Questions and Replies

Reply:

Honourable Members refer to previous question 727 on 30 April 2015 and questions 952, 1011 and 1596 on 26 May 2015.




END

 

Reply:

The Honorable Member must refer to previous replies to question 727 on 30 April 2015 and questions 952, 1011 and 1596 on 26 May 2015, and question 3171.




END 

 

 

Reply:

RESPONSE:

The data for each of the questions requested is available in the specified annexures as follows:

a)   (i) The districts in each province that have boarding facilities attached to special schools, special school resource centres and full-service schools (Annexure A);

      (ii) The names of the specified special schools and special school resource centres that have boarding facilities (Annexure A); and

      (iii) The names of full-services schools that have boarding facilities (Annexure B).

b)   The information about the extent to which boarding schools are equipped to meet the needs of learners with (i) physical disability, (ii) visual impairment, (iii) deafness, (iv) intellectual disability and (v) autism that has been made available by the Eastern Cape, Gauteng, North West and Western Cape Provincial Education Departments (Annexure A). Data on compliance with principles of universal design, is collected by School Infrastructure Planning through the monitoring process of the implementation of the Minimum Uniform Norms and Standards for Public School Infrastructure (2013);

c)    Statistics on personnel provisioning in boarding facilities are provided for the Eastern Cape, Gauteng, North West and Western Cape Provinces in respect of the number of:

1. house mothers and fathers (Annexure A);
2. household aids (Annexure A);
3. kitchen staff(Annexure A);
4. general assistants (Annexure A);
5. nurses or sisters (Annexure A);

Information has been requested from all provinces and will be provided as soon as it becomes available.

ANNEXURE A

Data in response to questions (a)(i), (a)(ii), (b)(i), (b)(ii), (b)(iii), (b)(iv), (c)(i), (c)(ii), (c)(iii), (c)(iv), (c)(v)

Sources: Data provided by provinces in August 2015

Province	District	(a)(i) Names of Special Schools with Hostels	(a)(ii) Names of Resource Centres with Hostels	(b)(i) How many Hostels are equipped for learners with physical disability	(b)(ii) How many Hostels are equipped for learners who are blind	(b)(iii) How many Hostels are equipped for learners with intellectual disability	(b)(iv) How many Hostels are equipped for learners with autism	(c)(i) Number of housemothers/fathers	(c)(ii) Number of household aids	(c)(iii) Number of kitchen staff	(c)(iv) Number of general assistants	(c)(v) Number of nurses
EC	Port Elizabeth	Cape Recife	Cape Recife	yes	-	-	-	13	13	0	24	1
	Port Elizabeth	Northern Lights	-	-	-	-	-	0	0	0	3	0
	Port Elizabeth	Merryvale	Merryvale	-	-	yes	-	20	6	2	7	1
	Port Elizabeth	Quest	Quest	-	-	-	yes	16	6	1	0	0
	Port Elizabeth	Reubin Birin	Reubin Birin	-	-	-	-	7	8	2	3	0
	Port Elizabeth	Khanyisa PE	Khanyisa PE	-	yes	-	-	15	2	4	10	2
	Qumbu	Tsolo	Tsolo	-	-	yes	-	19	8	2	3	0
	Mbizana	Zamokuhle	Zamokuhle	-	yes	-	-	27	2	3	2	0
	East London	Arcadia	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	18	0
	East London	Parkland	-	-	-	-	-	1	4	1	15	0
	East London	Vukuhambe	Vukuhambe	yes	-	-	-	25	6	9	13	1
	Mthatha	Ikhwezi Lokusa	Ikhwezi Lokusa	yes	-	-	-	25	22	6	3	1
	Mbizana	Vukuzenzele	Vukuzenzele	yes	-	-	-	28	15	8	9	0
	Mbizana	Nompulanga	Nompulanga	-	-	yes	-	22	5	6	9	0
	Graaff-Reinet
				4	2	3	1	218	97	44	119	6
FS	Fezile Dabi	Fakkel		Information is available from School Infrastructure Planning	Information is available from School Infrastructure Planning	Information is available from School Infrastructure Planning	Information is available from School Infrastructure Planning	Information is available from Human Resource Planning	Information is available from Human Resource Planning	Information is available from Human Resource Planning	Information is available from Human Resource Planning	Information is available from Human Resource Planning
	Fezile Dabi	Johan Slabbert
	Fezile Dabi	Mphatlalatsane
	Lejweleputswa	Orion
	Lejweleputswa	Nobilis
	Lejweleputswa	Amari
	Motheo	Pholoho	Martie du Plessis
	Motheo	Bartimea	Tswellang
	Motheo	Böhmer
	Motheo	Ladybrand
	Motheo	Jimmie Roos
	Motheo	Rosenhof
	Motheo	Tatello
	Motheo	Lettie Fouche
	Thabo Mofutsanyana		Tiboloha
	Thabo Mofutsanyana		Maluti
	Xhariep
	Xhariep
	Xhariep
GT	Tshwane South	Nuwe Hoopskool	Unicaskool	1	0	1	1					4
	Gauteng West		Wesrandse Skool - West Rand School	1	0	1	1					1
	Gauteng East	Sonitusskool	Muriel Brandskool	1	0	1	1					4
	Ekurhuleni South		Ezibeleni School For Physically Disabled Children	1	0	1	1					2
	Johannesburg South	Transvaliaskool-School	Jiswa Training Centre	2	0	2	2					4
	Sedibeng East	Muriel Brandskool	Krugerlaanskool	1	0	2	2					3
	Johannesburg South	Frances Vorwergskool	Sizwile School For The Deaf	1	0	1	0					4
	Johannesburg West	Rotaraskool	Randburgskool (Kliniekskool- Gestremde Leerlinge)	1		1	1					2
	Johannesburg North	Bethesda Special School	Gresswold Senior School	0	0	2	0					4
		Felicitasskool - School	Via Nova School For The Mentally Disabled	1	0	2	0					4
	Tshwane West	Ezibeleni School For Physically Disabled Children	Pretoriaskool Vir Serebraal Gestremdes	2	0	2	0					3
	Johannesburg East	Dr. W.K. Du Plessis-Skool	Dominican School For The Deaf	1	0	1	0					3
	Tswhane South	Rant-En-Dal Kliniekskool		0	0	1	1					1
	Tswhane West	Transoranje-Skool Vir Dowes		0	0	1	0					1
	Tshwane West	Takalani		0	0	1	0					2
	Ekhuruleni South	Adelaide Tambo School		1	0	1	0					2
	Gauteng East	Hope School-Skool		1		1	0					1
	Tswhane North	Eurekaskool		0	0	1						2
	Ekurhuleni	Ekurhuleni School For The Deaf		1	0		0					2
	Tshwane West	Prinshofskool			1							2
	Sedibeng East	Sibonile School For The Blind			1							2
		Ithembalihle School										2
	Tshwane North	Dominican School For The Deaf										2
	Tshwane West	Filadelfia			1							2
KZN	Uthukela	Kwazamokuhle		27	27	Information is available from Human Resource Planning	Information is available from Human Resource Planning	Information is available from Human Resource Planning	Information is available from Human Resource Planning	Information is available from Human Resource Planning	Information is available from Human Resource Planning	Information is available from Human Resource Planning
	Ugu	Harding
		St Martins
		Suid-Natal
	Zululand	Inkanyiso
		Zamimpilo
		Musa
		Bawelisile
	Umlazi	Golden Hours
		Open Air
		Reunion
		Mason Lincoln
	Uthungulu	Vuleka
		Masisizane
		Sthandiwe
		Thembimfundo
	Umgungundlovu	Peter Pan Training Centre
		Ekukhanyeni
		H.S. Ebrahim
		Open Gate
		St Christopher’s
		Arthur Blaxall
		Indaleni
		Newton
	Amajuba	Bumbisizwe (Madadeni)
		Newcastle School of Industries
		Tugela Prevocational School
		Bergsig Special School
	Pinetown	Sunfield Home
		AM Moola
		KwaThintwa
		Ethembeni
		Fulton
		The Browns
		Tongaat
		VN Naik
	Sisonke	Vulekani
		Daniel Mzamo
	Umkhanyakude	Sisizakele
		Intuthuko
		Khulani
	Umzinyathi	Pro Nobis
LP
NW	Bojanala	Meerhof	Meerhof	1	0	0	10	9	3	3	10	1
	Rustenburg	Kutlwanong	Kutwanong	0	0	1	0	10	1	42	0	0
	Bojanala	Oom Paul	0	0	0	1	0	11	1	6	0	0
	Dr Ruth S Mompati	MM Sebitloane	M M Sebitloane (New hostel, awaiting handover)	1	0	1	1	0	0	0	0	0
		Christiana School (Blind)	0	1	1	1	1	6	13	7	0	0
	Ngaka Modiri Molema	Tlamelang	0	1	0	1	0	17	1	Service Provider	31	1
		Coligny	0	1	0	1	0	2	2	2	2	0
		Bophelong	Bophelong (New hostel, awaiting handover)	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0
	Dr Kenneth Kaunda	Daeraad	0	0	0	2	0	3	6	0	0	1
		Janie Schneider	Janie Schneider	1	0	1	0	2	2	1	1	1
		Keurhof	0	0	0	0	0	1	7	6	5	0
		North West Secondary	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	7	1	0
		Die Wilge	0	0	0	1	0	1	9	3	5	0
		ES Le Grange	0	0	0	5	0	11	16	8	2	2
		Ikalafeng	Ikalafeng	4	0	4	4	2	16	14	9	1
WC	Overberg	Agulhas	Agulhas			2			13			0
	CENTRAL	ASTRA	ASTRA	CP and Physical Disabled	6				18			2
	North	Athlone School for the Blind	Athlone School for the Blind		2				19			1
	East	Alta du Toit				3			44			1
	North	Atlantis				2			11			1
	North	Bet el				2			21
	Eden	Carpe Diem	Carpe Diem			2 (Spectrum)			12			1
	North	De Grendel				2			14			0
	Cape W	De la Bat	De la Bat		DEAF =11				20			1
	South	Dominican Wittebome			DEAF = 6				18			1
	Central	Dominican Grimley			DEAF = 6				8			0
	Eden	Eljada Kairos	Eljada Kairos			4			31			1
	Central	Eros		2					24			1
	East	Jan Kriel	Jan Kriel			SLD =4			38			1
	Cape W	Langerug				SLD = 2			6			1 X Itinerant
	Central	Mary Harding	Mary Harding			2			13			1
	Overberg	Mispah				5			19			0
	Cape W	Nuwe Hoop			DEAF = 8				43			1
	Eden	Olympia				MMID = 2			13			0
	Eden	Oudtshoorn				MMID = 2			11			0
	East	Paarl	Paarl	2					13			1
	Cape W	Pioneer			6				31			1
	West Coast	Riebeeck Valley	Riebeeck Valley			MMID = 2			20			0
	Cape W	Steinthal				MMID = 2			9			0
	Central	Tembaletu		2					8			1
	Eden	Van kervel				MMID=2			12			0
	Central	Vera	Vera				2		16			0
	West Coast	Weskus	Weskus			MMID-3	3		19			0
	North	Westcliff				MMID=2	1		9			0

ANNEXURE B

Names of Full-Services Schools with Boarding Facilities, per District

Source: EMIS data collated from the Annual School Survey, 2014

Province	District	Name of School
EC	Graaff-Reinet	Aberdeen P Public School
FS	Motheo	Brebner P/S
FS	Lejweleputswa	Bultfontein C/S
FS	Thabo Mofutsanyana	Graanveld P/S
FS	Xhariep	Jacobsdal P/S
FS	Xhariep	Jagersfontein I/S
FS	Lejweleputswa	Kegomoditswe P/S
FS	Xhariep	Koffiefontein C/S
FS	Thabo Mofutsanyana	Letlotlo P/S
FS	Xhariep	Luckhoff P/S
FS	Thabo Mofutsanyana	Paul Roux I/S
FS	Motheo	Polokehong P/S
FS	Thabo Mofutsanyana	Pulamadiboho P/S
FS	Thabo Mofutsanyana	Reitz C/S
FS	Thabo Mofutsanyana	Senekal P/S
FS	Motheo	Sentraal P/S
FS	Motheo	Unicom P/S
FS	Lejweleputswa	Winburg C/S
FS	Xhariep	Zastron P/S
LP	Capricorn	Harry Oppenheimer Secondary
LP	Greater Sekhukhune	Laerskool Roossenekal
LP	Capricorn	St. Brendan's Catholic Secondary
MP	Not Applicable	Lothair Primary School
MP	Not Applicable	Qhubekani Primary School
MP	Not Applicable	Relane Lower Primary
NC	Pixley Ka Seme	Alpha Primêre Skool
NW	Lichtenburg	Hoërskool Coligny
NW	Madibeng	Hoërskool Wagpos
NW	Zeerust	Lencoe Primary School
NW	Greater Delareyville	Manamolela Primary School
NW	Mafikeng	Phera Primary School
NW	Mafikeng	Sol Plaatjie Secondary School
WC	West Coast	Dirkie Uys Laerskool
WC	West Coast	Elizabethfontein Mor Prim.
WC	West Coast	Steynville Prim.
WC	West Coast	Swartland Laerskool.

Reply:

(1)(a) R1243610.64

    (b) 225

(2)(a) R330081.57

    (b) R208225.73

 

Reply:

The Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) has not received an invitation to participate in the said Forum from responsible authorities.

a.   Not applicable
b.   Not applicable

 

 

END

Reply:

Please refer to my previous reply to question 115 on 17 March 2015 in which I explained the reasons for the provision of close protection services for SASSA employees and other affected officials.



END

Reply:

The Public Service Commission (PSC) is an independent constitutional body established in terms of Section 196 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996. It comprises 14 Commissioners appointed by the President of which five (5) are approved by the National Assembly and nine (9) are nominated by each of the Premiers of the respective province.

Section 4(1) and (2) of the Public Service Commission Act, 1997 states that:

“(1) Whenever the President is required to appoint a commissioner who has been approved by the National Assembly, the President shall address a request in writing to the Speaker of the National Assembly that a fit and proper person contemplated in section 196(10) of the Constitution be approved of as soon as may be practicable by the National Assembly in accordance with section 196(8)(a) of the said Act”, and

“(2) Whenever the President is required to appoint a commissioner who has been nominated by the Premier of a province, the President shall address a request in writing to the premier of that province that a fit and proper person contemplated in section 196(10) of the Constitution be nominated as soon as may be practicable by that Premier in accordance with section 196(8)(b)”,

In terms of Section 5(1) of the Public Service Commission Act, 1997, “the President shall designate one commissioner as chairperson and another as deputy chairperson of the Commission”.

Therefore, the chairperson of the Public Service Commission is not a direct appointment as the vacancy does not get advertised but the chairperson is drawn from amongst Commissioners within the employ of the Public Service Commission. It is the prerogative of the President to designate one Commissioner as the chairperson and another as a deputy chairperson of the Public Service Commission.

The President is waiting for the filling of the vacant post at national level of which the National Assembly of Parliament is in a process of identifying the candidate for nomination and recommendation to fill this vacant post.


END

Reply:

An employee’s applications for long periods of incapacity leave must in terms of the Policy and Procedure on Incapacity Leave be dealt with in keeping with defined time frames. The Head of Department has the authority to consider such an application taking into account all available information such as the employee’s application, additional medical information, including the advice of the Health Risk Manager. Managers are in terms of their core management responsibilities as defined in their core management criteria (CMC’s), responsible for the management of their staff. Therefore, if a manager fails to properly manage long periods of incapacity leave, the relevant Executive Authority and/or Head of Department can discipline that particular manager for not executing his/her responsibilities. Therefore relevant Heads Department (HODs) are in a better position to indicate the measures taken in this regard.


END

Reply:

Honourable Member, as a Member of the Legislature and an Honourable Member of this House, I am sure you are well aware that the matter you are raising is clearly a Constitutional matter and not for the National Minister of Health and any Minister from the National Sphere of Government for that matter, to participate in.

If I can just assist the Honourable Member, please refer to Section 91(2) of the Constitution of the Republic of South, 1996 (Act No. 108 of 1996), on the appointment of Ministers by the President of the Republic. Similarly, the Honourable Member may refer to Section 132(2) of the Constitution, on the appointment of MECs by the Premier of a Province.

Therefore from these provisions of the Constitution, the Honourable Member will see that the matter of the appointment and/or dismissal of MECs is clearly articulated. Nowhere in the Constitution, as Supreme Law, or in any law of this Country is it provided for that a Minister should be involved in the appointment or dismissal of MECs in anyway whatsoever.

END.

Reply:

Honourable Member, let me mention upfront that the establishment of initiation schools is under the control of the Department of Coorperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta).

As Health, we play a supportive role in terms of the health needs of initiates. Together with Cogta, we have negotiated with CONTRALESA (the Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa) whereby the Department will make available a sum of R20 million per Province. With this money, the traditional leader should look for medical doctors who are also practitioners and affiliates of that particular culture and have themselves gone through cultural initiation schools, to take care of the health needs of the initiates and to perform the actual circumcision, including post-operative care.

Some traditional leaders have accepted this option and where it is implemented, there is absolutely no death or no amputations.

However, some are still very resistant to this proposal and that is where death commonly occurs. A large number of deaths happen in illegal schools which are unknown even to the traditional leaders.

END.

Reply:

Honourable Member, I have repeatedly mentioned that our methods of determining the number of posts for health workers cannot be deemed reliable as it is derived from organograms which were drawn up long ago and not based on any scientific tool. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has come up with a new scientific tool called WISN (Work Indicators for Staffing Norms). We have just finished calculating WISN norms for Primary Health Care facilities only. We have just started working out the numbers in hospitals.

WISN will be the only reliable indicator of staffing in the healthcare system.

END.

Reply:

(1)(a)(b)

(a)(i)(ii)

(a)(i) – Cost Price

• YZF721GP - R678 248.85
• BF66SVGP - R995 512.00
• BJ01DPGP - R948 612.00
• 2RD85CA4574599 - R319 228.41

(ii) – Acquisition Date

• YZF721GP – 17 February 2010
• BF66SVGP – 17 March 2011
• BJ01DPGP – 14 June 2011
• 2RD85CA4574599 – 9 March 2012

(b)(i)(ii)(iii)

(b)(i) – Odometer Reading

• YZF721GP – 98937 km’s
• BF66SVGP – 84664 km’s
• BJ01DPGP – 79172 km’s
• 2RD85CA4574599 - 7045 km’s

(ii) – Model Number

• YZF721GP – E350 CDI
• BF66SVGP – S350
• BJ01DPGP – S350
• 2RD85CA4574599 - KB300 LX

(iii) – Vehicle Description

• YZF721GP – Mercedes Benz four door sedan
• BF66SVGP – Mercedes Benz four door sedan
• BJ01DPGP – Mercedes Benz four door sedan
• 2RD85CA4574599 - Isuzu double cab LDV

(2) Yes

(a)(i) – Optional Equipment Fitted are:

• YZF721GP – Center Console Rear View Entertainment
• BF66SVGP – None
• BJ01DPGP – None
• 2RD85CA4574599 - None

(ii) – Optional Equipment Fitted

• YZF721GP – R11 398.86

(3) Yes. The cities are Pretoria and Cape Town:

• YZF721GP – Pretoria
• BF66SVGP – Pretoria
• BJ01DPGP – Cape Town
• 2RD85CA4574599 - Pretoria. Vehicle has been disposed.
  
  
  
  
  
  END

Reply:

(1)(a) The Department has had a number of interactions in the form of bilateral meetings with State-Owned Entities and the private sector with the purpose of understanding the current broadband infrastructure gap, understanding the different technology options as well as understanding the different approaches undertaken by the private sector in implementing various broadband initiatives.

(b) Several meetings were held to provide the Department with better insight into the possible solutions to the broadband infrastructure problem and to assist with the costing of the broadband business case.

(c) The specified meetings were mainly held at the offices of the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services.

(d) Meetings were held with the private Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector. The purpose of the interaction with the private ICT sector on South Africa Connect was with the view to understand the technology trends, roadmap and infrastructure capabilities to achieve the SA Connect target and the broadband gaps. The purpose was also to understand the economic and social impact of the broadband initiatives to assist with setting up the parameters for monitoring the impact over the long term. Further to understand the different approaches to national Broadband Implementation Strategies implemented in other countries and the challenges and success thereof.

(e)(i)(ii) Meetings will be held with the private sector and are aimed at (i) Establishing key indicators to measure the impact of broadband infrastructure on the economy and (ii) Understanding how to further improve the current coverage.

(2)(a) (i) The Department has had interactions with the following companies to discuss technology options for broadband:

• Isizwe projects;
• Huawei Technologies;
• Alcatel-Lucent;
• Altec;
• Nokia,
• Seacom,
• the Living Labs project
• Viasat
• Avanti Communication Group

The following companies have been consulted to determine the extent of their infrastructure investment:

• • MTN
  • Vodacom
  • Neotel
  • Cell C
  • Altron
  • Telkom
  • Sentech
  • Dark Fibre Africa
  • Eskom
  • SACF
  • SANRAL

(ii) The following organisations were included in the interactions:

• Universal Service and Access and Agency of South Africa (USAASA);
• Council for Scientific Research (CSIR),
• BMI-T; and,
• Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA).

(iii) The National Broadband Advisory Council (NBAC) Working Group is the

Council has facilitated presentation from the Department and industry. The National ICT Forum has now been established to drive some of the industry interactions in a coordinated manner.

(b) The interactions were mainly in a form of bilateral meetings.

(c) The specified meetings were mainly held at the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services offices and CSIR convention centre

(3)(a) The engagement with the private ICT sector assisted the Department to understand the infrastructure gaps and various technology options and approaches to close the gaps.

(b) The outcome of the interactions with the private ICT sector assisted with the development of the broadband business case and implementation plan, and ensured that the duplication of infrastructure is avoided as much as possible during the planning process.



END

Reply:

This question is too broad and it is about the work of other departments. The member must ask the question to the departments concerned as well as provinces concerned.



END

Reply:

1(a). The Department has not stopped paying a subsidy to the Voortrekker Monument. The Voortrekker Monument is not a Declared Cultural Institution in terms of the Cultural Institutions Act and therefore does not receive a subsidy from the Department. However, the Department does provide funding to the Monument on an adhoc basis subject to the availability of funds. The Department has committed to transfer R1.3 Million to the Monument for the 2015/2016 financial year. To date, the DAC has transferred R1, 170 000 to the Voortrekker Monument in August 2015, and will transfer R130 000 on submission of a satisfactory expenditure report before the end of the current financial year.

(b). No discussion or prior notice was necessary since the MOU for the funding stipulates the terms and the funding period.

2(a). Non notification is not DAC standard practice.

(b). Standard practice was not deviated from as no discussion or prior notice was necessary since the MOU for the funding stipulates the terms and the funding period. No notification was required as the Voortrekker Monument receives ad hoc funding from the DAC and not annual funding as it is not a Declared Cultural Institution. My department has had several engagements with the Monument to see how best it can accommodate the Monument depending on the availability of funds.

3. As the Minister of Arts and Culture, I cannot reinstate a subsidy that did not exist. The Voortrekker Monument does not receive an annual subsidy as it is not a Declared Cultural Institution in terms of the Cultural Institutions Act.





END

Reply:

No, we do not think that it is the job of Provincial Legislatures to undertake extensive audits of –

a) maintenance;

b) management;

c) functioning hospitals

The Provincial Departments of Health are doing so already, through various projects in partnership with the National Department of Health.

The National Department of Health has implemented a multi-disciplinary technical assessment of health facilities starting in the NHI Pilot Districts, to establish the status of the relevant services and installation, recommend appropriate remedial interventions, where required, prioritise these in terms of criticality and determine the associated cost estimates.

On the issue of management of hospitals, the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) conducted a comprehensive assessment on management of hospitals. This led to a policy change whereby only people with a health background may be CEOs of hospitals.

On the issue of functioning of hospitals, the Office of Health Standards Compliance (OHSC) conducts inspections on quality of health services.

END.

Reply:

(a)  (i) The Department of Social Development through the Social Assistance Act, 2004 (Act No.13 of 2004) has entrusted the responsibility to administer social assistance and pay social grants to the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA). In an effort to fulfill its oversight responsibility the Department has further established formalized engagement structures where matters relating to the administration of social assistance including payment of social grants and compliance with norms and standards are discussed.

(ii) The department is busy looking at the options of protecting older persons’ accounts from unscrupulous loan sharks and other schemes.

(b) The bank accounts of social grant beneficiaries operate within the confines of the national payment system rules. Therefore, although Regulation 26A in terms of the Social Assistance Act, allows deductions for a funeral policy or scheme to take place directly from a social grant before the grant money is paid into a beneficiary’s bank account, however once the grant money is transferred into the bank account of a beneficiary this Regulation ceases to operate.



END

Reply:

The Minister visited China to attend the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting of New Champions 2014, in Tianjin, People’s Republic of China from 10 to 12 September 2014. Minister used this opportunity to honour a long standing invitation to pay an official visit to China from Minister Li Bin, the Minister of Health and Family Planning of the People’s Republic of China. This official visit took place on the 9th of September 2014.

He was accompanied by Dr Anban Pillay: Deputy Director General: Health Regulation and Compliance Management and PA, Ms M Sethosa.

Return Air Tickets: R 316 576.00

Accommodation: R 78 000.00

Daily allowances: R 35 249.34

Vehicles: R 75 000.00

VIP Lounges: R 20 000.00

The total cost for the visit was R 524 825.34.

 

Another delegation of Senior Officials visited China from 18 to 22 August 2014 to attend the Global Health Diplomacy Executive Training Course in Beijing, China. The delegation consisted of Deputy Director-General: International Health Development and Support, Ms MK Matsau, Mr M Modisenyane, Director: Africa Relations and the Deputy-Director: South-South Relations, Ms T Khosa.

Return Air Tickets: R 135 108.00

Accommodation: R 24 717.00

Daily allowances: R 16 756.20

The total cost for the visit was R 176 581.20

Please note that the trip was sponsored, tickets, accommodation and local transport were paid for by the National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC) of the People’s Republic of China.

END.

Reply:

(1) & (2) The information requested by the Honourable member is provided in the 2014/15 annual report which will be tabled in Parliament before the end of September 2015.

The annual report will assist the Honourable member to get a full picture of departmental performance and expenditure. These public documents are important mechanisms through which departments account to Parliament and the citizens of the country so that they know how their money is spent. Accordingly, the Honourable member is advised to access all relevant information from these reports and report back to her constituency on what the government is doing.

Reply:

(1)(a) The NCPF was communicated to the state-owned companies for the development of their cybersecurity strategies. The National Cybersecurity Policy Framework (NCPF) adopted by Cabinet in 2012, sets the agenda for cybersecurity in South Africa. Whilst the implementation of this policy is government led, its implementation includes all stakeholders, public and private sector, and citizens.

(b) The NCPF was developed taking into consideration South Africa’s national

interest, and global development.

(c) The policy framework was developed by an inter-departmental task team of the JCPS Cluster.

(d) It was communicated to the state-owned companies at the Joint DTPS- state-owned companies strategic workshop held in February 2015.

(e)(i) The strategies developed by SoCs are meant to mitigate the risk associated

with their respective businesses. To this end it is envisaged that the respective boards will be responsible for approving such strategies.

(ii) The boards appointed to these entities have an overall responsibility of ensuring that strategies adopted are implemented. The Department is responsible SoC oversight.

(f) The management and the boards of the state-owned companies will determine date of implementation.

Reply:

The National Department of Human Settlements has not been able to meet the set target of 2% for persons with disabilities. Currently, the department is at 1, 2% of persons with disabilities.

The reason for not achieving the set minimum disability target is multifaceted, for instance, the department has been faced with a challenge of retaining some of its employees with disabilities, as they left for positions in other departments as well as the private sector. This has resulted in a drop in the number of employees with disabilities employed in the department. However, this challenge is not peculiar to the department, but it is a government wide challenge that necessitated the government to conduct a survey in which the department participated, on the movement of people with disabilities in the Public Service in January 2015. It is hoped that the outcome of the survey will shed light on some of the challenges faced by government in general, and the Department of Human Settlements in particular.

Further, the Department has not been advertising due to the moratorium on the filling of vacant posts. But, my Department intends to address the mentioned challenges by establishing partnerships with Disabled People Organisations (DPOs) in order to advance the recruitment of suitably qualified people with disabilities. Furthermore, the training and development of employees with disabilities has been prioritised as a means of retaining and promoting their upward mobility. We intend to ensure that adequate assistive devices are provided.

Reply:

I have been advised by SAPO as follows;

No retrenchment notices or voluntary severance packages have been effected for the period 1 March to 31 July 2015 because of lack of funding.

Reply:

(a-b) The department is not significantly underspending on its budget allocations and continues to face serious budget pressures that constrain it from properly maintaining and improving its current office accommodation and expanding its footprint. These budget pressures also limit the department from refreshing its hardware and computer infrastructure on a planned basis. In this regard, it should be noted that the department utilised its full appropriation of R7,223 billion (100%) in the 2014/2015 financial year. This is an improvement on the expenditure outcome in the 2013/2014 financial year when 99,99% of the full appropriation of R6,994 billion was spent. National Treasury is engaged constantly to address the budget pressures the department faces. Treasury has in the past provide budget relief in the form of self-financing.


END

Reply:

The Department’s records system on travel does not separate the different categories of business for trips and destinations. The department can however disclose/provide the total travel expenditure for 2014/2015, per category of air travel and car hire.

(1) (a) The department spent a total amount of R27 739 532.51 on various air travel in the 2014/15 financial year.

(1) (b) The total number of trips undertaken for the year 2014/2015 to/from various areas/destinations throughout the country are 9 986.

(2) (a) The total amount spent on accommodation in the 2014/15 financial year is R39 138 312.70.

(2) (b) The total amount spent on car rental is R6 586 431.57 for 2014/2015.

Reply:

(1) There is currently no collaboration between the AISA research programme and SANSA.

 

(2) The HSRC is in the process of developing its Africa Research Partnership and Collaboration Strategy. The Strategy for AISA will be nested within this broader HSRC Strategy.



END

 

Reply:

I will make a determination once all offices have sufficient capacity to handle the volumes of applicants for Smart ID cards. Currently office managers were given permission to apply their own discretion and accept other categories of citizens based on the volumes in their offices.

 

 

END

Reply:

King III and the introduction of The Companies Act in 2008 has rendered Directors’ and Officers’ Liability Insurance crucial for all companies regardless of size or incorporation. The SABC as such took such an insurance cover and all legal fees for Hlaudi Motsoeneng were submitted to the Insurers for payment.

(a)SABC has not paid any amount towards the legal fees
(b) Not Applicable
(c) Not Applicable
(d) Not Applicable
(e) Not Applicable



Parliamentary question 2306 of 2015


MR N MUNZHELELE
[ACTING] DIRECTOR GENERAL
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS
DATE: 24/07/15

MS AF MUTHAMBI, MP
MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS
DATE:

Reply:

There is an interim investigation to establish whether there are merits in this case which warrant a full blown investigation.



END

Reply:

Reply:

(1) (a)NAMES	(1) (b)DESIGNATIONS	ORGANISATIONS
AMB M Nkosi	Ambassador	Belgium and Luxembourg; and Mission to the European Union
Amb AK Bramdeo	Ambassador	Seconded by African Union to the European Union, Brusells
Mr E Beck	Minister Plenipotentiary	Belgium and Luxembourg; and Mission to the European Union
Amb JNK Mamabolo	Ambassador	SA Permanent Mission in United Nations
Mr EL Mminele	Minister Plenipotentiary	SA Permanent Mission in United Nations
Amb TJ Seokolo	Ambassador	Vienna, Austria and Permanent Mission to the UN & International Organisations
Ms L Greyling	Minister Plenipotentiary	Vienna, Austria and Permanent Mission to the UN & International Organisations
Amb AS Minty	Ambassador	Geneva, Switzerland and Permanent Mission to the UN and other International Organisations
Ms NP Notutela	Minister Plenipotentiary	Geneva, Switzerland and Permanent Mission to the UN and other International Organisations
Amb X Carim	Ambassador	World Trade Organisation
Amb X Mqulwana,	High Commissioner	Nairobi, High Commissioner to Kenya and SA Representative to the UN Habitat
Amb NN Ntshinga	Ambassador	Addis Ababa, Ambassador to Ethiopia and SA Representative to the African Union( AU)

(2) Yes. These Ambassadors and Senior Diplomats serve on concurrent representation at no extra remuneration.

 

Ambassador Bramdeo is seconded to the African Union as the AU Representative to the EU in Brussels as per request of the former Chairperson of the AU, Mr Jean Ping.

 

(3) The appointment process undergone by all representatives abroad is done in terms of Section 84 (2) (i) of the Constitution, 1996, which provides: “that the President has the powers entrusted by the Constitution and legislation, appointing ambassadors, plenipotentiaries, and diplomatic and consular representatives”.

 

(4) No. The appointment process is effected through the Constitution and does not prescribe academic qualifications and experience.

Reply:

No, the current employment equity ratio for persons with disabilities is at 1.54%. In its recruitment strategy the department advertisement for posts encourages people with disability to apply for positions in the department, however in many cases those who do apply do not meet the minimum requirements for the posts. We are considering partnerships with organisations like Disabled People South Africa (DPSA) to try and mitigate this recruitment challenge.



END

Reply:

1. and (2) (a) Annexure A comprises of the names and allocation of the training projects that are currently funded by the Construction Education and Training Authority (CETA).
2. (b) CETA works on a performance-based payment system. Therefore, CETA reimburses funded entities and does not make upfront payments. It only pays after training and/or services have been rendered.
3. Please refer to Annexure B attached to this response.
4. (a) and (b) All projects on the commitment schedule, as at 31 March 2015, were independently audited by the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA). The findings in respect of the selected programmes will be reported in the 2014/15 annual report.
5. (a) The CETA has an invoice processing unit which looks into compliance requirements that must be met by all approved entities before any payment can be made. Each funded learning pathway, e.g. Learnerships, has its own invoice compliance requirements to be met as per the approved budget. If the invoice is compliant, the Requestor signs the invoice and it is reviewed by the relevant Manager, endorsed by the Chief Financial Officer and approved by the Chief Executive Officer.

(b) The following positions have delegations of authority to sign-off payments:

• Projects Manager;
• Core Business Manager;
• Core Business Executive;
• Finance Manager;
• Chief Financial Officer; and
• Chief Executive Officer.

 

 

 

Compiler/Contact persons:

Ext:

DIRECTOR – GENERAL

STATUS:

DATE:

REPLY TO QUESTION 3240 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED

Dr BE NZIMANDE, MP

MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

STATUS:

DATE:

Reply:

a)      In terms of section 139 of the Firearms Control Act, 2000 (Act 60 of 2000) the Minister may by notice in the Government Gazette declare an amnesty in order to allow any person who is in unlawful possession of firearms and /or ammunition the opportunity to surrender such firearms and /or ammunition without fear of being prosecuted for the unlawful possession of such firearms, ammunition and/or firearm parts in contravention of the Act.

b)     In terms of section 106,107,108 and 109 of the Firearm Control Act, 2000 (Act 60 of 2000), a Police Official may conduct such inspection as may be necessary in order to determine whether the requirements and conditions of the Act are being complied with. On a continuous basis inspections are conducted at official and non-official institution to check compliance with legislation.

c)    The South African Police Service has a policy where by citizens (informers) are remunerated for the information given to help combat crime in South Africa.

d)     The South African Police Service is currently embarking on crime combating operations like “Operation Fiela” which has a huge success in the seizure of illegal firearms and other crime related issues. This operation is intended to run for 24 months.

e)     The South African Police Service as the custodian of the firearm legislation i.e the Firearm Control Act, 2000 (Act 60 of 2000) and Firearms Control Regulations, 2004 is obliged to ensure the enforcement and compliance of the legislation provisions of the Firearm Control Act and the Firearm Control Regulations. Inspections are conducted on a continuous basis at official and non-official institutions to check compliance with legislation.



END

Reply:

 

(1)(a) European continent: 3

(1)(b) Asian continent: 13

(1)(c) South American continent: 0

(2) The Department is in the process of developing an ePermit system with an intention to roll it out in all South African Missions abroad and also extend the visas facilitation services (VFS) centres in countries where we receive mostly skilled persons for our economy.

(3)(a)(i-ii) VFS staff and officials received training in March 2014 before the publishing of the amended Immigration Regulations. Another training session took place in February 2015. Another training workshop has been scheduled for September 2015. At VFS centre level, there is regular refresher training conducted as and when there are new developments or departmental directives on the interpretation and application of the Immigration Act and the Regulations.

(3)(b) Home Affairs Officials receive regular training on operations, interpretation and application of the Immigration Act. Officials were trained by the Department’s Learning Academy on the new changes in the Act and its Regulations. Regular on-the-job training also takes place during staff meetings where officials share good practices and interpretation and application of the Immigration Act and the Regulations.

END

Reply:

(1)(a)(i) 2010-2011 - 619

(1)(a)(ii) 2011-2012 - 540

(1)(a)(iii) 2012-2013 - 364

(1)(a)(iv) 2014-2014 - 509

(1)(b) A majority of cases relate to citizens taking up citizenship in Australia, Western Europe, Canada, United States of America and other countries.

(1)(c) The website of the department was updated in relation to the Citizenship Act, as it is the responsibility of each citizen to familiarise themselves with the Act, prior to taking up other country’s citizenship.

(2) No, the onus is on the individuals and those receiving countries.



END

Reply:

(1) (a) The Department has initiated an investigation into the allegations made by the tenants/residents of Masimong 4 Estate, in Welkom. The Department received the complaint in March 2015 and concluded its preliminary investigation on 28 May 2015. A preliminary investigation and assessment of the complaints was conducted by the Department’s Legal Advisory Services and Rental Housing Development Units. The preliminary investigation included, inter alia, an engagement with the complainants and property Management Company.

(b) (i) It is important to note that the initial complaint focused on allegations of a rental dispute and illegal evictions. The allegation of rental dispute was confirmed and it was found that conflicting/varying monthly rental fee structures were issued by property management Company and the Free State Department of Human Settlement. This resulted in complainants claiming being able to calculate the correct and/ or valid monthly rental fee structure.

(ii) The allegation of illegal eviction could not be substantiated by the complainants. However, the department has found that the complainants were threatened with evictions following their dispute with property Management Company on monthly rental to be paid by the tenants/ residents, due to conflicting/ different rental structure which was presented to them. The allegations of irregularities regarding the management of Masimong 4 Estate were referred to the department in July of 2015. The outcome of the preliminary investigation recommended that the matter be referred for forensic investigation.

The matter, particularly the alleged irregularities in the management of Masimong 4 Estate, is a subject of a forensic investigation that is currently underway and conducted by the department Special Investigations Directorate. A detailed forensic investigation report will be submitted once the investigation is finalized and the recommendations considered and where required actioned.

(2) (a)There are 641 residential units in the specified estate.

The units were built essentially for low income households earning between R800.00 and R3500.00 per month. Those earning above R7500 must pay market related rental amount.

(b) Applicants have to complete an Application Form and must attach:

1. A copy of the ID;
2. Copies of the Birth Certificates of all members of the applicant’s household;
3. Most recent payslip;
4. Two (2) months’ Bank Statement not older than 2 months

Each applicant is then checked whether:

1. Their income falls within the permitted brackets; and
2. The income is enough to afford the applicable rental.

Where the applicant’s income is not sufficient to allow for the set rental payments, the income of the household is considered.

(c) The total cost for the development of the estate was R138 676 288.

(3) (a) The residents are legally evicted through the Courts and this only applies to the following:

(i)  Those who occupied the units illegally, refuse to be regularized and further refuse to pay rentals for accommodation.

(ii)  Legitimate occupants who refuse to pay rentals despite the fact that they have been invited on numerous occasions to make payment arrangements. The Department has further offered rent rebates and part arrear write-offs to incentivize payment.

 

UNIT TYPE	UNIT SIZE PER M2	RU SET MONTHLY RENTALS	RENTALS CHARGED AS PER ECONOMIC COST RECOVERY	RENTALS AGREED TO FOR TENANTS EARNING FROM R800 TO R3500	MARKET RELATED RENTALS FOR RTENANTS EARNING ABOVE R7500
Bachelor	34.22	R 508.92	R 500.00	R   350.00	R 750.00
One bedroom	50.64	R 753.13	R 700.00	R   500.00	R 1000.00
Two bedroom	69.69	R 1036.44	R 1000.00	R   700.00	R 1850.00
Three bedroom	70.47	R 1048.04	R 1200.00	R   700.00	R 1850.00

(b) The residents have on the average occupied these residences/units for 21/2 years since the opening of the Estate. An advert was placed in local circulating newspapers inviting tenants earing betweenR800 – 00 and R7500 – 00 to apply for rental accommodation at Masimong 4 Estate

(4) (a) Rentals in a Community Residential Units (CRU) Project are computed on an Economic Cost Recovery method where you divide the total expenses with the size of the floor area of the development and multiply the figure obtained with the size of each unit, for example this is how the Masimong 4 Estate Rentals were computed:

Total expenditure = R421 587

The total floor area for Masimong 4 = 29 719 m2

The standard m2 rate = R421 587 divided by 29 719m2

= R14.87 per/m2

Standard m2 rate is R14.87per m2 multiplied by different unit sizes to actual rentals

(b) Rentals are paid into the bank account of the Property Management Company.



END

Reply:

a)      Residential Accommodation requirements for SAPS members serving at border posts are submitted via the SAPS User Asset Management Plan (UAMP) to the Border Control Operations Co-ordination Committee (BCOCC) at Department of Public Works for the provisioning of the required accommodation.

b)      Office Accommodation requirements for SAPS members serving at border posts are submitted via the SAPS User Asset Management Plan (UAMP) to the Border Control Operations Co-ordination Committee (BCOCC) at Department of Public Works for the provisioning of the required accommodation.

c)      Yes, the approach with regard to provision of shelters is catered in the collective budget that prioritizes the rebuilding of the ports. It must be further mentioned that apart from the rebuilding process, there is also a Repair and Maintenance Programme (RAMP) for all ports in order to deal with day to day challenges and that programme is also financed and budgeted through the collective budget from Treasury.

(d) Yes.

The National Management Forum took a decision that all SAPS garages must fall under Divisional Commissioner: Supply Chain Management in order to improve the availability of vehicles for policing purposes. A turnaround strategy has subsequently been put in place by the SAPS and lengthy procurement processes were shortened and capacity was increased at the garages in terms of infrastructure (e.g. purchasing of diagnostic equipment, hoists and specialized tools).

Spare parts stores were also established in all SAPS garages with fast moving spares.

A contract for spare parts was also awarded nationally in 2014 for the supply and delivery of vehicle spare parts but the SAPS does not solely rely on the spare parts contract to ensure an operable vehicle fleet. It also makes use of the following methods to not affect the downtime of the SAPS vehicles:

• Purchase vehicle body parts on the three (3) quotation basis;

• Repairs to drive line units in terms of contract 19/1/9/1/38TV (11);

• Outsourcing of repairs on a strip and quote basis to single source suppliers;

• Obtaining parts from the vehicle manufacturer’s agents;

• Utilizing of serviceable parts from SAPS vehicles already boarded (“cannibalizing”), and

• Maintaining vehicles in terms of contract RT46.

All SAPS garages are expected to ensure that a minimum of 80% or more of the vehicle fleet is available for policing at all times, and it is continually monitored to ensure this target is met or exceeded. The current national vehicle availability ratio is 83.35% average as on 30 June 2015.

It will be very time consuming to collate all the statistics relating to each border post and post of entry where there are SAPS members and vehicles; however the average time spent for SAPS vehicles in the garages for services was two (2) days during the 2014/15 financial year and we are striving to improve thereon and reduce the average to one (1) day.

(e) Since 2010 all members assigned to Border Policing completed the Z204 vetting forms for vetting process, all documents were received and forwarded to the Division Crime Intelligence for vetting processes. Over and above that process, the government departments, through the BCOCC, have collectively arranged with the National School of Government, previously known as PALAMA, for workshops on corruption that included attendance by various ports members.

Cases of corruption against members at Ports of Entry during the period 30 June 2010 to 30 June 2015 is as follows:

CORRUPTION CASES APRIL 2010 - MARCH 2011

Name of Ports	Case No	Members involved	Outcome of Case
Beitbridge	170/02/2011	1 x SAPS Official	Withdrawn
ORTIA	54/08/2010	1 x SAPS Official	Filed
	200/06/2010	1 x SAPS Official	Filed
Kopfontein	27/04/2010	1 x SAPS Officials	Remanded 2015-08-05
Durban Harbour	98/11/2010	1 x SAPS Officials	Not guilty

CORRUPTION CASES APRIL 2011 - MARCH 2012

Name of Ports	Case No	Members involved	Outcome of Case
ORTIA	56/06/2011	1 x SAPS Official	Withdrawn
Golela	226/05/2011	1 x SAPS Official	Withdrawn
	305/06/2011	1 x SAPS Official	Not guilty/Acquitted
Durban Harbour	201/11/2011	2 x SAPS Officials	Fine R2 000.00
OR Tambo	202/11/2011	2 x SAPS Officials	Not guilty
Durban Harbour	89/01/2012	4 x SAPS Officials	Withdrawn

CORRUPTION CASES APRIL 2012 - MARCH 2013

Name of Port	Case No	Members involved	Outcome of Case
ORTIA	36/07/2012 51/11/2012	1 x SAPS Official 3 x SAPS Official	Guilty- imprisonment Guilty- fine
Beit Bridge	Musina 303/06/2012	1 x SAPS member	Not guilty
Jeppes Reef	Schoemansdal 82/11/2012	1 x SAPS Member	Withdrawn
Durban HBR	Maydon wharf 13/12/2012	2 x SAPS Official	Not guilty

CORRUPTION CASES APRIL 2013 - MARCH 2014

Name of Port	Case No	Members involved	Outcome of Case
Beit bridge	299/12/2013 405/12/2013 406/12/2013	1 x SAPS 1 x SAPS 1 x SAPS	Not guilty Guilty/ Imprisonment/ Fine Withdrawn
Jeppes Reef	Schoemansdal 16/07/2013	1 x SAPS	Withdrawn
KSIA	37/07/2013	1 x SAPS	Booked out to Senior State Prosecutor 2015-05-19
Van Rooyens	Wepener 77/02/2014	1 x SAPS	Withdrawn

CORRUPTION CASES APRIL 2014 - MARCH 2015

Name of Port	Case No	Members involved	Outcome of Case
Beit Bridge	Musina 287/05/2014	4 x SAPS Members	Withdrawn 2014-08-29.
Durban Harbour	Maydon Wharf 16/11/2014	2 x SAPS Members	1 member resigned and the other member to appear in court. Docket with IPID.
Vioolsdrift	08/06/2014	1 x SAPS Member	Still under investigation.
ORTIA	160/09/2014	2 x SAPS Members	Withdrawn
Pafuri	Masisi 50/02/2015	3 x SAPS Members	Booked to court 2015-03-27; no further status

Reply:

I’ve been advised by SAPO as follows;

Yes, the person in question was employed by the South African Post Office as the General Manager; and in 2003, internal disciplinary actions were instituted against him for two allegations relating to sexual harassment and intimidation.

(a) He was subjected to disciplinary actions on two charges of sexual harassment and intimidation.

(b) The person in question was found not guilty on both allegations.

Reply:

Honourable member, government is no longer building Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) houses. RDP houses were discontinued as soon as Cabinet adopted the Comprehensive Plan for the Development of Sustainable Human Settlements in 2004 setting new standards for housing typologies for government houses referred to as BNG houses.

(a) Subsidised houses that were completed in the 2013-14 financial year:

105 936 subsidised houses/units were completed (see Table1, below). This figure excludes 48 893 serviced sites that were completed during the same period.

(b) 84 459 houses/units were handed over to the beneficiaries or qualifying occupants by Provincial Departments of Human Settlements or their respective municipalities.

Table 1: Table depicting Houses Completed and Hand-over: 2013/14 Financial Year

2013/14	EC	FS	GP	KZN	LP	MP	NC	NW	WC	SA TOTAL
Houses completed	12,646	6,920	22,352	29,151	3,080	8,126	2,464	9,362	11,835	105,936
Houses handed over	8,346	4,986	8,924	29,151	2,972	6,419	2,464	9,362	11,835	84,459

Data Source: Provincial Departments: Human Settlements

We have been informed that some of the completed houses have not been allocated for various reasons. These vary from disputes arising out of the existence of more than one "Waiting List", de-registering of beneficiaries that had moved by the time of completion of the houses, refusal by beneficiaries to take occupation prior the connector services such as electricity have been installed. In some instance while these are sorted out, some houses would be illegally invaded.

Reply:

King III and the introduction of The Companies Act in 2008 has rendered Directors' and Officers’ Liability Insurance crucial for all companies regardless of size or incorporation. The SABC a s such an insurance cover and all legal fees for Ms Ellen Tshabalala were submitted to the Insurers for payment

(a)SABC has not paid any amounts towards the legal files
(b) Not Applicable
© Not Applicable
(d) Not Applicable
(e) Not Applicable


MR N MUNZHELELE
[ACTING] DIRECTOR GENERAL
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS
DATE: 24/07/15


MS AF MUTHAMBI, MP
MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS
DATE:

 

Reply:

1. (a) The Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) work in accordance with the White Paper for Post-School Education and Training, thus responding to the National Development Plan (NDP). Earlier this year, the Department tabled in Parliament its Strategic Plan (2015-2020) which was developed on the basis of the vision espoused in the NDP, 2014 - 2019 Medium Term Strategic Framework, and policy imperatives of the White Paper, which gives the direction to the entire post-school education and training sector.

(b) Yes, the Skills Development Act, 97 of 1998 directs that SETAs must, in accordance with any requirements that may be prescribed; develop Sector Skills Plans within the framework of the national skills development strategy. Goal 5 of the National Skills Development Strategy (NSDS) III focuses on encouraging better use of the workplace-based skills development, whereupon SETAs are required through mandatory and discretionary grants to support the training of employed workers as well as encourage employers to expand such training, in order to improve the overall productivity of the economy and address skills imbalances in the workforce and labour market. The Department is required in terms of the Skills Development Act to enter into Service Level Agreements with SETAs to ensure that goals enunciated in the NSDS III are implemented, including but not limited to skilling the workforce, monitored on a quarterly basis. All SETAs directly respond to the sector skills priorities, which are derived from the Sector Skills Plans. The Sector Skills Plans are developed using information received from the respective sector stakeholders hence, training interventions implemented by SETAs address skills that the country requires. I promulgated a national list of occupations in high demand on 4 November 2014 through Government Gazette No. 38174.

(c) Yes, SETAs are implementing PIVOTAL learning programmes as directed, amongst others, by the SETA Grant Regulations regarding monies received by a SETA and related matters, as published on 3 December 2012, which includes but is not limited to offering bursaries to learners at Universities, and Technical and Vocational Education and Training colleges leading to part or full qualifications as recognised nationally, i.e. learnerships, internships, artisanship, work integrated learning, amongst others.

2. Whilst the SETA system has contributed positively in addressing challenges of skills development in the country, I have been upfront and on record in acknowledging the challenges facing the SETA system, hence I am in the process of reviewing the SETA system in accordance with the White Paper for Post-School Education and Training, NDP and other relevant government strategic policy documents.

 

 

Compiler/Contact persons:

Ext:

DIRECTOR – GENERAL

STATUS:

DATE:

REPLY TO QUESTION 3314 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED

Dr BE NZIMANDE, MP

MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

STATUS:

DATE:

Reply:

The Dambuza Community Development Trust is a non-profit organisation founded in 2007 to promote community participation in the development of the Dambuza and greater Edendale areas, including education and training opportunities for the youth.

The honourable member is welcome to request any information directly from the Trust.

 

 

Compiler/Contact persons:

Ext:

DIRECTOR – GENERAL

STATUS:

DATE:

REPLY TO QUESTION 3244 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED

Dr BE NZIMANDE, MP

MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

STATUS:

DATE:

Reply:

Yes, progress had been made with the mentioned case dockets

(a)(i) Springs CAS 752/04/2011 (Fraud) – The case docket had been fully investigated and presented to the Senior Public Prosecutor for a decision on prosecution. The Senior Public Prosecutor declined to institute prosecution, citing that it is a civil matter.

(a)(ii) Springs CAS 06/05/2011 (Fraud) – The case docket had been transferred to Scottburgh police station in KwaZulu-Natal and Scottburgh CAS 33/05/2011 had been registered for this case. This case docket is therefore a duplicate of Scottburgh CAS 33/05/2011.

(a)(iii) Springs CAS 217/05/2011 (Fraud) – The case docket had been fully investigated and presented to the Senior Public Prosecutor for a decision on prosecution. The Senior Public Prosecutor declined to institute prosecution, citing that it is a civil matter.

(b) Cape Town Central CAS 889/05/2011 (Fraud) – The case docket had been fully investigated and presented to the Director of Public Prosecution of the Western Cape for a decision on prosecution. The Director of Public Prosecutions declined to institute prosecution, citing that it is a civil matter.

(c) Scottburgh CAS 33/05/2011 (Fraud) – The case docket had been fully investigated and presented to the Senior Public Prosecutor for a decision on prosecution. The Senior Public Prosecutor declined to institute prosecution, citing that it is a civil matter.


END

Reply:

The information is not readily available, therefore a request is hereby made for an extension of time in order for us to provide quality and correct information as soon as it is received, kindly note as well that the information required is depended on other divisions which must still be verified before submitted to you.

Reply:

(1) & (2) The information requested by the Honourable member is provided in the 2014/15 annual report which will be tabled in Parliament before the end of September 2015.

The annual report will assist the Honourable member to get a full picture of departmental performance and expenditure. These public documents are important mechanisms through which departments account to Parliament and the citizens of the country so that they know how their money is spent. Accordingly, the Honourable member is advised to access all relevant information from these reports and report back to her constituency on what the government is doing.

Reply:

I wish to preface my reply by reminding the Honourable member that government is no longer building Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) houses. RDP houses were discontinued as soon as Cabinet adopted the Comprehensive Plan for the Development of Sustainable Human Settlements in 2004 setting new standards for housing typologies for government houses referred to as BNG houses.

Honourable Member, an online system is already in existence and it is called the National Housing Needs Register (NHNR).

The NHNR was developed in 2010 as a tool to be utilized at a provincial and municipal level to enable citizens to register their needs for adequate shelter/housing opportunities.

The household profile of citizens that registered their needs is recorded to assist provinces and municipalities to plan new housing projects that will address the needs of citizens. The following information is recorded per household on the NHNR system:

• Geographical details regarding, town, area, street address / house number and ward number;
• If the household is currently located in a hazardous area;
• Type of dwelling the household is currently living in;
• The main bathroom facility that the household has access to;
• The main water facility that the household has access to;
• The main energy type that the household has access to ;
• Monthly income ;
• Migration history;
• Preference regarding different housing opportunities;
• Per household member highest qualification attained;
• Per household member, where applicable, the sector In which sector they are employed;
• Per household member, where applicable, current employment status;
• Per household member, where applicable, social grant received from government and type of grant;
• Per household member, where applicable, type of disability and
• Per household member, where applicable, special needs e.g. Severe chronic disease /s (e.g. HIV/AIDS), Orphan / vulnerable child, Frail and infirm, Physical and mental disabilities, Older person

The NHNR also provides for the allocation of housing opportunities in a fair, transparent and auditable manner. The allocation portion of the NHNR has been implemented based on the Guidelines for the Allocation of Housing Opportunities Created through the National Housing Programmes that was developed by the national Department in 2009.

The allocation process is area based therefore households from various geographical areas can be selected based on the selection criteria relevant to the specific housing project, the following criteria is available:

• Women Headed Households
• Child Headed Households
• No Income
• Income above R3500
• Aged Members (+60 to 80 and beyond)
• Adult (35 to 59)
• Widows and Widowers
• Households with children
• Disabled Persons
• Persons with Special Needs
• Preference – House
• Preference – Stand e.g. the land that’s owned by tribal leaders

The selected criteria can be prioritized and based on that, a list of households will be drawn from the NHNR. The list can be committed on the NHNR after approval. The list will form the basis of inviting the selected households to complete housing subsidy application forms.

The NHNR provides provinces and municipalities with the ability to select a person (members of a specific household) or an area basis (geographical location) records to be validated against the:

• • Population Register (Home Affairs);
  • PERSAL;
  • UIF;
  • GEPF;
  • National Housing Subsidy Database (NHSDB) that contains records of beneficiaries that has been assisted or is in the process for assistance with a housing subsidy) and
  • Deeds Datasets.

The results returned from the validation process cannot be used to determine or make a decision whether a household qualifies for a housing subsidy or not. The formal qualification for a housing subsidy is done on the HSS (Housing Subsidy System) as the rules related to the various National Housing Programmes as contained in the National Housing Code are built into the HSS.

Various reports are also available on a provincial, municipal and town level. Currently the NHNR that contains information is about 1,607,223 households. The national Department is the custodian of the NHNR and provides support, training and Data quality services to the various provincial human settlements Departments and municipalities that have implemented the system.

In the process of ensuring that the NHNR Data is always credible, the national Department has just released a new version of the NHNR during the first week of September 2015 and the following new functionalities are available:

• Latest technology;
• The system can now run on a desktop, tablet or a smart phone;
• SMS service that will enable provincial human settlements to communicate with households that have registered their needs for adequate shelter/ housing opportunities and
• Linkage with the Housing Subsidy System that updates the status of households that have completed their housing subsidy applications.

Reply:

Honourable member, government is no longer building Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) houses. RDP houses were discontinued as soon as Cabinet adopted the Comprehensive Plan for the Development of Sustainable Human Settlements in 2004 setting new standards for housing typologies for government houses referred to as BNG houses.

(1) The information requested by the Honourable member on Breaking New Ground (BNG) houses built in the (a) Nama Khoi Local Municipality, (b) Kamiesberg Local Municipality, (c) Richtersveld Local Municipality and (d) Khai-Ma Municipality since 2009 is provided in the table below:

Local Municipality	2009/10	2010/11	2011/12	2012/13	2013/14	2014/15	TOTAL	(ii) location	(iv) all houses completed and signed off
	Sites	Units	Sites	Units	Sites	Units	Sites	Units	Sites	Units	Sites	Units	Sites	Units
	(i) Number of houses built
(a) Nama Khoi
Buffelsrivier	0											9	0	9	Buffelsrivier	All houses completed and signed off
Bulletrap	0					5							0	5	Bulletrap
Carolusberg	0			10									0	10	Carolus-berg
Concordia	0											15	0	15	Concordia
Fonteintjie	0					15							0	15	Springbok
Goodhouse	0					15							0	15	Goodhouse
Komaggas	0											26	0	26	Kommagas
Kouroep	0					5							0	5	Kouroep
Matjieskloof	0			100									0	100	Springbok
										50			0	50
	0											50	0	50
	0											1	0	1
Nababeep	0					20							0	20	Nababeep
	0											4	0	4
O'kiep				110									0	110	O'Kiep
						50							0	50
O'kiep	0											190	0	190	O'kiep	All houses completed and signed off
Rooiwal						20							0	20	Vioolsdrift
Rooiwinkel						5							0	5	Rooiwinkel
Vioolsdrift						11							0	11	Vioolsdrift
Sub-total	0	0	0	220	0	146	0	0	0	50	0	295	0	711
(b) Kamiesberg
Garies	0	1											0	1	Garies	All houses completed and signed off
Kharkams		2											0	2	Kharkams
Klipfontein												120	0	120	Klipfontein
Lepelsfontein				60									0	60	Lepels-fontein
Kamassies		3											0	3	Kamassies
Kheis										1			0	1	Kheis
Sub-total	0	6	0	60	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	120	0	187
(c) Richtersveld
Kuboes	0	1											0	1	Kuboes	All houses completed and signed off
Port Nolloth												100	0	100	Port Nolloth
Sanddrift						10							0	10	Sanddrift
												50	0	50
Eksteenfontein						1							0	1	Eksteen-fontein
Sub-total	0	1	0	0	0	11	0	0	0	0	0	150	0	162
(d) Khai-Ma
Pella	0	2											0	2	Pella	All houses completed and signed off
				8									0	8
												38	0	38
Pofadder												101	0	101	Pof-adder
Onseepkans				4									0	4	Onseep-kans
												5	0	5
												2	0	2
Sub-total	0	2	0	12	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	146	0	160
TOTAL	0	9	0	292	0	157	0	0	0	51	0	711	0	1,220

(2) We have been informed that the houses were not enrolled with the NHBRC and as such we do not have any information on the rectification of the houses.

(a) Falls away.

(b) Falls away.

(c) Falls away.

(d) Falls away.

Reply:

(i) The information for both offices is hereby provided as follows:

(a) Edenvale:

           (aa) 2014 - none

           (bb) April 2015 – one (1),

                 June 2015 – seven (7),

                 July 2015 - eight (8) and

                 August 2015 two (2).

b) Kempton Park:

         (aa) April 2014 - six (06),

         (bb) May 2015 - four (4),

               June 2015 - three (3),

              July 2015 – six (06) and

             August 2015 – two (2).

(ii-iii) Details in tabular format attached below:

OFFICE	MONTH	FREQUENCY OF DOWNTIMES	Duration of Down Time	Reason for Down Time
EDENVALE	APRIL 2015	01	The whole day	Photo booth and Front Line Officer (FLO) workstation offline/ power off
	JUNE 2015	07	The whole day	FLO workstation and photo booth offline
	JULY 2015	08	The whole day	Photo booth offline and Integrated Receipting Engine (IRE) for cash registers faulty
	AUGUST 2015	02	The whole day	Integrated Receipting Engine (IRE) faulty. Photo booth offline and Xerox was faulty
KEMPTON PARK	APRIL 2015	06	2 Hours	Server was down due upgrade and generator kick in
	MAY 2015	04	3 Hours	Problem with Server and generator failed to kick in
	JUNE 2015	03	3 Hours	Problem with server generator failed to kick in
	JULY 2015	06	The whole day	Back Office re-started the server
	AUGUST 2015	02	3 Hours	Problem with server generator failed to kick in

Reply:

The Public Service Co-ordinating Bargaining Council (PSCBC) has been tasked to monitor implementation of both Resolutions 7 of 1998 & 12 of 2002 of the Public Service Co-ordinating Bargaining Council (PSCBC) regarding past discriminatory practices. Therefore, enquiries in relation to reopening of the submissions of applications should be made to the PSCBC.

Reply:

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 to the Parliamentary programme.

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

Reply:

No. The Department of Public Service and Administration (the DPSA) does not have a Regulatory Burden Reduction Strategy. The Minister for Public Service and Administration, issues Regulations that are required and necessary in terms of the Public Service Act, 1994 and no Regulations have been identified as burdensome to date.