Questions and Replies

Reply:

The Department is not involved in research regarding the new nuclear build programme in the country since the nuclear technology option/choice is yet to be decided on. However, there are existing initiatives in support of nuclear energy industry that the Department of Science and Technology (DST) is involved in for the development of know-how and technologies in the nuclear technologies fields.

These include the Nuclear Engineering Research Chair at North West University; Carbon Materials and Technology Chair at the University of Pretoria; Advanced Materials Initiative (AMI); South African Nuclear Human Asset Research Programme (SANHARP); Masters in Accelerator and Nuclear Science (MANUS) and Masters in Material Science (MatSci) programme, involving the University of Zululand, the University of the Western Cape and iThemba Labs.

The focus of the work is as follows:

• Nuclear safety, which includes radiation effects of mining and routine discharges of Koeberg nuclear power station and also radiation standards and regulations;
• Nuclear materials beneficiation;
• Carbon technologies research with emphasis on nuclear graphite technology to support nuclear power generation;
• Reactor technology research on modelling and simulation of nuclear reactors and their associated power plants and process applications. These models are applied in the analysis, design and optimisation of pressurised water reactors and high temperature reactors;
• Nuclear project management, nuclear energy economics; and
• Collaborative research on system analysis of passive safe small modular high temperature gas cooled reactors.

Reply:

The final Regulations to the Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act, 2013 were gazetted on 23 March 2015 as per Regulation Gazette Notice No 10397. As required in terms of Regulation 37, the commencement date for the regulations will be published in the government gazette.

 

Reply:

1. The dti fully recognises the challenges that women face in society and in the economy. The department recognises that women tend to face more barriers that hinder them from contributing meaningfully and effectively to the country’s economic aspiration of becoming a globally competitive industrial economy. It is for this reason that one of the objectives of our industrial policy is to promote increasing participation of previously marginalised citizens and regions in the mainstream industrial economy.
2. Currently, the dti does not have any collaboration or joint projects with the Department for Women in the Presidency. The department is, however, open to such collaborations should the opportunity arise.
3. The dti continues to provide a wide range of measures aimed at supporting women entrepreneurs and increasing their participation in the economy. Our wide range of incentives provides support to entrepreneurs and industrialists, including women. These incentives include those that support women entrepreneurs (e.g. Export Marketing and Investment Assistance Scheme, National Exporter Development Programme, Film, Incubation), women students and researchers (THRIP and SPII) and job placement of women graduates (ITUKISE). Some selected achievements include the placement of 645 women graduates in jobs through ITUKISE Programme in 2015; employment of over 14 700 women through the Business Processing Services incentives in 2015; supporting 574 women-owned companies through EMIA between 2011 and 2014; supporting 351 women-owned companies through the Exporter Development Programme between 2013 and 2015. To date, THRIP has supported 585 female students and 335 women researchers. However, the dti recognises that more can be done and, indeed, more will be done.
4. When the President established the Department for Small Business Development, some of the functions of the dti were transferred to the new Department. Women and Gender Programmes, together with all responsible officials and business units, were also transferred.
5. However, the dti has since established a new Women Empowerment Chief Directorate to drive women empowerment. A Chief Director has been appointed and has started to develop women empowerment programmes and initiatives. Once these programmes and initiatives have been finalised and concretised, we will gladly share them with you and the public.

 

Reply:

(a) No, the Southern and East African Consortium for Monitoring Education Quality (SACMEQ) IV assessment report has not been received by the Minister from the SACMEQ Coordinating Centre (SCC) which manages the release of scored data for each participating country.

(b) The SACMEQ IV achievement results will be made available to the public once the SACMEQ Ministers, the managing structure of SACMEQ, have received and endorsed the assessment reports at the Tenth Session of the SACMEQ Assembly of Ministers on 27 November 2015 in Botswana.

Reply:

(1) and (2) After years of international isolation because of Apartheid policies, South Africa was accepted into the global community with the onset of democracy in 1994. Responding to these new opportunities was a strategic imperative of the new democratic government in order to build mutually beneficial regional and global relations to advance South Africa’s trade, industrial policy and economic development objectives. All the working visits detailed below in Annexure A were undertaken in support of this strategic imperative; which in turn yielded a number of notable outcomes.

For further detailed information regarding the working visits and these outcomes, the Honourable Member is advised to consult the dti Annual Report 2013/2014 and several previous Parliamentary Questions on the same matter.

Reply:

(a) The National Department in terms of the Constitution as well as relevant policies and legislation is not directly responsible for the programme and project planning, prioritisation and implementation of National Housing Programmes, as contained in the National Housing Code.

The mandate to plan and implement human settlements and housing projects in terms of the various National Housing Programmes vests with the nine Provincial Governments and the Municipalities. The various community organised protests, as they may be related to human settlements and housing, are therefore by and large organised and directed to local municipalities and/or the provincial departments. There are isolated cased community protests that are directed to national department offices.

(b) Each human settlement development project is unique and requires tailored and specific planning and design to meet the prevailing circumstances and housing specific needs and priorities. The Provinces and Municipalities endeavour to follow a balanced, integrated and developmental approach in the targeting of the most vulnerable households that require housing assistance. This means that projects will, where possible and required, be designed to accommodate predetermined percentages of households from the diversity of the housing backlog in an area, including households residing in informal backyard rental units, who wish to relocate to permanent ownership housing financed properties when such becomes available.

(c) The upgrading, relocation and redevelopment of informal settlements remains a priority developmental objective of Government. The Provinces allocate the majority of the annual Human Settlement Development Grant (HSDG) allocation for informal settlement upgrading projects and the Government remains committed to improve the lives of our communities who are residing in these areas on a priority basis. In the case of the Metropolitan Municipalities, the Department during the 2011/12 financial year introduced the Urban Settlements Development Grant with the object of prioritisation of funding allocations for land development and servicing aimed at households residing in informal settlements. The first phase intervention under the National Housing Programme for the Upgrading of informal Settlements is the identification of provision of emergency services needs and the design and deployment of such emergency services to curtail any health and life threatening situations.

A fundamental objective of the Informal Settlement Upgrading Programme is the participation, involvement and consultation with targeted communities in all aspects of the planning and implementation of their housing development solutions.

(d) The Department and the nine provincial human settlement departments and the metropolitan municipalities are collaborating in the planning and implementation of priority development areas. The Department is furthermore conducting quarterly performance reviews in collaboration with the provinces and municipalities to ensure that planned targets are pursued and to address any constraints where such is encountered.

(e) The Department has recently initiated an enhanced housing programme for the provision of assistance to households who are able to access mortgage finance and the rollout of the programme was aided by the important role that was fulfilled by the National Housing Finance Corporation as the National Programme Management Agent. The Department is furthermore continuously monitoring the implementation of the National Housing Programme in collaboration with the private sector and further enhancements to the programme are already in an advance stage of development.

Reply:

The Department of Human Settlements transfers the allocations for grants to nine Provinces and eight Metropolitan Municipalities. The Department does not transfer allocations for any grant to district municipalities as implied in the Honourable member’s question.

 

During the 2014/15 financial year, the department withheld the Municipal Human Settlements Capacity Grant (MHSCG) to six metropolitan municipalities until such time that Metropolitan Municipalities had demonstrated that they had spent this conditional grant for the purpose for which it was intended as envisaged in the relevant prescripts, in particular the Division of Revenue Act (DORA).

In actual fact Honourable member, the grant referred to in the question is not the only one giving my MECs and I sleepless nights. The misuse of the Urban Settlement Development Grant (USDG) is also worrisome. We need to review the grants framework to address serious anomalies. To illustrate my point, the USDG was introduced as a conditional grant to ensure the provision of bulk connector, link and internal services; well-located land and public amenities because we realised that these plagued the optimum performance of the human settlements sector. Metropolitan municipalities spend the USDG on other things such as roads, street lighting and social facilities when there are still bulk infrastructure constraints. This is frustrating to say the least.

The Honourable should be interested how this grant is used by the City of Cape Town allocated the USDG funds for 2014/15 financial year as indicated below:

Description	Allocated Budget	% Total Available Funds	Spent by Municipality	% Spent	Variance	% Unspent
	R’00		R’00		R’00
Electricity	231 698	14.1	189 286	81.7	42 412	18.3
Solid Waste Management	50 000	3.0	50 000	100.0		0.0
Water and Sanitation	195923	11.9	182 885	93.3	13 038	6.7
City Parks	30 595	1.9	24 797	81.0	5 798	19.0
Sport, Recreation and Amenities	41 636	2.5	34 423	82.7	7 213	17.3
Library and Information Services	23 644	1.4	23 644	100.0		0.0
Assets Management and Maintenance (Transport)	262 765	16.0	195 118	74.3	67 647	25.7
City Health Sub Districts	7 467	0.5	7 391	99.0	76	1.0
HS Development & Delivery	120 608	7.3	97 695	81.0	22 913	19.0
HS Planning and National Housing Programmes Development	419 900	25.5	416 727	99.2	3 173	0.8
Public Housing and Customer Services	42 674	2.6	27 853	65.3	14 821	34.7
HS Urbanisation	92 332	5.6	79 003	85.6	13 329	14.4
Disaster Risk Management	5 500	0.3	5 492	99.9	8	0.1
Spatial Planning and Urban Design	1 230	0.1	1 230	100.0		0.0
Provincial Allocation	49 048	3.0	49 048	100.0		0.0
Project Pre-Planning	68 405	4.2	24 964	36.5	43 441	63.5
Human Settlements - Title Deeds	500	0.0	343	68.6	157	31.4
Project Managemnet	1 500	0.1			1 500	100.0
VAT			72 031		- 72 031
Total	1 645 425	100.0	1 481 930	90.1	235 526	14.3

 

In summary, the table indicates the following:

• From the R1.6 billion total allocated budget, Human Settlements Planning is allocated a larger portion of R419.9 million or 25.5% whereas 99.2% of those funds were spent. The expenditure is attributable to land purchase amounting to R416.7 million.
• The second highest allocation is on Assets Management and Maintenance at R262.8 million or 16% of the total allocated budget of which only 74.3% of those funds were spent.
• At least four of the services spent 100% of their budget at year end i.e. Solid Waste Management, Library/Information Services, Spatial Planning/Urban Design and Provincial Allocations.

We are required intervene to ensure that we provide the much needed houses for our people. I will certainly not abdicate my responsibilities by not acting when funds are not spent in line with the DORA. Not a cent from the USDG should be used for amenities or stadium construction while housing infrastructure is lacking or in some cases is non-existent.

Reply:

(i) & (ii) The Department and the entities who report to the Minister of Human Settlements define red tape to, inter alia, include:

• Excessive regulation or rigid conformity to formal rules that are bureaucratic, and hinder or prevent action or decision-making. This includes the collection or sequence of forms and procedures required to gain bureaucratic approval for something, that is complex and time-consuming, to be addressed as per prescribed procedures
• Series of actions or complicated tasks that seem unnecessary but that a government or organization requires you to do in order to get or do something;
• Processes that are onerous to navigate when one is trying to get some service, usually from Government.
• Certain legislative and policy compliance aspects and processes being too excessive when dealing with various compliance matters which are aligned to and is complemented by founding legislation and organisational policies governing specific processes of Government.

(b)(i)(aa) &b (ii)(bb) The following specific interventions and/or systems have been implemented to identify and reduce red tape in the department and the entities reporting to the Minister and include:

• The Department and entities interact with officials and have meetings with those especially involved in transactions. The minutes are kept of these meetings as a record of discussions and resolutions taken; when excessive problems are apparent they are escalated to senior management or even to board members;

• Entities including NHFC utlilize their own internal qualified personnel, but also has access to external resources when required. They have efficient administrative processes to avoid delays; they also communicate with the officials within the Department and National Treasury to get clarity on what is required (where applicable) if there is uncertainty; others utilise processes that are prescribed in terms of the Public Finance Management Act, 1999 (Act No. 1 of 1999) and the Treasury Regulations to address matters if they are unnecessarily protracted;

• The CSoS utilizes a dispute Resolution Model to receive and resolve complaints on an end-to-end basis. They also make use of an Enterprise Resource Planning system which includes facilities for self-service / self-tracking of complaints lodged. This system allows citizens to keep track or the progress on their particular cases and complaints, monitor the turn-around times, as well as register and escalate complaints where the service provided is slower than promised;

• The EAAB continuously embarks on stakeholder awareness activities and educational programmes, they have optimised certain processes by creating online options and electronic means for stakeholders to use in their interactions with the entity; other processes employed to protect the interests of the consumer, include internal control measures, regulations, policy and other procedures as defined by legislative and policy prescripts;

• The SHRA support in capacitating Social Housing Institution’s and making social housing projects ready for awarding the Restructuring Capital Grant is regarded as an intervention in identifying and reducing red tape.

• The HDA has all the necessary policies and procedures in place to ensure the smooth, complaint and on-going delivery of targets, systems as envisaged in the Public Finance Management Act and complementary legislation are employed.

 

Reply:

(1) The Department has identified 17 districts as TB hotpsots for enhanced intervention (See Table 1).

Table 1: TB hotspots

Province	TB Hotspots Districts
Eastern Cape	Buffalo City
	Cacadu
	Chris Hani
Free Sate	Lejweleputswa
Gauteng	Johannesburg Metro
	West Rand
KwaZulu Natal	eThekwini
Limpopo	Sekhukhune
	Waterberg
Mpumalanga	Ehlanzeni
North West	Bojanala
	Dr Kenneth Kaunda
Western Cape	City of Cape Town
	West Coast

(2) The following criteria were used to identify TB hotspots:

1. Number of people diagnosed with TB (exceeding 5,000 per year);
2. Treatment success (below 80%);
3. Defaulter Rate (exceeding 6.2%);
4. Death Rate (exceeding 5.6%);
5. Transferred Out Rate (exceeding 2.4%);
6. Drug resistant TB burden;
7. High concentration of (especially gold) mining

END.

Reply:

1. (a), (b) and (2)

The categories of nurse and midwife specialists and production is covered in the template provided below depicting Universities and Public Colleges that offered such specializations.

UNIVERSITIES
NURISNG EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS	PROGRAMME	YEAR OBTAINED
		2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	TOTAL
CPUT	Clinical Nursing Science, Health Assessment,	15	12	1	12	1	41
	Treatment and Care	0	0	0	0	0	0
	Occupational Health Nursing	28	21	28	21	0	98
	Oncology	12	6	0	12	6	36
	Nursing Administration	39	20	0	20	39	118
UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA	Nursing Education	6	10	19	10	19	64
	Nursing Administration	8	23	84	25	78	218
	Community Nursing	28	43	117	28	100	316
	Operating Theatre Nursing	10	3	14	3	12	42
	Nursing Science: Neonatal Nursing	0		27	0	0	27
	Advanced Psychiatric Nursing	7	3	8	9	8	35
UNIVERSITY OF STELLEBOSCH	Advanced Psychiatric Nursing	14	13	14	12	13	66
	Nursing Administration	8	61	18	12	25	124
	Clinical Nursing Science, Health Assessment,	58	142	58	34	45	337
	Treatment and Care	0	0	0	0	0	0
	Nursing Education	42	26	59	42	36	205
TUT	Occupational Health Nursing	62	99	25	35	24	245
	Oncology	23	10	14	13	20	80
							0
	Nursing Administration	54	25	46	34		159
UNIVERSITY OF VENDA	Nursing Administration & Community Health	23	16	15	23	26	103
	Psychiatric Nursing	15	31	73	34	13	166
UNISA	BA Cur Health Science Education & community	18	63	164	45	32	322
	Specializing in Occupational Health
	BA Cur Health Science Education & Health Service	7	36	42	48	23	156
	Management
	Health Science Education, Community Health Nursing	58	48	36	40	41	223
WITS UNIVERSITY	Nephrology Nursing	6	10	13	10	8	47
	Nursing Education	1	2	10	5	7	25
	Nursing Administration	5	1	8	5	6	25
	Trauma & Emergency Nursing			1			1
	Occupational Health	11	4	0	0	0	15
KZN UNIVERSITY	Clinical Nursing Science, Health Assessment,	3	24	70	68	73	238
	Treatment and Care
	Nursing Administration	55	42	25	38	40	200
DURBAN UNIV OF TECHNOLOGY	Clinical Nursing Science, Health Assessment,	3	1	1	7	8	20
	Treatment and Care
NELSON MANDELA METROPOLITAN	Nephrology Nursing	9	11	15	14	19	68
UNIVERSITY	Nursing Education	0	3	0	0	0	3
	Critical Care Nursing	4	5	7	6	3	25
	Advanced Midwifery& Neonatal Nursing Science	4	8	7	9	5	33
	Clinical Nursing Science, Health Assessment,	2	5	8	9	9	33
	Treatment and Care
	Advanced Psychiatric Nursing	1	3	5	2	1	12
	Nursing Administration	5	8	9	5	12	39
UNIVERSITY OF FREE STATE	PSYC (880)	6	5	6	6	6	29
	PSYC (212)	3	7	3	2	3	18
	Occupational Health Nursing	32	26	29	24	23	134
	Clinical Nursing Science, Health Assessment,	80	25	44	45	40	234
	Treatment and Care
	Child Nursing Science	12	14	2	8	12	48
	Critical Care	8	4	4	6	5	27
	Advanced Midwifery& Neonatal Nursing	7	17	9	9	6	48
	Operating Theatre	17	14	5	7	9	52
	Nursing Administration	81	15	22	26	23	167
	Nursing Education	10	15	10	15	17	67
POTCHEFSTROOM UNIVERSITY	Nursing Management	50	141	21	34	22	268
	Nursing Education	82	23	23	26	25	179
UNIVERSITY OF JOHANNESBURG
	Diploma: Clinical Nursing Science, Health Assessment,	13	10	9	13	15	60
	Treatment and Care
	Advanced Midwifery & Neonatal Nursing Science	2	14	7	3	6	32
		12	35	26	19	20	112
	Occupational Health Nursing	22	35	31	25	32	145
	Nursing Administration	13	38	16	17	20	104
	Nursing Education	12	14	15	18	16	75
	Community Health Nursing	5	6	1	8	5	25
	Medical & Surgical Nursing Science Critical care	1	1	5	7	6	20
	Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Science	2	1	1	3	4	11

NURSING COLLEGES

NURSING EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS	PROGRAMME	YEAR OBTAINED
		2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	TOTAL
NET CARE EDUCATION	Critical Care Nursing: General	12	6	7	13	10	48
	Operating Room Nursing	8	9	11	11	14	53
	Trauma and Emergency Nursing	14	17	4	4	18	57
SG LOURENS NURSING COLLEGE	Psychiatric Nursing Science	15	17	19	32	10	93
	Clinical Nursing Science, Health Assessment	32	29	28	89	45	223
	Treatment & Care
BARAGWANATH NURSING SCIENCE	Nephrology Nursing Science	12	10	3	25	15	65
	Child Nursing Science	12	12	6	30	30	90
	Critical Care Nursing: General		35	8	43	34	120
	Ophthalmic Nursing Science	16	13	5	34	15	83
	Trauma and Emergency	21	13	3	37	22	96
	Oncology Nursing Science	6	12	2	20	13	53
	Operating Theatre Nursing Science	17	20	2	39	17	95
	Orthopeadic Nursing Science	17	10	6	33	28	94
	Clinical Nursing Science, Health Assessment	45	23	5	73	56	202
	Treatment & Care
	Advanced Midwifery & Neonatal Nursing	35	25	16	76	23	175
FREE STATE COLLEGE	Critical Care Nursing	11	12	10	15	15	63
MCCORD HOSPITAL SCHOOL OF NURSING	Clinical Nursing Science, Health Assessment	45	38	43	42	36	204
	Diagnosis, Treatment & Care
LILITHA COLLEGE OF NURSING	Ophthalmological Nursing Science	9	12	10	10	16	57
	Orthopeadic Nursing Science	12	8	13	11	14	58
LIFE COLLEGE	Operating Theatre Nursing	6	4	9	13	8	40
	Emergency Nursing	19	13	10	29	12	83
	Critical Care Nursing: General	5	14	10	19	13	61
KZN COLLEGE OF NURSING	Critical Care Nursing Science	15	15	15	15	15	75
	Child Nursing Science	14	14	14	14	14	70
	Orthopeadic Nursing Science	15	15	15	15	15	75
	Midwifery & Neonatal Nursing Science	24	24	24	24	24	120
	Child Nursing Science	16	16	16	16	16	80
	Ophthalmic Nursing Science	15	15	15	15	15	75
ANN LATSKY NURSING COLLEGE	Clinical Nursing Science, Health Assessment	61	59	44	53	41	258
	Treatment & Care
GA-RANKUWA	Midwifery & Neonatal Nursing Science	35	32	36	23	20	146
	Child Nursing Science	30	21	20	12	23	106
	Operating Theatre Nursing	20	18	12	12	16	78
	Critical Care Nursing: General	18	12	12	16	15	73
	Clinical Nursing Science, Health Assessment	18	16	27	30	23	114
	Treatment & Care

SUMMARY PRODUCTION OF SPECIALIST NURSES: NURSING COLLEGES

PROGRAME	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014
Advanced Midwifery& Neonatal Nursing Science	94	77	76	123	67
Advanced Psychiatric & Mental Health Nursing Science	15	17	19	32	10
Child Nursing Science	72	63	62	54	62
Clinical Nursing Science Health Assessment Treatment & Care	201	165	147	287	201
Community Nursing Science	0	0	0	0	0
Critical Care General	61	94	69	121	108
Critical Care Trauma	0	0	0	0	0
Critical Care Trauma & Emergency	14	17	4	4	18
Nephrology Nursing Science	87	36	16	81	55
Nursing Administration	0	0	0	0	0
Nursing Education	0	0	0	0	0
Occupational Health Nursing Science	0	0	0	0	0
Oncology Nursing Science	6	12	2	20	13
Operating Theatre Nursing	51	51	34	86	100
Ophthalmological Nursing Science	24	27	25	25	72
Orthopaedic Nursing Science	27	23	28	26	73

SUMMARY PRODUCTION OF SPECIALIST NURSES: UNIVERSITIES

PROGRAME	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014
Advanced Midwifery& Neonatal Nursing Science	13	39	50	21	17
Advanced Psychiatric & Mental Health Nursing Science	48	63	110	68	48
Child Nursing Science	12	14	2	8	12
Clinical Nursing Science Health Assessment Treatment & Care	169	219	182	238	176
Community Nursing Science	62	73	136	84	126
Critical Care General	13	10	16	19	14
Critical Care Trauma	0	0	0	0	0
Critical Care Trauma & Emergency	0	0	1	0	0
Nephrology Nursing Science	15	21	28	24	27
Nursing Administration	290	366	260	225	263
Nursing Education	162	125	218	139	136
Occupational Health Nursing Science	155	185	113	105	79
Oncology Nursing Science	35	16	14	25	26
Operating Theatre Nursing	27	17	19	10	21
Ophthalmological Nursing Science	0	0	0	0	0
Orthopaedic Nursing Science	0	0	0	0	0

(3) (a) Yes, the University of Johannesburg and University of Pretoria;

(b) A total of 310 since 1 January 2009, however, this programme has been discontinued after it was identified that there were no Regulations related to the offering of such programme. It should also be noted that candidates who underwent such training were duly registered based on Council resolution.

END.

Reply:

The Southern African Large Telescope (SALT) is an international facility with South Africa holding a 33% share. In 2012, the SALT Board resolved to start a R75m Development Fund for the purpose of providing the resources necessary for continued development of the telescope and its instruments. Each of the partners in the telescope consortium had committed to pay a pro-rata share of the fund in proportion to its shareholding in the telescope and the contributions are meant to be made by May 2016. South Africa’s contribution amounts to R25m and this amount has already been paid. To date approximately R33m, both in-kind and in cash, has been received from the SALT partners, and this matter is raised at each meeting of the SALT directors. The DST is using its bilateral inter-governmental engagements with the relevant countries to solicit higher levels of government support to the respective consortium partners so that they may contribute their outstanding share to the development fund. In addition, the DST and NRF are actively seeking new partners to extend and recapitalise the consortium.

Reply:

Patients with Tuberculosis are diagnosed and started on treatment in all public sector hospitals and clinics as well as 154 facilities in the private sctor and 243 owned by the South African Military Health Services and NGOs. Patients with MDR and XDR TB are treated in 9 specialised central hospitals and 298 decentralised sites and 272 satellite sites. There are also 150 injection teams that manage some of the patients at home (on an ambulatory basis).

END.

Reply:

1.   The National Health Insurance pilot districts are significantly varied in terms of institutional and organizational capacity. This variability is partly due to the selection methodology that was applied but also reflective of the geographic areas within which they are located.
​
​a)   Nonetheless, many of the programmes that have been piloted in the past few years have recorded significant successes such as establishment of fully functional Primary Health Care (PHC), namely Municipal Ward-based Outreach, District Clinical Specialists and Integrated School Health teams; strengthening of monitoring and evaluation capacity through appointment of key personnel; improved coordination and oversight of district planning through appointment of the provincial NHI coordinators; improved infrastructure maintenance and planning through involvement in the Operation Phakisa Ideal Clinic Realisation project; innovation dispensing and distribution of chronic medication as well as making steady progress towards e-Health-based patient registration systems, among many others.

b)    Given the nature of the pilot districts, it is anticipated that challenges will exist in some districts, such as OR Tambo and Pixley Ka Seme, the ability to attract key health personnel to form part of the District Clinical Specialist Teams. Weak supply chain management systems and unforeseen delays in procuring key items is a key challenge that characterizes majority of the districts.

2.   To date, 307 health practitioners have been contracted to render health services in public clinics across the pilot districts.

END.

Reply:

1. (a) A total of 127,830 tests were conducted from October 2013, the time the Department of Health got involved with the management of TB in Correctional Services, until August 2015. Those confirmed with TB were 6,273 (4.9%) of whom, 263 (4.2%) had MDR-TB. The yearly breakdown is indicated in the Table below.

(b) There are 8 Management Areas with the highest number of inmates with TB disease. The list of these management areas by region are shown in the table below.

Region	Department of Correctional Services Management Areas with highest number of inmates infected with TB
Eastern Cape	St Albans
	Mthatha
Free State	Groenpunt
Northern Cape	Kimberly
Gauteng	Kgoši Mampuru
	Johannesburg
KZN	Durban Westville
	Pietermaritzburg
Western cape	Pollsmoor
	Allandale

(2) The Department of Health, in collaboration with the Department of Justice and Correctional Services, has conducted infection risk assessments in selected correctional facilities to determine the risk for the spread of TB infection. There is routine screening of inmates for TB. Inmates with TB are isolated until they are non infectious. Inmates are also provided with education/information about TB, including information on how TB is spread and the symptoms of TB.

(3) Information about inmates with TB is contained in relevant TB registers kept at the respective correctional facilities.

(4) The National Department of Health developed “Guidelines for the Management of Tuberculosis (TB), Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) in Correctional Facilities” and were launched by the Deputy President in March 2013.

(5) The following interventions are implemented in correctional facilities to combat tuberculosis and MDR-TB:

1. Infection control measures;
2. Preventive therapy is provided to inmates who are at high risk of developing the TB disease, especially those living with HIV;
3. Screening all inmates for TB at least twice a year and testing those with TB symptoms using GeneXpert;
4. All inmates with TB are retained on treatment until completion;
5. Inmates living with TB and HIV are initiated on ARVs.

END.

Reply:

1. (a) In the NHI Pilot Districts 16 clinics and 5 CHCs will be built in accordance with the relevant infrastructure plan.

(b) The clinics are located as follows: Limpopo Province (Magwedzha, Makonde, Mulenzhe, Thengwe and Kutama), Free State Province (Borwa, Clocolan and Lusuka) and Eastern Cape Province (Lusikisiki, Sakhele, Nolita, Genqe, Lutubeni, Maxwele, Lotana and Nkanga). The CHCs are located in Mpumalanga (Mkhondo, Msukaligwa, Nhlazatshe 6, Vukuzakhe, Balfour).

(c) Relevant timeframes for building clinics range from 12 to 18 months.

2. (a) The Department of Health is busy with the repair and upgrade of Primary Health Care (PHC) facilities in the Pilot Districts of the NHI programme. The first phase currently of the programme includes the implementation of a multi-disciplinary building condition technical assessment and to establish the status-quo of the relevant services and installations, recommend appropriate remedial interventions, where required, prioritise these in terms of criticality, and determine the associated cost estimates. This will put the Department in a position to appoint contractors to do repairs to PHC facilities and to plan any facility upgrades and/or replacements within annual allocated funding.

(b) The Department intends to repair and upgrade all the health facilities in the NHI pilot districts to a set standard.

(c) Relevant timeframes for the refurbishment of each clinic can range from 1 to 12 months.

END.

Reply:

Advanced Quality met all the specifications for award as per the advert. This included two pre-qualifications by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

END.

Reply:

(a), (b), (c) and (d) Honourable Member, the final target for MDGs is end of September 2015. The United Nations General Assembly is meeting then to finalise and release the final results for each country. You may have to be a bit patient until that final moment. But generally the United Nations is of the view that MDGs 4, 5 and 6 are going to be included in the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

END.

Reply:

1.  Public Hospitals use the following regulations as stipulated in the National Health Act No. 61 of 2003 to dispose of foetuses:​

(i)   ​R. 177 Regulations relating to the use of human biological material Section 2. In terms of section 68 of the Act, - regulates who should remove human biological material from health institutions.

(ii)   R. 180 Regulations regarding the general control of human bodies, tissue, blood, blood products and gametes, Section 68(1) – regulates handling of deceased bodies/human biological material.

(iii)  R. No. Regulations relating to health care waste management in health establishments – the Environmental Health Directorate within the National Department of Health has developed the above mentioned regulation and it has just been approved.

2.  (a)-(b) Contracted companies for disposal of foetuses in both public hospitals and abortion clinics are:

Province	Company
Eastern Cape	Compass Waste Management Services
Free State	Solid Waste Management Services
Gauteng	Buhle Waste Management Services
KwaZulu-Natal	Compass Waste Management Services
Limpopo	Buhle Waste Management Services
Mpumalanga	Buhle Waste Management Services
North West	Buhle Waste Management Services
Northern Cape	Tshenolo Waste Management Services
Western Cape	Solid Waste Management Services

3.   (a) The Department of Health is currently guided by the following regulation:

• R. 180 Regulations regarding the general control of human bodies, tissue, blood, blood products and gametes section 68 (1) in conjunction with section 90 of the National Health Act stating

“Any person who acquires the body of a deceased person or any tissue, blood or gamete by virtue of any provision of the Act and these regulations, shall, subject to any restrictions in terms of the Act or any other law and provided she or he uses the body, tissue, blood or gamete for the purposes for which it has been donated, handed over or supplied to her or to him, on receipt of that body, tissue, blood or gamete acquire exclusive rights in respect thereof.”

(b)  The National Health Research Ethics Council (NHREC) is a statutory body established in terms of The National Health Act (NHA) to set norms and standards for conducting research on humans, to monitor and institute appropriate disciplinary actions in cases of violation of ethics and human rights. It monitors ethical conduct in research, including the use of fetuses for experimental purposes. Section 72(7) particularly makes provision for “clinical trials” which includes experiments involving human subjects for research purposes. (NHA s 73(1)) requires that every organisation/institution, health agency and health establishment at which health and health-related research involving human participants must have access to a registered Human Research Ethics Committee (REC) that review research involving human participants must be assessed and register with the NHREC (NHA s 73(1)). The NHA (s 72(1)) requires that proposals to conduct ‘health research’ must undergo independent ethics review before the research is commenced.

• Section 3.3.5 of the 2015 Ethics Guidelines relates to Restrictions on collection of biological materials. The document highlights certain persons who are specially protected. The guidelines explains that without Ministerial permission, biological materials may not be taken from mentally ill persons; biological materials that are not naturally replaceable may not be taken from a minor; no gametes may be taken from a minor; and no fetal biological material except for umbilical cord progenitor cells may be collected from anyone. These restrictions are absolute which means that research with the categories of person mentioned requires special permission. RECs must satisfy themselves that the necessary special permission has been obtained, where appropriate.

Furthermore, the Department has established a National Health Research Database (NHRD) to register and monitor all research being conducted in the country. All research studies have to be approved by the Ethics committee and registered in the database before commencement.

END.

Reply:

We are indeed aware of the findings. This investigation was in fact initiated by the National Department of Health. The investigations you refer to forms part of a more holistic assessment of the project. The initial phase of the investigation, focussed on technical issues, has been concluded. The team is now busy with an assessment of procedural and contractual issues. For obvious reasons, we cannot at this stage discuss the detail of the findings, as this will jeopardise the balance of the investigation.

END.

Reply:

a)  A total of 309 Xpert instruments of varying sizes (GX4: 110; GX16:190; GX48: 3; GX80:8) have been placed in 221 sites. The placement includes seven Correctional Service facilities and six mobile vans.

b)  The Table 1 below reflects the details in this regard

Province and District	GX4	GX16	Infinity GX48	Infinity GX80	Total
Eastern Cape	15	27		2	44
Alfred Nzo		4			4
Amathole	3	6		1	10
Cacadu	3	1			4
Chris Hani	3	5			8
Nelson Mandela Bay Metro		2		1	3
O.R Tambo	3	4			7
O.R. Tambo		3			3
Ukhahlamba	3	2			5
Free State	8	10		1	19
Fezile Dabi		2			2
Lejweleputswa	6	1			7
Motheo	2			1	3
Thabo Mofutsanyane		6			6
Groenpunt Correctional Facility		1			1
Gauteng	12	28		2	42
City of Johannesburg	5	8		1	14
City of Tshwane	3	8			11
Ekurhuleni	2	3		1	6
Sedibeng		3			3
West Rand		6			6
Westrand	2				2
Kwazulu-Natal	34	49	1	1	85
Amajuba	1	2			3
eThekwini	9	13		1	23
iLembe	2	4			6
Sisonke	4	3			7
Ugu		4			4
uMgungundlovu	1	6			7
Umkhanyakude	4	4			8
Umzinyathi		4			4
Uthukela	3	3			6
Uthungulu	8	2	1		11
Zululand	2	4			6
Limpopo	15	25			40
Capricorn	1	7			8
Greater Sekhukhune	1	5			6
Mopani	3	4			7
Sekhukhune	2				2
Vhembe	2	5			7
Waterberg	6	4			10
Mpumalanga	4	14		1	19
Ehlanzeni	2	6		1	9
Gert Sibande	2	3			5
Nkangala		5			5
North West	6	16			22
Bojanala Platinum	3	4			7
Dr Kenneth Kaunda (Southern)	2	5			7
Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati (Bophirima)	1	3			4
Ngaka Modiri Molema (Central)		4			4
Northern Cape		3			3
Frances Baard		2			2
John Taolo Gaetsewe (Kgalagadi)		1			1
Nothern Cape	2	3			5
Namakwa	2				2
Pixley ka Seme		1			1
Siyanda		2			2
Western Cape	16	13		1	30
Cape Winelands		4			4
City of Cape Town	11	5		1	17
Eden	3	3			6
Karoo		1			1
West Coast	2				2
Grand Total	112	188	1	8	309

END.

Reply:

1. (a) ADVANCED QUALITY ONE STEP ANTI-HIV (1&2) Test (InTec Products Inc): Used for screening;

          (b) ABON HIV 1/2/O Tri-Line Human Immunodeficiency Virus Rapid Test (ABON Biopharm Hangzhou Co., Ltd): Used for confirmatory;

     2. No, the specified test kits are not from the same manufacturer as specified below:

ADVANCED QUALITY is used for screening and ABON is used for is used for confirmatory. ADVANCED QUALITY is supplied by 2 suppliers because it is used for screening and needed in large quantities, while ABON is supplied by another different supplier and is from a different manufacturer.

END.

Reply:

The production of nurses and midwives are provided in the template below indicating the Public Colleges, Universities and Private Colleges from 2010-2014.

OUTPUT 4-YEAR PROGRAMME (2010-2014) NURSING COLLEGES

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 EASTERN CAPE 364 580 502 549 558 LIMPOPO 207 248 339 220 271 NORTH WEST 327 234 297 322 230 MPUMALANGA 216 140 120 197 145 GAUTENG 784 663 757 793 842 FREE STATE 182 174 147 174 153 KWAZULU NATAL 555 570 604 586 630 NORTHERN CAPE 62 56 3 0 0 WESTERN CAPE 269 301 456 420 392 OUTPUT 4YEAR PROGRAMME(2010-2014)UNIVERSITIES     2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 LIMPOPO 81 24 109 72 94 NORTH WEST 18 44 60 57 64 MPUMALANGA   0   0   0  0   0 GAUTENG 127 92 110 113 100 FREE STATE 47 33 49 35 32 KWAZULU NATAL 69 70 70 62 124 NORTHERN CAPE 0   0   0   0   0 WESTERN CAPE 168 191 227 170 179 EASTERN CAPE 119 136 127 142 147 OUTPUT MIDWIFERY PROGRAMME PUBLIC INSTITUTION 2010-2014   2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 LIMPOPO 300 132 242 161 136 NORTH WEST 35 45 41 22 79 MPUMALANGA 163 93 122 180 102 GAUTENG 61 18 39 187 138 FREE STATE 44 63 22 74 18 KWAZULU NATAL 343 355 356 499 263 NORTHERN CAPE   0  0 19 26 8 WESTERN CAPE 10 5 0 0 70 EASTERN CAPE 118 87 81 69 77             OUTPUT MIDWIFERY PROGRAMME PRIVATE INSTITUTION 2010-2014   2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 LIMPOPO           NORTH WEST   0   0   0  0  0 MPUMALANGA  0 0  0  0   0 GAUTENG   0   0   0 4 0 FREE STATE   0   0   0   0   0 KWAZULU NATAL 22 40 36 52 53 NORTHERN CAPE           WESTERN CAPE   0   0   0   0   0 EASTERN CAPE   0   0   0 3 1                         OUTPUT NURSING AUXILIARIES PUBLIC COLLEGES 2010-2014   2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 LIMPOPO 237 123 38 55 30 NORTH WEST 102 110 76 40 202 MPUMALANGA 43 137 107 68 7 GAUTENG   0   0   0   0   0 FREE STATE 106 165 180 190 110 KWAZULU NATAL 18   110 108 15 NORTHERN CAPE 7   0   0   0   0 WESTERN CAPE 40 50 53 53 64 EASTERN CAPE 346 380 323 666 539             OUTPUT NURSING AUXILIARIES PRIVATE COLLEGES 2010-2014   2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 LIMPOPO 272 146 130 147 174 NORTH WEST 37 60 57 85 74 MPUMALANGA 93 186 243 276 305 GAUTENG 2276 2293 2253 2441 2696 FREE STATE 83 79 59 108 109 KWAZULU NATAL 929 993 959 1075 1134 NORTHERN CAPE   0   0   0   0  0 WESTERN CAPE 454 405 361 436 478 EASTERN CAPE 82 105 60 161 204 OUTPUT ENROLLED NURSES PUBLIC COLLEGES 2010-2014   2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 LIMPOPO 494 436 409 162 134 NORTH WEST   0   0   0 23 41 MPUMALANGA 211 219 211 271 216 GAUTENG 401 396 540 802 394 FREE STATE 139 126 173 129 154 KWAZULU NATAL 413 524 536 634 297 NORTHERN CAPE  0   0   0  0   0 WESTERN CAPE 257 164 119 212 164 EASTERN CAPE 399 368 501 416 377             OUTPUT ENROLLED NURSES PRIVATE COLLEGE 2010-2014       2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 LIMPOPO 105 92 99 120 132 NORTH WEST 165 171 103 183 153 MPUMALANGA 12 34 34 46 25 GAUTENG 2099 2079 1978 2345 1998 FREE STATE 39 47 41 62 57 KWAZULU NATAL 2383 2278 2448 2951 2301 NORTHERN CAPE   0   0   0  0  0 WESTERN CAPE 296 307 345 387 260 EASTERN CAPE 98 150 195 211 246 OUTPUT PSYCHIATRIC NURSING PROGRAMME 2010-2014 PUBLIC COLLEGES   2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 LIMPOPO   0 9 7 55 57 NORTH WEST 12 7 6 10 2 MPUMALANGA 0 0 0 0 0 GAUTENG 1 2   0 6 16 FREE STATE 0 0 0 0 0 KWAZULU NATAL 14 37 28 35 37 NORTHERN CAPE 0 0 0 0 0 WESTERN CAPE 15 0 0 17 0 EASTERN CAPE

END.

Reply:

1. (a)-(c) The latest data for maternal mortality ratio was published in 2013, by the Medical Research Council in the Rapid Mortality Surveillance Report. The maternal mortality ratio in 2011 was estimated to be 197 per 100,000 live births.

The National Committee on Confidential Enquiries into Maternal Deaths monitors maternal deaths that occur within health facilities. The most recent data from this Committee is reflected below.

Institutional Maternal Mortality Ratio (Saving Mothers report 2011-2013)

	PROVINCE	2011	2012	2013
	Eastern Cape	164.74	153.71	172.73
	Free State	246.84	149.34	185.08
	Gauteng	136.44	163.67	114.99
	KwaZulu-Natal	197.60	170.19	146.54
	Limpopo	196.40	192.89	201.21
	Mpumalanga	199.74	177.39	150.25
	North West	173.05	164.80	168.48
	North West	193.62	166.53	158.32
	Western Cape	62.64	81.81	83.91
	South Africa	174.56	157.81	153.50

2. Yes the causes are known through the work done by National Committee on Confidential Enquiry into Maternal Death (NCCEMD) established by the Minister of Health.

a) The main causes of Maternal Mortality according to the latest NCCEMD triennial, 2011-2013 report are as follows:

• HIV/AIDS which accounts for 50% of the deaths;
• Obstetric Hemorrhages;
• Hypertension;
• Health professional training;
• Health system strengthening

(b) Interventions to address the main causes of maternal deaths being implemented include:

(i) Option B plus to eliminate mother to child transmission of HIV

This policy was adopted and implemented from 01 January 2015. The policy stipulates that all HIV pregnant and breastfeeding women must be initiated on lifelong antiretroviral treatment (ART) for the prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV and their own health regardless of CD4 count and on diagnosis.

(ii) Essential Steps in the Management of Obstetric Emergencies (ESMOE) and Emergency Obstetric Simulation Training (EOST)

• ESMOE are trainings for doctors and midwives to improve their skills to manage, among others, hemorrhage and hypertension and are currently being done in all facilities rendering maternity care;
• EOST are fire drills to simulate the real obstetric emergency situations to refine and reinforce the clinical skills;
• To date, 1937 doctors and 5110 professional nurses have been trained on ESMOE. This has led to a 30% decline in maternal mortality due to improved health care providers’ skills in the management of mothers, neonates and children in the districts that we have conducted ESMOE training in;

(iii) Community mobilization efforts

• Mom-Connect services which is an electronic cellular system to give health messages to pregnant women to help them access care early in pregnancy as well as post delivery. Currently over 508 000 women have been registered and receive weekly messages about their pregnancy and care for the infant post delivery;

(iv) Efforts of Health System Strengthening

• The District Specialist Teams (DCST’s) include specialists in maternal, newborn and child care, have been appointed in all 52 districts. This team is responsible for clinical governance within all public facilities and specifically focusing on Maternal Neonatal and Child Health;

​(v) Efforts to address access to services

• Maternity waiting homes: Currently there are 81 maternity waiting homes + 18 on site beds nationally;
• Nationally there are 241 dedicated obstetric ambulances to improve access to health facilities;

(vi) Family planning

The launching of the family planning campaign in 2014 and introduction of sub-dermal implant as a long term method of family planning had a positive impact on family planning practices. The Couple Year Protection Rate has improved from 37.7% in F/Y 2013/2014 to 52.7% in F/Y 2014/15. Improvement of family planning strategies assists in preventing unwanted pregnancies as well as teenage pregnancies which may lead to maternal mortality.

END.

Reply:

1.  Ms. Joyce Mogale was appointed as the full-time CEO of the NHLS on the 28th of August 2015.

2.  Three officials were involved with the recruitment process, namely Mr Andre Venter and Dr Devanand Moonasar – in their capacity as Members of the Board of the NHLS, and Ms Malebone Precious Matsoso in her capacity as an independent technical expert;

3.  Ms. Matsoso attended the second round of interviews, but provided no instruction to the Selection Panel. Ms. Matsoso as the Director-General: Health did not participate in any discussion or process that resulted in a preferred candidate being identified.

The process of appointing the CEO of the NHLS was as follows:

The NHLS placed an advert in the Mail and Guardian for a CEO on a 5-year contract in November 2015. The NHLS board determined that a selection panel would oversee the recruitment process, from the short-listing through to interviews and making a recommendation to the NHLS board on a preferred candidate. Mr. Andre Venter as the chair of the Finance Committee of the NHLS and a NHLS Board member was appointed as a member of the selection panel.

Both Mr. Venter and Dr Moonasar participated in the shortlisting process. During the shortlisting 8 candidates were identified as meeting the requirements as advertised.

A first round of interviews was conducted. The panel established constituted the selection panel as well as any other board members who were available. Both Mr. Venter and Dr Moonasar participated in the first round of interviews.

The result of the first round of interviews was that the top 4 candidates were called in for a second round of interviews. In addition to the selection panel members, any NHLS board member who was available was invited to participate in the interviews.

In the second round, the Director-General: Health (Ms MP Matsoso) was the only official from the NDOH that participated. Mr Venter (due to ill health) and Dr Moonasar (prior commitments) did not attend.

Ms Matsoso’s role was only to provide an external assessment of the candidates, and upon completion of the interviews she excused herself from the process. The Selection panel, after the departure of Ms Matsoso, consolidated the scores of each candidate.

The selection panel made a recommendation to the NHLS Board, that the top 2 candidates are subject to a proficiency assessment. Following which, a teleconference was convened to inform all those present during the second round interviews of the outcome of the proficiency testing. Ms Matsoso and Mr. Venter participated in this teleconference.

Following the disclosure of the results of the proficiency test, Ms. Matsoso informed the NHLS chairperson, that her role was complete and asked to be excused. The Chairperson thanked Ms Matsoso for her contribution and confirmed that she was excused. Once Ms Matsoso was excused, the selection panel deliberated on the interview and proficiency results. A recommendation was then drafted and tabled to the NHLS board at the meeting held on the 29th of July 2015. Mr. Venter participated in the in drafting of the recommendation.

The NHLS board mandated the NHLS Chairperson to inform the Minister of Health of the outcome of the selection process. Both Mr. Venter and Dr Moonasar participated in the Board meeting in their capacity as Board Members of the NHLS.

The Minister of Health duly noted the outcome and was satisfied that the Board had followed a fair and rigorous process. As such, the Minister supported the recommendation of the NHLS Board to appoint Ms. Mogale as the CEO of the NHLS on a 5-year contract.

END.

Reply:

(a) (i) The department spent R275, 905 on travel costs between Gauteng and Cape Town in the 2014-15 financial year for the Minister.

(ii) The Minister undertook 27 trips between Gauteng and Cape Town in the 2014-15 financial year

(b) (i) (aa) Not applicable.
(ii) (aa) Not applicable.

(i) (bb) Not applicable.

(ii) (bb) Not applicable

Approved by the Minister on
Date: 18/09/2015

Reply:

(a)   (i-ii) The immigration officials working on the borders of Lesotho and Swaziland have not reported any cases specifically relating to human trafficking in the mentioned financial years.


END

Reply:

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

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





END

Reply:

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

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




END

Reply:

The formulae for the calculation of prices under the Price Preference System for scrap metal is detailed and can be found as follows on the ITAC website:

Government Gazette no 37992 Notice Number R714 published on 12 September 2014 can be accessed at http://www.itac.org.za/upload/gg37992_nn714.pdf

ITAC’s Report No 490, Review of the Discount Rates in the Price Preference System for Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Waste and Scrap, which may be accessed at http://www.itac.org.za/upload/Report%20No%20490.pdf .

Whilst a formal impact study is scheduled for April 2016, the Department monitors the impact of the regulations on the level of exports of scrap metal.

-END-

Reply:

Currently there is no legal instrument that links the non-payment of tolls to the renewal of vehicle licences.

I am not aware of any instances where vehicle licenses have not been renewed for the non-payment of toll. I urge the honourable member to bring all such instances to the attention of the relevant authority.

However, as the honourable member is aware it is an offense as stated in Act No 7 of 1998 not to pay toll fees.




END

Reply:

The Department and its entities do not sit and define “red-tape”. However, they have mechanisms to deal with unnecessary delays in their operational processes such as regular reviews of rules, regulations, protocols and legal framework to improve effectiveness and efficiency in achieving our outcomes.

Amongst others, I would like to refer the member to annual reports, strategic plans and quarterly reports of the entities and the Department.



END

Reply:

MINISTER RESPONSE:

The Department and Entities reporting to the Minister have, to the best of my knowledge, not officially complained or reported any red tape.


END

Reply:

A total of 11 224 applications were received between September 2013 and June 2015. Of these,

• 10 571 were approved
• 374 are pending or have been withdrawn (in part because a local buyer has been found or the application does not meet the requirements for an export licence) and
• 279 have been declined.

These figures exclude any successful voluntary negotiations between sellers and local industry, made in anticipation of the conditions applicable through the Price Preference System.

-END-

Reply:

The information requested by the Honourable Member is not readily available within the Department. We have, however, since requested the City of Tshwane to provide this information.

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



END

Reply:

1. The proposed new route of the N11 through and/or around Ladysmith, Kwazulu-Natal is in the basic planning phase.  Prior to finalizing the route - including the land required - an environmental impact assessment will be undertaken to establish the feasibility of the various options (route locations).

(a)                        As such, the route has not been finalized.

(b), (c) & (d)         Tenders for construction cannot be called for until such time that all the prior steps have been completed.  Forward planning is underway regarding this project.

(e)                        The construction cost can only be estimated once the work prior to the construction phase has been completed.  The route has not been chosen, nor have any of the environmental impact studies been undertaken.

(2)   The portion of the N11 under question will be developed as a greenfield project and, as such, will require land to be purchased.

a)    As the project is still in the basic planning phase, it is not yet known which specific and/or how much land will be required for the road.

 

b)    Once the land requirements for the construction project have been assessed, the affected land owners will be contacted directly regarding the sale of the required land.

(c) & (d)               The project is still in basic planning phase and it is not yet known which specific land will be required for the road.

3.    The project is still in basic planning phase and it is not yet known which specific land will be required for the road.  Transactions between the buyer and the seller will be within the bounds of the applicable legislation.

4.    The details of the proposed new route of the N11 through and/or around Ladysmith, Kwazulu-Natal have not yet been determined.  Given the current growth of traffic and adopting a prudent growth scenario, it is envisaged that the ultimate solution will comprise a dual carriageway that will be constructed in phases.

5     The funding requirements for the proposed new route of the N11 through and/or around Ladysmith, Kwazulu-Natal have not yet been determined, as the project is still in the basic planning phase.  The decision on the funding method will be taken once the initial cost estimates have been completed.

(a) & (b)               The funding method for this road has not been decided upon yet.


 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR THE MINISTER

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION BY MR R A LEES (DA) FOR WRITTEN REPLY

Mr R A Lees from the DA requested information regarding the proposed new route of the N11 through and/or around Ladysmith, Kwazulu-Natal.

SANRAL has supplied the following additional information:

The delivery of road infrastructure that meets the needs of a growing country requires forward planning. 

In the planning of roads, sustainable land use poses a challenge as to how to deal with the conflict that arises between people’s future needs and the present infrastructure and land use.  The road network itself is a form of land use, and the planning of this network strongly depends on the other land uses.  Land for human development uses rely heavily on this network.

It is with this in mind that the current exercise with respect to the N11, through and/or around Ladysmith, is underway.  The project is in the basic planning phase and the route is not finalized. 

Prior to finalizing the route - including the land required - an environmental impact assessment will be undertaken to establish the feasibility of the various options (route locations).  Thus there is still a long road to travel.

Tenders for construction cannot be called for until such time that all the prior steps have been completed.  Forward planning is underway. The cost of construction can only be estimated when the prior work has been completed.

A road network developed as a greenfield project, as the portion of the N11 under question will be, will require land to be purchased.  All affected landowners will be contacted on completion of the various studies still to be undertaken.  It would be premature to contact landowners at this stage, since it is not yet known which specific and/or how much land will be required for the road.  The affected parties will be directly contacted once the land requirements have been assessed.  However, the public in the area have been informed of the potential future developments that may take place with respect to a new road.

All transactions by SANRAL when purchasing land for road requirements are made within the bounds of the applicable legislation.  The land is acquired on the basis of the willing seller, willing buyer principle.  Independent valuers determine the price, all land is acquired at market related prices; the purchase price includes economic, if any, losses of the willing seller.

The details of the road to be built have not yet been determined.  Given the current growth of traffic and adopting a prudent growth scenario, it is envisaged that the ultimate solution will comprise a dual carriageway that will be constructed in phases.

The funding requirements for this route have not been determined as yet.  Given the constraints on the fiscus, all financial instruments must be considered.  This includes the application of the ‘user-pay’ principle as espoused in the National Development Plan.  The funding method has not been decided upon yet.  The decision on the funding method will be taken once the initial cost estimates have been completed.

 

Reply:

I have been advised by the Department as follows:-

No. The department is currently at 1.8% representivity.

The department has had difficulty in attracting persons with disabilities, who comply with the requirements of the positions. The departmental Human Resources and Employment Equity plans have however addressed this specific requirement. It is important to note that currently the department is merely short of one official with a disability on a SMS level to achieve its 2% employment equity target.



END

Reply:

MINISTER OF LABOURS RESPONSE:

No, I will not consider abolishing Affirmative Action (AA), in the Public Service as the Affirmative Action is not a Public Service Sectoral Determination but a National dispensation. If the Public Service is broadly representative, that should be an inspiration to other sectors and not the reason to abolish the policy.

The preamble of the Constitution sums up the constitutional rationale of the need for Affirmative Action.

END

Reply:

Departments of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs

a) Red Tape refers to unduly strict regulations that often make it difficult for small emerging enterprises to thrive and hinders aggressive competition with medium and macro enterprises that do business with government. It also refers to rules, regulations, and I or bureaucratic procedures and processes which are excessively complex and which impose unnecessary delay(s), inaction and I or costs which exceed their benefits, and I or is no longer effective in achieving the purpose for which they were originally created. Red tape results in undesirable economic, business and I or social impacts or outcomes as a result of negatively impacting on productivity.

(b) (i) The department has implemented key actions to facilitate a progressive improvement in the payment of suppliers, within the prescribed 30-day period, such as the centralisation of the receipt and recording of invoices as well as an integrated order and payment tracking system.

In addition to the above, the Departments are currently implementing parts of the Shared Services Model between DCOG, OTA and MISA and are working together with National Treasury's Technical Assistance Unit to enhance and refine the model. Lastly, the department is also implementing the automated submission system, which will improve efficiency in decision making processes within the departments.

South African Cities Network

1. The South African Cities Network (SACN) (ii) defines red tape as an expression used to describe rigid conformity to formal rules that may hinder or slow down the decision-making process.

(b)(i) The SACN believes in early submission of documentation that requires approval to allow enough time for the recipient to thoroughly engage with the documentation without compromising the deadlines

(ii) The Annual Performance Plan assists in forward planning and eventual execution of tasks and this is reviewed on a monthly basis to ensure we are still working within the correct timeframes.

South African Local Government Association (SALGA)

1. (ii) Red tape refers to excessive regulation or rigid conformity to formal rules that is considered redundant or bureaucratic and hinders or prevents action or decision-making.

(b)(i) Development of an automated procurement system to eliminate the lengthy manual processes to ease decision-making and action or implementation.

(c) (ii)(aa)(bb) Systems implemented to enhance efficiencies without compromising on compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Automated requests, workflows, approvals and reporting have been implemented to ensure effective service delivery.

Municipal Demarcation Board (MOB)

1. (a)(ii) Defines Red tape as the excessive regulation or rigid conformity to formal rules that is considered redundant or bureaucratic and hinders or prevents action or decision-making.

(b)(i) No specific interventions have been implemented;
(b)(ii) (aa) and (bb) Systems and processes have been implemented to enhance efficiency without compromising on compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Applicable work processes, public and stakeholder consultation forums, reporting and approval structures have been implemented to ensure effective and efficient service delivery.

The Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities (CRL Rights Commission)

(1)(a)(ii)

The CRL Rights Commission defines red tape as the duplication of processes that lead to waste of resources and strict adherence to official rules and formalities.

(b )(i)(bbb)

The Commission has streamlined its internal process and developed Standard Operating Procedures with the view of improving efficiency. Furthermore, these were processed through internal governance structures of the Entity and communicated to general staff.

The CRL Rights Commission utilise the strategic plan and annual performance plan to ensure that there are no duplication in functions and that every program deliver on a unique specialisation in the mandate of the Commission. In planning ahead it helps the Commission to be able to reach its goals without having to deal with unplanned and other issues that just crop up.

Reply:

ALEXKOR:

Dates travelled: 28 March 2014 to 03 April 2014

(a) Chairperson

(b) Chief Executive Officer and Chief Legal Officer

(c) None

(i) To explore and source funding on a potential collaboration project relating to Alexkor’s

diversification strategy.

(ii)    (aa) R231,475       TOTAL

        (bb) R167,961       Flights

R 63,514 Accommodation

R NIL Allowance

DENEL:

Dates travelled: 01 to 07 December 2014

(a) None

(b) Group Executive Business Development

(c) None

(i) Represented Denel as part of Presidential visit, combined with a follow-up visit to

the UAE and Saudi Arabia on business projects.

(ii) (aa) R 69 300.00 TOTAL

     (bb) R 45 000.00 (ESTIMATE) Flights

R 18 500.00 Accommodation

R 5 800.00 Allowance

 

Dates travelled: 27 to 29 August 2014

(a) None

(b) Group Executive Business Development

(c) None

(i) Represented Denel as part of the official Defence Committee meeting and to

meet on Denel business with Poly Technologies.

(ii) (aa) R 56 300.00 TOTAL

     (bb) R 45 000.00 (ESTIMATE) Flights

R 8 500.00 Accommodation

R 2 800.00 Allowance

SAFCOL:

Dates travelled: 09 to 15 January 2015

(a) Chairperson

(b) Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operations Officer

(c) District Manager

(i) The purpose of the trip was to visit China FOMA, a Chinese State Owned

company with the aim of exploring mutually beneficial projects.

(ii) (aa) R200 654.46 TOTAL

     (bb) R139 525.56 Flights

R NIL Accommodation

R 61 128.90 Allowance

SA EXPRESS:

a)  None
b)  None
c)  None
(i) R0
(ii)   (aa) R0
       (bb) R0

TRANSNET:

Two members from the Acquisition and Disposals Committee (a sub-committee of the Board) accompanied by five members of Transnet’s Executive Management travelled to China to, inter alia, confirm the facilities of locomotive bidders, commission locomotive prototypes and meet Transnet employees who were spending long periods of time in training and capacity building initiatives in China in line with the skills transfer clauses in the contract.

Approximately 185 trainees have been exposed to the training as a consequence of the locomotive contracts in China.

All costs related to such travel are capitalised as per the contract and are included in the cost of the contracts as announced.

ESKOM:

(a) No board member travelled to China in the 2014-15 financial year.

(a)(i) Not applicable.

(a)(ii)(aa) Not applicable.

(a)(ii)(bb) Not applicable.

(b) Yes, 1 executive member travelled to China in the 2014-15 financial years.

(b)(i) The executive member travelled to China to attend the Annual GO2015 (organization for

large power grid operators, in excess of 50GW).

(b)(ii)(aa) R42 658.83.

(b)(ii)(bb)

Flight ticket	Transport	Accommodation	Meals
R33 482.00	R0	R2 675.83	R6 501.00

(c) Yes, 23 employees travelled to China in the 2014-15 financial years.

(c)(i)

The following employees travelled to China for the following purpose:

Employee	reason for trip
1	Observe supplier audit
2	Department of Trade and Industry(DTI) outward mission
3	Factory evaluations
4	Intergovernmental meeting
5	Observe supplier audit
6	Factory Acceptance Testing for equipment for Ingula
7	Observe supplier audit
8	Factory accreditation
9	Attend DTI Nuclear Energy Investments
10	Official Visit – Accompanying Minister of Energy
11	Factory Acceptance Testing for equipment for Ingula
12	Global efficiency lighting forum
13	IMWA conference in China (sponsored)
14	Factory accreditation
15	High Voltage (HV) testing
16	Executive Committee + Conference
17	IHA board meeting
18	Factory Evaluations
19	Accompany Minister of Energy on an official visit
20	Observe Supplier Audit
21	Accompany Minister of Energy on an official visit
22	Factory evaluations
23	Accompany Department of Energy

(c)(ii)(aa) R 552 254.44

(c)(ii)(bb)

No of Employee	Flight ticket (R)	Transport (R)	Accommodation (R)	Meals (R)	Total (R)
1	13 946.17	0	8 650.00	2 265.13	24 861.30
2	16 440.78	440.00	26 060.00	327.03	43 267.81
3	6 616.00	0	9 968.12	217.62	16 801.74
4	16 061.39	0	17 169.78	1 380.20	34 611.37
5	13 946.17	0	8 650.00	2 007.05	24 603.22
6	11 144.00	0	4 861.52	1 166.82	17 172.34
7	13 946.17	3 315.00	8 650.00	2 355.80	28 266.97
8	31 611.00	1 060.20	7 138.36	236.84	40 046.40
9	11 899.00	0	6 251.60	285.65	18 436.25
10	16061.39	0	4652.90***	0	20 714.29
11	10 706.00	0	8400.00	1 034.00	20 140.00
12	*	*	*	*	0
12	**	**	**	**	0
14	13 343.00	0	9560.00	0	22 903.00
15	6 616.00	4 635.60	7 112.54	743.69	19 107.83
16	9 177.00	396.94	10 596.68	815.35	20 985.97
17	13 528.00	0	22 881.99	0	36 409.99
18	6 616.00	0	8 605.35	535.68	15 757.03
19	16 061.39	0	17 169.78	1 436.93	34 668.10
20	13 946.17	0	8 650.00	0	22 596.17
21	16 061.39	0	17 169.78	1 596.20	34 827.37
22	6 616.00	1 095.72	9 579.60	5 415.70	22 707.02
23	16 061.39	0	17 169.78	139.10	33 370.27
TOTAL	280 404.41	10 943.46	238 947.78	21 958.79	552 254.44

*Sponsored by UNEP

**Sponsored by UFS

***This amount was deducted from the employee’s salary.


END

 

Reply:

1. (a) R 723 000.00

    (b) 120 Trips

2. (a) R 92 000.00

    (b) R 44 000.00

END

Reply:

The Department does not manage the affairs of any university and the following responses to the above questions have been obtained from the Central University of Technology (CUT):

1. The success rate of the Emergency Medical Care (EMC) programme is currently below 50% compared to the university average of 76%. Ten students graduated on 4 September 2015 with the Diploma in EMC with 87 students at years two and three levels in the programme.
2. No student protests have occurred, however some of the students reported the challenges experienced in the programme to the media. The Deputy Vice Chancellor: Academic and Research, Acting Dean and Head of Department (HOD) engaged with the students and staff to discuss and put strategies in place to address the concerns raised by students and staff.
3. Yes, the university is aware that the life of Mr RG Campbell, one of the lecturers in charge of one or more of these courses, has been threatened. The University has put processes in place to deal with the matter according to its internal policies.
4. Yes, the university took cognisance of this petition and alleged false pretences. The Dean, HOD and Director of Human Resources have had several engagements with the particular staff member and students. This matter has been resolved and the lecturer has continued lecturing from July 2015.
5. The following interventions were implemented by the university during 2014/15:

• A task team was established to monitor the EMC programme at a strategic level for the period January to June 2015;
• Accreditation by the Professional Board for Emergency Care;
• Appointment of an Internal Review Panel;
• Improvement of the staffing situation in the EMC programme;
• Strengthening of student academic support;
• Increase in the effectiveness and efficiency of the Work-Integrated Learning programme to ensure that sufficient placement opportunities for students are secured;
• Improvement in communication structures;
• Regular meetings between CUT and the Professional Board;
• Interventions by Senate; and
• Regular interventions by university management.

END

Reply:

The Advisory Panel as announced in 2010 met formally on 25 May 2010, 14 July 2010 and 16 January 2011 to provide advice and information relevant to the conclusion of the New Growth Path policy document of government as well as on ways to step up industrial funding, promote the green economy and develop pro-employment measures.

After the completion of this first phase of the Panel’s work, from which we benefitted in a number of ways, I engaged with individual members of the Panel on an ‘as needed’ basis on matters connected to economic development.

These included engagements on a number of occasions with Professor Joseph Stiglitz on matters as diverse as global economic developments relevant to South Africa; and on the terms of the final submission of a competitor supplier fund proposal to the Competition Appeal Court in the Walmart merger. In this latter instance, this contributed to the final decision of the Court to impose a R240 million Fund to promote the Walmart local and small-business supply chain.

In addition, I have benefitted from the insights of Michael Power on the emergence of new economic powers; the changing role of China and its impact on the global economy; and the trade-offs inherent in different exchange-rate policies, among others.

Other members of the Panel provided their insights on contemporary economic policy matters as requested from time to time.

-END-

Reply:

No. I believe the provisions of the Public Protector Act, Act 23 of 1994, has adequate provisions to deal with the issues the Hon Member raises.

Section 7 deals with investigations by the Public Protector, some of the relevant provisions being –

(a) subsection (3)(a) which provides that the Public Protector may request any person at any level of government or performing a public function to assist him or her in the performance of his or her functions with regard to any particular investigation;

(b) subsection (4)(a) which provides that the Public Protector may, by subpoena, direct any person to submit an affidavit or to appear before him or her to give evidence or to produce any document in his or her possession or under his or her control which has a bearing on the matter being investigated; and

(c) subsection (4) (b) which empowers the Public Protector to request an explanation from any person whom he or she reasonably suspects of having information which has a bearing on the matter being investigated.

 

Section 7A deals with entering upon premises by the Public Protector. It provides, among others, that the Public Protector is competent, subject to the authority of a warrant issued by a magistrate or judge, to enter, or authorize another person to enter, any premises and to make such investigation or inquiry as may be necessary and to seize anything which may have a bearing on an investigation. This section even recognises the need to use force to gain entry should the need arise.

Section 9 deals with contempt of the Public Protector and provides that no person may insult the Public Protector or do anything in connection with an investigation which, if the investigation had been proceedings in a court of law, the conduct in question would have amounted to contempt of court.

Section 11 provides for offences and penalties. In terms of section 11(1) a person who contravenes section 9, referred to above, or who interferes with the functioning of the office of the Public Protector as contemplated in section 181(4), referred to above, is guilty of an offence. In terms of section 11(3) any person who, without just cause, refuses or fails to comply with a direction or request under section 7(4), referred to above, or refuses to answer any question put to him or her or who gives an answer which to his or her knowledge is false, is guilty of an offence. The penalty for these offences is a fine not exceeding R40 000 or imprisonment for a period not exceeding 12 months or to both such fine and such imprisonment.

END

Reply:

Since October 2010, Cabinet has supported a more competitive and stable exchange rate. This does not involve a “devaluation of the rand by the SA Reserve Bank”.

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Reply:

The information requested by the Honourable Member is not readily available within the Department. We are, however, still investigating the matter and the Honourable Member will be provided with the requested information as soon as we get it.


END

Reply:

The Department of Energy’s processes are subject to due diligence that is informed by the Public Financial Management Act of 2000, The Treasury Regulations and the National Treasury instruction notes. These are to ensure transparency, accountability and compliance and cannot be regarded as bureaucratic processes.


END

Reply:

Red tape is typically defined as rules, regulations and/or official procedures and processes which are excessively complex and which impose unnecessary delays, inaction and/or costs which exceed their benefits and/or is no longer effective in achieving the purpose for which they were originally created.

There are three areas of red-tape reduction relevant to the Department:

• Internal red-tape
• Red-tape in the Department that affects members of the public and
• Red-tape outside the Department (entities and other government bodies) that affect the public and indeed the effectiveness of government itself.

To address internal red-tape that back-office functions (eg IT, Finance, Supply-chain or Human Resources sections) impose on front-line parts of EDD, a user-survey has been introduced in the current financial year and it is helping to reorient the back-office sections to becoming outcome-driven. Unnecessary requirements are being eliminated.

Because the Department does not render a range of public services that require adherence to regulations and rules, the scope to decrease red-tape for the public is limited.

To address red-tape outside the Department, EDD has undertaken the following:

a)     Training to officials in Tshwane, Nelson Mandela Bay and Ekurhuleni Metros on red-tape reduction and the implementation of the new impact-assessment tool, namely the Social and Economic Impact Assessment (SEIAS)

b)     Ministerial engagement with entities to review their internal processes and make these simpler and more effective. These have assisted to set maximum timeframe targets for consideration of applications and a dashboard against which entities report on their adherence to these targets

c)     Support to unblock regulatory approvals by other Departments, for example on expediting water-use licences and environmental impact assessments.

The Industrial Development Corporation has revised its internal processes to address and finalise decisions on non-complex funding applications. This has assisted to bring down the waiting periods considerably.

ITAC has reviewed its tariff investigations regulations and redrafted its questionnaires to make them clearer and reduce the burden of unnecessary information. Turnaround times for tariff applications have been redesigned and these are now much swifter that before.

The Competition Commission has set performance targets to expedite consideration of mergers and cartel investigations.

The Competition Tribunal has simplified its procedures for non-lawyers, including through a ‘frequently asked questions’ section on its website, a consolidation of rules and procedures for easy reference and by making facilities available to unrepresented individuals at hearings (including through advice from Tribunal members on procedure and a pro bono arrangement negotiated with one of the Law Societies).

-END-

Reply:

1. There is no need for scientific facts to validate the response provided in my reply to question 2649. The response is validated by the fact that all schools in South Africa teach English, either as a first language or second language, whilst other African languages, including Afrikaans, are also taught as a first or second language, depending on the geographical area or school types. This therefore makes English a common or cross cutting language for all matriculants entering University, something that cannot be said for all other African languages. As mentioned previously, this does not detract from the development of all African languages, which is a necessary process. The fact that some students are not proficient in English is a separate matter, however the fact remains that they have been exposed to English in comparison to other African languages.
    
2. I would like to indicate that a similar parliamentary question, published in internal question paper no. 25 of 2014, was posed to me. Therefore, the honourable member should refer to my response to question 2319 of November 2014.

END

Reply:

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

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




END

Reply:

All citizens have the responsibility to report cases of fraud and crime to the South African Police Services. The Honourable Member is encouraged to do the same. The Police will investigate and if there is sufficient evidence, they will arrest those who commit these crimes. The Courts are tasked with the responsibility to test the evidence and pass judgement regarding those who are found guilty.

END