Questions and Replies

Reply:

Integration has long been closed.

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.

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

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

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---

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.

Reply:

This matter is the subject of ongoing litigation at present.

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.

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.

Reply:

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

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:

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

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.

Reply:

The Presidency does not keep a record of the number of meetings and functions held at the private residence of the President.

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.

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

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

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.

Reply:

It should be noted the Moral Regeneration Movement (MRM) is a Section 21 company that operates independently from the Office of the Deputy President and government.

As patron of the MRM, the Deputy President supports the work of the MRM in government and in society more broadly.

Recently the Moral Regeneration Movement developed the Ethical and Values-driven Leadership initiative. It is envisaged that this will eventually form part of government’s induction programme for officials and those in leadership positions. The programme is also targeted at business, religious and traditional leaders and at civil society organisations.

The MRM is engaging with Corruption Watch and Ethics SA to develop a programme that will assist leaders to develop a Code of Ethics in their institutions, departments and community organisations.

The year from July 2015 to July 2016 has been designated by the MRM as the year of moral regeneration under the theme “My Ideal SA: Ethics and Values”. As part of the activities to rally communities around this theme, the MRM will be going out to engage communities in various provinces, district and local municipalities on the role community members can play in building ideal communities based on agreed ethics and values.

Already, two such dialogues have been conducted, in Sedibeng District Municipality on the 3 July 2015 and in KwaZulu-Natal on 31 July 2015.

The proposals from communities during these interactions will be consolidated into a report that will assist in the development of a framework for the Ethical and Values-driven Programme led by the MRM.

The Moral Regeneration Movement is currently engaging the South African Local Government Association and the Department of Cooperative Governance to explore the possible inclusion of the MRM in local government structures and in the Integrated Development Plan (IDPs) to promote the Ethical and Values-driven Leadership Programme.

The Honourable Member should note that these initiatives are building on the successful implementation of the Charter of Positive Values developed by MRM and adopted in schools.

We hope that these and many other initiatives by various social partners across the country will contribute to deepening corporate citizenship and in sustaining a national conversation on the importance of balancing citizens’ rights and responsibilities.

Working with our social partners we will continue to strive to build a united nation with the aim of creating a more just, corruption-free and inclusive society.

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”.

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

Reply:

(a) There are several Inter-Ministerial Committees (IMCs) that have been established since 2009. The purpose of the IMCs is to get a group of relevant Ministers to address a specific matter within a relatively short period of time. As a result most IMCs have a short life span.

Some of the IMCs were established to achieve a short term goal include the following;

• IMC to oversee preparations for the 2014 inauguration
• IMC to oversee the 20 Year Review of Freedom and Democracy
• IMC to prepare for COP17 in Durban
• IMC to oversee South Africa’s bid for the Square Kilometre Array
• IMC on the impact of immigration regulations
• IMC on the New Growth Path
• IMC on Section 100 intervention in Limpopo
• IMC on Development Finance Institutions
• IMC on Ebola Preparedness and Response

Other IMCs are appointed to address matters that are ongoing. These include the following:

• The South African National AIDS Council (SANAC)
• IMC on Anti-Poverty and Short-term Job Creation
• IMC on the prevention and combating of corruption
• IMC on State Funerals
• IMC on the revitalisation of distressed mining communities
• Various IMCs on Operation Phakisa
• IMC on Natural Disasters and Flooding in South Africa
• IMC on Service Delivery
• IMC on Acid Mine Drainage
• IMC on BRICS
• IMC on the Bucket Eradication Programme
• IMC on Combating Alcohol and Substance Abuse

(b) The IMCs that were established to do short-term work have concluded their work and no longer active. For instance, the IMC that was established to oversee preparations for the inauguration did its work and no longer exists. Other IMCs still exist and are actively doing the work for which they were established. These include SANAC, the IMC on State Funerals.

(c) As stated in (a) above, the IMCs are a useful instrument to bring together relevant Ministers to achieve a specific goal that concerns all of them. They are a very effective tool of organisation the work of government and ensuring that government’s objectives are achieved.

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.

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.

Reply:

The Minister of Transport

(a) (i) The Midterm Road Safety Country Report has not been published, as it is in the process of

review and consultations are being finalised.

(ii) The Midterm Road Safety Country Report will be available after it has been finalised.

(b) The key elements are included in the Midterm Road Safety Country report, which is currently being finalised.

(c) The Midterm Road Safety Country Report, when finalised, will contain the:

     (i) solutions and

     (ii) recommendations

(d) Details regarding the implementation of the specified recommendations of the Midterm Road Safety Country report will be available once the report has been finalised.

(e) The timeframes for the implementation of the specified recommendations of the Midterm Road Safety Country report will form part of the report.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR THE MINISTER

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION …… BY MR M S DE FREITAS (DA) FOR WRITTEN REPLY

MIDTERM ROAD SAFETY COUNTRY REPORT

The Midterm Road Safety Country Report has not yet been published or made public. At this stage, the report is still under review by the Department’s leadership.

The key elements contained in the UN Global Plan are the Pillars which have fixed Activities as supplied by the UN, which all countries must speak to. They are as follows:

Pillar 1: Road Safety Management

Activities:

   (a) Lead Agency,

   (b) National Road Safety Strategy,

   (c) Setting of Targets,

   (d) Funding, and

  (e) Data Management.

Pillar 2: Safer Roads and Mobility

Activities:

a) Road Safety ownership and accountability among key authorities, road engineers and urban planners,

b) Sustainable Urban Planning, Transport Demand and Land Use Management,

c) Infrastructure Management,

d) New Infrastructure Development,

e) Capacity Building, and

f) Research and Development

Pillar 3: Safer Vehicles

Activities:

a) Vehicle Safety Regulations,

b) Vehicle Requirements and Standards,

c) New Car Safety Assessment Programme,

d) Encourage Universal deployment of Crash Avoidance Technologies, and

e) Fiscal and other Incentives for Motor Vehicles.

Pillar 4: Safer Road Users

Activities:

a) Prevention Interventions,

b) Road Safety Educational Awareness Programs and Campaigns,

c) Road Safety Education Programmes,

d) Set and Seek compliance with speed limits,

e) Set and seek compliance with child restraint and seatbelts,

f) Set and seek compliance with standards and rules for motorcycle helmets,

g) Set and seek compliance with Transport, Occupational Health and safety laws, and

h) Establishment of Graduated Driver licensing.

Pillar 5: Post Crash Response

Activities:

a) Pre-Hospital Care,

b) Hospital Trauma Care Systems,

c) Rehabilitation Programmes,

d) Introduction of Road User Insurance Scheme,

e) Crash Investigation Management and Claim Settlement,

f) Employment of People with Disabilities,

g) Research and Development, and

h) Incident Response

Solutions are as follows:

Pillar 1: Road Safety Management

a) Lead Agency:

The National Department Transport as a coordinating body through its entities established the Road Traffic Management Corporation in terms of the RTMC Act (Act 20 of 1999) as a lead agency on traffic and road safety matters. The RTMC together with provinces, local authorities and transport entities have established coordination and facilitation structures that identify key strategic delivery programmes for road safety and law enforcement, coordinate the implementation of the programmes and monitors and evaluate progress against the key strategic delivery areas across all the three spheres of government.

b) National Road Safety Strategy:

The National Road Safety Strategy 2006 Onwards was developed and approved. The latter document remains the official government document to date. The document was developed on the premise of the 4 Es’. There is work currently under way to review the national road safety strategy. The road policy is nearing its conclusion from the 1996 White Paper on Transport. This is where the road safety policy was alluded to.

c) Setting of Targets:

Taking into perspective the percentage variance of the number of motorized vehicles on our roads back in 2012 compared to current, there is a remarkable increase. Zooming closer to the recent years, as recent as 2012, there is a notable distinct rise from 7 714 924 to 10 249 504 in 2014. That alone tells a story, that the road infrastructure developed back in the day cannot keep up with the increase of vehicles hence firstly, infrastructural development remains a priority in the country and secondly, when looking at targets, cognisance should be paid to the fact that targets that are set annually of decreasing road carnage should take into account that there would have been more cars on the road each year.

South Africa’s targets have been set, and measures are in place to achieve the targets. The targets are outlined in the consolidated National Department of Transport Strategic Plan (Year to Year) and Annual Performance Plan (Financial year) which captures the key delivery areas for all transport departments and entities.

d) Funding

The National Treasury allocates budget to the Department of Transport and Entities. The budget allocation focuses on the key delivery areas of Transport namely roads infrastructure (dealt with under Pillar 2), road safety and law enforcement programmes (dealt with under Pillar 4) and Road Accident funding (dealt with under Pillar 5). Currently road safety is under-resourced. However, discussions at Cabinet level will address this challenge.

e) Data Management

South Africa uses a multi-pronged method of collecting statistics with the South African Police Services (SAPS) being the first to arrive at the scene of the crash. The Department of Health with its paramedics serves as another source for the country’s statistics supported by other State organs such as the Metro Traffic, Provincial Traffic Authorities and some of the transport entities.

Pillar 2: Safer Roads and Mobility

a) Road Safety ownership and accountability among key authorities, road engineers and urban planners

The proper planning and design of infrastructure development is critical to road safety. A strong need has been established for road authorities to identify and understand road safety risk on a road network level. A network level road assessment tool, called Netsafe© has been developed. This tool identifies high risk portions of roads, similar to iRAP, and uses video analytics of road features plus road operational components such as operating speeds to calculate a Road Safety Risk Index for uniform sections for the primary road network. This network assessment tool has been applied to approximately 20 000 km of hazardous locations in South Africa's primary road network. A series of workshops are being conducted throughout the country to further implement appropriate remedial measures at high priority locations identified through Netsafe©.

b) Sustainable Urban Planning, Transport Demand and Land Use Management

The country has got a plan to reduce congestion in urban areas by introducing facilities that are accommodating a number of people in a mode of transport. This is where transport systems interface hence reducing congestion and confusion in the urban areas.

c) Integrated Public Transport Network: Investment in public transport is paramount, in creating safer mobility for all road users. The country has put in place a plan to reduce congestion in urban areas by introducing facilities that are accommodating the number of people in a single transport and provide an alternative mode of transport such as ‘bus rapid transit’ system; e.g. Rea vaya, My Citi as well as a mode such as Gautrain. The country has also created dedicated lanes dealing with mass movers to reduce congestion and promote road safety. In the metros in particular, pedestrian lanes and cyclists lanes have been developed to separate vehicle traffic and pedestrians from vehicle traffic thus creating safety on the urban areas.

d) Infrastructure Maintenance

South Africa has 750 000km of roads and they have different levels. There are some exceptionally good roads in the country and poor roads too. They are graded from good, fair, poor and very poor. There is an on-going maintenance of roads taking place across the year in different parts of the country to improve the state of our roads. There are also many active community development programmes throughout the country which provide for the delivery of footpaths, sidewalk and pedestrian bridges. And these come at a high cost to the country. We also note the maintenance backlog of about 37% which will be cleared at a cost of approximately R197 billion.

e) New Infrastructure Development

In relation to road safety the fact is that the road connectivity within the country is still a challenge, linking the communities particularly the previously disadvantageous communities is a challenge. People walk on average more than 10km to reach a public transport facility. It is always an expensive exercise to build a new network to link the communities. This country is one of the mountainous countries with deep valleys and rivers to be crossed. These rivers need to be crossed through bridges that are very expensive to build. These previously disadvantaged communities need to be linked through thousands of kilometres which are expensive to build. We continue as a country to build well-engineered safe roads addressing the backlog that we have as a country which is to link communities and make trade easier for the country.

f) Capacity Building

In line with the National Development Plan (NDP) under chapter 4 there is commitment by government to strengthen institutional capacity for road traffic.

Furthermore, there is a review and publication of the South African Road Safety Audit Manual (SARSAM) which is a significant step towards inculcating the culture of road safety ownership and accountability amongst road authorities, by ensuring that a standard guideline is available for consistent undertaking of Road Safety Audits. Road Safety Audits and the associated training of the Audit Engineers not only addresses the need to conduct Road Safety Impacts of new infrastructure projects, but also trains Engineers to incorporate road safety in all aspects of infrastructure maintenance and provision. This is seen as a significant road safety capacity development. The Department through its entity SANRAL has developed and implemented accredited 5 day Road Safety Audit Courses across the country, and have trained approximately 200 Road Safety Auditors to date. Efforts are underway to make it mandatory for road authorities to report on an annual basis on the status of road safety of their respective road networks, and this must be done in accordance with the Road Safety Audit Manual.

Various Road Authorities have hazardous location programmes for example has a pedestrian hazardous location programme which has a minimum target of identifying, investigating and implementing remedial measures.

The National Department of Transport is collaborating with Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in implementing safer roads particularly around schools and build-up areas and private sectors.

g) Research and Development

There are various research programmes underway to better understand specific road safety issues facing South African. The country works close with some of the research bodies such as CSIR, Department of Health, Department of Basic Education and SABS. Together with the Department of Basic Education we have introduced a new generation of drivers through the use of a Learner Licence. Regular regional and national road safety workshops, seminars and conferences are convened to share best practice case studies with other road authorities and road safety practitioners. It is important to continue to elevate the role that infrastructure can play reducing the risk of a serious injury or death when a crash does occur.

Pillar 3: Safer Vehicles

a) Vehicle Safety Regulations

SADC Standards have been developed in line with South African Standards. Member states are encouraged to streamline and develop national legislative frameworks that should allow for the incorporation of harmonised motor vehicle Standards into their national legislation. South Africa is a contracting party to WP29 and has been requested by the UN, as a role player in the SADC region, to encourage SADC counterparts to attend WP29 as individual states or as a regional body. SABS has published a large number of standards in conjunction with the UN ECE, many of which are called up in our legislation.

b) Vehicle Requirements and Standards

It is a requirement that new vehicles entering the SA market comply with seatbelts and anchorage requirements as well as specific crash test requirements, including other safety related aspects. The development of the relevant standards takes place in conjunction with NAAMSA and the NRCS. South Africa is noting the progress of the UN regulations on intelligent transport systems that enhance vehicle safety.

c) New Car Safety Assessment Programme

New vehicles entering SA must comply with the South African compulsory specification for motor vehicles. These specifications are based on UN regulations and are revised as and when necessary. New vehicles entering the SA market are inherently safe, further advancement in safety could be mandated through internal policies and procedures.

d) Encourage universal deployment of crash avoidance technologies

The South African compulsory motor vehicle specifications are in the process of being revised to include various advanced safety requirements which will be implemented in 2016. South Africa leads the world in the fitment of retro-reflective contour marking for vehicles.

e) Fiscal and other incentives for motor vehicle

South Africa in consideration of safety features, has barred the importation of used vehicles with the view to maintain UN safety standards.

Pillar 4: Safer Road Users

i) Prevention Interventions

Over the years South Africa has implemented several programmes that support or focus on the reduction of road safety risk factors, namely but not limited to:

a) The Railway Level Crossing Unit: The aim of the programme is to ensure safety at railway level crossings. The implementation resulted in the establishment of such level crossing units in high incident zones across 3 provinces, in collaboration with Transnet.

b) Enhancement of compliance: The introduction of the AARTO Act that promotes road traffic quality by providing for a scheme to discourage road traffic contraventions and to facilitate the adjudication of road traffic infringements.

c) Strategic Law Enforcement: The National Rolling Enforcement Plan is a consolidated programme by the Traffic Authorities throughout the country and offers a centralised reporting and monitoring framework.

d) Fighting Fraud and Corruption: The establishment of the National Traffic Anti-Fraud and Corruption Unit within the RTMC to combat acts of fraud and corruption by collaborating with other law enforcement agencies has resulted in several prosecutions for unlawful acts across the traffic environment.

e) Law Enforcement in SADC: The Cross Border Road Transport Agency is mandated to facilitate unimpeded movement of passengers and goods within the SADC region. Since 2013 the Agency has hosted several member states as part of its exchange programmes trail some of which are Zimbabwe, Zambia, Namibia, Botswana, Swaziland and Mozambique. In all these activities the Agency sponsored solid support in both regional and national road safety programmes.

ii) Road Safety Educational Awareness Programs and Campaigns

The achievements of road safety awareness campaigns is informed by an integrated and intensified approach to road safety awareness activities targeting cyclists, pedestrians, passengers and drivers through the pooling of traffic management resources across the various levels of Government through the implementation of the 365 day road safety programme. The following awareness campaigns were undertaken:

a) Child Restraint Campaign: It aims at educating communities on the child restrain regulation and child car seats are being distributed in strategic areas.

b) The “Get there. No Regrets” Campaign: it was a multi-pronged media campaign targeting different road users.

c) Cheki-iCoast: An imaginative campaign to promote roads safety among younger audiences on campuses and schools

ii) Road Safety Educational Programmes

a) Junior Traffic Training Centres/Mats Programme: aims to teach and instil safer road conduct to children in a safer, miniature simulated road environment.

b) Scholar Patrol: The programme is one of the longest existing road safety projects and it ensures the safe crossing of learners to and from school by learners under adult supervision. The number of scholar patrols operational nationwide are 1480.

c) Safe Kids Walk this Way: Project creates a safe environment for kids to operate in thereby contributing to the reduction in pedestrian fatalities and injuries. This project has been rolled out in all Provinces.

d) Road Safety Schools Debates: The programme is directed at secondary / high school learners in grades 10 and 11 and is conducted in line with the World Schools Style of Debating adapted for the purposes of imparting road safety knowledge amongst peers.

e) Participatory Educational Techniques (P.E.T) Programme: The program is aimed at encouraging high school learners to identify road safety challenges in their communities and being part of developing and implementing sustainable solutions that will positively contribute to safer road users and roads.

f) Professional Drivers’ Awareness: The programme assesses the road safety competencies (skills and knowledge) of heavy vehicle drivers. South Africa is a member of the Union Internationale des Chauffeurs Routiers (UICR) a world body which coordinates the interest of professional drivers worldwide.

g) Road Safety Education in Curriculum: The back to basics approach of government to inculcate a culture of road safety at a young age has resulted in the mandatory implementation of road safety at primary schools as part of life skills.

h) Scholar Transport: The programme aims at addressing the problem of scholar transport safety, the implementation of the Shova Kalula programme is part of a low cost mobility solution to improve rural accessibility and urban mobility “by cycling” to basic services including educational centres. It is directed to learners who walk more than 3 up to 5km to schools, youth and farm labourers.

i) Cross-Alive Road Safety Programme: The aim of the programme is to address challenges such as:

• Safety of scholar transport

• Cycling and helmets

• Child restraint and safety belts

• Distracted walking

iv) Set and seek compliance with speed limits

The deployment of Average Speed over Distance (ASOD) on approximately 700 km of National and Provincial Routes, namely N3, N1, N2, R27 and R61.

v) Set and seek compliance with drink-driving

Review of standardisation in relation to equipment used in the ascertaining and prosecution of alcohol contents in the driver blood specimen.

vi) Set and Seek compliance with child restraint and seatbelts

Regulations were amended to require a driver of a motor vehicle operated on a public road to ensure that an infant traveling in such a motor vehicle is seated on an appropriate child restraint.

vii) Set and Seek compliance with standards and rules for motorcycle helmets

The country has a legislation that prescribes minimum standards for wearing helmets on motorcycles and bicycles.

viii) Set and Seek compliance with Transport, occupational health and safety laws

Requirements were set that require that public transport be fitted with speed governors, to ensure that the set speed is not exceeded.

ix) Establishment of Graduated Driver Licensing

A learner license programme has been implemented targeting Grade 12 and Final year tertiary students. This programme provides learners and youth with theoretical and practical knowledge, based on the rules of the road. It is a computer- based programme that also uses simulators for practical driving lessons.

Pillar 5: Post-Crash Care

a) Pre Hospital Care

The country’s post-crash care programme including the pre-hospital care systems place an emphasis on pre-empting and prevention of road fatalities and disabilities. The entity of the Department, the Road Accident Fund is mandated to provide cover to all road users within the borders of South Africa. A single medical tariff under the Road Accident Fund (RAF) ensures equitable access to emergency medical treatment as per set tariff to all victims of crashes. The Department is working through RAF to secure a single emergency hotline, in partnership with the South African Private Ambulance Emergency Services Association (SAPAESA).

i) Foster partnerships with public and private healthcare sector – ongoing

1. The Department of Health has engaged with the Department of Communication into the single nationwide telephone number – redirected to the Department of Telecommunications
2. ii) Hospital Trauma Care Systems

Through the RAF Act, government’s crash care system starts from providing emergency care cover from the scene of the crash, transportation to hospital, the cost for hospital treatment, as well as victim reintegration and rehabilitation as part of the post recovery treatment interventions. South Africa’s public and private healthcare services provides for a hospital trauma care through the hospital emergency centres. Following a crash and the related trauma, the Department with its entity RAF, through the healthcare sector provides post-crash response as follows:

i) Immediate phase: Emergency medical care

ii) Therapeutic phase: Medical care to treat and stabilize

iii) Rehabilitation phase: Medical and non-medical assistance and support

RAF in collaboration with civil society identifies hospitals with poor trauma care units and systems with the objective of providing funding to improve conditions of care in the SA trauma units.

c) Rehabilitation Programme

The Department through RAF provides a compulsory cover to all road crash victims for medical, loss of support, loss of income, general damages and funeral costs. This helps provide a social and economic safety net for road crash victims and their families who are in need of rehabilitation, trauma care, and psychological counselling. The Department through RAF further provides for social reintegration of road crash victims through dedicated case management, home-based care, counselling as well as provide for past, current, and future medical undertaking expenses.

d) Introduction of Road User Insurance Schemes

South Africa as a country doesn’t have a compulsory third party insurance cover for road users. The South African Insurance Association is currently in pursuit of government approval towards legislating a compulsory third party cover for road users.

e) Crash Investigation Management and Claims Settlement

The RAF is mandated to identify the wrongdoer through a fault-based road accident compensation system aimed at compensating road crash deaths and injuries. The country currently uses a fault-based system to compensate for road crash victims. The RAF uphold an objective determination of the claim through courts and provision of medical cover and legal experts In terms of the RSA constitution everyone has the right to a lawyer and a free and fair hearing through the Legal Aid Board and SA court system. The country is investing in capacity building within the traffic environment by training on crash investigation and management of dangerous goods. All major crashes as per the set out criteria are investigated to determine cause and prevention of these crashes as well as the monitoring of the implementation of the recommendations.

f) Employment of People with disabilities

South Africa through the National Department of Labour, champions various legislations pertaining to the employment of people with disabilities. These legislations include the Employment Equity Act, which in turn, falls within the domain of the Labour Relations Act and the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA). Chapter 2 of the RSA Constitution provides that there should be no discrimination of the basis of disability, gender, race and age.

g) Research and Development

Investment in research remains a focal point to ensure effective and efficient utilisation of the resources of existing institutes and research bodies. The establishment of relationships with research bodies and the academia to has resulted in the formation of various relationships with medical and specialist organisations focusing on rehabilitating victims of road trauma. The 2014/15 financial year saw government, through the Road Accident Fund, partnering with the South African Spinal Injury Association with the aim of encouraging and contributing to resourcing research and development aimed at improving the treatment of spinal injuries.

h) Incident Response

The entire national road network has incident management systems in place to ensure the optimal coordinated response to incidents. Initiatives are under way to legislate and roll out incident management systems on all major routes in South Africa, including an expanded network. The Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) is being used to manage freeway operations. Freeway Management Systems (FMS) have already been deployed in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and Western Cape and are being expanded and enhanced to ensure an even more efficient and coordinated response to incidents.

The recommendations as notified by the Department and all the key stakeholders who participated in the drafting of the UN Mid-Term Country report are as follow:

South Africa is aware that there is still a lot of work to be done to reduce not only the crash and fatality rates in terms of road traffic deaths per population, or deaths per the number of registered vehicles or the distance travelled, but also in terms of real straight figures.

Road crashes are amongst the main causes of death in South Africa. They have serious ramifications to the economy; the emergency and health cost along with lost economic output is significant. The estimated cost of road crashes is estimated at billions of rands per annum.

Our continued commitment to the reduction of road fatalities by 50% as outlined in the Decade of Action for road safety will see a drastic shift in the implementation of various provisions and models for the acceleration and implementation of sustainable road safety programmes.

Key to these is an increase in educational road safety programmes to ensure our road users know how to stay safe, and keep others around them safe mainly the changed behaviour and attitudes of our road users and that will be supported by intensified law enforcement to deal with those who put other road user lives in danger. Eventually, we want to see a culture of voluntary compliance in South Africa and we will get there.

As a recommendation going forward post 2015, the multidisciplinary approach will be undertaken in order to create a safer road environment by fostering partnerships and increasing the participation of all strata of society to enable the drastic reduction in the number of road fatalities. Road safety is in every citizen’s interest and given that safety starts with an individual road user itself, whether motorist, passenger or pedestrian, the involvement of the entire civil society on an on-going basis can never be overstated. The fight against road crashes is yet to be won, and we envision a future where our people feel safe and secure on our roads.

The Department with its Roads entities developed the 365 Days Road Safety Programme which is in line with the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020. The 365 Days Road Safety Programme consists of 5 Pillars and it also focuses on the 4E’s (Education, Enforcement, Engineering and Evaluation). The 365 Days Road Safety Programme ensure that road safety takes place at all times through the whole year and not only during the pick seasons, such as the Easter and Festive season.

The 365 Days Road Safety Programme is guided by the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020.

Reply:

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

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.

Reply:

1. No. It must be noted Government has interacted and signed Inter-Governmental Agreements (IGAs) with several nuclear vendor countries in preparation for procurement of Nuclear New Build Programme.   To date IGAs have been signed with China, Russia, South Korea, USA and France.  Negotiations are at advance stage with Canada and Japan also to conclude the IGAs. In addition the vendor parade workshops have been held with these vendor countries to demonstrate their technological capability. It should further be noted that the procurement process has not started. South Africa will follow an open, transparent, and cost competitive procurement process to select Strategic Partner or Partners in line with legislation. The rollout of Nuclear New Build Programme is guided by Government Nuclear Energy Policy of 2008 and Integrated Resource Plan 2010-2030. These government policies have undergone stakeholder consultations and stakeholder input taken into account process. In addition a Joint Technical Task Team has been established between Department of Energy and National Treasury to address the funding model for the Nuclear New Build Programme.

2. The Nuclear New Build Programme will be implemented in line with Government approve Nuclear Energy Policy and Integrated Resources Plan 2010-2030. It should also be noted that the Department of Energy report its performance in Parliament to the Portfolio Committee on Energy to provide oversight on the government programmes.

NW4057E

Reply:

(1) There is currently no collaboration between the HSRC and SANSA.

(2) None.

 

UPDATE:

Until recently there was little contact between HSRC and SANSA. Since the question was posed to the Minister of DST the two organisations have made some initial contact and are planning a meeting to explore some possible collaborations especially on spatial development and migration. It is also hoped that the meeting will also discuss other areas of potential collaboration including, if possible, HIV/AIDS, STIs and TB. However, the relevance of HIV/AIDS, STIs and TB specifically to SANSA’s work is not a matter we are able to address in this reply.

Reply:

 

1. 35: 10 farms in terms of the Redistribution Programme and 25 farms in terms of the Restitution Programme.
2. The Department of Rural Development and Land Reform provides a range of support to emerging farmers through its Recapitalization and Development Programme (RADP); support includes infrastructure development, production inputs, machinery and equipment.
3. No.
4. No. Hunting does not fall within the scope of the Department’s portfolio. Information regarding such practices should however be directed to the relevant province or authority.
5. (a) Training and mentoring of communities with regard to game farm ranching is referred to the Limpopo Economic Development, Environment and Tourism Department ( LEDET ) since it is their area of specialty.

           (b) (i) 28 farms : 25 Restitution and 3 Redistribution.

          (ii) 25 farms restored in terms of the Restitution Programme were purchased as game farms and are still used as game farms. The remaining 10      farms are currently operated as livestock farms.

Reply:

(1)(a) Relevant legal experience and expertise, knowledge of the regulatory framework governing land reform, representivity (race, gender, and disability), administrative infrastructure and support capacity, national spread, attendance of training, language skills, BEE status of the law firm, community involvement, professional conduct and registration with relevant Law Society and Fidelity Fund.

(b) Panellists submit monthly progress reports; bi-monthly meetings are held between the managing law firm and the Department; provincial reviews held with panellists; managing firm and Departmental officials; LRMF management information system (monitoring and evaluation of each matter) is in place; review of panellist invoices in line with the LRMF fee tariff and monthly review of panellist.

(c) Interviews using questionnaires and farm visits.

(d) None.

(e), (f) Unknown. The Information Management System does not provide for details of this nature and would require scrutiny of each file. The system provides for significant milestones such as: Pending, Closed and, Finalised.

(2)(a),(b),(c) Apart from cost orders made by the Court, no offers were made to pay legal costs of landowners.

 

(i),(ii) Falls away.

(3)(a) 5

(b) R293 077.89

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

Reply:

ALEXKOR SOC LTD:

Alexkor did not engage the services of Foresight Advisory Services (Pty) Ltd in the (a) 2013-14, (b) 2014-15 and (c) 2015-16 financial years. 

DENEL SOC LTD:

 

Denel did not engage the services of Foresight Advisory Services (Pty) Ltd in the (a) 2013-14, (b) 2014-15 and (c) 2015-16 financial years. 

SAFCOL SOC LTD:

SAFCOL did not engage the services of Foresight Advisory Services (Pty) Ltd in the in the (a) 2013-14, (b) 2014-15 and (c) 2015-16 financial years. 

 

SOUTH AFRICAN EXPRESS SOC LTD:

SA Express did not engage the services of Foresight Advisory Services (Pty) Ltd in the in the (a) 2013-14, (b) 2014-15 and (c) 2015-16 financial years.

TRANSNET SOC LTD:

Transnet did not engage the services of Foresight Advisory Services (Pty) Ltd in the in the (a) 2013-14 and (b) 2014-15

(c) 2015-2016 R1 400 000.00.

ESKOM SOC LTD:

 

Eskom did not engage the services of Foresight Advisory Services (Pty) Ltd in the in
the (a) 2013-14, (b) 2014-15 and (c) 2015-16 financial years.

 

 

 

 

Reply:

The Department of Women has not undertaken studies or interventions on the issue of sanitary towels and/or sanitation facilities in schools.

However, the Departments of Social Development and Basic Education are engaged in this matter.

In addition, there are a number of initiatives on this matter, emanating from the private sector and the non-profit sector.

________________________

Approved by the Minister on

Date………………………..

Reply:

A total of 127 nominations were received. On 17 September 2015 President Jacob Zuma announced the appointment of 25 new members of the National Planning Commission in the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, for a period of five years.

In regard to the last part of the enquiry, the Honourable Member will recall that Government developed the Medium Term Strategic Framework (MTSF 2014-15) which is the first five year building block to implement the NDP. Government has been implementing, monitoring and reporting on the progress being made on the implementation of the NDP imperative under the guidance of Cabinet and Minister in the Presidency. There was therefore no vacuum in the absence of the National Planning Commission.

Reply:

On page 96 of the Annual Report 2014/15 ‘Travel and Substance’ are listed under Appropriation per Economic Classification under ‘Goods and Services’. Also listed, amongst others, is the Final Appropriation and audited Actual Expenditure in regard to travel and subsistence. But more specifically, the figures obtained from the travel agent show that Minister and Deputy Minister travelled between Cape Town and Johannesburg 35 times at a total cost of R202 488 and 33 times at a total cost of R222 693, respectively during the financial year in question.

Reply:

The members of the Task Team appointed by the Minister in The Presidency are:

1.  Dept of Arts and Culture

2.  Dept of Basic Education

3.  City Year South Africa

4.  Department of Communications (GCIS)

5.  COSATU

6.  Dept of Defence

7.  Dept of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs

8.  Dept of Human Settlements

9.  Dept of Labour

10. Dept of Public Works

11.  Dept. of Rural Development and Land Reform 

12.  Dept of Social Development

13.  Dept of Higher Education and Training

14.  Lovelife

15.  National Youth Development Agency (NYDA)

16.  Banking Association of SA

17.  Communication Specialist - Ms Jabulile Buthelezi

18.  Construction SETA

19.  National Treasury

20.  Dept of Public Service and Administration

21.  South African Graduates Development Association (SAGDA)

22.  South African Local Government Association (SALGA)

23.  South African Youth Council (SAYC)

24.  Youth in Action

25.  Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation

The Task Team was appointed on the basis of including key government departments that have experience in implementing National Youth Service (NYS) programmes, including government departments that may have a strong role to play in the expansion of the NYS.  The Task Team also includes civil society organisations and the private sector so that the views and experiences of these sectors in relation to NYS are incorporated. The work of the Task Team is voluntary and no members are remunerated.

Once the Task Team has concluded on the draft NYS Expansion and Coordination Framework, the Deputy Minister in The Presidency will release the draft framework for public comment and will accordingly engage with relevant stakeholders.

The draft framework will be made public together with a planned stakeholder engagement process.  The inputs gathered will further strengthen the draft framework.   

The final NYS Expansion and Coordination Framework will be submitted to Cabinet for approval and will subsequently be made public.

 

 

 

MINISTER IN THE PRESIDENCY: REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA

Private Bag X1000, Pretoria, 0001, Union Buildings, Government Avenue, PRETORIA

Tel: (012) 300 5200, Website: www.thepresidency.gov.za

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY

QUESTION NUMBER: 3527

3527. Ms P T van Damme (DA) to ask the Minister in The Presidency:

(1) With reference to his reply to oral question 341 on 26 August 2015, (a) who are the members of the task team appointed by the Deputy Minister in The Presidency, (b) on what basis was the task team appointed and (c) what amount are the members of the specified task team remunerated;

(2) will the Deputy Minister in The Presidency make the draft National Expansion and Co-ordination Framework on National Youth Service Programme available; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(3) will the final report of the specified task team be made public; if not, why not; if so, (a) on what date will the specified report be made public and (b) what are the further relevant details? NW4192E

The members of the Task Team appointed by the Minister in The Presidency are:

1. Dept of Arts and Culture

2.  Dept of Basic Education

3.  City Year South Africa

4.  Department of Communications (GCIS)

5.  COSATU

6.  Dept of Defence

7.  Dept of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs

8.  Dept of Human Settlements

9.  Dept of Labour

10. Dept of Public Works

11.  Dept. of Rural Development and Land Reform 

12.  Dept of Social Development

13.  Dept of Higher Education and Training

14.  Lovelife

15.  National Youth Development Agency (NYDA)

16.  Banking Association of SA

17.  Communication Specialist - Ms Jabulile Buthelezi

18.  Construction SETA

19.  National Treasury

20.  Dept of Public Service and Administration

21.  South African Graduates Development Association (SAGDA)

22.  South African Local Government Association (SALGA)

23.  South African Youth Council (SAYC)

24.  Youth in Action

25.  Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation

The Task Team was appointed on the basis of including key government departments that have experience in implementing National Youth Service (NYS) programmes, including government departments that may have a strong role to play in the expansion of the NYS. The Task Team also includes civil society organisations and the private sector so that the views and experiences of these sectors in relation to NYS are incorporated. The work of the Task Team is voluntary and no members are remunerated.

 

Once the Task Team has concluded on the draft NYS Expansion and Coordination Framework, the Deputy Minister in The Presidency will release the draft framework for public comment and will accordingly engage with relevant stakeholders.

The draft framework will be made public together with a planned stakeholder engagement process. The inputs gathered will further strengthen the draft framework.

The final NYS Expansion and Coordination Framework will be submitted to Cabinet for approval and will subsequently be made public.

Reply:

1. No
2. No, however a full investigation has been launched into the purported leakage, its veracity and verification will be handled in terms of the protocols governing the management of classified information.
3. The findings of the investigation will be made available to the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence.

Reply:

Currently, my Department is not meeting the set targets of 2% for the employment of people with disabilities.

However my Department has in 2012, established an Employment Equity (EE) Forum which developed and an approved EE Plan to address issues of gender and disability.

Since the inception of the forum in 2012 there has been a slow but significant movement in the appointment of people with disabilties from 0.28% in April 2011 to 0.76% as at April 2014. Currently, the percentatge of people with disabilities as at July 2015 is 0.78%. (see below movement of appointment PWDs)

My Department plans to target vacant funded posts when advertising for people with disabilities in the future to reach the target of 2% or more, and also work closely with the Directorate Gender and Mainstreaming to address isues of gender and disabilities.

---00O00---

Reply:

1. The Uthukela District Municipality (DM) is the Water Services Authority responsible for providing water services in the Indaka Local Municipality (LM). The area is supplied through the Ekukeveni Water Scheme and the Oliphantskop Dam is the raw water source.

The Divaal area has not been without piped water supply for any extended period. The entire Indaka area has an interrupted water supply i.e. the water supply is not available on a continuous basis due to a shortage of water. The water demand exceeds the available water supply because the Ekuvukeni Water Scheme was designed for a particular area and water demand, however more areas were brought onto and supplied from this water scheme, exceeding the scheme’s design capacity.

The different areas of Indaka LM receive piped water on a rotational basis with each area receiving water supply on different days of the week. Some areas, receive water more than once a week depending on location in the area. This is influenced by the proximity to the water treatment works and the layout of the water scheme. The Divaal area is at the end of the water scheme and receives water once a week on Thursdays.

(2) When an area is not receiving water through the water scheme, the Uthukela DM provides water tankers to fill static water tanks and individual containers so residents have access to water.

(3)(a) The Uthukela DM has identified and is implementing a range of measures to ensure continuous piped water supply in the area.

(3)(b)(i)As part of the drought intervention programme, which is managed by my Department, the UThukela DM is allocated R3 million to implement a borehole programme to improve water availability in the district. Contractors are currently on site conducting investigation of sites to start drilling boreholes. The Uthukela DM has made a further application for R3.5 million under the Municipal Water Infrastructure Grant to extend the borehole programme in this area.

(3)(b)(ii)The long term sustainable solution depends on the rollout of the Driefontein Complex Regional Bulk Scheme, a Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant funded project with various phases to ultimately supply water to the region from the Spioenkop Dam.

---00O00---

Reply:

The government's involvement in the Local Organising Commitee (LOC) has been through Various Cabinet resolutions endorsing SAFA's bid to host the 2006 and 2010 FIFA World Cup and also through its representation on the Board of the LOC by various former Ministers and Deputy Ministers. The Government of the Republic of South Africa had accepted and welcomed the Close out report of the Local Organising Committee as adopted and approved by its board. The highest concentration of Africans in the Diaspora, where Africans are also leading governments is not in the UK but the Carribean.

Reply:

(1)(b) The official figure for bucket toilets in the Metro area is 1 585 but a recent survey has indicated that 1 347 buckets are being removed in Mangaung and 757 in Botshabelo giving a total of 2 104. It must however be noted that the majority of these buckets are on informal sites and that all bucket toilets have been eradicated in Thaba Nchu.

(1)(b) The Mangaung Metro has a total of 33 382 VIP toilets.

(1)(c) The spread sheet depicts the number of pit latrines as per a financial year as requested:

HHs with Sanitation Services in MMM
Month Year	Pit Latrines
(aa) May-11	33 745
(bb) May-12	32 998
(bb) May-13	31 255
(bb) May-14	30 825
(bb)May-15	29 823
(ii)(bb) May-16	28 437

(2) Mangaung Metro Municipality has committed itself to eradicate the sanitation backlog which includes all bucket and VIP toilets by 2018. With the current bucket and VIP eradication program, the Metro is expected to have the following backlog which will be addressed annually until the above mentioned eradication date:

HHs with Sanitation Services in MMM
Month Year	(2)(a) Buckets Toilets	(2)(b) Pit Latrines	(2)(c) VIPs
May-16	1 223	28 437	31 468

---00O00---

Reply:

a) (i) Public Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges have a number of enrolment intakes within an academic year. Headcount enrolments in public TVET colleges across the nine provinces as at 21 August 2015 are tabulated below. This excludes headcount enrolments for Engineering Trimester 3 N1 – N6 programmes, which will only be available on 30 October 2015.

Total Headcount Actual students enrolled as at 21 August 2015
Province	NC(V) Engineering	NC(V) Business and General Studies	Engineering	Intro N4 - N6 Business Studies	Other Programmes	TOTAL Headcount Actual students Enrolled
			N1 - N3	N4 - N6
Eastern Cape	5 600	15 066	10 294	4 959	29 880	2 646	68 445
Free State	1 721	5 273	10 380	4 760	24 744	1 851	48 729
Gauteng	8 426	18 303	38 059	18 122	52 234	4 983	140 127
KwaZulu-Natal	9 800	21 365	20 880	10 259	43 898	10 255	116 457
Limpopo	9 839	16 538	19 622	7 450	32 181	1 044	86 674
Mpumalanga	4 590	6 912	9 133	3 299	9 270	119	33 323
North-West	3 405	6 628	9 886	3 293	14 554	1 017	38 783
Northern Cape	731	1 537	3 686	269	6 814	756	13 793
Western Cape	3 887	10 920	11 403	3 057	25 391	13 369	68 027
National	47 999	102 542	133 343	55 468	238 966	36 040	614 358

Data source: Weekly Enrolment Monitoring as at 21 August 2015.

(ii) Universities have a number of enrolment intakes within an academic year and will be submitting their 2015 enrolment data to the Department on 30 November 2015. The university headcount enrolment target for the 2015 academic year is 1 020 000.

b) The preliminary headcount enrolment targets for the 2016 academic year are as follows:

   (i) Public TVET colleges: 829 000

   (ii) Universities: 1 035 000

 

 

 

Compiler/Contact persons:

Ext:

DIRECTOR – GENERAL

STATUS:

DATE:

REPLY TO QUESTION 3695 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED

Dr B NZIMANDE, MP

MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

STATUS:

DATE:

Reply:

(a) No. The Department is currently at 1.4 % of the desired 2%

(b) Given the small size of the department, the 2% minimum target is constituted by 3 people. The department had previously been in excess of the 2% target until the resignation of one staff member. The process to ensure compliance through recruitment is currently underway and the department has an Employment Equity Policy and Employment Equity Plan to guide this process.

(c) Not applicable.

Reply:

(a) The development of a Master Plan for water resource infrastructure is currently in the information gathering stage entailing aspects such as condition assessment of existing infrastructure and updating of the asset management plan.

It should be noted that the Second Edition of the National Water Resource Strategy that was published in 2013 already indicates key information on new water resource infrastructure projects that are currently under development and this shall form part of the master plan.

(b) The development of the Master Plan is estimated to be completed at the end of August 2016.

---00O00---

Reply:

(1)(a) The construction of the pipeline will commence in March 2016.

(1)(b) The construction of the pipeline will be completed end of September 2016.

(2)(a) The length will be a 72 km and 350 mm diameter pipeline

(2)(b) 6.5 mega litres per day.

(2)(c) The total cost of the pipeline is R 72 million.

(2)(d) It will be funded by my Department through the Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant (RBIG).

(3) Yes, the total cost of the project which is R403 million is already budgeted through RBIG in MTEF period

(3)(a) Falls away.

(3)(b) Falls away.

(3)(b)(i) Falls away.

(3)(b)(ii) Falls away.

(4) Yes, the SA National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) granted approval for servitude.

(5) Falls away.

---00O00---

Reply:

The Department requires additional time to respond to this question as the details required needs sufficient time to collate. The Department of Sport and Recreation has a very small finance Directorate and will not be able to respond to this question within the period allocated to reply to questions.

Reply:

The first coal-fired Power Station to be decommissioned will be Camden Power Station, anticipated to take place in 2020. Eskom has already commenced with a study to look at various options for the current coal fired Power Station fleet. There are currently no firm plans to convert from coal-fired to natural gas. Gas options will depend on the technical feasibility, availability of gas and environmental considerations.

(a) Not applicable.

(b) Not applicable.

(c) Not applicable.

(d) Not applicable.

Reply:

(1)(a)&(b) For the current financial year, there is no fiscal-derived funding allocated by either my Department or the Department of Mineral Resources for the construction and operation of the proposed acid mine drainage (AMD) desalination plants (long-term solution) project.

(1)(c) The Vaal River System (VRS) Reconciliation Strategy has identified AMD reclamation and beneficial use thereof as one of the key pillars for ensuring water security in the VRS. Since reclaimed AMD will augment the yield of the System and benefits all water users reliant on the VRS, it is proposed that a portion of the AMD desalination cost is recovered through the VRS Raw Water Tariff, which is levied on all water users. The balance of cost is proposed for recovery through an “environmental levy” that may be invoked in the mining sector. This dual cost-recovery mechanism ensures equity by invoking both the “user pays” and “polluter pays” principles. Any funding deficit that may result is likely to be addressed through future fiscal allocations. Having considered the foregoing funding and cost-recovery proposal, my Department was given the approval of the National Treasury to fund the AMD long-term solution project off-budget using the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) borrowing programme (loan facility) and recover cost through the VRS Raw Water Tariff. Supplementation of the cost recovery through the proposed environmental levy is under development.

(1)(d) Irrespective of the funding model that will apply for the proposed desalination of AMD, that model will not jeopardize funding allocations to other programmes.

(2) Any potential role of the private sector in construction and/ or implementation of the proposed project will be in accordance with Government’s policy on public sector procurement for the acquisition of goods and services.

(3) It is projected that construction will commence in 2018 and would last for a minimum of 2 years. Operations are thus likely to be effective from the 2020-2021 financial year.

---00O00---

Reply:

1. The total amount spent on air travel and the total number of trips that were undertaken between Gauteng and Cape Town for employees attending Parliamentary business for the financial year 2014/2015 was as follows:

(1)(a) The total amount spent on air travel is R 8 436 100.63

(1)(b) The total number of air travel undertaken is 1852 between Gauteng and Cape Town for employees attending Parliamentary business for the financial year 2014/2015

2. The total amount spent on accommodation and car rental costs in Cape Town for employees attending Parliamentary business for the financial year 2014/2015 was as follows:

(2)(a) The total amount that the department has spent on accommodation is R 4 624 218.12

(2)(b) The total amount that her department spent on car rental costs R 371 270.55

---00O00---