Questions and Replies

Reply:

The information on travel costs in both the Departments of Defence and Military Veterans is contained in their respective Annual Reports for the Financial Year 2014-15 that were tabled in Parliament.



END

Reply:

 

1. Regulations in terms of the Magistrates Act, 1993 (Act No 90 of 1993) does not prescribe the number of trips that may be undertaken domestically or internationally. Furthermore neither does the said regulation advocate the number as well as position and/or status of persons forming part of such delegations.

Regulation 47 reads as follows:

(i) All official journeys of which itineraries are submitted shall be authorised by the head of office who shall ensure that the journeys are necessary and in the interest of the administration of justice”

(ii) The head of office referred to in subregulation (1) shall consider each application for an official journey, having regard to costs, availability of transport, route, timespan and any other relevant circumstances.

With the exclusion of the Director-General, Deputy Directors-General and persons holding equivalent ranks, paragraph 8.4.10.5.1 of the Departmental Financial Instructions (DFI) limits the number of employees travelling on official duty to address the same matter to three (3).

In addition paragraph 8.4.10.12 of the DFI specifies the following with regards to international travel:

“International travel must be limited to meetings or events that are considered absolutely critical and the number of employees attending such meetings or events must be limited to those employees that are directly involved in the subject matter related to such meetings or events”.

Paragraph 8.4.10.5.3 prescribes that prior approval from the Minister is required for magistrates’ travelling abroad.

2.  (i) domestic trips: please see attached.

    (ii) The Magistrates Commission only dealt with one application by a Regional Court President to travel abroad in the past 12 months from Regional Court President J Wessels.  She received an invitation by UN: Women And UNFPA In Partnership With UNDP And UNODC To The Global Technical Consultation On The Police And Justice Sector’s Response To Violence Against Women And Girls - Marrakech, 1 to 4 July 2014. 

Travel to and accommodation in Marrakech were carried by the organisers.  

The Magistrates Commission also indicated that Ms Wessels took no delegation with her. There was therefore no expenditure by the Regional Court Presidents on overseas trips



END

 

Reply:

The information on travel and accommodation costs requested is contained in the respective 2014-15 Annual Report of the Department of Defence that was tabled in Parliament.


END

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works

(1) (a), (b) and (c) (i) The Department of Public Works has taken the following remedial action:

• Improved systems and training of staff members

• Appropriate delegation of authority to Regional Offices was implemented to ensure operational effectiveness in service delivery. As a form of control to ensure that Supply Chain Management (SCM) processes are adhered to, all successful tenders awarded by Regional Offices are now reviewed at the Head Office by the Compliance Inspectorate to check for compliance with the SCM framework prior to being confirmed.

• A change management programme is being implemented in the Department that seeks to build on three fundamentals underlying infrastructure delivery. These include business process re-engineering through the implementation of the Infrastructure Delivery Management System (IDMS), human resource capacity development, as well as governance and accountability improvements.

          The IDMS, which was developed in partnership between the Public Works sector (national and provincial), along with             National Treasury, is a best practice methodology for the delivery of infrastructure. Its implementation will result in                 improved achievement of infrastructure delivery targets with respect to time, quality and budget.

• The Department of Public Works, with the assistance of the State Security Agency (SSA), has embarked on a vetting project of all its SCM officials. The vetting of SCM officials at the Head Office has been prioritized, as well as at the Regional Offices that have a significant portfolio of Prestige projects (Durban, Cape Town and Pretoria Regional Office).

• As part of the overall DPW Turnaround Strategy, the Department has concluded a detailed review of its business processes, which resulted in extensive business process re-engineering to vastly improve the SCM system. The 7-year reform path for SCM business processes began with a phase of the correction of inefficiencies to stabilisation (2014 – 2017) and will move ultimately to standardization, integration and optimization of the SCM business process (to take place during the period 2017 – 2020). This will ensure that DPW supply chain management is fully compliant with the regulatory framework and will also be able to meet its business requirements effectively. The SCM reform initiatives are pursued in collaboration with National Treasury’s Chief Procurement Office. The Department of Public Works was selected by the Minister of Finance as a pilot site for the implementation of general procurement reforms in the public sector.

• The DPW has reviewed its SCM Policy, which now promotes stricter governance and compliance. The SCM policy is to be reviewed annually. For every SCM activity that is performed, there is a mapped out process flow with activity checklists, templates and reports. Utilisation of the mentioned documentation now enhances compliance, thereby contributing to reducing irregular expenditure.

• The organizational structure of SCM has also been reviewed and a new structure was developed to meet business requirements. The structure is geared to focus on the support of the various functional streams of the Department through the correct mix of skills sets and competencies. The new structure provides for adequate segregation of duties and thus conflicts of interest will be avoided.

• The Department’s Inspectorate and Compliance Unit is now a key role player in SCM processes prior to the award of every bid or quotation. This unit verifies that every SCM activity leading up to the recommendation of the bid has been complied with. Only upon receipt of the approved compliance checklist, will the bid be forwarded to the relevant committee for approval.

• The Department is examining the guidelines, policies, norms and standards for the implementation of security measures at the private and official residences of the Executive and the Legislature in general, as well as certain administrative buildings, for consultation with the security cluster departments. It is envisaged that these consultations as well as those planned with the Department of Public Service and Administration will result in a refined procedural framework with respect to the implementation of physical security measures for tabling before Cabinet.

(ii) The following disciplinary action has been taken against the staff in DPW:

• The investigation by Special Investigating Unit (SIU) indicated that 12 employees or former employees of the Department were probably guilty of misconduct due to acts and omissions in 30 separate matters related to the appointment of contractors for the security upgrades at President’s residence in Nkandla.

• The Department has initiated disciplinary proceedings against the 12 officials. One official has since pleaded guilty with a sanction of two months suspension without pay and a final written warning and barred from participating in procurement processes for three years until he has undergone training. Disciplinary cases with respect to the remaining 11 employees are still on hold pending the high court application for media access to the disciplinary hearings by various media houses.

(iii) (aa) and (bb) No other action has been taken against officials or staff of the Department of Public Works.

(2) (a) (i), (ii) and (iii) The SIU investigation into the conduct of contractors/service providers has provided a basis for civil action against the architect, Mr M Makhanya for the recovery of R155 million. As the Principal Agent, Mr Makhanya bore the overall responsibility for the project.

The civil claim against the Principal Agent was instituted by the SIU on 11 August 2014 for the recovery of R155 324 516.49, being the amount of losses suffered by the Department for over-billing. The matter is before court and the hearing is pending.

(3) See the paragraph (2) (a) (i), (ii) and (iii) above. There is currently no basis in terms of a finding to warrant recovery of money from any staff member of DPW.

______________________________________________________________________

 

 

 

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”.

-END-

Reply:

 

 

(1) The Judges Remuneration and Conditions of Employment Act & Regulations, 2001, does not prescribe the number of trips that may be undertaken domestically or internationally and the number, position and status of persons forming part of such delegations. However, Paragraph 8.4.11.5.3.(i) of the Departmental Financial Instructions of the Office of the Chief Justice provides that “official travelling of Judicial Officers to foreign countries must be approved by the Chief Justice”.

In line with the above, the established practice is that the relevant Judge who wishes to travel abroad must first approach the Head of Court with the request. The Head of Court will apply his/her mind and formally agree that the Judge may travel abroad accordingly provided that (1) the allocation of cases onto the court roll will be managed accordingly; and (2) the administration of justice will not be negatively affected. Such permission from the Head of Court as well as the detailed request by the Judge who wishes to travel, are then presented to the Chief Justice for consideration and approval.

2. (a) (i) The following domestic trips (air flights) were undertaken by Judges President and Deputy Judges President from 1 August 2014 to 31 July 2015:

• L Mpati: President of the SCA – 1 trip
• B Waglay: JP – 15 trips
• CT Sangoni: JP – 4 trips
• AS Jappie: JP – 9 trips
• M Molemela: JP – 7 trips
• F Kgomo: JP – 4 trips
• M Leeuw: JP – 1 trip
• M Hlope: JP – 1Trip
• Y Meer: AJP – 9 trips
• M Mojapelo: DJP – 4 trips
• J Traverso: DJP -1 trip
• A Ledwaba: DJP – 1 trip

(ii) No international trips were undertaken by Judges President or Deputy Judges President during the period.

(b) No officials were part of any delegation for any Judge President or Deputy Judge President.



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:

It should be noted that with reference to the question on the number of accidents, the Honourable member, Dr PJ Groenewald (FF-Plus) is asking the same question he had asked in PQ 2926 and I have already provided a response in that regard. The only difference is that this time Dr Groenewald focuses on PASSENGERS whereas in the previous PQ on this matter, his focus was on PERSONS in general. For the record, the Honourable member should take note that Transnet does not operate passenger trains at all and questions related to the operations of Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) should be referred to the Minister of Transport.

END

Reply:

(1) The insurance claim has not yet been concluded and no money has been paid out.

(2) Not applicable as no money has been paid to Eskom.

(3) The Duvha Unit 3 Recovery Project execution strategy has not yet been approved by the Eskom Board. Only preservation and site preparation work has commenced. Timelines into recovery will only be definite once a service provider has been appointed.

(4) The relevant stakeholders will be kept abreast of these developments as required.



END 

Reply:

(1) Yes the batches were tested by the NICD prior to distribution. Pre distribution reports attached. At the time of initial testing, the batches met the requirements.

Advanced Quality Titima Medical 2015011616_PMS FEB 2015

Advanced Quality Titima Medical 2015010602_PMS JAN 2015

Advanced Quality Titima Medical 201501 615_PMS FEB 2015


(2)

	SUPPLIER	NO. OF BATCHES RECEIVED AND TESTED
	ABON	26
	TITIMA MEDICAL	13
	ADVANCED QUALITY ARMADA	9

(3) (a)-(c) Reports attached with batch numbers. All reports met the required specifications.

Herewith the batches distributed by Armada / Advanced Quality as from the start of the new tender in 2014:

2014071401

2014071701

2014080101

2014090221

2014091821

2014092308

2014112702

2014121510

2014122409

Total of 9 batches distributed to date.

 

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:

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:

During the period from 1 January 2014 until 15 September 2015, a total of 18 days were spent outside the country (excluding travel time) on official trips to the United Kingdom, Indonesia, the United States and Switzerland, to meet investors or to showcase examples from South Africa to other policy-makers.

In the course of such engagement, both parties normally share national experiences. The observations of the experience of other countries help to shape the refinement and implementation of our policies. In none of these cases did we take an existing policy or practice from another country and simply implement it, which limits the assessment of their impact on our domestic economy.

Investor feedback has been helpful however in confirming the value of actions taken in respect of the export of scrap metal, the renewable energy programme and the shift of focus of skills training to technical and artisanal skills. In addition, valuable insights have been gained on the importance of infrastructure investment for economic development.

-END-

Reply:

a)   I wish to inform the Honourable Member that the investigation is at an advanced stage after suffering delays when both the lead investigator in the South African Police Services and prosecutor in the National Prosecuting Authority left the case in the middle before the investigation was completed.

b)   The investigation is anticipated to be finalised during the course of this year (2015).



END

Reply:

 

(a)  (i) During the period 2012-13, the Chief Justice travelled on official international trips to the Seychelles, Korea, France, Italy, Russia, Germany, Ghana, Mozambique and Mauritius. The total costs for these official trips amounted to R677 214.21

(a)  (ii) In the year 2013-14, the Chief Justice travelled on official international trips to Benin, Germany, United Kingdom, Norway, Tanzania, Malaysia, Qatar, Singapore and Nigeria. The total costs for these trips amounted to R879 073.72

(b)  (i) 2012-13 - Chief Justice’s entourage

Official trip to Seychelles

The Chief Justice’s entourage consisted of the following Judicial Officers and officials:

• Justice Y Mokgoro, retired Judge of the Constitutional Court
• Justice L Theron, Justice of the Supreme Court of Appeal
• Dr G Moshoeu, Chief Executive Officer of the South African Judicial Education Institute
• Mr A Slingers, Executive Aid to the Chief Justice

Official trip to Korea

The Chief Justice’s entourage consisted of the following persons:

• Mrs A Mogoeng, Chief Justice’s spouse
• Mr A Slingers, Executive Aid to the Chief Justice

Official trip to France, Italy, Russia and Germany

The Chief Justice’s entourage consisted of the following Judicial Officers and officials:

• President L Mpati, President of the Supreme Court of Appeal (All four countries)
• Justice C Jafta, Justice of the Constitutional Court (All four countries)
• Dr K De Wee, Acting Secretary General of the Office of the Chief Justice (As he was then) (All four countries)
• Ms M Sejosengwe, Chief Director: Court Services (As she was then) (All four countries)
• Mr S Masisi, Director: Executive Support (All four countries)

Official trips to Ghana and Mozambique

The Chief Justice’s entourage consisted of the following officials:

• Ms M Sejosengwe, Chief Director: Court Services (As she was then)
• Mr S Masisi, Director: Executive Support

Official trip to Mauritius

The Chief Justice’s entourage consisted of the following persons:

• • Mrs A Mogoeng, Chief Justice’s Spouse
• Mr S Masisi, Director: Executive Support
• Ms R Leyds, Executive Personal Assistant to the Chief Justice.

The costs for the Chief Justice’s entourage for all the official international trips for the period 2012-13 amounted to R1 122 751. 28.

(b) (ii) 2013-14 - Chief Justice’s entourage

Official trip to Benin

The Chief Justice’s entourage consisted of the following officials:

• Mr S Chiloane, Acting Chief Director: Judicial Policy and Research
• Mr A Slingers, Executive Aide to the Chief Justice
• Mr M Mama, Security Coordinator

Official trips to Germany, United Kingdom, Norway

The Chief Justice’s entourage consisted of the following Judicial Officers and officials:

• President L Mpati, President of the Supreme Court of Appeal (All three countries)
• Deputy President K Mthiyane, Deputy President of the Supreme Court of Appeal (All three countries)
• Justice J Van Der Westhuizen, Justice of the Constitutional Court (Germany only)
• Justice S Khampepe, Justice of the Constitutional Court (Germany only)
• Justice J Froneman, Justice of the Constitutional Court (Germany only)
• Justice C Jafta, Justice of the Constitutional Court (Germany only)
• Justice R Zondo, Justice of the Constitutional Court (Germany only)
• Judge President M Leeuw, Judge President of the North West Division of the High Court (United Kingdom and Norway)
• Judge President D Mlambo, Judge President of the Gauteng Division of the High Court (United Kingdom only)
• Ms M Sejosengwe, Secretary General of the Office of the Chief Justice (United Kingdom and Norway)
• Mr S Chiloane, Acting Chief Director: Judicial Policy and Research (All three countries)
• Mr S Masisi, Director: Executive Support (United Kingdom and Norway)
• Mr A Slingers, Executive Aide to the Chief Justice (All three countries)
• Mr Z Jekeqa, Protocol Coordinator (All three countries)

Official trip to Tanzania

The Chief Justice’s entourage consisted of the following officials:

• Mr S Chiloane, Acting Chief Director: Judicial Policy and Research
• Mr A Slingers, Executive Aide to the Chief Justice
• Mr Z Ntswanti, Deputy Director: Research

Official trips to Malaysia, Qatar and Singapore

The Chief Justice’s entourage for the consisted of the following Judicial officers and officials:

• President L Mpati, President of the Supreme Court of Appeal (All three)
• Deputy President K Mthiyane, Deputy President of the Supreme Court of Appeal (Malaysia and Singapore)
• Justice S Majiedt, Justice of the Supreme Court of Appeal (Malaysia and Singapore)
• Judge President M Leeuw, Judge President of the North West Division of the High Court (Malaysia and Singapore)
• Judge President D Mlambo, Judge President of the Gauteng Division of the High Court (Malaysia and Singapore)
• Judge M Rampai, Acting Judge President of the Free State Division of the High Court, (as he was then) (Malaysia and Singapore)
• Judge N Erasmus, Judge of the Western Cape Division of the High Court (Malaysia and Singapore)
• Judge A Jappie, Judge of the KwaZulu-Natal Division of the High Court (All three countries)
• Mr K Nqadala, Regional Court President (Malaysia and Singapore)
• Mr D Niar, Chief Magistrate (Malaysia and Singapore)
• Dr G Moshoeu, Chief Executive Officer of the South African Judicial Education Institute (Malaysia and Singapore)
• Mr M Doralingo, Chief Director: Court Administration (Malaysia and Singapore)
• Mr P Gagai, Director: Judicial Policy (All three countries)
• Adv E Seema, Director: Superior Courts (Malaysia and Singapore)
• Mr S Ntsimane, Executive Manager, Information, Communication and Technology (Malaysia and Singapore)

• Mr G Lesiba, Chairperson of the Integrated Justice System Board (Malaysia and Singapore)
• Mr A Slingers, Executive Aide to the Chief Justice (All three countries)
• Mr Z Jekeqa, Protocol Coordinator (Malaysia and Singapore)

Official trip to Nigeria

The Chief Justice’s entourage consisted of the following persons:

• Mrs A Mogoeng, Chief Justice’s spouse
• Mr M Mama, Security Coordinator

The costs for the Chief Justice’s entourage for all the international trips for the period 2013-14 amounted to R4 287 509. 48.




END

Reply:

The Department of International Relations and Co-operation does not extend invitations to Presidents.

 

 

END

Reply:

Yes, the Department of Health is aware of the water problem in the John Taolo Gaetsewe District in the Northern Cape, but it is not in most facilities as claimed by the question. The problem is in 10 out of 42 Primary Health Care facilities (PHCs). Most of these facilities are located in the deep rural areas of the District where there is no connection to the municipality’s water supply source. In areas where there is a connection it has been difficult for the municipality to meet the demand.

The District engaged the municipality to supply water tanks and fill them regularly with water. Interruptions have been very minimal.

The following were done as remedial action:

1. Skilled technical officials have been appointed by the Department;
2. An action plan has been developed;
3. The District and the Department are in the process of procuring service providers to erect boreholes to supplement water supply;
4. Approval has been granted to procure 5 000 litre water tanks for all 10 facilities; and
5. The procurement process was anticipated to commence in the week of 24 August 2015.

END.

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:

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 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:

1. (a) (b) No
2. The Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) policy provides that all employees shall declare all remunerative work done outside the department and the Head of the Department shall approve.

Approved/not approved

Adv N.A Ramatlhodi

Minister of Mineral Resources

END 

Reply:

(1)(a) An amount of R642 886-72 was spent on air travel in the financial year 2014/2015 for employees attending Parliamentary business during 2014-2015; and (b) 120 trips were undertaken;

(2)(a) An amount of R128 994-48 was spent on accommodation; and

(b) an amount of R55 007-56 was spent on car rentals, for employees attending Parliamentary business in Cape Town for the 2014/15 financial year.


END

Reply:

The Minister of Energy and the Deputy Minister travel to Gauteng and Cape Town as per official government responsibilities.



END

Reply:

As responded to in PQ3010 submitted on 27 August 2015, the ex gratia payments made by Transnet to qualifying pensioners of the Transnet Second Defined Benefit Fund and the Transnet Sub Fund of the Transport Pension Fund are discretionary amounts. No decision has been taken by Transnet to make a payment in the 2015 calendar year.




END

 

Reply:

1.   Eskom’s financial issues are responsible for load shedding in as far as limited funding for maintenance and restrictions on diesel purchases for Open Cycle Gas Turbines are concerned.

​2.  In the main load shedding has been caused by maintenance deferred in the past which resulted in a backlog of maintenance and decline in plant reliability.



END

Reply:

The Workload Indicators for Staffing Norms (WISN) method is an evidence-based Human Resource planning and management tool developed by the World Health Organisation (WHO). This tool was applied in sampled facilities located within the NHI pilot sites to determine the number of health workers of a particular category required to cope with the workload of the given health facility. The findings from this work were subsequently used to develop health workforce normative guides and standards for Primary Health Care (PHC) facilities.

Implementation guidelines of health workforce normative guides and standards for fixed PHC facilities are available. This guideline will be used in the process of determining staffing requirements in all fixed PHC facilities by benchmarking facility staffing against normative guides using facility headcount as a proxy of workload.

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:

(1)(a) (i) The Department spent R479 694 on my air travel costs between Pretoria and Cape Town for the 2014/15 financial year; and R508 844 for car rentals, which comes to a total of R988 538;

        (ii) I undertook 47 trips between Cape Town and Gauteng to attend Parliamentary business in Cape Town for the specified financial year;

(b)(i) I spent R32 023 on hotel accommodation; and

   (ii) regarding residential and other accommodation, this information is not readily available, as I live in my own house in Pretoria, Gauteng when in Pretoria; and I live in the Parliamentary Village in Cape Town when in Parliamentary session in Cape Town.

(2)(a)(i) Regarding the costs of the Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, the Department spent an amount of R202 926 on air travel for 2014/15 and R154 662 for car rentals, which comes to a total of R357 588;

(ii) 67 trips were undertaken between Cape Town and Gauteng by the Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development;

(b)(i) An amount of R972.00 was spent on hotel accommodation for the relevant Deputy Minister; and

(ii) regarding residential and other accommodation, this information is not readily available, as the Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development lives in his own house in Gauteng; and he lives in the Parliamentary Village in Cape Town when in Parliamentary session in Cape Town.


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:

 

1.  (a) The total amount spent on air travel between Gauteng and Cape Town on officials of the Department of Public Works attending official Parliamentary business during the 2014/15 financial year is R238 670.94

     (b) The total number of trips undertaken is 48.

2.  (a) The total amount spent on accommodation is R79 666.50

     (b) The total cost of car rental was R25 844.61

 

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:

Yes.

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:

The Respondents are appealing the matter. Judgment in the application for leave to appeal is awaited. As such, we deem it prudent for the appeal processes to be finalised before we consider the matter.




END

Reply:

(a)(b) The National School of Government (NSG) is taking the following steps to address the backlog:

1.  Entering into Service Level Agreements (SLAs) with Provincial Academies and other State Colleges to include the CIP in their course offerings so that they could help to eliminate the backlog within the two years as projected.
 
2.  Discussion with the Department of Public Service and Administration around the utilisation of public servants for public service training and a proposed approach is at an advance stage for submission for approval.

​3.  Continues support to fully equipped trainers, for example, the number of departmental trainers that were trained for the delivery of the compulsory induction programme (CIP) has increased from 775 in 2014/15 to 868, of which 848 trainers have been screened to date. Of this number, 483 are “ready to train” and will be supported to be fully equipped as trainers; and 172 departmental trainers have been actively delivering on the CIP.

The backlog remains a challenge. There is a turnaround strategy in place to build dedicated capacity within the National School of Government for compulsory induction programme (CIP) training and administration. This capacity, together with department-based trainers, will assist in providing the institutional support for the delivery of high volume training in the public service.



END 

Reply:

1. (a)-(e) No, the Department of Tourism does not keep statistics of visitors to specific sites. Such information may be obtained from the relevant management authorities on request. Some of these entities publish such information on their annual reports. The Department uses such information in planning for tourism development.
(i)  Not Applicable
(ii) Not Applicable

 

2. Part of the department’s strategy is enhancement of important tourist destinations. This will ensure that there is enhanced quality experience and increased activities for our tourists. However, this is dependent on availability of financial resources. Other organs of state also have responsibilities and contribute to the upkeep and successful running of some of our iconic attractions.

 

 

END 

Reply:

1. The Minister for Public Service and Administration formally consulted with the Minister of Cooperative Government and Traditional Affairs, in a letter dated 23 June 2015, in respect of the local government remuneration framework as published in April 2015.

​2. (a) Minister communicated the following:

• agreement with the proposed extension of the number of categories for the classification of municipalities from 8 to 10 for purposes of the remuneration of Senior Managers;
• noted that the proposed annual (2015) increase of the minimum and maximum remuneration for the revised municipal categories ranges between 12% and 18.7% for Municipal Managers and 12.7% and 60.9% for Managers directly accountable to Municipal Managers; and

• recommended that the 2015 increases should be based on National Treasury’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) forecast of 4.8% for the 2015/16 financial year.

(b) and (c) There was no further official communication received from the Minister of Cooperative Government and Traditional Affairs after the afore-mentioned letter dated 23 June 2015.

3.  (a)(b) That the 2015 salary increases for Municipal Managers and Managers directly accountable to Municipal Managers should be based on National Treasury’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) forecast of 4.8% for the 2015/16 financial year.



END

 

 

Reply:

1.           (a) Total Amount Air travel:                  R503 358.12

              (b) Number of trips:                              81 trips

 

2.             (a) Total Amount on accommodation:  R139 064.16

                (b) Total amount on car rental:             R40 639.25



END

Reply:

(1) (a) The total amount spent on air travel between Gauteng and Cape Town for employees attending Parliamentary businesses in the 2014-15 financial year is R983 417.69.

(b) Total number of trips on air travel between Gauteng and Cape Town for employees attending Parliamentary businesses in the 2014-15 financial year is one hundred and fifty (150)

(2) (a) The total amount spent on accommodation for employees attending Parliamentary businesses for the 2014-15 financial year is R362 555.05

(b) The total amount spent on car rental for employees attending Parliamentary businesses for the 2014-15 financial year is R111 693.96



END

Reply:

1. (a) Yes all speed cameras have valid calibrator certificates.

 

(b) Truvelo Manufactures for Prolaser cameras,

• Trans Atlantic Equipment for Trumcam and Radar (Medaco)
• InterCalibration Natal for Radar and Laser – (Traffic Management Technology) and (Syntel)

(c) Yes, all operators of the above specified speed cameras have operator’s certificates.

(d) Yes, all certificates are valid

(2) Trucam

• Radar,
• Prolaser II & III
• Laser I

(3)(a) ANPR is man by Traffic Officers and Medaco officials who have been trained and appointed as assistant Clerk of the court for any payments.

(b) Officials are trained to work on Trafman and Remcom system and Magistrate is training the same officials as assistant Clerk of the court.

(c) Yes all officials have the requisite qualifications and are duly appointed.

(d) Motorist are not compelled to pay unless it is an outstanding warrant of arrest which was authorised by Magistrate and is executed in terms of Criminal Procedure Act.

If motorists did not receive the Section 54 notice they are notified of the outstanding payment and given the option to make payment to the service provider or to deposit the money through the departmental account.

Offender’s rights are given to them before any payment is received should they wish to make payment on the ANPR bus.



END

Reply:

Provincial Youth Camps are conducted by the provinces themselves. Since the Honourable Member is interested in province-specific issues, the details of which I do not readily have, I advise that the Honourable Member liaise directly with the relevant Provincial MEC

END

Reply:

1. (a)Yes, all proclaimed conservation and heritage areas are so identified

          (b) Section 48(2)(c) of the MPRDA prohibits the issuing of rights, permits or permissions on areas reserved in terms of any law.

(2) (a)

REGIONS	OFFICIALS
Head Office	04
KwaZulu Natal	03
Eastern Cape	03
Western Cape	03
Limpopo	05
Mpumalanga	05
North West	04
Gauteng	02
Free State	03
Northern Cape	03
TOTAL	35

(b) 30 officials are currently attending training and a further 30 officials will start training in October 2015.

 

 

 

END

Reply:

PRASA has no differential salaries for any employee grade on the basis of their geographic location either in the Cape Town, Johannesburg or any other Metropolitan area that provides commuter rail services. PRASA has a centralised salary grading system applicable to all its regions.

a)  Any differences that may exist would be based on the banding within each salary grade, consisting of three to four notches. An employee progresses within these notches based on the length of service and performance review outcomes.

b)  Not applicable

c)  Not applicable

Reply:

 

(a)(i) The RTMC budget for the 2015/16 year is R30 000 000

(a)(ii) The budget incorporates digital, print, television and radio mediums.

(a)(iii) The advertising budget is informed by the mandate of the RTMC as expressed in both the National Road Traffic Management Act (NRTA) and the Road Traffic Management Act (RTMCA) and the strategic documents as approved.

Section 52 of the NRTA prescribes as follows:

“The Chief Executive Officer may:

Give guidance regarding road safety in the Republic by means of national congresses, symposia, summer schools, study weeks and mass communication media and in any other manner deemed fit by the Chief Executive Officer”

Section 18(1) of the RTMCA prescribes as follows:

The RTMCA prescribes one of the ten (10) functional areas of the RTMC is communication and education that should be in line with the business and financial plan.

2015 – 2020 Strategy and 2015/16 Annual Performance Plan

The 2015-2020 Strategy of the RTMC as approved by the Shareholders Committee provides for Goal 1: To promote and create a safer road environment, this is where the marketing and communication efforts of the corporation find strategic expression in terms of its deliverables. The Annual Performance Plan (APP) Key Performance Indicator (KPI) 5 is number of national road safety marketing campaigns implemented in line with the 365-day programme.

(b)(i)(aa) The cost of advertising is R 1 820 000 excluding vat and production of static perimeter boards for international and domestic rights to advertise during the 2015/16 cricket season for a year. This is cost effective when compared with a newspapers advertisement on a Sunday newspaper which can cost R800 000 for a single placing..

(b)(i)(bb) The type of advertising is the branding of the RTMC and broadcasting of road safety related messages using LED platform at South African National Cricket Team matches and static perimeter boards at all cricket stadiums for the domestic league.

(b)(ii) The rationale behind the adertising is informed by the mandate of the RTMC as expressed in (a)(iii) above.






END