Reply:

Department of Defence

(i) Sowetan

(aa) R67.921.20

(bb) R 98.280.00

(cc) R 171.536.00

(ii) Daily Sun

(aa) R 00

(bb) R 00

(cc) R 98.280.00

Reply:

(a) Entrepreneurship is included in the National Curriculum Statement. The subject Economic and Management Sciences (EMS) is compulsory and is taught in the Senior Phase (Grade 7 – 9). EMS provides foundational skills and knowledge on entrepreneurship. The main topics taught in EMS are the Economy, Financial Literacy and Entrepreneurship. These are integrated to assist learners to become economically and financially literate by the end of Grade 9 in the Senior Phase. EMS is a practical subject that:

• Equips learners with entrepreneurial knowledge and real-life skills for personal development and the development of the community;
• Deals with the efficient and effective use of different types of private, public and/or collective resources to satisfy people’s needs and wants;
• Introduces learners to the purpose, characteristics, context and functions of formal and informal businesses;
• Encourages learners to reflect critically on the impact of resource exploitation on the environment and on people; and
• Promotes sustainable development practices through teaching learners how to effectively manage scarce resources in order to maximise profit through entrepreneurial knowledge, skills and activities.

EMS also provides foundational knowledge and skills for the following subjects in the Further Education and Training (FET) Band Grades 10 to 12: Accounting; Business Studies; Economics; Hospitality Studies; Consumer Studies; Civil Technology; Electrical Technology; Mechanical Technology; Engineering Graphics and Design; and Mathematical Literacy. A key objective in Technology subjects (Grades 10 -12) is to provide entrepreneurial opportunities for learners.

(b) Learners who do not further their education through tertiary institutions have the opportunity to enrol at Technical and Vocational Education and Training Colleges (TVET Colleges), apply to participate in Apprenticeships, or enter the world of work, including setting up their own business.

Reply:

I have been advised by Sentech as follows:-

No, Sentech has not called tenders for equipment upgrade to the value of R185 million.

(a) Not applicable

(b) Not Applicable

(c) Not Applicable

Reply:

Government has adopted a multi-sectoral approach to addressing Gender based violence which includes the department as well as the Justice Crime Prevention and Security cluster departments under the leadership of the Department of Social Development. This multi-sectoral approach takes into account existing policies, strategic plans, relevant legislation and is focused on implementation of the Integrated Program of Action on Violence Against Women.

The government has also established an Inter-Ministerial Committee on Gender Based Violence which takes into account violence against all women and children regardless of their sexual orientation and geographic location. The government Programme of Action on Violence against women and children requires that communities are engaged which would be in urban, peri-urban as well as rural area.

 

________________________

Approved by the Minister on

Date………………………..

Reply:

South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA)

1. (a)The South African Civil Aviation Authority conducted inspections at the SA Flying Training Academy in terms of two Air Operating Certificates (AOC) namely the Flight Operations Part 141 (Aviation Training Organisation) as well as the Aviation Maintenance Organisation (AMO) that maintains the fleet of the Part 141 Operations. The audits were conducted in (i) 2010 (ii) 2011 (iii) 2012 (iv) 2013 and (v) 2014. (b) listed below are a summary of the findings per year. (c) All Audit findings are signed off by an Airworthiness Review panel prior to any approval being granted.  

   (i) In 2010 the following audits were carried out:

  In the Flight Operations Part 141 unit - one (1) audit was conducted with no findings.

In the Airworthiness General Aircraft (AMO) unit - a total of six (6) audits were conducted which included a Surveillance audit; Amendment audit and Renewal audits, (b) a total of 27 findings were identified which comprised a lack of documentation, shortage of personnel and tools. Two (2) follow up inspections were called for by the Review board.

(ii) In 2011 the following audits were carried out:

In the Flight Operations Part 141 unit – one audit was conducted with no findings.

In the Airworthiness General Aircraft (AMO) unit - a total of 17 audits and inspections were conducted including Surveillance audits; Amendment audits, Renewal audits and Aircraft Inspections, (b) a total of 34 findings were identified. The type of findings included lack of documentation, shortage of personnel and tools as well as not closing previous audit findings. On Aircraft inspections it was found that defects were not being logged or repaired.

(iii) In 2012 the following audits were carried out:

In the Flight Operations Part 141 unit – two (2) audits were conducted and two (2) findings relating to lack of management and quality control.

In the Airworthiness General Aircraft unit - a total of seven (7) audits were conducted including Surveillance audits; Amendment audits, Renewal audits and Aircraft Inspections, (b) a total of 15 findings were identified. The type of findings identified included a lack of documentation and publications, shortage of personnel and tools as well as not closing previous audit findings. On Aircraft inspections it was found that defects were not being logged or repaired. Maintenance was not recorded correctly.

(iv)  In 2013 the following audits were carried out:

In the Flight Operations Part 141 unit - a total of 2 audits were conducted and seven (7) findings were identified including lack of management, documentation, publication and quality control.

In the Airworthiness General Aircraft unit – a total of six (6) audits including Surveillance audits, Amendment audits, Renewal audits and Aircraft Inspections, (b) a total of 21 findings were identified including lack of documentation, shortage of personnel and tools as well as not closing previous audit findings. On Aircraft inspections it was found that defects were not being logged or repaired. Maintenance was not recorded correctly.

(v) In 2014 The following audits were carried out:

In the Flight Operations Part 141 unit - a total of 1 audit was and 0 findings were recorded.

In the Airworthiness General Aircraft unit – a total of five (5) audits were conducted including Surveillance audits; Amendment audits, Renewal audits and Aircraft Inspections audits, (b) a total of 22 findings were identified including a lack of documentation and publications, shortage of personnel and tools as well as not closing previous audit findings. On Aircraft inspections it was found that defects were not being logged or repaired. Maintenance was not recorded correctly and a serious finding of an incorrect engine fitted to an aircraft. These can also be linked to Quality and Management control.

in cases where problems were identified by the CAA, (a) what recommendations were made to remedy the problems, (b) what records are there that the problems were indeed remedied, (c) who signed off on the reports of the problems and (d) what remedial action was taken?

(2) In cases where problems were identified by the SACAA, (a) the SACAA does not make recommendations but the following process ensues after an audit where findings are identified: the Civil Aviation Regulations requires that the operator submits a Corrective Action Plan (CAP) that outlines how and when the operator will close the identified findings. Should the SACAA be satisfied that the CAP addresses all deficiencies, they allow the operator to continue with closing the findings. If the findings are major the SACAA will schedule an ad hoc inspection to verify if the findings are closed however if the findings are regarded as minor then the SACAA will verify if they were addressed in their following annual audit. In the case of the Flight Operations Part 141 operations SAFTA didn’t present with any major findings and therefore no further action was taken. In 2010 when the AMO started up the lack of personnel was identified and follow up audits were conducted to ensure that the maintenance could be conducted on the SAFTA fleet. Throughout its existence, the same personnel shortage was noted and after each of these remedial plans were put into place to employ or contract more personnel. These contracts unfortunately didn’t last very long and the AMO suffered from a high staff turnover. In one particular case the QA manager was replaced three times in a period of 6 months. Currently they have only one certifying engineer left. In January 2015 a combined Flight Operations and Airworthiness in-depth surveillance was conducted at the facility. Seven (7) major findings and nine (9) findings were identified, which include process control and maintenance records, management responsibility and quality control, publications and documentation availability and utilisation, lack of defect rectification on aircraft. As with every audit a corrective action plan was submitted by the client to the SACAA. This action plan was found to be satisfactory in addressing identified findings.

In July 2015 surveillance was conducted on SAFTA following numerous Mandatory Occurrence Reports (MOR). During this surveillance 11 major findings and 2 findings were identified in the AMO of the SAFTA operations. These findings were similar in nature to those of the January audit but it was clear that the situation had deteriorated. As a remedial action a recommendation has been made to the enforcement department of the SACAA to suspend the operations of the AMO.

SAFTA’s Part 141 (Flight School) operations attracted 5 minor findings that will be addressed by the Instructors at the school. For the continued operations of the school, SAFTA will have to use an alternative and accredited AMO as there is no compelling evidence to close down the school.

(b) Records relating to these inspections are kept at the SACAA records management department.

(c) The reports are signed off firstly by the inspectors conducting the inspection or audit and thereafter the decision is verified by a Review Board or panel.

(d) In general the findings were similar in nature from all the inspections conducted, as required by the Promotion of Justice Act (Act 3 of 2000); approval holder was granted an opportunity to remedy the non-compliances discovered during our inspections. And this was indeed the case, however we have taken cognisance that the situation is deteriorating and we have now embarked on a much more comprehensive enforcement action against the AMO since our last inspection.

Reply:

(a) Whilst the Eastcape Midlands Technical and Vocational Education and Training College (EMC) has been operating in a stable and violence-free environment since 9 March 2015, the unprotected strike continued due to delays in the disciplinary processes initiated by EMC against a number of employees.

The National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (NEHAWU) National Office Bearers, Department of Higher Education and Training and EMC Council signed a settlement agreement intended to restore and improve working relations between the parties on 7 August 2015. The strike was agreed to be called off with effect from 4 September 2015.

(b)  Regular classes have been conducted by appropriately qualified EMC employed lecturers and others engaged on short-term contracts via a temporary employment agency to replace striking or dismissed lecturers. The College participated in the interviews of the temporary lecturers to confirm that they were qualified as per the curriculum prescripts for the various programmes.

(c) (i) All employees, including dismissed employees who took part in the unprotected strike have been mandated to agree in writing on the settlement terms finalised on 7 August 2015 as a prerequisite to returning to work on 7 September 2015. The settlement agreement requires all employees who embarked in the unprotected strike to forfeit a month’s salary, repay any payments made to them while they were part of the unprotected strike, and accept a twelve month final written warning not to engage in any misconduct activities.

(ii) Students who participated in the strike action for a prolonged period of time have failed to meet the 80% attendance policy requirements for entry into trimester/semester final examinations. Therefore, they have been advised to deregister or return to the college in the following trimester/semester or the following year, depending on the programme for which they had registered.

(d)  Not only have the activities and threats to render the specified TVET college ungovernable, subsided but it has completely stopped.

 

 

 

Compiler/Contact persons:

Ext:

DIRECTOR – GENERAL

STATUS:

DATE:

REPLY TO QUESTION 3208 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED

Dr BE NZIMANDE, MP

MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

STATUS:

DATE:

Reply:

The information requested by the Honourable Member is not readily available in the Department. The Department has, however, engaged the Provincial Department responsible for Local Government to solicit the relevant information from municipalities. The information will be submitted to the Honourable Member as soon as it is received.

Reply:

The response below was provided by the municipality:

1. The Madibeng Local Municipality has appointed an external investigator to investigate the issues raised on the internal audit report. The investigation will also cover the payment made to Maximum Profit Recovery (Pty) Ltd. The investigation is expected to be finalised by the end of September 2015.

2. Maximum Profit Recovery (PTY) Ltd was appointed to render Value Added Tax (VAT) recovery service at a commission rate of 15% of the amount recovered from the South African Revenue Services (SARS). The outcome of the investigation will determine whether or not it was justifiable for the municipality to pay Maximum Profit Recovery (Pty) Ltd.

Reply:

The information requested is depicted in the Table:

SN	Post	Advertisement Closing Date	Number of Members Shortlisted	Number of Members Interviewed	Comments
	a	b	c	d	e
1	Director Promotion of Access to Information	11 July 2014	9	9 invited or interviews	5 Interviews held on 8 July 2015 4 Interviews to be held on 14 August 2015
2	Deputy Direction Promotion of Access to Information Nodal Point	19 June 2014	10	8 Interviewed 2 Declined 1 Did not attend	Awaiting vetting status to appoint recommended candidate.
3	Deputy Direction Promotion of Access to Information Policy and Support	19 June 2014	8	6 Interviewed 1 Declined 1 Did not attend	Awaiting vetting status to appoint recommended candidate.
4	Assistant Director Promotion of Access to Information Nodal Point	19 June 2014	13	9 Interviewed 4 Declined	Awaiting vetting status to appoint recommended candidate.
5	Assistant Director Promotion of Access to Information Nodal Point	19 June 2014	4	3 Interviewed 1 Did not attend	Awaiting vetting status to appoint recommended candidate.
6	Chief Administration Clerk Promotion of Access to Information Nodal Point	19 June 2014	5	4 Interviewed 1 Declined	Awaiting vetting status to appoint recommended candidate.
7	Chief Administration Clerk Promotion of Access to Information Policy and Support	19 June 2014	5	3 Interviewed 2 Declined	Mr F. Davhana was appointed and assumed duty on 6 July 2015. Mr Davhana has a BCom in Business Management meeting the criteria for the advertised post which required a Diploma/Certificate/NQF Level 4/5 (Supply Chain Management and Financial Management).

Reply:

The Minister of Public Works

(1) The names of the lessors for each of the 17 leased properties are listed in the table below

	LESSOR NAME	NAME OF BUILDING / PROPERTY	LESSOR TELEPHONE
1.	SAROSMA TRUST REPRESENTED BY DEDEKIND REAL ESTATE	HERON HOUSE, 131 MURCHISON STREET	(036) 637 2297
2.	L.KIRSTEN	104 LEICESTER STREET	(036) 631 2414
3.	EMNAMBITHI LADYSMITH MUNICIPALITY	WAGON HILL RIFLE RANGE UNSURVEYED PORTION OF ERF 1	(036)637 2231
4.	JANORA TRADING (PTY) LTD	33 KEATE STREET	(036) 637 2287
5.	BILLYGREEN INVESTMENTS (PTY) LTD	LADYKEATE BLDG 35-37 KEATE STREET	(036) 637 2989
6.	EMNAMBITHI LADYSMITH MUNICIPALITY	DRIEFONTEIN THUSONG CENTRE	(036) 637 2231
7.	THE ROSCO FAMILY TRUST	73 MURCHISON STREET	(036) 637 2989
8.	KZN PROV GOV-WORKS	OLD RTI SITE	(033) 355 5468
9.	JANORA TRADING (PTY) LTD	DEVANA FARM TRUST, OLD DURBAN ROAD- R103 NEXT TO TESTING GROUNDS	(036) 637 2287
10.	JANORA TRADING (PTY) LTD	388,6 square metre space at 35 BUCKINGHAM STREET	(036) 637 2287
11.	JANORA TRADING (PTY) LTD	500 square metre space at 35 BUCKINGHAM STREET	(036) 637 2287
12.	JANORA TRADING (PTY) LTD	24 BUCKINGHAM STREET	(036) 637 2287
13.	INDUSTRIAL LEASES (PTY) LTD	43 MURCHISON STREET	(031) 941 8132
14.	ETERNA TRUST LADYSMITH CC	284 MURCHISON STREET	(036) 637 2297
15.	JAZZ SPIRIT 140 PTY LTD	284 MURCHISON STREET	(036) 631 3211
16.	NATAL PARKHOMES	VLAK PLAATS - PARKHOMES DISTRIBUTED TO THE FOLLOWING AREARS; GROENVLEI, WASBANK, CHARLESTOWN, ELANDSLAAGTE, VAN REENEN AND BESTES	(031) 701 4221
17	PEPWORTH BODY (PTY) LTD (50)	PT: FOURIESKRAAL FARM	(083) 620 0032

(2) No, the company is not a VAT vendor in terms of the regulations of the South African Revenue Service (SARS). It must be noted that SARS regulations stipulate that a company does not need to be registered for VAT if its annual turnover is below R1 million. The value of the Department’s lease with the said vendor is below R1 million. In addition, upon lease renewal, all landlords are required to submit their recent Tax Clearance Certificates, which indicate the VAT registration status of their companies.

The Department often engages such companies, particularly because in many small towns, there is a shortage of suitable accommodation for Government departments. Also, by engaging small companies the Department contributes to their development.

(3) The 80 square metres in Fourieskraal farm is used for the purpose of accommodating a South African Police Service (SAPS) Communication Tower.

(4) (a), b) and (i) Devana Farm is located alongside the Old Durban Road, which is a small dirt road leading off the R103 into the leased land which is used by SAPS as a garage. (Directions: from the N3 Highway from Durban, take exit at R103 Bergville/Colenso off ramp. Turn right very shortly thereafter onto the R103 – “Durban / Colenso”. Keep on this road until you join up with a larger road, Pass the Ladysmith testing grounds on the right the Garage is immediately next to the Ladysmith testing ground.)

(ii) The park homes are mobile units that can be moved, as per the client’s requirements. The park homes are leased from Natal Parkhomes and were were originally located in Vlakplaats, which is an area within the Ladysmith District. The mobile units used by SAPS were first placed at Ezakheni Police Station and were later relocated to other locations within the Ladysmith District, including the following areas: GROENVLEI, WASBANK, CHARLESTOWN, ELANDSLAAGTE, VAN REENEN AND BESTES.

(5) (a) SAPS is still in occupation of 43 Murchison Street and the lease is currently running on a month to month basis.

(b) (i) The lease has been identified for renewal within the prescripts of the 2nd National Treasury Dispensation on leases, which was recently granted to the Department in March 2015.

(ii) Internal processes dictate that once a Special Dispensation is received from National Treasury, an internal circular on the application of the Dispensation is to be drafted, approved and communicated to all departmental officials who will utilise the dispensation prior to the Dispensation being utilised.

The above lease expired before the issuing of the internal circular and in the interest of compliance and to ensure that the client department’s daily operations are not disrupted and was then renewed on a month to month basis, for a period not exceeding 12 months as an interim measure.

The internal circular on the application of the Dispensation from National treasury has since been approved and the process to renew the lease based on the Dispensation has begun, thus there are no details on the new lease as yet.

_________________________________________________________________

Reply:

COGTA has engaged with the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality (NMMDM) in order to obtain answers to these questions. The municipality has responded as follows:

1. The Project Management Unit (PMU) is an internal unit of the municipality. It has been established under the Technical Services Section within the municipality, as provided for in the PMU Guidelines developed by the Department of Cooperative Governance.

The appointment of the company was prompted by a critical shortage of technical staff in the municipality. This included a shortage of planning, engineering and project management expertise. This had resulted in the municipality failing to spend its allocated MIG and other funds for projects within specified timeframes.

Currently, the company has suspended its support to the municipality due to non-payment of outstanding invoices by the municipality.

(2)(a) The company was appointed by the municipality for a period of three years with effect from 2 September 2013, ending on 31 August 2016, to provide technical support to the PMU unit. The company was appointed to carry out the following tasks as contained in the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the appointment:

• Provision of quality technical support and advice over the Project Life Cycle, which includes inception, planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting and close-out on the infrastructure programme in the municipality

• The development of contract briefs for submission to the Professional Service Providers appointed by the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality (NMMDM).

• In respect of each project, scrutinize, approve and verify the accuracy and correctness of all practical and final completion certificates and recommend approval by the Senior Manager of the PMU

• Verification of all technical and financial aspects of the Infrastructure Programme

• Preparation of all required documentation for submission to the departments responsible for conditional grants and any other required reporting.

(2)(b)The contract amount over this period is R21,6 million from the municipality’s Equitable Share budget. Given that the NMMDM receives approximately R300 million per annum from the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG), the municipality is within the 5% allowance for PMU costs in the MIG framework.

Reply:

The National Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) has no record of an application for environmental authorisation for the abovementioned project. The application was lodged with the provincial department of environmental affairs, the Gauteng Department of Rural Development (GDARD), for which the MEC is the competent authority in terms of S24C of NEMA. Please contact the GDARD for a response.

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Reply:

Yes the AIR Force Base Swartkop is being used as an operational airbase by the SA National Defence Force

(a) The Air Force Base Swartkop forms part of the South African Air Force Strategy and this is to ensure the uninterrupted force preparation and force employment activities in support of the mandate of the South African National Defence Force

(b) (i) The re-alignment of existing structures and posts has taken place to ensure effective command and control of the base is centralised under one command. No additional posts are currently.

(ii) Direct command of the greater Swartkop facility will fall under the Officer Commanding Swartkop

(iii) There are no additional costs for the SAAF since the resident force structure elements continue to function with funding from the current budget in accordance with the existing projections in the MTEF.

Reply:

The National Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) has no record of an application for environmental authorisation for the abovementioned project. The application was lodged with the provincial department of environmental affairs, the Gauteng Department of Rural Development (GDARD), for which the MEC is the competent authority in terms of S24C of NEMA. Please contact the GDARD for a response.

---ooOoo---

Reply:

The National Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) has no record of an application for environmental authorisation for the abovementioned project. The application was lodged with the provincial department of environmental affairs, the Gauteng Department of Rural Development (GDARD), for which the MEC is the competent authority in terms of S24C of NEMA. Please contact the GDARD for a response.

---ooOoo---

Reply:

The National Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) has no record of an application for environmental authorisation for the abovementioned project. The application was lodged with the provincial department of environmental affairs, the Gauteng Department of Rural Development (GDARD), for which the MEC is the competent authority in terms of S24C of NEMA. Please contact the GDARD for a response.

---ooOoo---

Reply:

Guidelines for Reducing Municipal Red Tape, 2012 define red tape as rules, regulations, and / or bureaucratic procedures and processes which are excessively complex and which impose unnecessary delay(s), inaction and / or costs which exceed their benefits, and / or is no longer effective in achieving the purpose for which they were originally created. Red tape results in undesirable economic, business and / or social impacts or outcomes as a result of negatively impacting on productivity. Red tape involves excessive, or unevenly enforced, regulation or rigid conformity to formal rules that is considered redundant or bureaucratic and hinders or prevents effective action or decision-making.

Government recognizes the need to review its policy and regulatory environment that continue to hinder the development, growth and competitiveness of small businesses. Government has requested all spheres to institutionalise the guidelines aimed at reducing red tape at local government level.

Government sets-aside 30% of appropriate categories of State procurement for purchasing from SMMEs, cooperatives as well as township and rural enterprises.

It’s proposed that the design of a National Red Tape Reduction Programme, with coordinated implementation by the Presidency’s Office, will be informed by lessons learnt from recent and current national red tape initiatives designed to accelerate national competitiveness & economic growth by setting targets to reduce the total costs of government imposed regulations on business.

Other Specific interventions by Government

• Enacted Policies, Regulations and Legislation i. e. (the 30 days payment policy).
• Establishment of the Department of Performance Monitoring and Evaluation located in the Presidency
• The National Development Plan –vision 2030
• Institutionalizing of Performance management System across all spheres of government
• Development of Risk assessment strategies by all departments and entities
• Establishment of Fraud and Corruption fighting mechanisms and many more

Reply:

The Ministerial priorities that have been promulgated in the DOD Strategic Plan 2015 – 2020 are related to Milestone 1 of the SA Defence Review 2014. It is emphasised that the priorities as reflected in the Strategic Plan for the fiscal years 2011/12 – 2015/16 are embedded in the following priorities which are as follows:

Strategic Leadership.

Defence Funding Model.

Organisational Renewal.

Human Resources Renewal.

Capability Renewal

Defence Industry.

Defence Commitments.

Prior to the promulgation of these latest Ministerial priorities, an assessment was made of all previous Ministerial priorities and their implementation progress. After such an assessment a determination was made that all the priorities that were not exhaustively implemented, be incorporated under the 2015 -2020 MOD&MV high level priorities.

No Ministerial priorities were dropped, but were however incorporated under the high level Ministerial priorities. The DOD will, at its presentation of the Defence Review Implementation Plan to Parliament, make this point visible.

Reply:

(a) What are the relevant details of the biogas initiatives in the country that are led by the Government?

The Department and the ARC completed a pilot phase of the Biodigester project in the Thabo Mofutsanyane District (Free State province) that started in June 2012 and just concluded in June 2015 as part of the mitigation and adaptation to climate variability and change in the Thabo Mofutsanyane District (Free State Province). This project was rolled-out in Thabo Mofutsanyane District with a number of beneficiaries, mainly community livestock farmers who received training and had the biodigesters equipment purchased for them. 

The ultimate goal of the project was to enhance agricultural productivity by promoting the adoption of an integrated crop-livestock system that effectively mitigates, adapts to and reduces vulnerabilities to climate change. It is also aimed at introducing and encouraging agricultural practices in rural communities that have the potential of mitigating climate change and adapting to adverse effects of climate change and the use of biogas for domestic cooking and electricity purposes.

About 13 biogas digesters for generation of bio-gas for cooking and/lighting from livestock manure were installed and they are operational. The farmer training was conducted and provided an opportunity to promote renewable energies and inform farmers on the possibility of self-energy generation. Capacity building and job creation was achieved through training of the local youth on biogas digester installation. Relevant weather and climate information was distributed to farmers during the planning and implementation of their agricultural activities via sms. The findings of this pilot project will assist with the climate change adaptation and mitigation measures (in the form of strategies and/or polices) for the country.

(b) How extensive is the roll-out of the specified initiatives in the country’s rural population?

This pilot project is currently been rolled out to three Provinces namely: Eastern Cape, North West and Limpopo targeting ten (10) small scale farmers per Province from the financial year 2015/16 to 2017/18. The project aims at raising awareness of climate change among different stakeholders in the agricultural community. It will promote the integrated crop-livestock production system. The beneficiaries in these provinces, mainly livestock farmers will be trained and have biodegesters purchased for them and installed. 

Biogas could be used to generate a large portion of the peaking power required and thereby effect very large cost savings for the country. More funding and resources are however, needed to roll it out at a larger scale.

Reply:

The Department is currently conducting further consultations with the province to establish why a forensic investigation was not commissioned as per the Council resolution. A reply on the matter will be provided once the information is available from the province.

Reply:

Although I am fully aware of the ILO study on farm workers living and working conditions in South Africa, the report that was issued in February 2015 was just a draft for input by affected stakeholders. The ILO final report on farm workers living and working conditions in South Africa was only finalized and published on 21 July 2015.

I am arranging a briefing from the International Labour Organisation on the findings of the study. Consequently, I will interact with Ministers of Labour and Rural Development and Land Reform to have an integrated approach to the recommendations of the report. We will then consult with relevant stakeholders in the agriculture sector to discuss and develop a sector action plan to address challenges addressed in the report.

Reply:

The Initial Teacher Education Research Project (ITERP) that is currently being conducted by JET Education Services is a partnership project between JET, the Education Deans Forum and Departments of Basic Education, and Higher Education and Training. It is a longitudinal project, which is investigating initial teacher education programme delivery at a selected sample of universities. It is also tracking new teacher graduates as they take up posts in schools in an attempt to understand their readiness as beginning teachers and their ability to make the transition from teacher education into teaching.

The ITERP was conceptualised and is being implemented as part of efforts to strengthen teacher education and is not separate from this. The project findings are fed directly back to universities through engagements with individual universities and regular reporting on findings at the quarterly meetings of the Education Deans Forum.

It must be noted that the ITERP is researching the initial teacher education programmes that were designed and implemented in line with the former teacher education qualifications policy, i.e. the Norms and Standards for Educators in Schooling of 2000. All teacher education programmes have to be redesigned to align with the new standards set by the Higher Education Qualifications Sub-Framework of 2007, revised in 2013 and the Policy on Minimum Requirements for Teacher Education Qualifications (MRTEQ) of 2011, revised in 2015. One of the main purposes of the ITERP is to inform the design of new teacher education programmes.

The MRTEQ sets standards for teacher education at the programme level. Initial teacher education programmes have to meet the standards set for teaching specialisations in terms of knowledge mix, credits and levels. This will assist to respond to one of the key findings that emerged from the ITERP and the degree of variation between programmes offered by different universities.

The MRTEQ also, more closely, regulates the teaching practice component of teacher education programmes to strengthen this component of initial teacher education programmes. It sets standards regarding the nature of schools to be used for teaching practice, the nature of the teaching practice component within initial teacher education programmes, and the time spent in schools.

A national Teacher Education Programme Evaluation Committee (TEPEC) has been set up, chaired by the Department of Higher Education and Training, involving the participation of the Department of Basic Education, South African Council of Educators and Education and the Training and Development Practices Sector Education and Training Authority (ETDP SETA). This committee reviews all teacher education programmes to ensure that they meet the requirements stipulated in the Policy on Minimum Requirements for Teacher Education Qualifications.

In addition to the policy measures that have been put in place to strengthen teacher education, the Department of Higher Education and Training is implementing a 5 year (2015/16 – 2019/20) Teaching and Learning Development Capacity Improvement Programme (TLDCIP) that will support universities to strengthen teacher education programmes at the level of curriculum structure and curriculum delivery.

A specific project in the TLDCIP will focus on strengthening university capacity for primary teacher education. It will involve the implementation of a range of activities to strengthen the capacity and capability of universities for the delivery of quality primary school teacher education programmes, including the following:

• Establish new initial teacher education programmes at universities where specific specialisations are not yet offered but which are needed and which the university is interested to offer;
• Develop and roll-out a national advocacy campaign for teaching generally, specifically Foundation Phase teaching as a viable and attractive career choice;
• Support academic communities of practice focused on priority teaching subject specialisations (Mathematics, Languages, Science and Technology), which would have the responsibility to understand university practices across the system with respect to the specialisation, with a view towards the development of knowledge and practice standards for the teaching specialisation, which could assist to achieve greater convergence and rigour in teacher education curricula;
• Support appropriate research, programme development and material development activities that will improve the quality of initial teacher education programme delivery;
• Finalise norms and standards for professional practice and teaching schools as well as mechanisms for their establishment;
• Develop a national database of schools that will be developed as professional practice schools;
• Support universities to develop business plans for the establishment of teaching schools;
• Develop a national programme to support the professional development of school teachers that act as tutors and mentors to initial teacher education students, which can be delivered in a blended mode, with a significant online component; and
• Develop an online platform/course for the teaching practice/work-integrated learning component of teacher education programmes.

 

 

 

Compiler/Contact persons:

Ext:

DIRECTOR – GENERAL

STATUS:

DATE:

REPLY TO QUESTION 3245 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED

Dr BE NZIMANDE, MP

MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

STATUS:

DATE:

Reply:

Both education and social security are constitutional rights. Section 27(1)(c) of the constitution provides that everyone has the right to have access to social security, including, if they are unable to support themselves and their dependants, appropriate social assistance. The South African Schools Act and accompanying regulations make schooling compulsory for all children, while the Social Assistance Act and regulations emphasizes the parental responsibilities of caregivers while making social work services available to those caregivers who are struggling. At present this seems to be working well with over 96% of social grant beneficiaries in school. The current legislation is developmental in nature; however the department is continuously reviewing it with the view of improving and giving better expression to the rights afforded to all in the Constitution. Well researched inputs that promote development without compromising the values of society, expressed in our constitution, are always welcomed.

From a fiscal stance the National Treasury does not seem to be worried about sustainability of the social grants, and they have publicly pronounced on this: “From a fiscal point of view, there is nothing unsustainable about the financing of the current system of social grants”.

(http://www.bdlive.co.za/national/2013/07/02/treasury-assures-on-south-africas-welfare-bubble). The department agrees with this view and has not seen any evidence suggesting any need to be alarmed. Furthermore, social grants remain one of government’s largest poverty alleviation programmes that also make a large impact on inequality. Both poverty and inequality is unsustainable in the long term.

Reply:

1. INTRODUCTION

The Department of Telecommunication and Postal Services (DTPS) is the custodian of schools’ connectivity and not the Department of Basic Education (DBE). However, considering the interest the DBE has in the matter, as a beneficiary like any other public institution, the DBE is working closely with the DTPS on this matter and the collaboration has been strengthened. For example, in implementing Government Gazette No. 3718 of 4 June, 2014, on the Universal Services and Access Obligation (USAO), the two Departments have been working closely with the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) to ensure that the four Network Operators (as per the Gazette), Vodacom, MTN, Cell C and Neotel, fulfill their mandate in terms of schools’ connectivity.

2. How many schools in each province (a) have been connected, (b) through which service provider were the schools connected,

During 2014-15 financial year 1840 schools, including 1650 schools that were connected through the 2010 FIFA World Cup legacy project, were connected. The following is the breakdown per Province:

(a) 2010 FIFA World Cup school connectivity legacy project, for which Telkom was the Service Provider:

Province	VSAT	Diginet	ADSL	Total
Eastern Cape	191	13	9	213
Free State	67	48	35	150
Gauteng	53	92	45	190
KwaZulu-Natal	157	54	18	229
Limpopo	204	4	6	214
Mpumalanga	103	22	38	163
Northern Cape	74	13	11	98
North West	188	5	5	198
Western Cape	103	12	80	195
Total	1140	263	247	1650

(b)  The Universal Services and Access Obligation (USAO) – for which Vodacom was the service provider

• 61 schools in KwaZulu-Natal;
• 53 schools in Eastern Cape;
• 40 schools in Free State; and
• 6 schools in the Northern Cape.

Total: 150 schools

(c) Corporate Social Investment (Corporate Social Investment) initiatives

• 10 Schools in Eastern Cape through CSI (Vodacom);
• 10 Schools in Mpumalanga through CSI (Vodacom); and
• 20 Schools including 4 in Western Cape, 3 Eastern Cape, 5 KwaZulu-Natal, 2 Limpopo, 3 Mpumalanga, 1 North West by State Information Technology Agency (SITA) as Corporate Social Investment contribution(CSI);

Total: 40 schools

During the current financial year (2015-16), thus far, 327 schools have been connected by Vodacom as part of its USAO. The following is the breakdown per province:

• 10 schools in KwaZulu-Natal;
• 103 schools in the Eastern Cape;
• 48 schools in the Free State; and
• 16 Schools in the Northern Cape.

 

Total: 177 schools

3. What amount was budgeted by her department for ICT connection for the (i) 2013-14 and (ii) 2014-15 financial years and (d) how were these amounts spent in each specified period?

As indicated above, the DTPS is the custodian of schools’ connectivity as public Institutions. Therefore the DTPS in charge of any related budget. As a beneficiary, the DBE supports the DTPS in realising schools’ connectivity projects. With regard to projects referred to in this submission, while the cost of the current USAO rollout is undertaken by respective Network Operators, as an obligation for their license, the 2010 FIFA World Cup was funded by the 2010 FIFA World Cup Legacy Fund which was managed by the DTPS.

Reply:

This question should be re-directed to the Ministry of Rural Development and Land Affairs, which is the competent authority to respond.

Reply:

1. According to the revised Strategic Plan and Annual Performance Plan of the department the target of women who occupy senior management positions was set at 50%. As at 31st March 2015, the actual performance against this target was 85.8%.
2. (a) In terms of a 2003 Cabinet decision, all departments are required to have minimum anti-corruption capacity (MACC) requirements in place. It is therefore a government policy and not any suggestion of a rampant corruption in the department.

________________________

Approved by the Minister on

Date………………………..

Reply:

The response below was provided by the Provincial Treasury in Kwazulu Natal:

1. The investigation being conducted by Deloitte and Touche within the Umkhanyukude District Municipality is at various stages:

• Some of the allegations are already the subject of disciplinary enquiries within the municipality (with the assistance of Deloitte);
• Some of the allegations have been referred to the Province’s Anti-Corruption Task Team in order for a criminal case to be opened.

 

2. The Department is in consultation with the Province to determine whether or not the report is at a stage where it could be made available to the public;

3. The names of the people and the service providers implicated are covered in the report;

4. Depending on the outcome of the consultations with the Province, the names of the people and service providers implicated could be made available.

Reply:

The Department and its entities advertise in different media groups. The member is referred to the annual reports of the aforementioned financial years.

Reply:

Department of Defence

The following are in place:

Service Level Agreement between the DOD and Armscor concerning the services to be rendered by Armscor to the DOD.

Memorandum of Understanding between DOD and CSIR (DPSS) concerning the services to be rendered by CSIR.

Service Level Agreement between SITA and DOD concerning services to be rendered by SITA

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 the Parliamentary Programme. Costs incurred by Government Officials are readily made available in Annual Reports which will be tabled in Parliament.

Reply:

The National Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) has no record of an application for environmental authorisation for the abovementioned project. The application was lodged with the provincial department of environmental affairs, the Gauteng Department of Rural Development (GDARD), for which the MEC is the competent authority in terms of S24C of NEMA. Please contact the GDARD for a response.

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Reply:

The National Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) has no record of an application for environmental authorisation for the abovementioned project. The application was lodged with the provincial department of environmental affairs, the Gauteng Department of Rural Development (GDARD), for which the MEC is the competent authority in terms of S24C of NEMA. Please contact the GDARD for a response.

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Reply:

I have been advised by the Department as follows:-

(1) (a) The implementing agency will lead and coordinate State-Owned Companies in the rollout of broadband infrastructure in the identified areas to facilitate government connectivity.

(b) The Department is following the relevant treasury regulation and supply chain management processes.

(c) Cabinet; the Economic Sectors, Employment and Infrastructure Development (ESEID) Cluster; and State Information Technology Agency (SITA) will be consulted.

(d) The appointment will be made once due process has been followed and Cabinet, National Treasury and the Auditor General have been informed.

(e) The agency will not incur any cost for the Department. The operational expenditure of the agency over the MTEF will not be attributed to the Department.

Reply:

(1) The South African National Accreditation System (SANAS) is a tool to support quality assurance of ambient monitoring stations in South Africa. The department has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with SANAS with the view to ensuring that emission monitoring measurements from all point sources and all ambient monitoring stations in the country are accredited in terms of ISO 17025.

The accreditation process entails the development of accreditation procedures such as guidelines, assessment protocols, as well as the capability of technical staff responsible for running the monitoring stations and associated equipment. The department’s officials are members of the Ambient and Emissions Monitoring SANAS Technical Committee (STC), a body that provides technical advice to the SANAS Chief Executive Officer on various matters regarding ambient and emission monitoring accreditation.

(2) The department has submitted an application to SANAS for ISO 17025 accreditation for its three Air Quality Monitoring Stations located in the Waterberg-Bojanala Priority Area and is currently awaiting the completion of the assessment of these stations by SANAS.

In the meantime, the South African Weather Service (SAWS) is in the processes of applying for SANAS accreditation for the monitoring stations in other Priority Areas (Vaal Triangle and Highveld) which it (SAWS) is managing on behalf of the department.

(3) It is envisaged that accreditation will be granted for all the stations in Waterberg, Highveld and Vaal Triangle networks by the end of 2015/16 financial year.

(4) With respect to other ambient monitoring networks nationwide, the department is providing technical support towards improved station and data management to all government-owned networks with the view to getting these networks to ultimately achieve SANAS accreditation into the future. To this end the department is working on the development of quality assurance (QA) systems to assist these government networks. These QA systems will form part of the Norms and Standards for Ambient Air Quality Monitoring and the standards are under development in the department.

Currently the City of Cape Town is ISO 17025 accredited for Sulphur Dioxide (SO2). There is a lack of expertise and resources at municipal level; hence the management of these stations is always outsourced to service providers. Furthermore, there are only few municipalities managing their stations in-house. The department is currently conducting a comprehensive Ambient Air Quality Monitoring course across all provinces (currently five provinces have been trained and those are; the Gauteng Province; the KwaZulu-Natal Province; the Northwest Province; the Northern Cape Province and the Free State Province).

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Reply:

(1) A significant challenge is that the Enhance Movement Control System (EMCS) is not integrated with other systems of the Department of Home Affairs. Every system has its own user- information, identifiers and business rules and as such provides data according to defined parameters. A single view of the traveler will only be possible once there is full system integration with EMCS. This requirement is identified within our Modernisation Programme being managed over a five-year strategic framework.

(2)(a) During and after implementation of the EMCS at a Port of Entry, officials from the Department’s Learning Academy as well as specialists on the EMCS system from our Port Control unit at Head Office are present to provide training and support to all users.

(2)(b) During the EMCS installation, technical teams are available to assist with implementation and support on the system. Prior to sign-off, on-site testing of the system is undertaken with immigration officials present to ensure it is operating efficiently and that information is successfully transferred between the port and the main server. In instances where there is a change of Legislation or within our Departmental Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s), the Learning Academy renders support with follow-up training on the system.

Reply:

(a) (i) According to Stats SA, in 2011 condition data was only available for 64% of the metropolitan roads network, and 80% of paved roads and 12% of gravel metropolitan roads were in a fairly good condition. Outside of the metropolitan areas, the Department of Transport indicates that road condition data is only available for approximately 4% of the municipal roads. In 2014 the South African National Roads Agency estimated the extent of the municipal roads network to be approximately 250 000 km. It estimated that R32 billion would be required to rehabilitate paved municipal roads and to re-gravel municipal roads. The cost of paving all the unpaved municipal roads is not known.

(ii) According to research carried out by the Department of Water and Sanitation, of the 1622 water supply schemes under municipal management, 9% are dysfunctional and 48% require urgent refurbishment and improved maintenance. According to the DWS 2013 Strategic Overview of the Water Sector in SA, 64% of Municipal Waste Water Treatment Works required urgent refurbishment and improved maintenance. The Department of Water and Sanitation has estimated the required national intervention cost of the backlog of municipal water infrastructure, excluding the metropolitan municipalities, to be R79 billion. The Department of Water and Sanitation has estimated the value of the backlog of sanitation infrastructure, excluding the metropolitan municipalities, to be in the order of R50 billion. Both include backlogs of a capital nature and backlogs of maintenance.

(b) The total Municipal Infrastructure Grant allocation for 2015/16 is R15 billion. This is for capital and refurbishment projects only. Municipalities are expected to fund maintenance from their own revenue and their equitable share allocation.

Reply:

(1) and (2) The National Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) has no record of an application for environmental authorisation for the abovementioned project. The application was lodged with the provincial department of environmental affairs, the Gauteng Department of Rural Development (GDARD), for which the MEC is the competent authority in terms of S24C of NEMA. Please contact the GDARD for a response.

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Reply:

1. The Board of Commissioners.
2. No.
3. No. The statement was signed off by all the 9 Provincial Commissioners.

(4)(a) None.

(4)(b) Not applicable.

Reply:

(a) Yes.

(b)  The current salary level of the specified person is: SMS Grade C (salary level 15).

(c) The rank is derived from the prescripts contained in Regulation 8 of the South African Police Service Act (Act No 68 of 1995), as promulgated in Government Gazette Notice No 9252, dated 1 April 2010.

(d) A total number of 23 other Lieutenant Generals (Deputy National Commissioners/Provincial Commissioners and Divisional Commissioners) are on the establishment of the South African Police Service.

 

Reply:

(a-b) According to the Departmental Strategic Plan 2015–2020 the department has targeted to automate the registration of marriages, divorces, deaths and citizenship business processes by the end of the 2017/2018 financial year. Currently it has only committed to continue with automation of the ID smart card and passport system through live capture in the 2015/2016 financial year. At an appropriate time the department will make further announcement on the modernisation project.

Reply:

Illegal and unlicensed liquor outlets closed down by SAPS

Financial Year	Gauteng	Mpumalanga	Limpopo	KZN	North West	N Cape	Free State	E Cape	W Cape
1APRIL2009TO31MARCH2010	1258	674	2604	4932	61	260	850	1210	1607	13456
Total
1APRIL2010TO31MARCH2011	1700	1429	2762	6432	343	324	1190	685	4018	18883
Total
1APRIL2011TO31MARCH2012	8966	1281	1618	16881	1363	397	977	2554	58892	92929
Total
1APRIL2012TO31MARCH2013	11620	821	2431	14043	1142	527	1220	2406	39537	74547
Total
1APRIL2013TO31MARCH2014	16278	738	1585	22058	984	260	1045	2833	31166	76947
Total
1APRIL2014TO31MARCH2015
Total

 

As from 2011/2012 to 2014/2015 the closing down of illegal and unlicensed liquor outlets by the SAPS has been a performance indicator as per the Annual Performance Plan of the SAPS. The reported statistical information was generated from the Operational Management and Monitoring System (OPAM).

Prior to this the reported statistical information (2009/2010 to 2010/211) was generated by means of a manual of system.

The reported statistical information for the financial year 2014/2015 cannot be provided as such information has not yet been released by the Minister of Police.

Reply:

(a) How many cases of human trafficking were reported to the SA Police Service in the (i) 2010-11, (ii) 2011-12, (iii) 2012-13, (iv) 2013-14 and (v) 2014-15 financial years

 

PROVINCES	2010/2011 (i)	2011/2012 (ii)	2012/2013 (iii)	2013/2014 (iv)	2014/2015 (v)	TOTAL
KZN	05	05	01	01	00	12
WC	09	12	09	06	03	39
GP	01	01	06	06	01	15
NW	01	02	02	00	01	06
LIM	00	00	01	00	03	04
MP	01	00	01	00	01	03
FS	00	00	00	01	02	03
NC	00	00	00	02	01	03
EC	01	01	01	03	01	07
TOTALS	18	21	21	19	13	92

(b) How many of the specified cases involved (i) female and (ii) male victims in each case

PROVINCES	2010/2011	2011/2012	2012/2013	2013/2014	2014/2015	TOTAL
KZN	Case 1: 09 (f) Case 2: 03 (f) Case 3: 01 (f) 01 (m) Case 4: 01 (f) Case 5: 01 (f)	Case 1: 01 (f) Case 2: 00 Case 3: 01 (f) Case 4: 20 (f) Case 5: 00	Case 1: 01 (f) 01 (m)	Case1: 02 (f)	00	40 Females 02 Males
WC	Case 1: 06 (f) Case 2: 01 (f) Case 3: 07 (f) Case 4: 06 (f) Case 5: 01 (f) Case 6: 01 (f) Case 7: 02 (f) Case 8: 01(f) Case 9: 01(f)	Case 1: 01 (f) Case 2: 01 (f) Case 3: 03 (f) Case 4: 01 (f) Case 5: 01 (f) Case 6: 03 (f) Case 7: 01 (f) Case 8: 01(f) Case 9: 01(f) Case 10: 01 (f) Case 11:01(f) Case 12: 01(f)	Case 1: 01 (f) Case 2: 01 (f) Case 3: 01 (f) Case 4: 01 (f) Case 5: 10 (f) Case 6: 01 (f) Case 7: 01 (f) Case 8: 01(f) Case 9: 01(f)	Case 1: 01 (f) Case 2: 01 (f) Case 3: 02 (f) Case 4: 03 (f) Case 5: 02 (f) Case 6: 02 (f)	Case 1: 02 (f) Case 2: 01 (f) Case 3: 01 (f)	75 Females
GP	Case 1: 05 (f)	Case 1: 09 (f)	Case 1: 14 (f) Case 2: 02 (f) Case 3: 01 (f) Case 4: 05 (f) Case 5: 02 (f) Case 6: 01 (f)	Case 1: 02 (f) Case 2: 03 (f) Case 3: 09 (m) Case 4: 03 (m) Case 5: 01 (f) Case 6: 01 (f)	Case 1:02(f)	48 Females 12 Males
NW	Case 1:01(f)	Case 1:01(f) Case 2:01 (f)	Case 1:03(f) Case 2:02 (f)	00	Case 1:01(f)	09 Females 00 Males
LIM	00	00	Case 1: 01 (m)	00	Case 1: 01 (m) Case 2: 01 (f) Case 3: 19 (f)	02 Females 01 Males
MP	Case 1: 01 (f) 01 (m)	00	Case 1: 05 (f)	00	Case 1: 01 (f) Case 1: 01 (m)	07 Females 02 Males
FS	00	00	00	Case 1: 01(f)	Case 1: 01(f) Case 2: 01(f)	03 Females
NC	00	00	00	Case 1: 02 (f) Case 2: 04 (f)	Case 1:01 (f)	07 Females 00 Males
EC	Case 1: 02 (f)	Case 1: 00	Case 1: 05 (f)	Case 1: 02 (f) Case 2: 01 (f) Case 3: 03 (f)	Case 1:01 (f)	14 Females
TOTALS	Females: 49 Males: 2	Females: 45 Males: 00	Females: 50 Males: 1	Females: 28 Males: 12	Females: 11 Males: 1	Females: 183 Males: 16

(c) What was the nationality of the victims identified in each case

PROVINCES	2010/2011	2011/2012	2012/2013	2013/2014	2014/2015	TOTAL
KZN	Case 1: 09 SA Case 2: 03 SA Case 3: 02 SA Case 4: 01 SA Case 5: 01 SA	Case 1: 01 SA Case 2: 00 Case 3: 01 SA Case 4: 20 SA Case 5: 00	Case 1: 02 SA	Case1: 02 SA	00	42 South Africans
WC	Case 1: 06 SA Case 2: 01 SA Case 3: 07 SA Case 4: 06 SA Case 5: 01 SA Case 6: 01 Russian Case 7: 02 Chinese Case 8: 01 SA Case 9: 01SA	Case 1: 01SA Case 2: 01 SA Case 3: 03 Chinese Case 4: 01 SA Case 5: 01 SA Case 6: 03 Cameroonian Case 7: 01 Chinese Case 8: 01SA Case 9: 01 SA Case 10: 01 SA Case 11:01 SA Case 12: 01 SA	Case 1: 01 SA Case 2: 01 SA Case 3: 01 SA Case 4: 01 SA Case 5: 10 Cambodian Case 6: 01 SA Case 7: 01 SA Case 8: 01 SA Case 9: 01 SA	Case 1: 01 Nigerian Case 2: 01 Nigerian Case 3: 02 Thai Case 4: 03 SA Case 5: 02 Nigerian Case 6: 02 Nigerian	Case 1: 02 Nigerian Case 2: 01 SA Case 3: 01 SA	50 South Africans 6 Chinese 2 Thai 8 Nigerians 1 Russian 3 Cameroonian 10 Cambodian
GP	Case 1: 05 SA	Case 1: 09 Chinese	Case 1: 14 SA Case 2: 02 Lesotho Case 3: 01 SA Case 4: 02 Thai 01 Yugoslavian 01 Chinese 01 SA Case 5: 02 Thai Case 6: 01 SA	Case 1: 01 Chinese 01 Thai Case 2: 03 Chinese Case 3: 09 Bangladeshi Case 4: 03 Pakistani Case 5: 01 SA Case 6: 01 SA	Case 1:02 SA	26 South Africans 14 Chinese 02 Lesotho 05 Thai 01 Yugoslavian 09 Bangladeshi 03 Pakistani
NW	Case 1: 01 SA	Case 1: 01 SA Case 2: 01 SA	Case 1: 03 SA Case 2: 02 Chinese	00	Case 1: 01 SA	07 South Africans 02 Chinese
LIM	00	00	Case 1: 1 Zimbabwean	00	Case 1: 01 Ethiopian Male Case 2: 19 Ethiopians Case 3: 53 Malawians	20 Ethiopians 53 Malawians
MP	Case 1: 01 Mozambican 01 Mozambican	00	Case 1: 05 Mozambicans girls	00	Case 1: 01 SA Case 1: 01 SA	07 Mozambicans 02 South Africans
FS	00	00	00	Case 1: 01 SA	Case 1: 01 SA Case 2: 01 SA	03 South Africans
NC	00	00	00	Case 1: 02 SA Case 2: 04 SA	Case 1:01 SA	07 South Africans
EC	Case 1: 02 SA	Case 1: 00	Case 1: 05 SA	Case 1: 02 SA Case 2: 01 SA Case 3: 03 SA	Case 1:01 SA	14 South Africans
TOTALS	52 South Africans 02 Mozambican 02 Chinese 01 Russian	33 South Africans 13 Chinese 03 Cameroonian	35 South Africans 3 Chinese 05 Mozambicans 04 Thai 02 Lesotho 01 Yugoslavian 1 Zimbabwean 10 Cambodian	20 South Africans 4 Chinese 09 Bangladeshi 02 Thai 03 Pakistani 6 Nigerians	11 South Africans 53 Malawians 20 Ethiopians	151 South Africans 53 Malawians 20 Ethiopians 22 Chinese 10 Cambodian 09 Bangladeshi 08 Nigerians 07 Mozambicans 06 Thai 03 Pakistani 03 Cameroonian 02 Lesotho 01 Yugoslavian 01 Russian

Reply:

(a) The N2 extends for roughly 190 km between Mthatha and Kokstad. On this section safe passing opportunities have been provided over approximately 150km, particularly between Mthatha and Mount Frere, and between Mount Ayliff and Kokstad. Between Mount Frere and the Ngcelweni river, 40km north of Mount Frere, the N2 is of an older standard but design is in progress to upgrade this section which will include the provision of passing opportunities.

(b) Fencing of the N2 reserve boundaries was upgraded during construction and thereafter maintained through routine maintenance projects. The South of Brooks Nek fencing has recently been upgraded as part of a construction project. Fencing between Qumbu and Mount Frere is being upgraded over 37km as part of a construction project. Furthermore, about 33 km of fencing will be upgraded under the future construction project in the Southern side of Qumbu.

Vandalism and theft of fencing components is an ongoing challenge, as is the control of the closure of gates. The non closure of gates results in the entry of animals into the road reserve and then being trapped in a fenced corridor. The Provincial Department of Transport have introduced rangers to patrol the roads for the purpose of controlling stray animals.

(c) The N2 is considered to be a mobility road and the location of trading facilities should be considered with caution as it introduces additional turning movements with the associated reduction of the safe operation of this high speed mobility road. Such facilities are best located on lower speed access roads which operate under lower traffic volumes and speeds. Additionally it should be noted that trading on public and national roads are controlled under legislation.

Reply:

(1)(a) The South African Police Service acted promptly to protect the citizens when requested to do so. Throughout the strike action there has been continuous communication and engagement between SAPS and Municipal Manager. There has also been a continuous communication and engagement between Major General Mki, Deputy Provincial Commissioner: Operational Services from the Provincial Commissioner’s office and Mr Von Buchenroder M. (MPL, DA) and he had been kept abreast about the police actions pertaining to the strike. Consequent to these police actions, two criminal cases have been registered being Willowmore CAS 34/07/2015 Assault Common and Willowmore CAS 46/07/2015 Attempted Murder.

(1)(b) The South African Police Service did enforce the Court Order and the subsequent occupation of the Office of the Municipal Manager was through his permission on the misunderstanding that the group representing the strikers wanted to engage in negotiations in order to address the causes of the strike.

When it transpired later that this was not the intention, the Municipal Manager summoned the police who immediately removed the group. In instances where the strikers convened a gathering in contravention of the order, the police immediately broke up such gathering and criminal cases were registered.

A municipal truck that was parked at Steytlerville municipal premises was damaged during the night and the matter is still under investigation. Due to the above police actions, the following criminal cases have been registered being Steytlerville CAS 14/07/2015 Malicious Damage to Property, Willowmore CAS 47/07/2015 Intimidation and Willowmore CAS 43/07/2015 Illegal Gathering.

(2) No action is envisaged against the two officers. There is no evidence to substantiate the failure to act on their part in this situation but on the contrary criminal investigations have been instituted against the strikers and some cases have already referred to the prosecuting authority for decision.

Reply:

(a)(i)(ii)(b)(i)(ii)(aa)(bb)(aaa)(bbb) The Department of Public Service and Administration and the National School of Government do not have a standard definition for red tape besides the standard dictionary meaning which generally refers to excessive regulation or rigid conformity to formal rules that are considered redundant or bureaucratic and hinder or prevent action or decision-making.

There are continuous performance monitoring reviews with specific reference to reducing lead time and improve turn-around time against the Annual Operational Plans (AOPs) and/or the Annual Performance Plans (APPs).

In keeping with the prescripts that govern effective and efficient service delivery, the following have been put in place; service delivery charter and standards, complaints handling management policy, service delivery improvement plans, amongst others, which are in addition to the processes of monitoring individual programmes and institutional performance management.

To optimise the use of ICT in order to gain some efficiency in the operations and service culture, the National School of Government is currently reviewing its service systems architecture and ICT infrastructure towards ensuring seamless delivery of education and learning programmes and courses.

CENTRE FOR PUBLIC SERVICE INNOVATION (CPSI)

(a)(ii)(b)(i)(ii)(aa)(bb)(bbb) According to the CPSI, red tape emerges when formal rules, regulations and procedures related to the administration of service delivery are no longer effective in achieving the goal for which they were instituted and/or the cost of compliance is not justified by the benefit that citizens receives.

The CPSI Awards Programme annually unearths a number of innovations to improve turn-around time for effective and efficient public service delivery. Recent projects include the “Vota Quota” web-based procurement system of the IEC, the CFO Helpdesk at DTI, pharmacy automation in Gauteng that significantly reduces paperwork and queues, KZN’s Digital Pen for m-Health, and the Road Accident Fund’s “RAF on the Road” initiative that simplified RAF applications and pay outs.

For a more comprehensive analysis of red tape and examples of red tape reduction, please refer to the CPSI’s Future Watch publication “From Red Tape to Smart Tape: Easing the Administrative Burden of Public Service Delivery”, available from http://www.cpsi.co.za/archived-publications/ and attached herewith).

Given the size of the CPSI and its mandate, very little red tape exists within the organisation. New internal policies and processes prioritise simplified processes and the use of electronic forms and systems rather than paper-based solutions.

An example of an internal system where red tape was reduced within the CPSI is the new online system being used for travel bookings. Using the Travel Agent’s web-based system, designated staff members are doing bookings for the organisation. The system eliminates the need to use a travel consultant to make a booking on behalf of the CPSI, provides for electronic authorisation and offers access to more and cheaper options. The CPSI is already saving significant amounts using the system.

Reply:

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

The information requested is merely not readily available at the level of detail requested. Due to the number of transactions and various documentation to be analysed and consolidated it would be extremely time consuming and place an unreasonable burden on the resources of the Department to obtain the information requested.

Reply:

(a) (i) The Department of Science and Technology defines “red tape” as any process or administrative requirement that hinders the effective operation and implementation of policies, programmes that seek to deliver on the mandate of the department.

(ii) The response regarding the definition of red tape by entities is presented below:

Entities	Definition of red tape
Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)	Process that entails some restrictive processes or hindrance that have to be followed or complied with in the performance of an activity.
Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)	Rules, processes and procedures that impose unnecessary delay, and inaction or cost to the supplier(s) and/or potential beneficiaries.
Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC)	Unnecessary bureaucratic practices which adds no value to desired outcomes, but are imposed on processes nonetheless.
National Research Foundation (NRF)	Additional administrative measure, over and above the established policies and procedures of the organisation that are implemented through legislated authorities.
South African National Space Agency (SANSA)	Unnecessary and cumbersome rules, regulations, requirements, processes or procedures that result in unacceptable and unnecessary delays in business processes and decision making.
Technology Innovation Agency (TIA)	Excessive regulation or rigid conformity to formal rules that is considered redundant or bureaucratic and hinders or prevents action or decision-making.

(b) Response to the specific interventions and systems that have been implemented to identify and reduce red tape is provided below:

Entities/ Department	(i) Interventions	(ii) Systems
		(aa) Identify	(bb) Reduce	(aa) Identify	(bb) Reduce
		(aaa) Department	(bbb) Entities
Department of Science and Technology	Establishment of an Operations Committee to address operational matters.	Review of policies and procedures every two years (or as required) as part of continuous improvement or with the introduction of new/ legislative amendments.	Document adverse effects of policy implementation to inform future reviews and amendments. Development of standard operating procedures (as applicable) to maximise efficiencies.
Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)	There are no specific interventions.			No systems to identify red tape.	No systems to reduce red tape.
Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)	There are no specific interventions.			Continually review processes to incorporate improvements and to align to new legislative requirements.	Developed systems and processes to maximise its efficiencies and effectiveness.
Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC)	There are no specific interventions.			Identify these through internal consultation and by working closely with the Internal and External Auditors and then determine what is required to adhere to in order to remain compliant.	No systems to reduce red tape.
National Research Foundation (NRF)	There are no specific interventions.			No systems to identify red tape.	No systems to reduce red tape.
South African National Space Agency (SANSA)	There are no specific interventions.			Identify through service level standards or turnaround time targets that are set for key processes.	Regularly review policies, procedures and systems with a view to continually assess their effectiveness.
Technology Innovation Agency (TIA)	-Materiality framework was amended to enhance decision making and execution of decisions. -Delegation of authority was refined. -Revision of Investment framework policy. -Bi-monthly Exco meetings. -Special board meetings to expedite decisions made. -The operational team in the Supply Chain Management Unit has been expanded to meet business’ needs quicker and more efficient. -Employee culture survey. -Complaints review. -Customer satisfaction surveys.			Operational inefficiencies are identified through inadequate turnaround times of approval and payment of projects and expenditure. It is also identified through employee engagement surveys and customer satisfaction surveys.	Investment management system has been designed and implemented.

Reply:

1. The reintroduction of specialised units in the South African Police Service is determined by organisational priorities and is being considered annually. There is no intention in the Annual Performance Plan 2015/2016 to reintroduce any additional specialised units. Existing units are continuously being capacitated to enhance their capability to render an effective and efficient service.

The moment a need for the establishment of a specialised unit is identified, the need is analysed and investigated taking existing capacities and organisational priorities into consideration in order to address a specific need.

2.  No statement will be made at this moment in time.

Reply:

Yes, the Department of Energy fully complies with the set employment target. 2.48% was reached as at 31 July 2015.

Reply:

1. No POP members were transferred to the Parliamentary Protection Service.

(1)(a) Not applicable.

(1)(b)(i) Not applicable.

(1)(b)(ii) Not applicable.

(1)(c)(i) Not applicable.

(1)(c)(ii) Not applicable.

(1)(d) Not applicable.

(2) No.

(2)(a) Not applicable.

(2)(b) Not applicable.