need for legislative review to ban, or regulate this method of hunting, either through regulations, norms and standards or any other mechanism will require thorough consideration arising from an assessment of the scope on this method as alluded to above.

(3)

(a) The Department of Environmental Affairs received complaints from a range of parties and non-governmental organisations in addition to numerous media queries.

(b) (i) The complaints received by the department emanated from the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA) alert/media release and the complainants therefore based their concerns on the manner in which this hunting practice was described by the NSPCA as part of their scope of work which deals with the animal welfare issues.

(ii) The Department of Environmental Affairs sent a national Environmental Management Inspector to attend and monitor the hunt during its remaining duration. No complaints have been received subsequent to the hunt when our inspector was present.

---ooOoo---

13 October 2015 - NW3534

Profile picture: Bozzoli, Prof B

Bozzoli, Prof B to ask the Minister of Higher Education and Training

Is a certain person (name and details furnished) still receiving a salary from the EastCape Midlands Technical and Vocational Education and Training College; if so, (a) why and (b) what amount is the specified person receiving; (2) does the specified college own a farm outside Uitenhage; if so, (a) how was it purchased, (b) is any money owed on the specified property and (c) what is the farm intended for; (3) is the specified farm being used for the purpose for which it was intended; if not, why not; (4) are cattle belonging to the specified person kept at the specified farm; if so, (a) why and (b) when will they be removed?

Reply:

  1. Mr Mbana was transferred as the Principal of Eastcape Midlands Technical and Vocational Education and Training College (EMC) to the Department of Higher Education and Training on 1 April 2013. All Principals are appointed as Directors at salary level 13.

(2), (3) and (4) The Department will bring this matter to the attention of the College Council requesting that it forms part of the forensic investigation in terms of Section 46 of the Continuing Education and Training Act of 2006, as amended. The Terms of Reference for the forensic investigation will be addressed in consultation with the College Council.

Compiler/Contact persons:

Ext:

DIRECTOR – GENERAL

STATUS:

DATE:

REPLY TO QUESTION 3534 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED

Dr B NZIMANDE, MP

MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

STATUS:

DATE:

13 October 2015 - NW3686

Profile picture: Mkhaliphi, Ms HO

Mkhaliphi, Ms HO to ask the Minister of Home Affairs

With reference to his reply to question 3272 on 18 September 2015, why (a) did his department not supply the requested information as other departments have done and (b) transactions are not recorded according to the Standard Chart of Accounts format as prescribed by the National Treasury Regulations?

Reply:

a) The Department uses LOGIS system for travel which does not provide field for recording purpose of trip as it is a procurement system.

b) Transactions are fully recorded on LOGIS as required by Standard Chart of Accounts as prescribed by National Treasury. There is no field that caters for the purpose of the trip.

13 October 2015 - NW3632

Profile picture: Bergman, Mr D

Bergman, Mr D to ask the Minister of Home Affairs

(1)(a) What is the total number of South African citizens who hold more than one passport who are currently residing in the country, (b) how was the specified numbers arrived at and (c) how up to date is that information; (2) does his department have a breakdown in terms of exactly which countries the numerous second passports have been issued from; if so, which countries have issued the highest numbers of second passports to South African citizens?

Reply:

(1-2) The department is unable to provide the information as its obligation extends only to keeping record of the number of documents it issues to its citizens and not that of the foreign countries.

13 October 2015 - NW3575

Profile picture: Bagraim, Mr M

Bagraim, Mr M to ask the Minister of Labour

Whether, with regard to minimum wage levels set for job categories falling under various bargaining councils and for various wage determinations, the Government is considering a minimum wage set below the current lowest wage determination?

Reply:

The discussions around a national minimum wage are currently taking place at NEDLAC where social partners are negotiating the modalities of the national minimum wage. In addition, a number of research projects are currently underway to inform this debate. It would therefore be premature to speculate on the level or modalities of this proposed national minimum wage.

END

13 October 2015 - NW3576

Profile picture: Bagraim, Mr M

Bagraim, Mr M to ask the Minister of Labour

Beside the Unemployment Insurance Fund, is her department considering an insurance scheme for persons who leave their jobs that is similar to the insurance offered by the private to persons who are retrenched?

Reply:

There is no new insurance scheme to be introduced at the moment.

12 October 2015 - NW3624

Profile picture: Kohler-Barnard, Ms D

Kohler-Barnard, Ms D to ask the Minister of Police

(1)How many operational SA Police Service members who were killed in each province had their firearm(s) taken from them (a) in the (i) 2010-11, (ii) 2011-12, (iii) 2012-13, (iv) 2013-14 and (v) 2014-15 financial years and (b) from 1 April 2015 up to the latest specified date for which information is available; (2) whether each specified firearm(s) was subsequently (a) found to have been utilised in the commission of another crime and (b) recovered; (3) whether the officer in question had the requisite firearm competency certificates in each specified case?

Reply:

(1) (a) & (b) (i) – (v)

The table below provides a breakdown of the number of members per province killed on and off duty who had their firearms taken from them, from 2010/11 to 17 September 2015:

PROVINCE

2010/2011

2011/2012

2012/2013

2013/2014

2014/2015

2015/2016

 

ON

OFF

ON

OFF

ON

OFF

ON

OFF

ON

OFF

ON

OFF

Eastern Cape

3

0

1

0

1

1

0

0

0

1

0

0

Free State

0

0

1

1

0

2

0

1

1

0

0

0

Gauteng

3

1

5

0

5

2

1

0

2

1

4

1

KwaZulu-Natal

2

3

0

0

2

3

2

2

2

0

0

1

Limpopo

0

0

1

0

0

1

0

0

1

0

0

0

Mpumalanga

2

0

0

2

0

1

0

1

0

1

0

0

North West

0

0

0

1

2

0

1

0

0

0

0

0

Northern Cape

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

0

0

0

0

Western Cape

0

0

2

0

0

3

2

2

4

0

0

0

Head Office

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

0

1

SUB TOTAL

10

4

10

4

10

13

6

7

10

4

4

3

TOTAL

14

14

23

13

14

7

(2)(a) A total of 3 firearms which were taken were used in the commission of another crime.

(2)(b) A total of 31 firearms were recovered.

It must be noted that in several instances serial numbers of firearms are removed and it is therefore not possible to determine if the specific firearm has been recovered.

(3) The status of the number of members in possession of the requisite firearm competency certificates is as follows:

 

FIREARM COMPETENCY

FINANCIAL YEAR

COMPETENT

NOT YET COMPETENT

2010/2011

7

7

2011/2012

8

6

2012/2013

20

3

2013/2014

13

0

2014/2015

14

0

TOTAL

62

16

12 October 2015 - NW3365

Profile picture: Terblanche, Ms JF

Terblanche, Ms JF to ask the Minister of Science and Technology

What progress has been made by ASSAf to promote and inspire all fields of scholarly inquiry and evidence-based solutions that are aligned with goals of the department and the challenges reflected in the National Development Plan? (2) How does the mandate of ASSAf assist with (a) unprecedented employment rates, (b) poverty and (c) inequality?”

Reply:

  1. The broad objectives aimed at addressing the triple challenges of the NDP through a set of priority interventions are unpacked below:

       (a) Develop an economy that will create more jobs

  • The State of Green Technologies in South Africa. (Consensus study - completed)
  • South Africa’s technical readiness to support the shale gas industry. (Consensus study - ongoing)
  • “Our Nuclear Future: Delay or Demise”. (Workshop - completed)
  • Standing Committee on the Science for the Reduction of Poverty and Inequality. (Ongoing)
  • “Measuring Deprivation to order to promote Human Development”. (Workshop -completed)

      (b) Improve national infrastructure

  • The State of Energy Research in South Africa. (Completed – follow up study to be initiated)
  • A symposium on “Our Nuclear Future: Delay or Demise”. (Completed)
  • Standing Committee on the Science for the Reduction of Poverty and Inequality. (Ongoing)

     (c) Transition to a low-carbon economy

  • The State of Green Technologies in South Africa. (Consensus study - completed)
  • South Africa’s technical readiness to support the shale gas industry. (Consensus study - ongoing)
  • “Our Nuclear Future: Delay or Demise”. (Workshop - completed)
  • Hosting the official release and media workshop on the Fifth Assessment Report, Working Group II of the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change (IPCC). (Completed)

     (d) Create an inclusive and integrated economy

  • Standing Committee on the Science for the Reduction of Poverty and Inequality. (Ongoing)
  • “Measuring Deprivation to order to promote Human Development”. (Workshop -completed)

     (e) Reverse the spatial effects of apartheid

  • Standing Committee on the Science for the Reduction of Poverty and Inequality. (Ongoing)
  • “Measuring Deprivation to order to promote Human Development”. (Workshop - completed)

     (f) Improve the quality of education, training and innovation

  • Reconceptualising Education and Training of an Appropriate Health Workforce for the Improved Health of the Nation. (Consensus study - ongoing)
  • Revitalising Agricultural Education and Training (AET) in South Africa. (Consensus study - ongoing)
  • Inquiry-based science education (IBSE) pilot project. (Ongoing)

    (g) Provide quality health care for all

  • Standing Committee on the Science for the Reduction of Poverty and Inequality. (Ongoing)
  • Diversity in Human Sexuality. (Consensus study - completed)
  • Biosafety and Biosecurity Standing Committee. (Ongoing)
  • The State of Biosafety and Biosecurity in South Africa. (Consensus study - completed)
  • Standing Committee on Health. (Ongoing)
  • Improved Nutritional Assessment of Micronutrients. (Consensus study - completed)
  • Reconceptualising Education and Training of an Appropriate Health Workforce for the Improved Health of the Nation. (Consensus study - ongoing)
  • Preventing a Tobacco Use Epidemic in Africa. (Consensus study - completed)
  • Provider Core Competencies for Mental, Neurological and Substance Use (MNS) Disorders. (Consensus study - ongoing)

     (h) Provide social protection

  • Standing Committee on the Science for the Reduction of Poverty and Inequality. (Ongoing)
  • Diversity in Human Sexuality. (Consensus study - Completed)
  • Standing Committee on Health. (Ongoing)

   (i) Build safer communities

  • Standing Committee on the Science for the Reduction of Poverty and Inequality. (Ongoing)
  • Workshop on “Measuring Deprivation to order to promote Human Development”. An initiative of the Standing Committee for the Science for the Reduction of Poverty and Inequality. (Completed)
  • Diversity in Human Sexuality. (Consensus study - Completed)
  • Standing Committee on Health. (Ongoing)

(2) Through the promotion of excellence and scholarly endeavour, ASSAf contributes to the knowledge base on these topics. The second component of ASSAf’s mandate relates to the provision of science advice to government. ASSAf is able to mount in-depth studies and convene workshops on relevant topics with a view to providing advice on matters of science to support policy development and also to provide a platform for scholarly debate. A good example of the latter would be a recent workshop on “Measuring Deprivation in order to promote Human Development in South Africa”.

12 October 2015 - NW3580

Profile picture: De Freitas, Mr MS

De Freitas, Mr MS to ask the Minister of Transport

With reference to the Integrated Public Transport System in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality and its operations agreement with a certain company (name furnished), (a) what are the reasons for paying compensation to taxi operators, (b) when did such payment commence and (c) what amount has been paid in each month from the date of inception up to 14 September 2015?

Reply:

With reference to the Integrated Public Transport System in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality and its operations agreement with a certain company (name furnished):

(a) what are the reasons for paying compensation to taxi operators

On 06 December 2012 the Municipality and Transbay (Pty) Ltd concluded an operator agreement with the taxi industry and bus industry to operate the pilot phase of the IPTS. As part of the pilot phase, the Municipality further concluded a compensation agreement with Kyoscan (Pty) Ltd, representing the taxi industry. In this agreement, 60 mini-bus taxi operators operating on affected routes within the pilot phase agreed to deliver their 60 vehicles and operating licenses to Kyoscan for safe storage in the facilities provided by the Municipality.

The purpose of the compensation agreement was to structure the removal of mini-bus taxis from the IPTS routes in order to create demand and eliminate competition between the operators and the IPTS buses. The operators were in turn fully compensated at a rate of R6 500.00 per month for their loss of revenue. The pilot phase commenced on 21 January 2013 and terminated on 20 January 2014.

b) when did such payment commence

The payments commenced at the start of the NMBM pilot operations in January 2013.

(c) what amount has been paid in each month from the date of inception up to 14 September 2015?

An amount of R6 500 per month has been paid from January 2013 to January 2014 to each of the mini-bus taxi operator who had surrendered their mini-bus taxi and Operating Licence. Lump sum payments were made for the period February 2014 to June 2014 and also for the period July 2014 to December 2014.

Amounts that have been paid to the mini-bus taxi industry to date are outlined further as follows:

 

Beneficiary

Amount

Year

Reason

Laphumilanga Taxi Services Secondary Co-op (LTSSC)

2 812 500

July 2010

2010 Transport operations

Laphumilanga Taxi Services Secondary Co-op (LTSSC)

2 050 000

Oct 2010

Start-up funding for the secondary Co-op

Laphumilanga Taxi Services Secondary Co-op

1 227 038

May 2011

Start-up funding for the secondary Co-op (To pay LTSSC creditors)

Laphumilanga Taxi Services Secondary Co-op

8 599 531

July 2012

Start-up funding for the secondary Co-op

Laphumilanga Taxi Services Secondary Co-op

18 946 516

2014

Start-up funding for the secondary Co-op including LTSSC director’s back pay.

Transbay

32 129 189

2012/13 & 2013/14

Pilot Transport operations

120 IPTS Ambassadors

10 784 838

2013 & 2014

Salaries for the taxi drivers and conductors displaced due to the withdrawal of 60 taxis from Summerstrand route

Compensation for 60 Mini-bus taxi

9 360 000

2013 & 2014

Compensation for taxis removed from Summerstrand route.

12 October 2015 - NW3581

Profile picture: Majola, Mr F

Majola, Mr F to ask the Minister of Transport

How many Mi-8 helicopters have been granted type acceptance by the SA Civil Aviation Authority, (b) when was type acceptance granted in each case, (c) what number of type acceptance applications have been rejected and (d) what are the reasons for the rejection in each case?

Reply:

South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA)

a) No (0) Mi-8 helicopters have been granted type acceptance by the SA Civil Aviation Authority,

(b) N/A

(b) One (1) type acceptance application was declined in February 2014.

(c) (d) The application was rejected because the aircraft design does not comply with any prevailing airworthiness design standards. Russia as the State of Manufacture requires that there be a working agreement between the CAA’s namely South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) and Russia CAA, the Interstate Aviation Committee Aviation Register (IAR AR). There was no agreement in place at the time.

12 October 2015 - NW3444

Profile picture: Kruger, Mr HC

Kruger, Mr HC to ask the Minister of Small Business Development

Whether the Deputy Minister of Small Business Development had undertaken any official international travel since 1 January 2015; if so, in each case, (a) why did she undertake the specified trip, (b) who travelled with her, (c) to which destinations did she travel and (d) what was the total cost of each specified trip?

Reply:

The Deputy Minister of Small Business Development has undertaken official international trips since January 2015.

The Deputy Minister of Small Business Development travelled to Sao Paulo, Brazil from 12 – 18 May 2015 to lead a delegation of women to participate at the 25th Global Summit of Women. The theme of the Summit, Creative Women – Creative Economies, underscored the innovation that women bring to the world’s economies. The Summit’s focus was on innovative and creative solutions by government, business and civil society to advance women’s economic status globally. Travelling with the Deputy Minister were her Official Companion, Head of Office and Assistant Administrator, and the total cost of the trip was R348 366.26.

The Deputy Minister travelled to the United States of America to lead two (2) delegations of SMMEs to the Atlanta Lifestyle Hub Show Atlanta, July Show, and the Santa Fe Folk art market in New Mexico from 07 – 10 July 2015 and 10 – 13 July 2015, respectively. In January 2014, the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) launched the South African permanent showroom at the Atlanta Lifestyle Hub for South African high-end products. The main purpose of the permanent showroom is to expose products, including arts and crafts, of SMMEs and Cooperatives to the international markets. The Deputy Minister then proceeded to the Santa Fe International Folk art Market (SFIFM) which features master folk artists from 60 countries, and is proclaimed as the largest consumer market providing opportunities to traditional artisans to showcase handmade goods. The SFIFM provides a platform for traditional art manufacturers to sell their products to a niche market consisting of art galleries, museum, art collectors and antique curators. The Deputy Minister travelled with her Official Companion, Head of Office and Private Secretary at a total cost of R738 218.99

The Deputy Minister accompanied the Progressive Business Forum (PBF) SMME Trade Delegation to Instanbul and Ankara, Turkey from 26 – 31 July 2015. The primary objective of the PBF is to create of a platform of dialogue between the business community and Government. To this end, the PBF has hosted a number of international trade delegations which included countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, India, Vietnam, Mauritius, Tanzania, Cuba, Kenya, Sri Lanka, Brazil, China and more. In each case a Deputy Minister accompanied the delegation, and in this case an invitation was extended to the Deputy Minister of Small Business Development. The Deputy Minister travelled with her Private Secretary at a cost of R83 713.34. The Forum covered the Deputy Minister’s costs.

The Deputy Minister travelled to Maputo, Mozambique to attend the 51st Edition of Maputo International Trade from 29 August – 03 September 2015. Traveling with the Deputy Minister was a Media Liaison Officer, Official Companion, Head of Office and a Private Secretary, and the total cost of the trip was R238 730.45

12 October 2015 - NW2729

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Maimane, Mr MA to ask the Deputy President

(1)How many government functions has he held at the (a) Oliver Tambo residence in Pretoria, (b) Highstead residence in Cape Town and (c) Dr John L Dube residence in Durban since his inauguration in May 2014; 2) how many visits by official (a) foreign and/or (b) local delegations has he hosted at each of the specified residences?

Reply:

The Deputy President holds several meetings at the two official residences in Pretoria and Cape Town as and when required. To date, over a dozen official meetings have been held at these residences, in addition to meetings held at the Offices.

2776. Adv H C Schmidt (DA) to ask the Deputy President:

Whether (a) he and (b) any officials in his Office travelled to China in the 2014-15 financial year; if so, what was the (i) purpose of each specified visit and (ii)(aa) total cost and (bb) breakdown of such costs of each specified visit? NW3210E

REPLY

Neither the Deputy President nor any officials in his Office travelled to China in the 2014-15 financial year.

12 October 2015 - NW3425

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Lotriet, Prof A to ask the Minister of Science and Technology

Whether the discontinuation of the student programme at the SA Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) will have any impact on the future need for scientists in the field of Astronomy; if so, what is her department doing to remedy the situation at the SAAO?ˮ

Reply:

Yes, the discontinuation of these programmes could have a negative impact on SAAO science operations and hence training of scientists, if not addressed. Telescopes and astronomy instruments that are used by astronomers are maintained and developed by optical, mechanical and electronic engineers/technicians. SAAO is the ideal ground to develop and sustain the skills of local engineers and technicians who are developing instrumentation at the cutting edge of astronomy. These skills are needed to operate and develop the telescopes located at Sutherland, and discontinuation of the student programme will lead to fewer young astronomers, engineers, and technicians available to service the needs of the SAAO and the country for the development of instrumentation in the medium to long term. SAAO has motivated for an increase in its core grant and the Astronomy sub-Agency, within the NRF, will be including this request in an Implementation Plan for Multi-wavelength Astronomy, which is currently being drafted by the NRF and will submitted to the DST at the end of September 2015. The Department will then assess the feasibility of increasing allocations to the SAAO for this purpose.

12 October 2015 - NW3582

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Majola, Mr F to ask the Minister of Transport

What is the reason for the delay in assigning to the City of Cape Town Metropolitan Municipality the function of acting as a contracting authority, in terms of section 7(2)b)(i) of the National Land Transport Act, Act 5 of 2009, (b) when will she make a decision in this regard and (c) why has correspondence from the Executive Mayor of the specified municipality to her not been answered and acknowledged? NW4249E

Reply:

a) The request for assignment is still being considered;

b) The decision will be made after due consideration of all the factors;

c) The expectation from the city is a response on the request made, which is still under consideration. The department and the city are working together on the matter.

12 October 2015 - NW3278

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Mulaudzi, Adv TE to ask the Minister of Transport

(1)What (a) total amount did her department spend on air travel between Gauteng and Cape Town for employees attending Parliament business in the 2014-15 financial year and (b) is the total number of trips that were undertaken; (2) what is the total amount that her department spent on (a) accommodation and (b) car rental in Cape Town for employees attending Parliament business in the specified financial year?

Reply:

The information is based on the transactions recorded for trips to Cape Town from Gauteng irrespective of the routing and purpose

  1. (a) Total amount spent by the Department on Air Travel between Gauteng and Cape Town irrespective of routing for the 2014-15 financial year is R7,577,182-43

(b) Total number of trips recorded per transaction undertaken to Cape Town for the same period is 1918

2.(a) Total amount spent by the Department on accommodation is R2,082,552-20

(b) Total amount spent by the Department on car rental in Cape Town is R1,120,983-85

12 October 2015 - NW3303

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Mulaudzi, Adv TE to ask the Minister of Transport

(1)(a)(i) What total amount did her department spend on her travel costs between Gauteng and Cape Town in the 2014-15 financial year and (ii) how many trips did she undertake between Gauteng and Cape Town in the specified financial year and (b) what total amount did her department spend on (i) hotel and (ii) residential or other accommodation for her in (aa) Cape Town and (bb) Pretoria in the 2014-15 financial year; (2) (a)(i) what total amount did her department spend on the Deputy Minister’s travel costs between Gauteng and Cape Town in the 2014-15 financial year and (ii) how many trips did the Deputy Minister undertake between Gauteng and Cape Town in the specified financial year and (b) what total amount did her department spend on (i) hotel and (ii) residential or other accommodation for the Deputy Minister in (aa) Cape Town and (bb) Pretoria in the 2014-15 financial year?

Reply:

The information is based on the transactions recorded for trips to Cape Town from Gauteng irrespective of the routing and purpose

(1)(a)(i) The total amount spent on the Ministers travel between Gauteng and Cape Town for the financial year 2014-15 irrespective of the routing is R268,395-05

(1)(a)(ii) The number of trips undertaken by the Minister between Gauteng and Cape Town based on the record of transactions is 64.

(1)(b)(i) The total amount spent on hotel accommodation in Cape Town for the Minister is R980-00

(1)(b)(ii) Travel Services does not keep a record of this information.

Please note that this information is based on travel procured via Wings from March 2015. The Office of the Deputy Minister contacted their previous travel agent to supply the information.

(2)(a)(i) The total amount spent on the Deputy Minister’s travel between Gauteng and Cape Town for the financial year 2014-15 irrespective of the routing is R56,762-46

(2)(a)(ii) The number of trips undertaken by the Deputy Minister between Gauteng and Cape Town based on the record of transactions is 20

(2)(b)(i) The Deputy Minister did not have any hotel accommodation in Cape Town.

(2)(b)(ii) Travel Services does not keep a record of this information.