Questions and Replies

Reply:

a) I wish to inform the Honourable Member that the investigation is at an advanced stage after suffering delays which 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).

Reply:

The reports were commisioned by the Department of Energy to inform the decision making process of the Energy Security Cabinet Subcommittee on the Nuclear New Build Programme.

Reply:

The Report will be released for public comment before the end of this year.

Reply:

CoGTA Employees
(a)	How much did the department spend on air travel for employees, between Gauteng and Cape Town to attend parliament business in the financial year 2014/2015?	How many trips?
	R 6 229 497.00	1208
(b)	How much did department spend on accommodation in Cape Town for employees in 2014/2015?
	R 1 461 954.00
(c)	How much did department spend on car rental in Cape Town for employees in 2014/15?
	R 2 047 495,32

However, this is only part of the cost to departments. The time taken to travel, the cost of the individual’s expertise utilized in this process.

Reply:

(1) I cannot reply to the question as the information asked is by nature sensitive as it pertains to the movement of the Deputy President. I will provide the information in a closed briefing of the Joint Standing Committee on Defence when it is duly convened.

Reply:

Audited data on travel that have been properly verified are contained in the Department’s Annual Report tabled in Parliament. From unaudited data made available by the Department, the following applies in respect of combined travel by the Minister and Deputy Minister:

Trips (return): 77

Airfare and accommodation costs: R873 764.

Accommodation was incurred by the Deputy Minister only for the period until he was allocated an official residence.

-END-

Reply:

a) In the current financial year (1 April 2015 up to 15 September 2015), the Assets Forfeiture Unit has obtained 128 preservation/restraint orders and 173 forfeiture/confiscation orders.

b) As on 15 September 2015, 89 applications (preservation/restraint or forfeiture/confiscation) were filed but must still be heard in court.

In addition, as on 15 September 2015, 1 698 cases are being investigated and documents drafted but have not been filed in court.

Reply:

1. (a) Since 01 April 2015, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), the National Institute for Occupational Health (NIOH) and the Cancer Registry have been directly funded;

(b) The proposal was discussed with the National Treasury. At the Budget Council meeting in January 2015, it was agreed that the Department of Health and National Treasury should work on a completely new funding model for implementation as of 01 April 2016;

(c) The National Treasury, in funding National Functions directly has made provision in the National Department of Health budget for a transfer payment to cover the costs associated with teaching and training undertaken by the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS).

2. The Interim Management Team was appointed to investigate the billing issues reported. Below are the technical challenges that resulted in disputed debtor’s amounts:

• Unbundling of group tests (profile tests);
• Padding (grouping of tests);
• Wrong accounts (non Gauteng Department of Health and KwaZulu Natal Department of Health);
• Incorrect coding;
• Duplication of tests and billing;
• Multiple units billing (histology blocks);
• Missing demographics.

Unbundling of group tests

• This refers to the request for multiple individual tests instead of a group test resulting in the sum costs being more than the group test. The clinicians have an option to request some tests as a group or a single test. The approved Electronic Gate Keeping (EGK) rules state that the full profile of test can be done on admission of a patient then abnormal parameters to be repeated as required. The NHLS has also proposed that when individual or multiple tests within a profile are requested, and the cost of these tests exceeds the cost of the profile, the NHLS bill the profile cost to the Department of Health.

Padding of tests

• This occurs where an individual test that is included in a group test is billed with the group test. This should never happen under the normal circumstances. The NHLS has implemented measures to eliminate this error.

Wrong accounts (non Gauteng Department of Health)

• The NHLS and the Provinces are working together to identify and eliminate any incorrect locations billed through the reconciliation of monthly bills. Substantial progress has been achieved thus far.

Incorrect coding of tests

• This refers to the tariff codes used by the NHLS not being consistent with the coding lists of the Board of Healthcare Funders (BHF), the National Pathology Group (NPG) and the South African Medical Association (SAMA).

Duplication and Multiple units billing

• This relates to billing one test more than once on one specimen. Multiple units billing mainly happens in anatomical pathology where additional blocks of stains are made in order to get to the final diagnosis. This is an acceptable practice.

Missing Demographics

• These relate to invoices or tests done with missing demographic data. This creates problems in terms of verifying the information and could render the transactions invalid. The NHLS had already started the process of addressing this by determining the minimum clinical data sets (MCDS) required for NHLS to continue processing the specimen. The NHLS does not conduct tests if there is no compliance with MCDS.

3. The details are as follows:

• The status of debts receivable from Gauteng Department of Health and KwaZulu Natal Department of Health as at 18 September 2015 is totalling R5.1 billion;
• The breakdown is reflected in Table 1 below;
• This represents 95% of the total debts receivable from provinces amounting to R5.5 billion.

Table 1

Region	Outstanding amount 2015/16	Outstanding amount 2014/15	Prior amount outstanding	Total outstanding
Gauteng	197,419,209	328,955,740	922,495,933	1,448,870,882
KwaZulu Natal	110,053,771	702,643,913	2,866,174,418	3,678,872,101

4. The Bill has been prepared and it in the Cabinet process. It is pending approval by Cabinet, for it to be published for public comment.

5. The National Public Health Institute of South Africa (NAPHISA) Bill makes provision for the establishment of the Institute for Non-Communicable Diseases and Violence and Injury. These institutes will be established when the Bill is promulgated.

END.

Reply:

(a) The total cost as at 31 August 2015 is R113, 232 million.

(b) The table below provides the breakdown of the expenditure up to 31 August 2015:

 

Reply:

(a)(i) Both Commissioners are Judges from the High Court and are therefore not remunerated by the Commission.

(ii) The total cost for the evidence leaders, the research consultant and the forensic auditor from 27 October 2012 to 31 August 2015, is R73, 240 million, broken down as follows:

 

Reply:

The information is in the Annual Report of the Department.

Reply:

No, the Department has no intention to develop (a) regulations and (b) legislation for virginity testing on young women. Virginity testing is already regulated by the Children’s Act, Act No. 38 of 2005. In terms of section 12(4) of this Act, virginity testing of children under the age of 16 is prohibited. In terms of section 12(5) of the Act, virginity testing of children older than 16 may be done but only if the child has given consent to such testing and after proper counselling of the child. Section 12(6) of the Act further determines that the results of a virginity test may not be disclosed without the consent of the child. It should also be noted that section 12(7) prohibits the marking of the body of the child who has undergone virginity testing.

Reply:

The Regulations seek to ensure a captured market for locally manufactured biofuels and will therefore assist in promoting the blending of biofuels with mineral fuels in the country, thereby supporting the achievement of the objectives of the Biofuels Industrial Strategy of 2007.

Reply:

I have been informed by the Department of Home Affairs that 9821 marriages were solemnized in terms of the Civil Union Act for the period 2006 to 2015. The number of divorces granted in terms of the Civil Union Act, are currently not kept separately from other divorces. For example, statistics of divorces in the High Courts are captured as “opposed’’ and ‘’unopposed’’ divorces and do not differentiate between persons divorced in terms of the Marriage Act and the Civil Union Act. The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development is also in the process of improving the information systems in the Regional Courts for the capturing of divorces.

(2) No Honourable Member I will not make a statement as it is not necessary

Reply:

1. The average waiting times for Odi District Hospital in Mabopane for the 1st and 2nd quarter of 2015/16 are as follows:

(a) (i) Registration ( opening or retrieving of a file): 30 minutes

    (ii) Waiting time in OPD: 130 minutes

    (iii) Waiting time at the Pharmacy: 100 minutes

   (iv) Waiting time Casualty depends on the Priority of the Patient. The average of non serious patients is 120 minutes.

b) The following are measures that the hospital has introduced improve long waiting times:

(i) The CEO and Hospital management conduct daily walkabouts to check patient’s queues, but also how the hospital staff deal with clients/patients.

(ii) The hospital has in place courtesy managers who are always at the frontline to closely monitor queues and how clients/ patients are assisted

The following are future plans for the Hospital:

(iii) To renovate the Pharmacy by adding more dispensing windows

(iv) To add additional staff to records so that clients are assisted timely

(v) To engage and educate the community to use Primary Health Care and Community Health Centres and the importance of appropriate referral.

(2) Odi Hospital falls under Region 1 of Tshwane Health District. Currently there are Emergency Medical Services Stations in the region namely Odi, Rosslyn, Jabulani and Ga-Rankuwa. There are 24 ambulances which are operational however by end of September 2015, a total of 16 ambulances out of the 24 ambulances were operational. A total of 8 of the ambulances had either gone for regular service, breakdown repairs or accident damage.

(3) Gauteng Province EMS is currently in the process of procuring 160 ambulances for the 2015/16 financial year. These ambulances will be distributed equitably throughout the Province.

END.

Reply:

1. NHLS Headcount at end of August 2015

Job Title	Count
Total Staff Headcount	6776
Pathologist	210
Medical Technician	862
Medical Technologist	1385
Vacancies appearing as vacant on Oracle system today on 21 September 2015
Total	1246

2. YEAR	2 011	2 012	2 013	2 014	2 015
Pathologist	225	218	235	231	210
Medical Technologist	1 415	1 388	1 382	1 399	1 385
Medical Technician	652	639	771	810	862

3. There are 302 NHLS laboratories.

Province	Number of Labs
EC	67
FS	15
GP	43
KZN	56
LP	37
MP	21
NC	9
NW	15
WC	39
TOTAL	302

END.

Reply:

(1) My Department has taken note of the question and has attempted to investigate how it could respond to it. However, we found the question to be unclear in that, it does not identify the exact piece of land and whether it is under municipal administration or state forestry operations. Accordingly, it will be appreciated if the Honourable Member could provide further details on the piece of land in question.

(2) As per the above.

(3) As per the above.

Answer tabled in Parliament on:

DAFF'S RESPONSE:

CLASSIFICATION: CONFIDENTIAL

SUBJECT: QUESTION NO. 3622 FOR ORAL REPLY TO MS A STEYN (DA) TO THE MINISTER OF

AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works

The Departmental officials are in the process of compiling the information for this question. The challenge is that the information lies with various regional offices of the Department of Public Works. Such information is being collected, collated and analysed in order to provide accurate information. We will endeavour to provide this information as soon as possible.

____________________________________________________________________

Reply:

I wish to inform the Honourable Member that (a) neither I nor the former Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development travelled to China during 2014-15;

(b) the Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development did not travel to China during 2014-2015; and

(c) I have been informed that no officials from the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development or from the Office of the Chief Justice, travelled to China during the 2014-15 financial year.

(i) and (ii) therefore fall away.

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works

This matter has been discussed at various levels. We are in the process of ascertaining information and we will provide it to the Honourable Member as soon as it becomes available.

____________________________________________________________________

Reply:

 

 (a) (i) Total Travel Costs R 263 445.00

(ii) 47 Trips

(b) (i) Hotel – No costs

(ii) Residential and Accomodation – No Costs

(aa) In Cape Town – No Costs

(bb) In Pretoria – No Costs

(2) (a) (i) Total Travel Costs R 220 317.00

(ii) 26 Trips

(b) (i) Hotel R 26 007.00

(ii) Residential and Accomodation – No Costs

(aa) In Cape Town R26 007.00

(bb) In Pretoria – No Costs

 

THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF LABOUR’S RESPONSE: PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION NO. 3328 (NW3917E)

In respect of the Minister: Labour the following expenditure was incurred for travel

1. (a) (i) Total Travel Costs R263 445.00

(ii) 47 Trips

(b) (i) Hotel – No Costs

(ii) Residential/ Accommodation – No Costs

(aa) In Cape Town – No Costs

(bb) In Pretoria – No Costs

In respect of the Deputy Minister: Labour the following expenditure was incurred for travel

2. (a) (i) Total Travel Costs R483 617.00

(ii) 26 Trips

(b) (1) Hotel – R26 007.00

(ii) Residential/Accommodation – No Costs

(aa) In Cape Town - R26 007.00

(bb) In Pretoria – No Costs

Reply:

The specified EU agreement will be tabled in Parliament as time permits.

Reply:

(a) No report was commissioned in this regard.

(b) On 15 April 2009, Cabinet directed the Department of Cooperative Governance to consult the Ba Ga-Mothibi and Reveilo community on their request to be incorporated into the Northern Cape Province from the North West Province. An engagement with the affected communities was held on 17 April 2009. As a result of continuous engagements with the affected communities, a Memorandum of Understanding between the two Provinces was concluded in order to ensure the continuous provision of services to the Ba Ga-Mothibi community.

(i)(aa) Not applicable

(bb) Not applicable

(ii) Not applicable

(iii) Not applicable

Reply:

ITAC published a notice in the Government Gazette on 19 December 2014, requesting public comments on proposed duty increases on specified steel products, following receipt of an application by steel-makers, who cited global and domestic steel-market conditions.

It received written submissions from companies in the sector.

In all, 30 companies provided written submissions. ITAC consulted with representatives of 19 downstream companies as well as with a business association representing the views of automotive customer companies. The downstream producers were also provided with an opportunity to make oral representations on 20 May 2015.

The companies in the downstream industries generally did not favour tariff increases to protect upstream producers, citing the impact it will have on their businesses and noting challenges with the price, quality and availability of product from local steel-makers.

In addition to the two applicant companies who requested a tariff increase, ten other companies supported the increase in duties.

ITAC took account of the views of all the parties as well as of the global circumstances and pressures in the domestic market, in its consideration of the request for tariff-increases made by the steel-makers.

-END-

Reply:

1. The Supply Chain Management work stream focused on how to improve supply chain management system at clinic level. The first phase is focused on essential items (Pharmaceuticals). Once the roll out of the system is complete, functional and fully effective, non essential items (toiletry, cleaning material etc) will be introduced.

Details of the system and progress

a) Implement SVS (Stock Visibility System) in all clinics and develop additional functionality of SVS (namely order receiving). SVS is a device (like a cellphone) that is used by the clinic to update the stock received and stock issued. The system feeds the information to Rx Solution which calculates the number of items to be ordered. Orders are placed at a central point and delivery is done directly to the facility.

b) To integrate SVS data into Rx Solution to automate order calculation and generation – and automate sign off authority. Finalise delegations at facility, sub-district and district level. Authorization and delegations of authority need to be reviewed and tools developed to support the expediting of approvals.

c) Agree on products to load onto SVS (contract versus non-contracted items). Currently, only Pharmaceuticals are included.

d) Address sustainability and support for Rx – access source code. Unlock bottlenecks encountered with Rx Solution. Finalise the issue of ownership of Rx Solution.

e) The PMPU (Procurement Unit) will facilitate the procurement of items, ensure correct allocation coding linked on BAS, contract management.

f) Develop cross dock model and processes and trial – direct from manufacturer OR direct from wholesaler/”retailer”.

g) Decision still has to be made whether to convert the current Depots to cross docks.

h) Spend analysis needs to be carried out

(i) A categorization exercise needs to take place to identify which products we move to contract and which do we procure direct;

(ii) Decide on procurement model based on financial and non financial benefits (Contract with manufacturer wholesaler/retailer);

(iii) Contract terms need to be defined and measurements implemented;

(iv) Spend analysis needs to be carried out.

(v) Develop catalogue specifications (pricing, specifications and coding)

(vi) Supplier scorecard to be developed and published monthly

Below is a graphical representation of how the system will work

Challenges

a) Dependent on partners for implementation of processes and systems – sustainability;

b) SVS business model needs to be defined (Vodacom has financed it to date through their Foundation);

c) Facility compliance to reporting of stock on hand;

d) Authorization and delegations of authority need to be reviewed and tools developed to support the expediting of approvals;

e) Codification standard for all items

• 1. Adherence to contract procurement by facilities;

• 1. Monitoring systems to review contract/off contract spend at facility/PHC level

2. Yes, There is a progress in the project as the SVS has been rolled out to facilities in Limpopo, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu Natal and City of Johannesburg.

Summary of activity that are in progress and activities still to be initiated (as stated above)

1. Roll out of SVS (in progress)
2. Trial “informed push” model (in progress)
3. Develop cross dock model (not started yet)
4. Identify items for contracts (not started yet)
5. Develop SOP’s for push model (in progress)
6. Agree on delegations (not started yet)

It should be noted that once the system is fully effective it will be rolled out to all facilities and provinces and non essential items will be added.

As the system progresses, a determination will still be made as to whether this system will include the items such as maintenance of facilities and whether there the system be able to integrate with LOGIS to cater for Non Essential items.

A phased approach has been adopted to roll out the system and it is expected that by 2018/19, the system will be fully functional in all provinces and in all 3500 clinics in South Africa.

END.

Reply:

a) The process to develop the policy is currently underway.

b) Yes, the consultative meeting with stakeholders was held on 14 April 2015 in accordance with the annual performance plan.

Key relevant details discussed are as follows:

The stakeholder’s meeting was attended by clinical, technical and NHLS experts in cervical cancer.

In summary the team agreed that there should be three documents, namely:

• A policy document;
• Clinical guidelines; and
• Desk aid for nurses.

END.

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works

The extent of the information required in this question demands that Departmental officials go back to historical records, which is a huge task. Also, an in loco inspection must be conducted at the Estate to ascertain the work that was done. We will endeavour to provide the information required in the question as soon as possible.

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.

Reply:

a) The organisation of the 15th Annual National Teaching Awards (NTA) Ceremony was awarded to Travel with Flair who is the Professional Conference Organiser for the Department of Basic Education. Travel with Flair was appointed by the Department through a tender process.

b) The breakdown of the expenditure is as follows:

• Venue and Catering = R1, 663 003. 95
• Event Production and Advocacy = R15 764 783.01
• Accommodation = R330 451.82
• Flights = R2 155 679.52
• Ground Transport and Shuttle = R311 103.85

c) There were no items sponsored for the gift bags.

d) Due to the fact that there were no items for the gift bags this question is not applicable.

e) R609,900.00 (incl. VAT)

f) The Department, under the newly appointed Director-General, will ensure that an adequate budget will be allocated for this important national activity that focuses on the outstanding work of teachers in each province and, if there is a need for any additional funding, this will be done within the financial prescripts.

 

 

 

COMPILER: MRS C HAAK

ACTING DIRECTOR: COMMUNICATION AND RESEARCH

DATE:

EXT: X 3772

MR E MHLANGA

CHIEF DIRECTOR: MEDIA LIAISON AND NATIONAL AND PROVINCIAL COMMUNICATION

DATE:

MS N MOLALEKOA

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

DATE:

MR A SCHOEMAN

DEPUTY DIRECTOR-GENERAL: FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION

DATE

MS VC CARELSE

DEPUTY DIRECTOR-GENERAL: OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL

DATE:

MR HM MWELI

DIRECTOR-GENERAL

DATE:

QUESTION NO. 3036 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED

MR ME SURTY, MP

DEPUTY MINISTER

DATE:

MRS AM MOTSHEKGA, MP

MINISTER

DATE:

Reply:

1. I wish to inform the Hon Member that the Regulations promulgated in terms of the Magistrates Act, 1993, and the relevant Financial Prescripts, do not prescribe the number of domestic and international trips which may be undertaken by a Regional Court President or any of their support staff or persons forming part of such delegations. Regional Court Presidents will undertake each official journey having regard to the purpose, the costs, availability of transport, route, timespan and other relevant circumstances. Regional Court Presidents travel economy class in terms of the current prescripts.

In terms of domestic travel, Regional Court Presidents, as Judicial Heads of the Regional Courts, will, from time to time, be required to travel to attend to various judicial and other statutory obligations. For example, attending meetings of the Regional Court Presidents Forum, Case Flow Management, the Magistrates Commission and its Committees, the South African Judicial Education Council and its Committees, the Rules Board for Courts of Law and its Committees, the Lower Courts Remuneration Committee, the Interpreters Review Committee, the National Efficiency Enhancement Committee, the National Operations Committee, the Development Committee, the Child Justice Forum, the Lower Courts Monitoring Committee and the Library Committee.

For international trips, the Regional Court President (as well as any other magistrate) must submit the request to the Magistrates Commission for consideration. The application must contain full particulars of the conference/ programme to be attended such as location, duration, costs involved, etc. It should furthermore contain information whether the applicant has attended any conferences outside the country and, if so, dates and details of all such conferences. The Chairperson of the Commission will then submit the application, together with his recommendation to the Chief Justice for consideration and approval.

2. The following domestic and international trips were undertaken by each of the Regional Court Presidents for the period 1 September 2014 to 31 August 2015:

Regional Court President	Domestic Trips	International Trips
Limpopo	36	1*
Eastern Cape	37	0
Western Cape	20	0
Kwazulu- Natal	11	0
Free State	9	0
Northern Cape	8	0
Gauteng	5	0
North West	4	0
Mpumalanga	2	0

In the Eastern Cape the Judge President, the Regional Head and the Regional Court President are located in different cities/towns and it is very often more cost effective to fly from Port Elizabeth to East London for meetings whilst in Limpopo the Regional Court President will most of the time have to take two flights to reach her destination if the meeting is not in Gauteng

*The Regional Court President of Limpopo was invited by the UN Women and UNFPA, in partnership with the UNDP and UNODC, to the Global Technical Consultation on the Police and Justice Sector’s Response to Violence Against Women and Girls in Marrakech form 1 to 4 July 2014. Travel and accommodation were carried by the organizers and the Regional Court President was not supported by any delegation from her office.

2.(a)(iii). The total cost for domestic flights, including accommodation, car rental and transfer fees, amounted to R1,212,129.

Reply:

Yes. The relevant information is published in The Report on Renewable Energy in South Africa.

Reply:

The response is based on the information provided by Provincial COGTAs.

(a) A total of 29 out of 238 municipal manager posts have been filled by women, representing 12% nationally.

(b) The table below provides the names of municipalities that appointed female Municipal Managers.
 

Province	Municipality
Eastern Cape	Ntabankulu Local Municipality
	Nyandeni Local Municipality
	Lukhanji Local Municipality
Free State	Thabo Mofutsanyane District Municipality
	Fezile Dabi District Municipality
	Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality
	Kopanong Local Municipality
	Lejweleputswa District Municipality
Gauteng	None
KwaZulu Natal	Umdoni Local Municipality
	Umtshezi Local Municipality
	Emadlangeni Local Municipality
	Ulundi Local Municipality
	Harry Gwala District Municipality
	KwaSani Local Municipality
Limpopo	Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality
	Ephraim Mogale Local Municipality
	Sekhukhune District Municipality
	Lephalale Local Municipality
	Greater Letaba Local Municipality
Mpumalanga	Nkangala District Municipality
Northern Cape	John Taolo District Municipality
	Richtersveld Local Municipality
	!Kheis Local Municipality
	Frances Baard District Municipality
North West	Kgetleng Rivier Local Municipality
	Moses Kotane Local Municipality
	Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality
	Tlokwe Local Municipality
Western Cape	Mossel Bay Local Municipality
	Stellenbosch Local Municipality

Reply:

As I indicated in my response on the 05 September 2015 to question no: 3284, which I stated the following: “Government officials are expected to travel between Gauteng and the Western Cape to carry out official duties, including ministerial and department support to the Executive who carry out parliamentary duties according the Parliamentary Programme.

“Costs incurred by Government Officials are readily made available in Annual Reports which will be tabled in Parliament”.

To further assist the Honourable Member, page 106 of the latest annual report do highlight the item on travel and subsistence.

Reply:

The OR Tambo District Municipality has a capacity in the form of a Technical Director and fully fledged Project Management Unit and there is a plan in place to upgrade sanitation services in the Qumbu town. The OR Tambo District Municipality is in the initial phase of appointing a professional service provider that will prepare a business plan and a technical report to ensure that there is a full waterborne sewerage system that will replace the existing septic tanks and pit latrines in Qumbu Town.

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Reply:

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

“Salaries and other conditions of service of educators

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

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

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

Reply:

I have discussed the broad policy imperatives of government relating to empowerment of women in the economy, with the Minister of Women in the Presidency and we collaborate on giving effect thereto.

I have tasked development finance institutions reporting to me to specifically measure and report on efforts to increase industrial funding to women-owned enterprises. Details of these may be obtained from the IDC Annual Report tabled in Parliament. EDD also monitors the share of women in employment.

-END-

Reply:

a) (i) and (ii)

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

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

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

Reply:

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

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

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

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

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

Reply:

Standardising all tests across all Government schools is an ideal; however, there are practical realities that dictate the extent to which this can be done. The Department of Basic Education’s (DBE) initiative to set national tests (ANA) for Grades 1-9 is a step in this direction, so that models of good assessment are placed in every class, but this is only limited to Literacy (Language) and Numeracy (Mathematics). The DBE is also piloting the setting of common examinations in Mathematics and Physical Science in Grades 10 and 11. The costs and logistics of doing the same for all subjects could be prohibitive. Subject advisors and other curriculum specialists play a critical role in building the capacity of teachers in high quality assessment. In addition, the Curriculum Assessment Policy Statements (CAPS) document provides clear guidelines for assessment in each of the grades and this assists teachers in this regard.

Reply:

The Labour Relations Indaba convened by the Deputy President under the auspices of the National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC) adopted a Declaration on 4th November 2014. The Declaration contained a number of principles that the constituencies, including government, agreed would guide the work that has been taking place in NEDLAC since then.

One of the principles agreed to was to engage on the modalities of introducing a national minimum wage in South Africa. The election manifesto of the ruling party, the African National Congress, also pledges to investigate the modalities for the introduction of a national minimum wage as one of the key mechanisms to reduce income inequality.

The Department of Labour does therefore not have to take a decision on whether to introduce a national minimum wage. This is both a decision of the current administration and one that has been agreed with our social partners.

It is in relation to the modalities of a national minimum wage, including the level at which it is to be set, that the Department is now working towards a recommendation that will be made to the rest of government.

END

Reply:

1. All museums reporting to me has commenced with the process of recording and evaluation of their national heritage assets. The first phase entails the capturing, verifying and conversion of manual registers into electronic asset registers. The financial evaluation phase will commence once phase 1 has been concluded and is subject to availability of funds.

2(a) The preliminary assessment done by my department pertaining to the tagging and evaluation of the museums pieces revealed that the exercise will cost in the region of about R205 million.

(b) An assessment was done on the status of security at museums. Given the inputs received from the museums, a costing exercise will be conducted to determine the budget required to upgrade security features at various museums in South Africa.

Reply:

The replies as received from the Provinces are specified in the attached table (Annexure A).

Reply:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The nine priorities are:

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

To respond to the steel industry's problems:

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

To respond to the mining industry's problems:

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

To respond to the clothing and industry's challenges:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

-END-

Reply:

(1) and (2)

Due to the geographical distribution and location of the personnel of the Police that attends Parliamentary sessions and the fact that the information requested is not available electronically, a questionnaire will be developed and forwarded to all personnel that have attended Parliamentary Committee meetings during the period for which the information is requested in order to manually capture such information. Once obtained and consolidated, a response in this regard will be forwarded.

Reply:

The Municipal Demarcation Board (MDB) is only accountable to the Department for its finances. The MDB reports on its activities to Parliament through the Portfolio Committee.

From the Departments’ point of view, this matter is now sub-judice.

 

Reply:

 

1. The plant is currently not in working order because the plant was affected by floods during 2014. In addition, theft and vandalism of mechanical and electrical equipment contributed to the plant not working properly.

(2) My Department has not done any intervention since the Greater Sekhukhune District Municipality proactively appointed the Lepelle Northern Water Board under a bulk contract to operate and maintain the plant. The Lepelle Northern Water is in the process of finalizing the appointment of a service provider to refurbish the Works (the process is at adjudication stage of appointment of the service provider). It is envisage that the plant will be fully restored to its normal operational status during December 2015.

(3) Yes, tests have been done at the plant's outlet. Test results are attached as Annexure A.

(4) Yes, a non-compliance notification has been issued to the municipality for not taking reasonable measures to prevent pollution from occurring. However, the municipality is in the process to refurbish mechanical and electrical components of the waste water plants. This is set to improve the quality of effluent prior to discharge.

(5) 29.76 %.

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Reply:

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

ANNEXURE A

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

Reply:

1.

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

2.

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

Reply:

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

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Reply:

1. Yes, my department conducted various workshops and National Language Fora with national government departments, national public entities and national public enterprises during which the department workshoped them on how to write their language policies.
2. The workshops conducted by my department yielded positive results as policies received, comply with the prescripts of the Act. The department also gives advice and makes comments when and where necessary.
3. The department is in a process of appointing a service provider to enforce compliance on the Use of Official Languages Act, 12 of 2012.